Guyana Times - Thursday, December 15, 2022

There are no barriers between “me and my people” – Pres Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali’s approach of meeting directly with the people, including in A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) strongholds, has been criticised by the Opposition, but according to the President, he prefers to be a proactive president than one bound to his office and accordingly, nothing will change.

While the President maintained that he was open to consulting with everyone who wanted to work with him, including local authorities, he noted that his approach of meeting directly with the people to hear their concerns and provide them with help was something that should be welcomed, not criticised.

“Do you want a lazy President? An office-ridden

President? A President who is bounded by four walls? Or do you want a proactive President, who is ready to work with every single citizen, every single body, local or foreign? Once it is for the development of the people and community, this President is ready to work,” President Ali said.

Referring to Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara (EBD), the President noted that de-

mocracy from the grassroots was the greatest democracy. According to him, he went to Mocha to meet the people and they met him.

“It was an open meeting. Everybody can be there. There’s no barrier. The NDC [Neighbourhood Democratic Council] was there. The people raised their concerns and priorities and the Government reacted. We’re not reacting to what we want. We’re reacting to

what they want. That is the greatest function of democracy, giving the people what they want. Not what an official want,” he said.

“I went to Den Amstel, you saw it. I do everything in the open. I told them put everything live, there’s greater transparency. Let the people see. I went to Den Amstel. Councillors from the NDC were there, the people were there and they requested help. We responded.”

According to the President, direct consultation between the Government and people in the communities has been lacking for a long time. In fact, he questioned how often the NDC officials of Mocha met with and addressed the concerns of the people, noting that the people complained about this to him.

“A local democratic organ should be happy when the Central Government, outside of its normal support, is coming directly and presenting help. Giving sup-

port. Giving the people help. Responding to their priorities. This is what it is about. It’s about changing lives. It’s about taking direct responsibility and presenting leadership.

“You go to those very communities and ask them, whether Mocha or Den Amstel, when do their local leaders come to talk to them. The people complain. There is absolutely no barrier between the Presidency and the people. And that is what I’m about. Working community to community. And trust me, the results will come for the benefit of Guyana,” the President said.

He also made reference to his August 2022 visit to Baracara, Canje Creek, where he noted that even though the residents were not political supporters of his, it did not matter as he listened to their concerns di-

rectly in order to help them. “No officials ever visited. When I went there, they told me they voted 99 per cent against (me). I said I love you, equally as I love anyone else. Go to Baracara now and see what we’re doing.

Baracara, and Canje Creek, is being transformed. We’re creating agriculture blocks, we’re cleaning canals. We’re giving them agriculture help. We’re helping them to increase production,” Ali said.

It was only in September that President Ali was in Mocha Arcadia, meeting with residents to hear their concerns. While there, he also commissioned the rehabilitated $59 million Burnham Boulevard Road.

The President’s reception in Mocha was a warm one from the residents, though not without opposition from local leaders. (G3)

claims of bypassing local officials

File photo: President Dr Irfaan Ali greets residents of Mocha Arcadia during his September visit

“Do you want a lazy President? An office-ridden President? A President who is bounded by four walls? Or do you want a proactive President, who is ready to work with every single citizen, every single body, local or foreign? Once it is for the development of the people and community, this President is ready to work” – President Irfaan Ali

FERRY

Trade between Guyana, UAE reached US$300M in 2021

Trade between Guyana and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with which Guyana has steadily been forging closer ties over the past few years, signing two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in two years, reached $300 million last year.

This revelation was made on Wednesday, during the launch of the 150,000 coders initiative –one of the areas of collaboration between Guyana and the UAE. President Dr Irfaan Ali was asked about the $300 million in trade that was recorded between the two countries last year.

Specifically, the President was asked what sectors contributed to this figure and how the Government envisioned trade between the two countries growing. Ali went

collaboration.

“Definitely in the services sector, technology and agriculture, these are low-hanging fruits for us. Smart hospitals, innovation, the use of technology to improve governance sys-

“So, we have a lot of meetings with Abu Dhabi development fund, direct engagements with Government corporation and agencies, Governmentowned companies, to help us to expedite our transformation –our digital transformation, our technological transformation and the transformation of our services sector,” he explained.

Guyana and the UAE have been forging increasingly closer ties over the last few years. Last year, an MoU was signed between the two countries to advance technical assistance and bilateral cooperation. Another MoU was signed in March of this year.

Coding

them to join the more-technologically advanced workforce being developed by the Government.

Coding is a skill in demand globally whereby companies hire persons to programme computers. In fact, there were approximately 26.9 million persons across the globe working as software developers last year. And with this number expected to rise, coding is by far a viable industry.

on to expound on the areas of opportunity between Guyana and the UAE, for

tems, enhance transparency and accountability, the ease of doing business,” President Ali said.

This MoU has since blossomed into Guyana and the Region’s first-ever coders initiative, which will see at least 150,000 youths across the country benefiting from skills training to equip

At the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC) on Wednesday, hundreds of schoolchildren gathered for the launch of the initiative. In his feature address, President Ali urged the children to take up the opportunity being offered and assured them that the Government would continue to invest in them. He also said that Guyana would lead the way in spreading the coding initiative throughout the Region.

1st-ever coders programme with UAE launched to train 150,000 youths

President Dr Irfaan Ali (centre) is flanked by Cabinet Ministers and UAE officials. In the background are some of the youths who will be participating in the initiative

President Ali; Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar; Education Minister Priya Manickchand and Abdullah Lootah of the UAE PM Office look on as a student officially launches the Guyana Coders Initiative website

Editor: Tusika Martin

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GBV scourging our society

The Bar Association of Guyana made an interesting point when it said “Family violence continues to scourge our society and no doubt sets us back” in reference to the murder of young attorney Asasha Ramzan, who was killed at the hands of her husband, and whom himself died by suicide.

Gender-Based Violence manifests itself in many forms and in Guyana there are too many instances which results in death.

Interestingly, only last month Guyana observed International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and more so 16days of activism against GBV. Every year, the day served as a global advocacy effort aimed at preventing and eliminating violence against women. This year’s theme was “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”.

It is no secret that women worldwide, including those in Guyana, continue to face unacceptable levels of violence in various forms. World Health Organization has estimated that nearly 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violence, mostly by an intimate partner.

Over the years, we have seen countless stories reported in the media of some form of gender-based violence, with women especially being at the receiving end of the beatings; and, in some cases, even ending up dead. Even though the Government and other stakeholders have been engaged in various efforts to bring the situation under control, it seems as if the violence is far from over.

For 16 days - 25 November to 10 December - Guyana joined the WHO and other partners in raising awareness about the global need to prevent and respond to violence against women, and provide support to survivors.

However, not many women admit to being victims of violence. According to the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, “Domestic violence remains a taboo, shuttered behind closed doors and only emerging as bloody faces, bruised limbs, broken spirits and dead bodies. Fear of societal judgement, insecurities about children and finances, family pressure and manipulation keep this a hushed conversation, or results in an overwhelming silence”.

As pointed out previously by the Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, “Violence against women is a heinous crime and a pervasive breach of human rights, yet it continues to be one of the longest, hardest challenges to the world, and involves psyches, attitudes, poverty, cultures, emotional manipulation, substance abuse, and lack of education”.

We had previously called for urgent action to be taken by the Government and other partners to end violence against women. We are pleased that some steps are being taken in this regard.

For example, the 914-emergency hotline which links survivors to agencies, advocacy programmes, referral pathways, microenterprise industries, and public-private skills employment database matching, and offers immediate help to extricate women from violent situations.

According to the Ministry, the 24-Hour Hotline Operators will offer support and referral to victims and survivors, family, friends and professionals via an integration of the services available at both the Domestic Violence Unit and the Childcare and Protection Agency.

It was also revealed that social workers have been trained through the Survivors Advocacy Programme to offer emotional support and crisis counselling to victims of domestic and sexual violence, and act on the victims’ behalf when necessary. These are all good initiatives.

Added to these, the EQUAL Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) CDN $2.25 million project, which seeks to safeguard women and girls against gender-based violence (GBV) by empowering them to make decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, was launched.

This particular programme will target vulnerable women and girls in our hinterland regions – Regions One, Seven, Eight, and Nine – in addition to women and girls who are Venezuelan migrants.

We support the Minister when she said at the launching that: “I believe this initiative, another partnership which sees international and local partners coming together to address the key issue of sexual and reproductive health and rights, could not have been timelier. I say this because it is concentrated in Regions One, Seven, Eight, and Nine, where we do acknowledge, as a Government, we need to amplify the efforts that have been made.”

We echo the call by the Minister that better can, and must, be done.

We also support the Bar Association’s statement when it said, “as Guyanese, we owe a duty of care to be each other’s keeper, we must remain vigilant to look for the signs of gender-based violence.”

More private schools in Guyana

Dear Editor,

The consistent academic success of Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) and the recent announcement that one of its students, Atishta Seenarine, is the most outstanding performer, not just for Guyana but for the entire Caribbean, cry out for a change in the educational system in Guyana.

It is time that Government pays the teachers of all private schools. These schools have been producing excellent students over the years, and should be encouraged to continue without burdening the students and parents with school fees. The advantages are numerous:

1. They help the Government to fulfill a few of its obligations in a democracy to educate the entire country.

2. They encourage cultural diversity, and those who have lost their language and culture can now study those in the classroom.

3. They can offer employment for the graduates, who can be assured of attractive salaries, so they do not have to leave the country

4. They encourage a healthy competition between private and public institutions like in any other area of business.

5. They can provide opportunities for the Diaspora who wish to invest in education.

Like all other aspects of national development, there is no dispute that educating its population should always be given priority by

any Government. It appears as if the Government has recognised this, and has recently extended financial support to all students, and also salaries to all teachers in training. It would be a mere pittance to extend this support to teachers’ salaries, as there presently are not many private schools, but more can be established with some assistance.

This is not a novel idea. Neighbouring Trinidad has private schools wherein teachers are paid by the Government. In fact, the Maha Sabha administers so many that they have their own school board. In fact, this was also the situation in Guyana before Independence, when the schools were administered by Christian organisations but the teachers were paid by the Government. The discriminatory results were experienced mostly by Indian families. Fewer girls and children from rural areas attended school. Today the student population of SVN and the highest achievers are mostly girls.

SVN a model school

Several past Presidents who attended the graduation ceremonies described SVN as "a model school", and proof that those students in the countryside can do as well as those in the well-established schools in the city, given an equal opportunity.

Its history is also an example of cooperation with those in the Diaspora, and this process can be replicated.

Many who contributed to this unique institution are elated with the news. "Of all the projects we financed in Guyana, SVN makes us proud," said Canadian Kishorie Prasad as she shared the good news while being unable to control her excitement. She fondly recalls her trip to Guyana before the turn of the century, when she invited Swami Aksharananda to visit Toronto. At that time, the first building was a few concrete columns that stood like sentinels behind the temple. His first visit kick-started a fundraising, not only in Toronto, but in North America and beyond. A special account is now established in New York to which tax-deductible contributions can be made. There is a need for expansion to include a kindergarten and a primary school. Both students and teachers would face less of a challenge if students are introduced to the cultural and disciplinary atmosphere from childhood.

Challenge the Diaspora

The Diaspora is overflowing with scholars, business people, retirees, and others who would love to contribute a lump sum to construct an educational structure where religious and other moral values can be taught to students of all backgrounds. Some are retired and looking for ways to give back, but do not wish to be involved in bureaucracy or politics on a continuing basis.

There is a lot of discus-

sion on how Guyanese overseas can help with development of the country, and the media reveals a lot of discontent. This is an opportunity for the Government to challenge them to participate in nation building. Invite them to erect the buildings, hire the teachers, and administer the school. Government will pay salaries and benefits of the teachers.

In fact, some of these buildings are already constructed, but are empty. Many private schools cannot get off the ground, or cannot continue to expand because of the largest continuing expense of attracting and paying experienced teachers.

Government should take advantage of this opportunity now that the income from oil and gas in flowing. When this asset is exhausted in about 20 years, a culturally educated population would continue to be among the greatest resource of national development.

One must also consider the positive changes a culturally educated graduate may effect in reducing some of the many social ills facing the nation: domestic assaults, alcohol and drug abuse, noise pollution, unemployment, just to name just a few.

What is not helpful for nation building is for other Atistha Seenarines to not attend school simply because their parents cannot afford school fees while the world passes them by.

Sincerely, Ramnarine Sahadeo

President Dr Irfaan Ali sharing a light moment with secondary school students at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Wednesday when the 150k Guyana Coders Initiative was launched (Office of the President photo)

Erroneous, misleading statements by IPADA-G's Olive Sampson at Geneva Forum

Dear Editor, The Government of Guyana expresses its grave concern over totally erroneous and misleading statements made during the second meeting of the first session of the Permanent Forum on Peoples of African Descent in Geneva on December 5, 2022.

