Kaieteur News

‘Restore accounts of our candidates’

...WIN tells banks after OFAC's clarification

…says actions of banks unjustified, politically-motivated

WeInvestinNationhood (WIN) is calling for the immediate reinstatement of its candidates' accounts that were closed by local commercial banks, arguing that the clarification by the UnitedStatesDepartmentof Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has proven that such actions wereunjustified.

F o l l o w i n g t h e publication ofWIN's List of Candidates, three local banks and other financial

institutions stopped providingservicestoseveral candidates, citing their membershipinapartyledby Guyanese businessman Azruddin Mohamed, who wassanctionedinJune2025 byOFAC.

In response to a query, OFAC disclosed that U.S. financial institutions would not be in violation of sanctions for maintaining accounts of non-sanctioned persons or engaging in transactions with those associated with sanctioned individuals.Itwasexplained that the prohibition applies onlyifthesanctionedperson hasaninterestintheaccount ortransaction.

InastatementonSunday, WINcondemnedtheclosure of its candidates' accounts and argued that OFAC's clarification proves the banks' actions to be both unjustified and politically motivated.

“Despite this clear

distinction,localbankshave moved to close accounts belonging to multiple WIN candidates, a move that has no basis in OFAC regulations. This overreach not only undermines the financial rights of ordinary citizens who chose to serve theircountryundertheWIN banner, but also raises

with international standards of fairness and nondiscrimination.”

Additionally,WINurged the Bank of Guyana (BoG), the Private Sector Commission (PSC), and other stakeholders to carefully observe these developments The party noted, “Guyanese citizens

troubling questions about political interference in Guyana's banking sector,” thepartysaid.

Moreover, WIN said it finds the action of the banks to be a political act of victimization designed to intimidate candidates and underminetheparty'sability to compete fairly during the election.

It was noted, “Such activitiescompromisepublic confidence in Guyana's financial system as well as thedemocraticprocess.”

Moreover, WIN called on the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Board of Directors of the local financial institutions to immediately restore access to the affected candidates, and “behave in accordance

deserveanevenplayingfield where they can see their democratically elected representatives not selectively targeted by the misuse of financial power WIN will continue to fight for transparency, fairness, and equal opportunity for everyGuyanesecitizen.”

On August 16, Kaieteur reportedthataccordingtoan email inquiry dated August 12, OFAC's Compliance Hotline explained, “The implications of transacting with a political party led by an individual sanctioned by OFAC, or with members of such a political party, would depend on whether the sanctioned individual is involved in the transaction. For example, U.S. financial institutions would not

violate sanctions for maintaining the account of or processing a transaction involving a non-sanctioned organization or nonsanctioned members of that organization solely because another member of that organization is sanctioned. However, U S financial institutions would be prohibited from engaging in such transactions if the sanctionedindividualhasan interest in the accounts or transactions.”

However, the email also states, “Unless exempt or otherwise authorized by a general or specific license from OFAC, transactions with sanctioned persons by U.S. persons are generally prohibited, and non-U S persons could also face sanctions risk for certain activities involving sanctioned persons, such as providing material support tothem.”

Further, OFAC said it will not direct an entity to conduct activity that undermines its policies and procedures.

Presidential candidate for We Invest in Nationhood (WIN)

Moreover, On August 6, speaking with reporters on thesidelineofanevent,U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, NicoleTheriotstressedthere is “absolutely no association” between the OFAC sanctions and the decisions made by local financialinstitutions.

The ambassador explained that OFAC sanctions are targeted specifically at the U.S. and apply “solely” to what happens there. Ambassador Theriot also noted that local banks did not engage with the U.S. Embassy before makingtheirdecisions.“The decision by the banks was entirely independent We werenotconsulted;wewere not asked We have no opiniononthematter Banks here make their own decisions,”shesaid. Notably, she added that she was unsure whether there had been any correspondence between the local banks and their U.S. bankingpartners.

In June 2024, Azruddin, his father Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, their businesses and former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Mae Thomas were allsanctionedbyOFAC.

KaieteurNews

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EDITORIAL

Boys starring

Boys in Guyana are rewriting a stubborn narrative. For too long, we've heard the refrain that boys are disengaged from classrooms, allergic to reading, and destined to underperformwhilegirlssurgeahead.Thatstorywasnever thewholetruth.AndthemostrecentresultsfromCSEC,and CAPE with two boys: Jayden Adrian and Arthur Roberts respectively coming out on top makes it clearer than ever: when boys are challenged, supported, and seen, they star Several other boys have been placed in the top ten performersatboththeCSECandCAPEthisyear

Notwithstanding, a 2024 article appearing on the IDB website under the caption 'Gender gaps in education in the Caribbean: are girls doing better than boys? underscored thattherearegrowinggendergapsthatleavemalesbehindin terms of educational attainment and urged that authorities understandthedeterminantsofthisreality,asnotaddressing them might translate into productivity related long-term inequalitiesthatcouldrestrainoptimalgrowth.

Besides, the article noted that overall persistence of learninginequalitiesacrossstudents'lifecycle,studieshave documentedagrowingadvantageoffemalesovermalesin termsoflearningoutcomes.Itnotedthatwhileenrollmentin primary and secondary school, as well as primary school completion rates, are similar for girls and boys, secondary school completion rates largely favour girls. According to thearticle,femalesalsooutperformmalesintermsofpostsecondaryeducationenrollment,andmalesaresignificantly morelikelytobeintheshareofpopulationnotineducation, employment,ortraining(NEETs),thearticlepointedout.It mentioned too that, women across Caribbean countries consistently show higher learning achievement in primary, secondary, and post-secondary education levels, and this gapbetweenfemalesandmalesisubiquitousacrossallthe socio-economicspectrums.

CSEC data also reveal these consistent gaps favouring females in terms of passing rates and the proportion of top performers However, notably across primary and secondary schools, urban and hinterland alike in Guyana, boyshavebeenclawingbackspaceinthewinners'circlein recent years. At the NGSA, we have watched boys, step confidently into the top ranks, not just from traditional powerhouses on the coast but from regions that once saw such triumphs as extraordinary Their success is not an accident,butreflectiveofthecommitmentbytheirteachers pushing literacy earlier, parents prioritising study routines, andschoolsopeningspaceforboystolearnwithoutshame orstereotype.

AttheCSEClevel,theevidenceisevenhardertoignore. Boys have been posting standout performances in Mathematics, the sciences, and technical subjects, areas wherecuriosity,tinkering,andproblem-solvingthrive.They arealsowideningtheirfootprintinhumanitiesandbusiness, defying the crude notion that “book work” is somehow unmasculine. In classrooms from Queen's College and Bishop's High and St. Stanislaus to Mackenzie High, New Amsterdam,andAnnaReginaSecondary,boysareproving thatdisciplineandambitionaren'tgenderedtraits.Theyare habits.Andhabitscanbetaught,reinforced,andcelebrated. CAPEresultsreinforcethismomentum.Boystakingon demandingunitsinPureMathematics,Physics,Chemistry, Computer Science,Accounting, and Literatures in English are pushing for distinctions and earning them. They are forming study groups, leveraging after-school labs, and taking advantage of new digital resources. What we are witnessing is not a spike but the shape of a sustained shift, boyslearningtolearn,andlearningtolead.

Finally,atatimewhenwearelosingsomeofouryoung men to crime and drugs, collectively as a society we must keep the tone right, encourage our boys while at the same time avoid the lazy pendulum swing that pits boys against girls.Oursisagoalnottoreplaceonegapwithanother;but to close gaps, period. Girls' achievements have lifted nationalstandards.Boysrisingtomeetthemliftsthecountry higher still. Excellence isn't a scarce resource. Boys in

The ballot was won through struggle, sweat, and sacrifice: It must remain sacred

DearEditor,

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has to be mindful it is not colluding with the People's Progressive Party (PPP) or any other force, local or foreign, to rig the 2025 elections.Ifthathappens,the last safeguard of our democracy, the ballot, will be lost. I return to this issue on the belief that it is never too late for good sense to prevail.

We in Guyana know too well the bitter lessons of electoral manipulation and in instance violence, the mostrecentlybeingthe2020 elections. The people's right tochoosehastoooftenbeen compromised Each time, the damage left behind was distrust, division, and instability

That is why protecting the ballot must be the number one priority It cannot be business as usual.

Foryears,citizenshavebeen calling for simple, commonsense safeguards, yetGECOMhasdraggedits feet. The refusal to ban cell phonesinthepollingbooths is one such glaring failure. Allowing voters to enter with cell phones opens the door to intimidation, votebuying, and manipulation, where people are pressured to prove how they voted.To protect the sanctity of the ballot, cell phones must be banned.Fullstop.

Equally troubling is GEC

safeguards to verify voters.

In an oil-rich nation with billions flowing in, Guyana cannot claim it lacks the resources to introduce technology that many smaller nations already use to protect their elections. This is not a question of capacitybutofpoliticalwill. Byfailingtoact,GECOMis

exposingtheprocesstofraud and making itself complicit intheerosionoftrust.

Let me make it very clear, the people are not asking for these measures out of luxury, but out of necessity Citizens have demanded them repeatedly The absence of action is not because Guyanese do not want safeguards, it is because of the absence of politicalwillandtheevident disrespect for the voices of thepeople.

And let us be reminded, the sanctity of the ballot is tied directly to the struggles ofworkers.Itwastheblood, sweat, and sacrifice of the working class that wrested the right to vote from the hands of the colonial elite. Workers stood at the forefront of agitation for universal suffrage, for fair representation, and for a voiceinshapingthenation's destiny To now undermine

that ballot is to spit in the face of every worker who fought to ensure their children and grandchildren couldmarkanXandhaveit count.Theworker'sstruggle is the people's struggle, and the ballot is the worker's shield.

GECOM must take full responsibility for ensuring the integrity of the 2025 vote. And GECOM must also be held fully accountableforanyfalloutif itfailstodoso.Theintegrity of elections cannot be compromised to suit politicalconvenience.

