Pres Ali meets global leaders, strengthens Guyana’s strategic partnerships
Police destroy $62M worth of ganja along Demerara River
Ramson tells court of locked doors, premature declarations, long attempt to serve recount letter
Bosai strike ends after Labour Ministry brokers terms of resumption
13-year-old boy with Guyanese parentage shot dead in Queens, NY
Assistant accountant charged with $5M theft at GECOM 9 homeless after CWC fire
President Dr Irfaan Ali joins other world leaders at a luncheon organised by the Clinton Global Initiative on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York
US$262M Demerara River Bridge set to improve commuting, shipping efficiency
…as major load testing successfully completed
The new US$262 million Demerara River cable-stayed bridge has passed a critical stage of testing, with engineers confirming its strength and durability during a major load assessment exercise on Monday.
The most recent test involved twenty fully loaded trucks being strategically positioned on the bridge to simulate heavy traffic conditions, while teams of experts monitored the structure’s performance under stress. Advanced sensors recorded stress, strain, deflection, stiffness, and tower displacement, as well as the load forces on the supporting cables.
According to the Public
Works Ministry, the exercise was vital to confirming the bridge’s capacity to deliver safe and reliable service for decades to come.
“These measurements are critical to confirming the bridge’s strength, durability, and safety before its commissioning. The successful completion of this testing marks another important milestone in the project, ensuring that the new Demerara River bridge will provide safe and reliable service for decades to come.”
The first load testing exercise for the bridge was conducted on September 16, whereby 16 trucks were at various points on the bridge to simulate maximum load
pressure.
The new four-lane, 2.6-kilometre (km) bridge stretches from Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) to La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD).The bridge will also improve shipping up and down the River. (The high span eliminates closing and opening). With a fixed-high span of 50 metres (m), it will allow Handymax vessels to pass unobstructed beneath. The bridge is designed with a lifespan of 100 years and will operate toll-free, 24/7, with a maximum speed limit of 80 km/h. Its design will also feature the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH), the country’s second-highest nation-
al award.
Once commissioned, the bridge will replace the ageing Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), a floating structure that has long struggled with congestion and frequent closures. The DHB will be removed and repurposed to bridge other waterways across the country. The project, undertaken by China Railway Construction (International) Limited, with Politecnica as the supervisory consultant, is one of Guyana’s most significant infrastructure upgrades to date. President Dr Irfaan Ali, who inspected works at the eastern approach road earlier this month, confirmed that the final phase of road-
works is progressing well ahead of the bridge’s opening.
Flyovers
Even with expanded road networks to accommodate the traffic from the new Demerara River Bridge, the Guyana Government is exploring the construction of flyover infrastructure to add efficiency to the growing traffic that is anticipated with the completion of the bridge project. To support the new bridge, approach roads are being constructed at both ends of the bridge, which land at Nandy Park on the EBD and at La Grange on the WBD. On the eastern end, a four-lane road is being built
out to take the bridge traffic directly onto the Heroes Highway, where a roundabout is currently under construction. According to the Head of State, “The ultimate goal, for the greatest efficiency, is to have two flyovers: one on the Heroes Highway and one on the West Bank.” However, the President noted that these are projects that his government is looking at undertaking in the future and not immediately. In the meantime, the Heroes Highway is being expanded to add two collector lanes to receive the bridge traffic and send it on to the four-lane Haags Bosch road, which connects to the Ogle-Eccles Road link.
Load testing conducted on the new Demerara River Bridge
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 26 –03:55h–05:25h, and Saturday, September 27 – 19:30h–20:30h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 26 –06:15h–07:45h and Saturday, September 27 – 06:50h–08:20h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery showers followed by brief late afternoon sunshine are expected during the day, and clear skies followed by early morning showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 3.57 metres.
High Tide: 06:40h and 18:49h reaching maximum heights of 2.54 metres and 2.57 metres.
Low Tide: 12:26h reaching a minimum height of 0.73 metre.
Consultants must be held accountable for substandard works – Auditor General
…says real-time auditing of public accounts being done
Auditor General
Deodat Sharma is calling for penalties to be introduced so that consultants can also be held accountable for the quality of work produced, especially in construction projects executed within the public sector.
Nearly all construction projects in the public sector have consultants onboard to oversee the quality of work and to ensure compliance with the terms of the contract.
Despite this, however, there is still substandard work found in some public projects, especially road construction, something which AG Sharma says could be addressed if the consultants are held equally responsible along with contractors.
“I think in the Consultant Act, there is not a penalty, and that is our problem. So, you need to hold those consultants responsible,” he stated.
AG Sharma was at the time engaging the media after handing over the Auditor General’s Report for the 2024 fiscal year to the Speaker of the National Assembly on Thursday. This is the 21st Auditor General Report that Sharma has compiled.
Though he did not go into details of the report, which will be made public after being tabled in the National Assembly, the Auditor General noted that while there have been some improvements in the handling of public accounts, more still needs to be done to ensure that proper records are being kept of state spending and that the taxpayers’ dollars are spent wisely.
In fact, AG Sharma noted that the number of recommendations in this recent report has been reduced tremendously.
“There have been improvements in terms of logbooks. Almost all ministries have been presenting their logbooks. There have been improvements in terms of fuel management.
There have been improvements… [whereby] the contractors do not dispute the Audit Office in terms of our findings. We have been finding, through the engineering department, overpayments. They're still there, and that's an area we have to try to improve … Prevention is better than cure.”
Real-time audit
In the same breath, however, the Auditor General added, “…We are actually not doing post-mortem audits anymore. We are actually doing real-time audits in some of these projects. And even though we continue to have the overpayments, the Finance Secretary (Sukrishnalall Pasha) is there to ensure that all of these contractors either repay the money or do the work that they were paid for.”
According to AG Sharma, the Finance Secretary has also been actively working to ensure that all accounting officers within the public sector are not just compliant with the rules and practices in place but are also familiar with the penalties that they could face for any unlawful or negligent acts.
Under the Fiscal Management and Accountability (FMA) Act, the penalty clause for public officers is three years' imprisonment and a fine of $2 million. Similar provisions are also included in the Audit Act, but the Auditor General says his legal team needs to be bolstered so that his office could also play a role in ensuring that negligent public officers are held accountable.
“Under my Act, you could be imprisoned for five years if I found you guilty in the-
se areas. I think that is an area that I am looking for a legal person to work along with me so that when we send these cases to the legal departments, we should be able to surcharge some of these officers who are negligent,” Sharma stated.
Emerging sectors
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House Manzoor Nadir lauded the work done by the Audit Office to ensure transparency and accountability in public spending.
“You are responsible for auditing every single Government department, agency, and anywhere our tax dollar goes. You have the responsibility for preparing the audits for all of those resources. So, this is a monumental task,” he acknowledged.
Auditor General Deodat Sharma handed over the 2024 Report to Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir on Thursday
The 2024 Auditor General Report was presented to the National Assembly
Editor: Tusika Martin
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Strategic investments in women & girls
Guyana’s trajectory in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment stands as a compelling example of how strategic policy interventions can yield tangible results across society. At the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Dr Irfaan Ali highlighted the country’s deliberate and sustained investments in women and girls, underscoring the measurable outcomes that have emerged in leadership, education, and socio-economic participation. These developments are emblematic of a broader national strategy that situates women’s empowerment at the centre of Guyana’s development agenda.
Central to these achievements is the expansion of women’s leadership across Government, Parliament, and the private sector. The Guyanese experience demonstrates that when women are provided with opportunities and resources, their participation not only increases but also transforms institutions and industries historically dominated by men. Guyana’s Cabinet exemplifies this transformation, with several women occupying key Ministerial portfolios, including Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Local Government and Regional Development, Home Affairs, Education, Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Amerindian Affairs, Human Services and Social Security, and Housing. This representation is not merely symbolic; it reflects a substantive commitment to integrating women into decision-making processes at the highest levels of governance.
Education remains a cornerstone of Guyana’s approach. The achievement of gender parity at all levels of education is particularly noteworthy, signifying that girls now have equitable access to learning opportunities that prepare them for leadership and professional careers. Beyond access to education, the Government has actively promoted pathways for women to enter and excel in both traditional and emerging sectors of the economy. This approach recognises that education alone is insufficient; it must be accompanied by structural support that enables women to translate academic attainment into economic empowerment and leadership roles.
Complementing education are policies aimed at broader socioeconomic empowerment. Government initiatives have facilitated women’s ownership of land and homes, thereby enhancing financial independence and stability. Childcare support, including the rollout of day and night care centres, further reduces barriers to workforce participation, enabling women to balance professional responsibilities with familial obligations. Such interventions underscore the importance of creating an ecosystem that allows women to thrive across multiple dimensions of life: economic, social, and personal.
Recognition of these efforts extends beyond national borders. In 2024, First Lady Arya Ali received the Global Female Impact Leadership Award at the Global Power Women Conference in New York, a distinction that acknowledges her contributions to advancing the rights of women and girls. The award, presented to first ladies and female leaders worldwide, highlights strategic and compassionate leadership that drives social change, influences global policy, and delivers measurable impact. This recognition reinforces the notion that Guyana’s approach is both innovative and effective, attracting international commendation while serving domestic development objectives.
Despite these advances, sustaining progress requires ongoing commitment. President Ali emphasised that achieving and maintaining gender equity is contingent upon persistence, structural support, and a people-centred approach that prioritises empowerment across society. Policies aimed at ending poverty and hunger, protecting children, supporting persons with disabilities, and empowering young people are integral to creating an inclusive environment in which women can compete equally and successfully in the workforce. The Government’s strategy demonstrates an understanding that gender equality is not a standalone goal but an essential component of comprehensive national development.
Guyana’s experience offers lessons for other nations seeking to integrate gender equality into their development frameworks. Strategic investments in leadership, education, and socio-economic empowerment, combined with institutional and policy support, produce measurable dividends. Moreover, ensuring that women have equitable access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making positions strengthens governance, promotes social cohesion, and drives economic growth.
Guyana’s systematic approach to empowering women and girls reflects a mature understanding of the interplay between policy, opportunity, and societal transformation. The strides made in leadership representation, educational parity, and socio-economic inclusion are evidence of what sustained commitment and strategic planning can achieve. As the country continues on this trajectory, the challenge lies not only in maintaining these gains but in expanding them, ensuring that every woman and girl in Guyana has the tools, support, and opportunities necessary to fully realise her potential. Through such an approach, Guyana demonstrates that gender equality is a practical and transformative force for national development.
Leadership and professional ethics
By Nicholas McDaviD
Leadership and professional ethics are centre stage globally at this moment. The daily news cycle, from TVJ to the British Broadcasting Corporation, makes one thing clear – the world is in crisis. Better leadership and strong professional ethics are needed to rescue all of us!
My mission in this article is to highlight a ground-breaking degree programme recently developed at The University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Mona campus, offered by the Faculty of Humanities and Education. The leadership and professional ethics degree caught my attention due to my ongoing work as a Justice of the Peace (JP). I immediately saw how such a programme could amplify the service commitment and delivery of JPs for those who would be able to do it.
Why does this programme matter? Why am I promoting it? I want to set the stage further by declaring this is an independent perspective, not a promotional article veiled as something purpose-driven. This programme matters, and I am promoting it because I think this can change national and regional trajectories. We are under threat and exposure due to poor leadership and a lack of professional ethics. This programme is not the only solution required, but it sure can get us some strong frequent flier miles in that direction.
The Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Professional Ethics is an interdisciplinary degree, combining a core of philosophy courses with subjects from multiple faculties, including the Mona School of Business and Management, the
Department of Government, and the Institute of Caribbean Studies. Therefore, it is one of the most comprehensive degrees on offer and can help to shift paradigms. History shows that a single individual with strong leadership skills and the right ethics can change the world. A cornerstone of the programme is a year-long research in philosophy course in which students are advised to engage in qualitative research that offers a solution to any leadership problem identified, either in the public or private sector, using ethics as a guide. Former South African president and freedom fighter Nelson Mandela’s name evokes reverence and deep respect, and his example shows what a programme like this can one day achieve.
The UWI is a formidable institution with a strong legacy, but it’s time for it to reach its full potential. Against global standards, the UWI has not been innovating fast enough in terms of the future becoming the present. It faces challenges in training students to tackle shoulder-to-shoulder the ever-evolving shifts in the international labour market. The new leadership and professional ethics programme proves it is capable of bold, relevant change. This is my humble opinion based on closely observing the UWI for the past five years from a good vantage point.
Although not a teaching institute moulding students through course delivery and training, honourable mention goes to the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS), which permanently resides on the cutting edge, in no small part due to the leadership and professional ethics of
its leader, Professor Charles Grant. This is what progress looks like vis-à-vis the right kind of leadership.
The leadership and professional ethics degree is on time and on point for where we are locally, regionally, and globally with the rise in conflicts, reports of fraud, political dishonesty, and leadership that is out of touch, off base, and, in some cases, downright dangerous! The curriculum tackles a range of critical, modern challenges. Students take core courses like ethics and applied ethics and critical and ethical thinking, while also engaging with specific fields such as media ethics and legal issues, sports ethics, environmental ethics, and biomedical ethics.
The UWI has the opportunity to help with course correcting in an impact-driven way. This is not just for our students within the region but should be promoted further afield and truly electrify the exponential potential of The UWI as a global institution. All we need to do to change the world is to properly develop one leader at a time. I am advising that this programme be adopted as a go-to course for JPs, Government Ministries and agencies, public-serving and facing institutions, and more.
For professionals who may not be able to commit to a full degree, a minor in leadership and professional ethics is also available once enrolled in almost any degree track. This requires a prerequisite course in either ethics and applied ethics or introduction to leadership and then includes a range of ethics-focused subjects.
The leadership and professional ethics programme also needs to go a step further and develop a professional certificate in conjunction with The UWI STAR
(Short Term Academic Resources). The UWI STAR is another notable recent, very relevant development that will help to shift the region’s axis regarding upskilling, again in no small part due to the leadership and professional ethics of its leader, Dr Olivene Burke. Again, here, the right kind of leadership will be the catalyst for institutional progress. The need for ethical leadership is becoming more urgent as technology and artificial intelligence (AI) become intertwined with daily life. In Jamaica governance transparency and corruption remain challenges, while across the Caribbean Community (Caricom) there are efforts to integrate ethical standards into emerging technologies. Globally, the debate over AI ethics has intensified, with organisations like UNESCO and the World Economic Forum advocating for responsible AI development. To meet these complex challenges, human resource departments, especially within the Government, need to give education grants to employees who want to pursue this course. Similarly, the private sector must offer financial support to employees on aligned trajectories to complete this programme.
