Guyana Times - Monday, December 29, 2025

Region 6 RDC honours former Chairman, Vice Chairman for years of service P

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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 6319

guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025

Govt focusing on major legal reforms in 2026 Page 7

...“We want a system that works” – AG Nandlall

Housing Ministry working with partners to acquire lands for 78,000 applications backlog

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE: P14 National consultations on social ills to help shape policies, 2026 Budget measures – Min Griffith

Page 2

Another major shutdown for GPL; contractor involvement suspected P8 75 homes to be handed over at Yarrowkabra early 2026 P10

Government interventions during the extreme rainfall event bring relief to farmers on Corentyne Coast, Sunday, December 28, 2025 (Office of the President Facebook photo)

Proposals for retirement home, health hub at Silica City to be evaluated soon – Housing Minister P11

9 killed, including 5 children, 1 dead, 1 in Suriname injured after 2 helicopters crash – Govt moves swiftly with emergency interventions, assessments knife attack in New Jersey

Extreme rainfall floods sections of Black Bush Polder

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Page 3

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2 injured after vehicle slams into lamp post at Three Friends Page 8

2 NEWS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Housing Ministry working with partners to acquire lands for 78,000 applications backlog – as over 52,000 applications pending in Region 4

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ousing Minister Collin Croal has disclosed that his ministry is working along with other State agencies to acquire lands across the country to fulfill the more than 78,000-application backlog for house lots.

In a recent address on the Government's five-year plan for the housing sector, Croal explained that while they were able to allocate

over 53,000, there is still in excess of 78,000 pending applications in the system.

To meet this demand, he noted that “…we are continuously working to find land [and] to engage with our partners in terms of Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC), NICIL (National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited), GuySuCo (Guyana Sugar Corporation), and in

Region Five’s case, for example, MMA (Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary Agriculture Authority), to be able to acquire additional lands to address these backlogs.”

According to the Housing Minister, the government is committed to completely clearing the backlogs in the various Administrative Regions across Guyana except for Region Four

(Demerara-Mahaica) – the country’s most populated region.

In fact, of the 78,000 pending house lot applications, Region Four accounts for more than 52,000 of the backlog.

“The largest block, however, continues to remain Region 4…that's where our largest volume [is]. So, we are committing, therefore, that we will clear the back-

Housing Minister Collin Croal

log for all of the regions, except we'll be unable to do [it] completely for Region Four…[but] we'll work to minimise as much as possible,” the housing minister assured.

Construction of homes

In its last term in office, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration had committed to allocate some 50,000 house lots across the country – a promise it surpassed. During this new term, the Dr Irfaan Ali -led Government aims to con-

“This time we went out for Expressions of Interest (EoIs). We received over 268 responses of persons or companies expressing interest for the construction of what is called modular houses.

So, in that way we can have volume,” he noted.

These EoIs were extended to contractors beyond Guyana to include those from around the Caribbean region.

As it relates to the new modular houses (prefabricated buildings), these will be done in three categories: low income, moderate in-

Land being prepared for new housing developments

struct 40,000 new homes, that is, 8,000 houses annually.

During his December 17 Address to the Nation in which he detailed the PPP/C policy agenda for economic and social transformation of Guyana and Guyanese over the next five years, President Ali indicated that, “Many persons who want to own their own homes are now telling the ministry we don't want a land, we want you to help us build because of the difficulty in managing contractors, because of the time it takes from them to go and build their home, to buy materials, the stress – they will be saving all of that, and it is because of this high demand from people directly for the government to support the building of the homes that we need to build these 40,000 homes.”

In response to this growing demand for fully built, move-in-ready (turnkey) houses, Minister Croal pointed out that the ministry had moved away from the practice used during the last term of utilising only local contractors and the traditional way of building homes which saw the construction of only 4,000 houses over the last five years.

come, middle income and high income or young professionals.

“And believe it or not, the demand for young professionals has increased over these last few years… As persons become professionals and as they work [with] their busy lifestyle in terms of having to earn, the hassle of dealing with contractors to be able to move around, to buy materials to build – they are seeking government to cushion that.”

“And what we have now is a huge demand of persons who are coming through these doors and are seeking what they normally call turnkey houses versus just the [land] allocations.

And we want to respond to that… As a responsible government, we have that mandate to respond to increasing requests or to revise our work programme in keeping with what the electorate are seeking,” Croal noted.

The Housing Minister added that they have already identified the areas where these houses will be constructed, and in the new year, the government will be engaging the more than 260 responses received with the view of selecting the contractors so that works can commence.

NEWS

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENING

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, December 29 – 11:10h-12:40h and Tuesday, December 30 – 12:15h-13:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers are expected during the day and into the night, with early-afternoon sunshine.

Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.68 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 11:47h reaching a maximum height of 2.42 metres.

Low Tide: 17:55h reaching a minimum height of 0.79 metre.

Extreme rainfall floods sections of Black Bush Polder – as Govt moves swiftly with emergency interventions, assessments

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everal areas of Black Bush Polder, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region 6), were left inundated over the weekend following more than six inches of rainfall within a 48-hour period, prompting an early on-the-ground response by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who met with farmers and drainage officials on Sunday to activate emergency interventions.

Large expanses of rice lands were seen under water, with sections of fields resembling shallow ponds, young crops partially submerged and access dams saturated. In some areas, water overtopped internal drains, while pumps were deployed to push excess water from cultivation areas back into main channels.

Tractors fitted with portable pumps worked along flooded canals, as efforts intensified to bring water levels under control.

Speaking at Yakasari, Minister Mustapha explained that the flooding was

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha speaks with Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder farmers

impoldering their lands and accelerating drainage.

“I have instructed the engineer to bring in another four or five machines so that we can help people to impolder their farmlands and pump the water out,” he added.

Mustapha further explained that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will be making small pumps avai-

lable to farmers on loan, to help speed up the removal of excess water from affected plots.

Teams from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) were also deployed to assess the situation on the ground and de-

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COMMODITIES Indicators Crude Oil

US$ $61.18/barrel

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termine the extent of losses.

While the Minister said rice crops were not expected to suffer major damage at this stage, he acknowledged that some cash crop farmers had already begun reporting losses due to prolonged waterlogging.

“Some of the cash crop farmers are complaining that their crops are underwater, and we will be doing assessments to see what assistance can be given,” Mustapha said.

He noted that the government agencies have been working closely with farmers in the area for years and will continue to provide support during this period.

The Minister also raised concern about interference with drainage structures, noting that improper tampering worsens flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.

TURN TO PAGE 7

One of the tractors fitted with portable pumps that worked along flooded canals

triggered by intense rainfall over a short period, which overwhelmed the drainage system.

“We had over six inches of rainfall over 48 hours, and because of that heavy rainfall, the water accumulated very quickly,” the minister said, noting that he had been receiving constant updates from regional officials before visiting the area himself early Sunday morning.

He said immediate steps were taken to prevent further inflow of water into the system, including locking off watercourse heads and prioritising drainage of both residential and farming areas.

“We will be putting additional pumps at Number Four and Three, and all the pumps at Adventure and Eversham are already working. We are also looking at placing small pumps directly into farmers’ plots so that they can remove the water faster,” Mustapha said.

According to the Minister, additional machinery is also being mobilised to assist farmers with

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025

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

Fighting for equality

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s we are about to enter a new year, everyone seems to be fighting for “equality”. However, it is important to understand what is meant by “equality” since demagogues in our midst can exploit our quest. The answer below is offered by the Dutch philosopher, Thomas R Wells: “It does not mean that everyone has (or should have) the same amount of nice things, money, or happiness. Nor does it mean that everyone’s abilities or opinions are equally valuable. Rather, it means that everyone has the same – equal – moral status as everyone else. It means, for example, that the happiness of any one of us is just as important as the happiness of anyone else; that a promise made to one person is as important as that made to anyone else; that a rule should count the same for all. No one deserves more than others – more chances, more trust, more empathy, more rewards – merely because of who or what they are.

This ideal of equality is a point on which pretty much all moral philosophers agree, and it is also the ideological foundation for liberal states. In the last centuries, much progress has been made in realising it in institutions like universal suffrage, the rule of law (where justice is portrayed wearing a blindfold), and impersonally- (bureaucratically) administered social insurance systems. But this equality revolution remains an incomplete and fragile achievement.

It is in perpetual conflict with our all-too human moral psychology, which evolved to manage the micro-politics of small groups and is highly focused on personal relationships and social status; with assigning privileges rather than recognising rights.

Who you are known to know still counts for far too much in how we get treated. Within the State and between the State and those it governs, personal relationships are much less significant than they used to be after a centuries-long effort to re-describe them as ‘corruption’. But they are merely down, not out.

In the day-to-day functioning of the bureaucratic organisations essential to modern society, relationships still matter because they matter to people. They also persist at the top, in the mutually self-serving reciprocity between donors and lobbyists and politicians, although generally unofficially and on the margins. Occasionally, one also sees them breaking through into the direct treatment of individuals by the State. However, this challenge to the equality revolution, though real, is well known and the focus of much scrutiny and resistance.

Another challenge – the connection of social to moral status – has gone far less recognised, and may even have grown worse under the guise of ‘meritocracy’. Consider what happened around COVID. The most dangerous jobs were those deemed essential and done by people of low social status.

Such as factory workers.

When we link people’s social ranking to their moral value we systematically mistreat them. Some get much less than the merits of their case should deserve. Prisoners get less access to basic health care because they are taken to be less deserving and so their needs count for less than a real person’s. Low-status victims of sex crimes are taken less seriously by the general public as well as by Police and Judges, are forced to bear a heavier burden of proof if they dare to use the criminal justice system; and find their complaints about this mistreatment also ignored. Others get more than they deserve, as in the high-status perpetrators of sex crimes who are granted unfounded epistemic authority or are given extra chances because people find it easier to empathise with their situation and care for their future.

Obviously, this social ranking is intimately entangled with any systematic injustices a society may have, such as the rules and values associated with gender and race. However, the real problem does not lie in any particular social ranking system such as associated with racism or sexism, but in our intuitive attraction to thinking of moral status as hierarchical.

Our goal in completing the equality revolution should not be to find the right social hierarchy on which to arrange people’s moral status, but to remove any link between the two.”

Christmas cruising the Amazon in Brazil: Santa on his way to deliver gifts to children in the Careiro da Várzea, state of Amazonas, community of 20,000 inhabitants, to bring Christmas closer to remote rainforest communities, December 25, 2025 (DW)

“Rage bait” is the Oxford Word of the Year, showing how social media is manufacturing anger

By Laurence GrondinRobillard

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t shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Oxford Dictionary has named “rage bait” its Word of the Year. The quantity of livestreamed drama in 2025 has made it clear that outrage is now fuelling much online content.

The death of French streamer Raphaël Graven, alias Jean Pormanove, was particularly striking in this respect. Before dying live on Kick after streaming for 298 hours, Graven had been subjected to humiliating scenes and psychological abuse from two co-streamers, according to an investigation by French news outlet Médiapart.

Although the recording of the live stream leading up to his death is no longer available, excerpts from previous broadcasts that show Pormanove being ridiculed or mistreated continue to circulate online.

As an associate professor and doctoral student at Université du Québec à Montréal’s École des médias (School of Media), I closely study the dynamics that shape digital platforms.

Increasingly, platforms use rage bait to turn anger into a tool for attracting attention and advancing their commercial goals.

The Kick platform, comparable to Twitch, has been blamed for Graven’s death, and rightly so. A lack of moderation and the encouragement of gambling and games of chance are among the most frequent criticisms directed at it.

Just a few days after Graven’s death, 23-yearold Iryna Zarutska was stabbed to death on the subway in the North Carolina

city of Charlotte. Images and surveillance footage of her death went viral via X, Instagram and TikTok in a matter of hours, showing the young woman wounded, alone and without help.

The fascination with Zarutska’s slaying is nothing new. What’s more unusual, and turns this into rage bait, is how it was exploited.

Conservative YouTuber Benny Johnson accused the news media of ignoring the case, claiming that “if she were black and her killer white, the media would be talking about it non-stop.”

His statement was intended to elicit a strong emotional reaction from both sides.

Beyond the reappropriation of news items to produce content designed to provoke outrage, the past year was also marked by the strategic use of videos generated by artificial intelligence for the same purpose.

One example is the sequence depicting the President of the United States as a “king” flying over a “No Kings” protests and dropping a brown liquid resembling excrement onto the crowd. It was even shared by Donald Trump himself.

In this highly-charged context, rage bait became Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year, with its use reportedly tripling over the last 12 months. The term is defined as “online content deliberately designed to elicit anger”, which is “typically posted in order to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular web page or social media account.”

Oxford Words of the Year have been linked to digital culture for several years now. In 2022, it was “goblin mode”; in 2023, “rizz” won the vote and in 2024, it was

“brain rot”.

