Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 05-12-2025

- Dr Singh says, emphasises govt’s seriousness about responsible economic planning

Special tax incentives, grants soon for caregivers of persons with disabilities

- President Ali announces

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced plans to introduce a subsidised tax systems for care takers and par-

ents of persons and children living with disabilities.

Addressing a Special Christmas luncheon in

observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, on Wednesday, the Head of State disclosed that this

will form part of a slew of measures to support the unsung heroes who often provide critical care, love and support

to persons living with disabilities.

“This level of love and activism is not easy to sustain for decades, and they've been doing it,” the President said, adding: “Those persons who care, whether it's the parents, the grandparents, a relative, a social worker, they deserve this morning, a resounding round of applause. You are definition of faith, love and faith, love that is selfless and forever.”

President Ali further said that the government will make available incentives that will aid caretakers directly.

He said: “We will introduce a subsidised system to reduce the financial burden on parents, support childcare costs, provide special tax incentives, and offer grants for caregivers. These grants will enable caregivers to prepare safe, dignified, and accessible spaces in their homes to care for persons with disabilities.”

This will be further supplemented by the establishment of a special financing window through the soon to be established Development Bank to provide persons with disabilities with interest-free, collateral-free loans for business and income-generating projects.

These initiatives, Dr. Ali said, are a part of a broader suite of measures that have already been implemented and new ones that will be rolled out to create an environment where persons with disabilities can fully participate in national life.

He also called for

greater participation from the wider public for collective action and a vision for a unified, inclusive society.

The President earlier this week had announced an ambitious goal of the government to incorporate some 5,000 persons with disabilities into the local workforce.

With inclusive planning, the government has expended millions of dollars on improving the lives of persons with disabilities.

Most recently, First Lady, Mrs. Arya Ali secured a landmark partnership with major utility and service providers to expand employment opportunities, as well as to improve access to essential services for persons with disabilities through the Centre for Equity, Opportunity and Innovation in Palmyra, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Companies that have established service kiosks at the Centre include the Guyana Power and Light, Guyana Water Incorporated, ENet, One Communications, Mobile Money Guyana, MoneyGram, and Western Union. These services will begin offering full services to Region Six residents by January next year.

At the time, it was mentioned that this commitment by these companies brings to fruition sustained lobbying by Mrs. Ali over the last four years for the private sector to play a more meaningful role in providing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Economic infrastructure, long-term objectives key priorities for Budget 2026

- Dr Singh says, emphasises govt’s seriousness about responsible economic planning

INVESTMENTS

that solidify Guyana’s long-term development will be the highlight of the 2026 budget, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh has said.

“So, you will see in our fiscal priorities a very significant reorientation of the budget away from government consumption and towards investment in economic infrastructure that is critical to competitiveness,” Dr Singh said in his address at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association’s (GMSA)’s 30th Anniversary Dinner and Awards at the Marriott Hotel, on Wednesday.

He assured the businesses that the government, led by President, Dr Irfaan Ali, will continue to be a responsible government and do all that is paramount to ensure that Guyana navigates the future and ensures its success and their success as investors.

The minister, who delivered the feature address, noted that this was especially since Guyana operates in an unpredictable world economic environment.

“Everybody has been alive long enough to remember an era when oil was US$138 a barrel and we should remember not only the era of oil being US$138 per barrel, but we’ve also in recent memory lived through a period more recently when oil was as low as US$13 per barrel and the reality is that oil did not stay at US$138 per barrel for very long,” Minister Singh explained, pointing out further that just about two and a half years ago oil was US$98 per barrel.

“It’s not US$98 a barrel today, it’s closer to maybe 60 something dollars - a third less than it was two and a half years ago. That's the reality of the world in which we live. Gold is, of course, an important contributor to our economy, and all of us in this room we celebrate the fact that gold today is US$4,000 an ounce, but we can all in this room remember a period when we were excited about gold even crossing the US$400 threshold and we can all remember

a time when gold was just US$450 an ounce. Today it is US$4,000 an ounce. I don’t know who will wager whether it will remain at US$4,000 an ounce,” he explained.

The finance minister then alluded to freight prices, which he reminded have skyrocketed over the last five years.

“And so we must never forget that we live in a very

prosperity, notwithstanding these uncertainties long into the future.

Pivoting his address to things that should not be underestimated in relation to responsible policy-making, Dr Singh explained to the forum that ‘we must never underestimate the importance of preserving the democratic credentials of our country and preserving our standing in the inter-

tance of macroeconomic stability and macroeconomic resilience. We must never take those things for granted, and when we speak of a resilient economy, we are speaking, of course, of an economy that has strong institutional structures, including now as an oil and gas producer, an economy with a strong natural resource fund, a sound sovereign wealth fund with

importantly, the importance of a globally competitive non-oil economy,” the finance minister stressed.

It was here that he reminded the manufacturers, producers and service providers present that they are an important part of ensuring that this is realised.

“Irrespective of the sector in which you're operating, you too have an important role in this mission

luded to hard choices the government has to make in terms of the decisions as to what should be priority investments.

“Because investing in the things that matter for the long term are not necessarily the things that are most popular in the short term, but you have in President Ali’s government, a government that will not sacrifice the long term at the altar

uncertain and unpredictable period, and we know this as a government, and as a responsible government that recognises the reality that we are living in an unpredictable world, and as a government that takes its responsibility seriously, and not only its responsibilities today and tomorrow, but its responsibilities next year and the year after that, and not only its responsibilities in this term of office but in the next term and the term after, and not only for this generation but the generation after, we as a responsible government have to be mindful of these global realities, “ Dr Singh emphasised.

He added that as a commodity-producing economy, one of the things that matter most is ensuring not only survival but ensuring the country’s success and the realisation of its

national community, including the integrity of our financial system as part of an integrated, unavoidable, integrated global financial and economic system.’

He said that as the country celebrates its successes, it must never take these things for granted, as it can quickly disappear if the democratic credentials of the country were ever allowed to be undermined.

Acknowledging the presence of the United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot at the ceremony, the minister said should Guyana take its current position for granted it can run the risk of becoming a pariah state, or a state isolated by those who traditionally have been its friends, such as the USA.

MACROECONOMIC

STABILITY

“We must also never take for granted the impor-

clear and transparent governance arrangements and clear and transparent rules for the management of the resources in that fund,” he further posited.

At this point he reminded the audience that Guyana stands today as one of the very few countries of the world that has accumulated in its sovereign wealth fund enough resources to be able to pay off the entire external debt of the country and still have cash remaining.

“But also, when we speak of resilience, we are speaking also of an economy that is more diversified and needs to be more diversified because we know that resilience can only be achieved if we diversify the sources of growth and the sources of macroeconomic and fiscal space; and so you will hear us speaking incessantly about the importance of the non-oil economy, and

to ensure that whatever we produce is globally competitive,” the minister underscored.

In 2020 when government came into office, the public investment component of the capital budget in 2019 accounted for less than 25 percent of the total budget, Dr Singh said, as he juxtaposed this to the public investment component of the budget in 2024 accounting for more than 50 percent of the overall national budget because of government’s deliberate policy position.

“The policy position that we will not engage in inefficient government consumption but instead, focus on investing in the things that matter for longterm economic growth and long-term prosperity and for long-term competitiveness,” he noted.

The minister then al -

of short-term or immediate-term expediency,” he said sternly, adding: “it requires an explicit policy position, it requires strong leadership and a strong government to ensure that the right decisions can be realised, ensuring fiscal sustainability.”