The UWI programme, under the stewardship of Dr Rotimi Omosulu, can provide the ethical foundation we need to build a more just and responsible future. (Jamaica Observer) (Nicholas McDavid is a Guyanese-Jamaican consultant in creativity and innovation, advising clients on impact-driven strategies and managing diverse creative projects. He is also a Justice of the Peace [JP] and passionate about local, regional, and global existential challenges.)
Visit to Kaicumbay and Katoka village, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), by Agriculture Department staff (Agriculture in Region 9 photos)
VPAC, Walton-Desir in public spat over FGM’s lone Parliamentary seat
…accusations of betrayal, threats mount
As the ongoing unravelling of the combined political opposition continues, infighting between the Vigilant People’s Action Committee (VPAC) and the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) took centre stage on Thursday, as the two sides have begun clashing on social media over the lone Parliamentary seat won by FGM in the September 1 General and Regional Elections.
VPAC, which is headed by businessman Dorwain Bess, came out swinging at FGM Leader Amanza Walton-Desir, issuing a statement accusing her of bullyism, dishonesty, opportunism, betrayal and proverbial theft just one day after Walton-Desir took to social media in a Facebook Live video to accuse an unnamed member of VPAC of threatening her via text message.
According to VPAC, Walton-Desir has proven “beyond doubt that she is unfit to speak of inclusivity”, while according to Walton-Desir, as a female leader, she will not be tolerating threats, being bullied, or being shouted at.
“Politics is often called a dirty game, and WaltonDesir has shown herself to be one of its dirtiest players,” the VPAC statement said.
“[Walton-Desir] cannot sell betrayal as leadership. She cannot silence her partners by twisting their words into “threats”. What she has shown is that her loyalty is not to principle, not to inclusion, and not to the people, but to herself alone. Amanza Walton-Desir has bullied her way through this coalition, lied to the public, and abandoned every principle she once claimed to stand for. VPAC will not be a pawn in her charade.”
In her video on Wednesday, Walton Desir said she was sent a text from a VPAC member stating, “Amanza, I am giving you one last chance to reconcile with VPAC or else”.
“I want it to be very clear that I do not take threats and bullying. He knows himself, and that is the last bit of grace that I will offer him,” Walton-Desir said, without naming the individ-
ual.
“As a woman in leadership, you do not call me or get into my inbox because you cannot get your way and issue an ultimatum that you will burn this bridge, and I take it very personally because the symbol of Forward Guyana is a bridge, so I want to be very clear: too many of our women are being lost to abuse and to bullying and to intimidation, and you see me as a female leader, and you believe that you could come and you could threaten me. I do not take threats.”
According to the VPAC statement, the party knows nothing of Walton-Desir being threatened. VPAC says Walton-Desir is hiding “behind her skirt” and “playing the victim”.
“Walton-Desir weaponised her gender, crying victimhood and pretending that being held accountable was an ‘attack on a woman’.” That is disgraceful. It is not courage; it is manipulation,” VPAC said.
Walton is a former executive of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and its umbrella coalition party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which she resigned from earlier this year to form the Forward Guyana (FG) party in June.
In July, FG coalesced with VPAC, which Bess formed in January, and The People’s Movement (TPM), headed by Lindener and religious leader Nigel London, forming the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM).
Walton-Desir was announced as the FGM presidential candidate, while London was later announced as the prime ministerial (PM) candidate. WaltonDesir is also the leader of the list of candidates submitted by FGM, meaning she is the only one empowered to write to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to appoint Members of Parliament (MP) for the party. FGM earned 4332 votes in the September 1 elections to gain its one seat.
Want their share of the single seat
According to VPAC, the coalition members had an understanding that any
Parliamentary seat won was to be rotated.
“The agreement was simple: the Parliamentary seats secured by our combined mandate would be rotated equally among the three partners. That was our pact,” the VPAC statement said.
Though GECOM had noted that a Parliament seat could not be shared between a “Joinder List”, the FGM seat could still be rotated given that the three sides submitted their List of Candidates as a single party and not as three separate parties.
According to VPAC, they want their share of the single seat, plain and simple. According to VPAC, WaltonDesir “anointed” herself the sole power broker and divvied up the seats in a 60:40 ratio between herself and London, leaving VPAC out in the cold.
“The Parliamentary seat belongs to the collective. It was won by three parties, not by Walton-Desir the individual. VPAC will fight for its rightful share of representation. We will not apologise for demanding honesty, inclusivity, and real leadership,” VPAC said.
Not denouncing racism VPAC is also accusing Walton-Desir of not denouncing racism.
“When a VPAC member pressed the coalition leader-
ship to denounce a blatantly racist public statement, Walton-Desir and London refused... VPAC demanded only an answer. Do you condone racism, yes or no?” VPAC said.
Infighting is quickly becoming a common thread in the collective political opposition, where resignations and power struggles are becoming the order of the day. The infighting has become particularly heightened with fewer Parliament seats to go around after the opposition lost traction and took fewer seats in the 65-seat National Assembly following the results of the last elections.
After gaining a combined 32 seats in the 12th Parliament, which began in 2020, when the dust settled after the 2025 elections, the combined opposition now has 29 seats to share, with the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) increasing its Parliament seats to 36. Of the opposition seats, the APNU holds 12, newcomer We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) holds 16, and FGM has its one seat.
Earlier this month, former executive of A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Althia King, accused WIN’s presidential candidate, United States
(US)-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed, of being “cut-throat” after ANUG coalesced with WIN for the elections but ANUG members were left off the roster when WIN MPs were announced. WIN has since denied the allegations. Over at the PNCR camp, the party’s Chairman, Shurwayne Holder; City Councillor, Robert Maison; and longstanding party member Mervyn Williams all resigned this month, allegedly over persons who were excluded from the list when APNU’s 12 MPs were announced by that party’s leader, Aubrey Norton.
Amanza Walton-Desir flanked by Dorwain Bess and Nigel London (Amanza Walton-Desir photo)
Page Foundation
Counting Principles Cont’d
Permutation Rule (Order Matters)
What is a permutation?
A permutation is an arrangement of things in a specific order.
Imagine 3 friends: Andrew (A), Brian (B), and Chris (C).
We want to line them up in order. Let’s try:
5. CAB
6. CBA
Using factorials, the 3 friends can be arranged as:
3! = 3 x 2 x 1 = 6.
The items (in this case, friends) to arrange are all the same, but the order they are in is different. Each arrangement is called a permutation.
The formula for permutation is as follows:
Where:
n = the total number of things you have (like total friends); “If we used everything, here are all the ways.”
r = how many of those things you want to arrange (like how many friends you’re lining up).
n! = "n factorial", as above (n−r)! = the extra items (if any) not being arranged, so we divide it out; it chops off the stuff we don’t need because we’re only arranging r of them.
Example 1:
How many ways can you arrange 4 friends in 2 seats?
There are 12 ways to arrange 4 friends in 2 seats.
Practice
1. How many ways can you arrange 7 friends in 3 chairs?
2. How many ways can 8 books be arranged on a shelf if only 5 are used?
3. A coach needs to pick 2 captains from 10 players. How many ways can this be done?
4. How many ways can 9 students stand in line if only 4 places are available?
By Tina Boyer Brown
Imagine the lunchroom, crowded and wary— seating charts a welcome apprehension.
Loose-leaf papers spiraled from ballpoint-scratched notebook covers until the last hour, when a teacher sighed and sighed.
Today, we close our backpacks, but minutes come quick and quit the ease of dawn.
[Source: Poetry (March 2021)]
1. Firstly, paint your tin can green with a sponge dabber. You can paint the base (grasshopper face) a lighter green by mixing green and white paint together.
2. Cut out two pointed ovals for the grasshopper’s wings from green cardstock.
3. For the antennas, stick two green
sticks together at an acute angle.
Stick the wings to the top of the can and the antennas to the front of the can (the Face).
5. To create the legs, glue two green craft sticks together at a wider angle. Try to
make both legs the same angle to make sure each side of the grasshopper is even.
6. Glue the legs to either side of the can. 7. Lastly, glue two googly eyes to the face of the grasshopper and draw a smile. (Adapted from www.bakerross.co.uk)
Clerk of National Assembly clarifies MP payments, discusses 13th Parliament
– says payments can be made via bank or cash as WIN MPs' accounts closed – 13th Parliament to be convened as soon as list of 65 new MPs submitted
Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs has explained that Members of Parliament (MPs) can be paid either via the bank or in cash.
His clarification comes on the heels of at least three local banks shutting down the accounts of several candidates associated with the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party, led by United States (US)sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed, which has since won 16 seats in the National Assembly at the recently held September 1 General and Regional Elections.
“We pay by bank, and we can pay by cash,” Isaacs told reporters on the side-lines of an event at the Parliament Buildings on Thursday.
“The person would be asked to submit his or her bank account to me. If I’m
told that the persons don’t have bank accounts, I’ll then pay them in cash. It would be their problem to get their money into the bank,” he added.
WIN MPs
Among the most recognisable names on the proposed Parliamentary slate for WIN are former A Partnership for National Unity-Alliance For Change (APNU-AFC) Ministers and MPs: ex-Minister of State and a respected Indigenous leader from Region Seven Dawn Hastings-Williams, once Minister of Public Service Tabitha SaraboHalley, another APNU defector who adds Parliamentary experience to WIN’s bench Natasha Singh-Lewis, and personal assistant to embattled former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield,
13-year-old boy with
Duarte Hetsberger.
Recently, Mohamed has been pushing for the local banks to restore the closed accounts of his party members, especially those poised to serve in the National Assembly. In fact, he was upbraided just last weekend for misrepresenting a conversation he had with the Governor General of the Bank of Guyana (BoG), Dr Gobind Ganga, on this matter.
Mohamed had claimed that he was advised by Dr Ganga on how to go about reinstating the bank accounts of WIN members that were shut down by several local banks.
However, in a statement late Saturday night, the Central Bank clarified the content of the conversation between the Central Bank Governor and Mohamed.
“Mr Mohamed has misrepresented the facts on social media,” the BoG stated.
According to the missive, “The Governor advised Mr Mohamed to withdraw his case against the commercial banks and affiliates to seek revaluation of their money laundering/terrorist financing risks, which is the responsibility of the commercial banks.”
In an article published on Saturday by online news entity Guyana Standards, Mohamed was quoted saying that the BoG head advised him to have his lawyer write to the various commercial banks that had closed
Guyanese
parentage shot dead in Queens, NY
A13-year-old boy of Guyanese parentage who was shot in the head at a Dunkin' Doughnuts in Queens three days ago has succumbed to his injuries while being treated at Cohen's Children's Hospital.
According to ABC Eyewitness News, the dead teen, Sanjay Samuel, a high school freshman, was in the Dunkin' Doughnuts parking lot with his friends on
Monday when someone came up on a scooter and shot him.
Detectives recovered surveillance video that indicates the shooting was targeted. Surveillance video of the shooting has not been released yet. Police believe the young teen was the intended target.
While Police have yet to make an arrest, they said they have identified a person of interest that they are
searching for. The teen had just started high school and was hoping to try out for the basketball team. The family say they want to donate Samuel's organs.
The victim's mother, Vilene Griffith, who spoke with ABC News, says her whole world fell apart after realising her boy, affectionately nicknamed "Peanut", is never coming home.
"Sanjay was the most joyful son I had." "My heart is overwhelmed with grief for my Sanjay."
"That's something that's unbelievable," Griffith said. "I'm numb, and I'm speechless. I'm just numb." She recalls their last conversation.
“He said, 'Mom, bye, I love you. See you this afternoon.' I said, 'Call me when you get there.'." she said. She never received that call.
"I'm so heartbroken because I would be at his bedside holding his hand talking to him. Daddy loves you. The whole family loves you. We want to see you come back, you know," said Sanjay's father, Theophilus Samuel.
more than 70 accounts belonging to WIN members.
Back in June 2024, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that it sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed, his father Nazar Mohamed and
several of their companies, including Mohamed’s Enterprise.
The sanctions are related to the evasion of taxes on gold exports, with OFAC noting that between 2019 and 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise omitted more than 10 thousand kilograms (kg) of gold from import and export declarations and avoided paying more than US$50 million in duty taxes to the Government of Guyana.
New Opposition Leader
Earlier this year, the younger Mohamed formed the WIN party and contested the recent polls, where he secured 16 seats in the National Assembly and ousted the People’s National Congress-led APNU as the main Parliamentary opposition. APNU only managed to earn 12 seats.
With its 16 seats, WIN is poised to become the
main Parliamentary opposition and Mohamed, the Opposition Leader.
While Mohamed has indicated his intention to take up the role as Leader of the Opposition, Isaacs explained that there is a process for this to be done.
“There would be a separate meeting, maybe at the first, if convenient, or the second sitting of the National Assembly. I would convene a meeting chaired by the Speaker of all opposition members only, and then he would ask to nominate a person or persons to be the Leader of the Opposition. If there are more than one person, we have the vote again. But only opposition members would be invited to that meeting, which would be chaired by the Honourable Speaker,” the National Assembly Clerk explained.
Consultants must be held...
Speaker Nadir, who served in the 12th Parliament and continues to hold the office until a new speaker is elected for the 13th Parliament, went on to note that Guyana has come a long way in the last four decades when it comes to public accounts and public audits, leading the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Commonwealth regions in this regard.
He further commended the Audit Office for taking the initiative to equip itself to tackle the emerging
sectors, including cybercrimes and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
During his presentation, AG Sharma had noted that 21 of his officers had attended seminars that exposed them to artificial intelligence and its applications to audit reports. He also mentioned another 30 audit officers were trained in the areas of cybercrime and cybersecurity.
According to Speaker Nadir, “This is one of the biggest areas of leakages and fraud, more particular-
ly as it relates to people getting into bank accounts electronically. I suspect right here in Guyana, our financial institutions get hit regularly but do not report it. And cyber security is much more than just stopping someone from penetrating and pilfering resources, but it's also about tracking where the money goes and how the systems are breached… So, to recognise these emerging challenges and to prepare the staff for them, there has to be great leadership.”
Dead: Sanjay Samuel
Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs
US-sanctioned businessman and WIN leader, Azruddin Mohamed
Assistant accountant charged with $5M theft at GECOM
Just over a week after reports surfaced of a $5 million theft at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has instituted charges against 30-yearold Dikimbie Gittens, an assistant accountant of Onderneeming, Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara.
The money reportedly went missing between September 15 and 16, 2025, from GECOM's Secretariat at Barrack and Fort Streets, Kingston, Georgetown.
After the Police were called in, Gittens was arrested on Monday, September 22, and
made his appearance before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrate's Court on Thursday, where a larceny by clerk or servant charge was read to him.
He was not required to plead to the charge and was remanded to prison until October 15, 2025.
