Guyana Times - Sunday May 9, 2021

Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 4642 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021

PRICE

Wales backlands' residents appeal for urgent assistance to save livelihood, road

WHAT'S INSIDE:

“I was criticised” - teen mom Neyisha Kemisha Calder tells P14 her story

…Govt to balance investment already made by developer vs occupancy needs of local farmers Guyana accounts for Health Ministry reports 9 70% of proven oil COVID-19 deaths reserves in last 5 years See story on page 29

Page 9

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…as major oil companies running out of proven oil reserves

Guyanese Carlston Harris wins debut UFC match in opening round

…130 new cases

See story on page 40

A mother’s pain 1st Mother’s of living beyond Day without her: Page Shonette Dover’s 16 her children mother grieves as − Rosalyn Remollo she mourns her remembers her daughter’s horrific death children this Mother’s Day Page 22

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“The lessons P23 from my mother shaped my mothering style” – Keisha Vincent

Armed bandits rob Massy sales reps P8 Convict beaten with wood during prison fight P37

P6 Fisherman killed in hit-andrun accident

CXC topics for 2021 exams now available for P6 students – CEO

Ganja purchase P33 arrangement ends in chopping incident

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SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, May 9 – 03:00h – 04:30h and Monday, May 10 – 03:30h – 05:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, May 9 – 15:25h – 16:55h and Monday, May 10 – 16:00h – 17:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY There will be light cloud and light rain showers during the day. There will be light rain showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly to NorthEasterly between 2.32 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 15:24h reaching a maximum height of 2.51 metres.

Low Tide: 08:59h and 21:13h reaching minimum heights of 0.68 metre and 0.7 metre.

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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Guyana accounts for 70% of proven oil reserves in last 5 years …as major oil companies running out of proven oil reserves

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uyana, with oil giant ExxonMobil as the operator, accounted for 70 per cent of proven new oil reserves belonging to major oil companies over the last five years, even as the world’s largest oil exploration companies run out of proven oil reserves.

According to an analysis from Norwegian oil and gas consultant Rystad Energy, new oil reserves among Big Oil which comprises companies such as ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, Chevron, Total and Eni, have fallen. However, Exxon has come out ahead of its peers, thanks to Guyana.

“New discovered volumes – a measurement of a company’s exploration performance – illustrates the daunting challenge faced by oil majors to maintain their reserves base and supply existing customers,” Rystad said.

“Over the past five years, the six majors have replaced only 45 per cent of their production through reserves from new discoveries. ExxonMobil fared better than its peers, adding more than 70 per cent of the produced reserves thanks to 9 billion (Barrels of Oil) of discovered volumes in the offshore Stabroek Block in Guyana.”

Nor is Exxon the only one. Rystad noted that Total also had some amount of success last year in the Guyana-Suriname basin. This is a reference to the oil found in the Maka Central-1, Kwaskwasi-1 and Sapakara West-1 wells offshore Suriname in Block 58 last year.

“Eni did well thanks to success in Africa. Chevron and Shell, on the other hand, have struggled to reg-

Exxon’s Liza Destiny FPSO operating offshore Guyana

ister new discovered volumes. Chevron managed to replace only 15 per cent of its produced volumes from 2016 through 2020, while Shell replaced 27 per cent,” Rystad added.

ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has so far made 19 oil discoveries offshore Guyana, with its latest discovery being made at the Uaru-2 well in the Stabroek Block last month.

Oil was found in the first Uaru well in January 2020, making it Exxon’s 16th discovery in Guyana’s waters.

ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be online by 2027. It is ex-

pected to submit a Field Development Plan (FDP) for one such project, Yellowtail, for governmental approval later this year.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). EEPGL is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.

Already, ExxonMobil has

established an ambitious oil exploration plan for 2021 offshore Guyana. Over the past few months Exxon, the only company to have found and started producing oil in local waters, has been drilling simultaneous deepwater wells in both the Stabroek and Canje Blocks.

In March 2021, ExxonMobil secured a sixth drillship, the Noble Sam Croft, for exploration and evaluation drilling activities offshore Guyana. A fourth project, Yellowtail, has been identified within the block with an anticipated start-up in late 2025 pending Government approvals and project sanctioning. This project will develop the Yellowtail and Redtail fields, which are located about 19 miles (30 kilometres) southeast of the Liza developments.

With the Liza Phase 2 and Payara developments on track for their scheduled completion and the Liza Phase 1 development averaging 120,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), Guyana’s oil production is likely to exceed 500,000 bpd by 2024.

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SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021

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

Mother’s Day T

oday is the day that has been set aside for us to honour our mothers. It is a cliche to say that every day ought to be “Mother’s Day” because of all that every mother has done for every living human being. Even the mother who abandoned a child had suffered excruciating pain to bring that child into this world. The biological foundations of motherhood have placed constraints on ever woman who bore a child ever since the species began - and even before.

Those constraints were given sociological significance in terms of defining the “woman’s role” in every society. Who would stay at home and “mind baby”? In the last century, there were many proposals to rectify that situation. The communes of the sixties were one variant: the children would be raised in a communal setting, and everyone would be “mothers and fathers”. Similar to the ones that had preceded them in the 19th century, this innovation also died on the vine. The communist countries of USSR and Eastern Europe also tried to break the stereotype of women “tied” to the role of motherhood, without success.

In the present, with the increasing number of women in the workforce, seen as an inevitable outcome of modern economic development, there is renewed interest in reformulating the role of “mother”.

In China, which is leading the former Third World into this brave new world, a facility to care for children is part and parcel of every new factory constructed.

Their five-decades-old policy of “one child family” also played a big role in refashioning the relationship between mother and children. As Guyana embarks on a developmental path that is sure to give it a quantum leap into a modern economy and society with our oil revenues, these are issues that we should ponder over, and not - as usual - wait for them to ambush us.

But in the meantime, apart from the gifts that we, especially the men in our society, may offer our mothers today, we can also rethink our conception of motherhood, so that our mothers and all other mothers - present and future - can live happier, more satisfying lives. Today, violence against females has taken on epidemic proportions, and it does not appear that the official sanctions enforced by the forces of law and order are changing the status quo.

Days after Arrival Day, maybe it is time we take a leaf from the Eastern traditions, including that of India, which teach males to look at all women, excepting their wives, as “ mothers”. For males, such a perspective would place females out of bounds to fulfil their sexual fantasies outside wedlock. For women, they also would be in a position earn respect from males as full and equal human beings, and not be defined only through the sexual relation.

This perspective was beaten out of the immigrants as they passed through the “total institution” that was the plantation, as were the relations of respect between males and females in the African population, which was forced to serve as slaves in the previous centuries. What replaced those norms was the use of violence as a salutary device to elicit compliance.

With the society patterned on the hierarchical and patriarchal relationships of the plantation, it is not surprising that violence, especially against women and other weaker groups in the society, such as children, remain stubbornly entrenched.

It is a greater tragedy that Mother’s Day is celebrated today, when the entrenched attitude of viewing women as lesser beings is still dominant in many of those presenting their gifts. The mothers and their children are being socialised into believing that this single act of propitiation on this single day excuses and erases the other three hundred and sixty-four days of neglect, abuse, and even violence.

The point we are making is that: if women in general, and mothers in particular, are to be given their due honour, we must revise our conception of “motherhood”.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Young persons in Moruca, Region One (Barima-Waini) attending a 20,000-scholarship opportunity meeting on Saturday where the programme was rolled out in the community by Public Service Minister Sonia Parag and Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal (DPI photo)

Mother’s Day, like every day, is important for motherhood Dear Editor, There’s an old saying, “God couldn’t be everywhere at once, so He made moms”. This is a statement that has horrible theology in it, but attempts to convey the importance of motherhood.

Mother’s Day is the day on our calendar for expressing appreciation to our mothers, as well as to those who have “mothered” us - those wonderful people who have cared for us, nurtured us, and helped us on our way.

When it comes to Mother’s Day, I’m ‘old school’; I still believe every day is Mother’s Day! I still buy Mother’s Day cards for my mom, for my motherin-law, and for my wife. It turns out that I’m not the only one who does this.

This Mother’s Day, like every day, there are reminders of our mothers and ‘mother figures’ in ways we can’t always anticipate.

Something happens, or something is said, and we think of “her”. Celebrating this important role makes sense, and certainly feels right.

Today there are families struggling with abuse and neglect, where many of our young children are separated from their mothers.

Today offers an opportunity to reflect on how commemorating mothers in what’s become a commercial holiday may feel for those kids.

Most of us were not sepa-

rated from our mothers as children.

Some of us have lost our mothers, and know the grief that accompanies such loss. We should also consider what this day represents for mothers living without their children as a result of child protective involvement — a jumble of feelings that can amount to profound sadness.

Mother’s Day reminds us that we are all born deserving to be loved. Nature dictated that, in the first instance, this love; this unconditional expression of protection, trust, safety, and care, should come from our biological mothers. We may have known of many who have had that critical mother-child connection dramatically interrupted.

My hope for the mothers, mother figures, grandmothers, aunts, sisters etc, who work to take care of their families, is that they get some time to appreciate how important they are to the younger people whose lives they are changing, both at home and at the work place.

There is no more important work than what they all do for our fragile but remarkably resilient children and young people.

If you are one of those people who have made a mother’s difference in the life of someone who truly needed you, this day is for you. Just think of the difference you have made in

somebody’s world — beginning with the gift of life itself. You give us so many reasons to be thankful.

Happy Mother’s Day! Sincerely, David Adams

I must call a spade a spade Dear Editor, Firstly, I must commend the Hon. Fizal Jafferally, who is representing the PPP in the National Assembly as Region Five Member of Parliament, for the outstanding and unselfish work he has done since taking office. Many may know that I and this very MP don’t agree a lot of times, and we have had our ups and downs in politics; but when it comes to development of my region, I work, and am willing to work, with everyone who wants to see betterment for Region 5.

I must call a spade a spade. Since MP Jaffarally took office, he has been on the go. He has already visited almost all the communities in Region Five and listened to their concerns. Not only has he visited to hear the concerns of the people, he also holds an Open Day at his office at Bath Freedom House every Monday.

Many are taking advantage of this Open Day, regardless of race, religion or status. People are happy that they have someone to listen and help with their concerns, and many of the matters are being solved immediately, or a few days

later.

That is what the people of Region 5 need - someone to listen to their concerns; someone to help them, no matter which political party they support.

This shows the oneness in the work of this MP and the Government. Yes, many will also say ill things about the work of the MP, but in everything we do, some will praise us and some will cuss us out. No work is enjoyable without the worker being attacked and cussed out.

Those who are cussing out are the ones who see development and close their eyes. They can see only destruction and racism as a form of attack.

I believe, and as far as I know, Mr Jaffarally did more outreaches and interaction with the public than any former MP of this region in such a short span of time. People like Jaffarally are what this region needs, not those who only want to serve their party by being racist and unable to think or see for themselves.

Region Five - and I can say this without any negative - has only one Member of Parliament who is working for the people.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021

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News

Berbice pedal cyclist hospitalised after being hit by truck F ifty-year-old Ramnarine Jagai of Number 77 Village Housing Scheme, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice Corentyne), is currently hospitalised with a fractured ankle after he was struck by a truck on Friday.

The incident occurred sometime around 10:15h on the Springlands Public Road. The pedal cyclist was hit by motor lorry GYY 9636, owned and driven by a 34-year-old man from Yakusari South, Black Bush Polder.

Guyana Times understands that Jagai was proceeding north along the western side of the road ahead of the motor lorry.

However, as the pedal cyclist approached a motor car that was parked on the western side of the public road, the truck drove up alongside him.

As the motor lorry was

The truck that struck the pedal cyclist

passing both the cyclist and the parked car, its left side tray collided with

Jagai. As a result of the collision, the pedal cyclist fell onto the road’s surface

where he received injuries.

He was picked up in a conscious state by pub-

lic-spirited persons and taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where he was seen and examined by a doctor who treated him.

The injured man was subsequently referred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where he is admitted a patient in the Male Surgical Ward having sustained an open fracture to the right ankle.

Meanwhile, a notice of intended prosecution was served on the driver of the motor lorry. A breath analyser test was conducted which recorded zero readings.

The driver is currently in custody assisting with the investigations.

Just four days ago, an elderly man was admitted a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was reportedly struck down by a minibus along the Better Hope Railway Embankment, East Coast

Demerara (ECD).

Both the minibus bearing registration number BXX 9170 and the pedal cyclist were travelling along the roadway when the now injured man attempted to cross the road.

However, a motor car reportedly stopped to allow the elderly man to cross the road but the minibus suddenly overtook the motor car and collided with the pedal cyclist.

The pedal cyclist reportedly fell onto the roadway and received injuries about his body.

He was subsequently picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was treated and admitted a patient in the male surgical ward suffering from a dislocated hip and punctured right leg.

The minibus driver was later arrested.

Guyana’s free press stood tall to ensure our democracy prevails Dear Editor, One would have hoped that with all the recent shenanigans surrounding the activities and work of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Chairwoman and Commissioners would have moved with alacrity towards a swift remedial path of corrections and damage control. Instead, the paucity of actions so far signals an impending disaster.