RESPONSIBLE POLICY-MAKING

“We will ensure that our economy continues to grow rapidly but to be equally clear, particularly in this era of sound bites and competing promises and counter promises, you have in this government, a government that is keenly focused on responsible economic policy-making because more so than any other time in our country’s history, that is what is needed, not sound bites. This is a serious time for our country. We need to be responsible, and we need

New ferry arrives to service ‘high demand’ Parika-Supenaam route

- with capacity to accommodate 81 cars, 19 European-type trucks, over 300 passengers

MINISTER of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, on Thursday evening, welcomed the new MV ARIS IV ship, that sailed from Piraeus, Greece, to the Demerara Sugar Ter-

minal.

According to information from Minister Edghill’s official Facebook page, it is the first double ended ferry in Guyana, and is set to transform the transportation sector with its modern design and capacity. It can accommodate 81 cars or 19 European

type trucks (large trucks) and over 300 passengers with a traveling speed of 10 knots.

“This ship is big for Guyana in terms of tourism. It’s a real game changer. So, the Guyanese people are now better able at this time to be ready for the Christmas Season which is the bus-

iest season in terms of travel on our waterways, in the air and on land.

“Their woes of waiting for the next ferry because of inadequate amount of space for passengers and capacity is being resolved and that is what we do as a government. We try to ensure we meet the needs of the people and to ensure their interest is served,” Minister Edghill emphasised.

The MV ARIS IV ship will ply the Parika–Supenaam route. Its large accommodation capacity puts the ship at a position to be used on other routes which may be explored.

The new modern ship is outfitted with cozy seats, a bar, restrooms and a fully air-conditioned crew cabin among other amenities.

This new addition to the Transport and Harbours fleet is timely and in keeping with government’s efforts to modernise the current Parika Stelling into a Modern Port facility.

Staff from the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) and The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) were also present during the tour of the vessel.

Modernisation of CARICOM financial sector in focus in Trinidad and Tobago

Efforts to modernise the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) financial sector are accelerating as regional Central Banks, regulators, stock exchanges, private-sector stakeholders, and development partners work to align the Region’s financial architecture with global standards.

Regional financial leaders and experts are in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, for a two-day forum aimed at strengthening CARICOM’s financial foundation and making it more inclusive, coherent, and digitally advanced. The Meeting to Advance Cross-border Payment and Settlement Innovation in CARICOM is convened by the CARICOM Secretariat’s Economic Policy and Development Programme with support from the 11th European Development Fund (EDF).

In opening remarks on Thursday, 4 December, Dr. Wendell Samuel, CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General (Ag), Economic Integration, Innovation and Development, underscored the pivotal context of the meeting. He noted that the discussions are essential to supporting economic growth and deepening the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

He stressed that the meeting is “more than a technical undertaking”, describing it as a deliberate choice about the kind of Region Member States aim to build. Dr Samuel acknowledged the “tremendous effort” being invested in modernising domestic payment systems, but highlighted persistent gaps, differences, and challenges in the wider financial architecture.

He cautioned that national progress alone cannot deliver the level of regional efficiency and competitiveness required in today’s

global environment and noted that the two-day forum provides an opportunity to design a financial infrastructure that adds coherence to what remains a highly fragmented landscape.

“Modern commerce demands that cross-border payments move with speed and reliability; where regional investment is supported by strong, predictable settlement arrangements; where liquidity can move safely across jurisdictions; and where our financial architecture enables regional opportunities rather than constrains them,” he stated.

He also emphasised that the Region has already laid

meaningful groundwork: several Central Banks have launched or piloted digital currencies; payment providers are innovating; stock exchanges and regulators are open to new cooperative models; and development partners continue to support experimentation with secure cross-border financial infrastructures.

Also addressing the opening of the meeting, Dr. Dorian Noel, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, described the discussions as critical to strengthening financial market infrastructure and improving inclusiveness in the regional financial

space.

He stressed the importance of aligning regional efforts with international conventions and standards, and of ad dressing key concerns around financial integrity, cybersecurity, stability, and consumer protection. He said that independent national initiatives, should converge into a single regional strategic framework to save resources and achieve a unified, interoperable digital financial

infrastructure.

Dr. Noel also said he was encouraged by the emerging opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

“The future of payments in the Region is not just about technology; it is about trust, inclusion, and opportunities,” he said.

Presentations and discussions during the forum will focus on governance models for cross-border payment systems; digital public infrastructure for

Central Banks; a CARICOM public-private pilot for real-time, inclusive cross-border payments and securities settlement; and remote brokerage and digital settlement solutions

The outcomes of the meeting are expected to enhance the Region’s ongoing efforts to modernise its financial architecture and advance a more integrated, digital, and resilient CARICOM financial ecosystem. (CARICOM)

The larger story of Georgetown’s renewal

THE rehabilitation of the Railway Courtyard is not just another project delivered, it is a clear marker of the PPP/C administration’s broader restoration agenda for Georgetown. Anyone paying attention can see that the capital is undergoing the kind of structural, cultural and environmental overhaul that was long overdue; and the Railway Courtyard is now positioned as one of the anchor points in this city-wide revival. What is taking shape

on Lamaha and High Streets represents exactly the kind of modern, people-centred infrastructure Georgetown has been crying out for. The space is being developed as a safe, vibrant public hub cleaner, greener, better organised and fit for a city that is finally stepping into its next chapter. Its transformation into a signature walking and leisure area signals a deliberate effort to elevate Georgetown’s tourism profile, especially as Guyana gears up for expanded cruise arrivals

and international visitor growth.

But the real story sits in the larger vision. The courtyard is only one node in a comprehensive pedestrian loop now being built through downtown: Water Street, Avenue of the Republic, the National Library, South Road and straight into the Botanical Gardens. This is not patchwork development; this is strategic urban planning, something this administration has been consistently delivering across the capital.

The restoration of the

Transport and Harbours railway infrastructure ties directly into that mission. When completed later this year, the rebuilt rail line and heritage train carriages, soon to house craft shops, will revive a major part of our history while creating new micro-enterprise opportunities. It’s heritage preservation meeting modern economic development, not in theory, but in execution.

And importantly, the courtyard remains accessible even after the GRA relocates, ensur -

ing a continuous public walkway from Main Street to Sheriff Street. That level of foresight is exactly why the PPP/C’s “Rescue Georgetown” strategy has been gaining momentum. We’re seeing it across the city drainage upgrades; green-space rehabilitation; public-building improvements; community corridors; cultural installations and urban-renewal interventions that actually reach the people who use these spaces every day.

The Railway Courtyard is not an isolated

beautification effort, it is part of a coordinated programme to bring Georgetown back to life, restore pride in the capital and modernise the city for residents, tourists and future generations. This is what a functioning urban-development agenda looks like.

And honestly, the difference is tangible. Georgetown is changing. Georgetown is elevating. This courtyard is simply one of the first clear signs of what a restored, reimagined city will look like.

One-off disability grant and 5,000 inclusive jobs

Dear Editor, GUYANA’S government has taken steps to support persons living with disabilities, a group often left behind, especially during the pandemic.

A one-off cash grant of GY$50,000 will provide much-needed liquidity to persons with disabilities who face steeper challenges to afford living costs and access essential services and employment.

The cash transfer, if efficiently implemented, should meet urgent needs and buy time to push for a longer-term vision of more inclusive social protection.

