Guyana Times International 21-June-2019

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Govt ISSUE NO. 454

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019

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remains defiant ...insists on using delaying tactics to stall elections

Business as usual: Guyana's President David Granger and members of his Government continue to behave as if they are not bothered by the recent rulings of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) which upheld the passage of the No-confidence motion against the APNU/ AFC Coalition Administration on December 21 2018.

US authorities to begin deporting ‘millions’ of illegal immigrants

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

“CCJ must tell me what the flaw is”

…President Granger says of GECOM Chair appointment

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espite a ruling from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) that his decision to unilaterally appoint Justice (rtd) James Patterson as Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman was flawed, President David Granger is insisting that he acted within the ambit of the constitutional provisions.

On Tuesday, the Trinidadbased regional court ruled that the appointment was unconstitutional and the process used by the Guyanese President was flawed.

However, President Granger contended on Wednesday that he selected a “fit and proper” person as Chairman of GECOM in accordance with the definition laid out in the Constitution. In defiance on Wednesday, the Head of State told reporters that the CCJ must show where the flaw occurred.

“I’ve never gone outside the Constitution. If (the Court) tell that the process is flawed, they must let me know what

the flaw is! So let us wait until the 24th of June when they make some consequential rulings. There is no way I can see that decisions I’ve taken are flawed,” he posited.

Despite the Court’s decision, Granger said that it was the responsibility of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to submit a list of six nominees who are not objectionable. To this end, the Head of State said that he would be writing Jagdeo for them to meet as soon as possible.

Meeting Opposition

“I have no problem meeting the Leader of the Opposition …

I will write to him and as soon as he is available maybe as early as next week (we will meet).

I will write to him this week, inviting him to resume the consultations which are mandated under the Constitution,” the Head of State noted.

According to the Constitution, President Granger is required to appoint a Chairperson for GECOM from a list of names submitted

File: President David Granger presents the Instrument of Appointment as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to Justice Patterson at State House

by the Opposition Leader.

Back in 2017, Jagdeo had submitted three separate lists, but the Head of State rejected all 18 nominees and went ahead to unilaterally appoint Justice Patterson as Chairman of the elections body.

However, the CCJ ruled on Tuesday that the process to appoint the GECOM Chairman was “fatally flawed”.

According to CCJ President, Justice Adrian Saunders, the President gave no specific reason for refusing to appoint a

Chairman from the lists submitted by Opposition Leader Jagdeo. He noted that the President disapproved a third list, without giving a specific reason.

Justice Saunders referenced historical facts pertaining to the previous appointments of GECOM Chairmen.

He cited the recommendations made by the Constitutional Reform Commission in 1999, that the Chairman should be appointed through consultations.

“To determine the meaning, the Court looked at the drafting history of Article 161(2), observing that changes had been made to it to promote consensus and inclusiveness by involving the Leader of the Opposition in the selection process.”

Further, the Judge noted that the President relied on the provisions that gave him discretionary powers and insulated him from providing an explanation for excluding the Opposition Leader from his final decision. turn to page 11

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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EDITORIAL

The U.S. Embassy in Guyana held its annual award ceremony last Friday to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of U.S. Embassy staff members. In making the presentations, Ambassador Sarah Ann Lynch congratulated the awardees and thanked all staff members for their contributions towards achieving the U.S. Mission's objectives. (US Embassy photo)

Dangerous signals from Govt Taking advantage of Guyana’s

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he rulings of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on the December 21, 2018 No-Confidence Motion (NCM) and the appointment of Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) are without ambiguity. In simple and clear language, the Court declared that the NCM was properly passed; Mr Charrandas Persaud’s vote was valid with the right to vote against his party; 33 is a majority needed and Justice Patterson’s appointment was unconstitutional.

The decisions were a stinging rebuke of the Government’s arguments especially its laughable and absurd theory that 33 is not a majority of 65.

From all accounts, there weren’t doubts in the minds of ordinary Guyanese as to the constitutional provision for a NCM and what its success would automatically trigger. One can also safely suggest that the Government was aware of those said provisions as evident from the initial statements of the Prime Minister and the President.

The rulings of the CCJ, which are final and which upheld the decision of the Chief Justice (ag) and one of the Appeal Court Judges, may have confirmed that the Government deliberately delayed the inevitable by taking the legal route. In doing so, not only did the Government clutch at straws with a trumped-up and ridiculous mathematical theory but expended precious taxpayers’ monies in the process.

During that time, legal minds, both local and across the Region except for those on the Government’s team, were dumbfounded at the reasons for seeking legal cover. Sadly, their defence found a place in the minds of two legal practitioners who are probably now ruing their stance while possibly drenched in embarrassment. The CCJ ruled on the basis of law and no other sentiments. In doing so, it upheld and protected the Constitution of Guyana from the whims and fancies of those who trampled upon it.

Guyanese must be feeling a tremendous sense of outrage at the fact that millions of dollars and time were sapped just for the obvious to be reiterated. Clearly from the rulings, elections should have been held within the constitutionally-stipulated three-month period following the NCM. That period expired on March 21, 2019. As it is, the Government is currently illegal and has been so since that expiry date given that no constitutional extension was granted.

Following the rulings, the President boldly proclaimed that elections would be held in November this year after the completion of house-tohouse registration. That smacks of defiance. The timeline, five months from now, is in keeping with that of the GECOM Chairman and may be deemed as support for the delaying process. That announcement may be seen as another attempt to violate the constitutional process and a deliberate manoeuvre to pass to GECOM the responsibility of deciding election timelines.

It also suggests a continuance in delay to buy time which appears the Government’s thrust after been broadsided by the NCM. With an abysmally poor track record in all spheres of governance and having inflicted wanton economic hardships upon the Guyanese people, the Government desperately needed time to try and appease the electorate.

Immediately after the successful passage of the NCM, the Government unearthed frivolous reasons to resort to the courts, condemned the voters’ list as unacceptable, and embarked on expensive exercises across the country to engage under the guise of taking services to the people.

Ministers who never left the comfort of their offices since May 2015 were suddenly in the villages.

Just six weeks prior to the NCM, the voters’ list was used for Local Government Elections (LGE). Then, the Government boasted of and defended the integrity of that list. In its strategic delay to avoid the holding of the elections within the constitutional 90-day period following the NCM, the list was made to expire at the end of April 2019.

That emboldened the Government’s call for house-to-house registration for a new list despite being aware of simple mechanisms that can facilitate any necessary addition within a short time span. That same good list is now conveniently being castigated as corrupt with the claim it contains some 200,000 incorrect entries. Why that wasn’t made known in the run-up to the 2018 LGE is still baffling. The inference is clear; buying time.

The CCJ has given up to June 24 for some solutions to be derived through expected engagements with operatives from the political divide.

The understanding is if none is found, it will pronounce on consequential orders. That is expected to be in keeping with constitutional provisions which the said court has protected in its rulings. The President’s pronouncement may, therefore, be seen as a violation. Simultaneously, his government is pushing ahead with its position of “no registration, no elections” which is a worrying indication.

Having spent millions for Caribbean legal luminaries to state the obvious in our Constitution, the Government seems undeterred in its endeavours to hold on to power as it did for 28 years prior to 1992. Then, it took a former President of the USA to end that charade. Now the CCJ has been given that responsibility. Its rulings are on that said course.

huge tourism potential

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ver time, there has been much talk about Guyana’s tourism potential, with seeming emphasis on ecotourism, given the country’s geographical makeup. While work is ongoing to build the country’s tourism profile internationally, local tourism may need a bit more focus. This does not suggest there are no related efforts in that regard; however, consistency with added innovativeness may be deemed as challenges.

There is no disputing the beauty of Guyana, especially in the hinterland areas. The iconic Kaieteur Falls speaks volumes in attesting to its own grandeur and that of tropical Guyana. The Orinduik Falls reminds of the many other cascades nestled in various parts, which demonstrate the magnetism of such wonders of nature within the confines of the country.

Rolling savannahs with mountains as backdrops, dark-water creeks and evergreen jungles, add to the irresistible package the country offers. Those are complemented by the plethora of historical sites scattered from the capital city and outwards throughout the country. Space constrains details of all the relevant places with potential for tourism development.

That said, and given what is currently being offered in the context of local tourism, innovativeness comes in useful to help conjure up a more holistic approach. Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America, and its history is littered with influences from other colonial masters, including the Spanish, Dutch and French. There are reminders even today through the names of some villages from the latter two.

Remnants of once seemingly impregnable forts are reservoirs of untold stories, while the fabled El Dorado still excites.

Herein lies vast potential to revolutionise the local tourism drive by encapsulating history. While there are efforts in the form of tours to

Fort Island and a few other historical places, consistency appears to be absent. National focus comes during November: Tourism Awareness Month.

That is very useful, and is a good boost, but efforts must be channelled for a more structured approach for increased frequency, allowing ideally for weekend tours year-round by the Government’s tourism arm. There are private tour operators that offer packages throughout the year, and more than likely, a major percentage of the tourists would be overseas-based Guyanese and other tourists.

That said, the reality is that the cost factor for local tourism is prohibitive to ordinary Guyanese. It is no secret that some have stated their preference to visiting a Caribbean Island like Trinidad & Tobago over Kaieteur Falls, given there appears not much difference in costs. Resorts are also costly; however, operators cannot work at a loss. While some local Guyanese are able to afford tourism packages, a large percentage cannot.

There are instances when special packages were offered to attract more locals. If that can be sustained, then the potential to attract more increases. That, of course, is subject to market forces for local operators in the context of their current clientele. But, can the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) explore the possibility of working with the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) for sustained weekend tours to the Essequibo Islands as a starter?

Aside from the current usual destinations, others can be added, like the historic St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Leguan. That structure is over 150 years old.

Working in collaboration with the custodians, weekend trips are possible. The approach has to be holistic and national in promoting that and other historical sites. The intention must be to educate and build interest, which can be converted into desire to visit. The state media apparatus can play a crucial role in that

regard.

The tours do not have to be confined to the Essequibo Islands, but can include other relevant areas which are accessible, if not to ferries, then to other safe vessels.

Partnership can also be built for the creation of trinkets and souvenirs for the various destinations. Many visitors to major cities overseas purchase souvenirs, which can include a replica of the Statue of Liberty or the Eiffel Tower, just to cite a few. What stops locals from creating souvenirs such as replicas of the St. Peter’s Anglican Church, City Hall, or even Parliament Buildings?

Each town has a rich and intriguing history. A trip to Bartica in the future can possibly see a museum of its history, while trinkets and souvenirs, including related T-Shirts etc, can be sold.

This can be replicated in other parts of the country.

With a comprehensive strategic plan and commitment to bolster and revolutionise local tourism, encompassing all the necessary stakeholders, both private and state; and with consideration for justified concessions, it can be done.

There is the strong belief that if necessary services are provided, and within reasonably cost, they will be accessed. Each region and town can initiate its own plan, with support from the Government.

In the end, not only would there be a boost in the potential growth of local economies, but Guyanese would be edified by the opportunity for extensive visits to various parts of their homeland.

When referring to history-based tourism, Jonestown in Region 1 cannot be avoided.

Despite its macabre ending, it holds tremendous potential for tourism.

A re-establishment of the site for that purpose would attract curious tourists. The spinoffs of air-travel, accommodation, food, local transportation and souvenirs remain untapped. Skeptics just need to look at the 911 Memorial and Museum in New York.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

“No registration, no election”

…Jordan, Nagamootoo call for street protests in defiance of CCJ ruling

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egardless of what the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) or anyone says, the coalition Government is not prepared to call elections unless Houseto-House Registration is carried out. This is according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

Jordan made this statement during a Government outreach in Bartica on Tuesday, in the presence of several other Ministers of Government, in clear defiance of the CCJ ruling.

At the time, Jordan also rallied coalition supporters to protest if necessary for House-to-House Registration. This is despite the fact that this exercise is likely to further delay elections that were constitutionally due since March 21 of this year.

“Comrades, be on the ready! Because we will be able to call you out to picket for Houseto-House registration.

No registration, no elections!”

“And CCJ or no CCJ, they can’t tell us that we must tinker with that list to call an improper election. Elections must be free, fair, and proper,” the Minister said in gross disregard for the

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan greets pupils and their teachers of Region 7 during an outreach earlier this week

ruling of the highest court in the Region.

It was only on Tuesday that the CCJ ruled that Government fell to the no-confidence motion the Opposition brought against it last December.

The law says that when this occurs, the President and Cabinet must resign and elections must be held within three months of the motion.

That deadline elapsed since March 21, 2019, with Government having spent much of this time moving from the High Court to the Appeals Court seeking to overturn the motion, rather

than ensuring elections were held.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had rejected the November timeline for elections put forward by President David Granger. According to Jagdeo, the parliamentary Opposition expects, in the interest of principle and practicality, elections in three months.

But Jordan, during his address, called on the Police to be on guard and utilise its intelligence.

He also made it clear to the party’s supporters that the coalition government had no intention of

demitting office.

“From today Comrades, war break.

Because we got to go to elections before the end of this year, hopefully.

I say hopefully because we can only go to elections when GECOM says it ready. So don’t let anyone tell you anything.

“And I’m putting the Police on notice. Mischief will be afoot between now and when the elections are called. You have to be on your guard and your lookout. Your intelligence has to be upgraded. Because already there is talk about bringing people on the street,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo also made his pitch to the coalition supporters. Nagamootoo announced that there would be trouble if youths are disenfranchised – despite there being a process for adding youths to the list automatically whenever they become eligible to vote.

“The young people who turned 18 since the last elections, their names are not on that voters’ list and anyone who calls for an election without our young people being on that voters’ list, they’re calling for trouble in this country,” Nagamootoo said.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has since wasted little time in writing to Police Commissioner Leslie James (who coincidentally joined the Ministers in Bartica for the outreach) and the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to register its complaints over the two officials’ statements.

On Tuesday, the CCJ ruled that the no-confidence motion of December 21, 2019 was validly passed against the Government. It also ruled that Alliance For Change (AFC) defector Charrandas Persaud

was entitled to vote against his party list and that even as a dual citizen, his vote was still valid.

On the matter of the Guyana Elections (GECOM) Chairman, the court ruled that not only was that appointment unconstitutional but the President ought to have given the Opposition Leader an explanation as to why consecutive lists of nominees were being rejected.

Already, the diplomatic community, members of civil society and the Private Sector have called on all parties to respect the CCJ ruling. Soon after the ruling, however, President David Granger issued a statement in which he said that while he respected the ruling, the Government would still insist on House-to-House Registration – a process that could further delay elections.

M e a n w h i l e , Opposition Leader Jagdeo also stated that Government was using GECOM and the voters’ list as excuses to “desperately hang on to office, hoping his Government can spend taxpayers’ money to improve its political fortunes – all while the country is drifting”.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Justice Patterson should resign following CCJ ruling Dear Editor, The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has finally rendered its long-awaited ruling on the two critical constitutional matters pertaining to Guyana and these must be honoured without delay. The CCJ ruled that the NoConfidence Motion was validly passed and elections must be held within ninety days, and the unilateral appointment of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chair was flawed. The court asked (ordered) the lawyers for the two contending parties (really President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo) to meet and suggest a solution on a way forward to honour the rulings and return to court on Monday, June 24, with their recommendations.

If the two opposing sides can’t agree, then the court said it is prepared to impose a solution on appointing a GECOM Chair.

The key aspect of the ruling is if the two sides can’t agree, the court will impose a ruling. This means for sure, Patterson will be replaced by the CCJ, and quickly, so within a few days of June 24. It also means that the CCJ will fix a date for elections within three months.

Since the NoConfidence Motion was validly passed, then the ninety days rule must kick in. Parliament must be considered to be dissolved as of today and the President must announce a date for elections, latest by September 24 (the date the court issues a final declaration on its judgment if not September 18, the date of judgment). The Government acts as caretakers until the results of the next elections. There can be no new business transactions.

Since the appointment of James Patterson as Chair of GECOM was flawed and illegal, then he must do the honourable thing (as a former Judge would do) and resign and the President must appoint someone from the lists submitted

by Jagdeo. Failing to do so, the President must revoke his appointment.

The CCJ mandates there must be consultation between the President and Opposition Leader on an appointee or a list of prospective nominees from which the President appoints one as Chair.

The Opposition Leader (OL) and the President should immediately meet (consultation as required by the Constitution) on re-

solving this issue.

The OL should submit a list of six names or have them ready to submit to the court. Since there was consultation before on the last two lists (12 names) submitted by Jagdeo, the OL can choose six names from those lists for the President to appoint one as Chair. Patterson was not among the nominees on any list. He must, therefore, go. His failure to leave will be seen as defying the court and a moral defeat for those who brought the case against his flawed appointment.

Besides those legal and moral points, very few Guyanese have confidence in Patterson to supervise free and fair elections.

His replacement must be done urgently by the time the CCJ reconvenes on Monday. When the lawyers return to court on Monday, they must have a fixed timeline – when the GECOM Chair will be replaced and the date for elections.

If they can’t agree on timelines, then the lawyers should ask the court to impose timelines on replacing Patterson and on a date for elections.

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

Guyana urgently needs transformational and visionary leaders

Dear Editor, What did Bill Gates (Microsoft), Steve Jobs (Apple), Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Tim BernersLee (the Internet), Larry Page (Google), Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), and Elon Musk (Tesla) all have in common?

Uncompromising vision, a passion to change the world, a willingness to take risks, and exceptional business acumen.

Such transformational and visionary leaders have the ability to view life, work, strategies, products and services in a way that very few others can; and with a deep sense of purpose and commitment. They rise above tribalism and ego, and use their talents for the betterment of all. In doing so, they inspire their team members to think outside the box for a better life and a better world for everyone, and not just for members of their own tribe.

The key characteristic of such leadership is the willingness to take bold, risk-based actions that aren’t in the mainstream.

There are some good souls in Guyana who can meet the above criteria, rise above party politics, tribalism, ego, and personal enrichment, and use their talents

Probe should be launched into award of scholarship to Minister’s daughter Dear Editor, After news broke of aggregate payments of over G$20 million to a sitting Minister’s child’s bank account, the Government, through Mr Joe Harmon, disclosed these payments to be for “scholarships” and no details were made available. Minister Broomes’ daughter is now a student of Howard University where she is reading for an undergraduate degree in Biology and Chemistry and for all indications seems to be an educated young lady on the right path.

I make no hesitation to say as Guyanese citizens, Ministers’ children are entitled to scholarships just like any other citizen but there must be a clear policy on how these scholarships are awarded. This particular awardee is no stranger to the media and controversy. If I am allowed to make a conclusion, this particular awardee is already a millionaire in US$ term. According to Minister Broomes in her May 2016 Joint Press Conference with Raphael Trotman, she has relinquished all her mining concessions since she became a Minister and her daughter, who shares the same name with her, is wholly the owner SD # 1967 on Mining Permit H43/MP/000.

Minister Broomes, when questioned by the media, also acknowledged that she had long-term mining interest with Australian-owned mining company, Pharsalus Gold Inc (Troy

Resources Limited) but she turned it over to her daughter.

Government, in the interest of clarity and transparency, should come forward and tell the nation if there was a change in policy for granting of scholarships. Recent revelations in the absence of a clear policy in the awarding of scholarships to students seem to be very contentious, least of which are Ministers’ children.

What makes this more bizarre is the firing of an entire department at the Ministry of the Presidency because it is alleged that these persons leaked information to the Leader of the Opposition and the wider press.

Having failed to gain the public sympathy and the plot backfiring, the Government then used journalist Gordon Moseley to cast doubt over the awarding of a scholarship to Jessica Anthony, daughter of Frank Anthony. We wait to see who will get fired for releasing information to Gordon Moseley; we wait to see whom David Hinds will label as moles of News Source.

Editor, in 2012 President Ramotar laid out a clear policy in which he said that the two top performers at CSEC and the two top performers at CAPE would be beneficiaries of Government scholarships to pursue studies at universities of their choice.

Editor, the fact that G$20 million was transferred to the personal bank account of the daughter of a Minister is strange. I

myself being a student that studied medicine in Cuba under a GoG scholarship know this is very unusual. In fact, one would have to ask Mr Harmon on what basis was a scholarship awarded to the younger Broomes.

Was she a top student? Was the Government offering scholarship to Howard University in Biology and Chemistry and after reviewing the application and interviewing Ms Broomes she came out as the top candidate? If either of the cases is true then kudos to her but to use Ms Anthony as a foil is unscholarly.

For the media to treat Miss Anthony’s award as news or some corrupt activity is quite shocking. As recent as December 16 during the consideration of the estimates, Mr Harmon after being questioned by Gail Teixeira released a list of students that were being funded by the GoG and Ms Anthony’s name never raised eyebrows. In fact, on that occasion, what raised eyebrows was the fact that the then Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine’s daughter was benefiting from a G$2.58 million scholarship in the UK. What was also shocking was the fact that Minister Nicolette Henry and Minister Annette Ferguson were receiving G$3.36 and G$3.38 million each to pursue their studies in the United States and the UK respectively. turn to page 12

for the betterment of all Guyanese. The problem is that the current environment does not support this thinking, and is rather hostile to such budding leaders, thus stifling creativity and innovation.

