Guyana Times Daily

PNCR "fixing" Congress' vote

TUESday, jUly 22, 2014| gUyanaTimESgy.com

Top schools ‘iffy’ about new CAPE subjects roll out

...despite Education Ministry's optimism

BY SEDHEE RAMNAUTH

Guyana will be una-

ble to roll out several of the new CAPE subjects launched by the Caribbean Examination Council owing to a lack of materials and personnel, teachers at some of the country’s top secondary schools have said.

This, however, contrasts sharply with what Deputy Chief Education Officer (Development) Doodmattie Singh recently told this newspaper, that teachers of the sixth form schools were trained to deliver the new curriculum.

The introduction of the five subjects, particularly Entrepreneurship, is seen as a step in the right direction, a possible gateway out of poverty for many, and the prime ingredient to unleash the country’s human and physical potential.

Observers say that the traditional curriculum inherited from the British had been heavy on the “classics” which included Latin, Greek and Literature. However, after independence, even though each administration had attempted to introduce subjects such as Agriculture, Accounting and other Business sub-

jects, Guyanese youths were still not imbued with the willingness to evaluate risks so as to undertake them and transfer their knowledge into viable products and services. This is the lacuna that the course on Entrepreneurship would fill.

But Bishops’ High, which is dubbed the ‘business’ school in the country’s top secondary schools, has indicated that it will not be offering Entrepreneurship for the next school year.

Deputy Head teacher Marlyn Gibson told Guyana Times that teachers have attended the workshops and were given syllabuses to acquaint themselves with the subjects.

“We are currently in the process of preparing our selves in terms of lesson schedules and class periods. We, the teachers, would normally find a way of getting our own textbooks, we don’t wait on the Minister of Education,” she said.

The deputy said that there was adequate staff; however, when asked if the school would be offering all five of the “new generation” subjects, Gibson replied, “The school would be providing all subjects except Entrepreneurship.”

She could not say why Entrepreneurship would not be offered, preferring to leave it to the Principal to answer. The Principal could not be reached.

Across at St Joseph High, the Headteacher, Nathram Ragabansi said: “Textbook materials may be a setback and will pose a problem for teachers.” Berchei Skeete, acting Deputy Head of St Stanislaus, said although the school has teachers to teach the subjects, it did not

(Development) Doodmattie Singh

receive any textbooks. He further added that it is left up to the subject teachers to get the texts.

Sharing the view of the abovementioned deputies was Jennifer Rollins, Headmistress of Berbice High. Rollins told Guyana Times that the school is prepared to teach the “new generation” subjects and has made the necessary preparations to get the textbooks.

“We did not receive any textbook from the Ministry

of Education, but the school puts together the textbooks. When the teachers go overseas to mark examination papers, whichever textbooks are needed, the teachers would buy them there. The CXC website also helps out the students,” she explained.

The textbooks that are required to teach the subject are listed with the syllabus.

St Roses High School Deputy Teacher Wendy Khan told Guyana Times that she disnot know whether the school will be offering the additional subjects, but suspect sit may be, in September.

MacKenzie High’s Deputy Headteacher Corletta Nurse said the school will be offering only one of the subjects, Agricultural Science.

Purchase

Meanwhile, Singh said indeed the textbooks are listed in the syllabus document and the teachers will collect the necessary books for the subjects. “If the subject teacher does not have a required textbook, the Ministry of Education will purchase it for them,” she stated.

“The curriculum for the new subjects would have been given to them so that they could familiarise themselves with what the different subjects entail and be able to teach the subjects effectively,” Singh said.

Regarding teachers being prepared to deliver the subjects, Singh assured that they are ready. “The teachers and CXC representatives have been working together in preparation for them (teachers) to begin teaching the subjects in the upcoming academic year,” she commented.

She also pointed out that apart from the top schools in Georgetown, President’s College is also offering the subjects. For some subjects that will require practical sessions, Singh said the Ministry will provide places for such activities to be carried out. For example, schools that do not have adequate space for their own agricultural farm, the Education Ministry will provide an alternative.

The Education Ministry provides Math and English textbooks to Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) students, and is looking to add Agricultural Science, Social Studies and Integrated Sciences. However, it is unlikely that the Ministry will be providing textbooks for the CAPE students who will be sitting the new subjects.

Deputy Chief Education Officer

Man allegedly slain by pregnant wife

ASupervisor attached to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Pouderoyen Branch was on Sunday evening stabbed to death by his reputed wife during an argument at their West Bank Demerara home shortly after 22:00h.

The dead man was identified as Curtis Mc Kinnon, 38, of Lot 12 Plantain Walk, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerera. He was stabbed once to the back of his head by the mother of his children.

The injured man was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) where he died while receiving medical treatment. The suspect, Nicole Joseph also called “Nicki” is currently in Police custody at the Vreeden-Hoop Police Station, assisting with investigations.

The woman is holding out that she acted in self-

Mc Kinnon reportedly collapsed on the bed with blood oozing from his neck. The children, who were at home at the time, raised an alarm which saw neighbours running to render assistance.

Kevin Mc Kinnon, the brother of the dead man told Guyana Times that he was at home when he received a

his hands to the woman and her children. She has four children from other relationships, and two for Mc Kinnon.

Humble person

The devastated brother went on to to say that his sibling was a kind and humble person who did not indulge in much extra-curricular activities. He was always at home in his garden when he was not working.

A neighbour explained that about 22:00h, they heard the couple arguing as normal and then the sounds of someone crying. By this time, one of the children ran out and raised the alarm.

The neighbours scampered across to enquire what was happening and upon entering the home, they found the man lying on the bed and the woman crying out, “I just stab he…. Oh God, I

defence, but according to reports, the now dead man was never an abuser.

The stabbing reportedly stemmed from an accusation of infidelity. According to reports, the victim who was described as a family man was told that the woman was having an affair and the child she is carrying might not be his; thus, he confronted her about the issue which resulted in an argument.

At this time, the woman picked up a knife and stabbed the man to the head.

telephone call from the suspect, who related that she stabbed his brother and that he must go to the hospital.

When he arrived at the hospital, he saw his brother lying on the stretcher, but he was already dead. Kevin said his brother had froth on his mouth and was covered in blood. He did not take the time to look further, claiming he was traumatised.

He said while he did not know the motive for the killing, he was sure that his brother would never raise

just stab he…. You all help.”

The neighbours lifted the man from the mattress and ran through a dark track that led to the Public Road where they stopped a car and took him to the hospital. A neighbour claimed that he was bleeding profusely and would have lost a lot of blood.

While at the hospital, the doctors tried to save him, but it was too late, the man added. He said the couple lived with them for a while when their house was being constructed. He too described Curtis as a quiet man, noting that he worked hard to establish himself and family.

“It is sad… people talking that she had an affair but seeing is believing… when you hear something, is just a rumour, it is up to you to find out before accusing anyone,” the man related. He said in life, people experience difficulties, but one has to know how to deal with them.

He was a little concerned for the children who are left behind, noting the Mc Kinnon is dead and the mother may be facing murder charges. The children are staying with the woman’s relatives.

Mc Kinnon’s body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Home and is awaiting a post-mortem examination. The Police are continuing their investigations.

Dead: Curtis Mc Kinnon

The house in which the murder was committed

Editor: Nigel Williams

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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Editorial

Cricket in nation building

There is the cliché, “Sports: it’s not just a game!” The three games played by the Guyana Amazon Warriors during the last week proved in so many ways, that like all clichés, it expresses an almost universal truth. That is why expressions become clichéd.

For such a small nation as ours, commentators of all persuasions have been forced to remark on the deleterious impact of our “divisiveness”. Of recent, there has been greater openness in accepting that our salient cleavage, as far as negative outcomes are concerned, is “ethnicity”. Even those who cleave to ideologies such as Marxism, which denies the “reality” of such divisions and once dubbed it “false consciousness”, have been forced to grapple with its salience.

The question posed is: “What is it that can make us see past our ethnic divisions and begin to act and work as a nation that accepts its fate as the fruits of a collective endeavour?” There have been several proposals – not the least being the said ideologies undergirding the programmes of most of the political parties in the post WWII era and operationalised in their activities in and out of Government. Most kindly, they can all be said to have “failed”.

Like most human behavioural patterns, ethnic salience is not the result of any one factor, and as a corollary, it cannot be addressed through any one “silver bullet”. But what we do know is that ethnicity is an affective orientation – much of its salience is not due to the “rational choice” premise of the social sciences, but also on emotions and feelings. And one of the ways to move past its gravitational pull, without necessarily invalidating its relevance for identity, is to cultivate positive emotions in the populace as a whole, around events that are not tied to ethnicity.

And this is where sport, in general, and cricket, in particular, comes in. Cricket is not a game tied to any one group in Guyana, or even in the wider Caribbean. It is the game of all our people. In that remarkable book of his, “Beyond the Boundary”, CLR James exposed us to the deep and wide wellsprings of the game in our psyches. And during the aforementioned three games at the National Stadium,Providence by the Warriors, the truth of James’ epiphany came alive.

Guyanese of all ethnicities became as one when they cheered, fretted, screamed and waved their flags for THEIR team. They wore the Warriors colours to identify with their talisman. Strangers hugged and gave high fives when victory came; and consoled each other (“they did their best”) when victory was finally denied.

Cricket demonstrated that we can be united. What we would like to suggest is that the Government must design a national sport policy, with cricket at its centre, as an integral part of our overall thrust to create “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.

While it may be claimed that we do, in fact, have a “sports policy”, in our estimation, as executed in practice, it does not demonstrate adequate acceptance of the vital importance of sport in the holistic development of the individual, the community and the nation. And, especially of its importance in transcending cleavages, of all types. The Football World Cup in Brazil recently demonstrated the effect of another “national sport” in bringing together a nation of 200 million. Imagine what a focused, national programme in cricket can do for us.

One immediate action by a Government pushing cricket in a national sports programme is to make the game part of the school curriculum from nursery to university. As shown by the success of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL), modern cricket is big business and can be significant contributors to the GDP, as any of the “traditional” industries.

In the language of the economists, the transcendence of ethnic boundaries can eventually become merely a positive “externality”.

BSL forest permit will not affect titled village lands

Dear Editor, Permit me to refer to an article in another section of the press on July 17 under the headline, “Amerindian Leaders demand freeze on Bai Shan Lin’s permit”.

After reading the article, my first reaction was to have consultations with the Guyana Forestry Commission(GFC) which I did, since the Bai Shan Lin (BSL) State Forest Permit in Region Nine “may affect the traditional lands and natural resources within proposed land title areas for the Wapishiana people” according to the letter sent to the GFC.

The maps shown to me by the GFC clearly revealed that the BSL State Forest Permit in Region Nine will, in no way, affect

village titled lands and proposed land extensions officially applied for under the Amerindian Act 2006 by the South and South Central Amerindian villages in the Rupununi.

I received information from the Rupununi that the GFC on July 12 at Lethem took the opportunity of officially informing concerned village leaders, with the display and examination of maps, that the BSL forest permit will, in no way, affect village titled lands and resources, including areas of extensions.

But, unfortunately, a few of the village Toshaos have been misled as usual by the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA). This is simply an example of the

APA’s poor leadership to Amerindians.

Instead of finding out the truth about the BSL’s forest permit in Region Nine from the relevant authorities, it prefers to send a mischievous letter to the anti-government sections of the media.

But this is not strange since the APA supports the PNC/APNU, the party, which when in Government, neglected and abandoned the Amerindian people prior to 1992. What a Shame!

A village Toshao showed me a copy of the letter on Bai Shan Lin. The letter was dated July 7 and carbon copied to the European Union FLEGT Programme, Kingdom of Norway, and the United Nations Special

Rapporteur on the Rights on Indigenous Peoples. These carbon copied letters, however, will be ignored since they are not credible, or are factually designed to mislead the international community. Further, at a recent meeting in Georgetown with the National Toshaos Council (NTC), the GFC explained to the Toshaos the matter of the BSL forest permit in Region Nine with the aid of maps showing that the BSL forest permit will not affect titled village lands and proposed land extensions. The NTC was satisfied with the explanations and clarifications by the GFC.

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud

Privileges Committee a sham

Dear Editor,

The Opposition political parties in the National Assembly have in their public utterances, through several members, pronounced that Dr Ashni Singh has acted illegally in restoring budgetary allocations which had been disapproved by the Opposition in the National Assembly. In fact, Mr Khemraj Ramjattan claims that Dr Singh has committed criminal acts and he wants the Police to charge

him.

I am aware that the Opposition members of the National Assembly elected themselves as a majority in all of the committees. I have no doubt that when the Privileges Committee is selected, the composition will be the same. Therefore, this Committee will consist of a majority of Opposition members whose mandate will be to hear and determine the privileges motion against the Minister. This

Committee is empowered to impose sanctions on the Minister which can be of a penal nature. My concern is that the two Opposition parties – from whom the majority of members of this Committee will be drawn – have already, by their public utterances, anointed themselves as Investigator, Judge, Jury, and Executioner and have already found the Minister guilty and condemned him. Therefore, how can the

Minister of Finance ever have a fair hearing before this Committee? The principles of natural justice which dictate that a man must not be a judge in his own cause and that everyone is entitled to a fair hearing have been slaughtered. So, for all intents and purposes that Privileges Committee hearing will be nothing but a sham Court.

Yours faithfully, Reaaz Holladar

I wonder who had this little lass starstruck at the Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Jamaica Tallawahs match on Sunday – was it

Chris Gayle, Daniel Vettori, Sunil Narine…? The thrilling clash at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence was the last home game, but local fans’ excitement over the Limacol CPL, the “Biggest Party in Sport”, continues unabated, raising temperatures and elevating heartbeats (Carl Croker photo)

Religious schools in Trinidad and Guyana do better than public schools

Dear Editor, By their excellence, schools administered by religious groups, both in Guyana and Trinidad, have increasingly been outperforming Government-run public schools. Arguably the pros and cons surrounding such higher academic achievement in parochial schools are not hidden.

Recently, Shivanna Chatoor of Trinidad’s Avocat Vedic School scored 99 per cent, the highest to top 18,229 students. Cameel Juman from the Presbyterian School came in second, with Arielle Rambharose from ASJA Muslims Primary School coming in third. All three girls who sat the SEA exams won placements in higher secondary schools.

The Saraswati Veda Niketan, founded and administered by Guyanese Swami Ashkaranana, has consistently been producing a batch of students with higher scores. One year, the school had the top student both in Guyana and the Caribbean. Why are Guyanese and Trinidadian students at the Hindu, Vedic Arya Samaj, and Muslim schools outperforming with higher scores?

In order to counter the bulldozing Christian crusaders who were determined to convert the children of Indian indentured servants’ from their alleged paganism, such schools came into existence. The early pioneers were ridiculed because of their humble endeavour. Most significantly, they achieved incredible academic successes.

Trinidad’s first Prime Minister, Dr Eric Williams boldly condemned his IndoTrinidadian citizens as a “recalcitrant minority” who would rather send their children to “cow pen” schools. Those same “cow pen” schools have already produced some of Trinidad’s best doctors, lawyers, judges, scientists, teachers, and engineers and by far, they excel up

to this day.