This year, more than 30,000 persons voted to elect the 2025 Word of the Year.

The term was in competition with “aura farming” — cultivating one’s aura — and “biohack”, a set of practices aimed at optimising the health and performance of the body and mind through changes in lifestyle, diet and technology.

From online clickbait, we are now moving towards rage bait, with the same objective: to gain online visibility.

The problem lies not only with content creators who use this type of bait, but also with social media platforms themselves. A decade ago, platforms were described as echo chambers, spaces where users were exposed almost exclusively to content that confirmed their interests, opinions and beliefs.

It’s getting harder to say that today.

Beyond the case of the platform X — which Elon Musk has already significantly revamped since acquiring Twitter — both Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew also relaxed their terms of service in 2025 in the name of freedom of expression.

Zuckerberg is seeking to reconnect with the American Republican political class, while Chew is attempting to maintain TikTok’s access to the American market, which is under threat from legislative pressure. This new approach is leading to the emergence of digital spaces where controversial content, particularly rage bait, is acceptable.

TikTok claims to prohibit bloody or disturbing content, even if it is in the public interest, in addition to having a mission to “inspire

creativity and bring joy”.

But this type of content generates engagement. As a result, it circulates and continues to be recommended.

It remains visible thanks to its profitability.

This paradox lies at the heart of the problem: different platforms say they want to limit violence, but they profit from the elements that make violence go viral.

So we’re, therefore, trapped in an ecosystem where outrage becomes an economic resource and where the most intense emotions fuel visibility.

In this sense, the shift from clickbait to rage bait is not just an evolution in visibility techniques. It highlights a profound change in social media.

This dynamic calls for a rethinking not only of moderation rules, but also of the business models that maintain this cycle of exposure, outrage, and profitability.

In light of France’s commission of inquiry into the psychological effects of TikTok on minors and other similar work, the Oxford Dictionary’s choice seems less like a lexical tribute than an acknowledgement of social media’s failures.

The recent Words of the Year illustrate an online environment where mental exhaustion, numbness and outrage have become commonplace. Graven’s death reminds us that human lives are caught up in systems that turn vulnerability into spectacle and suffering into a product. (The Conversation) Laurence GrondinRobillard is Associate Professor at the School of Media and doctoral candidate in communication, University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025

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

President Ali will do When workers speak, better in his 2nd term we must listen Dear Editor, The September 1, 2025 election results were the preferred outcome of most Guyanese, many of whom are rooting for their beloved President Dr Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C Government to be successful in the next five years. And so far, His Excellency has done a masterful job in every sector of the economy, in public entities such as health care, education and in managing the oil reserves and resources.

His excellent performance during the last first five years in the office where he gained an abundance of experience has vastly improved the quality and skills of his leadership and governance. Most would agree that he would do much better in the next five years of his second term and improve the lives of all Guyanese.

Today, Guyana stands on the threshold of becoming a great and successful country because it has a leader in President Dr Ali who is more mature, experienced, skilled, knowledgeable and proficient to make better and more ef-

fective decisions on behalf of all Guyanese as well as regionally, hemispheric and globally. There is nothing to indicate otherwise. By having a surprising huge number of votes in the last election is a clear indication of the high level of support the PPP/C Government continues to receive. The truth is the people wanted the continuation of honest and good governance under the genuine leadership of President Ali. For them, the President seems to have the will, courage and motivation to advocate on behalf of Guyana and to represent their interests at all levels on the international stage.

His Excellency strongly believes that we are currently in a different and new world order than had existed before where the rich and powerful Global North countries no longer dominate the system. Based on President Ali’s animated and persuasive advocacy and a few other Global South leaders including Mia Motley of Barbados for a more inclusive world order, a new global system has emerged in which the

less developed countries of the Global South including Guyana have become familiar with the international system. President Ali’s desire for a free, fair and just international trading system, and an end to poverty and all wars, among other global issues, has significantly contributed to such changes that have resulted in the Global South countries to be recognized and have a meaningful say in world affairs. Simply put, President Dr Ali has become the single most powerful leader of CARICOM and other Global South countries in world affairs.

As President, Dr Irfaan Ali in his several outreaches across the country has never failed to represent the interest of the people, especially the many disadvantaged and deserving Guyanese, regardless of their ethnicity, race, creed or party affiliation. He and his cabinet have a steadfastness to the fundamental principles that everyone should be treated equally and fairly and the need for racial unity which are part of his grand initiative of “One

Guyana. Indeed, he has united the people based on race, religion and class as never seen before in Guyana and has seen an inundation of some staunched and prominent members and supporters of the PNC/APNU joined the PPP/C during the last election.

The President has on several occasions stated loud and clear that every Guyanese must benefit from the country’s resources and they must be respected and served effectively and satisfactory regardless of who they are; what they look like; or who they voted for. In his first term in office, President Ali has demonstrated to all and sundry that he is very capable and adept to manage the oil industry, develop the economy, lower the cost of living, champion the causes of the people, lift them up to new heights and move the country in the right direction.

There is no doubt that he will continue to do so in his second term.

Yours sincerely, Dr Asquith Rose

Spending Christmas the "Guyanese way" Dear Editor, And so, this was Christmas 2025, Guyana style. Was it merry with good tidings or miserable with depression and disagreeable?

It was certainly an old fashioned Christmas in a wet and rainy Guyana! Christmas 2025 was certainly a time the PPP/C Government, many business firms, organizations and individuals showed their generosity and showered children with lots of toys.

Led by a spirited President who for the past six years have distributed the good tidings of Yuletide, the many institutions and personnel have lived up to their humane expectations in serving the less fortunate, the needy, the senior citizens and those vulnerable to be less privileged.

The Leonora Police Station Management Committee was not to be left out. In conjunction with the Police from the Leonora Police Station, together, they distributed food hampers to members of all the Hindu Temples, the Christian Churches and the Muslim Mosque in Leonora and a few employees from the Leonora Police Station.

It was gratifying to witness, read and even participate in the many events which included sharing a meal, giving gifts of food items and cash, and hosting parties to provide light entertainment. With the help of the Men on Mission (MOM), The First Lady and the President were instrumental in ensuring that some families even received new houses to enjoy the season of homely togetherness.

Peace, joy and happiness were not mere words offering lip communication to pacify

the ears of listeners or the errands of the Wise Men. They were a state of mind translated into effective practicality which transformed into physical reality! To see the smiles on the faces of the advanced generation and those of the young ones, that proved to be a cornerstone that Guyanese still care about when they share.

Guyana is still the hospitable place where love, compassion and sacrifice are motivating factors which confirm that Guyanese are self-reliant, innovative and supportive. From a history of migrating ancestors who have blessed their kith and kins with an inheritance of simplicity and modesty, patience and tolerance, and above all, dedication and devotion, all races have learnt not to ignore the ultimate message of any religious holiday.

Regardless of what spiritual denomination Guyanese subscribe to or what political affiliation Guyanese ascribe to, faith in a common belief is the molding element which glues them in unity. It is like sportsmanship in cricket where you cross the boundary to enjoy the game itself.

There is no border to separate Guyanese when the season of goodwill comes around.

A hug and shaking hands are normal expectations which flow with a natural reciprocation. Going hand in hand is the exchange of a piece of one’s production of the ceremonial black cake, fruit or sponge cake. It’s traditional to “drop in” without an invite to have a drink and a bite. This “Guyanese thing” is, luckily, not a passing phase but one, reputedly repetitious and something that Guyanese endorsed as

“shared value.”

As the “time goes by,” Christmas was always “high maintenance” but it remains a period when Guyanese don’t tighten their belts but loosen their pockets and open their purses. The treasures of nostalgia always playback memories and allow one to reminisce from the past. Feeding from the fountain overflowing with emotions always captivates the conviction of spending, not necessarily being covertly spendthrift but not overtly being a miser.

A long time ago in Guyana, even the presence of a Grinch, did not dictate the prevalence of a miserly or miserable celebration of the birth of Christ. The story of a “Father Christmas" bringing gifts to those children who had been “a good boy or girl,” always resonated with an old bearded man, dressed in red and white, flying on a sleigh and being pulled by Rudolph and a pack of reindeer!

There was a culture of the shops, stores and supermarkets in the towns in all the counties, “dressed to kill” to reflect the season for the wintry period known overseas to be cold and glowing with white snow, bright, fairy lights, balloons, plastic flowers and shiny decorations. Bookers, Fogarty’s and Bettencourt were famous for having long lines with children and their parents waiting to see “Santa Clause,” hidden in a make-believe winter land. Of course, you had to buy a ticket, and, based on the price you paid, the children would receive a gift to the value.

The children who “behave themselves,” either by being a good child at home, doing well at school or being posi-

tively productive and helpful, would be rewarded to see the “Big Guy.” For those visiting the market areas, the smell of “ice apples” would fill their nostrils with a foreign aroma synonymous with the Christmas holidays. The sight of attractive toys would send an appealing and at times, appalling cry, from the gleaming eyes of children, glued to the fantasy of childhood days.

The masquerade bands did play havoc once in Guyana. There was the terrible “bullcow,” dancing menacingly as if it was advancing towards you in an attacking manner. The “long lady” was a sight to question her height. The “fiddlers” dancing to the robust sound of the enlightened drums and musical flutes, were the “collectors” dressed in a fashionable way to match any clowns, comedians or cultural caricatures.

Yes, Guyana was once upon a time, when you would make that annual phone call at “Cable and Wireless” or at someone privileged to have a phone at home, to the loved ones overseas. There were great expectations in waiting for a Christmas card filled with foreign currency to brighten the holiday.

Guyanese have now matured from a dependent stage to an independent stage.

Cash grant or no cash grant, Guyana will celebrate Christmas the only way they know and want…. a Guyanese old and customized way, filled with the traditional accents to endorse a culture of doing it “our way.”

Yours sincerely, Jai Lall

Dear Editor, As a trade unionist, I write out of genuine concern following the recent work stoppage by employees at Aurora Gold Mines (AGM), especially when placed alongside the troubling issue that arose only weeks ago involving workers at Gold Mountain, a subcontractor operating within the same mining space.

These events are connected. They tell a story many workers know too well, a story of concerns raised quietly at first, then repeatedly, and too often without meaningful response. When workers finally down tools, it is not because they want conflict, but because they feel they have run out of options.

The situation at Gold Mountain should have been treated as a warning sign.

Instead, it appears that the lessons were not fully taken on board, and now we are seeing frustration surface more broadly at AGM itself. This is unfortunate, but not surprising.

Mining is not easy work. It is physically demanding, often dangerous, and takes workers away from their families for long hours. When those sacri-

fices are met with wages that struggle to meet today’s cost of living, or when workers feel unsafe or disrespected, morale suffers. No worker wants to feel invisible in the very industry they help sustain.

This moment calls for understanding, not blame. It calls for listening, truly listening to the men and women who power this industry. Respectful dialogue, fair pay, and safe working conditions are not unreasonable demands; they are the foundation of industrial peace.

I urge the management of Aurora Gold Mines, its subcontractors, and the Ministry of Labour to approach this situation with empathy and urgency. Addressing workers’ concerns early and honestly can prevent unrest and build trust where it has been strained.

Guyana’s development must include the wellbeing of its workers. When workers feel valued and heard, everyone benefits — the company, the community, and the country.

Yours sincerely, Lorenzo Joseph Trade Unionist

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025

Page

Foundation ◄

Sets

What is a set? Well, simply put, it's a collection.

First, we specify a common property among "things" and then we gather up all the "things" that have this common property.

Set of dishes: For example, specific combinations of ingredients you eat: roast chicken, garlic pork, baked ham, pepperpot, and so on.

This is known as a set.

Or another example is primary colours.

This set includes red, yellow, and blue.

So, it is just things grouped together with a certain property in common.

Notation

There is a fairly simple notation for sets. We simply list each element (or "member") separated by a comma, and then put some curly brackets around the whole thing:

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

ets" or "braces".

This is the notation for the two previous examples: {roast chicken, garlic pork, baked ham, pepperpot, ...} { red, yellow, blue } Notice how the first example has the "..." (three dots together).

The three dots ... are called an ellipsis, and mean "continue on".

So, that means the first example continues on ... for infinity. (Just imagine there were an infinite variety of dishes you could eat) So: The first set {roast chicken, garlic pork, baked ham, pepperpot, ...} we call an infinite set; the second set { red, yellow, blue } we call a finite set.

But sometimes the ... can be used in the middle to save writing long lists: Example: the set of letters: {a, b, c, ..., x, y, z} In this case it is a finite set (there are only 26 letters in the alphabet, right?) (mathsisfun.com)

What can be said in New Year rhymes, That’s not been said a thousand times?

The new years come, the old years go, We know we dream, we dream we know.

The curly brackets { } are sometimes called "set brack-

We rise up laughing with the light, We lie down weeping with the night.