Were such local leaders to emerge, they must have a profound knowledge of the Guyanese multicultural landscape, business environment, economy, position within the geopolitical and geo-economic orbit, geography of the land, the country’s narrative history, its profile, and its rich and varied resources.

Fusing this background with an awareness of an encroaching digital world — where digitisation in almost everything we do will be transformative — will ensure a better Guyana for everyone, and not just for a few.

Microsoft has been an integral part of social change and world affairs that impacted cultures, communities, and governments around the world.

Over four decades ago, its founders — Bill Gates and Paul Allen — set the ambitious goal of putting a PC on every desk and in every home; a goal now largely realised. Though the PC market declined after the laptops’ and smartphones’ advent, the existence of these “modern mobile PCs” is a testimony to the company’s impact on the world and on personal computing.

Can you think of a computer without MS-Office and its suite of applications?

The Internet, the world’s library at our fingertips, has been widely available in the West only since the late 1990s, but its impact on how we live our daily lives is incalculable. Thanks to Tim Berners-Lee, who invented the Web in the early 1990s.

Google, founded by Larry Page and Sergey Bin, is the leading search engine and artificial intelligence outfit. It’s certainly true that we now have instant access to information in a way we’ve never had before. However, nothing has impacted our online lives to the same level as Google has; whether using our PC, laptop, mobile phone or tablet.

Tesla’s founder, Elon Musk, could have sat on his PayPal fortune and never been heard from again; but he wanted to change the world for better, and so we have Tesla, SolarCity and SpaceX, and even his plans for colonising Mars.

Jeff Bezos’s Amazon, the giant e-commerce site, is remaking the retail industry in its own image and leading the charge in artificial intel-

ligence. Mark Zuckerberg took Facebook from campus experiment to a social network of unprecedented scale and size, with a mission to connect the whole world.

When the late Steve Jobs announced the release of the first generation iPhone in 2007, he said it was like having “your life in your pocket”, but the smartphone has ever since truly taken on a life of its own. Today, smartphones don’t just connect to the Web, their applications enable their use for any type of activity, such as sports, cooking, purchasing goods, organising, travelling, finding your soul mate, and money management.

History tends to focus on the builders, the deciders, the leaders: in education, health care, science, business, the arts, as well as politics; because they are the men and women whose contributions have shaped the destiny of their nations.

In fact, “transformational leadership” – leadership that makes a significant difference in the life of a nation – recognises that political capital is acquired to be spent in great causes for one’s country. Presidents and prime ministers are not chosen to seek popularity; they are chosen to provide leadership. There are times when voters must be told not what they want to hear, but what they have to know.

Leaders must have vision, and they must find the courage to fight for the policies that will give that vision life. Leaders must govern, not for easy headlines in a few days, but for better countries in 10 years. They must recognise that the workhorses of the digital revolution — computers, the Internet, and artificial intelligence — backed by electrical power and big data, are widely available to all.

In today’s era of globalisation and rapid technological advances, transformational and visionary leaders must be willing to continually learn, unlearn, and relearn to really impact change. True leaders are those who lead by serving others.

Amidst the complex global, social, economic, political and technological landscapes in which they operate, they are persistently and conscientiously pursuing their goals with a single-minded purpose that is geared for the betterment of humanity.

Respectfully, Lal Balkaran IIA-Guyana Founder, and Past IIA-Toronto President

news 7

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

33 is the majority of 65 …CCJ validates passage of No-Confidence Motion toppling Govt

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he Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Tuesday threw out Government’s arguments and ruled that the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) that toppled it on December 21, 2018 was indeed validly passed.

Handing down the decision was CCJ President, Justice Adrian Saunders, who read a summary of the final judgement.

Justice Saunders said that the Court found that 33, and not 34 as the Government and supporters have argued, was the majority the Opposition needed out of 65 Members of Parliament (MPs) to pass the motion.

“The CCJ decided that the requirement for “a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly”, referred to a majority of the total number of votes or seats in the Assembly, irrespective of the number of members who actually vote.”

In determining that majority, he added, the Court was of the opinion that the “half plus one rule was not applicable”. Justice Saunders informed the courtroom and viewing public that the majority was clearly at least 33 votes.

The CCJ also re-

Former MP Charandass Persaud (left) was vindicated by the CCJ

jected arguments that former Alliance For Change (AFC) MP Charrandas Persaud was constrained from voting against his list, a major plank of the State’s case.

Justice Saunders noted that nothing in the Constitution prevents a crossover vote and as such, his vote was and still is valid. The NoConfidence Motion, the CCJ decided, was validly passed.

Meanwhile, Justice Saunders informed that CCJ Judge Maureen

Ragnauth-Lee had made the observation in her concurring judgement that the Constitution has to be clear regarding Persaud being prevented from voting against his list.

She did not believe, as the Government argued, that such a provision was implicit.

On the matter of Persaud’s dual citizenship, Justice Saunders noted that the Court had decided that had the Government really wanted Persaud out of the National Assembly

on those grounds, it would have challenged his presence on the candidate list and eligibility to enter the National Assembly long before the vote – in fact, within a month of the coalition’s victory in 2015.

“Dual citizens are not allowed to put themselves up for candidacy in elections to the National Assembly.

The Court found that the National Assembly (Validity of Elections) Act required that a petition alleging that Mr Persaud was disqual-

ified from running for office would have had to be filed in the High Court of Guyana within 28 days after the publication of the results of the 2015 election.”

“Since this case was filed in January 2019, the Court held that the challenge to Mr Persaud’s election to the Assembly had been out of time. The Court also rejected the submission that Mr Persaud was absolutely required to vote against the motion of no confidence along with other members of the Government,” Justice Saunders announced.

When it comes to consequential orders, Justice Saunders noted that submissions would be heard in this regard on June 24, 2019.

In the immediate aftermath of the vote, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall described the ruling as a triumph for the rule of law. On the other hand, Attorney General Basil Williams admitted that the CCJ “knocked them down” on every conceivable point.

President’s response

M e a n w h i l e , President David Granger, in a public address soon after the announcement from the

CCJ, claimed to respect the ruling. On the other hand, Granger went back to the position that House-to-House Registration was still necessary, even though the activity would push elections back until after November 2019 and was advised against by the Guyana Elections Commission’s own legal adviser.

“The Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice Patterson, has previously informed me that the Commission will be ready to hold elections in November 2019. This will be after the completion of House-to-House Registration. I now await a recommendation for a specific date from GECOM and I will then issue a proclamation,” Granger said.

The list of electors, which was used as recently as the last Local Government Elections last year, only expired April month-end.

Further, legal arguments are that a simple and less time-consuming claims and objections process can be embarked upon to update the list to ensure persons eligible to vote are registered. This was, however, ignored by the President in his address.

Liquid Love Bar owner lands in jail for human trafficking …to pay victims G$5M in compensation

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he owner of Liquid Love Bar was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Savita Persaud was found guilty of the charge of trafficking two Venezuelan women and as an additional consequence, she was also ordered to pay over G$2.5 million in compensation to the victims.

The trial was held in-camera and Persaud was represented by Attorney-at-law George Thomas.

The charge stated that between January 31 and March 8, 2019, at Station Street, Kitty, Georgetown, she recruited, transported and harboured two female Venezuelans for sexual exploitation. One of the victims was a minor.

Chief Magistrate McLennan sentenced

million to the other Venezuelan woman.

Jailed: Savita Persaud

Persaud to serve 10 years’ imprisonment for trafficking the underage girl and five years for trafficking the adult female.

The sentences will run concurrently. She was ordered to pay G$2.3 million to the underage victim and G$2.2

Persaud was sentenced to 12 months’ im-

prisonment and fined G$1.1 million.

She was also jailed on two counts of employing a 17-year-old child on a premises that

sells intoxicating liquor and confiscating the Venezuelan women’s immigration documents for the purpose of trafficking.

8 news

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

CCJ urges Guyana’s political leaders to find consensus on way forward ...to reconvene on June 24 for consequential orders

By Jarryl Bryan

I

n the wake of its landmark ruling upholding the No Confidence Motion, many are questioning whether the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will order that elections be held by a certain date. But according to the court, parties will be given time to make submissions before it issues any orders.

This was communicated by CCJ President, Justice Adrian Saunders, when he delivered the ruling from his bench on Tuesday. According to Saunders, parties will present their submissions on June 24. And he hinted that if the various sides cannot reach an agreement, the CCJ will take matters into their own hands.

“The rulings of the court are final, and it is now just a question of consequential orders.

If, between now and the 24th, there is no concurrence on that issue, then we will have to find a way… I didn’t want to go there, because I am hoping that, on the 24th, you will come back and tell us that all sides have agreed on the consequences that follow. And the court will order accordingly,” the judge said.

According to

Saunders, the CCJ wants to hear again from the parties involved, particularly on what should be the fate of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson. The court had earlier found that Patterson’s unilateral appointment was unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, Justice Jacob Wit noted that, in keeping with the June 24 date to return for submissions, he was “hoping for a happy marriage between principle and practicality”.

Diplomatic community

The diplomatic com-

CCJ President, Justice Adrian Saunders

munity did not wait long after the ruling to come out urging respect for the decision. In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn, United States Ambassador Sarah AnnLynch, Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee and the European Union noted the importance of respecting the ruling.

“The Caribbean Court of Justice has ruled, and it is important that all sides respect that ruling.

We also encourage all to come to an agreement on the way forward,” the diplomats stated in their joint missive.

PSC

M e a n w h i l e , the Private Sector Commission (PSC), in a statement, noted the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice that the no-confidence motion was validly passed on December 21, 2018 and the appointment of the GECOM Chairman was unconstitutional.

The PSC expressed optimism that an early consensual agreement can be reached between the President and the Leader of the Opposition on a new GECOM Chairman. To do this, the PSC noted, the parties involved have to meet.

“The Commission is heartened by the recommendation of the CCJ to the parties involved: to meet and agree on a course of action that will be in the best interest of the nation.

The Private Sector Commission urges all Guyanese to respect the ruling and the statement by His Excellency President David Granger, that his Government will abide by the ruling of the Court.”

CCJ lauded

Meanwhile, Attorneyat-Law Christopher Ram (one of the appellants in the No Confidence Motion) issued a state-

ment in which he lauded the CCJ for ensuring that the constitution prevailed. He urged President David Granger to put country first and reach out to the Opposition.

“As a litigant in one of the no confidence cases, I was always more than moderately confident that the court would rule as it did. It was a victory for democracy, the rule of law and the Constitution of Guyana. It was also a vindication of the decision that Guyana should subscribe to the regional Court, whose reputation has no doubt been enhanced by today’s rulings.

“The Court, throughout the hearing of these appeals, continuously hinted at the need for dialogue between the Government and Opposition, and has affirmed this in its judgments.

Even at, or more so now, citizens appeal to President Granger to seize this unique moment to heed the call of the CCJ, and through inspired leadership, put our country first, reach out to the Leader of the Opposition, restore democracy and move our country forward,” Ram added.

Offshore Innovators trains Guyanese engineers in Subsea Robotics O f f s h o r e Innovators Guyana Inc has recruited and trained a team of five Guyanese engineers in Subsea Robotics to support deep-water operations offshore Guyana.

The training experience was hosted by Subsea Specialist Ltd at the Deepwater Hub in Chaguaramas, Trinidad, and delivered by Carlos Sardinha of Blue Laguna Inc US. The five-man team underwent a rigorous 18-day training programme which included Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) induction training to meet the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) guidelines for entry into the ROV industry. The candidates were also trained on two of the most popular work class ROV platforms in the industry, TechnipFMC’s Schilling

Guyanese engineers that were trained during the 18-day programme in Trinidad

HD and Forum’s Perry Slingsby XLX. The Guyanese engineers, who hail from Warapoka Village, East Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara and

Georgetown, underwent training in Offshore Survival (BOSIET) including Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET), first aid, confined space en-

try, working at heights, and rigging and lifting.

The training programme was supported by DOF Subsea America, who provided accommodation onboard the Skandi

Neptune and access to their Forum Perry Slingsby XLX systems for hands-on training.

Offshore Innovators subsea personnel development programme for

Guyana is modelled after the company’s local content development programme which was implemented in Trinidad over the last decade.

Through the support of Team Trident USA, Offshore Innovators joint venture partner, the Guyanese personnel are afforded the opportunity to access further on-the-job (OJT) training experience offshore.

The Offshore Innovators team is focused on supporting the Guyana technology transfer process during the execution of the ExxonMobil Liza Destiny and Liza Unity Projects.

The execution of the Guyanese subsea personnel development programme is the first in a series of training programmes planned by Offshore Innovators and hosted by Subsea Specialist Ltd to be delivered in 2019.

NEWS 9

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana’s Opposition Leader wants elections within 2 - 3 months

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ollowing the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) validation of the No-Confidence Motion on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has rejected the November timeline put forward by President David Granger for holding elections.

The Opposition Leader insisted that elections must be held in two to three months.

Jagdeo made this pronouncement at a press conference called shortly after the CCJ handed down its decision.

According to Jagdeo, President David Granger’s insistence on a November 2019 date for calling elections, which he referenced in an address to the nation after the ruling, is not consistent with the reality of the situation.

The Opposition Leader reminded that as per the CCJ ruling, an election date should have been set and President and Cabinet resigned since last year. He read Article 106 (6) and (7) of the Constitution, which sets out clearly that Government must resign after being defeated by a Noconfidence vote.

Specifically, Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence”.

Meanwhile, Article 106 (7)

File: President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo during a previous engagement

states that “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election”.

“So there are clear provisions now that the no-confidence [vote was validated by the CCJ], there is no other recourse for the Government to challenge it. The final court has spoken. These two provisions have kicked in. And they should have been relevant

since last year. So the count can’t start from today.”

“The count should start from when the motion was validly passed, 21st of December.

So what we’ve had is an illegal Government since March of this year. The period between the NCM and when the elections were to be held in three months, that period is also defined in the memorandum to the bill amending these Articles.”

Caretaker

According to Jagdeo, this definition speaks to Government staying on only to facilitate the holding of elections within that timeframe. The Opposition Leader expressed the view that

Government staying on for almost a year after being defeated by a No-Confidence Motion is unreasonable.

He pointed to the Government’s actions since it lost the No-Confidence Motion, such as the less than transparent awarding of billions of dollars in contracts, the allocation of lands and the privatisation of state assets.

“Now that the Government has been illegal during this time, we will have to decide what will happen to much of their illegal acts in this period.

But definitely from today onwards, any contract, anything outside of a caretaker capacity, these will be declared illegal by a PPP Government.

It’s not business as usual. It’s

no longer in court. The final decision was made and the Government is illegal as per that decision.”

According to Jagdeo, such actions are a breach of the caretaker role the coalition Government was supposed to be playing since it fell to the NCM and he insisted that elections now be called as soon as practical.

“We think that elections could be held within maximum three months. The CCJ has indicated that the consensus should be a principled and practical position – a principled position would be that elections are held tomorrow, a practical position is two to three months,” Jagdeo insisted, also calling for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to get into full elections mode.

After the ruling, President Granger had announced in an address to the nation that while he respected the CCJ’s decision, elections could not be held based on the current list and that he has been informed

by GECOM Chairman Justice James Patterson (whose appointment was also declared unconstitutional by the CCJ) that the soonest elections could be held was in November.

Told about this, Jagdeo made it clear that they would approach the international community and that the President “had another thing coming”.

10 news

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Mother admits to Guyana Restaurant killing 8-yr-old son Week set for June 21-30 F

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he mother of eight-year-old Emmanuel King, who was strangled to death in February 2016, on Tuesday confessed to the crime before Justice Navindra Singh when she made her appearance at the Demerara High Court.

Sonia King, formerly of Lot 565 Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, though initially being slapped with a murder charge.

The indictment against King detailed that on February 21, 2016, in the county of Demerara, she killed Emmanuel King.

Justice Singh accepted the plea of the accused and afterwards ordered that a probation report be prepared and presented in court on July 16 when King is expected to be sentenced.

The facts presented by State Prosecutor Teriq Mohammed stated that on the day in question, King (Sonia) placed a sheet over her now dead son’s head and strangled him to death. He further stated that a post-mortem examination (PME) performed on the child’s body revealed that he died from asphyxiation (suffocation).

The state’s case was led by Prosecutor Mohammed in association with Sarah Martin and Tuanna Hardy, while the now convicted King was represented by Attorney Mark Conway.

Reports are that King initially

Dead: Emmanuel King

claimed that the child fell from a guava tree during the afternoon of February 21 after which he retired to bed. At about 22:00h, the mother had claimed that she went to check on the child but found him in a motionless state.

He was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. However, she later confessed that she killed the child due to frustration, saying that she took a bed sheet and choked the child to death while he was sleeping.

After the incident, King reportedly confessed to her husband to killing the child. She was arrested after confessing to investigators.

ood lovers across Guyana are saving their appetite and calorie intake for when the much anticipated Restaurant Week kicks off in Guyana on June 21 this year.

The week of food will culminate on June 30.

Already, a number of restaurants have signed on to the event. Some include the Guyana Marriott Hotel, The Caribbean Inn Hotel Beach Specialities Restaurant, Herdmanston Lodge Hotel, Aagman Indian Restaurant, Grand Coastal, New Thriving, Pegasus Hotel and OMG!.

Guyana Restaurant Week is an amazing and unique event being hosted by the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana.

It provides the perfect opportunity for food lovers to get their crew together and visit the participating restaurants for delicious food at reduced prices.

These restaurants

“will be offering delicious prix fixe lunch or dinner menus at reduced prices” the Tourism and Hospitality Association said.

These include, but are not limited to, tantalising sweet treats from the Chef’s Italian Dessert Selection at Marriott or a savoury Middle Eastern dish – creamy delicious hummus topped with a flavourful combination of Kalamata and Castelvetrano olives, roasted red peppers, tomato slices and fresh parsley served with a spicy dressing of cayenne pepper and extra virgin olive oil at Grand Coastal.

A a g m a n ’ s Restaurant will be offering its special Tandoori chicken, which is marinated in a creamy hung yoghurt-based sauce with selected herbs and spices to give their own unique taste, along with other meals.

Last November, the event was jointly held by the Tourism

and Hospitality of Association of Guyana (THAG) and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).

Restaurant Week was one of the signature events for Tourism Awareness Month 2018.

Each restaurant had featured two-course lunch menus at G$1000 and G$2000, and threecourse dinner menus for G$4000 or G$5000 per person.

President of THAG, Mitra Ramkumar said Restaurant Week is an excellent marketing opportunity for businesses and will benefit patrons as well. He explained that the event will see the participating restaurants offering fixed prices on their menu throughout the week.

“Restaurant Week was designed to appeal to the local market and for people who feel certain restaurants are not for them. I’m encouraging all Guyanese to come out and explore them all”.

Zika cases decline in Guyana – US Ambassador …after ranking number 1 for South America in 2017

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he Zika virus has seen a steep decline in Guyana due to a number of partnerships which worked to reduce the number of infected persons, especially pregnant mothers and children.

This is according to the United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch, during the conclusion of the Maternal and Child Survival Programme (MCSP), which initiated in March 2018 to combat the Zika epidemic in this part of the world.

Addressing a gathering of health workers, the Ambassador relayed, “This important health partnership between out governments supported clinical and non-clinical Zika services benefitting infants, children and families across Guyana…Thanks to the continuous and dedicated work to curb the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses, reported Zika cases have decreased”.

The virus spreads from mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, primarily the Aedes Aegypti species. While there are usual symptoms in infected persons, pregnant women are at risk since a serious birth defect called microcephaly and brain defects are noted.

As such, the US diplomat warned that while the statistics are presently low, there will be other outbreaks

in the future. This requires preparation and attentive medical practitioners.

“The significant decrease in cases compared to this time last year suggests that the risk of infection with Zika is minimal in Guyana.

However, debate continues within the scientific community not as to if there will be another Zika outbreak in the future, but rather when the next outbreak will occur so it is important that we all remain extremely vigilant.”

In 2016, the World Health Organisation declared Zika a public emergency and one of international concern. By the end of the year, a project was launched to strengthen the capacity framework of some 11 Caribbean countries.

This targeted the prevention of further transmission, reducing maternal complications and vector control measures. As part of the MCSP, healthcare workers are now equipped to improve the quality of services offered to children and families.

“Guyanese healthcare workers now also have increased access to clinical literature and job aids to improve the quality of care and support available to infants and families. While this work focused specifically on Zika, I would like to underscore that the investments made are far-reaching and

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch

will help to strengthen the public response to all mosquito-borne illnesses,” Lynch positioned.

Microcephaly

Meanwhile, Coordinator of the Maternal and Child Health Unit, Dr Suzanne Siebs targeted the cases of microcephaly in Guyana over the past four years. While the head circumference of an

infant is observed for signs of this condition, it varies from mild to severe.

