Guyana Times - Friday August 13, 2021

P14

CIOG hosts successful medical outreach in Reg 1 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4738

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021

PRICE

Elections rigging fiasco

WHAT'S INSIDE:

GECOM finally fires Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo See story on page 3

$80 VAT INCLUDED

– dismissals take effect from August 18

Over 9kg ganja found at N/A P14 Market

More Sputnik V 2nd dose P9 vaccines to arrive by next week

– vaccines for adolescents to arrive "shortly"

Govt commits to environmental action with Peace Corps MoU CEO Keith Lowenfield

Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo

DCEO Roxanne Myers

Trio wanted by Police for multi-million-dollar robbery of gold establishment

2 more die from COVID, death toll now 569 – 88 cases recorded in 24h

Page 11

– unvaccinated persons can access healthcare at public institutions

Page 10

LGE still possible within statutory timeline – Gunraj

No indication cocaine on CAL plane loaded in Guyana – CANU Head

Page 17

Jury empanelled to hear Richard P10 Ishmael schoolteacher’s murder trial

PI into murder of Norton P8 St man commences

Page 10

UN Resident Coordinator departs P14 Guyana

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

No indication cocaine on CAL plane loaded in Guyana – CANU Head

T

here are reports that cocaine was found on Tuesday onboard a Caribbean Airlines (CAL) flight in Miami, and Head of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh, has said there is “no indication” that the cocaine was loaded whilst the plane was in Guyana.

It was reported that the cocaine was discovered shortly after the aircraft touch down at the Miami International Airport, USA. The flight had left Guyana then travelled to Trinidad, before landing in Miami, USA. While reports indi-

CANU Head, James Singh

cate that 6.5 kilograms of cocaine were found, the CANU Head has said the quantity is actually 3 kilograms.

“It was not found in a suitcase, but in the panel of the plane,” Singh said. “CAL security agents should be answering this question,” the CANU boss added. On this note, Singh added that only CAL security and mechanical staff have access to the area where the cocaine was found.

Further, he noted that before departing the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, the aircraft was checked by all security personnel, including

Caribbean Airlines

CAL security.

“We are now awaiting a report from the airline security and the authorities in the United States,” Singh added.

On the other hand, Trinidad media have reported that CAL’s Communications Manager Dionne Ligoure has said the matter is in the hands of law enforcement officers, and she did not provide any

further comments.

Trinidad and Tobago opened its airport on July 17, with Caribbean Airlines serving several routes.

The airport has not been opened for any other carrier. It is expected that this will be done at some time in October. The court has been on a complete lockdown for more than a year since COVID-19 was detected in that country, and

the cases have started to increase rapidly.

Meanwhile, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has been effective in putting a dent in the drug trade, with several successful interceptions in the recent past. Singh had stated that the fight against the drug mules must be a multi-sectoral approach that involves all stakeholders.

NEWS

3

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, Aug 13 – 09:00h – 10:30h and Saturday, Aug 14 – 09:30h – 11:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, Aug 13 – 07:15h – 08:45h and Saturday, Aug 14 – 07:55h – 09:25h.

Elections rigging fiasco

GECOM finally fires Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo – dismissals take effect on August 18

FERRY SCHEDULE Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY There will be light rain showers and thundery showers during the day. Expect thundery showers at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South South-Westerly to Southerly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 07:47h and 20:08h reaching maximum heights of 2.65 metres and 2.61 metres.

Low Tide: 13:41h reaching a minimum height of 0.61 metre.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS B

05 08 11 20 23 25

FREE TICKET

01 Bonus Ball

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

07 11 16 21 26 LUCKY 3

7

4

1

6

Afternoon Draw

4

4

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01 02 04 05 07 08 16 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2021

03 07 11 12 17 13

Friday, August 6, 2021

01 12 14 17 19

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$71.31/barrel

Rough Rice

$243.36 /ton

-0.11

London Sugar

$471.20/ton

+0.64

Live Spot Gold

-0.18

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1754.30

$1755.30

Low/High Change

$1741.30 +0.40

$1759.10 +0.02%

F

ollowing several delays and legal proceedings, embattled Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, his deputy Roxanne Myers, and Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo, were on Thursday dismissed from their respective posts at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) following a vote by the seven-member Commission.

The Elections Commission met virtually to finally vote on the three motions tabled

by Government-Nominated Commissioners for the dismissals of the trio, who are currently before the courts facing electoral fraud charges.

The motions were previously debated by the Commission, but, at the last meeting held virtually on Tuesday, Opposition Commissioners Vincent Alexander and Desmond Trotman logged out before the motions could be dealt with, leaving the meeting without A quorum.

The APNU/AFCnominated GECOM Commissioners had similarly walked out of another meeting of the commission on July

DCEO Roxanne Myers

20, when they had met to deliberate on the motion to dismiss the GECOM trio.

Nevertheless, the matter was deferred for Thursday, and during that meeting, which was also virtual and lasted for approximately 30 minutes, the three Oppositionnominated Commissioners

abstained from voting on all three motions, while the three Government Commissioners voted in favour of the trio’s termination.

Terms of termination

In a statement announcing the terminations, which she said came after weeks of deliberation on the mo-

Government-nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj

tions, GECOM Chair, Justice Claudette Singh, indicated that the services of Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo will be terminated effective August 18, 2021, and they would be compensated in accordance with provisions in their contracts.

TURN TO PAGE 5

4

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Welcomed decision

by GECOM

T

he long-awaited decision to fire Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Election Officer, Roxanne Myers and the Region Four Returning Officer for General and Regional Elections 2020, Clairmont Mingo received much prise despite the one-year delay.

It is no secret the general view is that public trust in the GECOM Secretariat has been eroded significantly following the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, hence there should not even be any question regarding the need for the entire Secretariat to be fixed before it engages in any activity in relation to holding an election; whether it is house-to-house registration, updating the National Register of Registrants’ Database etc.

The President himself – being the candidate who was forced to wait five months before he was declared the winner of the March 2, 2020 polls, even though it was clear that his party had won – has stated firmly that GECOM cannot undertake another election – that is the upcoming Local Government Elections - without first fixing the system itself, which must deliver those elections to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.

However, despite the Opposition APNU/AFC coalition push to keep the infamous trio at GECOM, it was always known that Guyanese would have not accepted such an imposition.

Further, like many stakeholders, we believe there is need for electoral and constitutional reforms to avoid “brinkmanship” and a recurrence of the high level of political crisis that gripped the country from March to August of 2020.

However, we support the view that such a process must be driven through consultation, with citizens getting an opportunity to have a say in the changes they would like to see implemented.

The time has come for all stakeholders to seriously commence talks regarding reforming GECOM - and the first of the many steps was taken on Thursday - meaning its entire operational structure, starting with the manner in which the Chairman and Commissioners are appointed and the way the Secretariat functions.

It is clear that there was no lost confidence in the CEO and other senior staff of the organisation and despite the yearlong delay and the pushback to block and stop the inevitable, there decision was finally taken.

We welcome Commission’s Chairperson, Justice Claudette Singh reasoning when she said on Thursday at the dismissal hearing that Lowenfield, Myres and Mingo: 1. that although they hold public / statutory office, they are not public but rather contractual officers. They have no security of tenure and their respective contracts stipulate the terms by which they are bound; 2. That these officers exercise the right to enter their respective contract willingly and voluntarily and were therefore aware of the method of termination provided by the respective contracts; 3. That it is trite law that not even a court of law can enforce a contract for personal services against an employer terminating the contract of an employee since the proper relief for a breach in an employment contract for personal services lies in damages; 4. That in relation to the CEO, clause 9 of his contract stipulate that his services can be terminated by giving him three months’ notice or payment in lieu of; 5. That in relation to the DCEO and the RO their contracts stipulate that the Commission may at any time terminate their employment by giving three months’ notice or payment in lieu of.

Now that the first step towards reform was taken, GECOM must now strive to rebuild public trust. Its officers must be seen as credible and working on behalf of the nation in every respect. In essence, every stakeholder in the country must have confidence in that organisation’s ability to carry out its mandate in a manner that could withstand public scrutiny.

A jockey spurring cows in a Pacu Jawi (traditional cow racing), in Batusangkar Indonesia. (Robertus Pudyanto—Getty Images)

Politicians that put their interest above the State and public’s Dear Editor, The Irfaan Ali Government’s new policy on COVID-19 vaccination is agitating some unvaccinated persons and self-serving politicians.

They say they have a right to determine their health, insisting they won’t take the vaccine, which is free. Someone even argued that the policy is coercive.

Another protestor said she is not taking the vaccine because she understands from the politicians that it is not safe to take, and the Government wants to kill out as many people as they can kill. She vowed to protest against the PPP Government’s vaccination policy until it is changed.

Editor, the protestors are badly misguided, and they are spreading misinformation to the public.

They are making a mockery of themselves, and are inviting public criticism of the vaccinated population. And the APNU+AFC Opposition is playing politics and using these innocent Guyanese to make it seem there is instability on the ground.

APNU+AFC politicians did not tell the people they were wrong and they should stop protesting. Do the protesters know how many persons have died worldwide because they

made similar choices, or could not access a vaccine?

Do they know they are putting themselves at risk by protesting, participating in neo-political meetings and rallies without sufficient protective measures?

These political figureheads are being secretive, and selective where they go to get the people riled up. They won’t tell the protesters the truth - that they are vaccinated and protected against COVID-19.

These Opposition personalities want the people to come out on the streets and feel like their backs are against the wall.

Firstly, the PPP Government is not breaching the rights of the unvaccinated population. If anything, they get a choice to stay unvaccinated, but must get checked weekly, and have a test that must be negative. It is fair and safe that way, because all of our rights are protected.

As for the weekly cost, I know it would be hard on the unvaccinated population, but I think the Government should not have to stand this expense for those people’s stupid and careless decision. I make no apology, because the Government is spending millions on procuring vaccines for free pub-

lic consumption, yet the unvaccinated population has chosen to listen to lies, half-truths, myths, and fallacies about vaccines.

Secondly, this policy move would ensure the COVID-19 crisis is better managed. Notably, safety levels are going up, and the level of risk is going down. The figures stated by the Ministry of Health show that 4,500 persons have decided to get vaccinated over the last two days. This development is being driven directly by the policy push adopted by the Government.

Thirdly, the anti-vaccination campaign is a diversionary tactic employed

by Opposition politicians who want to distract us from their performance in Parliament. They also do not want the people to think about the failure to have party congresses and elect new leaders. So, these Opposition parties are busy using the opportunity of ignorance about the vaccine. They are making unjustifiable claims about the transparency and accountability of the inoculation project. Where is the research, credible science, and evidence to justify not being vaccinated?

All the arguments made may sound appealing to the natural ear, but when

checked out against fact, they fail to stand the test of scrutiny. These vaccines are safe, and are Guyana’s best hope of beating the crisis. They are free and available to the masses.

Finally, the vaccinated can’t keep putting themselves and their families at risk. They listened to the charge to get vaccinated. They did so after seeing what is going on in the world. These people must protect their businesses and their interests from the effects of COVID-19.

These two years have been a learning experience and a chance to value family and friends.

Guyanese, do not allow yourselves to become misused by these so-called politicians and non-governmental organisations.

They are serving a clandestine political objective - to create mischief and outrage in the minds of citizens.

You would be better served if you are vaccinated and are following the protection guidelines and regulations that are in place. Don’t be complacent.