Those statements made by Ms Olive Sampson, Chief Executive Officer of the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly – Guyana, claims discrimination by the Government of Guyana against people of African descent, and their marginalisation from significant economic opportunities. The Government of Guyana refutes the contents of Ms Sampson’s statements in their totality; statements which must be condemned, and that can only serve to incite hatred, intolerance and mistrust in our society – defeating the very purpose of the Forum.

It is appropriate to retrace the genesis of this Forum and the consistent support which the People’s Progressive Party administration has given to the efforts of the international community to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.

The World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance convened in Durban, South Africa over the period August 31 to September 8, 2001. Guyana was among the 170 countries which were represented at this Conference that resulted in the adoption of the historic Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

Guyana is on record as having stated at the Conference that: “The Government of Guyana stands firmly against [the practices of racial incitement, hatred, bigotry, prejudice and injustice] and hopes that out of this Conference will come a clear set of concrete

recommendations in keeping with the objectives of the Conference as set out in General Assembly resolution 52/111 to preserve the principles of equality and non-discrimination as central pillars of our modern civilisation. Given that most of our countries enjoy a rich tradition of cultural and racial diversity, we must seek to make these qualities a virtue instead of a vice, and a source of strength instead of weakness. Accordingly, we must find ways and means to reinforce the many

strands that make up the fabric of our society.

Like the United Nations, we have sought to put in place legislation that offers all citizens equal protection from racial discrimination. We realize, of course, that legislation alone will not deter racism and xenophobia. These are evils that must not be tolerated, and therefore must be eradicated.

Intolerant beliefs and practices are learnt, and it is therefore by learning also that their irrationality is understood and condemned. Only through an extensive process of education can a change be brought about. We need, therefore, to conceive and implement educational strategies which promote a deeper awareness of the negative impact which these deplorable practices have on us, both as individuals and societies”. (Sept 3, 2001, Durban, South Africa).

In a review of the implementation and follow up to the Durban Declaration and Plan of Action, the United Nations General Assembly adopted, on August 2, 2021, a resolution to establish the Permanent Forum of People of African Descent. Guyana joined in the unanimous adoption of this resolution.

The Permanent Forum was established as a consultative mechanism for people of African descent and other relevant stakeholders as a platform for improving the safety and quality of life and livelihoods of people of African descent. One of the principal mandates of the Forum is to contribute to the full political, economic and social inclusion of people of African descent in the societies in which they live as equal citizens without discrimination of any kind, and contribute to ensuring equal enjoyment of all human rights.

The Permanent Forum is also to be open to the participation of other non-governmental organizations, including grass-roots and community-based organizations whose aims and purposes are in conformity with the spirit, purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. It must be recalled here that the Durban Declaration affirms that “racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance constitute a negation of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations”.

The inclusive policies being undertaken by the Government of Guyana speak for themselves, and can be proven. It is unfortunate that at such a significant forum, Ms Sampson

chose to export the divisive policies of her organization, and to demonstrate the narrow racist bias that continues to cloud the judgement of its members.

The Durban Declaration affirms that “all peoples and individuals constitute one human family, rich in diversity”. This Government will vigorously continue to promote unity in diversity, and pursue its One Guyana vision to ensure that every citizen is accorded a dignified existence, and with due respect for their rights and with equality before the law.

Guyana Gurukula’s curriculum aiming to create a new generation of youngsters

Dear Editor, It is with great joy that we announce the grand opening of the Guyana Chapter of Maharshi Dayananda Gurukula, otherwise called the Rishi Dayananda Institute of Vedic Studies. This Guyana Chapter is associated with its New Yorkbased headquarters, called by the same name.

multiple branches of learning have been schooled, graduated, and even lectured in this institution. For centuries, branches of Gurukula have successfully functioned in principal regions of India, impacting quality education.

The ancient Nalanda and Taxila Universities and the modern Gurukula Kangri University in Haridwar are examples of traditional Gurukula institutions.

Sincerely, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dear Editor, I saw Mayor Ubraj Narine on New Market Street speaking with the illegal vendors who will be removed by the Public Works Ministry. It appears that he is in favour of these people carrying out their business on the street and creating a traffic hazard. It is because of him that all the streets in Georgetown are taken over by illegal street vendors, and the markets are in a deplorable state. I cannot see myself in the near future returning to visit Guyana, which I left more than four de-

The name ‘Gurukula’ literally means ‘the family of the Guru’, and, as a teaching institution, it has had a long and distinguished history in India. Indian historians have described Gurukula as the medium of instruction for youngsters in India since ancient times. In Gurukula education, one qualified teacher provides individualised instruction to a small class of students to better facilitate the learning process.

Accomplished scholars in

Is Ubraj a Mayor or an illegal street vendor?

cades ago. I have never before seen the markets and streets of Georgetown in the current condition. Now this man, who said on a talk show that he became a pandit when he was eleven years old, is taking the Minister to court. I hope he is not serious, because he would look like a fool.

I always wonder how he became the Mayor. The only thing I have ever seen him doing was supposedly cleaning a trench with others during the PNC reign.

Regards, Kenneth Singh

There are references in books of Sanskrit literature that point to the contribution of Gurukula Acharyas (teachers) nurturing their scholarly students with the expectation that they would re-teach and positively influence the level of thinking among current and later generations. Both spiritual and physical sciences were always integrated into Gurukula curriculum, and the intent of Gurukula Acharyas was to ultimately lead mankind to spiritual, social and economic freedom. The perception among parents also was that Gurukula would create cadres of students who would help instill refined values in the next generation, so that family and society could continue surviving on strong foundations.

It is no wonder, therefore, that Acharyas saw the need to preserve the idea of Gurukula for later generations to follow and pass on; and so, we see many sections in the Atharva Veda and books called Sutras focusing on discipline codes for both teachers and students.

The expectation for the Guyana Gurukula is that we, too, would seek to implement a curriculum that would create a new generation of youngsters in our coun-

try, who would one day have their own families. A simple study will show that, to an extent, our society has unfortunately started to malfunction. Drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, broken homes, school drop-outs, suicide etc. tell a sad story. It is important for us to understand that something is radically wrong. As someone who has travelled for years and addressed gatherings all over Guyana, I strongly feel that if we re-examine our education system with an intent to reform it, we might find some impactful solutions.

I strongly believe that Rishi Dayananda Saraswati has provided some valuable ideas focused on education for youngsters in his classic work, the Satyarth Prakash. Some of these ideas have been implemented by the Arya Samaj in its many Gurukulas established in India. I would like to see some of these ideas implemented in the Guyana Gurukula.

The construction of the Guyana Gurukula campus is almost complete at Ocean View Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara. The inauguration ceremonies are scheduled for December 14 to 18, 2022. Each day, we have Havan at 7:30am, a Holistic Health seminar at 11:00am and Yajna lectures at 6:30pm. People from many countries are expected to be in attendance.

His Excellency the President of Guyana is scheduled to deliver the inaugural address on Sunday, December 18, at 9am.

Sincerely, Satish Prakash, PhD Founder Acharya

Mayor Narine should do the honourable thing and resign

Dear Editor, The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) wishes to join the many organisations and right-thinking Guyanese to condemn the outrageous and insensitive remarks by Mayor of Georgetown, His Worship Mayor Pandit Ubraj Narine.

The fact that such deeply divisive and hateful sentiments could be expressed by a religious leader who ought to espouse the values of harmony and cohesiveness makes, in our view, what the Mayor said even more appalling. For us in the Federation, the Mayor’s remarks say a lot about his character and his ability to discharge his functions in a fair and equitable manner.

The accusations he levelled against His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali are, to the best of our knowledge, baseless, without any merit, and are a reflection of an extremist language emanating from the

Opposition in recent times.

It appears that the Mayor, with the Local Government Elections approaching, is seeking to please his handlers for reason/s best known to him. Whatever are the rationales, there is no justification for such a religiously tainted tirade, which has the potential to excite and incite. Such actions, in our view, fly in the face of our laws, and we urge the authorities to take appropriate action to address such utterances in our society, given the flammable potency of those utterances.

We are conscious that since President Ali’s ascension to office, he has spoken about the need for our people to be united and working to the common goal of developing this great nation. We have not ever heard the President attempt to even take partisan positions, using whatever yardstick, to address national issues. Of course, the President’s ‘One Guyana’ mantra is a perfect encapsulation of what His Excellency

stands for and espouses.

The notion expressed by Mayor Narine runs counter to such designs, and is reflective of the anti-national, anti-people and anti-development mantra seemingly adopted by the Opposition camp. While we understand that they have a role to keep the Government accountable, they also have a similar obligation to put the wellbeing and the welfare of the Guyanese people first.

The FITUG recognises the Mayor’s attempt to offer an apology, sincere or not. We see this as too little too late, given the gravity of his outburst. We note, too, an absence of any seeming reprimand emanating from the Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton. According to news reports coming to our hand, the Opposition Leader has chosen to denounce those offering criticisms, rather than disassociating himself from the Mayor’s remarks, as others have done. This position, from our perspective, is noteworthy, and it is possible that the

Mayor and Opposition Leader are one on this matter. We are hopeful, though, that this is not the case.

At this time, the Mayor’s remarks have no place in our peace-loving society, where our peoples - irrespective of our backgrounds - live harmoniously with each other. The fact that the Mayor has stooped so low is a demonstration that there is really nothing else left in the arsenal of the Opposition than divisiveness, irrespective of the consequences. While we are disturbed, we cannot say we are surprised.

The FITUG urges at this time that we reject the Mayor and those of his ilk. We believe that His Worship should do the honourable thing in the circumstances and demit his office, as he can no longer enjoy the respect of our people.

Sincerely, Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG)

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

Christmas craft

Yarn-Wrapped

Ornaments

For this simple project, paint pre-cut wooden ornaments. When dry, have fun wrapping them with u yarn in cheerful hues.

Mistletoes

Footprints

Dip your feet into green paint and then onto white cardboard. The footprints need to be print-

CONTINUED FROM WEDNESDAY

ed at the top of the card with a small gap between them.

Once the green paint has dried, add a ribbon to the top of the mistletoes. You could glue on a ribbon or a pipe cleaner in the shape of a bow, or you could paint a bow on. You could use any colour for the ribbon, but I think the red adds to the Christmas feel of the keepsake or Christmas card.

By The BroThers Grimm

Govt makes 3rd withdrawal of US$207.6M from NRF

The Government has made its third withdrawal for the year, of US$207.6 million (G$43 billion) in oil funds from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), which will go towards financing Guyana’s national development plans.

The announcement was made by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, on Wednesday. He said that the withdrawal from the NRF was in accordance with the strengthened legal architecture of NRF Act 2021. The money has been transferred to the Consolidated Fund, in accordance with Section 16 of the NRF Act 2021, as was the case with the other two withdrawals this year.

“It would be recalled that in May and July of this year, the Government made withdrawals totalling US$400 million equivalent to G$83 billion. This brings the accumulated withdrawals from the NRF for the year 2022 to US$607.6 million, equivalent to G$126

billion, in line with approved amount in the 2022 Budget.

“The NRF Act 2021 came into operation on January 1, 2022, and as part of the Budget 2022 process, parliamentary approval was granted for a total of US$607.6 million to be transferred during fiscal year 2022,” a statement from the Finance Ministry said.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Mission Report, which was released in September 2022, had commended the People’s

Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government on the amendments made to the NRF Act.

“The NRF Act was strengthened recently. After a thorough review, and while restraining the spending of the oil receipts, the authorities amended the NRF Act in December 2021. The recent amendments set clear ceilings on withdrawals from the Fund for budgetary spending,” the IMF had said.

Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry assured that the PPP/C Government would continue to work aggressively through “sound and transformative investments of oil resources from the NRF”, and further noted that these resources would be used in a clear and transparent manner, to the benefit of present and future generations.

The NRF, which contains revenue received from Guyana’s profit oil, as well as royalty payments and interest earned, had a balance of almost $290.1

Trade between Guyana....

“We have discussed with this team’s prior visit, that this coding project must be one that is available to all our brothers and sisters in the Caricom Region. And Guyana is ready and willing to be that hub and work in partnership with the UAE to make this programme available to all our young people in this Region.

“Because as I’ve said before, we take our regional commitment seriously and our prosperity must lead to regional prosperity. And we will work on opening up this relationship, so that all the countries in Caricom can benefit from this coding initiative we launched today,” President Ali said.

Director General of the Office of the Prime Minister of the UAE, Abdullah Lootah assured the Government of

his country’s further willingness to support Guyana. According to Lootah, “The best is yet to come. And the best is yet to be with you. And I would like to take the challenge of Minister Priya (Manickchand). You just tell us how high to jump and we will go even higher.”

The initiative is part of the Government’s vision to promote Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Guyana. It will be paired with related legislation, with the aim of setting up zones for data services, data centres, and data banks.

Relations with UAE

It was only last year that an agreement was reached for a Guyana Trade Office to be set up in Dubai, UAE. This came about following a successful meeting between rep-

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resentatives of the Guyana Private Sector and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by its President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Hamad Buamim.