“When you have either mild to severe cases, this is when you know obviously due to the improper or damaged brain growth. You have seizures occurring, developing mental delay, speech delay, feeding problems, hearing or vision impairment,” Siebs explained.

As of 2016, 17 countries

had reported signs of microcephaly. In Guyana, information is limited to determine the exact figures, but the first case was detected in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

“In Guyana, we would have had some reported cases as well in 2016 and 2017.

However, baseline information is not known. We had our first confirmed case of Zika in 2016. In September 2016, a microcephaly birth was first recorded in Region Seven.”

After that, there were 20 such births in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). During the course of 2018 to March 2019, there was a decline with just three more cases reported. However, it was high when compared to other countries.

“The cases identified in 2016 to 2017, there were 20 cases with 15,750 births…

We would have had quite a number of cases as compared to Jamaica, Brazil, Canada and the USA,” the coordinator demonstrated.

Two years ago, Guyana was ranked higher than most countries within the region that were suffering from Zika outbreaks.

news 11

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Dangerous’ comments by “CCJ must PM, Finance Minister tell me...

...Opposition calls on Police, ERC to take action

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he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has written the Commissioner of Police and the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) over comments made by Finance Minister Winston Jordan and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, in seeming defiance of a Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling.

Writing the letters was Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, who referenced media reports quoting the two officials while on a Government- sponsored outreach in Bartica.

She referenced Jordan’s calling for citizens to be ready for protest for House-to-House registration. She also made reference to Jordan saying “war break” as he called for street protests.

Another reference was made to Jordan saying that regardless of the CCJ ruling, House-toHouse Registration must be carried out. Meanwhile, she referenced quotes attributed to Nagamootoo in which he warned of “trouble” if House-to-House registration was not completed.

In her letter to Police Commissioner Leslie

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

James, she reminded him of his calls on March 21 for Guyanese to remain calm and keep the peace.

She also reminded him that he had warned at the time that persons breaching the law would be held accountable. According to Teixeira, these statements are inciting and a threat to public order and safety.

“Your statement of March 21, 2019 is more relevant now than then, as we have now the rulings of the Caribbean Court of Justice, the highest court, and we are all, therefore, expected to abide by the CCJ rulings that the NoConfidence Motion is valid and elections must be held within the shortest time,” Teixeira wrote.

“I, therefore, call on you as Commissioner and the custodian of public safety and order to carry out your mandate vigorously and to publicly defend, preserve, and protect the rule of law and the Guyana Constitution in our nation.”

ERC

Teixeira expressed similar concerns in her letter to ERC Chairman, the Reverend John Smith. In this letter, she called on Smith to intercede with the President and his Ministers, in keeping with the Commission’s constitutional mandate to promote peace and harmony.

“Reports in the media emanating from the

President and Ministers are cause for concern.

These statements in response to the rulings of the highest court of Guyana, the Caribbean Court of Justice, have been unsettling and disturbing.

These statements and declarations should no doubt also be cause for profound concern by Ethnic Relations Commission and the entire citizenry.

“These statements are inciting and a threat to public order and safety, and are in contempt of the Caribbean Court of Justice rulings of June 18, 2019. I, therefore, call on the ERC to carry out its constitutional mandate vigorously to promote peace and harmony and to stand publicly in defence of the rule of law and the Constitution.

I urge you to register with the President and his Ministers that the CCJ ruling must be complied with in spirit and intent,” Teixeira also wrote.

On Tuesday, the CCJ handed down its ruling that Government was defeated in the NoConfidence Motion case.

The court also ruled that GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson, was unconstitutionally appointed.

from page 3

However, Justice Saunders pointed out that giving the President the power to reject candidates without giving reasons would frustrate what the Constitution contemplates. In fact, the Court decided that the President has a duty to give reasons for rejecting names in the interest of transparency.

“The Court, therefore, found that the process was flawed and in breach of the Constitution. In a concurring judgment, Justice Rajnauth-Lee stated that by giving reasons why nominees are rejected, the President will engender greater public trust and confidence in the Elections Commission.”

To this end, the Court concluded that the most sensible approach to the process of appointing the Chairman of GECOM is for the Leader of the Opposition and the President to communicate with each other in good faith and, perhaps, even meet to discuss eligible candidates for the position of Chairman before a list is submitted formally.

He recommended that in future the Leader of the Opposition and President communicate and meet in good faith to discuss eligible candidates before a list

is submitted. The court also recommended that moving forward, all parties work together, as the Constitution envisions, selecting a Chairman.

Justice Saunders also declared in the ruling that before President Granger rejected persons nominated by Opposition Leader Jagdeo, reasons should have been given for the rejections in the interest of transparency.

This case, which was heard by the CCJ on May 8, was brought by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha.

Mustapha challenged the appointment of Patterson who was appointed to the position of Chairman of GECOM in October 2017.

Meeting with Caricom SG Meanwhile, changing his posture later in the day, the Head of State during a meeting with Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said that the Government would continue to respect the Constitution, and abide by the law.

“We respect the jurisdiction of the National Assembly; we respect the jurisdiction of the Court,” President Granger said.

12 news

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

C'bean American legislator critical of Trump's plan to deport illegal immigrants

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a r i b b e an American Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke has strongly criticised United States President Donald T Trump’s plan to deport millions of undocumented Caribbean and other immigrants.

“We have a Bigotin-Chief who is overstepping his authority in his role as president, pushing to deport immigrants from America,” Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

“It’s clear that he has one objective: to whitewash America.

But

that’s not who America is; we are a nation built by immigrants. I will continue to push back on Trump as he tries to instill fear in and bully our immigrant neighbours, friends and family.”

Clarke, the representative for the predominantly Caribbean 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, said as a second-generation Jamaican American, “I know how immigrants contribute to our local and national economies by working jobs that pay taxes while also adding to the cultural fabric of our communities, making America the country

Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke

we know and love today”.

Clarke said her leg-

islation, the Dream and Promise Act,

which recently passed the US House of Representatives, will provide 2.5 million beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), among others, a pathway to citizenship and the opportunity for legal residency.

“We must urge our colleagues in the Senate to also pass this historic legislation,” she said.

Late Monday night Trump tweeted that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency will next week “begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way

into the United States.

“They will be removed as fast as they come in,” he tweeted.

But a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told ABC TV News that the deportations described by Trump are not imminent.

Separately, however, a Trump administration official said that enforcing final deportation orders “is a top priority”.

Clarke, other elected officials and immigration advocates, say since taking office, Trump has deported more immigrants than any other president in recent American history. (CMC)

Hundreds to lose jobs as Emerge Guyana prison BPO downsizes in Guyana officer remanded for

ganja trafficking

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Emerge BPO building on Camp Street, Georgetown

undreds of employees of Guyanese business processing outsourcing company, Emerge BPO, will soon be without jobs as the company on Tuesday served employees with termination letters stating that it is downsizing its operations in Guyana.

According to one of the letters seen by this publication, the company stated that one of its biggest clients recently pulled its contract which will see the company losing millions. As such, Emerge stated that it will be unable to pay employees and plans to downsize its operations in July.

Emerge BPO, Middle Street, Georgetown, is a nearshore leader in customer management, back office and transaction processing services

which opened in Guyana in July of 2008.

The company, which created employment for hundreds, was founded

by Adrian Collins and his wife, Carole Fletcher, whose vision was to create a world-class contact centre in the heart of their native Guyana which would perform a variety of outsourcing services to clients and their customers in North America.

Since its opening, the company has continued to develop at a steady pace and is still on the map as a leading nearshore hub for outsourcing from Guyana.

Just recently, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Emerge, Heidi Solomon-Orlick and the company’s Vice President of Operations, Dalgleish Joseph, announced an expansion with the in-

vestment of a new campus located at Camp Street, Georgetown.

Expected to be completed at the end of 2019, the expansion was targeting some 1500 to 2000 employees with 3000 more to be added within the next five to 10-year period.

After revealing that Guyana is 30 to 35 per cent cheaper than any other nearshore destination to do the outsourcing business, SolomonOrdick had said that Emerge was in talks with several prospective clients about business.

When contacted, a representative from Emerge told this publication that the company will be issuing a press release regarding the matter on Friday.

A prison officer, who was allegedly caught with cannabis in a bag at the Camp Street Prison, Georgetown, was remanded to prison on Wednesday when he made his first court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Cleon Webster, 22, of Lot 2 Golden Grove, West Coast Berbice, denied the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Faith McGusty.

The charge stated that on June 14, 2019, at Camp Street Prison, he had 120 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Webster was represented by Attorney-atLaw Maxwell McKay, who told the court in his bail application that his client is cooperating with investigators into the matter. The lawyer further stated that his client is not a flight risk.

Police Prosecutor Ceon Blackman objected to bail on the grounds of the prevalence of the of-

Cleon Webster

fence and the penalty it attracts.

Prosecutor Blackman further disclosed to the court that on the day in question, Webster was entering the prison to report for duty when he was stopped and searched. The prosecution is contending that it was during that search that the canna-

bis was discovered in the bag that he was carrying.

The court also heard that the defendant told the officers who carried out the search that the bag belongs to his sister.

After listening to the submissions, Magistrate McGusty remanded Webster to prison. The case will continue on July 10, 2019.

Probe should be launched... from page 6

In fact, the current Minister of Public Service, Tabitha SaraboHalley, had also received G$3.4 million for studies in the UK. Editor, the hustlers are not only hustling from the Government. It is now common knowledge in the medical community that just a mere three months after taking office a former Junior Minister of Health, Dr Karen Cummings, instead of securing a schol-

arship for our cadre of healthcare workers wrote PAHO/WHO requesting for them to pay for her PhD. Thank God Dr Adu-Krow rejected this offer.

It would be very interesting also for Minister Harmon to answer what criteria was used to grant those and whether they are now contractually bonded to serve the GoG. It would also be foolish to call on SARA and SOCU to investi-

gate these transgressions since one of their own, Godfrey Bess, son of PNC executive Gary Bess, was the recipient of a scholarship for G$3.5 million under the same circumstances. He happened to study Forensic Auditing and is now the head of investigation of the Public Procurement Commission.

Sincerely, Hema Maniram

news 13

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Trade unions call on Guyana Govt to abide by CCJ rulings F

o l l o w i n g Tuesday’s landmark ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), local trade unions have come out urging Government to respect the court’s decisions and for leaders to have consensus going forward.

The regional court ruled that the NoConfidence Motion (NCM) was validly passed on December 21, 2018, and also deemed the unilateral appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) unconstitutional.

Since then, calls have been pouring in from stakeholder bodies for the CCJ decisions to be accepted and respected. Joining these calls on Wednesday were the umbrella trade union bodies which called for consensus to be displayed by the political leaders.

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) noted that the rulings have been finally determined, and now the parties should show maturity and arrive at a consensus on the way forward.

In its missive, FITUG viewed the landmark rulings as having provided final answers

President David Granger and members of his ‘Cabinet’ meeting during an outreach in Bartica earlier this week

to important questions which have occupied the national space for many months now.

“We were heartened that the CCJ has provided what we felt were clear and unambiguous answers to the questions that were posed.

The FITUG, recognising that we have the answers we sought at hand, sees that we need to now put in place the necessary arrangements to address the consequences of the rulings to ensure that there is full compliance with the Constitution

of Guyana,” the union body stated.

The FITUG recalled previous commitments by the parties to adhere to whatever decisions the court handed down. But noted that now “some quarters” have now sought to import certain conditions to their acceptance, which, the trade union body posited, belie the initial commitment.

“We hasten to call on all concerned that the rulings be accepted without the imposition of any condition whatsoever,” the missive

Berbice fisherman to spend 13 years behind bars for killing friend

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Corentyne, Berbice, fisherman was on Tuesday jailed for 13-years by Justice Joann Barlow after pleading guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Hilton Lilly of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara had indicated his willingness to plea to the lesser count when the charge was read to him at the June session of the Berbice Criminal Assizes.

The 49-year-old man pleaded not guilty to the capital offense of murder but guilty to manslaughter. According to the prosecution’s case, on October 26, 2014, at Number 66 Village Corentyne, Regions Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) Lilly killed Lakeram Singh also called “Dafat” and David of Lot 13 Fyrish Village, also on the Corentyne.

Jailed: Hilton Lilly

It had been reported that the two fishermen were imbibing at a shop a short distance away from the Number 66 Fishermen’s Complex when an argument ensued resulting in both men being injured.

Singh allegedly armed himself with a cutlass and chopped

Lilly on his hand. Lilly, in turn, grabbed a knife and stabbed Singh. The man was stabbed to his face, head and back and collapsed. He was picked up and rushed to the Skeldon Hospital where he died while receiving medical attention. Lilly was subsequently arrested and charged.

stated.

Furthermore, FITUG also recognised that the CCJ gave Guyanese leaders an opportunity to arrive at a consensual way forward ahead of Monday’s hearing for consequential orders regarding the rulings.

“The FITUG certainly looks forward to this opportunity being fully grasped and maturity, at this time, be displayed as we seek to put Guyana and its people first. In our view, the rulings, which have provided clarity now and in the future as well, represent too, a decisive victory for democracy.

The Federation cannot fail to point out that the road to restoration of democracy was long and arduous and one that was paved

with the struggles of the Guyanese working people, among others,” the statement noted.

Meanwhile, similar sentiments were expressed by the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), which called for politicians to put the country first, adding that there should be no delays in arriving at a position that would best serve this country.

According to GTUC, the CCJ order requires citizens uniting to hold politicians accountable to a higher political order and love of countrynot just power.

The trade union umbrella body pointed out that the Government, Opposition and Guyanese society are bound by the rulings of the CCJ and neither

party can claim they were denied due process. It noted that this is not a time for triumphalism or an opportunity to create ethnic tension and divisions in society, but to instead rise to the challenge of building a better Guyana.

According to GTUC, it is now time for political leaders, supported by all stakeholders, to come together in determining the way forward to provide a better Guyana for all.

The GTUC also posited that the parties must appear before the CCJ Judges next Monday with a plan as to how the country would proceed, in the interim and after the elections, consistent with Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution.

“It would be unfortunate to have the CCJ imposing on us what we are capable of determining. It would be an insult to our forebears who came together to fight common enemies and build Guyana. It would cast a dark cloud on our ability to unite for the common good and leave us vulnerable to internal and external destabilising influences.

The jury is out now on the ability of Guyanese citizens to unite and hold the politicians of this country accountable to a higher order of politics and love of country, not just power,” the GTUC stated in its missive on Wednesday.

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C'bean gov'ts acquire insurance coverage for 2019 hurricane season

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RAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands (CMC) — The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF SPC) says nine regional countries have increased their level of coverage as the Caribbean completed its insurance portfolio for the 2019-20 hurricane season.

It said one unnamed Caribbean state purchased cover for an additional peril (tropical cyclone) that it did not have last year.

CCRIF, which is the world’s first multi-country risk pool offering parametric insurance products, said that the regional countries

are covered for another year against tropical cyclones as well as excess rainfall events, which occur throughout the year and earthquakes, which may occur at any time.

“Additionally, the Facility has provided its members with two policy features – the Aggregate Deductible Cover (ADC) and Reinstatement of Sum Insured Cover (RSIC) – at no cost for 2019/20,” it said, adding that these two features for tropical cyclone and earthquake policies were first offered in 2017.

The ADC can provide a minimum payment for events that are objectively not sufficient to trigger a CCRIF pol-

icy because the modelled loss is below the attachment point or deductible, while the RSIC provides access to coverage during a policy year even after the maximum coverage limit is reached.

“This prevents the situation where the insurance cover is exhausted early in the policy year thus leaving a country exposed until the policy renewal date of June 1 the following year.”

CCRIF’s parametric insurance is one of the main ex-ante financing options utilised by governments and the Cayman-based company said that its tropical cyclone and earthquake pol-

icies for this hurricane season are based on a new risk model called SPHERA (System for Probabilistic Hazard Evaluation and Risk Assessment), which replaces the MPRES model, which had been the basis for these policies since 2011.

“SPHERA is a new stateof-the-art model, based on the latest scientific findings and the most updated hazard datasets.

The new model features new, up-to-date ground motion, wind and storm surge models; a larger and more detailed stochastic catalogue of events; a more detailed exposure database, including in-

frastructure and facilities; and new, updated vulnerability functions.”

In 2017, the CCRIF said that it had made pay-outs of more than US$100 million to 12 of its 17 member countries since its inception in 2007.

This year, the USbased National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted a “near normal” hurricane season, saying there is a likelihood of nine to 15 named storms, of which four to eight could become hurricanes, including two to four major hurricanes occurring in the Atlantic this year.

Cops probing suspected Ranks trained to care poisoning in Region 2 for companion animals

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Selena Thomas and Edward Richards

olice ranks have been deployed into the Wakapao Village, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the suspected poisoning of a family, where two members have already died.

D i v i s i o n a l Commander, Khali Pareshram told this newspaper that although no report was made to any of the police stations under his command, he has instructed that investigators

look into the situation.

“I sent in ranks this morning to visit the area.

This is after the Toshao of that village/area and myself had a discussion on the matter. Based on this, I sent my ranks in but I do not know how long they will take to do their work in there and when they will return exactly since they have to do an in-depth investigation into the circumstances,” the Commander explained.

Four family members are currently bat-

tling for their lives at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

So far, Selena Thomas, 38, and her 76-year-old father, Edward Richards have died as a result of the suspected poisoning.

The entire family fell ill after reportedly consuming cassava they reaped from their farm.

A postmortem examination performed on the first victim was inconclusive but samples were sent overseas for further testing.

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anks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Mounted Branch and the K-9 Section have been trained in caring for companion animals.

The lecture and training session was recently conducted by the Veterinary Embedded Health Engagement Team from the US Army, GPF said.

Captain Isavelida Goodearly, along with Captain Dr. Leiland Im (Veterinarian) and her assistant Veterinarian in training, Mc Kenna Frazier

demonstrated the usage of first aid kit, dressing a wound/injury and properly restraining the companion animal during operations.

According to the GPF, the ranks were sensitised about animal healthcare and deployment readiness during emergency operations where animals are injured during the execution of duties.

The experts from the US Army elaborated on precautionary measures to be taken when dealing with companion animals.

They explained the various

types of wounds/injuries and how to properly deal with same.

The GPF said the US team has pledged to continue working with the Force.

Meanwhile, in attendance were the Officer in charge of Mounted Branch, Deputy Superintendent Rudolph Banwari, his deputy Assistant Superintendent Rockwell Delph, several personnel from US Air Force Public Affairs Agency and over 40 ranks from the Canine and Mounted Branch.

Inspector General, Colonel Trevor Bowman earlier this week declared open the Junior Leaders Course 2019-02(JLC) and the Platoon Sergeants’ Course 2019-02 (PSC) , urging ranks to dedicate themselves to ensure the successful completion of their courses.

Both courses are currently undergoing the first aspect of training at the Colonel John Clarke Military School at Tacama, Guyana.

Twenty-two Sergeants are undergoing training on the PSC while 77 Lance Corporals are on the JLC.

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Guyana accredits first Kosovan ambassador

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Her Excellency Zana Rudi, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Guyana

resident David Granger has accepted the Letters of Credence from Her Excellency Zana Rudi, accrediting her as Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Guyana, at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Ambassador Rudi is the first Ambassador to Guyana from Kosovo. In his remarks, President Granger said though Guyana and Kosovo are separated by more than 8,000 kilometres, the two countries have enjoyed cordial relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties on June 13, 2013.

“Our relations are founded on the bases of mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, cooperation for mutual benefit, respect for treaties and international law and the maintenance of regional peace and security,” the President said.

The Head of State noted that Guyana and Kosovo share a common interest in the peaceful settlement of disputes and in ensuring respect for settled territorial and maritime boundaries.

“Guyana expresses its appreciation for Kosovo’s support for respect of our territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he added.

President Granger said too that Guyana, like Kosovo, is rich in bauxite reserves and therefore welcomes the opportunity for cooperation with Kosovo in the fields of mining and in the sustainable exploitation of natural resources.

“Guyana is moving towards the establishment of a ‘green state’. The ‘green state’ will place emphasis on the protection of our environment, the preservation of our biodiversity and the promotion of renewable energy and

practical measures to ensure climate adaptation,” he asserted.

Additionally, the President noted efforts being made by the Republic of Kosovo to increase access to finance for micro-, small and medium enterprises.

“We view this as a field in which our two states could exchange experiences as we strengthen our bilateral relations,” he said, while assuring the newly accredited Ambassador of the Government’s full support in the discharge of her duties.

M e a n w h i l e , Ambassador Rudi said Guyana is the first country in South America to have established diplomatic relations with Kosovo. In 2013, Guyana became the 99th country in the world to recognise Kosovo, she said, noting that the two countries have nurtured a very good relationship ever since.

Guyana and Kosovo, the Ambassador said, have been “working together in multi-lateral settings and maintaining close coordination in international affairs based on mutual trust, shared values and universal respect for freedom and liberty.”

