The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, March 26 –02:30h-04:00h and Thursday, March 27 –
Sunny
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
Winds: East North-Easterly between 3.13 metres and 5.81 metres.
High Tide: 14:41h reaching a maximum height of 2.49 metres.
Low Tide: 08:15h and 20:41h reaching minimum heights of 0.85 metre and 0.66 metre.
5 more years
– Pres Ali envisions imminent healthcare revolution with Phase II …as Guyana to get world-class cancer centre, digital health system
The National Healthcare Initiative being powered through the Government of Guyana’s partnership with Mount Sinai, is moving into Phase II of the project, with President Dr Irfaan Ali signing a five-year extension of the initiative.
The signing of the ceremony took place at State House on Tuesday, with President Ali being joined by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hess Corporation John Hess and Chair of Mount Sinai’s Department of Global Health and Health System Design Dr Rachel Vreeman. In his presentation, Ali hailed the role played by Mount Sinai.
“The journey to world-
of the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, spoke of what Guyana can expect from the furtherance of the partnership.
“We are incredibly proud to work in partnership with the Government of Guyana to improve access to high-quality healthcare for all Guyanese. Now, through 2030, we will continue to support and accelerate Guyana’s progress to achieving a healthier country and a transformed health system, setting a new regional and global standard for modern health system development.”
In his address, Hess outlined the various initiatives that have already been
class healthcare is not walked alone – it is built through strategic partnerships, bold investments, and a shared vision for excellence. Today, we take another decisive step toward transforming our healthcare system.”
“By uniting the policy, expertise and resources of Hess Corporation, Mount Sinai, and the Government, along with our local healthcare professionals, we are shaping a future where every citizen has access to cutting-edge, compassionate, and high-quality care. Together, we are not just improving healthcare – we are redefining it.” President Ali said.
According to President Ali, there will come a time when Guyana’s hospitals will rival the very best in the world, with state-of-the-art surgical interventions and diagnostic treatments, aided by technology and the country’s global partnerships. He also described Guyana as a perfect test case for this transformation, owing to the population size.
“And given our size, we are at the perfect test case for robotics, for AI (Artificial Intelligence), for digitisation, for AI-supporting triaging. We are that perfect size. But we are not settling to be a sample size. We are embracing the most advanced technology. So that in another two years, you would be in a healthcare system that would be almost paperless.”
Meanwhile, Dr Vreeman, who is also the Director
rolled out by the partnership between Sinai and Guyana's health sector, as well as what persons can expect from phase two, which will include the new national women and children's hospital, among others.
“We are proud to support the vision of the Government and the work of Mount Sinai to provide
world class healthcare to every Guyanese citizen. Access to affordable and high-quality healthcare is central to the country’s future and its commitment to building shared prosperity for the people of Guyana.”
Phase II of the National Healthcare Initiative will include establishment of a national cancer centre that will screen and treat breast, cervical, prostate and other common cancers that cause the most deaths in Guyana. It will also include the continued modernisation of national health facilities including Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
For instance, a national programme to improve the quality, safety, and delivery of health services – from the GPHC, the country’s largest hospital, to regional hospitals to every health centre and post. These initiatives will provide a strong foundation for the growth of a high-quality, modern health system that provides unparalleled care for all.
Phase II will also cater
for the implementation of one of the world’s most advanced digital health systems. It will be Guyana’s first national electronic health records system and will complete the foundations for one of the most advanced digital health systems in the region and the world by 2030.
So far, Phase I of the project witnessed over 35,000 Guyanese children having comprehensive health screenings completed by the Ministry of Health, with around a quarter referred on for needed services to address vision, hearing, dental, and developmental problems and more.
Additionally, nearly 900 nursing assistants will graduate from the Ministry of Health’s training programmes in 2025 and join the health workforce, beginning to close the nursing shortage. Additionally, new guidelines and clinical protocols, as well as new digital protection laws and a state-of-the-art pathology lab have been established through this partnership.
Editor: Tusika Martin
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President Dr Irfaan Ali has extended the National Healthcare Initiative into Phase II, marking a new chapter in Guyana’s healthcare transformation. The extension was formalised with the signing of a five-year agreement between the Government of Guyana, Mount Sinai, and Hess Corporation, a partnership that has already shown promising results in its first phase. This initiative represents not only an investment in healthcare infrastructure but a fundamental commitment to the health and well-being of every Guyanese citizen.
The importance of Phase II cannot be overstated. Under the stewardship of the Government of Guyana, Mount Sinai, and Hess Corporation, this collaboration is poised to accelerate the country’s journey towards becoming a regional and global leader in healthcare. The investment and expertise being funnelled into this initiative will no doubt leave an indelible mark on the nation's health sector, setting a new standard for healthcare delivery in the Caribbean.
President Ali, in his remarks during the signing ceremony, rightly emphasised that the road to world-class healthcare is paved with strategic partnerships, bold investments, and shared vision. It is not a journey that can be undertaken in isolation. Guyana has found a powerful ally in Mount Sinai, an institution with a long-standing reputation for excellence in health care, and in Hess Corporation, a company with a demonstrated commitment to corporate responsibility and community development. The inclusion of these global players in Guyana's healthcare landscape should be celebrated, as it demonstrates a commitment to quality healthcare that transcends geographical borders.
The vision articulated by President Ali is nothing short of inspiring. He foresees a future where Guyana’s healthcare system rivals the best in the world, with state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge technology, and advanced diagnostic and surgical treatments. This future is not distant or unattainable. It is a reality that is already in the making. Phase II of the National Healthcare Initiative will include the establishment of a national cancer centre, which will focus on screening and treating the most common cancers in Guyana. The creation of this facility is a much-needed response to the high cancer mortality rates in the country, providing a beacon of hope for patients who have been long underserved in this critical area.
Equally significant is the construction of a national women’s and children’s hospital, which will offer specialised care to some of the most vulnerable members of society. Guyana has long struggled with providing sufficient maternal and paediatric care, and this new facility will help address these disparities head-on. In addition, the modernization of hospitals, such as the Georgetown Public Hospital, is an essential step in ensuring that health care is delivered efficiently, safely, and with the utmost quality.
But perhaps the most transformative aspect of Phase II is the implementation of a national electronic health records system, which will revolutionise the way health care is delivered in Guyana. This system will lay the groundwork for one of the most advanced digital health infrastructures in the region, ensuring that patient data is securely stored and easily accessible, improving the quality of care and reducing the potential for errors. By embracing cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and digitisation, Guyana is positioning itself at the forefront of global healthcare innovation.
This move towards a paperless, digital-first healthcare system in the next two years is a bold and necessary step. Guyana, with its manageable population size, is uniquely positioned to pilot such advanced technologies. In a world where digital health is becoming an essential component of healthcare delivery, Guyana is demonstrating its readiness to embrace the future.
Phase I of the initiative has already yielded impressive results, with over 35,000 children screened for health issues and nearly 900 nursing assistants set to graduate by 2025. These are tangible achievements that show the initiative is not just a theoretical concept but a real, impactful force for change. The progress made in Phase I is a clear indicator that the partnership between the Government of Guyana, Mount Sinai, and Hess Corporation is working, and the benefits will continue to grow exponentially in the years ahead.
It is clear that Guyana is on the verge of a healthcare revolution.
Dear Editor, Under the stewardship and guidance of the Honourable Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, the agriculture sector has shown significant growth in most subsectors, despite challenges faced by the Government after assuming office in August 2020. In 2024, the agriculture sector maintained a significant contribution to the nation’s nonoil Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 23.2%. This sector encompasses a diverse range of activities, including rice and sugar production, livestock farming, aquaculture, and the cultivation of fruits and vegetables.
Agriculture has remained a cornerstone of Guyana’s economic transformation, playing a pivotal role in driving sustainable growth and diversification in Guyana’s non-oil economy.
Government's commitment to expanding the critical agriculture sub-sectors is reflected in the substantial increase in budgetary allocations from 2020 to now, which has seen a remarkable rise of approximately 430.43%, signalling a strong dedication to sustainable agricultural development.
The overarching vision for the longer-term development of the agriculture sector has been for Guyana to have a competitive, dynamic, diversified, socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable agri-food system. This has led to implementation of several new initiatives and growth in production. The agriculture, fishing, and forestry sector grew by 11% in 2024.
The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the MahaicaMahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development
Authority (MMA-ADA) have significantly reduced D&I fees and land rental charges from $15,000 to $3,500, and 22,000 farmers have benefitted; construction of Hope-like canals in Regions 5 and 6, costing approximately G$18 billion, has aided in flood protection for 513,325 acres of land; and 8,600 miles of drains and canals have been rehabilitated and maintained, while pump stations have been constructed. Currently, 19 pumps have been procured, 7 stations are being constructed to the value of G$10.2 billion, and 167 miles of farm-to-market access roads have been constructed in Regions 2, 3, 4 and 5 (respectively at Golden Fleece, Sparta, Onderneeming, (La Harmony, Maria’s Lodge, Parika Backdam, Hague, Victoria, Nabaclis, Buxton, Friendship and MMA Scheme).
In the Pomeroon area, specific interventions and emphasis are being placed on clearing blocked drains and on bed and drains work, acquisition and deployment of pontoons and excavators in the Upper and Lower Pomeroon, along with dredging of the Pomeroon River mouth to the value of G$2.5 billion.