In a statement, Buamim indicated that the Chamber was ready to facilitate a Guyana Trade Office in Dubai. He explained that that office would promote and expedite continuous investment and trade partnerships between the two countries.

Meanwhile, President Ali had spoken of creating a new logistics hub for the UAE in Guyana while on a tour of the Abu Dhabi Ports’ ultra-modern temperature-controlled vaccine storage warehouse facility, which is also the home of the Hope Consortium at Khalifa Industrial Zone (KIZAD) and the Khalifa Port. (G3)

billion as of November 30, 2022. This was according to the monthly financial statements, which were released by the Bank of Guyana.

A breakdown of this amount had showed that the Fund received $36.9 billion in profit oil payments for that month. Meanwhile, its total investment income had been $860.3 million at that time.

Funds

The funds from the NRF have their origins in the Stabroek Block – the only block currently producing oil. The Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Exxon, through its local affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd (EEPGL), is the operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.

The company is currently undertaking four production projects – Liza 1, Liza

2, Payara, and Yellowtail – in the oil-rich block. It is estimated that when the Yellowtail development project comes on stream, production will climb to 810,000 barrels per day (bpd) by 2027. The US oil major anticipates at least six Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels in operation by 2030.

Section 3 (1) of the NRF Act 2021, Act No 19 of 2021, which was assented to by President Dr Irfaan Ali on December 30, 2021, establishes the NRF to manage the natural resource wealth of Guyana for the present and future benefit of the people in an effective and efficient manner and in accordance with the principles of good governance, transparency, accountability, and international best practices, including the Santiago Principles.

Section 5 (1) of the Act provides for a Board of Directors of the Fund comprising not less than three and not more than five members, who shall be appointed by the President, inclusive of a Chairperson. In accordance with Section

5 (2), these Directors are to be selected from persons who have wide experience in legal, financial, business, or administrative matters, one of whom shall be nominated by the National Assembly and one of whom shall be a representative of the Private Sector.

The Public Accountability and Oversight Committee will be chaired by former Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Clement Sealey. The other six members are Wendell Jeffrey, Abu Zaman, Ryan Alexander, Dawn Gardener, Teni Housty, and Aslim Singh.

The Investment Committee follows a makeup of seven members who will advise the NRF Board on matters that concern investing the oil funds, in a way that maximises the benefits to Guyana.

Chairperson Shaleeza Shaw was sworn in with members Michael Monroe and Richard Rambarran. The other four members will be sworn in at a later date. Government is also awaiting a nomination from Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, who has been engaged via correspondence.

This Committee must comprise a nominee of the Minister to serve as Chairperson, a nominee of the Minister responsible for the petroleum sector, a nominee from the Attorney General, a nominee of the Opposition Leader, a nominee of the Private Sector and two ex-officio non-voting members. President Ali has previously pointed out that they were awaiting the nomination from Opposition Leader Norton. (G3)

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh

CoA sets aside rape conviction, 40-year sentence

…orders retrial

45-year-old Julius Branker, who in 2018 had been unanimously convicted of raping a woman at knifepoint in her home and had been sentenced to 40 years’ imprisonment, has had his conviction and sentence set aside by the Court of Appeal (CoA) of Guyana on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. That Court found, among other things, that he had had an unfair trial, and has therefore ordered that he be retried for the offence.

After a trial before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Sexual Offences Court in Demerara, Branker had been found guilty by a mixed 12-member jury of engaging in sexual penetration of the woman against her will. This offence is alleged to have occurred on February 15, 2014 at a location in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

In consequence of his conviction, he had been sentenced to serve 35 years’ imprisonment before becoming eligible for parole.

In delivering the Appellate Court’s ruling, acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, who along with Justices of Appeal Dawn GregoryBarnes and Rishi Persaud had heard Branker’s appeal, agreed with his contention that there were issues with the identification evidence, and that the tri-

al Judge had failed to adequately put his defence to the jury.

Recalling the evidence presented during Branker’s trial, the Chancellor said that apart from testifying that she had known Branker from seeing him in her neighbourhood, the virtual complainant had also said that she recognized him after he was featured on “Court Round-Up”.

“Court Round-Up" is an aspect of MTV News Update which reports on persons who are primarily charged with, and/or are convicted of, criminal offences and other court-related matters.

Given that the virtual complainant’s testimony of her seeing Branker on “Court Round-Up" deals with identification, and with the trial Judge having failed to give the jurors the necessary directions, the CoA noted that the jury was not able to "dispassionately" come to a verdict.

Moreover, the Court of Appeal noted that the trial Judge did not adequately put Branker’s defence of alibi to the jury, and that a miscarriage of justice had occurred when the trial Judge had declined to grant his then lawyer, the now late Maxwell McKay, more time to prepare his client’s defence.

Branker, through Attorney-at-Law Adrian Thompson, had also argued that the sentence imposed on him was manifestly ex-

cessive in the circumstances of the case, and was not in keeping with established sentencing guidelines.

Because the CoA has found that Branker’s conviction was unsafe, and in light of its decision to quash it, there was no need for his appeal against sentence to be considered. Given the strength of the prosecution’s case and the serious nature of the offence for which Branker had been accused, the CoA, in quashing his conviction, ordered that he be retried at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Criminal Assizes.

Branker’s lawyer had requested that his client be released on reasonable bail pending the retrial, but the Court of Appeal has said it preferred for him to make a formal application before a High Court Judge.

Senior State Counsel Mercedes Glasford had presented the prosecution’s case, the contention of which is that on the day in question, the woman was in her home sleeping when, at around 04:00h, she was awakened by noise coming from the television. As a result, she ventured into the living room, switched off the television and went back to take a nap.

Shortly after, she was awakened by a man standing at her bedside, and she began screaming. The man, in demanding that she “shut up”, threatened

Husband awaits sentencing

34-year-old Suraj Veersammy, called “Radesh”, who confessed to killing his reputed wife and stuffing her body in a barrel in April 2020, now awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to a manslaughter charge.

Indicted for the capital offence of murder, the labourer appeared before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Berbice on Tuesday, and opted to plead guilty to the lesser count, admitting that he had unlawfully killed 24-year-old Devika Narinedatt, called "Vanessa", on April 9, 2020.

Sentencing for the confessed killer has been deferred until next month, as Justice Singh has granted time for a probation report to be prepared on the convict.

State Counsel Nafeeza Baig had presented the prosecution’s case. According to reports, the partially decomposed body of the woman was discovered in a barrel floating in a trench at Belvedere, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Energy…

…solution

In the last decade, there’s been a lot of talk about “food security”. Nothing wrong about that, cause man gotta eat, doesn’t he?? That’s as primal as you can get: no food, no life!! Some say that “in the beginning was the ‘word”, but as far as your Eyewitness is concerned, in the beginning had to be food!! But why food? Food, dear reader, is our “fuel”, to give us energy, without which we wouldn’t even be able to lift an eyebrow!! And in Guyana, as we all should know, with the goings-on, eyebrows have to be lifted all the time!!

to “bore her” with a knife. It is alleged that the man, believed to be Branker, pushed his hands into the woman's pajamas and then had vaginal intercourse with her against her will in full view of her young child.

After allegedly committing the act, the man, believed to be Branker, reportedly made good his escape, and the complainant sought help from neighbours. She was taken to the Wismar Police Station, and then to the hospital, to be examined by doctors. Branker was subsequently apprehended, and charged with the crime after the virtual complainant had identified him as the perpetrator.

Despite the jury’s verdict, Branker had maintained his innocence, telling Justice Morris-Ramlall, “I am not guilty of this case…"

This long windup is to emphasise that, projecting from our own lives, everything that moves in the universe needs energy. And the more energy we have, the more we can do. So, in the beginning, we started taming animals like oxen and horses, and used them to do work we didn’t have the energy to do on our lonesome. Hence the word, “horsepower” augmenting “manpower”!!

After thousands of years, some wise guy thought about using the energy from wind and running water to turn wheels that ground our grains and such like. Then came the big breakthrough of the steam engine, that burnt coal to turn the water into steam to turn all those gears that moved whatever contraption we could think about!!

Like ships and trains etc!!

Anyhow, two things happened. We started to burn all sorts of fossil fuels in addition to coal – like petroleum of various grades and natural gases to move the machinery now placed in “factories” to make all sorts of things to “improve our quality of life. But, in the last few decades, we realized that all actions have reactions: burning all those fossil fuels produced and increased the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. And this led to global warming, which now threatens our survival – even though we desperately want to catch up with the ‘developed countries”, which became so by burning fossil fuels.

So, what to do?? Well, to your Eyewitness, there’s only one solution - the developed countries can now start practising and preaching to their people a Gandhian “small and less is beautiful” philosophy, and quit burning all those fossil fuels. In the meantime, those of us in the sh*thole countries can catch up with them by getting as much energy as we can from running water, wind and solar – but use fossil fuels to fill any gaps. This is especially true for our country, which just struck an ocean of oil and gas sloshing around off our Atlantic Coast!!

It is beyond ridiculous for some to demand we leave our oil in the ground while we’re still in the relative Stone Age!!

…cheaper

Initially, he had claimed that the late Devika Narinedatt had hanged herself, but he later told Police that they had had an argument, during which he had taken a bed sheet to hang himself, but in the process of doing so, the woman had continued arguing, and that had prompted him to hang her instead, but not before he had hit her in the head.

After committing the act, Veersammy had said, he had left the house; but he had returned later, cut down the woman’s body, and stuffed it in a barrel which he later dumped in a nearby trench.

When the woman’s body was discovered, a bed sheet had been tied tightly around her neck, and her body had borne marks of violence on her left eye, left shoulder, left hand and leg, and stomach.

After decades of promises, we’re about to get electricity cheap enough so we won’t have to worry about keeping our lights on or eating bread!! Remember when Burnham hocked all the money in the land and shanghaied the youths to give us hydro-power up the Mazaruni?? We got HYDRO all right!! Anyhow, during an earlier PPP incarnation, they’d put together all the pieces – plans, financing, contractors, etc – to deliver cheap power from the Amaila Falls. But guess who torpedoed that plan?? The PNC, of course!!

But you gotta hand it to the PPP…they never give up on a noble goal. And securing cheap energy is as noble as you can get. AT a minimum, we’ll match TT’s manufacturing strength, since it’s all built on cheap energy!! So, the news that the Govt just inked a contract with an American firm to construct a 300MW power plant – using our own natural gas - is fantabulous!!

Especially when some of the gas will be used as feeder stock to start a petrochemical industry!!

…vs lassitude

As mentioned earlier, energy also keeps us going. So, could it be that the Opposition Leader just has the energy to match the President? Your Eyewitness understands there’s something called “steel-drops” that’ll do the trick!!

After interrogation, Veersammy told detectives that the woman had threat-

ened to end their relationship, and this had angered him and he had retaliated.

Police had arrested Veersammy at the Dharm Shala at Fort Canje in Region Six. Narinedatt, a Venezuelan national, had been born to Guyanese parents.

Rape accused Julius Branker

Suraj Veersammy and his reputed wife, Devika Narinedatt in happier times

after confessing to killing wife, stuffing body in barrel

“Islamic

comments against President

Opposition MP charged under Racial Hostility Act

into making a series of serious accusations against the Guyana President, including that the Head of State is creating an Islamic State in Guyana. Duncan also conducted himself in a similar manner.

Parliamentarian Sherod

Duncan were on Wednesday arrested and taken to the Brickdam Police Station for questioning in relation to accusations against President Dr Irfaan Ali of creating an Islamic State.

This publication understands that both Narine and Duncan have since been charged under Guyana’s Racial Hostility Act. It is alleged that the duo attempted to excite hostility or ill-will on the ground of race. Narine has also been charged with two counts of obstructing traffic, contrary to Section 61 of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, in relation to placing a wooden pallet on New Market Street. Duncan has also been charged with one count of the same offence.

Duncan and Narine are jointly charged with the offence of using a computer system to attempt to excite ethnic divisions on the ground of race, contrary to Section 18(2) of the Cyber Crime Act, No. 16 of 2018 (an indictable offence). And Duncan and Narine would be jointly charged with the offence of attempting to excite hostility or ill-will on the ground of race, contrary to Section 2(1)(a) of the Racial Hostility Act, Chapter 23:01.

The Police have said in a statement that investigations have been conducted, and a file has been submitted to the DPP for legal advice.

Duncan and Narine have each since been released on $100,000 station bail, and are expected to appear in court shortly.

On Wednesday, when

Police ranks went to City Hall to question Mayor Narine, a group of vendors descended on the compound and attempted to stop Police from arresting Narine. However, with the group of protestors in pursuit, Police escorted both Narine and Duncan, who was also at City Hall, to the Brickdam Police Station.

These two men were accompanied by attorneys at law Roysdale Forde, SC, and Darren Wade. Opposition

Members of Parliament

Ganesh Mahipaul, Coretta McDonald and Amanza Walton-Desir were also among the group that accompanied the men to the Brickdam Police Station.