The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador thanked Guyana for its support at the United Nations and at various regional and international fora over the years. She said it is her country’s intention to strengthen relations.

“Guyana becomes the first country in South America to promote diplomatic relations with Kosovo,” Ambassador Rudi said, noting that Kosovo is ready to work with the Government of Guyana to find creative ways to advance economic and political cooperation between the two countries as well as cooperation in education and cultural exchange in the future.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Use of ecstasy in Guyana’s school a “worrying situation” – CANU T

he Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) has commended the teachers and other administrators who report the use of illicit drugs, such as ecstasy, in schools, but, at the same time, urged them to also report the matter to the Education Ministry.

Deputy Head of CANU, Lesley Ramlall recently told media operatives that while his office was tasked with handling such matters, the mere fact that children were involved meant that the Education Ministry must be notified.

“We have seen a lot of schools reporting cases directly to us whenever they do encounter such challenges in school and we keep encouraging them to go through the Ministry of Education, because we are dealing with minors. And we don’t believe that we should run into a school just like that. So we are working through the Ministry of Education whenever an investigation has to be launched into a school,” he explained.

Ramlall further explained that the use of ecstasy in the

CANU’s Deputy Head, Lesley Ramlall

country’s school system still remains a major concern for his agency and it was a “very frightening situation”.

“We have seen from our investigations, when you look at the videos of some of our schoolchildren especially young girls – 13, 14, 15-yearold and their behaviours after consuming ecstasy, it is really, really worrying and frightening.”

According to Ramlall, in light of this situation and as part of efforts to curb and eventually eradicate the use of ecstasy among students, CANU has been working aggressively with other agencies, inclusive of the Education Ministry, to educate children in schools, their parents and teachers, on the dangers of the use of ecstasy.

“So, we have that pro-

gramme in our school system…Thus far, it has been effective, but we would like to see more, we would like to see much more being done in our school system and that is the educational aspect of it. So we need the (Education) Ministry to keep working with the various schools and having us on board,” he said.

Just last month, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had declared that officials within the school system were suspected to be culprits in the emerging issue of students using illegal drugs.

“We have to talk to some of these school officials too, because we believe that the culprits are within those schools.

It is very difficult to identify them, but we have some suspects,” he had told reporters at a press conference in May. At that time, Ramjattan explained that law enforcement officials have been successful in capturing some persons who were involved in the introduction and/or sale of ecstasy and other illegal substances in certain schools, but there may still be some who are employed in the school en-

vironments.

“I would not want to give you all the activities that we have done, but we believe that people inside of the school system might now be indulging and that is why we will still have [illegal substances in schools].

“And all we can do in relation to that is, of course, when we caught them, we will prosecute and so on. But we are asking those persons not to do those things, it is harming our society, it is harming our children, and we have to have some self-restraint in what you indulge in,” the Minister declared.

“It is endangering our next generation. And we don’t want them and these are bright kids and just for a couple dollars these officials might very well be doing it.”

In February of this year, a 20-year-old private school student was sentenced to three years in prison after he was found to have ecstasy in his possession.

Prior to this, CANU had disclosed that it discovered a drug ring in several city schools.

Trinidad: Religious leader shot five times in front of home is critical

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Santa Flora pundit who was shot five times in front of his home is in critical condition at the San Fernando General Hospital.

Anil Jaimungal, 37, of Oil Field Road was shot to his chest, head and back.

Medical sources said Jaimungal underwent emergency surgery and is in the intensive care unit.

Police said at about 11.45am on Tuesday Jaimungal was inside his home speaking with

his mother when he got a phone call.

His mother told police she heard her son giving directions to their home but he did not tell her who he was speaking with. Within a few minutes, a Nissan B14 pulled up in front of the house.

Reports are that a man dressed in black walked towards the house. When Jaimungal walked outside, the man pulled out a gun from a black knapsack and shot Jaimungal to his chest. When he fell

to the ground, the man stood over him and continued shooting before running out of the yard and driving away.

Neighbours told Newsday they heard the gunshots but thought it was fireworks. But when they heard Jaimungal’s mother’s screams they knew something was wrong.

Jaimungal was known in the area for his religious practices for years. Neighbours said people from different areas came to him

seeking religious advice and other services.

“It is really sad to hear what happened. No

one deserves this. I really hope he makes it alive and I hope police hold the man who did this to

him. It is so sad,” said one neighbour.

The neighbour, who did not want to be identified said, “Crime is affecting everyone.

Nowhere in this country are you safe again.”

Outside the house was an iron pot filled with water and a skullshaped bottle with several champagne glasses.

At the time when Newsday visited there was no one at home.

Sgt Sobie of the Santa Flora police station is investigating.

(Trinidad Newsday)

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

US authorities to begin deporting ‘millions’ of illegal immigrants

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resident Donald Trump said yesterday that U.S. authorities would begin next week removing millions of immigrants who are in the United States illegally, according to a Reuters report.

“Next week ICE will begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the United States,” Trump tweeted, referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

“They will be removed as fast as they come in,” he said. He did not offer specifics, Reuters reported.

According to Reuters, there are an estimated 12 million immigrants who are in the United States illegally, mainly from Mexico and

Central America.

Under a deal reached earlier this month, Mexico has agreed to take Central American immigrants seeking asylum in the United States until their cases are heard in U.S. courts.

The agreement, which included Mexico pledging to deploy National Guard troops to stop Central American immigrants from reaching the U.S. border, averted a Trump threat to hit Mexican imports with tariffs.

Meanwhile, it is also believed that there are thousands of Guyanese and other Caribbean nationals living illegally in the United States.

Among the illegals are persons who would have overstayed their non-immigrant visas.

In fact only a few weeks ago, Guyana

was red-flagged by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which revealed in its 2018 Entry/Exit Overstay Report that some 3,220 Guyanese overstayed in the US on non-immigrant visas, after arriving for busi-

ness or on vacation.

This, according to the report, occurred over the period of October 2017 to September 2018, during which time 66,416 Guyanese were supposed to depart from the US. These figures represent a 4.85 per

cent overstay rate and are an increase from the previous year, when 2,262 Guyanese also overstayed their time.

Of the latest numbers, the report states that 3,065 of these Guyanese are suspected to have been hiding in

the US during this period. It also states that 155 are out of country overstays, or persons who eventually left the country having already overstayed their time.

In addition, the US has found that 45 of this amount were Guyanese students studying in the US and exchange visitors who overstayed the time they were given. There were 339 persons in this category who were supposed to depart the country during the one-year period, an overstay rate of 13.27 per cent.

The report noted that “identifying the offending aliens who overstay their time is important for national security, public safety, immigration enforcement and immigration benefits” purposes.

ICD urges Guyanese leaders to demonstrate political maturity in moving forward

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he International Center for Democracy (ICD) in a statement on Thursday said that the rulings by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), on Tuesday, paves the way for the political parties in Guyana to work together and find common ground on the way forward. It urged that all stakeholders should therefore seize the opportunity by demonstrating political maturity and responsible behavior in finding solutions to the problems ahead.

“Like other stakeholders, the ICD urges the leaders in Guyana to seize the opportunity provided by the CCJ in this interim period to demonstrate responsible leadership. Now that the validity of the No-Confidence Motion has been accepted by all, since everyone insists they will honor the CCJ rulings, the Constitution must be supreme, as it would in any democracy worth its salt”, the ICD said.

Following is the full statement by the ICD The much-anticipated rulings of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on important Constitutional matters are now etched into the annals of the Court's records. The CCJ an-

swered all questions relating to the Constitution in a clear, unambiguous and unequivocal manner, leaving nothing for anyone to quibble about.

From their rulings, the CCJ has stated clearly the appointment of the GECOM Chair is one derived out of a consensual process and one that rejects arbitrariness. On the question of what constitutes a majority, the CCJ stuck to the traditional, centuries-old meaning and declared that 33 is the majority of 65. On the question of the validity of the NoConfidence Motion that

was passed in Parliament on December 21st, 2018, the CCJ declared it was validly passed. The CCJ agreed all 65 votes on that day were eligible votes. The CCJ agreed with litigants who questioned the right of dual citizens to be Members of Parliament, declaring that dual citizens are not eligible, but that those objections should have been registered within 28 days of the commencement of the Parliament.

The International Center for Democracy commends the CCJ for sticking to the letter and spirit of the Constitution

of Guyana, rejecting the request from some of the litigants to re-write the Constitution, by inserting words that do not appear in the relevant articles that were questioned. In so doing, the CCJ took the approach of the Chief Justice and rejected the approach of the two Appeals Court Judges in Guyana.

Having brought clarity and placed everyone on the same platform for a way forward, the CCJ has now took the position that the consequential orders for the way forward must be decided on through mature dialogue

between the President and the Leader of the Opposition, with consultations with other stakeholders. We commend the CCJ for giving the leaders in Guyana a chance to demonstrate political maturity and responsible behavior in working out the way forward.

Like other stakeholders, the ICD urges the leaders in Guyana to seize the opportunity provided by the CCJ in this interim period to demonstrate responsible leadership. Now that the validity of the No-Confidence Motion

has been accepted by all, since everyone insists they will honor the CCJ rulings, the Constitution must be supreme, as it would in any democracy worth its salt. The Constitution required a resignation of the Cabinet, a dissolution of parliament and an election within 90 days after the passage of the NCM. That date expired since March 21st, 2019.

The reasonable approach now is for all parties to work for elections within 90 days from now. In effect, the CCJ is granting a new start.

While we are cautiously optimistic the political leaders will resolve the timeline based on the CCJ rulings, we are encouraged further by the CCJ's indication they will meet again on June 24th to consider consequential orders, should the political leaders in Guyana fail to reach consensus on a way forward.

The democratic processes must be allowed to work and the CCJ has become an adjudicator and mediator to ensure democracy blossoms in Guyana.

We are hopeful that the combination of legal authority exercised by the CCJ and mature political dialogue with a commitment to uphold the constitution will ensure Guyana faithfully stays on the democratic course.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Mining company expects to create 250 jobs in Berbice T

he Metallica Mining Company has promised to create up to 250 jobs in Berbice when it starts to process bauxite at the old bauxite facility at Everton, East Bank Berbice.

The company, which trades in all complex non-ferrous metals with a focus on commercial recycling of most residues and by-products from mining, is now moving its operations to Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) and Everton, Berbice.

In December 2014, Caricom Cement Inc commissioned an G$11 billion cement plant at Everton with the aim of providing 500 metric tons annually. At the time, the plant reported that 250 persons were employed and that figure was expected to double.

Back then, the Chairman of the company, Dr Joshua Safeek said it would inject G$1 billion into the Berbice

economy annually.

In October 2017, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had promised that the cement company would employ 400 of the workers who were sent home from the closed Rose Hall Sugar Estate.

The cement factory

was using the broom and complex owned by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

On October 8, 2017 without warning, NICIL placed padlocks on the gate stopping anyone from entering the compound.

Now, the mining company says it wants to reopen the complex for bauxite processing. In fact, the company reported to the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association that it now owns the facility at Everton.

Addressing the Chamber at its 87th annual luncheon, Metallica Chief Operations Officer Andre Archer said they were hoping to produce cement, chemical, abrasive and proppant grades at Everton within the first five years of operation.

It is the hope of the mining company to create jobs both at Everton and Kwakwani.

The company aims to rehabilitate the Everton processing facility as well as the kiln/dryer equipment and the loading and offloading facilities.

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 23

Guyana featured on cover of int’l travel magazine G

uyana has scored the coveted spot on the cover of the June/July 2019 issue of the international Travel Agent Magazine, as the country continues to make leaps in the tourism sector, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported.

The cover of this edition of the magazine features the majestic Kaieteur Falls, the world’s largest single-drop waterfall. The edition features a special report on Guyana, by writer Adam Leposa, who tells of his “firsthand look at the intriguing, emerging destination of Guyana”.

Leposa acknowledged the work being done to improve the local tourism sector. He says, “Guyana, a relatively undiscovered country in South America bordered by Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname, has been making moves to promote itself as an ecotourism destination in the North American market.”

Leposa also pointed out that during their visit they “found a

country with a unique, diverse natural environment that included rainforest, savannah and a coastal city, as well as a destination serious about developing a sustainable tourism product”.

In response to this wonderful news, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) issued a release stating “we are proud to be featured in another prominent travel publication that highlights exactly what makes Guyana such a special destination to visit. To be the featured cover story further illustrates that Guyana has become the next hot destination in the global marketplace.”

The GTA noted that this particular piece describes one writer’s journey through Guyana – showcasing our nature, adventure and culture-based product offerings to travel agents across North America and beyond.

“This is just one of many examples of the earned media recognition that tourism in Guyana has received over the past year. The

multiplier effect results in raising awareness of what we have to offer and increases the credibility of our tourism offerings, which in turn drives demand and results in more visitors,” the release further noted.

Travel Agent Central is an independent news organisation with journalists possessing deep expertise in vacation travel and business travel, covering the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, North America and South America.

This new achievement comes on the heels of Guyana winning two recent accolades: Best Sustainable Tourism Award from the Latin America Travel Association (LATA) and the Best in Eco-Tourism destination in the world at the International Tourism Market – Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB), in Berlin, Germany.

Guyana was also declared one of the top 10 sustainable destinations by the Green Destination, the DPI reported.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Security Minister calls on persons to provide evidence of corruption against ranks

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egional authorities in Berbice who are in receipt of information that the Police had colluded with the three bandits who were killed in Black Bush Polder are being asked to come forward with the evidence.

This challenge was put forward by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who told Guyana Times International on Monday that, as is customary whenever a member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is implicated in wrongdoing, an investigation has to be conducted. He explained that upon receipt of reports that Police ranks have been feeding information to the now dead bandits, a probe was immediately launched.

“However, the investigation is still ongoing, but I want the

Regional Chairman, the Head of the Chamber of Commerce in Berbice, and all those other important persons responsible for running that region to contact me directly with the information they have, so that this matter can be dealt with accordingly.

We want to ensure that the investigation is accurately conducted, and (we want) to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible,” Minister Ramjattan said.

“Once I get the preliminary report, then I shall be in a better position to pronounce on this matter. Of course, when I am briefed about the investigation, I will be able to provide more information about this. It is a very serious matter,” he declared.

Ranks in Berbice have quite recently made some damning allega-

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

tions against their colleagues, one of whom is that of a detective rank had been closely connected with the criminal network that had terrorised and traumatised resi-

dents in East Berbice between April and May of this year.

According to a Police source, the detective rank in question is a lance corporal who had been sta-

tioned at the Rose Hall Town Police Outpost but was transferred to the New Amsterdam Police Station when the damning allegations surfaced.

He allegedly is still on active duty even as investigations continue.

This particular rank had allegedly been associated with the lately deceased criminal Kelvin ‘Kelly’ Shivgobin, who was recently shot and killed in the backlands of Black Bush Polder during a shootout with the Police.

It is further alleged that the relationship between this Policeman and the now dead bandit dates back to when Shivgobin had been arrested and charged for the murder of a businessman. Sources allege that this detective had been one of the ranks investigating that murder case, but the matter was dis-

missed in April 2018 and Shivgobin was set free after the magistrate had declared that there was not enough evidence to keep him in custody.

Some months after Shivgobin had been released, new evidence had surfaced to have him rearrested, but this had never happened.

This publication was also told by senior regional authorities that the alleged corrupt rank is “being shielded” by a high-ranking officer who is presently stationed outside of ‘B’ Division.

Additionally, there are reports that when the three bandits were shot and killed in Black Bush Polder recently, the cellphones that were found in their possession contained numbers of Police ranks in the call logs and the contact lists of the phones.

Berbice taxi driver found Corentyne man stabbed dead next to submerged car to death during brawl A

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The car in the canal

he lifeless body of a Corentyne taxi driver was on Monday pulled out of the Lesbeholden Canal, Black Bush Polder, Berbice.

The body of 39-year-old Lynsey Grant of Lot 52 Adventure Public Road, Corentyne was found next to his submerged car. The man had reportedly been missing since Sunday afternoon.

According to his wife, Natasa Rambarose, her husband was last seen at Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder about 18:00h on Sunday and was expected home less than an hour later, but did not show up.

“I became a little worried when 7 o’clock reach and I didn’t see him coming in. So, I went into Black Bush Polder Sunday night asking persons if they saw him and the persons told me that he turned back at Mibicuri,” she related.

On Monday, the woman returned to the area in search of the missing man during which she was told that her husband’s car was being pulled out of the Lesbeholden Canal.

The discovery of the body was made by a farmer who raised an alarm and drivers operating the Black Bush Polder route were able to identify their colleague’s body and informed Rambarose. Guyana Times International understands that the

Dead: Lynsey Grant

couple had been together for 14 years and have a 12-year-old daughter.

It is not clear how the car ended up in the canal, which is adjacent to the main access road.

Grant had been operating his taxi along the Berbice-Georgetown route, but had given that up to go into the construction field and to operate in the Black Bush Polder as a taxi driver.

However, over the past two months, Grant, who also plants cash crops, at his Adventure home, was not getting construction work and returned to driving a taxi full-time.

man who had been expecting his first child later this year was on Sunday evening stabbed to death during a brawl at a popular shop at Limlair, Corentyne Coast, East Berbice.

Dead is 25-year-old Patrick Nelson, also called “Boy,” of Lot 5 Second Street, Limlair, Corentyne, Berbice. Based on reports received, the young man was stabbed once to his chest, and he collapsed and died.

In a visit to the village on Monday, Guyana Times International was told that the late Patrick Nelson, with his brother and cousin, was at a shop on Sunday evening when the suspect entered, reportedly in an intoxicated state, to purchase an item but the shop owner refused to sell him.

This reportedly angered the suspect, and he started to misbehave. Nelson’s cousin reportedly upbraided the suspect and an argument erupted between them.

Nelson, who was also under the influence of alcohol, intervened in that argument, but was seen leaving when the suspect whipped out a knife and dealt him one blow to the chest.

The dead man’s mother, Nithem Camala Surijmohan, told Guyana Times International that she had last spoken with her deceased son at about 20:00h on Sunday, before he left to go out on the road. She recalled receiving a telephone call from another son at about 23:00h, informing her that Nelson had been stabbed to death.

She said that, without hesitation, she rushed to the scene, only to see her son lying in a heap of sand covered in blood. She is of the opinion that her son might have survived if the Police had taken him to the hospital. She explained that when the Police arrived on scene, they instructed that no one should touch her son.

The late Patrick Nelson had been

Dead: Patrick Nelson

expecting his first child later this year.

His wife, Narimon Sattar, is still in disbelief.

“I went to the mortuary and saw my husband, and I still didn’t believe that he (was) dead, because my husband and nobody don’t get problem. My husband is a very quiet person; he don’t pick problems with people. You really got to do him something, and even then he does ignore you. He always wanted a child, and this is his first child and he wouldn’t see it. I don’t believe I lost my husband; he was my life partner, my friend, my company and everything.

We work together and a walk together,” the grieving wife declared.

The late Patrick Nelson leaves to mourn his six siblings, along with his mother and wife.

The suspect, who lives two Villages away at Hogstye, has since been arrested and is expected to be charged with the heinous crime.

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By Mohanlall Suelall

F

or the world, the quality of a father can be judged by the goals he sets and by how much he accomplishes.

But for a child, a father is the man that protects him or her even when they do not need that protection. A father is a man who holds down the proverbial fort and is stern yet the most tender man.

One man who embodies those qualities is Rajendra Persaud as he not only provides but he cares for his family in every possible way. Popularly known as “Uncle Fur”, Rajendra is a man with a very tender heart and a soft touch.

Coming from humble beginnings, he knows the value of hard work. He is the fourth of 11 children and knows as well the value of having a stable household and has been trying to provide that for his family ever since.

During his formative years, Rajendra attended Anna Regina Primary, now CV Nunes Primary,

and then the Anna Regina Community High, which is now called Cotton Field Secondary School.

However, like many of the people his age, Rajendra was forced to drop out of school and take up work to contribute to the family.

He was employed as a contracted worker at the Guyana Rice Board (GRB) in Anna Regina, where he served for three years, then moved on to the Guyana Electricity Corporation (GEC), now the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) where he was contracted to distribute “light bills” along the Essequibo Coast.

During his stint as a bill distributor, Rajendra would walk house to house along the 36 miles long Essequibo Coast to ensure that he performed his job effectively. He believes that with determination, honesty and integrity, all things are possible and those traits allowed him to execute his functions.

Additionally, his time as a bill distributor allowed him to meet, interact, and

make friends with people across the Essequibo Coast.

After serving GEC for three and a half years; in 1983, the system changed and GEC started to use the service of the Guyana Post Office Corporation and he was left without a job for over a year during which time he assisted his parents in the rice fields.

He later saw a vacancy for a labourer at GEC in Anna Regina and applied. His application was successful and he was once again employed, but this time as a labourer with the Transmission and Distribution Department.

Rajendra said that with determination, dedication and hard work, you can achieve your goals.