Inducements to the above stem largely from the sanctimonious gangster, who unilaterally appointed a misfit geriatric as the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission. The intention was a clear malalignment of the internal controls of the institution at the operational level of the Secretariat in order that it would function in a biased favour of the PNC-led APNU/AFC cabal.

By the time the Caribbean Court of Justice eventually evicted the fraudulent squatter, much imbalance related to sinister staff appointments was imposed.

The corrections in this respect still remain outstanding, and their impact have largely contributed to the heavy frustration, tensions and uneasiness existing in this country. Many of these persons have largely acted in cahoots with the blatant PNC henchmen and women in efforts to publicly overturn the true results of the March 02, 2020 elections, although the public evaluations showed a win by the PPP/C. It is indeed sad that after the passing of the No Confidence Motion on the

night of December 21, 2018, it was the same former President Granger and then Prime Minister Nagamootoo who agreed publicly that the APNU/AFC Government had fallen. However, in keeping with the innate bullish and proven dictatorial traits of the PNC, there is widespread public feedback from their subsequent turnaround that it was truly a consequence of their desperate determination to stay in power at all costs.

With these leaders at the helm, sinister and clandestine manoeuvres were orchestrated and directed in corroboration with some dangerous planted operatives in the GECOM Secretariat to create delays. This ultimately extended an illegal stay in Government while supporting a parallel exploitation of the court system to prevent the holding of Regional and General Elections.

The recent reactions by Mr. Granger to bring in excess of $2.6 billion in lawsuits for libel against several media houses which reported the inappropriate behaviour of his derogatory influence is nothing but an indecent proposal. Mr. Kit Nascimento, the Public Relations ‘Czar’, must be commended for the many strong and well written statements he used to address the PNC and the undercurrents of Mr Granger during those troubling times.

There is an abundance of evidence which stands testimony that the despicable riggers were hell bent on stealing the Elections.

The Guyanese nation must never forget the role of our united people, and par-

ticularly the role of the free press operatives who stood in defiance of Granger in making sure that our democracy prevailed in a peaceful way. We were fortunate that we did not have to go down the road the people in Myanmar travelled, who are today still struggling to get free and fair elections.

Of note, Mr. Granger, from whom our nation did not hear anything significant during his five years in office, has suddenly reemerged. Synonymous with the PNC track record, he is now trying to shift our country’s tremendous development process by filing stupid and vindictive libels against a prominent citizen and sections of the press. Strategically, this sudden voice may serve to

overwhelm those in his party now searching for guidance as lost sheep. The calls for him to step down are certainly voluminous, and he must first solve the numerous serious problems he is facing in the PNC. Most Guyanese rationalise that Granger was a total disaster as President of Guyana. From his inherent failures, he is now bobbing like a ‘cork in the ocean’ in attempt to respond to pressure.

This is a call for him to come clean and let this nation know where he obtained the money to build that ‘mansion’ at ‘Pearl’ on the East Bank of Demerara. Without a doubt, his fluff demonstrates that he is a stranger to the truth, under whose watch deliberate efforts to

I must call a spade...

FROM PAGE 4

While some may say that’s not true, the PNC has one, that’s a no-good one.

Why do I say that? The PNC MP only sees negatives and racism. He looks at the small potholes that have been developing in Bath and other Indian areas to attack the PPP, but little does he know that the PNC hardly did any developmental work in Indian areas within the past five years.

In the past five years, I had to fight the PNC REO hard for some work to be done in areas like Blairmont; Shieldstown; Cotton Tree; Numbers 2,3,5,8; Woodley Park; Bath; Experiment; Bush

Lot; Number 28; Dundee, etc. Today, through the input of MP Jafferally and the RDC, work is being done across the region without looking at the race of the people living in those villages. Thanks for such representation, Mr Jafferally.

I must commend Hon. Member of Parliament Fizal Jafferally for doing such a great work, and hope that he continues to represent the region as he is doing presently. Keep up the good work MP, and stay safe.

Regards, Abel Seetaram Fmr AFC RDC Councillor

manipulate and oversee all the skullduggery at GECOM were perpetrated.

Further, billions of dollars were spent during the stolen time that he paraded himself in Government.

Guyanese of all walks of life suffered and were humiliated as the PNC cabals kept their ‘knees’ on our people’s backs as they propelled themselves in power. It cannot be denied that Granger’s genuine attempts to ‘rig’ the National Elections in 2020 caused our nation to suffer serious financial loss, grave national distress, humilia-

tion, embarrassment, indignity, and we were the laughing stock of the Caribbean.

Our lawyers must spare no effort along with the free press, to humiliate him in the courts.

At the moment, this baseless lawsuit is nothing but an indecent proposal to deflect blame for the GECOM disaster and his own internal inefficiencies. As my good Member of Parliament friend said, “Let’s bring it on!”

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

6 NEWS

SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CXC topics for 2021 exams now available for students – CEO

ACCESSING BENEFITS FROM THE USE OF GENETIC RESOURCES

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he Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) 2021 examinations will be written in JuneJuly 2021, and topics which students need to cover have been released by the Education Ministry.

Chief Education Officer, Dr Marcel Hutson indicated in a briefing on Friday that the topics will be disseminated through the Guyana Learning Channel, social media handles and traditional media outlets.

The early release is expected to benefit those persons who want to embark on early studies.

“The Caribbean Examinations Council has decided to release the broad topics that should be covered for Paper Two examinations…

Once those topics would have been released, we are going disseminate those topics through various mediums to ensure that the topics get to our students so that they could embark on their studies. We want our students to perform to their optimum,” Hutson outlined.

Following the topics will be structure lessons in each area, to further boost Guyana’s success at the examinations. The CEO pointed out that the country has a history of scoring well in the region and officials want to continue this

– A CLOSER LOOK AT THE ABS REGULATIONS

CXC Headquarters

trend.

“Once that is done, we are going to have videos, lessons done, questions and answers in relation to each topic because we want to ensure that we give our children a good advantage in terms of how they will perform at the examination. Over the years, we have done well and we want to ensure that we keep that rich tradition where our Guyanese students would have performed optimally in these examinations,” the education official highlighted.

The Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) exams will be written from June 14 to July 16. This year, CXC returned to the normal format which includes both Paper One and Paper Two components, in addition to Paper Three for private candidates.

Meanwhile, the Council will for the first time accept Student-Based Assessments (SBAs) in January 2022 for candidates deferring to sit exams for subjects offered in that period. This decision was made in light of the disruption COVID-19 and the La Soufrière volcano in St Vincent and the Grenadines have caused to the education system in the region.

The regional regulatory body said that it was cognisant of the many challenges across the region at this time and has recognised that not all candidates may be ready for assessment during the June-July 2021 examinations cycle. As a result, the examination body said it has opted to offer candidates the option.

Meanwhile, CXC explained that “the granting of the deferral will be managed by the principal for in-school candi-

dates, and by the CXC Local Registrar for private candidates”. Further, for candidates wishing to make use of this option, the examination body was offering it free of charge.

However, candidates were required to indicate same by May 1.

In efforts to continually meet the needs of candidates and stakeholders, SBA requirements have been reduced by as much as 50 per cent in some subjects.

Although students have not yet returned to the classroom in full following the Easter term break, Education Minister Priya Manickchand expressed confidence last month that they would perform well at the CSEC and CAPE exams this year. She had said despite the pandemic, students are receiving a quality education that would ensure their success.

Fisherman killed in hit-and-run accident on ECD road

A

fisherman was killed in a hit-and-run accident on the Better Hope, East Coast Demerara Public Road Saturday night.

Dead is 47-year-old Navindra Ramnarine of Diamond, East Bank Demerara. The accident occurred sometime around 20:00h.

An eyewitness told Guyana Times that Ramnaraine was crossing the road when he was struck by what appeared to be a Tundra pick-up vehicle.

The man related that Ramnarine was crossing from the northern side of the road and was already on the southern carriageway when

The body of Navindra Ramnarine on the ECD Public Road

the pick-up overtook a motor car and struck the victim.

It was related by the eyewitness that Ramnarine was dragged approximately 100 feet on the public road by

the pick-up, which ran over the man before driving away from the scene, heading in the western direction.

Meanwhile, a relative of Ramnarine, Trisha, told this

publication that the man was visiting his family at Better Hope and had been there for several days.

The woman said Ramnarine had gone to another relative’s house in north Better Hope and was on his way back when the accident occurred.

The traumatised woman said that they received news of the accident and when they arrived at the scene, they found the 47-year-old man lying on the roadway in a pool of blood.

Ramnarine leaves to mourn his daughter who lives in Suriname and stepchildren along with other relatives and friends.

G

uyana is known as a melting pot of cultures. Our motto: ‘One People, One Nation One Destiny’, spells out the uniqueness of the rich cultural knowledge and customs of a land we all call our own. The diversity of our food is uniquely linked to the geographic locations of our people. Equally matching the beauty of our people and their foods is our rich biodiversity.

The abundant and diverse flora and fauna; the special herbs and spices we know, that bring out the aroma in the kitchen; or that shrub applied to soothe the nagging pains, can all be lost if regulations are not established to manage the natural resources which benefit our Guyanese people.

This article, therefore, will focus on the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Regulations in Guyana, and how we, as a people, can be beneficiaries from the provisions contained in these regulations.

Guyana is among fourteen (14) countries in the Caribbean that adopted the Nagoya Protocol, with significant advances in establishing relevant measures.

The adopted Nagoya Protocol, which provides access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilisation (ABS), is an agreement under international law entered into by over 70 countries around the world. It operates in the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in aiming to implement one of its central objectives: the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the utilisation of genetic resources. Thus, the ABS Regulations are specific laws in the Nagoya Protocol that allow countries such as Guyana to benefit from indigenous knowledge and genetic resources, against countries and companies who exploit such resources for their gain.

When we speak about genetic resources, we are referring to natural ingredients; research into the beneficial properties of biochemical compounds for new ingredients and products; and in the cosmetics sector, for example, research on plant extracts, oils and molecules to develop new ingredients with moisturising, firming, anti-ageing properties etc. One such example is using the noni fruit extract for a number of health benefits.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the constitutional focal point agency in Guyana for the implementation of these regulations, as set out in the Nagoya Protocol.

There have been many successes and challenges since the EPA adopted the ABS regulations. What are these successes and challenges?

Successes * Drafting of the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Regulations to ensure that Guyanese have mutual sharing and benefiting opportunities of our genetic resources. * Implementation of the application process for biodiversity research, hence all persons (Guyanese or non-nationals) interested in conducting biodiversity research in Guyana must apply for a Biodiversity Research Permit from the EPA. * Indigenous communities are given opportunities to contribute in crafting regulations, including provisions which are seen as beneficial to their villages.

Challenges * Since the ABS Regulations in Guyana are not fully implemented, there are areas of misunderstanding regarding resources covered in the Regulations and those which are excluded. * The loss of traditional knowledge due to biopiracy, where foreigner researchers gain from community elders knowledge that was passed down from generation to generation. The knowledge is then used to create resources which are then patented and sold by multinational companies, making billion-dollar profits and passing no benefit down to the local communities.

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.

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SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

8 NEWS Armed bandits rob Massy sales reps T SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

hree armed men on Saturday morning robbed two sales representatives attached to Massy Distribution while they were conducting a transaction in Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The robbery occurred sometime around 09:20h at Matthew’s Shop, Third Street, Grove.

Reports are that the sales reps - Rondell Downes and Lorenzo Sewchand - were conducting a transaction at Matthew’s Shop when they observed two males walking towards them - one was armed with a handgun.

The perpetrators went up to the victims and the armed

suspect pointed the gun towards them and told them not to move or he was going to shoot them. They demanded all their belongings, which were handed over.

The men took $300 from Sewchand and from Downes, a Samsung Galaxy cellular phone valued $26,000 along

with $51,184 cash which was the property of Massy Distribution.

After collecting the items, the suspects then made good their escape on foot into Kaneville, EBD. Statements were taken and the investigation is in progress.

A few weeks ago, a resi-

dent of First Bridge, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was attacked and robbed by three cutlass-wielding bandits.

The incident occurred as the woman was making her way home from work.

Thirty-four-year-old Nikita Mohabir, a salesperson, was robbed of $280,000, two cellphones, and important documents.

Police said one of the perpetrators pointed a cutlass at the woman and told her to stay calm. He then grabbed her handbag containing the cash and other valuables.

After committing the act, he and his two accomplices made good their escape.

Settling scores…

I

…through PNC proxies t was Burnham, self-proclaimed “founder-leader” of the PNC - Eusi Kwayana, John Carter, Jainarine Singh, JB Latchmansingh et al were presumably chopped liver!

- who (in)famously introduced to Guyana the distinction between “causa belli and casus belli”, the CAUSE of a war versus the OCCASION for a war. Of course, Burnham never missed the occasion to “show off” his schoolboy accomplishments, and had to invoke the First Form Latin phrase he’d crammed back in the day!!

But some of his disciples in the present need to be reminded of their Master’s words as they launch their latest war of words (for now) against the PPP. The first salvo was to defend Walton-Desir’s indefensible assertion that Indian-Guyanese are “mentally lazy” to support the PPP versus African-Guyanese who’re mentally adept to pick the PNC! This defence wasn’t framed politically, but viscerally, as a “duty” of African men to defend an African woman who’s being attacked by the mentally lazy PPP bullies. The fella hoped it wouldn’t descend to the level of the days of the Resistance…but left the possibility open. You don’t draw lines when your women are under attack, do you?