In the rice industry, the Agriculture Ministry continues to carry out extension works and provide better systems to meet the needs of rice farmers. For the first time in Guyana’s history, rice production has surpassed the 700,000-tonne margin, peaking at 725,282 metric tonnes (MT). This represents an increase of 11 percent when compared to the production of 653,706 metric tonnes recorded for 2023. This resulted in
an expansion of 9.3% growth in our rice industry.
During the period 20222024, allocation of fertilizers to the farmers amounted to G$1.850 billion, while an additional G$2 billion has been budgeted for in 2025.
The commission paid to GRDB by exporters has been reduced from US$8 to US$6 per MT effective from 1st April, 2022, while sales commission was removed for the first crop of 2023, which allowed farmers to benefit from higher prices of paddy at $4,500 per bag.
Production of seeds has been increased to 152,000 bags per year (BBP: 12,000 bags; #56: 16,000 bags; Burma: 24,000 bags; MMA: 100,000 bags) to meet the growing demand of rice farmers for quality seeds, and this has resulted in an expansion of the MMA Seed Facility, which now produces 50,000 bags of seed paddy per crop.
In an effort to support continued expansion of rice production, G$430.9 million has been allocated in 2025 to construct #56 Seed Storage facilities, introduce specialized broadcast equipment, promote precision agriculture, and improve crop efficiency; with a Paddy Bug Management programme restarted to protect the produce.
The PetroCaribe rice deal with Venezuela collapsed under APNU administration.
After waiting for almost a decade, 27 farmers and 5 millers received a total of G$437 million as outstanding payments in 2024. This was made possible through interventions of President Ali’s initiative.
Through their hard work and dedication to sustain and develop the rice industry, the PPP/C government se-
cured access to new markets in Latvia, Hungary, British Virgin Islands, Slovenia, Estonia, Lebanon, Angola and Sierra Leone. Government’s approach to improve rice in our local market has seen introduction of new varieties of rice over the past four years: GRDB 16, GRDB 18 and Biofortified rice (GRDB 17), all of which have yield potential of between 7 and 9 tonnes per hectare.
The Ministry has continued to invest in infrastructural upgrades in the rice industry, such as the construction of a Germplasm Bank valued at G$14M in 2021; the digitisation of rice land valued at G$12M in 2022, which resulted in all rice plots in every region being digitized; extensive laboratory research ongoing for valued added for rice; soil, Germplasm storage facility, Insectary and Screen House are currently ongoing, along with introduction of technology and machinery: drones, specialized tractors for broadcasting fertilizers and seeds and application of pesticides, with the current upgraded construction of 9 drying floor in Regions 2,3,4,5 and 6, with two more being constructed in Region 2 at Sparta village and Region 6 at Liverpool village.
With all the development and great initiatives that are contributing to growth in the rice industry, removal of valued added taxes and duties on machinery, equipment, agrochemicals, fertilizers and pesticides have provided relief to the farmers and other beneficiaries of the sector by reducing cost on imports and driving our mechanization efforts.
As Venezuela continues to raise tensions, threatening Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the United States on Tuesday reiterated its pledge of ensuring the required security for Guyana.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio will visit Guyana this week, with a key focus on strengthening security measures for Guyana’s burgeoning oil sector.
During a three-nation tour to the Caribbean, Rubio will address a range of critical issues, including energy security, illegal immigration, and the dismantling of transnational criminal networks, according to US State Department officials.
According to a Reuters report on Tuesday, in his upcoming meetings, Rubio will emphasise the importance of safeguarding Guyana’s oil production activities being executed in the Stabroek Block by US oil giant ExxonMobil.
The same report indicated that while speaking at a recent briefing, US Special Envoy for Latin America Mauricio Claver-Carone was quoted as stating that ‘Washington would support oil production in Guyana and Suriname’, and that it wanted to make sure that Guyana has the security necessary amid the border controversy with neighbouring Venezuela.
The US is keen on bolstering energy cooperation with both Guyana and Suriname, as the two nations’ oil sectors are rapidly expanding. In fact, President Donald Trump on Monday issued an executive order declaring that any country buying oil or gas from Venezuela, which has historically exported its oil across the Caribbean, will pay a 25 per cent tariff on trade with the US.
According to the US Secretary of State, there will be no tolerance from the US
for any third countries or their oil companies producing, extracting, or exporting oil and oil-related products from the Maduro regime in Venezuela.
“This is a regime that has consistently stolen elections, pillaged from its people, and colluded with our enemies. Any country that allows its companies to produce, extract, or export from Venezuela will be subject to new tariffs, and any company will be subject to sanctions,” Rubio said recently.
Only three weeks ago, a Venezuelan naval vessel had entered Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) where ExxonMobil is operating– an act that was widely condemned by the Guyana Government, local stakeholders as well as regional and international leaders and bodies.
During its incursion, the Venezuelan naval vessel communicated threateningly via radio that the Prosperity Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel was operating in Venezuela’s EEZ, before continuing in a south-westerly direction towards other FPSOs in Guyana’s waters, to which it delivered the same message.
Following the incursion, the Guyana Government activated a series of responses, including the deployment of military resources offshore, engaging the international community and sending a formal protest note to Caracas.
Based on reports coming out of Caracas, Maduro has recently called for a face-to-face meeting with President Dr Irfaan Ali – something which the Guyana Government has already shut down in the face of Venezuela’s blatant disregard of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
President Ali told reporters last weekend that he
would not have any discussions with Venezuela when it was blatantly disregarding the Argyle Declaration – a December 2023 pact signed by the Guyanese and Venezuelan Presidents, to maintain Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.
Similarly, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo gave this assurance during his weekly press conference on Thursday, when he disclosed that the Guyana Government was working every day to ensure the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity were not undermined by Venezuelan forces.
Guyana has also written the International Court of Justice (ICJ) seeking to block attempts by the Maduro-led Venezuelan regime to hold elections in the Essequibo region – two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass which the Spanishspeaking nation is claiming.
Last week, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd told Guyana Timesthat the ICJ has already given Venezuela until the end of March to respond concerning its plans to hold elections in Guyana’s Essequibo region on May 25, 2025.
The Guyanese Government informed the World Court, which is currently hearing a case to settle the
Police have arrested the man who had been captured on CCTV footage entering the Housing Ministry Annex at about 00:22h on March 2, after detectives, acting on information received, on Tuesday arrested Devon Hubbard, a 39-year-old resident of Garnett Street in Georgetown.
decades-long border controversy between the two South American neighbours, that such actions by Venezuela “flagrantly violate” the provisional measures issued by the court in December 2023.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn has already made it clear that any Guyanese found supporting efforts by the Maduro regime to appoint a governor and other leaders in Guyana’s Essequibo region will be charged with treason – something VP Jagdeo reaffirmed during Thursday’s press conference.
“These antics by the Venezuelan Government… you have to treat it seriously and that is why we took it to the ICJ. We approached the ICJ on the matter of their elections [and] our partners are fully briefed, etc. …And Robeson Benn already made it clear – it’s a treason act. Any Guyanese who allows himself to be appointed Governor of Essequibo that includes our territory…it’s a treasonous act,” Jagdeo contended.
Only last month, six members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) came under attack by Venezuelan men on the border. The February 17 attack left the six troopers with gunshot injuries. Initial reports had indicated some of the Venezuelan men had died.
The other sectors, such as NAREI and Hope, have shown significant increase in corn and soya production, from 115 acres of produce in 2021 to 12,000 acres in 2024; in the production of over 1 million plantlets; Soil Labs to the value of G$100M; Tissue Culture Lab to the value of G$380M, along with the importation 103,000 high-yielding coconut seeds planted on 7,113 acres in 2020; over G$50M in planting materials for spices such as ginger, turmeric, nutmeg and black pepper, which have benefitted over 2,000 farmers.
Agro-processing is vital, and while sustaining and implementing 15 (fifteen) agro-processing and packaging facilities has been constructed/retrofitted and 11 (eleven) was completed in Watooka, Karaudarnau, Fort Wellington, Kumaka, White
Water, Charity, Maruranau, Orealla, St Ignatius, Hope, Bartica; and added to that, a separate facility for the processing of cassava which will assist over 200 farmers with marketing fresh cassava tubers.
In the livestock (GLDA) and Fisheries subsectors, due to the growth and market demand, the Agriculture Ministry has embarked on a Boiler Breeder Project which produced 167,000 hatching eggs and benefitted 5,566 farmers.
There is also Apiculture Advancement: the production of honey, where 500 hives were distributed to 1,344 apiculturists, moving honey production from 2,600 gallons in 2023 to almost 30,000 gallons in 2024.
In the livestock sector, the implementation of Genetic Improvement pro-
grams has been carried out in 6 regions, of which 34 farmers benefitted from the bull importation, resulting in 220 births to date. Additionally, 15 pens have been established nationwide as part of the tunnel houses initiative which will aid in reducing endemic diseases and increasing biosecurity and production of meat and hatching eggs.
On the note of expansion and development in fisheries sector, the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station at Mon Repos has been expanded to 14 acres, while the fisheries landing sites in Regions 2,3, 4, 5 and 6 have benefitted from improvement works valued at approximately G$300M.
