THE Governments of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and Belize have reaffirmed their longstanding friendship and shared Caribbean values through the conclusion of a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening cooperation across key areas of mutual interest.
These agreements reflect the shared commitment of both governments to peaceful collaboration, respect for sovereignty, and practical cooperation that delivers benefits to their peoples while contributing to regional stability and development.
The MoUs establish broad frameworks for collaboration in areas including defence and security cooperation, education and skills development, tourism development, and economic engagement. They are guided by the principles of mutual respect, equality, reciprocity, and non-interference, and are consistent with both countries’ national laws and regional obligations under CARICOM.
In the area of defence and security, the governments have agreed to enhance cooperation focused on capacity-building, information exchange, training, and dialogue to address shared challenges such as transnational organised crime, drug trafficking, terrorism and other emerging security threats.
This cooperation is defensive in nature, non-binding, and aimed at strengthening institutional capabilities while supporting peace and stability in the wider Caribbean region.
In education, the governments have committed to expanding opportunities for scholarships, academic exchange, and skills development, including access to digital learning platforms. These initiatives are intended to deepen people-to-people ties and invest in human
capital for future generations.
The tourism cooperation framework seeks to promote joint initiatives, knowledge-sharing, and sustainable tourism development, including opportunities for multi-destination travel, capacity-building, and diaspora engagement, with the goal of supporting economic growth and cultural exchange.
The digital transformation and artificial intelligence framework seek to improve government efficiency, effectiveness and implementation
capacity.
In the area of investment, a Joint Statement of Intent to Negotiate a Bilateral Investment Treaty was issued signalling the readiness of Belize and Guyana to commence the process towards negotiation and successful conclusion of a bilateral investment treaty.
Together, these understandings form part of a broader effort by both governments to strengthen bilateral relations, encourage collaboration between insti-
tutions, and promote inclusive and sustainable development in keeping with shared Caribbean priorities.
The Governments of Guyana and Belize emphasised that these Memoranda of Understanding express mutual intentions to cooperate and do not create legally binding obligations. All cooperation will be implemented gradually, transparently, and in accordance with available resources and national priorities.
Belize has also confirmed its intention to join the Global Biodiversity Alliance which was launched by the President of Guyana in July 2025.
The Alliance is an open, non-binding platform that seeks to expand financial opportunities and cooperation by raising awareness of the biodiversity crisis and its linkages to climate change.
Both governments said they look forward to continued engagement and collaboration in the spirit of friendship, solidarity, and regional integration.
During his address to the Belizean Parliament on Monday, President Dr Irfaan Ali called for regional cooperation, diversification, and technological advancements to build resilience.
He noted that sustained investment in agriculture, modern technologies, and climate-resilient farming practices is critical to achiev-
ing food security.
“For Belize, Guyana and the wider Caribbean, food security must mean ensuring that all our peoples have reliable access to affordable, nutritious and adequate food,” Dr. Ali said, reminding of compounded pressures brought on by severe food insecurity, conflict, climate shocks, supply chain disruptions and economic volatility.
Building on CARICOM’s already established blueprint to cut food imports by 2030, Dr. Ali noted that there are enormous opportunities for greater collaboration, adopting new technologies and expand foods systems with other partners outside of the regional bloc, such as Brazil.
He stressed that small nations like Guyana and Belize should embrace such partners and new techniques to be more resilient and sustainable.
“Achieving these targets requires sustained investment in agriculture, the adaptation of modern technologies, the expansion of climate resilient farming practices, improved logistics and greater emphasis on value added agro processing, strengthening our Agri-food system is not only an economic necessity, it is a strategic imperative for resilience, public health and social stability,” President Ali said.
The following is the full text of a statement from the Parliament Office:
"THE Parliament of Guyana notes that, despite repeated calls by sections of the private media for additional seating within the Parliamentary Dome, private media seats remained unfilled for several hours during recent sittings of the National Assembly. This occurred notwithstanding claims that more seats were urgently required to facilitate independent media coverage. Furthermore, the Parliament Office, therefore, reaffirms that private media seating has already been expanded and further notes that there remains an ad -
ditional designated media section on the ground floor of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where no numerical limit is imposed on accredited media representatives, with access to a live feed of the proceedings.
The Parliament of Guyana also wishes to respond to recent public statements by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and other entities regarding media access to the National Assembly proceedings. The Parliament categorically affirms that media access to parliamentary proceedings has not been restricted nor curtailed, and that transparency remains a cornerstone of the operations of the Thirteenth Parliament.
At all times during the Sittings of the National Assembly, continuous, uninterrupted livestream coverage has been made available to the public and the media via the official Parliament of Guyana website and its Facebook and YouTube platforms. Access to these livestreams was never halted, interrupted, or withdrawn. It is important to note that, throughout the Sittings, only three members of the private media were observed in the Parliamentary Dome at various times, well within the agreed rotational arrangement. This rotation system was jointly agreed upon with the Guyana Press Association, allowing private media houses to rotate personnel in the Dome to ensure fair access while
maintaining order and safety.
Under the established Parliamentary Protocol, five journalists and two photographers from the private media are permitted access to sit in the Dome during Sittings. For clarity, state media entities are not included in the private media count, and accordingly, the National Communications Network (NCN) was excluded from this allocation. In further demonstration of flexibility and co-operation, the Parliament expanded access from five to seven private media representatives within the Dome.
Additionally, the Department of Public Information (DPI) continues to provide full and comprehensive coverage of parlia-
mentary proceedings. The Parliament affirms that DPI will continue to provide coverage for the duration of the Thirteenth Parliament, consistent with long-standing practice. It should also be recalled that during the Twelfth Parliament, an outflow arrangement was facilitated on the ground floor of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, providing live feed access for media representatives. Similar principles of access continue to guide the current Parliament’s approach.
Prior to the commencement of the Budget Speeches, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Manzoor Nadir, J.P., M.P., in his address, made it abundantly clear that the Parliament Office shall not deviate from
its commitment to access to the National Assembly. The Speaker also reiterated that long-held rules governing conduct within this Chamber include that visitors are not permitted to cheer, record videos, or otherwise disrupt proceedings in keeping with the dignity and order of this House.
In most Sittings, media representatives did not exceed the agreed-upon rotational allocation.
"The Parliament of Guyana, therefore, reaffirms its commitment to transparency and press access while balancing these principles with maintaining order, security, and dignity at the National Assembly, which is known as a People’s House."
WE Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Member of Parliament (MP), Dr. Andre Lewis, kicked off Monday’s budget debates by demanding more regulations within the mining sector, even as the leader of his party, U.S.-indicted Azruddin Mohamed, currently faces extradition proceedings on a number of charges, including gold smuggling.
Dr Lewis, while reading his debate speech, criticised the government’s approach to the oil and gas and mining sectors, claiming that there are shortcomings in relation to sustainability, fairness and accountability.
The MP then claimed that there is a matter of “urgent national importance regarding security of the gold industry,” claiming that his party is “convinced that a significant portion of Guyana’s gold is being diverted across the border to Venezuela.”
U.S. prosecutors allege that Mohamed and his father Nazar, conspired to commit fraud and launder money through their gold exporting firm, Mohamed’s Enterprise, to enrich themselves and defraud the government of Guyana.
are contesting the extradition proceedings in court.
The men, who were indicted in Florida but deny wrongdoing, were briefly detained in October. They
The father and son have been hit with an 11-count indictment in the U.S. Florida Southern District Court. The pair face 10 counts jointly, while Azruddin is charged with an additional count related to the importation of a
Lamborghini
Court documents allege that Azruddin and his father conspired to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, aiding and abetting and customs-related violations connected to an alleged US$50
We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Member of Parliament (MP), Dr Andre Lewis
million gold-export and tax-evasion scheme.
GOLD SMUGGLING
The Government of Guyana has consistently reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to ending drug trafficking, gold smuggling, and organised crime. It was recently reported that police and prosecutors from Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana and
Suriname have joined forces in their first-ever transnational operation to combat illegal gold mining.
The cross-border operation involved over 24,500 checks on vehicles and individuals and led to almost 200 arrests. These include the detention in Guyana of three men on suspicion of gold smuggling and money laundering.
GUYANA and Belize have an increasingly important role to play in building a food-secure region, President, Dr Irfaan Ali has said.
Climate change is severely affecting coastlines, food systems and water security, and this is compounded by the volatility in global markets which expose economies of small states to shocks beyond their control.
Cognisant of this reality, President Ali, during his address to the Belizean National Assembly on Monday, said: “Food insecurity, driven by climate events and external disruptions, places additional strain on vulnerable populations. That is why, Prime Minister, my dear friend, I agree with you that Belize and Guyana must lead in food security of this region,” he said, adding: “When we make this investment, human, financial and technological investment[s],
the region must, in turn, have a fair trade system in which our produce and production is [sic] not subjected to the bureaucracy of the system or is not subjected to artificial barriers of trade that affect this region.”
Dr Ali pointed out that for far too long, the region’s farmers and food systems have suffered from the lag in trade opportunities.
“We must push back hard now to ensure that our food becomes the region’s food by a system that encourages and supports us,” he said.
At a time when the international environment itself is marked by heightened uncertainty and rapid change, he stressed that small states must reinforce the importance of stable institutions, predictable rules and co-operative approaches to global problem solving.
“When international conditions become less predictable, small economies face
higher costs, reduce market access and fewer opportunities for growth,” Dr Ali said, stressing that the global realties must push small states to further partnerships, dialogue and collective engagement to protect their interests and advance their aspirations in the global arena.
“These realities compel us to ask a fundamental question: how can small states, facing existential threats and operating in a complex and demanding international environment, secure their well-being and advance sustainable development? I suggest that the answer does not lie in a single solution. It lies in a strategic set of mutually reinforcing approaches,” he said.
The President pointed to Guyana and Belize as a strong example of reinforcing collaboration with the exchange of ideas, technology and systems to support stability.
“When we trust each other, we transfer our localised technology to support the growth and development of each other, we become stronger, more resilient and definitely more independent, and that is what we celebrate today through shared membership in regional organisations; small states find strength in numbers,” he said.
The President also emphasised the crucial role that Guyana and Belize play in safeguarding regional and global ecological balance.
The Head of State said the two states possess some of the Caribbean’s most diverse and valuable ecosystems, including extensive tropical forests, abundant freshwater resources, and rich biodiversity that place them among the world’s most environmentally significant small states.
“Our two countries pos-
sess some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems in the Caribbean, encompassing vast tracks of tropical forests, extensive freshwater resources and extraordinary biodiversity that place us among the world’s most environmentally significant small states.
“Our territories include critical habitats that support unique flora and fauna provide essential ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and climate regulation and sustain livelihoods through agriculture, forestry, fisheries and ecotourism,” President Ali said.
The President stressed that these assets carry global responsibilities, describing Belize and Guyana as “careful custodians of environmental heritage” whose preservation is vital to national
development and global ecological balance.
He pointed to Guyana’s efforts to monetise its biodiversity services through the Global Biodiversity Alliance.
“It must, therefore, be our resolve to win this battle of monetisation now so that successive generations from now will inherit the same rich value we have today.
We are proud members of the Caribbean Community, a regional family founded on co-operation, integration and collective self-reliance through their shared membership, Belize and Guyana strengthen our capacity to address common challenges, advance regional development, and project a united and constructive voice on the global stage,” the President said.
AMID global economic challenges
such as persistent inflation and market ups and downs, Guyana stands out as a remarkable case.