Cash will help to meet a range of essential costs, from transport to assistive devices to medication to therapy to higher everyday expenses such as food and household items.

The immediate relief of GY$50,000, especially to households whose budgets are stretched by inflation and other care costs, can be used to pay utility bills or buy durable goods, such as hearing aids and white canes, or to cover short-term needs for additional caregiving.

In a country where informal jobs and irregular incomes are the norm, the grant is a source of stability that can contribute to better overall well-being and lower anxiety.

In addition to putting cash in the hands of many persons with disabilities, the grant can create a multiplier effect in neighbourhoods, when GY$50,000 is spent on local transport services, neighbourhood shops, and small businesses.

This could make the cash transfer’s positive impact

visible, particularly in rural or hinterland areas where money circulates faster and other sources of income or government support may be less readily available.

Cash will not solve the exclusion that persons with disabilities experience daily. This one-off grant must be accompanied by longer-term efforts, including new jobs that are accessible to all, to begin to reverse exclusion from society and the economy. The government’s announcement of 5,000 new jobs for persons with disabilities is therefore welcome.

Creating inclusive jobs for persons with disabilities will tackle one of the largest structural barriers to social protection. Employment is the best form of insurance, and persons with disabilities are much more likely to be poor than persons without

disabilities.

Labour market exclusion can arise because of stigma, inaccessible work sites, or a lack of resources to pay for an extra worker or accommodation.

Employer-side support for creating accessible and inclusive jobs should be part of the plan. Tax incentives for retrofitting workspaces, wage subsidies, or dedicated spaces to hire and train newly accessible workspaces, as well as an awareness campaign to reduce hesitation or lack of information about hiring persons with disabilities, would remove some of the barriers that make employers reticent to make changes.

Awarding government contracts for services to companies with an accessible hiring plan, or having tax deductions for accessible retrofitting, would send a clear

message.

Finally, anti-discrimination enforcement and accessible complaint channels should ensure that the new jobs are actually productive, pay a living wage and are not in isolation, so that people have careers and not just jobs.

Taken together, the oneoff cash transfer and the 5,000 accessible jobs can be the start of a virtuous cycle for persons with disabilities that provides both immediate support and a pipeline for more long-term inclusion in work and social life.

The cash transfer, if efficiently implemented, will provide immediate liquidity, and the 5,000 jobs would begin the long, necessary process of normalising accessibility and ensuring inclusion for persons with disabilities.

Guyana has a chance to

follow its progressive commitments on disability inclusion in practice and in principle with the equal-opportunity provisions in its constitution.

The one-time cash transfer and new jobs for persons with disabilities demonstrate that inclusive policies and programmes are possible and needed.

The one-off cash grant meets urgent needs and the announcement of 5,000 jobs provides a pathway to more inclusive economic and social life in the longer term.

Together, the cash transfer and new jobs form part of a continuum of inclusion where the most marginalised can begin to access the protections of the state and to feel included in the fabric of civic and social life.

Sincerely, Philip Inshanally

Policy Forum: Pantomime and vandalism

LET’S pick sense out of nonsense in relation to three days of burglary at the office of the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA).

Firstly, the press release said it was a break in at the office of Policy Forum (PF) at Hadfield Street and Austin Place. This is misleading. PF consists of the Catholic Church, the GHRA and the Trade Union Council. The point person for PF is GHRA’s president, Mike Mc Cormack

PF has no office of its own and is accommodated at the GHRA office. PF is in receipt of hundreds of millions of Guyanese dollars through the EU Embassy in Georgetown so it could buy a building of its own.

I am in possession of original documents in which the EU mission has, over the past years, distributed hundreds of millions of dollars to

certain anti-government civil society entities. The amount is staggering. I am willing to transmit these documents to the Office of the President, Office of the Vice-President, and Attorney-General Chambers. Also, the Chronicle and DPI.

The PF press release noted that the break-in occurred when the staff was attending a meeting called by the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Again, that is misleading. PF has no staff of its own but piggybacks on the GHRA. Most of the year, the GHRA’s office is closed. I suggest anyone ride or drive past the place and you will see it is always closed. Now PF stated that they suspect the office was vandalised out of mischief because of its disagreement with the government over PF representation in EITI. This reasoning is pathetically

comical.

Let’s do an analogy. A company wants the jury to acquit its CEO in a court case. It targets a particular juror. But the CEO is freed. It makes no sense to target the juror; for what purpose? The juror cannot help the CEO in any way because he is freed.

PF says it was vandalism to get at them over EITI. But PF is not the civil society representative in EITI. It cannot initiate action inside EITI against the government, so what sense it makes to burglarise the office three times? Less than one percent of the population knows about EITI and what it does, so why should the government try to get at PF through ransacking its office?

Could the PF office come under attack by anti-government conspirators in order to let PF think it is being targeted by the state? Rumour is maybe PF staged the thing

itself to make the government look bad? After the first break-in on November 25, there was a second burglary the next day – November 26.

In its second press release on the second break-in, PF did a strange thing and you wonder if they slipped up in the second conspiracy to blame the government. In its second press release, PF said that despite substantial grille work (their words) and MCC security company alarm, vandals targeted the building again.

Now if the structure is thoroughly grilled and has an MCC alarm system, how did the first invasion occur? And is it not commonsense to tighten up on security after the first burglary. All humans react like that. People would normally identify the spot where the intruders used and they tighten up security in that area.

PF said in the first break-

in, nothing important was taken but there was evidence of vandalism so PF was targeted. Again, in the second invasion, again nothing was taken but senseless destruction occurred.

Now there was a third break in yesterday (Thursday). In the second burglary, a window was screwed opened. In the third attack, the window, next to the tampered window in the second invasion was the one the thieves used.

Why weren’t the windows secured after the very first attack? Well, everything is senseless about these three intrusions. Why would the state conspirators go after PF and vandalise its office for three days in one week when PF is not on the board of EITI?

Here is my take. After the vote of civil society groups to select representatives to EITI and PF lost out, some-

body staged the burglary to make the government look bad because PF was in a quarrel with the government as to which civil society group should be in EITI. PF believed that it should have been that group. I was willing to concede that a mischief-maker staged the vandalistic attack to get PF to blame the government, but the second intrusion and the third attack made the whole thing comical. Maybe PF sympathisers could have hired a group of conspirators to make the thing look real and blame the government but not this comical pantomime.

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.

Economic infrastructure, long-term...

FROM PAGE 3

to be strategic,” Minister Singh concluded.

Delivering remarks at the forum, President of the GMSA, Rafeek Khan, said the GMSA is entering into the fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) characterised by the fusion of physical, digital, and biological systems through technologies and genetic engineering, adding that this revolution is driven by data and connectivity, creating a new era of smart, automated and interconnected systems.

He added that it is a new era where the service sectors of the economy will be bridging the gap and driving the overall economic growth.

Khan pointed out that some of the major interconnected services to bridge the gap for manufacturing will include transportation and distribution, finance and Investment, communication, storage and warehousing and professional Services.

He urged that the

GMSA, in preparation for the new wave of industrial development, prepare itself in order to serve its members and the overall growth of our new economy and at this point, he unveiled a future campus that he noted would bring value to all stakeholders.

“About five years ago I stood on this platform serving then as President of GMSA, and I echoed a voice from our President, Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali –to build consortiums. This is the only way for many Guyanese companies to realise the benefits of the major economic growth. Today I am pleased to say that we have witnessed successful consortiums formed with international companies within various sectors of the economy,” Khan posited.