A second front was opened up when President Ali issued an “Arrival Day” message to the nation that all arrivals had come “for their betterment”. Well, since he was giving an Arrival message, you’d think he was addressing the indentureds who arrived, wouldn’t you? But in trying to be inclusive in his preamble, he also alluded to AfricanGuyanese, who of course had involuntarily been brought as chattel slaves. He quickly apologised for his faux pas, but this didn’t cut any ice with the mustered PNC army.

Condemnation swiftly followed, with the charge that this was proof that the “mentally lazy” tag wasn’t just a slur.

Well, at this time, it’s a war of words, but, as mentioned above, one warrior had explicitly declared that the troops should be ready to go beyond that if necessary. The fella quoted Gandhi’s dictum, “If there is a choice between cowardice and violence, then I would choose violence”.

Never mind that, in the previous war, another of Gandhi’s aphorisms proved to be more apropos: “If we practise an eye for an eye, pretty soon the world will be blind”.

Including the ones who gouge out eyes.

But to return to Burnham’s distinction, the complainedof words by the PNC brigade is merely the occasion for the war, the casus belli. They’ve been champing at the bit ever since Granger conceded defeat last August and demitted office. How dare he?! And we arrive at the causa belli - the real REASON for the war: losing office.

But moreso, losing the oil spoils!!

…delayed by no Congress Diddling with Congress has a long lineage in the PNC. In fact, it goes back to even before there was a PNC, when Burnham was intent of seizing control of the PPP from the leader Jagan! The man actually surreptitiously organised one Congress without even inviting Jagan and the PPP executives, who stood by the party’s rules!! Anyhow, Burnham was forced to eventually concede defeat, and slunk off to form the PNC? But he never gave up his tactic of fixing Congress Meetings to fix who was in and who was out. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Granger is using the same modus operandi to stave off the challenges to his leadership. The man confessed in Atlanta that he was a member of the PNC since 1965 - who would’ve then attended every Congress since, to swear loyalty to Burnham.

So, as a fella who doesn’t think, but just remembers, don’t hold your breath waiting for Congress.

You might just croak. …and reversing scores Granger settled old scores when he shuttered 4 sugar estates. He never forgot that he’d worked as a scab in the GAWU 1977 recognition strike. But for naught!!

But under new management, happy days will be here again! No? Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

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SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Health Ministry reports 9 COVID-19 deaths

…130 new cases

N

ine more coronavirus-related deaths were confirmed on Saturday by the Health Ministry – an alarming increase that caused the death toll to escalate to 323.

In a statement, the Health Ministry said that the deaths occurred be-

tween April 25 and May 7.

The patients were all admitted with COVID-19-like symptoms but died while receiving care at medical institutions. Samples were taken at the time of admission, and polymerase chain

reaction (PCR) tests confirmed the positive results.

Among the deaths is a

79-year-old female from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), who died in April. Last month’s death

toll has moved to 66.

The other eight deaths occurred in May, indicating that there were 22 reported deaths within the first week of this month.

Those who died included a 54-year-old male from Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), a 56-yearold from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), a 57-year-old from Region

Six, a 43-year-old from Region Six, a 79-yearold from Region Four, a 68-year-old from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), a 34-year-old male from Region Four and a 53-yearold male from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

Meanwhile, local cases

continue to rise with the detection of 130 positives in one day. For May, there has been an increase of 799 cases.

Total confirmed cases are at 14,203, comprising of 7117 males and 7086 females. To date, 12,072 have recovered completely.

In the facilities, 17 pa-

tients are seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit, with 100 in institutional isolation and 1691 in home isolation. This translates to 1808 active cases.

Additionally, 17 persons are in institutional quarantine. Guyana has tested 129,335 persons thus far.

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NEWS

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SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Health Ministry reports 9...

Indian Arrival and Cultural Citizenship

M

y call last week for the May 5 public holiday, “Arrival Day”, to be renamed “Indian Arrival Day” elicited several objections. One interlocutor even claimed I was “unpatriotic”. This is quite ironic, since one of the major reasons for the decades-long call was to assert that the descendants of Indian Indentureds had arrived “home” and were asserting full Guyanese citizenship - cultural as well as political.

Their challenge was the Creole Culture into which they were thrown and told to assimilate was dominated by European forms and values.

This had been hegemonically imposed on the Africans during slavery, during which Ravi Dev only remnants of African culture were retained.

However, from the beginning of the 20th century, several organisations were launched by leaders like Marcus Garvey (Jamaica) and WEB DuBois (USA) to valorise African culture, and these influenced cultural developments in Guyana.

Unlike African-Guyanese, who had experienced an abyssal rupture with Africa because of those inhumane conditions of their enslavement, Indian indentureds maintained connections with India through several mechanisms, one being the continuous stream of new “culture-bearing” indentureds, even though they helped depress wages due to excess labour.

There were also the Commissions sent out by the Indian Government to examine the living conditions of the Indentureds; the Immigration Agent (“Crosby”) to whom complains could be lodged; several Islamic and Hindu missionaries who arrived in the 20th century; and, finally, the contracted return passage to India.

By the turn of the 20th century, several organisations had also been launched in the Indian community to maintain their culture. However, after the last return ship (SS Resurgent in 1955) and news of how India was different from their idealisation, all local Indians now totally accepted Guyana as their homeland. And while they retained much of their ancestral cultures, the latter had also been adapted to their new circumstances. They had helped create a culturally plural Guyanese society.

However, that last ship also coincided with a fateful turn in the political landscape, which saw a split in the nationalist PPP, which was calculatedly multiracial in its executive and its following.

Because of the split of the party that year, fuelled by Forbes Burnham’s ambitions, both he and Jagan admitted that, by and large, by the 1957 elections, the base had split along African and Indian ethnic lines. That trend continued in the 1961 elections and was cemented in 1964 after ethnic riots in the preceding three years. The PNC that was handed power at the end of 1964, and continued to hold on to that power unbroken until 1992, was dominated politically by African-Guyanese.

But there was a cultural component of the changes that served to exclude Indian-Guyanese from the definition of who were “Guyanese” and its nexus with power. During the 1960s and 1970s, the West Indies, including Guyana, were swept by the Black Power Movement out of the USA. In T&T, even though Eric Williams had programmatically institutionalised AfricanTrinidadian culture as “national culture”, an army unit staged a rebellion in 1970 under the Black Power banner. The latter ideology had demonstrated that groups - identified racially (and analogously ethnically, sexually, etc) - could also be oppressed along those lines through exclusion from the power relations.

Inter-sectionally, the oppression had to also be fought along those lines. The army unit in T&T was making a distinction between political and cultural citizenship: even though people may have full legal rights of citizenship, barriers to cultural citizenship could remain and become markers for discrimination.

In Guyana, the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA), founded in 1964 and aligned with the PNC, solidified African Guyanese support.

The PPP under Dr Jagan, supported by most Indian-Guyanese, had declared itself a Marxist party in 1969 and gave short shrift to the cultural question. When the WPA was launched in 1974, with ASCRIA and IPRA ostensibly as “African and Indian” groups, the leader of the latter, Moses Bhagwan, confirmed to this writer that his position was that Indians were politically excluded by the PNC, but their cultural oppression was not on his radar. With the return of free and fair elections in 1992, and the PPP to office, Indian groups, including JAGUAR Committee for Democracy (JCD) and ROAR, raised the question of cultural citizenship of IndianGuyanese.

The call for Indian Arrival Day was one project for IndianGuyanese to claim their Cultural Guyanese Citizenship - equal to those of other groups in the mosaic of a multicultural Guyana.

A breakdown shows 14 new cases in Region Three, 72 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), seven in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 10 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), 18 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), one in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 18 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The confirmed cases remain at 1081 in Region One (Barima-Waini), 403

in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) and 263 in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni).

In the new week, 60,000 Sputnik V vaccines are expected to arrive – in order to continue Guyana’s vaccination campaign. With this fourth consignment, the country would be in receipt of 198,000 shots from this State purchase. Then, another 38,000 vaccines from the COVAX facility will also arrive later this month.

Recent statistics have shown the country’s vaccination campaign exceeding 154,000 first doses and 7000 second doses. This represents over 30 per cent of the adult population.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No 17), which are in effect until May 31, 2021. This order emphasises the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leav-

FROM PAGE 9

ing your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www. health.gov.gy.

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14 FEATURE

“I was criticised” − teen mom Neyisha Kemisha SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Calder tells her story

By La’Wanda McAllister

J

uggling the demands of everyday life and the additional demands of a young child is difficult for parents of all ages, but teen moms face a unique and daunting set of challenges. Eighteenyear-old Neyisha Kemisha Calder, a young mother of a one-month-old girl, have had her fair share of chal-

lenges, especially when she had a name to uphold.

This teen who had recently completed her CSEC examination at the Golden Grove Secondary School, that is located on East Coast Demerara (ECD), had scored a whopping eight subjects at the CSEC examination, and was named valedictorian, when she found out that she was with child.

Calder who is from a strong Christian family background said she was devastated when she learnt that she was pregnant, and was more focused on how she would’ve been able to embark on a journey as a teen mother.

“Seeing the two stripes on that pregnancy test for me was devastating, and a lot of questions came to mind like how am I going to

provide for my child, am I prepared mentally for this child, am I going to set the right example for my child to follow. I had a lot of things to accomplish and a child would be a setback for me. I even knew my family would've been disappointed in me …”, she said.

The teen mom said even through her doubts it was the support from her family, now fiancé and close

The young mother and her baby

friends who helped her to remain positive.

“As the days went by, I was constantly encouraged…that made me gain confidence in myself”, she said.

During the course of her pregnancy, Calder said pressure began raining from all angles, since everyone looked up to her.

“Criticism. I got it from people in the community, church, they all criticized me for being a mother at such a young age. But, despite what they said, it didn’t change the fact that I was going to be a mother, it didn’t break me…”.

After giving birth to her daughter in March, Calder said she convinced herself that she needed to get her life back together, and fight

lenge now is maintaining her stability in her finances and personal life.

“Finances is needed to look after my baby, and myself and I have to leave some for emergencies; but I find that I get caught up over spending and having to go into other finances that was supposed to look after something else ... As it comes to my personal life, it is a little challenging, but I try to remain focused and stable”, she explained.

In encouraging teen mothers, Calder said: “Despite at whatever age you found out you're pregnant, never let abortion be an option. Pregnancy itself is a challenge but it gets easy. Go through with your pregnancy and get

t o give her daughter every opportunity she could not have.

A month after giving birth, the teenager managed to secure a spot at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), where she is now majoring in Mathematics, and minoring in Agriculture Science.

She said her main chal-

your life back together when you are finish. Make plans for your life during the pregnancy because if you don’t have a plan, you'll be stuck at one place”.

“Work towards it, and provide for your child… and remember God sees and he knows everything and he said in his word ask and it shall be given unto, so whenever you're going through your storm, whether it be the pregnancy or the challenge of rebuilding your life, just ask of him, and he will show up for you”.

FEATURE

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SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Being both mother and father to us, my mother is a pillar of strength

Mommy Natasha Jaigobin

By Raywattie Deonarine

M

other’s Day is the special time of year when you get to celebrate your first best friend and the person you always turn to when you need advice.

A mother's love is extremely important for the healthy emotional outcome of her children and even though she goes through a lot in life, mothers are always their child’s best friend and strongest supporter.

Mothers are a pivotal

Imam Bacchus and Sons Ltd. To us, she is loving, caring, funny, brave, smart, strong, good-hearted, hardworking, and understanding.

She always tries to make people happy and with everything she has been through, she always tries to keep a smile on her face.

When I ask my mother, what being a mother means to her, without hesitation, she said, “It means unconditional love. Motherhood is linked to the role of the woman in society and womanhood in general.

We easily compare ourselves to others, and the fear of being marked as a bad mother prevents us from speaking about the whole spectrum of emotions.

"Being a mom is the ultimate sacrifice. It is undeniably the biggest sacrifice a mother can endure for the sake of her children. We can only imagine what they are going through. In the eyes of other people, this is not the ideal way on how to raise our children. But, for a mother

Mommy with my sisters Ashley, Rihanna and me, along with my brother Romaniz

part of the family. They act as a father, provider, nurturer, and in many cases even a best friend.

My own mother is the very foundation of our family. She is the strongest person I know and my closest confidante.

My mother, 37-year-old Lilwantie Jaigobin, known as ‘Natasha’ of Capoey, Essequibo Coast mothers not only us but also many in the community. She emulates grace and is soft spoken.

While it may come of as being biased, my mother is the strongest woman I know.

She has been both mother and father to my siblings and I. She raises my brother, sisters and I without the help of a husband.

She works as a cook at

who risked her own life to ensure her kid's future, to raise them into a person that I can be proud of and to make sure my kids will have everything a mother could wish for, one can never question whether I am a good mother or not."

Mommy spent her younger years as a cook and a sales representative and looking back at some of the parenting decisions she made, said that although she had such a job, she still always made the time to be with us. With quiet conviction, she said she placed great emphasis on prayer and seeking guidance from God as it relates to raising us without their father.