This nation has achieved one of the lowest inflation rates in Latin America and the Caribbean while experiencing exceptional economic growth. This success is not by chance; it comes from careful economic management and smart fiscal policy that other developing countries should study as they deal with similar issues.
President Ali’s recent remarks on Guyana’s 3.6 percent inflation rate in 2025, one of the lowest in the world, are worth serious attention. The government’s ability to manage price pressures while maintaining strong public investment, shows that it understands the careful balance between stimulation and stability.
The fact that inflation stayed low even as real GDP grew by 19.3 percent in
2025, nearly six times the global average, highlights the commitment to prevent economic overheating that often happens during resource booms in developing nations.
What sets Guyana apart is its clear focus on diversification. Instead of relying solely on oil revenues, the government has encouraged growth in agriculture (up 11.5 percent), construction (up 31 percent), and professional services (up 35.7 percent).
The non-oil economy grew by 14.3 percent in 2025, and five straight years of non-oil growth show sustainability. This structural strength helps avoid the boom-and-bust cycles that have historically affected Caribbean economies and positions Guyana for long-term success.
The government’s tax policy also demonstrates responsible management. By lowering the effective tax rate from 14.5 percent of GDP in 2020 to just 6.4 percent in 2025, the administration has
increased household buying power while also lowering public debt as a percentage of GDP from 53 percent to 30 percent. This means an 8.1 percent reduction in the tax burden per dollar earned, a real benefit that has kept incomes stable even as global prices have risen elsewhere in the region.
The confidence this stability brings to the private sector is significant. Private sector credit grew by 18 percent in 2025, with strong increases in manufacturing (up 29.7 percent), household lending (up 36.9 percent), and real estate mortgages (up 19 percent).
These lending trends show that both financial institutions and businesses have faith in the currency and the policy environment. This kind of confidence is rarely given in developing markets and must be earned through consistent action.
Foreign investment hit $11.2 billion in 2025, demonstrating the trust the Ali administration has gained from interna-
tional investors. This influx of capital does not happen amid macroeconomic instability or policy uncertainty; it reflects real belief in Guyana’s future.
As Guyanese citizens consider their country’s economic outlook, they may naturally compare their experience with that of neighbours dealing with double-digit inflation, currency drops, and declining purchasing power.
This success is not due to luck. It comes from ministers and officials who recognise that lasting prosperity comes from the steady work of careful budgeting, disciplined monetary policy, and strategies aimed at building rather than exploiting.
The Ali administration deserves credit for guiding Guyana through a significant period of change, while shielding its citizens from the ups and downs typical of such transformations. In an uncertain economic world, that is a noteworthy accomplishment.
Dear Editor,
I AM writing to express my profound appreciation and to commend the Government of Guyana for the monumental transformation currently unfolding in the Rupununi.
For decades, residents of Region Nine endured the challenges of laterite roads, which meant battling stifling dust in the dry season and treacherous mud during the rains. Today, that reality has been replaced by modern asphaltic concrete surfaces that are fundamentally improving our quality of life.
The progress in the township of Lethem is particularly remarkable. Seeing the “Old Scheme” in Culvert City and Tabatinga as well as other internal bypasses fully asphalted is a testament to a promise kept.
These upgrades have not only enhanced the aesthetic of our town, but have also drastically reduced vehicle maintenance costs and improved respiratory health for our children and our senior citizens by eliminating persistent dust.
Furthermore, the government’s commitment to internal roads in villages such as Karaudarnau, Shulinab, Nappi, St. Ignatius, Sand Creek, Aishalton and Tiperu, where residents now benefit from smooth, all-weather surfaces, is a clear sign of inclusive development. Beyond the local communities, the ongoing work on the Linden to Mabura Hill corridor, which is progressing toward its 2026 completion, signals a new era of connectivity between the hinterland and the coast.
However, as it relates to the North and Southern Rupununi highways, I humbly
appeal for a structured and consistent maintenance programme, so that residents wouldn’t endure the annual agony of the May/June rains, as the daily comfort and safety of our residents depend on the immediate condition of these trails.
I’m quite sure our Regional Executive Officer. Mr. Karl Singh and his technical team have already lobbied the government on the improvements of these two major highways.
These roads are more than just infrastructure; they are lifelines that connect our farmers to markets, our students to schools, and our region to new economic opportunities in tourism and trade.
Therefore, on behalf of the Rupununi people, I want to thank the Minister of Public Works, the Honourable Bishop Juan Edgill and the administration for these
sustained investments that are ensuring the Rupununi is no longer “left behind” but is instead at the forefront of Guyana’s national modernisation.
As I conclude, I wish to extend my sincerest congratulations to His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the entire administration on their re-election and the commencement of their second term in office.
This renewed mandate is a clear reflection of the people’s confidence in his vision for “One Guyana” and the transformative progress achieved over the last five years. May this second term be marked by even greater milestones in national development and unity.
FROM the time Amanza Walton-Desir (AWD) fastened herself onto the bandwagon of the Adriana Younge scandal, I knew she would be an abysmal election failure. You cannot attract voters if you keep sprouting nonsense to an educated nation, and AWD gives off nonsense on a daily basis which has become self-destructive.
Here is what she told people during the Younge tragedy. The girl suffered a brutal death. You have to be either stupid or contemptuous of people if during the midst of the mysterious death of a young teenager, you talk about the brutal murder of the child but you left people hanging because you refuse to complete your description of what happened to the child.
So, I was not surprised that she could even make the 5,000 to win a parliamentary slot. Her votes came from the left-over ballots. AWD’s coalition consisted of three parties and all that group managed to secure was a mere 4,326. We do not know how much of those votes came personally to AWD because it was a three-party coalition. So, it is possible that she got less ballots than her other two partners.
She will not be in the House for the entire five year because two years have to be allocated to her two coalition partners. So, her self-destructive and silly game will come to an end in 2028. Here now is a stupid emanation AWD made a few days ago: “The PPP has captured the election machinery and intends to manipulate it to suit them.”
I doubt AWD has gone through the
Statements of Poll, and I don’t think she has a rough estimate of how many previous voters and first-time voters stayed home in 2025. The PNC suffered from abstention at the poll because from 2020 it told people that the PPP is a rigging machine that stole the 2020 election.
PNC voters stayed home because they told their family, relatives and friends that what the point was it to vote when the PPP rigged and won in 2020, when the PNC was the government and in 2025 the PPP was the government. The PNC did not and could not see the morbid self-destructive element in that explanation. But the PNC repeated that asininity in October 2025 and is still repeating it. AWD has now jumped on that jumbie bandwagon. The PNC and AWD are singing this song when local government elections are months away.
Here is a statistical review of the PNC rigging elections in 1968, 1973, 1980 and 1985. In 1964, the PNC had 22 seats, the PPP 24. In the 1968 the PNC rigged the thing and gave itself six more seats and reduced the PPP’s by five.
In the 1973 election, the PNC rigged the thing again and took 37 seats, and assigned the PPP to 14. In 1980, the PNC rigged again and gave itself 41 seats and the PPP a mere 10. In 1985, the PNC gave itself 42 seats and the PPP got eight. When the PNC could not rig in 1992, it dropped from 42 seats in 1985 to 23. From eight seats in 1985, the PPP got 28 in 1992.
What these statistics reveal is that the
PNC rigged every election from 1968 to make itself impregnable in parliament. Now let us provide AWD with some commonsense which she badly needs. If the PPP is in control of the election machinery and rigged the 2025 poll then by what logic a rigger gives themselves less votes?
The PPP received 18,785 votes in Region Two in 2020. In the 2025 election in Region Two, the PPP got less votes: 17,478. In 2020, the PPP got 47,851 votes in Region Three. In 2025, it got 48,055. This is an infinitesimal increase of 204 votes. In Region Six in 2020, the PPP got 43,440. In 2025, it secured 41,320. This is a decrease of 2,120.
Now if AWD is not ignorant, she would do the commonsensical thing and juxtapose the PNC rigging from 1968 to 1985 with the election of 2025. The PNC rigged from
1968 and each time, increased their votes and percentage in each election. One has to be an irredeemably ignorant person to argue that an incumbent rigged a national election and in their historical strongholds gave themselves less votes. Which human being does that?
So, according to AWD, the PPP manipulates the election machinery.
So, why did the PPP give itself three more seats from 2020? Why not six? Why not 10? And why give yourself three and give WIN 16, a party that was not entitled to one much less 16? How can any human, like AWD be so ignorant?
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
Dear Editor,
GUYANA is moving fast: online services, digital payments, e-health, e-education, smarter border controls and data-driven decision making.
That speed is good. But there is a risk we are quietly accepting: we are building essential citizen services on technology networks and platforms we do not control.
When the systems behind ID, payments, licensing, health records, education records, and government communications sit in someone else’s cloud, someone else’s data model, or someone else’s closed platform, Guyana inherits constraints we did not vote for: vendor lock-in, opaque pricing, forced upgrades, restricted audits, and service outages we cannot fix locally.
And in a world where sanctions, geopolitics, and cyber events can change overnight, dependency becomes vulnerability.
If a nation cannot reliably authenticate citizens, deliver benefits, protect sensitive data, or keep government services running during a disruption, then “digital transformation” becomes a fragile layer of paint, not a foundation.
The question is simple: do we want the next decade of citizen services to be modern, secure, and resilient, or modern until the first serious shock?
India faced a scale problem far bigger than ours: how to deliver modern services to
hundreds of millions of people.
A key leader in that transformation was Nandan Nilekani, who helped steer India’s digital identity programme (UIDAI) and champion the idea of digital public infrastructure.
India’s lesson is powerful and repeatable: don’t treat digitalisation as a pile of apps. Build public “rails” that everyone can use. Identity that works everywhere. Payments that clear instantly. Secure consent for data sharing. Standard APIs. Clear governance. Once those rails exist, ministries and private companies can innovate quickly without reinventing the basics.
That is why “India Stack” became a platform for inclusion and innovation: it reduced friction, improved trust, and created a common language for systems to work together. The result was not just faster services. It was national capability.
Guyana has a once-in-a-generation window to do something similar, at a smaller scale and with modern tools: build the national rails now, while systems are still being designed, not after they are scattered across vendors and ministries.
We are now entering the next phase: sovereign AI. It means a nation keeps control over the most sensitive AI systems, data, and compute under its jurisdiction, even while it partners with global companies. Governments are investing in national compute, model development, and AI gov-
ernance, because they have learned the hard way that the cheapest short-term platform can become the most expensive long-term dependency.
The United Arab Emirates has invested heavily in national AI capability, including the Falcon family of models, with a focus on building models that serve government, education, and industry needs. Canada has launched a Sovereign AI Compute Strategy to strengthen Canadian-controlled compute for research and innovation. Europe is rolling out “AI Factories” through EuroHPC to expand capacity and support secure, locally governed AI development.
The message is clear: countries are treating AI infrastructure the way they treat roads, ports, and power grids. Guyana should do the same, because AI will soon sit inside every major citizen service: customer support; document processing; fraud detection; benefits management; healthcare triage, and workforce training.
If we do not build the foundation deliberately, we will import it by default. And once imported, it is hard to unwind.
I am a Guyana-born technology entrepreneur and investor. Over years, I’ve built and led enterprise platforms, data strategies, and automation programmes across the US, Canada, and India. I have been advocating since 2020 that Guyana must build a strong foundation in digital technology, data strategy, and AI.