Additional works include the installation of vessel monitoring devices for commercial vessels in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, along with brackish water shrimp farming in
Region 6. Production has increased from 112,000kg in 2021 to over 1.1 million kg in 2024. In an economy that is growing at a rapid pace, all the efforts of the President Ali-led administration are commendable. They have been working tirelessly to improve every sector in our nation. Government is committed to agriculture and food production, and will continue to develop and support the industry. We understand the benefits agriculture has to offer to our nation, and by extension overseas countries that we supply. The goal is to ensure that every farmer and every beneficiary benefits from the growth and expansion of this industry.
Sincerely,
Neil Kumar and Alechia Amos
Told of the allegation in an interview with the police, Hubbard admitted under caution that he had entered the annex through a southern window which was opened on the second flat of the building.
He said he had picked up a bag and exited the annex using the same window, and he claimed that nothing was in the bag that he had stolen.
He is expected to be charged today.
According to police, despite the office being discovered ransacked, no item had been reported missing or stolen.
According to reports, a 22-year-old Office Assistant had secured the building at 20:00h on March 2, and had deposited the keys at the security area of the Ministry’s Head Office on Brickdam. Upon retrieving the keys at 07:00h on March 3, the Office Assistant was informed by a cleaner who had just arrived that a door on the middle flat was open and the office had been ransacked.
A review of CCTV footage revealed that at 00:22h,
a man, dressed in a black jersey and green three-quarter pants, arrived at the premises on a blue BMX pedal cycle. He approached from the western side of Brickdam, before turning north and stopping in front of the Housing Ministry’s Annex. The footage showed the suspect entering a compound south of the Annex and re-emerging at 00:45h from the western side of the building. He was seen leaving the area with a black haversack and a white box, heading north on United Nations Place before turning east onto Coral Street, Georgetown. A subsequent inspection of the premises revealed an open casement window in the Information Technology Room on the middle flat, though no visible sign of forced entry was found. Police have said they had conducted interviews with multiple individuals as investigations continued into the incident.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2025
Ramadan Day 25 - Quran Recitation
(RB)
(2022)
Good Trouble S3 E12
Superman and Lois S1 E11 23:00 The Office S7 E16 23:30 The Last Man on Earth S2 E17
1. Which of the following represents a percentage relationship?
(A) 7+5
(B) 7:5
(C) 75%
(D) 7. 5
2. Which of the following is a chart named after a dessert?
3. What is the prime number between 51 and 59?
(A) 52 (B) 53
(C) 54 (D) 57
4. (7 X 7) - 7 = (A) 7 (B) 14
(C) 21 (D) 42
5. Two hundred thirty-five million eleven thousand can be written as
(A) 235, 000, 011
(B) 235, 011, 000
(C) 235, 001, 100
(D) 235, 120, 000
6. 214.24 ÷ 100 (A) 0.2142
(B) 21.42
(C) 214.2 (D) 2.142
7. Which set is equivalent to {1, 2, 3} (A) {2, 3, 4, 5} (B) {d, e, f, g} (C) {7, 8, 9} (D) {i, ii, iii, iv}
8. The first three figures in a sequence of tri angular shapes made of matchsticks are shown above. Answer the following questions about the sequence
a)How many sticks would Figure 4 have?
b)Draw Figure 5
c)Derive an expression describing the relationship
By William Blake
Tyger Tyger, burning bright, In the forests of the night; What immortal hand or eye, Could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand, dare seize the fire? And what shoulder, & what art, Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain, In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? what dread grasp Dare its deadly terrors clasp? When the stars threw down their spears And water’d heaven with their tears: Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger Tyger burning bright, In the forests of the night: What immortal hand or eye, Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
The automated border management system the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had planned to implement across the country, is up and running, with President Dr Irfaan Ali announcing that persons can now fill up their immigration forms using this electronic platform.
President Ali made the announcement on Tuesday, during the signing of the National Health Care Initiative agreement, in collaboration with Mount Sinai Health System and Hess Corporation.
“Earlier this year, I said to the country that before the end of February or January, you will have the electronic system, border system, up and running at the airport. And you will have an electronic platform to fill up your immigration form. And as usual, there were the doubting Thomases in the country.
I’m pleased to say that we have delivered that,” the President said.
In February of this year, Deputy Chief Immigration Officer (DCIO), Superintendent Stephen Telford had announced
during an interview with Radio Eve Leary that they were working on deploying the automated system at all key entry points. At the time, the automated system was only being used at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). Previously passengers were required to fill out printed forms upon arrival, a task that often causes delays and frustration.
With the new system, travelers can complete these forms in advance, with the information being shared directly with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). And instead of waiting in long lines to be processed by an immigration
officer, travelers can now simply swipe their ID Cards or passports and proceed.
This not only speeds up the entry process, but also reduces congestion at the airport, enhancing the overall passenger experience. This integration of digital systems reduces the likelihood of errors, speeds up customs processing, and ensures better tracking of goods entering the country.
Health app
Pivoting to health, the President also announced on Tuesday the upcoming launch of an electronic mobile app that will allow patients to not only schedule appointments to see doctors
at Georgetown or any regional hospital, but also receive health updates.
“In the next seven months, we will have in the Georgetown hospital for sure and all the other regional hospitals, including West Dem, Linden, New Amsterdam, Lethem and all the new regional hospitals under construction. In seven months, we will have the electronic mobile app, through which patients can schedule their appointments at these hospitals.”
“Health updates will be on your mobile phone. And your reminder on your medication, will be available on your mobile phones. In seven months, we’ll deliver that to the people of Guyana. That’s how fast and comprehensive they’re working,” President Ali further announced.
The announcement would follow the theme of the PPP/C Government’s efforts to digitise healthcare. As a matter of fact, more than 250 Guyanese are expected to be trained as Health Informational Systems and Technology (HIST) technicians, to implement, manage and maintain a national Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
The EHR is a comprehensive collection of a patients’ health history within the healthcare system.
Phase one of the project will begin at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and its satellite clinics. After successful implementation, the EHR system will extend to other health institutions across Guyana.
Guyana’s healthcare sector is undergoing significant improvements, with the Government leveraging technology to digitise medical records. The Ministry
of Health has contracted the United Kingdom (UK)based company RioMed Limited, at a cost of US$3.3 million, to design, supply, and install the electronic records system.
Only a few weeks ago, the national HIST Workforce Development Programme was launched, as a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and United States (US)-based Mount Sinai, with funding by the US$100 million Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI), to train a cohort of local digital health technicians.
Work on the Linden to Mabura Hill Road, which has an updated completion date of October 2025, is likely to receive a shot in the arm with the contractor being instructed to bring on even more teams of workers to fast track the work.
In an interview on this publication on Tuesday, Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill was asked about the Linden to Mabura Hill road. The US$190 million project is being executed by Brazilian firm Construtora Queirozñ Galvao S.A and it was announced in January that the road would now be completed in October 2025.
Edghill admitted that he was not satisfied with the pace of works and noted that the contractor had been told to bring on more teams of workers. He noted that the contractor will be expected to increase his pace.
“My understanding is that the contractor has been told to engage more teams, to get the work moving faster. Because they have a contract, that is to be executed within a particular time,” Edghill said.
Works being carried
plained that this project, which is being constructed by China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) and has an end date of April 2026, is 36 per cent completed.
regions of Guyana.
gions of Guyana.
way, a two-metre-wide pedestrian and cycle lane, and 10 bus stops with ramps for persons with disabilities. Additionally, the project includes the replacement of multiple bridges and culverts, as well as the installation of 123 lights along the roadway.
million bridge across the Demerara River.
Meanwhile, he also provided an update on another project within the region, this time on the WismarMackenzie bridge. He ex-
The Linden to Mabura Hill Road, which would eventually reach all the way to Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), is a vital road network that is being utilised by thousands of persons who transport goods from the coast to the inland
The previous condition of this road had posed significant challenges for commuters and transport operators. Heavily laden lorries frequently toppled off the roadway, and deteriorated bridges required manual alignment of boards for crossings, often with unsafe outcomes. However, when completed, the pertinent piece of infrastructure would significantly improve connectivity between Linden and the inland re-
This project is being co-financed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) through a US$112 million loan, a £50 million (US$66 million) grant from the United Kingdom (UK) under the Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (CIPF), and US$12 million from the Government of Guyana. It marks the largest grant Guyana has ever received from the UK.
Works on the Linden to Mabura Hill road started in 2022, but there were delays after the contractor halted works between June and August 2024 due to procurement challenges, which resulted in downtime.
When completed, the pertinent piece of infrastructure will play a crucial role in strengthening trade between Guyana and Brazil by positioning region 10 as a key player in international commerce and economic growth. …as new US$35M Wismar-Mackenzie bridge 36% complete
The road will boast a 7.2-metre-wide carriage-
Meanwhile, the construction of the new US$35 million Wismar-Mackenzie bridge is being executed by China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC)– the same company that is constructing the new US$260
This project involves constructing a 220-metre-long precast concrete bridge with vital features such as lighting and other safety features. It will also boast a maximum horizontal clearance of 32 metres and a vertical clearance of 11.5 metres. The new bridge will land some distance away from the original single-lane bridge built by the Demerara Bauxite Company from 1965 to 1967.