Yours respectfully, Michael Younge

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021

5

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Government is showing reasonableness, The vaccination but the number of unvaccinated conundrum nurses, teachers is shocking Dear Editor, It came as quite a shock that there were many nurses in Linden and Region 10 who were unvaccinated, and a large number of teachers nationwide who were not vaccinated. The Government’s decision to give a 2-week extension for compliance shows reasonableness on the part of Government.

Both in the USA and Guyana, the vaccine was given first to frontline workers – the nurses, doctors and medical personnel. Everybody else had to wait. In Guyana, frontline workers also got a bonus from the new Government.

Therefore, it was shocking to find out that some nurses are not vaccinated, and most of the teachers were not vacci-

nated. This is simply reckless and unacceptable.

The Government should have been tracking these numbers, and disclose same to the public. You would least expect that the vaccine resisters and hesitants are medical people. Same for teachers, who are the most educated sector. It’s not that, because they worked unvaccinated, it’s okay, and they should be allowed to remain unvaccinated. Now that we know, that’s a problem to be fixed.

You would expect nurses and teachers to be preaching the gospel that vaccination saves lives while the virus kills people.

It’s not a lack of education or lack of sensitivity by the Government that has made

resisters and hesitants not take the vaccine; it’s simply stupidity. Guyanese have access to all information and are worldly wise. They know what’s going on around the world. They know it’s better to be vaccinated than to remain at risk by being unvaccinated, but some are seriously misguided by the vaccination mischief-makers, who think a COVID crisis that becomes unmanageable would embarrass the Government.

Guyanese must realise that a “hole in the boat is a hole in the whole Guyana boat.” It does not matter that the hole is on the side of the unvaccinated group. The hole affects and threatens the health and safety of all of us.

As Martin Carter would say,

“All are involved, all are consumed.” If you look at the headlines across the world, more and more employers are requiring people to be vaccinated or show regular negative tests if they choose to be unvaccinated. This is good, defensible public policy, and we must include the teachers too.

I trust our people would understand these are desperate times that require desperate measures, and we cannot invoke human rights when the rights of the majority in the boat are threatened. Getting the vaccine is the right thing to do!

Sincerely, Dr Jerry Jailall

This is a good day for democracy!

Dear Editor, Wednesday, August 12, 2021 is a day that will go down in the pages of history as the day when democracy prevailed in Guyana.

I say that because Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Meyers, and Elections Officer for Region 4,

Mortimer Mingo, had their contracts terminated.

This decision makes it a joyous day. It comes ten days after President Dr. Irfaan Ali said it is going to happen. It took 17 months, but I am glad that the biggest obstacle to Guyana moving forward has been dealt with cautiously. GECOM can now focus its energies on re-

forms and local government elections.

I understand that GECOM Chairperson Claudette Singh and the three Governmentnominated Commissioners voted for contract terminations. The three Oppositionnominated Commissioners abstained. That is more than I expected, because the

GECOM finally fires...

She noted that although these three election officers hold public/statutory office, they are not public officers, but are contractual officers; hence they have no security of tenure, and their respective contracts stipulate the terms by which they are bound.

To this end, Justice Singh disclosed that CEO Lowenfield was dismissed via Clause 9 of his contract, which stipulates that his services can be terminated by giving him three months’ notice, or payment in lieu thereof.

Regarding the DCEO and the RO, their contracts similarly state that the Commission may, at any time, terminate their employment by giving them three months’ notice or payment in lieu thereof.

On this note, the GECOM Chair revealed that the three election officers will be paid three months’ salary in lieu of the three months’ notice, and their benefits would include all allowances under their respective contracts as well as payments for the remaining days of vacation leave, if any.

According to Justice (retired) Singh, the trio, having signed their respective contracts, were aware of the method of termination provided for. She further outlined that not even a court of law can enforce a contract for personal services against an employer terminating the

contract of an employee, since the proper relief for a breach in an employment contract for personal services lies in damages.

Waited too long

Nevertheless, speaking with reporters shortly after Thursday’s meeting, Government Commissioner Sase Gunraj posited that this country waited too long for this development.

“This nation has perhaps waited too long for this to happen, but it is finally here,” he stated.

Gunraj, who was anticipating a finality to this matter at Thursday’s meeting, noted that GECOM will now have to get these three positions filled. This, he reassured, will be done through the proper procedures.

However, the Governmentnominated Commissioner was quick to assert that his solitary requirement for the new appointees would be for them to conduct themselves with dignity and in an ethical manner, regardless of their political view. This, he said, is not only in keeping with the law, but also the oath they are required to take when entering office.

“Everyone is entitled to a political view… But that should not affect the manner in which you conduct yourself and execute the functions of your office, as you are sworn

to do. So, for me, it doesn’t matter who fills those positions; what matters is the persons executing their duties in an impartial manner, in a fair manner, and in keeping with the terms of their contract,” Commissioner Gunraj contended.

Meanwhile, he told reporters that there was no immediate indication of any challenges to GECOM’s decision to dismiss the embattled trio.

Gunraj and his fellow Government-nominated Commissioners Bibi Shadick and Manoj Narayan, on June 1, 2021 had brought motions calling for the dismissal of Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo from GECOM. The trio are before the courts for a number of electoral charges for their alleged attempts to sway the results of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections in favour of the then ruling A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

On June 22, 2021, GECOM had unanimously decided to send the trio on leave pending the outcome of the motions.

In regard to CEO Lowenfield, the motion filed

by Gunraj detailed that in spite of protests from contesting parties other than the APNU/AFC, he deliberately chose to neglect the complaints of discrepancies in re-

Opposition Commissioners did not vote for them to continue. Never mind, they are receiving their benefits.

I am glad that they are gone! And the albatross has finally been lifted off of GECOM’s neck. It can finally breathe again.

Yours truly, Suraj Singh FROM PAGE 3

lation to Mingo’s numbers.

In the case of Myers, that motion was submitted in the names of Shadick and Narayan. They argued that she aided Lowenfield in the commission of all his infractions, and even went out of her way to facilitate a meeting in a GECOM facility by then Foreign Affairs Minister Karen Cummings, where she threatened to revoke the accreditation of international observers.

Myers’s purported order to have the Guyana Police Force remove Commissioner Gunraj and political party representatives from the GECOM Command Centre during the tabulation of the Statements of Poll (SoPs) is also listed as one of the reasons she should be dismissed from her substantive post as DCEO. Meanwhile, the grounds for Mingo’s dismissal surround his tabulation of the SoPs, in which he manufactured numbers to reflect a win for the APNU/AFC. It also concerns his conduct and defiance of the court orders mandating that he follow the outlined statutory process to acquire his final tally of the SoPs. However, Lowenfield had countered the motions with a court case seeking to block Gunraj and Shadick from voting on the motion. He has since withdrawn the legal proceedings.

Dear Editor, Vitriolic debates, some of which degenerate into insults and name-calling, rage on social media with respect to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and rejection. But, as a Trinidad & Tobago-based member of The Caribbean Voice pointed out, those who make and implement policies really need to listen to those who have issues with the vaccine, and recognise that a lot of it, including the fears, have to do with mental health.

Fears are often based on personal issues, such as individuals being allergic to certain medications, or suffering from certain illnesses. Fears can lead to panic attacks and paranoia. As well, vaccine compulsion often leads to anxiety, depression, and peritraumatic distress, as individuals fear serious physical reactions, and even death.

These fears need to be allayed, and language becomes critical in this process, as any mental health practitioner would know. Thus, mental health issues have to be addressed as a prerequisite to these persons becoming amenable to being vaccinated. And until fears are allayed and mental health issues addressed, until hesitant persons are assured that either they have absolutely nothing to fear or that their allergies and medical issues will be addressed in any vaccine regimen, vaccine mandates will only make matters worse.

An August 5th article on the CNN website stated, “There’s a well-documented phenomenon in psychol-

ogy called the “backfire effect.” Giving people facts that disprove their incorrect beliefs can actually reinforce those beliefs. Researchers have observed this phenomenon in the context of political misconceptions, voting preferences, the decision to vaccinate one’s children, and whether to get a flu vaccine oneself. The more people are confronted with facts at odds with their opinions, the stronger they cling to those opinions.

“And if arguing with facts backfires, you know what backfires even more?

Criticising, blaming and shaming them for being thoughtless, selfish, stupid, ignorant or psychopathic.

You can check this yourself: When was the last time you changed your behaviour in response to someone blaming or shaming you?

“Thus, instead of engaging in debates to nowhere that compound the animosity and disconnect, displaying empathy and curiosity would be the way to go. Walk in the shoes of those who refuse the vaccine, understand their perspectives, then seek to create an environment that makes them feel safe and affirmed. Perhaps, too, it would be better for those who have taken the vaccine to share their reasons for doing so. For, in that sharing, other hitherto hesitant individuals may find connections and reasons for them to also take the vaccine.”

Sincerely, Annan Boodram The Caribbean Voice

6

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021

Page

Foundation

Poems What you need:

One raw egg White vinegar A highlighter or Vitamin B-50 capsules (to stain the egg with colour) A cup (ideally a clear one) Optional: A blacklight to visualise the egg’s glow-in-the-dark capabilities at the end

What you do:

First, explain the prompt to your child. Show them the materials and tell them that their job is to use what you’re giving to transform their egg into a glowing, bouncy ball.

Rather than immediately telling your child the step-by-step procedure, ask them if they have any ideas as to how they will complete this challenge. Some questions you can ask your child to guide them: What do you think the vinegar will be used for? What are some properties of vinegar? (Answer: Explain that vinegar has a property called acidity, which is what gives it a bitter taste.)

Since vinegar is acidic, that means it is strong enough to dissolve some things. Do you think it can dissolve any part of the egg? (Answer: The vinegar will dissolve the egg’s shell.)

What do you think the highlighter (or vitamin capsules) will do to the egg? (Answer: It will transfer its colour onto the egg.)

After you and your child have worked together to brainstorm methods to use the materials, you can start explaining the step-by-step procedure. Be sure to ask your child why they think each step of the process is necessary so that they develop a conceptual understanding of what

they’re doing.

Here is the procedure for creating the glowing, bouncy egg: First, pour some vinegar into a cup (enough so that the egg will be fully submerged).

Ask your child, “Why do you think vinegar will be useful? Why are we using vinegar instead of water, for example?” (Answer: Vinegar has a property called acidity, which is why it has a strong, bitter taste.

When the egg soaks in vinegar, the vinegar’s acidity will make the eggshell dissolve, or get removed. This will turn the egg into a bouncy ball.)

Next, squeeze out the liquid from inside a highlighter into the cup of vinegar. If you’re using Vitamin B-50 capsules, crush them up and pour the powder into your glass of vinegar.

Ask your child, “Why do you think we are pouring highlighter liquid (or crushed vitamin capsules) into the cup of vinegar?” (Answer: Explain to your child the concept of colour transfer by taking a blank piece of paper and drawing on it with your highlighter. Explain to your child how the colour from the highlighter soaks into the white piece of paper and makes it glow. Remind your child that their goal is to make the egg glow. Explain that the highlighter liquid, or vitamin capsules, in the cup of vinegar will act like the high-

lighter on the piece of paper: It will transfer its colour onto the egg.)

Next, have your child place the egg into the glass of vinegar. Leave the egg in the glass of vinegar for two days.

Ask your child to make some predictions about what they will observe when they return in two days.

Depending on your child’s age and writing abilities, ask them to write down their predictions or write down your child’s predictions for them.

This way, your child can refer back to their hypotheses after the experiment is over.

After two days, have your child return to their experiment. Remove the egg from the glass and have your child peel off the outer skin (it should come off easily).