Here is the practical path I propose—fast enough to execute, serious enough to matter:
1) Establish a small Sovereign AI and Digital Public Infrastructure taskforce with authority and deadlines.
2) Define data sovereignty rules: classification, residency, retention, audit rights, and vendor obligations.
3) Design a hybrid government architecture that avoids lock-in and supports continuity during outages.
4) Build a secure data-exchange layer across ministries (the “rails” for trusted sharing).
5) Pilot high-impact AI citizen services: permits, public information, benefits queries, and workforce training.
6) Build local capacity: scholarships, apprenticeships, vendor development, and University of Guyana alignment.
This is how we protect citizens while delivering faster services: not with slogans, but with architecture, governance, and talent.
I am the CEO of Zonic Design & Imaging LLC (Silicon Valley, California) and a Guyana-born pioneer in enterprise technology and Ai automation. Published books (2024): • AI for Auto Dealerships and Automotive Dealership Safeguard: Cybersecurity & Financial Compliance Guide.
Brian Ramphal, BSc, MBA Technology Entrepreneur
IN a fiery response to opposition parliamentarians during day one of the budget debate, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill defended the far-reaching benefits of the $1.558 trillion fiscal plan.
The budget caters to the upliftment of Guyanese families, the ordinary farmer, children, small businesses and vulnerable groups, as well as makes provisions for strategic infrastructure.
Minister Edghill praised the Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for finance Dr. Ashni Singh and his technical team for such a “fantastic budget.”
He was the first government speaker to contribute to the budget debate, and he did not hesitate to set the tone by defending Budget 2026.
The minister’s contribution was a strong rebuke to the first two presentations from the opposition bench, and a thorough explanation of how all Guyanese will benefit.
He slammed the main parliamentary opposition for either misreading or deliberately misrepresent-
ing Budget 2026, tearing into the reckless claims that the $1.558 trillion budget is mainly financed by oil revenue.
The minister quickly schooled We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) member and first time Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Andre Lewis for peddling untruths regarding oil revenues.
Minister Edghill reminded the opposition bench that the $1.558 trillion budget is funded by $580 billion non-tax revenue, while the withdrawal from the Natural Resources fund (NRF) is $495 billion.
“That’s the total amount of oil money that is financing this budget. Please, rewrite your written statements and let your consultants do better,” Minister Edghill said.
The minister further emphasised that the budget positively impacts citizens, including families with newborns receiving the newborn grant, school children benefitting from the ‘Because We Care’ grant, 106,100 pensioners receiving increased pensions and Guyanese aged 18 and over benefiting from the national cash grant of $100,000.
There is also a plethora of programmes that target farmers, fisherfolk, single parents, tour guides, persons with disabilities and hinterland and riverine communities.
Dr Lewis had claimed that secure and stable employment is still “out of reach” for many.
However, Minister Edghill rebutted these claims and reminded the House, while there was economic devastation and mass unemployment under the previous A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)+ Alliance For Change (AFC) administration, this has changed under the PPP/C since 2020.
While emphasising that Budget 2026 is a “wellthought-out, people-orient-
ed, pro-poor, service-oriented development-focused” plan, the minister said since 2020 to now, the PPP/C has created more than 100,000 jobs.
Minister Edghill further pushed back against criticisms related to the allocation towards infrastructure, stating that the opposition bench lacks the fundamental understanding of its impact on the lives of citizens.
Citing the massive infrastructural projects such as the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge, Heroes Highway, Ogle-Eccles link and the McKenzie-Wismar Bridge, the minister described these projects as transformative and underscored how everyday lives, connectivity and economic activity
have already improved or set to improve.
While opposition MPs claimed that transformation is unequal across Guyana, Minister Edghill countered this by detailing development nationwide, including new schools and hospitals, wharves, bridges and regional road networks.
For instance, in Region One, a 4,000-foot airstrip is being constructed, which will mirror Ogle.
“When we build airstrips, we bring down the cost of living for people in those areas. Lowering transportation costs for food means a lower cost of living, and more ferries reduce
cargo shipping costs, ensuring food is available in the regions and that products can reach markets to support economic advancement,” Edghill said.
Further, while APNU MP Vinceroy Jordan claimed that Region Five is not receiving adequate support and development, Minister Edghill pointed to the developments taking place there.
He referenced the massive investments in drainage and irrigation, and the new four-lane road from the Mahaica Bridge to the Abary Bridge which are in the works, and the continuation of Phase Two from Abary all the way to Rosignol.
“That is what the PPP/C is doing, putting people first,” he said.
FIJI is all set to welcome ministers and attorneys general, including officials from Guyana to the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting, which will be held in Nadi from 9 to 12 February 2026.
The meeting takes place at a time when the rule of law is steadily declining around the world. Over the three days, law ministers will discuss how strong legal safeguards protect everyday life, from people’s ability to participate in democracy and earn a fair living, to their right to live in safe and healthy communities.
Ministers are also expected to agree on practical measures to advance the rule of law by improving access to justice and strengthening legal institutions that support stable societies, fair economies and environmental protection.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey thanked the Government of Fiji for hosting the meeting.
She said: “The rule of law remains essential to peace,
stability, and development, yet it is under serious pressure in many parts of the world. Where it is weakened or unevenly applied, the impact is felt most sharply by ordinary people. For the Commonwealth, the rule of law is a cornerstone of our Charter and our work. It demands practical, thoughtful commitment and cooperation, not rhetoric.”
The Secretary-General added: “In Fiji, our ministers will come together to strengthen the rule of law as the foundation of a resilient future, where every person has a voice in democracy, every worker is treated with dignity, and every vulnerable community is protected from a changing climate.
“That is what our people count on us to do. By working together, we can uphold the rule of law as an essential protection for the people of the Commonwealth.”
The meeting will be chaired by Siromi Turaga, Minister for Justice and acting Attorney General of Fiji, under the theme ‘Anchoring Justice in a Changing Ti8de:
Strengthening the Rule of Law for a Resilient Future’.
Minister Turaga said Fiji hoped to explore how the Commonwealth family could strengthen the rule of law by ensuring justice systems remained flexible, inclusive and responsive.
He added: “Together, we will also consider the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change, digital transformation and regional cooperation, so that our legal systems remain resilient for generations to come.”
The meeting will also include five side events that will bring together youth leaders, people with lived experience of the justice system and disability rights advocates to ensure their perspectives inform ministerial discussions.
The meeting’s outcomes are expected to help shape the agenda for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), to be held in Antigua and Barbuda later this year. (Commonwealth)
MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs, Sarah Browne, has strongly rejected claims made by a We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Member of Parliament regarding conditions at health facilities in Region One.
The minister, in an interview on Monday night, described the statements as inaccurate and disconnected from the reality on the ground.
She said that she felt compelled to address what she described as misinformation raised in the National Assembly concerning the functionality of hospitals and basic services in Moruca, Mabaruma and Port Kaituma in Region One.
Browne, who herself hails from the region and has worked extensively on the ground, said the allegations did not reflect
the current situation in the hinterland.
She noted that upon hearing the claims, she immediately sought clarification from the Regional Health Officer
.“I was reliably informed that this is far from the truth,” the minister said, as she moved to address assertions that key facilities were non-functional.
She said that contrary to claims about the Kumaka District Hospital mortuary being out of service, the facility remains operational.
According to Browne, a post-mortem was conducted there as recently as December, and the body was indeed stored there
.The minister also rejected allegations that mothers at the Mabaruma Hospital are forced to fetch water due to a lack
of running water, noting that she has video evidence showing water flowing at the facility.
BELIZE and Guyana are moving to deepen cooperation in the sugar industry, Belize Prime Minister John Briceño said on Monday during a sitting of the Belizean National Assembly attended by Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali.
Reflecting on a shared history shaped by sugar production and colonial development, Prime Minister
“We share a history shaped by sugar. Fields were ploughed and cane cut by indentured labour and sugar exported to Europe by nationalists. As the industry evolved, it provided jobs, educated our children, earned for an exchange and drove the development of our colony, colonial societies. But that was yesterday. Today, we will jointly facilitate pri-
Belize Prime Minister John Briceño and Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali before the
Briceño said the time has come to transition from those legacy models. He announced that Belize and Guyana will jointly facilitate private sector investment in the refined sugar industry, while reaffirming sugar’s continued importance within both countries’ agricultural sectors.
vate sector investment in the refined sugar sector,” Prime Minister Briceño said. He also assured investors that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will be positioned as an assured market for refined sugar produced by Belizean and Guyanese producers.
Back in December 2025,
GAICO Construction Inc. signed a Joint Venture Agreement with Caribbean Sugar Refinery Inc. to establish a new white sugar refinery in Guyana.
The US$20 million sugar refinery has the potential to secure the long-term future of Guyana’s sugar industry, with the new plant projected to produce 100,000 tonnes per year and designed with scalability for future expansion.
The Caribbean imports
around 200,000 tonnes of refined sugar each year, totalling US$180 million in 2024.
The two nations are expected to sign several agreements aimed at expanding collaboration in tourism, agriculture and digital transformation. The initiatives are intended to strengthen regional trade and investment, while advancing CARICOM’s broader integration and economic resilience agenda.
Hospital, she said, were also untrue.
While the minister rebuffed the claims she also pointed to broader investments in hinterland healthcare over the past five years, including the construction of a new hospital at Moruca.
She said the facility is being built to standards comparable with the regional facilities that were recently opened at Diamond and Lima, and is expected to provide a wide range of services.
Reflecting on her experience as a former Vice-Chairman of Region One, Browne contrasted current conditions with those that existed several years ago, when hospitals were severely under-resourced.
“The reality on the ground today, it’s far from what would have been said,” she
said, arguing that the transformation in Region One has been significant.
The minister also highlighted government support for housing and village-level development across the hinterland.
She noted that every village has received $3 million to assist the most vulnerable with housing repairs, while over the past two years, each of Guyana’s 254 villages has received annual funding to support local priorities.
While acknowledging that more work remains to be done, Browne maintained that progress under the current administration has been substantial
.“Compared to where we were about five years ago, we are… way better, and it’s only going to get better with Budget 2026,” she said.
By Naomi Parris
MOUNTING a fiery rebuttal to opposition parliamentarians in defence of the investments and policies outlined in Budget 2026 for the education sector, Subject Minister Sonia Parag, on Monday, said the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has delivered mas-
sive gains and will deepen them under the guidance of its people centred agenda.
Parag declared that the budget was “drafted for the people, written by the people, and grounded firmly in the realities, hopes and aspirations of the Guyanese people,” as she took direct aim at the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) parliamentarian, Dr. Gordon
Barker, who criticised the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) and several other programmes, despite being a beneficiary.
She pointed out that since GOAL’s launch in 2021, more than 4,000 Guyanese had enrolled and about 6,000 had graduated by 2025, including Dr. Barker.
“You never, ever bite the
hands that you feed from,” she told the House, accusing the member of using a GOALlinked degree, then moving on to a PhD, while now attempting to discredit the same programme.
“I’m going to be very straight up. I’m not going to AI it,” she said.
Turning to the National School Feeding Programme, which carries a $7 billion allocation, Parag blasted the opposition’s portrayal of it as wasteful.
She called the initiative “one of the best programmes Guyana has ever seen for the children of this country”, especially for those in hinterland and rural communities who often walk long distances to school.
Parag denounced the circulation of unlabelled images of meals on social media as a “deliberate attempt to manufacture outrage” and “mislead the nation”.
