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THURSDAY 17th September, 2026

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No. 1081909

‘This is a healthy economy’

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- President Ali says bank boom sees nearly 180,000 new accounts opened amid Guyana’s rapid growth

Opposition a no show again

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- as President convenes meeting with Parliamentary Economic Services Committee President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday met with members of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services at State House as part of efforts to strengthen coordination between the Executive and the legislative arm on matters affecting Guyana’s economic development. However, members of the Parliamentary Opposition did not attend the sessions (OP photo)

Finance Minister signs Commencement Order for Guyana Development Bank

- paving way for October 5 launch

Judiciary not immune to public criticism - AG says - criticism is permissible provided it does not impugn judicial integrity

Over 20,000 NIS pensioners benefit from direct deposits

SEE PAGE

US-backed Strategic Bauxite expansion to boost Guyana operations

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

Gov’t spends over $21B on student grants, examination support

THE Government spent more than $21 billion on student cash grants and examination fee support during the first half of 2026, with more than 206,000 children benefiting from financial assistance, according to the Government’s 2026 Mid-Year Report. The report said the expenditure formed part of a broader education investment, with $85.4 billion of the $183.6 billion allocated to the sector for 2026 spent during the first

six months of the year. The support included the distribution of the Because We Care, uniform and transportation grants, which began in June. Each eligible child received a combined $85,000, including a new $20,000 transportation component. More than 206,000 children attending public and private schools benefited from the grants. Government also covered examination fees for students

sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). The report said $853.3 million was spent to cover examination fees for 13,071 CSEC candidates and 666 CAPE candidates, with students able to sit up to eight subjects. The Government’s education expenditure also extended to school infrastructure, teacher development,

Minister of Education Sonia Parag engaging with students learning materials and digital education programmes. Of the $24.3 billion budgeted for school infrastructure, $6.1 billion was spent during the first half of the year on construction, rehabilitation and maintenance works across the country. Among the facilities completed were the Falls Top and Kanapang Nursery Schools, Karaudarnau Secondary School and the Santa Rosa Dormitory. Work was also continuing on more than 30 other education facilities nationwide. Teacher training remained another area of investment, with more than 1,700 teachers participating in continuous professional development programmes during the first six months of 2026. A further 2,000 teachers are expected to graduate later this year. From September, the Cyril Potter College of Education is scheduled to introduce specialised Science and Mathematics training for teachers pursuing Early Childhood and Primary Education. Consultations are also continuing on the proposed introduction of an associate degree in STEM Education. The report said the initiatives are intended to strengthen problem-solving, critical-thinking and technological competencies among teachers and students. Government also completed a comprehensive needs assessment for textbooks, workbooks and other reading materials during the first half of the year. Distribution is expected during the second half to 511 nursery, 436 primary and 146 secondary schools. Digital learning initiatives also continued to

expand. More than 30,000 Grade 10 and 11 students were registered on the Guyana Digital School platform, where they have access to class presentations, digital textbooks and other learning resources. By the end of June, 181 schools were also actively using the Guyana Learning Channel. At the tertiary and technical education levels, the report highlighted the continuation of several programmes aimed at widening access to higher education and skills training. These include the $7 billion expansion of the University of Guyana’s medicine and engineering programmes, the student loan debt writeoff initiative, and training opportunities through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT). Technical and vocational training also continued through institutions such as the Guyana Technical Training College and BIT, with hundreds of people receiving training in areas including heavy-duty equipment operation, electrical work and information technology. New training initiatives in drone technology and robotics were also being pursued for persons with disabilities in Region Six. The Mid-Year Report said the Government’s education spending during the first half of 2026 reflected continued investment in student support, school infrastructure, teacher development, learning resources and expanded opportunities for tertiary and technical education.

‘This is a healthy economy’ 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

- President Ali says bank boom sees nearly 180,000 new accounts opened amid Guyana’s rapid growth

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali has hailed a surge in bank accounts, rising credit and deep liquidity as signs of growing confidence and financial inclusion. Speaking during a press conference earlier this week, the President disclosed an expansion in banking activity, with 179,758 new accounts opened between October 2024 and August 2026, saying the surge reflects rising confidence and wider financial inclusion in a rapidly growing economy. Citing data from six commercial banks and two non-bank deposit-taking institutions, the President told reporters that 96 per

President Dr Irfaan Ali cent of the new accounts were opened in the formal banking sector, following Government moves to ease requirements for ordinary Guyanese to open accounts. Between October 2024

and March 2026, 119,807 accounts were opened, with a further 59,951 added from April to August 2026 alone. Dr Ali linked the uptick directly to regulatory and procedural changes aimed

at lowering barriers to entry for low- and middle-income customers who were previously excluded from, or hesitant about, formal banking. “When you look at our banking sector, we have about $90 billion of excess reserves in the banking system. That is in excess of the reserve. You have $90 billion of liquidity,” he said. The President also pointed to strong growth in lending as evidence that more households and businesses are accessing finance. At the end of the first half of 2026, net domestic credit stood at $1.286 billion, an increase of 15.5 per cent over the December 2025 position. Credit to the

private sector grew by 11.5 per cent, while credit to households rose by 14.6 per cent year-on-year. Real estate mortgages expanded by 21.2 per cent, which Dr Ali cited as a sign that more Guyanese are buying or improving homes and investing in property. “Isn't this an economy that is healthy? Isn't this an economy that is demonstrating strength, that is demonstrating diversification, that is demonstrating structural stability? That is what these numbers demonstrate. This is the facts. This is what we should be debating, facts from fiction,” he added. He tied the expansion in credit and mortgages to

broader growth in construction and services, suggesting that more jobs and higher incomes are feeding into demand for housing, business loans and personal credit. For the administration, the banking and credit figures have become a key indicator that the country’s headline economic growth is beginning to filter into everyday financial lives. He said the Government is now working with banks to “leverage this liquidity to create opportunities”, promising new instruments that would allow Guyanese to invest directly in “major transformative projects” for fixed rates of return.

Finance Minister signs Commencement Order for Guyana Development Bank - paving way for October 5 launch SENIOR Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh on Wednesday signed the Commencement Order to operationalise the Guyana Development Bank. The Order was then Gazetted. This marks another critical step in the institution’s journey to establishment, following the recent announcement by His Excellency President Dr. Irfaan

Ali that the Bank would be launched on October 5, 2026. The Guyana Development Bank Bill was successfully piloted by Dr. Singh in the National Assembly on July 27, 2026, and assented to by President Ali on July 30, 2026, paving the way for a new wave of Guyanese entrepreneurship to be unlocked. A first tranche of US$100 million ($20 billion) would be injected at start-

up, representing half of the Bank’s authorised capital of $40 billion. The Bank is expected to transform the financing landscape for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs in Guyana, especially to the benefit of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, offering zero-interest loans of up to $3 million with no collateral required. Mentorship and training

services would also be provided to ensure beneficiaries are equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to run successful businesses. Under a co-financing arrangement, borrowers would be able to unlock additional financing of up to $7 million from traditional lending institutions, at favourable interest rates. Further, the Bank’s operational structure would facilitate the creation of consortia among beneficiaries, providing opportunities for scaling, specialisation, and risk-sharing. Principles of transparency, accountability and sustainability are hard coded into the Bank’s operational framework through relevant legislative provisions. In this regard, strategic direction would be provided by a Board with members suitably qualified across the fields of finance, economics, banking and law, with the latitude to execute broad management functions. Importantly, the Bank’s legal architecture was also designed with a view to promoting effective risk management and fostering institutional continuity. The entity’s financial records would be subject to annual examination by the Auditor General, and an annual report on operations would have to be prepared and presented to the people and National Assembly of Guyana. Establishment of the Guyana Development Bank is unfolding within a con-

Finance Dr. Ashni Singh text of rapidly expanding credit, robust and improving credit quality, and growing financial inclusivity. Both private sector credit and commercial bank deposits more than doubled between end-2020 and end2025, while non-performing loans plummeted from 10.8 percent to 1.3 percent. Since October 2024, more than 179,000 new bank accounts were established, with almost 60,000 opened between April and August 2026 alone, reflecting Government’s ongoing efforts to simplify the process of setting up accounts. Previous PPP/C Administrations have over the years advanced various institutions and initiatives to facilitate financing and other support for local businesses, headlined by the Small Business Bureau, and a partnership with IDB Invest. Since 2020, the former has disbursed grants, disability loans, guarantees and other services to the tune of more than $2.7 billion, while under the latter, business financing of more than US$260

million was secured. The Guyana Development Bank would build on these predecessor initiatives by spurring a massive scaling up of small business financing and service support, especially among groups historically underserved by the traditional banking sector. The institution is also intended to serve as a main pillar of Government’s economic diversification strategy, with target sectors spanning agro-processing, manufacturing, tourism, services, and technology, among others. The Guyana Development Bank’s establishment reflects the PPP/C Government’s commitment to fostering financial empowerment and inclusion among Guyanese individuals and households, and marks the fulfilment of another important manifesto promise. It represents another avenue through which Government intends to ensure every Guyanese has the opportunity to fully participate in the country’s ensuing economic transformation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