The ballot was won through struggle, sweat, and sacrifice It must remain sacred. If it is betrayed, it will not be the PPP or any party that wins, only corruption will And the workers and people of this nationwillnotforgiveit.

Regards

LincolnLewis

Removal of the Dead from the List of Electors

DearEditor,

In attendance at a meetingofGECOMofficials with party agents, the issue of dead persons being listed was raised. The example of someone who died 13 years ago and whose death was registeredwiththeGROwas provided.

GECOM'SDeputyChief Elections Officer responded

DearEditor,

by asking the person who raisedthematterwhetherthe opportunitywasusedtohave that name deleted in the Claims and Objections exercise. He then referred the matter to the Commission.

The Commission had discussed this matter ad nauseam. The Commission byamajorityvoterefusedto

use the legal provision for t h e r e p o r t s f r o m CommissionerofPoliceand theChiefMedicalOfficeron deaths to be used for deletions, yet when faced with such a question the Officer who participated in the refusal refers the matter back to a body that has refused to take the legally enshrined action.This is but

one example of GECOM'S stoic refusal to take actions toensurethateverymeasure is taken to ensure that the conditionsforafreeandfair election are met, yet GECOM marches on to prepare for and guarantees theconductofafreeandfair election.

VincentAlexander GECOMCommissioner

Movietowne Parking lot

It seems that the managementofMovietowne in Turkeyen is incapable or unwilling to maintain order in the parking lot of their business.Whatstartedoutas one person playing music from their car occasionally, has evolved into a weekly occurrence of mayhem and lawlessness with several persons playing very loud music from their cars, every weekend, way past midnight.

This compounded with the motorcyclists with loud exhausts racing around and sports cars backfiring incessantly is causing extreme duress to residents who are living nearby It shouldbenotedthatthereare several signs posted around theparkinglotstipulatingno loud music, no speeding, no drag racing, but these go unchecked. It is unclear if any enforcement is being done.

Thisblatantdisregardfor rulesandnormalizingofbad behavior must stop Movietowne as a private business,whichislocatedin a residential/institutional zone. It is expected that part of their corporate social responsibility is to adhere with the requisite laws pertaining to loud noise especially when it is very disruptive to persons living nearby

Perhaps this is a good timeforMr DerekChin,the owner of this establishment, to visit the premises at Turkeyen to experience the lawlessness that is taking place there every weekend. This does not happen in Trinidad, the home of MovieTowne, and should not be allowed to happen hereinGuyana.

Sincerely, ZorinaGafoor ResidentofTurkeyen

Open Letter to President Irfaan Ali

DearEditor, Excellency, we the members of Parika / Mora Del Conte Co-operative SocietyLtd.hadoccasionto approach you by way of a formal Petition in July of

2024 but sadly we were not favoredwithareply.

We need for Mr. Janaknauth Panchu, Chief Co-operatives Development OfficeroftheDepartmentof Co-operatives, Ministry of Labor, to call a General Meeting of all our listed members,thenhaveanAudit doneandthencallanAnnual General Members Meeting andElections. Ourlastaudit was in March of 2018 and our last General Meeting was held in 2023. Our only General Members Meeting and Election of Office Bearers was in January of 2017. The Minister of Labor at

Guyana are not “defying expectations”; they are fulfilling them.Ourjobistoensurethoseexpectationsaremetevenas we keep the labs open, the libraries buzzing, the mentors close, and the applause loud. From NGSA to CSEC to CAPE, the message is ringing out: boys can star, and they are.Nowlet'smakesuretheykeepthestage.

a meeting on 4th November 2024 instructed just this but wearestillwaitingandwith no feedback. My efforts to obtainanupdateattheendof January of 2025 were met with hostility and malevolence...

We have found that The Chief Co-operatives Development Officer does not carry out the Ministers instructionsandthe (Continuedonpage5)

Our best years are ahead of us with PPP poised to win a second term

DearEditor,

Given the enormous successes of the President Aliadministrationinhisfirst term, Guyana is poised to have its best years ahead of us when the PPP assumes a second term. There was a p a c e o f d i z z y i n g development in the past 5 years.Itwashardtokeepup with all the ceremonies of new schools being opened up;hospitalsandrefurbished clinics opening up; bridges dedicated; the new Demerara Bridge opening up soon; commissioning of new wells and water treatment plants; agriculture lands being opened up; new drainage and irrigation projects completed; new p u m p s t a t i o n s commissioned;thousandsof house lots given out; low income housing made available; forgiveness of student loans which kept tens of thousands of dollars in students' pockets; free GOALandUGscholarships which kept hundreds of thousands of dollars in families' pockets; widespread technical and

vocationalandskillstraining acrossthecountryleadingto higherpayingjobs;steeland cement subsidies; small business grants given out; ongoing salary increases for Government workers; modestincreasesinOldAge pensions and Public Assistance; cash grants for everyoneover18andforall school children putting thousands of dollars in our pockets,etc.

PeopleofGuyana,which other Caricom country is doing these kinds of things?

As the Pastor would say in church, "Count your many blessings,namethemoneby one, and it would surprise youwhattheLordhasdone."

We must give praise and thanks where praise is due; we must not be ungrateful. Our country is blessed and the most resourced in Caricom.Ifindsomepeople have fixed mindsets of negativity, and they like to whine.Theyseetheglassas half empty, not half full. If you say the Government build thousands of roads, they retort "You can't eat roads " We need both

infrastructure and higher incomesandbenefits.

Guyana is in the "takeoff"stageofdevelopment.In the model of economic development by economist Rostow, the "take-off" stage ischaracterizedbyrapidand sustained economic growth, driven by industrialization and the emergence of new industries This stage follows the "preconditions for take-off" and is marked by a significant increase in investment, leading to selfsustaining growth. The PPP administration has accomplished most of what itsaiditwoulddointhefirst term I believe all the projects announced by PresidentAliwillgetdonein the second term. We must keep the momentum going. We can't stop the progress. We did that in 2015 and regretteditbitterly Ittooka "no confidence" motion and crossovervotersreturningto the PPP in 2020 to end the dismal rule of the PNC whichtriedtorigtheelection infullviewoftheworld.

Now that the country is back on track, I believe the

PPP will consider all the criticism and advice given by the public for greater accountability and quality and develop models to accelerate our purchasing powerofallcitizensthrough structured, sustained approaches. They will look at OldAge Pensions, fix the NIS contribution problems, enhance Public Assistance support, and address the problems of people in the lowerincomebracket.Itrust thePPPmoretogetallthese things done. They are the incumbentGovernmentwith wide experience and a large talent pool to make things happen. There will not need to be a learning curve.They will not have to say, like some people say, "very soon," "very shortly." The PPP will hit the ground runningonSeptember2nd. Somepeopleliketovent their frustration and make rash judgments based on a single thing that bugs them. The wiser people look at all the factors, all the variables then decide that despite somethingtheGovernment (Continuedonpage6)

Open Letter to President Irfaan...

Frompage4

ChairmanoftheCo-opdoes not carry out the Chief Cooperatives Development Officerinstructions.

Wehavepaidmostofthe cost for the Cadastral or BlockSurveyattheGuyana

Land and Surveys

Department, about ($3,900,000), for the block of land which we have a Provisional Lease but here again members are denied anyformalfeedbackonwhat isthestateofplayhere.

Meanwhile a hostile takeoverandprivatizationof the Society and it assets seems to be in full swing.A few months ago ,a group purporting itself to embody the Mining and Forestry Group of the Society held a m e e t i n g w i t h a representativeoftheNatural Resources Ministry and managedtohavesignedover to the Chairman of the PMDCCSL, in his personal capacity, the capital assets

i e mining blocks and p o s s i b l y f o r e s t r y concessions that have

belonged to the Cooperative and all its members for more than a decade.Allthisisthecapture of a society by actors enabled and empowered by theveryagenciesofthestate

Government's Empty 11th Hour Promises Cannot Excuse GPL's Collapse

who are constitutionally obligated to oversight the proper running of that societyforthebenefitofall.

This is wrong your Excellency Meanwhile the Department of Cooperativesismakingallsorts ofexcusesinsteadofmoving torectifythesituationinthe interestofthesocietyandits members Excellency the CCDO does not seem to know that a Co-operative

hastobeaCo-operative.Not a sole proprietorship, not a private enterprise, not a limitedpartnershipbutaCooperative

In closing Excellency, we are saying that the Chief Co-operatives Development Officer Mr. Janaknauth Panchushoulddohisjoband let the chips fall where they may Or the judgment of History will be particularly severe on him and his

cohorts in the office of the Department of Cooperatives.Thank you, your Excellency LeonMoses Secretary Parika/MoraDelConte Co-operativeSocietyLtd.

s y n o n y

s w i t h unreliability and public aggravation. If the government truly believes consumers are not getting valueformoneyafterallthe funds injected, then it must alsoadmitthatithasfailedin itsoversightand (Continuedonpage6)

DearEditor, The Vice President's recent remarks on the failures of Guyana Power and Light (GPL) once again expose the hypocrisy and short-sightedness of the current administration While Bharrat Jagdeo expresses frustration with GPL's daily excuses and promises a "managementshake-up"ifthe PPP/Cwinsthenextelections, one cannot ignore the glaring factthatGPL'sfailuresarethe direct result of years of poor government leadership and political interference For overtwodecades,successive PPP/C administrations have poured billions of taxpayer dollars into GPL without producing meaningful improvements. Blackouts remain a daily reality, businesses continue to suffer losses,andordinaryGuyanese areleftliterallyinthedark.To nowfeignoutrageandcallfor a shake-up is nothing more than political theater an attempttodeflectfromthefact thatthegovernmenthasbeen atthehelmofGPL'sdecline all along Excuses about lightning strikes, heavy machinery coming into contact with the lines, or even technical limitations cannot mask the truth. The utility's collapse stems from lack of vision, chronic underinvestmentintechnical capacity, failure to address system losses, neglect in maintenance resulting in o v e r 7 5 , 0 0 0 decaying/damaged poles, lack of adequate protection to avoid total country shutdowns, and reliance on quick fixes instead of longtermsolutions.EventheVice President'sadmissionthathe is"tiredoftheexcuses"rings hollow, because it is under his government's watch that G P L h a s

OFAC clarification a win for those affected

DearEditor, The dates keep shifting for the official release of elections results. The latest now being September 3. Why the constant shifting? Results are counted and posted at each polling station. Granted there might be some hiccups in getting resultsinbutisthatnewtime span for release really appropriate?