“If they are so convinced this is a ‘horrible’ initiative, let them go into the communities and tell the children to their faces they want the $7 billion school feeding allocation removed,” she said.
On promotions and vacancies, Parag firmly reminded the House that the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) is an independent constitutional body, not a political arm of the ministry.
She disclosed that the TSC has already created 1,500 new senior vacancies for 2026, and said the A Partnership for National of Unity, Member of
and isolated defects, but rejected claims of systemic failure or poor construction.
More broadly, Parag said the PPP/C has transformed access to education since 2020, contrasting this with what she described as the Opposition’s “lost years,” during which no secondary schools were built.
She outlined extensive investments across all levels of education, including dozens of new and rehabilitated schools, major expansion in hinterland and Amerindian communities, free university education,
Parliament, Coretta McDonald was “either misinformed or intentionally misleading” when she claimed otherwise.
She underscored that remote, stationed and hardship allowances for hinterland teachers will continue from 2026 onward, and cited a multi-year collective agreement with the Guyana Teachers’ Union setting out salary increases for 2024–2026 as clear proof that the government “listens, negotiates and delivers”.
Contrasting this with the APNU opposition’s tenure from 2015 to 2020, Parag noted the “awful” performance on teacher training and advancement, adding that they had “snatched” the Because We Care cash grant from children without offering any comparable support in return.
Minister Parag acknowledged that some school infrastructure issues exist, including maintenance challenges
expanded scholarships, and increased cash grants and transport support for students.
“Education is poised to continue its progress. We will see the outcomes for our children.
We will see the development for our children. We will see the improvements for our teacher, the improvement for our infrastructure, and we will also see, we will also see safer environment in which it will be conducive for them to learn,” Parag said.
Defending the scale and pace of spending, she insisted the government is managing oil revenues responsibly to ensure long-term sustainability, while rolling out initiatives such as the Guyana Digital School, targeted maths interventions, and a national anti-bullying campaign to improve quality, equity and outcomes across the education system.
EXCEL Guyana Inc. has commended the 2026 National Budget, noting that it lays a strong foundation for investment, infrastructure and opportunity, while at the same time, places Guyanese people and communities at the centre of national development.
The budget, which represents government’s fiscal plan for 2026 was unveiled last Monday by Senior Min-
ister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh. In a press release, the company said the initiatives in the budget support its 30 years of work across the Caribbean and beyond.
The government’s allocations for infrastructure, and logistics will not only accelerate construction projects and enhance nationwide connectivity, but it will improve
access to services, create jobs, and strengthen communities, the company said.
Excel Guyana noted that the promised Development Bank will provide vital support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), empowering local entrepreneurs to expand their businesses and generate employment.
It also pointed out that the tax relief for the agriculture and agro-processing sectors is expected to open new avenues for both farmers
PSYCHOSOCIAL and welfare support was given to affected families within the first hour after the Regent Street Mobil Gas Station explosion in October 2025.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, provided the clarification of emergency response in the immediate aftermath of the terror act in response to a question posed by an Opposition MP in the National Assembly on Monday.
She explained that assistance was provided through the Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA) and the Difficult Circumstances Unit (DCU). The ministry conducted hospital visits to the injured persons and engaged families at their homes.
Minister Persaud said that the human services and social security ministry also maintained ongoing commu-
nication with caregivers to monitor emotional well-being and post-discharge needs.
While some families initially declined counselling services, the minister noted that these decisions were respected in keeping with ethical and professional standards.
Dr Persaud said the ministry continued follow-up engagements, and by January 2026, counselling services were accepted and formally scheduled. Where logistical challenges arose, alternative arrangements, including school-based access, were explored. She added that cases requiring specialised trauma care were referred to the Ministry of Health.
“We are still maintaining that engagement and contact with the family through the Child Care and Protection Agency in particular.”
Meanwhile, Minister of
and producers, ensuring that Guyanese households benefit from lower costs, stronger food security, and expanded opportunities in value-added industries. Excel Guyana
noted that just as important are the measures aimed at workforce development, which align with its recruitment and Employer of Record services and will ensure
that Guyanese workers are equipped with the skills and support needed to thrive in a rapidly growing economy.
According to the press release, the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chair of Excel Guyana Inc., Kris Sammy, said, “Budget 2026 is more than an economic plan, it is a people-centred vision for Guyana’s future.”
He added, “Excel Guyana is proud to stand alongside this vision by connecting investors, building partnerships, and ensuring that growth translates into better lives for all Guyanese.”
Health, Dr Frank Anthony, outlined the medical response at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) within the first two hours following the explosion.
He told the house that “seven patients arrived at the hospital at 19:46 hours,” three patients were treated and discharged from the Accident and Emergency Department, while four were admitted.
Those included an eight-year-old male and a 12-year-old female, both requiring surgical intervention for multiple injuries, a 71-year-old female with abdominal and foot injuries, and a 27-year-old female who sustained trauma related to the explosion. He also confirmed that a six-year-old female arrived deceased at the hospital. (DPI)
By Trina Williams
FOR the first time in the Caribbean, Guyana will introduce a Gender Empowerment and Equality Seal, and Budget 2026 sets the pace for this, along with other social programmes, including skills training for persons living with disabilities (PWDs), expanded support for vulnerable children and families, and senior citizens wellness hubs.
While encouraging the parliamentary opposition to remove their “peculiar political cataract,” Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud, on Monday during the first day of the budget debate, said that the fiscal plan is designed to transform lives and not just balance books.
The minister said that the government is not just managing a plethora of fiscal projections, but is also nurturing a nation.
Deeming the gender empowerment and equality seal as “progressive,” Minister Persaud said that it will be provided through the public sector and private sector, and will focus on safer workplaces that allow for equal opportunities.
The minister pointed to the strides made under her
ministry such as the ‘Learning Lab,’ which was commissioned in 2023 and was the first centre of this nature in Guyana, that was dedicated to the development and empowerment of PWDs.
She also pointed to the expansion of the programme to include climate-smart sustainable agriculture, garment construction and a number of other programmes.
The senior citizen engagement programmes, Golden Generation Hub and the Century Club were also highlighted by the minister, who highlighted how these programmes have positively impacted the lives of the elderly by bringing ease and comfort to the nation’s longest-serving citizens.
There has also been the advancement of the bridging the gap policy that focuses on men and creating safe spaces.
Dr. Persaud said this policy has led to the commissioning of the first BRAVE Centre which targets the empowerment and healing of men.
We Invest Nationhood (WIN) Member of Parliament (MP) and former A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) MP, Natasha Singh-Lewis, during her contribution to the budget debates claimed that there is neglect in the social services sector.
The minister, in rejecting this claim, firmly contented:
“I want to say that the budget 2026, is the first budget of five years and what the people of Guyana would have come to know about the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic government, is that we don’t just build buildings, we build people.
“We don’t just create infrastructure that is meaningless. They are purposeful and thoughtful that improve the quality of lives of people. We don’t just have a budget that one must look at in silos. We have a budget that is integrated and comprehensive in its outlook, which says that as
cabinet, as ministers of government, we work together to achieve the mandate of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic.”
Minister Persaud noted that within the last five years, the PPP/C government honoured its commitment by increasing old age pension, pushing back against the claims of inadequate support to the elderly.
WIN MP Singh-Lewis made mention of the death of 78-year-old David Trahaine, known to many as “Perkins,” claiming that his death was due to falling through the
flooring at the Palms Geriatric Home, but Minister Persaud stated the deceased resident had passed away from cancer.
“It was unfortunate, but that resident passed away from cancer. Mr. Speaker, I am going to provide that report to you, because people should not come here, misinform the public and then leave this assembly,” she said.
She further noted that for the first time, the Ministry of Health is providing “life-saving” vaccines, including influenza vaccines, pneumonia vaccines, that will impact the lives of the elderly.
Turning her attention to
PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, who is performing the functions of President, on Monday, reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to unity, compassion, and respect for religion as the nation joined in observing the United Nations World Inter Faith Harmony Week 2026.
The event, hosted by the Inter Religious Organisation of Guyana (IROG), was held at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) on Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Phillips underscored the importance of fostering a society where religious diversity strengthens rather than divides.
Reflecting on this year’s theme, he urged Guyanese to demonstrate their faith through acts of kindness, understanding, and care for one another. “Our diversity is our strength,” the Prime Minis-
ter noted, emphasising that the teachings across all faiths uphold shared principles of
service, justice, and mercy. He highlighted these universal values as the founda-
tion for sustaining peace and preserving Guyana’s social fabric.
Reaffirming the government’s dedication to building an inclusive and harmonious society, Prime Minister Phillips stated that interfaith harmony remains a vital pillar of national development.
He related that this commitment supports the broader vision of One Guyana, advancing peace, stability, and social progress across the nation.
The national observance brought together representatives of various religious communities, members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, and civil society stakeholders, all of whom joined in a shared call for deeper understanding and cooperation across Guyana’s multicultural landscape.
women empowerment, Minister Persaud noted the strides that the Women’s Innovation & Investment Network (WIIN) has made in the lives of over 21,000 women nationwide. Garment making, culinary arts, and training in non-traditional fields such as welding and electrical installation are some of the programmes included, the minister pointed out.
Using the World Economic Forum to provide international grading on how Guyana is progressing, she noted that Guyana moved up four places more in just one year. She said: “We are now 31 of 149 countries in the world. We are ranked eighth in the Caribbean for our leadership on gender issues, and we continue to do it, whether we speak about health care, we speak about progressive gender policies, whether we speak about home ownership or education, we are narrowing that gender gap. We are narrowing that divide, and we must continue to do it.”
Minister Persaud also highlighted the significant investments in early childhood development such as integrated day-and-night care centres.
Parenting programmes, child abuse reduction programmes are a part of the strategy to protect vulnerable children as she emphasised: “Child abuse is very serious, and we have looked at the cases, and we have not only looked at the cases, we are working with parents.
We have a very robust parenting programme. We have developed the programme, the manual, the workbook, and parents will benefit in our early childhood development centres, as well as in the communities from this parenting programme.”
THE Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), on Thursday last, relaunched the Tourism Development Fund (TDF), a voluntary, industry-led initiative that allows visitors to make a small, optional contribution during their stay or experience in Guyana.
The fund was first launched in 2015 as a mechanism to support sector-wide development.
Between 2015 and 2020, the fund supported initiatives, including Bird Trail Signage at the Botanical Gardens, server training, early digital initiatives, and COVID-19 relief for members, demonstrating the tangible impact of collective industry and contributions.
TDF is not a tax and is not mandatory. Visitors who choose not to contribute still receive the same level of service.
According to THAG, all funds collected from visitors are pooled and reinvested into initiatives that support product development, marketing and capacity building,
With the fund resuming operations, THAG has noted that potential areas may include training and capacity building, tourism site management and asset protection, customer service initiatives, and sector-wide product development.
It should be noted that the
which helps to strengthen and grow the nation’s tourism sector in a transparent, and collective manner.
During the relaunch event, THAG announced the first group of members to have signage on the fund. These included the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, Air Dash, Trail Masters Adventures, Wilderness Explorers, Herdmanston Lodge, Cara Lodge
and Arrow Point Nature Resort. It was said that upon restart, THAG will be assessing the following potential priority areas: Health and safety training- which supports safer and more professional service environments across the tourism and hospitality sector; development of a Customer Service E-Manual – a sector wide digital manual outlining service standards, best practices, and visitor experience guidelines; customer service training, along with support for Guyanese chefs and providing support to the Tourism Site Management Initiative.