Judiciary not immune to public criticism - AG says - criticism is permissible provided it does not impugn judicial integrity

ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, has affirmed that the judiciary is not immune from public criticism, arguing that judicial independence must not be interpreted as placing judicial officers beyond accountability or scrutiny. Nandlall made this known during his weekly programme, Issues in the News, where he indicated that members of the public have a right to comment on the administration of justice, including matters before the courts, provided such criticism is made in good faith

and does not undermine the integrity of judicial officers or seek to improperly influence proceedings. “The judiciary is not immune from criticism,” Nandlall said. He explained that while members of the public cannot approach judges directly to demand answers about cases before them, this necessary insulation from direct engagement does not remove the public’s right to express concerns about the functioning of the justice system. “The law is correct in insulating judges from that engagement because that

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall can also lead to unsavoury engagements,” he said. However, Nandlall said

the public must have another avenue through which concerns about the administration of justice can be expressed. “Because of the insulation, members of the public, whose right it is to complain, don’t have that access, so they have to have another access because they have a freedom to speak on matters that concern them,” he said. The Attorney General said criticism of the judiciary is permissible provided it is genuine and respectful, stressing that those exercising that right must not cast aspersions on the integrity of judicial officers.

“You are entitled to criticise the judiciary, but you must do so without casting aspersions on the integrity of the officer, you must not be motivated by malice,” he said. Nandlall also argued that the public’s right to comment extends to ongoing cases, rejecting the notion that the sub judice principle automatically prevents public discussion of matters before the courts. He said the rule applies where commentary seeks to influence the outcome of a case, rather than simply discussing or criticising a matter of public interest.

“The sub judice rule doesn’t bar discussion or even criticism of a case that is ongoing,” Nandlall said. Against this backdrop, he maintained that judicial independence is constitutionally guaranteed in Guyana, but said that independence does not equate to a lack of accountability. “Judges, and other judicial officers are accountable,” he said. “They are accountable, and the public and society must hold them accountable for the discharge of their functions, but must do so with dignity and respect.”

going to encash your pension by taking the simple step of getting your pension paid into your bank,” he said. He noted that transportation expenses can accumulate for pensioners who have to travel to the NIS and then to a bank before returning home. “The minibus fare to go to the NIS to collect your pension. The minibus fare to the bank. The minibus fare from the bank back home. These things cost money,” he said. While acknowledging that pension days can also provide pensioners with an opportunity to meet former colleagues and friends, the minister said social interaction should not require beneficiaries to physically line up to collect their pay-

ments. “You don’t need to join an NIS line to catch up with your friends,” he said. The minister said he would like to see the NIS reach a point where “almost all, if not all” pensioners receive their pensions directly into their bank accounts. He linked the push to wider efforts to promote financial inclusion, saying access to bank accounts and digital payment systems is increasingly important. “I want to get to a point where we are paying almost all of our pensioners directly into their bank,” he said, while stressing that the arrangement is intended to make pension collection easier and more convenient for beneficiaries.

Over 20,000 NIS pensioners benefit from direct deposits - more than 40,000 others urged to switch to convenient bank payments

SENIOR Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, has revealed that more than 20,000 National Insurance Scheme (NIS) pensioners are now receiving their pensions directly into their bank accounts, while the majority of beneficiaries have yet to make the switch. Dr Singh made the rev-

elation while delivering an address at the NIS’ 57th Anniversary General Assembly, held at Herdmanston Lodge. He indicated that 20,454 pensioners currently receive their pensions through direct bank payments, up from just over 11,000 in December 2020. He used the occasion to urge the more than 40,000 pensioners who have not yet

made the switch to consider the convenience and savings associated with having their pensions deposited directly into their accounts. “I want to urge you to work aggressively to encourage as many of your pensioners as you possibly can,” Dr Singh told NIS General Manager Holly Greaves and the scheme’s management. He said direct deposits can eliminate the need for pensioners to travel to an NIS office to collect their pension and subsequently visit a bank to cash or deposit the payment. “Nobody needs to join a

line to collect their NIS pension,” he said. As such, the minister pointed out that pensioners who opt to have their payments made directly into their bank accounts can submit their life certificates through WhatsApp. The minister said the arrangement can also reduce the costs associated with travelling to collect pension payments. “You could be saving yourself the financial cost and the inconvenience associated with physically going to collect your pension and associated with physically

Opposition a no show again

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

- as President convenes meeting with Parliamentary Economic Services Committee PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday met with members of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services at State House as part of efforts to strengthen coordination between the Executive and the legislative arm on matters affecting Guyana’s economic development. During the engagement, the President briefed committee members on key economic matters considered critical to the Government’s plans and strategies for navigating an increasingly challenging global environment. The meeting forms part of a broader initiative by the Administration to deepen its engagement with parliamentary committees and provide lawmakers with updates on major areas of national policy

and development. According to the President, all members of the committee were invited through Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir to participate in the discussions on matters of national importance. However, members of the Parliamentary Opposition did not attend the session. The meeting comes against the backdrop of a series of engagements between the President and parliamentary committees. On Tuesday, President Ali also met with members of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Foreign Relations, where discussions focused on key foreign-policy matters, including the International Court of Justice proceedings concerning Guyana’s border and the Third Country Na-

tional Agreement with the United States. The Speaker subsequently confirmed that Opposition members serving on both the Foreign Relations Committee and the Economic Services Committee had not attended the presidential briefings. He said correspondence from Opposition Chief Whip Tabitha Sarabo-Halley concerning the engagements had been received and that the Parliament Office had responded to the issues raised before the meetings. The Economic Services Committee is among the parliamentary mechanisms through which lawmakers examine matters relating to the country’s economic and developmental affairs. Engagement between the Executive and such committees

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday met with members of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services at State House. However, members of the Parliamentary Opposition did not attend the session provides an avenue for lawmakers to receive information directly on Government policy and programmes while carrying out their parliamentary responsibilities. The Government has also been reporting continued expansion in areas including construction, agriculture,

mining and employment, while emphasising the need to manage the opportunities and challenges associated with Guyana’s rapidly changing economy. President Ali said the Government remains committed to engaging all parliamentary committees in

an open, transparent and accountable manner, signalling that further engagements are expected as the Administration seeks to strengthen coordination between the Executive and Parliament on matters of national importance.

NIS set for full digital transformation by end of year - Finance Minister says - contributors to access registration, payments, claims and records online

THE National Insurance Scheme (NIS) is expected to complete a major digitisation of its operations by the end of this year, with contributors and beneficiaries able to access a wider range of services online, Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, said. Dr Singh made this disclosure as he delivered the feature address at the NIS’ 57th Anniversary General Assembly, during which he said the digitisation project is part of efforts to ensure the scheme adapts to changing realities and improves the

quality of service provided to citizens. He said the initiative follows a directive from President Dr Irfaan Ali to transform the way citizens interact with the NIS. “An instruction was given by His Excellency the President that we execute this digitisation project this year, so that consumers, so that contributors and participants, pensioners and other beneficiaries are able to interact with the scheme digitally in the convenience of their homes and wherever else they need,” he said. Under the planned system, persons should be able

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh (Elton John photo) to register with the NIS dig- contribution records, submit itally, while employers and claims for benefits and track self-employed persons should the progress of those claims be able to submit monthly re- digitally. turns and make contribution “You must be able to appayments online. ply for a registration digitally. Contributors should also You must be able to submit be able to check their NIS if you’re an employer or a

self-employed person; you must be able to submit your monthly returns digitally. You must be able to pay your contributions digitally,” the minister said. Dr Singh said that contributors should also be able to check their records and submit and monitor claims from the convenience of their homes. The minister said the push towards digital services is not simply about adopting new technology, but responding to growing expectations for efficient public services. “We are living in a world today where people have an expectation, a very legitimate and valid expectation, of good quality service,” he said.

He noted that the NIS serves large numbers of people, including elderly persons and others who may be experiencing medical conditions and as such, making convenient and responsive service critical. Further to this, Dr Singh said digital technology also has the potential to improve the NIS’ internal operations, including the use of data analytics to identify gaps in contributions and support enforcement. He urged the NIS to move swiftly with the digital transformation, saying the available technology could significantly improve both its operations and the quality of service delivered to citizens.