Following this, former President of the GMSA, Ramsay Ali, also unveiled the GMSA’s new website which allows online purchases from GMSA’s members. The website address is uncappedmarketplace.gy.

Under the PPP/C government, credit to manufacturing grew by 103.7 percent between 2020 and 2024, to $43.3 billion, with notable increases in lending for other construction and engineering, and beverages, food and tobacco sub-categories.

Total private sector credit has also grown by 73.4 percent since 2020 to $450.6 billion at the end of 2024, with double-digit growth recorded over the last four years. Meanwhile, credit to services expanded by 80.3 percent over the same period, to $157.9 billion, driven mainly by growth in credit to the ‘other services’, transportation, professional services, telecommunications and distribution.

At the end of 2024, lending to the private sector grew to $450.6 billion, an increase of 19.8 percent when compared with the position at the end of 2023 and government continues to work with financial institutions to improve loan accessibility for Small and

Micro Enterprises (SMEs), ensuring they have the capital to expand operations.

In its 2025 Manifesto, the government has emphasised the importance of economic diversification, support for productive sectors and enabling the private sector, particularly SMEs and has committed to make Guyana the industrial capital of the region through a number of commitments, including completing the gas-to-energy (GtE) project and reducing electricity tariffs by 50 percent to consumers on the

grid, thereby eliminating a key barrier to expanding the manufacturing sector.

It also prioritises establishing a SME Development Bank to provide micro-credit loans to SMEs at zero interest, completing the industrial estate at Wales, which will host a vast complex of industrial and manufacturing enterprises, including the manufacture of enough cooking gas to meet and exceed domestic requirements; construct a second such industrial estate in Re -

gion Six and work with the private sector to achieve full occupancy at existing soon-to-becompleted industrial estates at Belvedere, Lethem, Onderneeming and York, as well as establish a small-business development complex in Georgetown to provide SMEs with organised spaces and proper infrastructure to grow and operate more efficiently, among other initiatives in partnership with private-sector bodies, including the GMSA.

‘A troubling first for the English-speaking Commonwealth’

- with prospect of ‘fugitive offender’ becoming Opposition Leader, Attorney-General laments

ATTORNEY-GENER

AL and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall SC, has sounded alarm over what he says is an extraordinary and troubling first for the English-speaking Commonwealth—the prospect of a “fugitive offender” being elevated to the post of Guyana’s Leader of the

-

Opposition.

Speaking on his weekly Facebook programme, Issues in the News, Nandlall said the development— once Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir convenes the necessary meeting—marks the first time in the English-speaking Caribbean that a fugitive will hold the post.

He added that it is also “possibly the first time in the Commonwealth” that an individual facing international criminal proceedings will hold one of the country’s highest constitutional offices.

We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) leader, Azruddin Mohamed, who is also a Member of Parliament, is

sanctioned by the United States and is wanted in that jurisdiction on alleged offences, including money laundering and mail fraud.

“I saw many persons making comments about the Leader of the Opposition not being appointed as yet,” he said, noting that the responsibility for convening the election lies solely with the Speaker.

Nandlall said: “Well, you know that it’s common ground that the responsibility to convene the meeting where that election is to be done is that of the Speaker.”

According to the Attorney-General, the current pause is procedural and expected.

“It’s public knowledge that the Speaker is out of the country and it was indicated that the matter will be addressed when the speaker returns,” he said.

He acknowledged that “some are expressing concerns about the delay and the WIN party itself and its members are concerned and have expressed concerns about the delay.”

But while criticism has focused sharply on timing, Nandlall argued that far more critical issues are being ignored.

“There is no doubt that the Leader of the Opposition will be appointed or rather elected,” he said.

Nandlall added: “But I am not seeing the same type of concerns being expressed about Guyana having a Leader of the Opposition who is a fugitive offender, who is the subject of extradition proceedings and who is indicted on serious charges of international crimes, such as money laundering and mail fraud.”

He stressed that democratic societies must accommodate scrutiny and dissent, noting: “While one may express the view that there is a delay, we live in a democratic society, and those who feel aggrieved by what they perceive as a delay are free to express that concern.”

However, as Attorney-General, he said his greater concern is the silence surrounding the implications of Mohamed assuming such high office.

GREATER CONCERN

“I believe the greater concern is… the absence of equal lamentation about having, in the Parliament of Guyana for the first time—and possibly the English-speaking Commonwealth for the first time—a fugitive offender,” he said, adding that he “expect[s] the same type of lamentations to be expressed, but it is conspicuously absent.”

Nandlall said he was speaking “on matters of law and matters of constitutionality and matters relating to the integrity of our constitutional institutions,” insisting that the presence of an internationally wanted individual in the legislature should be a national conversation of urgent priority.

“I want to say again that law-abiding citizens, decent-minded Guyanese, and those who are concerned about the integrity of our constitutional institutions of governance, such as the high institution of the Parliament of our country, should be concerned that there is not only sitting in that Parliament but holding the post of opposition a fugitive offender,” he said. He argued that such a development carries poten-

tial long-term consequences for Guyana’s standing.

“The stain and the international stigma that will attach to our parliamentary process, to the institutions of Guyana, by a fugitive offender not only sitting there but holding the post of Opposition Leader, is far graver and will cost us permanent damage,” he warned.

“And that issue, I think, ought to feature with greater prominence in our public debates and pronouncements.”

The Attorney-General anticipated backlash for his comments, stating that “the 50,000 fake profilers will be unleashed upon me shortly… and all manner of insults and abuse I will be subjected to.”

But he insisted that he would not be deterred, noting: “If that is what it takes to speak on what is right and what is righteous, then so be it.”

He said many are reluctant to address the matter publicly, “because they are afraid of the onslaught of ridicule to which they will be subject by the 50,000 fake profilers, who will come on this same platform… cussing me nonstop.”

Still, Nandlall said the government remains firm in ensuring legal procedures run their course.

“What I can assure you is that the legal process is taking its course and the law is being respected,” he asserted, adding, “I, as Attorney-General, must be free to express the concerns of the government… and there is not a higher institution than the Parliament of our country.”

Region Six Chairman calls for new council to work in interest of residents

THE Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Six on Thursday convened its first statutory meeting with the newly appointed council, marking the official start of its new term.

During the meeting, Regional Chairman Junior Basant called on councillors to execute their duties with transparency, accountability, and a strong commitment to serving the best interests of the residents of Region Six.

Chairman Basant emphasised the importance of unity and teamwork among council members, noting that effective collaboration is key to advancing development projects, and improving service delivery across the region.

He also underscored

the responsibility entrusted in the Council by the people, urging members to place the needs of communities on the forefront of their discussions.

Basant said, “Moving forward, I expect the Council to work for the people of Region Six. All persons must benefit; this government is doing a whole lot for persons to benefit, many initiatives, many programmes that are there to improve the lives of the people and I want to work with the council to promote these initiatives and Dr. Ali’s vision for this country and to also ensure that the initiatives are capitalised on and persons benefit.”

According to the chairman, the first meeting was mostly

focused on establishing the various sub-committees.

He said: “We want those sub-committees in place, because we feel that these committees play an integral role in the general council. Persons should be able to contribute to the various subcommittees; and that is where their voices are being heard.”