He stood his ground during hard and difficult times and worked rain or sun, night and day, obeyed all instructions, abided by all rules and regulations, and, most of all, was honest and served with pride which earned him today the title of Line

Superintendent.

In 1986, while he was just 23 years old, Rajendra got married to Sarojanee and they had two children.

When asked about being a father, he said that the feeling by itself is an indescribable one.

He tries to be the role model of his children and have them tread a path that will be fulfilling to them.

This father – a tower of strength to his family, friends and loved ones – is always there, side by side with his wife to prepare meals for the family and takes the kids to school before going to work on a daily basis. On weekends, he will help with the chores at home, so his family can have some time for themselves.

However, just last year, he lost his wife which shattered the family, but being the strong person he is, Rajendra picked himself up and further cemented himself as the rock for the family.

“Fathers should be the gatekeepers of their family

and must be strong enough to hold the family unit together, especially when the tide is rough and the ship is being tossed about.

Fathers should take hold of the steering wheel and guide the ship to safety.

A father is a special person sent by God to be a role model for his children and all other children whom he might have met during his lifetime,” he said.

Rajendra encourages all fathers, young and old, to be responsible and live by example, to take up their responsibilities as fathers and help to mould their children so we can have a closer family unit.

Presently, Rajendra is giving his spare time to educating children in the path of Dharma and is enjoying visiting mandirs along the Essequibo Coast and sharing his fatherly love to all.

He said that it was not too late for those fathers who neglected their children, or for those children who neglected their fathers to repair that broken relationship.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Judgement Day!!

O

…for the PNC

ld people say, “Moon a run ‘till day ketch am”!

And even though the PNC ain’t no moon, a very wise man once moved the sentiment into the realm of human action: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice”.

And justice was delivered to the PPP by the full panel of the CCJ yesterday in the matter of the blatant traducing of the Constitution by the Granger-led PNC in their desperate bid to hold on to power at all costs. The Justices unanimously ruled against every contention of the PNC in the cases they brought to stymie the NCM and also in Granger’s unilateral appointment of James Patterson as GECOM Chair!!

Now, no one had seriously thought the CCJ would go along with the cockamamie idea that 33 isn’t the majority of 65, did they?? That was just a “Hail Mary” thrown to the PNC, who grabbed on to it for dear life; which literally it was. It bought them time, since, after the Chief Justice — in a masterful interpretation of the Constitution, which was upheld by the CCJ — had rightfully thrown the PNC pleaders out on their ears, the PNC must’ve known they had the Appellate Court in the bag.

The acting Chancellor and her colleague on that Court really committed legal hara kiri when they made what was clearly a political decision to ingratiate themselves with the political directorate.

JOF Haynes must be spinning in his grave!! The CCJ bench, on the other hand, knew their decisions would redound and rebound in courts across the Commonwealth, and they had no desire to be torn apart legally, time and again!!

Unlike the Caribbean politicians in CariCom, who’d turned a blind eye to Burnham’s excesses, the CCJ held the line against the comity of skin, and upheld the rule of law.

The CCJ gave the PNC another chance to redeem themselves and start acting like civilised citizens who’ll uphold both the letter AND the spirit of the law. They advised that the Government and Opposition lawyers huddle and reach consensus on the consequential orders arising out of the rulings; notably, agreement on the status of the Government and Cabinet; on a new GECOM Chair, since the incumbent was illegally appointed; and on a new timeline for elections.

But Granger’s already signalled his rejection of democratic norms, even though he claims to have accepted the verdict. In a pugnacious address to the nation immediately following the ruling, he announced flatly there will be elections only AFTER house-to-house registration! Never mind that if there’s no agreement between the two teams, the CCJ can set a date.

That is the old PNC bullyism on show!

…and the PNC’s true colours exposed

After the PNC’s rude awakening at the last LGE, their Chairperson, Volda Lawrence, spoke to a PNC regional meeting about their elections strategy: “We don’t have to wait no three years, comrades; there are mechanisms for us to go back to the polls.

You see this long, long story, me ain’t able buse and cuss and waste me time; I lash you in you head and done the story. Done the story. Sometimes we like to yap, yap, yap, yap too much.”

Well, Volda was at it again with the CCJ Ruling.

She posted this pithy instruction to the PNC fateful on her Facebook page: “As Comrades of the PNCR, I ask that you give life to that line of our Party’s Battle song which reads, “Hold the Line of battle Comrade, link our arms in UNITY, Organise and charge the forces of our haughty enemies. Trust shall be our Marshall Weapon Brotherhood our Armour Plate.” Lawrence knows exactly what she’s doing.

This is Burnham’s coded call for violence against the “PPP enemy”

…on AFC

In Medieval times, the Scholastics in the Church debated extensively on such earth-shattering questions as “how many angels could dance on the head of a pin?”

Sorta like the AFC arguing that the Cummingsburg Accord’s still valid!

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FEATURE 33

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F

athers for many young women have had a massive influence on their lives and are great role models when it comes to shaping their opinions on issues of religion, justice, morality, education, and for many, their sense of humour.

Father-child relationships, in all communities and at all stages of a child’s life, have a profound and wide-ranging impact that last a lifetime, whether those relationships are positive, negative, or indifferent.

Men’s participation as fathers and as caregivers also matters tremendously in women’s lives.

And, it positively affects the lives of men themselves.

For this reason, it is evident first-hand that fathers can play a critical role in women’s empowerment. This is not just because most men want to see their daughters grow up in a world that offers the same opportunities to them as to their sons, it is also because fathers with more gender-equitable attitudes are more likely to pass on those values to their children, their family, and their community.

Last week, a report was launched at the Women Deliver Conference in Vancouver, Canada, entitled “State of the World’s Fathers”. The report was produced by MenCare, a global campaign to promote men’s and boys’ involvement as equitable, non-violent caregivers. 50 minutes a day. That’s the amount of additional time men would need to contribute every day to caring for children and households to make a leap toward achieving gender equality in unpaid care. The report, the third of its kind, was released just in time for Father’s Day 2019.

New research across seven countries (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Netherlands, the UK, and the US) finds that 85 per cent of fathers say that they would be willing to do anything to be very involved in the early weeks and months of caring for their newborn or adopted child. So, what’s holding them back?

The report identifies three major barriers: (1) the lack of adequate, paid paternity leave, and low take-up of leave when it is available; (2) restrictive gender norms that position care as women’s responsibility, alongside the perception of women as more competent

caregivers than men; and (3) a lack of economic security and government support for all parents and caregivers.

The “State of the World’s Fathers” reveals that no country in the world has achieved equality in unpaid care work – or pay equality – between men and women. The progress is incredibly slow. Analysis of time use data finds that if men took on at least 50 minutes more care per day (and women did 50 minutes less), the scale would tip toward equality.

“We must accelerate national commitments to support all children, parents, and families to thrive, and to achieve men’s uptake of half of the daily care of children and of our homes.

Full stop,” Promundo President & CEO Gary Barker said.

He noted, “Anything less continues to perpetuate the inequalities that women and girls face every day.”

At the conference, Unilever's Dove Men+Care and Promundo also launched a global Paternity Leave Corporate Task Force – a member-led and owned alliance that aims to identify, promote, accelerate and bring to scale commercially and societally sustainable solutions that will result in improved access and uptake of paternity leave for all men. The global report calls for countries, employers, and civil society to commit to accelerate action and support men’s increased participation in unpaid care work.

The report was launched alongside the MenCare Commitment, aimed at facilitating an enabling environment where men take on 50 per cent of the unpaid care work by 2030. It also supports fathers to put their intentions to care into action by – at a minimum – taking on an additional 50 minutes a day.

The report also highlighted that research increasingly confirms that fathers’ involvement affects children in much the same ways that mothers’ involvement does. It added that fathers’ involvement has been linked to higher cognitive development and school achievement, better mental health for boys and girls, and lower rates of delinquency in sons. Studies in multiple countries have shown that fathers’ interaction is important for the development of empathy and social skills in sons and daughters.

Based on the research con-

ducted, the report recommended that to achieve full gender equality and maximum wellbeing for children, countries must move beyond rigid, limiting definitions of fatherhood and motherhood and move toward what children need most to thrive. This is not merely a question of encouraging men to be nurturing and caring.

This is an issue of social and economic justice.

It pointed out that changes are needed in policies, in systems and institutions, among service providers, within programming, and within data collection and analysis efforts.

The report provides specific recommendations for change at each of these levels. These include creating national and international action plans to promote involved, non-violent fatherhood, and men’s and

boys’ equal sharing of unpaid care work.

Action plans on fatherhood and caregiving, it stated, should span multiple areas, including gender equality; children’s rights; health, education, and economic development; violence prevention and

response and labour rights.

Actions must be matched with clear indicators and budgets in order to measure progress and make visible the need for men and boys to do a fair share of the care work, it added.

The report recommends that world leaders/Governments institute and implement equal, paid, and non-transferrable parental leave policies in both Public and Private Sectors, as well as other policies that allow women’s equal participation in the labour force and men’s equal participation in unpaid care work.

Engaging men in caregiving, it noted, is about helping men to have the deep, meaningful connections to others that are at the root of well-being and happiness – but even more than that, it is about enabling men’s, women’s, and children’s full potential.

It is also about achieving full equality for women and girls. The “State of the World’s Fathers 2015” argues that it is time to shift both the perception and the reality of the role that men can play in nurturing, and to bring in the social measures and economic, social, and political support that are necessary to make this transformation possible. (Photos provided

by State of the World’s Fathers report)

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Berbice Race Course, New Amsterdam, Berbice, British Guiana n.d.

East Street, Georgetown, British Guiana n.d.

Estate Manager's House, British Guiana n.d.

European quarters, Demerara Bauxite Co., British Guiana n.d.

Main St Georgetown looking north 1886

New Amsterdam, British Guiana n.d.

Private residence in New Amsterdam Berbice, circa early 1900s

Stabroek Market 1923

FEATURE 35

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Utamu Belle

H

e’s well-known around the Linden community as Nurse Allen, host of the popular local radio programme “Healthy Living with Nurse Allen” on 104.3 Power FM. The vibrant 36-yearold Colwyn Allen, though a Registered Nurse by profession, is also a Quality Assurance Officer attached to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), who also oversees the Upper Demerara and Kwakwani Hospitals.

He is also the founder of Linden’s Healthy Living Health Club.

Though he wears many different hats in the community, Allen takes pride mostly in being a husband and the father of three beautiful girls, ages 11, 7 and 2, a role he says he takes quite seriously despite his busy schedule.

The Sunday Times Magazine recently sat down with Allen to get a glimpse into his life as a professional father on the go and to learn more about how he skilfully manages to be there for his family all at the same time.

“I’m the person like a spare wheel for a car; I function in almost all facets in life because I try my best to leave a legacy for my children. I always believed that children should – yes we know that they should try and acquire things for themselves but one of my philosophies is that parents should leave an inheritance for their children. We live in a world where we often see children are left to fend for themselves,” Allen told this publication.

Reminiscing on his time growing up, Allen said he was privileged to grow with both parents in a Christian home, along with his siblings, which he explained is a family structure which he has always wanted for himself.

“Not… that a single parent, him or her, won’t bring forth good children, but I think it’s more difficult for a single parent ... but growing up in a

family whereby mommy and daddy is around in a Christian home, we learned to be respectful, obedient, loyal and my parents were very strict when it comes to bullying. So that is something we could not have been a part of ... I try to inculcate these same attributes to my girls, because I want them to be good products of society. You know the

saying that ‘you make children, but you don’t make their minds?’ But my thing is, I want to play a part as a father,” he noted.

Taking the girls out to see and learn about different places, Allen noted, is one of the things he enjoys, as he added that he does not wait for school tours for them to be educated and informed about important places.

As a busy working father, he noted that

recreational family time is very important.

Showering them with love and appreciation, he noted, is also important.

“I kiss them every day, we hug ... when you do that I think it’s a lot of positive energy

mer teacher, pointed out that he assists with Social Studies and Science while his wife assists with English Language and Mathematics. He said being a father is more than “just bringing in the money, but being

there to support your family in every way”.

“I’m the one in the home who does all the ironing. I try to let my children see that if you’re going to have a home – a family, look for these attributes.

A man should know to cook, clean, help out with washing wares and stuff like that. A man should not leave these roles for a mom alone, because women of today they have to work even and straight. And when they come home from work – the sink full of dishes? No, I try not to be a product of that,” he said.

Though he admits that he’s not the

that even if they have to pay support though the court or post office, just send the money ...

Be there and make the provision for your children,” he advised.

Allen also admits that there were real life challenges. Given the fact that his wife is also a nurse, he said both have to manage when they get home from work. He also pointed out that it was very challenging when his first daughter was born, as he had opted to help out by babysitting.

“It was very challenging, because when the three months was up, my wife had to return to work...It was like, ‘boy, what going on here?’,” he joked. “Baby crying and all these things...but over time it got better and we learned to adjust ourselves,” he added.

Allen’s advice to fathers is to be an inspiration for their children

perfect father, Allen said he tries in his doings, to teach his girls the true meaning of a father. He also advises fathers out there to do the same.

“Even if you and the mother get problems ... you might go separate ways; my encouragement to fathers is that they should take up their responsibility and ensure

to follow and to leave a positive legacy for the generations to follow.

“I would like to say to fathers, let us be a positive change. Let our children look up to us; let us remove all the stigma and the discrimination and the words spoken that we are ‘good for nothing’. Let us stand up as men, take our rightful place, be with our families and ensure that we are there to ensure that our children become parents and that we nurture our grandchildren,” he noted.

you give out ... all these things are morals and values you instil in children, so I try my best to be that father, that husband to my wife and children,” he explained.

When it comes to school work the parental responsibilities are shared, as Allen, who is also a for-

36 FEATURE

By Leah Hernandez

M

illions of children worldwide are fortunate enough to have a father figure in their lives, while others can only dream of having that man we call a “father”. This contrast often times leads most of us to ask: “what is a father?” and “who is a good father?”.

The simplest definition of the word father is “An important male figure in the origin and early history of something”, but, most importantly, being a good father means being an endless role model and making all the difference in a child’s life, as you are a pillar of strength, support, and discipline.”

To celebrate and recognise the contributions fathers and father figures make to the lives of their children, the third

Sunday in June of each year is, therefore, set aside as the time to celebrate Father’s Day. With great enthusiasm and anticipation surrounding this day, I was fortunate to interact with one father who had his goal set on being a “good father”.

Ignatius Hernandez like some of us presently was not raised by a father who was a perfect example of the title given, but rather one who was an alcoholic and gave less attention to the welfare of his family. This father of four related to me that, as a child growing up, he vowed never to be like the man whom he saw most of his life, but somewhere along his life’s journey it happened.

“When I used to see him drunk, I used to say in my mind I would never drink or be like him.

As I grew, I did not want

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

to follow his example, his role as a father was not really one to take example from, he did not have that impact or positive influence on me… [but I] started drinking when I was 18, It was my own choice, then I became addicted to it,” a thoughtful Hernandez related.

According to my 57-year-old father, even though he walked in the shoes of his father for some time, the thought of him being a potential father and having a family of his own motivated him to desire a change, as often times he would reflect on the words “I would never drink or be like him”, while he further credited the desire for change to Christianity.

“I knew it was wrong and I desired a change, but because of the habits and cravings for it, it was there and I couldn’t stay without it, but I wanted to be a better father from the one I grew up with.”

In the midst of our interesting conversation, I asked my father what are his thoughts about playing the role of father figure in a child’s life, and in the most appealing voice, he responded, “If you

want to be a better father, you have to be an example, having an impact on your family, because you cannot lead without being that example … the role of a father is being a security, it’s a breadwinner, a foundation to the family, an example where the whole family looks up to you and you are honoured and respected.”

After this, I went on to ask him how he personally felt about being a father to us (his four children), and again, but this time in a more eager voice, he responded in the briefest way possible, saying it is a blessing to be a father.

“Being a father isn’t something I would say is easy, but I’m happy to be a father, because besides the responsibility and being tough, it’s still a blessing. I can stand up and joyfully declare I

have fulfilled my responsibilities as a father,” he said.

Finally realising that our conversation would soon be over, I quickly implored him for some advice that he would want to share with present and potential fathers on how to be a good dad.

This is what he carefully uttered to me: “To those fathers, be a foundation, bear your weight which means take responsibility, be interested in the welfare of your children … if all fathers take their stand, this world would be strong, a better community, a better country, we will have better children and strong families.”

My father concluded his answer with a famous quote which states: “Anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a daddy”- Anonymous.

FEATURE 37

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Single father starts campaign against domestic violence By: Davina Ramdass

A

t a time when domestic violence, particularly violence against women, is becoming an epidemic in Guyana with very few strides made in curbing the issue, one man is doing his part by sparking conversations about domestic violence.

Randy Shepherd, a single father of one, has always been very passionately against violence against women. This passion led him to start a campaign dubbed “Men Against Domestic Violence’, which is

plained.

He detailed how he recently placed a logo at the back of his car which advocates against domestic violence which has been attracting a lot of attention. This is one of the few things which motivated him to start the advocacy group.

His message to men is, “This is not right. This is totally not right. It doesn’t matter whatever she may have done or whatever. It’s not right. Children are left hollering for their mothers and it’s painful to watch and lis-

was more passionate about the issue given that he has a mother, sisters, nieces, and other close female relatives who he would never like to see being hurt by a male.

In addition, he said that for too long he has been sitting back watching women being killed at the hands of people, specifically, men who they trust and could no longer just

Randy Shepherd and his son

was giving his son a bath and he asked about his (Shepherd’s) father. He told his baby boy that his father had left him and then the little boy then looked him straight in the eyes and asked, “Daddy, will you leave me?”

As he brushed away his tears, Shepherd said he assured his little one that he would never leave him.

In achieving his goal of lowering the cases of domestic violence, Shepherd noted that for now, himself and a team of a few others have been distributing sensitisation fliers to be pasted in vehicles to help spread the message.

This is usually done during the week at the Square of

Shepherd at a recent outreach held in Berbice

seeking to reduce the number of women being brutally abused and even murdered by their spouses through sensitisation.

Shepherd told of how he has always been passionate about effecting a positive change in the country, especially at a time like this when women are being murdered so frequently at the hands of their lovers. The Ogle, East Coast Demerara businessman has been pushing his finances in educating Guyanese about the impact of domestic violence.

“It’s something that is so painful every time you pick up a paper, you’re watching the news, you pick up the phone on social media, you’re just seeing somebody mother, somebody daughter being killed and at the end of the day after this, the man goes to jail or he takes his own life and the kids are left to suffer, so my thing is, as a Guyanese first, I want to do as much as I can, as little as it might seem, to get the message out there,” he ex-

The designs on his car which motivated him further to launch his campaign

ten to.”

The activist said he was aware that his efforts may very well not be enough to completely stop this type of hurtful occurrence, but he intends to reduce the number of persons being abused to the most minimum figure possible.

As part of the campaign, he noted that plans were in place to reach out to the Government to ensure that it understood stronger laws were needed to protect the women of Guyana.

Furthermore, he believes that more laws should be implemented to help abused women. “We need to stop sitting and waiting for the Government to do everything.

We put them there and we need to get them to do what we want them to do,” he added.

Shepherd said that growing up, he had always been a n advocate. In fact, he said he

rely on the Government for their protection.

“I have been hurt. Women did things to me. There are times that I stood over them and I heard voices saying ‘finish it’, but then I think back and ask myself what is there to gain from doing this. I’d leave somebody without a mother, somebody without a daughter and your life also would be taken away from you, because is either you end up in prison or you go and do something stupid,” he noted.

Speaking to the fundamental need for a father in one’s life, Shepherd s a i d t h a t once he

the Revolution from 12:00h to 13:00h.

As funding becomes available, he intends to spread the message across the 10 Administrative Regions in the best way possible. Already, the single father has been able to spread awareness on domestic violence in Berbice.

The most recent statistics of domestic violence show that more women are being abused daily by their lovers. In fact, gender-based violence in Guyana has risen by 14.2 per cent over the past six years.

This was shared by First Lady Sandra Granger at an event hosted last year. “It seems to be not a single day passes without there being a report of someone being raped, brutalised or murdered, usually by an intimate or previous intimate partner,” she stated.

According to the First Lady, reported incidents of domestic violence by an intimate or previous intimate partner rose from 74.8 per cent in 2011 to 89 per cent in 2017, with females accounting for upward of 80 per cent of the victims.

It was noted that threequarters of these gender-based violence cases stem mostly from Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

38 feature

By Jemima Holmes

S

tories are often told of young students who become so attached to their female teachers that once in a blue moon instead of saying ‘Teacher…’ or ‘Miss...’ the word ‘mommy’ comes out. These instances are often a testament to how close teacher and student can be.

What most people don’t realise is that the same goes for male teachers or in the world of sport, coaches.

Whenever we sit down to catch a game of cricket or football or even indulge in a riveting game of chess, what we see are players who have done tedious work to perfect their craft.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, there are coaches who have worked equally hard to ensure that their players are at competition standard.