The first non-Christian religious high school in Guyana was established on April 9, 1937 and located in Georgetown as the Dayananda Anglo Vedic College (DAV). It was founded by the reforming Arya Samaj Missionary Professor Bhaskarananda at Durban Street and Vlissingen Road. Students were trained in Hindi, equality of women’s rights, eradication of the caste system, and simplification of the Hindu rituals. Both the social and physical sciences and other subjects prepared students for London’s Senior Cambridge exams.

The institution also served as the Arya Samaj headquarters. It was later rebuilt at Prashad Nagar minus the school when the PNC Government took over all remaining religious schools. Eventually, the Muslim Education Trust College on Brickdam and the Hindu College founded by Hindu monks at Cove and John came into existence. Former President Bharrat Jagdeo and GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer, Dr Rajendra Singh are graduates of the Hindu College.

Schools run by IndoTrinidadians engender pride in Indian customs, traditions, Indian values of modesty, celibacy before marriage, dress, music, behaviour, etc. In contrast, in the Guyanese case, the schools, for the most part, became extinct because IndoGuyanese did not jointly affirm their fundamental human rights and freedom of education and religion. Some religious administrations refused to bow to PNC Government requirements, some lost their missionary zeal, and some owners left Guyana. The Indian Education Trust College was renamed Richard Ishmael Secondary School after its founder, which the Hindu College was completely downgraded to Cove and John Primary School when it

A question of decency, maturity and academics

Dear Editor,

was always a high school.

PPP’s policies got Indian votes but completely ignored those problems, while in Opposition and in Government.

Should those religious schools be re-established in Guyana based on their inspirational history and legacy? Trinidad’s religious schools of all denominations have always been funded by the Trinidadian Government. Guyana should not be different. Both the PPP and PNC were hostile to religious schools, but they were not embarrassed. While their respective supports were dismayed, their critics were delighted.

Change will only occur when adherents boldly make their demands. All Guyanese political parties take their supporters for granted, with the Hindu, Christian and Muslim leaders still in deep sleep unable to reclaim what is theirs. May I be so bold as to remind civil society what Rabindranath Tagore, an early Indian Nobel prize winner for literature, actually wrote?

Let my country awake by Rabindranath Tagore

Where the mind is without fear and the head held high; Where knowledge is free; Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls; Where words come out from the depth of truth; Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;

Where the mind is led forward by Thee into ever-widening thought and action; Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

Respectfully, Vassan Ramracha

Why are Red Thread and the GHRA silent on Vanessa Kissoon’s claims of assault at Congress Place?

Dear Editor,

I wish to add my few cents concerning the incident involving APNU Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon and her party. I first wish to ask; where are the human rights and pro-women activists of Guyana when we need them? There is a grave injustice staring Guyana in the face and I was expecting a few strong women and especially the Red Thread to speak up. I really feel for Vanessa Kissoon and I hope that she will learn a good lesson and make better choices.

Here is her plight: victim of an alleged assault by a leading member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR); lack of a proper hearing to give her side of the alleged assault; suspension handed down without a legitimate hearing; and now the possibility of not being able to attend her party’s 18th biennial Congress at its headquarters, Congress Place, Georgetown. All of these insults and injustices have been meted out to this woman and yet no one is really rallying behind her, apart from her constituents in Region 10.

I see Vanessa Kissoon’s

plight as a kind of punishment for challenging and questioning the leadership of the PNCR. I think that she wanted transparency and accountability, but was met with rebuke and scorn. What I see playing out here is the real nature of the PNCR leadership. I see high-handedness and a lust for power.

What is so laughable is the fact that a brazen David Granger is saying that “...until Kissoon’s suspension is lifted by the recently-formed Disciplinary Committee or otherwise, her participation in the upcoming Congress is unconfirmed.” This is so dictatorial: disciplined by an ad hoc committee; disciplined without a fair hearing; disciplined for exposing follies in the PNCR. The PNCR may have changed names and personnel, but its nature and intent are the same.

I am thinking to myself that if Guyana, for a second time, is to fall into the hands of these people, then this nation may be doomed. I come now to these organisations and people, proclaiming one thing but acting most selectively. I recall in February of this year, when

a woman was sentenced for slapping a baby. Red Thread, the GHRA, and all the others were quick to rally to the cause. Of course, the woman’s plight was used to take pot shots at the PPP and the PPP/C Government. The issue affecting Kissoon does not, however, give them an opportunity to take hits at the Government so they have remained very quiet. For the PNCR, Ms Kissoon represents danger. She is challenging her fast-tracked suspension and she wants to show that the whole thing is unconstitutional. She is also declaring that Granger does not have the constitutional authority to suspend her. Personally, I want to know what prevails in the PNCR hierarchy. I want to know how the party handles issues of this nature. I also want those who are claiming that they are against women’s victimisation to speak up for this woman. Or will PNCR get off scot-free as it has already condemned this woman.

Yours sincerely,

Ibrahim Bin Jabbar

The writer of a recent letter wants respect and he calls himself a philosopher, historian, and analyst and truly speaking, in a nut shell, he is always saying that he is an ‘academic par excellence’. I have a simple question here, and it is about decency and maturity of serious academics – this man just used a local newspaper to do a lot of public cussing. He is the epitome of the very things he calls people.

Let me now make a point here about General Elections as regards snap polls. The two Opposition parties made their bluff and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) stood its ground. If A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) want, they can go ahead

Crime

Dear Editor,

with their ‘no confidence’ thing and see where it lands them.

I think by now, most people know what kind of people reside in these two parties. I offer my observation here.

The internal war for leadership within the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) speaks of a lust for power; the treatment Vanessa Kissoon is getting tells a tale of abuse from leaders in this same party; and what transpired in Essequibo shows that AFC is bent on mayhem, when it cannot get its way. I am glad that the people of Guyana and those of the Diaspora are aware of this.

Getting back to the ranting of this man, I see that he is now shifting his analysis. He is now saying that “... the PPP is the big-

gest electoral enemy of the PPP (and that) the PPP cannot win back a majority because it continues to produce the venalities that caused them to lose the 2011 elections in the first place”.

Heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells or touch and avoidance of over-stimulating situations – This man thinks people want to kill him (maybe he craves martyrdom). Unusual or exaggerated beliefs about personal powers to understand meanings or influence events – readers laugh at how he mangles the English Language and how he writes what he himself cannot explain; and lastly, uncharacteristic and peculiar behaviour.

Sincerely, Attiya Baksh

has not increased by 9%

With reference to the article published in the Guyana Times on July 21, under the headline, “Rohee pleased with pace of Police reform”, please be informed that the opening paragraph has an incorrect statement. The article states “despite a nine per cent increase in serious crimes”, which is not so. I recog-

nise that this information is from the acting Commissioner’s address at our last Anniversary Awards Ceremony.

What the acting Commissioner Seelall Persaud said was that our serious crime statistics at this time is showing that we are nine per cent down (decrease) relative to the same period last year.

However, we have a nine per cent increase in murders and a 25 per cent increase in gun-related robberies.

I shall be grateful if you can cause the correct information to be published.

Sincerely,

Ivelaw Whittaker, Public Relations and Press Officer

Page Foundation

BY VICKY MLYNIEC

Taking the blame can be tough for children of all ages. Here’s how to teach your child to say “I’m sorry.”

When Eleanor Patrick, six, refused to apologise for hurting her older sister, Claire, her mom, Bethanne, sent her to her room and told her not to come out until she could apologise. “Not only was she unrepentant, but she sat on her bed and wailed that everyone was being mean to her,” says Patrick, of Arlington, Virginia. “An hour later, she finally muttered ‘I’m sorry’ in Claire’s general direction, and life went on.”

Children aren’t always sorry for the things we think are worth an apology. And even when they are, many have a hard time uttering those two little words. Some children may actually blurt out “I’m sorry” too easily – and consider it a quick way to satisfy adults and get back to play. Teaching a child when to apologise and how to make amends for hurting someone –whether it was with a playground shove or a broken promise – is a gradual process. But when a child knows how to say he’s sorry, he gains more than a social skill. He also learns how to undo his mistakes, take responsibility for his actions, and consider others’ feelings.

Here’s a guide to teaching the fine art of the apology.

Lessons for little children

Before a child can apologise, she has to realise she’s done something wrong – a concept preschoolers and even five-year-olds don’t always grasp. “Preschoolers are still in the ‘me’ phase, so they’re not considering what’s right or wrong,” says Sherry Siman Maliken, a parent educator with the Parent Encouragement Programme, in Kensington, Maryland. That’s why parents and teachers often need to step in and point out when an apology is in order. With children two and under, just focus on enforcing the rules – by learning them, your child will have less to apologise for later – and don’t worry about coaxing a “Sorry.”

However, three- to fiveyear-olds need to understand why it’s important to say they’re sorry, says Parents Adviser Sal Severe, PhD, author of How to Behave So Your Preschooler Will, Too! Keep your explanation simple: “We say sorry when we do something that hurts or bothers someone.” Since children this age aren’t yet able to mentally put themselves in another’s place, help encourage empathy by pointing out how the other child feels (“Sara is crying. How do you think she

feels? How’d you feel if your picture had been ruined?”).

Giving your child a concrete way to make amends is an important part of any apology. Laurie Galdes, of Campbell, California, finds this makes more of an impact on her four-year-old son, Andrew, than simply saying sorry. “I have him share a toy if he’s just grabbed one or ask his friend if he’s okay if he’s just pushed him,” she says. Don’t get so wrapped up in the apology lesson, though, that you forget to deal with the original misbehaviour. “Apologies don’t mean much if the behaviour doesn’t change,” points out Maliken. So restate the rules and enforce any consequences (“We don’t use bad words in this family. If you want to use bad words like that, please go stand in the bathroom”).

Older and wiser

By age six, children have a better sense of right and wrong and a growing capacity to understand how others feel. But that doesn’t mean apologies are any easier. While children usually realise when they’ve goofed, they’re increasingly concerned about what others think of them and may be reluctant to draw attention to themselves by owning up to their mistakes, Dr Severe says.

Older children may have

bigger issues to apologise for, but they also have more ways to remedy their mistakes. If a child breaks a window playing baseball, he can earn money to replace it, as well as promise to play somewhere else. Relationships with friends are more important now, and children may be more eager to heal rifts. On the other hand, they’re also craftier about covering up their misbehaviour. Reacting calmly and positively when your child fesses up will encourage him to be honest (“I don’t like hearing that you took money from my purse, but it took courage for you to tell me and I appreciate that”).

How to help

Apologies are tough at any age. Some children refuse to admit guilt (“I’m not sorry, so why should I apologise?”), or they may be scared, embarrassed, or shy about actually apologising. Here are some options for children who balk. Stay neutral. If children have a conflict, it can be hard to know who’s owed an apolo-

gy. When you hear “He did it!” and “She started it!” explain to both children that they don’t have to be at fault in order to apologise. Each child can say, “I’m sorry that happened.” This helps children calm down, repair hurt feelings, and move on. Do it together. Tell your child that you know it’s hard to apologise, and offer to help. “If he’s little, you can even pick him up and say, ‘Come on, I’ll say it with you,’ “ suggests Dr Severe. Some children need time to cool down, so it’s okay to give them some breathing room (“Tomorrow, when we go to school, you need to apologise to Charlie. I’d be happy to help you”). It’s easier for some young children to convey their apology by drawing a picture or dictating a note. A kind gesture, like bringing a flower or giving the injured party a hug, serves the same purpose.

Don’t insist. Encourage but don’t force your child to say he’s sorry. That can make the situation worse and even more embarrassing, and no one will feel good about an

apology under those circumstances. If your child snarls “I’m sorry!” just to end a standoff, it’ll be a meaningless apology that doesn’t teach him anything.

Keep your own anger in check. Instead of saying, “Apologise right now or you’re going to be in trouble!” try “When you find a way to make your friend feel better, you can play with her again.” Take the lead. If your child is too upset or simply unwilling to say he’s sorry, you can apologise for him. “You’ll set a good example and help ease the other child’s hurt feelings. Then deal with your child later,” Dr Severe recommends. You can tell the other child, “I’m so sorry this happened. Danny and I will be talking about it at home.”

Beware if it’s too easy. Sometimes children try to use “I’m sorry” as a free ticket out of trouble. They toss it off as soon as they sense they’ve done something wrong, and expect everything to be fine. They may be puzzled that you’re still upset (“I said I was sorry!”) and might repeat the offending behaviour before too long. “When this happens, it means the child hasn’t learned more than the words,” says Dr Severe. Point out that an apology helps, but only if he’s sincere about doing things differently next time.

Saying sorry to a child

When you say you’re sorry to your child, it shows her that apologies aren’t just for children. “There have been many times when I’ve been a lessthan-perfect mom and have apologised to my 10-year-old daughter, Laura,” says Cindy Hofen, of Mountain View, California. Telling her daughter she’s sorry not only makes them both feel better, but it strengthens their relationship and makes it easier for Laura to talk about her own feelings and regrets. When you make your apology, tell your child specifically what you’re sorry for and don’t overwhelm her with excuses and explanations. If you find yourself apologising for the same thing over and over (losing your temper, for example), remember that the situation is the same with adults as with children: Apologies are meaningless unless you change the offending behaviour.

(Parents.com)

Local businesses must focus on innovation – GCCI forum hears

Local entrepreneurs will have to up their game if they wish to endure the unsympathetic business world, since, as the saying goes, only the strong will survive.

The business community the world over has evolved into an arena of sheer competitiveness, with every business owner standing in a fierce combat to stay afloat.

With this in mind, the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), in collaboration with the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA), on Monday launched a two-day business strategy workshop at the Hermandston Lodge, Queenstown, Georgetown.

International business

Representatives of several business entities across the city converged in a small room, to hear of ways through which they could assist themselves in becoming on par with the international business community, while at the same time, making meaningful contributions within their places of employment.

The simple programme got underway with an opening address by representative of the Caribbean Export Christopher McNair, who first outlined Guyana’s potential for success. According to him, with the right systems in place, and continued input from the private sector, there is no stopping of Guyana’s potentials.

“People have been talking about development in Guyana. There has always been this talk that there are so many opportunities in Guyana and I think that the private sector has been doing very well,” McNair told the small gathering.

McNair said his company, Caribbean Export, is a

regional trade and promotional organisation, which has undertaken the responsibility of seeking out firms within the Caribbean region that have “a truly global competitiveness”. He said support is offered to such entities, assisting them in finding new markets. He cited the existing trade agreements Caribbean countries have with the European Union, as one such example. It has been observed over the years, McNair reported that there are two connotations taking place in a lot of companies. He cit-

ed business at the national level, and business at a global and competitive level.

“So what can be defined as packaging for example within your own country, once you step out in the international arena, everything is different. What can be defined as marketing, once you step out your domain, the connotation changes,” the CEDA representative told the business group.

He said his company is only seeking to prepare Caribbean firms to meet the standards of the inter-

national platform. “So you can have a conversation with someone from Poland or Russia or China because the business that we’re talking about, of trade, of export could be understood by all sides.”