M

ark the countdown with a sparkle and a shake! This starburst noise shaker is a noisy little burst of fun, perfect for celebrating New Year’s Eve with shimmer and sound. It’s a great way for kids to make some joyful noise using craft sticks and pipe cleaners as they welcome the year ahead!

What you'll need

ers ers

Giant craft/popsicle sticks Gold & silver tinsel pipe cleanGold & silver glitter star stick-

Glitter foam self-adhesive numbers

Gold & silver jingle bells Black & white acrylic paint

We hug the world until it stings, We curse it then and sigh for wings.

How to make

We live, we love, we woo, we wed, We wreathe our prides, we sheet our dead.

Step 1: Paint the jumbo craft stick either white or black.

Step 2: Slide five bells onto the middle of a tinsel pipe cleaner.

Step 3: Secure the pipe cleaner tightly around the top of the craft stick so it doesn’t move.

Step 4: Add two more pipe cleaners, twisting them around the stick to form a burst shape. Curl their ends by wrapping them around a pencil.

Step 5: Decorate your shaker with glittery numbers, letters, and stars to finish! (bakerross.co.uk)

We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear, And that’s the burden of a year.

Have an old acquaintance emerge from a character's past.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt focusing on major legal reforms in 2026 ...“We want a system that works” – AG Nandlall

T

he Government is set to place significant emphasis on amending and enacting several key pieces of legislation in 2026, with the aim of modernising Guyana’s legal framework and ensuring greater efficiency, accountability, and fairness within the Judiciary and legal professions. This is according to Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, who made the announcement during his weekly programme, Issues in the News, on Tuesday. During the programme Nandlall outlined several pieces of legislation at the heart of the Government’s reform agenda for 2026, including the Legal Practitioners Act, High Court Act, Court of Appeal Act, Evidence Act, Companies Act, the Cyber Crime Act and the creation of a Trust Law. He also noted that the Government will be looking at the Civil Procedure Rules and sentencing guidelines to ensure uniformity and consistency in the sentencing for the same crimes.

“We want a system that works,” Nandlall emphasised. “We want a system that delivers justice in a uniformed fashion, consistent with law based upon evidence and not upon the whims and fancies of judicial officers. Not based on preconceived concepts, not based on prejudices and biases, but based upon objectivity and the law… That is what the people of Guyana must demand from their Judiciary.”

le them head on in the same way we are tackling similar issues in similar organisations.”

Outdated

Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Falling short

He highlighted that the legal profession in Guyana currently falls short of these ideals, citing the need for greater discipline and professionalism within the sector. “A responsible, educated, ethically driven legal profession and a vibrant Bar Association are prerequisites for a society that wishes to adhere to the rule of law. In Guyana sadly, the legal profession does not meet that standard and I say so with the greatest respect,” Nandlall noted. “Many people know a person who is dissatisfied with how their cases are being handled by their lawyers or how it’s being handled in the Judiciary.

I will bet my bottom dollar you have had that experience or you know someone who has had that experience – and that must change.

We have to make both our Judiciary and the legal professions more accountable.”

In response to calls from the

Judiciary for legislative reforms, the Government will support efforts to amend the Legal Practitioners Act, which governs the conduct of lawyers, to ensure greater accountability.

“The Judiciary highlighted this issue in their engagement and they’re calling for legislative reform to the Legal Practitioners Act and the Government will support that measure. In fact, I will be meeting with the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) in January to begin that conversation,” Nandlall noted. “The legal practitioners act has to be amended. We have to have a stronger regime of discipline for errant practitioners as well as errant judicial officers. Of course we must do so in accordance with constitutional parameters and in line with principles of accountability and transparency. Guyana is not the only country in the world facing these problems and we intend to tack-

Extreme rainfall floods...

“There is a culture in Black Bush Polder where some people tamper with these structures. Even farmers themselves are complaining about it. I have asked the water users and the NDC [Neighbourhood Democratic Council] to help us monitor the system,” he said, warning that irrigation and drainage channels must not be misused.

He disclosed that one individual who had requested an additional pump was later reported by other farmers to already be in possession of one issued by the authorities. As a result, NDIA has been instructed to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.

Looking ahead, Minister Mustapha pointed to the government’s broader climate-resilience measures, including agricultural insurance coverage for rice farmers.

He said farmers affected during the current crop will benefit from the insurance programme, which is supported through a partnership involving the UPL and Mutual Life Insurance companies.

“This shows the vision of the President, because with the unpredictable climate we are facing, farmers are very vulnerable.

The systems we have put in place will now be activated,” he said.

According to the Minister, weather stations

FROM PAGE 3

are already in place, and affected farmers will soon begin receiving their insurance certificates. He added that discussions with stakeholders are ongoing to ensure compensation mechanisms are activated quickly where losses occur.

Despite the flooding, Mustapha expressed optimism that the interventions underway will allow water levels to recede in the shortest possible time.

“Black Bush Polder normally experiences heavy rainfall during this period, but with the mechanisms we have put in place, I believe we can minimise losses and bring relief to farmers,” he stated.

As pertains to the Evidence Act, Nandlall pointed out that the current legislation dates back to 1893 and is based on outdated laws from the United Kingdom (UK). The AG stressed the need for a comprehensive and modernised Evidence Act that reflects contemporary technological advancements and the digital age. The new legislation will be based on global standards and is currently in draft form, awaiting cabinet approval and public discussion. “Nothing that was relevant in 1893 can be relevant now; so by the sheer passage of time, the Evidence Act is outdated. That act was born out of a different era. We are now living in the ICT (Information and Communications Technology) world. We are moving into digitisation.

Technology is what permeates our every activity. We restore records differently and a modern Evidence Act must embrace this new reality,” Nandlall said. The Companies Act, he noted is also outdated.

“Our Companies Act though a very good piece of legislation, is now 30 years old. It was enacted in 1995.

The financial world has transformed over the last three decades so we need to update our legislation. We have new and critical concepts. Consultations have already begun… and their

amendment will soon be considered by the Cabinet before we begin another round of consultation,” Nandlall explained.

New and updated laws; modernisation of Judiciary

In another significant development, the Government plans to introduce a Trust Law, as Guyana currently lacks comprehensive legislation governing trusts. With the country’s growing financial sector and its increasing sophistication, Nandlall emphasised that a proper trust framework is essential for protecting the financial system. “A doctrine of trust and the mechanism of the trust is a crucial creation of the law and of equity and is used for a variety of purposes…in countries that are considered financial centres… Trusts are a major thing. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has already identified the lack of a trust law in Guyana as a critical deficiency, and we have to fill that deficiency very early,” Nandlall noted. Another priority for 2026 is updating Guyana's Cybercrime Legislation. As a signatory to international agreements, Nandlall noted, Guyana plans to implement a model framework that has been endorsed by nearly 200 countries, contributing to a global effort to tackle cybercrime. In addition to legislative reforms, Nandlall highlighted the Government’s ongoing efforts to modernise the Judiciary. He pointed to the creation of sentencing guidelines, which have been developed in collabo-

ration with the Judiciary to ensure consistency in sentencing across the court system. These guidelines aim to eliminate disparities in sentencing for similar offences, ensuring fairness and uniformity in judicial decisions. “The AG chamber hired a consultant and produced sentencing guidelines, which we have deposited with the Judiciary for their input and I believe they have contributed to it, and we have handed it to the Judiciary for their implementation,” Nandlall said.

“A man can’t go to one court for an offence and he gets a particular sentence and another person goes to another court for the same offence and they get a radically different sentence. Sentence guidelines, consistent rules, consistent criteria that must be followed by judges and Magistrate when they are considering imposing a sentence.”

Nandlall explained that sentencing guidelines are already in use across the Caribbean and Commonwealth.

Nandlall emphasised that the reforms would help position Guyana’s legal sector as modern, efficient and globally competitive. He affirmed the Government’s commitment to working closely with the Judiciary to ensure the successful implementation of these reforms. “The vision for a modern legal sector, one that stands up to scrutiny and guarantees access to justice for all citizens, is something the President strongly supports,” Nandlall noted.

8 NEWS Another major shutdown for GPL; contractor involvement suspected MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

A

Guyana Power & Light (GPL) Facebook post advised Sunday that at approximately 16:29h, the L4 and L2 Transmission Lines, which link the Golden Grove and Sophia Substations, tripped simultaneously, resulting in a system disturbance that affected several feeders in Demerara and Berbice.

According to GPL, teams were immediately deployed to conduct line inspections and initiate

restoration efforts. During these inspections, a burst fibre optic cable was discovered at Buzz Bee Dam, Craig, East Bank Demerara.

The utility company’s preliminary assessments suggested that the cable came into contact with the magnetic field of the transmission lines, triggering the outage. The nature of the damage indicated that heavy-duty machinery or equipment could have been involved.

Substantial infrastructural works are being conducted in the area, and efforts to identify the contractor are ongoing as the individuals involved in works have already left the location, it added.

The company later advised that restoration began at 16:53h with the final affected area re-powered at 18:12h.

GPL Inc. also took the opportunity to urge all contractors to exercise extreme caution when oper-

ating near its network infrastructure and reiterated that any infrastructural work being done within 20 feet of our network must be reported to GPL at least 72 hours before commencement of works.

Failure to comply will result in punitive measures instituted against contractors, since these actions cause major inconveniences to our valued customers, damage to property and equipment, it stated.

2 injured after vehicle slams into lamp post at Three Friends Times, the driver of the vehicle has been identified as Avi Persaud, who sustained minor injuries.

The other occupant, whose identity has not yet been released by authorities, is reportedly in a critical condition.

Additional information revealed that the car was travelling at a high rate of speed when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a collision with a lantern post within the village. The impact caused the vehicle to flip and land on its side, leaving it extensively damaged.

Public-spirited citizens who were in the area responded promptly and assisted in removing and transporting the injured persons to the Lima Regional Hospital, where they are presently receiving medical attention.

Police investigations ongoing.

A

…in the PNC bunker

Y

es…now that the dust has settled after the dustup of the last elections, we can see the PNC’s camp has now been converted into a bunker! The PNC’s bedraggled troops “led” by Aubrey Norton are desperately scrambling for survival. It sorta reminds your Eyewitness of Hitler and the remnants of his (once glorious) Third Reich as the Russians advanced from the East and the Allies from the West in a pincer movement!!

With defeat staring them in the face, it was every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost!! Some underlings even flew all the way to Britain to try to cut deals – and Hitler took the coward’s way out when he took his own life!!

And so it’s turning out in Guyana as the PPP/C continues its political blitzkrieg along all fronts – economic, political, social, cultural, etc – against the moribund PNC, with Sanction Man’s WIN using his illgotten gains playing the victim to hold on to the PNC’s scrapeheads he’d scraped off!! Unlike Hitler – who tried to mass his troops till the (bitter) end – PNC leader Norton seems to have immediately retreated to his bunker at Bam Bam Alley!! Can you imagine what that’s done to the morale of his troops? And as the PPP/C and WIN move in to fill the leadership vacuum, the rump PNC – reduced to a pitiful 12 – seats can see the real possibility of disappearing forever!!

Not surprisingly, there’s much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth – not to mention loud lamentations! – from some carpetbaggers Norton brought aboard about the fate of the PNC. In politics, if your followers are trooping across to your opponents’ banner, you better take a hard look in the mirror. There is, of course, the object lesson of other parties that once had tens of thousands of followers who’ve now collapsed into black holes from which nothing emerges – even radiation!!

So, what can we figure Norton’s newbie leaders – Parliamentary Leader Fried Chicken Man and the Black Pudding Man – gonna be doing in the New Year?? You’d suppose they’ll have a go at putting together their Humpty-Dumpty party back again after its great fall, no? But sadly, if probably inevitably, the two of them seem to be working at cross purposes. Fried Chicken Man’s consumed with issuing eye-glazing academic dissertations on the status of the Natural Resource Fund – after his Cash Grant protest foray into populist mobilisation fizzled out like a damp squib!!

One-trick pony Black Pudding Man has stuck with (virtually) haranguing a handful of outside Guyanese about the perfidies being inflicted on Afro-Guyanese by the “slave catching” PPP/C Government that’s providing them with jobs, houses, educational opportunities, etc.!!

And ensuring PNC’s extinction!! …for a blonde bombshell The news that Brigitte Bardot has passed brought back a flood of nostalgia to your Eyewitness, who you would know, Dear Readers, is an avid film buff. So, in case you’ve just muttered aloud, “Who’s Brigitte Bardot?”, know that you missed an iconic movie star from the midfifties and sixties who redefined what it was to be female and free. Not by preaching no women’s lib rhetoric but by being who she was – a woman who insisted that her sexual side didn’t have to be smothered by the hypocrisy of the age!!

Marilyn Monroe was a decade ahead of her, but the French bombshell’s breakout appearance came in 1956 when at the age of 18 she starred in “And God Created Woman” – a provocative film that launched her to international stardom. For many, she was a symbol of a new age of sexual liberation with her tousled hair and natural beauty!!