Ask your child, “What do you think happened to the eggshell?” If they are stuck, remind your child of vinegar’s acidic properties as an explanation to why the shell dissolved.

Finally, your child can test their experiment! If you opted to use a blacklight, go into a dark room and turn on your black light to see if the egg is glowing. Have your child attempt to bounce the egg on a smooth, hard surface that you don’t mind getting a little messy. It’s not necessary to have a blacklight in order to complete this activity, but it’s a nice bonus so that your child can see their egg glowing at the end. Without the blacklight, your child can still notice how their egg has become bouncy.

If anything went wrong and your child’s egg is not glowing or bouncy, help them identify what led to this.

Then, be sure to encourage them to try out this experiment again! (education.com)

By Nikki Grimes

I am hardly ever able to sort through my memories and come away whole or untroubled.

It is difficult to sift through the stones, the weighty moments and know which is rare gem, which raw coal, which worthless shale or slate.

So, one by one, I drag them across the page and when one cuts into the white, leaves a trail of blood, no matter how narrow the stream, then I know I’ve found the real thing, the diamond, one of the priceless gems my pain produced.

“There! There,” I say, “is a memory worth keeping.”

Source: Poetry (March 2021)

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Trio wanted by Police for multi-million-dollar robbery of gold establishment

T

he Guyana Police Force has issued a wanted bulletin for the driver of the getaway car, and two other men who were caught on CCTV camera robbing the Wallison Enterprise at Gordon Street, Kitty, two Thursdays ago.

Wanted are Antonio Maraj also called “Pluckin” or “Thuggy” of Leopold Street, Georgetown; Agricola, Greater Georgetown and Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Maraj was one of the persons caught on the CCTV recording during the commissioning of the robbery.

In addition, Jamal Hazel, who was also caught on camera, is wanted by the Police for questioning in relation to robbery under arms. The 24-yearold is from Guyhoc Park, Georgetown, and is a former member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Finally, the Police are also hunting for the driver of the motor car, Dequan King also called “Titus” or “Quanie” of Lot 20 D Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

On Tuesday, 36-yearold Delroy “Bug” Jackson and Peon Lee also known as “Nino Brown”, both security officers attached to the business, and 32-year-old

Keyon King, a serving GDF Sergeant, were arraigned for the multimillion-dollar robbery committed on Wallison’s Enterprise.

They appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where the charges were read to them by Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus.

Police stated that on Thursday, August 5, 2021, while being armed with guns and in the company of each other, they robbed Francis Santos Lumes of 60 ounces of raw gold valued at $20 million and $38 million in cash.

In addition, Police stated that they robbed Fernanda Carmicheal of a cell phone valued $350,000.

Further, it is alleged that the men robbed Francis Santos Lumes of a gold chain valued at 140,000, a gold ring valued at $60,000, and $14,000.

Finally, they were accused of robbing William Da Silva of a cell phone valued $60,000. The trio pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded to prison and the case will continue on August 24.

The three men had confessed to robbing the gold establishment on Thursday last of a quantity of gold valued $20 million and $38 million in cash. In addition, they escaped with sever-

al high-end mobile phones belonging to staff members who were bound and gagged during the robbery.

It was reported that on the day in question at about 10:00h, three armed men went to the Lot 23 Gordon Street business and indicated that they had gold to sell. However, within minutes of entering the establishment, they held several staff members at gunpoint and demanded that they open three safes where the money and gold were secured.

After committing the robbery, the armed men bound and gagged the cashier and two other staff after which they locked them in a room. Moments after escaping in white motor car, the cashier managed to free herself and raise an alarm.

The Police were called in and immediately one of the two security guards was arrested. Based on intelligence and information received, the detectives went to a house in B Field Sophia where they conducted a search and found some personal items belonging to the owner of the business.

There, another security guard was taken into custody.

The security guards were, however, interrogated during which one of

Wanted: Antonio Maraj, also called “Pluckin” or “Thuggy”

them confessed to being part of the plot to rob the establishment.

Following leads, the detectives turned up at the home of the GDF Sergeant at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), where a search was conducted in the house but nothing substantial was found.

Nevertheless, during a

Wanted: Jamal Hazel

search in the yard, the detectives noticed a disturbed piece of land and decided to dig. It was then a bucket was found buried, which, when checked, contained $15 million in $5000 notes and an additional $3 million in $1000 notes.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Police found the car that was used in the robbery parked in front

Wanted: Dequan King, also called “Titus” or “Quanie”

of the driver’s home at Lot 435 Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara. It was later revealed that the driver had eft for the interior.

Neighbours have since told Police that prior to leaving, the driver took home a canter load full of household items, which were purchased the day after the robbery.

8 NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PI into murder of Norton St man commences

T

he Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the alleged murder of Paul Chase by his brother, 27-year-old Quincy Reynolds, began on Wednesday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan with two persons testifying in that Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

Reynolds has not been required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleges that he murdered his brother on June 5, 2021 at their mother Sharon Chase’s residence at Cummings Street, Bourda, Georgetown.

Reynolds is on remand. It

was reported that on the day in question, as per normal, the two brothers turned up at their mother’s house to have breakfast. However, while there, the woman reportedly questioned Reynolds about a burnt spot on a mattress.

After he began arguing, his mother dropped the matter, but he refused to let the issue go.

As such, the woman called out to her husband, who told her to summon the Police.

This angered Reynolds, and he began to shout at his mother in the living room.

He then dealt her a cuff to

Dead: Paul Chase

her face, by which she sus-

tained injuries to her left eye.

His brother Paul Chase, 24, confronted him, and a heated argument broke out between them, during which Reynolds armed himself with a knife and stabbed his sibling once to the neck and chest as they scuffled in the washroom.

The injured man collapsed to the ground, and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Reynolds was arrested with bite marks on his neck, the Guyana Police Force has said in a statement.

Making peace…

S

…with Rodney o, are we finally gonna have closure on the PNC’s assassination of Walter Rodney? After all, the Report of the COI - that concluded just that has been “accepted” by the National Assembly, which included PNC MPs! It’s been 41 years since the brutal act, but if what played out in the House during the debate is anything to go by, it doesn’t appear so. The PNC - including the past Chair of Rodney’s party, the WPA, who’s now PNC - refused to close this chapter of our history by impugning the Report.

Their excuse is that the PPP’s “politicising” the Report.

This is the same claim Rupert Roopnaraine of the WPA had made back in 2005 when a CoI had been broached.

Only, he claimed, it was the position of Rodney’s widow, Patricia, who was concerned that the PPP would exploit the findings in the then upcoming 2006 elections. Mrs Rodney has since vehemently denied that canard, and in fact personally intervened, in 2014, with the then PPP Government headed by Donald Ramotar, to establish a CoI. The latter concluded its mandate just as the PNCas-APNU took power in 2015 – and they promptly (if predictably) buried the Report, which Granger maligned.

Mrs Rodney once again had to intervene when the PPP returned to office last year, and the vote in the House is the consequence. Mrs Rodney has expressed great appreciation for not only the architects of her husband’s murder being clearly identified, but she could now collect insurance and circulate the Report. Her brother-in-law Donald’s PNC trumped-up and incredibly shameless charges over the incident were also scrubbed from the record.

So while, like everything in Guyana, there will be a political fallout, against this background of a widow’s cry for justice, how could the PNC complain of “politicisation”? If the PNC had any shred of decency, they should’ve taken the opportunity to apologise to the widow and move on. Just like they should’ve apologised for rigging elections back in the day - as was suggested some time ago by then formal PNC member Rafael Trotman. But it shows you how the (political) world has turned to learn that the now (allegedly AFC) Trotman was now so deep in the PNC riggers’ camp in 2020 that Granger bugged his phone to uncover their schemes!!

And it also shows how the world has moved for other members of the WPA – most of whom have called themselves “Rodneyites” in claiming to follow the principles of the great man. Some of them are even more vociferous about supporting the PNC - going so far as to sing paeans to Burnham, whom Rodney mocked as having the reverse “Midas Touch”. …with the vaccine fears OK…we know Governments have to consider the “greater good” when making decisions affecting citizens.

But they should know, too, that each citizen looks at Government’s actions from their own perspective - and inevitably sometimes this may clash with the “greater good”. Hence the rising tide of resistance to the COVID-19 vaccines. Fear of the unknown is a human trait, and it’s good that - speaking for the Govt - VP Jagdeo accepted that these folks are basically simply uninformed or misinformed about effects and workings of vaccines in general, and the Covid vaccines in particular.

The approach to reducing vaccine hesitancy or resistance or refusal, then, is through education. But we know that the pathways of the workings of vaccination - “the science” - is quite esoteric, so that’s not going to go too far. We’ll have to publicise “influencers” within each sector or strata of society - who accept “the science”, to endorse vaccination.

Priests, pandits and moulvis in the villages, and Drs Van West-Charles and Cummings to the Opposition? …of the dead?

Your Eyewitness was reminded by the recent execution on Regent Street that when it comes to drug trafficking and such crimes, these fellas have their own code of ethics!

Like the Mafia’s “Code of Omertà”.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

9

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

More Sputnik V 2nd dose vaccines to arrive by next week − vaccines for adolescents to arrive “shortly”

A

nother consignment of Sputnik V second dose vaccines is expected to arrive in Guyana by next week, according to Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony.

The Minister also noted that the Johnson and Johnson vaccines purchased through a Caricom-African Union are also expected to arrive soon.

“We’re working on that and by next week or so, we hope to get another batch of second dose Sputnik V. Johnson and Johnson as well, we’re awaiting a final date when those vaccines are going to get here but we anticipate that by next week, we’ll have a formal timeline,” the Minister outlined.

The Guyana Government had made a down payment for the acquisition of 150,000 single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccines under a partnership agreement between the two entities. It had also procured 400,000 second doses of Sputnik V vaccines from Dubai.

Guyana has experienced a delay in receiving the shipment of the second component after there was a global shortage due to the spike in the Delta variant.

Authorities are working to get vaccines into the

tions are occurring more in the unvaccinated population and if children remain unvaccinated, unfortunately they can get infected. When they get infected, what we’re seeing now is not a mild form of the disease in children but we’re also seeing a more severe form.”

Since March 2020, over 1567 children under the age

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

country for the adolescent population. Thus far, only the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have been approved for this age group. Once the jabs arrive, the Health Ministry will liaison with the Education Ministry to roll out the jabs.

“We’re working to get those vaccines into Guyana.

They’re not here as yet but we’re making preparations for the vaccines. The two vaccines that have been approved for children between the ages of 12 to 18 years are basically the Pfizer and

Moderna vaccine. We’re making efforts to get those and we expect that very shortly, we’ll have those vaccines in Guyana. When we get them, we’ll be working very closely with the

Ministry of Education to make sure that we’re able to roll this out to children in school,” the health official detailed.

Dr Anthony further stated that these vaccines are not compulsory but with the circulation of variants across the world, children should be safe when they return to school. He added that children have been developing more severe forms of the virus in recent time – a matter of concern for authorities.

“These vaccines are quite safe. The literature on Pfizer and Moderna is out there for everybody to scrutinize.

Millions of doses have been used across the world and the results have been quite good. In terms of administering Pfizer or Moderna to children, because many countries do not have enough vaccines, they have started using the vaccines for their adult population and I suppose when they get enough, they’ll be able to give to the lower age group.”

He added, “The other thing that one would have to understand is with the new Delta variant, it is causing a lot of infections in the United States. Those infec-

of 14 were diagnosed with COVID-19. A few weeks ago, four were admitted into the Intensive Care Unit to seek treatment.