Meanwhile, GCCI Senior Vice President Vishnu Doerga said the training session will undoubtedly strengthen the business skills of the participants as well as the performance of the companies they represent.

Must expand

He said the GCCI is of the view that the private sector must expand at a significant rate in order for the local economy to deliver the revenue, wealth and job creation, critical for the socioeconomic development of its citizens.

Doerga said it is against this backdrop that the chamber has established and offered a framework of a series of initiatives in support of the private sector. The framework, he said, is based on fundamental pillars such as entrepreneurship, innovation, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) growth and expansion. One of the initiatives to meet the SME growth and overall development is the collaboration with the Caribbean Export, which, in partnership with the GCIC, offers programmes, specifically designed for small and medium sized enterprises.

He too exclaimed that Guyana is full of opportunities, while noting that it was important for persons with business minds to not allow the resources to be wasted, but should instead “know how to improvise yourself, and take the right steps so that seemingly realistic targets could be had”.

Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ramdeen, a few minutes into his presentation, was able to capture the attention of the participants with his in depth discussion. He told the representatives of the mostly small and medium companies that they should take advantage of every available opportunity to expand.

The workshop, which comes to an end today, shares knowledge in Human Resources Management, export marketing, strategy finance and craft development, among other things.

Missing businesswoman found

...search on still for teacher

D’Urban Street businesswoman Caren Chase who went missing for three days was found by her relatives on Monday afternoon “breezing off” at a city hotel with friends.

The owner of a D’Urban Street Internet café reportedly told relatives she was stressed out and was taking some time off. Reports are that the woman was at the hotel when a friend walked in and told her that missing reports were out for her. It was then she related that she had been under a lot of emotional stress. Trevor Rose, the father of the woman’s only child, was gunned down earlier this year.

Chase, 32, of Lot 116 Fourth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, had gone

missing on Saturday. Her brother, Travis Chase, a News Anchor, had told Guyana Times before his sister was found that it was unlike her to stay away from home.

The mother of one, he had said, was someone who would return all missed calls, but in this case, she did not even make contact with her daughter who had been worried that something bad had happened to her mother.

Travis Chase described his sister as a very caring person who would check up on him and other siblings when she did not hear from them.

Meanwhile, a search was conducted in several parts of Georgetown and several pieces of ladies items that are similar to the ones belonging to missing St Stanislaus College teacher Nyozi Goodman were found, but there was no sign of the woman. The Police are continuing to pursue all the leads at their disposal with the intention of finding the teacher.

The 36-year-old woman was last seen on Sunday, June 3 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, where she had accompanied her school’s basketball team to the National Schools Basketball Championships.

Goodman, of William Street, Kitty, was last seen

sending off the basketball team with another teacher. At her apartment, all her personal belongings were found intact, except for her two mobile phones and an iPad.

The last time she used her mobile phone was about 23:00h two Sundays ago, her sister Nestor Thompson said. This information, she said, would have been received from Digicel.

The phone company also said that the SIM card was either destroyed or removed from the handset. Anyone with information that can help in locating Goodman is asked to contact her sisters Nikita Greene and Nestor Thompson on 6898981 and 692-4526 respectively, or the nearest Police station.

Businesses' representatives at the workshop

GCCI Senior Vice President Vishnu Doerga

Missing: Nyozi Goodman

Found: Caren Chase

Teen remanded for allegedly murdering GuySuCo foreman

Days after reportedly confessing to the murder of GuySuCo foreman Ravendranauth Thirkha, a teenager was on Monday arraigned with murder at the Whim Magistrate’s Court.

Vishal Michael Edwards, 19, called “Uncle Roy” of Number 77 Village Housing Scheme and of Church Street, Number 78 Village, Corriverton, was remanded to prison by Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that between Monday, July 14 and Tuesday, July 15, 2014

at Number 78 Corriverton, Berbice, he murdered Thirkha. The young man was unrepresented and the case was transferred to the Springlands Magistrate’s Court for August 8.

It was reported that the young man, along with another, was arrested one day after the discovery of the foreman’s body and during the interrogation, he reportedly confessed to killing Thirkha. He also admitted to robbing him of his personal belongings.

The GuySuCo foreman was on his way home from a get-together when the suspects confronted him and

demanded that he hand over his personal items, according to reports. The suspect reportedly admitted that he used a piece of cloth to strangle the 52-year-old man.

The teen is reportedly a known character to the Police, as he had been questioned before in connection with several robberies.

Thirkha, of Lot 485 Block 19, Line Path, Skeldon, was found on Tuesday morning lying face down at the Number 68 Foreshore with blood oozing from his mouth. A post-mortem performed on the body of the man proved that he was strangled.

Eyew tness

Playing dead...

...to see who’ll be at AFC funeral

You know the kind of fellas who want to be seen as “big and bad” – but all they have are big mouths and bad breath, don’t you, Dear Readers?? So they flail away from the target of their rage – from a three feet away, at least! – while yelling to their friends, “Hold me back, before Ah kill ‘e!!! Hold me back!!” The friends, meanwhile, having been through this rigmarole many times before, know they don’t even have to touch him. But they go through the motions!!

So here we have the AFC and its leaders Ramjattan and Nagamootoo trying to be “big and bad” against the PPP/C Government by threatening a “no-confidence” motion. (Not so incidentally, what does this do to the AFC’s claim to fame that they’re “multiracial” – when the two leaders are both Indians – and ex-PPP Indians to boot??! Where have you gone Nigel Hughes??)

Now a “no-confidence” motion is very simple. All you do is wait for the Government to introduce ANY Bill. Say, the Supplementary Spending Bill. When it’s time to vote on the Bill, you announce a “no-confidence” motion – and if you have the majority to carry the vote – the Government falls!!! By our Constitution, the President has to prorogue Parliament and call elections in three months. Can’t get more simple than that, can it??

This, Dear Readers, is the source of the “power” the Opposition boast they have, after they won a majority of seats to the National Assembly. The power to bring down the Government. The thing is, however, the Opposition –especially the AFC – don’t have the testicular fortitude to make this move. They are scared sh*tless that if they go to the polls, they’d be wiped out. Annihilated. Skinned alive. So this is why we’re having all this “hold me back!” manoeuvres like making up charges against the Finance Minister to the Police. But what takes the cake is writing to the President threatening to “do it”!! Who the hell ever heard of a politician, asking permission from their opponent to use his supposed “biggest weapon”?? Especially when weeks before, the said President had already said, rather nonchalantly, “Go right ahead!! Make my day!!”

Truth of the matter is that by calling their bluff, Prezzie has effectively emasculated Ramjattan and Nagamootoo. They can’t even hold Larwah...since that’s been cut off!!!

...on being gay

The tragedy that’s befallen the gay sex-worker community – with two of their members murdered over the weekend – brings to the fore some issues that are routinely swept into the closet and under the rug. Take the case of the sex workers themselves. Why are there so many of them doing what they’re doing so openly?

From what we’ve been told, they have a vibrant “fraternity” – so sex among themselves is not the issue. Most of their clients are so-called “straight” men who live lives of quiet desperation, trying to bury their desires. Take the fella who confessed to committing the murders. From what his mother says, he was a “God fearing” individual who never revealed his preferences – so we can assume he was “passing”.

The question Guyana’s refusing to face is why should so many persons hide what is revealed eventually even though they desperately try to suppress their nature?? If they’re not harming anyone, shouldn’t they be allowed to express their desires in the privacy of their homes. And not be condemned by their communities so that they have to scout prospects – for pay – by the Cathedral??

...on sugar

Sugar is coming down to crunch time. Decisions will have to be made. We hear that the Board is thinking of moving GuySuCo’s headquarters from Ogle. But why to Enmore?? If the present problem – and the future salvation of sugar-is in Berbice, shouldn’t top management be there???

Murder accused, Vishal Michael Edwards

Expired nut butter, canned milk seized

– during checks at New Amsterdam Market

The New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council Environmental Health Department has seized a number of expired goods from the New Amsterdam Market during a recent inspection.

Some of the items seized were nut butter, canned milk, biscuits, jam, mayonnaise and confectionery items.

Health Inspector Ackloo Ramsudh has described the businesspersons selling expired goods as “barefaced”.

Ramsudh said the

Environmental Health Department is on a mission to ensure that citizens within the municipality have access to quality goods and commodities for human consumption.

He noted that the department is on a campaign to remove unwholesome goods being offered for sale; however, many business entities continue with the practice, despite the department’s efforts.

“There is prevalence in the discovery of expired and tampered products being offered for sale. I am appalled at the callous behaviour of some businesspersons in the township and, I want to think that many of them do not have respect for the laws (Ch. 16:01).... If they had any regards for the consuming public, they would cease such practices.”

The department has had to revisit some outlets, seizing a quantity of expired food items and products with tampered labels.

“In this age, one would have thought that entrepreneurs would respect the poor and average man that supports their businesses by showing some sort of com-

passion by doing bargain sales on products, prior to their expiry,” Ramsudh noted.

The campaign against these “barefaced” business operators will be tarnished if the public does not cooperate, Ramsudh added.

He is calling on citizens to be alert and vigilant and inspect items before making purchases.

“Every consumer has the right to thoroughly examine the labels of the edible products that are purchased and, if anyone is displeased with what they are seeing, then they need to start asking questions and also report these matters to the Environmental Health Department.”

Woman strangled, stabbed to neck – autopsy

Apost-mortem performed on the body of Candace GiddingsRawlings, who was allegedly killed by her husband at their Crane Village, West Coast Demerara home proved that she was strangled manually and suffered an incised wound to the neck.

The autopsy was performed by Dr Nehaul Singh at the Ezekiel Funeral Home. He also told relatives that the woman’s blood vessels exploded as a result of high blood pressure.

The woman’s body was handed over to relatives to finalise funeral arrangements which are scheduled for Tuesday next in Berbice.

However, Police are still hunting for the suspect, Vidol Rawlings of Lot 4 Crane Housing Scheme, who is still at large, but the woman’s relatives believed that he might have been in contact with his siblings.

A relative of the dead woman explained that the suspect is a contractor and one of his sisters turned up at his house at Crane on Monday afternoon to collect his tools. He saw this as quite odd, questioning the rationale of collecting the tools belonging to a suspected murderer if she was not

in contact with him.

The sister reportedly told relatives that she wanted the tools and the couple’s 11-year-old daughter can take the property. The relative claimed that the tools areworth some G$400,000.

Surprise

Meanwhile, it was reported that the family of the dead woman was surprised at the manner in which she was killed, claiming that the couple lived a happy life together.

The woman, according to reports, lived a normal marriage life, full of vigour and excitement; hence, her

relatives were not sure of the motive for her husband wanting to take her life.

The 32-year-old woman was found with her throat slit in the couple’s Lot 4 Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara home on Friday last. She was found on the floor of the house by her daughter bound with a stab wound to the neck.

On the other hand, the child reportedly told relatives that on Thursday evening, she was in her room and heard her mother and father playing “rough” as per normal, and suddenly she heard her mother scream, but she ignored it.

The young woman claimed that she did not hear her mother’s voice again and thought that she had fallen asleep since she heard her father watching television. The 11-year-old child said she woke up and called upon her mother, but there was no response, and it was then that the man tied her to the bed.

She managed to untie herself and found her mother lying on the floor with a wound to her neck. The suspect reportedly went into the yard and looked after the chickens before he was seen leaving in a taxi.

tuesDay, july 22, 2014|

guyanatimesgy.com

Fireman jailed for assault

The 24-year-old fireman accused of assaulting a colleague was sentenced to 48 months in prison on Monday by Magistrate Faith McGusty.

Magistrate McGusty convicted Delon Harris of unlawfully and maliciously wounding Cedrick Bradshaw, a fellow member of the Guyana Fire Service, with intent to maim, disfigure and cause grievous bodily harm on January 1, 2013.

The court was told that on the day in question, the

men got into an argument which resulted in Harris assaulting Bradshaw. Harris, who was represented by Attorney Michael Somersault, maintained his innocence. However, the testimony of the two witnesses called to the stand by his own lawyer proved to be his undoing, after the matter was first called on March 26 before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates Courts, and helped make Prosecutor Seon Blackman’s case.

“I thief the car,’’ man tells court; gets three years

An admission of guilt in a case of carjacking saw the suspect gaining a three-year stint in prison on Monday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Thirty-two-year-old Ijah Byron, of Lot 132 South Ruimveldt Gardens, Georgetown, told Magistrate Faith McGusty “I thief the car’’, after he was brought before her on a charge of simple larceny, which alleged that he stole a motor car belonging to Annice Phoenix.

The court heard that on July 18 at Camp Street, the virtual complainant’s brother parked the car and went into a pharmacy to purchase medication, but as he came out of the pharmacy, he saw the car ‘driving away’. The matter was reported and Police ranks on mobile patrol gave chase, subsequently apprehending Byron on Thomas and Lamaha Streets, Kitty. Byron, who was unrepresented by an attorney, was sentenced after his confession.

Some of the expired items seized

Health Inspector Ackloo Ramsudh

Crane murder

Candace Giddings-Rawlings

Rice production costs soar ... constrict int’l markets – Dr Ramsammy

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

The towering cost associated with rice production continues to cripple Guyana’s ability to compete on the world market, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said on Monday.

The Minister made the comment after the Agriculture Ministry was placed under the microscope when it appeared before the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee Meeting on Natural Resources at the Parliament Building.

Although a glorious pic-

It was explained that while Guyana has demonstrated the ability to produce an overwhelming volume of rice, the cost of production is crippling its ability to compete.

“The rice industry’s biggest challenge is finding the right market, we can sell but for us to sell we have to compete against Thailand and Vietnam at prices that are not favourable to us, so the issue is finding the right market and reducing the cost of production,” Dr Ramsammy said.

But even as Guyana struggles to reduce the cost of production, the big produc-

ture has been painted of the rice industry, Minister Ramsammy told the committee that its inability to compete on the world market remains a major hindrance.

ers of rice on the world market are creeping in on the region’s market share, placing the country at greater risk.

“While Guyana has focused entirely on premium

price market, some of our world market price competitors are beginning to enter into our domain and that represents a major challenge for us,” the Agriculture Minister said as he sounded an alarm

for Guyana to take stock. While Guyana has the ability to expand its premium market share, Dr Ramsammy said the cost of production must be addressed, in an effort to withstand the challenges within the global industry.

Prior to 2010, Europe was the largest importer of Guyana’s rice, but subsequent to an agreement between former President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo and the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, 70 per cent of the country’s rice and paddy went to Venezuela. At the time, Venezuela was buying the rice at better prices

The Agriculture Minister recalled that back in 2010, many rice farmers and millers abandoned their Caribbean and European markets when Venezuela started to tap into 70 per cent of Guyana’s rice and paddy industry. In an effort to cushion the impact, over the past year, Guyana was forced to recover some of those abandoned markets while expanding its market share. Haiti, Panama and Belize are among the new importers of Guyana’s rice and paddy, while negotiations continue with Guatemala and several African countries.

In 2013, the country produced approximately 535,000 tonnes of rice, of which 395,000 tonnes were exported, raking in approximately US$240 million in revenues.