The TDF is guided by a Special Committee made up of a Committee Chairman - Harryram Parmesar, the Managing Director of Parmesar Accountants; Kamrul Baksh- Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority; Nirvana Persaud-Ramdyal- Chief Executive Officer of Guyana National Trust, Mitra Ramkumar- President of THAG, and Lorenzo PersaudTreasurer of THAG.
For more information, persons can visit: https://thag.co/ tdf
THE Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) has expressed deep sorrow following the tragic and untimely death of Leon “Rasta” Baird, a respected figure in Guyana’s eco-tourism sector, extending condolences to his family, colleagues at Wichabai Ranch, and communities across the South Rupununi.
In a statement issued on Monday, THAG said Baird’s passing represents a significant loss not only to those closest to him, but to the wider national tourism community and the global network of travellers, researchers and conservationists influenced by his work.
Baird was widely recognised for his role in showcasing Guyana’s rich and unique ecosystems to international visitors, while safeguarding and sharing traditional and environmental knowledge rooted in the Rupununi. His contributions, THAG noted, helped strengthen sustainable tourism practices and deepen appreciation for the country’s natural heritage.
“The loss of Rasta is not only a loss to his family and Wichabai Ranch, but to Guyana’s tourism sector as a whole,” the association said, emphasising that individuals like Baird form the backbone of the industry through their knowledge, character and commitment to conservation. THAG also said it
- calls for full investigation
stands in solidarity with Baird’s family and the people of the Rupununi during the period of mourning and has joined calls for a thorough investigation by the relevant authorities to ensure accountability surrounding his death.
According to the association, Baird’s legacy will endure through the ecosystems he helped protect, the communities he strengthened, and the many lives he touched locally and internationally.
THAG encouraged members of the public to keep Baird’s family, friends and colleagues in their thoughts as they grieve his passing.
DIRECTOR General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Muhammad Ibrahim; Sergio Díaz Granados, Executive President of CAF - Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean; and Christian Asinelli, Vice President of the multilateral organisation, highlighted the partnership between both institutions, while advocating for increased financial support to expand the scientific and technological revolution in agriculture in the Americas.
Ibrahim, Díaz-Granados and Asinelli met during the International Economic Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean 2026, hosted by CAF in Panama City and attended by Heads of State and Government, ministers, representatives of the private sector and international organisations, and authorities in science, public policy and finance.
Díaz-Granados welcomed
the new IICA Director General, an agronomist of Guyanese nationality, who took up his appointment on January 15. The CAF President outlined CAF’s ambitious programme to support agro-industrial development. Last year the Bank launched its Agricultural Prosperity Strategy, setting a target to provide 8.5 billion in financing by 2030, with a focus on social and territorial inclusion.
In meeting, they analysed new and better synergies between the development bank and the specialised agency in agricultural and rural development, specifically in issues such as health, soil health and restoration, water resources and specific crops.
Alicia Montalvo, CAF’s Manager of Climate Action and Positive Biodiversity, as well as other officers from the credit organisation, were also present.
The CAF forum brought together approximately 5,000 participants, including the Presidents of Panama, Brazil,
Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Guatemala; the Prime Minister of Jamaica; and the President-elect of Chile.
Ibrahim’s participation focused on the need to facilitate connections with public and private funding sources, on a large scale, to ensure that the current scientific and
technological revolution will spread throughout agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean, thereby boosting productivity, improving resilience and driving development in rural areas.
While in Panama, Ibrahim was accompanied by the IICA Panama and Hondu -
and then determining how to integrate them into viable projects and investment mechanisms, thereby mobilising the financial resources needed for appropriate technological scaling up.
He also noted that science and technology already offer a range of solutions that can boost productivity, improve resilience and drive economic and rural development.
Yet, in the same breath, he warned that many solutions cannot move beyond the initial stages, due to lack of financing, inadequate regulatory frameworks, insufficient infrastructure and a weak connection to demand.
ras representatives, Miguel Ángel Arvelo and Santiago Vélez, as well as his Senior Advisor, Jorge Werthein. He was a speaker in two sessions during the forum, focusing on financing in agriculture and improved food security in the region.
In addition to meeting with the CAF Executive President and Vice President, Ibrahim also held discussions with Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Aubyn Hill; Panama Ambassador to the OAS (Organization of American States), Ana Irene Delgado; and Portuguese Member of Parliament Paulo Neves, who is also the President and Founder of IPDAL, the Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean in Portugal.
In addressing the high-level sessions, the IICA Director General discussed the financing challenges faced by an agroindustry sector that is compelled to increase productivity in the context of limited natural resources. Thus, the incorporation of new technologies and innovations is a matter of necessity. Ibraham noted that, “Clearly, input costs are rising, and this affects competitiveness. Financial considerations must be a central component of any strategy aimed at transforming food systems to satisfy increasing demands.”
The IICA Director General explained that the organisation has been developing various innovative programmes, providing guarantees to assist small farmers to overcome credit access barriers.
It has also been working with various entities to identify and validate more promising technological packages
In his view, “They must be adapted locally and then expanded until they reach the level where they can make a systemic impact, even as we continue to develop new technological options”.
In one session, Asinelli stressed that IICA plays “a key role in reinforcing the position of the Latin American and Caribbean region as a solution to global problems”.
He also stressed that agriculture continues to be a structural mainstay of economies in the region, although the financial gap is an obstacle that affects its productivity and competitiveness.
Ibrahim explained that IICA is working with public and private sector partners to remove barriers to access financing. As such, he stressed that institutions like IICA and CAF have a central role to play in tackling the structural problems that affect the financial ecosystem throughout the production chain.
He also spoke about other challenges arising from new consumer demands, such as the demand for more sustainable and responsible food production, and for healthy diets that are accessible to the majority. The IICA Director General also participated in the panel discussion, “Agriculture and Food for the Sustainable Transformation of Latin America and the Caribbean”, along with other panellists, such as the Minister of Agriculture of Ecuador, Juan Carlos Vega.
In that forum, he called for “an association of stakeholders in science and technology, and the mobilisation of financial stakeholders to ensure adequate risk management, by developing a range of financial mechanisms that take into account the reality of small farmers”. (DPI)
THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department has reported a total of 3,181 traffic offences recorded during the period January 25 to January 31, 2026, as enforcement operations and public education activities continued across the country.
According to official traffic statistics, speeding accounted for the majority of offences, with 1,331 cases recorded. This was followed by 172 instances of leaving a motor vehicle in a dangerous position and 110 cases of failure to wear seatbelts. Police also recorded 96 cases of riders failing to wear safety helmets, along with 28 cases of carrying a pillion rider without a helmet.
Other offences included 40 unlicensed drivers, 27 cases of driving under the influence, 35 instances of unlighted rear motor vehicles, 26 unlighted front motor vehicles, 18 breaches of prescribed fitness conditions, 16 cases of faulty packing, 11 breaches of traffic light signals, and six offences involving tinted motor vehicles.
In parallel with enforcement efforts, the Traffic De-
partment conducted an extensive public education and awareness drive throughout the same period. Lectures and outreach activities were held with drivers, taxi operators, bar patrons and community members, as well as through radio programmes and walkabout engagements. These sessions were conducted at more than 40 locations nationwide, including major highways, police stations, taxi bases, schools, communities and media houses.
Areas covered ranged from Georgetown and the East Coast and West Bank Demerara to Linden, Bartica, Mahdia, the Essequibo Coast, Parika, and several riverain and hinterland communities, including Port Kaituma, Kumaka and Arakaka.
Additionally, the Traffic Department delivered road safety lectures at 14 nursery, primary and secondary schools between January 26 and January 30, spanning Regions One, Three, Four, Five and Nine. Schools engaged included Diamond Primary, Leonora Primary, Port Kaituma Primary, Hosororo Secondary, Quarrie Primary,
and several nursery and preschools.
The Guyana Police Force reiterated its commitment to reducing road accidents and fatalities through a combination of strict enforcement and continuous public education, urging all roadusers to observe traffic laws and adopt responsible driving behaviours to ensure safer roadways for all.
THE Ministry of Education will soon begin implementing a biometric attendance system in some schools to accurately record the arrival and departure times of teachers.
The system is aimed at strengthening accountability at public learning institutions. Minister of Education Sonia Parag made the announcement during a recent televised interview, noting that the new initiative will ensure quality teaching and
better outcomes for students.
She assured teachers that the new measures are not intended to punish teachers.
“You have children who need to be taught. You have a curriculum that needs to be delivered. If you want to be successful, you have to have teachers teaching in the classroom,” Minister Parag said, adding that “accountability simply means teachers being present and delivering the curriculum for their respective grades.”
Minister Parag, who introduced the system at the Ministry of the Public Service, emphasised that the initiative focuses on transparency and accurate information rather than discipline. She noted that the data will help the ministry understand attendance patterns and the reasons for absences, ensuring that investments in education translate into consistent classroom instruction for students. (DPI)
THE 2026 recipients of the Anthony N. Sabga Awards for Caribbean Excellence were announced last evening during a live video, celebrating five exceptional individuals, including a Guyanese-American, whose work continues to uplift and redefine the region.
The laureates—two Barbadians, two Jamaicans, and a Guyanese-American—were selected by a distinguished regional panel of Caribbean citizens across four categories of excellence, according to a press release.
In the Arts & Letters category, Sheena
Rose, a Barbadian visual artist known for her vibrant contemporary works that explore culture and identity, received this year’s honours.
The Entrepreneurship category recognised Dean Nevers, a Jamaican telecommunications pioneer celebrated for expanding digital infrastructure and access across underserved communities.
In Public & Civic Contributions, Shamelle Rice of Barbados was honoured for her groundbreaking social activism and sustained efforts to strengthen community resilience through youth mentorship and empowerment initiatives.
The Science & Technology category was jointly awarded to Dr. Niven Narain, a Guyanese-American biotech innovator whose medical research has advanced cancer therapeutics, and Professor Tannecia Stephenson, a Jamaican climate scientist whose work informs regional adaptation strategies to climate change.
Each Anthony N. Sabga laureate receives the local currency equivalent of TT$500,000 to further their ongoing work and support projects that advance Caribbean development and innovation.
Founded by the ANSA McAL Group, the Anthony N. Sabga Caribbean Awards remain one of the region’s most prestigious recognitions of excellence, dedicated to fostering visionary leadership and tangible progress across the Caribbean.
THE Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development (Iwokrama) has confirmed that the Iwokrama River Lodge has retained its Good Travel Seal Certification, following a recent assessment under the Good Travel Experiences framework developed by the Good Travel Alliance. The Good Travel Seal
recognises tourism experiences that generate tangible benefits for local people and communities, while ensuring that impacts on nature, culture, and the climate are kept lower than comparable tourism activities, according to a press release from Iwokrama.
The retention of this certification affirms Iwokrama River Lodge’s continued commitment to responsible, community-centred, and environmentally sustainable tourism.
The Iwokrama River Lodge remains one of Guyana’s leading examples of a tourism operation that successfully integrates conservation, community livelihoods, and visitor experiences within a protected rainforest landscape.
The certification provides third-party validation that the Lodge’s operations align with internationally recognised good practices for sustainable tourism and destination stewardship.
Iwokrama’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dane Gobin, noted that “I am very pleased that the Centre has been able to maintain this accolade. It is a testament to the premier tourism service that it has consistently delivered to its guests over the years.