Two days ago, the Police stated that they had recovered a small amount of the stolen $5 million in the possession of an assistant accounts clerk, who has since been taken into custody.
On Monday, the GPF said it had launched an investigation into the theft, with several employees being questioned.
Police destroy $62M worth of ganja along Demerara River
As Police continue their eradication exercise, approximately $62 million worth of cannabis found at Low Wood, Demerara River, was destroyed on Thursday. Police stated that a team travelled to Low Wood, where they discovered a roughly one acre plot of land containing about 1500 cannabis plants ranging from two to five feet in height.
In addition, a makeshift camp and drying area were
Essequibo fisherman gets $500K bail on rape charge
Twenty-year-old Norvin Oneil, a fisherman of Westbury, Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), was on Tuesday granted bail in the sum of $500,000 on a rape charge. The accused, who was accused of raping a female under the age of 16 be-
tween March 1 and May 21, 2024, appeared before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Anna Regina Magistrate's Court, where the indictable charge was read to him. He was not required to plead, but despite the prosecutor opposing bail, the young man was given his
pre-trial liberty under the condition that he reports every Friday to the Charity Police Station until the determination of the matter.
In addition, he is to make no contact with the victim. Oneil is expected to make his next court appearance on October 13, 2025.
also discovered a short distance away. The camp contained about 150 pounds of dried cannabis.
Further searches were conducted in the nearby bushes, during which a 12-gauge shotgun with its serial number filed off was found in a bag.
The camp, dried cannabis estimated at $61,234,920, and plants with a value of $508,200 were all set alight and destroyed by police.
Dealing with… …foreign
The annual September meeting of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) presents an opportunity for leaders of the 200-odd members of the UN – and some of them are VERY odd!! – to speak directly to each other! This year, about 150 of them showed up – even though there’s a lot of talk about the growing ineffectualness of the organisation formed eighty years ago at the end of WWII. While it hasn’t been successful in having its members turn their swords into ploughshares, at least there hasn’t been another World War!!
Your Eyewitness was a tad surprised President Trump bothered to show up since, as he said in his presentation, the UN has failed abysmally to prevent its members from using force against each other to settle differences. Case in point, of course, being Israel in Gaza and Mad Maduro’s Sindicatos attacking our soldiers!! But then, the annual meet does give Trump a bully pulpit in his hometown to speak loudly while wielding his big stick!! Europe and the UN bore the brunt of his ire this year!! President Ali was also there, and as he reported, Trump immediately praised Guyana when they encountered each other – a sign of the growing stature of our admittedly tiny state. And it should be noted that Pressie didn’t shy away from calling for recognition of a Palestinian state!!
We’re of significance not only because of our gushing oil production – heading inexorably towards 1,500,000 barrels/day – but because of two other factors. Firstly, that oil’s being produced by an American company, Exxon, which guarantees an American security shield. Then, we’re strategically positioned next to the drugsmuggling dictator Mad Maduro, who’s in Trump’s crosshairs in his War on Drugs!! Pressie met Secretary of State Mario Rubio to discuss this and other pressing issues – like those pesky tariffs!!
With NYC being our unofficial Region 11 – with probably as many Guyanese there as at home! – Pressie also had to make the obligatory meet-and-greet with them. He made an impassioned call for some of them to return home – not only out of patriotism, but also because of the fantastic business opportunities available to them!! These opportunities aren’t just to renew passports to collect pensions and cash grants!! Your Eyewitness hopes they’ll heed Pressie’s call and not complain later that foreigners are reaping the benefits of our development!! Sadly, too many of them just showed up for the photo ops and the free finger food!! Too late!, shall be the cry amid the weeping of tears and the gnashing of teeth!!
At a minimum, our Guyanese in NYC should organise themselves as a voting block for NYC politics. They’d then be in a position to leverage their numbers for their own –and Guyana’s – benefit!!
…tempests in teacups
The 13th Parliament hasn’t even been convened, and already there’s all kinds of drama playing out in the Opposition camp!! Most, including your Eyewitness, had expected this from Sanction Man’s WIN camp after some stalwarts like Doggie and Fatta didn’t snag their expected roles!! Like Doggie being the finance minister, for which he was quite qualified after doling out so much of Sanction Man’s ill-gotten gains to bring in the Scrapes!!
No… the drama’s come from within the FGM, into which two other entities – Dorwin Bess’s V-PAC and Nigel London’s TPM – had coalesced!! Bess clearly considered himself as the vote getter who secured their one ticket to Parliament!! And posted on Facebook, he should be getting that ticket!! After leader Amanda anointed herself as the sole MP, cloaking herself in the vestments of womanhood, she claimed a supporter of Bess threatened her!!
The fella had evidently simply been calling for her to condemn some racist statements about “coolies”!!
Shades of “intellectually lazy PPP supporters”!!
…Sanction Man’s Lambo
The Acting Chief Magistrate transferred, Sanction Man’s alleged false customs declaration on his Lambo case to another court. He’d claimed the vehicle cost US$75,300 rather than its US$695,000 purchase price –evading $380 million in taxes. Hot potato?
Charged: Dikimbie Gittens
The dried cannabis found during the exercise
A gun was found lying in a nearby clump of bushes after further searches were conducted
Marijuana plants found on the farm, and the camp, were destroyed during the police exercise
Charged: Norvin Oneil
2 dead, 1 critical in 2-vehicle smashup along Linden-Soesdyke Highway
A2-vehicle collision at Loo Creek, Linden/ Soesdyke Highway, in the wee hours of Thursday has left two persons dead and another battling for his life.
Dead are Da Tai Lei, a 54-year-old Chinese national, and 87-year-old Edward Singh, both of Lethem, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo).
Tai Lei was the owner of the Maimi Store in the Lethem Commercial Zone, while Singh operated a trucking service from Georgetown to Lethem.
The accident, according to reports, involved a motor lorry bearing registration number GAH 5391, driven by a 31-year-old from Ruimveldt, Georgetown,
and pickup PAE 6499 driven by Da Tai Lei.
Wen Wu Lei, a 41-yearold Chinese national, and Edward Singh were reportedly occupants of the pickup at the time.
Police stated that the lorry developed mechanical problems and was left unattended along the LindenSoesdyke Highway in the vi-
cinity of Loo Creek without any reflectors or any other warning appliances placed to the rear, front, or side to alert other road users.
However, the pickup, which was proceeding along the roadway allegedly at a fast rate, reportedly collided with the rear of the lorry, during which the driver and the occupants sustained injuries.
Da Tai Lei and Singh reportedly died on the spot, while Wen Wu Lei was taken to a city hospital where he remains in critical condition. The driver of the lorry was taken into custody.
After the news spread about the accident, the Karaudarnau Village Council described Singh as a "true friend of our village". He was the first trucking service from Georgetown to Lethem. He bought peanuts, flour and other goods
from our village. He was a top mechanic specialised in tractor mechanics, and the other one did it for our village,” the Village Council stated.
In addition, it stated that
Singh’s generosity has no bounds. “He touched countless lives through his kindness and willingness to help others. He was a pioneer in the Rupununi, and his absence will be felt by all.”
Dead: Edward Singh
The mangled van after the accident
The truck that was parked along the roadway without reflectors
Auditor General’s office building capacity in oil & gas sector
The Audit Office of Guyana (AOG) is currently building capacity in a number of new areas, including the oil and gas sector, and is looking to increase its trained staff to adequately scrutinise the burgeoning industry.
The Auditor General’s office is responsible for conducting annual audits of public accounts, financial transactions or operations and financial statements.
To this end, several AOG officers have been undergoing various training programmes around the world to strengthen their competence in the oil and gas sector.
Lamenting that his office does not have adequate staff to carry out its mandate, Auditor General Deodat Sharma on Thursday disclosed that there is a need to increase the complement of oil experts in his office.
“I’m now building the oil and gas sector section. That’s an area that I sent to the Public Accounts Committee, and I was sent back [by] the Public Accounts Committee to increase the numbers there.
That’s a new area that we are looking at,” Sharma said as he handed over the 2024 Auditor General Report on Thursday.
According to the Auditor General, there are currently three or four officers who are equipped to tackle the oil and gas sector, but this number needs to be doubled.
“The last Public Accounts Committee made me understand that’s what I need now, although it was rejected. It was about eight or nine members that I wanted into that section, so that will go to the new
Public Accounts Committee [for approval],” he noted. Meanwhile, to build its
to attend the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI’s) Meeting of the Working Group in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Additionally, through the sponsorship of CAAF, two AOG officers also attended “Introduction to Environmental Auditing” at the International Centre for Environmental Audit and Sustainable Development (iCED) in Jaipur, India.
Further strengthening
audits, conducting two more oil audits of Exxon’s expenses in Guyana. In the second audit, done by a consortium of local and international firms, including VHE Consulting, for the period 2018 to 2020, Exxon has responded to the audit findings. Moreover, VHE Consulting also won the contract to conduct the third cost oil audit for 2021 to 2023.
These hired firms were expected to work along with the Audit Office, training
capacity in the oil and gas industry, the AOG participated in a workshop on Auditing the Extractive Industries – Oil and Gas for Members of Parliament and Officers of the Audit Office that was hosted by the Canadian Audit and Accountability Foundation (CAAF), which had a seven-year partnership with the local audit office that has since expired.
That workshop was facilitated by former Canadian Members of Parliament (MPs) and officers from two Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) within the African Organisation of Englishspeaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E), that is, Uganda and Rwanda, which are both members of the Working Group on Audit of Extractive Industries (WEGI).
Following this workshop, Guyana was accepted into WEGI membership, thus allowing the country
the Audit Office’s competence in the oil and gas sector, three officers attended crude oil training which was facilitated by the Ministry of Natural Resources, focusing on marketing terminology and sovereign hedging programmes.
Cost oil audits
Over the years, the Guyana Government has been outsourcing experts, both local and overseas, to audit the expenses of ExxonMobil, the US-based company that is conducting oil production operations offshore.
Thus far, three cost oil audits have been conducted. In 2019, British firm IHS Markit conducted an audit of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited’s (EMGL) cost oil expenses incurred between 1999 and 2017 from its operations in Guyana and flagged US$214.4 million as questionable costs.
Since then, however, private local firms have taken over the cost of oil
officers there on how they conduct their work and compile their reports. But according to AG Sharma, this is yet to be done.
“The three audits that were presently done were conceptualised so that eventually the Audit Office should be able to take them over. Unfortunately, I have not seen any of those reports to date, so I’m still awaiting the final report. [But] the Guyana Revenue Authority, they are actually doing some aspect of [the auditing of the oil and gas sector], which I audit.”
“But the actual auditing, in terms of the oil and gas sector, I cannot audit what is happening out there [offshore]. It would involve legal people, many, many engineers… So, what I will do is audit the sectors that are responsible to monitor what is happening out there, like the Guyana Revenue Authority – presently, I’m auditing that… The other sectors, such as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), are the areas that I’m going to be auditing for their responsibility, and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency),” AG
Sharma explained. Only earlier this year, Guyana’s growing capacity to perform its own cost oil audits, and audits in other extractive sectors, was recognised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), though they also noted that more work is needed to ensure audit reports are published in a timely manner.
Following the 2025 Article IV Consultation with Guyana, the IMF back in March made note of Guyana’s continued implementation of reforms. As a matter of fact, they pointed out that these reforms will further strengthen fiscal transparency and anti-corruption frameworks, including in extractive industries.
“Internal audit capabilities are expanding, and more effort is needed to ensure a timely publication of audit reports of some public companies and local authorities. In line with the recommendations of the MESICIC 2024 report, work is ongoing in multiple areas to strengthen anti-corruption efforts,” the IMF had noted.
Auditor General Deodat Sharma
“Strategic investment, political will can transform regional food systems” – President Ali tells global leaders
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that Guyana is leading the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) Vision 2030 Agri-Food Systems Agenda, with the aim of boosting food production, ending hunger, and ensuring food security across the Caribbean.
He urged global leaders to accelerate the transformation of global food systems to make them more resilient, sustainable, and equitable, particularly by strengthening local production and reducing reliance on volatile external markets.
“Guyana is actively leading efforts to advance the CARICOM Agri-Food Systems Agenda through Vision 2030, aiming to boost food production, end hunger, and ensure food security across the Caribbean region. Our experience demonstrates that strategic investment and political will can transform national and regional food systems. Guyana calls for the transformation of global food systems to be more resilient, sustainable, and equitable by strengthening local production and reducing dependence on volatile markets,” the Head of State said.
The Vision 25 by 2025 Food and Nutrition Security Initiative is a long-term social and economic partnership between Caricom Member States, the regional private sector, regional organisations, producer groups, development partners and civil society.
It outlines actions and critical areas of intervention to tackle the rising food import bill and reduce food insecurity, improve intra-regional trade, and create wealth and economic opportunity for every Caricom Member State.
Caricom Member States are among the most vulnerable small-island developing states (SIDS) whose agriculture sectors remain highly exposed to the effects of climate change.
Changes in weather patterns such as heavier rainfall and harsher dry seasons, among other changes, continue to have disastrous effects on the output and productivity of agriculture sectors. In this regard, stakeholders from within CARICOM have been very strategic in the steps they have taken towards addressing the issue.
As the UN marks its 80th anniversary, President Ali reminded delegates of
the organisation’s founding purpose. “This organisation was conceived not in comfort but in crisis, forged from the ashes of war to serve as the conscience and compass of humanity. Eight decades later, that duty has not dimmed – it has only grown more urgent,” he stated.
The Guyanese Head of State also emphasised that for the UN to remain effective in addressing modern challenges, bold institutional reforms are necessary to strengthen its ability to act decisively on the world’s most pressing issues.
“Guyana stands ready to share its experience and partner with others to ensure nutritious food for all... If the UN is to remain humanity's best hope, it must stand firm against aggression and remain fully engaged with the great question of our time. We must be bold in recognising the necessity for institutional adjustments that will advance the organisation's success,” he said.
Climate financing, biodiversity protection to meet SDG targets
Further, the Guyanese leader has called on the international community to deliver predictable and ac-
cessible climate finance to support adaptation, resilience, and nature-based solutions, warning that the slow pace of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) threatens the 2030 promise.
In his address to the UN General Assembly, the President commended Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s Bridgestone Initiative as a path toward sustainable climate financing and urged renewed global commitment to development financing,
including fulfilment of official aid pledges, mobilisation of domestic resources, and addressing the crippling debt burdens faced by developing nations.
Highlighting Guyana’s leadership in climate and biodiversity protection, President Ali also pointed to the inaugural Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit, hosted in Georgetown in July 2025.
The President stressed that Guyana is demonstrating the balance between
economic growth and environmental stewardship by transitioning from heavy fuel oil to natural gas while investing in hydropower, solar, wind, and other renewables.