Basant added: “From there, they will bring their concerns to the council, the main RDC for fruitful discussions, and also uniformed discussions, we also expect persons to contribute to the RDC and let the people hold them responsible and also show that they are committed to the cause that they were elected to do.”

Duo plead guilty to 2021 murder of taxi driver

TWO men appeared in the High Court in Demerara and pleaded guilty to the June 2021 murder of taxi driver, 53-year-old Kenrick Trim of Belfield Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Seyon James, also known as “Lil Alfey,” and Kenty Bacchus, called “Trini,” faced Chief Justice (ag) Navindra Singh in relation to the killing, which occurred during the course of

a robbery.

The state’s case is being led by Prosecutor attorney Geneva Wills, with support from Attorneys Christopher Belfield and Simran Gajraj, while Bacchus is represented by Attorney-at-Law Audreanna Stephens. James’ lawyer is Glendon Greenidge.

According to the statement of agreed facts presented in court, Bacchus and James joined Trim in his taxi, registration #HC5311, on the morning of June 30, 2021, outside Beacon Café on Car-

michael Street, Georgetown.

The pair reportedly took control of the vehicle and subdued Trim by choking him. During the incident, Bacchus witnessed James stab the taxi driver multiple times.

The men then abandoned Trim’s body in the bushes at the back of Pradoville, Ogle, East Coast Demerara.

Based on intelligence, police conducted a search at a location, where Bacchus was reportedly found in possession of Trim’s cellphone.

Bacchus later gave an interview under video/audio recording admitting to his part in the incident, and further identified himself and his accomplice on CСTV footage presented to him by the Police.

The case continues as the court prepares to hear further proceedings related to the sentencing of Bacchus which is scheduled for December 16. James will be sentenced the following day.

Linden contractor remanded on illegal firearm and ammunition charges

A 28-year-old contractor from Amelia’s Ward, Linden, has been remanded to prison after being charged with possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition stemming from a police operation earlier this week.

Martin Fraser of Castello Avenue appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, December 4, 2025, where Her Worship Rushelle Liverpool read two charges to him: Possession of a firearm without a licence and possession of ammunition without a licence, both contrary to Section 16(2)(a) of the Firearm Act, Chapter 16:05.

Fraser pleaded not guilty. Bail was denied and he was remanded to prison. The matter has been adjourned to January 8, 2026.

His court appearance follows an intelligence-led operation conducted by police on Monday, December 1, at his Castello Avenue residence. According to the Guyana Police Force, ranks acted “on information received” and executed a

Martin Fraser

search at around 22:30 hrs.

During the operation, police unearthed “a 9mm pistol, along with two magazines containing a total of 48 live 9mm rounds,” which were found concealed in the

and ammunition were lodged as the investigation continues.

Ambassador RodriguesBirkett part of UNSC delegation in Syria

A

UNITEd Nations Security Council delegation, including Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN, on Thursday arrived in Syria as part of a Council Mission that will also take them to Lebanon.

According to information from the

Permanent Mission of Guyana to the UN, the council members, shortly after arriving in Damascus, toured the war-torn Jobar neighbourhood.

The delegation also met with President Ahmad alSharaa at the People’s Palace in Damascus, with several Syrian Ministers in attendance.

Mon Repos Businesswoman arrested after smashing canter window, mirror with metal pipe

A MON REPOS businesswoman, already before the courts on a cybercrime charge, has been taken into police custody again, this time in relation to an alleged incident of malicious damage to property on the East Coast Demerara.

al Division 4 ‘C’ said the incident occurred around 07:10 hours on Wednesday, on the Mon Repos School Road.

Police in Region -

According to the

Force, motor canter GAC 7299, driven by a 49-year-old man from Good Hope, was heading north when he ‘encountered’ motorcar

PAG 4521, driven by 42-year-old businesswoman Raywattie “Annie” Khamraj of Mon Repos North, who was proceeding in the opposite direction.

Both vehicles continued on their way after the brief roadway interaction. However, police said that moments later, while the canter driver waited at the traffic light, Khamraj stopped her vehicle, exited with a metal pipe, and struck the canter, shattering a window and damaging the right-side rear-view mirror.

Khamraj was subsequently arrested and taken to the Mon Repos Police Outpost, where she was placed into custody pending further investigation.

This latest arrest comes just weeks after

Khamraj, also known as Annie Khemraj, was charged in another matter, this time under the Cybercrime Act. On November 21, she appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh in Georgetown, where she was accused of “using a computer system to disseminate false information” about Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar. She pleaded not guilty and was released on $150,000 bail, with strict conditions, including surrendering her passport, refraining from posting or commenting on social media, and reporting to police monthly.

Police say investigations into Wednesday’s alleged malicious damage incident remain ongoing.

Police constable remanded over firearm incident captured on viral video

A POLICE constable stationed in Regional Division

One has been charged and remanded in connection with a firearm incident that recently circulated widely on social media.

Police Constable Daniel Henry was, on Thursday, brought before His Worship Rabindranauth Singh at the Port Kaituma Magistrate’s Court appearing virtually via Zoom where he was charged with Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Injure, contrary to Section 37 of the Firearm Offences Act, Chapter 16:05.

The charge was read to him, and he was not required to enter a plea.

Bail was refused and Henry was remanded to prison. The matter has been adjourned to January 14, 2026.

The court appearance follows a swift internal probe launched by the Guyana Police Force after a video involving the constable began circulating online.

In its earlier statement, the GPF noted that “the Commissioner of Police has immediately ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

The Force confirmed that the rank featured in the video had been placed under close arrest, and the Office of Professional Responsibility was instructed to “commence a detailed investigation immediately.”

The GPF said it considered the matter serious, adding that the video’s contents “form part of the ongoing investigation which will determine the full extent of both disciplinary and criminal actions to be taken.”

Two arrested after 20 pounds of cannabis found at D’Edward Village

POLICE in Region Five have detained two men after ranks discovered more than nine kilograms of suspected cannabis during a patrol at D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice, on Thursday morning.

According to the Guyana Police Force, ranks were on duty at around 10:00 hours when they observed the two suspects acting suspiciously.

The men, a 44-year-old labourer from Smithfield, New Amsterdam and a 24-year-old labourer from Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, were stopped and searched.

A further inspection of two haversacks found near them uncovered “nine bulky parcels containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis,” the release stated.

Both men were arrested and taken to the Blairmont Police Station, where the suspected cannabis was weighed in their presence and amounted to 9.20 kilograms. The parcels have since been lodged as evidence.

The two suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.

Porters remanded over attempted larceny against Rupununi businessman

TWO young porters from Region Eight have been charged and remanded to prison in connection with an alleged attempt to commit a felony against a businessman from Tabatinga, Central Rupununi.

Seon Fraser, 26, of Monkey Mountain, and Theron Sandwell, 18, of Paramakatoi, were arrested on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.

The Guyana Police Force said the pair allegedly attempted to commit a felony “to wit Simple Larceny,” contrary to Section 36 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.

On Thursday at 10:05

hours, Fraser and Sandwell appeared before His Worship Omadatt Chandan at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court, where the indictable charge was read to them. They were

not required to enter a plea. Bail was denied, and both accused were remanded to prison. The matter has been adjourned to January 28, 2026.

Region Nine nursery school teachers now equipped to teach ‘Home Language’

-

after completing milestone UG programme

SOME 18 nursery school teachers from the South and Central Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), on November 22, 2025, graduated with the Certificate in Dual Language/Multilingual Practice in Education (CDL/MPE), giving a massive boost to the nation’s capacity to better support multilingual learn-

resources and carried out interviews with parents and children to document local language use.