Former APNU/AFC Ministers Volda Lawrence and Simona Broomes were also among the crowd.

While protesting the removal of vendors from New Market Street in Georgetown on Monday evening, Narine descended

Narine had gone to the area after the Public Works Ministry had initiated action to remove vendors occupying spaces along New Market Street, between Thomas and East Streets, as of Monday, following notices that they were impeding the flow of traffic in the vicinity.

Remarks uttered by Georgetown Mayor Narine, accusing the President of creating an Islamic State, were on Tuesday vehemently condemned by Government, the Private Sector, and Civil Society, among others. His comments were met with immediate backlash and calls for his immediate resignation on the ground that he was unfit to hold such office.

Narine, who is a pandit, was rebuked for his statement by the Guyana Pandits Council and its affiliates, which vehemently

condemned the utterances he made.

“We believe strongly that his words were inappropriate and highly disrespectful to the President of Guyana His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali, and the Muslim community. Guyana is a country in which all religions are treated equally and allowed to practise their ideals and principles freely. Let us spread love, tolerance and unity, instead of hate and divisiveness,” the Guyana Pandits Council has said in a statement.

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine and Opposition

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine and Opposition parliamentarian Sherod Duncan being escorted to the Brickdam Police Station

Every category of workers will be addressed – Ali on salaries

Having already announced major adjustments to salaries for members of the Joint Services and for healthcare workers, President Dr Irfaan Ali has assured that salary adjustments for every category of workers would be addressed.

“Every sector of employees, their time will come…every category of workers will be addressed, and we are starting from critical areas where there were great anomalies, and that is how we’ve started, and we’re progressing well,” the Head of State told reporters during an interview on the sidelines of an event on Wednesday.

Asked specifically about teachers, President Ali indicated that they also stand to benefit. “I value the work of teachers tremendously.

Teachers are an important asset to our country. My own parents were teachers, so no one has to tell me the value of teachers.”

Asked about a timeframe

within which teachers can see salary adjustments, President Ali said, “I don’t want to give you a timeframe; but, as you can see, things are happening very quickly in this country.”

He pointed out, however, that his Government’s intention is to improve the overall welfare of citizens, not just focus on salaries. “We’re working on a progressive plan to improve the overall welfare of every citizen… welfare is not only a matter of salary; whilst we understand the importance of salaries, it’s quality of life, quality of your healthcare, quality of infrastructure, the cost of your electricity, the cost of your water, the quality of your water…” he explained.

On Monday evening, President Ali announced $1.5B in salary increases for over 5,000 healthcare workers. Those increases range from 36.4 per cent to as much as 74.7 per cent.

According to the President, his Government has kept its commitments, whether it was to the sugar workers or to the

healthcare workers. He further assured that the salaries and benefits for health workers would continue to be improved. At the same time, he urged healthcare workers to deliver services at the utmost levels.

These increases come just a few weeks after President Ali had announced an eight per cent salary increase for all Public Servants, retroactive to January 1, 2022. At the time, he had said further announcements would be made regarding specific categories of Public Sector employees, particularly for the Disciplined Services.

The President subsequently announced that 8,000 members of the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Defence Force would get salary increases that would amount to

over $1 billion. Since coming to office in 2020, the PPP/C Government has made concerted efforts to improve the lives of Public Servants and Guyanese as a whole. Among these measures were the payment of a seven per cent across-the-board increase to Public Servants in 2021; the restoration of the one-month tax-free yearend bonus to the Disciplined Services, totalling more than $1 billion per annum; an increase of about 40 per cent in the monthly old-age pension from $20,500 to $28,000, providing a total pension payout of more than $21 billion to senior citizens; and an increase of 55 per cent in public assistance payments from $9000 to $14,000 monthly, providing a total of more than $3 billion in annual income support to the beneficiaries.

“Family violence continues to scourge our society” – GBA on murder of Attorney

In expressing condolences to the relatives of murdered attorney-at-law Asasha Ramzan, called “Sasha”, the Bar Association of Guyana on Wednesday said family violence continues to scourge our society, and no doubt sets Guyana back. It therefore unreservedly and unequivocally condemns this and every act of gender-based violence, regardless of whatever form it

may take.

The Bar Association has said that, with great shock, it as a body and members of the legal profession have learned of the murder of Ramzan, an attorney-at-law who had worked at the Chambers of the Attorney General as a State Counsel, having been admitted to practice law in Guyana in 2020.

“Ms. Ramzan was known

to be an industrious, fair, hard-working and competent counsel. Within her held great potential for advancement to the highest levels within the legal profession. Her loss is not only to the profession, but to the country at large. At the Bar, we deeply mourn her death,” the Bar Association has said in a statement.

From all reports, Ramzan’s death result-

ed from a violent act at the hands of her partner, who from all indications took his own life after committing the act.

“As Guyanese, we owe a duty of care to be each other’s keeper, we must remain vigilant to look for the signs of gender-based violence. The Bar Association of Guyana extends sincerest condolences to the relatives, loved ones and friends of our dear colleague,” the statement read.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, visited Ramzan’s mother and relatives on Wednesday to offer condolences on behalf of the staff of the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Ministry of Legal Affairs, and the Government of

Ms Ramzan brought the highest levels of professionalism and proficiency to every matter in which she was involved, and was concerned especially about the plight of the ordinary Guyanese,” Nandlall said in a statement

(GRO), providing legal advice on a ready basis to the Registrar on a variety of legal matters.

The 30-year-old attorney was shot by her husband Peter Charles, a barber, on Tuesday. He later turned the gun on himself at Claybrick Road in Belle West, Canal No 2 Polder, West Bank Demerara (WBD). According to reports, the bodies were found in parked Nissan X-Trail sports utility vehicle PAB 6812 not far from the couple’s residence. Ramzan’s body reportedly bore two gunshot wounds, while Charles’s body bore one. At the time the bodies were found, Charles was seated in the driver’s seat while Ramzan was in the front passenger’s seat. The

Guyana.

Nandlall had said on Tuesday that his chambers, along with the Legal Affairs Ministry, is deeply saddened by the passing of the young State Counsel, who had been employed with the chambers from October 2020 to the date of her demise.

“She joined the Litigation Department of the Attorney General’s Chambers, and distinguished herself as a confident, hardworking, able and driven attorney-at-law.

to the media.

He noted that Ramzan had been actively involved in numerous public outreach programmes, including assisting with the land regularisation programme of the Ministry. She had often accompanied him at public and community outreaches as part of her demonstrable commitment to assist the ordinary Guyanese, and had also worked closely with the General Register Office

two were both fully dressed for work.

The circumstances that led to the death of the young couple remain unknown. However, this newspaper understands that Charles had been a licensed firearm holder. Several family members and friends of the couple have expressed shock on social media over the incident. The couple had been married for only about four months.

President Dr Irfaan Ali speaking to the media on Wednesday

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, with Asasha Ramzan’s mother and other relatives on Wednesday

Dead: Attorney-at-Law Asasha Ramzan

Guyana producing roses as President Ali’s “cut rose” project in full bloom

After eight months of careful implementation, President Dr Irfaan Ali’s “cut rose” project is in full bloom.

The project seeks to cut the importation of roses by 30 per cent by the end of 2023 and at the same time, provide employment and a training ground for single women in particular.

Guyana imports 42,000 roses annually from the US, Canada, and Holland among other countries.

Eight months ago, the Agriculture Ministry was tasked with the rollout and management of the “cut rose” project, which is being executed by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Some 2600 rose slips were imported from neighbouring Brazil and planted in shade houses set up for the project.

Each shade house was populated with 600 slips featuring 25 colour variations.

Since then, the project has been significantly advanced with the harvesting of roses already on the way and on sale.

Officer with responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day management of the project, Aaron Ramroop says they are trying to ensure that fresh roses are available throughout the year.

Depending on the pattern or design, a bouquet of ros-

es cost between $2000 and $20,000 locally.

According to the Project Manager, persons can now purchase roses from the Mon Repos location for as low as $500 per rose. He says the target is to produce an estimated 400 roses per week from two of the four shade houses. This figure is expected to double in the next six months.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said in an invited comment that it is hoped that by 2025, NAREI would be able to fill completely the local demand for roses.

“We have seen a number of persons have already started to come to NAREI to purchase cut roses. We are now looking at those shops and stores that are importing cut roses, so that we can be a regular supplier to them. In another two months, we would be doubling production. I am hoping that with the increases production, we will be having more people on board. This programme was conceptualised by the President

to help single parents, especially female single parents. We have already started to recruit these people who will be beneficiaries. NAREI will give them the guidance in terms of planting and replanting of it and when they can go on their own, then we will assist them with a shade house,” the Minister explained.

The locally produced roses which NAREI make available at a cost of $500 each are being sold in stores at $2000.

“For one single rose – it is very, very attractive and I think that with this here we have potential to produce all the cut roses. In another two years from now, we will be able to produce all the cut roses for the country’s needs.”

Minister Mustapha said he was hoping that the cut rose project would become a huge industry and would have the involvement of single parents in a similar way to the aquaculture project being rolled out by Government. (G4)

Jury acquits man accused of killing former father-in-law

Zaheer Hussein of Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, who had been on trial for murdering his former father-in-law Alexi Gomes, called Dino, during a scuffle on June 21, 2020, has been acquitted by a jury.

Upon his arraignment earlier this month before Justice Simone MorrisRamlall in the Demerara High Court, Hussein had pleaded not guilty to a charge which alleged that he murdered 54-year-old Alexi Gomes, called “Dino”, on Father’s Day, June 21, 2020.

Following deliberations on Wednesday, the 12-member jury panel announced that it had arrived at unanimous not-guilty verdicts in favour of Hussein for both the capital offence of murder and the lesser count of manslaughter.

Accordingly, Justice Morris-Ramlall discharged Hussein and informed him that he was free to leave the court.

Hussein had been represented by Attorneys-atLaw Dexter Smartt, Dexter Todd and Jevon Cox, while

It had been reported that on the day in question, Gomes had left his residence at Lot 6 Riverview, Ruimveldt to go buy beer at a nearby shop when he saw his grandson in the company of his former son-inlaw Zaheer Hussain and he stretched out his arms to hug the child.

Hussein had reportedly got angry and punched Gomes, and in the ensuing scuffle between the two men, Hussein had picked up a piece of wood and dealt Gomes several lashes to his

head. Gomes had fallen unconscious, and was picked up by a relative and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where he was treated before being transferred to a private hospital, where he later died. A post-mortem examination performed on Gomes revealed that the cause of his death was blunt trauma to the head.

At the time of his demise, Gomes had been visiting from New York, United States of America (USA), and had been prevented from returning there because international airports had been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (G1)

State Counsels Muntaz Ali, Taneisha Saygon and Simran Gajraj had been prosecutors in the case.

Freed: Zaheer Hussein Dead: Alexi Gomes

Over 700 children receive toys at Charity Christmas tree light-up

The Annual Christmas tree light-up at A&S Complex at Charity on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) has been resumed after a lull due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In what has become an an -

nual tradition in that community, hundreds of persons attended the occasion, held at the Charity waterfront. The turn out this year was so large that even the complex managers had been taken by surprise.

Operations Manager of A&S

Complex, Haimwan Beharry, explained, “We had to bring out more toys, since we had only catered for 400 children." He added that this was the largest crowd to have ever witnessed the Christmas tree lightup since commencement of the

event.

Every year, children in the area are treated to gifts, sweets, carols and a Santa parade. This year, more than 700 children turned up for the event. Several parents who came from riverine communities in the Pomeroon

said they were thankful to Alfro Alphonso for giving toys to the children.

The annual event is sponsored by the Alphonso Group of Companies, of which the A&S Complex is a member.

Region 1 farmers receive boost to push production

Farmers’ groups from Moruca, Region One (Barima-Waini) benefited from a number of inputs to boost their productive capacity.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, along with other officials from the Ministry, visited the region to distribute the items.

Prior to Wednesday’s visit, Mustapha had visited several villages in the region to meet with farmers. During that engagement, farmers requested assistance with scaling-up their production.

While engaging the farmers on Wednesday, Mustapha said that the Government was determined to ensure farmers in remote areas of the coun-

try benefit from the same resources and services offered to farmers on the coast.

“Today (Wednesday), I am here to deliver on a promise made to you, the farmers. When I was here a few months ago, many of you made requests for farming inputs to take your production to another level. As a government, we want to ensure our farmers have the necessary resources to produce. We want farmers in rural areas to benefit from the same services offered to farmers on the coast. That is why we continue to make budgetary allocations to develop the sector. This Government has been delivering on all of its promises, and we will

continue to do so, because we want to improve the welfare of every citizen in this country,” the Minister is quoted as saying in a release from the Agriculture Ministry.

During Mustapha’s last visit, farmers made requests for assistance with farming tools, shade-house materials, Acoushi Ants bait, seeds, and seedlings.

Mustapha also said in addition to the inputs, farmers would also benefit from Black Giant chicks to boost their productive capacity.