“Guyana calls for renewed global commitment to financing for development, including fulfilling official development assistance pledges, mobilising domestic resources, and addressing the crippling debt burdens that hinder progress in many developing nations. Addressing these development challenges requires recognising that the health of our ecosystems is inseparable from achieving the SDGs. Guyana proudly convened the inaugural Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit in Georgetown in July 2025, uniting over 140 countries, organisations, community groups, indigenous leaders, scientists, and financial institutions… Building on the global pledge to double protected areas by 2025 and achieve the 30 by 30 goal by 2030, the summit underscored the urgent need for innovative financing mechanisms, including biodiversity credit, green bonds, and debt-fornature swaps to fund nature's protection,” he added.
Berbice Expo set for Oct 31 - Nov 3
Berbice
Expo and Trade Fair will be held from October 31 to November 3 at the Rosehall Canje Welfare Ground.
The 19th edition of the trade exposition was launched on Wednesday by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh.
This year, the Expo will be held under the theme “Harnessing New Wealth: Modernising Traditional Sectors for Sustainable Economic Development”.
The annual event, which is hosted by the Central Corentyne Chambers of Commerce (CCCC), caters to 180 exhibitors.
According to the Treasurer of the Chamber, Tajpaul Adjodha, although the launch is taking place now, many of the booths have already been taken up.
At the launch held at the Chamber’s Rose Hall Town office, Adjodha said that one-third of the booths for the upcoming event have already been sold, urging interested exhibitors to register early. He explained that the venue at the franchise’s ground poses a major constraint, as it cannot accommodate all those who wish to participate.
Adjodha further noted that the food franchise has already been fully booked, with more than 20 additional requests that could not be accommodated. The beverage franchise is also completely sold out. He high-
lighted that this year’s event will see increased participation from companies in the construction sector, many of which have already confirmed their bookings.
Meanwhile, President of the organisation Poonai Bhigroog, speaking of the theme chosen this year, said it was timely since Region Six is currently experiencing a transformation.
Hence, there is a need to position oneself to benefit from the development.
“Guyana is at a historic moment in its development with the emergence of new industries and opportunities right here in Berbice, particularly in oil and gas, energy, and technology. At the same time, our traditional pillars, agriculture, fishery, forestry, rice, sugar, and tourism, remain central to our economy and our people's livelihood. The challenge before
us, and indeed the opportunity, is to bridge these two realities.”
The Chamber’s head said to do this; as a people, we must embrace the wealth and innovation of new sectors while ensuring that our traditional industries are modernised through technology, training and investment,” Bhigroog added.
This is the 20th anniversary of the first Berbice Expo being held, and it has been held consistently, skipping two years due to COVID-19, making this the 19th edition.
Region Six Chairman David Armogan pointed out that the CCCC needs to be congratulated for its sustainability.
He noted that many organisations, after a few years, might have faltered.
“But this is a resilient organisation… They have al-
ways been engaged in activities, not only for the country's development and for the region's development, but also for the individual members' development, which is a good thing for the Chamber here in the region,” Armogan pointed out.
He said that there are many opportunities for growth and development in the business sector. Hence, it is expected that this year the Expo will be able to showcase a number of new businesses that have been set up within the region and outside of the region.
“This is not only an opportune time for businesses to showcase their products, but it is also an opportune time for the people of this region to be able to see what is available and to be able to make important choices. It is a time when people bring their families and have a good time at the Expo. So, it is a family gathering, it is a
business gathering, and it is a gathering that speaks well for the region. In our region, there are many things happening. And today, we have seen exponential growth in many sectors, not only in the infrastructure but also in housing, in education, in local government, and in the sectors of agriculture. Aquaculture, agriculture, and all the other areas.”
Meanwhile, in launching Expo 2025, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said now is the time for persons to pay attention to what the government is doing as it relates to developing the country as a whole, pointing out that persons should be thinking about the opportunities, identifying the opportunities instead of just sitting back and waiting and wondering what might happen.
“Those who succeed are those who pay keen attention to the plans that have been outlined by our gov-
ernment, because you know that you have in this government a government that will deliver on its commitments, and you know what we have committed to deliver for Region Six. So, those who will succeed and succeed most greatly or most substantially are those who pay keen attention to the plans that have been outlined, and I know many of you are doing so and have done so and are already investing in anticipation.”
“And you look down the road to anticipate what the opportunities are that will arise and where they will arise and how you should position yourself to be ready to expand your business or even to get into new lines of business in response to this reality that will be unfolding in Region Six.”
The Berbice Expo is considered the largest event in the region, with over 30,000 persons attending the fourday event.
(From left) President of CCCC, Poonai Bhigroog; Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, and Region Six Chairman David Armogan
Dr Ashni Singh along with regional officials and CCCC members at the launch
President Dr Irfaan Ali at the UN General Assembly
80th United Nations General Assembly
President Ali meets global leaders, strengthens Guyana’s strategic partnerships
President Dr Irfaan Ali, accompanied by First Lady Arya Ali and a high-level delegation, is participating in the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Guyana’s delegation in-
and Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, among others.
On the side-lines of the Assembly, President Ali joined global leaders at a
cludes Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, Guyana’s leading cardiologist Dr Mahendra Carpen
held bilateral talks with several international partners. He met with Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Reem Bint Ebrahim AlHashimy, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister
luncheon hosted by the Bill Clinton Global Initiative, where discussions centred on collective responses to global challenges.
Engagement with Global leaders
The Head of State also
of State for International Cooperation. Talks focused on strengthening bilateral ties and advancing opportunities for collaboration in development and investment.
On Wednesday, the Guyanese leader also en-
gaged with United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who congratulated him on his re-election and pledged deeper cooperation with Guyana, particularly in the areas of military collaboration, security, and economic development.
During a private high-level engagement, both President Ali and Secretary Rubio highlighted the importance of the existing strategic partnership in advancing regional security, especially to support regional efforts in the fight against narco-terrorism and transnational crimes.
Address to the General Assembly
Meanwhile, in his ad-
dress to the General Assembly, President Ali outlined the pressing crises confronting humanity – including genocide in Palestine, the war in Ukraine, humanitarian emergencies in Sudan and Haiti, and the threats of cybercrime and disinformation. He stressed that the United Nations’ credibility rests on upholding its Charter, protecting human rights, and ensuring that principles, not power, guide global governance.
Against this backdrop, he reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to international law in the face of
Guyanese Diaspora in New York, Ali renewed calls for citizens living abroad to return and invest in the many opportunities that are becoming available in the country, telling the gathering that they need to witness the rapid transformation that is unfolding back home.
President Ali told members of the Guyanese Diaspora that persons are no longer fleeing the country but returning as a result of the development currently unfolding at a rapid pace.
“For those who left a long time ago, the Guyana
Venezuela’s aggression, called for justice for Cuba, advocated stronger financing for sustainable development, and urged greater inclusion of developing countries in decision-making. He underscored the urgent need for bold climate action, reforms to restore stability in Haiti, and accelerated efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Guyanese Diaspora
During engagements at a reception on Tuesday evening hosted by the
of today is not the Guyana of yesterday. We are no longer the land that people run from. We are now the land that people are running toward… Every single person in the room knows who we are. We are the fastest-growing economy in the world. We are a land of opportunities,” President Ali declared.
To this end, he outlined his Government’s plans for Guyana’s continued development and assured Guyanese living abroad that they too are welcome to participate in the country’s transformation.
The Guyanese President alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
The President at a luncheon organised by Bill Clinton
President Dr Irfaan Ali with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, Guyana’s leading cardiologist Dr Mahendra Carpen, and Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, among others
President Ali with the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy
President Dr Irfaan Ali with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Adel al-Jubeir
Govt, millers continue talks as global surpluses pressure paddy prices
Agriculture Minister
Zulfikar Mustapha, along with a team of senior officers from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), met with millers to continue engagements as paddy prices for the second crop continue to fluctuate across the country. With the second crop of the year ongoing, which is expected to yield over 800,000 tonnes, farmers continue to seek the Government’s intervention to secure higher prices for their paddy.
During the meeting, Mustapha, according to a release from the Agriculture Ministry, said that the GRDB has been monitoring the global rice production and market
trends. He also said that it was in the best interest of the sector for farmers to benefit from the best prices and that the Government is actively working to reduce
Robbery suspect remanded on narcotics trafficking charge
Alim Fareed, 38, a construction worker from Corriverton, Corentyne Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where he pleaded not guilty to a trafficking narcotics charge.
Fareed was reportedly arrested on September 22, 2025, at Huist Dieren, Essequibo Coast, with 584 grams (g) of cannabis.
During his court appearance, he denied the allegation, and as such, he was remanded to prison until
October 17, 2025. Fareed was implicated in the robbery of Andrea Singh, a hotdog vendor from Huist Dieren Public Road, Essequibo Coast, who was on Monday relieved of four gold rings, a gold band, GY$1.5 million, and US$2410 by two masked men posing as Ministry of Finance employees.
It was reported that at about 13:30h on the day in question, Singh was sitting in a hammock with her one-year-old child while her grandmother was in the kitchen. The suspects ap-
Essequibo labourer charged, granted bail for robbing businessman
Thirty-four-yearold Alvin Tucker, of Henrietta, Essequibo Coast, was accused of robbing Rakesh Samaroo, a businessman of Cotton Field, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), and was granted bail after pleading not guilty to the allegation.
The accused appeared before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read to him.
Charged: Alvin Tucker
After denying the accusation, he was released on $50,000 bail on the condition that he report to the Anna Regina Police Station every other Friday of the month pending the commencement of trial. He is due back in court on November 11, 2025.
Charged: Alim Fareed
proached the gate, claiming they were checking for pensioners. When Singh confirmed one lived there, they asked to see her grandmother’s identification card.
Once inside, Fareed and another male reportedly pulled a gun, restrained Singh and her grandmother, and took the jewellery. They then forced Singh into her bedroom, where she handed over the cash.
Following the robbery, Singh raised an alarm. Acting on a tip, the AntiCrime Patrol found Fareed hiding nearby with a haversack containing GY$700,000, US$1570, €230, and 584g of cannabis. He admitted to the robbery.
A second suspect, from No. 76 Village, Corentyne Berbice, was arrested with GY$291,000, US$20, and a toy gun. Two of the stolen rings were recovered from an abandoned house, along with another haversack containing US$820.
the cost of production, adding that approximately $2 billion was expended to procure fertiliser for farmers for 2025.
While acknowledging that global prices vary, the millers noted that global markets are becoming fewer and more competitive, with large producers of rice like India having huge quantities of rice on the market.
India’s exports account for around 40 per cent of global rice exports, and it is expected to export 22.5 million tonnes this year.
According to Reuters, India's rice stocks in Government warehouses climbed over 14 per cent from a year earlier to a record high for early September, with state reserves of rice, including raw paddy, totalling a record
48.2 million metric tonnes as of September 1, far exceeding the Government's target of 13.5 million tonnes for July 1.
Further, as of September 1st, the Filipino Government implemented a 60-day import halt on rice, adding to the woes of global rice exporters. The Philippines is the world’s largest rice importer.
Mustapha said that the Government has been investing in research, inputs and critical infrastructure to support rice production in Guyana. He said while there are challenges globally as it relates to prices, farmers should be able to benefit from better prices.
Some millers said that they were losing given the current world market prices
because of their cost of production. While offers were made for the GRDB to work along with millers to assess the cost of production, some millers maintained that the cost of production cannot be the determining factor when determining the price farmers receive for paddy.
One miller also said while one price is set in a contract, those prices change based on the current market price at the time the rice is sold, and in order to maintain that market, those prices have to be accepted.
Mustapha said that the Government will continue to work with stakeholders to come up with immediate and long-term solutions to all issues faced in the sector.
Last week, President Dr Irfaan Ali met with rice farmers from the Corentyne Coast and reminded farmers that while Government investments have boosted the sector through new high-yielding varieties and critical infrastructure, external pressures remain. He explained that global market conditions, particularly surpluses from major producers like India, have pushed down rice prices. In response, the Head of State said that the Government will move to establish modern storage facilities across all rice-producing regions to strengthen resilience and give farmers greater flexibility in storing their paddy over longer periods of time.
GOGEC congratulates ExxonMobil on US$6.8B Hammerhead project approval
The Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) has congratulated ExxonMobil Guyana on receiving Government approval and reaching the final investment decision (FID) for the Hammerhead project, the company’s seventh major offshore development on the Stabroek Block.
The project represents an additional US$6.8 billion investment in Guyana’s oil and gas sector. Production is expected to begin in 2029 and will add approximately 150,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd). Once operational, the Hammerhead development will bring the total installed capacity across the seven sanctioned projects on the Stabroek Block to about 1.5 million bpd.
President of GOGEC Manniram Prashad
According to GOGEC, total committed investment in the Stabroek Block now exceeds US$60 billion. Since oil production began in 2019, more than US$7.8 billion has been deposited into Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund. In addition,
ExxonMobil Guyana and its partners have spent over US$2.9 billion with local suppliers since 2015. Current production stands at about 650,000 bpd and is projected to surpass 900,000 bpd by the end of this year. The chamber noted that these developments are significantly shaping Guyana’s economy through revenue generation, job creation, and supplier engagement.
GOGEC said ExxonMobil Guyana continues to set benchmarks in project execution and local content development, highlighting the Hammerhead project as another step in expanding opportunities for Guyanese workers and businesses.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during the meeting
Millers who attended the meeting virtually
2020 Elections fraud trial
Ramson tells court of locked doors, premature declarations, long attempt to serve recount letter
Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr testified that a desire to “protect our democracy” and a fear of the consequences of electoral fraud drove him to persist despite failed attempts to deliver a request for a recount of the 2020 Region Four election results after Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo made a suspicious and premature declaration using figures later found to be inaccurate.
Ramson was at the time giving testimony when proceedings in the election fraud case continued before Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. During his testimony, Ramson recounted his experience participating in the Region Four vote tabulation process from March 2 to 6, 2020, at the Ashmin’s Building in Georgetown. He stated that on March 5, after Mingo declared results later deemed fraudulent, he spent at least an hour attempting to deliver a recount request to either Mingo or Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairperson, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh.
“We have to protect our democracy,” Ramson noted when questioned by the prosecution on why he continuously tried to deliver the recount request letter despite being unable to reach anyone.
“Our country should never face the hardship that comes with having rigged elections and an unelected Government. I’ve seen across the world how that [has caused] damage in many countries.I also saw how it damaged us [Guyanese] in the period in the late 80s when I grew up. I saw that there is a direct correlation between having an unelected Government through a rigged election and the fortunes and the well-being of the country. I also had some experiences in 2015, and I know that I didn’t want to see that happen for us
as a country.”