As an aside: Now that OFAC has clarified and that is out of the way, would the closed bank accounts be reinstated to pre-closure status and benefits? This ruling should also apply to theseveredemployee(s)? T h e O F A C determinationhastobeseen asawinforthoseaffected.

Sincerely

ShamshunMohamed

Something must be done to stop the road carnage on the highway

DearEditor,

The recent gruesome accident on the Linden Highway,whichclaimedthe lives of three persons, includingachild,hasleftme deeplyshaken.

I run the Behavior ModificationFacilityatLoo Creek,whichmeansItravel that road several times each week sometimes several times a day Very often, I make the journey at night, and each time I do, I am fearful Driving on the Linden Highway after dark orintherainisnothingshort ofterrifying.

The dangers are well known. Many drivers show little regard for traffic discipline. Trucks carrying sand, lumber, and other goods frequently break downandareleftunattended on the roadway, without reflectors or warnings These vehicles become

deathtrapsforunsuspecting motorists. Add to this the lackofpropersignage,andit truly feels like gambling withyourlifeeachtimeyou usethatroad.

Something must be done I recommend that signs be posted along the highway displaying Highway Patrol contact numbers. This would allow anydriverorpasserbytocall for help when a vehicle breaks down. Patrols could then place reflective cones, tow disabled vehicles, and p r o v i d e u r g e n t assistance—steps that could savecountlesslives.

The Linden Highway is notjustaroad;itisalifeline for families, workers, and communities We cannot continue to accept preventable tragedies Actionisurgentlyneeded.

Respectfully, WendellJeffrey,Pastor

Government's Empty 11th...

Frompage5 leadership of GPL A promise of a "management shift" after the next election is not a solution, it is an admission of guilt and an attempt to buy more time from a weary public Guyanesedeservemorethan angrysoundbitesandhollow promises.What is needed is independent, professional management free from political meddling, transparent accountability for GPL's failures, and a clear, measurable roadmap to modernize the grid and meet the country's growing e n e r g y d e m a n d s .

Appointing the attorney general'sbrother,whosesole attribute is his birth certificate, to lead the

company is a dereliction of dutytocountryandplacesa premiumoncronyism.Until then, Jagdeo's frustrations are nothing more than a smokescreen. The truth is clear - GPL's dysfunction is not just a utility problem, it is a leadership problem and the blame rests squarely on the shoulders of the government.Thecompany's failures aren't mere service disruptions; they are a fundamental hindrance to Guyana's development. As citizens, we deserve better than empty assurances and perpetualblackouts.

ColinWelch FormerChiefExecutive Officer

Guyana Power and Light

Our best years are ahead of...

Frompage5 didthatirritatedme,wehave to give the Government creditforalltheirabundance ofaccomplishments.

Therearemorepositives than negatives, and the positives are all around for you to see! Someone said, the PPP at its worst would stillbebetterthanthePNCat its best. Our best years are aheadofus!

Sincerely, Dr.JerryJailall CivilSocietyAdvocate

BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT

Broomes,AmanzaandtheAFC

AFC promises to haul in Exxon to repay inflated costs

Once in the seat of government,theAlliancefor Change (AFC) said it will haul US oil major ExxonMobilin,anddemand that it begins repaying some of the inflated costs uncoveredinthetwoaudits.

Candidate for the party

Jaipaul Sharma told supporters at anAFC public meetinginLindenonFriday, there were three audits done

between1999and2025. “Nowthefirstphasewas a very lengthy phase. This one was from 1999 to, I believe, 2017. In that phase ofthataudit,theydiscovered that the auditor, which was, mind you, this is an international, recognised auditingfirmthattheAPNU and AFC government broughtin,andthatfirmsaid thattheyrecommended$214

million is questionable, and guess what? It should come backtowe,right,thismoney shouldcomebacktowe,”he stressed.

Sharma lamented that approximately GYD $40 millionisnotbeingcollected by the government He disclosed that an employee of the Ministry of Natural Resources had unauthorised discussions with Exxon

Mobil and reduced the US$214 million to a mere US$3million.

“You understand that they thieving this money in frontyourfaceandyouain't saying nothing. Move from US$214toUS$3M.Nobody. Don't know, but he only he know, and guess what was his penalty? What was his penalty? What do you think was his penalty? Death sentence? I would have given you that sentence Right, but no, this governmentsay,oh,hemade a mistake. So, I don't give him15daysnopayleaveand a letter, a warning letter 15 days no pay leave and a warningletter,”hesaid.

“See these people robbing you left, right and centre,andyousittingdown, taking it and without doing nothing. That was only one report. What happened to this the second report? Nothing. What happened to the third report? Nothing,” hesaid.

SpeakingonAFC'splans regarding Exxon's inflated costs, Sharma said that within the first 100 days in government, the party will “ensure that this oil major come to the table and start puttingsomemoneyin.Must start compensating us for overchargingus.”

The AFC has already vowed to enforce sweeping changes to the lopsided, ExxonMobil contract if it gets into government after the September 1 elections promising to establish a National Petroleum Commission and pursue renegotiation and ringfencingprovisions.

In its oil and gas policy, which outlines plans for the sector, AFC maintains that

AFC candidate

Jaipaul Sharma

Guyanamustbeincontrolof and benefit from its oil sector

It must be noted that it was AFC founder, Raphael Trotman who was the Minister of Natural Resources at the time when thecoalitionsignedthe2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil.

The 2016 PSAstipulates that the minister responsible for petroleum must pay the equivalentofthecompanies' income tax to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on their behalf. Under the agreement,upto75percent of oil production is used to recover costs, the remaining 25 per cent is considered profit and is split equally between Guyana and the consortium,givingeach12.5 per cent However, the consortiumpaysa2percent royalty from its share to Guyana From Guyana's 14.5 per cent total take, the governmentmustpaytheoil companies'taxes.

The AFC said seeking transparency, with full

disclosure of all the agreements within the sector, revenue flows, environmental plans and approvals.Anotheraspectof the AFC's promise is accountability, where industry operators will have tocomplywithalllaws,best practices, and will be facing consequencesforviolations.

The AFC said too that environmental protection will be prioritised, along with the building of the country's local capacity and long-termnationalplanning, to ensure there is equity and every citizen benefits “Within30daysofassuming office, we will initiate renegotiationoftheStabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement(PSA),including transitioningtoanewmodel thatensuresGuyanareceives its fair and proportional share of oil revenues Introduce ring-fencing provisions to ensure cost recovery is limited to each project, guaranteeing faster revenue flows to Guyana,” thepolicysays.

Some 30 days after this whichwouldbeatotalof60 days in office, the AFC is looking to create something t h a t t h e c u r r e n t administration claims there is no need for, a National Petroleum Commission (NPC), an independent and professionalregulatorybody which will have oversight overexploration,production andcompliance.

An AFC government will, “ensure the NPC is staffed with qualified professionals, insulated frompoliticalinfluence,and mandated to oversee contracts, compliance, safety, and environmental protection.”

Govt. finalising Human Capital Strategy

to address

immediate and long-term workforce needs - President Ali

Thegovernmentiscurrentlyfinalisingits Human Capital Strategy that will aid in meeting both immediate and long-term workforce needs as the economy continues toexpand.

President Dr Mohamed IrfaanAli made this revelation toAlastair Campbell, host of 'The Rest Is Politics: Leading,' making him the first sitting President from theAmericas to appear on the UK's leading political podcastwithmillionsoflistenersworldwide.

From Guyana's economic rise, climate leadership, to Caribbean unity and cricket, President Ali engaged in frank discussions, includingwhathisgovernment'splansareon attractingadiasporaworkforcetoGuyana.

President Dr Mohamed IrfaanAli made thisrevelationasheappearedonTheRestIs Politics: Leading with Alastair Campbell. WhenquestionedbyCampbell,PresidentAli revealedthestrategyiscloselylinkedtothe migration strategy and focuses on

identifying the types of skilled workers Guyananeeds,particularlyinthehealthcare sector.

“The UK is recruiting heavily in the Caribbean [and] in Guyana – we've all suffered from that,” he explained to Campbell,notingthatthisisaglobalcrisis.

While the government continues to expand local training programmes for nurses, pharmacists, technologists, and doctors to support its modern healthcare system, he acknowledged that there are current shortages requiring overseas recruitment.

“We are now finalising this human capitalstrategythatwillbeusedtostructure the education system, to deliver what we wantnowintothefuture,butalsotoexamine thegapthatexists,”thepresidentexplained. This strategy involves creating a system to help Guyana find and recruit international professionalstofillgaps.(DPI)

The government is the problem

Therearemanythingsin publiclifethatlookgoodon paper but which grow dusty in practice. The Freedom of Information Act is one of them.Itsitsinthelawbooks, solemn and unblinking, like alighthousewhosebulbhas burnedout.

The idea behind the legislation is that citizens should have access to the workings of their government,toknowwhatis beingdoneintheirnameand with their money The trouble is that if ministries and agencies were truly open,iftheofficialsinthem were free to speak frankly with the press, there would be little need for a Freedom

of Information Act or a C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Information Information would move naturally, like air in a room with the windows open. We would notneedaCommissionerof Information to pry loose what should already be flowing.

One of the missteps of t h e A P N U + A F C administration was its m

C

Information.The position, a statutory one, was given the coldshoulderbydenyingthe officeholder his salary This was not just unkind; it was unlawful. The law provides for that office, and with it,

security of tenure. If you wanttodoawaywithathing, do it lawfully The government should have repealed the legislation and closed the office altogether, rather than to try to starve it intoirrelevance.