President Irfaan Ali had expressed worry over this trend last month as he was quoted as saying, “Every single person that goes into the hospital to me is alarming, especially children…

I’m seriously concerned and we’re monitoring it.”

He noted that although children are not as affected as older adults, many still suffer, especially those with underlying health conditions that the virus feeds off of. He had indicated that it will be a plus if the country receives these vaccines to protect its children.

10 NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Jury empanelled to hear Richard Ishmael schoolteacher's murder trial

A

jury was empanelled on Wednesday to hear the case against taxi driver Matthew Munroe, whom Police accuse of mur-

dering Richard Ishmael Secondary School teacher Kescia Branche between November 5 and 7, 2017.

The 51-year-old Munroe

appeared before Justice Sandil Kissoon and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The case for the prosecution is being led by State

ner of Princes Street and Louisa Row in Georgetown on November 5, 2017. She was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she died two days later. Her cause of death was given as haemorrhage and blunt trauma to the head.

According to reports, the young mother had left home for a night of partying. Her son was left in the care of a friend, who revealed that Branche had told her she had intended to go to a city nightclub to meet a male

Counsel Seeta Bishundial, who will call her first witness on November 26. The defence lawyers are Dexter Todd, Dexter Smartt and

Dead: Kescia Branche

Anastacia Sandford.

Munroe was first charged with the school teacher’s murder in December 2017, and remanded to prison. After a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) which ended on October 16, 2018, Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman had ruled that sufficient evidence was led by the Prosecution against Munroe for him to stand trial in the High Court for the capital offence.

Munroe had allegedly departed Guyana for the United States of America at some time in November 2017, but after spending some time overseas, had returned to Guyana and presented himself to the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters at Eve Leary, Georgetown.

The Police have said that, during interrogation, Munroe could not provide information on his whereabouts on the night that the school teacher was killed, as well as a reason for his car bumper missing.

Branche, 23, a mother of one, of Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, was discovered lying at the cor-

Murder accused Matthew Munroe

friend.

The teacher had later returned home, but had subsequently left again.

She had told her friend that she would be home by 02:00h, but never returned.

She was last seen leaving a nightclub on Lamaha Street in the company of two Police ranks.

The father of Branche’s child was also arrested after the teacher’s mobile phone was found in his possession.

He and four Policemen were questioned about her death, but they were later released.

NEWS

11

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2− 88more die from COVID, death toll now 569 cases recorded in 24h − unvaccinated persons can access healthcare at public institutions

G

uyana’s coronavirus death toll has skyrocketed to a whopping 569, after two more persons died as of Thursday.

Those who succumbed are a 64-year-old woman from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and a 51-year-old from Region

two weeks since the introduction of bolstered COVID-19 measures this month, and some 26,698 persons have come forward to receive their first doses. This was shared by Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony.

“On average, we have

authorised by the Minister of Health”.

At Government agencies, unvaccinated persons can only benefit from the respective services via an appointment.

Hospitals had mandated that persons be immunised to enter but the Ministry

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD AUGUST 12 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

88

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

80

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

731 16

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

1

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

11,931

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

11,313

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

23,244

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

21,848

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

275,451

FULLY IMMUNISED

145,556

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

569

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1326

REGION 2

650

REGION 3

2676

REGION 4

10,479

REGION 5

776

REGION 6

1945

REGION 7

1300

REGION 8

380

REGION 9

2149

REGION 10

1563

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN BE SAFE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC Wear a face mask.

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

Wash your hands or use handsanitizer If you have any symptoms, call the COVID-19 Hotline.

GET MEDICAL ADVICE ON COVID-19 FROM MOH 24/7 HOTLINE NUMBERS: 2311166; 226 7480; 624 6674; 624 2819; 624 3067 OR 180/181.

Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara). They both died while receiving care at medical facility.

However, new statistics provided by the Health Ministry showed that 88 new cases were detected within a 24-hour period thus taking the confirmed cases to 23,244. There are 16 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 80 in institutional isolation and one in institutional quarantine.

Some 21,848 positive cases have since recovered.

An analysis of new cases showed six in Region One (Barima-Waini); one in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); nine in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); 40 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); five in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); nine in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne); 12 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and one in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Positives did not increase in Regions Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Meanwhile, it has been

been getting about 2224 persons taking their first dose vaccines since the measures have gone in place. Second dose vaccines, there’s an interval to wait so people would have to wait generally between one month to three months. For second doses, we have seen about 4585 coming for their second dose, which approximate to 2082 persons on average.

These numbers are good and I want to encourage people to come out and get their vaccines.”

The measures will end on August 31, 2021 – unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Health Minister after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions. In order to transport members of the public, the gazetted document stipulates that, “Every operator and conductor of any public transportation service shall be vaccinated and have in their possession, an official identification document and their vaccination card, and shall produce these documents when requested to do so by a Police Officer or any

has since advised that any patient seeking care “at any public health facility across the ten administrative regions, whether vaccinated or not, must be allowed to access health care”.

Persons accompanying the patient must show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test to gain entry.

In addition, the Health Minister has since informed that given representation by various stakeholders, persons who are required to be vaccinated will be given two weeks to comply with the gazetted order.

“I have examined the request and wish to announce that healthcare workers, public transport operators, and conductors will be given two weeks to comply with the Order. I wish to reiterate that the Government of Guyana has secured enough vaccines for the adult population. Guyanese have a choice of first and second dose AstraZeneca or SinoPharm and first dose Sputnik V,” he had said in a statement.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms as-

sociated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.

health.gov.gy.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which emphasise the need for correct and

consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene.

12

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

13

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

14 NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CIOG hosts successful medical outreach in Reg 1 T

he Central Islamic Organization of Guyana, with the assistance of several partners, has hosted medical outreaches in Port Kaituma and Mabaruma, communities of Region One (Barima-Waini), which have seen more than 2,500 persons benefiting.

The initiative was done from August 2 to August 4 at Port Kaituma, and between August 5 and 6 at Mabaruma. Services offered by the medical team included hypertension, dentistry, minor surgeries, optometry, general health care, HIV and STD testing, obstetrics and gynaecology.

Treatments were also conducted for joint pains and skin rashes, COVID-19 vaccination was administered, as were basic trauma care, preventative medicine, suicide prevention and other services.

Residents of Port Kaituma and Mabaruma were also able to obtain

Members of the CIOG and partner entities following the medical outreach

food hampers as well as an undisclosed number of mattress and walkers, items of clothing, vitamins, baby pampers and other necessities catering for their daily needs. Moreover, more than 200 foreign nationals were able to access Issued to Stay and extension per-

mits by UNHCR. The CIOG has extended its warmest and sincerest gratitude to the many partnering entities that came together to make this event a successful one.

These include the Health Ministry, The Office of the First Lady, The Regional

Democratic Council, The Regional Health Officer, International Organization

for Migration, National AIDS Programme Secretariat, National Blood

Transfusion Services, The Neighbourhood Democratic Council in Port Kaituma, The Cheddi Jagan Dental School, Meditron, Diaspora Auxilium, Guyana Defence Force, Global Surgical and Medical Support Group, Pharma X, and The United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

In addition, the CIOG thanked its corporate sponsors and extended its heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for their generous contributions.

The CIOG, along with its partnering entities, has deemed this humanitarian act a successful one, applauded the team work by everyone, and is looking forward to working together as a team again, to bring further assistance to the people of Guyana.

Over 9kg ganja found at N/A Market

A

salt bag containing more than nine kilograms of ganja was on Thursday morning found at the New Amsterdam Market during a routine patrol around its environs. The discovery was made at about 6:00h by a Constable attached to the New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council.

Based on information received, the Constable was on patrol duty in the New Amsterdam Market area when he observed a bulky salt bag in the market. As such, he opened the bag to inspect its contents, and discovered seven bulky parcels. He immediately reported the matter to the Central Police Station, and a rank who visited the scene checked the bag and discovered the cannabis.

The bag was taken to the Police Station, where it was weighed and amounted to 9 kilos 732 grams. No arrest has as yet been made.

The ganja that was found at the New Amsterdam Market

NEWS

15

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

UN Resident Coordinator Guinness Crab Fest to engulf West Side T departs Guyana

T

he assignment in Guyana of United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Mikiko Tanaka will end in August 2021.

Tanaka joined the UN System in Guyana in August 2016. From 2016 to 2018, she was the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Resident Coordinator.

In 2019, as part of global UN Reforms, Tanaka left her position as UNDP Resident Representative to concentrate on the wider responsibilities of the Resident Coordinator for the whole UN System in Guyana.

During her tenure in Guyana, Tanaka led the implementation of the first ever Caribbean Multi-country Sustainable Development Framework (MSDF), a development partnership that supports Guyana in the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

She had deployed the UN System in Guyana to address challenges faced during the 2020 national and regional elections, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to support people directly affected by flooding and forced migration.

With the European Union, she has enabled Guyana’s inclusion in the global Spotlight Initiative, which aims to eliminate violence against women.

Tanaka has maintained the closest strategic relations between the UN and successive Guyana Governments since 2016, supporting them in strategic planning, helping them prepare for the effects of the unfolding climate emergency, and highlighting the challenges faced by some of Guyana’s poorest and most marginalised communities.

The UN Rep has worked tirelessly to ensure that the United Nations system supports Guyana to protect human rights; preserve de-

United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Mikiko Tanaka

mocracy; and ensure that no-one, regardless of their circumstance, status or identity, is left behind from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Her successor will be announced shortly.

he West Demerara Corridor has been in the grip of a frenzy of anticipation as folks there prepare for the first ever “Guinness Crab Fest”, to be launched at Felisha’s Licious Grill at Lot 14 Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara.

Officially launched on Wednesday, August 11, the event will continue at the said venue every Thursday and Sunday, commencing promptly at 13:00h.

Felisha’s Licious Grill is a breezy and comfy entertainment hotspot that has been raking in large weekend crowds as a result of its many innovative and intriguing entertainment party concepts.

While large gatherings flock the venue to soak up the luxury of being able to grill their own meats on tables as they sip drinks and engage in conversation, things have now been taken a notch higher, as they are to be afforded even more exciting treats at the Crab Fest event.

One of the patrons indulging in the crab meat delights

At the Crab Fest, patrons will be allowed to grill their own crab meat on the spot, and watch it cook to perfection even as they sip cold beverages and enjoy live karaoke performances.

Those who are not up to cooking their own crab meat can order succulent dishes of Cassareep Crab, or Grilled Crabbie Explosion, or Fantasia Roasted Crab, or Baked Crabbie Delights, or Felisha’s Crab Intrigue, or the traditional ‘Bun Suga Crab” and many other crab choices.

To make things more exciting, promoters Felisha and George Semple would be giving prizes for “the largest attending crew”, and there would be a special prize for the “jovial big spenders”. A special table will be set up for media representatives who are invited to the event.

Other interesting events to be held in future at the venue are live acrobatic shows, a vocal talent search, a Westside Dancehall Queen contest, and curry duck cook- off showndown.

16 NEWS PAHO to source COVID-19 vaccines amid regional shortage FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

T

aking action to expand access to the COVID-19 vaccines, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has taken a decision to use its Revolving Fund to help countries in Latin America and the Caribbean procure enough vaccines to control transmission of the virus.

This was announced by PAHO Director Dr Carissa F Etienne at a media briefing, where she noted that this initiative will provide countries with the opportunity to access vaccines beyond the 20 per cent which is offered under the COVAX mechanism.