The long practice hours that are put in by player and coach can bear the fruit of a champion, but the amount of time spent together can also pave the way for a bond akin to that of father and child.

For one Chess Coach, he was introduced into the world of dealing with children long before he had any biological children of his own. Over the years, the knowledge he acquired has given him a head start on fatherhood.

Although he may not be the perfect father, this Coach has been blazing a trail at home and in the world of chess.

Whenever you see Guyana’s top FIDE Chess Coach, Wendell Meusa, you most likely are greeted with a smile and some plan on how

he can attract more young players to the sport.

Always equipped with a set or two of chess pieces, Meusa has made it his duty to introduce the next generation of players to the game. What others may see is just an instructor, but to students, they see a father- figure and role model, in whose shoes they would like to walk someday.

While coaching came naturally to Meusa after being in the forefront of chess for years, fatherhood greeted him with mixed emotions and uncertainty of what to expect.

In 2011, Meusa experienced the greatest hurt a parent could feel, losing a seven- monthold son. For this reason, when his first daughter entered the world on February 20, 2016, his joy was marred by uncertainty.

But as her life unfolded, and as she was joined by a brother in January 22, 2017, Wendell felt for the first time what many describe as ‘the greatest love’. ”Being a father means the world to me. I have two intelligent bundles of joy and I pray every day that God guides me to become the ideal father for them,” a smiling Meusa said about his parenting journey thus far.

Fatherhood, however, does not come without sacrifices and having to put others’ needs before yours. This is a lesson that Meusa has learnt over his years of being a father and has grown comfortable with the idea of selflessness.

“The most important of all the lessons

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Wendell Meusa engages with teachers as he introduces them to the game of chess

I’ve learnt through fatherhood is how disciplined and hardworking a man has to be in order to meet the needs and wants of his family,” Meusa explained.

Similarly to being there and assisting when his own children take their first steps, Meusa is the one who urges on young players to take their first plunge into chess.

“I enjoy teaching beginners the history of chess, the difference with chess when compared to physical sports and I have a story I made up when teaching children about chess pieces,” Meusa shared about his introductory chess lessons.

His ascension to Barbados Junior Chess Champion (2003 and 2005) was among his

first major achievements in chess. Thereafter, the trailblazer went on to cop nine Senior Chess Championships, eight of which came consecutively from 2011- 2018.

Wendell later attained the titles National Chess Coach and Team Manager for his work with the Guyana National Chess team in 2014 and 2016.

Currently, the Chess Coach has over 126 students in Georgetown alone, most of whom are part of the Wendell Meusa Chess Foundation (WMCF).

His sessions are often times upbeat and filled with clever questions from the young, inquisitive bunch.

“I have been coaching from 2005 with Barbadian FIDE International Master

A few of Wendell’s students during preparation for the CARIFTA Chess Championships 2019

(IM) Terry Farley for the Barbados Primary & Secondary School Association. I have lost count of how many children I have coached, but I can say in Guyana alone I would estimate over 500 children,” Meusa stated, reflecting on his years of work.

Of course, the work he puts in comes with its rewards. Highlighting his work with Bajan IM Orlando Husbands and FM Yu Tien Poon in the earlier years of their chess career and even work with Cecil Cox, Ron Motilall, Su Hai Feng and Anthony Drayton as some of his best moments, Meusa cites Guyana’s debut at the Chess Olympiad as one of his most memorable moments.

“Working with the Olympiad Team in

Norway 2014 as Coach was to me my biggest accomplish because the team did well on our first time in strange waters,” he explained.

As a father, Meusa is all too familiar with what parents expect of their children. As such, he makes it his duty to remind the students under his care that it is important to respect the sacrifices made by their parents.

“I always tell my students to respect the sacrifices of their parents and work hard to make them proud,” he said.

When it comes to favourites, Meusa said he doesn’t have any at home nor in the classroom. Citing that it is important to love and give equal amounts of attention to his children, biological or not, he declared: “I don’t have any favourites; I love both of my children unconditionally. I do my best to show them both in any way possible.”

While seeing students/players succeed is something that any coach hopes for, Meusa gets his rewards when his students find new ways to excel at their sport, which is a must for the game of chess.

“It is always a great feeling to see one of my students excel, but my greatest feeling comes mostly from our training sessions discovering new ideas, strategies and having jokes/laughter,” Meusa said.

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana footballer jailed for 2018 shooting of cop

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JAILED: Jobe Caesar

ineteen-yearold Jobe Caesar, who is no stranger to the court, was on Friday given a six-month prison sentence by Senior Magistrate Dylon Bess on a wounding charge committed on a police officer in 2018.

The teen was charged for wounding Kerry Joseph on September 3, 2018, at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Magistrate Bess, during his ruling on Friday, informed the court that evidence obtained during the Preliminary Inquiry is sufficient to convict Caesar of the charge. Thus, the footballer of Albouystown,

Georgetown, will spend the next six months behind bars.

Caesar is also before the court on charges committed earlier this year, which includes robbing and damaging his ex-girlfriend’s motorcar after their alleged abusive relationship ended.

According to facts previously presented, Kerry Joseph also shared a relationship with Caesar’s ex-girlfriend and on the day in question, Joseph visited the home of the said woman where she was attacked by the suspect.

A report was subsequently made and Caesar was arrested for the offence.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Transparency body calls for investigation into SPU sale of towers I n light of reports that the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) sold and may have undervalued two transmission towers belonging to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), T r a n s p a r e n c y International Guyana Incorporated (TIGI) is calling for answers.

TIGI President, Dr Troy Thomas noted that NICIL’s Special Purpose Unit (SPU) – which was created to oversee the divestment of GuySuCo’s assets after the industry was downsized to only three estates – must provide answers on the sale, which sources at GuySuCo allege netted a sub-par price of just G$2.1 million.

“They must answer questions about how that (transaction) was done and whether the laws were followed. And if the laws were not followed, then that would come under SARA (State Assets Recovery Agency) at this point, although there can be other agencies. But we definitely need to make sure that things were done properly and if they were

not done properly, then those responsible must be held accountable,” he posited.

Persons have opined that the towers should have fetched no less than G$10 million. In fact, Dr Thomas reminded that when Government assets are being disposed of, there should be open tendering to ensure the State receives the best price for its property. He noted that assets could easily be undervalued and the State would lose money when procurement laws were not followed.

“There should be an official evaluation of it, because I think that G$10 million is somewhat anecdotal in the sense that people say I know it should be this.

But we need a proper evaluation. And I would say if it was sold below the market value, then it’s a matter for SARA to look into, being the State Assets Recovery Agency,” the Head of the local transparency watchdog stressed.

Dr Thomas went on to add, “If State assets (were disposed of) in a manner that does not return the maximum value, then it’s something that SARA should take up and see whether something was done inappropriately and whether there are grounds for applying legal sanctions.”

Officials from GuySuCo were recently quoted in sections of the media question-

ing the sale by NICIL of two of its transmission towers to Bobby Vieira’s Multicultural Communications Inc for a mere G$2.1 million.

One of the towers, reports suggest, has since been leased to another company. Another concern was that the assets were not even vested to NICIL. It is understood that the officials had written a letter about the matter to Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, in which they had noted that “we recently saw a draft Agreement of sale whereby Mr (Colvin) Heath-London, through NICIL is in the process of, or perhaps have sold GuySuCo’s Transmission Tower located at Drill,

Essequibo family ‘ripped apart’

…as another son killed in motorcycle crash

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The concrete bridge into which Sankar crashed before ending up in the drain

amily members of 20-year-old Kishan Sankar, called “Dadoo,” of Lot 320 Richmond Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast were on Saturday night thrown into mourning after he was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle, CJ 2467, around 21:20h, and it crashed into a culvert in the scheme where he had been living.

Reports indicate that Sankar had been speeding along the eastern side of School Street when he lost control of the bike, which reportedly fell onto the roadway and skidded into the concrete rails of a bridge that is in front of the Richmond Nursery School before ending up into a

Victim: Kishan Sankar, called “Dadoo”

nearby drain, all the time dragging Sankar along.

Residents in the area said

they heard the loud impact of the crash and rushed to the scene, where they found the cyclist pinned under the bike in a nearby drain. They quickly removed the cycle from on top of the badly injured and unconscious man before pulling his body from the drain and rushing him to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

This newspaper was told that the young man appeared to have suffered head injuries, especially since he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

Sankar’s grieving grandmother told this publication that he had left home to drop a friend to the Richmond Public Road, and was reportedly returning home when the accident occurred.

She said Sankar’s death has come at a time when the family is still mourning the death of his younger brother, Vejay — a 17-year-old who had suddenly fallen ill and died on September 10, 2017.

“The family is still in mourning; and now, with this other blow, the family is ripped apart…

My only hope is for God to take care of the only son left in the family,” the woman cried.

The late Kishan Sankar, called Dadoo, leaves to mourn his parents, brother, grandparents and other relatives and friends.

Mahaicony to a company named Multicultural Communications Inc….

Again, that property was not vested to NICIL and would be another unlawful act by NICIL.” Repeated attempts by this publication to make contact with SPU Head Heath-London, whose agency has responsibility for divesting GuySuCo of its assets, were futile.

Since the story broke, Vieira, who has had ties to the coalition Government and served as the assistant events coordinator for President David Granger’s inauguration in 2015, has been directing questions to the relevant authorities.

Tension

This sale is the lat-

est cause of friction between NICIL and GuySuCo. While NICIL has claimed GuySuCo has not been forthcoming with information for the divestment, the Sugar Corporation has denied this and countered with records of submitted information. In fact, GuySuCo has expressed concerns that NICIL is less than transparent about the process.

The company criticised NICIL for the current arrangement that sees the agency pocketing proceeds from the assets it does divest.

GuySuCo claims that it should be the other way around, so that the Corporation could fund its own strategic plan.

Linden schoolgirl died from blunt trauma to head – autopsy

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n autopsy performed on the body of 10-yearold June Alexander, who succumbed following a fall at her school proved that she died as a result of blunt trauma to the head caused by blood vessel malformation.

The post-mortem was performed by Dr Nehaul Singh on Monday.

The former Regma Primary School pupil died while receiving medical attention on Friday, just days after being placed on life support in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Alexander was transferred from the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) with head injuries on Monday in a comatose state following an incident at the school.

Controversy continues to reign over the circumstances surrounding the death of the child as the family had indicated that they had received conflicting stories as to what transpired resulting in the child’s demise.

They noted that they were initially told that the child fell and hit her head while playing at school, but they were also told she was running and fell after tripping on her shoe lace as well as, in another version, she was pushed and hit her head.

The family is said to have received a telephone call informing them of the incident on Monday. The child’s mother, Angela

Dead: June Alexander

Hamilton told Guyana Times International that her daughter’s injuries were so severe that she had been in a coma and was considered “brain dead”.

She said she was told by a doctor that the injuries are too severe to have been caused by a fall.

The mother of eight has alleged that the child was constantly bullied at school. The mother said she saw her daughter at the school around lunchtime on Monday and she was not in good spirits as she related that she had been told to remain in class by a teacher.

Family members have since been seeking answers, particularly since they indicated that claims have surfaced that the child suffered from a brain condition prior to her death.

The Police had concluded that based on reports received, the child had slipped and injured herself while running.

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Nagamootoo hoping AFC would get more power from APNU

…even after poor showing at LGE

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t has had a poor showing at the Local Government Elections (LGE), and criticisms abound that it has lost its independence since coalescing with the larger partner, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), but Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is still hoping that his party, the Alliance For Change (AFC), can get a better deal out of the Cummingsburg Accord.

Nagamootoo made this statement at St. Paul’s Retreat at Vryheid Lust on Saturday, only a short while before news emerged that party leader Khemraj Ramjattan had ousted him as the

Leading AFC Party Executives

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is still hoping AFC can get a better deal out of the Cummingsburg Accord

96 students graduate from Hinterland Scholarship Programme 2019

Students at the graduation ceremony in 2018

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total of 96 students pursuing their secondary education under the Hinterland Scholarship Programme (HSP), facilitated by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, have once again been recognised for their outstanding performances at various secondary institutions within the capital city and beyond.

These students mainly comprised of form five students who recently sat the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

Held at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown, the ceremony was graced by the presence of Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe; Permanent Secretary,

Alfred King; Member of Parliament (MP) and Ministerial Advisor, Mervin Williams and family members of the graduates.

Minister GarridoLowe, who was tasked with delivering the feature address at the auspicious ceremony, in her address to the graduates, expressed great satisfaction towards students of the respective regions taking advantage of and greatly benefitting from the programme which will in turn help to develop their communities.

“It is very pleasing that we are sending skilled persons into the respective regions to better their communities… Human Capital Development is a frontburner subject of any Government’s agenda. Our Government is

proud of the fact that we have been allocating much more resources towards this cause, and is evidenced in the way we approach development in Guyana.” The Department of Public Information (DPI) quoted Garrido-Lowe saying.

The Minister further reiterated that her Ministry is continually developing and putting measures in place to aid in the development of the country’s people, while further urging the students to pursue higher education.

“We need more educators, health workers, professional agriculturists and business people. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has been tirelessly doing its part and will continue to push harder for real-time develop-

ment of our peoples…We need technical and qualified people to carry out these initiatives to the highest level” she underscored.

In addition, Member of Parliament (MP) and Ministerial Advisor, Mervin Williams in his brief remarks also admonished the students to grasp opportunities as they become available while reassuring them that they will continue to have the Government’s support in their educational journey.

The HSP initiative was developed with the goal of assisting and motivating students to aspire their educational, social and cultural potentials and presently has 608 students who are enrolled in the programme across all ten administrative regions.

AFC’s preferred Prime Ministerial candidate for the upcoming elections.

Asked by the media whether that party could expect the same allocation of parliamentary seats after the next General and Regional elections, his response was: “(We’ll) have to go back and reconfigure the formula. And however that is reformulated, it has to be what we old time politicians call dialectically. You have to take account of changes; everything has to happen in that way.

“There is a platform we have been standing on so far, the Cummingsburg Accord, and we can improve on the platform. I’m hoping that we can.”

Nagamootoo noted that even if the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) necessitates early elections this year, an arrangement could be worked out in a short space of time, as occurred in 2015.

The AFC has previously been criticised, especially from the parliamentary Opposition, for what many describe as the submissive role it has been playing since joining forces with APNU as a coalition ahead of the 2015 polls.

Decisions such as the closure of sugar estates, which has put thousands of sugar workers out of jobs, have gone unchallenged, and have even been supported by the AFC. This despite the portfolio of the Ministry of Agriculture being held by an AFC party member, Noel Holder.

In addition, there has been the strategic re-allocation of responsibilities away from Ministries headed by AFC officials to other Ministries. There is also the fact that, despite

the Cummingsburg Accord stipulating that the Prime Minister has responsibility for chairing cabinet and domestic issues, this has not been followed through.

The AFC top leadership had, in mid-November of 2017, moved to revise its governing agreement with its majority coalition partner.

This made little headway, and talks of revising the agreement petered out after the AFC’s showing at the LGE in 2018, their having failed to win a single Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

Notwithstanding all this, Nagamootoo is still insisting that the AFC has political influence.

He pointed out that at the delegates conference itself, members of the party, both local and overseas, turned out in their numbers.

“The AFC started out as a 10 per cent party, as a junior party in the coalition. Today the AFC is a significant partner of the coalition,” Nagamootoo told the media.

“The AFC has under its wings strategic ministries. Look, they have been calling me rubberstamp and a person without power, and everything else, but tomorrow you’ll see. If I announce I am walking, (they) will celebrate, because they’ll think they got rid of (me).

“So you’ll have the critics saying all manner of things. At one point, they’d say the AFC is being bullied in the coalition, and another time they’ll say the AFC is dead. So you don’t bully the dead.

“We cannot work according to the agenda of the detractors; we have to work in real terms: that here is a party that is a member and part of a coalition,” he declared.

NEWS 43

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana making great strides in HIV/AIDS fight

…but much work still to be done – CMO

A small sample of blood about to be taken from someone’s arm for an HIV test

vidual.

“So, once those details are attended to at any one of the family health clinics A packed auditorium of persons showed up to remember Andaiye

By Kristen Macklingam

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he Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continues to be a major global public health issue that claims the lives of millions of infected persons annually despite interventions by the relevant authorities.

Here in Guyana, even with recent successes in the treatment of HIV patients and their prolonged lifespans, this deadly disease remains high on the agenda for the Public Health Ministry and other stakeholders.

This is according to Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud, who, during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International, stated that although the country was on the right trajectory in achieving the goals set to minimise and eventually eradicate the transmission and prevalence of HIV, much more work needs to be done.

“We have seen some changes in the occurrences in HIV. We really would like to solicit not only the patients – I know the patients do make a great effort to comply with treatment – but we need support from our general population. HIV is not any longer that stigmatised disease that we label people, and we call them names or anything, they are human beings like you and I, who need to access this treatment, lifesaving treatment, and to ensure that they comply with all of the requirements,” the CMO said.

He stated that Guyana has now almost transitioned to “full country support” of the procure-

ment of necessary medication as well as local involvement in the execution process and implementation programme of the country’s HIV programme.

Notable successes According to the CMO, Guyana continues to forge ahead with achieving the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) “90-90-90 target”, which seeks to have 90 per cent of people living with HIV become aware of their infection, 90 per cent of the people diagnosed with HIV linked to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and 90 per cent of those on ART adhering and having undetectable levels of HIV in their blood.

Dr Persaud posited that in Guyana, there have been significant improvements in the 90-9090 programme, but there were a few challenges that the Public Health Ministry continues to battle with in order to successfully achieve this goal.

“The first 90 is the proportion of persons who are sexually active who know their status and that is the greatest increase in the numbers that we have seen.

“Secondly, the placement of persons who are tested positive on treatment. On this front, we are now able to, first of all, identify all those people who need to be on treatment, and, of course, once you are tested positive, there are some confirmation that needs to be done and treatment starts.”

He explained that there were varied treatments available for those who tested positive since not every pill would work effectively on every indi-

that we operate, the HIV treatment centres across the country, and we have some Private Sector cen-

tres too, so we allow for persons to obtain their treatment. turn to page 47

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

UWI Cave Hill campus to train Ghanaian doctors

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he University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill campus has entered into an agreement with the University of Ghana (UG), for students to study medicine in the Caribbean.

Vice Chancellor of UWI, Sir Hilary Beckles made the announcement yesterday at a breakfast meeting held at UWI's Regional Headquarters, Mona, St Andrew, to welcome members of a delegation from Ghana, according to the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).

“The government of Barbados has just broken ground to build a 250-room dormitory specifically to accommodate these Ghanaian students who will be coming into the Medical faculty,” he stated.

He noted that under the project, Ghanaians will to come to the Caribbean and engage in the preclinical years of the medical programme, JIS reported.

He pointed out that in their training, the students will be able to study closely conditions such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes, which are major health challenges being faced by the Caribbean re-

Sir Hilary Beckles

gion.

“These are issues that are now facing the West African middle class and the Ghanaian middle class in particular. Students will be exposed to all of this and then return for their clinical training,” Sir Beckles said.

“They will be better equipped to become African doctors because they will now know the Diaspora experience, which they can now

connect with the home experience to make them into national and universal doctors,” he added.

Underscoring the benefits to be received by UWI's medical programme, the Vice Chancellor said, “our students in the Caribbean will have an opportunity to train alongside African students, cross-fertilising ideas and creating in themselves a notion of global Africa.”

The project is among a number of initiatives being explored between both universities, JIS reported.

Meanwhile, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Arts, the Republic of Ghana, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, is encouraging cultural and economic exchanges with Ghana.

“We know that the University of the West Indies can play a critical role in this because you are training the youth of the Caribbean. You have direct access in impacting their outlook on life. And we will encourage you to get some of your youth to come to Ghana to participate in the various activities that we have,” she was quoted by JIS as saying.

PNC’s cynicism on the Constitution

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s was highlighted by the shenanigans committed by Moses Nagamootoo and his lackeys before the AFC’s Convention, one of the sad features of political life is the level of cynicism attending our politicians. There is no question that there is much to justify this cynicism.

When bands of people, unconcerned about the people who elected them to office, are typified by greed, avarice, and mind-boggling incompetence, what is the average citizen to think? If Guyana is ever to unearth leaders who would work for the nation — rather than for themselves, as is evident with this PNC-led Government — we would have to go beyond mere hand-wringing and wishing for patriots to materialise out of thin air, and create enabling political institutions.

While, as the cliché goes, we have to ultimately depend on the integrity of individuals elected to office, we have to start from the premise which has been painfully evident over the past four years: to be human is to have weaknesses.

Our institutions have to be so structured as to give incentives to the persons who fall within their ambit to enhance the desired values. In general, people are more committed to following rules that they had a role in crafting. This is commonsense: rules had to have made some sense to us, or we would not have accepted them in the first place.

So where do we begin? One place is to start at the very beginning. In the political realm of any country, institutions all emanate from the Constitution of that country. And in Guyana, it is from this “supreme law of the land” that the political cynicism begins. The Constitution of Guyana has a particularly tainted and cynical history.