An emblem of the modern woman, she refused to conform to stereotypes!! Viva Brigitte Bardot!!

The mangled vehicle after it flipped

motor vehicle accident that occurred at approximately 18:30h on Sunday along the Three Friends Public Road, Region Two

Requiem…

(Pomeroon-Supenaam), has left one man injured and another person in critical condition.

According to information reaching Guyana

…for Caricom?

The firestorm raised by T&T’s PM Kamla with her unapologetic support for the US’s actions against Mad Maduro continues unabated. But your Eyewitness notices that the major woke usual suspect – Barbados’s Mia Mottley has suddenly gone quiet??

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

A trail of debris in the wake of the accident on Sunday

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

9

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

75 homes to be handed over at Yarrowkabra early 2026 – 25 completed, 50 to be handed over soon

M

inister of Housing Collin Croal on Saturday announced that 75 homes will be handed over in early 2026 under the Yarrowkabra Homestead Programme, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) report said that more than 250 homes are under construction in the initial phase of the project.

“Right now…25 [houses] are already completed, and another 50 will be handed over within two weeks,” Minister Croal stated during a Facebook broadcast, it added.

The Yarrowkabra Homestead Programme is a targeted housing initiative

to empower single mothers and women-led households through home ownership and income generation.

The programme differs from traditional housing schemes by offering completed homes alongside income-earning opportunities, including shade houses to support household livelihoods.

It was introduced under the PPP/C Government’s 2020–2025 housing expansion drive and is being further developed as part of the administration’s next five-year economic and social transformation agenda.

The initiative is intended to reduce barriers to home ownership, particularly for single mothers, while promoting self-suffi-

ciency and long-term security of tenure.

Minister Croal said the homestead model will be expanded to other areas as demand increases.

An April 2025 DPI report had stated that the 20 by 30 feet houses, constructed by DuraVilla Homes, will feature two bedrooms, one bathroom, a patio, and a kitchenette.

Each house will be equipped with coconut or breadfruit trees in the front yard and a 20×40 shade house at the rear, allowing single mothers to cultivate crops for income generation and loan repayment.

The homesteads will also incorporate solar energy to reduce electricity costs, it had noted.

Works on the Yarrowkabra Homestead Programme earlier this year

Former GPHC CEO Michael Khan dies

F

ormer Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Michael Khan has passed away. The GPHC confirmed Khan’s death in a social media post on Friday. Khan served a 16year tenure at the country’s main public referral hospital during which the GPHC said, “…he guided the institution through numerous challenges and developments in our health sector, contributing to healthcare delivery in Guyana with dedication and resolve. His leadership impacted both staff and the broader community served

by GPHC.” “The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation extends heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Mr Michael H. Khan… May his soul rest in peace and may his family find strength and comfort during this difficult time,” the city’s public hospital stated. Meanwhile, condolences have been pouring in from colleagues within the health sector and the wider public service community. One such person is former Permanent Secretary (PS) and Head of the Public Service, Hydar Ally. In a letter to the editor, Ally expressed his profound sadness at the passing of Khan. “As a former member of the GPHC Board, I can attest to his professionalism, competence and dedication to duties. Michael, as he was fondly called, will be remembered for his humility and willingness to go out of his way to assist patients and those in need.

I wish to take this opportunity to express myself

Former CEO of GPHC, Michael Khan, has died

my deepest condolences to his bereaved family on his passing,” Ally said.

Khan’s tenure as CEO of the GPHC came to an end August 2017 after his contract was not renewed under the then A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government.

Back in September 2025, he was sent on administrative leave to allow for investigations into the operations of the hospital.

He was subsequently reinstated in August 2016 by the GPHC Board but was told to remain off the job by then Public Health Minister George Norton to facilitate the review of the forensic audit that was conducted. Then Chairman of the GPHC Board, Max Hanoman had confirmed that the audit found no criminal or fraudulent actions against Khan and noted that there was nothing barring him from resuming duties as CEO of the institution. Khan was eventually allowed to return to work but only to serve out the reminder of his contract which expired in August 2017.

NEWS

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Proposals for retirement home, health hub at Silica City to be evaluated soon – Housing Minister

Housing Minister Collin Croal

T

he Guyana Government has received a number of proposals for the construction of a retirement resort and a healthcare hub at Silica City – its model smart and sustainable city – and these are expected to be evaluated over the coming weeks.

Back in October the Ministry of Housing, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), invited Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from qualified developers to design, finance and construct an eco-focused retirement resort and a healthcare-focused, mixed-use development hub within Silica City, along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. Guyana Times understands that the ten-

der box with the proposals will be opened today.

However, during a presentation over the weekend on the Government’s five-year plan for the sector, Housing Minister Collin Croal explained that the period for submission of EoIs for both facilities have closed and the technical teams will be conducting evaluations of the proposals received. “We have a number of responses [from those] who have responded and so now the team will move forward to be able to evaluate those expressions of interest,” Minister Croal stated. In addition to the retirement resort and healthcare hub, there are also plans for the establishment of sports tourism within Silica City and this project is currently being developed, according

to the Housing Minister.

The CH&PA had explained in the invitation for EoIs for the healthcare hub that the initiative aims to integrate modern healthcare services with commercial and residential spaces, supporting the city’s vision of innovation, sustainability, and improved quality of life for its residents.

Proposals

The proposed Healthcare Hub will span 80 acres and include a state-of-the-art hospital and speciality medical facilities, innovation and research centres, a university campus and residential development consisting of

approximately 580 households. The project will also incorporate integrated green spaces, parks and ecological landscapes to ensure a sustainable and environmentally friendly urban environment. The invitation further emphasised that proposals must demonstrate strong environmental sensitivity, efficient land use and the integration of renewable energy and smart infrastructure, such as solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, and energy-efficient building systems. As it relates to the retirement resort, the project will span 20 acres and will cater to residents aged 60 and above, offering a sustainable and wellness-orientated living environment consistent with Silica City’s broader green vision. The planned development will feature 40–50 individual eco-homes ranging between 500 and 600 square feet, a wellness and outpatient clinic, a community kitchen and dining hall, a community garden, renewable energy systems (including so-

lar and wind installations), as well as native trails and a forest buffer to maintain environmental balance.

Interested developers were required to demonstrate capacity and experience in designing and developing retirement or senior-living communities, applying sustainable and low-impact spatial design, integrating smart technologies and renewable systems, and financing and delivering design–build projects.

Conceived in 2009 by then Housing Minister and now President Irfaan Ali, Silica City will be Guyana’s first modern, sustainable city and is part of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s climate change mitigation initiatives under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS 2030). The Government has set aside some 3800 acres of land for the new city with approximately 15,000 houses to be constructed in various phases over the next two decades. In its first five years, the city is expected to cater to just over

3000 households, all of whom will enjoy access to high-end developments, including smart homes equipped with the newest energy-saving technologies. Located approximately 40 kilometres (km) from Georgetown and 5 km from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Silica City is designed as a climate-resilient urban ecosystem that integrates innovation, nature and smart technology. The retirement resort, healthcare hub and sport tourism facilities all fall under Phase Two of the Silica City project. Phase Two also caters for the development of over 374 lots that will have various aspects of construction including these three facilities. This aspect of the project will target the Guyanese Diaspora including for investment opportunities. Meanwhile, Phase One of the Silica City Project focuses on the development of some 290 lots.

Already, Government has constructed the first 110 Young Professional houses under this first phase.

These houses comprise four designs with prices ranging between $27 million and $35 million. According to Minister Croal, a number of these houses are already completed and allocated to beneficiaries. “We have persons who have signed their agreements and they can use that…as part of acquiring a mortgage,” he noted. The Housing Minister went onto add that, “We’re talking about in the first phase of the massive rollout for the Silica City, which is over 3,000 acres of land being developed on the Highway. And so, one can look forward in a massive way to see investments happening on the Silica City.”

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS 13

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 6 RDC honours former Chairman, Vice Chairman for years of service

Regional Executive Officer Narindra Persaud (left) presenting a plaque to former Regional Chairman David Armogan

T

he Region Six (East Berbice–Corentyne) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) recently honoured former Regional Chairman David Armogan and former Regional Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain, crediting the two men for years of leadership, mentorship and service that helped to shape governance and community development across the region.

The appreciation ceremony, featured tributes from councillors and officials, many of whom said they were personally guided and moulded by Armogan and Hussain during their time in office. Plaques presented to both men highlighted the significance of their tenures. Armogan’s plaque recognised him as Regional Chairman (2012– 2025) and cited “over a decade of distinguished leadership and devoted service to the people of Region Six,” adding that his vision, integrity and commitment strengthened communities and set a lasting standard of excellence in regional governance. Hussain’s plaque honoured him as Regional Vice Chairman (2020–2025) and credited his “dedicated leadership and tireless commitment to the growth and unity of Region Six,” while noting that his service advanced development and uplifted communities.

Personal reflections by staff

Sherryann Beharry reflecting on her experience working with both men, describing their leadership as transformative. She said that as an RDC councillor she was “very happy to work under Dr David” and her “comrade Zamal Hussain,” explaining that the term comrade represented brotherhood and sisterhood.

Beharry told the gathering that working with the two leaders helped build her ca-

pacity and she expressed gratitude for the role they played in shaping who she is today. Meanwhile, Colin Moore, in his remarks, also highlighted the personal impact of the former chairman and vice chairman on younger councillors. He said he learned directly and indirectly from Armogan and credited him for demonstrating an approach to leadership that focused on issues rather than personalities. Moore recalled a moment from an earlier local Government contest when Armogan intervened calmly and fairly, a gesture that left him with tremendous respect. Though acknowledging political differences, Moore told the gathering he could genuinely say that Armogan had a heart for people and for service and thanked both men for their contributions to the region. Sean Smith echoed those sentiments, saying his closest tutoring in politics did not come from formal institutions, but from Armogan and Hussain. He described both men as political gurus with different styles and strengths, but equally influential in teaching him the realities of public service, leadership and service to people. Smith said he remained grateful for the opportunity to learn from them and wished them well in their future endeavours. Former Regional Vice Chairman Bhupaul Jhagroo reflected on his years working alongside Armogan, recalling that in 2012, when he became vice chairman, the then chairman stepped into office around the same period. Jhagroo said their working relationship from 2013 to 2015 was marked by cooperation and respect.

“Without any issue, without any quarrel.,” he said while noting that Armogan taught him three qualities necessary for public office: pa-

tience, tolerance and compassion. Jhagroo described Armogan as a well-rounded person who represented the RDC eloquently and said while Armogan may no longer hold the chairmanship, many would miss the compassion and practical help he brought to the job.

He also praised Hussain, telling him that his work was appreciated and expressing confidence that he would represent the people well as he moved on to higher responsibilities. Phillip Rose described Armogan as a diplomat and credited him for the patience he showed while navigating what he called Guyanese narratives and guesses. Rose said he admired the former chairman’s ability to remain calm and solution-oriented, adding that he hoped the council would maintain the same level of peace and objectivity going forward. He also acknowledged Armogan’s family support, noting that his wife was behind him 100 per cent and said Armogan had left his mark on the region.

Regional Health Officer Dr Vineshri Khirodhar offered one of the most personal tributes, saying she “felt it” when Armogan left the RDC. She recalled knowing him for about 20 years and noted his service on the health board as chairman. Khirodhar said she gained from Armogan both professionally and personally and described him as a father-like figure who was always available to guide and support others. While recognising both Armogan and Hussain for serving the region with different strengths, she said both had delivered to Region Six and deserved thanks and best wishes for the future.

Former Member of Parliament (MP) Reynard Ward told the ceremony that Armogan and Hussain

Former Regional Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain with his plaque as REO Persaud looks on

had set the pace, and it was now the responsibility of the new councillors to rise above their current potential to produce for the residents of the region. Ward described Hussain as energetic and Armogan as a cool guy who knows what to do when, adding that while positions bring recognition, people ultimately remember leaders for who they are after they leave office.

Armogan, Hussain express gratitude

In his response, David Armogan acknowledged the presence of councillors and officials and congratulated the new regional leadership, including Regional Chairman Junior Basant.

Armogan reflected on his long journey in regional development, noting that he had served as a council-

lor since 1997 and was approached to take up the chairmanship in 2012 after contemplation and encouragement from his family. He spoke openly about the sacrifices involved, crediting his wife for taking over his business and keeping it alive during his years of public service.

Armogan also paid tribute to Hussain, describing him as a committed partner in leadership and noting that for the last five years Hussain worked in his office as his assistant. He urged councillors to walk the region and bring forward issues affecting the people, stressing that the job cannot be limited to attending meetings and collecting stipends. He reminded the council that leadership requires compassion, tolerance and listening to resi-

dents, sometimes even for the smallest concerns, because that is the reality of public service. Former Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain, in his response, said he was honoured to receive the plaque and thanked God for the health and strength to serve. He expressed gratitude to the party and leadership for the opportunity to serve as vice chairman over the past five years and told councillors that service must remain the priority.