“The region is still short of the doses needed to turn the tide of the pandemic…

We need a significant influx of vaccines and a more equitable process for distributing them. With this in mind, PAHO is offering our Member States a new opportunity to access COVID-19 vaccines.”

The Revolving Fund, which has procured other vaccines for the region at low prices for 42 years, is already receiving requests from countries for COVID-19 vaccines for the last three months of 2021 and for 2022, Dr. Etienne added.

“So far, more than 20 countries have formally expressed interest, and the number is growing by the day,” she said.

Up until now, the Revolving Fund has served as one of the COVAX purchasing mechanisms, and has worked directly with countries requesting support to deliver donations through bilateral agreements. It has deployed over 20 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Latin American and Caribbean countries procured through COVAX. “Our region needs to pursue all possible avenues to expedite access

PAHO Director Dr Carissa F Etienne

and ensure countries reach their vaccination goals. We still need more donations, and we still need COVAX to deliver on its original commitment. We also need to create new opportunities, that meet the diverse needs of our Member

States and that increase the supply of vaccines to the people and communities at greatest risk,” she detailed.

The Revolving Fund initiative “will benefit every country in the region, but especially those that lack the resources and negotiating power to secure the doses necessary to protect their people.” It also consolidates regional demand, so that vaccines can be procured in bulk. It also procures syringes, cold-chain equipment, and other supplies.

Dr Etienne drew attention to the Revolving

Fund’s pivotal role in the history of strong immunisation in Latin America and the Caribbean, where countries have enjoyed high rates of vaccine coverage.

She addressed the pandemic’s continuing toll on the Americas, where more than 1.3 million COVID-19 cases and more than 19,000 deaths were reported over the past week.

Cases and deaths continue to rise in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. In Central America, cases are decreasing in Panama and Costa Rica, but increasing in Honduras, Belize,

and El Salvador. In the Caribbean, cases are rising in Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Martinique, the Bahamas, and Dominica.

Over the past month, infections increased 30-fold in Martinique, and there has been a significant spike in hospitalisations.

In South America, the news is better, she said.

Cases and deaths are declining in the Andean region and Brazil, and across the Southern Cone. This includes substantial decreases in cases in Colombia, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

UN, UNESCO partner to strengthen businesses in creative industries

U

N Women and UNESCO have embarked on a partnership to strengthen women-and-youth owned businesses in the cultural and creative industries in the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa.

The programme will also highlight Afro-descendant women’s roles and contribution to sustainable development through cultural exchanges, knowledge sharing, and movement-building.

The announcement of this initiative came as part of activities to launch UN Women’s new Global Black Women Programme, where Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi moderated a panel discussion on black women creatives entitled “Ain’t I a Woman”: Black Women, Creativity and Development”. It was sponsored by UN Women MCO-Caribbean, in collaboration with NYU Africa House, UNESCO, and the EU-funded UNESCOTranscultural Programme.

Representative of UN Women MCO Caribbean, Tonni Brodber, explained the goal of the new project: “We will contribute to enhancing the economic empowerment and resilience of women-and-youth-owned cultural and creative MSMEs through strengthened networks and opportunities for employability and entrepreneurship in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa; through

strengthened digital transformation, financial management, and basic and advanced digital technologies’ skills for women in the cultural and creative industries (including art, design, music, film, beauty) with particular focus on marginalised and economically disempowered groups.

“At UN Women and UNESCO, we felt the need to be even more intentional and imaginative about our work to recognise and promote justice and development. We developed a project with the goal being that Afro-descendent and ethnic minority women, men and youth are empowered through greater voice and agency, and resilient livelihoods to live free from violence and discrimination,” Ms. Brodber added.

Director and Representative of the UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean, Ms. Saadia Sanchez-Vegas, said: “This partnership programme harnesses the potential of culture and creativity to empower youth, women and men to transcend borders and build communities across the Caribbean, the African Continent, and the entire African diaspora.”

Panellist South African Carol Bouwer, Founder of Mbokodo Awards for Women in the Arts, stressed that the world has not yet begun to understand that black women are a larger part of society, whose cre-

ativity should be seen as creativity within the broader conversation of art, heritage and culture.

“Historically, we do not look at the intersection between art and the environment, the economy, society, and the cultural diversity that carries communities together… Black people in particular, not just black women, we constantly have to apologise each time we come into spaces where we choose to talk about building each other. I am hoping that this healing space, this space of beauty and vibrant art, will remind us that we have to be seen, we have to be able to celebrate ourselves, and we have to be able to say to the world, ‘Acknowledge me’”.

Sierre Leone and Canada filmmaker Ngardy Conteh said there is a huge gap in opportunities for black women to thrive. “We don’t want to just survive, we want to thrive. We have the creativity, and our creativity can only blossom when we have the space and the resources to do so.

There needs to be an increase in opportunities.”

UN Women also hosted a global art exhibition and online auction in New York City, featuring 25 women artists of African descent.

Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to the artists, while the other fifty percent will support implementation of the UN Women’s Afro-descendant Women’s Programme.

NEWS

17

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

LGE still possible within statutory timeline – Gunraj

Government-nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj

G

overnment-nominated Commissioner on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Attorney Sase Gunraj has stated that with embattled Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, his Deputy Roxanne Myers and Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo now removed, there is a possibility

that the electoral body can still hold Local Government Elections (LGE) before the end of this year.

The ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government was adamant that it will not go ahead with another election with the embattled trio at the helm of the Election Secretariat.

Lowenfield,

Myers and Mingo attempted to sway the results of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections in favour of the then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

The three election officers are all before the courts facing a number of electoral charges and were on Thursday terminated from their respective posts at GECOM after the seven-member Commission voted on three motions tabled by the Governmentnominated Commissioners for their dismissals.

With the embattled trio gone, Commissioner Sase told reporters on Thursday that there are still a few months remaining and if GECOM is serious enough about holding the Local Government polls then this can be done.

“The holding of Local Government Elections within the statutorily defined time is imminently possible… I believe if the Guyana Elections Commission is serious about holding the

GFS gets 5 new tenders to boost operations

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn handing over the keys to Fire Chief Kalamadeen Edoo on Wednesday at the Ministry of Home Affairs

H

ome Affairs Minister Robeson Benn on Wednesday handed over keys to five brand new fire trucks to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) which will boost its operations.

He stated that three of the vehicles will be deployed to Mahdia, Lethem, and Mabaruma.

“These new assets are supposed to go into action to help us to get further on top of the incidents of fire in Guyana and particularly too, to deal with the question of expansion of the resources for fighting fire in the new towns.”

Making note of the recently commissioned fire station at Melanie on the East Coast of Demerara (EBD) and ambulance service expansion, the Minister stated that the implementation of resources and training in this area will

be a continued trend by the Government.

“We continue on this trend to make significant improvement in terms of the resources and the training in respect of mitigating, preventing, fighting, reducing the questions of fire… the President - Irfaan Ali and the Cabinet debated this issue and thought, again, along with all the other efforts were making, that we had to bring in these units.”

Additionally, the Minister encouraged persons to equip their homes with the necessary fire equipment and to be vigilant in the event that a fire may occur.

Further, the Minister noted that works are currently ongoing in the new location expected to house the Central Fire station, with works such as landfilling commencing at the end of this year, with the ex-

pectation of the station being completed by the third quarter of next year.

The Minister had initially announced in June that the D’Urban Park area has been identified as the site for the relocation of the Central Fire Station, which also houses the GFS Headquarters.

Meanwhile, the Fire Chief expressed his gratitude to the Government and stated that the new vehicles are a commitment to ensure that the Fire Department is equipped and able to deliver in a timely and efficient manner when they are called upon.

He noted that apart from the three towns, two of the trucks will be dispatched to Essequibo and Eccles (East Bank Demerara), where the construction of a new fire station is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

elections as contemplated, we can put our shoulders to the wheel, ensure these vacancies are filled in a timely manner and the necessary preparations for the holding of elections are done,” he posited.

ly,” Gunraj contended.

Local Government Elections is constitutionally mandated to be held every two years and with the last one held in 2018, it is due this year.

While, Government

Asked how serious they are about holding the LGEs, Gunraj maintained that his actions as a GECOM Commissioner have always been geared towards getting the work done in an efficient manner that finds the favour and acquiescence of all the stakeholders in this process, including the electorate.

Nevertheless, he is hopeful that his fellow colleague Commissioners at GECOM also share the same belief so that they can get this task done.

“It is my hope that my colleagues, as well, on the Commission will see the urgent need to have this done for us to be compliant with the laws to carry out our mandate as specified in the Constitution and let’s get the work done.

Unfortunately, we have seen the tardiness at times that characterises the operations of GECOM. But I hope in this instance… we see the need to have this done and get it done quick-

has reassured that Local Government polls will be held this year, it has cited the need for public confidence to be restored in GECOM following last year’s March 2 General and Regional Elections, which left Guyana embroiled in a political and electoral crisis for five months. As such, calls were mounted for the removal of key electoral officials who are responsible for those events.

Nevertheless, some $1.1 billion has been set aside in GECOM’s 2021 budget for the hosting of Local Government polls. This includes $237.7 million for the printing of 500,000 ballots for LGE. Only last week, President Dr Irfaan Ali, during a press conference to mark his Administration’s one year anniversary in office, said Local Government polls is still on Government’s agenda, while noting that it is up to GECOM to advise on its readiness.

“Let me be very clear that the PPP/C Government welcomes Local Government Elections. We have made the necessary budgetary provisions in the budget to facilitate Local Government Elections. However, it is the role of the Guyana Elections Commission to be in a position to run these elections,” he said, adding that “It is the Guyana Elections Commission that must advise on its readiness.”

At the last Local Government Elections in November 2018, the then People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Opposition secured 52 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs).

This followed the holding of LGE in 2016, during which the PPP/C also claimed the majority of the LAAs. After the 2018 LGE, GECOM spent over a year trying to get ready for snap elections that should have been held within three months of the then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government falling to a No-Confidence Motion in December 2018.

GECOM finally held General and Regional Elections on March 2, 2020.

But as if the previous delays were not enough, Guyanese were forced to wait another five months before the results could finally be declared by GECOM on August 2, 2020, after local and international pressure.

In the aftermath of the controversial five-monthlong elections, a number of high ranking GECOM officials, including Lowenfield, Myers, and Mingo, have been investigated by the Police and charged for misconduct in public office and forgery at last year’s polls.

N/A man critical after being beaten by teen reported and the suspect was arrested and is assisting with investigations.

T

wenty-one-year-old Satesh Girdharry of Mai Mai Dam Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice, is now in a critical condition after he was beaten during a misunderstanding on Wednesday.

Based on reports received, the now injured man and the 19-year-old suspect had a misunderstanding which quickly escalated into a fight during which the sus-

pect armed himself with a piece of wood and dealt the victim several lashes about his body and head.

As a result of the beating, the young man sustained injuries about his body. He was subsequently taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was treated and transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

His condition is regarded as serious. The matter was

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

18 NEWS Govt commits to environmental action with Peace Corps MoU FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira MP, inking the MoU alongside Peace Corps Country Director Dr Nadine Rogers Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, standing alongside Peace Corps Country Director Dr Nadine Rogers, US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, and Peace Corps officials

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration has once

again placed environmental issues on the front burner with the inking on Wednesday

of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US Peace Corps.

This MoU would allow

Peace Corps volunteers to return to Guyana after a hiatus brought about by the pandemic. Their return would lead to a continuation of the work on environment-related matters.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, MP, represented Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, MP, at the signing ceremony held at the Office of the President.