But APNU+AFC was never much itself into transparency It kept the oil contract hidden away for 18 months,asifsecrecywerea form of national security When the document was finally published, it was thanks to David Granger, who deserves some credit for that. Yet the timing was wrong.

The truth is, no law, no commissioner, no piece of

DEM BOYS SEH

Who we voting fuh?

Demboyssehwhenelectiontimecome, everybody does suddenly remember you.

The same politician who pass you pon the roadwholeyearandain'tevenblowahorn, now does pull up and want shake yuh hand like long-lost cousin. But the big question is—when yuh put that 'X', just who yuh reallyvotingfor?

Isitforyuhself?Foryuhchildrenfuture? Orisitforthemfat-catswhowantkeepdem big salary, dem duty-free SUV, dem firstclass ticket and dem red carpet welcome?

Demboyssehifpoliticianhadtotravellike we—standing in long line at Timehri, waiting pon bag that tek longer than court case—half ah dem wouldn't bother run fuh office.

People does seh vote for change. But change does come easy—change from backseat to front seat in the fancy Prado. Change from ordinary line to VIP line at airport. Change from struggling to juggle grocery bill to juggling dinner between

Pegasus and Marriott. The only thing that ain't change is you—still hustling, still stretchingdollar,stillwonderinghowmuch morericeyuhcouldboilwithoutlilgravy

Dem boys seh the sweetest thing is, the morning after election, life does look the same. Yuh wallet still empty, yuh still got blackout, yuh still got water shortage. The only difference is that politician who beg yuh fuh vote now acting like yuh bothering hewhenyuhcall.

So leh we be honest with weself: when we vote, are we voting for we own betterment, or are we just giving somebody else a chance to live sweet at we expense?

Because come the day after, yuh gon wake up the same way—mosquito still biting, minibus still speeding, and prices still climbing like monkey on mango tree. Dem boys seh is high time we answer the question:arewevotingfordem—orarewe votingforweself? Talkhalf.Leffhalf

well-meaning machinery cancompelagovernmentto be transparent if it has no inclination. The law offers plentyofgroundstorefusea request. “National security” isthemostobligingphrasein the political vocabulary; it can be stretched to cover a l m o s t a n y t h i n g Commercial confidentiality isanother;waveitabout,and thecupboardstaysshut.

So,theCommissionerof Information may knock on the locked doors, but there's little he can do if the occupants refuse to answer The failure is not his. The failureisinthegovernment's unwillingness to regard openness as the default ratherthantheexception.

Opennessisnotaradical idea. It is, in fact, the most conservative policy there is. It conserves trust When officials can explain their actions freely, when decisions are accompanied by reasons rather than excuses, suspicion evaporates.Thepublicisnot unreasonable. It can accept

mistakes,solongasitknows what they are and how they happened. What it cannot accept is the sense that everything important is being done behind closed doors.

If government were run as an open meeting, the journalists could get their facts from the people who have them, not from leaks, rumours, and half-heard whispers. Policies could be explained before they hardened into resentment. Andthecitizencouldlookat his leaders and see not strangers, but people whose workheunderstands.

The great irony is that secrecy often creates more trouble than disclosure. The oil contract, kept under wraps for eighteen months, didnotimprovewithage.By the time it was released, mistrust had already taken root.Rumourshadfilledthe empty space where facts shouldhavebeen.

So, if we are honest, the FreedomofInformationAct is a crutch for a government

that limps in its duty to inform.Itisanecessarylaw onlybecausetransparencyis treated as an optional courtesy If the culture were different, if ministers could speak openly, if agencies issued information without being asked, if candor were seen as part of the job description,thelawcouldbe repealedwithoutloss.

Untilthen,wewillgoon pretendingthattheActisthe guarantorofsomepresumed right to information. What matters is the disposition of thepeopleinpower Giveus a government that sees the public as a partner rather than an audience, and the restwilltakecareofitself.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

H@RD TRUTHS

OFAC's enlightenment, Demerara Bank, GBTI enforcement

The United States Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has cut through the murk about its sanctions, spoken in unambiguous terms, and p r o v i d e d p r o p e r enlightenment Those should be extremely helpful

for Guyanese of all intelligence levels and politicalcolors. T

p

c a t i o n s a n d applications of OFAC's sanctions may have been self-imposed, that condition should now be abandoned, since the issue of whose is impacted is rendered moot today Now that the good officers of the Demerara Bank know, what should theydo? Theyshouldmove with haste to reinstate those 20 or so accounts, and write letters of apology to the

affected Guyanese, their longstanding, unsanctioned customers. Although an apology to the public may make Demerara Bank look good, as truly balanced and conservative entity, a reputable outfit, I do not think that such is not compulsoryforthepublic. It has enough self-inflicted damage to undo. So, let us all be understanding, forgiving, and readying to movealong.

Demerara Bank, and its learned allies, peddled a lot of dogmeat as prime cuts relative to the OFAC sanctions. Riskwasheldout as a reasonable concern, what any entity that puts a premium on self-protection, when the people of WINunsanctioned and lawabiding Guyanese, customersingoodstandingwere sent packing, essentially dumped in a no

man's land, with sharks and wolvesforcompany. Thisis theGuyanathatisabhorred, becauseIfinditsoviscerally demeaning, so mentally calculating.

But the banks were having none of those qualms, with the GBTI, going even further and terminating Mr Corwyn Austin for being on the elections' list of a USsanctionedindividual. Iffor that,thenwhatisleft,whatis constitutionallyfree,whatis lawful,forGuyanesetodo?

Whenthebank'sactions, anditssupportsystemrallied to its side, two thoughts surfaced. First, did the bank's legal and compliance department seek guidance from the people of OFAC? And, second, now that its people had been sucker punched, and a hole dug in its operations, would WIN takethatsittingdown? For,

if the Mohameds had the kind of quality US counsel suspected, then they had to earntheirmoneybyreaching to OFAC for guidance

Fromexperience,thisiskind of interpretative guidance thatwassoughtasamatterof routine from the New York Stock Exchange, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, among others. Before certain far-reaching actions were enforced, that firststephadtobefollowed. Itwasmandatory Apparently, counsel for the Mohameds did so Because in two simple sentences, OFAC delivered what is commonsense and a l s o S o l o m o n i c : “implications of transacting with a political party led by an individual sanctioned by OFAC or with members of such a political party would depend on whether the sanctioned individual is

involved in the t r a n s a c t i o n (italics mine) ”

And, in a further bit of handholding, “U.S financial institutions would not violate sanctions for maintaining the account o f o r p ro c e s s i n g a transaction involving a nonsanctioned organization or non-sanctioned members of that party solely because a n o t h e r m e m b e r i s sanctioned (again, italics added for emphasis).” If those words are good enough, have considerable weight, for U.S. financial institutions,thenIthinkthat Guyanese ones would be in extremelygoodcompany

feared to such an extent that their every word and deed are followed slavishly. Americans with class don't likethat,lookpoorlyatsuch native practitioners of what is nauseatingly obsequious. Demerara Bank and GBTI practiced both, and with theirheelsduginstubbornly

Far be it from me to tell DemeraraBank,andalsothe GBTI(oranyotherfinancial entity in Guyana) what their courseofactionshouldbein the interests of managerial p r i n c i p l e s a n d organizational reputations

ButIwouldberemiss,given thecircumstances,ifIdidn't strongly and respectfully recommend to Demerara Bank, GBTI, et al that they

reverse their earlier decisions to close bank accounts of Guyanese

associated with the sanctioned Mohamed(s)

Reverse and restore Guyanese,betheyofthePPP Government leadership, or private sector commercial enterprises, should have learnedalesson,ahardone, whilewholeworldwatched. The simple lesson is that Americans should not be

In leaving this sorry affair behind, I refrain from inserting today any idea revolving around political favorsthoughttobedoneby the actions of the local banks. Or any political instructions that may have come through the underground channels now part of the information highway in this country. Reinstate the 20 bank accounts is my caution to Demerara Bank And reinstateMr CorwynAustin is the advice extended to GBTI.

B o t h p i e c e s o f consultation are free of charge. Another hand: all these troubling, degrading, exercises in domestic citizenship, may they be the last. May there be truly free andfairelections.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

Rupununi family wiped out in accident

Inlessthan24hourssixpersons have been killed in separate road accidents, among them two children. The most recent accident took place on Sunday along the Rupununi to Lethem trail, Region Nine, reportedly wiping out a familyofthree.

The victims have been identified as a young couple JagnarineandKeyraStephenalong with their only daughter a toddler identifiedasLaurelStephen.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, thedeadman'scousinsaidthatthey are from Yakarinta Village, South Rupununi and were heading to Lethemwhentragedystruck.

Reports are that they collided withaminibusalongthetrailwhile negotiating a slight curve Allegationsarethatthebikewason the wrong side of the road at the time of the crash. Stephen and his wifereportedlydiedonthespotbut the baby girl was rushed to the Lethem Regional Hospital in a criticalstate.Unfortunately,shetoo passed away while receiving treatment in the emergency unit at thehospital.Theentirefamilywas killed mere hours after another accident claimed the lives of three persons along the LindenSoesdyke Highway, Region Four

In the first half of 2025, while overallroadaccidentsdecreasedby 3% compared to the same period last year, road fatalities increased by 6%, with 70 deaths recorded, including two children as of July 30. The period also saw 66 fatal accidents, 166 serious accidents, 235 minor accidents, and 428 damage-onlyincidents.

LatelastmonthChairmanofthe Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC), Earl Lambert, had called on the government to adopt a “three-strike” system for repeat traffic offenders as part of broader efforts to improve road safetyacrossthecountry

Speaking at a National Road Safety Stakeholders Forum, Lambert urged that drivers who repeatedly violate traffic laws should have their licenses revoked and be required to return to a certified driving school for retraining.