“We have exciting announcements for 2026 including a closer working relations with the Ministry of Tourism to further promote community tourism products in the North Rupununi. Spe-
cial thanks to our dedicated staff and community partners, the NRDDB who have supported the Centre in this achievement”.
The Good Travel Experience assessment evaluates tourism activities against criteria that include local economic contribution, cultural respect, environmental responsibility, and climate-conscious operations.
Retaining the Good Travel Seal confirms that the Iwokrama River Lodge continues to meet these standards through its employment of local staff, partnerships with community enterprises, support for conservation initiatives, and low-impact tourism practices.
The Iwokrama River Lodge plays a key role in supporting Iwokrama’s wider conservation and research mandate, with tourism revenues contributing directly to forest conservation, biodiversity monitoring, and community engagement programmes.
The Centre expresses its appreciation to the Good Travel Alliance for its continued collaboration, and extends special thanks to its community partners, staff of the Iwokrama River Lodge, the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB), and the Guyana Tourism Authority for their ongoing support in delivering responsible tourism that benefits both people and nature.
Jet stopped the clock at one minute and 25 seconds, Monica Time finished second while Miracle Boy ran third followed by Granite Storm.
Race four looked evenly poised as the horses galloped together in the J3 and Lower. Sakar had the most gas in the tank to come out on top of an exciting race.
She’s a Monica ran second while Regal Surprise ran third and Heartland ran fourth.
The Sprint Classic which saw four horses running for
6.5 furlung was won by the ever consistent Js Raving Stables. Regal Man started in fine fashion to complete a gate to pole win, stopping the clock at one minute 19 seconds. One Sharp Cookie looked sharp, but was not sharp enough and settled for second. John Bull ran third and Rei Da Brincaderia finished fourth.
The closest race of the day was the G Class and Lower Open to West Indian bred also open to F class non-winners in the last three starts. Grande Rainha
(From page 24)
anara had asked the commit- tee for some time to submit a written complaint and had been given another 15 days to submit the report. Then on December 21, the BCB again said that the independent investigation committee would submit the investigation report by January 31.
The announcement came hours after the High Court issued rule over BCB's silent role in probe into cricketer Jahanara's allegations. On February 2, the High Court issued a rule asking why the silent role of the BCB should not be declared illegal in the probe based on the allegations of misconduct in women's cricket raised by former national captain Jahanara Alam.
The HC bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar delivered the order on Monday (2 February) following a writ petition. Senior lawyer of Bangladesh Supreme Court Barrister Nasir Uddin Ahmed Asim, along with some other lawyers, took part in the hearing for writ petition in the court. (Cricbuzz)
(From page 25)
of his first U.S. Open title and after his second in New York, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge.
"I've said it's going to be a kangaroo, for sure," the seven-time Grand Slam champion added.
"It's going to be in the leg, for sure ... I don't know the right, the left one. So I got to choose a good spot, but it's going to be for sure close to the French Open or Wimbledon."
was the first to jump out of the gate but Amicable Kate was equally up to the task. It was a photo finish in race six. Stormy Victory ran third and Kanem finished fourth.
The cameramen had a busy day as another photo finish was on the card. She
WBO on Time won the I Class and Lower to West Indian bred. Just Exhale edged Sydney for second while Blinding Light ran fourth.
The penultimate race of the day was the F Class and
ENGLISH RACING TIPS
CARLISLE 09:30 hrs It's Top 10:00 hrs Della Casa Lunga 10:35 hrs Future Bucks 11:05 hrs Celestial Fashion 11:35 hrs Medieval Gold 12:04 hrs Rob Roy Macgregor 12:34 hrs Masterfield
TAUNTON
09:40 hrs Kings Champion 10:12 hrs Wandering Ego
10:45 hrs Beauty In The Park 11:15 hrs Courageous Strike 11:45 hrs Brave Kingdom 12:15 hrs Nedzor 12:45 hrs Our Dylan
(From back page)
Lower Open to E Class and four-year-old imported maidens in Guyana. The Jumbo Jet Racing Stales Barbra, set the tone and it was Jockey Colin Ross who registered his third win of the day.
Full Liberty settled for second while Front Line Warrior ran third.
Despite the brief showers the Banks Classic was deemed a grand success. The next race set for Phagwah is at the Kennard Memorial Turf Club.
WOLVERHAMPTON 13:30 hrs How's The Guvnor 14:00 hrs Dyrholaey 14:30 hrs Harlequin Bay 15:00 hrs Skycutter 15:30 hrs Eupator 16:00 hrs Grey Horizon 16:30 hrs Bergamo Gold
IRISH RACING TIPS
FAIRYHOUSE 09:15 hrs Dunsy Rock 09:50 hrs Springhill Warrior 10:25 hrs Oldschool Outlaw 10:55 hrs Sound As A Bell 11:30 hrs Folly Master 12:05 hrs Our Uncle Jack 12:40 hrs Green Hint SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS FAIRVIEW 08:15 hrs Aethelwulf 08:50 hrs Back For More
(Tuesday, February 3, 2026)
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Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) PAK won by 8 wickets (2) Abdul Subhan (PAK)
Today’s Quiz:
(1) What has been the result of the SA/SL Super Six match in the current Under-19 WC?
(2) Who was voted Man of the Match? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
SHAI Gilgeous-Alexander collected 34 points and a season-high 13 assists, Cason Wallace scored a career-high 27 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the host Denver Nuggets 121-111 on Sunday night.
Gilgeous-Alexander has now scored 20 or more points in 120 straight games and got the better of Nikola Jokic in a matchup of the last two NBA MVPs.
Wallace made a career-high seven 3-pointers, Chet Holmgren finished with 14 points and three blocks,
and Aaron Wiggins also scored 14 points for Oklahoma City, which never trailed. It was the first of four games between the Northwest Division teams and the first time they've met since the Thunder beat Denver in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals in May.
Peyton Watson had 29 points and Jokic scored 16 points in his second game back from a left knee injury for the Nuggets. Jonas Valanciunas scored 13 points and Jamal Murray had 12 points and 12 assists hours after he was named as a first-
midway through the second quarter but had just one field goal over the next 5:49, and Denver cut the deficit to four late in the period. Wallace's 3-pointer with 4.9 seconds left sent the Thunder to the locker room with a 62-55 halftime lead.
The Thunder's advantage grew to 72-60 on another 3-pointer from Wallace and Denver responded with an 11-2 run to get within three. Oklahoma City hit four straight from deep to go ahead 89-74.
After a Nuggets layup, Gilgeous-Alexander con -
verted a three-point play to make it 92-76 and took a 16-point lead into the fourth quarter.
The Thunder were 8-for13 from behind the 3-point arc in the third quarter, four of them from Wallace, and they maintained a double-digit lead throughout the fourth quarter.
Watson's driving layup got Denver within 113-100 but Gilgeous-Alexander hit a step-back 18-footer and fed Wallace for a fastbreak dunk, giving Oklahoma City a 120-103 lead with 3:11 left. (Reuters)
WITH five wins in five games for both Australia U-19s and England U-19s at the 2026 edition of the U-19 World Cup, the first semi-final will be heartbreak for one of these sides.
Australia, under Oliver Peake's captaincy, have enjoyed a dominant campaign and are looking to defend their title. They topped their group in the first round with three wins and then beat South Africa and West Indies to finish atop their Super Sixes group.
England, too, cruised through their group spotless-
advantage. Their last two wins were in Bulawayo, the venue for the semi-final, while it will be Australia's first game here. The winner will face one of India or Afghanistan in the final
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hampshire's Ben Mayes looks almost impossible to catch on the run-scorers' chart and will therefore play an important role for England at No. 3. His 191 against Scotland is the tournament's second-highest individual score, and he also has an unbeaten 77 against Zimbabwe and 53 against New Zealand.
Australia opener Nitesh Samuel has been dismissed just twice in five innings. He started the tournament with unbeaten scores of 77 and 60 against Ireland and Japan and ended the Super Eight with 56 against West Indies. The captain Oliver Peake also returned to form with a century against
Among the bowlers,
Australia's new-ball pair of Charles Lachmund and Will Byrom have been menacing. Byrom's five-wicket
haul skittled Sri Lanka for 58, while Lachmund led the effort in wrapping up South Africa for 118. England
...Proteas in search of first white-ball title
Group fixtures
v Canada - February 9Ahmedabad
v Afghanistan - February
11 - Ahmedabad
v New Zealand - February
14 - Ahmedabad
v UAE - February 18Delhi SA in search of first whiteball title
IN theory, South Africa should no longer go into major tournaments wondering if it will finally be the one, because they've now got one to their name. Winning the World Test Championship last June was the moment of triumph South Africa have waited almost three decades for.
In reality, there will still be questions over whether they can do the same thing in white-ball cricket, especially as the pressures are different. Unlike a prolonged WTC campaign which culminates in a one-off final, a white-ball World Cup is high-intensity and condensed, and rewards the team that can consistently win crunch moments, and has some luck along the way.
Two years ago, South
Africa thought they were that team. They reeled off eight wins in a row to reach the T20 World Cup final in Barbados, were in a winning position at 151 for 4 in the 17th over, chasing 177, and then inexplicably lost four wickets for 17 runs in 23 balls and learnt that hearts can be broken in many different ways.
Nine of the 15 members of that squad are back to try again, under a new coach in Shukri Conrad, and their most capped T20I leader Aiden Markram. On paper, South Africa have all the ingredients to go far, with a strong batting line-up and several bowling options, apart from wristspin. But if there is one team who knows tournaments are not won on paper, it's them.
RECENT FORM
Since Conrad took over the all-format role, South Africa's T20I form was their poorest and they failed to win any of the six series they played between July and December last year. That included a 3-1 defeat to India in India, which could have
By Ariba Shahid and Muhammad Waseem
KARACHI, (Reuters) - Pakistan's decision to boycott its Twenty20 World Cup match against India has drawn widespread support from fans and administrators who hailed the move as a long-overdue stand in a rivalry in which sport and geopolitics have collided.
The government on Sunday cleared Pakistan to take part in the tournament beginning February 7 but barred the team from playing India in a February 15 group match in Colombo, a decision the International Cricket Council (ICC) said was not in the interests of the global game.
ing, but Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, linked the move to security tensions with India.
"Nothing is more important than the memory of Pakistani citizens and troops murdered by Indian proxy terrorists over the weekend," Zaidi said. "With funerals taking place today, this was the least that could be done."
The remarks followed coordinated attacks by Baloch separatist militants across Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province over the weekend that killed nearly 50 people.
this duplicitous approach by exercising PCB's options in alliance with Bangladesh."
raised alarm bells, but it is worth adding a caveat that South Africa are rarely able to field full-strength sides in T20Is.
As an example, they had a team playing in Namibia (a match they lost) the day before the Test side were due to start a match in Pakistan. Last week, with the bulk of their firstchoice players available, they beat West Indies 2-1 to finalise their World Cup preparations on a high. It should also be remembered that South Africa were blanked 3-nil by West Indies before reaching the 2024 final.
THE Bangladesh Cricket Board received the investigation report into allegations of misconduct in women's cricket raised by former national captain Jahanara Alam, a member of the five-member inquiry committee confirmed to Cricbuzz on Monday.
Jahanara had alleged being sexually assaulted by a member of the team management which forced BCB to form an investigation committee to probe into the matter.