The programme generated several important resources, including the Wapichan Phonics Curriculum for the Nursery Levels and a series of Wapichan Big Books created by the JRs.

While long-term out -

Gomes, another graduate.

For Dolores Rodrigues, another graduate of the programme, the achievement “represents my fellow Wapichan people.”

She expressed gratitude to the parents and learners of Shea Nursery School, the MoE, IDB, UG lecturers, and her family for their support.

“This programme has

The first cohort of students graduating with the Certificate in Dual Language/Multilingual Practice in Education (CDL/MPE) from the University of Guyana, together with Deputy Chief Education Officer for Amerindian and Hinterland Education Development, Marti De Souza; Charlene Wilkinson, lecturer in the Department of Language and Cultural Studies (first right); and Dr. Tamirand Nnena De Lisser, Coordinator of the University of Guyana’s Guyanese Languages Unit

ers across the country.

This achievement, according to a press release from UG, marks a significant milestone for the institution, as it is the first time the university has produced graduates in this specialised field of study.

The teachers who participated in the year-long, full-time programme were drawn from the villages of Achiwib, Aishalton, Awarewaunau, Karaudarnau, Katoonarib, Katu’ur, Maruranau, Rupunau, Sand Creek, Sawariwau, Shea, Shiriri, and Shulinab.

Central to the CDL/MPE programme was its teacher/ student-centred design, which encouraged participants to act as reflective practitioners and researchers.

To this end, teacher/students in the programme were termed Junior Researchers (JRs), and the facilitators, Senior Researchers (SRs). JRs met twice weekly with SRs for three-hour sessions from October 2024 to July 2025.

Through “proof-of-practice” methods, JRs presented classroom video recordings, conducted self-observations, created culturally relevant

comes will require further study, early classroom observations are promising. JRs report greater student participation, clearer comprehension and increased pride among children using Wapichan in class.

As eloquently stated by one of the participants in the programme, “Dual and multilingual education has helped my learners gain confidence, communicate better and express themselves freely. They participate more and understand concepts faster, showing greater cultural awareness.”

Graduates described the programme as transformative for their teaching, confidence, and understanding of language in education.

Lourinca James shared: “This programme reshaped my classroom into a more inclusive and empowering environment where children’s voices are heard. Multilingual education transforms classrooms into spaces where children can thrive.”

“Earning this certificate is a dream come true. It equips me to help revolutionise education in the Rupununi, build cultural identity, and enrich young minds,” said Denis

am proud to be a certified university graduate. Though challenging, the programme was worth it. I am committed to creating classrooms where the Wapichan language is encouraged and included.”

The initiative had its genesis in May 2022 when Vice Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin indicated to the Faculty of Education and Humanities (FEH) that the Ministry of Education (MoE) was seeking support for an

intercultural bilingual education programme for Wapichan children.

The Guyanese Languages Unit (GLU), which is part of the FEH, accepted the request and collaborated with the MoE to ensure the programme got off the ground.

deepened my commitment to bilingual education. Thanks to my Heavenly Father through whom all things are possible,” she added.

“At first, I wasn’t motivated, but this programme opened my eyes to the importance of language in the classroom. When I use children’s home language, learning becomes joyful and meaningful. This programme is even helping me as I pursue my degree,” said Tracy, another teacher who completed the programme.

Elain Joseph described the programme as “a truly transformative experience that strengthened my ability to use children’s home language to explain difficult concepts. I now feel more confident and better equipped to support diverse learners. I highly recommend this programme to other educators.”

For teacher Fatima Wilson, the journey has been “a testament to resilience and determination. I am proud to be part of the first cohort to earn this certificate and excited to use my knowledge to positively impact my school and Guyana.”

Finally, Elsie Griffith, another graduate, stated: “I

The CDL/MPE programme represents a significant step forward for mother tongue-based bilingual education in Guyana.

Through reflective practice, community engagement and renewed commitment to Indigenous language, the programme has laid a strong foundation for culturally grounded and pedagogically sound education for children.

It was first envisioned as six short workshops, but eventually evolved into a full-time university online programme, allowing teachers in remote areas to participate without leaving their villages.

Ravindra, Latham drive New Zealand into complete control

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Centuries from Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra underpinned New Zealand's domination on day three in Christchurch, as the hosts transformed a modest 64-run advantage into a towering lead that now feels insurmountable.

The pair's third-wicket stand of 279 ensured a potentially gripping third day went flat halfway through. West Indies merely went through the motions, sitting back and hoping for a declaration to bring them some relief from being run ragged. This was New Zealand's highest partnership against West Indies since

1987 - surpassing Martin Crowe and John Wright's 241-run stand. Things could've been a lot different had they caught better. Ravindra's innings began under a cloud of uncertainty. On 8, Kemar Roach grassed a sumptuous flick at midwicket as he threw himself at the ball one-handed. On 14, Kavem Hodge put down a regulation catch at slip, leaving Justin Greaves to wear the frustration of being the unlucky bowler twice in two overs. The charmed streak continued when another thick outside edge flew over the slips on 17.

For the first half hour after

lunch, Ravindra seemed to live on borrowed time. But once he survived that turbulent spell, the tentativeness gave way to assurance, and the elegance that has come to define his best batting was out in full glory. He raced to 176, before being knocked over late in the day by an Ojay Shields yorker.

By stumps, New Zealand had added 395 to lead by 481. For the record, West Indies will have to achieve the highest successful chase to win at Hagley Oval - 285 is the highest fourth-innings score chased down at this venue.

Before Ravindra arrived,

Devon Conway and Latham played a solid first hour, focusing on crease occupation in a bid to lay a strong platform. Latham left well early on, while Conway exhibited his artistry - playing the cover drives and on-drivesearly in the innings.

Roach moved the ball away appreciably early on to have Conway in a hint of trouble, while Jayden Seales got the ball to lift off a length to have Latham looking scratchy early on. The first 17 overs produced just 35; Latham survived a thick edge that raced between second slip and gully on 29.

Conway set himself in, and

ton, Starc six underline see-saw day one

(ESPNCRICINFO) - AF -

TER an interminable break between matches, following 48 hours of mayhem in Perth, the Ashes resumed with England producing a rollercoaster batting performance as Joe Root ended his century jinx on Australian soil in the day-night second Test in Brisbane.

In the final hour of an absorbing opening day, Root raised his arms aloft under the lights before taking off his helmet to celebrate his 40th Test century and first in Australia.

Root finished unbeaten on 135 from 202 balls and anchored an England first innings that at times showed restraint, but was also marked by reckless dismissals. Four batters fell for ducks with England again tormented by pink

ball maestro Mitchell Starc, who finished with 6 for 71 to power past Wasim Akram's record for most Test wickets by a left-arm quick.

But after the humiliation of batting just 67.3 across two innings in Perth, England batted the whole day - albeit only 74 overs were bowledas they posted their first score over 300 in a Test in Australia since January 2018.

After skipper Ben Stokes elected to bat on a trademark green Gabba surface, another truncated Test match loomed when England slumped to 5 for 2 after the first 15 balls with Starc dismissing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks.

But Root combined in a third-wicket century stand with Zak Crawley, who bounced back from a pair with 76 off 93 balls, to lead England's fightback. The tourists tried to curb their aggressive instincts at times, but appeared to fall short of a par total after losing 5 for 54 under the lights.