She stated that she did feel torn when she had to leave her eldest child at home to carry out the care-

taking duties with her small daughter.

“She was only about three years old, and I had to leave my kids home to go to work in the Caribbean to send my daughters and son to school, and I felt a little sad to leave them, but I had my mother who made herself available to assist in looking after my children when I had to worked for days.”

Mommy tells me that she learned throughout the years that a mother must uphold, encourage, main-

tain, protect and help their children, and she worked to ensure that she exhibited these traits and continues to exhibit them. She said that as a mother, she always made sure that whenever she lectured us she provided an explanation on where we went wrong.

"I worked along with my daughter towards the achievements of her CSEC results. Although all the stress and anxiety my second daughter (me) struggled, she managed to cop

eleven subjects at the CSEC Examination. I was so proud and overjoyed with her performance in school.

However, she always made me proud throughout her secondary level of education and I didn't regret the sacrifice I made for her schooling.

Not only my second child but also the other three also made me proud."

Despite the struggle, mommy managed to raise us alone and facilitate us with an education to be better individuals that will make her

proud in the future.

When asked what piece of advice she would give to other mothers, mommy said “I would advise them to first ask God for guidance, allow yourself to have an open relationship with your child or children, and remember that each child comes with their own personality and that you have to work to ensure that you provide for them and protect them. Motherhood is unconditional love and I would encourage them to love unconditionally.”

16 FEATURE

SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

A mother’s pain of living beyond her children…

By Andrew Carmichael

M

other’s Day is a time when mothers are honored by their children and others, but what happens if those children were no more – migrated or even passed away?

This is the reality of some mothers who have been blessed with long life.

Rosalyn Remollo of Orealla is 75-years-old. She lives with her 87-year-old

Rosalyn Remollo and her 87-year-old husband Ronald having lunch

husband Ronald and they survive on their pension.

The couple had four children who have all passed away.

“Things are hard. We get old now and can’t go out,” she says.

With no children to support her in her old age, the mother still farms to this day planting cassava and watermelons.

“Long me a plant me son dem dead out. Four of dem dead out, every year dem

ah dead, last year one dead too,” she tells me.

She lives on the top of a hill and mobility is an issue.

She is unable to climb down the hell to get to the Health Centre and with the passing of her children the it is even more difficult to access basic services without help.

However, she is pushing through and living by her motto “once a mother, always a mother.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

FEATURE

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SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM FROM PAGE 16

Juliet Joseph

Rosalyn Remollo

Her daily routine includes getting wood and chopping it with an axe so that she can fuel her fireside to prepare meals for her elderly husband.

Given her circumstances, many may ask whether it is a blessing to be able to outlive your children.

Similar circumstances affect Juliet Joseph 71, of that same community. She however is a widow having lost both her first and second husband.

She lives with her teenaged granddaughter.

“Sometimes things hard with me; my finances, I am a pensioner but everything you have to buyfish, meat, chicken… But I am a farmer that helps me too. Me do my cassava bread and farine,” Joseph said.

Rosalyn Remollo cutting wood to prepare a meal

Joseph is originally from Region Nine (Upper Takutu - Essequibo) but settled in Orealla many years ago.

The widow explained that she has no sons with her to assist with the cutting of logs for her to cook.

“Me does try and hustle for myself.

Sometimes me under bush [clearing farm land] myself. Me clean the farm and plant. My children all are away,” she relates.

Speaking about her husbands, Joseph said

one died in the gold bush accidentally and his body could not come out for a proper burial and the second one passed away at the Georgetown Hospital.

In spite of what life threw at these two women, they are forging ahead with their lives.

They appreciate the past but they are more focused on the present. Like Remollo and Joseph there are countless “children-less mothers” who continue to think of times when they had their children around.

18 FEATURE

SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By Lakhram Bhagirat

A

Casimero and a group of girls she took to use free internet in the community

mother is everything to her child. She is their first teacher, their doctor, their nurse, their chef, their role model and so much more. A mother is a child’s first line of defence and that child knows that no matter what, “mommy will be there.”

It is with the understanding that mothers are their children’s everything, that Immaculata Casimero began tackling motherhood. She incorporated some of what her mother taught her and is today mothering four children.

Casimero comes from humble beginnings in the Indigenous community of Aishalton in South Rupununi and credits her upbringing for the way that she parents her children.

Backtracking to her childhood, the 39-yearold said she was born in the village of Aishalton but spent the first few years of her life out of the community since her father’s work took him elsewhere.

“When I was 5 years old, I returned to Aishalton and went to school here. My child-

hood was more of the normal community life that we have here in the Indigenous communities. My parents allowed me to farm, bake.

I did everything that a normal Indigenous girl would do. I went to fish, look for crabs with my grandmother and so. I did all that you can think about as an Indigenous girl,” she said.

After she sat the Common Entrance Examinations, Casimero was awarded a place at the Central High School in Georgetown. At the age of 12, she left her village and moved to Georgetown to attend secondary school.

Casimero, upon completing her secondary schooling, returned to Region Nine and shortly after moved to Brazil. However, unable to cross the language barrier, she would return home and take up employment with the Guyana Elections Commission.

“I lived in Lethem almost for 12 years where I found my partner and I got my children there and on and off I was (working) with GECOM. I was part of their permanent staff when they opened their office in Lethem. I also worked with the Bureau of Statistics doing census and so on,” she said.

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20 FEATURE

SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM FROM PAGE 18

Casimero and her mother

Casimero’s 4 children in their younger days

Now Casimero’s children are 19, 17, 14 and 11 years old.

In 2014, after her mother fell ill, she packed up her family and moved back to Aishalton to take care of her.

“I am the only daughter for my mom and she was not well and I wanted to be with her. I think I had spent a long time away from home so I came home and I also wanted my children to have this simple life and experience the life that I had so I came back home in 2014,” she explained.

When she got back, the mother immediately began registering her children in school and became quite active in the Parent Teacher Student Associations at the schools. She started to ensure that funds were raised for the various activities so that not just her children but every child could have the benefits.

In 2015, she was also elected to the Village Council and from there, she moved from being a “house mother” to the “village mother.”

Today, if you visit Aishalton and

even other communities in the Deep South Rupununi almost all of the youngsters know “Mackie” as she is popularly known. She played and continues to play an integral part in the development of the youth so that they can take up positions of leadership and exploit every opportunity for personal development.

“When I became a Councillor that was when I became really involved in everything. I was the Secretary of the Aishalton Village Council too so I had to be there on a daily and make sure I dedicate my time to the village. That is how I became really involved in the village/ community affairs and helping my people. I started going on trainings, attending meetings and so on to build my capacity to help,” Casimero

related.

“I wanted to see the village affairs as important and I wanted to make some change. I became involved in the SRDC (South Rupununi District Council) meetings and there I met different people. I had known a lot of people in the community working with the Guyana Elections Commission so I just met back the people there and became really involved with the SRDC as a leader, as a mother, as a woman and I always try to encourage young girls and talk about all the challenges they would face. I encouraged them to finish school, encourage them not to become pregnant early and I would tell them outright because I would tell them that I consider myself being a teenage mother, I don’t want to see other women

falling into those circumstance,” she added.

The mother said that she would often think about the challenges she faced while raising her four children and would share that experience with the young girls.

“So, I would encourage other young women to finish school and get an education. That is what I tell my children too. I tell them do not forget your culture, your language as well and that is important and we need to balance that also. When we became involved in the SRDC we had this youth conference where I met a lot of young women and I would encourage them to not afraid to take up leadership position. Up to today I encourage them to do that.

“I feel when you have a relationship with young people it is the best. As mothers, some people would be so harsh and tell children things out of the way and get them annoyed but you have to have this approach where you can see them or try to put yourself in their shoes and that is what I tell my children.

I does put myself in their position to see what I would do. That is what I do in my job even today as a women’s rights advocate,” the leader said.

Casimero is no longer on the Village Council and now takes up the position as Chair of the Aishalton Women’s Association which has about 15 women. Together, they would organise income generation activities so that the mostly

unemployed women can have some form of income and not be solely dependent on their husbands.

When asked about what being a mother means to her, Casimero said “Being a mother is being everything.

Growing up my children I was with them all the time despite having my job. You are everything, you are the mother, you are the doctor when they are sick, you’re their father when the father is not in the home, you’re the teacher in the home, you’re their first teacher and children learn from their mothers.

Whatever foundation the child has, it comes from the mother.

You’re there for them, you can speak with them, you have this unbreakable bond and I do that with my children so the lines of communication are always open.

I always tell my children that they have to know how to use what they have to be of service to others. That is something I have learnt that no matter what you do, you always try to provide service to others and in that way, you are serving your purpose in the community.

I try to protect my children from the bad things that are happening in the outer world and ensure that I teach them to be kind, to look after the elderly. I would send them out there to help the elderly because I want to build it in them that they need to care for the elderly and so on.”

Casimero also extended Mother’s Day wishes to all mothers.

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22 FEATURE

SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By Utamu Belle

F

or Lindener Simone Benjamin and the rest of her family, this year’s Mother’s Day comes at a time when they are mourning the sudden and unexpected loss of her second daughter, Shonette Dover.

The family’s world was torn apart when Dover’s partially decomposed body was discovered in a shallow grave in the backyard of the Canvas City, Linden home she shared with her boyfriend, Shaquawn Alleyne, on April 30.

Prior to that, Dover had been reported missing for almost a month. Even more heartbreaking, Benjamin’s teenage daughter who had reportedly been at the home when her sister was murdered and buried has since been charged with accessory after the fact of murder and is presently at the juvenile holding centre.

For Benjamin and the rest of her family, it is a double loss, added to the fact that her daughter’s suspected killer is yet to be apprehended.

Speaking with the Sunday Times recently, Dover’s grieving mother and other family members shared fond memories of her as they reminisced about her life growing up. The family has since erected a tent with memorabilia photos in the Blueberry Hill, Linden yard where she grew up for the latter part of her life, with her mother, grandmother and other siblings. Her family related that Dover loved taking photographs as was seen by the beautiful pictures strategically placed and decorated with colourful balloons.

“She used to like model and take out pictures. She wanted to be a movie star, she used to tell me. She like a picture, every time you would see her taking out a picture,” her mother recalled.

Dover also loved to plait hair, and her family recalled her being the goto person when they needed their hair styled. According to her mother, she was no pushover and would always stick up for herself.

Growing up, she attended the Mount Caramel Nursery School, then the St Aidan’s Primary School, prior to culminating her secondary education at the Christianburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) which are all located in the Linden community. Dover has been described by many as a brilliant student. It was in secondary school that she met Alleyne and the two became friends.

According to her mother, she loved to have fun and was quite fond of children, especially her siblings and her nieces and nephews. Benjamin said she became even more reminiscent as Mother’s Day approached.

“Mother’s Day coming around I’m going to be really sad,” she related, as she reminisced on how excited her daughter used to be on occasions such as these.

“She really was a nice and jovial person... If she and somebody get wrong, she wouldn’t even hold grudges... This morning we were saying how we miss her. If God could’ve just resurrect her, you know,” Benjamin confided.

For one, she said Dover loved to prepare food.

“She used to like to prepare things, she liked to cook. Especially when it comes to her grandmother, she learned how to do every little thing – prepare nice pastries. When she make a eggball, oh gosh! It was a real eggball,” Benjamin related with the pleasant memories imprinted deep in her eyes.

She also recalled her daughter’s friends posting her food on social media on one occasion and receiving favourable responses from persons who willingly placed their orders.

“My brother who live outside, he said he had great plans for her because she had potential. I know I will miss her for all those things. She never used to like to see me sad. She used to say, ‘mommy you don’t worry, I would make you feel proud. I never knew that she would’ve been gone so early,” a saddened Benjamin said.

She further confided that while her daughter didn’t get into much detail, she had planned on returning home that Tuesday after she went “missing”.

“The last time she tell me, ‘mommy I’m coming home. I ain’t able with this’. We was waiting for the Tuesday for she to come home, but, nothing,” Benjamin said as she described Dover’s boyfriend as being very jealous and insecure in his actions towards her daughter.

“She had a lot of dreams. Especially when it comes to her nieces, she wanted to do a lot of things for them. She always said she wanted to help her mother, and grandmother too,” Benjamin said.

Benjamin said she is even more saddened over the position her teen daughter is presently in.

“I would die for my children... When it comes to loving them, I’m always there... I feel sad but I ask God to give me the strength,” she said.

Asked about the type of person she knew her daughter’s boyfriend to be like, she said it was nothing compared to what the family has recently uncovered.

“They say when you see somebody they does look nice, but you don’t know what is their heart. So that is what fail we, because we never know that he was somebody like that...We didn’t know all them things,” she related.

TURN TO PAGE 24

FEATURE

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The lessons from my mother shaped my mothering style – Keisha Vincent

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he world is celebrating Mother’s Day today by honouring mothers and their contribution to the development of their children. That is being done in different ways and for Keisha Vincent, there is no better way to honour her mother than imparting the lessons she learnt to her children.

Vincent, by using the lessons taught by her mother, is honouring her daily and according to her, those lessons have shaped her style of parenting.

The mother of three was born in Kamarang, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) to an extremely large family. She has seven siblings and is the fifth child of her parents.