Initially BCB announced that the investigation committee will be chaired by Justice Tariq ul Hakim, former judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh while its other members were BCB Director Rubaba Dowla and
Sarwat Siraj Shukla.
Later, BCB expanded the committee by adding two more members- Professor Dr Naima Huq, former Chair of the Department of Law at the University of Dhaka and current Member of the Law Commission, Bangladesh and Barrister Muhammed Mustafizur Rahman Khan, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court.
When contacted, Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla told Cricbuzz on Monday that they have submitted the report to the board. The BCB has extended the deadline for this incident several times despite forming an investigation committee.
senior Supreme Court lawyer and President of the Women's Sports Association Barrister
Deciding to extend the time for the first time on December 2, BCB said that Jah-
(Turn to page 22)
The boycott deepened a long freeze in bilateral cricket between the nuclear-armed neighbours — who have not played a full series since 2012–13 and now meet largely at neutral venues — and dealt a blow to the ICC's marquee event, with India-Pakistan matches the biggest drivers of global viewership and revenue.
For many in Pakistan, however, the boycott was less about cricketing issues, with Pakistan forfeiting two points by skipping the match, and more about symbolism.
"Enough is enough," former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi told Reuters, accusing India's board of politicising the ICC. "It's time to challenge
The Indian government, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council did not respond to requests for comment.
The ICC said it was still awaiting an official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) conveying their "position of selective participation."
"While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan," the Dubai-based body said in a statement on Sunday.
The government has not publicly detailed its reason-
India's foreign ministry rejected Pakistan's accusations, calling them "baseless" and accusing Islamabad of deflecting attention from its own internal issues.
Pakistan's World Cup jersey has been branded the "Markhor Edition," after the national animal, a symbol of resilience also used in military iconography, Geo TV reported.
On the streets of Pakistan's major cities, many cricket fans backed the boycott as a response to what they see as India's growing influence over global cricket governance.
"This arrogance of India should be broken a little," said Mohammad Asghar, a fan in Karachi. "They should realise someone has come forward to challenge them."
SRI Lanka has included Kamindu Mendis in their 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, which was officially announced on Monday (February 2).
The 27-year-old, who was recently left out of the squad for the England series, makes a swift return at the expense of Dhananjaya de Silva. Seamer Pramod Madushan has also been omitted.
The remainder of the Dasun Shanaka-led squad closely resembles the group picked to face England, with Pavan Rathnayake retaining his place following his century in the final ODI against England.
Kamindu's recall is the lone major talking point, particularly given his modest recent returns in the format. He managed just 20 runs across three innings for MI Emirates in the ILT20, though
Kamindu Mendis is replacing Dhananjaya de Silva for Sri Lanka
he did score a hundred in his most recent first-class outing. Overall, Mendis has scored 540 runs from 35 T20Is for Sri Lanka at a strike rate of 124.71, alongside three wickets.
Dhananjaya, meanwhile, misses out after a lean run of scores, having managed 10,
22 and 11 in the three T20Is he has played since the turn of the year. With Madushan released, Sri Lanka's pace attack will be led by Matheesha Pathirana, with Eshan Malinga and Dushmantha Chameera providing support.
The 2014 champions begin their campaign against Ireland at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 8. Australia, Ireland, Oman and Zimbabwe make up the rest of the group.
Sri Lanka squad:Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga (Cricbuzz)
By Frederick Halley
PRESIDENT of the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA), Shiv Persaud, has described the 2025 season as both successful and progressive across several key areas.
Delivering his report at the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the Royal Crown Academy in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada on Sunday, the Guyana-born Persaud pointed out that the SCA saw noticeable improvements in field maintenance, as well as an increased willingness from the city to collaborate on upgrading existing cricket facilities and adding new ones.
According to Persaud, “being a member of the City of Toronto Cricket Reference Group, I have advocated for additional and improved facilities. I have also worked with the city on facility designs to ensure there are spac-
es for other forms of cricket, some that will be available in 2026 are Farquharson Park, Corvette Park and Littles Park.”
Touching on youth development, Persaud disclosed that “participation in our youth programme increased significantly, and this momentum continues into 2026. Our youth programme remains one of the strongest pillars of the SCA. We have already received interests from different academies for the 2026 season. This will be beneficial to our members as most of our youths represent multiple clubs during the season.”
Persaud pointed to the expanded collaboration with schools and community organisations that are embracing, promoting, and supporting cricket at the grassroots level. “We collaborated with Malvern Family Resource Centre to host a free, open cricket programme for youths
and now doing after-school sessions over an eight weeks period. We have supported cricket in several TDSB schools and looking to add more in 2026, given the positive interest.”
Persaud also alluded to the increased interest from sponsors at the annual Presentation and Gala which he said recorded the largest turnout of dignitaries to date. “This is an important reflection of SCA’s growing stature and reputation. While we celebrate our successes, we also remain committed to addressing areas that require improvement to ensure a higher standard and a better overall experience for our members.”
Persaud said he was particularly pleased with the strides made in fielding competitive teams at the provincial level, including increased participation from national-calibre players. “We continue to see positive pro-
CRYSTAL Palace striker
Jean-Philippe Mateta's move to AC Milan has been called off because of issues with his medical.
But Palace are still set to sign Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen in a £48m deal before Monday's 19:00 GMT transfer deadline.
France forward Mateta, who has been nursing a knee issue, had an initial medical examination on Sunday followed by additional tests on Monday.
The Italian club have now pulled out of the £30m deal for the 28-year-old, who wants to leave Selhurst Park.
Palace had been unwilling to let him go without having a replacement but agreed a deal for Strand Larsen and granted Mateta permission to have an initial medical in London before flying to Milan.
Nottingham Forest have also been interested in the striker and had a £35m bid rejected by Palace last weekend.
After the 1-1 draw at Forest on Sunday, Palace manager Oliver Glasner
said: "I expect either Mateta or someone else here as a striker.
"Everybody is really working very hard, but it is so close to the end of the window, so it makes it more difficult. I always try to be positive, so I hope.
"Worst case, we sell Mateta and no-one comes in, then it's not a good window for Palace."
Wolves, meanwhile, have moved to replace Strand Larsen and are close to reaching a deal for Southampton striker Adam Armstrong for an initial £7m.
There is growing confidence the move will be done, with the Premier -
gression through our youth pathway, both boys and girls, with players advancing to provincial representation and gaining national consideration.
“This progress reflects the strength of our development systems and the commitment of our reputable players, coaches, and selectors. A proud highlight of 2025 was the SCA Under-17 programme hosting the Canada National Women’s Team in October, prior to their depar-
ture for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers.
Persaud said he fully appreciates the work required to continue growing and improving the Scarborough Cricket Association. “With the continued support of our members and board, I remain committed to putting SCA first in 2026 and beyond by focusing on: adding new playing fields; improving maintenance of grounds and practice cages; strengthening youth development pathways; enhancing governance and operational standards and strengthening SCA presence and visibility in the community.”
Persaud declared that it has been an honour to continue serving the SCA as President, alongside a diligent, committed, and hardworking board of executives. “I would like to sincerely thank my fellow board members and our membership for your continued support, co-opera-
tion, and trust throughout the past year.
“Congratulations to all of our clubs, teams, and individuals who recorded outstanding team and individual performances during the 2025 season. Your dedication and achievements continue to raise the profile and standard of cricket within our association.”
Meanwhile, the highly anticipated election of office-bearers for the new twoyear term suffered a setback after the required quorum wasn’t met when the roll call was made. The new date has been set for Sunday, March 29.
The positions up for grabs are President, Secretary, Treasurer, Grounds Coordinator, Registrar/ Statistician, Webmaster, and Assistant Secretary/ Assistant Treasurer, the latter resigning after only serving one year of his twoyear term.
By Ian Ransom and Shrivathsa Sridhar
MELBOURNE, (Reuters)
- Australian Open champion Carlos Alcaraz said capturing all four Grand Slam titles at 22 had not diminished his desire and while plenty remains on his to - do list, he will not pile pressure on himself to chase a clean sweep of the majors this year.
ship's bottom club Wolves in danger of relegation to the Championship.
The 28-year-old has 11 goals for Saints in the Championship this season and has 43 in total for the club since joining from Blackburn Rovers in 2021. Meanwhile, Palace are showing late interest in a move for Everton winger Dwight McNeil.
McNeil is out of favour at Hill Dickinson Stadium and Palace are working on a deal to sign the forward.
The 26-year-old has one assist in 14 Premier League appearances this season and Everton value him at about £20m. (BBC Sport)
Alcaraz celebrated becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam by overhauling Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5 at a floodlit Rod Laver Arena on Sunday and will look to return to the finals of the other majors this year.
The Spaniard beat Jannik Sinner in an epic French Open final last year to defend his title, before surrendering his Wimbledon crown to the Italian and capping their trilogy of major meetings by unseating him at the U.S. Open for a sixth Grand Slam trophy.
"It's going to be a big challenge," Alcaraz told reporters when asked about gunning for all four Grand
Carlos Alcaraz admits it’s going to be a big challenge
Slam titles in the same year.
"Those are big words, to be honest. I just want it to be one at a time. Right now, the next one is the French Open and I have great memories of that tournament. I feel really special every time that I go there.
"I don't want to put myself in a really pressure position to have to do it, but it's going to be great. Right
now I'll try to be ready, to work hard, to just recover and practice well to play a good tournament in the next Grand Slam."
Alcaraz said he had plenty of motivation for the rest of a year that has begun superbly after an emotional roller-coaster in pre-season, during which he split with long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.
"There are some tournaments that I really want to win at least once. A few Masters 1000s. I just really want to complete all the Masters 1000," Alcaraz said.
"Obviously the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup are goals as well. I really want to achieve that for Spain. I've set up some other goals for the season and I'll try to be ready for, or to try to get those goals."
Alcaraz's immediate focus will be on getting a tattoo to mark his Melbourne Park triumph.
He has commemorated previous major wins with body art - a strawberry for Wimbledon, the Eiffel Tower for the French Open, the date
(Turn to page 22)
THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) was represented by President Wayne Forde, General Secretary Pushpargha Chattopadhyay and GFF Council Member Rayan Farias at the 41st Concacaf Ordinary Congress, held in Managua, Nicaragua.
The congress was presided over by Concacaf President Victor Montagliani, alongside members of the Concacaf Council and Concacaf General Secretary Philippe Moggio. The annual statutory meeting brought together football leaders from across the region to deliberate on key governance
GFF
Member
Farias, President Wayne Forde and General Secretary Pushpargha Chattopadhyay
CRICKET Canada is proud to announce a new partnership with Mina, a Maple Leaf Foods halal brand, as an official partner supporting the growth of cricket across Canada.
According to a release from Cricket Canada, “the partnership brings together one of Canada’s leading food companies with one of the country’s fastest-growing sports, united by a shared commitment to community, culture, and connection.
The release pointed out that cricket continues to experience rapid growth across Canada, driven by participation and fandom in communities where the sport is deeply rooted.
Cricket Canada President Amjad Bajwa disclosed that “cricket is growing quickly across the country, and partnerships like this help us continue building meaningful pathways for athletes while expanding the sport’s reach in communities nationwide.
“We’re excited to welcome Mina and Maple Leaf Foods to the Cricket Canada family and look forward to creating memorable experiences for fans and participants.”
As part of the partnership, – cricket fans will be given opportunities to connect with Mina during key Cricket Canada moments through sampling opportunities, community events, in-venue activations, and year - round social campaigns.