Lambert emphasised the need for a cultural shift among drivers, stating that many motorists today focus more on getting to their destinations quickly than driving safely “Indrivingit'sabout,go,go, go…youhavetostopandwaitand make sure that in that process you think about other road users, you

DuringtheweehoursofSaturday,a Fielder Wagon crashed, reportedly into a parked truck, claiming the lives of seven-year-old Meranzo Campbelle, Shelly Joseph and Keiron Wells. The driver remains critical. The seven-year-old victim ishisson.Policeareyettoprovidea statement on both accidents. Investigationscontinue.

The Stephens family who were killed in Sunday's accident in Rupununi

thinkaboutgettingsafelytowhere you are, and on this time, I don't think people exercise that caution ofensuringthatsafetyisexercised. Weneedtoemphasizesafetyonour roads,”hesaid.

Hequestionedwhetherexisting enforcement measures such as eticketing systems, speed cameras, and body cameras are enough to curve the high rate of road accidents. “One of the things that

we would like to ask the governmenttoputinplaceiswhatI call the three strike system where motorist must be penalized every time, if they have been having severaltrafficticketsorinfractions, and therefore have their license suspendedorrevoked,andtheygo back through a driving practice, andtheyimprovethewaytheyuse the road. That by itself will send a message,becausealotofususeour driver'slicensetoearnandifthose licenses are suspended, it is going tosendamessagethatyouneedto exercise care, caution, consideration, courtesy and commonsensewhenyouareusing the road, and that will contribute heavilytowardsthewayweuseour roads,”Lambertexplained.

CommissionerofPoliceClifton

Hicken echoed Lambert's concerns, stating that enforcement alonewillnotsolvetheroadsafety crisis. “We can increase patrols, install more speed cameras, and prosecute offenders, and we will, butunlesswechangeourcollective attitudetowardroadsafety,wewill continue to bury our children, our family members, and our friends,” Hickensaid.

“The police cannot do this alone. Road Safety is everyone's responsibility. It is drivers, pedestrians, parents, teachers, transportoperators,policymakers, insurance engineers and media personalities,”hesaid.

Canadian firm awaits full permit for 5.4M ounces

Oko West gold project

…says EPA approved ESIA

G Mining Ventures (GMIN) a Canadian firm operating in Guyana, recently announced that it is now awaiting a full permit from the Environmental ProtectionAgency(EPA)for itsOkoWestgoldproject.

GMIN said that environmental permitting advancedduringthequarter In May the firm submitted a full Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) to EPA and the agency has since approved

the ESIA “We are imminently awaiting the

grant of the Full

Environment Permit, marking a key regulatory milestone for construction readiness,” GMIN said. The disclosure was made during the company's second quarter2025earningscall.

GMIN is the 100% owner of the OkoWest gold project,whichfallsunderits main prospecting licence

(PL) covering 44 square kilometers (10,890 acres), containing an estimated 5.4 million ounces of gold. The companyhadrevealedthatit expandeditslandholdingsin Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) to 71 square kilometers.

In April, GMIN published the results of the Feasibility Study for Oko West, outlining a long-life, low cost, and high-margin operation.

The company had outlined that the Oko West project is targeting an average annual production of 350,000 ounces of gold overa12.3-yearminelife.

GMIN began early works construction in March, after it received an interimpermitfromEPA.In itsupdate,thecompanysaid that construction is progressing on schedule, including road access, camp construction, and a wharf

facility It was stated, “With substantial completion targeted by year-end, these activities will position the project to move confidently into full construction in the comingyear.”

The company disclosed that during the second quarterexplorationactivities at Oko West continued with drilling focused on near-pit extensions based on a new interpretation of the mineralized zone known as the“splaymodel.”

The company said that trenching and mapping also

progressed along the main shearzonesouthofthepit.

G M I N ' s 2 0 2 5 explorationstrategyremains focused on expanding mineral resources along the shear zone and identifying additional targets across the broaderlandpackage.

Louis-Pierre Gignac, President&ChiefExecutive Officer (CEO) said, “…the completion of the Oko West Feasibility Study and immanent receipt of the FinalEnvironmentalPermit, along with resolution of legacy permitting issues at

Gurupi (Brazil) provide clear visibility on our next phases of development These results reflect the strengthofbothourteamand our strategy to build GMIN into the next multi-asset, mid-tiergoldproducer.”

Gignac had disclosed that the Oko West project is positioned to become the next major phase of growth forthecompany He said with gold production at Oko West commencing by 2027, Oko West will propel GMIN's annual gold production

beyond the 500,000 ounces mark.

Moreover, GMIN has beenadvancingworkswitha focusonextendingthemine l

potentialfortheproject.

In the second half of 2025, the company expects to finalize project financing and make a construction decision, advance detailed engineering and continue early works activities and continue environmental permitting activities at Oko West.

PPP unveils new promises

$150,000 more per child $69,000 more for pensioners $18,000 more for public assistance

Ahead of the release of its manifesto todayPresident IrfaanAli on Sunday unveiled that if reelected the PPP government will invest billions more annually to increase cash grants for children, pensions for the elderly, and public assistance.

He made the announcement during the party's rally at Lethem, RegionNine.Alidisclosedthathis partyplanstoincreasethe'Because We Care' children's grant from $50,000 annually to $100,000. In addition, there will also be a $100,000 transportation grant for students.

Thismeansthateachchildwill receive$200,000annually

He noted that this will cost an additional $40 billion annually to implement.Currently,the'Because WeCare'cashgrantis$50,000per student in public and private schools, with a $5,000 uniform grant,bringingthetotalto$55,000 annuallyperschoolchild.

Additionally,PresidentAlialso announcedthattheoldagepension will be increased from $41,000 a

month to $60,000, promising that this would be the minimum increase.

In addition, pensioners will receive a $50,000 transportation grant He said the increased pensionwillcostabout$65billion annually, while the transportation grantwillcost$4billion.

The PPP had previously increased old age pension from $20,500 in 2020 to the current $41,000.

Moreover, Ali said there are plans to increase public assistance from $22,000 monthly to $40,000. Hesaidthiswillrequire$19billion more. “This is not empty promises and empty bullets,” Ali said, underscoring that the announcements he made are the minimum increases the PPP is targeting.

Healsoassuredcitizensthatthe PPP will deliver on its proposed increases.

These announcements follow remarks by PPP's General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, who noted that unlike the other parties making lavish promises on the

2025 campaign trail, his party has takenadifferentapproach.

DuringaninterviewonStarting Point, Jagdeo was asked about the fiscal promises such as cash transfers being made by other politicalparties,whilethePPPhas beenmorecautious.

In response, the GS explained that the PPP has always been careful and deliberate about economic policies, as the party believesinsustainability

He said the other parties that have promised double or triple what the PPP has proposed are beingunrealistic.

Jagdeosaid,“It'snevergoingto happen because we don't have the resources to do that…you have to createwealthbeforeyoudistribute it.”

In his address at the rally on Sunday, Jagdeo said the next PPP governmentwillfocusoninvesting directly in families and communities.

He said that the 2020 to 2025 PPP term focused on building out infrastructure and creating opportunities.

“The heavy lifting is done,” Jagdeo said, noting that the PPP's next focus will be to help citizens directly Jagdeooutlinedincentives targeted to improve the lives of

People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) 2025 manifesto, the party's presidential candidate Irfaan Ali

citizens, assist with housing, and support those who want to start their own businesses These sentiments were reiterated by PresidentAliduringhisaddress.

An aerial view of the Oko West project

Woman succumbs after being hit by Russian Embassy vehicle

Sixty-four-year-old Ava Brathwaite who was struck by a diplomatic vehicle belonging to the Russian Embassy over a week ago succumbedtoherinjurieson Saturday She died around midday at the Georgetown Public

Hospital Corporation (GPHC), one week after the tragic incident. This was disclosed by Braithwaite's sister,AllisonBrathwaiteon Sunday

Ava was struck by the Russianembassyvehicle,on the night of August 6 while drivingalongtheOgleMain Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Overcomewithgriefand frustration, Allison stated thatsheimmediatelyhireda lawyer to pursue justice for her sister The lawyer has since engaged with the Russian Embassy to determine the next steps. “Theinjuriesweretoomuch. The doctors worked with her,butshecouldn'tbearit,” Allison said, describing Ava's condition while she washospitalised.

AccordingtoAllison,the family notified the embassy of Ava's death during a conversation on Saturday night, during which they asked what support or assistance would be provided However, the embassy did not give an immediate response, instead statingtheywouldreturnthe call. “Last night (Saturday night) we talked with the embassy and let them know that Ava died and asking them what they are going to do and what assistance are theygoingtogiveusbutthey saidtheywillcallusbackso we are waiting for them to callusback,”Allisonsaid.

The family has also provided statements to the police at the Sparendaam Police Station and is awaiting further action

Sincetheaccident,therehas been no official release or information from the Guyana Police Force regarding the circumstances oftheincident.

Ava Brathwaite, who wasemployedatCaraLodge Hotel and lived at Lot 161

Eastville Housing Scheme, Annandale, ECD, was previously listed in critical condition.Shehadsuffereda punctured lung, brain swelling, numbness in her limbs, and was unable to breathe on her own while in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)atGPHC.

Duringthattime,Allison Brathwaite, recounted the details of the incident and

information based on what eyewitnessestoldthefamily According to her, Ava was heading home from work around 23:00 hrs. and was driving east along the main access road when she was allegedlystruckfrombehind by a speeding DPL vehicle. Witnesses claimed that the

consuming alcohol The

impact of the crash forced Ava's vehicle off the road and into a nearby concrete utilitypole.

“They were driving with speed and hit my sister's car and from the impact, it sent the car into one of them concrete light poles by Ogle and the thing fall down,” Allison recalled. “It was a very big impact. The whole car write-off, the back, the side, front was badly damaged.Aguy that was on thespotthere,hetoldusthat they were drinking and they were throwing out the bottles.”

Ava was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. The next morning, around 10:00 hrs., her family visited the Sparendaam Police Station to get information about the accidentandthoseinvolved. However, they were met with silence and what they described as a lack of cooperation from the police andanattempttocoverup.