Alpha Poole, who was previously charged and released on bail in connection with the abduction of Joshua David, now faces an additional charge for allegedly discharging a loaded firearm.
Poole, a 35-year-old clothes vendor from Stanley Place, Kitty, appeared before Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where he was charged with unlawfully discharging a loaded firearm in Kitty, Georgetown, on February 24.
Poole, who is already facing pending charges for the abduction of Joshua David, a case in which the victim remains missing, denied the firearm allegations against him. His attorney, Domnick Bess, argued that no firearm was found on Poole, in his possession, or even in close proximity to him when searches were conducted.
Bess further pointed out that two other individuals had already been charged for the same shooting incident and questioned why Poole was being charged a month later. He submitted to the court that his client had been complying with all court-mandated conditions in the abduction case, regularly attending hearings, and fully cooperating with law enforcement. Given this, Bess requested reason-
able bail, stating that Poole posed no flight risk.
The prosecution strongly objected to bail, citing the serious nature of the charge and Poole’s ongoing legal issues related to the abduction of Joshua David. The prosecutor highlighted that the penalty for discharging a loaded firearm is severe and argued that Poole’s alleged involvement in two serious crimes made him a flight risk.
Additionally, the prosecution submitted that there is video footage of the firearm incident.
Magistrate McGusty released Poole on $50,000 bail.
Poole is expected to return to court on April 9.
In September 2024, Poole and six other men, Aaron Alleyne, known as ‘Cats’; Wayne Barker, 34, of Laing Avenue, Georgetown; Damion Barlow, 32, of Sophia; Dwayne Griffith, known as ‘Sheep’, 27; and
Daventai Mars, 21, of Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, were jointly charged with the abduction of David, who was taken from Main Street, Georgetown on the night of September 26, 2024. The victim had reportedly gone to purchase food when he was forcibly taken and has not been seen since.
Despite searches, including operations in the backlands of Buxton and Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD), Police have yet to locate David. The case remains under active investigation.
During the initial court proceedings, Poole and his co-accused were granted $500,000 bail each after their attorneys argued that there was insufficient evidence directly linking them to the crime. Two other men who were previously charged with the abduction, had their charges withdrawn.
Shawn Inniss, a 23-yearold man who was previously remanded to prison on a robbery charge was remanded to prison once again after being charged with the theft of a motorcycle.
Inniss of East Coast Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday, where he pleaded not guilty to stealing a motorcycle valued at $450,000. The motorcycle, belonging to Anvesh Bathani, was reportedly stolen on March 20, at Robb Street, Georgetown. Inniss’s attorney told the
court that his client had previously worked at the location where the alleged theft occurred. She further stated that Inniss’s mother had informed him that her son suffers from mental instability and frequently smokes marijuana. Due to his condition, he may have believed he was
still employed at the establishment.
It was the mother, the lawyer claimed, who called the police after noticing the motorcycle at their home. This led to Inniss’s arrest and subsequent charge.
The prosecution opposed bail, stating that Inniss had deliberately altered the bike’s appearance by spraying it over with black paint in an attempt to disguise it.
When this was told to the magistrate, Inniss interjected, explaining that he had taken the bike home for its protection. He claimed that individuals with whom he had prior conflicts had been causing trouble in the area and that he feared they would steal the motorcycle.
He said he took the motorcycle to his mother’s house for safekeeping, as he had done before while working there.
The virtual complainant agreed to accept compensation provided that his motorcycle was repaired and repainted. However, he was unable to estimate the cost of the repairs.
It wasn’t much of a surprise to your Eyewitness that the PPP’s annual pilgrimage to Babu Jaan at Port Mourant to commemorate Cheddi Jagan’s birth anniversary aroused charges of “politicking” – this being an election year and all that!! However, your Eyewitness will bet his bottom dollar – and the entire wad!! – that, come this August 6th, the PNC and the Opposition, who’re the main critics, will go into hyperdrive to commemorate Forbes Burnham’s death anniversary!!
Hey…a big part of electioneering is to get out the faithful, so anything that gets the latter’s attention is fair game for mobilisation. Some smirked that after the party parted ways with Jagan’s Marxist-Leninist ideology - by excising it from the PPP Constitution - the man’s legacy might also be downplayed. But if you think about it, that doesn’t make sense, does it??
Very few of Jagan’s supporters – read Indian-Guyanese – were followers of Marx. And, in fact, that’s one of the great paradoxes of Guyanese history: that a people who arrived as economic migrants and INDIVIDUALLY obsessively pursued economic advancement after their indentureship would support a man who didn’t believe in the individual accumulation of wealth. “Capitalists” was the epithet he used to dismiss that slant!! So, their support had to come from a different source.
Was it just because he was an Indian like them?? That’s what most persons in the opposition insist - and carry on at a rate about “apan jaat” - a Hindi expression signalling support for “your own”. The Hindi expression, of course, is meant to suggest it was an “Indian thing”. But having an affinity for “your own” is a human thing: African Guyanese gravitated towards Burnham and Coloured Guyanese towards John Carter!! But that’s not the whole story – in each case, there were specific reasons why THAT leader was favoured for the group. For instance, when Jagan entered politics, there’d already been Indian Guyanese leaders like Dr JB Singh, Jai Narine Singh and Latchmansingh, and these fellas were as capitalistic as you could get!! So how did Jagan displace them?? Right off the bat, Jagan was a man of the people; he came from a sugar plantation, and never forgot that. His home for fifty years was a simple wooden structure not much different from the one he grew up in at Plantation Port Mourant!! He was an honest man, at whom no one could point a finger about corruption or cronyism!! He was totally committed to improving the living conditions of all workers, regardless of ethnicity. And while some tried to assert otherwise, it could never stick!! There was never a hint of a scandal about his life.
And that’s why, no matter what ideology the PPP follows, praises gonna be showered on the father of the nation - Cheddi Jagan!!
…for the US
We should watch how the US lives the maxim that, in the relations between nations, there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies; just permanent intereststhose of your country!! With Secty of State Rubio coming in today, the US made some seemingly contradictory moves on oil and Venezuela. On one hand, they slapped a 25% tariff on any country that imports oil from Venezuela –thus wiping out whatever discount Mad Maduro had been offering to get folks to buck the US sanctions on Venezuela. Those customers gotta pay more!!
But, at the same time, the US backed off from the April 3 deadline, extending it to May 27 for US oil major Chevron to pull out from Venezuela; from where it’s been shipping 240,000 bpd of oil to the US – and fattening Mad Maduro’s coffers. What gives?? Well, it hurts China – America’s public enemy #1!! – and helps America!!
Never mind that Mad Maduro’s also helped!! Mad Maduro’s OUR enemy – not necessarily the Americans’!!
…for Buju’s philosophy??
It was just confirmed that the PNC paid for those tickets to Buju Banton’s concert in 2019 from the public coffers!! Boom bye bye/ Inna vota bwoy head/ Guyanese no vote fuh no nasty PNC Boom bye bye
In a warning, the United States (US) Embassy in Georgetown has cautioned individuals holding US non-immigrant visas about the severe consequences of overstaying their allotted time in the US. Overstaying a visa could lead to a permanent travel ban, according to a statement published on the embassy’s social media page on Tuesday.
The embassy emphasised that visa holders must abide by the terms of their visas and adhere to their designated duration of stay. For visitors, the most common visa — the B1/B2 — allows for a stay of up to six months. However, visitors must depart before this period expires. Failure to do so could result in serious repercussions, including being barred from entering the US for life.
Additionally, the Embassy noted that US consular officers have access to comprehensive immigration histories, ensuring that any violations, including overstays, are flagged.
“Consular officers have full access to your immigration history and will know about past violations. There is no such thing as an "honest mistake” – it is your responsibility to use your visa correctly,” the Embassy indicated.
The warning comes amid a broader crackdown on illegal immigration by the US Government. Since President Donald Trump assumed office in January, there has been a significant increase in immigration enforcement actions. This includes raids across US communities, particularly those with large Guyanese and Caribbean populations. The embassy's warning is part of this intensifying enforcement against illegal immigration, which also includes a halt on asylum seeker processing.
In February, US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, attempted to quell fears regarding mass deportations, assuring the public that deportations would remain routine, a practice that has been ongoing for decades. She further assured that there will be no mass deportation of Guyanese who might be illegal in the US.
“We’ve always had routine deportations of citizens all over the Caribbean and all over the world, and that’s not something new. But you won’t be seeing something like you’ve seen for Colombia or some of the other countries of large groups; that’s not something that would be happening for Guyana. It would just be a routine process that’s been going on for decades,” the US diplomat told journalist at the Guyana Police Force’s Annual Officers’ Conference held on February 26.
Deportees
Meanwhile, the Guyana Government has assured that any Guyanese deported from the US will be accepted home upon proper verification, which is geared towards ensuring that individuals are indeed Guyanese to avoid
other nationalities being deported to Guyana. With such operations on-
going, the Government of Guyana is closely monitoring how this may affect migra-
tion patterns in the region. In fact, Commander-in-Chief, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, has already tasked the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) with overseeing this shift in the movement of people.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Annual Officers’ Conference on February 26, the Head of State stated that while Guyana remains sympathetic to those leaving their countries to seek a better life here, migration must happen in a lawful and structured manner.