Mingo is among nine individuals currently facing 19 charges of conspiracy to commit electoral fraud for the events that occurred following the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections (GRE). They are accused of attempting to tamper with the results to tip the elections in favour of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) political party, while also decreasing votes for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). Following a 5-month delay and a recount process, the PPP/C was later found to be the winner of the elections.
In 2020, Ramson was a candidate and election agent for the PPP/C. An attorney by profession, Ramson noted that being aware of the statutory time limit to delivering a written request of recount by noon of the day following a declaration, immediately following the declaration, he sought to deliver a recount request letter to Mingo.
Locked doors
However, he found nothing but locked doors on the second-floor rooms, which were being used as GECOM offices at Ashmin’s Building, which was the GECOM Command Centre at the time. Ramson recalled continuously knocking on several of the doors in 15-minute increments.
“I proceeded up the stairs to deliver that letter, but the offices were locked… I was unsuccessful because the offices were closed. All of the doors on that second floor had the handles removed from the outside, so no one could actually turn the handles,” Ramson explained. Notwithstanding the locked doors, he continued to wait.
“I waited [even] after I was unsuccessful. I waited for at least an hour. I was rapping on the doors in approximate-
ly 15-minute intervals, where I would just do an entire circle of every door. In between [the doors] there was a section with glass… I rapped on the glass, and I rapped on the doors, just hoping that somebody would receive my letter to receive a recount,” Ramson noted.
Ramson testified to spending most of his time from March 2 to 5 at the Ashmin’s Building, outside of only leaving the premises to go home to take a short nap and shower.
Prior to trying to serve Mingo with a request for recount, he remembered objecting to the declaration even as it was being made by Mingo, particularly because the declaration could not legally be done without completion of the verification of the Statement of Polls (SoPs) from the various polling stations.
“I know that the verification exercise was not completed, and I know that the law said that it was required to be done and ascertained based on the Statement of Polls. So if that had not been done, then a declaration cannot be made,” Ramson noted.
“No!” “Stop it!”
Ramson recalled that as Mingo made the declarations, persons could be heard exclaiming phrases including “No!”, “Stop it!”, and “You are
Bosai strike ends after Labour Ministry brokers terms of resumption
The strike action by workers of the Bosai Bauxite Mining Company in Linden has been called off, following successful intervention by the Labour and Manpower Planning Ministry on Thursday. Chief Labour Officer
Dhaneshwar Deonarine chaired a meeting between the company’s management and representatives of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), where a Terms of Resumption agreement was signed. Under the agreement, the union committed to calling off the strike with immediate effect and ensuring that
all workers resume duties on Friday, September 26.
The terms also provide that there shall be no victimisation by either party and that the status quo ante remains in effect.
As part of the process, both the company and the union will return to the Ministry of Labour on Monday, September 29, for conciliation talks.
These discussions are expected to address all outstanding issues that led to the industrial action, with the aim of reaching an amicable and fair resolution.
The Labour and Manpower Planning Ministry, in a statement, reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a stable and harmonious industrial relations climate, welcoming the constructive step taken by both sides to end the strike and pursue conciliation in good faith.
trying to steal the elections!”
Ramson noted that persons he observed at the Command Centre during his time there included representatives of the various contesting political parties, observers, and several members of the diplomatic corps, including the then United States Ambassador, as well as the Canadian, British and European Union High Commissioners. Ramson said following the declaration, he did not see Mingo again until later that evening when Mingo was escorted out of the
building under police guard.
According to Ramson, he later encountered the then Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers, who facilitated his handing over of the letter to Mingo’s clerk, Michelle Miller. Miller is also a co-accused in the current matter.
Under cross-examination Ramson acknowledged that he is a colleague of a family member of Miller’s but denied that he ever contacted Miller directly via telephone and implored her to cooperate with the police.
Ramson also testified that he later recounted his involvement in the events to police on August 28, 2020, in the presence of Mingo, during an investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Cross-examination
Ramson was cross-examined by attorneys for the defence, Nigel Hughes and Eusi Anderson, while the other defence attorneys declined cross-examination. The proceedings will continue today.
9 homeless after CWC fire
Nine people are now homeless after a two-storey house went up in flames at Crabwood Creek on Thursday. Among those now homeless are seven children.
The fire reportedly destroyed a wooden and concrete house at Grant 1804, Crabwood Creek, Corentyne. At the time of the inferno, Sheneza Yussuf and her seven children were at home.
She recalled sitting in a hammock under the house when her 15-year-old informed her that something was burning.
According to the 41-yearold mother, she and her husband had been occupying the house for the past eight years.
At the time, her husband, a construction worker, was not at work.
Among the things destroyed were school items, including clothing for the five children.
“Washer and dryer machine, microwave, freezer, fridge, TV, gas stove, microwave, computer, jewelry, but I can't really tell, I got much more, so much clothes, I didn't [save any] clothes,
his heart, but one hole he left, he has Down syndrome and a heart problem… All my son's paper, my doctor's paper, all gone,” the visibly traumatised mother said.
The fire also destroyed two bicycles belonging to the family and a third, which a relative had left in the yard, bracing against the front fence.
“And then my husband's tools, lots of tools he bought only last year,” Yussuf continued.
However, the mother initially suggested that garbage was being burnt at a makeshift dump site in the area, but her son pointed out that no smoke was seen coming from that area.
This prompted her to venture to the upper flat, where she discovered smoke coming from the circuit box.
“I go up, the room at the front here, there the fuse box, just me look up… The fire was there at the fuse box, and the fire was coming down so fast that I just tell my kids to run, because the fire was upstairs. I didn't get to save nothing; just a couple of papers, that's all,” she revealed.
all my clothes are gone… All my children school items destroyed, bag, books, everything. Nothing, nothing, I didn't get to save.”
Speaking about her children, Yussuf said her eldest daughter is 15 and should be sitting CXC next year, while her eldest son is 14 years old.
“My son is in 4th form (grade 10). he is studying; he is following business and my daughter is in art class.”
“This is the first time in my whole life I witnessed this. My son he is a heart case, I am a cancer patient. I am in cancer right now, doing chemo. I have colon cancer. My son has two holes in
Apart from being a road construction worker, 35-year-old Farhaad Bacchus also does carpentry. He told this publication that he was at work when he received a telephone call informing him that his home was on fire.
“When I come, everything already finished,” he said.
Meanwhile, one unit from the Skeldon Fire Service arrived at the scene, but by the time it did, the building was already engulfed. However, they were able to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings.
Meanwhile, persons who wish to assist the family can do so by contacting them at 603-5452 or 625-3609.
Workers of the Bosai Bauxite Mining Company during the strike in Linden
Culture, Youth and Sport
Minister Charles Ramson Jr
The seven children, who range in age from 15 to 2 years old, stand in front of the ruins of their home after the fire
The home was completely destroyed in the blaze
Guyana deepens channels to accommodate Panamax, post-Panamax vessels
Guyana is upgrading its maritime infrastructure to welcome larger Panamax and post-Panamax vessels, a move that Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar says will lower import costs and support the country’s rapid economic growth.
This announcement was made during the opening of the World Maritime Day Exhibition on Thursday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, by Minister Indar, as the world recently celebrated International World Maritime Day under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity”.
Speaking about the need for deeper and wider channels, Indar explained the rationale behind the project.
“This aligns with Guyana's own rapid development, where the inflow of larger vessels with higher growth tonnage is already placing mounting pressure on the infrastructure that we have. That is why we are expanding areas of the river inside, in terms of the width…. We are also deep-
ening the channels so that they could accommodate the Panamax and the post-Panama type vessels.”
He emphasised that the channel expansion is not only about accommodating larger vessels but also about creating broader economic benefits, whilst highlighting the importance of local dry docking and maintenance facilities.
In fact, Indar also spoke about the human resource side of maritime development, stressing the need for skilled personnel to operate the vessels safely.
“But as we continue to
develop Guyana's maritime sector, we will ensure that our people are trained so that they can man these vessels that are coming here, very expensive assets, but we can man them, and we can do so safely and efficiently and in a cost-effective manner. The maritime sector in Guyana is not just striving. It is evolving into the most strategic enabler of national growth.”
Economic benefits
He outlined how the maritime sector ties into broader economic planning, includ-
ing positioning Guyana as a hub for shipping and aviation.
“Similarly, we are tasked with positioning Guyana as an aviation hub, and we have to make sure that the maritime sector positions Guyana as a maritime hub, as a transhipment port, as a place where we can do industrial zones, packaging, reassembling, repackaging of containers, forward shipping, you name it, the whole gamut.”
On plans for a deep-water port, he added context on infrastructure development and trade potential.
“That is why a deep-water port has been on the horizon. Steady work has been done on the deep-water port that we intend to put in the Burmese area. The deep-water port will position Guyana and trade in a way that we have never seen before. That is why it is now driving the need for more infrastructure to connect Brazil to the shipping port in Burma. That is why the road has been built. That is why we have built out all of the bridges.”
To top it off, he also added the global maritime industry itself is on a growth
trajectory, projected to exceed 4.2 trillion by 2031. And as trade volume rises, regulation and the need for it also increase.
Recognising workers
Finally, Minister Indar used the occasion to commend the men and women who keep the maritime sector moving. He highlighted the importance of seafarers, captains, and port workers who contribute not only to oil and gas but also to traditional industries like fishing.
“So today, on this occasion of the World Maritime Day, I would like to recognise seafarers and the hard work they do. The captains, all of the folks that operate not just in the oil and gas sector, but the captains of the trawler vessels, the small fishing vessels – those are all the different fabrics and the different folks that earn a living in the maritime sector. Port workers: there are a number of ports in Guyana, and more continue to cross the desk of the maritime administration. More proposals for the development of a port, landing facilities, and a whole host
of other docking facilities.”
Regulations
He also stressed the importance of regulation, reminding the public that only the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has the authority to grant approvals for waterfront structures. Indar noted concerns over unauthorised construction and urged compliance with procedures while pointing to the role of port authorities and operators in expanding opportunities.
“Let me remind you that the Maritime Administration Department is the only one that can give you permission to operate by the waterside, to erect structures. And I know that we've been having a lot of folks erecting structures without the approval of the Maritime Administration. They are the only ones to give you the permission. And we should make sure that we follow the procedures there, whoever and wherever they're doing it. But I want to continue on that line by saying port authorities and port operators continue to give more opportunities to Guyanese.”
Rapid-response task force launched to fix school utilities, secure hinterland water networks
Paddress urgent utilities issues facing schools across the country. According to a release from the Ministry, consequently, the Ministers have formed a rapid-re-
sponse task force to tackle these issues, along with what seems to be the systematic destruction of several water distribution networks in the hinterland region.
Even as investigations continue with the hope of apprehending and prosecuting the perpetrators, Thursday’s meeting dis-
cussed several measures that can bring both immediate and long-term relief to residents, teachers, and learners.
In the coming weeks, the established taskforce will examine repairs to the damaged infrastructure, enhanced security at key locations such as the water wells, and importantly, the construction of water reservoirs, which will provide a more resilient and sustainable solution for the 250+ communities and satellite villages in the Hinterland, especially during the dry season.
In addition to the Hinterland water supply issues, Ministers Parag and Indar also went through a list of all schools from Regions One to 10 that have issues with utilities.
In addition to water issues, several electrical issues in schools across the regions were highlighted.
Indar has assured Parag
that all of the issues that fall within his remit will be remedied within six weeks’ time.
Parag and her team have committed to either partnering with other Government Ministries and/or agencies to ensure that all issues affecting students and teachers are resolved as hurriedly as possible.
The meeting, held in the boardroom of the Education Ministry, Brickdam, Georgetown, also included Permanent Secretary Shannielle Hoosein-Outar, Chief Planning Officer of the Education Ministry Mischka White-Griffith, Deputy Chief Education Officer Tiffany Harvey, Deputy Chief Education Officer with responsibility for Amerindian and Hinterland Education Development Marti DeSouza, Head of the Education Ministry’s Buildings Unit Gerron Parker, and a team of technical officials from Guyana Water Inc (GWI).
Deodat Indar, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation
ublic Utilities and Aviation Minister
Deodat Indar and Education Minister Sonia Parag convened a meeting on Thursday afternoon to
Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar and Education Minister Sonia Parag along with technical officers during the meeting on Thursday afternoon
Tourism Minister calls for sustainable growth, inclusivity in small business development
Tourism Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues has called for sustainable growth and inclusiveness in small business development, stressing that entrepreneurship must prioritise sustainability while creating equal opportunities for persons living with disabilities.
The Minister made the call during the disbursement of loans under the $36 million revolving fund, underscoring the importance of guaranteeing continued support to ensure small businesses remain viable.
“Each of you [small businesses] has demonstrated that physical challenges do not limit your productivity or ambition. Instead, you
have seized this opportunity and embraced your potential. I assure you that the Small Business Bureau will continue to provide the necessary support to ensure your ventures are sustainable,” Rodrigues said. She further emphasised the importance of long-term growth, noting that follow-up is key to ensuring that businesses are not only established but also positioned for expansion.
“One of my priority areas as Minister is to ensure continuous follow-up with recipients of grants and loans. We must map your progress and provide the additional support needed along the way so that these businesses are not only established but also positioned for growth,”
she explained.
Rodrigues also commended the Small Business Bureau for its role in driving entrepreneurship across Guyana, noting that more than 10,000 entrepreneurs have been trained in critical areas.
“I must also commend the Small Business Bureau for their outstanding work in driving entrepreneurship across Guyana. The Bureau has trained over 10,000 entrepreneurs in areas such as business plan writing, small business management, financial management, marketing, packaging, customer service, and even practical skills such as hollow block making. These trainings improve efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness among our small businesses,” she stated.
The Minister also expressed satisfaction with the diversity of both the sectors and the regions represented among the latest recipients.
“I am particularly pleased with the diversity of both the sectors and the regions represented among today’s recipients, whether it is a cell phone and accessories business in Region One, catering in Region Four, landscaping in Region Three, or retail in Region Two.” Rodrigues added.
Clerk of National Assembly...
Convening of Parliament
Prior to this, however, the 65 new MPs in the 13th Parliament would take their oath, and a new Speaker of the National Assembly would be elected.
Asked for an update on the convening of Parliament, Isaacs disclosed that he recently received the list of new Parliamentarians from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and is now awaiting President Dr Irfaan Ali to set a date.
“Only yesterday [Wednesday], I received the letter from the Chief Elections Officer declaring 65 persons to be Members of the National Assembly, I think with effect from the 22nd of September. I am now awaiting the proclamation of His Excellency, the President, appointing a time, date and place for the first sitting of the National Assembly,” the Clerk of the National Assembly noted.