“I grew up with my mom and seven other siblings. My mom, despite the various challenges our family faced kept us all together. Growing up in a large family has several positive impacts in my life, from

learning to share to being taught the importance of responsibility and honesty,” she said.

Being from a hinterland village allowed Vincent to enjoy the simple things in life. Her childhood involved all sorts of exciting games with her sibling.

Their mother always ensured that they got along since they “were plenty and don’t need to go out and find people to play with.”

Her mother was the pillar of strength in her life. Vincent remembered her mother working really hard to ensure that she and her siblings had a relatively easy time growing up. There were big pots of cook-up rice and unfiltered conversations about life. The channel of communication was clear so that Vincent and her siblings understood some of the challenges that awaited them when they entered the world.

“One of my fondest memory of my mom is her staying up late with me while I was preparing to write Common Entrance Exam with a ‘flambo’ lit for illumination. On the day of the exam, she dressed me up with the whitest of all the socks, ribbon fitted neatly and uniform neatly pressed to the seam. I was extremely nervous because I really wanted to make my parents and siblings proud. On the day of the exam, despite the fact that she worked the

night before, my mom walked me to school and as I entered the compound looked me in the eye and comfortingly said to me ‘go do your best, I know you will do well.’ Those comforting words as simple as they may seem calmed my nerves instantly. I went into the exam room that day filled with confidence.

I was able to score the highest mark of the class that year,” Vincent remembered.

Now a mother herself to three children – Keiana, Florynell and Floyd – Vincent is ensuring that her children experience the same level of support as she and her siblings did.

The 33-year-old became a mother for the first time when she was just 19.

“Becoming a mom for the first time had a series of emotions and feelings attached to it. When I saw my baby for the first time it was love at first sight.

My life at that moment, when I held her in my arms, became about her. I knew at that moment that every decision I make would affect her. I pledged to be the best mom I could to that baby on the 16th of December, 2006. I basically went from worrying about myself, thinking about myself, planning for myself to planning for this little person who needed me for everything,” the mother said.

TURN TO PAGE 24

24 FEATURE

SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM FROM PAGE 22

The tent erected in memory of Shonette

Benjamin said she takes comfort, however, in knowing that they were able to retrieve her daughter’s body.

“I just want to remember her just the way she used to be. I don’t want to remember her dead...I know I’m going to feel sad on Mother’s Day,” she reiterated.

Benjamin urged Alleyne to surrender to Police so that her daughter can get justice. She also encouraged mothers to pay more attention to their daughters and the men they are involved in relationships with.

“This is a warning to every mother. If your child got somebody, let them come and ensure you counsel the person. Get to know

the person for yourself... You can even take them to a pastor for a lot of counselling. As they say, ‘come see me and come live with me, it’s two different things’,” she noted.

The grieving mother said she is also taking comfort in the fact that her teen daughter is still alive and was able to reveal what happened on the fateful day.

“It’s hard but we just have to leave it in the hands of God,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dover’s cousin related that the family is unappreciative of the negative way in which her teen cousin is being portrayed by some sections of society. She said no one truly knows the situation, but she is happy that

the teen reacted the way she did and is alive today.

“The only reason she was there (with her sister and boyfriend) was because she had to get help from her sister with her SBAs. She’s not the type of person people are saying, she’s very quiet and she is very smart,” the cousin said.

She said the teen has been through a lot already as it relates to the case.

“And as much as people are saying that she took a long time to talk, the family was looking outside... because we were misled.

So, that is why most of us did not even find out from her. While we were busy outside looking, she was crying and trying to deal with

the situation but she’s not an outspoken person. I don’t want the public to be spreading stupid rumours about her because she’s not that sort of individual,” the cousin said.

Additionally, Dover’s brother, Travis Stanley, said she had a very promising future as he described her as very loving and humble.

“I was away from them for 10 years, so I never really played that big brother role in their life... but since Shonette was small I saw a promise in her like she would’ve made the family better,” he said.

He also described his teen sister as the “brightest in the family” but noted that she was fearful and traumatised as a result of the entire ordeal.

“It was very promising with both she and Shonette. Well, Shonette got big so I was looking to her now. I pray that people will be able to put themselves in her shoes... at the end of the day, she’s a child...It ain’t easy, so people can say what they want to say but that girl has been traumatised with a fear when she see what her sister went through. I’m just pleading with the public to get a heart... to put their foot in her shoes and see what she went through,” he said as he related that he is praying for the family and for justice.

“We ain’t taking no revenge.

We come from a peaceful family.

We’re full of love and Shonette was very loving. We leaving everything to God. I’m going to miss my sister.

She’s going to be greatly missed,” Dover’s brother said.

The lessons from my mother...

FROM PAGE 23

Keisha’s three children - Keiana, Florynell and Floyd

For Vincent, being a mom means raising her kids to be self-sufficient and good responsible individuals. She believes that it is her responsibility to ensure that her children are the better version of herself.

“One of the best part of being a mom, you can have a really bad day and then you come home and awaiting you is the loving arms of an amazing six-year-old or a smirking sarcastic fourteen-year-old who still comes to me for her forehead kisses then there is the teddy bear hugs from my ‘Bella’.”

Vincent works with the Municipality of Lethem as its Town Clerk, which is a very taxing post. She finds balancing motherhood and work to be a challenge but with her children, it is easier. She sets routines for them and ensures they are followed.

“Most of what I’ve learnt or been taught by my mother in terms of the morals we see are not so prevalent among this generation, so I incorporate some of the teachings of my mom in bringing up my children. For example, she would always say never rob a child of their childhood, allow them to experience their childhood to the fullest and education is the key and that being humble is one of the greatest attitudes you can exhibit.”

She advised mothers to make wise decisions when it comes to their time and love their children wholeheartedly.

“Be a role model for your children. Love yourself and be confident always remembering that time and love has no substitutes.”

FEATURE

BREEDING AND INBREEDING

T

he “Pet Care” column, as the name suggests, involves itself in all those areas which impact on the health and well-being of our companion animals.

Inbreeding/ Incest relative to animals, unless it is carried out under strict supervision and involving much scientific approaches, usually would result in deleterious effects on the future offspring and generations. I suppose that it is for this reason that all religious tomes and beliefs shun any practice of close relatives mating and producing progeny which usually exhibit serious defects and ailments.

We will therefore today commence with a whole new chapter in our discussions on the well-being of our companion animals, as it relates to breeding.

Sex and reproduction in our dogs and cats (the pets people mostly keep) would have been manipulated since the day man decided that he wanted to promote specific traits in the animals he had desired to share his home with. This manipulation of the reproduction system in order to derive specific characteristics in the offspring is a simple definition of breeding.

The wild ancestors of dogs lived their

social lives in packs. Humankind took these animals and made them into beings which share our households, and which cannot even greet and get along well with other members of their species anymore. This is especially true if a dog lives in a house with friendly humans and is isolated from members of his species. Some dog owners argue forcefully that their dogs actually believe that they are humans. It is not a seldom occurrence that dogs firmly attach

themselves to their owners and form less lasting bonds with other dogs.

Breeders have been able to rearrange the reproductive system in such a way that dogs reach the age of puberty and maturity very early in life (less than a year in most cases). We have selectively bred dogs to be small (e.g., the Chihuahua) or large (the St. Bernard, Great Dane, and Irish Wolfhound), to be guard dogs, hunting dogs or lap dogs. We have bred them to

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have “smashed-in” faces (e.g., Pekinese) or long jaws (e.g., the Doberman).

Be that as it may, if you must get into the business of breeding, you should not do so willy-nilly. Breeding is a serious business, and you must be quite sure in your own minds what it is that you wish to achieve. If it is a pure breed you want, then you must start with a pure breed stud dog and bitch. Anything else is a mixed breed (a mongrel). So often we see advertisements that state the seller has pure breed German Shepherd/ Doberman dogs for sale. Well, once two different breeds are involved in the mating exercise, then the offspring would be nothing else than mixed breeds.

The object of any breeding programme is to preserve the essential qualities and physical attributes of that specific breed.

Consequently, a thorough understanding of the breed standard is a fundamental requirement. But I will hasten to add that, beyond the knowledge of breed standards, there is a little something extra, an elusive special sense (almost an extrasensory perception) which allows some good breeders to have an unerring eye which allows them to have one breeding success after another. This is especially

true in breeding racehorses. Generally speaking, however, genuine breeder must work diligently to acquire – over years of trial and error – the proficiency of a true breeder of dogs. Breeders have to research the animals’ bloodlines (the heritage or pedigree), and they be knowledgeable about the required standards of the breed.

Breeders should visit kennels several times to carefully select the required breeding stock, and so on.

It is always advisable to take along a tested and proven breeder when going to select your base stock. It would not harm to ask your vet to accompany you. Also, one should have the good sense to breed the ‘whole’ dog and not put emphasis on any one single attribute. It makes no sense to choose a dog which has a beautiful face (according to the breed standard), but which has awfully skinny legs and a hunched back. Also, it may be good to keep in mind that two beautiful dogs must not necessarily produce a show-winning offspring. Genetics works in mysterious ways. It is not a singular occurrence for a “carthorse” to win great races on the track.

We shall continue with this interesting theme next week.

26 NEWS

SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

The science of COVID-19

Coronavirus: Myths about COVID-19 vaccines debunked Dr Zulfikar Bux Emergency Medicine Specialist, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center

G

uyana, like the rest of the world, has begun vaccinating its population against COVID-19.

Unfortunately, there are many rumours being spread, especially on social media, about the COVID-19 vaccines.

This is creating too many vaccine skeptics, and is putting us all at risk of being stuck in the pandemic for longer than we should be. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 2010 and 2015, vaccines prevented an estimated 10 million deaths.

Scientists have worked tirelessly to create safe and effective vaccines to protect us against

COVID-19. Some persons, called “anti-vaxxers”, dedicate their entire lives to railing against vaccines, and are mostly behind the many myths that are being circulated about COVID-19 vaccines. Today, I will share some common myths being circulated about COVID-19 vaccines, so that you can be properly informed and help dispel these myths.

Myth: The side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are dangerous While the COVID-19 vaccine can have side effects, the vast majority are very short term and are not serious or dangerous. Some people experience pain where they were injected; body aches; headaches or fever lasting for a day or two. These are signs that the vaccine is working to stimulate your immune system.

If you have allergies, especially severe ones that require you to be hospitalised, discuss the

COVID-19 vaccine with your doctor, who can assess your risk and provide more information about if and how you can get vaccinated safely.

There has been recent evidence of rare blood clots in a small number of patients receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine. Experts have since advised that these are rare

occurrences, and the benefits far outweigh the risks, and are advocating for its continued

use. Thousands of Guyanese have already received this vaccine, and there has not been any reported case of blood clots associated with it.

Myth: The vaccine will alter my DNA These vaccines were designed using the RNA and DNA of the virus to create similar structures in the vaccines.

These structures cannot

alter our DNA in any shape or form. When our body detects them after being vaccinated,

it produces antibodies that can be stored and deployed to effectively combat the SarsCov2 virus in the event we get exposed to it. It does not directly interact with our DNA in any way.

Myth: You can get COVID-19 from the vaccines The COVID-19 vaccines cannot give an individual COVID-19. Regardless of the type of vaccine, none contains the live SarsCov2 virus. Any side effect, such as headache or chills, is due to the immune response, and not an infection.

Myth: The vaccine contains a microchip According to some, the vaccines were designed with a microchip inside, and will allow shadowy elites to track our every move. In reality, our mobile phones already complete that task effortlessly.

There is no evidence that any of the COVID-19 vaccines contains a microchip, especially since each vaccine had undergone rigorous testing and analysis by many different international regulatory bodies.

Myth: COVID-19 vaccines can make you infertile There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines impact fertility. Similarly, there is no evidence that they will endanger future pregnancies.

This rumour began because of a link between the spike protein that is coded by the mRNAbased vaccines and a protein called syncytin-1. Syncytin-1 is vital for the placenta to remain attached to the uterus during pregnancy. However, although the spike protein does share a few amino acids in common with syncytin-1, they are not even nearly similar enough to confuse the immune system and cause abortions.

Myth: You should not take the vaccine if you’re breastfeeding You and your breastfeeding baby need protection against COVID-19, like everyone else.

You cannot get COVID-19, or give your baby COVID-19, by being vaccinated. The components of the vaccine are not known to harm breastfed infants. When you receive the vaccine, the small vaccine particles are used up by your muscle cells at the injection site, and thus are unlikely to get into breast milk. When a person gets vaccinated while breastfeeding, their immune system develops antibodies that protect against COVID-19. These antibodies can be passed through breast milk to the baby. Newborns of vaccinated mothers who breastfeed can benefit from these antibodies in the fight against COVID-19.

Myth: The COVID-19 vaccine was developed quickly, so it’s unsafe Millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, and, thus far, it has been proven safe and effective.

Although these vaccines were developed in record time, they would have gone through the same rigorous trials and authorisation process like every other vaccine, and would have met all safety standards. No step

was skipped. The clinical trials and safety reviews actually took about the same amount of time as other vaccines. Scientists utilised existing technologies which saved most of the time that would have been needed to develop a vaccine from scratch.

Also, this is the first time that there was such a worldwide focus and investment into the creation of a vaccine. Sufficient funding and collaboration meant that the process was also much more efficient.