“We have a programme that we rolled out in hinterland communities where every household will receive Black Giant chicks to help you increase your pro-

duction. The programme has already started. We already distributed 587 birds and today we’ll distribute another 2000. This programme will continue until every household benefits. There were also some

swine organisations that said they needed assistance with boosting their production. We distributed those piglets a few weeks ago,” he added.

Wednesday’s donation comprised a fogging

machine, cutlasses, files, spades, water cans, rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, grass cutters, spray cans, and shade-house materials.

Mustapha also distributed toys to children from the villages.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha handing over some of the items to members of the farmers' groups

“I want you guys to be the story of hope” – Ali to Leopold Street residents

…offers employment for building of 20 homes

President Dr Irfaan Ali met with a number of residents of Leopold Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown on Wednesday, to discuss employment opportunities.

During the meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Center, President Ali told the residents that they have the

opportunity to live a life that is “progressive, rewarding and free from dangers”.

To accomplish this, the President noted that they have to transform themselves and commit to becoming part of something bigger.

“I want you guys to be the story of hope,” he said.

The President committed to providing training opportunities and employment in several areas, including in the fields of carpentry, masonry and welding, to the group comprising mostly young men.

He also discussed the possibility of forming a company called Leopold Incorporated

with the group where they can access and work in the Government’s ongoing housing programmes.

He said that the group would work along with the Housing and Water Ministry and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to construct 20 homes on the Linden-

Soesdyke Highway.

The Government will assist in managing the affairs of the company.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn; Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond and other Government officials were also part of the meeting.

Respect native culture – Visit Rupununi urges tourists

As tourism in the Rupununi experiences a major turnaround from the COVID-19 pandemic, tourists are being urged to respect native culture whenever they are on the soil of the country’s Indigenous folks.

Visit Rupununi President Melanie Mc Turk made the comments during a recent engagement with the media during a tour to the North Rupununi which was organised by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).

During the tour, visits were made to several tourist destinations including Karanambu Lodge, which

is operated by Mc Turk.

Karanambu Lodge is considered a unique site for conservation and eco-tourism in Guyana.

Interestingly, over 70 per cent of the economic activity in North Rupununi stems from tourism.

Since venturing into tourism, Mc Turk has observed that the region has not only benefitted economically but its customs and traditions are appreciated more.

“I am really proud of Visit Rupununi, because I think it really captures the commitment of the Rupununi to have a sustainable future. Because

what we have discovered is that tourism is not only an economic earner, but it has ripple effects across the society so if one looks at the North Rupununi over the past 20-30 years that we have had tourism what we have seen is a re-emergence of culture where once [persons] did not want to speak Macushi and the cultural groups were languishing for people to join, now people are proud of being Macushi, they want to dress up for heritage months. People are learning Macushi actively and part of that is because when tourists come they are fascinated by this culture and that gives you a sense

of pride,” she noted.

Mc Turk said too that the tourism sector has brought tremendous opportunities for young women and girls in the Rupununi.

Once there was a time when only men had work and now at many of the lodges, you will find many women if not more women working than men.

She said young women in the Rupununi were taking up administrative roles.

“This is really wonderful.”

Mc Turk pointed out that over the past two years Visit Rupununi has worked assiduously to expand training and capacity build-

ing, which are being done in collaboration with the GTA for other Rupununi tourism operators.

“We have also worked very hard on creating the wildlife-friendly tourism manual. What we wanted was to capture some of the lessons we have already learnt and sort of set a code of conduct for us as a community group going forward.”

This, Mc Turk pointed out, has led to development of the 13 values of wildlife-friendly tourism.

“It starts with respect; respect for our national law, respect rules and respect for local customs and

it ends with us wanting to make sure that everything we do benefits our community. In between we talk about fishing that could reduce our fishing population, because as much as we want tourists to come and enjoy the experience of fishing, we want them to remember that the fish resource is a critical resource and it is very important to the people of this region as a food source.”

President Dr Irfaan Ali meeting with residents of Leopold Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown

Melanie Mc Turk

UN biodiversity talks hampered by ‘lack of political will’ -WWF

World Wildlife Fund urges more ambitious targets after developing nations stage COP15 walkout

A“lack of political will” is hindering the United Nations biodiversity conference, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has warned, urging participating nations to set more ambitious goals to tackle the environmental crisis.

Delegates from nearly 200 countries have gathered in Montreal, Canada in an effort to tackle the rapid decline of global biodiversity – the loss of animals, plants, and other organisms, as well as entire ecosystems around the world.

“Currently, there’s simply a lack of political will compared to what’s needed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030,” Florian Titze, an adviser on international biodiversity policy at WWF Germany, said during a news conference on Wednesday.

“Nothing is lost yet. We still look hopeful towards the next week, when Ministers are here,” Titze added.

“But the Ministers really need to show up, and

they really must step up and show us that they’re willing to not only ask for ambitious targets, but also take action on them – and that includes paying the bill.”

The call to action came after delegates from developing countries staged a late-night walkout of the UN conference – dubbed COP15 – on Tuesday after talks broke down with wealthier nations over the contentious issue of funding.

“The countries left the meeting because they considered that it was im-

possible to make progress in the discussions because developed countries were not ready to compromise,” the non-profit group Avaaz said in an update on Wednesday.

David Ainsworth, a spokesman for the UN Environment Programme, also told reporters that “the atmosphere deteriorated when the group started discussing concepts, in particular, the global biodiversity fund proposal.”

The proposal is a new fund sought by low-income nations to help them

achieve their biodiversity objectives. But wealthier nations have opposed its creation, preferring instead to reform existing financing schemes.

The COP15 talks, which are set to conclude on December 19, aim to set biodiversity protection and restoration targets by 2030. In addition to funding and implementation, a key topic of debate has been a push to protect at least 30 per cent of land and sea globally – the 30×30 proposal.

Mass extinction

Experts have warned that one million species currently face extinction across the globe, with various factors – including climate change and development projects – driving the destruction of lands, forests, oceans, and other habitats.

A widely-cited 2008 World Bank report also estimated that traditional Indigenous territories accounted for 22 per cent of the world’s land and held 80 per cent of its biodiversity – underscoring the

importance of Indigenous leadership on the issue.

Late last week, Dinamam Tuxa, executive coordinator of the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil, told reporters that Indigenous voices needed to be at the heart of any COP15 commitments to ensure that funding and other resources get to the communities at the forefront of the fight.

But the current financing gap for biodiversity ranges from between US$600 billion to almost US$825 billion per year, according to experts.

A group of developing nations, including Gabon, Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia, this year called for rich countries to provide at least US$100 billion annually – rising to US$700 billion a year by 2030 – for biodiversity.

Fair share

Late last month, Greenpeace urged richer countries to take on a fair share of the financial burden and help nations in the Global South – which

are shouldering much of the biodiversity loss burden – protect areas at risk of destruction.

Similar debates over a so-called “loss and damage fund” dominated the recent COP27 climate talks in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

Meanwhile, Titze from WWF Germany warned on Wednesday that COP15 negotiations appeared to be on track to deliver targets that are lower than what was agreed to more than a decade ago by the parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

“That is not the political signal that we need,” he told reporters, adding that a “comprehensive” funding package that includes Private-Sector commitments is necessary to immediately implement any targets, especially in developing countries.

“A lot of the biodiversity left on this planet is in their territories,” Titze said. “They need the support, and that needs to come through international financing.” (Al Jazeera)

Massy buys Florida supermarket chain

Massy Holdings has bought a USbased supermarket chain for US$47 million (TT$314.9 million), the conglomerate announced on Wednesday.

Massy completed its acquisition of Rowe’s IGA Supermarkets through its American subsidiary, Massy Stores (USA) LLC on Monday, after the Board gave its approval on December 7.

“Massy Stores entered into a membership interest purchase agreement with the sole owner of Rowe’s IGA, Robert A Rowe, to purchase 100 per cent of the equity of each of the seven limited liability companies within the Rowe’s IGA Group.”

Rowe’s IGA is an independent supermarket chain with seven stores in Jacksonville, Florida. It was established in 2005 and is a well-recognised brand within the Jacksonville area.

“The acquisition will

represent a one per cent increase in the Massy Group’s assets and is expected to contribute to an increase in the group’s profit before tax of approximately four per cent. For the integrated retail portfolio, the acquisition is expected to increase its profit before tax by seven per cent.”

This is the Massy group’s second bid for a company in recent weeks. Its subsidiary Massy Gas Products Holdings Ltd entered into an agreement with the French company Air Liquide International, on November 28, to purchase for 100 per cent its shares in Air Liquide TT for US$51.5 million-US$58 million.

It anticipates payment of the higher-end range related to an earn-out payable annually based on additional value considerations being met. Completion of the transaction remains subject to regulatory approval by the TT Fair Trading Commission.

Air Liquide TT, based in Pt Lisas, makes and supplies industrial gases – oxygen, nitrogen and argon gases – and is aligned to Massy Gas Products’ “portfolio strategy to focus operations and its growth agenda on its core business”.

In a statement, Air Liquide International announced that it had signed an agreement to divest its TT business and the 30 local employees will be employed by Massy Gas Products.

“This transaction is part of Air Liquide’s strategy to regularly review its asset portfolio and focus on selected fast-developing areas and activities.

“Air Liquide is well-positioned to further grow its presence in Latin America where it intends to pursue the opportunities emerging with the clean energy transition, including hydrogen energy leveraging the area’s abundant natural resources.” (Trinidad Newsday)

The UN biodiversity conference, known as COP15, aims to set global biodiversity protection and restoration targets by 2030 [Christinne Muschi/Reuters]

Barbados scraps laws banning same-sex acts

The High Court in Barbados has struck out colonial-era laws that criminalised gay sex.

The previous laws, while rarely invoked, demanded a life sentence for those found guilty of having consensual same-sex relations.

Barbados is the third Caribbean nation to make similar reforms this year.

Activists and members of the LGBTQ+ community who have fought for the change welcomed this week's ruling, saying it promoted privacy and freedom.

Local advocacy group Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (Ecade) said on Twitter the ruling "consolidates the rights of all Barbadians to privacy and freedom of expression, and impacts LGBTQ+ people across the eastern Caribbean".

Two LGBTQ+ advocates in Barbados filed the case, in partnership with local organisations, including Ecade.

In a statement, Barbados attorney general Dale Marshall said Justice Michelle Weekes issued the ruling on Monday, concluding that two sections of the 1992 Sexual Offences Act were unconstitutional.

"In short, [the ruling

means] we can no longer prosecute persons under these two sections," he said, adding that charges for offences relating to consensual gay sex could no longer be maintained.

Written reasons for the decision in the case were not expected for a few weeks, Mr Marshall said.

"This is a huge win for the community and for Barbados. This has been years of work and that work still continues," Rene Holder-McLean Ramirez, who helped bring forward the claim, said.

Earlier this year, courts in the Caribbean have found similar laws to be unconstitutional in Antigua and St. Kitts and Nevis.

"We are very pleased with the result of this case, which is a result of years of advocacy efforts by the community organizations as well as the litigants," Michael Rapley, a member

of the NGO Equals, told Reuters.

"This is a step in the right direction for the protection of LGBTQ+ people in Barbados as we continue to ensure stigma-free access to services and positive inclusion in society."

This "historic" ruling was described as "a significant step towards protecting the human rights and dignity of LBGT people in Barbados," according to Luisa Cabal, of the joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS.

She added that it "will also strengthen the country's HIV response by helping to reduce stigma and discrimination faced by LGBT people and increasing the uptake of HIV testing, treatment and prevention services".

At least 66 countries in the world still criminalise gay sex, according to Human Rights Watch. (BBC)

Cuba proposes Caricom join climate change projects

Cuba has invited the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to join several projects that can augment the region’s efforts to confront climate change, the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat reported today.

It said that Cuba has proposed a project to recover sandy beaches; another on low carbon and resilient tourism cooperation; and a third that focuses on the preservation of coral reefs.

According to the Secretariat, the proposals were made at the just-concluded CARICOM-Cuba Summit in Barbados earlier this month.

The Secretariat also noted that South Korea through the Trinidadbased Association of Caribbean States (ACS) is funding the project on the

recovery of sandy beaches, which has been implemented already in Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua and Barbuda. “With respect to the low carbon and resilient tourism cooperation project, Cuba said it is working on the region-wide project to present to the Green Climate Fund. Working together, Cuba and CARICOM could develop a project of common interest.”

The Secretariat said that Cuba is also arranging to obtain funding for a high-level impact project to preserve coral reefs in the Caribbean from the ef-

fects of climate change.

“The project seeks to boost capability to access climate financing. Cuba said it has created the IRIS United for Climate Foundation to promote cooperation in the region by exploring opportunities that CARICOM could take advantage of.”

The Secretariat said that in the interest of sustainable development, Cuba has also suggested holding a workshop on disaster risk management and climate change adaptation with an emphasis on early warning systems.