Serious crime down by 16.9 per cent in first half of 2026

GUYANA recorded a 16.9 per cent decline in serious crime during the first half of 2026, as the government continues to strengthen policing capabilities, surveillance infrastructure and community-based crime prevention. The reduction is highlighted in the government’s 2026 mid-year report, which points to continued investments in law enforcement capacity and technology as part of efforts to improve public safety.

The decline comes against the backdrop of a broader effort to strengthen the Guyana Police Force through increased training, improved mobility and the expansion of intelligent

surveillance systems. The government’s 2026 programme sets a target of reducing the overall crime rate per 100,000 population from 6,832.49 in 2025 to 6,149.24 this year.

The target includes reductions in both non-vehicular and vehicular crime. Murder also remains a key focus of the national crime-fighting strategy. The Police Force recorded 130 murders in 2025, with the 2026 target set at 117. The government is simultaneously investing in the capacity of the force to investigate and prevent crime. A target has been established to train 5,000 police officers and 500 detectives during 2026, compared

with 3,997 officers and 293 detectives trained in 2025. Technology is also playing an increasing role in the country’s crime-prevention strategy, particularly through the Safe Country Initiative, which is expanding the network of intelligent video surveillance systems across the country. The investment is intended not only to assist in the detection of criminal activity but also to strengthen investigations and provide law enforcement with greater analytical

capabilities. The government is also seeking to strengthen the relationship between the police and communities through community policing initiatives while improving the Force’s transportation and operational infrastructure. The latest reduction in serious crime builds on a decline recorded during the first half of 2025, when serious crimes fell by 25 per cent compared with the corresponding period in 2024. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

Transforming growth into a better Guyana

ANOTHER strong indication that Guyana is undergoing a fundamental metamorphosis is the country’s latest economic performance in which the benefits of rapid economic growth are becoming increasingly evident in investment, employment and activity across several sectors. The 2026 Mid-Year Report estimates that real GDP grew 33.3 per cent in the first half of the year and the non-oil economy grew 10.1 per cent. The full year growth forecast has been revised to 20.8 per cent, with non-oil growth expected to hit 10.2 per cent. These are staggering figures, especially in the context that Guyana is no longer growing from the relatively small economic base that existed pre-oil era. What is particularly interesting is that the expansion is not confined to just oil and gas. Mining and quarrying were estimated to have grown by 40.7 per cent in the first half of 2026. Construction was up 24.7 per cent, services 7.2 per cent and manufacturing three per cent. Agriculture and related activities grew in sugar, rice, livestock, forestry and fishing. The combined agriculture, forestry and fishing sector contracted marginally on account of excessive rainfall and weakness in other crops. The growth in economic ac-

tivity is substantial. For Guyana, the objective cannot be merely to produce more oil. The bigger national project is to convert the unprecedented revenues generated by the petroleum sector into infrastructure, human capital, businesses and productive industries capable of sustaining prosperity for decades to come. There is plenty of evidence that this is occurring. Government capital expenditure was close to $250 billion in the first half of 2026 and private-sector credit grew 11.5 per cent. The Mid-Year Report points to ongoing investment in roads, bridges, housing and energy as part of the broader development program. Such investment is meaningful even outside of the construction activity it directly generates. A new road can cut transportation costs and open markets. A bridge can link communities and get commerce flowing. Housing can offer families greater security, and stimulate construction and related industries. Energy investments can improve reliability and form the basis for new economic activity. This is where the Government’s development strategy deserves commendation, the effort to convert resource wealth into physical and human capital, rather than have oil revenues be separate from the rest of the economy.

The report references the International Monetary Fund’s 2026 Article IV assessment, which also highlighted the value of diversification, resilience and sustainability, mentioning investments in physical and human capital and improvements particularly in health and education. The job figures are probably the clearest sign of how the economic transformation is impacting the broader population. The number of people in employment rose to 421,334, an increase of 156,472 people, between the first quarter of 2020 and the fourth quarter of 2025. At the same time, unemployment fell from 12.8 per cent to 6.2 per cent and labour-force participation rose from 50.4 per cent to 59.2 per cent. That we have 156,000 more people in employment is far more than an impressive statistic. That means more households earning wages. More families meeting their obligations. More consumers supporting local businesses and more Guyanese gaining experience and skills in a growing economy. The private sector is also important as it is the largest source of employment in the country, making up 60.4 per cent of employed persons in the fourth quarter of 2025. The share of employment in wholesale and retail trade, construction, public administration, agriculture, for-

estry and fishing and manufacturing was also high. That indicates that the change is creating opportunities in a wide array of industries, not just the petroleum industry. But we cannot afford to become complacent. U l t i m a t e l y, e c o n o m i c growth has to be felt beyond the pages of statistical reports. Families need more security. Younger people need the opportunity to learn skills and have careers. Small and medium-sized businesses have to grow. Farmers require access to markets and infrastructure. The country’s progress must include communities not traditionally known for economic activity. The Government therefore has a continuing obligation to see to it that the extraordinary revenues now accruing to the State are prudently and transparently invested. The inflation numbers underscore the importance of that responsibility. Between the end of 2025 and June 2026 there was a 4.4 per cent increase in consumer prices, with food prices a major factor. The 12-month inflation rate was four per cent. So growth and affordability must go hand in hand. The measures proposed in the Mid-Year Report, including the higher income-tax threshold, the higher old-age pension and public assistance, the cash support, the higher stipends for certain

workers and the abolition of the net property tax on individuals, are attempts to make economic expansion into direct support to households. The trick is to keep that balance as the economy grows. Guyana is now operating in a climate that would have been hard to conceive a decade ago. The country has the resources, the investment, the growing employment and an unparalleled opportunity to modernize its infrastructure and institutions. So the challenge for the PPP/C Government is not merely to preside over growth but to convert growth into sustainable national capacity. That means continuing to invest in education and training so that Guyanese will be able to fill the increasingly sophisticated jobs that will be created. It means more health care and other essential services. It’s about creating the environment where local business can become suppliers to the large projects and compete regionally and internationally. It also means observing fiscal and monetary discipline. According to the Mid-Year Report, the Government continues to stress the sustainable management of public debt. The IMF has indicated macroeconomic policies that are conducive to stability and accumulation of oil revenues in the Natural Resource Fund as part of the country’s

fiscal and external buffers. That discipline will be increasingly important as Guyana wrestles with a fast-expanding economy. President Irfaan Ali has spoken on numerous occasions about building a Guyana where households will have more opportunities to improve their circumstances. The economic figures now coming to light provide a solid basis on which to pursue that ambition. The country’s transformation should therefore be viewed not simply through the spectacular headline GDP figure, but through the combination of economic growth, job creation, infrastructure development, diversification and investment in people. Guyana is moving quickly. The challenge now is to make sure that the momentum continues, that the benefits are broadly shared and that the wealth being created today provides opportunities for generations of Guyanese tomorrow. The figures are promising. You can see the development. As long as the country’s resource wealth continues to be directed toward productive investment, human development and national infrastructure, Guyana will be better positioned to convert today’s economic growth into tomorrow’s lasting prosperity.

MY wife and I were engaged last Sunday in our traditional Parika market rendezvous. A woman came up to me and said: “Mr. Kissoon, yuh get old, I been reading you in de newspaper since I was young.” We all get old. I began my newspaper career in the Stabroek News and Catholic Standard in 1988. I

was young then. In those long years of column writing, I have never been prouder than the headline I am using here for this piece. I am happy that I am still writing columns, so I have the opportunity of penning the headline for this article. I am deeply committed to my support for the liberation of the Palestinian

people so they could get what Guyanese got in 1966. In that year, Guyana became the property of no one else except Guyanese. We owned the 83 thousand square miles, and we decided who will elect, which buildings we will construct, and which country we will trade with. This land named British Guiana was owned

by our indigenous peoples. The White man told us that an Italian named Christopher Columbus discovered the West Indies. This despicable narrative was forced down our throats. He didn’t discover anything. He was a predator. People were happily living in the West Indies before Columbus left Italy. The Indigenous people

had their lands taken away from them by the imperialism of Western European empires. They brought slaves to work in Guyana, then indentured labourers and it was only in 1966 that the Indigenous people, the descendants of slaves and indentured labourers took control of Guyana. At least we got back con-

trol. The Palestinians are still to have their territory. Their lands have been confiscated by the Jewish state of Israel, and a system of apartheid has been imposed on them. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers are erasing the lands that belong to the Palestinian people and taking them for themselves. In TURN TO PAGE 7