Just when it appeared Australia's batters would be forced to face a tough stint before stumps, Root found unlikely support through No.11 Jofra Archer as they clubbed an unbroken 61-run partnership.

Australia's attack tired in the backend as the game took a surprising late twist.

Australia fielded an all-out pace attack, but one that did not feature skipper Pat Cummins despite intense speculation he would be a surprise late inclusion.

Queensland fast bowler Michael Neser, instead, was a bombshell selection at the expense of frontline spinner Nathan Lyon, who missed just his second home Test since his debut.

Stokes had no hesitation to bat under sunny skies after the coin again fell in his favour. Openers Crawley and Duckett walked to the crease under pressure after

was out slashing to deep point for 39 as Hodge plucked a superb catch while moving halfway in from the ropes. Initially off balance, Hodge

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Friday December 05, 2025)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83

Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel:225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) 49 Tests

(2) WI 13

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who debuted in the first Test of the current WI/ NZ series?

(2) How many players have now represented the WI in Tests?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

$190,000 USD injected to improve facilities at the NTC

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is moving full speed ahead on a rapid development trajectory for the sport and especially national players, who will now benefit from two new additions to the National Training Centre (NTC) at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The federation was able to recently complete the dormitories ($9.9M GYD) and a new state-ofthe-art gym ($12.3M GYD) at the Providence facility, which was displayed to media operatives during a walk-through exercise on Wednesday.

The dormitories and gym are the initial two phases completed in an overall project, which will include the technical offices, laundry and other aspects that will amount to a combined $190,000 USD.

The air-conditioned dormitory is now sporting new bunk beds with a capacity for up to 38 players at the moment. In addition, a separate self-contained room for a new initiative that the federation is exploring also highlights the facility.

Speaking at the simple ribbon-cutting event on Wednesday, GFF President Wayne Forde gave

some insight into the dorm’s purpose.

Forde explained, “The contact time between players and coaches are very important to their development and if we have good facilities where the boys and girls can enjoy and look forward to coming out here and spend weekends and weeks at a time during their preparation processes, then that will certainly bode well for the contact goals that we’ve set ourselves.

“That room is dedicated for a parent who, once a youth national team comes into camp, we will interview the parent, of course do

our due diligence and background and we will identify a parent who is willing to come and spend some time. Of course, we will compensate them for that time and be a second pair of eyes for the GFF,” Forde added, regarding the additional room.

With equipment geared at improving strength and conditioning amongst national players, the ribbon was also cut for a new gym in the lower flat of the NTC.

Technical Director Bryan Joseph said about the spanking- new facility, “I think this is another step in the right direction. It’s part of the transformation that

PromoTech Guyana Inc teams up with LGC for inaugural annual tournament

THE holiday season is about to get even brighter at the Lusignan Golf Club, as PromoTech Guyana Inc partners with the club to launch the first-ever PromoTech Guyana Inc Golf Tournament, set for Sunday, December 7th, 2025, with Tee Off at 08:00hrs at the Lusignan clubhouse.

This exciting new tournament promises to usher in a celebratory tradition for golfers across Guyana, blending sportsmanship, community spirit and the festive flair of the Christmas season. The initiative highlights PromoTech’s ongoing commitment to uplifting communities, supporting local talent, and investing in activities that bring

people together during one of the most joyful times of the year.

LGC Secretary, Chet Bowling, expressed enthusiasm ahead of the event. “We at the Lusignan Golf Club recognise and truly appreciate the tremendous support we are receiving from PromoTech,” Bowling said. “Their commitment to corporate social responsibility is evident in the way they have embraced this tournament. Players can look forward to lucrative prizes, beautiful trophies and an atmosphere full of holiday cheer. PromoTech’s Country Manager, Bala Vinjimoor, has also promised that this will now be an annual event. We anticipate a festive and wonderful tourna-

ment, perfect for the season and enjoyable for golfers of every level.”

PromoTech Guyana Inc., widely known for delivering innovative and reliable tech solutions across the country, emphasised that their investment in this event goes far beyond business. The company views sports as a powerful force that strengthens unity, inspires discipline and helps cultivate local talent.

A representative of PromoTech noted, “Our partnership with the Lusignan Golf Club reflects our belief in the role of sports as a catalyst for community growth and positive change. We are delighted to bring some holiday excitement to the golf-

GCB Senior Women inter county tournament...

ing community, and we look forward to seeing players enjoy a day filled with camaraderie, competition and festive celebration.”

Adding to the merriment, players will be treated to lunch and drinks, along with opportunities to compete for attractive prizes and trophies, all designed to make the inaugural tournament a stand-out event on the holiday calendar.

With its blend of competition, community spirit, and festive excitement, the PromoTech Guyana Inc Golf Tournament is poised to become one of the most anticipated annual events at the Lusignan Golf Club.

we’ve been going through with all our national teams. We have, over the past couple of years, improved our performances at all the youth national levels, but this component was always missing, not just for football. So, this gym gives us the opportunity to design and implement programmes to help with the strength and conditioning of our players.”

It was also revealed that the GFF will be moving to relocate its Technical Department to the NTC, so as to foster a more hands-on approach by those officials.

“The Technical Department

would be relocated from the Guyana Football Federation secretariat and Mr Bryan Joseph and his team will be working completely out of the National Training Centre. It makes all the sense in the world, here is where the coaches will be, where all the programmes will be run, so we want to bring the technical team closer to the action,” President Forde noted.

The GFF President also expressed a desire to make the facilities available to other sport disciplines, at a cost, should they make a request to utilise the GFF’s dormitory and gym facilities.

Williams siblings’ spurs Essequibo 50 overs title

By Sean Devers

WATCHED by a vocal gathering which included the Hinterland team, and several former National players, Essequibo, led by a match winning 65-run stand between the Williams siblings beat defending champions Berbice by two wickets in the final of Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Women inter county 50over tournament at the LBI ground yesterday.

On the back of Tiea Issacs' 47 with six fours from 85 balls, Berbice reached 134 all out in 37.5 over as off-spinner Nickesha Narine captured 4- 33 from nine overs in a game which was reduced to 45 overs due to 90-minute rain delay.

Skipper Kumarie Persaud (2-22) and Tramaine Marks (2-23) led the way as only

Action from the GCB Senior Women inter county tournament (Sachin Persaud)

right-handed Laurene looked arguably the most accomplished batter on show.

Laurene, when well set for a fifty, fell to Sherika Campbell in the 36th over and Essequibo were still 28 away from victory with four wickets in hand.

Narine (0) was run out and Anesteica Venezuela (2) both departed at 120 the ninth-wickets pair of Cyanna Retemiah (8) and Lotoya, aided by ragged fielding and erratic bowling, saw their team home.

The 27-year-old off spinner Millington had 3-19 from nine frugal overs.

Shenita Grimmond and Plaffianna Millington, with 12 each, got into double figures although extras contributed 45 with 33 of those being wides.

Essequibo recovered from 55-5 to reach 135-8 from 38.1 overs due to a 65-run sixth-wicket partnership between sisters, 19-year-old Laurene and Latoya Williams who turns 19 next month.

just a single boundary while her younger sibling made an unbeaten 32 from 69 balls with a couple of fours.

Shonette Belgrave (1) and Narine was run out for duck to leave Berbice in the 20th over.