“There is no way you
can leave this Officers’ Conference without analysing the shift in the global situation. Every country must manage their borders and people must legally enter your border… Every country has that right to secure its border, secure its environment and the laws provide for illegal immigrants to go back. But that scenario must be analysed now in our region because as more immigrants come into our region [after being deported from the US] …it adds pressure on the regional systems…”
“When you are looking to move because of social con-
ditions and whatever, what do you look for: which is the next best destination. And if they pick up all the international newspapers and see the fastest growing economy is Guyana, they see that Guyana is short on labour, they see Guyana’s construction is expanding; then we have to understand that we have a problem that can very well approach us quickly –it is already approaching us. We have to now strategise, and the only strategy we can win with is greater regionalisation and international partnership on this matter,” President Ali said.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2025 |
…as Education Ministry commissions US$1.9M
The Education Ministry
is set to roll out its an-
nual “Because We Care” cash grant initiative in May and each school child, whether in public or private school, will receive $55,000.
This was announced by Education Minister Priya Manickchand during the commissioning of the state-ofthe-art Practical Instruction Centre (PIC) in Hopetown, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), at the cost of a whopping US$1,900,000.
While delivering the feature address, the Education Minister clarified that this grant will be given to every
student and not every household.
“We have reinstated the “Because We Care” cash grant, and this year, every
single child, beginning May 12th, will receive $55,000 as their grant. And notice I said every single child, not every single home. And all of you,
the young ones who have children, will know that over the last four years, it has been the smoothest process.”
However, she revealed that there will be some slight changes in the process to facilitate the distribution of the cash grant in which the Ministry will be expanding the number of schools from which the money will be distributed.
“You come, once your children's name are on the register. The only problem is we have a little bit of a line because there's always somebody coming first and somebody coming last, and at the earliest stag-
es, there's always a line. If you come at two o'clock, you get to walk right up to your teacher's desk…This year, we're… expanding the number of schools. So, we're not grouping
schools. We're going to have schools registered by the 28th of March this year,” she explained.
She added, “It’s going to be even less cumbersome with fewer numbers at the schools.”
Another PIC center
Meanwhile, the commissioning of the state-of-theart PIC in Hopetown was made possible by the Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project, which was funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), in collaboration with the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Finance.
The building is outfitted with new facilities and, in some cases, expanded retrofitting. For example, the existing Furniture Lab, is a retrofitted workshop.
This centre will offer seven Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) programmes: Graphic Arts, Commercial Food Preparation, Masonry, Plumbing, Electrical Installation, Housekeeping, and Furniture Making.
Speaking at the commissioning event was Deputy Chief Education Officer (Technical) Dr Ritesh Tularam, who relayed that with this new institute, students will have 24-hour access to the Internet, which will aid them in completing their School Based Assessments.
“Beyond the facilities, tools, and equipment, students will have access to a state-of-the-art laboratory where they can have 24-hour access to the Internet, allowing them to complete their SBAs, create their portfolios, and print their assignments using the facility on-site,” he said.
He also mentioned that with this commissioning, the Ministry is on track to open four institutes, as another one is set to be commissioned soon.
“In total, inclusive of this one, there will be four PICs and PIDs (Practical Instruction Departments) that the Ministry of Education and the Government of Guyana are moving forward with to provide opportunities for persons. I want to inform everyone here that before the end of this month, we will be commissioning the St Ignatius Practical Instruction Department, and that will be followed by the Bartica Practical Instruction Department,” he said.
Only last Thursday, the Education Ministry in conjunction with the Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project, with funding from the CDB, commissioned the new Beterverwagting PIC valued at $225 million.
Four persons were evacuated as an early-morning fire that ravaged a building that housed a business and living quarters at New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
The fire completely gutted the two-storey structure. No one was injured.
The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) initially reported that it had rescued one individual and was searching for three others who may have been trapped in the building. However, they were evacuated and taken to the hospital before the fire service arrived.
A neighbour, 72-year-old Jaidev Dudnaught told this publication that persons were gathered at the nearby bar when they sudden-
ly noticed thick smoke emanating from the Chinese Restaurant and Apartment building.
Upon investigating, they discovered that the ABC restaurant, located directly opposite the bar, was engulfed in flames. Dudnaught was alerted as the fire was in close proximity to his property.
“The rum shop guys apparently know me, that I live here, so when they make the alarm there, that the fire started, the guys came to alert me about it.”
He added, “One of the guys who were next door in the bar, in the house there, jumped my fence and ran up the step, rapped at my door, telling me, wake up, wake up, uncle, wake up. But when he was down-
The lifeless body of a 43-year-old man was pulled from a trench at Beehive, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Tuesday morning.
Dead is Ramesh Ramkumar, of Lot 68, Beehive Public Road, ECD.
According to reports from his sister, Karishma Ramkumar, the coconut vendor lived with his mother and had no known conflicts, mental health issues, or history of alcoholism, which has puzzled his family.
According to his sister, Ramkumar was last seen at their home around 19:00h on Sunday by his mother.
She said her mother had briefly stepped away to use the washroom, and when she returned, he was gone. At the time, her brother was clad in a black shirt and blue jeans. Hours passed, and as concern grew, the family launched an extensive search throughout the community. Despite their efforts and social media appeals, there was no sign of him.
Early Tuesday morning, the family received a devastating call that a body had been found floating in a canal in Beehive. Rushing to the scene, they confirmed the worst, it
Dead: Ramesh Ramkumar
was Ramesh Ramkumar.
The dead man’s sister said that though his body was intact, it bore concerning injuries. Karishma described blue-and-black bruises on his stomach and back, as well as bruising and bleeding on his arm.
She said his face was swollen.
“We don’t know him to have any problems with anyone,” Karishma shared. “He was a well-known coconut vendor, and we have no idea what went wrong or how he ended up there. We wouldn’t be able to say.”
The family is now awaiting the results of the post-mortem examination and police investigation to determine the cause of death.
stairs rapping at my door, I was upstairs, recognising that it’s the fire, and I already put the car key in the hand to get ready to remove my car parked up outside,” Dudnaught stated
The origin of the fire is currently unknown. Eyewitness explained that the ambulance service arrived before the fire trucks and rescued three women, who were trapped on the upper floor of the building.
“This was a spot where people would normally come in the Chinese to come and eat and drink and but nobody was missing, they were sent to the hospital before the fire serviced reached on the scene so when the fire police didn’t see the three people, they thought the three people were being consumed in the fire,” the man said.
Meanwhile, the Chinese businessman, who occupied the lower floor of the building was rescued after the firemen cut through the bars on the windows and he was taken out to safety.
Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, who was on
the scene overseeing the operations of emergency services as they manage the aftermath of the fire.
The PPP and the PNC have starkly different legacies. Let us examine one legacy. Transportation tolls in Guyana – highway tolls and bridge tolls – are uniquely a PNC legacy. Removal of those tolls is essentially a PPP legacy. Highways’ tolls were removed by a PPP government in the 1990s, now the PPP is removing bridge tolls.
The President, HE Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, announced on Sunday that all tolls on the river crossings – the Demerara River Bridge, the Wismar Bridge and the Berbice River Bridge –would be eliminated as of August 1, 2025. The announcement was not new, since it was previously declared; but now we know the effective date. The elimination of the toll would roughly correspond with the commissioning of the new Demerara River Bridge.
Hundreds of thousands of Guyanese citizens and families would benefit from the new arrangements. After all, this would leave more disposable incomes in people’s pockets. Most Guyanese commend the Government for finding yet another way to increase the spending power of Guyanese families, but the Opposition parties seemingly are opposed to the removal of the bridge tolls. PNC MP Annette Ferguson insists that a feasibility study must be done. The PNC mayor of Linden rejects the removal of the tolls from the Wismar Bridge, insisting that this move is intended to rob the town of about $6M per month.
Ruminations challenges Aubrey Norton, leader of the PNC and Leader of the Opposition; Nigel Hughes, leader of the AFC; David Hinds, presidential candidate of the WPA; the leaders of all the one-man or one-woman parties to tell the nation with a simple yes or no their position on the Government’s plan to eliminate the bridge tolls from August 1, 2025. They can provide an explanation for their position, but we need a clear yes or no answer. The Guyanese people deserve a clear answer from the political leaders who want to be president.
It has been made clear on several occasions, by the General Secretary of the PPP, that President Irfaan Ali is the presidential candidate of the PPP for Elections 2025. President Ali has given his clear position on the issue of river-crossing tolls. He not only supports elimination of the tolls, but has already put in motion the elimination by August 1, 2025.
How could anyone oppose the elimination of tolls for crossing the rivers? What feasibility is needed before the tolls are removed? The Government has already determined it is able to fund the maintenance and operation of the bridges. For Linden, the elimination of tolls from the Wismar Bridge would lead to an increase of visitors into Linden, and this would drive economic growth in Linden.
Tolls in Guyana are essentially a legacy of the PNC. The Guyanese people remember that it was Forbes Burnham’s PNC that introduced three toll gates on the Berbice Highway between New Amsterdam and Crabwood Creek, and on the Linden Highway. Those tolls were eliminated by a PPP government. The elimination of highway tolls was a manifesto promise of the PPP in 1992, and the PPP kept its promise to remove the tolls.