Myth: I don’t need a vaccine, since COVID-19 survival rate is high While the COVID-19 survival rate is high, the death rate is higher in the older population and those with other chronic illnesses. These people depend on others who are not as high risk to be vaccinated, so that the illness cannot spread to them.

We all have loved ones that are in the high-risk group, and we need to look out for them, and get vaccinated. Also, while the death rate is not high, the long-term effects of COVID-19 are devastating for many who have been infected. It ranges from damage to the lungs, kidneys and liver, to numerous issues associated with damage to the nervous system. Those with nervous system damage tend to be fearful, depressed, experience unrelenting pains, and get nightmares for no obvious reason.

Myth: Only the high-risk should be vaccinated Regardless of your risk, you can still contract the infection and spread it to others; so, it’s important you get vaccinated.

Once the vaccine is widely available, it’s recommended that as many eligible adults as possible get the vaccine. In addition, doctors are finding long term complications in those who are not high risk and had COVID-19.

Myth: I can move around without a mask once I’m vaccinated Masking, handwashing and physical distancing remain necessary until a sufficient number of people are immune to the virus and cannot spread it to others. The best protection we can offer each other right now is to continue to follow current guidelines and mask up.

As more people get vaccinated, experts will have a better idea of how long natural and vaccine immunity lasts. In any case, most of the vaccines require you to get two doses, and to wait about a month for your body to develop immunity.

COVID-19 can go away only if we all get vaccinated. Otherwise, we are stuck in this pandemic, and many more lives will be lost and negatively affected. Experts are advising that around 80% of the population needs to be vaccinated before we can bring this pandemic under control.

I therefore encourage you to spread the word on the real facts of COVID-19 vaccine and help debunk the myths. You will be saving lives by doing this.

Article submitted as part of the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 public information and education programme

FEATURE

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HEALTH TIPS MENOPAUSE - PART 2

for the changes is perimenopause or menopause by asking questions. They may also test hormone levels and perform other analyses of the blood and urine to rule out health issues. No test, however, can conclusively indicate that menopause has begun.

TREATMENT

Fam Medicine, Endocrinology/Diabetes

N

atural menopause is the spontaneous, permanent ending of menstruation that is not caused by any medical treatment. Menopause is a normal, natural event. It’s defined as the final menstrual period, and is confirmed when a woman has not had her period for 12 consecutive months.

PHYSICAL CHANGES

Various physical changes can develop around the time of menopause. People may experience: * Excess fat around the abdomen * Weight gain * Changes in hair colour, texture, and volume * Breast reduction and tenderness * Urinary incontinence However, the link between these changes and menopause is not always clear. Some may occur independently at the same time as the transition, and age and lifestyle can also play a role.

INCREASED RISK OF SOME HEALTH CONDITIONS

After menopause, the risk of certain health issues appears to increase.

Menopause does not cause these conditions, but the hormonal changes involved may play some role. * Osteoporosis: This is a long-term condition in which bone strength and density decrease. It is recommended that vitamin D supplements be taken and more calcium-rich foods be eaten to maintain bone strength. * Cardiovascular disease: The American Heart Association (AHA) notes that, while a decline in estrogen due to menopause may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, taking hormone therapy will not reduce this risk. * Breast cancer: Some types of breast cancer are more likely to develop after menopause. Menopause does not cause breast cancer, but hormonal changes involved appear to increase the risk.

Skin changes can also occur around the time of menopause.

DIAGNOSIS

Menopause is not an illness, but many people benefit from seeing their doctors when menstruation ends.

Health care providers can confirm whether the reason

Menopause is not a health problem, but a natural transition. However, it can involve unwanted physical and mental changes. Anyone who has concerns about these changes should seek medical advice: * Hormone therapy This treatment helps balance the body’s hormone levels by providing supplemental estrogen and a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone. Hormone therapy comes in various forms, including skin patches and topical creams. It can help reduce the occurrence of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.

However, using it may increase the risk of developing certain diseases and health conditions. A person should not use hormone therapy if they have risk factors for the following health problems, or if they have a personal or family history of these issues: * Heart disease * Blood clots * High levels of triglycerides in the blood * gallbladder disease * Liver disease * Stroke * Breast cancer * Other treatments A person may find that the following can also help relieve symptoms: * Over-the-counter gels and other products for vaginal dryness * Prescription pills, creams, and rings for vaginal dryness * Low-dose hormonal birth control pills for hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood changes * Low-dose antidepressants for hot flashes, even among people who do not have depression

LIFESTYLE TIPS

Tips for managing the challenges of menopause include: * Regular exercise * Practising relaxation and deep breathing exercises * Health diets that include plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains * Quitting smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke * limiting the intake of alcohol * Seeking counselling for anxiety, mood changes, and relationship concerns * Establishing good sleeping habits, and getting plenty of rest * Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor * Talking to friends and family about the experience of menopause * Exploring new ways

of enjoying intimacy with a partner * Joining a club, volunteering, or taking up a new hobby.

KEEPING AN ACTIVE SEX LIFE

Menopause can reduce a person’s sex drive and lead to vaginal dryness, but it also removes the need for birth control. For some, this can make sex more enjoyable. Having sex often can

increase vaginal blood flow and help keep the tissues healthy.

Some tips for maintaining sexual health and activity during menopause include: * Staying physically active * Avoiding tobacco products, recreational drugs, and alcohol * Taking the time to become aroused, which will im-

prove lubrication * Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor * Not using any strong soaps around the vagina, as these can worsen irritation Also, menopause symptoms lead some people to find satisfying forms of sex that do not involve the vagina as much or at all.

It is worth remembering that, while a woman cannot become pregnant once meno-

pause starts, it is still important to use barrier protection during penetrative sex to protect against sexually transmitted infections.

Often, sexual partners will be getting older, and may be experiencing menopause at the same time. They, too, may be feeling a drop in sex drive.

Opening up about any concerns can help both partners feel better, and explore new forms of intimacy.

For many people, menopause is not the only transition that occurs during middle age. Changes in relationships and work or home life — such as children moving away — can also have a significant impact. When more than one of these changes occurs in a short period, it can feel overwhelming.

However, many people live active, healthy lives throughout menopause, and for many decades afterward, and midlife can often be the start of a new chapter.

28 NEWS

SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

North West Secondary School to be upgraded with $166M expansion …CVQ training to be offered at new facility

W

ith the signing of a US$832,883 contract, the Practical Instruction Department of the North West Secondary will be expanded to offer Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) training.

The expansion will cater for level one and two training in five occupational areas, namely: commercial food preparation, motor vehicle repairs, electrical installation; furniture making or carpentry; and joinery and home economics. The CVQ is recognised in the Caribbean region thereby making students also marketable within Caricom.

The contract for this expansion was awarded to International Import and Supplies while the consultancy firm is Caribbean Engineering and

Management Consultants Incorporated.

Funding was made possible through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government of Guyana through the Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project (GSDEP).

Education Minister Priya Manickchand said at the signing ceremony that the Ministry plans to develop and enhance what is offered at the Technical Vocational level. She said that to do this, the right facilities need to be available.

This project will enable the residents of the North West District the opportunity to become more employable and to develop themselves through the usage of the facility.

“This certificate will be recognised across the re-

gion. That’s what we are going to be able to offer to our students in the North West District – something they couldn’t get before. This project is expected to complete in 10 months so, before the next year that students come into the system, we’re going to be able to offer these,” she outlined.

Minister Manickchand said such programmes are important in communities where there are students who have a lower interest in obtaining the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). She said that the Ministry is trying to ensure that students can leave school with qualifications to take up a trade.

“Particularly in these communities, these programmes are very important. We’re trying right now in the Ministry of Education

Education Minister Priya Manickchand, Permanent Secretary Alfred King and the contractor posing with a signed copy of the contract

to match the communities that we see the least interest in writing CSEC exams with how we can make sure you leave school with qual-

ifications that would make you employable. These are some of the gaps we’re trying to plug.”

With this being another contract signed between the Ministry and a contractor, Manickchand reiterated Government’s position on contractors failing to complete projects according to contractual obligations.

“It is not because we like to quarrel that we ask for quality work delivered in a timely manner, it is be-

cause if you don’t give us that, you are robbing children, students and people of what we promise them we will be able to deliver,” the Education Minister noted.

Projects currently lagging in the Ministry include the St Rose’s High School, the Good Hope Secondary School and the Yarrowkabra Secondary School projects.

She reiterated that if contractors cannot honour their obligations, their contracts will be terminated.

4 months later

Man remanded for murder of teen gold miner

J

ason Howard was charged for the Christmas Eve day murder of 19-year-old Neville Moonsammy Jr. Howard was arraigned before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was remanded to prison. Reports in December 2020 were that on December 24, 2020, 19-year-old Neville Moonsammy was beaten and stabbed to death.

Police had said that Moonsammy was in the company of his father and a mutual friend when he was killed. According to Police, the dead man’s father and his friend were also attacked.

Reports are that the trio was imbibing at a shop located in the Four Miles area

and at about 20:00h, the youngster’s father became intoxicated and they all decided to go home.

According to the dead man’s father, they were talking to two females along the Four Miles Access Road when his son, who had been standing a short distance away from them, ran towards him holding his bleeding left hand.

Within minutes, a number of men attacked Moonsammy and stabbed him to his face, while another wounded his friend along his forehead and nose.

The suspects made good their escape and the injured trio ventured to the Port Kaituma Community Hospital but by the time they arrived, the teenager was already dead.

The case will continue on August 6.

NEWS

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Wales backlands' residents appeal for urgent assistance to save livelihood, road …Govt to balance investment already made by developer vs occupancy needs of local farmers …Agri Minister commits to addressing issues

Agriculture Minister Mustapha

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he residents of Catherina Sophia – La Harmony area, Wales Backlands, are seeking the urgent intervention of the Agriculture and Public Works Ministries to come to their rescue and provide them with better infrastructure to sustain their livelihoods.

The Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) community has just about 170 residents who were mostly employed with the Wales Estate but lost their jobs when the

so they decided to move to another plot.

About a month ago, the man began moving the residents’ cattle from the other plot, informing them that he received the go-ahead from the authorities to develop another block with coconut.

“He commenced his operation and it had residents that had cattle in the area and he kept moving the cattle down to the back.

However, after he finished that plot, he continued on to another area and that area have about 300 heads of cattle and it have no other place for the cattle to be shifted,” resident Sasenarine Khanai told Guyana Times.

During a visit to the re-

Teacher Reasha Teyjnarie

Resident: Roy Narine

previous Administration (APNU/AFC) closed it down.

They used the monies from their severance packages to invest in farming and livestock rearing.

They began using the

mote community, Guyana Times was informed that the residents have reached out to several Government agencies including the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Ministry of Agriculture and other agencies requesting urgent assistance to save their cattle and preserve their live-

Sasenarine Khanai

Clinton Day

abandoned cane fields to rear their livestock and together have accumulated over 500 heads of cattle.

However, a developer approached the villagers and informed them that he was leased some 2000 acres of land to plant coconuts under the APNU/ AFC Administration. The man then occupied the plot where the residents were using to raise their livestock

lihoods.

“The only response we get was from NICIL which stated that they sent a document saying they are in no status at the moment to allocate lands in the area. A group of 30 persons made a visit to the Ministry of Agriculture to meet the Minister, however, that was not successful.”

The man related that they met with a member of staff at the Ministry (name given) and he advised them to erect a fence to prevent the cattle from going into the area that the “developer” had already cultivated.

“So, this meeting was done

Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar

about three weeks ago at Ministry of Agriculture on Regent Street. After that, we came back and erected the fence and everything was normal.

“However, the guy came in about a week ago and said he got a go-ahead from the Minister Secretary to commence the operations.

He removed the fence and took another plot of land which is presently affecting the residents here with the amount of cattle they have,” Khanai related.

The man has been living in the area for over 10 years now and also rears cattle.

Currently, he has over 20 heads of cattle which is also growing. He is calling for the Agriculture Minister to make an urgent intervention so that they can find somewhere to place their livestock.

“We are hoping to get the

A section of the destroyed road

authorities - the Minister of Agriculture to make an intervention into this matter. We are hoping to get the President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, to make an intervention or even send a representative here to meet with the residents and

hear their concerns. This is our only form of livelihood here,” the worried man related.

Roy Narine has been living in Catherina Sophia for 60 years now and is also a former worker of the Wales E s t a t e .TURN TO PAGE 34

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Dismiss APNU/AFC 2nd election petition appeal – AG tells court

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ttorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall has moved to the court to strike out an appeal filed by A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) against the dismissal of election petition number 99 of 2020, which was thrown out of the High Court back in January due to late service.

According to Nandlall’s submissions, the Court of Appeal lacks the jurisdiction to hear APNU/AFC’s appeal for its dismissed petition.

In January, acting Chief Justice Roxane George had dismissed election petition number 99 of 2020 due to its late service.

APNU/AFC subsequently appealed.

However, Nandlall contended in his submissions that Article 163 of the Constitution of Guyana does not allow appeals of decisions made on the basis of technicalities.