Ostensibly, its birth was occasioned by the decision of Forbes Burnham to launch Guyana on a socialist path in 1974 with his “Declaration of Sophia”. The 1966 Independence Constitution was “too bourgeois”. The fly in the ointment, however, was that while Mr. Burnham was undoubtedly committed to socialism, he was even more enthusiastically committed to satisfying his drive for absolute personal power.

The rigged Referendum of 1978 demonstrated early on that he saw the creation of the Constitution as a mere legal fig leaf to cover his ambitions. Yet, it is from this Constitution that, today, all our political institutions flow and our political behaviour is shaped, notwithstanding the major amendments to the Constitution following the 1999 Reform Process.

However, it is not only a question that the changes do not go far enough, even though this is not an inconsequential objection; the present document is a mishmash of articles that still hark back to socialism — articles that are internally and relationally inconsistent; articles that should properly be dealt with by statutory law, rather than being in a constitution, etc.

It is also not the question that the PNC has reneged on its commitment to its partner, the AFC, to alter the Constitution, and has successfully resisted real fundamental change. It is also not the question that they have, further, even resisted implementing the spirit of the changes that have been enacted, and gleefully used the Constitution’s centralised mechanism to lock out other groups from having any real input into the political process.

A Constitution has to be seen as a social contract between the various forces in a country, creating a state with institutions that are just. For the state to be just, we must begin from first principles; a nip and a tuck won’t do.

Avoiding this gives us the concoction we now have governing us, which is flush with contradictions.

The PNC politicians, led by David Granger, play fast and loose with the rules, as with the NCM, because they know the rules were generated in cynicism by themselves.

Are we surprised that institutions flowing out of such a flawed Constitution, which is out of sync with our national values, are only observed in the breach?

The people must reject the PNC’s obdurate refusal to implement constitutional change.

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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ith an estimated 30,000 Venezuelan migrants now in Guyana, their vulnerability to various types of abuse and exploitation is high.

It is with this in mind that the Guyana Government has partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to develop a programme for Venezuelan survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Government has already been providing a number of supportive measures for Venezuelan migrants including seeking to develop homesteads and integrating migrant children into the local school system.

The Ministry of Social Protection’s Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit met with the UNFPA on Thursday to interact with stakeholders to identify key service providers, the types of services offered to survivors and to generate a map of services with key contact information.

GBV Specialist attached to the UNFPA, Karly Bennett revealed that there are currently 177,000 Venezuelan migrants in the Caribbean, with some 30,000 already settled in Guyana.

Because of their vul-

police officers and social workers to strengthen their referral systems.

Manager of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit, Akilah Dorris explained that her Unit does not have access to readily available information of GBV in Guyana and relies on reports shared by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and very few partners.

The Unit is governed by the 1996 Domestic Violence Act and the 2010 Sexual Offenses Act which were both amended. Both Acts provide basic provisions for persons who were identified as victims of sexual violence, GBV or domestic violence; as well as the mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

According to the Manager, the most recent drafted national plan of action which focusses on the protection of victims, prevention of GBV, sexual and domestic violence, prosecutions, rehabilitation of victims among others will soon be approved for implementation.

In the interim, the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit has developed protocols for police officers, medical practitioners and prosecutors to ad-

Guyana partners with UNFPA to provide support to abused Venezuelan migrants W

Karly Bennett of the UNFPA

nerability to violence, UNFPA, the Government and other UN agencies conducted an assessment in Regions One, Four, and Seven.

“What came out of the report is that some of the major concerns are around trafficking, sexual violence, survival sex, sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment and IPV or domestic violence. We see this a lot in emergencies, this kind of convergence of sexual violence, trafficking and survival sex, that means there is a combination of people trafficked for sexual servitude,” Bennett

explained.

In light of the findings, she recommended that the first step to address this issue is service mapping.

During this step, the aim is to bring together key players in each region and map the services available for GBV survival.

The next step highlighted is to make a referral pathway including brochures or leaflets with all the requisite information to distribute to victims. Bennett finally recommended the training of frontline providers including immigration,

Weeks after, persons involved in vigilante beating of truck driver yet to be arrested

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t has been close to two weeks since the truck driver involved in the Agricola accident, which claimed the life of a seven-yearold girl, was beaten severely by residents from the area.

While the Guyana Police Force (GPF) had dubbed vigilante justice as unacceptable and sought to go after these persons, they are yet to make any arrests.

A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) Commander, Marlon Chapman recently told this newspaper that the matter is still being investigated.

On June 3, the Commander was quoted as saying that once footage of the incident is looked at and the persons are identified, they will be prosecuted.

“Once they are identified we will have them arrested. Everyone who is identified for assaulting the man, we will have them arrested. Despite the circumstances, they cannot beat someone,

Deadly Agricola crash: Driver says was not reckless, was forced off road by taxi

that is against the law”, he has claimed.

The child, Ciara Benjamin, was attempting to cross the road with her aunt, Simone Barry, when she was struck by a truck, bearing registration plate GWW 962, driven by Danion Welcome. The truck re-

mained fixed on the median with the child pinned underneath. A light pole was unearthed as a result of the impact and subsequently collapsed, ending up on the roadway.

This newspaper understands that the driver of the truck, Danion

Welcome, was severely beaten by residents from the area and later handed over to the police.

After the scene was cleared, another unexpected tragedy arose when the lorry was set alight at about 18:10h, creating a towering inferno in the middle of the roadway.

Welcome’s attorney, James Bond, has defended his client by saying that he was neither reckless nor negligent during the tragic accident.

Commissioner Leslie James had told the media that they are reviewing the surveillance footage to determine who was at fault for the death of the seven-yearold child.

He also encouraged civilians with information on the accident to come forward while denouncing the vigilante beating of the driver.

He reiterated that those who were involved in the beating, once apprehended, will face the full brunt of the law.

dress sexual violence related matters. With support from the UNFPA, a consultancy that will see the development and implementation of an Essential Services Package for survivors of Gender Based Violence is being undertaken.

Representatives from Women Across Differences,

International Office of Migration, Counter Trafficking Unit, Blossom Inc, Childlink, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, Ministries of Communities and Public Health, Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Sex Worker Association were present at the workshop.

Guyana Aviation Polytechnic launched to aid oil and gas sector

S

enior Manager of Logistics and Local Content of the Orinduik Development Inc, Sharon Roopchand believes that education is key in transforming Guyana into a sustainable oil-producing nation.

Speaking at the launch of the first event of Aviation Polytechnic on Friday at the Herdmanston Lodge, Roopchand stated that training and development are the pillars to ensure local content development.

“The launch of the Aviation Polytechnic is a milestone that marks Guyana’s preparedness to meet the aviation platform and demands to support the local oil and gas sector”, she added.

She further explained that as Guyana embarks on “this vast, uncertain role” in the extraction of its oil-rich resources, the country’s education system must take priority with reference to aviation.

“Since everything is happening offshore, the Polytechnic aims at having a robust trained supply of resources to the entire industry is para-

mount to the sustainable of a safe offshore aviation.”

Roopchand stated that the Polytechnic posits to fill the immense gap in the aviation industry as well as to bring the country’s current and emerging local workforce up to the proficiency level to actively participate in the oil and gas sector.

M e a n w h i l e , Director of Policies and Regulations of Orinduik Development Inc, Hugh Denbow also noted the importance of aviation skills training tied into local content.

He said that based on the thrust of Guyana in relation to establishing itself as a successful and sustainable oil-producing nation, the demands in the aviation sector will expand, and therefore the Polytechnic will provide the relevant and necessary training to meet all of those demands.

Denbow added that technical education plays a huge rule in developing Guyana and that while the focus is on aviation, other agencies must stay focused on expanding education and skills training in other areas.

47

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Two more suspects confess to killing O Perry Mars

By Ravi Dev

…remaining 2 to face trial

Guilty of manslaughter: Orin Mc Crae

F

Deceased: Pariedeau Mars

ollowing in the footsteps of 18-year-old Naomi Adams, who recently admitted to the unlawful killing of Pariedeau Mars, called “Perry”, in 2016, 20-year-old Nikkisha Dover and Orin Mc Crae also confessed to the crime on Monday when they, along with two other accused, reappeared at the Demerara High Court.

Dover and Mc Crae opted to plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter, which read that on May 12, 2016 in the county of Demerara, they killed Mars in the furtherance of a robbery.

Dover, who had no legal representation on her first appearance, was represented by state assigned Attorney Mohammed Ali while Attorney Adrian Thompson represented Mc Crae. The State was represented

by Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy in association with Sarah Martin.

After Justice Navindra Singh had accepted the plea of both accused on Monday, he ordered that a probation report be prepared for both of them, given their tender age when the crime was committed. Their sentencing was, therefore, deferred to July 12, 2019.

As Dover and Mc Crae have pleaded guilty, the remaining two co-accused, Timothy Paul Chance and Andre

Benjamin are expected to face a murder trial.

Chance’s Attorney, Nigel Hughes requested a date in the new week for the commencement of hearings while a date is yet to be set for the trial of Benjamin, who is also being represented

by Thompson.

Initially, the five defendants mentioned were all charged jointly for the capital offence of murder when they made their first court appearance in May of 2016 and were remanded to prison. Adams, called “Shortee”, was the first of the five to plead guilty to manslaughter when she made her first appearance at the High Court.

“Shortee” is expected to be sentenced for the offence on June 24, 2019.

According to Police reports, Mars, 75, of Bissessar Avenue, Prashad Nagar, Greater Georgetown, was found bound and beaten in his home on the day in question by his wife. He was subsequently rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Investigations revealed that an accused, who was 17 years old at the time, was known to the now dead man as she would visit his home from time to time. It was further revealed that the said accused confessed to conspiring with her boyfriend to rob the elderly man as he was home alone on the day of the incident.

What will change?

nce again, we are headed towards elections.

But exactly what will that lead to, if we haven’t addressed our fundamental ethnic security dilemmas which prevent us from realising the fundamental premise of democracy: that the state be managed for all the people of the country. Those who manage the affairs of the state have to accept they are servants of the people. Hegel called them the “universal class”.

If the staffing of the institutions of the state is in the control of any single “faction” of the society, it presents another dilemma for democracy.

In Guyana, the African Guyanese community has a vast overrepresentation in the key state institutions mentioned, especially in the Armed Forces; and has historically used this incumbency to neutralise the numerical advantage of Indian Guyanese.

This creates an ethnic security dilemma for the latter, since, even though they might secure a majority under the Westminster system and form the Executive after “free-andfair” elections, that Executive cannot guarantee stability, especially for their supporters or for themselves.

Any PPP Government, therefore, have to always take into consideration, before taking any policy decision, whether the Opposition would initiate violence under cover of their control of state institutions. Way back in 1963, the Secretary of the State for the Colonies succinctly stated the problem, after the leaders of the PPP, PNC and UF could not reach agreement on the away forward on constitutional measures following ethnic riots: “…the Premier (Dr. Jagan) told me that if the British troops were withdrawn, the situation would get completely out of control.

The root of the trouble lies entirely in the development of party politics along racial

lines…Both parties (PPP and PNC) have, for their political ends, fanned the racial emotions of their followers, with the result that each has come to be regarded as the champion of one race and the enemy of the other.

“The Africans accuse the Government party of governing in the interests only of the Indians, and demand a share in political decisions. On the other side, the Indians accuse the Police, which is mainly African, of partiality towards the Africans, and demand the creation of a separate defence force, recruited more extensively from the Indian community, to counterbalance the Police.”

In its proposals, the British pointed out that there was the need, in general, “to protect minorities”, and in particular to address “the racial nature of the problem”. For the latter problem, “the Government should endeavour to rule with the general consent of the population…(and a new armed force)…should be constituted before independence by the Governor, who would endeavour to ensure that recruits were not drawn predominantly from any one racial group.” The British recognised that, under present conditions, neither

the PPP nor PNC would be able “to increase appreciably its following among the other racial groups.”

They then submitted, “…it must be our deliberate aim to stimulate a radical change in the present pattern of racial alignments. It was therefore my duty to choose the electoral system which would be most likely to encourage inter-party coalitions and multi-racial groupings”.

Finally, they concluded, “proportional representation would be likely to result in the formation of a coalition government of parties supported by different races, and this would go some way towards reducing the present tension.” (7) Sadly, while the British had a very good diagnosis of what ailed Guyana, their proposals were fatally flawed, since the racially balanced proto-Army SSU formed by the Governor was soon dismantled by Burnham. PR, on its own, was simply a device to allow the PNC and the UF to coalesce and elbow out the PPP. As a consequence of the “Mexican stand-off” over the last half-a-century, Guyanese politics has become so divisive that, today, even with oil in the offing, we remain on the precipice of becoming a failed state.

During their twenty-three years at the helm, the PPP did not address the need for creating that “universal class” to run state institutions; they were paralysed by the “principle of anticipated reactions” from the PNC-bolstered coercive forces and bureaucracy.

They attempted to work out a modus vivendi with those forces by co-opting some in leadership, but this just weakened the state.

Today, the PNC under Brigadier (rtd) David Granger have taken personal total control of the bolstered army, police and bureaucracy to perpetuate the ethnic security dilemma of Indian Guyanese.

What will elections change?

Guyana making great strides...

They are free of cost, of course. Those numbers have been increasing. We are not fully at the 90 yet but we are getting closer there.”

With regard to the third 90 of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target, Dr Persaud elaborated that this was where the country aimed to demonstrate that there was viral suppression since this would mean that the treatment was working.

However, this area is where the Public Health Ministry faces the greatest challenges.

“Particularly with

the laboratory components, and, you know, it is quite a daunting task to have to sample and to test everyone who is on treatment periodically throughout treatment to demonstrate that they are now undetected virally or that there is viral suppression. But on that front, we have been improving, so this is the one we need to work a little more on. The pills do have some challenges intermittently, and the clinicians at the care and treatment centres are working along with persons to ensure that

they address those challenges as they go along.”

Nonetheless, the CMO noted that by the end of this year (2019) the public health sector will have “more significant improvements” as it fills its next Global AIDS programme report.

“So, all in all, I think we are standing on better ground. For our testing programme, I must give kudos to all those persons working – the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) and more importantly, our part-

from page 43

ners, both in the Private Sector. Also, the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) sector and the civil society that has been really coordinating with us to reach out to everyone.”

Recent statistics from the Education Ministry revealed that Guyana has a higher percentage of its HIV+ population on treatment than the total percentage of the Caribbean Region. Last year, of the 8369 persons estimated to be infected in Guyana, 66 per cent (5557) were successfully put on treatment.

48 Bollywood

M

adame Tussauds London on Tuesday revealed its first figure of Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra Jonas, completing her presence at the world-famous wax museum across four continents.

Chopra, who married American singersongwriter Nick Jonas last year, has been working closely with Madame Tussauds’ team on the epic project since a private sitting at her New York City apartment.

“Fans have been waiting to see the hotly-anticipated London arrival since the first figure was revealed earlier this year in Priyanka’s adopted hometown of New York. Madame Tussauds London joins its sister sites in Sydney and Asia in unveiling their figures to long-awaiting fans,” the

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

museum said in a statement.

Styled to match the actress’ appearance at the 2017 Golden Globes, Priyanka’s figure will stand out in its exquisite gold sequin gown by Ralph Lauren. The only update to the look is the addition of replica diamond wedding and engagement rings in a nod to her newly-wed status, the museum noted.

“I love London, it has such an energy and spirit to it. Working with Madame Tussauds London’s team has been so much fun. It’s incredible to think that my fans can now meet my figure in one of my favourite cities in the world,” the 36-year-old actress said.

Visitors to Madame Tussauds London will find the actress in the attraction’s “Party” area, where they can sip their drink

of choice alongside Priyanka and her fellow A-Listers at the Tussauds Bar. Steve Davies, General Manager at Madame Tussauds London, said, “Priyanka Chopra Jonas is an obvious choice as the latest addition to our star-studded line-up.”

“We welcome guests from around the globe each year and we’ve seen Priyanka’s fan base continue to grow worldwide.

It’s been an honour to work with Priyanka and we’re sure fans will be excited to meet her new figure at Madame Tussauds London.” (Indian Express)

W

riter-director Farhad Samji says he is currently working on the script of LOL: Land of Lungi but is not sure if the film will be his next directorial post Housefull 4.

There were reports that Farhad, one half of the writer duo SajidFarhad, would be directing LOL, remake of the Tamil hit Veeram, with actor Vicky Kaushal as the lead.

When asked, Farhad told PTI, “We are working on the script of LOL. After Housefull 4 gets released, I’ll be starting a film with Sajid Nadiadwala. Dates are

D

Deepika Padukone and Kendall Jenner at the Youth Anxiety Center dinner

eepika Padukone, who has been at the forefront of spreading mental health awareness through her NGO – The Live Love Laugh Foundation, recently flew down to New York for a fundraising dinner organised by the Youth Anxiety Center.

The Chhapaak actor spoke on anxiety and depression at the event.

Deepika took to Instagram to share some photos and a video from the fundraiser. In the clip, we see her saying, “300 million people in the world suffer with anxiety and depression.

But I think the key to know is that depression and anxiety can creep up on absolutely anybody, from any profession, any gender, any part of the world. The toughest part for me was that I didn’t

know what was happening. The day I understood there was a name to it, it was called ‘clinical depression’ I already started feeling much better. If there is anything that I’ve learnt in the journey of recovery is that you need to be patient, and that there is hope. Superman once said, once you choose hope, anything is possible!”

Deepika Padukone was snapped with Kendall Jenner at the event.

The Youth Anxiety Center was founded in 2013 by New York– Presbyterian Hospital and is dedicated to the treatment of people, mainly youth, suffering from depression and anxiety through research and clinical programming. (Indian Express)

Filmmaker-writer Farhad Samji with his wife and actor Vicky Kaushal (Source: Instagram/farhadsamji)

being worked out and there are a couple of scripts we are still deciding.”

“In two weeks’ time there will be some clarity. The original is a fantastic film and has a

very good script, so let us see how things go.”

The director had recently posted a picture on Instagram with his wife and the Uri star, writing “my real life heroine and my reel life

hero.”

Farhad says he would definitely want to work with Vicky but says it is too early to give out an official update.

“Who wouldn’t want to work with him, he’s such a sweet boy. I’ve a good association with his father, Shyam Kaushal, who has done the action for Housefull.

If everything falls in place, if the lord opens the door, we will make an entry.”

Farhad is currently gearing up for his next directorial, ALT Balaji’s horror comedy series Booo Sabki Phategi.

(Indian Express)

R

anveer Singh grabbed attention as India defeated Pakistan in a World Cup match on Sunday. He cheered for the Men In Blue from the stands and celebrated their victory with full vigour. Now, the actor has taken to his social media accounts to heap praise on Indian skipper Virat Kohli.

Sharing a couple of photos with Kohli, Ranveer wrote on Twitter, “Ive been a die-hard fan of Indian cricket since childhood.

Invested so much emotion into our beloved team. Willing and wanting them to be the undisputed best in the world.

And then, there was VIRAT KOHLI. Ive witnessed a brash boy evolve into the very embodiment of class. Displaying a rare brand of ferocity and passionate expression, he changed the face of Indian cricket forever.

He’s well on his way to

Ranveer Singh shared these photos with Virat Kohli

being hailed as the greatest of all time. Leading our country like a true alpha warrior. Yeh naya India hai, aur yeh banda naye India ka Hero hai. We are proud of you, Kaptaan. @virat.kohli.”

Virat Kohli became the fastest batsman to reach 11,000 runs in oneday internationals after scoring a half-centu-

ry against Pakistan on Sunday.

Apart from Kohli, Ranveer Singh shared several other photos with cricketers like Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan and former players Harbhajan Singh, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly.

Ranveer Singh is prepping for the role of former Indian skipper Kapil Dev in ’83. Helmed

by Kabir Khan, the sports drama is scheduled for April 10, 2020 release. The film also has Deepika Padukone in the role of Kapil Dev’s wife Romi Bhatia. (Indian Express)

HOLLYWOOD 49

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

A

ctor Julia Roberts has recalled that the original ending of her 1990 romantic hit Pretty Woman was quite dark and hard hitting.

The film is considered a classic and one of the most memorable projects of Roberts who portrayed prostitute Vivian Ward opposite Richard Gere’s Edward Lewis, a rich corporate raider and playboy from New York.

Roberts, 51, recently appeared on Variety’s Actor on Actor series alongside Patricia Arquette, who revealed that she had originally auditioned for the film that was earlier titled 3,000.

“So many, many, many years ago, one of my early auditions was for a movie called 3,000.

Most people don’t know that 3,000 was the original ‘Pretty Woman’ script. And the ending was really heavy,” Arquette said.

To this, Roberts revealed the original ending in which her character, Vivian Ward, is shoved out of a car and someone “threw the money on top of her, as memory serves, and just drove away, leaving her in some dirty alley.”