“As part of efforts to build capacity in member states, Cuba has volunteered to offer training based on the experience its environmental agency has acquired in the construction of regional projects,” the Secretariat added. (CMC)

Florida man charged after allegedly throwing Christmas tree at wife

AFlorida man is now in custody after he allegedly threw a Christmas tree at his wife during a dispute on Monday evening.

It is reported that the argument started after the man’s wife asked him to help make dinner.

According to arrest records, Richard Atchison, 52, “lost his temper” after his wife asked for help and put a spoon in the sink, accidentally splashing him with water.

Police reported that Atchison packed his things and went outside to his vehicle, before returning to the house because "he had been

drinking" and told his wife to leave instead.

However, when Atchison’s wife tried to leave, he reportedly shoved her, picked up a Christmas tree that was in the corner of the room and threw it at her,

her. Atchison then allegedly blocked the front door to prevent his wife from leaving.

The man was booked on domestic battery charges and taken to the jail. (Fox News)

Belize experiencing new wave of COVID –– warns health official

Belize health authorities are raising the alarm of yet another wave of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has so far killed 688 people and infected 69, 376 others since the first case was detected two years ago.

For the second consecutive week, the number of people infected with COVID here has jumped by more than 100 and last week, the country recorded more than 259 new cases.

“In week 49, which is just the first week of December, there has been an increase. And if you notice the infographic, you would see that the positivity rate has gone to 9.9 per cent. This is a significant jump. There are many reasons for this.

“We have not only been seeing an increase in COVID cases in homes, but we have had an outbreak at Kolbe, the prison and that has accounted for a significant increase for the Belize District,” said the Director of Public Health Services at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Melissa DiazMusa.

“So for the Belize District for the COVID cases, we have gone up from about two per cent to the last week going up to almost 16 or 17 per cent. And so that is the reason why we have seen the significant jump. The prison had about 42 to 43 per cent positivity rate last week”

Dr Diaz-Musa said the authorities have had experience in the last two years dealing with outbreaks at

the prison.

She is concerned that the country is experiencing yet another wave of COVID-19.

“Yes, it is, definitely. We’ve seen our positivity rate in a week has gone from two per cent to 9.9 per cent. The difference is that we have not seen significant hospitalisations, but if we leave it to just continue to spread, we may then start to see increase in hospitalisations and we need to protect the integrity of our health system,” she said.

“We need to ensure that we protect the vulnerable persons so that we don’t see an increase in hospitalisations and that we see a reduction in the transmission of this virus,” she said, adding, “we need to do additional measures to ensure that we reduce these numbers of whatever illnesses it is, but more so for COVID-19.”

The authorities say that more than the 221 active cases are not being treated and Dr Diaz-Musa said it is essential for people to get vaccinated.

“We continue to encourage public health mea-

sures. There is absolutely nothing that is mandated; there is not a mandate to wear masks, but we encourage that if you do have an elderly person in the household if you do work with the elderly or vulnerable population, you should wear your mask. You may be asymptomatic, but you can still transmit COVID.

“This is something that we’ve got to take our personal responsibility and make the determination whether or not you would wear your mask,” she said, adding that “we also recommend that if you do have a cough, a cold, you have body aches, you have fever, notify your employer, keep your masks on and get tested.

“We have all our health facilities continue to perform tests, it is easily accessible and we are asking that you continue to check because you might have very little symptoms or mild symptoms, but somebody who is more vulnerable and whose body is not able to fight the virus as good as you can might not be as lucky,” the health official said. (CMC)

striking

Richard Atchison

Regional

Peru declares state of emergency, seeks 18 months’ jail for Castillo

Peru's Defence Minister announced a nationwide state of emergency on Wednesday, which would have taken effect in the next few hours and allow soldiers to assist Police in maintaining public safety after a week of fiery protests and road blockades.

The protests were sparked by the ousting of former President Pedro Castillo on December 7 in an impeachment vote. Castillo, a leftist elected in 2021, was arrested after illegally trying to dissolve the Andean nation's Congress, the latest in a series of political crises the world's second-largest copper producer has faced in recent years.

Prosecutors on Wednesday said they were seeking 18 months of pretrial detention for Castillo, who has been charged with rebellion and conspiracy. Peru's Supreme Court met to consider the request, but later suspended the session until today.

Castillo's former Vice President Dina Boluarte was sworn into office after his removal.

The political upheaval has sparked angry and sometimes violent protests around the Andean country, especially in the rural and mining regions that pro-

pelled the former peasant farmer and teacher to office in July last year.

Six people, mostly teenagers, have died in clashes with the Police, authorities have said. All were victims of gunfire, according to rights groups. Protesters have blockaded highways, set fires to buildings, and invaded airports.

"We have agreed to declare a state of emergency throughout the country, due to the acts of vandalism and violence," Boluarte's Defence Minister, Alberto Otárola told reporters.

"This requires a forceful response from the Government," he said, adding that it would mean the suspension of certain freedoms, including the right to assembly, the inviolability

of the home, and freedom of transit.

Since his arrest Castillo has been detained at the DIROES police facility in Lima. He called on supporters to come to the jail, saying he should be released after the initial seven-day period of pretrial detention expires later on Wednesday.

Castillo also called for the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to intercede on his behalf, as dozens of supporters gathered at the prison demanding he be freed.

Castillo has gained some support from fellow regional leftist leaders, including Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who criticised his removal as undemocratic. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T to appeal High Court ruling on FUL Report

The Office of the Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday said an appeal would be filed following a High Court ruling that granted former Police Commissioner Gary Griffith, an injunction restraining Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley from laying any part of a controversial Firearm User’s Licence (FUL) Audit Report in the Parliament.

“The Office of the Attorney General assures the public that proper process was indeed followed,” it said in a statement.

“The facts are and the evidence demonstrates that Mr Griffith was informed that consideration was being given as to whether there were persons adversely affected by findings in the FUL Audit Report, who may not have had an opportunity to comment and make representations on the matters giving rise to those findings and, if there are such persons, as to what steps ought to be taken to afford those persons an opportunity to comment and make representations prior to the Report or any summary thereof being reported to Parliament.”

The statement said that the Attorney General,

Reginald Armour “assured Mr Griffith that there would be no publication authorised by the State or its agencies of the Audit Report or any summary thereof, unless and until all persons affected by findings therein are given that opportunity”.

It said as a result of ruling by the High Court “the Office of the Attorney General advises that an immediate appeal is being filed urgently to correct errors made by this ruling”.

Justice Devindra Rampersad in his ruling on Tuesday said “the force of the vehemence born out of this report, and expressed in public as alleged by the claimant, suggests that its premature presentation or production would have far-reaching effects in

Barbados charting its own foreign policy path

Minister in the Finance and Economic Affairs Ministry, Ryan Straughn, has given the assurance that Barbados’ foreign policy efforts in Africa will continue as the island continues to seek out new business ventures in other territories.

Straughn made the commitment recently while participating in the Human Rights 5th Meeting of the 1st Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in Geneva, Switzerland.

In giving a synopsis of Barbados’ efforts since attaining parliamentary re-

public status one year ago, the Minister stressed that Government had determined to chart its own path through its “Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny Project”.

In keeping with one of the project’s objectives to foster international relationships to position Barbados as a place where the world could better understand what transpired during slavery, Straughn told the forum that in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the island established two diplomatic missions in Ghana, and Kenya in 2021, and more recently, set up an honorary mission in Rwanda.

Additionally, he said that Barbados, along with the African Export Import Bank, hosted the first AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum in September, which attracted over 1000 delegates, to explore opportunities for increased trade, and business and leisure activities between Africa and the Caribbean.

He also said that Government’s Bridgetown Initiative would seek to reform the financial architecture to “address the historical inequities between North and South”.

(Excerpt from Nation News)

Migrants tell of mass kidnappings in Mexico

Many of the hundreds of migrants who crossed the Rio Grande from Ciudad Juarez into El Paso this week were part of a group kidnapped in Mexico as they made their way to the United States, according to nine migrants interviewed by Reuters.

Testimony from the nine migrants suggests there were multiple kidnappings across several days in the northern state of Durango, with people taken to at least

two main locations and held against their will while ransoms were demanded.

The kidnappings are a stark reminder of the dangers faced by migrants as they travel across Mexico, crisscrossing areas rife with drug violence and weak rule of law.

Most of the kidnapped migrants were Nicaraguans, who have been leaving their homeland in growing numbers to claim asylum and pursue better economic op-

portunities in the United States, encouraged by the knowledge they are unlikely to be immediately deported due to frosty relations between their Government and Washington.

The incidents appear to comprise one of the biggest known mass kidnappings in Mexico in recent years, said Stephanie Leutert, an immigration expert at the University of Texas at Austin.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazil to resume diplomatic relations with Venezuela under Lula

Brazil is set to restart diplomatic relations with neighbouring Venezuela once Presidentelect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva assumes office on January 1.

On Wednesday, Mauro Vieira – whom Lula named last week as his pick for Foreign Minister – announced that a diplomatic mission would travel to Caracas next month to organise an official Brazilian residence in the city before an ambassador was appointed by Brazil’s legislature.

Diplomatic relations between Brazil and Venezuela’s left-wing Government broke down in

2020, during the tenure of Brazil’s current far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. Lula, a left-leaning politician who defeated Bolsonaro in Brazil’s October election, has signalled he would seek a thaw in tensions with his country’s northern neighbour.

During his time in office, Bolsonaro signed a decree banning Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and senior members of his Administration from entering Brazil. He also joined more than 50 countries in recognising Juan Guaidó, a member of Venezuela’s Opposition, as the country’s acting President after

Maduro’s 2018 re-election. Countries, including the United States, called Maduro’s 2018 re-election results “fraudulent”. But Guaidó’s self-declared presidency came to little and talks between Maduro’s Government and the Opposition resumed in November.

Vieira on Wednesday reiterated that Brazil would recognise Maduro’s Government. He also stated his intention to place Brazil’s Embassy “next to the Government that exists, the government that was elected” – meaning Maduro’s. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Costa Rica seeks entry to North America trade pact

Costa Rica has told the United States it is interested in joining the North American trade pact between the United States, Mexico, and Canada, President Rodrigo Chaves said on Wednesday.

Chaves said he had sent the message to the White House expressing his desire to join the United StatesMexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA), the modern iteration of the quarter-century-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

"If you want to stay close to the country and share values, we need to strengthen relations and improve

but made no comment on a possible entry for Costa Rica

Costa Rican Trade Minister Manuel Tovar said the talks were in an "exploratory phase," adding that a potential inclusion in the USMCA would not be incompatible with its current membership in the United States-Central America (CAFTA) trade agreement.

"We are evaluating opportunities," said Tovar, adding membership in the trade pact would give Costa Rica an "immense advantage" and add another strategic link to global supply chains.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Former President Pedro Castillo

business opportunities and growth in the United States," Chaves told a news conference following a meeting with Chris Dodd, US

President Joe Biden's special adviser for the Americas.

Dodd said he had spoken with Chaves about opportunities to boost economic ties,

into the North American trade pact.

Former T&T Police Commissioner Gary Griffith

Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves

the public domain. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Oil prices climb by US$2 amid forecasts for 2023 demand uptick

Oil settled up more than US$2 on Wednesday after OPEC and the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast a rebound in demand over the course of next year and as US interest rate hikes are expected to ease further alongside slowing inflation.

Brent crude futures settled up US$2.02, or 2.4 per cent, to US$82.70 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures settled up US$1.94 to US$77.28.

Both contracts rose on a surge in diesel futures ahead of cold weather expected towards the end of the year.

The Brent contract has returned to a backwardated market structure whereby front-month loading barrels trade higher than later deliveries, which indicates worries about oversupply are subsiding.

The structure had dipped into contango last week, with front-month deliveries cheaper than later-loading ones.

Oil prices have been supported by a leak and outage of TC Energy Corp's Keystone Pipeline, which ships 620,000 barrels per day of Canadian crude to the United States.

Officials said the cleanup will take at least several weeks.

Sending bearish signals, US crude oil stockpiles rose by more than 10 million barrels last week, the most since March 2021, buoyed by releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and as refiners reduced activity.

Looking into 2023, OPEC said it expected oil demand to grow by 2.25 million barrels per day (bpd) over next year to 101.8 million bpd, with potential upside from China, the world's top importer.

The IEA, seeing Chinese oil demand recovering next year after a 400,000-bpd contraction in 2022, raised its 2023 oil demand growth estimate to 1.7 million bpd for a total of 101.6 million bpd.

Road and air traffic in China have rebounded sharply, data suggests.

"The setup remains supportive of triple-digit prices ... The recent volatility presents a good entry point ahead. Balances may be looser for the next quarter, but by 2Q a new price rally will be upon us," said Oswald Clint, an analyst at Bernstein.

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark overnight interest rate by 50 basis points on Wednesday, a downshift from the 75-basis-point hikes it had delivered at its last four policy meetings.(Reuters)

Around the World

Ukraine War: US planning to send Patriot air defence missiles

The United States is planning to send

Patriot air defence missiles to Ukraine, US media reports say.