Tolls in Guyana are not just for revenue-generation. The PNC has utilised tolls as a punitive measure. The establishment of three toll gates on the Berbice Highway – at Bohemia, Adventure and #63 – was unconscionable and designed to punish supporters of the PPP.
Both parties can claim “removal” when it comes to transportation, but in starkly different ways. Whereas the PPP removed highway tolls in the past, and is set to remove bridge tolls by August 1, 2025, the PNC removed a whole transportation system in 1972 when they closed the railway system between Rosignol and Georgetown and between Vreeden-Hoop and Parika.
The removal of tolls from the highways and bridges increases disposable incomes for families, whereas the removal of the railway system imposed severe struggles on families, reducing their disposable incomes. Whereas the removal of tolls from highways and bridges increases economic activities, the removal of the train system severely reduced economic activities.
Many people have opined that Burnham closed the railway system because he wanted to punish farmers, who overwhelmingly supported the PPP. This was similar to the establishment of three toll gates on the Corentyne Highway. It is not shocking, therefore, that as the PPP gets ready to eliminate all tolls for river crossings, the PNC is opposed to that move. After all, tolls are a PNC “thing”. It is also not shocking that the PPP government is known for always seeking to remove tolls.
Tolls are a kind of taxes on people. The PNC has an obsession with taxes. They are known for introducing new taxes and for consistently increasing old taxes. In their tenure between 2015 and 2020, the PNC-led APNU/AFC introduced more than 300 taxes. The PPP in 2020 eliminated all the new taxes the PNC introduced between 2015 and 2020.
For those persons who sometimes argue there is no difference between the PPP and the PNC, the differences are actually very stark. The history of highway and bridge tolls is just one in the enormous amount of stark differences between the parties.
As Guyana approaches Elections 2025, taxes will be a major discourse. The Guyanese people will be serenaded by the Opposition on how they would increase disposable incomes of Guyanese families. One certain way to increase disposable income is to either eliminate taxes or reduce them. One of the major political parties – the PNC – always sing the same tune of reducing taxes, but they always, whenever they are in government, do the exact opposite and increase taxes. The PPP, Guyana’s largest political party, has always either eliminated or reduced tax rates. The story of highway and bridge tolls is a clear example of vastly different legacies when it comes to highway and bridge tolls.
The Health Ministry is taking an aggressive approach to combat diabetes in Guyana by expanding its pre-diagnosis programme, aimed at detecting pre diabetes and preventing the disease before it develops.
This was revealed on Monday by Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony during the award ceremony for the National NonCommunicable Diseases (NCD) Commission first-ever Essay and Poster Competition.
In 2023, the Health Ministry revealed that a total of 150 young persons in Guyana were battling type 1 diabetes while an estimated 60,000 persons have type 2 diabetes.
During his address, Dr Anthony emphasised the importance of early intervention, highlighting that diabetes remains a major health challenge in Guyana. He noted that many individuals fail to take medication consistently, leading to uncontrolled diabetes and severe complications.
“Diabetes, as you would know from your research, is a big problem in Guyana. We have had lots of cases… We want to move our programme where we can detect people who are even pre-diabetic, meaning before you actually get diabetes and if we are able to detect that, then we can do a lot more to prevent that person from becoming diabetic. There are lots of risk
They are to return to court on March 28. Until then Magistrate McGusty ordered that Inniss be remanded to prison.
This is not Inniss’s first run-in with the law. In 2019, at the age of 18, he was remanded to prison along with two others—Harrcarlaus Harris and Daniel McArthur.
Particulars of that charge stated that, on October 17, 2019, at Camp Street, Georgetown, they robbed Elton Mookho of two cellphones valued at $298,000, and before or immediately after, they used personal violence towards the victim.
Prosecutors had objected to bail being granted to the trio and told the court that they were positively identified by Mookho. The trio also stabbed Mookho in the back.
Magistrate Leron Daly, after listening to the prosecution, had remanded the teens to prison. The outcome of that case is unknown at this time.
factors and so forth. And we want to reduce those risk factors and educate people so they understand what those risk factors are,” Dr Anthony said.
The Health Ministry’s diabetes programme is the introduction of updated national guidelines for diabetic care. These guidelines highlight the role of lifestyle modification, early diagnosis, and comprehensive management plans aimed at delivering individualised, high-quality care across the nation.
Guyana has made HbA1C testing a standard for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes. This advanced screening tool, now available in 82 health facilities, provides a three-month average of blood glucose levels, allowing for more accurate treatment adjustments and better long-term outcomes for diabetic patients.
These efforts were commended by the Chairman of the National NCD Commission, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who praised the Ministry’s leadership in tackling diabetes, but stressed the need for greater public awareness and prevention efforts.
He also called for the revival of the Diabetic Youth Camp, a once-annual initiative that provided education and support for children living with diabetes. Ramsammy urged that the
programme be resuscitated in 2025, emphasising that young diabetic patients often become highly knowledgeable advocates for managing the disease.
“Whatever new medicines come, whatever new diagnostic tool come, and whether we have all of them in place or not would not matter if we do not have an aware population because as long as the battle is at the level of treatment and care, you have already lost ground. The battle has to be prevention. And for that you need an aware population, an educated population… And I hope that in 2025, I'm speaking as the commission, right? So, our job is to advocate that in 2025 we resuscitate it in a big way,” Dr Ramsammy said.
Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body can’t properly use or produce insulin, leading to high blood
sugar. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that stops insulin production, while Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body resists insulin or makes too little. Without management, it can cause serious health issues.
The Diabetic Youth Camp is aimed at educating children, along with their parents about the disease and how they can manage it. Additionally, they gain hands-on experience with blood sugar monitoring, insulin administration, and carbohydrate counting in a supportive environment. Campers also learn how exercise, nutrition, and daily routines impact their blood sugar levels. Beyond medical knowledge, they develop emotional resilience, making friends who understand their challenges and boosting their self-esteem.
In a bid to improve the level of care offered to patients in the public healthcare sector, the Health Ministry on Sunday expanded its Patient Care Assistant (PCA) Training Programme to Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
The PCA Training Programme will see participation from more than 200 persons over the next four months to support nurses and other medical professionals.
The comprehensive programme includes theoretical instruction and practical clinical training. It covers basic aspects like patient care, infection prevention, medical ethics, and emer-
gency response.
Speaking at the programme lunch on Sunday Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony stressed the importance of this initiative as the country’s health infrastructure continues to expand.
“These hospitals that we'll be opening, they are 75 beds each, inpatient beds, but it differs from previous hospitals because for each of these 75 beds, we have smaller wards or smaller rooms… But when we move to this new standard, we'll need many more people to be interacting with our patients because now you can't just sit in front and you've got everybody in front of you like that. You wouldn't be
able to see them. So, we'll have to make more checks we'll have to go in, see what's going on, and so forth to make sure that people are comfortable. And that is why one of the reasons why
we have started this process of training more people.”
Moreover, Anthony encouraged the programme’s participants to continue upskilling themselves. In fact, he revealed that the PCA Training Programme will
open avenues for persons who are interested in climbing the medical ladder.
“You would learn some very basic things about how to care for people in a hospital institution. While we start you off there, there are other courses that you can join so that you can move from a patient care assistant to, let's say, a nursing assistant. And then from a nursing assistant, we want some of you, if not all of you, to become registered nurses so there's an upward trajectory”
Notably, recognising that most persons stray away from upskilling themselves due to the availability of programmes in the region.
Dr Anthony highlighted
that the Ministry is currently constructing a new training institute that will offer a wide variety of programmes.
“We have started now the construction of a new training facility. That facility would have a lot of classrooms. It would have simulation labs and a whole host of things that can assist with teaching persons in the medical profession. Currently, the Ministry of Health, we have about 20 training programmes… But most of these programmes were based in Georgetown. So a lot of people who might have had a desire to be trained did not have these opportunities they had to go to Georgetown to get this training.”
Aconstruction worker and a vendor from Kitty, Georgetown, were on Tuesday brought before Chief Magistrate (ag) Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where they faced joint charges related to the possession of cocaine.
Gavin Clarke, a 50-yearold construction worker and mason, and Seauta Norville, a 47-year-old vendor, both of Gordon Street, Kitty, were arrested on March 21 during a police operation. They were jointly charged for being in possession of 70 grams of cocaine at their residence.
Clarke was also charged separately for possessing an additional five grams of cocaine. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
It was reported that on
knowledge of it. The illegal substance was weighed and confirmed to be 33 grams.
Following their arrest, both Clarke and Norville were placed in custody pending their court
March 21, between 15:30h and 20:30h, police conducted several searches across Georgetown in search of narcotics, stolen property, and wanted persons. Their efforts led them to Gordon Street, where they encountered Clarke and Norville.
A search of the property uncovered a quantity of cocaine. Clarke reportedly admitted ownership of the narcotics, while Norville denied any
appearance.
During the court proceedings on Tuesday, their attorney, Stacey Goodings, argued that Norville had no knowledge of the cocaine found at the residence. Goodings stated that her client was only an occasional visitor at Clarke’s home and was not a permanent resident. Norville reportedly told her attorney that on the day in question, she was at the house but
was not feeling well when police arrived to conduct the search.
According to Norville, officers searched her but found nothing in her possession. She was then asked to step outside while Clarke remained inside.