From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

Cancer screening, treatment services expanded across Guyana

THE Ministry of Health has expanded cancer screening and support services across Guyana, including increasing the number of mammography machines from one to at least seven, as government intensifies efforts to promote early detection and treatment. Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony made the disclosure during the launch of One Communications’ PinkTOBER 2026, where he highlighted measures being implemented to improve access to cancer-related services. The mammography machines are now located in Georgetown, Suddie, Linden, New Amsterdam and Lethem, providing women in several regions with greater access to breast cancer screening. According to Anthony, 1,667 mammograms have been conducted from January to September this

year using the expanded screening capacity. The minister said prostate cancer is currently the most common cancer diagnosed in Guyana, followed by breast, cervical and colorectal cancers. Together, the four account for 46 per cent of cancers diagnosed in 2026. He said 704 people have so far been diagnosed with cancer this year, noting that some cancers may be preventable through early detection, vaccination and other interventions. Anthony said that while improved access to screening services was an important step, changing public attitudes towards screening remains a major challenge. “The first challenge is changing people’s mindset,” he said, urging citizens to take advantage of screening services as early as possible. The minister specifi-

cally encouraged women to undergo breast cancer screening and urged men to be screened for prostate cancer through the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test. Vouchers are available for the PSA screening. He also encouraged parents to ensure that boys and girls between nine and 15 years receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

FROM PAGE 6 Gaza, the Jewish army has killed over 100,000 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children. In the Guardian newspaper of the UK, there is a column that all Guyanese should read titled, “In Gaza, we’re seeing horror unfold with global powers’ support,” written by Ahdaf Soueif. This is good stuff about the minds of the Western leaders that do not stop trying to fool us about democracy in their countries. In the opening paragraph of this commentary, I referred to my long years in the newspapers. In my long years of political activism, one of the most irritating moments I experienced was what I read from the present Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana. He said democracy rests with the Guyanese people, and they should use that democracy to get their government to accept the EU Observer Election Report for 2025. Where does democracy reside in Canada and in Western countries? Why is

there no observer mission from Canada and Western countries in Gaza? Why do the peoples of the West not use their democratic entitlements and reject their leaders that continue to send economic assistance and military aid to Israel? This is a country that practises apartheid and commits genocide. Soueif’s headline referred to Gaza’s horror of having the support of global powers, which includes Canada. I humbly ask the Canadian High Commissioner to stay out of Guyana’s sovereign affairs. Who or what is this country named Israel that, in the West, its citizens cannot criticise Israel for its genocidal violence in Gaza? In no Western country can you use the phrase; “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Do you know the father of the current Foreign Minister of the UK has written one of the major Marxist texts that was used in most universities in the 1970s? It was compulsory reading for us in Dr Perry Mars’ politics class at UG when I was his student. It is

Ralph Miliband, “The State in a Capitalist Society.” How does the younger Miliband feel about his father’s work? Israel is a country of a mere 8000 square miles, as an infinitesimal part of Guyana. Israel is no credible country in the international system. It is a poor, barren land that is virtually kept alive by Western aid. Israel is no India. India is no Pakistan. Israel is no Singapore. Israel is no Malaysia. Israel is no France. Israel is no Indonesia. So why can’t Western citizens criticise Israel? Why can’t citizens of Western countries say: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” without fear of victimisation as what happened to the American rapper, Makesmore who said in his concert that Palestine will be free? It is time Iran teaches Israel a lesson. 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.

Minister of Health Frank Anthony (Sachin Persaud photo)

From the river...

vaccine. The vaccine is intended to reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers, including cervical cancer in women and penile cancer in men. HPV vaccine vouchers are also available. Anthony highlighted colorectal cancer as another area of concern, disclosing that 43 people have been diagnosed with the disease since January.

“People don't like to talk about it, but it exists,” he said, while announcing that the ministry is working with partners to establish a programme offering colonoscopy services to improve the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. The minister also pointed to international partnerships being developed to strengthen Guyana’s capacity to manage cancer and improve professional training. These include collaborations with Mount Sinai and Northwell, which Anthony described as institutions with established expertise in cancer care. The Ministry of Health has also partnered with MD Anderson Cancer Center to build on existing efforts in cervical cancer prevention and management. Educational and training opportunities are being developed through partner-

ships with McMaster University and the National Cancer Institute in Nagpur, India, where Guyanese healthcare professionals are being trained. More recently, the ministry established a partnership with Expertise France through a European Union-supported project known as HelpNext. The initiative will provide opportunities for Guyanese personnel to receive specialised training in France. Anthony said the Government’s broader objective is to expand access to services while building capacity locally and strengthening partnerships that can improve cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. He said the measures are intended to give patients and families greater confidence that cancer care and support services will continue to improve in Guyana.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

Justice must move with purpose in the Mohamed extradition case

THE pace of the extradition proceedings involving Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, now demands serious public attention. The Mohameds were arrested on October 31, 2025, following an extradition request from the United States. Since then, legal questions arising from the proceedings have travelled through the High Court, the Court of Appeal and ultimately the Caribbean Court of Justice. The CCJ delivered its ruling on July 29, 2026, dismiss-

ing their challenge and clearing the way for the substantive extradition proceedings to continue. Yet, before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman, the court has been unable to complete the evidence of a single witness. Let that sink in. Matters connected to this case have been argued, considered and determined by three superior courts, including Guyana’s final appellate court, while the Magistrates’ Court remains occupied with the first witness in the substantive hearing. Every accused person is en-

titled to due process, competent representation and a fair hearing. Those rights must be fully respected. They cannot become the basis for proceedings without reasonable limits, repetitive applications, prolonged exchanges and a timetable that appears increasingly disconnected from the urgency and seriousness of an extradition matter. The public is entitled to ask how much judicial time will be consumed before the evidence of one witness is completed, how many interventions will be entertained on matters already

ventilated before superior courts, and when a firm schedule will be established for the conclusion of the substantive hearing. Judicial independence must always be protected, and with that independence comes the responsibility to manage proceedings firmly, efficiently and fairly. A court controlling its own process must also ensure that its process is not overwhelmed by delay. The question before the Magistrates’ Court is whether the legal requirements for committal have been satisfied. The court is

not being asked to conduct the trial that may eventually take place in the United States. Justice must be careful, but justice must also move. When the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the CCJ can all hear and determine matters arising from an extradition case before the evidence of the first witness is completed in the Magistrates’ Court, the public has every right to question whether the process is being managed with the necessary firmness and urgency. The judiciary must guard against any appearance that per-

sons with considerable financial resources and large legal teams can stretch proceedings indefinitely. Equal justice requires equal discipline in the management of the court’s time. The substantive extradition hearing should proceed on a clear and tightly managed timetable. Guyanese citizens, the requesting state and the men before the court are all entitled to a process that reaches a lawful determination within a reasonable time. Yours truly, Adron Pires

Dear Editor, I WISH to commend the initiative of conducting unannounced visits to government offices to see firsthand the type of service being provided to ordinary citizens. Too often, senior officials receive reports about how efficiently their departments are operating, but the experience of the ordinary person standing at a counter can be very different. An unannounced visit removes the opportunity for offic-

es to prepare for an inspection and allows those in authority to witness the normal day to day operations of the agency. From my own observations and the experiences repeatedly shared by members of the public, poor customer service is not confined to one government office. Similar complaints can be heard about several ministries and public agencies long waiting periods, employees appearing uninterested in assisting citizens, people being sent from one offi-

cer to another, unanswered telephone calls, and members of the public sometimes being treated as though they are inconveniencing the very institutions established to serve them. This should not be accepted as normal. Public servants play an extremely important role in Guyana's development, and there are undoubtedly many dedicated officers who perform their duties professionally. However, those employees should not have their reputation damaged by

colleagues who fail to provide the standard of service expected of them. I therefore believe unannounced visits should become a regular feature across government ministries and agencies. Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and senior managers should occasionally walk into their departments without advance notice, sit among citizens, listen to their complaints and observe how employees interact with the public. The objective should not

simply be to punish workers. It should be to identify weaknesses, improve training, strengthen accountability and ultimately create a public service in which citizens are treated with dignity and respect. Government has invested significantly in modernising public services. That progress must also be reflected in the human element of service delivery. A modern building, computerised system or new programme means little if citizens still leave a gov-

ernment office frustrated by the treatment they receive.Continue the unannounced visits. They provide decision makers with something that prepared reports sometimes cannot reveal the reality on the ground. Continue the unannounced visits. They provide decision makers with a view of the reality on the ground that prepared reports sometimes cannot reveal. Yours faithfully, Quincy Anderson