Projection

By the end of 2014, it is projected that the industry would produce approximately 614,000 tonnes of rice. Based on the current market share, it is also anticipated that Guyana will export approximately 461,000 tonnes of rice while selling 120,000 tonnes locally.

Turning his attention to an issue which sparked a violent protest on the Essequibo Coast, the Agriculture Minister said millers continue to violate the laws in place governing the purchasing of rice and paddy. It is mandated that millers pay the farmers 50 per cent of their purchase price within 14 days with full payment within 42

Rum Jhaat gon never visit Jamaica

De Guvament in Jamaica decide that dem gon put a stop to alcohol abuse. All de rum drinkin and bad behaviour must done, is basically whah de Guvament want. In fact, according to de news, de Jamaica Guvament want to stop de abuse of hard liquor especially, because dem seh it not good fuh people health and safety.

Well, if that news was true, then de Jamaica Guvament need to teach de Guyana Guvament how to handle tings like these. It gotta lotta alcohol abuse goin on right hey in Guyana and de Guvament ain’t doin nutten bout any ting.

Taxi drivers drivin drunk. Mini bus drivers driving drunk. Even de pullice and ex-pullice drivin drunk, knockin down people and killin dem. Then dem does drive away, throw out all de beer bottles from the car, and come back to de scene. At least one get he share of licks from people in Mahaicony de other day fuh de same nonsense.

Plus MPs drivin drunk and admittin publicly that dem does give pullice men bribes to keep dem quiet. Some MPs even goin to Parliament drunk. So imagine any law to stop alcohol abuse in Guyana gon have to happen wid a debate among a setta drunk men who abusin hard liquor and hardly a day does past dem.

As fuh Rum Jhaat, he read de article and decide that he ain’t ever goin to Jamaica, even if is billion dollar client he get to represent in court. Now he gettin worried because he was wonderin whether or not de entire Caricom might decide to do de same ting in all de Caricom countries.

Right away Rum Jhaat seh if that ever happen, he gon tek Caricom to court and then move a no-confidence motion against Caricom in Parliament. That is how hard Rum Jhaat gon fight to stop de abuse of hard liquor in Guyana.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! After all, Rum Jhaat does tek a lotta hard liquor very hard and it gon be hard ting now fuh he to stop!

Rice being loaded for export to Venezuela

days, but this has not been happening.

Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan had suggested that the Government initiate a revolving fund to solve the miller’s financial plight.

Ramjattan said the Government with support from the Opposition, amended the Rice Factories Act, paving the way for the appropriate systems in place to ensure farmers and producers of paddy are paid within a reasonable timeframe. However, while provisions have been made,

rice farmers and paddy producers are not reaping the benefit.

He explained that after delivering more than 4000 bags of paddy, millers failed to make the 50 per cent payment within the two weeks period or the full payment within the specified timeframe. To address the financial problems experienced by millers, Ramjattan argued that a revolving fund should be established, with loans taken by millers to pay farmers and rice producers. (svetlanam@guyanatimesgy.com)

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy addressing the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources on Monday

Rice farmers have struggled to secure reliable markets and competitive prices for their crops

Govt strengthening measures to go after tax cheats

The Guyana Government is implementing stronger measures to tackle tax evasion here, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh told a regional conference of tax administrators.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Caribbean Organisation of Tax Administrators (COTA) 23rd General Assembly and Technical Conference at the Pegasus Hotel, Dr Singh said the issue is a worldwide one and he hopes participants at the conference come up with strong recommendations to tackle the scourge.

The conference is being held under the theme “Efficient tax administration as a catalyst to growth and development in the Caribbean Community”.

A recent Inter-American Development Bank study had found that despite marked improvements in the tax administration in Latin America and the Caribbean, tax evasion remains widespread. In the study titled: “More Than Revenue: Taxation as a Development Tool”, the bank said tax collections have increased approximately 30 per cent for each dollar of output or income in Latin America and the Caribbean in the last 20 years. Most of this increase is due to improvements in tax administration. It said tax administrations now boast technical and budgetary autonomy and highly qualified professional staff, while their collection function, focusing on large taxpayers, has been strengthened, thanks in part to the widespread use of technology.

“However, the challenges facing tax administra-

tions are greater than their achievements. A large number of workers and businesses in the region never have contact with the tax authority. Although some are exempt by law from filing tax returns, most simply hide from the tax administration through the use of avoidance strategies or directly illegal fraud,” the study found.

According to the IDB, half of the potential collection of individual and corporate income tax is lost through evasion, along with over a quarter of the tax revenues that VAT should raise. The bank said the main reason is the probability of being punished for tax evasion is virtually nil.

Share experiences

Meanwhile, Dr Singh told the gathering that there has been no time in regional history that this year’s theme has been more relevant. He stated that this conference provides the Caribbean Community with an opportunity to share experiences so that a change may occur.

Whether it is expected across the Caribbean, Minister Singh noted that there is a situation where a country’s own fiscal fragili-

ty is more evident and more stark now, than at any other time in living memory.

He noted that even the economies of the regions that have been historically regarded as more prosperous confront the challenges of being in serious debt that is inconsistent with a trajectory that would return us to debt sustainability.

According to the

more countries are returning to institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for structural adjustment programmes aimed at strengthening a country’s macro-economic situation, improving macroeconomic balances, and in particular, focusing on economic growth, but as a subset of that, debt and fiscal sustainability as prerequi-

forms articulated that may place many countries across the region under pressure to implement, if they want to achieve debt and fiscal sustainability in 20 years time.

He also noted that this is the reality across the Caribbean as countries want to make investments that are so crucial to improve quality of life for people and want to make investments

Minister, countries face the reality of slow economic growth, the need for significant fiscal intervention to stimulate growth at a time when there is no fiscal space to finance those interventions.

“Today, it is seen that

sites to sustainable growth.”

The Finance Minister stated that there has been medium-term policy papers that have spoken of achievements of debt sustainability in 20 years time, and in some of those policy papers there has been ambitious re-

that are so critical to catalyse entrenched sustained economic growth, upgrade infrastructure, improve social services, improve competitiveness of the business environments at a time when fiscal resources and fiscal space are scarce.

Joint-decision making Caricom Representative Desiree Field-Ridley in her remarks to the Tax Administrators noted that the bi-annual event in is an occasion for joint-decision making.

She noted that this 23rd conference is occurring at a time when the Caribbean Community economy has not yet fully emerged from the global economic crisis, which has affected Caricom states more negatively than most developing countries, particularly, because of the underlying weaknesses in many Caribbean economies.

Field-Ridley stated that having recognised the significant need for structural change, Caricom Heads of Government has been focusing their attention on fashioning an appropriate growth agenda for the Caribbean Community, and the economy priority mandates, particularly for fiscal management, resource mobilisation and employment.

She stated that this year’s theme seeks to position tax administration in the centre of fiscal management and resource mobilisation drive, to support the much needed resurgent of economic growth in the economy, which requires both the public and private sectors.

COTA’s five-day event, which will conclude on Friday, will tackle issues such as reforming tax/revenue administrations to meet the demand for higher fiscal revenues and gearing Caricom towards generating higher revenues and current issues in tax administration.

Gay community pickets MMC Security over murder of colleagues

Members of the gay community here on Monday protested in front of the MMC Security Force office on the East Coast of Demerara, blaming guards of the firm for allegedly causing the murder of two of their colleagues on Sunday morning.

The suspected murderer later killed himself. Those dead are: Carlyle Sinclair, 24, also known as “Tyra Banks” of Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo; Jason John, 23, also known as “Jada” of Lamaha Street, Alberttown, Georgetown; and the suspected killer, Samuel Bristol of Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara.

It was alleged that Bristol attacked and stabbed Sinclair and John on Leopold Street, Georgetown around 01:45h on Sunday before setting himself on fire. Sinclair ran a few blocks away to Lombard Street, near ARK Enterprises, where he succumbed to his injuries.

It was alleged that

Bristol had attacked Sinclair and John after an MMC vehicle dropped him off in Leopold Street and pointed him in the direction of the duo. The protesters are now asking the security force to give the names of the persons responsible for Bristol’s drop-off to facilitate the investigation.

Speaking with Guyana Times at the scene on

Sunday, Romario Lovell, also known as “Thin Slice”, had related that he was the initial target of the attack by Bristol. Bristol allegedly stabbed John and Sinclair after he learned that they had encouraged Lovell to work as a commercial sex worker.

Lovell explained to Guyana Times that he had shared a relationship with Bristol for some five years, but had left him because he was abusive. He said from time to time Bristol would show up at his “work place” on King Street and physically abuse him.

“He used to come and try to get me off the streets, but I told him ‘I am a street man. I like the faring’,” said Lovell said. He said on this occasion when Bristol turned up at King Street, the other sex workers were not very welcoming. He explained that before Bristol took out a bottle that contained what was suspected to be gasoline mixed with

acid, the men converged on him and gave him a thrashing.

Subsequently, however, men in a MMC Security Force vehicle that was passing at the time saved Bristol from the beating, and dropped him off at Hadfield and High Streets in front of Ashmins Store. It was when he was dropped off at Ashmins that Bristol allegedly made his way to

Leopold Street where he saw John and Sinclair, whom he attacked and dealt several stabs to their chests before making good his escape on foot.

Another eyewitness

“Isabelle” told Guyana Times that the 31-yearold Bristol appeared to be a person of unsound mind.

“Isabelle” said Bristol would usually go where the sex workers ply their trade and make trouble if he did not establish contact with Lovell.

Tensions flared at the scene of the incident as news spread of the men’s death.

Meanwhile, Bristol, who had fled the scene, made his way to an empty lot at the corner of Regent Street and Orange Walk and proceeded to set himself afire.

Persons in the area said they remember being awakened by the screams and saw the human torch in the empty lot. Public-spirited citizens threw water on him to extinguish the flames. Reports are that before

Bristol succumbed at the hospital, he told attendants that he was sorry he did not get to kill more sex workers. At Bristol’s home in Nabaclis, his father Dunston Bristol said his son was a devout Christian. The elder Bristol explained that he last saw his son on Saturday before he left home.

Carlyle Sinclair

Jason John

Samuel Bristol

The Caribbean Organisation of Tax Administration (COTA) 23rd General Assembly and Technical Conference

Participants at the Caribbean Organisation of Tax Administration (COTA) 23rd General Assembly and Technical Conference

tuesday, july 22, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

New asphalt plant commissioned in Corentyne

Amore than $100 million modern asphalt plant was on Saturday evening commissioned in Tarlogie Village, Corentyne Berbice. The plant is the first of its kind in the Ancient County and will serve to provide quality asphaltic concrete. It is the brainchild of Peter Lewis and family of Associated Construction Services.

Present at the commissioning ceremony were Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, Minister within the Finance Ministry Juan Edghill, Member of Parliament Faizal Jafarally, PPP Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha and Regional Vice Chairman Bhopaul Jagroo, among others.

According to Joseph Lewis, brother of Peter Lewis, the plant is fully com-

sure that high-quality asphalt will be supplied to all contractors for the building of roads; there will also be machinery and equipment available to all construction firms so as to complete work

puterised and has the ability to produce 60 tonnes per hour. He noted that it is their vision to reach 120 tonnes per hour in the near future and, at the same time, provide employment for many Berbicians.

“Associated Construction Services is committed to en-

in a timely and efficient manner. In addition, we would also be looking to ensure that stones are readily available in Berbice.”

Praise

He also thanked the Government for providing opportunities for investors.

Recognising the many roads being done across the region, Minister Robeson Benn underscored the need for an asphalt plant in Berbice.

He highlighted that now there is a permanent one, many issues will be resolved and with the investment in such a plant, roads are expected to have longer surface life.

He congratulated the Lewis family for taking on the initiative of investing in Guyana’s economy. The company will facilitate the continued maintenance, development and rehabilitation of new structures of roads in Berbice.

The asphalt plant was sourced from India, and an Engineer from the Vidayak Plants assisted in the installation and training. The new plant is now one of five in Guyana.

Quality product

“The achievement of having this plant here is very important in respect to assuring the delivery of quality product; it’s very important that we pay attention to qual-

BBCI supports radio/television programme on reparations

The Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) on Friday last handed over a cheque of $200,000 to the Carib Feedback Productions to host a three-month radio and television production titled “Reparations Now! Broken Chains… Golden Dreams”.

According to a release, the production aims to tell the story of rebellion and freedom by fusing drama, poetry, music and dance.

The sum donated would be used to cover rental for the venue used to host the one-month workshop and rehearsals, marketing/promotion and tickets expenses.

“The company was privileged to have the opportunity to make a donation towards the Carib Feedback three months radio and television production which would create an educational entertainment for youths by reflecting on the contributions of Afro-Guyanese to the history and culture of the Guyanese population,”

the release said. The BBCI does not only play the role of collecting tolls and facilitating vehicles crossing the Berbice River Bridge and vessels transiting through the retractor span and under the high span, but also discharges its corporate responsibilities.

In the past, the com-

pany has sponsored many events that benefited communities on both the eastern and western sides of the bridge, and many other regions such as Georgetown, Linden, Parika and the hinterland.

This year, the company has received some 86 public relation requests thus far; 73 of which were approved.

and foreign investors to take advantage of what the country has to offer.

“We are celebrating this investment, he is making this investment because he knows it is feasible and profitable and where Guyana is going, it fits into the context but we are envisioning, articulating a vision that will usher Guyana into streams of prosperity not only for a selected few or a privileged group, but prosperity for all of its people and that is the vision of the Government. This is a good example of what Guyana has

ity and the choice that this plant has with the computerised controls, by the training which has been providing by the Indian engineers… they are computer-controlled, the temperature profile is controlled by computer, bituminous mixture is computer controlled as well as the end product,” he pointed out.

Minister Edghill commended the company for the worthwhile investment.

“They are seeing a future for Guyana, I believe it would be fitting this investment signal that they are visionary and they are seeing where Guyana is going. When we look at a venture like this, it fits in Guyana's developmental agenda.”

Edghill highlighted that Government has been providing opportunities for local

NGSA

Jagroo said that an asphalt plant in the region was one of the things that were hindering progress of road works in the region.

He said now with the plant at their disposal, the region would work to have more asphaltic roads in Berbice.

“If you look around, you would notice many roads being built across the region and I know for sure many persons are grateful for the asphaltic road rather than the chip-seal road and with this facility, the region will pursue to have more asphaltic roads which

to offer to persons. We are not only making it possible for foreign investors, but for local people to emerge and we are proud to know that he has taken a bold step.”

Regional Vice Chairman

would be more durable.”

The Associated Construction Services Asphalt Plant have thus far produced some 800 tonnes of asphalt that has already been utilised countrywide.

Berbice top students honoured

Twenty-five top performing students of East and West Berbice who sat National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) 2014 were honoured by overseasbased Guyanese, Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh.

At a simple presentation ceremony held at the Lions Club Den in New Amsterdam, the students were presented with school and stationery supplies.

Dr Singh, who lives in Texas, USA, is also a Berbician. He implored the students to continue to strive for excellence.