In her remarks, Minister Teixeira said, “Given our nation’s continued emphasis on environmental preservation, it is especially encouraging to know that we will be able to restart efforts championed by Peace Corps volunteers, in partnership with

communities and schools, to educate the next generation and build capacity in environmental stewardship.”

The Minister maintained that the Administration remains committed to a low carbon economy through its leading environmental policy, the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which is currently being strengthened.

A revised LCDS, Minister Teixeira explained, is also expected to include the establishment of an International Centre of Excellence for Biological Diversity, which would feature novel research and development, as well as educational services.

Meanwhile, US

Ambassador to Guyana, Her Excellency Sarah-Ann Lynch, in her address at the signing, listed key areas of co-operation through the MoU. Ambassador Lynch said, “Peace Corps can continue to contribute to environmental education and awareness in Guyana with the inclusion of ecological fundamentals, climate science, biodiversity, ecosystem services, global and local environmental issues, as well as how to address them.”

Peace Corps’ Country Director Dr. Nadine Rogers countersigned the MoU with Minister Teixeira, and commended the Government’s vision and relationship with the group.

Man accused of wounding vendor further remanded

A

man who has been charged with wounding a woman was on Wednesday further remanded to prison although the woman has since been discharged from the hospital.

Colin James, 52, of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has been arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in that Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on a charge alleging that he wounded the virtual complainant with intent to

Defendant: Colin James

maim, disfigure, disable, or cause her grievous bodi-

ly harm. The unrepresented man pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

The Police Prosecutor opposed his being released on bail, citing the serious nature of the offence. His trial begins on September 12.

James and the woman are known to each other. On the day in question, he had visited her stall to make a purchase when an argument broke out between them.

During the ordeal, he assaulted the vendor, causing her to receive injuries.

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil prices slip as IEA warns of slowdown in demand recovery

O

il prices fell on Thursday after the International Energy Agency (IEA) said the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus would slow the recovery of global oil demand.

Brent crude futures fell 13 cents to settle at US$71.31 a barrel.

Earlier, Brent hit a session high of US$71.90.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 16 cents to settle at US$69.09 a barrel.

The international energy watchdog's monthly report said rising demand for oil reversed course in July and was set to proceed more slowly for the rest of the year after the latest wave of COVID-19 infections prompted countries to bring in restrictions again.

"Growth for the second half of 2021 has been downgraded more sharply, as new COVID-19 restrictions imposed in several major oil consuming countries, particularly in Asia, look set to reduce mobility and oil use," the Paris-based IEA said.

"We now estimate that demand fell in July as the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant undermined deliveries in China, Indonesia and other parts of Asia."

The IEA put the demand slump last month at 120,000 barrels per day (bpd) and predicted growth would be half a million bpd lower in the second half than it had estimated last month, noting some changes were due to revisions in data.

"The IEA report seemed to suggest we'd see demand weaken a bit because of the COVID flare-up and because that will reduce the odds of a so-called super cycle in oil," said Phil Flynn, a senior analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago.

In its monthly report that also came out on Thursday, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) stuck to its prediction of a strong recovery in world oil demand in 2021 and 2022, despite concerns about the spread of the virus.

That came a day after the United States urged OPEC and its allies, known as OPEC+, to boost oil output to tackle rising gasoline prices, which it sees as a threat to the global economic recovery.

OPEC agreed in July to boost output each month by 400,000 bpd versus the previous month, starting in August, until the rest of their record cuts of 10 million bpd, about 10 per cent of world demand, made in 2020 are phased out.

"The Biden Administration said that the recently agreed production increases will not fully offset previous production cuts imposed during the pandemic," ANZ said in a note. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Flash floods sweep through northern Turkey in new natural disaster

S

eventeen people were killed in flash floods in Turkey's Black Sea region on Thursday that sent water and debris cascading through streets, damaged bridges and ripped up roads in the second natural disaster to strike the country this month.

The floodwaters brought chaos to northern provinces just as authorities were declaring that some of the wildfires that had raged through southern coastal regions for two weeks had been brought under control.

The floods and the fires, which killed eight people and devastated tens of thousands of hectares of forest, struck in the same week that a UN panel said global warming is dangerously close to spiralling out of control.

Fifteen people were killed in the floods in Kastamonu province and two people died in Sinop, authorities said, adding that search and rescue operations were con-

tinuing.

More than 1400 people were evacuated from the areas affected, some with the help of helicopters and boats, and about 740 people were being housed in student dormitories, the Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) said.

Helicopters lowered coast guard personnel onto the roofs of buildings to rescue people who were stranded as flood water swept through the streets, footage shared by the Interior Ministry showed.

The deluge damaged power infrastructure, leaving about 330 villages without electricity. Five bridges had collapsed and many others were damaged, leading to road closures, AFAD added.

Parts of the roads were also swept away.

Authorities said that 299 forest fires which had burnt across southwestern provinces for the last two weeks had been brought under control. (Excerpt from Reuters)

COVID: Germany fears thousands got saline, not vaccine from nurse

A

uthorities in north Germany have asked more than 8000 people to get repeat COVID vaccinations because a nurse is suspected of having injected saline instead of vaccine in many cases.

Police are investigating the nurse's actions at a vaccination centre in Friesland, near the North Sea coast.

Initially just six people were believed to have received the harmless salt solution there in March and April.

Many of those affected were aged over 70 - a highrisk group in the pandemic.

Inspector Peter Beer, quoted by Süddeutsche Zeitung, said the 40-yearold woman had been sharing

Many of those given the harmless salt solution were in their 70s

"corona-critical information" on social media, criticising the Government's restrictions aimed at curbing the virus's spread.

Regional broadcaster NDR says 8557 people have been asked to go back for re-

peat vaccinations, and so far about 3600 new appointments have been confirmed.

In April the nurse had admitted giving saline to six people to cover up the fact that she had dropped a vaccine vial on the floor.

But as the Police investigation unfolded it became clear that many more people had been given saline instead of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

Police are not ruling out that a political motive could have prompted the nurse's action, though her lawyers have rejected that and they also dispute the reported scale of the saline swap.

More witnesses are being questioned and so far no charges have been reported in the case.

Germany has seen many anti-vaccination protests.

Far-right groups are among those who reject the official data and conclusions about the spread of COVID. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Pakistani forces clash with Afghan protesters at border crossing shut by Taliban

People gather as they wait to cross at the Friendship Gate crossing point in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border town of Chaman, Pakistan August 12, 2021

P

akistani forces clashed on Thursday with hundreds of Afghans stranded on Pakistan's side of a commercially vital border crossing with Afghanistan after its closure by Taliban insur-

gents, Pakistani security officials said.

The disturbances broke out after a 56-year-old Afghan traveller died of a heart attack as he waited in the dusty heat to enter Afghanistan via the

Chaman-Spin Boldak crossing, Arif Kakar, a Pakistani official on the scene, told Reuters.

Protesters carried his body to a local Pakistani Government office demanding the border be reopened.

Some began throwing stones at security forces, who responded by firing tear gas and charging the protesters with batons to disperse them. No injuries were reported.

The Chaman-Spin Boldak crossing is landlocked Afghanistan's second busiest entry point and main commercial artery to the Pakistani seacoast.

The Taliban, who captured the crossing last month as part of a major advance across Afghanistan as U.S.-led foreign forces withdraw, announced its closure on Aug. 6 in protest at a Pakistani decision to end visa-free travel for Afghans.

The hardline Islamist Taliban are demanding Pakistan allow Afghans to cross the frontier with either an Afghan ID card or a Pakistani-issued refugee registration card.

Taliban fighters have rapidly taken territory from the Kabul Government in recent weeks, including important border crossings with Iran and Central Asian countries that now provide significant customs revenue for the group.

Some 900 trucks went through the Chaman-Spin Boldak crossing daily before the Taliban seized it.

Opening the border with Pakistan for visa-free travel would not only help the Taliban curry favour from ordinary Afghans but also shore up a route to areas of Pakistan that have housed Taliban fighters and some commanders. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US census: Hispanic and AsianAmerican driving US population growth

P

opulation shifts revealed by the 2020 Census herald changes to come in US politics as the country becomes more diverse, experts say. The number of Americans who identify as white has fallen below 60 per cent for the first time and population growth is being driven by ethnic minorities.

The data, collected amid the COVID-19 pandemic, could fray political nerves.

It shows the demographic shift of every neighbourhood in the US over the last 10 years. It includes racial and ethnic data as well as the voting age population of each location.

The overall population grew by 7.4 per cent over the last decade to reach 311 mil-

lion. The rate of growth was the slowest since the 1930s.

Just over half of the total growth was a result of the increase in the US Hispanic population, which reached 62.1 million, or 18.7 per cent of the total in 2020, compared to 16.4 per cent in 2010 and 12.6 per cent in 2000.

Additionally, the AsianAmerican population swelled by 35 per cent to 24 million, making it the fastest growing segment of the US population. The black population in the US grew by 5.6 per cent.

The changes could usher in a new kind of identity, say academics. "It's going to require new ways of understanding about who's American," says New York University's Ann Morning,

New census data show the US has become more diverse in the past decade [Eduardo Munoz: Reuters]

the author of The Nature of Race: How Scientists Think and Teach about Human Difference.

Those new ways will be felt at the ballot box because

information released from the count will be used to redraw congressional voting districts that can help determine who will get elected.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

20

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Distance yourself from anyone who stifles you.

Focus on what’s important to you and the changes you can make if you put more effort into your plans. Have confidence in who you are.

Uncertainty will lead to TAURUS inconsistency. Evaluate the (April 20- past and present, and rely May 20) on your experience to help you put your energy where it will bring the highest return. Discuss your options.

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

A change in how or where you work will have pros and cons. Consider your options, and decide to do what makes you feel happy and healthy. Choose to follow the path that encourages growth.

Step back if someone pressures you to invest in something unfamiliar or risky. Ask trusted allies, relatives or an expert before you jump into something that can lead you down the wrong path.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Work in conjunction with people who share your objective and concerns. You’ll accomplish more if you are open to suggestions. A relationship with a friend or loved one will be enlightening.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Take an energetic approach to life. Participate in challenges that require physical and mental agility, and play to win. Pay attention to detail, and you’ll find something valuable.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Make plans to socialize with people who spark your imagination and open your mind to new and exciting options. Look at change as growth, and you’ll learn something valuable.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Think before you act. If you set unrealistic expectations, disappointment will follow. Ask for help if you need it, and you’ll be surprised by the response you receive.

Ask questions and verSAGITTARIUS ify the information you re(Nov. 23ceive. Look for opportunities Dec. 21) that will help you save money. Keep your wits about you if someone suggests something unrealistic.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Control your emotions when dealing with money, health or contractual matters. If you overreact or take on too much, it will be difficult to recover. Avoid joint ventures.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

You’ll have a healthy attitude and an open mind.

What you discover will help you better handle your finances and improve a meaningful relationship. Take a unique approach.

PISCES

Dig in and get things done. What you achieve will leave a lasting impression on someone you deem special. Let your intentions be known, and you’ll be able to make plans.

(Feb. 20March 20)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13 , 2021

21

Berbice cricket clubs agree players must have at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine for 2021 matches – both doses required for 2022 matches

P

resident of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), Hilbert Foster, last Wednesday met with representatives of over thirty cricket clubs in the county at the Albion Cricket Ground, as the vibrant cricket board continued its outreach programme.

The meeting was held as the board seeks to restart its 2021 cricket season, which was put on hold due to onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing rainy season.