Hussain stressed that politics cannot end at the council table, but must be reflected in community work and real engagement with residents. He also praised the working relationship he had with Armogan, acknowledging their different styles but saying they worked together for the benefit of Region Six and its development.

14 NEWS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

National consultations on social ills to help shape policies, 2026 Budget measures – Min Griffith T

he Guyana Government will be shaping its policies and measures in Budget 2026 based on the feedback and recommendations garnered through ongoing countrywide consultations on tackling a number of issues plaguing society including gambling, drug abuse and the impact of social media on young children.

During a presentation nearly two weeks ago of his Administration’s policy agenda for economic and social transformation of Guyana and Guyanese over the next five years, President Dr Irfaan Ali said he has instructed several of his Cabinet Ministers to embark on national consultations in order to come up with an inclusive set of solutions of these social ills affecting families across the country.

Among those tasked with carrying out these engagements is the Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, who recently revealed that these consultations have

already commenced.

“The President has tasked me and my colleagues from the Ministries of Education [Sonia Parag], Information [Kwame McCoy], and Public Service [Zulfikar Ally] with leading consultation on social media's harm, especially for our children and vulnerable,” Minister Griffith said while speaking recently on the government’s Developmental Agenda for the next Five Years.

He went on to add, “We will listen to you and shape policies that protect our families. Our government is also placing attention on curbing gambling practices. We're consulting widely all over Guyana and rolling out measures in the 2026 budget, specifically to curb the damage that gambling is causing to our families.

On substance abuse, like vaping and fentanyl, we are stepping up, stepping in with education, prevention, and international partnerships against smuggling.”

President Ali had explained during his December 17 Address that

Labour and Manpower Planning Minister Keoma Griffith

he has been besieged with grave concerns from parents, teachers and elders about the corrosive effects of social media, especially on the young population.

He had pointed out that while other countries are already taking drastic steps, such as restricting social media for children and young people under the age of 16, his Government’s response will be driven by feedback from the population.

With regard to the spread of new forms of substance abuse, including dangerous varieties of va-

ping and the use of potent narcotics, such as fentanyl and other drugs known to impair cognitive abilities, the Head of State had emphasised the importance of tackling this pressing threat.

“I wish to address these emerging forms of substance abuse directly through informed policy, public education and coordinated action that place prevention and protection at the centre of what we do,” he noted while recommitting to work with international partners against all forms of drug smug-

gling.

“We have a global responsibility to save this generation and generations to come… [And we’ve] sharpened our fight against narcotics to protect our children and our communities,” the President added.

The Guyanese leader had said he has been equally bombarded with concerns from families, religious leaders and community advocates about the ill effects of gambling, which has seeped into too many households, eroding savings, imposing financial hardships, straining relationships and fuelling harmful social consequences.

“This too…”, according to President Ali, “…demands a collective reckoning. We’ll consult widely with all stakeholders and those who regulate. Arising out of these deliberations, we will incorporate concrete measures in the 2026 budget to confront and curtail this courage.”

Also speaking on the pernicious influence of unchecked gambling, Vice

President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo told reporters at his press conference on Thursday that while many would not like this move to curb gambling, it is a necessary step in shaping Guyanese society.

In the past, gambling was once limited to guests of hotel-based casinos, but with hundreds of betting shops in communities across Guyana and online mobile apps, the practice has quickly caused a major social problem across the country.

Back in October, the Vice President had indicated that the Government would be tightening regulations and imposing higher taxes on online gambling after increasing complaints of breadwinners losing their money to this activity instead of taking care of their families.

Nevertheless, both President Ali and VP Jagdeo emphasised the roles that religious and community leaders will have to play as part of the efforts to address these societal scourges.

Training, jobs among Govt’s youth empowerment push

Some Region Nine CSOs undergoing training (DPI photos)

ICT hubs in a hinterland village

A

s part of its commitment to youth empowerment, the government plans to prioritise initiatives to equip young people for more success. These efforts will focus on training, sports, entrepreneurship, and offering zero-interest loans, among other initiatives.

Supporting these undertakings will be job creation programmes, the expansion of technical courses with free tuition, and increased wages for community workers, according to a Department of Public Information (DPI) report.

These measures, outlined by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali in a recent address to the nation, are designed to prepare citizens for high-paying jobs, strengthen communities, and ensure every Guyanese has access to opportunity regardless of their location, the report noted.

To support the development, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith on Saturday revealed that ICT-driven employment initiatives, such as the Skills Connect app, were already launched.

He also spoke of implementing stronger social protection measures to address issues such as social media harm, gambling, and substance abuse.

“We have got specialised programmes rolling out like ICT training in remote communities and a flagship agriculture initiative that targets youth with high-value crops to spark entrepreneurship.

For Indigenous youths, we are expanding CSO programmes, community enterprises and village-led tourism.

And through the new Guyana Development Bank, young

entrepreneurs will get zero-interest loans for which no collateral is needed.

And because this government cares and is passionate about the success of our youth, young people who access this facility will get mentorship,” the labour and manpower minister emphasised.

Over the last three years, the government has invested more than one billion dollars to expand access to information and communication technology (ICT) in rural and hinterland communities.

Through the ICT Access and e-Services

for Hinterland Poor and Remote Communities Project, a total of 160 ICT hubs have been constructed as of October this year.

To support sustainability, the Office of the Prime Minister has also facilitated the training 192 ICT hub managers and 32 technicians. Additionally, more than 1900 residents have completed basic ICT literacy programmes.

The target is to train over 4,000 people nationwide.

Additionally, 181 grants were given to remote communities, costing $855.3 million to out-

fit community hubs with solar power and highspeed satellite internet.

The government has already abolished tuition fees at government technical institutes, opening the door for citizens to access free training in areas such as ICT, hospitality, oil and gas, construction, and other modern skills essential for today’s workforce.

The ministry is also focused on social well-being, with consultations underway to address social media harm, gambling addiction, and substance abuse measures to build a healthier society.

NEWS 15

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Trump says progress made after Ukraine peace plan talks, but "thorny issues" remain U

kraine's Volodymyr Zelensky and United States (US) President Donald Trump have both described their meeting in Florida as "great" and "terrific".

Zelensky says the 20-point peace plan is 90 per cent agreed, while Trump says a security guarantee for Ukraine is "close to 95 per cent" done.

But the US President also says "one or two very thorny issues" remain – with land still being the most difficult one. An agreement on a free-trade zone in Donbas is also "unresolved", Trump said. On Russia, Trump says Vladimir Putin has not agreed to a ceasefire to allow any referendums to take place – something Ukraine says is essential for resolving territorial issues. The US President said that Russia "are going to be helping" with the reconstruction of Ukraine.

He added that he was open to visiting Ukraine - ideally after a deal was agreed.

Trump said he believes that Russia, Ukraine and the US could meet "at the right time" - and appeared to

suggest that Putin "wants to see it happen" too.

Notably, both Trump and Zelensky did not offer any timelines, instead vowing to have their teams meet again in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, in interviews with Reuters prior to the Trump and Zelensky talks, several Ukrainians in Kyiv expressed doubt that today's meeting will bring an end to the ongoing war.

"It's either going to be a ceasefire or a continuation of the war for a long time," Natalia Babych, a 36-year-old Kyiv resident told Reuters. "There will be no end to the war. Even if they make a quick agreement, it will come back to us in a few years."

Another resident,

30-year-old Marharyta Chemerys, echoed Babych's concerns, saying, "It will be a truce for a year or two.

They will gather their forces again and go with the same force". Oleksandr Lysenko, a 27-year-old Ukrainian soldier, said he expects the war to last a long time because "that's the trend".

"They will seize more territories, deeper into Western Ukraine," he added.

Moreover, one of the more extraordinary remarks of the Trump-Zelensky news conference came when the US President was asked whether Russia would help in Ukraine's reconstruction after the war. "Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed," Trump told report-

T&T PM: Trinidad and Tobago has become "lawless dump"

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rime Minister (PM) Kamla PersadBissessar has described Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) as “a lawless dump,” but pledged to clean it up for the benefit of law-abiding citizens.

Responding to questions from Newsday on whether the Government was “killing two birds with one stone”by doubling traffic fines to improve road safety while also raising revenue, PersadBissessar said all the measures had been presented in the national budget and the Finance Bill. She said, "The country has no order, it’s become a lawless dump and it’s because of the entitled attitudes of some citizens who believe they can do whatever they want while inconveniencing others without consequences. And these entitled citizens span across all demographics and sectors of society."

Persad-Bissessar said her objective is to "improve the lives of law-abiding citizens who go out everyday and try to live a good and decent life. These people have been taken advantage of for too long." She said citizens are free to live as foolhardy as they want, including "free

T&T Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

to drive recklessly, smoke ganja, drink rum, gamble, misbehave, mash up the place, play loud music and live however they want."

However, she warned that all personal choices have consequences that must be faced.

She claimed the People’s National Movement (PNM) does not have the best interest of their supporters.

"They seem to harbour no great ambitions for their supporters or citizens. I was shocked when the first thing their leader spoke of in the budget was the price of rum.

Is that what she believes is important to PNM supporters and citizens instead of healthcare, education, secu-

rity and sustainable jobs?

"The PNM has supported giving ganja to young people instead of laptops, encouraged rum drinking and gambling, defended Venezuelan human traffickers and drug smugglers, fought against citizens defending themselves in their own homes. They believe citizens want to be grass cutters and street sweepers instead of having sustainable jobs where they can afford a decent home and life.

"PNM MPs don’t support those negative things for their own children and families but support it for citizens." (Trinidad & Tobago Newsday)

ers. "President Putin was very generous in his feeling towards Ukraine succeeding, including supplying energy... at very low prices." For Ukrainians who have been subjected to rolling power outages because of Russian attacks on energy infrastructure all winter, this will be a very hard comment to accept.

Not least for the million who lost power after the air strikes on Kyiv.

But it also makes one wonder what else Putin has said to Trump that appears to fly in the face of reality.

Putin might want Ukraine to succeed, but on his own terms. He said earlier this year that "the whole of Ukraine is ours".

On the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Trump said: "President Putin has been working with Ukraine on getting it open. He's been very good in that sense... he hasn't hit it with missiles." While it's true that a local ceasefire has been taking place for repairs to take place at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia plant, it is Russia that occupied it in the first place. President of

the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen has welcomed the "good progress" made on the call between European leaders, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. "We had a good one-hour-long call," she says in a post on social media platform X. "Europe is ready to keep working with Ukraine and our US partners to consolidate this progress."

She adds that "ironclad security guarantees from day one" are "paramount to this effort". (Source: BBC News)

16 NEWS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Bernie Sanders criticises AI as "the most consequential technology in humanity's history" U

nited States (US) senator Bernie Sanders amplified his recent criticism of artificial intelligence (AI) on Sunday, explicitly linking the financial ambition of “the richest people in the world” to economic insecurity for millions of Americans – and calling for a potential moratorium on new datacentres.

Sanders, a Vermont independent who caucuses with the Democratic party, said on CNN’s State of the Union that he was “fearful of a lot” when it came to AI. And the senator called it “the most consequential technology in the history of humanity” that will “transform” the US and the world in ways that had not been fully discussed.

“If there are no jobs and humans won’t be needed for most things, how do people get an income to feed their families, to get healthcare or to pay the rent?” Sanders said. “There’s not been one serious word of discussion

in the Congress about that reality.”

Days from being scheduled to help swear New York mayor-elect and democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani into office, Sanders said “the richest people in the world” were pushing the technology. He singled out tech moguls Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and Peter Thiel while questioning their motives.

“You think they’re staying up nights worrying about working people and how this technology will impact those people?” Sanders said. “They are not. They are doing it to get richer and even more powerful.”

Sanders also pointed to studies that show dependence on AI chatbots for emotional support. “If this trend continues, what does it mean over the years when people are not getting their support, their interaction from other human beings, but from a machine?” he said. “What does that mean

US Senator Bernie Sanders

to humanity?” That theme was taken up separately on State of the Union by Katie Britt, an Alabama Republican senator and co-sponsor of legislation to protect minors from chatbots. The proposed measure – the Guardianship Over Artificial Intelligence Relationships (Guard) Act – seeks to ban providing

AI companions to minors.

It also mandates that AI companions disclose their non-human status and lack of professional credentials.

The measure seeks to establish criminal liability if companies make AI companions available to minors that solicit or produce sexually explicit content – or encourage self-harm or

violence.

Britt said she had met with parents who have told her “devastating stories about their children where chatbots ultimately, when they kind of peeled everything back, had isolated them from their parents, had talked to them about suicide”.

She said: “If these AI companies can make the most brilliant machines in the world, they could do us all a service by putting up proper guardrails that did not allow for minors to utilise these things, that also told the user consistently that they are not a physician, they are not a psychiatrist, ‘I am a machine.’”