Atthestation,thefamily sawAva'svehiclebutnotthe diplomatic vehicle that hit her, which they found

suspicious.“Thepolicewere giving them a hard time. TheytoldhersontheCCTV footage at the stop light was notworking.Thepoliceain't tell us anything about the people involved in the incident, they didn't give us any number, no name, nothing,”Allisonsaid. While grieving the sudden loss of their loved one, the family remains adamant in their pursuit of justiceforAva.

APNU promises UG campuses in Linden, Essequibo if elected

A s p a r t o f i t s commitment to improving Guyana's education system, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has announcedplanstoestablish university campuses in Linden, Region 10 and Essequibo,Region3.

Thisinitiativeisoutlined intheparty'snewlylaunched

manifesto, under the education plan “Ensuring

equity and access ” According to the document, the new campuses will be developed in consultation with the University of Guyana(UG)administration andlocalstakeholders.

The University of Guyana is the country's premier tertiary institution, with its main campus at Turkeyen, where students from Linden, the hinterland, and other regions either travel daily or live in dormitoriestopursuehigher education.Asecondcampus existsinBerbice,whichalso serves a large student population.

The APNU's proposed expansion aims to reduce long-distance travel for studentsandimproveaccess to tertiary education nationwide.

In addition to expanding universityaccess,APNUhas detailed a comprehensive plan to reform the broader educationsystem.

The party intends to set SMART (Specific,

Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals for schools and the education sector, aligned with national priorities, stakeholder expectations, and international standards.

APNU proposes conducting a full performance audit of the education system to identify successful practices andaddressareasoffailure.

To improve teacher qualityandretention,APNU plans to implement an EducationWorkforceAction Plan that will include better salaries, benefits, and professional development opportunities for educators.

Thepartyalsoaimstofoster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in schools by incentivising excellence in teaching and leadership.

In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 2, APNU pledges to ensure all children have access to

quality early childhood development, care, and preprimaryeducation.

The party envisions building modern, student-

h include AI-enabled smart classrooms,modernlabsand libraries, free and reliable internet access, adequate sports facilities, and a consistentsupplyoflearning materials.

Reducing class sizes by traininganddeployingmore teachers is also a key objective.

Addressing educational equity, APNU stated, “We will ensure all Guyanese have equitable access to quality education regardless of geography, social status, ethnicity, gender, or special education needs. Education must be available and affordabletoall,andallmust be able to take full opportunity.”Policiesaimed at achieving this include

improving the quality of education in rural and hinterland regions, providing free or affordable transportation for students, andsupplyingtwonutritious meals per day to students at thelowerschoollevel.

APNU also promises a monthly stipend of $50,000 or more for students attending universities and technical/vocational institutions.

O t h e r p r o p o s e d measures include increasing support for indigenous students, expanding adult education across regions,

upgradingteachers'housing, especially in the hinterland, to attract qualified educators, and providing inclusive education for persons with disabilities Plan

ing guid

nce counsellors throughout the school system and updating school curricula to include life skills, civics, multicultural studies, and entrepreneurship.

Beyond education, the APNU manifesto outlines plans to reintroduce the G u y a n a A i r w a y s Corporation The former

state-owned airline ceased operations in 2001, and a subsequentattempttorevive it under the name "Guyana Air"alsofailed.Guyanahas had no national flag carrier since.

According to the party, thereintroductionofGuyana Airways is intended to reduce the cost of domestic air travel, “without jeopardisingtheprofitability of private aviation operators.”

Additionally, APNU intends to introduce a light railway system in the country,oncefeasible.

University of Guyana Turkeyen Campus

Ava Brathwaite's vehicle that was involved in the accident

Dead: Ava Brathwaite

57 killed on Sunday

(AL-JAZEERA) Israel's military has stepped up attacks on Gaza City as part of its expanded operations aimed at seizing the last major population centre in the enclave, forcing tens of thousands of starving Palestinianstofleeagain.

On Sunday, Israel killed nearly at least 57 Palestinians, 38 of them aid seekers, taking the total number of Palestinians killedsincethewarbeganin October 2023 to nearly 62,000.

T h e G a z a C i t y neighbourhoods of Zeitoun, Sabra, Remal and Tuffah have particularly borne the brunt of the Israeli bombardments in recent days as a spokesperson for theUnitedNationsOfficefor

the Coordination of

Humanitarian Affairs said Israel's plans to forcibly displace Palestinians to southern Gaza would increasetheirsuffering.

Thousands of families have fled Zeitoun, where days of continuous strikes have left the neighbourhood devastated. At least seven people were killed on Sunday when an Israeli air strike hit al-Ahli Arab HospitalinGazaCity

Also on Sunday, the Israelimilitarysaidtentsand equipment to erect shelters will be provided to the Palestinians who have been displaced multiple times in 22monthsofwar,whichhas been called an act of genocide by multiple rights organisations.

Al Jazeera's Hind

Khoudary, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, said artillery fire and air raids have forced many fromtheirhomes.

“ T h e Z e i t o u n neighbourhood is a very densely populated area, home to many families, including those who have been sheltering there. Residents were surprised when the artillery shelling and the intensive air raids started.Somepeoplestayed. Others started moving. As theviolenceescalated,many were forced to evacuate –hungry, devastated and displaced yet again, leaving behindeverythingtheyhad,” Khoudarysaid.

Israel last week announced plans to push

Aview from a Jordanian military aircraft shows the Gaza Strip as its crew prepares to conduct a humanitarian aid airdrop on August 17, 2025 [Alaa Al Sukhni/Reuters]

deeper into Gaza City and remove its residents to the south,amovethathasdrawn internationalcondemnation.

Israeli Prime Minister BenjaminNetanyahu,whois wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, said civilians would be moved to “safe zones” eventhoughtheseareashave also been repeatedly bombed.

Nearly 90 percent of the 2.4 million Palestinians in Gaza remain displaced, and anoverwhelmingnumberof them are now facing starvation. At least seven more Palestinians died of starvation in Gaza in 24

hours, Gaza's Ministry of Health said on Sunday, raising the war's hungerrelated death toll to 258, including 110 children, as a result of Israel's ongoing siegeoftheenclave.

Hamas denounced Israel'splantosetuptentsin thesouthasacoverformass displacement.

The group said in a statement that the measure amountedtoa“newwaveof genocide and displacement” anddescribeditasa“blatant deception intended to cover up a brutal crime that the occupationforcesprepareto execute”.

Therewasanatmosphere

of despair in Gaza after Israel's latest forced displacement order, Maram Humaid,Al Jazeera's online correspondent from Gaza, postedonX.

“There are no words to describehowpeopleinGaza feel right now Fear, helplessness, and pain fill everyone as they face a new waveofdisplacementandan Israeli ground operation,” sheposted.

“Family and friends' WhatsAppgroupsarefullof silent screams and sorrow God knows people have suffered enough. Our minds are almost paralysed from thinking.”

Land titles coming soon for over 600 North

Timehri

Forhundredsoffamilies in North Timehri, the prospect of secure land ownership is now within reach. President Dr Irfaan Ali has pledged that within thenextthreetosixmonths, residents will begin receiving the long-awaited titles that unlock opportunities for home improvement, financing, andinvestment.

President Dr Mohamed IrfaanAligavehisassurance toover600residentsthatthe land regularisation process will be resolved soon, following years of negotiations.

The head of state made the announcement at the Faith Tabernacle Church on Sunday, where he was invited for fellowship

President Ali highlighted land security as a pressing issue, explaining that the government has been working with the CJIA to adjust its expansion plans,

residents – Pres. Ali

ensuring that residents in North Timehri could be protectedandthatnearly650 families could receive land titles.

“Out of regularisation comes your ability to own land, to build, to get a loan, and to invest in your businesses,” the president told the gathering as he stressed the process' significance.

By Tuesday, a verified list of 600-plus structures will be published for scrutiny, and by the end of nextweek,thesehouseholds will receive their official Letter of Assurance Notably, upon receiving their land documents, each household receiving titles will benefit from a steel and cement subsidy, a programme under the Ministry of Housing and Water to assist with construction.

“We are going to bring in the banks, and we are

going to have a discussion with the banks on accepting a letter of assurance from us, so that they can commence the processing of your loans for your homes, ” President Ali announced.

A group of key stakeholderswillcollaborate with local leaders to smoothly advance this process. Recognising that many parents are in the workforce, President Ali also announced that a daycare facility originally plannedforairportstaffwill be expanded to serve the entirecommunity

Apartfromlandsecurity, residentsintheareaaresetto benefit from employment

opportunities as the president detailed major investments around the CJIA,includingtheopening of a new hotel this month, a major resort nearby and the construction of Terminal Two at CJIA. To ensure

residents benefit from this, the head of state revealed that a technical education programmewillberolledout to train and upskill young people for these job opportunities.

“We are going to give these young people a small stipendwhilewetrainthem, and we will provide transportation to take them to the training facility,” the president affirmed. Residents will also benefit from the soon-to-beestablished B

is

Development Bank, which willhaveaspecialfinancing window for small and medium-sizedbusinesses. T

government'shousingmodel aims to provide shelter, as well as create wealth, pointing to the 500 new homes for single mothers in Yarrowkabra that now carry significantly higher market values.

The president thanked local leaders and the church for working with the

government over the years. He also urged residents to guard against false claims anddisputesthatcouldderail the regularisation process.

“What we are now entering is the phase where you will reaptherewardsofthehard work, just as the Bible teaches us,” he expressed. The presiden

s accompanied by Minister within the Office of the

responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy (DPI)

Pres. Ali shows residents the technical work that

ongoing behind the scenes

Relatives of Palestinians killed in an Israeli drone strike in the courtyard of al-Ahli Arab Hospital mourn as their bodies are taken from the hospital morgue for burial in Gaza City on August 17, 2025 [Saeed MMT Jaras/Anadolu]

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CDBawardsoverUS$D400,000inGrowth GrantstoCaribbeanwomen-ledbusinesses

Twenty Women-owned and led Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (WMSMEs)fromseven Caribbean Development Bank (CDB, the Bank) Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) have been awarded grants totaling an estimated USD420,000.