President Joe Biden is likely to announce the move this week, according to unnamed officials.

Ukraine has been requesting further air defence support for some time, as Russian attacks have continued to kill civilians and cause major blackouts.

Patriot is one of the most advanced US air defence systems, but supplies to Ukraine are likely to be limited.

It is not known how many of the batteries will be

sent to Ukraine.

Once the move is approved, the systems are likely to be sent over in the coming days, with Ukrainian soldiers trained to use

Kenya's ‘first daughter’ denies using public money

them at a US Army base in Grafenwoehr, Germany, the officials said.

The Patriot system would be a legitimate target for Russian strikes, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

The news came as explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, in the latest of a steady stream of attacks by Russia.

Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure since October.

Ukraine has been asking the US for more air defence support for months. US national security spokesman John Kirby said last week that Russia and Iran's relationship had warmed to a fully-fledged defence partnership.

Patriot has been described as the most advanced air defence system the US possesses. Each missile costs about US$3 million, the Washington Post reported in 2017.

The systems have been bought by more than a dozen countries since they came into use in the 1980s, and are in use by US allies in the Pacific and Europe, as well as Saudi Arabia. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Iran ousted from UN women's group after US campaign

Following a national outcry, the daughter of Kenya's President has denied that public money is being used to fund what she calls the "Office of the First Daughter".

Since her father's inauguration in September, Ruto has held several high-profile events and meetings under the title.

In Kenyan law, no such office exists.

Many Kenyans online have been expressing anger over her engagements, and

China removes 6 officials after Manchester Consulate incident, UK says

China has removed six officials from Britain who Police wanted to question over the treatment of a man who said he was kicked and punched while protesting outside the Chinese Consulate in Manchester, British Foreign Minister James Cleverly said.

Cleverly said the removal of the officials, including the Consul General in Manchester, came after a Police request to interview them over the incident.

"I am disappointed that these individuals will not be interviewed or face justice," Cleverly said in a written statement.

"Nonetheless, it is right that those responsible for the disgraceful scenes in

Manchester are no longer –or will shortly cease to be –consular staff accredited to the UK."

The Chinese Embassy hit back, saying Britain had failed to protect its staff, adding it launched its own representations with Britain over the incident.

It said the Consul General had returned to China under a "normal rotation of Chinese consular officials".

Police had been investigating the alleged assault on a protester who was beaten by several men after being dragged inside the grounds of the Consulate in northwest England during a demonstration against President Xi Jinping.

"Images carried on so-

cial media showed what appeared to be completely unacceptable behaviour by a number of individuals near the entrance to the consular premises," said Cleverly, who summoned the acting Ambassador over the incident.

Cleverly said that Police had requested six Chinese officials waive diplomatic immunity so they could be questioned and the Embassy had been informed, giving them a week to act.

"In response to our request, the Chinese Government have now removed from the UK those officials, including the Consul General himself," Cleverly told broadcasters. (Excerpt from Reuters)

asking who is funding them.

Some have described her as a "low-budget version of Ivanka [Trump]", who regularly attended political functions while her father Donald Trump was US President.

Some have nicknamed her Quickmart Ivanka – referencing a low-cost Kenyan supermarket.

But Ruto doesn't seem to be too upset and tweeted a video of herself smiling, while walking around the grocery chain.

Ruto has been meeting leaders across the country and attending international forums with foreign dignitaries since her father William became President.

In one video being shared widely online, Ruto is seen speaking to an audience at a summit in Tanzania where she introduces her "team from Kenya" including her adviser and another who is the "head of trade and investments at the Office of the First Daughter".

The audience appear to respond loudly with claps and some laughter.

She became one of the top Twitter trends in Kenya on Wednesday as people asked whether she was using taxpayers' money.

She responded with a statement saying: "The Office of the First Daughter is a private entity. It is neither a constitutional office nor is it being funded by the Kenyan taxpayer." (Excerpt from BBC News)

Iran was ousted from a United Nations women's group on Wednesday for policies contrary to the rights of women and girls, a move proposed by the United States after Tehran's crackdown on protests over the death of a young woman in custody.

The 54-member UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) adopted a US-drafted resolution to "remove with immediate effect the Islamic Republic of Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) for the remainder of its 2022-2026 term."

There were 29 votes in favour, eight against – including Russia and China –and there were 16 abstentions.

"This is a victory for Iranian revolutionaries who have been facing guns & bullets as they fight this gender apartheid state," US-based Iranian Journalist and women's rights activist Masih

Alinejad posted on Twitter.

Iran's clerical rulers have faced the biggest protests in years since September when 22-yearold Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini died in the custody of the morality Police who enforce strict dress codes.

US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield said removing Iran was the right thing to do. The commission meets annually every March and aims to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women.

"It's hugely important for the women of Iran," Thomas-Greenfield told Reuters after the vote.

"They got a strong message from the United Nations that we will support them and we will condemn Iran and we will not let them sit on the Commission for the Status of Women and continue to attack women in their own country," she said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A woman walks after the morality police shut down a street in Tehran, Iran, December 6, 2022 (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters)

A US Patriot missile system used in a joint training mission with Israel in 2018

Charlene Ruto is the second-born daughter of President William Ruto

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Focus on learning, understanding and adjusting to change. Don’t balk at orders; take responsibility and contribute what you can. Recognize when one thing ends and something new begins.

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

Take a unique approach to life. Don’t share secrets or overspend. You can’t buy love, so keep your money in your pocket and look for simple items that are useful and appreciated. Shop smart.

Don’t jeopardize your reputation or position. Take care of business and go above and beyond to ensure you get the desired results. Refuse to let your emotions interfere with your responsibilities.

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22) (July 23-Aug. 22)

Live for the people, places and pastimes that make you happy. Make time for yourself and your loved ones. Confess your true feelings and make plans that bring you closer to your personal goal.

You can have fun without going overboard. Refrain from overindulgence, and focus on helping others and taking care of responsibilities. Nurture important relationships and share your intentions.

Slow down, gain strength and figure out how best to move forward. Get out and mingle with experienced people who can offer insight into the possibilities. Add to your qualifications.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Be careful not to raise sensitive issues that disrupt your personal life. Go directly to the source, find the truth and make decisions based on what you discover. Show more discipline.

A practical approach will win out in the end. Make plans to do something that soothes your soul and sparks your imagination. Surround yourself with creative, aware individuals. Romance is favored.

Be realistic and promise only what you know you can deliver. Don’t oversell your qualifications; it’s best to surprise everyone with your expertise. A change at work may upset you.

Embrace the future with open arms. Review the past and make changes to ensure the upcoming year will be better than this one. Look for innovative ways to use your skills and expertise.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Shake off any negativity and prepare for the festivities. Aim to bring joy to others, and it will cheer you up as well. Don’t let the little things others do or say upset you.

Get out and see what’s happening in your neighborhood. Look at the lights and join in festivities that will give you hope for a brighter future. Keep your conversations friendly.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

ARCHIE PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

DILBERT

Phil Simmons’s successor must understand West Indies culture, says WI Capt Kraigg Brathwaite

Speaking after the West Indies’ humiliating 419-run loss to Australia in the second Test of their two-match series, which was Simmons’s final assignment with the Caribbean side, WI Captain Kraigg Brathwaite has said the coach, from T&T, had shepherded the side well.

“I think he was stern when he had to be, cause it’s always important to push guys. Also, we don’t all live in the same country, so when we come together, it’s important as a group that we really put in that work, and he really drove that,” the red ball captain told the media.

Following what he had

described as the West Indies’ “unfathomable” exit from the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia in October, when they had failed to get past the first round, Simmons had announced his decision to step down as head coach.

However, he remained in charge for the just-ended two-Test series against Australia. Although Simmons had been hoping to finish his tenure on a high, the Caribbean side lost the first match, before going on to record their worst-ever Test defeat in the second game.

Brathwaite has, however, said that Simmons had done “a good job” at the helm. He spoke about some

of the qualities he believed Simmons’s successor should have in order to take the West Indies team forward.

“Once we get a leader, I think that’s the main thing; someone understanding the culture of West Indians. And I thought Phil did a good job. I’m sure we’ll find a good coach to replace him, and have many years of success and improvement in this Test team,” he said.

Simmons served as head coach for two separate stints, the first of which ended in him being sacked by Cricket West Indies six months after the Caribbean men had won the 2016 T20 World Cup. He was rehired in October 2019.(CMC)

KFC Goodwill International Schools Football Tournament…

GFF President Wayne Forde welcomes Suriname team to Guyana

Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde on Wednesday morning took time out of his busy schedule to pay a visit to the SVB Academy football team from Suriname, who arrived in Guyana on Sunday last, and

are being housed at the GFF’s National Training Center (NTC) dorms ahead of the KFC Goodwill International Tournament. Forde and Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca were well received by the Surinamese team.

“This is the first time that

Three U15 players ...

twenty thigh pads, one pair of wicketkeeping pads, three arm guards, two boxes, six cricket bags and three helmets.

In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former national wicketkeeper /batsman.

To date, forty-seven young players from all three counties of Guyana have already benefitted from receipt of three junior gear bags, two trophies, three arm guards, eighteen bats, two boxes, three helmets, sixteen pairs of cricket shoes, ten pairs of batting pads, one thigh pad, one bat rubber and fifteen pairs of batting gloves.

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon riverine area have benefited from receipt of two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard have also each received one box of red cricket balls, while RHCCCC received two boxes, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicketkeeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails. The Essequibo Cricket Board and the Town of Lethem also benefitted.

Cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline

and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country, and club leaders also assist to identify same.

Progressive and well managed clubs would also benefit. We take this opportunity to thank Javed and Imran of West Indian Sports Complex, Option Group of USA, Hilbert Foster, Bish Panday of P and P Insurance Brokers, Sean Devers, Trevis Simon, Årïêl J. Tïlkú, Aaron Beharry, Leanna Bachan and Imran Saccoor, Devon Ramnauth, Teddy Singh, Romash Munna, Ravi Etwaroo, Kelvin Brijlall, Ravin Harkishun, Surendra Harkishun, Allan Mangru, Dennis Mangru, Vishal Mahabir, Sherman Austin, Huburn Evans, Rajendra Sadeo, Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Sheik Mohamed of Star Sports Awards and Trophies and Ajay Gainda of Cricket Equipment Guyana, Gajanand Singh, Peter Ramkissoon, Rabindranath Saywack, Roshan Gaffoor, Ameer Rahaman, Chin Singh, Denesh Chandrapaul, Dr Cecil Beharry, Davo Naraine of UK and Latch Mohabir and family, Raj Mathura and Raj Bharrat.

Distribution will continue. Anyone interested in contributing can contact Anil Beharry on 623-6875 or Kishan Das on 1- 718664-0896.

an international team is staying at the National Training Center,” the GFF President told the Surinamese team on Wednesday morning.

“Over the years, there’s been a really, really warm relationship between Guyana Football Federation and Suriname’s Association. We have a really good relationship, but we however suspend that relationship for 90 minutes,” Forde added in a statement that was received with laughter from the SVB players.

In his bid to make the team feel welcome, and to keep them in the loop about

the path their presence in Guyana would pave for future tournaments going forward, Forde shared a bit of his vision for the format, established by the Petra Organization.

“There's a shared vision between the GFF and the Petra Organization that Troy represents, to be able to host a National School Championship in Guyana, and we will be pursuing that aggressively in the next year or so. So, very likely, the model

will turn out to be one where once we have commitment from a few more countries, like Suriname, Trinidad, Jamaica, the hosting of this can move around,” Forde shared. “It makes sense if we're able to have the players experience the different environments,” the GFF Boss further stated.

Forde articulated his expectation for the tournament, which is set to commence at the NTC at Providence today, December 15th. He explained, “We expect to see some good

football. I will come out and try to enjoy a couple of games. Play hard, play well, take care of yourself, and we hope that when you leave here, you don’t only leave with good experiences on the pitch, but you make some good friends.”

The tournament will commence today with a blockbuster matchup between Christianburg Wismar Secondary and defending champions Annai Secondary, beginning at 14:00hrs. Then Golden Grove Secondary

SVB will spring into action on Saturday, the second day of the competition, when they come up against Christianburg Wismar Secondary.

St Benedict’s College of Trinidad & Tobago would also oppose Golden Grove Secondary on Saturday, and both of these matches are to be played at a venue that is still to be determined.

GFF President Wayne Forde enjoying a chat with the SVB Academy players

GFF President Wayne Forde and Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca (C) taking a photo opportunity with the SVB Academy team of Suriname

and D.C. Caesar Fox (Waramadong) Secondary are set to clash at 16:00hrs.

KFC Goodwill International Schools Football Tournament commences today

Proud title sponsors of the Goodwill International Schools Football Tournament, KFC, on Tuesday hosted players and representatives of the six schools that would be competing in the third edition of this most exciting tournament, which was initially scheduled to begin on Wednesday December 14th, but has been shifted to Thursday December 15 (today), at the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) National Training Center at Providence, EBD.