to demand information. It is entitled to challenge the President and his Ministers. But scrutiny requires proximity to the decision-making process. One cannot simultaneously demand greater consultation and then decline an invitation to consult. One cannot complain about insufficient answers while declining a forum in which questions can be put directly. And one cannot complain about being excluded from national conversations while voluntarily remaining outside the room when those conversations take place. There is another worrying dimension to this episode. Guyana’s political conversation is increasingly being conducted through press statements, Facebook posts, livestreams and social-media exchanges. Social media has an important role in democracy, but it cannot become a substitute for Parliament, committee work and direct institutional dialogue. A political disagreement conducted entirely through social media allows each side to speak to its own audience. A face-to-face parliamentary engagement requires something different: questions, evidence, explanations, rebuttals and, where possible, solutions. That is the kind of political maturity Guyanese citizens should expect. I believe the opposition is increasingly interested in political grandstanding, politics of convenience, politics of bureaucracy and lacks the political maturity. The meeting represented an opportunity not necessarily to agree, but to engage. The Opposition could have

challenged President Ali. It could have pressed him on the ICJ. It could have questioned the Third Country National Agreement. It could have raised economic concerns. It could have demanded supporting documents. It could have expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s answers. Instead, its members were absent. The President’s meeting subsequently took place with members who attended, while the parliamentary opposition’s concerns were communicated principally through statements to the media. This is a missed opportunity. Guyana does not need politicians to agree on everything. It needs politicians who are prepared to disagree in the room, where questions can be answered and positions can be tested. Political maturity is not measured by how loudly one can condemn an opponent after the fact. It is measured by the willingness to sit across the table from that opponent and make the argument directly. There will always be another press conference. There will always be another Facebook post. There will always be another statement but opportunities for direct dialogue on matters of national importance should not be squandered. Perhaps, the opposition does not like those engagements because they do not possess an audience so they could not have a viral audience to conduct their ‘ghetto and gutter behaviour’ and market-vendor like politics. Sad! Yours sincerely, Michael Younge

Unannounced Visits: The reality check Guyana’s public service needs

When dialogue becomes the casualty

Dear Editor, I WRITE with considerable disappointment and bewilderment over the decision by members of APNU and WIN not to participate in the meeting convened by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali with members of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Foreign Relations. This was not a political rally, campaign meeting or an attempt to replace Parliament. It was an opportunity for some elected WIN and APNU Members to sit across the table from the President Ali and engage directly on matters of clear national importance. The issues identified included Guyana’s proceedings before the International Court of Justice, the agreement concerning third-country nationals between Guyana and the United States, and broader economic developments. These are precisely the kinds of issues on which a responsible and objective Opposition should want information, explanations and answers. Instead, the country was presented with reasons for not attending. APNU’s position was that there should first be a clear agenda and relevant supporting documentation, including proposed agreements, financing frameworks and assessments, sufficiently in advance to permit proper examination. WIN went further, arguing that the president’s approach to parliamentary committees amounted to a disregard for the constitutional

role of the Leader of the Opposition and the independence of Parliament. These concerns can legitimately be raised at the meeting, of course, even though they can be easily answered by the government and the president. In my opinion, they are smokescreen and convenient reasons for not attending but the obvious question is: why did they require a boycott? After All, if WIN and APNU believed that documentation was inadequate, they could have attended and said so directly. They could have placed their concerns formally on the record, asked the president for the documents, sought clarification on the matters under discussion and then reported their concerns publicly. That would have been parliamentary engagement. Instead, the country got absence. The argument advanced by WIN is particularly worthy of scrutiny because the Speaker of the National Assembly subsequently rejected the suggestion that its questions had received no meaningful response. According to the Speaker’s office, Opposition Chief Whip Tabitha Sarabo-Halley wrote seeking clarification and requested an early response, and Parliament responded on Monday morning, stating that the questions raised had been addressed. That does not mean every question was necessarily answered to WIN’s satisfaction. Nor does it prevent the Opposition from disagreeing with

the response. But there is an important distinction between not receiving the answer one wanted and not receiving an answer at all. That distinction matters. There is also an apparent contradiction in the Opposition’s position. APNU says it has questions on matters including the energy sector, foreign-exchange pressures, the cost of living and safety in schools. But if you have questions, why decline an opportunity to put them directly to the president? If you believe the government has failed to provide adequate information, why surrender an opportunity to demand that information face-to-face? And if you believe the president’s approach to Parliament is constitutionally problematic, why not attend and make that argument directly in the very meeting you contend should operate according to proper parliamentary principles? The decision therefore raises a broader question about the meaning of parliamentary opposition. Opposition members were elected to scrutinise the government, challenge its decisions, demand accountability and represent the concerns of their constituents. That responsibility does not disappear when an engagement is inconvenient or when the Opposition objects to the manner in which an invitation was extended. Indeed, difficult political relationships make direct en-

gagement more and not less important. The President’s Office has said that all members of the relevant committee were invited through the Speaker. The subsequent meeting proceeded with members who attended, and President Ali said the government intends to strengthen its engagement with parliamentary committees in an open, transparent and accountable manner. Whatever one’s political affiliation, that stated objective deserves to be tested through participation rather than absence. A letter carried in the press correctly identifies one of the central weaknesses in the boycott argument: procedural objections and substantive engagement are not mutually exclusive. A parliamentarian can object to the process while still entering the room, asking questions and demanding better documentation. There is nothing inherently contradictory about saying: I have concerns about this meeting, but I will attend because my constituents deserve answers. That is particularly relevant when the subject includes Guyana’s territorial case before the ICJ and matters connected to the country’s foreign policy. Those issues extend beyond the immediate interests of any political party. They concern the state and the national interest. The Opposition is, of course, entitled to scrutinise the government vigorously. It is entitled to disagree. It is entitled

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

Government Victimisation?

THE local realities of the evolution of Azruddin Mohamed as a politician has been very fortuitous at every step. His entry into the national limelight was a result of legal advice obtained from lawyers retained in the US. Together with his father, their non-immigrant visas were cancelled and renewals refused. Having major business formations in Guyana and having travelled to the US for eons without outstanding legal issues, they needed sound advice on the implications of the refusals and steps they would need to take to regain visa status. I believe that it was there or thereabouts, that they were told of serious investigations into their relationship with the US. Around this time also, we were told, that a Washington lobbying firm was hired by the family to lobby US lawmakers to view them in a positive light and advocate for their redemption. If the Washington lobbying efforts were to gain any traction, then the Mohameds needed to present a dossier that demonstrated they are nationally recognised personalities who are loved by the people and who live strict law-abiding lives with strong community activ-

ism; in short, they needed to launder their image. In this regard, there were two low-hanging fruits: politics and philanthropy. The elder Mohamed entered politics as a local government candidate for the PPP, while the son started an aggressive philanthropic campaign and ‘dalterated’ social media with his exploits. He dwelled among the inner-city urban poor, handing out expensive gifts and parading with luxury cars that most poor people would only see in the movies. Most poor people do not care where their ‘prags’ come from, so they mobbed him to collect his image-laundering goodies. Azruddin became an overnight sensation; in terms of national recognition and social media following, he was the Taylor Swift of Guyana. Time quickly rolled on, and all the efforts at attempting to scrub their image locally did not thwart the intensity of the investigations in the US. The nation soon learned that US sanctions are imminent and large US investors were advised to sever business ties with the family, then came the OFAC sanctions, later followed by US grand jury indictments and extradition requests. With these sanctions there may be several creative ways

in which a government can shield a sanctioned individual without putting the country in jeopardy. However, given the geopolitical realities that the government faced, mainly, requiring US steadfast military and diplomatic support for Guyana over Venezuela. Added to that, the government of Guyana had developed an extremely close relationship with the Trump administration, and President Ali probably had Marco Rubio on speed dial. Given those circumstances, the Government could not risk fracturing any aspect of that relationship. It was therefore a no-brainer; the government could not extend political courtesies to the Mohameds. I believe this angered the Mohameds, and bad blood developed. We heard them griping about the mountains of courtesies they extended to the party and individuals in government. This started Azruddin on a path of revenge. What better way to do this? Trade the aforementioned personal social popularity for an opportunity to disrupt and politically destabilise the government. During his image laundering campaign to try to get in the good graces of Washington, Azruddin and his team learned a valuable

lesson that caught on like wildfire: we are not villains; we are victims. The shy, innocent, reserved, and cleancut auric personality that Azruddin curated left many questioning whether he is capable of harming a fly. Team Mohamed knew that this sentiment was pervasive, and they latched on to it; it became their MO. People generally do not like to see ‘advantage’ taken on the innocent; as a result, I believe even some government supporters were sold on his victim baiting tactics. However, there are two major reasons why they did not follow him to the ballot box: one, they have come to trust the PPP a bit more after being disappointed by third parties, chiefly the AFC, and two, the PPP fiercely protected the physical spaces inhabited by their supporters. The entirety of the campaign and dealings of WIN, the personal brand parading as a political party, has been to strategically exploit situations that are carefully and cleverly canned to show victimhood. We see the campaign as a golden thread in all of Azruddin’s interaction.