“You must keep striving for excellence and follow the guidance of your teachers and parents in order to achieve higher goals; suc-

cess comes through hard work and you will only reap the rewards through dedication,” he advised.

He noted that he is grateful to be able to give back to his country and community and hopes to continue collaborations with the Lions Club.

“You are our future doctors, lawyers, teachers... even community leaders, it is with great pride that I take this opportunity to mingle among you and, reward you in a meaningful way for your outstanding performance.”

Meanwhile, New Amsterdam Lions Club President Yvette Kertizious expressed gratitude to the donor for his valuable contribution towards the promotion of education.

She noted that all the students did well and must be commended for their achievement.

“The contribution of Dr Singh is well appreciated and his passion for education is highly acknowledged ... I hope that you, the students, accept our collaborative token, as you strive to achieve higher goals,” she said. Twenty-five students were selected for their outstanding performance, with a total of 18 from Region Six and seven from Region Five. Simeon De Abreu of All Saints’ Primary School in New Amsterdam shared the top honours with 11-yearold Joel Persaud of Cropper Primary School, who scored 518 marks each.

BBCI Administrative Supervisor Amarnauth Singh handing over the cheque valued $200,000 to Ras Leon Saul, writer/director/ producer of the Carib Feedback Productions last Friday

Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh with the awardees and members of the New Amsterdam Lion’s Club

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn and Minister within the Finance Ministry Juan Edghill are assisted by the daughter of Peter Lewis (left) to cut the ribbon to commission the asphalt plant

A section of the plant

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn presses the button to start the plant

Rohee reviewing report on NA Prison unrest

Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee on Monday received the report from the Board of Inquiry set up to probe the May 23, 2014 unrest at the New Amsterdam Prison during which four prisoners were seriously chopped.

During a meeting with the board members at the Ministry’s Brickdam Office Minister Rohee said that he was satisfied with the report, and will be reviewing the recommendations.

“I received the report and having read the report, I will exchange my views with the members, and they

Mahaicony man killed during “washroom” row

Afather of three was on Monday afternoon stabbed to the heart during an altercation with another man at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD). The stabbing incident occurred around 17:30h.

Alvy Israel Richmond, 52, of Syraph Campbell Branch Road, Mahaicony, ECD, was stabbed once to his heart allegedly by his sister’s boyfriend, Travis James.

The knife which the killer collected from the kitchen was left stuck in the man’s body, but was later removed by Police officers who launched an investigation.

The murder suspect, who resides in the same village, was taken into Police custody to assist with investigations. According to information reaching Guyana Times, the now dead man went to use the washroom unaware that the suspect was taking a shower. As he opened the door to enter the washroom, the suspect got upset and an argument ensued.

Both men reportedly used abusive language to each other, and the row escalated into a physical encounter. During the altercation, James reportedly challenged the man to go onto the roadway where they would “finish it off”. Instead, the now dead man went into the upper flat of the house where he was followed by the man who eventually stabbed him once to his chest.

“Hot-headed”

Ernestine Richmond, the mother of the dead man, told Guyana Times in a telephone interview that she was at home when the two men started to argue for “stupidness”.

She said the argument continued for about 10 minutes and despite her trying to stop them from arguing, they continued.

Alvy Israel Richmond

“They start tell one another who go do who what and who go deh with who sister and pure nonsense, but all two of dem hot-headed, so they nah give up at all,” she added.

She went on to say that James accused her son of being disrespectful, claiming that he knew that he was taking a shower, but still insisted on using the washroom. She said after a few minutes, she left and went into the kitchen to prepare a meal, but soon after, her son staggered into the kitchen and then collapsed onto the floor.

As she looked closely, she saw blood and the knife stuck to his chest and immediately alerted her neighbours. In the meantime, the man tried to crawl down the steps, but he stumbled and fell onto the steps where he died.

The grieving mother related that the suspect managed to escape, but he was apprehended by public-spirited citizens who handed him over to the Police when they arrived at the scene.

Richmond was taken to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead. His body was transported to the Lyken Funeral home and is awaiting a post-mortem examination. Richmond is survived by his mother, four siblings, and three children.

have made some recommendations, and I have to implement through the ministry and the report is one that I ought to commend for working diligently to submit the report,” Minister Rohee noted. The board comprised former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Norman Mclean, member of the Commission on Law and Order, Taajnauth Jadunauth, Coordinator of the Community Policing Organisation of Guyana, Dennis Pompey, Commander A Division, Clifton Hicken and Mr. Smith of the Ministry.

Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee during a meeting with members of the board of inquiry, Tajnauth Jadunauth member of the Commission on Law and Order, Coordinator of the Community Policing Organisation of Guyana, Dennis Pompey, and Commander ‘A’ Division, Clifton Hicken at Ministry’s Brickdam Office.

Regional

Chinese President visits Cuba

Chinese President Xi Jinping began a two day visit to Cuba on Monday evening, stirring hopes on the island that China will finally invest in the country after a number of important deals never materialised.

Xi is to meet with President Raul Castro today and then fly to Santiago de Cuba to see plans to improve port facilities and recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy, which devastated Cuba’s second city almost two years ago. Xi was in Brazil last week for a summit of the

About 15,000 Jamaican youths to benefit from digital employment opportunities

About 15,000 young Jamaicans will benefit from training, digital work opportunities and seed investments to boost the digital and animation industries in the country as a result of a US$20 million loan for a youth employment in digital and animation industries project approved on Friday by the World Bank Board of Directors.

“This project facilitates Jamaica’s linkage into one of the fastest growing sectors in the global economy,” said Jamaica’s Minister of State for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Julian Robinson. “It is our strongest national thrust to date to mobilise the considerable creative and entrepreneurial talent among our youth towards earning our way to a brighter future.”

Global animation is a growing industry currently valued around US$220 bil-

lion per year. International companies are increasingly looking at Jamaica as a country of choice for outsourcing animation production. As part of its “Vision 2030 Jamaica” plan, the Government is looking at the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector as playing a central role in the transformation of the country over the next two decades, moving Jamaica from being a consumer to also becoming a producer of digital platforms and content.

“Youth unemployment in Jamaica is about 30 per cent. This initiative spearheaded by the Government is about providing opportunities for new talents to get new skills, find jobs or become entrepreneurs,” said Sophie Sirtaine, World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean. (Excerpt from News Now)

BRICS nations, which also includes Russia, India and South Africa. He then travelled to Argentina and Venezuela, signing a raft of multibillion-dollar credit and investment agreements, before stopping in Cuba on his way home.

Communist-run China and Cuba are close political allies. Generous trade credits have made China the island’s largest creditor and second biggest trade partner after Venezuela at US$1.4 billion last year.

China has rescheduled Cuba’s Government and commercial debt, believed to top US$6 billion. But large investment agreements for the nickel industry, signed in 2000, another in hotels, and a deal to expand an oil refinery agreed five years ago, have not materialised. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

As

Calls for Gonsalves’ removal as reparations spokesman

Agroup calling itself “Concerned Vincentians at Home and Abroad” has petitioned Caricom to remove St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves as spokesperson on reparations.

“The purpose of the petition is to respectfully urge you and your colleagues to reconsider, as a matter of urgency, the decision to assign Dr the Hon Ralph E. Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as lead advocate for Caricom’s claim for reparations for indigenous people and descendants of enslaved Afrikans [sic] in the Caribbean,” the group stated in a recent letter to Caricom Chairman, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

Identifying its members as Dane Bowman, Doug Howard, Luke James, Luzette King, Margaret London and Marlon Mills, the group stat-

Chikungunya virus spreads in TT, cleanup exercise starts in

Rio Claro, Mayaro

With three confirmed cases of the Chikungunya virus in TT and over 300,000 suspected victims in the Caribbean, a massive clean-up campaign has been launched in Victoria County. On July 11, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) announced that 21 people had died, out of 5029 confirmed cases in this Region. As a result, the Rio Claro/Mayaro Regional Corporation has begun surveys and awareness campaigns throughout its communities, especially as heavy rains beat down on Sunday.

Chairman of the corporation, Hazaree Ramdeen said it was also an effort to prevent customary flooding in several low-lying areas. In a telephone interview, Ramdeen said, “Because of the present situation with

the Chikungunya virus that has hit Trinidad, in our public health meeting yesterday [Sunday], I instructed the corporation to go on a massive clean-up campaign to take up all derelict vehicles, check out all the open spaces and start to clean some water courses.

“We are going to serve notices to people who have any receptacles or containers that are open and collecting water. We are going to ask them to clean it up and if they don’t, we’re going to serve them notices.” The Chikungunya virus is not their only concern, but also the similar but deadly dengue fever, which also comes from the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Ramdeen said the corporation had begun preparing for the rainy season earlier this year by upgrading drainage systems. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

ed that its contention is twofold. “First of all, we believe that Dr Gonsalves personally is eminently unsuitable to represent us as Afrikans seeking reparations.” It continued, “Second, our view is that while we seek reparations from abroad, the leaders of the movement must also focus their efforts on dealing at home with the neo-colonial injustices currently being perpetrated on people of

Afrikan descent. Charity, it is said, begins at home.”

“Willful economic disenfranchisement of people of Afrikan descent and the dramatic increases in rape and other sexual crimes against women (both being hallmarks of the dehumanisation of Afrikans during the time of slavery) are two specific matters of grave concern to Vincentians at home and abroad.” (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Founder of Latin American engineering giant Odebrecht dies

Brazilian engineer

Norberto Odebrecht, who founded one of Latin America’s largest engineering companies, has died at the age of 93.

The company which bears his name is behind some of the continent’s most ambitious largescale projects. Established in 1944, it has paved a road across the Andes Mountains and through the Amazon jungle to Peru.

It also formed a consortium which built four of the 12 stadiums that hosted games for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Odebrecht has also drilled a 19 kilometre (12-mile) tunnel to divert a river from the Amazon basin into a dam on the Pacific side of the

Andes.

More recently, groups in Brazil angry over Government spending in the lead up to the World Cup staged protests outside the company’s offices in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Odebrecht had come under scrutiny for the billionaire contracts it won to build World Cup stadia. Norberto took over his father Emilio’s small engineering business at the age of 21 and turned it into a construction company. In the 1960s and 1970s Odebrecht expanded just at the time when Brazil’s military Government was aiming for high economic growth through investments in massive infrastructure projects. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Duo to introduce ‘economic village’ to the south of Antigua

Plans are under way for the development of an economic village in Jolly Harbour that will be geared towards providing reasonably priced store spaces for business owners. Father and son duo Derek and Adam Barrett said their vision is to develop what they have called a “commercial hub” for the southern side of the island.

“It’s not just putting in more shops and renting spaces. One of the things we want to stimulate is the local economy. We want to be able to give opportunities to local entrepreneurs, business

owners to be able to have their first shot,” Adam said.

He noted that the project is not only aimed at providing rental space, but to empower local entrepreneurs. “We have two projects, one under construction at the moment in Jolly Harbour, which will end up being about 280 units, and the new one is a project called St Mary’s Court,” Adam said.

He said business owners are often burdened with high rental rates during start-up, but his company hopes to provide 30 commercial units with five years’ free rent for entrepreneurs. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

Chinese President Xi Jinping begins a two day visit to Cuba on Monday evening

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves

An aerial view of Jolly Harbour in Antigua

Death toll climbs as Israeli tanks shell Gaza hospital

Israeli tanks have shelled a hospital in the central Gaza Strip, killing at least five people and wounding at least another 50.

Al Jazeera’s Stephanie Dekker, reporting from Gaza, said according to early reports the third floor of the alAqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah had been hit by at least three tank shells on Monday.

There was no let-up in the Israeli offensive, with another 31 Gazans killed in a series of strikes on Monday even as the US and the UN demanded an “immediate ceasefire”.

And Israel said troops killed 10 Hamas fighters after they came over the border through a network of tunnels that the army says it has been trying to destroy in an intensive four-day ground operation.

On Sunday, at least 72 people were killed in central Gaza during an Israeli assault that destroyed much of the

and that the cache was successfully targeted

Shujayea district and left charred bodies lying in the streets. Medics pulled another 68 bodies from the rubble early on Monday, Ashraf al-Qudra, Gaza’s emergency services spokesman, said.

Al-Aqsa Hospital is the third to

be hit by Israeli tank fire since Israel launched its ground offensive in Gaza four days ago. Al Jazeera’s Dekker said the scene of the hospital shelling was an area “where a lot of people had been fleeing to”.

SFO investigates price rigging in foreign exchange market

he Serious Fraud

TOffice (SFO) has launched a criminal investigation into allegations of price rigging in the £3tn-a-day foreign exchange market.

The probe will look into allegations of "fraudulent conduct", the director of the SFO said in a statement.

Around 15 international agencies are investigating allegations of collusion and price manipulation. It is alleged that traders used online chatrooms to plan the fixing of benchmark prices.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said in October it had joined other regulators around the world

in scrutinising firms over the potential manipulation of the foreign exchange market.

Several investment banks, including Barclays and HSBC have already sus-

pended currency traders due to the investigation by the FCA.

And in March this year the Bank of England suspended one member of staff over the probe.

Nigeria’s Boko Haram ‘controls’ Damboa in Borno B

Nigeria’s militant Islamists are in control of the key town of Damboa in north-eastern Nigeria, a local vigilante leader has told the BBC. The vigilante force defending the town fled on Sunday, and Islamist group Boko Haram’s black flag is now flying over Damboa, he said.

At least 40 people were killed when Boko Haram attacked Damboa on Friday, the vigilante leader added. The group has been fighting since 2009 to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.

In April, it sparked international outrage by abducting more than 200 girls from their boarding school in Chibok, in Borno state, like Damboa. The BBC’s Chris Ewokor in the capital, Abuja, says when Boko

Haram seized towns and villages in the past, it was driven out by the military.

However, Government forces have failed to launch an offensive to recapture Damboa, he says. It is one of the biggest towns in Borno state and a busy trading centre for people from neighbouring villages.

Military spokesman Chris Olukolade said Government forces were “firming up” their deployment to the area. The military would not “concede any portion of this country” to Boko Haram he said.

Meanwhile, a military helicopter flying in Borno state’s Bama area crashed after developing a technical fault, Olukolade said. He did not give any details of casualties. (Excerpt from BBC News)

At the time the head of the Financial Conduct Authority, Martin Wheatley, said that currency manipulation was "every bit as bad" as the Libor scandal, where banks including Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland and UBS paid fines totalling $6bn relating to Libor fixing.

For the criminal probe the SFO will work in cooperation with the FCA and the US Department of Justice, which announced its own criminal investigation last October.

Earlier this year US prosecutors flew to London to question individuals over allegations of market manipulation. (BBC News)

UN chief decries Islamic State’s ultimatum

an Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General, has condemned the persecution of Iraqi Christians by Islamic State (IS) fighters, saying it may constitute a crime against humanity.

The statement on Monday came after hundreds of Christian families fled their homes in the northern city of Mosul as an ultimatum threatening their community’s centuries-old presence ended.

The fighters, who have run the city after a military offensive that began six weeks ago, had issued a written declaration to Mosul’s Christian community to either convert, pay a tax, leave or face imminent execution.