Britt said AI companies should be held criminally liable if they create spaces where chatbots “are having these types of sensual and sexual relationships with young people or encouraging suicide”.

The remarks by Sanders and Britt offer a rare convergence of thinking from

the left and right on aspects of the issue of governing AI. Sanders said Congress needed “to vigorously study the impact that AI is having on the mental health of our country”.

“I worry very much about kids spending their entire days getting emotional support,” he added.

“So we have got to take a hard look on that.” The senator said lawmakers need to be “thinking seriously” about a moratorium on new AI datacenters. “Frankly, I think you have got to slow this process down,” he said.

“It’s not good enough for the oligarchs to tell us, it’s coming, you adapt. What are they talking about?

They going to guarantee health care to all people? “What are they going to do when people have no jobs? What are they going to do, make housing free?

So I think we need to take a deep breath, and I think we need to slow this thing down.” (The Guardian)

Auschwitz survivor fears the "world hasn't learnt from WWII"

Ivor (left) and his brother Alec were the only two persons from their family of 11 to survive

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uschwitz survivors have told Sky News of their pessimism that lessons have not been learnt from history. "I hope I'm wrong," says survivor Ivor Perl. "But there's […] a saying that if one doesn't learn from history, you're cursed to live through it again."

Ivor is nearly 93 years old and it took half a century for him to feel able to talk publicly about his time at the Nazi concentration camp.

"When I was younger I thought to myself, 'I arrived in this world in a terrible time, 1932, at least when I leave it the world will be in a better place'," he says. "But I'm doubting it very, very much. "It's not my job to cure the problem – my job is to tell you what the problem can be. "I haven't got any sign to see that the world has learnt [any lessons from] the Second

World War." More than a million people, mostly Jewish, were murdered at Auschwitz – just one of the numerous death camps the Nazis built across mainland Europe. Ivor was deported to Auschwitz from Hungary at the age of 12.

He pretended to the Nazi guards that he was older and found himself sent to do slave labour. His lie almost certainly saved him from the gas chambers.

Out of his parents and their nine children, only Ivor and his brother Alec

Ninety four-year-old Susan Pollack

Ivor Perl

survived.

"You know why I'm alive today? Because I spoke Yiddish," Ivor says.

"Yiddish is very akin to German." When the cattle trucks arrived at Auschwitz, one of the first things Ivor saw was "people working in striped uniforms". He explains: "They were Polish Jews and they kept saying [in Yiddish] 'eat all the food, don't save any food' and 'if they are asked, children must say they are 16 years old at least'. "We started marching and I went over to my mother's side. And she said, 'no darling, go back to your brother, don't come to me'. I said: 'Please mum, let me stay'. "An officer with white gloves, who later said he was Dr Mengele, pointed people, right or left. The ones on the left, for death."

Dr Mengele asked Ivor

how old he was. "I said, '16'. I can see his face even to this day.

"He said: 'Okay, go to the right'. If I told him I was 12 years old, I wouldn't be alive today."

'How could I tell my children what happened?'

He's joined by another Auschwitz survivor, Susan Pollack.

Susan's recollections of the camp have not faded over the years. "The memory of Auschwitz and the train to Auschwitz will never lose itself in my mind," she says. When Susan arrived at the camp, her head was shaved and her clothes were changed.

"My mum was sent to the gas chamber," she says.

Susan, now 94, lives in London and spent years giving her testimony in schools.

After the war, she moved to Sweden and then Canada, where she met her

husband Abraham, also a survivor. They had three children. She says her husband was reluctant to discuss what they saw during the Holocaust. "He didn't want to talk about it, he said we have to start a new life – we had the children, we didn't want to poison [their lives]."

Sometimes, her children would ask why they didn't have a wider family, including grandparents.

"I couldn't tell them that they were gassed, as they were," she says. "I said they died natural deaths.

"They would ask us why they didn't have uncles or aunts, [and] 'why don't we have a normal life?'

"How could we tell them what happened?"

Sky News spoke with the survivors ahead of the 80th anniversary of the camp's liberation in January of this year. (Sky News)

FEATURE

17

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

HEALTH TIPS BUILDING A BETTER YOU, ONE DAY AT A TIME

By Dr Tariq Jagnarine Fam Med/Endocrinology

A

s 2026 is about to begin, many people pause to reflect on the year gone by, on what worked, what didn’t, and what they hope to change.

Health resolutions often top that list. We promise ourselves we will eat better, exercise more, stress less, and finally prioritise our well-being. Yet by midyear, many of these resolutions fade, not because we lack discipline, but because they were never designed to fit real life.

This year, the conversation around health is shifting. Experts now emphasise that sustainable health is built through small, consistent habits, not dramatic changes that are hard to maintain. 2026 offers an opportunity to rethink how we approach our health, not as a temporary project, but as a lifelong commitment.

cycling, or even active housework all count. What matters is consistency. Even 20-30 minutes of movement most days of the week can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

For those who spend long hours sitting at desks, in vehicles, or on phones, breaking up sedentary time is just as important as structured exercise.

from illnesses.

In 2026, making time for family, friends, and community, whether through shared meals, conversations, faith-based activities, or volunteering, can be just as important as exercise or diet. Health thrives in connection.

Setting resolutions that actually last

Nourishing the body, not punishing it

Nutrition remains one of the most confusing areas of health, filled with trends, restrictions, and unrealistic expectations. In 2026, a healthier approach is to focus on balance rather than deprivation.

Eating more whole foods, fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, lean proteins, and reducing highly-pro-

all well-being.

For those already living with chronic conditions, regular follow-up and medication adherence are critical to preventing complications and maintaining quality of life.

Mental health: A core part of wellness

Movement as medicine

One of the most powerful health decisions anyone can make is simply to move their body more often. Regular physical activity improves heart health, lowers blood pressure, controls blood sugar, strengthens bones, reduces stress, and improves mood.

Importantly, exercise does not have to mean a gym membership or intense workouts. Walking, stretching, gardening, dancing,

sleep quality and daytime functioning.

Reducing harmful habits with compassion

Health is also about what we choose to reduce or let go of. Smoking, excessive alcohol use, drug misuse, and chronic inactivity all contribute to long-term illness. However, change does not have to be all-ornothing.

Reducing frequency, seeking support, and replacing harmful habits with healthier alternatives are meaningful steps forward.

Progress should be measured in improvement, not perfection.

The power of social connection

Strong relationships are one of the most protective factors for health. People with supportive social networks tend to live longer, experience less stress, and recover more effectively

Redefining health beyond the scale

Too often, health resolutions focus narrowly on weight or appearance. While maintaining a healthy weight is important, true health goes far deeper. It includes how well we sleep, how we manage stress, how we relate to others, and how we care for our mental and emotional well-being.

A healthy person is not someone who never gets sick, but someone who actively works to reduce risk, recover well, and maintain balance. In 2026, the goal should be functional health, having the energy to work, care for family, enjoy life, and age with dignity.

sleep in the name of productivity.

A powerful resolution for 2026 is to protect sleep as non-negotiable. Creating a regular sleep routine, limiting screen time before bed, reducing late caffeine intake, and making the bedroom a calm environment can dramatically improve

cessed foods can improve digestion, energy levels, and immunity. Drinking more water and cutting back on sugary drinks is one of the simplest yet most effective dietary changes.

Healthy eating also means listening to your body’s hunger and fullness signals, eating mindfully, and enjoying food without guilt. A diet that causes constant stress is unlikely to succeed.

Preventive care: Knowing your numbers

Many serious health conditions develop silently over the years. High blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, and even some cancers may not cause symptoms until advanced stages.

One of the most impactful resolutions for 2026 is committing to preventive health care.

This includes annual check-ups, blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, cholesterol screening, and age-appropriate cancer screenings. Dental and eye health are often overlooked, but play a vital role in over-

Mental health is no longer a side conversation; it is central to overall health.

Chronic stress, anxiety, burnout, and depression affect sleep, immunity, digestion, relationships, and work performance.

In 2026, prioritising mental health may mean setting clearer boundaries, reducing digital overload, making time for rest, or seeking professional support. Talking openly about mental health and asking for help early should be seen as strengths, not weaknesses.

Practices such as mindfulness, prayer, journaling, breathing exercises, or simply spending time in nature can significantly reduce stress levels when done consistently.

Sleep: The foundation we often ignore

Sleep is one of the most undervalued pillars of health. Poor sleep is linked to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, weakened immunity, and poor concentration.

Yet many people sacrifice

Rather than making many resolutions, focus on a few that align with your life and values. Make them flexible, realistic, and kind to yourself. Health is not linear; setbacks, busy weeks, and difficult days are inevitable. What matters is returning to healthy habits without guilt.

Tracking progress, celebrating small victories, and adjusting goals over time help transform resolutions into routines.

As 2026 unfolds, remember that health is not built in a single month or with dramatic promises. It is shaped quietly, through everyday choices, choosing water over soda, walking instead of sitting, sleeping instead of scrolling, and asking for help instead of struggling alone.

Your health is not a destination.

It is a relationship that deserves care, patience, and attention.

May 2026 be a year where you choose progress over pressure, balance over burnout, and health over haste one day at a time.

18

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

9 killed, including 5 children, Petition draws over 1000 signatures for Haitian Journalist’s in Suriname knife attack

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ine people, including five children, were killed in Suriname after a man, known as ‘Dennis’ attacked them with a sharp object, police said in a statement on Sunday.

The man fatally attacked four adults and five children in Suriname's capital, Paramaribo, during the night from Saturday to early Sunday, around 12:23 a.m, police said.

A sixth child and an adult were also injured and sent to the hospital for treatment.

The 43-year-old man committed the acts at multiple addresses on the same street.

Preliminary information indicates that the man had an argument over the phone with his wife, with whom he no longer lived. The argument allegedly arose about their five children. In a fit of anger, he then stabbed his children. The eldest daughter, DA (16), was admitted to hospital with stab wounds.

Her younger sister AA (15) and her brothers XA (13), RA (7) and DA (5) did not survive the violence.

The commotion prompted neighbors to come outside to see what was happening.

A couple, who were in the street, were killed and died on the spot.

The aggressive man then

release from ICE detention

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Acting Police Chief Melvin Pinas

went to the home of another family. A couple, their daughter, and their grandchild were inside when they were attacked. Three people, including the child, were killed; the main resident was taken away by ambulance.

A total of four adults and five children were killed with a sharp object on Hadji Iding Soemitaweg. A sixth child and an adult were also seriously injured and were transported by ambulance to the Emergency Room (ER) of the Academic Hospital Paramaribo, where both individuals were admitted for treatment.

The condition of two other injured individuals is still unknown. A teenage girl, despite serious injuries, man-

aged to escape and alert neighbors.

The suspect, Dennis, was arrested. During his arrest, he violently resisted and threatened officers with a sharp object, prompting police to intervene to control the situation. Officers shot the suspect in the leg, authorities added.

He was injured and is currently under guard.

According to Acting police chief Melvin Pinas, initial information indicates that the suspect may have been receiving psychiatric treatment. This information is still being verified with the Suriname Psychiatric Center. (Source: Reuters, Suriname Herald, StarNiews)

Brazil court orders house arrest for Bolsonaro coup plot accomplices after ex-Police Chief’s escape attempt

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razil’s top court has issued house arrest orders for 10 people who were convicted and sentenced for participating in a plot to keep former President Jair Bolsonaro in power after his election defeat in 2022.

The decision by Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes on Saturday came after authorities in neighbouring Paraguay arrested a former police commander who had also been convicted in the plot, as he was trying to board a flight to El Salvador using a fake Paraguayan passport.

Silvinei Vasques, the former director of Brazil’s federal highway police,

was extradited to Brazil on Friday night. He was then placed in pre-trial detention.

The 10 people, who were subjected to house arrest orders on Saturday, had remained free despite their conviction because they were appealing their case.

They had faced cautionary measures, like the use of ankle monitors, or had been ordered to stay at the same location every night.

De Moraes said in his decision that the 10 officials helped plan the coup plot, sought legal justification for it, or spread disinformation on social media to help Bolsonaro stay in

power.

Among them was Filipe Martins, a former adviser to Bolsonaro.

Martins’s lawyer, Jeffrey Chiquini, said on X that they would file an appeal.

In addition to the house arrest order, the Supreme Court also banned the individuals from receiving visits, using social media or contacting others currently under investigation, the AFP news agency reported, citing a statement by the federal police.

They were also required to surrender their passports and firearm permits, the agency said. (Source: Al Jazeera)

Major oil spill in Suriname River due to loose tank valve

S

unday afternoon, police and environmental authorities received a report of significant oil pollution in the Suriname River, near Sir Winston Churchillweg. An employee was interviewed at the scene, who stated that he was a foreman from SGSY Trading.