When the OFAC sanctions came, it was known that his bank accounts would be closed; it was normal around the world. However, the average Joe would not really be familiar with how these things work, so they don’t want me to do business and earn in Guyana, so the Government instructed the banks to close my account. I am the victim here. When it came time to be taken into custody in response to an extradition request, he said, why they couldn’t call me on the phone and ask me to come in, I am innocent and they sent van loads of police for me, I am a victim. When it came time to pay taxes on the importation of a luxury vehicle, he undervalued the vehicle by presenting fictitious valuation information; when hauled in to make restitution, he cried I am a victim. The behaviour continued almost daily. Of recent vintage, he chose to operate an unlicensed vessel during disallowed hours of darkness, without prescribed life jackets, without a pilot’s licence and failure to stop, though clear and unambiguous command was given to stop by

security services. Once he was detained, he shouted, I am a victim. Next, the man was found snooping around the President’s home, when approached by the state security apparatus, he fled the scene; when intercepted, he cried victimisation. The thing is, the government’s hands may be tied; the security services have to discharge their duties dispassionately. For whatever its worth, Azruddin Mohamed may very well be the most successful politician in the West to use “victim baiting” as their primary political strategy. He found a political gold mine and has exploited every ounce of the precious metal. When people are able to exploit a creative niche, many others wish they could, you have to give it to them, this ‘bannas’ is a genius. However, I do not believe that this is sustainable in the long term. 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.

Dr Kelecia Niles combines patient care, specialist training and teaching at GPHC

FOR Dr Kelecia Niles, a career in cardiology has brought together her interest in medicine, commitment to patient care and desire to help strengthen specialist healthcare in Guyana. A medical registrar in cardiology at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr Niles is part of the team providing specialised cardiac services to patients while also contributing to the training of doctors pursuing careers in adult cardiology. Her journey into medicine began in Guyana, where she attended St Joseph High School before completing her secondary education at

Queen’s College. Her interest in medicine and caring for others eventually led her overseas for specialised medical education. Dr Niles completed her medical degree and postgraduate training in cardiology in Cuba, gaining clinical experience in the field. She subsequently broadened her exposure through a one-year specialised cardiology observership in China before returning to Guyana. At GPHC, her responsibilities span several areas of cardiovascular care. She participates in specialised clinics and assists with the management of patients in both inpatient and outpatient

settings. Her clinical work includes electrocardiograms (ECGs), echocardiograms (ECHOs), stress testing, pre-operative cardiac assessments and optimisation, as well as the management of cardiovascular conditions requiring acute care. She is also continuing to develop her skills in advanced echocardiography, including transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and stress echocardiography. Beyond her clinical duties, Dr Niles is involved in medical education as a faculty member of the Doctor of Medicine (DM) in Adult Cardiology programme.

Through that role, she helps train and mentor doctors pursuing specialist qualifications in cardiology, passing on knowledge and experience gained during her own medical education and international training. For Dr Niles, patient care and professional development are closely connected. “Every heartbeat matters, and every patient deserves our very best,” she said, outlining her approach to cardiac care at GPHC. “Our goal at the GPHC clinic is to make advanced heart care accessible, reliable and compassionate for every single Guyanese citizen.”

Dr Kelecia Niles Her work reflects the multiple demands placed on specialists in a developing healthcare system, where providing care to patients is accompanied by the need to train new professionals and build local expertise. As Guyana continues to expand its capacity for specialised medical services, doctors such as Dr Niles

are contributing both to the treatment of patients today and the development of the next generation of healthcare professionals. Her work at GPHC therefore extends beyond the examination room, encompassing clinical service, continuing education and the training of future cardiologists.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

Craig – Land of Canaan highway reaches 50 per cent completion

Minister of Housing, Collin Croal, on Tuesday inspected ongoing works along the corridor, which is being constructed in eight lots CONSTRUCTION of the new four-lane highway linking Craig to Land of Canaan on the East Bank Demerara is approximately 50 per cent complete, with the Ministry of Housing targeting the first quarter of 2027 for completion of the road works. Minister of Housing Collin Croal made the disclosure on Tuesday during an inspection of the ongoing works along the corridor, which is being developed in eight lots at an estimated cost of $52 billion. Croal was accompanied by Deputy Director of Proj-

ects Intakab Indarjeet and senior engineers responsible for overseeing the project. The highway is intended to provide a major alternative route for commuters travelling along the East Bank corridor and between communities and Georgetown, helping to improve connectivity and traffic movement. Under the current phase, Land of Canaan will serve as the main exit point. The ministry is also examining the alignment for a possible extension from Land of Canaan towards Soesdyke. Croal said the scale and complexity of the project

have been influenced by the terrain, with significant sections of the highway being constructed across previously undeveloped swamp lands covered by dense vegetation. The conditions have required extensive land preparation and the placement of substantial quantities of sand to raise the road corridor to the required elevation. The terrain also requires adequate settlement periods before subsequent construction activities can proceed, particularly where large quantities of fill have been placed. In addition to the four-

lane roadway, the project includes drainage and irrigation infrastructure, culverts and other supporting works. Several major bridges required along the corridor will be constructed under a separate project. Croal said drainage and irrigation systems are particularly important given the residential communities and agricultural activities surrounding the highway. The Ministry of Housing has been working with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), which reviewed the drainage design and issued its no-ob-

jection. During Tuesday’s inspection, Croal also assessed progress on Lots 2 and 3, where construction commenced later partly because of relocation exercises involving persons occupying lands within the proposed road alignment. The relocation involved both legitimate landowners and persons identified as illegal occupants whose presence had to be addressed to facilitate the works. Despite the delays, Croal said he was satisfied with the progress achieved and indicated that the ministry

would continue working with the contractors to advance construction. The ministry is also scheduled to meet with contractors responsible for the eight lots as efforts continue to accelerate work across the corridor. When completed, the Craig–Land of Canaan highway is expected to provide motorists with an additional route along the East Bank Demerara, improve access between surrounding communities and strengthen connectivity with Georgetown.

Hydrological forecasting training to strengthen Guyana’s climate services THE Hydrometeorological Service of the Ministry of Agriculture has commenced specialised training in seasonal hydrological forecasting, aimed at strengthening Guyana’s ability to anticipate water-related conditions and improve decision-making in water-resource management. The programme is being facilitated by Dr Simon Mason of the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and focuses on developing practical skills in forecasting river flows, water levels, drought conditions and rainfall.

The Hydrometeorological Service of the Ministry of Agriculture has commenced specialised training in seasonal hydrological forecasting

The training also examines tools and approaches that could improve the operational use of hydrological forecasts in Guyana, allowing rel-

evant agencies to make better-informed decisions based on anticipated water conditions. Seasonal hydrological forecasting is import-

ant for water-resource planning, agricultural activities and disaster preparedness. By providing advance information on possible changes in

rainfall, river flows and water availability, such forecasting can support efforts to manage flood and drought risks and strengthen the resilience of communities and critical infrastructure. The initiative is also expected to contribute to the continued development of Guyana’s climate services by enhancing technical capacity within the national hydrometeorological system. The training forms part of broader efforts to improve the use of scientific information in managing the country’s water resources and preparing for climate-relat-

ed risks. The involvement of the Stockholm Environment Institute provides an opportunity for Guyanese specialists to strengthen their knowledge of forecasting methods and explore approaches suited to the country’s operational needs. As Guyana continues to address the challenges associated with variable rainfall and water-related hazards, improved hydrological forecasting capacity could support more effective planning across agriculture, water management and emergency preparedness.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

Minister Parag engages Region Three headteachers on education challenges

EDUCATION Minister Sonia Parag, on Wednesday, met with headteachers from schools across Region Three to discuss challenges affecting education delivery and identify measures to improve outcomes for students. The engagement in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara region focused on several key concerns, including violence and bullying in schools, infrastructural needs and teacher performance. The meeting forms part of Minister Parag’s commitment to engaging directly with school leaders across the country as

the Ministry of Education works to strengthen the delivery of education. Parag said she intends to meet with headteachers from each of Guyana’s 1,222 public schools, while also seeking to engage with as many Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) as possible. “We are all part of this education ecosystem and so if we don’t engage and work together, it is our children who will be affected and we absolutely cannot have that,” Parag said. The minister used the engagements to hear concerns from school leaders and discuss ways in which

The meeting forms part of Education Minister Sonia Parag’s commitment to engaging directly with school leaders across the country as the Ministry of Education works to strengthen the delivery of education

the Ministry and educators can work together to address issues affecting students and teachers. She was accompanied by the Ministry’s Chief Planning Officer, Mischka White-Griffith; Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary), Sherwyn Blackman and Regional Education Officer, Akbar Chindu. The Region Three meeting is part of a wider series of consultations with headteachers as the ministry seeks greater collaboration among education stakeholders and a more direct understanding of challenges at the school level.