Representatives of the clubs and the board agreed to restart the season in late September or early October with a set of rules in place.

Clubs informed the BCB that they would need at least three weeks after the end of the rainy season to get venues in order and properly prepared.

Foster warned the clubs that, due to the long layoff because of the pandemic, many players might have quit the game, and as such, they might have to seek new members at both the junior and senior levels.

Clubs present agreed that all

players shall have to have at least one dose of the vaccine to play in BCB tournaments in 2021, while both doses would be required for tournaments in the new year.

Persons with underlying conditions would be required to submit medical reports if for some reason they are unable to take the vaccine.

Foster has said that while taking the vaccine is a personal choice, the board has to look at the broader picture involving the health of all players and its officials.

Clubs also agreed that the BCB should seek the advice of the National COVID-19 Task Force on the issue of spectators at venues, although they recommend that only vaccinated persons should be present as spectators.

The BCB President urged the clubs to promote the importance of taking up the Government’s offer of free vaccines.

The board would be hosting tournaments at the following levels: under-13, under-15, under-17, under-19, under-23, female, internal zone, second

BCB President Hilbert Foster

division and first division for the rest of the year, with several being played on a knockout basis due to the limited time available.

The BCB President also informed the gathering that the board would be hosting five minicricket academies across Berbice: at Hopetown, Edinburgh, Canje, Albion and Upper Corentyne.

A total of 225 youths would be involved in the academies, with the top coaches of the BCB at the helm.

The historic youth coaching manual would also be unveiled shortly, and would be distributed free of cost to clubs with junior

GFF President Wayne Forde visits Waramadong …Commits to set up Academy Training Centre

G

uyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde has pledged to establish an Academy Training Centre (ATC) at Waramadong.

He made this commitment to boost hinterland football development during a visit to the Region 7 (CuyuniMazaruni) community this week.

Forde also donated football equipment to the Waramadong Sports Council, and offered to organise GFF training for coaches, referees and club administrators of the Region. Because of its difficult terrain and logistical challenges, some areas of this region are not adequately served.

The Guyana Football Federation regularly undertakes outreaches, donates equipment, and engages in capacitybuilding activities in hinterland communities that are not covered within the boundaries of the GFF’s nine Regional Associations, and Forde has underscored the reason for this.

“It is vital for the GFF – and for me, personally – to ensure that all corners of Guyana have access to football development resources

and support, as our nine Regional Associations do not cover the entire geography of the country,” Forde said.

“My meetings this week with Waramadong village leaders and the Sports Council were extremely positive, and we look forward to working together to develop football and to give young people in the community the opportunities they deserve (in order) to reach their full potential,” he said.

Forde has said the GFF Technical Department will begin work immediately on planning for the creation of a special Academy Training Centre in the village, which boasts one of the most successful school football teams in Guyana.

The GFF’s ATC programme, an elite youth development initiative for boys and girls, provides professional-standard sessions delivered by trained GFF-affiliated coaches.

The programme,

which currently covers only the GFF’s Regional Associations, has been hailed by FIFA and Concacaf as a pioneering template for football development in the Caribbean region.

“We are determined to give all talent in Guyana a chance to reach our national teams, no matter where it is based,” said Forde, who also undertook an outreach to Mabaruma in Region 1 earlier this year. “We want to reward proactive and committed football communities. No Guyanese should have to miss out on the GFF’s national football pathway just because of the limitations of the regional association structure we inherited.

“We know the past year has been challenging for all footballers across Guyana,” he said, “but, thanks to the national vaccination programme, there is now a light at the end of the tunnel. We continue to urge the football community to fully support the vaccination drive, so that we can move out of this pandemic, protect our loved ones, and return to play very soon.”

members and to members of the five academies.

Discussions were also held on the distribution of millions of dollars’ worth of cricket gear which would be arriving in the country shortly from England.

It was disclosed that promising youth players selected by their clubs would benefit, along with clubs that have junior sections.

Clubs were also informed that the board would be purchasing its second set of pitch covers as it strives to have a set in every subassociation. The first set is being stored at the Albion Ground, while the new one would be stored at the Cotton Tree Ground

for usage of cricketers in the West Berbice area.

The Upper Corentyne area would be next in line to receive a pitch cover, followed by New Amsterdam/ Canje. It is the first time in the history of the board that it would be having its own covers.

Foster also committed to finding sponsorship for another four grass cutters under the BCB Ground Improvement project at the special request of some clubs.

The board has already handed over 22 grass cutters under the project, with the main objective of assisting clubs to prepare their venues for matches. Clubs

were reminded that for 2021 alone, the BCB has assisted them with scorebooks, balls, cricket gears, uniforms, cycles, trophies, catching cribs, school bags, grass cutters, educational grants for students, youth development booklets and food hampers, among other items.

At conclusion of the meeting, the BCB President expressed gratitude to every club for their support during his term of office, and pleaded with them to work even harder. He said Berbice cricket is the most dynamic and best-organised in the country, and committed his administration to continue leading the way.

KL Rahul’s century helps India take control at Lord's

E

ngland have suffered a demoralising first day of the second Test, as a KL Rahul century led India towards a huge total after they were asked to bat first.

Rahul played with elegance for 127 not out, growing in stature following his supporting role in an opening stand of 126 with Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul scored an unbeaten ton who made a superb 83 at Lord's.

With India captain Virat Kohli adding 42 in a Mark Wood. Rahul did not score his first boundary third-wicket partnership of 117 with Rahul, India - a straight six off Moeen Ali - until the 108th ball he moved to 276-3 and are in a prime position to take faced, shortly before Rohit fell for his best Test score outside India. complete control of the match.

Pujara's struggles continued - his highest score James Anderson - passed fit to play - produced in his past 10 Test innings is 21 - but Rahul gradually two excellent deliveries to remove Rohit and unfurled his trademark drives through the off side.

Cheteshwar Pujara, while Ollie Robinson provided Kohli had not passed 25 in four Test innings at Lord's, a late boost with the wicket of Kohli. However, the and had to come through an examination by Curran, home side were collectively poor with the ball, and and almost played on off Moeen. as the clouds gave way to evening sunshine, batting Robinson eventually drew him into playing away looked increasingly comfortable on a true pitch. from his body, with Root grasping the edge at first England were aided by the rain in the drawn first slip.

Given their recent batting frailty, the last thing Test at Trent Bridge. The London weather is forecast England needed was such a flat display with the ball. to be dry for the weekend, so the hosts would need Broad is missing a home Test for only the third their batsmen - including Haseeb Hameed, recalled time since 2010.

Without him, England were for Zak Crawley - to dig them out of this one. toothless for long periods.

Robinson's usual accuracy It was hard to disagree with England captain deserted him, Curran began by bowling both Joe Root when he opted to bowl first on a cool, sides of the wicket, Wood Broad's replacement grey, damp morning. Kohli said he would have done touched 96mph, but was expensive, while the the same. However, while it is fair to say England recalled Moeen struggled to make an impact. did not get the amount of assistance they might As ever, it was left to Anderson, who first nipped have expected, rarely did they find the right area, one down the Lord's slope to bowl Rohit, then got alternating between too wide and too straight. one to go the other way, to have the poking Pujara Credit should be given to Rohit and Rahul, held at third slip. It was the start of an England who, with sound judgement, came through what improvement.

Curran bowled a testing spell from could have been a difficult period, playing only round the wicket, and Robinson's probing with the when absolutely necessary. After Stuart Broad was second new ball was rewarded with the wicket of ruled out of the series with a calf injury, Anderson Kohli. overcame a quad problem to produce his doubleThere was still time for Root to waste a review strike in the run-up to tea. on new man Ajinkya Rahane, perhaps a result of By that time, though, India had a foundation, England's frustrating day. (BBC Sport) and they capitalised in the glorious evening sunshine. The second new ball at least accounted for Kohli, but India will be looking to heap pressure on England by batting for most of Friday.

India 1st Innings Mohammed Shami, Rohit Sharma Mohammed Siraj Relentless Rahul b Anderson 83 Fall of wickets: 1-126 Rahul, playing in this series only KL Rahul not out.

127 (Rohit Sharma, 43.4 after injuries to Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara c ov), 2-150 (Cheteshwar Bairstow b Anderson.

9 Pujara, 49.6 ov), 3-267 Mayank Agarwal, yet began with Virat Kohli (c) c Root (Virat Kohli, 84.4 ov) scores of 84 and 26 at Trent Bridge, b Robinson 42 BOWLING O-M.-R-W and followed up with his first Test Ajinkya Rahane not out.

1 James Anderson .20-4.-2-2 hundred in almost three years.

Extras (b 8, lb 5, nb 1).

14 Ollie Robinson 23-7.-47-1 He began as the support to TOTAL (90 Ov, RR: 3.06) 276/3 Sam Curran 18-1.-58-0 Yet to bat: Rishabh Pant †, Mark Wood 16-1.-66-0 Rohit, who took four fours in one Ishant Sharma, Ravindra Moeen Ali 13-1-40-0 Sam Curran over, and got the better Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, of a thrilling duel with the rapid

SCOREBOARD

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13 , 2021

School of the Nations poised to start archery club

Kenrick Cheeks taking a shot at the target

Archery Guyana’s Nicholas Hing

A

r c h e r y Archery Guyana has, Guyana have for some committed to time, been trying training the to break into the instructors, school level, in who would order to popularise then pass on Nicholas Hing presenting Pamela O’ Toole the sport of archery. A the knowledge with the school’s certification in the presence step in that direction of the sport to of Kenrick Cheeks and Mischka Griffith was taken on Thursday students.

One An elated Pamela O’ morning when School of the of those instructors is the Toole, School of the Nations Nations became a certified school’s Physical Education Director, has shared her archery club. teacher Kenrick Cheeks, who excitement at being able to School of the Nations has is eager to push the sport. introduce the sport to the become the first school in “My mission here is to students, and has thanked Guyana to have an official develop long-term, lifetime Archery Guyana for their archery club, but Archery skills in all students. So, we involvement.

Guyana hopes to branch out do a lot of other sports, and I “School of the Nations to other institutions. try to get from the best of the is really delighted and very Representing Archery best to aid them to this level, thankful to Archery Guyana Guyana, National Archery and archery is a recognized for (having us be) the first Judge Nicholas Hing shared game all across the world, school in the country to the vision that Archery even to the Olympics,” the have an archery club and Guyana has for competition PE teacher explained. bring this new sport to the at the school level.

Cheeks continued, “So, students of Nations.

“What we hope to see I’m here to do all of this to “And we’re very grateful is archery happening in help them to that level.” to Ms. Whyte and Mr Cheeks the school sports; and you While the sport is taught for the effort that they have know school sports are very at the school, Archery Guyana made, and to the personnel competitive, and we hope is expected to provide the of Archery Guyana,” she that archery becomes very personnel for administration shared. competitive there - which of competitions. Aside from O’ Toole added, “And will lead to the Nationals, certification, the school has we look forward to working Regionals and for the children also been provided with a with our children and to be to develop from nursery all beginner’s bow set for its entering into competitions the way to university with use. with this new sport.”

Archery,” Hing related.

Good outing for Guyana's Matthew Nandu in Rising Stars U-19 trials – Edwards, Amurdan star

Matthew Nandu

A

superb five-wicket burst from Nathan Edwards sent shockwaves through the Red Dragons batting line-up as the Cricket West Indies Rising Stars U19s trials continued on Wednesday afternoon.