Mosul’s new rulers said there would be “nothing for them but the sword” if Christians did not abide

by those conditions by Saturday. The Sunni-led Islamic State group issued the ultimatum in a letter after Friday prayers.

The Islamic State document, obtained by Al Jazeera, states that the order was issued after Christian leaders failed to attend a meeting called by the group.

In response, the group says in the letter that Christians must either convert to Islam, pay a tax on non-Muslims known as “jiziya”, or give up their possessions and leave the city.

Failure to do so would result in a death penalty, “as a last resort”.

While some families initially appeared prepared to pay the Islamic tribute to stay in their homes, messages broadcast by mosques on Friday sparked an exodus.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

AUkrainian train carrying bodies from the Malaysia Airlines plane crash has left the station of the town of Torez. ProRussian rebels controlling the crash site have agreed for the remains to be taken to the city of Kharkiv to be later flown to the Netherlands.

Western countries say flight MH17 was shot down on July 17 by the rebels, killing all 298 people on board. Meanwhile the rebels have been involved in heavy fighting in Donetsk, the main city left under their control.

The clashes – involving heavy weapons – are continuing near the city’s airport and the railway station, eyewitnesses say. The train’s departure comes after tough negotiations between Western nations and the separatists, who had been accused of hampering access to the crash site.

Earlier on Monday, three Dutch experts became the first international investigators to examine the bodies of the victims in the carriages in Torez, some 15 kilometre

away from the crash site. The team said the storage of the bodies had been “of good quality”. The investigators also later visited the area where the Boeing 777 went down after being reportedly hit by a missile.

Monitors from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe have been at the accident site, but their access to the wreckage was limited by the rebels.

There has been international outcry over the way rebels have handled the situation, leaving passengers’ remains exposed to summer heat and allowing untrained volunteers to comb through the area.

President Barack Obama earlier accused the rebels of tampering with potential evidence and called for the international experts to be granted “immediate and full” access to the site. He also warned that Russia would “only further isolate itself” if it failed to compel the separatists to cooperate. (Excerpt from BBC News)

MH17 plane crash: Train with bodies leaves Ukraine station China ‘spy ship’ at US-led navy exercise off Hawaii

China says it has the right to send a surveillance ship to monitor a US-led naval exercise, after US media reported the vessel’s presence off Hawaii over the weekend.

Navy ships had the right under international law to operate in “waters outside of other countries’ territorial waters”, the Defence Ministry said. China is also taking part in the drill.

It has sent four ships with an estimated 1000 sailors onboard to the Rim of the Pacific (Rimpac) operation. Twenty-two countries are taking part this year and it is the first time China has been included.

The US acknowledged that it was the first time that a participating country had also sent a vessel to monitor the exercise.

Captain Darryn James, Chief Spokesman of the US Pacific Fleet, told agencies that China had sent a similar ship to the last Rimpac exercise in 2012. He added that the US had taken “all necessary precautions to protect our critical information”. Some US-based media outlets have questioned the presence of the ship.

The Wall Street Journal labelled it a “party crasher” that was “enjoying an intelligence buffet at the world’s largest maritime gathering”, while Bloomberg quoted an analyst as saying that it sent “a bad signal”.

In December 2013, the US and China squared off over a near-collision of their ships in the South China Sea. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Later on Monday, the Israeli military said an initial investigation suggested that anti-tank missiles were stored near the hospital

China already has four vessels participating in the Rimpac exercise, including the hospital ship Peace Ark

PNCR “fixing” Congress’ vote

... Region 10 members

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

The Region 10 People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Committee has accused the Central Executive Committee

(CEC) of allegedly trying to rig the elections for the Leader and Chairman at this weekend’s Congress billed for Congress Place, Sophia.

Committee members

Leslie Gonsalves and Maurice Butters made the allegations against the CEC on Monday; three days ahead of the PNCR’s Congress slated for July 24 to 26. In defense of this bold argument, Gonsalves told media operatives on Monday that approximately 90 delegates were listed to participate in the upcoming Congress; however, the Linden Committee was recently informed that only 60 delegates would be admitted.

According to him, records show that the PNCR has a membership of approximately 800 persons

in Linden, but the Central Committee is insisting that the membership is smaller; hence, only 60 delegates would be allowed to attend.

Questioned about this sudden move by the party to downsize its membership in Linden, Gonsalves said “it is clear that the PNCR is fixing the upcoming elections. Well, the motives are simple, if you are reducing a group in terms of its delegates from in excess of 90 to 60, it is obvious you are saying to yourself, if you allow them to get 90, they are going to have their way in terms of winning whether the leadership or Chairmanship of the party,” he contended.

He said the current leadership of the party is doing all in its power to “call the shot.”

According to Butters, it was discovered that the PNCR point person Sandra Jones, who has been accused of creating major division in the district, is hand-picking persons from the original list submitted by the Linden PNCR Committee.

“We would have recruited and resuscitated many groups and based on the list submitted to Congress Place where Sandra Adams has the privileged to peruse, would have extracted names from the list,” he said. In the process, he said Adams would have manufactured groups where they never existed to shape the results of the upcoming elections. “It means when we get to Congress, our delegate strength would be reduced, but we will find a way,” he said.

Former PNCR General Secretary Aubrey Norton, a favoured Lindener would be contesting against David Granger for the leadership of the PNCR. Norton had told Guyana Times that there is an ur-

gent need for the party to reconnect with its grassroots support base and membership at all levels.

According to him, his decision to challenge Granger for the leadership was based on the requests of several groups and party members who believe that he understands the fundamentals of the party, and would therefore have the capacity and ability to move it forward. Norton, like other senior and long-standing PNC stalwarts, believes that the PNC should have a different leader from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition. He argued that there is a lot of work to be done within the PNC to ensure that it is fully prepared to win the upcoming elections.

US$94,500 plugged into Mara enhancement project

About 150 vulnerable farmers from Plegtanker to Mara in East Berbice, Corentyne are now benefitting from a Canadian-funded project aimed at enhancing their livelihood as well as their capability to handle agricultural disasters.

For years, farmers in the communities surrounding Mara have had to battle with flooding. Today these farmers are better prepared to manage such eventuality since the Caribbean Local Economic Development (CARILED) with financial support of the Government of Canada provided through the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development has provided the Mara Farmers Association (MFA) with a multipurpose mini excavator for installation and maintenance of all drains and irrigation canals, and preparation of land.

It has also provided members of the association with training in the areas of machine operation and maintenance, good agriculture practices, small farm management, low cost production techniques and post - harvest capacity building. This US$94,500 Mara Agricultural Enhancement

Project was officially commissioned today at the Mara Community Centre. Present were Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker, Permanent Secretary Collin Croal, Councillor, City of Toronto, Canada and from Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Michael Thompson, Programme Director, CARILED Alix Yule and Regional Programme Manager, CARILED, Olaf Fontennelle.

Mara is among 25 local development projects that CARILED is at present supporting in seven Caribbean countries (Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago) as part of model projects whose success they hope to share throughout the region. The projects are being implemented in support with FCM, the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA,) and the Caribbean Forum of Local Government Ministers. During the commissioning Minister Whittaker urged the farmers to use the new technology and training to seek to not only move beyond subsistence farming, but also towards looking at crop diversification.

He warned about the reliance on just one crop, noting that rice and sugar have only survived this long because of preferential markets and prices. The Mara project was chosen following a series of engagement with the community. Noting

this, the Minister also said that this was in consonance with Government’s policies of taking the bottoms up approach, whereby communities are always engaged in their own development.

of the resources that the Canadian Government has in order to fund projects like CARILED would have come through the Diaspora; their contribution in making an investment back into their own communities.

He said that the support will enable the farmers to continue to play their vital role of enriching the country. “You enrich by the products that you produce, and I think that really is something that you ought to celebrate because that makes you the people who feed, the bread basket of the country... it is also important for us to understand that by collaborating, working with different partners and assisting you, giving you a helping hand, helps you to be more productive, better farmers, to develop more expertise that you can also transfer to other areas as well...the ability to be able to utilise that experience make your

the excavator was one that the farmers had been calling for. “This excavator will enable us to expand, empower and drain more of our lands...with better drainage we will be able to increase our production, earn more, create employment and have a higher standard of living thereby reducing poverty in the community,” Ward said. Jhagroo as well advanced this point noting that if machinery and training are used correctly, the enhancement of farmers’ capacity will be great.

The CARILED is aimed at supporting local government authorities by strengthening their competencies to sustain the growth and viability of existing enterprises, attract new ventures, and put in place services, plans and strategies that meet their business needs. It is being implemented in Four Regions in Guyana; 2, 3, 4 and 6. The projects being exe-

Meanwhile Thompson was quick to point out to the farmers that it was not just the Canadian government to be thanked, but also Guyanese living in Canada. He pointed out that part

farm better,” he said.

Meanwhile, Regional Vice Chairman Bhupaul Jhagroo and acting Chairman of MFA, Daniel Ward noted that the initiative, and more importantly

cuted include the Friendship Swine Development Project in Region 4, Tapakuma Women’s Agriculture Diversification in Region 2, and the Canal Polders Green Initiative in Region 3. (GINA)

Former PNCR General Secretary Aubrey Norton

PNCR Leader David Granger

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker and Member of the FCM Board of Director, Michael Thompson, unveil the plaque to officially commission the Mara Agricultural Enhancement Project

The excavator that was bought for the Mara Agricultural Enhancement Project

Farmers at the commissioning of the Mara Agricultural Enhancement Project

Kissoon shuns PNCR “Kangaroo Court”

By Svetlana MarShall

The Region 10 People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Committee on Monday broke its silence on the ‘Vanessa Kissoon’s saga’, as it accused PNCR Leader David Granger of acting in contravention of the party’s Constitution.

Due to the alleged breach of the Constitution, Kissoon will not appear before the Disciplinary Committee slated to meet today to thrash out a matter between her and the party’s General Secretary Oscar Clarke.

The Committee’s Spokesman Leslie Gonsalves, who is also President of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), said on July 14, a letter was dispatched to Granger, requesting that the Disciplinary Committee be dismantled.

Disciplinary Committee

“Since members of the Disciplinary Committee have already pronounced on the matter, the question of bias becomes an issue. And it is for this reason that a request is made to not only have these persons recuse themselves, but the entire Disciplinary Committee be disbanded and the parties commence discussion within the next 24-hours of receipt of this letter,” a section of the letter stated.

On July 15, Granger responded, but reportedly failed to address the core issues highlighted by the Committee. However, on July 16, Kissoon was issued with a letter signed by the Chairman of the Disciplinary

Committee Allan Munroe, requesting that she submits a statement by July 19 before appearing before the Committee on July 22.

At a press conference held at the Critchlow Labour College, Gonsalves disclosed that the Region 10 PNCR Committee has advised Kissoon not to appear before the Disciplinary Committee because of menu of infringement on the part of Granger and his key executives.

According to the Spokesman, Granger does not have the authority to suspend the Region 10 parliamentary representative. “The argument by Mr Granger that this issue is serious, as such, a decision was taken by him to suspend Ms Kissoon does not apply to her since she is not an employ-

ee. Ms Kissoon is a member of the party and owns a piece of the party just like Mr Granger,” he argued. He maintained that investigations should have been conducted before any disciplinary action was taken the Region 10 parliamentarian.

Referencing to Section 24 (1) (a) of the rules governing the PNCR, Gonsalves pointed out that the Central Executive Committee is required to appoint a Disciplinary Committee comprising five members, and shall name its Chairman and Vice Chairman. “What is clear here is that Mr Granger has appointed an ad hoc committee, not one consistent with the party rules,” he told media operatives.

According to him, for the past two years, the PNCR

leader “has not seen it fit” to put in place the constitutionally required Disciplinary Committee.

“This is a violation of the rules of the PNCR. It was not until he unilaterally suspended Ms Kissoon that he chose to select some persons to form a committee to discipline her,” he added.

Gonsalves wasted no time in signalling the committee’s disgust over what he described as the “biased composition” of the Disciplinary Committee.

It was pointed out that the committee is chaired by Allan Munroe, Granger’s neighbour; Lance Carberry, a political advisor to the leader; and Malika Ramsay, Christopher Jones and Cheryl Sampson, all employees of Congress Place.

“All of these persons are members of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) and have voted supporting the leader’s decision to suspend Ms Kissoon. And further, the act of supporting the leader at the CEC disqualifies all of the named persons to be impartial arbiters in this affair,” he complained.

As against one representative of the Disciplinary Committee coming from Region 10, the Linden PNCR Committee is pushing for three of its members to sit on the Disciplinary Committee with the remaining two hailing from the CEC.

The names submitted were Latoya Williams, National Congress of Women representative; Maurice Butters, Region 10 RDC Councilor; and Gonsalves.

Questioned whether the Linden Committee is also demonstrating an act of bias by submitting mostly names of Linden representatives to sit on the Disciplinary Committee, Gonsalves, who also serves as a Region 10 RDC Councilor responded in the negative.

Hard worker

“The PNCR Linden Committee while wishing that this issue be addressed with some degree of alacrity is of the view that Congress Place wants to get at Ms Kissoon at all cost. We are aware that Ms Kissoon, who is a very hard worker, is responsible for the recruitment and continuation of membership of the party of over 800 persons,” Gonsalves said in a bid to make his case in defense of Kissoon.

According to him, the PNCR Leader and General Secretary Oscar Clarke are attempting to give Sandra Adams credits that are due to Kissoon. The Linden Committee also signalled its dissatisfaction over moves by the PNCR to demote the Region 10 Parliamentarian in the National Assembly earlier in February. According to Gonsalves, Kissoon found herself sitting in the back row, closer to the door, after she and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Chief Whip Amna Ally had a verbal disagreement.

Respectful manner

“The membership does not take kindly to the statement made on February 1 by Ms Amna Ally to the leader of the party, in the presence of some, that he will have to get rid of Ms Kissoon or she will leave the party.” This comment was reportedly made by Ally after Kissoon had requested of the Chief Whip to be addressed in a respectful manner.

“This issue is not something that would have happened now, it is something that has been happening for months and we are saying if the leaders or the hierarchy of the PNCR do not resolve this then, what message you are sending to the people out there.”

He added: “When you are saying to the people of Linden, that you are going to impose someone that you do not appreciate, you cannot say anything else to anybody else.” Williams with the backings of Butters said the PNCR should lead by example.

Renowned Qaseeda singer for Eid Fest

The Anna Catherina Islamic Complex will be the venue for the 11th Annual Eid Fest Programme being held in observance of Eid-ul-Fitr (the festival marking the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan).

This year’s programme will again carry an international theme with attendance of representatives from Muslim organizations in Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Holland, England, USA and Canada among others.