Citizen-led composting movement pitches solution to Guyana’s landfill crisis

THE founder of a Guyana-based recycling initiative has urged citizens to rethink household waste as a source of wealth rather than rubbish, telling the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development this week that landfill overcrowding begins not at the dumpsite, but in the kitchen. Rampertab Etwaria, Founder of Waste To Wealth Caribbean Inc., paid a courtesy visit to Minister Priya Manickchand to outline his organisation's environmental work and propose greater collaboration with government, businesses and communities to expand its reach across the country. According to a press release issued by Waste To Wealth, Etwaria used the meeting to present the movement's citizen-led model for diverting biodegradable resources away from garbage trucks and landfills before they are even collected. The approach centres on four steps citizens are encouraged to adopt: separate, divert, compost and

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand and the Founder of Waste To Wealth Caribbean Inc., Rampertab Etwaria, earlier this week

monetise. Through the model, households combine organic kitchen waste with cardboard in a backyard composting system to produce what the organisation calls Organic Miracle Garden Soil, or O.M.G.S., over a period of roughly 12 weeks. The finished product can then be used to regenerate soil, support home food

production, or be sold. "We want to upgrade how citizens think, from waste management to wealth management," Etwaria said. "Instead of asking only how we manage garbage when it reaches the dumpsite, we want citizens asking how much of what leaves their kitchens should ever become garbage in the

first place." Etwaria briefed the Minister on the movement's progress so far in 2026, which includes six educational activations and 77 families educated and activated across Georgetown and Linden. A number of these, referred to by the organisation as Champion Families, are continuing

through their composting and harvesting journeys. Among the year's milestones was the introduction of Guyana's first observance of International Compost Awareness Week in May, which featured an activation at the National Park that reached 39 families. The event formed part of a broader push by the movement to activate 1,000 Champion Families and cut landfill-bound waste by 25 per cent by 2030. Waste To Wealth Caribbean is a Guyana-based, citizen-led movement focused on building cleaner communities, regenerating soil, supporting household food production, and creating economic opportunities by helping residents see value in resources they once dismissed as waste. The organisation maintains that a lasting solution to Guyana's waste challenges cannot rest with garbage collectors, trucks and dumpsites alone, arguing that citizens must be equipped to make different decisions about biodegradable resources before they

ever leave the home. To support this, Waste To Wealth Caribbean currently runs a 12-week Family Programme teaching households how to convert kitchen scraps and cardboard into O.M.G.S. Families can take part through a GYD $25,000 do-it-yourself option or a GYD $50,000 supported programme, which includes mentorship and on-site guidance through to their first harvest. Participants who complete a successful harvest and meet the programme's requirements may go on to qualify for the movement's Train the Trainer pathway. The Minister's engagement with the initiative follows a citywide cleanup campaign she led alongside her Ministry last October, which marked the beginning of intensified efforts to restore and maintain cleanliness across Georgetown and reinforced the government's broader vision of a cleaner, safer and more sustainable environment for all citizens.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

US-backed Strategic Bauxite expansion to boost Guyana operations U.S. company, Strategic Bauxite Inc., is preparing to expand its refractory-grade bauxite operations in Guyana following its acquisition of Guyana-based First Bauxite LLC in July. The company’s expansion plans were discussed during a recent meeting between U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot and leaders of Strategic Bauxite, with the proposed investment expected to support mining and processing capacity in Guyana. The expansion is being supported by an US$85.5 million equity investment from the U.S. Government through its Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) programme, alongside US$64.5 million in pri-

U.S. Ambassador, Nicole Theriot met with leaders of Strategic Bauxite Inc., the U.S. company that acquired Guyana-based First Bauxite LLC in July 2026, to discuss plans to expand its refractorygrade bauxite operations in Guyana

vate-sector co-investment. According to the U . S . E m b a s s y, t h e combined funding will support expansion of the bauxite mine and

the construction of new calcination facilities in Guyana. A subsequent brown-fused alumina facility is also planned in the United States. The development is

expected to strengthen the supply chain for refractory-grade bauxite, a specialised mineral used in high-temperature industrial applications.

Following the meeting, Ambassador Theriot said it was encouraging to hear more about Strategic Bauxite’s plans and the opportunities the investment

could create in Guyana. T h e c o m p a n y ’s leadership also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high standards in occupational safety, environmental performance and regulatory compliance, while engaging with communities affected by its operations. The investment forms part of broader U.S.-Guyana economic co-operation, particularly in areas linked to critical mineral supply chains and industrial development. The United States has said it welcomes partnerships that strengthen critical supply chains while promoting responsible investment and sustainable economic opportunities in Guyana.

‘Pinktober’ launch urges Guyanese to prioritise early cancer screening

ONE Communications, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Champions of Hope, has launched Pinktober 2026 with a renewed call for Guyanese to prioritise early cancer screening and continue the practice beyond the month of October. The campaign, launched on Wednesday under the theme “Many Journeys, One Hope,” seeks to broaden the national conversation on cancer beyond breast cancer awareness and encourage greater use of available screening services. Chief Executive Officer of One Communications, Abraham Smith, said the company’s focus this year is on moving cancer awareness from messaging to action by helping people understand where screening services are available and addressing factors that may cause them to delay seeking care. “It's not enough for

us to tell someone, go get screened. We must also help them understand where screening is available, address the fear and uncertainty that cause people to delay seeking care, and wherever we can, we must help remove some of those practical barriers that stand in the way,” Smith said. He said One Communications, through its partnership with the Ministry of Health, will seek to amplify information on available screening services and encourage more people to take advantage of them. For almost a decade, Pinktober has brought together thousands of Guyanese around cancer awareness, prevention, support and solidarity. Smith said the company now wants to build on that mobilisation by encouraging more people to undergo screening and use health vouchers provided by the Ministry of Health.

While previous Pinktober campaigns placed strong emphasis on women and breast cancer, this year’s theme is intended to recognise the wider population affected by cancer. Particular attention will be given to prostate cancer awareness and PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) testing, with men being encouraged to consult healthcare professionals, understand available services and take greater responsibility for their health. Smith said cancer affects people regardless of age, gender or circumstances, noting that the campaign also seeks to recognise patients undergoing treatment, survivors, caregivers and families. He stressed that cancer prevention and care cannot be confined to a single month. “Pinktober doesn't begin and end with a walk. It does not end in October,

One Communications CEO, Abraham Smith and Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, with survivors and Champions of Hope at the launch of Pinktober 2026 (Sachin Persaud photo) because cancer does not end in October. The screenings must continue. The appointments must continue. The treatments must continue,” Smith said. He said One Communications has demonstrated its ability to mobilise thousands of people for its annual solidarity activities, but the challenge now is to translate that participation into increased screening. “We want to move the message from beyond slogans to create actual behavioural changes,” Smith said. Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, echoed the

call for increased screening, urging the development of a national campaign to encourage more Guyanese to access available cancer screening services. He also called for regional campaigns to reach people in areas where screening services are not readily available and facilitate their access to the nearest health facilities. Anthony said the Government and the Ministry of Health are working to expand the structures and services needed to support cancer prevention, detection and treatment. “We want to make sure

that we bring hope, and from the ministry, from the government, I think we are putting the structures in place to make sure that hope stays alive,” Anthony said. He added that individuals and communities also have a role to play by encouraging people to make use of services that are already available. The Pinktober 2026 campaign, themed “Many Journeys, One Hope,” emphasises shared support for persons affected by cancer while promoting early detection, healthier lifestyles and continued access to screening and care.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

More than 55,000 e-passports issued in first half of 2026 MORE than 55,000 Guyanese received electronic passports during the first half of 2026, as the government continues to modernise the country’s identity and border-management systems. The figure is contained in the 2026 Mid-Year Report, which outlines continued investments in digital identification and immigration services as part of efforts to improve security and make public services more efficient. The report states that over 55,000 e-passports were issued between January and June, while the government is also moving to make passport services more accessible

outside of Georgetown. An online passport application and appointment system was launched in June, recording more than 500 users since becoming operational. The system is intended to make the application process more convenient by allowing members of the public to initiate and manage passport-related services online.