The left-arm pacer from St Maarten returned impressive figures of 6-2-23-5 as the Dragons were bowled out for 79 in 19.3 overs. This was in reply to 265-7 made by the Yellow Flamingos, who were asked to bat first on a good surface at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

The innings was spearheaded by Anderson Amurdan, who again topscored with 79 off 70 balls, which included 10 fours and a

Nathan Edwards

six, to follow up his unbeaten century in the opening match.

He added 136 in 24 overs for the first wicket with left-hander Matthew Nandu, who made a well compiled 65 off 106 balls.

The series will continue on Friday with two matches. Red Dragons return to Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground to face Blue Dolphins. First ball is 9:30am (8:30am Jamaica Time). In the other contest, Green Pitons will face Yellow Flamingos at Coolidge Cricket Ground, in a match that will be streamed on www. windiescricket.com and the “Windies Cricket” YouTube channel https://bit.ly/ WindiesCricketYouTube. There will also be scores, statistical information, and photographs

Anderson Amurdan

provided on CWI’s social media platforms throughout the day.

The trial matches form part of the West Indies Rising Stars U19s High Performance camp, which is a key part of the CWI investment in development and preparations for the players of the ICC U19 World Cup – a tournament to be played in the West Indies early next year.

Following the Rising Stars U19 camp and the trial matches, a squad of 18 players will be selected for the West Indies Rising Stars U19 tour of England, which will feature six Youth One-Day Internationals at The County Ground, Beckenham and The Polo Farm, Canterbury from Saturday, September 4 to Friday, September 17. (CWI)

– Ramson says of relationship with GCB …GCB-CWI issue resolved, says Dr Kishore Shallow

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR SALE Pure Bred German Shepherd Pups for sale. Vaccinated and dewormed.

622-0015/220-8559 Mix Breed Puppies for Sale. Contact: Tel- 253-3114/692-0126.

TAXI SERVICE Elegant Cabs. 231-1494 / 226-4277, Cell #: 625-6600. 24 hrs.

WANTED Security Guard wanted. 612-2125 For PenPal Purposes. Male seeking Female for relationship. Age: 19 – 30 years old. 644-9410 WhatsApp only.

One (1) Chinese Cook for Aracari Resort – Versailles W.B.D. Attractive Salary. Call: 592-626-5290 One (1) Food & Beverage Manager and One (1) Female Bartender for Aracari Resort Poolside – Versailles W.B.D. Call: 592-626-5290

SERVICE Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jnr

By Brandon Corlette

A

n interesting article was published on July 23, 2021 by this daily publication.

The article surrounded the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) sending a letter to Cricket West Indies (CWI), expressing dissatisfaction with CWI meeting the Government of Guyana without the involvement of the GCB, as it relates to hosting the Pakistan-West Indies T20 Internationals.

Despite all the proverbial trouble in the camp between CWI, the Sports Ministry and the GCB, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jnr, has said the relationship with his Ministry and the GCB is very strong.

"I had a meeting with them (GCB) (last Saturday). We have a strong relationship with the GCB, and we intend to keep it that way.

This is the first time that you would have seen the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has ever had as strong a relationship with all the sports associations and federations. We intend to keep it that way," Ramson said during his visit to Berbice on Sunday.

As Sport Minister, he also spoke about the recognition his Ministry gained from the President of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali, as it relates to the relationship with sport associations and federations.

"So strong it's been, listen to the President’s speech on his first year in office. Reference was made to sports associations and federations in the President's speech.

That has never happened before in the history of our country. That is because we got a genuine sense of feeling, and believe that the sports associations and federa-

CWI Vice President Dr Kishore Shallow

tions, because we build trust, they want to work and collaborate. They see that the Ministry is taking the lead and being proactive in how it's doing its business and allocating its resources in a fair, novel, and innovative way. They see that and want to be a part of that," he said.

Minister Ramson added: "We believe that this collaborative approach is the best way to be able to get the most out of what we are doing. There is an old saying: many hands make light work, and that is something the Ministry has started from the beginning."

CWI Vice President Dr Kishore Shallow has also said this issue between CWI, the Ministry and the GCB, as it relates to the planning phase of hosting the PakistanWest Indies T20I in Guyana, has been resolved, and everyone understand their roles.

"To my knowledge, that situation has been resolved. Everyone understands their roles, hence the successful hosting of that (T20I) series against Pakistan," Dr Shallow said on Tuesday's Mason and Guest radio programme.

In addition, the GCB has expressed dissatisfaction with CWI initially, when only four Guyanese were selected for the West Indies Under-19 training camp in Antigua. CWI has reacted, and looked to solve this issue by allowing four more Guyanese into the training camp in Antigua.

The Bissoondyal Singh-led GCB has also questioned the selection policy of CWI when some Guyanese cricketers missed out on selection and missed out on international retainer contracts.

Learn to Drive: Shalom Enterprise. Lot 2 Croal Street, Stabroek, Georgetown.

Please call: 622-8162 / 659-3381/2273869. Join us on FaceBook.

A

VACANCY

Welder/Fabricator. For Grill work : 621-5310

Classified Ads $5+VAT per word

Call: 223-7230-1 Ext 50

2237230-1

(Ext 55)

NOW!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

West Indies relinquish advantage after losing early wickets W est Indies dominated the opening day of the first Test, after Pakistan lost wickets in a hurry to be bowled out for 217.

But that was until Pakistan struck back fiercely in the third over, as Mohammed Abbas sent back Kieran Powell and Nkrumah Bonner for ducks in successive deliveries to peg West Indies back.

Bad light forced an early close to Day 1 in Jamaica, with the hosts ending the day on 2 for 2 in four overs.

The only reason Pakistan got to a total of over 200 was thanks to Fawad Alam, who kept West Indies at bay with a more-than-handy 56, after his side were reduced to 123 for 5 at one stage. Faheem Ashraf and Alam settled into a sixth-wicket stand that was worth 85 and kept West Indies at bay. They scored at a quick pace, with boundaries flowing at will. Anything pitched outside off they

stump.

However, it was fifth time lucky for West Indies as Jayden Seales forced an outside edge off Azhar's bat as the batsman fended an away-seamer. Pakistan once again, like in the first session, lost two wickets in successive overs as Roach then beat Babar on the inside edge off a sharp in-seamer.

Babar was initially given not out, but West Indies re-

Seales then thought he had Mohammed Rizwan leg-before, but the impact was slightly outside off and saved the batsman as there was still no sign of spin. Rizwan, however, couldn't make the most of his reprieve, and departed via a soft dismissal as he flicked a full delivery straight to Roston Chase stationed at square leg, ending a reviving fifth-wicket stand of 33 with Alam.

viewed as a spike was spotted on UltraEdge, forcing him to make the long walk back for 30.

Alam thereafter joined hands with the lower order to save Pakistan the blushes.

(Cricbuzz)

Fawad Alam top-scored for Pakistan

had seemed to be going nowhere.

Ashraf fell against the run of play on 44, when he was caught short of his crease while going for a quick run, as West Indies broke the resilient stand. Alam fell soon

wickets for 31 runs.

The middle session was a drama-filled one in Jamaica with as many as six reviews taken in the 32 overs bowled after lunch on Thursday (August 12) after West Indies opted to bowl. After an early

Mohammed Abbas

call in terms of the impact, despite the ball crashing into the stumps. Azhar survived his fourth LBW call with the ball found to be missing leg

Olympian Allicock to lead AMBC Elite Championships team Jayden Seales moved the ball around

put away, as they revived Pakistan's innings, which

after, and the rest followed as Pakistan lost their last five

SCOREBOARD Pak 1st Innings Imran Butt b Roach 11 Abid Ali c †Da Silva b Seales 9 Azhar Ali c Holder b Seales 17 Babar Azam (c) c †Da Silva b Roach 30 Fawad Alam b Holder 56 Mohammad Rizwan † c Chase b Holder 23 Faheem Ashraf run out (Chase) 44 Yasir Shah c †Da Silva b Mayers 0 Hasan Ali c Mayers b Seales 14 Shaheen Shah Afridi not out 0 Mohammad Abbas c †Da Silva b Holder 0 Extras (b 4, lb 5, nb 4) 13 TOTAL (70.3 Ov, RR: 3.07) 217 Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Imran Butt, 6.4 ov), 2-21 (Abid Ali, 7.6 ov), 3-68 (Azhar Ali, 31.2 ov), 4-68 (Babar Azam, 32.1 ov), 5-101 (Mohammad Rizwan, 41.4 ov), 6-186 (Faheem Ashraf, 62.1 ov), 7-190 (Yasir Shah, 64.3 ov), 8-217 (Hasan Ali, 69.6 ov), 9-217 (Fawad Alam, 70.2 ov), 10-217 (Mohammad Abbas, 70.3 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W Kemar Roach 16-4-47-2 Jayden Seales 16-3-70-3 Kyle Mayers 14-5-28-1 Jason Holder 15-3-3-26-3 Roston Chase 8-1-33-0 Jomel Warrican 1-0-4-0 WEST INDIES 1ST INNINGS Kraigg Brathwaite (c) not out 1 Kieran Powell c Imran Butt b Mohammad Abbas 0 Nkrumah Bonner lbw b Mohammad Abbas 0 Roston Chase not out 0 Extras (b 1) 1 TOTAL (4 Ov, RR: 0.50) 2/2 Yet to bat: Kyle Mayers, Jermaine Blackwood, Joshua Da Silva †, Jason Holder, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Kieran Powell, 2.2 ov), 2-1 (Nkrumah Bonner, 2.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mohammad Abbas 2-2-0-2 Shaheen Shah Afridi 1-1-0-0 Yasir Shah 1-0-1-0

lunch break was forced due to a rain interruption just 17 overs into the opening day's play, West Indies' bowlers continued where they had left off and were right on the money after resumption.

Just as they had bowled in the morning session - with utmost discipline - they posed questions right from the first over after lunch, when Azhar Ali was given out caught-behind poking at one. The batsman reviewed it, and with nothing on UltraEdge, the decision was reversed. He went on to add 47 runs with Babar Azam, as the third-wicket duo steadied the Pakistan ship.

Azhar was on the edge once again when he was given out leg-before after shouldering arms to an in-seamer. He reviewed once again to find the ball going over the stumps. Jason Holder didn't relent, once again going for a review for a leg-before call against the batsman, who was saved by the umpire's

F

Keevin Allicock is coming off of a stint at the Olympic Games

irst-time Olympian Keevin Allicock has been selected along, with two other boxers and a coach, as part of a four-member team that would represent Guyana at the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Elite Championships.

The event is scheduled to be staged from September 25th to October 4th in Colombia. Aside from featherweight Allicock, Guyana will also be represented by light welterweight Colin Lewis and middleweight

Desmond Amsterdam. The Coach will be National Three-star Coach Terrence Poole M.S. The Championships will be a welcome one since, aside from Allicock competing in the Tokyo Olympic Games, the last time these boxers fought competitively was at the Caribbean Championships in 2019.

“The Elite Championships give us another chance to not only expose our boxers, two of whom have not fought since 2019 when it was the

Caribbean Championships, but it also gives us a chance to guage where we are within Latin America and the Americas,” Steve Ninvalle, President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), shared with this publication in an invited comment.

The GBA Boss then added, “So, this is a very important Championship for us. Guyana has been (present) for most of the Elite Championships in the past; we’ve had representation, and this year will be no different.”

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

West Indies relinquish advantage after losing early wickets Page 23

Pg 22

Page 23

– Ramson on relationship with GCB – GCB, CWI issue resolved says Shallow

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.