The Bank's SheTrades Caribbean Regional Hub's GrowandGoGrantFacility,is facilitating the funding that will help the entrepreneurs scale operations and access new markets.

Beyondfinancialsupport, the Facility's resources will also address operational and technical gaps in each business.

InapressreleasetheCDB said the SheTrades Hub, a collaborationbetweentheInternationalTradeCentre(ITC) and CDB, is a transformative

programme designed to accelerate the growth, export readiness, and global competitiveness of women-led businesses across the Caribbean.Followingahighlycompetitive selection process that attracted 106 applications,thegrantawardeesdistinguished themselves throughtheirstrongbusiness viability, innovative approaches, and promising growth potential.

“In a fast-changing global trade environment, access to finance remains one of the biggest hurdles for women entrepreneurs,” said LisaHarding,DivisionChief, PrivateSectorDivision,CDB.

“The SheTrades Caribbean GrowandGoawardsaremore than grants—they are keys, unlocking export opportunities and giving women-led businesses the tools, confi-

dence, and platform to thrive on the world stage.”

The grant recipients showcased the full breadth and vibrancy of Caribbean entrepreneurship, representingBarbados,Belize,theCayman Islands, Dominica, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Their businesses span a diverserangeofsectors,from agriculture, agro-processing and manufacturing to health and wellness, creative industries,InformationCommunicationTechnology (ICT) and tourism,allcontributingtoregionalinnovation,resilience, and economic transformation. Using the ITC SME Diagnostic Assessment Methodology, each awardee will receive a tailored development plan to help scale operations, enter new markets, andboostvisibilitywithinre-

gional and global value chains.

“These grants are both a celebration of achievement and a strategic investment in the entrepreneurial capacity of Caribbean women,” said KayanneAnderson,Regional Coordinator, SheTrades Caribbean.

“The businesses selected reflect the creativity, resilience, and innovation that drive our region forward.”

In the coming weeks, awardeeswillparticipateina storytelling campaign and mentoring initiatives to inspire other women entrepreneurs.

After this pilot phase, CDB will assess the programme'simpacttoguide future initiatives aimed at strengtheningtheglobalcompetitiveness of women-led businesses in the region.

Boliviavotesinelectionsexpectedtoempower therightwingforfirsttimeindecades

(AP)—Afteralackluster campaignovershadowedbya looming economic collapse, Bolivians voted on Sunday for a new president and parliamentinelectionsthatcould see a right-wing government elected for the first time in over two decades.The vote, which could spell the end of the Andean nation's longdominant leftist party, is one of the most consequential for Boliviainrecenttimes—and one of the most unpredictable.

In the run-up to Sunday, a remarkable 30% or so of votersremainedundecided.Polls showedthetwoleadingrightwingcandidates,multimillionaire business owner Samuel Doria Medina and former President Jorge Fernando “Tuto” Quiroga, locked in a virtual dead heat.

“The economy is a disaster right now, so all I could bring myself to do was vote for change,” said Eileen Mirabal, a 30-year-old psychologist and Doria Medina supporter displaying her inkstained thumb outside a polling station in the country's capitalofLaPaz.

Voting is mandatory in Bolivia, where some 7.9 million Bolivians are eligible to vote.

“Ihaverarely,ifever,seen

asituationaltinderboxwithas manysparksreadytoignite,” said Daniel LansbergRodriguez, founding partner of New York-based Aurora MacroStrategiesfirm. Boliviacouldfollowrightward trend

The election marks a watershed moment for the MovementTowardSocialism, or MAS, party, whose founder,charismaticex-President Evo Morales, rose to power as part of the “pink tide” of leftist leaders that sweptintoofficeacrossLatin Americaduringthecommodities boom of the early 2000s.

Nowshatteredbyinfighting, the party is battling for its survival in Sunday's elections.The outcome will determinewhetherBolivia— a nation of 12 million people

with the largest lithium reserves on Earth — follows a growing trend in Latin America, where right-wing leaderslikeArgentina'slibertarianJavierMilei,Ecuador's strongmanDanielNoboaand El Salvador's conservative populist Nayib Bukele have surged in popularity

Aright-winggovernment inBoliviacouldtriggeramajor geopolitical realignment for a country now allied with Venezuela'ssocialist-inspired government and world powerssuchasChina,Russiaand Iran.Bolivianswaitingtovote at polling stations across La Paz,thecountry'scapital,expressed confused, cynical andbitteremotions—fedby an annual inflation rate of more than 16%, a scarcity of fuel and absence of hope for

swiftimprovement. Several said they were voting for “el menos peor,” the lesser evil.

The right-wing opposition candidates bill the race as a chance to chart a new destiny for Bolivia. But both front-runners, Doria Medina and Quiroga, have served in past neoliberal governments and ran for president three timesbefore—losingatleast twice to Morales.“People werewaitingforanew,popular candidate, and in this, the opposition failed us,” said RonaldoOlorio,a50-year-old farmerfromthecoca-growing Yungas region and former Morales supporter.“Myvote isoneofanger,ofdiscontent. I don't like Doria Medina or Quiroga. But I have to vote for one of the two.”

Hurricane Erin weakens but remains a

threat

to the northern Caribbean

(CMC)–HurricaneErinon Sunday weakened from a powerfulCategory5toastilldangerous Category 3 with maximumsustainedwindsof 125 miles per hour, but the systemhasgrowninsizeasit edges closer to parts of the northern Caribbean.

According to the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC), at 11 am, Erin was about 200 miles north-northwestofSanJuan,PuertoRico, androughly240mileseastof GrandTurk,TurksandCaicos Islands.Thestorm,whichintensifiedrapidlyonSaturday, is expected to fluctuate in strength over the next two days,theNHCsaid,“butErin is expected to remain a dangerous major hurricane through the middle of this week.”

Erinismovingwest-northwest at around 13 miles per hour but is forecast to slow further today before graduallyturningnorthonMonday and Tuesday

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Turks and Caicos, where stormy conditions are expected within the next24hours.Atropicalstorm watch has also been issued for the southeast Bahamas, whichcouldbeginfeelingimpactsfromErin’souterbands by Sunday night.

Althoughmaximumwinds have eased to 125 miles per hour, hurricane-force winds extend25milesfromthecentre,whiletropicalstorm-force windsnowreachasfaras205 miles.Thatmeansdangerous conditionsmayaffectislands well outside the hurricane’s

direct path.

Heavy rainfall is forecast across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, with some areas at risk of flash flooding, landslides, or mudslides as rainfall totals could reach up to eight inches.

Swells generated by Erin are already affecting parts of the northeastern Caribbean and are expected to spread to the Bahamas and beyond, creating rough seas and lifethreatening rip currents.

Meanwhile, the NHC is monitoring another tropical wave that has just moved off the coast of Africa. While chances of development are low in the short term, forecasters say conditions could become more favourable in the central Atlantic by midweek.

Jockey dies after falling off horse at Guyana Cup

Tragedy marred one of the biggest horse racing eventsinGuyanaonSunday after an 18-year-old jockey fell to his death on the track.Detailsaresketchybut the jockey has been identified as Kishawan Pereirra. One of his recent successfulraceswasbackin March this year He had hopes of repeating that performance at the Guyana

Cup 2025 on Sunday but unfortunately, he fell off his horse It's unclear what might have caused the incident Eyewitnesses claimedthatthelightingwas poor AbadlyinjuredPereira reportedlysuccumbedwhile receiving treatment for the injuries he sustained after falling from his horse. This is a developing story.Pic filesasPereira

Dead Jockey, Kishawm Pereira

New

York Softball Cricket League...

Frompage22 with Masters (Over-40), Open (All-Stars) and Ladies categoriesfeaturing.

The 70-year-old Ferrier, who has been the leader of the New York Softball Cricket League for the past 25 years, mentioned few players who played at the Independence Cup will be missing but bank heavily on the other core of players to churn out excellent performances.

Someofplayersheading to Guyana are: Nandalall Doodnauth, Ravi Sahadeo, Yadram“Lara”Bogh,Navin Narine, Ravi Latchman, Tony Fernandes, Roger Matar, Ravi Ramharak, Ricky Edwards, Manoj Kumaramongothers.

“We have a good bunch ofguyseventhoughwewill bewithoutfewgoodplayers, but going out there and play committed cricket is important for us,” Ferrier mentioned.

Former Guyana firstclasscricketerandCanadian International skipper Sunil

Dhaniramisoneofthehighprofileplayersnotheadingto Guyana due to personal commitment The lefthanded Dhaniram has become a house-hold name in Canada's softball cricket but does ply his trade for varioussoftballteamsatthis megasoftballshowpiece.

In addition to that, Ferrier highlighted the tremendously good treatment they have gotten while featuring at the tournament.

Ferrier, who hailed from Hague, West C

commented that the team a

hospitality and Camaraderie in Guyana by each and everyone, so feel compelled tomakeitknown.

Again, monetary prizes along with trophies and prizes for outstanding, individualperformanceswill beatstakes.

Guyana Golf Association Extends Gratitude to Government for Five Years of Exceptional Support

The Guyana Golf

Association (GGA) extends its heartfelt appreciation to the Government of Guyana for its outstanding support over the past five years in advancing the growth and development of golf across the nation as result from the recent CSEC examinations are again favorable. From the inception, Minister of Education, Hon Priya Manickchand, has endorsed the integration of golf into the school PE system, providing thousands of younglearnerswithaccessto the sport through a strong collaboration with the GGA and Nexgen Golf Academy

This bold initiative has positioned Guyana as the regional leader, with the highest number of students selecting golf as their CSEC

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon CharlesRamsonJr.,together with NSC Director of Sport, Mr Steve Ninvalle, have alsopartneredwiththeGGA to promote golf as a competitive local and international sporting attraction.