“Article 163 (3) (a) pro-

The Court of Appeal

vides for an appeal to be filed against a decision of a Judge of the High Court granting or refusing leave to institute proceedings for the determination of any question referred to in Article 163 (1) of the Constitution. It is clear that Article 163 (3) (a) is not relevant to this appeal,” the Senior Counsel submitted.

“Article 163 (3) (b), however, is of fundamental importance. It provides for a right of appeal to the Court of Appeal “from the determination of the High Court of any such question, or

against any order of the High Court made in consequence of such determination,” the submission added.

According to the AG, the Court of Appeal would have had this jurisdiction had the election petition been heard and a decision made based on Article 163. In this respect, he urged that the appeal, which he called unlawful and unconstitutional, be dismissed.

“It is must be excruciatingly clear by now that in Petition 99 of 2020, the learned Chief Justice did

not determine any of the questions provided for and contemplated by Article 163 (1) (a), (1) (b) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and Article 163 (c) and (d) of the Constitution.”

“In the circumstances, it is respectfully submitted that this Honourable Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the instant appeal from the decision dismissing Election Petition No 99 of 2020, for procedural impropriety, as no such jurisdiction is provided for under the Constitution or any other law,” Nandlall submitted to the court.

The petition

Petition 99 of 2020, filed on September 15, 2020, by APNU/AFC agents Monica Thomas and Brennan Nurse, had asked the court to order the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Retired Justice Claudette Singh, to declare David Granger as President.

TURN TO PAGE 36

A contextual financial analysis of the gas-toshore project (Part 8)

G

Concluding Remarks uyana is well positioned to lead a massive regional integration drive, given the development trajectory the country is embarking upon. This is the important context within which the analyses conducted herein is premised regarding the gas-to-shore project. Proponents who are of the view that the project is not economically and financially feasible ignored this fundamental context and many other important variables.

A number of scenarios and estimates were used in the analysis to determine whether the project is deemed meritorious in terms of its economic viability.

To this end, the findings of the analysis indicate that the project can achieve its objective of reducing energy cost by 50% or more, while remaining a profitable venture, and the initial investment cost can be recovered within a period of four to seven years.

Moreover, the long-term economic viability with the location of the project in mind is based on the fact that, evidently, the development of the country is moving towards the South, with the intention of eventually building a secondary city on the Linden Highway. The proposed location of the project is earmarked to be an industrialised zone, given the access to thousands of acres of land that can be transformed into massive agricultural activities. The location on the West Bank is also within reasonable proximity, adjacent to the East Bank corridor – where a number of infrastructural developments as well as commercial and industrial activities will take place. As such, the gas-to-shore project will certainly yield long term economic benefits for the entire country, and is deemed economically sensible to be built at the exact proposed location for these reasons. This can result in efficient and cost-effective distribution channels, given the direction towards which geographic development of the country is moving.

Guyana’s development has been stymied for more than ten years, owing to its peculiar development challenges as described in this paper. The time has now come for all of Guyana and its people to embrace the development path the country is embarking upon, and support the policymakers to achieve these goals. As was shown in these contextual analyses, the development projects being pursued were not conceptualised haphazardly or through an overnight exercise. Logically, the country’s development can move now only in one direction, and that is more inland and towards the south.

For too long, Guyana has been an underdeveloped country, and it would be good for everyone to embrace this strategy and contribute their skills and expertise in finding solutions to advance this very ambitious, relevant, and much needed development path for the country. The development strategy of the country by the current regime was developed over 25 years ago, and it remains relevant today simply because the geographic landscape of Guyana has not changed and the country’s development was stymied for many years.

About the Author: J.C. Bhagwandin is the Chief Financial Advisor/ Analyst of JB Consultancy & Associates, and a lecturer at Texila American University. The views expressed are exclusively his own, and do not necessarily represent those of this newspaper or the institutions he represents. For comments, send to jbbankingadvice@gmail.com.

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NEWS

Ganja purchase arrangement ends in chopping incident

A

ganja purchase arrangement has left a Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) man nursing chop wounds about his body.

Injured is Sunil Singh of Koker Dam, Fyrish, Corentyne, Berbice.

Police said that the incident occurred at about 22:30h on Friday evening.

According to Police, Singh claimed that he was at home watching television, when he heard the suspect calling out for him requesting that he purchase marijuana for him, which he did.

Singh is alleging that as

examined, treated and later transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital.

Checks were made for the suspect to no avail. A probe has been launched.

(G9)

he was giving the suspect the marijuana, he was dealt a chop to his right shoulder and another behind his left knee.

The injured man, during

the ordeal, managed to make his way to the Albion Police Station and was immediately escorted to the Port Mourant Public Hospital where he was seen,

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34 NEWS

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Wales backlands’ residents appeal...

He was employed there for 40 years until his services were terminated with the Estate’s closure. He, like many of his fellow villagers, took his severance payoff and decided to invest in some cattle.

He now has over 70 heads of cattle.

“Me say if we even get the one section for the cow we gon feel alright. The man finish plant that one side, the man move the fence and start plant on the back and when they reach out here the cow dem got to be on the road or something.

We will have to sell out if we nah get place to put them because we can’t get the cow on the road,” the 60-year-old man said.

The residents are contending that if they can get a designated plot to rear their cattle then they would be able to sustain themselves in a community that provides no other opportunity for income generation.

Deplorable road The community is accessible by two means – one is a boat from the East Bank of Demerara over the Demerara River and into the community and the other is by the dirt road. However, with Guyana in its official rainy season and the coconut developer using the road to move heavy machinery, the road is now impassible.

The only access for villagers is by boat to Land of Caanan, EBD, and then to the various places for business.

This mode of transportation is extremely costly to villagers who already have limited access to resources.

“We have some serious damages to the road. This is the only access for the villagers in area by road if not it would be accessing boat to cross the river which would be a more costlier mode of transportation,” Khanai related.

FROM PAGE 29

cause it hinders cost-effective transportation.

Day owns his own boat so for him, the cost of going across the river is one that he does not immediately have to secure.

Another section of the destroyed road

Last year during the month of October, Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar along with the Regional Vice Chair Omesh Satyanand visited the community and was told about the state of the road.

“Since me father small he say this road a do. This area is Region Three and me a watch news me a see all over

in Region Three them a do wuk with road but in this area them nah do nothing. Nothing nah do a dem area this,” Narine chimed in.

Reasha Teyjnarie is one of the teachers at the primary school in the area. For her, the biggest concern is the deplorable state of the road. She moved to the area just about five years ago after she got married.

“My main concern is the road. It is very difficult to walk the road when going to school. I am a teacher at the La Harmony Primary School and going down way back the road is way worse than here. It is taken over with tall grass and bamboos hanging over and it is very dangerous for the children walking to school,” the teacher said.

Clinton Day, another resident, said that he has been living there for over 40 years and has three teenage children, all in school. The road, for him, is the most pressing issue be-

We are working on it Agriculture Minister Mustapha said he has not been entirely apprised of the issue facing the residents but did commit to meeting with them.

He reminded that the land the developer is occupying was given out by NICIL during the David Granger Government and that it is currently being reviewed.

“I know NICIL is reviewing that – we had a joint meeting myself the AG and we spoke to the people them who received lands and we are reviewing the leases of the lands. I will be meeting with them (the farmers) shortly and I don’t have full knowledge on the current issues but if their livelihood is threatened then I would see how we can help through the various agency especially the Livestock Authority to work along with them to see how we can help the farmers continue their livelihoods,” Mustapha related.

When contacted, Junior Public Works Minister Indar told Guyana Times that he would have indeed visited the community late last year and listened to the concerns of the residents.

“I would have seen how the road is. It is slush and we had to use a tractor to get in there to share out some ration to the residents. I did hear what the

residents want and they talked to me about doing the road and bringing electricity. I told them that I would look into it and we are doing that. My self and Minister Mustapha are working on it to get them some relief,” Indar related.

He further explained that in order to fix the road in the community, the Ministry needs to have an excavator remove the slush and reshape the road since it has been destroyed by the tractors going through there. Indar added that the trees that overhang the roadway would have to be removed since they accumulate and dispose of water, further worsening the condition.

“We are looking at the cost to do the project. The stretch of road is just over three miles so we have to look at that and then make a decision on the way forward,” he informed.

Meanwhile, a senior Government official told this publication that after the current administration took office an evaluation was conducted into the status of all developers occupying lands, which were granted via least under the APNU/AFC administration. While that evaluation has been completed the final process of balancing the investment made thus far versus the occupancy needs of local farmers is yet to be done. In this particular case, the official noted, the developer has made significant investment in the area already. This, the official said, will now have to be balanced with the occupancy needs the farmers living there.

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36 NEWS

SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Corriverton pensioner found dead in home

D

ennis Seepaul, a pensioner who is said to be in his 70s of Lot 21 Rahaman Street, Rampoor Village, Corriverton, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), was found dead in his home on Saturday.

Police said the man might have died sometime between Friday at about 23:30h and Saturday at around 05:00h.

It was reported that Seepaul, who was an alcoholic, had complained on Friday of having cramps. He later retired to bed.

However, at about 05:00h the following morning, he was discovered lying motionlessly on his bed. The man was examined for marks of violence but none was seen on the exposed parts of his body.

Seepaul’s body was later taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body is presently lying at Anthony’s Funeral Home awaiting a PME. More than a month ago, the body of 72-year-

old Chandradat Jaikaran of Number 64 Village was also discovered by his neighbour, who went to check on him.

Jaikaran, who lived alone in a one-storey wooden and concrete house, was a known alcoholic as well and would usually be at home making a lot of noise while behaving in a disorderly manner.

On the day in question, his neighbour said that she heard him cursing as he was sitting on his stairway.

Sometime later, the woman said the man became si-

Dismiss APNU/AFC 2nd election...

Thomas and Nurse named Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, David Granger – APNU/AFC, Horatio Edmonson – Federal United Party, Bharrat Jagdeo – People’s Progressive Party/Civic, John Flores – Liberty and Justice Party, Asha Kissoon – The New Movement, Vishnu Bandhu – United Republican Party, Adebin Kindi Ali – Change Guyana, Patrick Bourne – People’s Republic Party, Jonathan Yearwood – A New and United Guyana, Shazam Ally – The Citizenship Initiative, and Gerald Perreira of Organisation for the Victory of the People as

respondents. The Attorney General Chambers also joined the proceedings.

During the last hearing on November 30, 2020, prior to the ruling, Trinidadian Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes (representing the interest of Vice President Jagdeo and the PPP/C) and Attorney General Nandlall, had argued that the late service of the petition to Granger served as grounds for dismissal.

Lawyers for the petitioners had asked the court to overlook the deficiencies in the service of the petition on Granger, who is the second respondent and Head of the APNU/AFC’s List of

Candidates, hence, spare their petition from being tossed out.

They had also insisted that he was served on September 18 – in keeping with the statutory requirements. However, Chief Justice George had dismissed the petition on the grounds that it was not properly served to former President Granger.

Granger, who is also the leader of APNU/AFC’s List of Candidates and named as the second respondent, was served on September 25, 10 days after petition 99 of 2020 was filed on September 15 and five days outside of the legal timeframe outlined

lent and she suspected something was amiss since he would usually be cursing and behaving disorderly for hours.

This caused her to investigate.

She took her torchlight and aimed the light in the pensioner’s direction. She saw him lying motionlessly in his yard with blood oozing from his mouth. An alarm was raised and the man was taken to Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

FROM PAGE 30

in the National Assembly Validity of Elections Act. “As [a] consequence, the late service of Petition 99 of 2020 on the second respondent amount to non-service on him. This would lead to nullification of petition 99p2020 ab initio, more so as the court has to consider this status quo at the time of service and not the proceedings or position of a party or parties adopted thereafter.

This is to say from the time petition 99p2020 was served out of time on the second respondent as a necessary party, it was a non-starter,” the Chief Justice had posited when she delivered her ruling.

Bandits armed with knives, cutlasses rob Craig residents

A

couple who hails from Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD), is now traumatised after four bandits armed with knives and cutlasses broke into their home and robbed them of cash and jewellery on Friday night.

Investigations revealed that Zahir Narine and Bibi Khan were asleep at their Second Street, Craig home when they were awakened by a loud knocking on the front door.

As they ventured into the living room, the door was kicked open and the four masked bandits rushed in and relieved them of several items.

The men took $207,000 cash, one black Plum cellphone valued $15,000, one 5 pennyweight gold chain valued $50,000 and one gold coloured Samsung cellphone valued $48,000 – all amounting to a total of $320,000.

During the robbery, Narine received injuries to his forehead at the hands of the bandits.

The bandits then made good their escape on foot through the backyard of the

victims’ residence.

Back in March, a 45-year-old man of Craig, EBD, was chopped to his head after armed bandits broke into his house and attacked him before escaping with cash and other items.

The robbery was committed by three perpetrators armed with a handgun and cutlasses.

Eyon Campbell, the victim, lives alone and on March 6, he secured his home and went to bed. He was later awoken by footsteps in this bedroom.

The man was subsequently confronted by the three assailants, who demanded cash and valuables.

Campbell handed over $350,000 cash but the bandits demanded more money.

He reportedly told them he did not have any more, after which one of the armed bandits, in anger, dealt him a chop to his head and several lashes about his body.

The perpetrators proceeded to take one DVD player, one 42-inch Sony television and one black Samsung cellphone valued at $35,000 before making good their escape.