In the meantime, there is a lot of clerical work being done by the Parliament Office, including the preparation of registers, letters to the accountant general for the members to be paid their salaries and allowances, and division lists, among others.
Parliament Office and Opposition Leader
According to Isaacs, the Parliament office is responsible for the payment of salaries to the Prime Minister, all other Ministers of the Government, Members of Parliament and the Leader of the Opposition, who gets the salary and allowances equal to that of a senior Minister of Government.
In addition, the Parliament also provides the funding for the rental of a building to house the Opposition Leader’s office and also the furnishing as well as pays the staff in that office – all of which have to await the selection of such a leader to pro-
ceed.
APNU’s Aubrey Norton still functions as the Leader of the Opposition and will continue to hold his position until a new leader is sworn in.
Nevertheless, Isaacs explained that all the furniture and equipment purchased by the Norton-led office would be handed over to his successor. The clerk further noted that from the 2025 budget, there are still some capital and recurring funds available.
“I think we have about $3.5 million remaining on the capital and about $8 million on the current. So that will be given to the new leader of the opposition,” the Clerk of the National Assembly noted.
Meanwhile, Norton would not be returning to Parliament, much like his party’s former coalition partner, the AFC, which was booted from the House. The APNU MPs would be led by businessman Terrence Campbell, and according to APNU Executive Ganesh Mahipaul, who is also returning as a Parliamentarian, it is too soon to say whether his party would work with WIN from the opposition benches.
“I think it’s too early to make a pronouncement on any degree of collaboration or cooperation, however you want to term it. I think we first have to get past the hurdle of being sworn in as Members of Parliament… There are several other factors that have to be considered, so I don’t want to be pre-emptive or premature… I think we have to wait,” Mahipaul told reporters on Thursday.
In the new Parliament, the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has secured the majority with 36 seats, while the remaining one opposition seat would be taken up by Amanza Walton-Desir from the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) party.
She noted that the Bureau continues to operate business incubator centres in Lethem and Berbice, providing farmers and agro-processors with affordable access to shared production facilities, office spaces, and marketing opportunities. According to her, the revolving fund for persons living with disabilities is an extension of that important work, broadening access to entrepreneurship and opportunity.
Amidst this, she reminded beneficiaries that repayment remains a key condition of the initiative.
“Through this fund, we are dismantling barriers and reaffirming that diversity is a strength that enriches our society. However, it is important to emphasise that as a revolving fund, repayment is expected. The fund provides loans of up to $500,000 with zero collateral, zero-interest, and a repayment period of up to four
years,” the Minister said. It was recorded in January of 2025 that the Small Business Bureau (SBB) had made a monumental impact on small businesses in the country, disbursing nearly $1 billion in grants since 2020 to date. The grants were allotted to entrepreneurs from the 10 Administrative Regions, with the aim of fostering growth and sustainability within the small business community.
Former FBI Chief Comey charged as Trump ramps up campaign against critics
The US Justice Department filed criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey on Thursday, in a dramatic escalation of President Donald Trump's retribution campaign against his political enemies.
If convicted, Comey could face up to five years in prison. He faces charges of making false statements and obstructing a congressional investigation.
Comey, in a video posted on Instagram, said, "My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system, and I'm innocent. So, let's have a trial and keep the faith."
Trump has threatened to imprison his political rivals since he first ran for President in 2015, but Thursday's indictment marks the first time his administration has succeeded in securing a grand jury indictment against one of them.
Trump's Justice Department is also investigating other antagonists, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and John Bolton, who served as a national security official in Trump's first term as President.
The charges breach decades-long norms that have sought to insulate US law enforcement from political pressures.
The federal prosecutor in Virginia who had been tasked with pursuing the case resigned last week after drawing Trump's wrath for expressing doubts about
the case, and others in the office have privately said the evidence does not merit criminal charges, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Trump, who has pressured Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute Comey and other critics, celebrated the news. "JUSTICE IN AMERICA!" he wrote on social media.
"He has been so bad for our country for so long."
Trump fired Comey in 2017, early in his first term in office. He has since regularly assailed Comey's handling of the FBI investigation that detailed contacts between Russians and Trump's 2016 campaign.
Since Trump returned to office last January, his Justice Department has been examining Comey's 2020 testimony when he addressed Republican criticisms of the Russia investigation and denied that he had authorised disclosures of sensitive information to the news media.
The indictment al-
leges that Comey misled Congress by claiming he had not authorised anyone else to be an anonymous source in news reporting about an FBI investigation. Trump's Administration has carried out a sweeping campaign to remake the Justice Department, which the President alleges was used as a political weapon when he left office in 2021. Trump faced federal charges of mishandling classified documents and trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. Both cases have been dropped.
"Donald Trump has ordered the criminal prosecutions of political targets, and the Department of Justice is corruptly obeying," said Norm Eisen, a prominent former government ethics official under Democratic President Barack Obama and currently a fellow at the Brookings Institution. "This indictment has all the hallmarks of a vindictive and meritless prosecution." (Excerpt from Reuters)
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues
Former FBI Director James Comey
S&P revises T&T’s outlook to negative
S&P Global Ratings has revised Trinidad and Tobago’s economic outlook from stable to negative while affirming its investment-grade rating at BBB-. The agency warned that persistent weaknesses in public finances, declining energy production and rising debt could trigger a downgrade within the next two years.
S&P said Trinidad and Tobago’s fiscal buffers have eroded over time despite repeated attempts by successive governments to diversify the economy. Energy, though shrinking, still contributes more than a quarter of Government revenue and about 80 per cent of exports. With production stagnant, S&P expects growth of just one per cent in 2025 and 2026.
The agency pointed to a looming US$1 billion bond repayment in 2026 as a major pressure point, noting the country’s large sovereign wealth fund remains a cushion. The Heritage and Stabilisation Fund, together with other state assets, equals about half of GDP, limiting financing risks in the near term.
(Excerpt from Trinidad & Tobago Guardian)
Former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant found dead in suspected suicide
Police are investigating the suspected suicide of 26-year-old accountant and former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant Tyra Spaulding, whose body was discovered at her home on Tuesday evening.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Network (CCN) confirmed that Spaulding was found around 18:55h with a curtain around her neck. Relatives reportedly made the discovery and alerted authorities.
Spaulding competed in
Ecuador prison
the 2023 Miss Universe Jamaica pageant and was known for her advocacy on mental health and suicide prevention. Friends and colleagues told local media they had grown concerned in recent weeks after a series of troubling social media posts.
Her death comes as Jamaica grapples with a steady rise in suicide cases. According to Jamaica Constabulary Force data cited by the Jamaica Observer, the country recorded 67 suicide deaths in 2024, the highest total in nearly 25 years. (Excerpt from CNW)
riot leaves at least 17 dead
Clashes between drug gangs Thursday claimed at least 17 lives in the second deadly riot in an Ecuadoran prison in days, with rampaging inmates beheading and maiming rivals, officials in the violence-wracked country said.
According to the Police report, the situation arose from an external order from the Tiguerones "to eliminate members of the Lobos, Choneros, and those who did not want to belong to the
Tiguerones."
The bloody incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, September 25, 2025, when gunshots and screams were heard. In addition to the dead, there are escaped inmates, some reports say.
Images shared on social media and verified by AFP show dead men sprawled on the ground with bare, bloodstained torsos. At least two of them were decapitated, and many had stab wounds.
Dozens of worried family members gathered outside the prison for news of their loved ones on Sept 25 as the SNAI prison authority raised the official toll from 10 in the morning to 17 by lunchtime.
It has become the country’s second prison riot in days, following the Monday, Sept 22 massacre at Machala prison, where 13 prisoners and a guard were reported killed in south-west Ecuador.
(Source: Strait Times, La Hora)
Brazil: Rio lawmakers approve “wild west bonus” for Police who kill ”criminals”
Human rights activists have voiced outrage after Rio de Janeiro’s parliament approved plans to pay Police officers a “wild west bonus” for “neutralising criminals” during operations.
The move is a throwback to the mid-1990s when Rio’s then Governor, Marcello Alencar, introduced similar legislation that caused an explosion of extrajudicial killings in the city’s favelas.
That law was scrapped in 1998, after three years of bloodshed, but on Tuesday lawmakers voted by 47 votes to 15 to revive the policy as part of new legislation relating to Rio’s civil Police. Under the rule, civil Police
officers would be paid bonuses of between 10 per cent and 150 per cent of their salaries for capturing high-calibre weapons and “neutralising criminals”.
The move’s supporters – many of them allies of Brazil’s former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro –argue that an iron fist was the only way to defeat the heavily armed drug factions who rule many of the city’s favelas.
But activists and security experts poured scorn on the plans, which must now be greenlit or vetoed by Rio’s right-wing Governor, Cláudio Castro, another Bolsonaro ally.
“This bonus encourages
extrajudicial killings. It is a perverse stimulus to state violence – an invitation to slaughter,” said Antônio Carlos Costa, the founder of anti-violence group Rio de Paz.
Carlos Minc, a state congressman who helped abolish the “wild west” law in the 90s, recalled how research had found that 64 per cent of the 1,200 people killed “in combat” during that period died from shots to their backs, ears and the back of their necks.
“They were executions,” he told reporters, calling the resurrected law a step backwards into a violent past. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
Former Haiti television chief arrested on corruption, embezzlement charges
Former Director General of Haiti National Television (TNH), Gamall Jules Augustin, was taken into custody on September 23 after a hearing before investigators from the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC).
He is accused of embezzlement of public assets, abuse of office, unlawful conflict of interest, and falsification of official documents.
Augustin, an ally of former President Michel Martelly, served as head of TNH for nine years. Employees and union representatives have long accused him of dismantling the institution’s core structures.
The State Media Employees’ union, SEME, had pressed for an investigation into his management. Protests erupted when Augustin was appointed to a commission to restructure TNH, leading to his eventual removal under union pressure.
SEME’s Secretary General, André Frasmé,
claimed that more than 1.7 million gourdes, or US$13,076.92, for interns vanished, and another 3.25 million gourdes, or US$25,000, for fuel purchases could not be accounted for.
He said Augustin exaggerated the number of TNH sites in operation to justify the expenses.
According to local media, Augustin also forged the lo-
gistics manager’s signature to buy equipment without authorisation and awarded contracts without public bidding.
The ULCC has not yet released a full report on the case. For now, Augustin remains in custody at the Portau-Prince prosecutor’s office, pending a decision on whether to release him or transfer him to an investigating judge.
(Excerpt from Haitian Times)
SVG govt ratifies H.S treaty to protect oceans
St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) were among four countries last week that ratified the High Seas Treaty, allowing that United Nations (UN) agreement to take effect next year even as the Trump Administration pushes to open the world’s ocean bottoms to critical mineral extraction.
The ratification by four
countries – Sri Lanka, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, and Morocco –effectively started a 120-day clock on implementation of the 2023 UN oceans biodiversity treaty for international waters, generally defined as beyond 200 nautical miles of a nation’s coast.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the moment a “historic achieve-
Four powerful
ment for the ocean and for multilateralism.”
The Trump Administration is already positioned to bypass the treaty’s fundamental principles, including a requirement that any ocean activity in international waters undergo an environmental assessment by the UN agency charged with overseeing that activity.
(St Vincent Times)
earthquakes rock Venezuela; tremors felt in Colombia
At least four earthquakes struck northwest Venezuela on Wednesday and early Thursday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), sending tremors across the South American country, including the capital, Caracas.
Tremors were felt in several states in Venezuela, as well as over the border in
neighbouring Colombia, with residential and office buildings evacuated along the frontier.
No damage or casualties have been reported so far.
The USGS said the strongest earthquake and its aftershocks had magnitudes ranging between 6.3 and 4.9, and all had epicentres near the town of Mene Grande in Zulia state, about 600 kilo-
metres west of Caracas. However, Venezuela’s Communications Minister Freddy Nanez said at least one earthquake’s epicentre was located in Barinas state. Mene Grande, located on Lake Maracaibo’s eastern coast in Venezuela’s far northwest, is an important area for Venezuela’s oil industry. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
St Lucia: Three women found unconscious due to suspected stove gas leak
Three women were hospitalised Wednesday after they were found unconscious at a breakfast stand on Farrington Road in what Police suspect was a gas leak.
Police said they were alerted shortly before 08:30h when a staff member was seen inside the establishment unresponsive. Emergency personnel arrived to find three women, aged 41, 25, and 23, unconscious. They were taken
to the hospital for treatment.
A video circulating online showed the women lying on their backs as bystanders and EMS workers rendered aid.
One of the women appeared to be receiving oxygen from a tank, with an ambulance on the scene.
Sources told The Tribune the women were later listed in stable condition. Investigators believe the victims may have inhaled fumes from portable stoves while
cooking in a poorly ventilated environment.
The incident comes months after a powerful gas explosion tore through a home in Blue Hill South last December, leaving three children and three adults in critical condition. That blast occurred during a gas refill and triggered a loud explosion heard miles away. Police say investigations into Wednesday’s incident are continuing. (The Tribune)
The arrest of former TNH director Gamall Jules Augustin adds to the long list of high-profile corruption cases pursued by Haiti’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) since 2004
Around the World OIL NEWS
Oil pulls back from seven-week high as investors reassess Fed rate cut expectations
Oil prices eased on Thursday, retreating from the previous session's seven-week high, as new United States (US) economic data tempered optimism around further interest rate cuts.
Brent futures were down 25 cents, or 0.36 per cent, at US$69.06 a barrel by 12:24h EDT (1624 GMT). US West
Texas Intermediate futures lost 33 cents, or 0.51 per cent, to US$64.66.
Both benchmarks gained 2.5 per cent on Wednesday to reach their highest since August 1, driven by a surprise drop in US weekly crude inventories and concerns that Ukraine's attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure could disrupt supplies.
Price pressure also came from bearish expectations on supply fundamentals, with more oil expected soon from Iraq and Kurdistan.
The return of Kurdish supplies adds back fears of an oversupply narrative, propelling a pullback in prices that hover near a seven-week high," said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip Nova.
Oil flows from Iraqi Kurdistan were expected to resume in days after eight oil companies struck a deal on Wednesday with Iraq's federal and Kurdish regional Governments.
However, oil received some support after Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Thursday the country would introduce a partial ban on diesel exports until the end of the year and extend an existing ban on gasoline exports, following a spate of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Pentagon chief orders US military officials from around the world to Virginia next week
United States (US)
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has summoned senior US military officers from around the world to a meeting in Quantico, Virginia next week, five officials told Reuters on Thursday, a rare gathering of US military leadership in one location.
It was not clear why Hegseth had ordered the Generals and Admirals to meet in one place on such short notice, and two of the
officials said this had created uncertainty among the expected attendees.