According to his statement, the valve on one of the 100,000-liter storage tanks, which stores lubricating oil, was loosened by unknown persons. As a result, part of the tank leaked, and the oil spilled into the Suriname River.

The extent of the pollution is currently being investi-

gated by authorities.

Police have registered the incident and launched an investigation to determine who was responsible for loosening the tank valve. Environmental services are on site to take measures and limit further damage to the river ecosystem. (StarNiews)

petition to President Donald J. Trump calling for the release of Haitian journalist Carel Pedre from Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention has surpassed its initial goal, drawing more than a thousand signatures within days of launching on Change. org.

The petition, launched on Dec. 25, urges federal authorities to review Pedre’s detention and allow him to reunite with his family and community. Supporters say Pedre’s detention has caused concern among audiences who rely on his work.

“Carel has been an unwavering advocate for transparency and truth, using his platform to highlight issues that are often overlooked,” wrote the petitioner, who goes by MyEritaj and did not disclose their identity, but is based in

Screenshot of Change.org petition urging ICE to release Carel Pedre

Poughkeepsie, NY. “His reporting has not only informed but has inspired positive change within communities that desperately need a voice. The release of Carel Pedre is imperative not only for his personal freedom but also for the restoration of his invaluable contributions to journalism and society.”

Since the petition went live, signatures have continued to grow steadily, with doz-

ens added throughout the day.

While acknowledging that immigration laws are complex, the petition urges ICE to exercise discretion in Pedre’s case, emphasizing his community ties and public-facing work as outlined by supporters.

A December 27 update stated that Pedre has been moved back to Krome Detention Center. (Source: Haitian Times)

J’ca: More than a dozen charges laid against 3 in SSL fraud probe

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ore than a dozen criminal charges have now been filed against three individuals taken into custody over the weekend in connection with the alleged multibillion-dollar fraud at the collapsed investment firm Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL), according to Jamaica attorneys and law-enforcement sources.

Those charged are SSL founding director Hugh Croskery, his daughter Sarah Meany, and former SSL chief executive officer Zachary Harding. All three face multiple counts, including fraudulently inducing persons to invest; failure to register a company carrying on business in Jamaica; carrying on a securities business without a dealer’s licence; failure to apply to the Financial Services Commission to be registered for securities issued; and breaches of the Banking

Investigators have said more than 200 client accounts were affected by the alleged fraud, with losses estimated to exceed US$30 million

Services Act. The charges arise under the Securities Act, the Bank of Jamaica Act, the Banking Services Act and the Larceny Act. Croskery was granted bail in the sum of $1 million and is scheduled to make his first court appearance on January 26, his attorney, King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie, confirmed. Croskery has also been ordered to surrender his travel documents as part of the bail conditions. Attorneyat-law Samoi Campbell is

also representing him.

Sources said Meany and Harding were similarly granted bail, though the specific terms of their release were not disclosed.

The charges follow a major coordinated law-enforcement operation that unfolded early Saturday, with searchand-seizure raids carried out at four locations linked to the long-running SSL investigation — three in St Andrew and one in St James.

Brazil's Bolsonaro undergoes medical treatment for hiccups

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razil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has received a medical procedure to treat his chronic hiccups, his medical team has said.

Saturday's treatment "went well", according to one of his doctors. Another, Claudio Birolini, added that the procedure - which he stressed was not a surgery lasted for "about an hour".

The far-right former leader is currently serving a 27year sentence for plotting a coup after he lost the Latin American nation's 2022 presidential election to left-wing opponent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

This latest procedure comes after the 70-year-old successfully underwent surgery for a double hernia earlier this week, after being granted permission to be transferred to hospital.

Following the successful surgery, his medical team deemed it necessary to treat his recurrent hiccups, which he had been suffering from for months.

"It's been nine months of struggle and anguish with daily hiccups," Bolsonaro's wife, Michelle, said on Saturday.

She explained in a social media post that her husband's procedure had "blocked" one

of his phrenic nerves.

The phrenic nerves contract and expand the diaphragm, which allows the lungs to inhale and exhale.

Hiccups are caused by the involuntary spasming of the diaphragm, typically as a result of an irritated phrenic nerve.

His doctors later confirmed they had treated the right phrenic nerve and had scheduled to work on the left nerve on Monday.

Once discharged from hospital, the former president will return to a cell in the federal police headquarters to continue serving his sentence. (Excerpt from BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025

19

Around the World

French cinema actress 1 dead, 1 injured after 2 helicopters crash in New Jersey Brigitte Bardot dies aged 91

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O

ne person is dead and another has been left critically injured after two helicopters crashed in a southern New Jersey town.

Police in Hammonton, New Jersey, responded to a report of an aviation crash at about 11.25am on Sunday, according to Denise Mazzeo, the town’s deputy municipal clerk.

Police and fire crews extinguished flames that engulfed one helicopter, Mazzeo said in a statement to the Associated Press.

One person was killed

Authorities look over the scene after two helicopters crashed in Hammonton, New Jersey, on December 28, 2025

and another was transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Video from the scene showed a helicopter spinning rapidly to the ground.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

The FAA has said the crash was a midair collision.

(The Guardian)

rench actress Brigitte Bardot, who revolutionised 1950s French cinema and became a symbol of sexual liberation, has died aged 91.

The cinema icon - "BB" as she was known in her home country – acted in almost 50 films, including And God Created Woman, but retired in 1973 to devote her life to animal welfare.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the nation was mourning "a legend of the century", while the Brigitte Bardot Foundation remembered her as a "world-renowned actress".

Later in life, Bardot's reputation was damaged after she made homophobic

Brigitte Bardot was in court so often that the prosecutor said he was "weary" of charging her

slurs and was fined multiple times for inciting racial hatred. Her son also sued her for emotional damage after she said she would have pre-

ferred to "give birth to a little dog".

The Brigitte Bardot Foundation she established said in a statement that it was announcing her death with "immense sadness".

The animal welfare organisation said she was "a world-renowned actress and singer, who chose to abandon her prestigious career to dedicate her life and energy to animal welfare and her foundation."

It did not specify where or when Bardot died. She is survived by her fourth husband Bernard d'Ormale, a former adviser to the late far-right politician JeanMarie Le Pen. (Excerpt from BBC News)

15 injured in knife, chemical attack at tyre factory in Japan Saudi Arabia bombs UAE-

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ifteen people have been injured after a knife and chemical attack at a tyre factory in Japan.

Eight people were taken to hospital after they were stabbed by a man with a knife at a factory of the tyre maker Yokohama Rubber Co. in the city of Mishima, in the Shizuoka prefecture, west of Tokyo, according to the fire department.

Seven others were injured by bleach thrown at them during the attack, and taken to hospitals for treatment, the fire department said.

The attacker, a 38-yearold man, was arrested for alleged attempted murder at the factory, police said.

The motive for the attack is as yet unknown.

backed rebels in Yemen

S

The Yokohama Rubber Company Mishima Plant where a stabbing incident occurred, injuring 15 persons

The fire department said five of the people who were stabbed were in serious condition, but other details were not available.

All were conscious while they were being transported to hospitals, according to media reports.

The suspect is believed to be a former employee at the factory, Kyodo news agency said, quoting investigative

sources.

He was carrying a survival knife and wearing what appeared to be a gas mask, Japanese newspaper Asahi reported, citing investigators.

Japan has strict gun control laws, and violent crimes are rare, but there have been a number of high-profile knife attacks in recent years.

(Sky News)

audi Arabia has launched air strikes on separatists backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Yemen as the rift between the two Gulf states deepens.

Saudi warplanes bombed Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces in Yemen’s central Hadhramaut province on Friday, new images show.

On Saturday, Riyadh said it would back Yemen’s government in any military confrontation with separatist forces and urged them to withdraw “peacefully” from contested areas.

Saudi Arabia supports the internationally recognised government

Militants affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council near the site of air strikes in Hadhramaut, Yemen

in Yemen, while the STC, which wants the portion of the country that was historically South Yemen to secede, is backed by the UAE. The STC said that the Saudi bombardment was of “serious concern” and that it served “no constructive pur-

pose in any dialogue”.

Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, said: “We urge restraint and continued diplomacy, with a view to reaching a lasting solution.”

There was no comment from Riyadh. (Excerpt from The Telegraph)

New Archbishop of Canterbury urged to scrap £100M fund over slavery links Somalia condemns Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as "naked invasion" T he incoming Archbishop of Canterbury has been urged to scrap plans to spend £100 million over the Church of England's historical links to slavery.

In a letter seen by the Sunday Times, a group of Conservative MPs and peers has urged Dame Sarah Mullally to stop the Church from spending the money.

They claim the funds can only legally be spent on churches and the payment of clergy wages.

Mullally, who currently serves as the Bishop of London, will take up her new role as the first-ever female Archbishop of Canterbury next month.

The Church of England's slavery links proposal was announced in January 2023 following the publication of a report into the Church's historical links to transatlantic slavery.

The report, requested by the Church's financing arm – the Church Commissioners – found that a fund established

by Queen Anne in 1704 to help poor Anglican clergy was

used to finance "great evil".

According to the report, the fund, known as Queen Anne's Bounty, invested in African chattel enslavement and took donations derived from it.

After the report's publication, the then-Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said he was "deeply sorry" for the links and said action would be taken to address the Church's "shameful past".

The Church Commissioners announced a new £100m fund, committed over a nine-year period, to be spent on "a programme of investment, research and engagement" in communities damaged by the enslavement of African people during the transatlantic slave trade.

However, in their letter to Mullally, MPs and peers have urged the Church to focus on "strengthening parishes" rather than on pursuing what they describe as "high-profile and legally dubious vanity projects".

"At a moment when churches across the country are struggling to keep their

doors open — many even falling into disrepair — it's wrong to try and justify diverting £100 million to a project entirely separate from those core obligations."

A spokesperson for the Church Commissioners said: "The Church Commissioners, as a 320-year-old Christian in-perpetuity endowment fund, has committed £100 million to set up a new investment fund to support healing, justice and repair, in response to the discovery of its historic links with transatlantic African chattel enslavement.

"This is consistent with the Church of England's Fourth Mark of Mission: to 'seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation'.

"Governance arrangements are being developed transparently — in line with charity law, our fiduciary duties, and our moral purpose — to ensure proper oversight and accountability." (Excerpt from BBC News)

S

omalia’s president has condemned Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland as a “naked invasion”, warning that the move threatens to ignite separatist movements elsewhere.

Addressing an emergency joint session of parliament on Sunday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has committed the “greatest abuse” of Somalia’s sovereignty in the nation’s history and referred to Israel as an “enemy”.

“I am encouraging the Somali people to be calm and to defend the unity and the independence of our country, which is facing this naked invasion,” he said.

Lawmakers unanimously passed a resolution declaring Israel’s recognition as “null and void” although the measure is largely symbolic given that Somalia has not controlled Somaliland since it declared independence in 1991, which Somalia has nev-

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud addresses an emergency joint parliamentary session in Mogadishu

er accepted.

The resolution warns that individuals or institutions violating Somalia’s sovereignty will face legal consequences under the country’s penal code and international law.

It directed the government to take up the matter with the United Nations, African Union, Arab League and other regional bodies.

Mohamud accused Netanyahu of trying to import Middle Eastern conflicts into Somalia and promised his country would not allow its territory to be used as a military base to attack other nations.

He urged Somalis to set

aside “tribal and regional rivalries” to confront what he described as an “existential threat” to the country’s unity.

Defending the Israeli move, Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known locally as Cirro, said on Friday that Somaliland’s recognition “is not a threat, not an act of hostility” to neighbouring countries.

He said his nation is “deeply rooted in Islamic values of moderation, justice and coexistence” and does not represent an alignment against any Islamic nation or community. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025

21

President’s schoolboys’ futsal

West Ruimveldt Sec among 4 teams to face off in semi-finals after explosive quarter-finals

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he schoolboys’ division of the One Guyana-Kashif and Shanghai President’s Futsal Championship delivered an action-packed day of football on Saturday as the quarter-finals took centre stage at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, with four schools booking their places in the semi-finals after impressive performances.

In the opening quarter-final, New Central High School produced a commanding display to defeat Annandale Secondary 3-0.

Danger Michael opened the scoring in the ninth minute, setting the tone early. Caedon White doubled the advantage in the 15th minute, before Peter Khan sealed the win with a well-taken goal in the 27th minute.

The second encounter saw Westminster Secondary School overcome Hope Secondary School 3-1 in a competitive clash. Westminster took the lead in the 15th minute through an own goal by Hope Secondary goalkeeper Oswald Duke.

Ezekiel Caesar extended the lead in the 23rd minute, but Hope responded through Quashaun Campbell in the 25th minute to keep the contest alive. Any hopes of a come-

back were dashed when Nickille Watson struck in the 28th minute to secure the victory for Westminster.

A dominant performance followed in game three as West Ruimveldt Secondary dismantled St John’s College 6-0. Jeremiah Griffith was the star of the match, with goals in the 2nd, 15th and 16th minutes, before adding another in the 23rd minute to complete the rout.