Clarke, on the other hand, maintained that he had no knowledge of the cocaine. He told investigators that two other persons—his niece and cousin— also resided at the premises and insisted that he was unaware of any illegal substances.
The prosecution, however, presented a different version of events. They stated that they had a video interview in which Clarke admitted to the cocaine found in the house and also cleared Norville of any involvement.
According to the prosecution, 30 grams of the narcotics were found on a ledge inside the bedroom, which had no partition, while three grams were discovered in Clarke’s pocket.
Clarke was remanded to prison, while Norville was granted $150,000 bail.
The case was adjourned to April 16.
After years of legal proceedings and a retrial due to juror tampering allegations, 28-year-old Shaleza Ellis has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of Latoya Haywood on Christmas morning in 2019. The sentence was handed down at the High Court in Georgetown by Justice Damone Younge on Monday, marking the end of a case that captured public attention.
The deadly altercation occurred at a family party at the intersection of Leopold and Breda Streets, Georgetown, where Haywood, 31, was socialising with relatives. Ellis, who was also at the gathering, reportedly became enraged when Haywood spoke to her boyfriend, Alfie Garraway, the father of Haywood’s cousin’s child. Witnesses stated that Ellis retrieved a knife, but an attempt was made to prevent her from attacking. However, as the vehicle she was in began to move, Ellis allegedly stabbed Haywood once in the chest.
Haywood was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where she remained in a coma for nearly a month before succumbing to her injuries on January 23, 2020. A CT scan revealed that she was brain dead.
Ellis was initially reported to be on the run before she turned herself in to authorities on January 28, 2020. She was later charged with murder and remanded to prison following her first court appearance.
The trial, which began in February, featured two video recordings of the incident and eye-
witness testimonies. Closing arguments concluded on February 13, but shortly after, a juror informed the court that Ellis’ relatives had approached him twice outside the courtroom. Due to this interference, Justice Young ruled that a retrial was necessary to maintain the integrity of the proceedings.
Ellis eventually pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. During sentencing, the court considered several factors, including the nature of the crime, Ellis’ background, and her behaviour while incarcerated.
According to the probation report, Ellis grew up in a structured household with both parents actively involved in providing for their children. She dropped out of secondary school at the age of 15 to assist her mother with domestic duties. Before her incarceration, she was unemployed and living with her parents in Georgetown.
During her time in prison, Ellis participated in several rehabilitation programmes, including anger management, yoga, computer science, sub-
stance abuse recovery, and sewing. Prison officials described her as disciplined, cooperative, and remorseful. However, her record included two infractions, one for possessing a cellular phone and another for having cigars in her possession. In a statement included in the pre-sentence report, Ellis expressed deep remorse for her actions. She claimed that the altercation escalated after Haywood threw alcohol in her face and followed her, leading to a physical confrontation. Ellis admitted to stabbing Haywood but stated that she never intended to take a life.
The court sentenced Ellis to 14 years in prison, acknowledging both the aggravating and mitigating factors. The victim’s family, while relieved that justice was served, expressed their grief over the loss of Haywood, describing her death as a devastating blow to their family.
The state was represented by Muntaz Ali, from the Office of the Director of Prosecution, while Attorney Candace Adams represented Shaleza Ellis.
Choose the path that leads to self-awareness, personal growth and gratitude. Refuse to let your emotions take the reins when making financial choices. Focus on routine, stability and economic security.
Consider your next move and contemplate what's best for you. Refuse to let anyone talk you into something that doesn't feel right. Adjust your surroundings to make life easier and less stressful.
Hanging on to things that are irrelevant to your well-being or lifestyle will detract from what you want or are meant to do next. Pay more attention to your needs, desires and lifestyle.
Choose your path and put your energy into what brings the most joy, and you'll have no regrets. Adjust your life to suit your needs and take action instead of complaining.
Steer clear of joint financial ventures or taking on someone else's burdens. You can offer support without paying for someone else's mistakes. It's never too late to try something new.
Participate in groups that share your concerns. The people you encounter will help you find your purpose and encourage you to use your skills in new and exciting ways.
Look at every possibility before deciding on what you want to do or where you want to go. Be creative, think outside the box and do what suits you best. You don't have to accommodate anyone but yourself.
A change will do you good. Pick a destination that intrigues you. Take the time to reach out to people you lost touch with who made you laugh, think and live life to the fullest.
Put your wallet in your pocket. You can't buy love. If someone asks for too much, know enough to decline. Invest time and money into yourself and your surroundings.
Put more energy and effort into meeting new people or relationships that are meaningful to you. Attend a reunion, chat with old friends and revisit old dreams.
Never say never. Don't underestimate the power of positive thoughts and the ability to make things happen. Let your innovative imagination take the lead, and you won't be disappointed with the ideas that sprout.
When uncertainty arises, find a solution. The only things you need to get what you want are time, patience and a desire to make your dream come true. Trust and believe in your abilities.
The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) took the thrill of Air Badminton way up the Soesdyke-Linden Highway last Saturday when they hosted their inaugural Air Badminton tournament at St Cuthbert’s Mission, also known as Pakuri village.
That location was chosen as part of the GBA’s ongoing development efforts following an introduction to the sport and equipment being donated to the community in 2022.
Now being popularised by the GBA, Air Badminton is an exciting new development initiative aimed at making badminton accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Designed for play on hard surfaces, grassy surfaces, and sandy surfaces in parks, gardens, streets, playgrounds, and beaches, this initiative aligns with the global vision to
expand the sport.
The inaugural Air Badminton tournament was played in the triples format (one girl, two boys), and there was no age restriction. Each team was captained by a girl,
‘One Guyana’ Basketball Premier League…
The ‘One Guyana’ Basketball Premiere League continued on Sunday, March 23rd, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Home Stretch Avenue in Georgetown with wins recorded by the Georgetown Masters, Jets and Eagles.
Retrieve Raiders battled the Georgetown Masters in a one-sided affair. Masters held a 7-point lead at the end of the first quarter, and never looked back (14-7). The Raiders fought back in the second quarter, but a huge fourth quarter from the Masters completely demolished the spirit of the Raiders team. The game ended with scores of 67–39. B Oneil and D McCaulley, with 12 points each, were top contributors for the Masters team. The Jets and Black Caimans faced off in the second game. Each team put
up a fight in the first half of the match, and the scores remained reasonably close (41-33) at the end thereof. However, the second half of the match saw the Jets taking control of the game, with the scores reading 55-70 in their favour despite the 19 points that S. Adams produced for the Caimans.
Lastly, the Eagles soared to a 17-point victory over the Nets. A fairly consistent game from the Eagles saw them score at least 18 points each quarter, building a significant lead over the Nets throughout the game.
Zian Gray with 17 points and Denzil Ross with 15 points were the main contributors to team Eagles’ success. Dennis Niles was impressive with a 22-point outing, but it wasn’t enough to earn the Nets the desired outcome.
Basketball action will resume next weekend.
and teammates were selected through a random draw by the team captains. As such, the teams [most featuring at least one player from the community] for the St. Cuthbert’s Mission competition were as follows:
Best Hitters – Holly
Daniels (St. Cuthbert’s Mission), Mia Simon (St. Cuthbert’s Mission), Joel Rambiriche
Shuttle Warriors –Mishka Beharry, Nickel Dundas (St. Cuthbert’s Mission), Caleb Tan Jaguars – Valerie Dundas
(St. Cuthbert’s Mission), Percival Chester, Christopher Jordan
Racquet Rebels –Gabrielle Felix, Chenyuan Chen, Eusin Dundas (St. Cuthbert’s Mission)
Shuttle Strikers –Anjaneysa Godette, Ronit Gulchand, Omkar Persaud
Smash Squad – Daniella Narine, Joanathan Debidin, Shane Birkett
ADK Champions
Keri Andrew (St. Cuthbert’s Mission), Dan Tan, Avinash Ramnarine
Shuttle Champions – Janaya Dundas (St. Cuthbert’s Mission), Pierre Andrews, Ruel Rambiriche
Awesome Arapaimas – Paige John, Neo Hope (St. Cuthbert’s Mission), Marcellos Bhagwandin
Team Assassins Sudarshini Sooknarine, Gabriel Felix, Tejnarine Persaud Team 592 – Asiyah
In continuing action in the Cheddi and Janet Jagan Memorial Windball Cricket Competition, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) and being contested at the National Track & Field Center (NTFC) Tarmac at Leonora, West Coast Demerara in Region 3, the Leonora Secondary School team went head-to-head against Camille’s Academy in the Janet Jagan Memorial tournament.
Batting first, Leonora Secondary registered a total of 96 runs in the first innings in a great display of batting. Alliyah Mohamed was superb in registering 53, while her teammate Maria Sue played an important innings that registered 25.
Needing 97 for victory, Camille’s Academy could muster only 43 for the loss of one wicket. Crystal Melville was the team's top scorer with
In the other game contested in the Janet Jagan Memorial, Parika Salem Secondary battled De Willem Secondary in a low-scoring encounter. Batting first, Parika Salem Secondary made a modest total of 44-0. Reshana Blake top scored with 21, while her opening partner Alavita Calistio made 10.
In reply, De Willem Secondary were restricted to 23 for the loss of 3 wickets. Karishma Singh, outstanding bowler of the game, took 2 wickets for a mere 3 runs.