Senior military officials in some cases command thousands of troops. Most have detailed schedules weeks in advance, which have now been upended.
"People are scrambling to change their plans and see if they have to attend," one US official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
It was unclear how many officials will actually attend
the event, but it is rare to have so many senior officials in the same room at the same time.
Asked for comment, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said only, "The Secretary of War will be addressing his senior military leaders early next week."
Parnell's office did not respond to questions about the number of officers, the purpose of the meeting or why Hegseth called so abruptly.
(Reuters)
Xi commits China to its first-ever emissions targets
Xi Jinping on Wednesday issued China’s first absolute targets for cutting emissions.
The landmark pledge from the world’s top polluter comes as the United States (US) doubles down on fossil fuels and Europe falters in its commitment to meeting targets.
Under the new plan, the Chinese President said his country will reduce economy-wide emissions by seven to 10 per cent by 2035 relative to the year of the country’s peak emissions, believed to be 2025.
Observers said that
while the absolute figure may seem modest, China has a record of under-promising while over-delivering,
Trump signs order declaring TikTok sale plan meets US requirements
driven by its green technology boom.
The announcement was delivered via video by Mr Xi to a UN climate summit where 120 countries will outline plans to curb global warming.
It came in stark contrast to the US, which is boosting fossil fuels both at home and abroad under Donald Trump, the US President, who a day earlier called climate change a “con job” at the United Nations (UN).
“Green and low-carbon transition is the trend of our time,” said Mr Xi.
“While some countries are acting against it, the
international community should stay focused in the right direction.” China, responsible for nearly 30 per cent of global emissions, had previously pledged to peak its carbon output before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, without ever previously setting near-term targets for total emissions reductions.
The new goal is backed by commitments to expand wind and solar six times over 2020 levels, drastically expand forests, and ramp up production of electric cars. (Excerpt from The Telegraph)
Trump says he will not allow Israel to
annex the West Bank
Uofficials
Dallas shooter intended target to be ICE, not detainees – US
Notes written by the person suspected of opening fire on an immigration facility in Texas indicate he was targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and did not intend to harm detainees, acting US attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy Larson said.
One detainee was killed and two others critically injured after a suspected sniper opened fire at an ICE centre in Dallas on Wednesday, officials said.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Larson identified the shooter as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, adding notes he had written had been found at his home.
She said he intended to "maximise lethality against ICE personnel and to maximise property damage at the facility".
"He hoped to minimise any collateral damage or injury to the detainees and any other innocent people," she added, "it seems that he did not intend to kill the detainees or harm them. It is clear from these notes that he was targeting ICE agents and ICE personnel."
The victims have not yet been identified.
Larson said the shooter had hoped his actions would "terrorise ICE employees and interfere with their work".
"What he did is the very definition of terrorism," she added.
No evidence was found of membership of any specific group, and the shooter did not mention any specific Government agency other than ICE, she said, but the man did express his hatred of the federal Government. (Source: BBC News)
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday declaring that his plan to sell TikTok's U.S. operations to U.S. and global investors will meet the requirements in a 2024 law that says the short video app will be banned unless its Chinese owners sell it.
The new U.S. company will be valued at around $14 billion, Vice President JD Vance said.
Trump has delayed enforcement of the law until December 16 amid efforts to extract TikTok's U.S. assets from the global platform, line up American and other investors and win approval from the Chinese government.
"There was some resistance on the Chinese side, but the fundamental thing that we wanted to accomplish is that we wanted to keep TikTok operating, but we also wanted to make sure that we protected
Americans' data privacy as required by law," Vance said.
Trump said: "I spoke with President Xi. We had a good talk, I told him what we were doing, and he said go ahead with it."
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Excerpt from Reuters)
.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank, coming down firmly against the idea.
“There’s been enough,” Trump, apparently referring to Israel, told reporters in the Oval Office while signing executive orders unrelated to Middle East policy. He added, “It’s time to stop now.”
Trump has long bragged about his close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the president has faced pressure from Arab leaders, who have publicly expressed concerns about the Israeli military acting to annex more territory.
"I will not allow Israel
to annex the West Bank. I will not allow it. It's not going to happen," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
Unlike Gaza, where Israel’s war with Hamas continues, the West Bank is governed by the Palestinian Authority. Ten countries, including Britain, France, Canada and Australia, recognized Palestinian statehood this week, hoping to revive the long-moribund peace process, a move that the U.S. and Israel have vehemently rejected. Germany, one of Israel’s closest allies, has not joined the calls for a ceasefire or the push for Palestinian statehood, but has halted some military exports. (Source: Reuters, Newsday)
UK’s Starmer brushes off Trump’s “nonsense” Sharia law claim
The United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister has dismissed Trump’s claim that London’s mayor plans to impose Islamic law on the British capital, saying the comment is “nonsense”.
Trump made the claim in his speech to the UNGA on Tuesday, taking aim
at Sadiq Khan, the first Muslim to become mayor of London.
Starmer told reporters in London there were “a few things” on which he and Trump disagreed, despite a successful and amicable state visit by the President earlier this month.
“This is one of them. The
idea of the introduction of Sharia law is nonsense, and Sadiq Khan is a very good man and actually driving down serious crime,” he said.
“We had a good state visit last week, but on this I disagree with him … The Sharia law comments were ridiculous,” he added. (Al Jazeera)
U.S. President Donald Trump signs executives orders at the White House in Washington, D.C.
Chinese President Xi Jinping
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth
SUDOKU
Focus on motivation, productivity and maximizing your day. Express your feelings and intentions, and discuss financial matters with anyone who can influence how you move forward.
Refuse to let the changes unfolding around you deter your plans. An adjustment may be difficult, but it is essential, so relax and ease into situations with an open mind and a backup plan.
Interactions will open doors and offer insight into something that can change what you do professionally, financially or medically. Exhaust all possibilities before you commit to something that can alter your life.
Channel your energy wisely. Focusing on the moment and what you want to achieve will help distance you from stress. Disciplining yourself in order to work on a creative project will prove interesting.
Anger management, along with common sense and open communication, will help you get things done. Educate yourself before committing your time, skills or money.
Look and observe, but hold off on making a premature move. Do the legwork required to put your mind at ease and save money. Budget for entertainment, and focus on rest, relaxation and reevaluating your next move.
Clear your head, eliminate what’s not necessary and stick to your budget. Reevaluate your goals, dreams and what truly matters to you. Trust your instincts, and abundance will come your way.
Using force will set you back. Let situations flow naturally, and you’ll avoid controversy. Look for creative outlets, such as social events that make you think about your future.
Protect your home, possessions and loved ones. Think before you spend on something you don’t need. Don’t take a risk with your health or offer to do something you know little about.
Pay more attention to your physical and financial well-being. The energy you put toward fitness and investing more time in yourself will pay high dividends.
Fiscal negotiations are in your best interest. A change at home, investing in a space that will help you be more productive or stepping away from someone or a debilitating situation are favored.
Put your energy into something that makes you proud or helps you invest more in yourself and what you have to offer. Refuse to let emotional matters cost you by leading you to act when you are best off sitting back.
ARCHIE
It has taken more than 40 years, but we finally have it: an India-Pakistan Asia Cup final. Pakistan scraped their way into the title clash after defending 135 against Bangladesh in Dubai.
After Shaheen Shah Afridi struck twice in three powerplay overs, Pakistan's spinners tightened the screws, finding sharp turn and grip. After bagging his fourth duck in six innings in the Asia Cup, Saim Ayub produced a double-strike and ensured Bangladesh's batting effort spiralled out of control.
It was one of those bizarre games where the team that hit more sixes ended up losing. Pakistan had man
aged just five sixes, and Bangladesh had matched that tally by the tenth over of the chase. They eventually finished with seven sixes, but as they searched for more on a pitch that perhaps wasn't conducive to that style, they kept holing out. Pakistan's batters had suffered a similar meltdown earlier in the day, but Mohammad Haris and Mohammad Nawaz did enough to drag them to 135 on a used surface, a total that at the end of the day was enough by 11 runs.
Pakistan's slow start Taskin Ahmed, rested for Wednesday's game against India, hit the ground running by dismissing the in-form Sahibzada Farhan for four. He became the third Bangladesh player, after Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman, to reach 100 T20I wickets.
In the next over, offspinner Mahedi Hasan had Ayub flapping a catch to mid-on for a three-ball duck – his fourth
aaa SCOREBOARD
Pakistan (20 overs maximum)
Sahibzada Farhan c Rishad Hossain
b Taskin Ahmed 4
Fakhar Zaman c Tanzim Hasan Sakib
b Rishad Hossain 13
Saim Ayub c Rishad Hossain
b Mahedi Hasan 0
Salman Agha (c) c † Jaker Ali
b Mustafizur Rahman 19
Hussain Talat c Saif Hassan
b Rishad Hossain 3
Mohammad Haris † c &
b Mahedi Hasan 31
Shaheen Shah Afridi c †Jaker Ali
b Taskin Ahmed 19
Mohammad Nawaz
c Parvez Hossain Emon
b Taskin Ahmed 25 Faheem Ashraf not out 14
Haris Rauf not out 3
Extras (w 4) 4
Total 20 Ov (RR: 6.75) 135/8
Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Sahibzada Farhan, 0.4 ov), 2-5 (Saim Ayub, 1.4 ov), 3-29 (Fakhar Zaman, 6.3 ov), 4-33 (Hussain Talat, 8.1 ov), 5-49 (Salman Agha, 10.5 ov), 6-71 (Shaheen Shah Afridi, 13.3 ov),
7-109 (Mohammad Haris, 17.3 ov), 8-120 (Mohammad Nawaz, 18.2 ov)
O-M-R-W
Bowling
Taskin Ahmed 4-0-28-3
Mahedi Hasan 4-0-28-2
Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Mustafizur Rahman
Rishad Hossain
4-0-28-0
4-0-33V1
4-0-18-2
Bangladesh (T: 136 runs from 20 ovs)
Saif Hassan c Saim Ayub
b Haris Rauf 18
Parvez Hossain Emon
c Mohammad Nawaz
b Shaheen Shah Afridi 0 Towhid Hridoy c Saim Ayub
b Shaheen Shah Afridi
Mahedi Hasan c Hussain Talat
b Mohammad Nawaz
Nurul Hasan c Mohammad Nawaz
b Saim Ayub
Shamim Hossain c Hussain Talat
b Shaheen Shah Afridi
Jaker Ali (c)† c Mohammad Nawaz
b Saim Ayub
Tanzim Hasan Sakib
b Haris Rauf
Rishad Hossain not out
Taskin Ahmed b Haris Rauf
Mustafizur Rahman not out
Extras (b 1, lb 2)
Total 20 Ov (RR: 6.20) Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Parvez Hossain Emon, 0.5 ov), 2-23 (Towhid Hridoy, 4.2 ov), 3-29 (Saif Hassan, 5.1 ov), 4-44 (Mahedi Hasan, 7.6 ov), 5-63 (Nurul Hasan, 11.4 ov), 6-73 (Jaker Ali, 13.5 ov), 7-97 (Shamim Hossain, 16.5 ov), 8-97 (Tanzim Hasan Sakib, 17.2 ov), 9-101 (Taskin Ahmed, 17.4 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Shaheen Shah Afridi 4-0-17-3 Faheem Ashraf 2-0-18-0 Haris Rauf 4-0-33-3 Abrar Ahmed 3-0-23-0 Mohammad Nawaz 3-0-14-1 Saim Ayub 4-0-16-2
duck in six innings in the Asia Cup and ninth in 45 T20I innings. Only Umar Akmal (ten in 79 T20I innings) has bagged more for Pakistan.
Fakhar Zaman was also going nowhere, managing only 12 off 18 balls in a powerplay that saw Pakistan score only 27. Only Hong Kong had scored fewer runs in a powerplay in this Asia Cup.
After taking the catches of Farhan and Ayub, wrist spinner Rishad Hossain dismissed Fakhar (13 off 20 balls) and Hussain Talat (3 off 7) in successive overs. When Mustafizur had cap-
make 25 off 15 balls. Haris also played his part, taking on both Rishad and Mustafizur during his 31 off 23 balls.
Pakistan crashed 80 runs in their last eight overs.
Bangladesh fade away in the chase
While Afridi was on the money with the new ball at one end – his powerplay figures read 3-0-11-2, including a customary first-over strike – Bangladesh went after the bowlers at the other end.
When Faheem Ashraf erred too full, Saif Hassan pounded him over mid-on for six. In the next over, he picked Haris Rauf away for a six and a four.
In his next over, however,
couldn't sustain their hitting and kept finding the boundary riders. Shamim Hossain, who top-scored for Bangladesh with 30 off 25 balls, was their only batter to pass 20.
Bangladesh's slim hopes faded away when Afridi returned with the old ball and had Shamim caught by Talat, who was not needed with the ball on the day. Bangladesh were missing their regular captain and key batter Litton Das, who was on the bench for a second successive game with a side strain. Jaker Ali, the stand-in captain, was among a long list of batters who holed out while attempting to clear the boundary.
Pakistan had an injury scare when Rauf collapsed in his follow-through in the 18th over, but he continued to bowl, finishing off his spell and locking in an India-Pakistan final cricinfo)
Shaheen Afridi delivered figures of 3 for 17 in the must-win fixture
Pakistan advances to the final
Bangladesh succumbed to the pressure
Haris Rauf claimed 3 wickets
Some of the biggest names in horse racing will gather at the Port Mourant Turf Club on Sunday, September 28, for the much-anticipated Clash at D Big Yard. Nine top contenders are confirmed for the feature race, including former Horse of the Year Spankhurst, Summer Stakes winner Ritorna Vincentori, Stat, Stormy Victory, Companheiro Leal, Frontline Warrior, Full Liberty, Loyal Company, and Nova Sol.
The feature race will see these nine horses compete over 1600 metres (m) on what is arguably the largest track in Guyana. Open to four-year-olds and over, the race carries a purse of $4 million, with the winner set to take home G$2 million. In addition to the feature event, seven other races are on the card, with a total cash payout of $10 million up for grabs on race day.
The three-year-old event, open to F Class horses, will feature notable contenders
such as Barbara, Full Force, Gryphon, Morning Colours, Oy Vey, and Principal Joaquim. Meanwhile, the G Class & Lower race will be open to F Class West Indian-bred non-winners in Guyana for 2025. American Traveller headlines that entry, which also includes Emotional Damage, Just Exhale, Red Ruby, and Soca Harmony.
The H Class & Lower race, open to three-year-old West Indian-bred horses in Guyana, will feature eight entries. The field includes Afridi, Amicable Kate, Here Comes Heidi, Mulan, Princess Zanaya, Sexy Eyes, Soca Synergy, Supreme Leader, and Sydney.