The actor further said the project never saw the light of the day as a “small movie company” that owned the movie rights

“folded over the weekend”.

However, Disney soon picked up the script and the producer.

“I thought, ‘Went to Disney?

Are they going to animate it?’

(Director) Garry Marshall came on, and because he’s a great human being, he felt it would only be fair to meet me, since I had this job for three days and lost it.

“And they changed the whole thing. And it became more something that is in my wheelhouse,” Roberts said.

About 3,000, the actor said, “I couldn’t do it then. I couldn’t do it now. Thank God it fell apart.

(Indian Express)

A

O

n the 40th anniversary of Rocky II, Hollywood heavyweight Sylvester Stallone said he is “incredibly grateful” to the audience for accepting and loving the characters from his boxing sports-drama franchise.

The actor, who starred as Rocky Balboa, the eponymous southpaw boxer from Philadelphia, also wrote and directed the blockbuster sequel which hit theaters on June 15, 1979.

In his Instagram post, Stallone recalled the characters — Rocky’s beloved wife Adrian, his trainer-manager Mickey Goldmill and opponent Apollo Creed.

“A heartfelt thank you for accepting these characters and their stories into your lives! It seems like only yesterday when Adrian was telling me to ‘WIN! And Mickey pushing me to be an ‘Italian Tank! and go through him!’ “… and finally the battle with the amazing Apollo Creed… So lucky I am, and incredi-

small statue of Marilyn Monroe, Los Angeles Times. in her iconic pose from her The Los Angeles Police 1955 hit film The Seven Year Department (LAPD) had iniItch, has been stolen from the top tially received a call from a of the Ladies of Hollywood Gazebo, citizen who reported seeing a popular landmark at Hollywood someone on top of the gaBoulevard. zebo late Sunday night, The gazebo, created in 1993 and but the statue was still dedicated to the late actor in 1994, there when the police had celebrates women in films from difarrived to investigate. The ferent cultures who brought a change statue was later discovered to the film industry. to be missing on Monday.

The statues of Dolores Del Rio, Dorothy The 25-year-old landmark, a Dandridge, Mae West, and Anna May Wong popular tourist and phohold up the gazebo while a small statue of to attraction along Marilyn Monroe is on top of it. the Hollywood Walk Located at the corner of of Fame, has since Hollywood Boulevard and been swarmed by La Brea Avenue, the statdetectives and foue was reported to be storensics experts who len at around 3 am on are investigating the Since the theft, Hollywood Boulevard has been Monday, according to The theft. (Indian Express) swarmed by detectives and forensics experts

bly grateful after all this time and I shall always be, Keep punching, Sly,” he posted on Sunday.

Talia Shire played Adrian, Burgess Meredith starred as Mickey and Carl Weathers was seen as Apollo.

Stallone, 72, shared a screenshot of an article touting the movie as the “ultimate sequel”.

The film picks up from where 1976’s original left, with Rocky expecting a good life after a split decision loss to Apollo. But after he fails at both ads and a series of low wage jobs, Rocky realises boxing is his means to survival.

On the other hand, Apollo is facing sharp criticism from fans. He challenges Rocky to a rematch, which Apollo loses. It’s a win-win for both the boxers as Rocky is declared the World Heavyweight Champion for the first time also earning his opponent’s respect and Apollo regaining his fan base after a fair fight. (Indian Express)

F

ilmmaker Danny Boyle, who made headlines last year over his departure from Bond 25, says the key takeaway from the experience is the realisation that he is not “cut out” for franchise cinema.

The Oscar-winning filmmaker had in August last year dropped out of the project along with his frequent collaborator, screenwriter John Hodge over “creative differences” with the producers.

Boyle was replaced by True Detective and Maniac director Cary Joji Fukunaga.

In an interview with Metro, the 62-year-old director said he will never take on a big studio franchise again.

“I learned my lesson that I am not cut out (for franchises) otherwise you’re digging in the same hole. I am better not quite in the mainstream franchise movies is the honest answer. I learned quite a lot about myself with Bond. I work in partnership with writers and I am not prepared to break it up,” Boyle said.

Danny Boyle

“We were working very, very well, but they didn’t go down that route with us. So we decided to part company. It would be unfair to say what it was because I don’t know what Cary (Fukunaga) is going to do,” he added.

Previously, Boyle had called his exit from the project a “great shame”.

The filmmaker is currently promoting his upcoming musical comedy Yesterday. Inspired

by The Beatles, the film, with a screenplay by Richard Curtis, is based on Jack Barth’s story.

It features Indian origin actor Himesh Patel in the lead as Jack Malik alongside Lily James, singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and Kate McKinnon.

Bond 25 will mark Craig’s fifth outing as famed British spy following Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre.

Oscar winner Rami Malek is taking on the role of the bad guy.

Actor Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw will also reprise their roles in the film.

French star Lea Seydoux, who played psychologist Madeleine Swann in Sam Mendes’ Spectre, is also returning. The film will release on April 3, 2020 in the UK. (Indian Express)

50 SPORT

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Hetmyer, Bramble among BCB awardees

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Shimron Hetmyer

T

Keen competition is one aspect the tournament brings in large supply

ollowing the conclusion of the emerging Bartica leg, the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown Championship is slated to officially commence on July 12th.

This was disclosed by the organizers Banks DIH Limited. The event will last for the duration of seven days, with the venues slated to be finalized shortly.

The other playing dates are July 13th, 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th, with the grand final scheduled for August 3rd. The first two nights of the event, which features 32 teams, will utilize an elimination format.

The resulting 16

Anthony Bramble

he second edition of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Brian Ramphal Award Ceremony is slated for Sunday June 23, 2019 at the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground. Among the 32 awardees that will receive awards are West Indies World Cup player, Shimron Hetmyer, West Indies Women player, Shemaine Campbelle and Guyana Jaguars wicket-keeper batsman, Anthony Bramble.

These cricketers will be recognized for their outstanding performances in 2018 while Media personnel and sponsors will also be recognized.

Hetmyer the Berbice lad from Canje, will be awarded male player of the year while Erva Giddings is female player of the year. The following players and representatives are asked to attend.

R a m p e r t a b Ramnauth, Johnathan Rampersaud, Seon Glassgow, Keith

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ hits Georgetown July 12

Simpson, Kevin Sinclair, Shabika Gajnabi, Erva Giddings, Shemaine Campbelle, Anthony Bramble, Shimron Hetmyer, Gourav Ramesh, Marian Samaroo, Isiah Thorne, Ashley Ramnauth, Trevon Stanislaus, Oma Matadin, Andre Percival, Winston Smith, Moses Ramphal, Imran Moakhan, Balram Samaroo, Junior Sinclair, Rep of Blairmont Club, Rep of YWCC, Rep of No72 All Stars CC, Rep of Fyrish CC, Rep of RH Canje CC, Neil Rudder, Orvin Mangru, Roger Mc Donald, Tekha Pooran, Jerome Inderdat, Sylvina Autar, Lakram Latham, Leslie Solomon, Vemen Walters, DR.Cecil Beharry, Sydney Jackman, Dennis DAndrade, Ruthel Henry, Angela Haniff, Tremayne Smartt, Tomesh Hemraj, Rishi Persaud, Rep of No72 All Stars, Rep od No 72 Cut and load, Rep of No73 Young Warriors, and Vickram Seubarran.

teams will advance to the group stage which will be held over the period of three days.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinal round and subsequent semi-final, which is penciled for the penultimate match-day date.

Meanwhile, the eight teams which fail to progress to the knockout round will contest the Guinness Plate Championship.

Presently, the 16 automatic qualifiers are defending champion Gold is Money, GTI Ballers, Queen Street Tigerbay, Upsetters, Rising Stars, North Ruimveldt, Future Stars, Kingston, California Square, Trap Squad, Leopold Street,

Ol-Skool Ballers, Bent Street, North East La Penitence, Sparta Boss and Norton Street.

According to an official release from tournament coordinator Three Peat Promotions, “The registration forms will be available shortly at the Caesar’s Palace Banks DIH location on Durban Street for the teams that will need to enter the Playoff Round.”

The correspondence further disclosed, “The anticipation and expectation for the event is at an all-time high.

The teams have already commenced their respective preparation for the event, while many newcomers have inquired about the reg-

istration process as they aim to be a part of the phenomenon. We envision a wonderful and exciting tournament as many teams vie for the coveted title.”

Winner of the zone will automatically seal their place in the National Championship, which is slated to commence in August.

To date Beacons [Bartica Champion], Melanie-B [East Coast Demerara winner], Brothers United [West Demerara/East Bank Demerara winner], Trafalgar [Berbice champion] and High Rollers [Linden champion] are the teams to have secured automatic berths to the national championship.

'It seems like guys have been hampered' - Gibson on South Africa's travails

S

outh Africa's players were "hampered" at the World Cup, coach Ottis Gibson said in the aftermath of their loss to New Zealand. Some had even gone "into their shell" he said, which had contributed to the stilted nature of their batting performances over the last few weeks.

There have been less flattering descriptions of South Africa following World Cup exits, of course, but although Gibson did not quite go there he did suggest his team had not been themselves in the tournament.

Having won each of their last five bilateral series - including tilts with Australia and Pakistan - more had been expected of South Africa in this tournament. With Wednesday's defeat, however, they were essentially ruled out of the semi-finals.

"I can't speak of past World Cups, but certainly in this World Cup it seems like guys have been sort of hampered," Gibson said.

"That's probably the only word that comes to mind at the moment. You saw the way we played in past series. We play very well in bilateral cricket. We won eight of 10 games before we came here.

But we haven't been able to do it

Ottis Gibson

here, and that's something I need to sit down and work out.

"We've spoken that language of being positive and aggressive and taking the game forward for a long time. To see, when we come to this stage, guys go into their shell a bit, is a little bit surprising to be honest.

I keep going back to the way we played in Sri Lanka, when we won the series there last year. There was a lot of talk about us not being able to play spin. We got 300 in one game and guys played with a lot of freedom. We came to the

World Cup and we've not been able to reach those heights."

Like captain Faf du Plessis, Gibson largely laid the blame for their poor World Cup campaign at the feet of South Africa' batsmen - particularly those players in the top order with substantial experience. Hashim Amla has produced a high score of 55 across the five games so far, David Miller has not reached 40 in three innings, and du Plessis himself has also made only one half-century.

"When you look across teams that have won World Cups, it's their experienced players who have stood up. Our experienced players haven't stood up at this World Cup yet. That's just the way it is. Kane Williamson is a class player, and we've got class players as well, but they haven't shown their class on the grandest stage of all yet. That's difficult.

There are guys who are playing their last [World Cup], and I would have thought that they'd want to go out on a good note.

The top and bottom of it is that 30s, 40s and the odd 50 aren't going to win you a World Cup. Kane showed how to make a matchwinning hundred in tough conditions." (ESPNCricinfo)

SPORT 51

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Warner clobbers his sixth 150-plus score

If it was the Eoin Morgan show the other day in Manchester, it was the turn of David Warner on Thursday to demoralise the Bangladesh attack. Australia had a splendid day with the bat and broke a few World Cup records on the way.

166 Runs scored by David Warner - the second highest for Australia in World Cups. Warner holds the record for the highest score as well when he made 178 against Afghanistan in Perth, in 2015.

2 150-plus scores for David Warner in World Cups. No other cricketer has managed to score more than one in the history of the tournament. This is also David

Warner's sixth individual score of 150 or above in ODIs. Only Rohit Sharma with seven has more such scores.

1 Instances in World Cups for Australia where the first two wickets have had a century partnership. This is only the fourth time in World Cup history that this has been achieved.

110 Innings taken for David Warner to score his 16th hundred. Only Hashim Amla got there faster, in 94 innings.

Warner is joint second fastest along with Virat Kohli. Mark Waugh and Ricky Ponting are the only ones to have more than 16 centuries for Australia.

173 Runs scored by

Australia in the last 15 overs, the second most in this tournament. Only England managed to score more, when they collected 198 against Afghanistan.

25 Runs scored by Australia in the 46th over, the most in a single over in this World Cup. Previously, Bangladesh had scored 24 against West Indies in the 38th over.

2 Scores higher than 381 that Australia have managed in ODIs. This is their second-highest World Cup score, and the fourth highest score overall against Bangladesh in ODIs. Incidentally two of the top four scores have come in Nottingham.

(ESPNCricinfo)

Annual “Learn to Swim’ Program paddles off July 8 O

ver the years of its existence, the Annual ‘Learn to swim program’ has afforded thousands of Guyana’s children the opportunity to master a basic life skill. Once again, the nation’s children will have this opportunity when school closes its doors, as the National Sports Commission (NSC) has recently announced the dates for the program.

This year’s JulyAugust program will run from July 8, 2019 to August 16, 2019 at two venues in Georgetown and the East Coast of Demerara.

The program which is hosted twice a year (JulyAugust and Easter), will not only assist students in learning to swim but perfecting their craft and in

Narine reigns supreme at Flying Ace cycling meet

B

alram Narine won the Flying Ace Cycling Club’s (FACC’s) third annual Father’s Day Meet in New Amsterdam on Sunday last. He completed the 10-lap race around the town in 47 minutes, and captured all the sprint prizes on offer.

Narine led the race from its inception, the Flying Ace cyclist looking a class above the competition as he took eight sprint prizes during his stellar performance.

Ralph Seenarine outsprinted Jeremiah Joseph for second position, while Mario Washington came in fourth.

Jeremiah Joseph was the

top cyclist in the junior category. He was followed by Mario Washington in second place, while Skeldon lad Steve Bhimsen finished in third position in the junior category.

In the 12-14 category, wherein cyclists rode three laps minimum around New Amsterdam, Aaron Rajnarine finished in first position.

Shazim Yakub and Sachin Karan were the other 12-14 cyclists who finished in second and third respectively.

Each of the cyclists on show was presented with a trophy, while Narine was presented with a cash

prize in addition to his trophy. Syborne Fernandes and Wilbert Benjamin were the top veteran riders.

After the race had ended, New Amsterdam Mayor Winifred Haywood hailed this third annual FACC cycling event a success, and specially congratulated champion cycling organizer and coach Randolph Roberts for a job well done.

Sharing his sentiments at the presentation ceremony, Roberts explained that this cycle race was used to prepare the cyclists for the National Championships to be held in Georgetown this weekend.

Balram Narine in action

some instances helping them to get over their fear of bodies of water.

Participants from ages 6 years – 10 years will have their swim lessons at the Colgrain Pool, Camp Street, Georgetown while participants from ages 11 years to 16 years will have their lessons at the National, Aquatic Center, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

The sessions are expected to commence at 09:00am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Registration for the ‘Learn to Swim’ program will open next week and interested parents and guardians can uplift forms from the National Sports Commission (NSC) Head Office on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Shikhar Dhawan ruled out of World Cup, Rishabh Pant confirmed as replacement

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hikhar Dhawan's World Cup has come to end midway through India's campaign. The opening batsman suffered a hairline fracture to his left thumb during his century against Australia on June 9 and hasn't recovered well enough to play the tournament.

Rishabh Pant, who was rushed in as a cover by the BCCI on June 11, two days after Dhawan suffered the blow, and trained with the Indian squad in Manchester ahead of the Pakistan match, will be Dhawan's replacement.

Dhawan was present in Southampton today during the Indian training session, with his left hand wrapped in bandage. According to the BCCI, Dhawan's hand is expected to be in cast beyond the World Cup, which ends on July 14.

Speaking at a media briefing, India team manager Sunil Subramaniam read from a note: "Shikhar has a fracture at the base of his first metacarpal on his left hand.

Following several specialist opinions, he will remain in a cast until July, mid-July, which rules him out of the ICC World Cup 2019.

"We've requested for a replacement, we've written to ICC and requested for Rishabh Pant as replacement."

Shikhar Dhawan (PTI)

It was an unfortunate blow for Dhawan, and the team, considering it was only their second group match after winning the opening fixture against South Africa. The injury took place while Dhawan was hit in his gloves by a short Pat Cummins delivery.

Dhawan carried on batting and scored a century, which earned him the Man of the Match award as India won by 36 runs. However, he did not field during the Australia innings.

He travelled to Leeds to

meet a surgeon after that, where the fracture was diagnosed. The Indian selectors opted to take time on the matter and not name a replacement immediately following a positive appraisal from the team's medical staff led by physio Patrick Farhart.

Another significant factor behind the reluctance of the selectors and the team management to name a replacement in a hurry was Dhawan's record at various global tournaments. Dhawan was the highest scorer in each of the

last five multi-team (five-plus teams) ODI tournaments for India: Champions Trophy 2013, Asia Cup 2014, World Cup 2015, Champions Trophy 2017 and Asia Cup 2018.

Against Australia, where he batted deep into the innings, the left-handed Dhawan had blunted the Australian slow bowlers, including legspinner Adam Zampa. After the washout against New Zealand in Nottingham in the third match, Indian captain Virat Kohli underlined Dhawan's importance to the team. "We

want to hold him back, keep him here, because he wants to play. I think that kind of mindset will help in healing the injury as well as he really wants to play," Kohli had told the host broadcaster on June 14 while discussing the team's plans vis-Ă -vis Dhawan.

Pant's inclusion, meanwhile, didn't come as a surprise. A debate had erupted when Pant did not figure in the original 15-man World Cup squad. Eminent cricketing minds like Ricky Ponting, Pant's coach at Delhi Capitals in the IPL, felt the Indian selectors might have missed out on an X-factor player by ignoring the 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman. Instead, Vijay Shankar and Dinesh Karthik had been picked ahead of Pant and Ambati Rayudu, who was part of the squad in the last series India had played before the World Cup. Pant, who has only played five ODIs (93 runs in four innings, at an average of 23.25 and strike rate of 130.08), was, however, named as one of the five stand-by players by the selectors. Being a left-hander, a very explosive one at that, the selectors felt Pant was a good replacement for Dhawan and could be fitted into the middle-order with KL Rahul now being pushed up as Rohit Sharma's opening partner.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Golden Jags head to Cleveland to face-off with Panama

…Coach says team gained “a lot of confidence” from match against USA

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ravery is the only term available that can be used to describe the Golden Jaguars, who on Tuesday night took on seven time Gold Cup and defending champions who have been a part of the competition since its inception, USA. Unfortunately, in front of a sold out crowd at the Allianz Field Stadium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, Guyana suffered their first Gold Cup loss, 4-0.

Witnessed by a crowd numbering 19,418 inclusive of quite a few patriotic Guyanese, the USA; contesting their 74th Gold Cup match, held a slim 1-0 advantage at the end of the first 45 minutes but fired in three more in the second half.

Head Coach of Guyana’s Golden Jaguars, Michael Johnson who took over the job in June of 2018, commended his charges for a competitive performance against a team that has played the most Gold Cup matches (73) and recorded the most wins (56) in the history of the tournament.

Citing the fact that the USA has a depth of experienced players including one player who is worth 52 Million pounds, Johnson, at the post match press conference posited, “To be competitive in that fixture for the best part of an

Golden Jaguars Coach Michael Johnson

hour, we should be proud.”

Player of the match, Tyler Boyd in only his second match netted a double for the USA in the 51st and 81st minute, the opening goal was scored in the 28th minute by Paul Arriola while Gyasi Zardes accounted for the third in the 55th minute.

Johnson noted that his charges will continue to stick together as a team acknowledging that they {team} will win, lose and draw matches together. The coach also addressed

the unorthodox starting XI that was used in Tuesday’s game.

“Nobody in my opinion had a horrible game, yes, there were mistakes but you’re going to get that against a topclass United States team. Was that our best possible starting XI? That’s what we as staff sat down and spoke about, that’s our starring eleven and that’s what we went with, that’s what we believe in, that’s what we trusted; all 23 of the team and anyone of this 23 for me deserves a place to start.”

A lot of confidence was gained from the encounter, Johnson said, and it would serve the team well going into its second and third matches, on Saturday at the First Energy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio from 17:30hrs (18:30hrs) against Panama and June 26 at the Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS against Trinidad and Tobago.

“We’ve gained a lot of confidence from tonight (Tuesday), yes there were individual errors but as a team, we speak

about how we look dangerous with Callum Harriott at times, we look dangerous with Emery Welshman. We were under no illusions about the task tonight, we’re probably a little bit more realistic going into the next two games, have opportunities.”

He mentioned the names of players the likes of Harriott, Anthony Jeffrey and Stephen Duke- McKenna among others who can be interesting forwards in the next two matches. The Head Coach also mentioned that the task was a tough one but the players gave their all for their country.

Johnson also pointed out that Terrence Vancooten was his choice for player of the match for Guyana: “He tackled, passed the ball incredibly well, very good upstairs against tough opposition as I’ve said and I thought he was outstanding; he really, really was.”

Both nations utilized three subs in the second half, Guyana introduced Sam Cox for Brandon Beresford in the 58th minute; Anthony ‘The Beast’ Jeffrey replaced Keanu Marsh-Brown in the 73rd minute while Captain for the match, Neil Danns was replaced by Sheldon Holder in the 85th minute.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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