When Zeeburg Secondary faced Leonora Secondary in the Cheddi Jagan Memorial tournament, Zeeburg batted first and amassed a respectable 61 for 3. Alex Drake provided 22 and Rahul Roopram made 29. Nickel Decamp had a solid outing with the ball, returning figures of 2 for 8.
Leonora Secondary did not threaten the target score, having produced only 31 for 4.
Irfan Takeram top scored with 18, while Zeeburg’s Khapildev Kissoon returned figures of 2 for 1.
Another matchup in the Cheddi Jagan Memorial tournament pitted Camille's Academy against De Willem Secondary.
De Willem Secondary batted first and scored 68-4, with Brandeis Rollex, who scored 35 runs, producing more than half of the team's total.
The response from Camille's Academy was a stuttering 30-3, with Isaiah Anderson top-scoring with 22 and De Willem’s Hemraj Persaud taking two wickets for nine runs.
Stewartville Secondary also defeated Uitvlugt Secondary by default in the Cheddi Jagan Memorial tournament.
Play in this tournament was expected to be shifted to the Enterprise Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara, on Monday.
Eastman, Alisha Kahar (St. Cuthbert’s Mission), Russell Shuman
Badminton Baddies –Priyanna Ramdhani, Vishal Gopaul, David Rockcliffe (St. Cuthbert’s Mission)
Super Strikers –Shabanna Simon (St. Cuthbert’s Mission), Yonneil Benjamin, Jonathan Robinson
When the dust settled, Shuttle Strikers came out on top of the competition, while Awesome Arapaimas had to settle for second place.
Shuttle Champions and Racket Rebels were the losing semifinalists, and therefore they shared the third-place finish.
The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA), in extending its heartfelt gratitude to Toshao Alvaro Simon, the St. Cuthbert’s Mission Council, and the entire community for welcoming and supporting this milestone event, has shared in a statement: “This tournament marks a significant step in expanding badminton in Guyana, and we look forward to bringing more events to communities across the country.”
The 2025 CARIFTA Games are fast approaching, and the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has shortlisted a 36-member provisional squad of young athletes to contest the event, following the conclusion of the CARIFTA Trials last weekend.
The list includes both athletes who have already made the qualifying mark for the regional event and those “who have demonstrated exceptional talent and potential during the CARIFTA Games Trials”.
The National Track and Field Center (NTFC) on the West Coast of Demerara was a hive of activity over the weekend as athletes strove to make the qualifying times for their respective CARIFTA events.
According to the AAG, the trials, which showcased the nation's top junior athletes, were a resounding success in highlighting the depth and breadth of athletic talent within Guyana.
The shortlisted athletes, comprising both locally based and overseas competitors, have displayed remarkable performances across various disciplines, setting the stage for a strong Guyanese contingent at the 2025 CARIFTA Games in Trinidad.
As the AAG commits to providing comprehensive support and preparation for these athletes, focus will now be shifted to two upcoming encampment stints for Guyana’s CARIFTA Games squad.
Described as an opportunity to ensure optimal performance at the upcoming CARIFTA Games, the first period of encampment would be held from April 4th to 6th, while the second will be hosted from April 11th to 13th.
According to the Track and Field governing body in Guyana, ‘These encampments will focus on refining athletic skills, enhancing physical conditioning,
and fostering team cohesion. The AAG's coaching staff will work diligently with the athletes to maximize their potential and ensure they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead’.
The official announcement of Guyana’s CARIFTA team is expected to be made on Tuesday, April 8th. The AAG has highlighted that the announcement would follow a thorough evaluation of the athletes' performances during the encampments and a comprehensive assessment of their readiness for international competition. These are the athletes that have met qualifying standards:
Agroup of young Guyanese athletes have recently been placed on the receiving end of year-long support from the Beacon Café as part of that entity’s ‘Talent Assist Programme’.
Multi-sport athlete Zion Hickerson; Shamar Apple of cricket; Colin Wong of table tennis; Briton John of cycling; Raekwon Noel of swimming, and the Beacon Football Club are among the athletes and sporting organisations being supported by Beacon.
In a simple ceremony held at the Beacon Café’s Carmichael and Quamina Streets location on Monday afternoon, Beacon’s Morgana Bethune Adolphus expressed the entity’s commitment to this initiative.
“Sport has the power to inspire, transform lives and bring communities together, and we are here to ensure that every aspiring athlete gets the guidance, resources and mentorship that they need to strive. To our talented athletes: you are the future. Your dedication, passion and relentless drive has brought you here, and this initiative is designed to help you even further,” Adolphus said.
She added, “Whether your dream is crossing the finish line, serving an ace, scoring centuries, or netting the winning goal, we believe in your potential and we are
committed to helping you achieve greatness.”
Human Resources Manager Arlene Huntley further touched on the idea behind the Talent Assist Programme by recognizing such initiatives are important to the sport sector.
Huntley divulged, “Beacon Café is playing a pivotal role with the introduction of sports management sponsorships and endorsements which (are) intended to provide significant value to our local athletes and organisations alike.
“GK Inc company has strategically selected sponsorships and financial support to enhance the visibility of our athletes, and also athletic organisations. GK Inc
has determined that sponsorship is a powerful tool for the brand visibility and funding in the sports industry,” the Human Resources Manager further shared.
Though the cost of Beacon’s support was not disclosed, it was highlighted that Shamar Apple would soon benefit from the receipt of a new cricket kit, while Beacon FC’s youth teams would be outfitted with uniforms. In addition, table tennis player Malachi Moore would soon be added to the line-up of supported athletes.
Beacon Café would also be supporting sports associations. In this regard, sponsorship would be extended to the Guyana Cycling Federation’s upcoming meet.
Kaidon Persaud (U20) –400M, 800M
Ezekiel Millington (U17) - 100M
Gordon Thompson (U17) – 100M, 200M
Jonathon Richards (U20) – 100M
Dequan Farrell (U17) –200M, 400M
Tishan Easton (U20) –200M
Walter Alleyne (U20) –200M
Ade Sealey (U17) – 400M
Nathaniel Samaroo (U17) - Shot Put
Rodel Greene (U20)Triple Jump
Duel Europe (U20)Long Jump
Zachariah Jacobs (U20)Long Jump
David Williams (U17)Long Jump
Tianna Springer (U20) –400M
The shortlisted athletes are:
Timothy Smith (U20) – 1500M, 5000M
Lamar Yaw (U17) - Relay
Shamer Harvey (U17) -
Relay
Athaleyha Hinckson (U20) – 100M, 200M
Nalicia Glen (U20) –100M, 200M
Angel Jeffrey (U17) –100M
Shania Thompson (U17) – 200M
Nerissa McPherson (U20) – 400M
Esther McKinnon (U17) – 1500M
Attoya Harvey (U20) –3000M
Adana Glen (U20) –1500M
Jennifer Byass (U20) –3000M
Claryssa December (U20) – 400M Hurdles
Kenetta Fraser (U20)Long Jump
Skylar Charles (U20) –100M
Naomi Peters (U17) –100M
Jaden Sutherland (U17) - Triple Jump
Afi Blair (U20) - Relay
Akel Henry (U17) - Relay
Deangelo Smith (U17)Relay
Deandre Scott (U20) – 110M Hurdles, 400M Hurdles
Malachi Austin (U20) –400M
Renowned globally as one of the finest batters to emerge from the West Indies, cricket legend Ramnaresh Sarwan also shares a deep passion for basketball. The former West Indies captain’s love for the sport has inspired him, behind his RS53Etkezo Restaurant, to support the Guyana Basketball Federation’s (GBF) One Guyana 3x3 Quest, scheduled to be contested on April 5–6 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
“I’m a sportsman, and basketball is one of the sports I love. I played some street ball back in the day, and being a fan of Michael Jordan, I’ve always had an appreciation for the game,” Sarwan told the media after making a presentation to the GBF at the restaurant, located in the Amazonia Mall at Providence, EBD.
Aside from his passion for basketball, Sarwan noted, his longstanding friendship with a GBF vice-president has further motivated him to support the tournament.
Admitting that 3x3 basketball is relatively new to him, the once dominant right-handed batter noted that the new format of the game has piqued his interest. He added, “It’s a new format, and at RS53-Etkzo,
we’re known for embracing new ideas and innovations. So, supporting this initiative is exciting.”
GBF representative Rawle Toney has thanked Sarwan for his support, and highlighted that it marks the GBF’s largest corporate sponsorship to date, outside of assistance from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
“This support means a lot to the GBF, because it helps cover a critical aspect of the tournament. On behalf of the federation, I want to express my gratitude to Sarwan for coming on board and for always being willing to support basketball,” Toney said.
Further, he recalled that Sarwan had previously assisted the national wom-
en’s team ahead of the InterGuiana Games by personally purchasing basketball shoes and donating same to the players.
“He didn’t want any publicity, but it’s important to highlight that he has always been a strong supporter of athletes,” Toney added.
Looking ahead to the tournament, Toney noted that the GBF is finalizing preparations to ensure the successful staging of what is set to be the largest 3x3 basketball tournament in the English-speaking Caribbean.
He highlighted that the federation has meticulously addressed logistical aspects in order to host an event that would bring to Guyana some of the best 3x3 players in the world.