In parallel, the Ministry of Tourism through the Guyana Tourism Authority, led by Director Kamrul Baksh, has solidified a fouryear partnership with the GGA to position golf as a premier sport tourism activity, drawing both local and international players

GGA President, Mr Aleem Hussain, lauded these collaborative efforts, stating:"The Government's

Physical Education elective surpassing countries with more golf courses and a longer traditioninthesport.

GGA president and executives hailed the remarkable efforts by some of their young golfers for achieving greatness at this year's CSEC examinations

vision and commitment to sports development have transformed golf in Guyana intoanationalsuccessstory Welookforwardtobuilding on this momentum in the years ahead as the sport continues to grow and inspirefuturegenerations."

The GGA reaffirms its commitment to working closelywithallstakeholders toensurethatgolfremainsa driving force for youth development, sport tourism, andnationalpride.

BCB Two-Day First Division...

Sinclair, Simpson spearhead RHT Namilco Thunderbolt to crushing win over GPF

Afteranabsenceoffour years,two-dayfirstdivision cricket returned to the ancient county of Berbice. The powerful Rose Hall TownNamilcoThunderbolt Flour team made an immediate impact in the tournament by crushing the Berbice Police team by an innings and 179 runs in the openinground.

Playing at the AreaH Ground in blistering heat, thelawmenwonthetossand elected to bat first. The home team opened their bowling with national under-15 fast bowler Raffel Mckenzie and left-arm spinner Keith Simpson Mckenzie was replaced by national offspinner Junior Sinclairaftertwoovers,and together with the talented Simpson,spunwebsaround the lawmen, bowling them outforameagre33.

Simpsontookfivefor13 from six impressive overs whileSinclairtook4for11.

Sinclair and national under-17 batsman Romesh

Bharrat then added 92 for thefirstwicketforthehome team before Bharrat was caughtatdeepsquarelegoff the bowling of C. Mitchell for 35 Former national youth Cricketer Javed Karim, playing his first matchwithhisnewclubwas thendismissedfor15at145 for 2 National Youth cricketer Matthew Pottaya then joined the aggressive Sinclair and they added a brisk 156 for the thirdwicket Sinclair was unbeaten on 201, with

irteen attractive boundariesandfifteensixes off 115 balls. Pottaya was unbeatenonasolid45when thedeclarationwasmadeby RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour captain Clinton Pestano at 301 for 2..Bowling for the Police team, C Mitchell took 1 for 64andKMentore1for20.

Facing a deficit of 268 runs on first innings, Police fared a little better in their second innings as Simpson tookfivewicketsfor20runs

toendwithmatchfiguresof 10 for 33. Police were bowledoutfor89withonly veteran Philbert Wilburg and I Burton offering any resistance Wilburg, who was recently promoted to the position of Inspector scored an unbeaten 31 with two sixes and three boundaries. Burton chipped in with 24 with two sixes, National selectee Slyus Tyndall supported Simpson with 3 for 20 in a very hostilespelloffastbowling while left arm pacer Javed Karim ended with two for 20.

The BCB tournament is being played in two zones (AandB).

ZoneAconsists ofWest Berbice, Blairmont, Rose HallCanje,YoungWarriors andTucberParkwhileZone B involves Police, Albion, Port Mourant, Skeldon and Rose Hall Town Namilco ThunderboltFlour

The two top teams in eachzonewouldadvanceto thesemifinals.

New York Softball Cricket League aims for success at Prime Minister Cup

President of the New York Softball Cricket League Eric Ferrier is confident his team will lift thetrophyattheforthcoming PrimeMinisterSoftballCup which is slated for September26-27-28.

The boys from the 'BigApple' will be competing in the Legends (Over-50) T20 category with teams from Canada,FloridaandGuyana expected to participate as well.

According to Ferrier his team already began preparations and the players arealsoreadytomatchtheir skillsinSouthAmerica.

Recently, New York Softball Cricket League Legends team crowned c h a m p i o n a t t h e IndependenceCuphostedby Ferrier's League for three consecutivedays.

Eric Ferrier

Certainly, they are brimmingwithconfidence.

“I [am] positive that our team will be successful at this year's Prime Minister Cup; I know it does be competitive,buttheguysare up for the challenges and confident,"Ferrierdeclared.

In 2024, New York SoftballCricketLeaguewas eliminated at the semi-final juncture to eventual winner Jai Hinds, a team from Berbice, played at the Demerara Cricket Club ground in, Queenstown, Georgetown.

“In 2024, we did play some good and competitive cricket;butwelearnedalot; a n d w i n n i n g t h e Independence Cup last June also boosted our confidence greatly but I still think we have got to prepare for this bigeventinGuyana,”Ferrier stated The three-day extravaganzawillonceagain behostedbytheGeorgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth andSport.

Itwillbethe9thedition

(Continuedonpage21)

BCB/ Singh Brothers Under 13 tournament Brilliant Ganpat leads RHT Poonai

De f e n d i n g Berbice under 13 Champion, Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy, easily defeated Upper Corentyne by eight wicketstoeaseintothesemifinalsoftheBerbiceCricket Board organised Singh Brothers under 13 tournament. The team that has to date won three of the fivetournamentsbytheBCB won the match with sixteen overstospareinthe30-over match.

Playing at the Area H ground, the visitors elected to take first strike after winningthetoss.

They lost Soloman Herculesfornoughtwhenhe was bowled by medium pacerDishamLaCruzinthe first over They never recovered as the Rose Hall

Pharmacy into semi

Town bowlers never eased up the pressure Poonai Pharmacy skipper Jayden Ganpat spun webs around the Upper Corentyne batsmen.

The talented left-arm spinnertookfourwicketsfor tenrunsfromsiximpressive overs as the visitors were bowled out for a meagre 73 in 20.2 overs. The only batters to offer resistance to therampantRoseHallTown bowlers were Chandhani Rahiman with 12 and Aden Moore 10. Another left-arm spinner, Khemraj Bharrat, supportedBharratwiththree wickets for twenty runs while Devash Narine, Lacruz and Akieam Fraser tookawicketapiece.

Needingtoscore74runs from 30 overs to reach their sixth successive semifinal,

the home team eased to 76 for 2 from fourteen overs. Thebatsmendismissedwere Disham LaCruz 08 and Akieam Fraser 09. Royston Crandon, the namesake son of the former West Indies ODIplayer,wasunbeatenon 31.

Ganpat completed a fine all-round performance with 15notoutwhenvictorywas achieved Hercules and Moore ended with one wicket apiece for 18 and 14 runsrespectively Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy emerged out of ZoneCafterregisteringeasy victories over Albion A, Albion B and Port Mourant. The defending champions wouldnowawaitthewinner of the quarterfinal match between Tucber Park and CottonTree.

Majestic Munro Hundred Lights up Warner Park

(CPL) - Colin Munro blitzedaremarkablehundred for Trinbago Knight Riders to give them an impressive victoryoverStKitts&Nevis Patriots by 12 runs in the fourth game of the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean PremierLeague(CPL).

Munro scored 120 off just 57 balls from the top of the order, hitting at an emphatic210strikeratethat included 14 fours and six sixes. A high scoring match sawthePatriotspileon219/7 in reply with Jason Holder topscoringwith44tryingto the last to haul his side into contention but the Knight Riders total of 231/5 was alwaysjustoutofreach.

The Patriots will look back and rue a relatively

slow start on a flat batting trackwithjust23runsscored off the first three overs of theirresponsethatintheend saw them only fall short by twomaximumblows.

After winning the toss, Holder inserted the Knight Riders but might well have soon regretted the decision as he saw his bowlers dispatched to all parts of Warner Park. An opening standof114betweenMunro and Alex Hales was broken intheninthoverbutbythen the platform was well and trulysetforamonsterscore.

Player of the match Munro was particularly brutal down the ground, hitting both pace and spin back past the bowlers as he pepperedthehoardings.

eventually fell swatting a Holder short ball to Rilee Rossouw at extra cover but by then the Knight Riders had amassed 213 runs and M

Nicholas Pooran's 102* againstBarbadosinthe2023 CPL to claim the Trinidad

individualscore.

In doing so the New Zealander also became only the second overseas player, alongside Faf fu Plessis, to scoretwoCPLhundreds.

TheKnightRidersjoined GuyanaAmazonWarriorsat the top of the table with one win from one while the Patriotshavechalkeduptwo defeats after victory in their ownfirstgame.

Chaos overshadows Guyana Cup as Data Man claims controversial victory

This year’s Guyana Cup will long be remembered, not for the thrilling competition it usually delivers, but for the chaos and disorganization that marredthecountry’spremier horse-racingevent.

Dubbed by many as one

of the most poorly managed editions in the history of the Cup, the event descended into controversy when the final race was run well after sunset, forcing horses and jockeys to compete in darkness. The late start was the result of organizers

failing to get earlier races underway on time, a move that sparked outrage among owners, trainers, and spectatorsalike.

A d d i n g t o t h e controversy, the starting gates malfunctioned during the marquee race, leaving several horses, including defending champion Olympic Kremlin and anotherrunnerfromSlingerz Stable,strandedastherestof the field charged ahead.In the end, newcomer Data Man, representing Master Z Stable,crossedthefinishline firsttosecurehisnameinthe record books. However, the victory has been met with widespread criticism, with several stables voicing frustration at the lack of professionalismandfairness in this year’s running.“This is not what the Guyana Cup issupposedtobeabout,”one insider told reporters, highlighting the growing dissatisfaction in the racing community With the fallout still unfolding, this year’s Guyana Cup has left more questions than answers, and the controversy surrounding theeventisfarfromover.

More details will follow inasubsequentreport.

Data Man, the winner of this year’s Guyana Cup

SKNP's Team members toiled for wickets against TKR.

(Photo by Randy Brooks/CPL T20 via Getty Images)

Majestic Munro Hundred Lights

TKR's Colin Munro celebrates his second CPLcentury.

(Photo by Randy Brooks/CPL T20 via Getty Images)

John Bull ran third in the sprint

Dead Jockey, Kishawm Pereira during one of his successful horse racing events