Laurene, a National Senior 50-over player, faced 77 balls in well compiled 35 with

Millington removed Persaud for a duck, Marks (16) and Yonette Welcome (8) before Crystal Durant bowled

The left-handed Latoya joined her sister and staged ‘operation rebuild’ with sensible stroke-play with

Millington ended with 12 wickets, two behind the tournaments leading wicket-taker left-arm spinner Kacia Shultz.

The GCB Women’s Inter-County T20 tournament is scheduled to commence tomorrow at LBI with two matches being contested.

TOURNAMENT

hosts,

Bent St A, crushed Back Circle 4-1 to capture the 2nd VP ‘Champion of Champions’ Futsal Cup on Wednesday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue.

In front of a large crowd, Bent St A opened the scoring in the 11th minute after a flat cross into the area was misdirected into the back of the net by the challenging defender. It was the only goal of the

Bent St A dismantles Back Circle to win GOA

first half, which was 20 minutes in duration, as defence dominated the game.

However, Back Circle gave their fans a reason to celebrate after equalising in the 23rd minute, compliments of Ravin Naughton, who blasted a shot from the right side into the lower left corner.

Nonetheless, Bent St A reclaimed the lead five minutes later as Colin Nelson scored after an attempted

pass into the path of Bevney Marks was allowed to slip through his legs and settle into the back of the net.

Marks then made it 3-1 in the 35th minute as he found the back of the net, rolling the ball past the advancing goalkeeper into the lower right corner from inside the left of the penalty area.

The victory was then sealed in the final minute as Marks completed his brace, slamming the ball into the

roof of the right corner from inside the left of the penalty area.

With the win, Bent St A received $1,000,000 and the championship trophy, while Back Circle collected $500,000 and a trophy.

In the third-place playoff, Team Spirit bested Bent St B 3-2. Due to the win, Team Spirit walked away with $300,000 and a trophy, while the loser pocketed $200,000 and a trophy.

Bent St A (white) receives the championship trophy after defeating Back Circle in the final

In the U-17 final, Back Circle overcame Kingston 4-3 on penalty kicks after regulation time ended

1-1. Back Circle received $100,000 and a trophy, while Kingston collected $50,000 and a trophy.

THE Guyana Olympic Association on

day announced 75 athletes and coaches from several sports disciplines that are set to receive the remodeled Panam Sport support grant.

President of the Guyana Olympic association Godfrey Munroe says the stipend programme which began in 2016 has been crucial to athletes training regimen by providing tangible support

“What we found is that athletes wanted it, needed support and we know more support is needed for all of us. However some persons were not treating it with the respect it required and so we

said for this iteration of the grant we want to make sure we enforce the parameters so that one we can improve performance, we can hold each other accountable as we move forward to develop ourselves in the sport.”

He said the parameters of the grant will be progressive and tiered in nature to have the best possible outcomes for athletes.

“Our central premise of

allocating different amounts of scholarship or grant support for each discipline was premise primarily on the prospect of athletes or sports disciplines in regional or international competition.

As an example, athletics the sport, has been performing well internationally and we felt as an executive committee we should put more support into that sport because they are bringing

the reward and they have a lot of athletes with potential and that went across the board in the different disciplines so it is a tiered system of how we allocate funds and resources. So as you improve, you get more in terms of numbers.”

The 72 confirmed athletes and coaches were chosen from varying disciplines.

Tennis: Kalyca Fraser,

Leacock, Jonathan Fagundes, Kimora Erskine, Afruica Gentle, Gavin Lewis, Nathan DeNobrega, Paula Kalekeyzi, and Zephan Henry.

Table Tennis: Colin France, Candacy McKenzie, Jasmine Billingy, Thuraia Thomas, Samara Sukhai, Jonathan Van Lange, Elishaba Johnson, and Niran Bissu.

Squash: Carl Ince, Nyron Joseph, Kirsten Gomes, Emily Fung-A-Fat, Ethan Bulkan, Jason-Ray Khalil, Samuel Ince, Nicolette Fernandes, and Mary FungA-Fat.

Weightlifting: Sean Cozier; Tyson English, Delice Adonis, and Shammah Noel.

Badminton: Akili Haynes, Priyanna Ramdhani, and Frank Worrell.

Cycling: Alexander Leung, Aaron Newton, and Sidney Sandy.

Akeelah Vancooten, Terron Wintz, and Ken Harvey.

Athletics: Lyndon Wilson, Johnny Gravesande, Keisa Burnette, Quinse Clarke, Robin Phillips, Moses Pantlitz, Ezekiel Millington, Noelex Holder, Shemar Horatio, Tishawn Easton, Kaidon Persaud, Savannah Adams, Cassie Small, Analissa Redmond, Akeem Stewart, Deshanna Skeete, Kenisha Philips, and Leslain Baird.

Archery: Umasankar Madray, Jeewanram Persaud, Faraad Gani, and Devin Persaud Permaul.

Bodybuilding: Christina Ramsammy, Julio Sinclair, Emmerson Campbell, and Videsh Sookram.

Rugby: Claudius Butts, Ronaldo Griffith, and Lionel Holder.

WITH less than a week to go before the kickoff of the 2025 edition of the President’s Futsal Championship which will see some 70 teams (senior, junior and women) competing, Dinar’s Trading of Lot 1 Cummings and Lamaha Streets, has come on board the President’s Futsal Championship. The tournament is organised by the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

The male segment which takes on an international flavour with teams from Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago, has at stake $6,000,000 (six-million dollars) in cash and prizes; the women will compete for 1.5 million and the schoolboys, two-million.

Manager Sayad Ahamad said his company, which has been supporting sports and its development over the years, was more than pleased to be associating with the third edition of the President’s Futsal Championship.

“Our support for the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation is well known and we are once again showing our support for this tournament, which is well looked forward to. With a record number of teams set to play and the introduction of a schoolboys segment, we look forward to lots of excitement.”

Co-Director of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, conveyed gratitude to Ahamad and the com -

pany for their continued support, informing that fans can look forward to another exciting edition of this competition which continues to grow. On Tuesday, action will get started with the new schoolboys segment starting things off at 14:0016:00hrs with the seniors taking centre stage from 20:00hrs. Matches will be played every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with the final set for January 2, 2026.

Ansa Mcal’s Lucozade set to power event

ANSA McAl through their Lucozade brand will be the official beverage sponsors for the 6th edition of the KFC Goodwill International Football Series set to kick off on December 13 at the Ministry of Education ground.

Lucozade Brand Manager Christina Beepat said, “Lucozade is happy to be a sponsor for this tournament. We are committed to sports, fuelling athletes with clean and unmatched energy to

support brain and muscle function which is what these players will need for their success, I wish them a successful tournament.”

Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca thanked the company for its unwavering support over the history of the competition.

“Today (Thursday) marks

Ravindra, Latham drive New Zealand into complete control KFC Goodwill International

a very significant day in the relationship we would have established over the years with Ansa McAl. Specifically as it relates to this tournament, they are one of the companies that supported this from the inception and it speaks volumes for the relationship we would have built over the years based on trust,

commitment and vision,” Mendonca added.

He confirmed that all the teams are ready for arrival in Guyana.

St Benedict College from Trinidad, Kingston College from Jamaica, Suriname Technical school from Nikerie, Anglican Central Educational Authority (ACEA)

from Bahamas, Montiero Lobato School from Boa-Vista Brazil will battle defending champions Chase Academy, West Ruimveldt and Annai secondary.

The series also has the backing of Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Royals International Hotel, GBTI and New GPC.