The event, which was first observed in 2003, is hosted by The Anna Catherina Islamic Complex and the Guyana United

Sadr Islamic Anjuman. The leaders of all Muslim organisations as well as the jamaats from across Guyana have been invited to be a part of the programme which will be held on Friday August 1, 2014 at 14:00h. Special Guest for this program is the Legendary world renowned Qaseeda Singer from Trinidad & Tobago JAMEER HOOSEIN whose presence is made possible through the cooperation between the Muslims of Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago. Jameer Hoosein was born in 1939 in Freeport, Trinidad & Tobago and grew up in a family where his father, the

late Hosein Ali and his uncles practiced singing in the village for weddings etc. He became very fond of singing from his early years under the watchful eyes of the late Isaac Yankaran in the Naya Sangeet Orchestra. From there he moved on to the Nau Jawan Orchestra under the leadership of Chander Bali and later moved on to the Naya Zamana Orchestra. His final band stint was with the BWIA National Indian Orchestra under Maestro Harry Mahabir.

Jameer spent more than twenty years singing in bands ( Film Songs) under the best musical Directors

including Ustad Nazir Mohammed, no wonder he is considered as the master of melody. Jameer not only mastered the art of playing the harmonium but up to today is considered as the King of classical, Ghazal and Qaseeda songs. He won Mastana Bahar in 1972, the coveted Musical crown in the twin-island Republic and the classical singing championship in 1998 making him the most accomplished classical singer. Classical singing is indigenous to Trinidad and Tobago- Jameer Hosein the crowd pleaser, is its leading exponent.

In 2000, Jameer team up

Opposition Leader David granger and guests at the celebrations

with Guyanese born musician, Amar “Vinod” Bisram and the Angels Caribbean Entertainment Group and recorded a remake of Jameer’s first recording - Muslim Inspirational Qaseedas and Ghazals.

In 2005, he first visited Guyana for the historic “Evening of Ghazals & Qaseedas” produced by The Angels Entertainment Group. The programme will also feature several local singers and also from Suriname. That country’s delegation will be led by Hadji Abdool Basheer Khodabux.

Leslie Gonsalves addressing media operatives in the presence of Latoya Williams and Maurice Butters, members of the Linden PNCR Committee

Panoramic view of Large Audience at the Qaseedas in observance of Eid-ul-Fitr 2013

GUYANA

Flags, horns, painted faces and a Warriors invasion

– the Guyana leg of the Limacol CPL may be over, but it has left the other territories with the colossal task of matching its undoubted success

By Avenash Ramzan

“Cricket in we vein, dis is we game and still they want tek it way from we…”

Ramesh couldn’t have put it a better way as a cracking Lendl Simmons’ shot takes his attention away. He whips out the iconic yellow and green Amazon Warriors’ flag and waves it hysterically, as does the thousands who crammed into the Grass Mound at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence on Sunday.

“Amazon Warriors all the way budddaay!” he continued as the ball bisects two fielders and hits the boundary edge. In celebration, he takes a sip from his plastic cup.

With the Golden Arrowhead painted on his cheeks, a mini horn hanging around his neck, flag and cup in hands and the Amazon Warriors emblem colourfully splashed across his jersey, Ramesh clearly came to enjoy his cricket, just like his fellow Guyanese who travelled from all corners of the land to celebrate the Limacol Caribbean

Premier League (CPL).

A cricket-starved nation responded in emphatic fashion, filling the venue on all three days, just as they did in 2013, creating the type of atmosphere that aptly defines the ‘Biggest Party in Sport.’

A country of different ethnicities, cultural backgrounds and political persuasions celebrated in unison, whether it was a wicket, a boundary or a brilliant fielding effort, as the saying that sports unifies a nation was perfectly exemplified.

Cricket, for all its worth, has been hailed as a unifying force in the Caribbean, and the Guyana leg of the Limacol CPL was a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when willow meets leather in this part of the globe.

“Budday, look wa goin on hay…dis place pack up and still dem man na want gee we lil cricket. We love we cricket buday, but dem man jus messing round we.”

Ramesh was critical of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for removing the Test match be-

tween West Indies and New Zealand in June, so he was prepared to enjoy the Limacol CPL to the fullest.

“Me ain’t know when again we getting cricket so I enjoying meself now…CPL is it, Amazon Warriors all the way!”

It’s a sentiment shared by all who spent their hard earned cash to view the Limacol CPL, games which

Resuscitated Masters Athletics Association gets

going with 5K run on Sunday

The recently resuscitated Guyana Masters Athletics Association (GMAA) will kick off its calendar of events with a 5K run on the inner circuit of the National Park on Sunday.

According to GMAA Secretary Silas Brummel, the race will kick off at 16:00h and will also include male and female Open categories.

The Veteran categories will begin from 35-39 and end at the 65-70 age category and will see prizes awarded to athletes placing first to third in their re -

spective categories.

Llewelyn Gardner, Ian Archibald, GMAA President Dr George Norton and Lindon Harrison are expected to take to the starter’s line as veteran male athletes while Alicia Fortune and Cyrleen Phillips are expected to be among the female competition. Road race ace Alika Morgan is expected to appear for the Open females race.

The GMAA was resuscitated in June with the electing of executive members. The Treasurer

is Malcolm DeFreitas and Assistant Secretary Treasurer George Barry.

Revamping of the constitution, pursuing a membership drive and having an active calendar of events are some of the things the GMAA reportedly have as priority. Future efforts would include getting affiliated to similar associations in the Region and farther afield.

Guyana currently has a number of top distance athletes who compete in the Masters category of various road races here and in the Region.

now seem like the only ray of hope for a cricket-crazy nation.

The impact of the Limacol CPL is undeniable, as a country known for producing celebrated cricketers such as Clive Lloyd, Rohan Kanhai, Lance Gibbs, Roy Fredericks, Alvin Kallicharran, Carl Hooper, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan,

has welcomed the first franchise-based competition to hit the Caribbean with open arms and has demonstrated to the world that the passion and desire are still burning among the populace.

Being robbed of international cricket may have dampened their spirits, but Guyanese have remained resolute, and supportive of the game, as was

evident by the thousands who turned up during the Amazon Warriors’ three home games.

As the Amazon Warriors head to Trinidad and Tobago for the next leg of the competition after suffering a tight four-run defeat and seeing a three-match winning streak snapped by defending champions Jamaica Tallawahs, Ramesh refuses to adopt a negative mindset.

“Don’t worry wid da. I prefer we lose now than lose at the final.”

As Ramesh and his colleagues head off to a popular watering hole outside the Stadium, there is a lengthy back up on the East Bank Demerara thoroughfare as law enforcement officers try meticiously to control the traffic.

It’s a clear indication of how busy the turnstiles were and what cricket means to a population that has been deprived of the national pastime by the powers that be. The Guyana leg of the Limacol CPL may be over, but it has left the other territories with the colossal task of matching its undoubted success.

This is how we play! Nothing beats a Guyanese celebration at cricket

Llewelyn Gardner (left) and Lindon Harrison

Arthur underscores legacy of Limacol CPL coaches

By Avenash Ramzan

Jamaica Tallawahs

Head Coach Mickey

Arthur believes the coaches of the respective franchises have a bigger role to play than just challenge each other with the aim of lifting the Limacol Caribbean Premier League title on August 16.

While that might be the immediate goal of the six coaches, Arthur, the former South Africa Head Coach, said the long-term goal is to take West Indies players, competing in the League, to the next level.

“I’ve found it absolute-

ly fantastic so far. I think the legacy for us coaches, as ex-international coaches, is to make the young West Indian players in the teams better than they are.

So if we can leave a legacy that can help West Indies players and West Indies then I think we’ve done

our job,” Arthur mentioned during a post-match press briefing on Sunday night at the National Stadium, Providence.

The South African, who played domestic cricket for 15 years between 1986 and 2001, pointed out that the region has tremendous talent and his job, and that of the other coaches, is to sharpen those skills during the Limacol CPL.

Arthur has a vast amount of experience, having coached South Africa and later Australia. In the Jamaica Tallawahs lineup, he has the support of Assisant Coach Junior Bennett and legendary West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh as Mentor.

The other five franchises also have seasoned Coaches

at the helm. The Guyana Amazon Warriors have Guyanese Roger Harper, Barbados Tridents are led by Caribbean-born former India player Robin Singh, Antigua Hawksbills are spearheaded by Englishborn Australian Tim Nielsen, St Lucia Zouks have Englishman Matthew Maynard and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel are led by Australian Simon Helmot.

Solid credentials

All the Head Coaches boast impressive CVs and no doubt the Caribbean players will look to tap into their knowledge and experience as they look to develop their game.

For the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Harper is a former West Indies and Kenya

Guyana team arrives for Commonwealth Games

Some members of the Guyana contingent have arrived in Glasgow, Scotland to participate in the 20th edition of the Commonwealth Games set to begin on July 23 with a massive opening ceremony.

The athletes made their way from Georgetown to Suriname where they overnighted on July 18 before making their way by plane to Glasgow where they landed safely on Sunday.

While other members of the contingent will meet the group in Glasgow after wrapping up tournaments they are currently competing in, Guyana will start competition on Thursday.

The women’s table tennis team will be displaying their skills in the team group stages while Sunil Seth and Alexander Arjoon will take the floor in the round of 64 in the men’s squash Singles opening stage.

Thursday will be the first official day of competition for the tournament with Wednesday set for the grand

opening ceremony. Boxing will get underway on Friday with Table Tennis and Squash continuing before the tournament hits the weekend.

Meanwhile, the team is made up of 37 athletes spread across seven disciplines in Swimming, Athletics, RifleShooting, Table Tennis, Boxing, Cycling and Squash.

While all the managers and administrators are hoping for medals, they also know

that the task of Guyana hauling in hardware is difficult with the level of competition at the Commonwealth Games.

“We have been investing, we have been giving financial contributions and we have been sending our best teams and if they do their best, then we can’t complain.

“When you look at our athletes, they are only part-time when compared to most other countries that have fulltime athletes…our coaches and athletes are part-time and that is something that we should appreciate,” GOA President KA Juman-Yassin had stated recently to Guyana Times Sport.

Treasurer of the GOA, Garfield Wiltshire, had also previously noted that sending the team to Glasgow is “an investment in the future and hopefully we can build on it.”

Secretary General Hector Edwards was also optimistic that the games will help in the developmental process of the athletes, as he hopes that within the next “4-5 years” the benefits can be reaped.

Coach, who also competed in three 50-over Cricket World Cups during his career which lasted from 1983 to 1996. Harper coached the West Indies team between 2000 and 2003 and later took up the role as Head Coach of the Kenya team that was in shambles when he arrived. His Assistant is the respected local Coach Orin Bailey with the indomitable Curtly Ambrose as Mentor.

Singh, born in Trinidad and Tobago, performed well for India at the highest level, before venturing into coaching in 2004. He helped Hong Kong qualify for the Asia Cup that year, before taking up duties with the India A team. In 2007, he became the fielding coach of the India team

and was later appointed the first Head Coach of the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League, before switching allegiance to the Mumbai Indians where he is now the Head Coach. Henderson Springer is his Assistant at the Tridents with the prolific former West Indies opener Desmond Haynes being the Mentor.

The Antigua Hawksbills have the expertise of Nielsen, who was Australia’s Head Coach at the 2010 World T20 and the 2011 50-over Cricket World Cup. Nielsen, who retired from competitive cricket

in 1999, was a remarkable wicketkeeper, snapping up 316 dismissals from 101 First-Class matches. He has former West Indies captains Carl Hooper and Sir Vivian Richards as Assistant Coach and Mentor respectively at the Hawksbills.

Maynard brings to the St Lucia Zouks the experience of playing at the highest level for England, appearing in four Tests and 14 One-Day Internationals. Following his retirement at the turn of the century, Maynard ventured into coaching and was England’s Assistant Coach during the 2007 50-over World Cup in the Caribbean. Former West Indies opener Stuart Williams is Maynard’s deputy at the St Lucia Zouks, with former West Indies fast bowler Sir Andy Roberts being the Mentor. At 42, Australian Helmot is the least decorated of the six coaches, but has some amount of experience having taken up the role at the relatively tender age of 25 when he was still a player at the Hawthorn-Waverley club in Melbourne. His support cast at the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel comprises two seasoned campaigners in Assistant Coach David Williams and ex-West Indies opener Gordon Greenidge, who is the Mentor.

CFU U-17 Qualifying tournament…

Guyana edged Antigua and Barbuda 3-2 when action continued in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under-17 Qualifying tournament on Sunday in the Dominican Republic.

Playing at the Estadio Panamericano Stadium, the young Guyanese were led to victory by Joel Dick, who scored a double. Dick netted in the 5th and 36th minutes, with the second goal being a classic.

He got the better of three defenders and held his composure well enough to put the ball away in the far right hand corner to send the entire stadium into a frenzy.

The third goal was a tiebreaker in injury time (90+1) scored by Keno Washington from an overlapping run by Jeremy Garrett down the left wing.

Garrett feigned a left foot

cross then cut back behind the defense before pushing the ball through into the six-yard box where he found Washington in the right place. Washington completed the job by hitting a powerful right foot shot past the Antiguan custodian to bring elation to the Guyana team and supporters.

Antigua and Barbuda’s first goal came from a defense error in the 30th minute when Javon Stephens pounced on a very weak back-pass to Guyana’s debut keeper young Quazim Yusufwho was brought in for Dwane Thomas, who sustained an injury to his hand in the first match.

Their second goal was a powerful right foot shot from Denny Henry in the 80th minute. Henry outran the lone defender in a surprise counterattack against the run of play to draw level 2-2. With four points from their two games so far, the Junior Jaguars will now take on hosts Dominican Republic at 16:30h today at the same venue.

The Guyanese drew 1-1 with Barbados in the opening game on Saturday last. Washington was Guyana’s scorer in that game.

Keno Washington

GOA President, KA Juman Yassin

Mickey Arthur

Matthew Maynard

Tim Nielsen

Simon Helmot (left) and Roger Harper

Regional Under-19 Tournament bowls off today

By Rajiv Bisnauth

The premier regional youth tournament, the West Indies Cricket Board’s Under-19 competition, bowls off today with three matches here.

The tournament opens with defending three-day champions Jamaica challenging archrivals Barbados at the Everest Cricket Club ground, while hosts Guyana will do battle with Leeward Islands at the Guyana National Stadium.

The third match will see Trinidad and Tobago matching skills with the Windward Islands at the

Americas side, comprising the best players from the ICC Associate and Affiliate members from the Caribbean, North, Central and South America, will join the six territorial teams for the tournament. The two top teams will meet each other in the final.

The full tournament, into its 47th edition, is the main scouting ground for the region’s finest talent and dates back to 1968.

Most of the current West Indies players found their footing in the Regional Under-19 Tournament before going on to represent the West Indies in Test,

the points table ahead of T&T, Guyana, Windwards, Barbados and Leewards. They played unbeaten to also collect the one-day title.

Squads: Barbados: Joshua Drakes (captain), Chad Williams (vice captain), Leniko Boucher, Alex Fergusson, Lee-Germon Gaskin, Akil Greenidge, Keon Harding, Matthew Jones, Nicholas Kirton, Neil Persaud, Tarik Shorey, Shamar Springer, Jafari Toppin, Dikembe Wilson.

Guyana: Brian Sattaur (captain), Sharaz Ramcharran (vice cap-

Enmore Community Centre ground.

Normally a round-robin tournament with all sides playing each other, this year will see only three rounds being played, with the team with the most points emerging as champions.