At KFC’s Vlissengen Road restaurant in Bel Air Park, Georgetown on Tuesday, the players were given opportunity to share their expectations of the tournament, and many expressed excitement at being able to compete.

SVB Academy’s Chamylo Kartosonto said, “It’s an honour to be here to play against four teams from Guyana and one (from) Trinidad. We’re looking forward (to) this tournament, and we’re prepared to have a nice game with them.”

Emmanuel Lewis of Golden Grove Secondary said, “It’s a pleasure to be here, and I expect the tournament to be a nice tourna-

ment, and we’re going to play at our best.”

Diago Dookram of Annai Secondary said, “It’s an honour to be here. I would say this is my first time coming and representing my school, and we come to play football. Let all of us enjoy it together, and hope this tournament come out successful”.

Kylon Cayenne of St Benedict’s College of Trinidad & Tobago shared, “My expectation in this tournament is that we can come here and have fun, because we came from a long way, as we say, ‘Our neighbours’. St. Benedict’s College is known for having rich academics and in sporting industry, and we just come out here to have fun and win another tournament.”

For the teams visiting Guyana, the stakes are even higher, according to the Team Managers. Michelene Pryce of Suriname’s SVB Academy revealed that the tournament would be a great preparation ground for her team. “We’re very honoured to be here, and we welcome this invitation as an opportunity for our team to practice; use this as a practice opportunity, since they’re in the process of preparing for

participation in CONCACAF U17 Championships,” Pryce indicated.

Coach Sean Eastman of St. Benedict’s College of Trinidad & Tobago is focused on maintaining the school’s rich legacy. He said, “First and foremost, I’d like to say we’re very thankful and grateful to be here at this time, to come and exhibit ourselves in this competition. Benedict’s always come to give their best, always to showcase themselves, and we look forward to doing what we do best, giving of our best and trying out utmost to ensure that the young people

get an opportunity to showcase themselves.”

The competition will commence today, Thursday December 15, with a contest between Christianburg Wismar Secondary and defending champions Annai Secondary from 14:00hrs. Then, at 16:00hrs, Golden Grove Secondary will take on D.C. Caesar Fox Secondary (Waramadong). Updated fixtures will now see the tournament continuing on Saturday December 17th and Monday December 19th.

Richard Ramdeholl spins Guyana to victory over T&T

Tyler Ramroop. The bowlers continued to make steady inroads, although the TT batsmen scored freely, getting to 54-5 in the 12th over and needing just another 44 runs for victory.

At that stage Ramdeholl was introduced into the attack, and the game dramatically changed as TT were eventually dismissed for 56 in their 20 overs.

Earlier in the day, Guyana limped to 99 all out in 37.5 overs, after winning the toss and deciding to bat in overcast conditions. The Guyanese batsmen fared better with the bat this time, following the 43 all-out they had made in the first match played on Sunday.

Three U15 players from East Coast Demerara benefit

twenty-five bats, seventeen pairs of batting gloves,

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McKenzie, who sent back both openers early, finished with 2 for 29 off 4 overs.

Weaving a web of intricacy with his offspin, Ramdeholl recorded outstanding figures of 3 for zero off 4.5 overs in a game-changing spell that brought about the collapse of Trinidad and Tobago, after they were at 47-4 at one stage in chasing 100.

Guyana captain and left-arm spinner supported Ramdeholl with figures of 2 for 17 off 5 impressive overs, while fast bowler Raffel

The Guyanese players were elated when the final wicket fell for TT. It meant that Guyana had bounced back from the first match thumping to successfully defend their seemingly small total of 99, made earlier in the day.

Trinidad and Tobago batsmen needed to score just over two runs per over to complete what would have been an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match bilateral series, but the Guyanese bowlers had other ideas, as pacer McKenzie sent back both openers early with his missiles, one of which was a beauty that clean bowled

Opening batsman Mohammed Balle looked good during his innings’ top score of 17 off 40 balls before he was dismissed. Arif Marimutoo was the second top-scorer with 13 off 35 balls, Raffel McKenzie chipped in with 11 off 18 balls, and Rayaz Latiff finished on 12 not out off 29 balls.

Bowling for Trinidad and Tobago, pacer Tyler Ramroop took 3 for 15 off 8 overs, and player of the match in the first game, Shaan Ramtahal, again took 3 wickets, this time finishing with figures of 3 for 16 off 5.5 overs.

The third match of the Bilateral/Goodwill series will be played on Thursday, December 15, at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence from 10:00 hours.

The youngsters are currently participating in the Demerara Cricket Board’s Under-15 Inter Sub Association Championship, which will be used to select the county team to participate in the 2023 InterCounty Tournament. The championships were halted due to rains.

These players have collectively received one crick-

-

et bat, three pairs of batting gloves, three pairs of cricket shoes, and one white cricket shirt. Ramchand is a wicketkeeper/batsman, Jaikarran is a seam bowling all-rounder, and Outar is an opener/ right-arm off-spinner. They are each attending secondary school.

At a simple ceremony held recently, wherein they each received the gear, they expressed gratitude for the gear and promised to continue to work hard on their game. This project is happy to be part of the development of young and talented cricketers in Guyana.

Total cricket related items collected so far: $290,000 in cash, two trophies, twelve cricket boots, twenty pairs of batting pads,

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Richard Ramdeholl has on Wednesday spun Guyana to a 43-run victory over Trinidad and Tobago in the second match of the Bilateral/ Goodwill Series being played at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, EBD.

The three youngsters who benefited from the cricket gear

GCB Bilateral Goodwill U13 Series: Guyana vs T&T…

Players who would feature in KFC’s Goodwill tournament. From left are Kylon Cayenne, Diago Dookram, Emmanuel Lewis, Chamylo Kartosonto and Neil Gomes

SVB Academy’s Michelene Pryce Sean Eastman of St. Benedict’s College

Player of the Match, Richard Ramdeholl, receiving the trophy from GCB Executive Davteerth Anandjit

Gopaul Ramchand, Udesh Jaikarran and Munesh Outar, three under-15 players from the East Coast Demerarabased cricket club, are the latest young players to benefit from this joint initia

tive between Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry, former Berbice left-handed all-rounder.

Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”…

Last semi-final…

France edge past Morocco to set up final with Argentina

France were pushed all the way by World Cup wild cards Morocco before the holders sealed a place in Sunday's final against Argentina.

The first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final refused to buckle, despite suffering the early blows of losing key defender Nayef Aguerd to injury after he was named in the starting line-up, and then going behind to Theo Hernandez's scrambled fifth minute goal.

For all Morocco's endeavour and spirit, France were more clinical, and substitute Kolo Muani ensured they would defend their crown against Argentina and Lionel Messi at Lusail Stadium on Sunday when he turned in Kylian Mbappe's deflected shot 11 minutes from time.

Morocco also lost the clearly unfit Romain Saiss to injury before half-time, but

roared on by their fanatical support, , they came close to drawing level, especially when Jawad El Yamiq's overhead kick was kept out by a combination of the post and France keeper Hugo Lloris.

France, with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate outstanding, kept their composure in the hothouse atmosphere of Al Bayt Stadium and had chances of their own, Olivier Giroud striking the post in the first half.

Didier Deschamps' side always threatened on the break, and so it proved, as the lurking Muani finally broke Morocco's resistance late on.

France stay cool on road to glory

France needed to keep their nerve to stay on course to become the first country to retain the World Cup for 60 years, following Brazil's

triumphs in 1958 and 1962.

They faced a wall of sound from Morocco's support, with ear-splitting whistles every time they had possession, and while it was not a classic performance, France remained organised and got the job done to set up a final of two giants to conclude this Qatar World Cup.

Konate, in for Dayot Upamecano who was short of match fitness, epitomised French solidity, and coach Deschamps will be hard pushed to make a change in that crucial defensive position on Sunday. And, of course, the narrative of Mbappe against Messi will come to a climax on Sunday as France try to repeat their 2018 triumph in Moscow, when they beat Croatia in the final.

The under-stated Deschamp has put together a France team spearhead-

ed by the brilliant Mbappe, and they rode their luck at times. France, however, are in another World Cup fi-

nal, and the 54-year-old Deschamps, who captained them when they claimed the crown on home soil in 1998,

now has the chance to make history by winning the tournament twice as a coach. (BBC Sport)

President Ali announces plans for former national athletes

President Dr. Irfaan Ali is committed to disallowing Guyana’s former national athletes, or even those who may not be as active in sport anymore, from withering away.

Delivering the feature address at the launch of the Study Hub at School of the Nations on Wednesday afternoon, the Head of State, in detailing his plans for collaborative work with the Ministry of Education (MoE), announced a plan that would further former athletes’ involvement in sport and similar activities.

“We have a lot of national athletes, former cricketers and national footballers who, some have lost their way. We are bringing them back into one pool.

We are going to give them a six-week programme with the army, the Police, and the Ministry of Education to make them children environment-friendly,” President Ali shared.

“That is, if they are going to work in an environment with children, we have to fine-tune them, we have to give them specific skills.”

Giving more insight into his plan, President Ali continued, “And we want to deploy them all across our country, so that they can support our school programme in terms of physical education and in terms of talent development, whether its football, cricket, basketball, athletics.”

Ultimately, President

Ali’s goal is to hone the skills of those former athletes in hopes of moulding the next generation.

“So that our children must have an exposure to all these important elements that make us a country, that make us a people, that make us a distinct geographic location to many other places,” the Head of State concluded.

This has been the second occasion on which the Head of State has spoken about utilising the skills of former national athletes in various Regions of Guyana for talent development purposes. President Ali first revealed such plans at the launch of the One Guyana President’s Cup.

Munisar confident of West Indies doing well at U-19 World Cup

Guyana and West Indies Under-19 Women's captain Ashmini Munisar is confident of the West Indies Women's U-19 team doing well at the upcoming global showpiece. The ICC Women’s U19 T20 World

Munisar, who hails from East Canje in East Berbice, spoke about her expectations of the World Cup, and the experience of leading the team.

"Being the captain for the West Indies U-19 for the last five months has been very educating for me. Exciting,

ic World Cup, and the entire team is eager to get going. "It is a historic event. Something everyone is looking forward to. For, us as a team, we are gelling and progressing nicely, I think that is the main thing. Repetition, and working on those areas

Stafanie Taylor and Hayley Matthews."

West Indies have had ordinary outings in India, where New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka have had the better of them. However, that was more of a learning experience for the young ladies.

"In India, we tried to adapt to the conditions, and we did that well. As it relates how we will go about to this World Cup, I think this camp is for everyone to understand their role in the camp," she explained.

Cup will feature 41 matches to be played from January 14 to January 29 in South Africa.

Currently, the West Indies ladies are encamped in Antigua in full preparation mode for the World Cup.

we have been together for five months, and I think our team is gelling nicely, and, as a team, we are having fun.

“I am confident that we will do well at the World Cup," Munisar has said.

This will be a histor-

and just going through and building towards that World Cup," Munisar told Cricket West Indies media.

Munisar has said she patterns her off-spin game after Anisa Mohammed. "I also love (looking) at

The ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup would feature 41 matches, to be played from January 14 to 29 in South Africa. The official warm-up matches will be from January 9 to 11. The 16 participating teams would play in four groups in the preliminary round. West Indies have been drawn in Group C, alongside New Zealand, Ireland and Indonesia.

WEST INDIES WOMEN’S UNDER-19s RISING STARS SQUAD: Ashmini Munisar (captain), Asabi Callendar, Jahzara Claxton, Naijanni Cumberbatch, Earnisha Fontaine, Jannillea Glasgow, Realanna Grimmond, Trishan Holder, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, K D Jazz Mitchell, Shalini Samaroo, Shunelle Sawh, Lena Scott and Abini St Jean. (Brandon Corlette)

GROUPS

Group A: Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, USA

Group B: England, Pakistan, Rwanda, Zimbabwe

Group C: Indonesia, Ireland, New Zealand, West Indies

Group D: India, Scotland, South Africa, UAE

WEST INDIES MATCH SCHEDULE

Sunday January 15: vs Ireland at NW University, Potchefstroom – 4am Eastern Caribbean/3am Jamaica

Tuesday January 17: vs Indonesia at NW University, Potchefstroom – 7:45am Eastern Caribbean/6:45am Jamaica

Thursday January 19: vs New Zealand, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom – 7:45am Eastern Caribbean/6:45am Jamaica

Randal Kolo Muani beating the goalkeeper for France’s second goal

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

Ashmini Munisar

President Ali announces plans for former national athletes

Munisar confident of West Indies doing well at U-19 World Cup

Guyana and West Indies Under-19 Women’s captain Ashmini Munisar is confident of the West Indies Women’s U-19 team doing well at the upcoming global showpiece. The ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup will feature 41 matches to be played from January 14 to January 29 in South Africa.

Currently, the West Indies ladies are encamped in Antigua, in full preparation mode for the World Cup. Munisar, who hails from East Canje Berbice, spoke about her expectations of the World Cup, and the experience of leading the team.