The two-year-old West Indian-bred race will feature a strong field, including All the Time, Black Beauty, Diplomatic Queen, Fire Bird, He’s a Star, Hits My Time, Lady of My Dream, Little Tic Toc, Miracle Boy, Monica Time, Risen Star, and Secret Sire. Meanwhile, the J3 and
Tlower race, open to Guyanabred three-year-old horses, will see entries such as
GCB announces squads for 2025 Inter-County U13 Boys’ Tournament
Narine, Ravindranauth Naikbarran, Jamal Samuels.
he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) this week announced the squads for our much-anticipated 2025 Inter-County Under-13 Boys’ Tournament.
The annual tournament will feature teams from Guyana’s three counties. Demerara is known as the industrial county, Essequibo as the Cinderella County, and Berbice as the Ancient County, and the GCB select XI.
The Demerara Under-13 2025 Squad reads Lomar Seecharran (Captain), Nathaniel Ramkhelwan, Jaden David, Dashawn Ramnauth, Makai Dowlin (ViceCaptain), Caleb Bastian, Ajay Kissoon, Nathan Puran, Rakeeb Latif, Hezekiah Hoheknirk, Mario Singh, Jasane Craig, Afraz Khan, Ashton Collins, Jaden Kissoon.
Coach: Latchman Yadram.
Manager: Richie Looknauth.
Reserves: Jayden Emanuel, Tafari Softleigh, Jagdesh Latif, Andrew
Essequibo Under-13 Squad 2025 reads Demarcus Thomas (Captain), Timothy Ramdat (Vice-Captain), Tufan Chatterpaul, Mark Anthony Obermull, Savir Narine, Aiden Sheriff, Garfield John, Rondel Nurse, Devraj Persaud, Feyad Baksh, David Soman, Justin Henry, Wade Ferrier, and Eshwar Tillak.
Coach: Clive Holder. Manager: Nankishore Andrews.
Reserves: Aron De’Costa, Yogesh Ramnarine, Harrod De’Mattos, Saif Hussain, Justin Burton, Vidal Narine.
Berbice Under-13 Squad 2025
will
six
Shaid Gajnabi (Captain), Jayden Ganpat (Vice-Captain), Ashton DeJonge, Dequan Lewis, Solomon Hercules, Donovan Newland, Asif Nabi, Afraz Ali, Khemraj Bharrat, Timothy Ramsaywack, Brandon Grimmond, Austin Bridgelall, Sumit Samaroo, Adrian Emmanuel, Kelvin Henry. Manager:
Edward Lyken.
Coach: Leslie Solomon.
GCB Select XI
Aron De’Costa, Yogesh Ramnarine, Harrod De’Mattos, Saif Hussain, Vidal Narine, Andrew Narine, Tyler Nedd (Captain), Ravindranauth Naikbarran, Jayden Emanuel, Tafari Softfeig, Daniel Johnson, Nicolas Madramootto, Marvin Chappell, Afridi Khan (ViceCaptain), and Royston Crandon.
Coach: Assad Fudadin.
Manager: Terry Newton.
President of the GCB, Bissoondyal Singh, said the tournament continues to be a vital part of the youth development pathway in Guyana.
“We are excited to see the next generation of talent on display in this tournament. These young players have the chance to learn, grow, and showcase their ability as they aspire to higher levels of the game,” he noted.
The dates for the tournament are September 27, 28 and 30.
The GCB wishes all participating squads the very best as they prepare to compete in this year’s tournament.
Ten horses have secured entry in the J/K/L Maidens and Guyana-bred first-time
starters race. The lineup includes Another Star, Citation, Doctor J, Easy Bella, Jetline, Patriotism, Perfect Trip, Storm Prince, Top Rankin, and World Boss.
The L Class open race
BCB 2-Day 1st Division to continue this weekend with 3 matches
The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) two-day first-division tournament returns this weekend, with three exciting fixtures scheduled for September 27 and 28. Zone A will host two key clashes, while Zone B will stage one contest.
In Zone A, Young Warriors will welcome West Berbice to the Young Warriors ground, in what promises to be a competitive encounter. Meanwhile, Rose Hall Canje will host Blairmont at their home ground, aiming to strengthen their position in the standings.
Tucber Park will have a bye this round. In Zone B, Skeldon will face Police at the Skeldon Community Centre Ground in a match expected to be closely contested.
Albion remain the only unbeaten side in the tournament and are favourites to win as the competition continues.
The strong Albion side has been in impressive form, defeating Police Port Mourant, Skeldon, and Rose Hall Town in earlier rounds. Their most recent victory came against Police, where they secured an innings and a 40-run win. Jonathan Foo starred with a brilliant 155, while Leon Cecil claimed seven wickets for 94 runs to seal the win.
At the historic Albion Community Centre Ground, Police were dismissed for 127 after winning the toss. Philbert Wilburg and Kiwasi Mentore offered some resistance with 26 and 25 runs, respectively. Left-arm spinner Kelvin Umroa led the attack with figures of 3 for 24, supported by off-spinner Cecil, who took 2 for 14, and pacer Shiv Harripersaud with 2 for 18.
The home team responded with 352 for 8 declared.
Jonathan Foo, who recorded his second century of the tournament following an unbeaten 202 against Port Mourant in the opening round, led the charge with a commanding innings. He was well supported by Umroa, who scored a composed 61, opener Damion Cecil with 42, and skipper Veerasammy Permaul, who added 29.
Chasing a first-innings deficit of 225, Police were dismissed for 185 in their second innings. Wilburg topscored with 52, supported by Andy Grant’s 48 and Joel Seitram’s 23.
Leon Cecil led Albion’s bowling attack in the second innings, claiming 5 for 80, while experienced left-arm spinner Permaul supported well with figures of 4 for 36. Matches this weekend are set to start at 09:30h local time.
Tyler Nedd, captain of GCB Select XI
Thorne picked up a fivewicket haul for Rose Hall Canje in the last round
Shaid Gajnabi, captain of Berbice
Election, Enemy Maker, I Will Have Another, Little Fannie, River Dance II, Ruff Time, Silence Secret, and Three D Movie.
feature
contenders: Bin Laden, Donald Trump, Kiss, Republican, Risky Affairs, and Sarkar. Gates at the Port Mourant Turf Club will open at 12:30h for what promises to be an exciting day of racing.
Lomar Seecharran, captain of Demerara
The Port Mourant Turf Club has been in top shape due to the dry weather
“That scoreline doesn’t represent the league”- Forde
…Integrity check to be conducted on GDF vs Mainstay horror show
Four nights ago, Lake Mainstay Goldstars FC endured what could be considered their worst 90 minutes on any football pitch, being on the receiving end of a 36-0 trashing at the hands of the Guyana Defence Force FC in the Guyana Football Federation’s seventh Elite League.
Naturally, the loss has sent shockwaves around the football fraternity, spurring conversations regarding the quality of the league.
As such, the Guyana Times Sport took the liberty of quizzing GFF President Wayne Forde on the occurrence during an exclusive interview in which he explained that in spite of their poor performances, the team has a right to be in the league.
Forde sympathized, “I want to, first and foremost commend the leadership of the Mainstay FC. It's not easy to show up day after day and be beaten as bad-
ly as they have and having as many challenges as they have, and it's a huge undertaking on their part, to play this league. You know, they do quite a journey to get here and we support them. Of course, we're picking them up from Parika, we bring them here, we make sure they're properly accommodated, and all that stuff. And we've gone even farther now because we saw how challenging it had been for them, and we're providing a little bit more resources to make it easier for them.”
“They won the qualification, and they're in the league and they have a right, like any other club, to be here, but they haven't been able to perform in the way that I’m sure they would have hoped to. I don't think they would have harbor any expectations of winning the league but clearly, I think they must have wanted to do as much better,” the GFF President reasoned.
While Forde went on to admit that the scoreline was a troubling one, in the same
breath he maintained that it is not a reflection of the quality of the Elite League.
He turned his attention to Monday’s horror show, stating, “With regards to the last score line, we are very troubled by that, for many reasons. Of course, it doesn't help the brand of the league, because we do have a lot of people within our stakeholder community, and some, even in the media, forgive me for saying that, that don't always be as objective as they as they can when they report on these matters, and sometimes they represent these matters as though it is a default of the GFF. Now we can, if we have a process for a team to get to the league, we have to follow that process. We have to trust that process, and we know that that score line doesn't represent the league, but this is just a club that's having a really hard time because they're unable to compete.”
The GFF Boss further divulged to this publication that the Federation will be
The Everest Cricket Club (ECC) Ground was transformed into a multi-sport spectacle on Wednesday evening as another edition of the Amerindian Heritage Games was declared open.
The proceedings began with a heart-thumping parachuting display staged by members of the Guyana
engaging FIFA for an integ rity check of the matchup.
“I'm saying that to say that we're also conducting an integrity check of that match, because we have an obligation to do that, be cause goal difference will have an influence on sec ond, third fourth. So, we've already started the process to do an integrity check. I think we're about to submit the recording of the match to FIFA, to have their integrity department, have the software look at the body language and the position, because we have to do that. We have a responsibility to do things like that because it's difficult,” Forde disclosed.
ball.”
Highlighting that it is the GFF’s hope that they can drive intensity and competitiveness in the lowerranked team’s; Forde was confident about correcting such for next year’s Season 8.
He continued, “We're not pointing any fingers. But we have a responsibility when we see something like that at this stage of a competition, to make sure that it's just that the team is either that strong, or the team was that weak and there's nothing else going on there. We're serious about these things because we have to protect the integrity of foot-
“There's been a lot of talk about the Elite League is no League, and it's not strong and these things but I can tell you, that clubs coming there will find out very quickly that you have to be prepared to play football, if not the first five teams will really teach you a lesson on any given day.”
The GFF President further divulged, “We want that that intensity and that competitiveness to go even deeper. Every league, there
Heritage games, a platform to propel Amerindian athletes
Defence Force (GDF), while a group of their
Amerindian officers subsequently led a vibrant march past of over 800 athletes set to compete at this year’s Games.
Culminating with a fireworks display for the first time in the games’ history, Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr emphasised the importance of the Games.
Ramson assured, “We are all here to support you because we believe in your talent and your representation from wherever you come from. This Heritage game is very important, not just to you; it’s important to your region and important to the people who believe in you too. You are sending a very strong signal, a strong message that they can be where you are today.”
“And where you are today, you can be where Sarah Browne is today too, as the Minister of Amerindian Affairs,” the Sport Minister went on to share.
The Games will see athletes competing in football, cricket, volleyball, archery and athletics, all at the Everest Ground, while swimming will take place at the National Aquatic Centre.
Reminiscing on her time at the Games, newly appointed Amerindian Affairs Minister Sarah Browne hailed the event as a platform for showcasing indigenous talent.
are clubs that are going to struggle, that are the lower end of the league, and many reasons for that. I believe we have a unique situation in Guyana where the opportunities are there for us to correct that, and you're going to see. But you may not see, because a lot of it will be done in our planning and engagement with clubs. But I think we can fix that. I believe in season eight we can find ways to make it more competitive way lower down the ranking of the league.”
Slingerz FC currently leads the Elite League, unbeaten with 43 points from 15 games. In contrast, Mainstay are at the bottom of the table with -3 points in 15 games with a -166 goal difference.
Browne, one of the cabinet’s newest faces, expressed, “Being an athlete myself, having represented Region One at these very Games on the female football team in
the past, I understand the excitement leading up to these exciting games, which, since its genesis and over the years, continued to shine the spotlight on our young indigenous athletic talents from across Guyana in areas such as football, cricket, archery, volleyball, swimming and athletics. Coming out of these very Games are athletes from across disciplines who have been chosen to represent Guyana on all levels.”
The Games will run until Sunday, September 28, when finals in a number of sports disciplines will be staged.
Region Seven’s men are the male defending champions in football, while Region Four’s women are defending champions. In volleyball, Region One’s men and women will be looking to retain their crown.
Story and PhotoS Jemima holmeS
Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr
Amerindian Affairs
Minister Sarah Browne
GFF President Wayne Forde
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has congratulated Quentin Sampson on being named the Breakout Player of the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), following an outstanding debut season with the Guyana Amazon Warriors.
Several young players put their hands up for the award with eye-catching performances during the August 14 – September 21 tournament, having earned their opportunity through standout performances in the CWI Breakout League
earlier this year.
Notably, Ackeem Auguste shone for the St Lucia Kings, highlighted by a fluent 73 against the Guyana Amazon Warriors, while spinner Navin Bidaisee impressed with the ball, capturing seven wickets for the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots at an economy rate of 8.04. Also putting their names on the map with respect to the development of talent throughout the region were Jediah Blades, Nathan Edward and Karima Gore. Sampson, however, stood out for his consistency and match-winning impact. In eight matches, he scored 241 runs at an average of 40.16 and a strike rate of 153, including a career-best 76 that helped secure victory for his team. His ability to rise to the occasion underlined his talent and temperament at
this level.
“Quentin’s performances, as well as those of others this season, are both
pleasing and encouraging for West Indies cricket,” said Miles Bascombe, CWI Director of Cricket. “They have shown that our emerging players can step up and deliver when they are given the opportunity.”
Ariel Rodrigues sets new 100m backstroke record in Brazil
Top national woman swimmer Ariel Rodrigues broke a new national record in the women’s 100 metres (m) backstroke on Wednesday in Brazil at the ongoing South American Junior Swimming Championship.
Rodrigues, the country’s sole athlete representative at the South American Junior Championships, entered the race with a personal best of 1:12.39, set last month at the Junior Pan American Championships.
She put in a superb performance to finish in 1:11.49, smashing her previous best and setting a new national record in the women’s 100m backstroke at the championship.
Rodrigues also set a new personal best in the women’s 50m freestyle. Entering the race with a best time of 31.90 seconds, she finished in 30.87 seconds, further improving
her performance.
She is also set to compete in the coming days in the 50m freestyle (entry time: 27.83 seconds), the 50m backstroke (personal best: 33.12 seconds), and the 100m freestyle (best time: 1:01.82).
She is accompanied by coach Christol Thom and President of GASA Yolema Phillips.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the South American Junior Swimming Championship was the election of the South American Swimming Confederation (CONSANAT).
She is accompanied by coach Christol Thom and Yolema Phillips, President of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA). Meanwhile, on the side-lines of the South American Junior Swimming Championship, elections were held for the South American Swimming Confederation (CONSANAT). GASA President Yolema Phillips,
who is also accompanying the team,
was re-elected to serve as treasurer for another term in the executive of CONSANAT.
Top national woman swimmer Ariel Rodrigues
GAW’s Quentin Sampson receives the Emerging Player Award from CWI CEO Chris Dehring
Quentin Sampson in action during the 2025 Republic Bank CPL