The one-day competition, however, will go the distance with seven rounds scheduled.

A composite ICC

One-Day International and Twenty20 International cricket.

Guyana have been dominant in the three-day format, winning the title on 13 occasions, while the 50-over tournament is in its 17th year, having been inaugurated in 1998.

Jamaica captured the three-day title last year in St Kitts when they finished on 47.9 points to top

tain), Balchan Baldeo, Daniel Basdeo, Tagenarine Chandrapaul, Shimron Hetmyer, Askay Homray, Keon Morris, Keemo Paul, Steven Sankar, Kemol Sevory, Niall Smith, Daimon Waldron, Akel Wallace.

Jamaica: Ramaal Lewis (captain), Nicholas Walters (vice captain), Ryon Burnett, Shahid Crooks, Ramone Francis, Leroy

Usain Bolt to race on Copacabana Beach after Glasgow Games

Jin-form Justin Gatlin until 2015. Gatlin, 32, has won 11 consecutive 100m races and two 200m races this year. Bolt’s schedule also includes 100m races in Poland on 23 August and at the Zurich Diamond League on 28 August. The six-time

Lugg, Abijai Mansingh, Odaine McCatty, Romaine Morris, Mark Parchment, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas, George Walker, Malcolm Whyte.

Leeward Islands: Jeremiah Louis (captain), Alzarri Joseph (vice captain), Colin Archibald, Therone Bussue, Kacey Carty, Jaeel Clarke, Mohit Hingorani, Asharn Hodge, Shaquille Martina, Ross Powell, Kenrick Scott, Mrinal Wadwha, Dion West, Saeed Williams.

Trinidad and Tobago: Jeremy Solozano (captain), Amir Jangoo (vice captain), Jesse Bootan, Camillo Carimbocas, Brian Christmas, Tevin Jadoo, Brandon Jaggernauth, Justin Joseph, Keron Kanhai, Jemeel Maniram, Anderson Phillip, Samuel Roopnarine, Akil Seetal, Shane Smith.

Windward Islands: Roland Cato (captain), Kershaskie Jno Lewis (vice captain), Doran Edwards, Melvin Gordon, Kharmal Hamilton, Sherman Hooper, Deron Hypolite, Ryan John, Anson Latchman, Sherman

Lewis, Obed McCoy, Craig Phillip, Gidron Pope, Tonis Simon.

WICB Regional Under-19 Fixtures

Three-DAY COMPETITION

July 22-24

Barbados vs Jamaica – Everest

Windwards vs T&T – Enmore

Guyana vs Leeward Islands – National Stadium

July 26-28

T&T vs Barbados –National Stadium

Jamaica vs Leeward Islands

– Demerara Cricket Club

Guyana vs Windward Islands – Everest

July 30-August 1

Barbados vs Leeward

Islands – Enmore

T&T vs Guyana – Bourda Oval

Jamaica vs Windward Islands – National Stadium

ONE-DAY COMPETITION

August 4

ICC Americas vs T&T –Demerara Cricket Club

Barbados vs Jamaica

– Bourda Oval Guyana vs Leeward Islands – Enmore (Windward Islands bye)

August 5

Windward Islands vs Barbados – Demerara Cricket Club

Guyana vs ICC Americas – Bourda Oval

Jamaica vs Leeward Islands – Wales (T&T bye)

August 7

Guyana vs T&T – Eve Leary Leeward Islands vs Windward

August 9

August 10

Guyana

August

Olympic champion confirmed on Sunday he would race the “Mano a Mano” 100m on Brazil’s famous beach.

Bolt, 27, has competed on Copacabana beach before, winning a 150m race in March 2013, on a track specially built for the event.

August

Didier Drogba considering Chelsea return on one-year deal

Striker Didier Drogba is considering a oneyear deal to return to Chelsea. The Ivory Coast international, a free agent after leaving Galatasaray, left Stamford Bridge in 2012 after scoring the winning penalty in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

Drogba’s representatives say a decision has not yet been made and that Chelsea is one of a number of options. But talks are under way and the 36-yearold is likely to decide on a possible return this week.

The striker was part of the Ivory Coast squad at the 2014 Fifa World Cup. He made one start and two substitute appearances as his country were eliminated at the group stage after winning one of their three games.

Drogba, who joined Chelsea from Marseille for £24m in July 2004, won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and a Champions League during his first spell at Stamford Bridge.

He was on the losing side when the Blues beat Galatasaray in the last 16 of last season’s Champions League. Before the second leg of that tie,

Getting ready! Guyana Under-19 squad during Monday’s net session

Balchan Baldeo in action

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said Drogba was “still one of the best strikers in the world”.

Didier Drogba

Bolt (2nd from left) has competed on Copacabana beach before

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India beat England by 95 runs in second Test

England crumbled to a 95-run defeat by India in the second Test at Lord’s to extend their winless run to 10 matches and increase the pressure on captain Alastair Cook. The hosts collapsed after lunch to a series of reckless shots and were bowled out for 223 to hand the tourists a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

ingly ragged as the series went on.

It will also intensify the scrutiny on Cook, who is averaging 14.33 in five Tests this year and whose team have frequently squandered promising positions with bat and ball, not least when they reduced India to 145-7 on a green pitch on Thursday, only for the tourists to recover to 295. Cook, who

his fifty off 122 balls. But, on the stroke of lunch, Ishant fired a fierce bouncer at Moeen, who took his eye off the ball and gloved it to short leg. What followed was little short of farcical as England fell into the most obvious of traps by taking on the short ball and picking out the men in catching positions. First, Prior pulled Ishant straight

Joe Root (66) and Moeen Ali (39) gave England hope with a partnership of 101 to take them to 173-4, 146 short of their target.

But after Moeen fell to the last ball before lunch, Matt Prior, Ben Stokes and Root were all out to pull shots in a disastrous 14 minutes of self-destruction as seamer Ishant Sharma took 7-74 - the best figures by an India bowler in England. The match ended when James Anderson was run out by Ravindra Jadeja, whom he is charged with pushing and verbally abusing during the first Test at Trent Bridge.

It was India’s first away victory in 16 Tests, a sequence dating back to 2011, and their first at Lord’s since 1986. The defeat was England’s seventh in nine matches, while 10 Tests without a victory is their worst sequence since 1992-93.

The manner of defeat raised echoes of England’s 5-0 Ashes whitewash in Australia, when their performances became increas -

has scored a record 25 Test hundreds for his country, has been publicly backed by the England coaching staff, but former England captain Michael Vaughan is among the pundits to have called for his removal.

England’s latest collapse was all the more galling given the hope Root and Moeen had inspired in the morning session. After a patient first hour, Root took the attack to India with three fours off an over from Sharma to bring up

to deep midwicket, then Stokes top-edged to the same position for his sixth duck in 10 England innings in all formats. Root was the next to lose his head as he hooked into the hands of deep backward square leg to leave England eight down. Stuart Broad gloved a short ball down the leg side and the collapse was complete when Anderson pushed into the off side and was comfortably run out by a direct hit from his nemesis Jadeja. (BBC.COM)

Joe Root took the attack to India but could not save England a defeat

James Anderson is run out by Ravindra Jadeja to complete England’s slide from 173-4 to 223 all out

Limacol CPL ticket money stolen in Trinidad

Close to 200,000 dollars from ticket sales of upcoming matches in the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) have been stolen, Police in Trinidad and Tobago have said.

The money, for three CPL matches scheduled for this week starting Thursday, was stolen from the ticketing office of the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-Of-Spain, between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, investigating officers have reported.

The Police also confirmed that an official report was made by Queen’s Park’s ticketing co-coordinator Karen Bynoe.

Media reports here quote investigating officers as saying Bynoe placed the money in an envelope and secured it in a drawer at around 5 p.m. on Saturday, but could it could not be found when she went in search of it on Sunday.

An envelope with a number of cheques also in the drawer was untouched, said police. Police believe the robbery was an inside job since the door to the general office was not tampered with, but the one leading to the office where the money was kept was broken into. A number of

people have been questioned, but no arrest has been made.

“CPL can confirm that there is an investigation currently underway regarding an issue with tickets,” said CPLT20 media officer for Trinidad and Tobago, Abigail Edwards.

“However, it cannot comment further until such a time as the relevant authorities have completed their enquiries.”

Limacol CPL features Red Steel against Guyana Amazon Warriors on Thursday, Jamaica Tallawahs on Saturday and St Lucia Zouks on Sunday.

(Caribbean360)

Close to 70 horses registered for PMTC meet – registration extended to Wednesday

As race day draws nigh, the line-ups for the various races are taking shape with close to 70 horses already registered for the Port Mourant Turf Club horse race meet in Corentyne, Berbice on July 27.

Registration, however, will now close on Wednesday at 08:00h and, according to one of the coordinators, Chattergoon Ramnauth, no late entries will be accepted.

Some of the country’s top thoroughbreds will be competing for millions in cash and trophies from noon on race day, according to Ramnauth.

Further, the PMTC has released a provisional programme for its horse race meet. The club was left with no alternative but to release another programme after communication giant Digicel pulled the plug on its sponsorship deal with the club, forcing the organisers to squash the original programme.

Both the PMTC and Budhan’s Memorial Sports Complex and Race Track had planned separate horse -race meets on the same date but Digicel ended the

partnership after claiming that the company wished to stay clear of conflicts. Seven races are confirmed for race day with the ‘D’ Class event being the feature race. It will be contested over one mile and will see the horses galloping for a first prize of $1M. The Three-Year-Old Guyana and West Indies bred horses will gallop over 1500 metres for the $500,000 first prize on offer.

The G3 and Lower horses will also run over six furlongs and will see the champion horse taking home a winners’ purse of $500,000. The race for G1 and Lower horses has a winning purse of $400,000 and will be contested over 1200 metres.

The I and Lower 1200 metres event has a winning prize of $250,000, while the other 1200 metres event is for animals classified J and Lower, which will see the winner pocketing $200,000. The race for Two-YearOld Guyana and West Indies bred horses will be run over 1000 metres and the winning purse is set at $300,000. (Rajiv Bisnauth)

Headquarters

off

to early lead at ISAC

– track and field action starts today

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) kicked off its annual track and field championships on Sunday with the team road relay.

The Headquarters team was first to cross the line in 34 minutes to assume an early lead to retain the title they have held for a number of years.

A Division finished in second while B Division was third. Country Division finished a distant last. With Headquarters jumping out to the early

lead, A Division who is touted as Headquarters’ greatest threat to the title will have some catching up to do when the track and field action starts today from 10:30h at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary. Meanwhile, the event will be used as the yardstick for selection to the overall Police team to represent the Guyana Police Force later this year at the annual Inter-Services Athletics Championships (ISAC), also known as Joint Services Sports.

T&T, St Vincent and Suriname athletes for Boyce/Jefford Classic

By Treiston Joseph

The past four years

have seen the Boyce/ Jefford Track and Field Classic grow from strength to strength and with the event now in its fifth year, it has garnered the attention of a number of Caribbean nations, including athletics power house Trinidad and Tobago.

At a press conference held on Monday to launch the Boyce/Jefford Classic, Director of the event Colin Boyce noted that the games have grown to the magnitude where Trinidad wanted to bring a club.

However, since the aim is to develop the clubs to an elite level in Guyana before exploring that road, Boyce highlighted that he thought it was unwise to have the Trinidad and Tobago club compete.

Speaking of clubs, they will have the opportunity to compete for the top prize of $600,000 which is a $100,000 increase from last year. The Boyce/Jefford Classic will be held on August 16 and

17 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden. The second place prize will be $400,000, third $250,000 and fourth $250,000.

According to Boyce, sprinting sensation and USA-based Brenessa Thompson, along with Suriname born, US based sprinter Daniela Clark, is also confirmed for the meet.

World junior silver medalist Kadecia Baird has shown interest, according to

Digicel Schools Football…

Boyce, and is likely to compete at the meet once her coach makes the trip as well.

Boyce also indicated that the oranisers are in talks with Guyana’s 100 metres record holder Adam Harris to make an appearance.

In addition, athletes from Trinidad and a sprinter from St Vincent are also expected to be a part of the meet as the organisers look to improve on the quality of competition.

Further, two individual events that will have cash prizes at stake have been added and will see jumpers getting to perform to earn some extra cash in the male long jump and the female triple jump. The other cash earning race will be the female 1500 and 200 metres and the male 800 and 400 metres.

Meanwhile, Events and Sponsorship Manager of Digicel Gavin Hope noted

the reason for Digicel’s continued support of the premier track and field meet in Guyana. “We have seen growth over the past four years, we have seen a lot of Caribbean athletes and we expect a similar level of participation.

“I want to congratulate the organisers for staying with it and keeping it in Linden and Digicel will continue to be a part of it, especially with the growth we

are seeing,” Hope noted.

Contract Manager for Wartsila, Aaron Fraser highlighted what is the most important benefit of the event during the press briefing. “What we have observed is that the event continues to grow in stature, it mirrors some of our company’s values, in energy and excitement.

“But the real people that benefit from all of it are the athletes and it’s a good distraction from all the ills of society so I would encourage the athletes to train hard for it,” Fraser stated.

Smalta Brand Manager from ANSA McAl Anjeta Hinds revealed her hope for the meet, “ANSA McAl has always pride itself on youth development in sport and with track and field in Guyana it is not different.

“It is my hope that one day it will be as big as Champs in Jamaica because it is said to have great potential,” Hinds mentioned.

The meet will be both days in Linden starting at 12:00h on August 16 and 14:00h on August 17.

St George’s retain Georgetown zone title –

national quarterfinals set for today

Georgetown zone defending champions St George’s High School survived the scare of a penalty shootout against Chase Academy to retain their title at the Camp Ayanganna Ground on Sunday

The penalty ended 4-2 in favour of the defending champions following an untroubled score sheet in regulation time.

Both teams struggled to create opportunities during the game and the limited opportunities were squandered. The first half action was spent mostly in the midfield with both teams unable to crack the defense of their opponents as the first half came to a nil all stalemate.

The second half was much of the same as the strikers all seemed out of touch although much credit must be given to the formidability of the defenders on both sides. However, with the game ending without a goal, the penalty kickers of St George’s

stepped up to the plate to secure victory.

St George’s goalkeeper Royston Dublin was also outstanding between the uprights.

The win for St George’s means that the school are not just winners of the Georgetown zone but also $100,000 richer.

The Georgetown champs will now face Region Four Champs Beterverwagting Secondary from 15:30h today at Camp Ayangamma Ground.

Meanwhile, in the other quarterfinal matches set for today, Waramadong Secondary will face Region Three champions Leonora Secondary, defending champions Christianburg Wismar Secondary will battle Region Six champs Vryman’s Erven at Wisburg ground in Linden and Annai Secondary will tackle Region Five champs Bush Lot Secondary at Burnham Park in New Amsterdam.

From left: Aaron Fraser, Colin Boyce, Anjeta Hinds, Director of the Boyce/Jefford Classic Edison Jefford and Gavin Hope during the press conference

Co-Coordinator of the Digicel Schools Football Tournament Lavern Fraser hands over the winning trophy to St George’s High School

Keno Washington