NEWS

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Convict beaten with wood during prison fight A

convicted prisoner at the New Amsterdam Prison in Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), was beaten with a piece of wood by another inmate during a fight at the facility.

The injured man has been identified as Mark Lewis. He was attacked by a remanded inmate on Friday.

Police said that the duo had a misunderstanding and the suspect picked up a piece of wood and dealt several lashes about the victim’s body causing him to receive injuries.

The victim was escorted to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he is being treated.

One day prior to this incident, a man who was remanded to the Lusignan

Prison, East Coast of Demerara (ECD), for murder, was stabbed about his body by a fellow inmate.

Allan Basdeo was stabbed by a prisoner called “Russian”.

Based on information received, Basdeo had fallen asleep in Holding Bay Two and was awakened by a loud noise.

Upon opening his eyes, he saw the masked sus-

10 drivers, passengers arrested in Berbice for not wearing face masks

A

s the Government ramps up efforts countrywide to enforce the COVID-19 guidelines in order to ensure compliance, several drivers and passengers in public vehicles were arrested by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in Region Six (East Berbice Corentyne) for failing to wear their masks.

The Police said ranks at Springlands conducted a COVID-19 face mask exercise on the Springlands Public Road, targeting recalcitrant hire car drivers and passengers.

It was during that exercise that 10 persons were arrested.

On Monday last, Police in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) arrested a total of 15 persons for failure to wear a face mask in public.

The arrests came as

ranks within the region carried out an enforcement exercise to ensure the stipulated COVID-19 measures and protocols were implemented.

Additionally, several shops and liquor restaurants were also closed in keeping with the COVID-19 guidelines, and Police said individuals were also found in different locations without masks.

They were later arrested and placed on $5000 bail each.

The Ministry of Health continues to advise that persons adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines so that Guyana

and the rest world will be able to win the fight against the deadly virus.

Health experts have also advised that face masks are critical to slowing the spread of the coronavirus and ending the pandemic.

As of Saturday, Guyana has recorded 14,203 confirmed COVID-19 cases of which 1808 are currently active. The country’s death toll from the pandemic has gone up to 323 after the Health Ministry confirmed nine new deaths in recent weeks – three were from Friday and the other six deaths were recorded between April 25 to May 6.

The New Amsterdam Prison, Berbice

pect armed with improvised weapons.

“Russian” subsequently stabbed Basdeo twice to the left side of his head, causing him to receive injuries.

An alarm was raised and the victim was picked up and taken to the infirmary section to seek medical attention. He was later escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to seek further medical attention. (G9)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021

Mother’s Day tribute – Cricketer Sherfane Rutherford says:

By Brandon Corlette

A

bond between a mother and son lasts a lifetime.

That is the bond shared between Guyanese cricketer Sherfane Rutherford

The 22-year-old Sherfane Rutherford, who has represented the West Indies in T20 International cricket and played for multiple franchises, including the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Delhi Capitals,

Karen Rutherford and her son Sherfane Rutherford

and his proud mother Karen Rutherford.

Mumbai Indians, Karachi Kings and Preshawar Zalmi, has credited his success to the

significant role his supportive mother has played in his life.

Sherfane told this publication that his mother played a crucial role in his life as he emerged from humble beginnings at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. He said his mother recognized, whilst he was at an early age, that he had some potential to achieve great things in the game of cricket.

“My mother is enormously supportive. She has played a very big and crucial role in my life. She also recognised, at an early age, that there was some potential for me to achieve more,” Rutherford revealed.

This left-handed batsman who bowls right-arm seam has said his mother always gave him the freedom to enjoy cricket.

“She would always allow me to naturally enjoy my sport without applying the usual parental pressure. She always dreamt of seeing me play for Guyana one day,” Rutherford added.

Mothers help shape sons into independent and strong men. This is exactly one of the many roles Sherfane’s mother played in his like. “My mother ensured that I became a good human being. She is very religious, and it was she who taught me the importance and value of prayer. She taught me that hard times can be

overcome, and that losing battles can be won. She has taught me more than I could have learnt by making wise choices even in the most uncertain situations,” Sherfane explained.

Despite his having played cricket around the globe being something admirable about Sherfane, what trumps that

Rutherford declared.

At 22 years old, Rutherford has played in six T20 International matches, 17 first-class matches, and 20 List A matches. Globally, he has played in 53 T20s, and his power hitting and versatility have stood out, being reasons why he has played in all top leagues around the globe.

Providence, when Rutherford blasted an unbeaten 45 from 13 balls. His mother Karen was present, as were members of his family, and they witnessed one of the most destructive T20 innings ever. It took the Warriors to victory against the Trinbago Knight Riders. His mom Karen was beyond proud of her son’s performance, and Rutherford described that day as amazing, his being able to perform in the presence of his parents.

The foundation has already been laid for Sherfane Rutherford to achieve greatness in ‘the gentleman’s game of cricket’. With hard work, dedication, and the support of his inspirational mother, he will certainly achieve greatness and continue to make her proud.

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Rutherford was part of the victorious Mumbai Indians team that won the IPL in 2020

achievement is the continuous love he has for his family and loved ones. The decorated T20 cricketer has not forgotten the bridge he had crossed. He usually displays his intense love for his mother by posting photos of her for the world to see.

“She is my inspiration and my role model,” Sherfane

He was part of the victorious Mumbai Indians team in the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL), and the victorious Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

One of the most remarkable scenes of the bond shared by Sherfane and his mom came in 2018 at the Guyana National Stadium at

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021

39

– says cricketer Kevlon Anderson of his mother Gail

Kevlon Anderson and his mother Gail Anderson

K

evlon Anderson is regarded as one of the most promising cricketers in the Caribbean. The West Indies youth batsman has shown great maturity, and has made his mother proud thus far. In an interview with this daily publication, Anderson said his mother played a huge part in his

cricket career, and has guided him in the right path.

A mother’s love is everlasting, and this has been especially evident in the love being showered on Kevlon Anderson by his adoring mother Gail Antoinette Anderson.

“She looks out for me when it’s most needed, and she monitored me, guided me

and show me the way,” Kevlon said of his mother.

The classy right-hander has said he would continue to make his mother proud as he seeks to play cricket at the highest level.

“She appreciates the things I have done so far, and I have not reached where I want to be, but I soon will,” Kevlon added.

And proud mother Gail has expressed how elated she is to see her son Kevlon reach greater heights in his cricket career. She disclosed that she always encourages him to keep playing, but, in the early days, she instilled in him the importance of having an education.

She said that Kevlon had wanted to play cricket during the time when he had to prepare to sit the National Grade Six (Common Entrance) examinations, and she was op-

posed to that.

“When he joined crick-

passed, I will send him (to play cricket). So he wrote

Kevlon Anderson batting for the West Indies U-19 Team

et in the early stage, I told him he had to write Common Entrance first, and if he

Common Entrance, and then went on with the cricket,” she explained.

Mothers always show love in any circumstance, and that is Gail’s disposition towards Kevlon, especially when he scores runs, but also when he fails.

“I am there with him all the time, encouraging him whether he makes runs or not. I always tell him to put God first, and focus on the game and know what he is doing,” she explained.

Asked how she had felt when Kevlon was called up for the West Indies Under-19 Team, Gail said: I felt glad! I was so surprised I just thanked God for everything!”

Kevlon, a batsman who displays solidity, class and great temperament, has dominated cricket in Guyana at various levels, and his callup to the Guyana Jaguars team is just a matter of time.

(Brandon Corlette)

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

SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

Guyanese Carlston Harris wins debut UFC match in opening round

T

he lone newcomer on the UFC Vegas 26 card was Carlston Harris, booked in a welterweight fight against Christian Aguilera that kicked off the Fight Night card.

Harris entered the promotion off three straight wins outside the UFC and over solid competition. He also had a number of submission wins on his resume, and on Saturday, he showed his impressive ground game once again.

Aguilera took the middle of the octagon early, and Harris shot for a takedown.

Aguilera defended, and in turn put Harris against the fence. Harris threw a front kick and jab, but missed.

Aguilera landed a 1-2 and then hit Harris with an uppercut that hurt Harris. Aguilera

clinched with Harris and put him against the fence once more. Harris landed a left hook which backed Aguilera up.

Aguilera was hurt by that hook, and shot for a lazy takedown. That allowed Harris to lock up an anaconda choke.

Aguilera fought the choke for a few seconds, but went to sleep. Great debut for Harris!

Harris is now on a fourfight winning streak and is a great addition to the welterweight division. Aguilera has now lost two straight fights by submission, and might be fighting for his job next time out if he gets another shot.

Official Result: Carlston Harris defeated Christian Aguilera via submission (anaconda choke) Round 1, 2:52 (cagesidepress)

Harris won via anaconda choke

Finding the balance between motherhood and sport

By Jemima Holmes

I

t’s all about balance.

Motherhood, in itself, is a mentally and often physically taxing job, and for some, the thought of adding multiple sports to the equation is daunting.

For acclaimed national athlete Alisha Fortune, however, it’s just a walk in the park. Or, in her case, a sprint therein.

Her secret is balance.

Finding the best possible way to get it all done, many times with the help of others, the evergreen Alisha Fortune has said: “I must say thanks to those who have assisted me in some way or the other, because I couldn’t do it

alone.”

Alisha told this publication about her many years of being a mother. “First of all, I enjoy being a mom,” she said. “It’s never easy being a mom, it’s challenging, and even more so as a single parent.

It’s challenging,” the irrepressible sprint athlete added.

“It’s very, very rewarding because, as I said, it’s challenging to be a mother.”

She says it has all been possible with the help of family, friends, church members and, most importantly, her own mother, Judy Wills.

Fortune has lived most of her life in the public eye, representing Guyana at various levels on the athletics scene, and, later in her career, on bodybuilding and rugby stages. Touching on her versatility as an athlete, the sprint specialist emphasised the importance of branching out.

“I think I have the talent, and I always like to branch out, doing different things, challenging myself; and, you know, athletics is my first love, and after athletics, bodybuilding. I always loved football,” Fortune stated.

“Sometime it’s good (to be engaged in different sports).

When you are out of season, you do another sport; it develops other areas in your body, other muscles in your body that you really do need,” she said as a bit to advice.

Now having a face that is easily recognisable by sports fanatics, Fortune began her illustrious career at the tender age of 9.

She subsequently qualified for a number of international events, but a lack of finances had kept her away from the CARIFTA and Olympic Games. Nonetheless, her resilience propelled her on in sport, and she eventually became the World Champion in the Masters W40 and W35 sprint events. This undertaking required a lot of travel, which at times cost Fortune a lot on the family front.

“I remember one time I got injured in Trinidad, and I had to stay on for therapy and surgery right away, because I would not have gotten it here. I had to be away from my children for a couple of months, and my mom took up that mantle. It was just very fortunate for me,” she reflected.

During that particular time, the 46-year-old athlete learnt how to balance motherhood and sport.

“I could’ve found a little job (in Trinidad) to work and send money for them, but, you know, to manage it well, I had to manage myself. How am I gonna manage having them (on) different days, you know, like weekends? I had to put all the things together so that I was able to look at them,” she explained.

“As a mom, you always miss

Alisha Fortune

your kids; and even now, they will tell you how much they’re going to miss you,” Fortune shared as she fought to overcome her emotions.

Fortune said she was so able to perfect her ability to manage that she soon saw her skills trickling down into the lives of her children: Andrea, Adrian and Andre Foster, all of whom showed interest in one sport of another.

“At an early age, they were in sports, so I was able to manage them, because I was selfemployed,” she disclosed. “That’s why I chose to be self-employed, because I was able to have a better handle (on the situation),” she added as she spoke about the personal sacrifices she made to offer her children better opportunities.

Turning to the successes her

children have achieved, she said, “It makes me feel overwhelmed, and I just want to say thanks to the Almighty, because without God we could not have done it.”

Andrea, in particular, is currently a student athlete who, unlike her mother, has been able to attend the CARIFTA Games, which have propelled her career in athletics.

“With Andrea, I’m so happy for her, (knowing) that she’s able to launch out and go that far; and I want to see her get better than I am! The sky is the limit basically,” She continued.

“For my sons who are in cricket, in and out, they’re also doing their stuff and working, and even managing to do sports,” she disclosed.

Fortune is also a grandmother.

She has seen some traces of her balancing acts being emulated by

her children, especially her son.

This is a punctuation of pride in her journey.

“I think, because they would’ve seen me manage myself and what to do and how to go about doing it, it would’ve been a great example for them,” she opined.

Aside from her own children, the athlete is now on a mission to make life a bit easier for other mothers who are experiencing struggles. Under the Guyana Committee of Services (GCOS), Fortune has this week been able to participate in an event assisting mothers who are differently abled or facing differing circumstances.

Being a single parent, it is especially difficult for Fortune to see others being stuck where she had so been many years ago.

For this reason, she is hoping that something can be done to change the circumstances of what has become a norm in society.

“I’m hoping that not only in Guyana, but throughout the world, this could be seriously looked at, and see where is the missing link… We can have better children in the world, if they have both parents. Sometimes they may not be together, but where they are able to co-parent their child. Because we see a lot of children… It affects them in schools, it affects them growing up,” an impassioned Fortune has said.

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