Donovan Welcome scored in the 11th minute, while Dellon Philadelphia added his name to the scoresheet in the 22nd minute.

In the final quarter-final, Dolphin Secondary showcased their attacking prowess with a convincing 4-0 win over VYC Academy. Christenson Daudinot opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, followed by Tyler Abrams in the 10th. Sean Grant found the net in the 15th minute, and Christian Sam rounded off the scoring in the 26th minute.

With their victories, New Central High, Westminster Secondary, West Ruimveldt Secondary, and Dolphin Secondary have all advanced to the semi-finals, which are scheduled to be played on Tuesday.

Futsal action at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

CWI could host entire Regional 4-Day tournament in Antigua – Perreira

Joseph “Reds” Perreira

W

ith Cricket West Indies (CWI) facing financial problems, the next edition of the Regional Four-Day tournament could be hosted in one country only.

According to veteran cricket commentator Joseph “Reds” Perreira, the entire tournament could be hosted in Antigua and Barbuda.

Perreira highlighted that all indications point to a single territory host-

ing the entire tournament during April 2026, with the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) , and the Coolidge Cricket Ground identified as the primary venues.

According to Perreira, condensing the tournament to one host nation is a practical cost-saving measure that allows CWI to stage the competition without placing additional strain on its budget.

"Since the ARG has been closed to cricket, it has been a football venue. The Antiguan Government was asked to see if they can get it back to first-class level for next year's Regional FourDay tournament. There is a possibility that some of the better games will be played

The Guyana team are a dominant force in Regional 4-Day cricket

there. It should bring the life of the ARG in 2026."

By basing all teams in Antigua and Barbuda, CWI is expected to significantly reduce expenditure related to inter-island flights and long-term lodging while also simplifying logistical planning for teams, officials, and broadcasters.

Perreira welcomed the move, describing it as a sensible and necessary step given the current economic climate.

"I think the move to ask the Antiguan Government to help with preparing the old Test ground is a good one. It is well-positioned, close to the city of St John's , and we may see some decent crowds attending the first-class games in 2026 once the price is attractive," he said.

The Guyana Harpy Eagles have won the championship for the past three seasons.

Julien Alfred

A

fter a year defined

by Olympic glory and untimely injury, sprinting sensation Julien Alfred is shifting gears.

The reigning World Indoor 60-metre champion has set an audacious target for 2026: to shatter one of athletics’ oldest records.

Alfred, who jointly holds the title of second-fastest woman in history over 60 metres, will launch her campaign at the prestigious Millrose Games in New York City on February 11.

This marks her highly-anticipated return to the short indoor sprint, an event she “really loves”, but skipped entirely during the last campaign.

Her mission is clear: to eclipse the 32-year-old world record of 6.92 seconds, set by Russia’s Irina Privalova in 1993. Alfred’s personal best stands at a tantalising 6.94, a mere two-hundredths of a second from immortality.

World Indoor 60-metre champion Julien Alfred eyes world record in 2026 “I’m really looking forward to competing in the 60m again,” Alfred said on the CITIUS MAG podcast.

“It’s a fun year for me doing the things that I actually love and enjoy. I’m actually really excited.”

The St Lucian star’s 2025 season was a rollercoaster. Having focused solely on the outdoor World Championships in Tokyo, she capped her year with a bronze medal in the 100m, the event in which she made history by winning Olympic gold in 2024, before an injury forced her withdrawal from further competition.

Now, with no major outdoor global championship in 2026, Alfred is seizing the opportunity to chase indoor history. Currently blending vacation with preparation at home in St Lucia, she has returned to training since early November following duties as a tourism ambassador in Europe.

The Millrose Games will provide an immediate blockbuster test. The field includes American rival Aleia Hobbs, who shares Alfred’s 6.94-second best, and the defending Millrose champion Jacious Sears.

Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, a former training partner, adds further elite competition.

Alfred is no stranger to The Armoury track, holding the meet record of 6.99 seconds from 2024. That performance is one of her five career sub-seven-second runs, a tally that pales next to Privalova’s 13, but places her among the event’s legends like Merlene Ottey and Gail Devers.

Her pedigree in the event traces back to her collegiate days at the University of Texas, where she became the third-fastest teenager ever before the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly ended her 2020 season. (CMC)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025

Chesney dominates to capture Mr Guyana Bodybuilding 2025 title

V

eteran bodybuilding stalwart Colin Chesney emphatically lived up to his “Mr Clean” reputation at the National Cultural Centre last weekend as he delivered a flawless display of muscle definition and stage composure to capture the 2025 Mr Guyana Senior Bodybuilding title.

Chesney was the standout performer at the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation’s highly-anticipated Clash of the Titans, overpowering a stacked lineup of elite competitors to

claim the night’s most prestigious honours.

He first stamped his dominance in the super heavyweight division, edging out a strong challenge from Dwayne Mars. As the competition unfolded, Chesney’s momentum only intensified.

Returning to the stage in the masters bodybuilding category, Chesney squared off against a formidable field that included former Central American and Caribbean Games medallist Rawle Greene.

Despite the depth of expe-

rience on display, Chesney’s superior conditioning and presentation earned him the masters title and propelled him into the final pose-off, where he sealed his championship triumph.

While Chesney commanded the spotlight, Christopher Anthony emerged as one of the event’s most versatile athletes. Anthony clinched a hard-fought victory in the welterweight division over Daniel Latchman and Martin Longe before going on to dominate both the Classic Physique (Short) category

Clash of the Titans: Key Results Overall Mr Guyana 2025: Colin Chesney Overall Men’s Physique: Christopher Anthony Masters Bodybuilding: 1st: Colin Chesney; 2nd: Rawle Greene; 3rd: Delrae McLean Men’s Physique: 1st: Roley Chandler; 2nd: Yusuf Khan Miss Bikini: 1st: Christina Ramsammy; 2nd: Sabita Stepheson Bikini Wellness: 1st: Melitha Anderson Men’s Fitness: 1st: Romelton Siland Heavyweight winner: Orlando Dublin Super heavyweight winner: Colin Chesney

and the Overall Men’s Physique title.

Additional weight-class champions included Shemar Burrowes in lightweight, Kareem Bowman in bantamweight, and Orlando Dublin, who topped the heavyweight division.

The 2025 championships also marked the successful debut of the Fit Model category. Romelton Siland, who also captured the Men’s Fitness title, claimed the inaugural men’s Fit Model crown, while Savita Boodhoo etched her name into the history books as the first female champion in the category.

In the glamour divisions, Christina Ramsammy was crowned Miss Bikini, and Melitha Anderson secured the Bikini Wellness title, with both athletes receiving thunderous applause from a packed audience.

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1st: Christina Ramsammy; 2nd: Sabita Stepheson

Fitness Federation also showcased the sport’s growing grassroots reach through its Kids Fitness divisions, where Trinity Cole and Amariah Siland claimed top honours.

The Federation credited the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, along with several private sponsors, for supporting what it described as a landmark event.

“Guyana bodybuilding is alive, thriving, and stronger than ever,” it said in a statement.

“Dataman is best in Guyana; Olympic Kremlin is no challenge” – trainer

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eigning Guyana Cup and President's Cup winner Dataman is set to ignite the New Year’s Day stakes on January 4 at Rising Sun Turf Club.

The trainer of the champion horse, Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr, described Dataman as the best in Guyana.

He also stated that Olympic Kremlin of the Slingerz Racing stables, who was the champion horse in 2024, is no challenge to Dataman.

"We are hoping for some good-weather conditions so we can have a good day (on January 4).

Dataman will be back; he has to represent himself," Mohamed said at the Boxing Day race meet at Kennard's Memorial Turf Club.

When asked about Dataman not facing his real challenger (Olympic

Kremlin), Mohamed replied : "No, no, he has reached the challenge, but he has not reached his prime.

I think he is the best in Guyana. I don't believe Olympic Kremlin is any challenge to him."

Dataman and Olympic Kremlin raced in the 2025 Guyana Cup, but on a controversial race day, Olympic Kremlin's jockey was unseated.

Since then, he has not been a regular starter, but fans are hoping to see the return of Kremlin and a battle with Dataman.

The New Year's Day stakes will attract the best horses from the elite racing stables and top jockeys, both local and international; more than $15 million will be up for grabs.

Ten races are carded for the day , and the feature event will be open to all horses. The total purse for the

one-mile feature is $3,750,000, and the winner receives $2 million.

The other races on the provisional programme include the Sprint Classic Open, two-year-old imported, three-year-old Guyana-bred Derby, F Class, and three-yearold imported maidens in Guyana, also open to first-time starters, Brazilian-bred horses imported on or before September 2025.

There is also the H2 and Lower open to three-year-old West Indian bred, the L Class non-winners of 2025 and first-time starters, twoyear-old Guyana and West Indianbred open, "I" Class and Lower Open and K Class and Lower.

All purse monies mentioned above are in Guyanese currency.

Entries have been accepted from December 21 and will close on

W

resented at the global level as FIFA continues to shape the future of women’s football worldwide.

At home, Johnson has been a central figure within the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), leading the planning and execution of the GFF Women’s Division 1 League. This landmark competition, featuring Guyana’s first-ever 10team women’s league, has just concluded and represents a major step forward for the domestic women’s game.

The league was conceptualised to provide

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23 Campbell to lead Guyana’s senior women in CG United Super50, T20 Blaze women’s championships GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025

Realeanna Grimmond

Niya Latchman

Sheneta Grimmond

Shemaine Campbelle

Mandy Mangru

Kaysia Shultz

Shabika Gajnabi

Ashmini Munisar

s the year winds down and Guyana and the world prepare to welcome 2026, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has officially begun preparations for the upcoming CG United Super50 and T20 Blaze Women's championships.

The GCB Senior Women's Team, under the guidance of Head Coach Tremayne Smartt and Assistant Coach/Manager Clive Grimmond, is set to reconvene for an encampment from January 2 to January 7, 2026 in anticipation of defending their T20 Blaze title and vying for success in

the Super50 competition.

The team, which achieved remarkable success earlier this year by capturing the T20 Blaze championship, are focused on maintaining their winning form.

Preparations have already begun within the GCB to ensure a smooth and effective build-up to the tournaments, emphasising player readiness, strategic planning, and overall team cohesion.

Captain Shemaine Campbell will lead a squad featuring Ashmini Munisar as Vice Captain, alongside Shabika Gajnabi,

Sheneta Grimmond, Realeanna Grimmond, Nyia Latchman, Kaysia Schultz, Laurene Williams, Latoya Williams, Analesia D'Aguiar, Plaffiana Millington, Mandy Mangru, Feona Benjamin, and Tremaine Marks.

The squad will be supported by a strong group of reserves, including Cyanna Retemiah, Letisha Jordan, Crystal Durant, Tiea Isaacs, Anastecia Valenzuela, Tifeny La Rose, Sarah Bheir, and Nyomi Barkoye.

Talented all-rounder Cherry-Ann

A

Fraser is out with an injury, and the coaches will continue to support her.

The GCB is committed to providing the team with the resources and preparation necessary to defend their T20 Blaze crown successfully while aiming to make a strong impact in the Super50 championship.

The Board looks forward to an exciting start to the new year as Guyana's senior women cricketers prepare to showcase their talent and continue the nation's proud tradition in regional women's cricket.

GDF FC crowned Women’s League champions T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Women’s League Division One season came to an exciting finish on Saturday, at the National Training Centre (NTC), Providence, East Bank Demerara, with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) FC emerging as champions following a disciplined 2-0 victory over Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC in the final.

The championship match showcased tactical awareness and resilience from both sides, but it was GDF FC who made their opportunities count.

Shenessa Cornelius opened the scoring in the 11th minute, capitalising on early pressure to give her side a crucial advantage.

GPF FC sought an equaliser throughout the contest, but were met with a well-organised

defensive performance.

The result was sealed late in the game when Glendy Lewis struck in the 49th minute, assuring the title for GDF FC and capping off an impressive campaign.

Earlier in the day, the third-place play-off delivered a tightly-contested encounter between Santos FC and Fruta

Action in the final between GPF FC and GDF FC

Guyana Police Force FC got second place

Conquerors. Santos FC edged Fruta 1-0, with Gabriel Rivera scoring the decisive goal in the 12th minute.

Despite sustained efforts from Fruta Conquerors to level the score, Santos FC maintained their composure to secure the victory and claim third place in the standings.

The finals day marked a fitting conclusion to the GFF Women’s League Division One season, highlighting the growing competitiveness and quality within women’s football in Guyana. The matches attracted supporters and stakeholders alike, reflecting continued progress in the development of the women’s game.

T

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025

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

GDF FC crowned Women’s League champions Pg 23

Campbell to lead Guyana’s senior women in CG United Super50, T20 Blaze women’s championships

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Pg 23