The partnership also comes at a pivotal moment for the sport, as global attention turns towards the upcoming Cricket World Cup. With increased international visibility and growing domestic interest, Canada is experiencing heightened mo-
mentum around cricket at both the grassroots and elite levels.
The collaboration positions Cricket Canada and Mina to engage fans during a period of unprecedented excitement, while reinforcing cricket’s role as a unifying cultural force across communities nationwide.
“This partnership reflects the momentum behind cricket in Canada and the unique opportunity to engage communities in authentic ways,” said Rahul Srinivasan, CEO of Boundaries North.
“Mina and Cricket Canada share a community-first spirit, and we’re excited to support this collaboration through meaningful activations and storytelling that help grow the sport nationwide.”
Cricket Canada continues to expand grassroots programming, improve development pathways, and strengthen engagement nationwide. Partnerships such as this help Cricket Canada invest in the growth of the sport and inspire the next generation of Canadian cricketers. (Frederick Halley)
and development matters affecting the Confederation.
Key agenda items included the approval of the 2026 Concacaf Budget, presentation of the Concacaf Council’s annual report, and updates related to Concacaf Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the region continues its preparations towards global competition.
A solemn moment of the congress was dedicated to the In Memoriam segment, during which Concacaf paid its final respects to eminent football dignitaries from across the region who passed away in 2024.
The Guyana Football Federation joined the Con-
cacaf family in honouring the lives and contributions of the following GFF-affiliated football stalwarts:
In Memoriam – Concacaf - Geneva Nadie (5 October 1954 - 31 October 2024), Former Office Manager, Guyana Football Federation - Johnny Barnwell (14 April 1946 - May 2024); Sports Organiser - Ovid Henry (1942 - November 2024); Former National Team Player, Roraima Football Club - Patrick Dey (1959 - 20 January 2024); Second Vice President, Upper Demerara Football Association - Alvin Brathwaite (1943 - 31 December 2024) former National Team Player, Santos
Football Club.
The Guyana Football Federation acknowledges the invaluable service, leadership, and legacy of these individuals, whose contributions played a meaningful role in the development of football in Guyana and the wider Caribbean. Their impact continues to be felt across the football community.
The GFF remains committed to active participation in regional football governance and to upholding the values of respect, integrity, and remembrance that define the global football family. (GFF)
SUSSEX has been given a 12-point deduction for the 2026 County Championship following "sustained operating losses" in the last financial year.
The club has also been docked a point each for the T20 Blast and One-Day Cup, with similar suspended penalties for all three competitions hanging over them for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
A player salary cap will be put in place until 2028 and Sussex must provide the England and Wales Cricket Board with a three-year business plan and show sustainable year-on-year operating profits for the same period.
"We fully understand how disappointing this news will be for everyone connected with Sussex Cricket" said acting chief executive Mark West.
"Since taking on the interim role at the end of last season, it has become clear that a combination of internal decisions and wider economic pressures have contributed to the position the club finds itself in today.
"The points deductions will be an unexpected blow to the players and supporters, but we accept the ECB's decision.
"We are sorry - it hasn't been good enough. Our responsibility now is to put things right and ensure the club is in a stronger position going forward."
Sussex achieved an impressive fourth-place finish last year after achieving pro-
motion to County Championship Division One in 2024, but failed to reach the knockout stage of the two white-ball competitions.
Head coach Paul Farbrace recently told BBC Radio Sussex: "There's no point whinging about it; we've got to hold our hands up and say we've obviously made mistakes.
"Therefore we've got to own it and deal with it. I chatted to the players, the coaching staff, the medical team - I've kept them up to date because it's the right thing to do."
The financial framework agreed with the ECB will remain in place until 2029, and includes additional financial controls to ensure cricket operations are protected.
They include enhanced governance, an independent review of the Board's skills and effectiveness, and ECB observer rights at relevant committee meetings.
The club has also been given a suspended £100,000 fine, which they will only have to pay if the conditions
of the agreement are breached.
West added: "These measures provide assurance of a clear, sustainable pathway back to long term financial stability, and the loan will be fully repaid, under the terms, from future funding streams due.
"We are extremely grateful for the ECB's support as we work through this period.
"This is the best possible way forward for the club, and while it has been a difficult few days for supporters, players and staff, we can now move forward positively.
"Our focus has to be on building our own revenue streams and sustainable growth on and off the field, to ultimately create an environment in which the team can thrive in all formats of the game."
Sussex starts the new Championship season with an away game against promoted Leicestershire on April 3 before playing at home for the first time against Warwickshire a week later. (BBC Sport)
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC )– A long-standing legal dispute between Cricket West Indies (CWI) and former West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich has been amicably settled, closing a chapter that began with his early departure from the 2020 tour of New Zealand.
The conflict, which centred on issues of player eligibility and the non-renewal of his central contract, has been resolved after discussions between the parties. Both sides have expressed satisfaction at bringing the matter to a close.
With the legal impasse cleared, Dowrich’s future in West Indies cricket is set to take a new path.
CWI CEO Chris Dehring announced that the organisation is pleased to welcome the retired cricketer into its coaching structure.
“CWI is pleased that an agreement has been reached and welcomes Shane to be part of its coaching structure as he moves into further professional development, having retired from international cricket in December 2023,” Dehring stated.
Dowrich, who ended his playing career in late 2023 after 35 Test matches, echoed the sentiment of moving forward. His attorney, Philip Nicholls, conveyed the player’s relief and renewed focus.
“Shane is delighted that this uncertain period over
the last five years has come to an end,” Nicholls said.
“He is now looking forward to forging a coaching career and maintaining his involvement in the game he loves.
He welcomed the opportunity to pass on the knowledge gained during his career to the next generation of cricketers, and wicketkeepers in particular.”
The specific terms of the settlement will remain confidential, as agreed by both parties. The resolution allows Dowrich to transition fully into a men-
Windies unveil Maroon tribute kit for...
(From back page)
“The new West Indies kits combine respect for heritage with contemporary design, technical performance and sustainability,” Pavanello said, noting that Macron will be the most represented brand at the upcoming T20
World Cup, outfitting four competing nations.
The jersey is now available for purchase online via the “Shop” tab on www. windiescricket.com or through Macron’s official website.
HARARE, Zimbabwe, ( CMC) – THE Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires and Referees has announced the officials for the highly anticipated semi-finals of the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, with Trinidad and Tobago’s Zahid Bassarath earning a prominent assignment.
torship role, contributing to the development of Caribbean cricket from a new perspective.
Bassarath will take the field as an on-field umpire for the blockbuster first semi-final between unbeaten rivals Australia and England today. He will be joined by In-
dia’s Virender Sharma. This appointment comes fresh from Bassarath officiating England’s commanding victory over New Zealand in the Super Six stage, while Sharma oversaw Australia’s earlier wins against Japan and Sri Lanka.
The support team for this high-stakes clash will see Lubabalo Gcuma as the third umpire, Prageeth Rambukwella as the fourth umpire, and Prakash Bhatt serving as the match referee.
The officiating teams for the second semi-final in Ha-
rare tomorrow, where India will face Afghanistan, have also been confirmed.
The on-field duties will be handled by Shaun Haig and Russell Warren. Haig was in charge of Afghanistan’s critical group stage victories over South Africa and the West Indies, while Warren stood during India’s successes against the USA and Bangladesh.
They will be supported by third umpire Shawn Craig, fourth umpire Masudur Mukul, and match referee Graeme La Brooy.
MASTER Z dynamic horse, Dataman, displayed class of the highest order to clinch a massive victory at the Banks DIH Classic at Port Mourant Turf Club on Sunday Watched by a packed racetrack, Dataman stopped the clock in one minute 33 seconds in the one mile feature and walked away as the best horse, claiming the G$ 2 million prize.
Jumbo Jet Racing Stables completed a dominant day as Anthem King ran
second, pipping the returning Olympic Kremlin in an all-time classic. Order and Progress finished fourth. Race one began with the L Non Earners Last three starts. On a packed field Top of the Cloud proved too hot to handle, clinching a thrilling win. Angel had to settle for second while Patriotism finished third. Dan Star ran fourth.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – WITH an eye on history and a nod to legendary triumphs, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has launched the official maroon kit the regional side will wear at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Unveiled in partnership with technical apparel sponsor, Macron, the new design serves a dual purpose: equipping the modern team for victory while honouring the 10th anniversary of the West Indies’ unprecedented 2016 sweep of global white-ball titles.
The kit is a vivid embodiment of Caribbean unity. Its iconic maroon base is accented with yellow and lightblue trim on the collar and cuffs. Centred on the chest is a bold, abstract graphic of palm tree leaves in yellow with light-blue detail—a symbol of regional strength, identity, and togetherness.
CWI Chief Commercial Officer, Rupert Hunter, emphasised the kit’s deeper significance. “This represents far more than match apparel;
it represents the collective passion and ‘Maroon Spirit’ of 15 Caribbean nations under a single sporting ‘flag’,” he stated.
He praised the ongoing partnership with Macron for delivering “world-class designs that honour the West Indies’ heritage”. He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to make the region proud once more on the global stage in 2026.
In a gesture to fans worldwide, CWI has launched a special promotion. Anyone
purchasing the official jersey from now until the tournament’s conclusion on March 8, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two major prizes: a team-signed jersey or a bat signed by every member of the 2026 World Cup squad.
Gianluca Pavanello, CEO of Macron, highlighted the importance of the CWI partnership, which began in 2023, as a “defining moment” for the brand’s entry into elite international cricket.
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In the L Class Maiden crowd favorite Dr J pulled off a victory of note while Miss Simran ran second. Perfect Trip gave good competition but had to settle for third while Citation ran fourth.
The three-year-old Guyana bred non winners of two had a packed field of 11, but it was Torpedo Jet who flew to a scintillating win. The Jumbo Jet horse, piloted by seasoned jockey Colin Ross was all class in the 6.5 furling race. After Torpedo
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THE Guyana Under-17 women’s football team ended the Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers in ruthless fashion, inflicting a 14-0 drubbing on St Vincent and the Grenadines at the Stadion Guillermo Prospero Trinidad in Aruba yesterday.
Needing to win big to have an outside chance of qualifying for the next round, the Guyanese went on a goal spree, led by six goals from the impressive Alexaudria Chasles and led 9-0 at the halfway stage.
Following the victory, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) took the opportunity to congratulate the team.
The GFF pointed out that, “the U-17 Lady Jags delivered a dominant and disciplined performance, combining attacking efficiency with composure and tactical clarity throughout the match. The emphatic scoreline reflected the team’s preparation, belief, and commitment to excellence on the international stage.”
GFF President Wayne Forde praised the performance, describing it as a moment of pride for Guyanese football.
“Today’s performance was nothing short of an expression of class, courage and belief. It was pure joy seeing you all embrace the huge challenge this match presented and rising to the occasion with a convincing display of ruthless attacking football.
“I join with all of Guyana in congratulating you on your success as we celebrate this historic moment in your storied journey on the international stage.
We are truly proud and thoroughly overjoyed, good luck going forward.”
“The Guyana Football Federation also commends the technical staff, support personnel, and the families of the players, whose continued support remains vital to the development of women’s football in Guyana.
“This victory marks an important milestone in the journey of the U-17 Lady Jags and reinforces the Federation’s ongoing commitment to youth and women’s football development.”
Front-runners Honduras and Jamaica were slated to clash in the final game of the group last evening.