Further decentralisation is also planned through Integrated Government Service Centres before the end of the year, allowing more citizens to access passport services closer to where they live. Alongside the expansion of e-passports, Guyana is continuing the rollout of its national electronic identification system. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

Xi calls on BRICS to unite Global South, deepe

CHINESE President Xi Jinping on Sunday called on BRICS countries to strengthen unity among the Global South and play an active, stabilizing and positive role in global affairs. In a speech when attending the second day of BRICS summit in New Delhi, Xi also outlined concrete proposals to further strengthen greater BRICS cooperation, with a focus on emerging areas including artificial intelligence, trade, digital industries and manufacturing. KEY DRIVER OF MULTIPOLARITY Xi pointed out that when changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world, the Global South, with its collective rise, has become a key driver of world multipolarity. At the same time, the international landscape is volatile and fraught with risks and challenges, Xi said, adding that to bring stability to the world and make it a better place, BRICS countries must seize the historical initiative, rally the Global South,

and advance the well-being of all humanity. Global South countries should jointly defend the rule of law in international affairs, safeguard the basic norms of international relations including sovereign equality, noninterference in internal affairs, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, Xi said. It should be ensured that international law and international rules are applied to all, and free from double standards, he added. Global South countries should hold high the banner of multilateralism, uphold the authority and role of the United Nations, and support multilateral institutions in advancing reform and increasing efficiency, Xi said. He also called for promoting the reform of the World Trade Organization in the right direction, as well as reforming and improving the international financial architecture to increase the representation and voice of developing countries. Global South countries should stay committed to a peo-

ple-centered development philosophy and strive to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Xi said. Global South countries should also jointly advance security governance, tackle both traditional and nontraditional security threats, and improve global climate governance, Xi said, also calling for working faster to evolve a consensus-based global AI governance framework, so that new technologies can light the way toward shared prosperity. “It is a solidarity that unlocks partnerships, unlocks democratization of the international system, unlocks an open international system, and unlocks an inclusive international system,” said Charles Onunaiju, director of the Center for China Studies in Nigeria. Rakhim Oshakbayev, director of the TALAP Center for Applied Research in Kazakhstan and former Kazakh vice minister for investment and development, said BRICS cooperation should “bring

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech when attending the second day of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

together developing countries’ shared aspirations and promote coordination and cooperation.” BRICS countries should continue seeking common interests, he said, noting that the grouping’s expansion had placed greater demands on internal coordination. GREATER BRICS COOPERATION During the speech, Xi proposed five initiatives on “greater BRICS” cooperation in areas of

A visitor views a model of Xiamen Metro train at the exhibition of BRICS New Industrial Revolution 2024 in Xiamen, southeast China’s Fujian Province, Sept. 10, 2024

AI, trade and investment facilitation, digital industry, intelligent manufacturing, and science and technology talent development. To accomplish great things and achieve major progress, the foundation of greater BRICS cooperation must be cemented, Xi said, calling for leveraging BRICS’ close ties with fellow emerging markets and Global South countries, upholding open cooperation for mutual benefit,

safeguarding stable and smooth industrial and supply chains, and fostering a large integrated market. “We should build incubators for innovation, upgrade traditional industries, develop emerging industries, and deploy future industries,” Xi said. On the open source and inclusive AI initiative, Xi said that China will be a pioneer in establishing a BRICS AI open

Commentary: BRICS opens up new possibilities

WHEN the BRICS cooperation mechanism was formally launched in 2006, it opened a new chapter for cooperation among major emerging economies. Two decades on, BRICS has, through the ebbs and flows of the global economy, expanded through multiple rounds of enlargement and broadened the scope of its cooperation. This evolution has ushered in a new era of greater BRICS cooperation, better reflecting the growing weight and aspirations of the Global South. When BRICS leaders prepare to gather for this year's summit in New Delhi, India, the mechanism is playing a greater role in amplifying the collective voice of emerging economies, and expanding practical cooperation amid a changing international landscape beset by raging protectionism and economic fragmentation. Its growing weight is reflected in its economic and demographic scale. BRICS countries now account for approximately 40 percent of global GDP at purchasing power parity and nearly half of the world's population. Data released by the UN Trade and Development in March showed that the intra-BRICS merchandise trade has expanded more than 13-fold since 2003, and exports reached 1.17 trillion U.S. dollars in 2024. BRICS, however, is more than an economic force. Its growing significance lies in how

countries with different development paths are pooling their strengths in resources, industry and technology to advance shared development. A prominent area is financ-

by the end of the first quarter of 2026, the NDB had approved 42.9 billion dollars in financing for 140 projects. Covering such areas as infrastructure, clean energy and

An aerial drone photo taken on June 17, 2022 shows the head Development Bank (NDB) in east China’s Shanghai

ing. For many developing economies, access to affordable, long-term funding remains critical to turning development ambitions into reality. The New Development Bank (NDB), headquartered in Shanghai, has helped provide such an option by mobilizing resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects. Figures released by the bank showed that

digital transformation, these projects address the pressing development needs of Global South countries while echoing the priorities highlighted by the theme of the forthcoming BRICS Summit, "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability." The ever-evolving BRICS cooperation is also helping developing countries gain new

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

en cooperation source community, support the cooperation in developing and applying large language models, hold specialized AI seminars and training courses, and build an open ecosystem for AI. On the trade and investment facilitation initiative, China proposes to establish a BRICS special economic zone partnership, under which countries can set up an intelligent portal, coordinate policies, and build a new frontier for open development, Xi said, adding that in an effort to cultivate new drivers of economic and trade cooperation, China will hold the BRICS Forum on Trade in Services next year. On the digital industry cooperation initiative, Xi said that China will push for establishing a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform, and conduct digital skills training, technological exchange and industrial alignment, so as to jointly enable the development of the digital economy. On the intelligent manufacturing cooperation initiative, China stands ready to assist fellow BRICS countries in building smart factories and developing

standards and norms, and jointly promote manufacturing transformation and upgrading, he said. On the science and technology talent development initiative, China proposes to set up a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance for joint development of engineers and mutual recognition of competency standards, Xi said, adding that China will launch a BRICS youth exchange program for scientific and technological innovation, so as to cultivate more high-caliber talent. The five initiatives proposed by Xi focus on key areas including technology, industry, trade and talent, providing concrete pathways to lay a solid foundation for practical cooperation among the broader BRICS community, said Serik Korzhumbayev, editor-in-chief of the Delovoy Kazakhstan newspaper. It demonstrates China’s firm resolve to share the opportunities of its modernization, a reflection of the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and mutual benefit that underpins BRICS cooperation, he said. (Credit: Xinhua)

s for more dynamic Global South growth momentum. In recent years, BRICS cooperation has been expanding into areas like renewable energy, digital infrastructure, scientific and technological innovation.

dquarters building of the New i. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

A case in point is the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution Innovation Center in Xiamen, which was established in 2020 to provide a platform for cooperation in digitalization, advanced manufacturing and technological innovation. These efforts point to the broader value of BRICS: it is not simply giving the Global South a stronger voice, but cre-

ating practical opportunities for countries to access financing, technology and cooperation suited to their development needs. Such collaboration helps explain BRICS' growing appeal to countries seeking greater opportunities to participate and cooperate. As a founding member, China has contributed not only by building platforms for practical cooperation, but also by supporting greater openness and broader participation to promote high-quality cooperation within an expanded BRICS. Some in the West portray BRICS as a rival bloc seeking to build a parallel order. Yet this claim bears little resemblance to reality. BRICS stands for openness, inclusiveness and mutual benefit, not confrontation or exclusion. That is fundamentally different from the exclusive blocs championed by some Western countries, and a key reason behind the growing vitality of BRICS. Looking ahead, BRICS is poised to embark on its third "golden decade" after 20 years of growth and transformation. By rising up to the challenges of the times, BRICS countries can help shape a more equal and orderly multipolar world and a more universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and, in doing so, write a new chapter of solidarity and cooperation across the Global South. (Credit: Xinhua)

Police, New Amsterdam Council step up security planning for Town Week

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

Senior Superintendent Kevin Das, Commander, Regional Police Division #6, on Tuesday, met with His Worship the Mayor of New Amsterdam, Wainwright McIntosh, and members of the New Amsterdam Town Council to discuss security and traffic arrangements for the upcoming New Amsterdam Town Week 2026 celebrations

THE Guyana Police Force and the New A m s t e r d a m To w n Council are stepping up preparations to ensure public safety, traffic management and orderly conduct during New Amsterdam Town Week 2026, which begins on Friday. Regional Police Commander for Division Six, Senior Superintendent Kevin Das, met with New Amsterdam Mayor Wainwright McIntosh and members of the Town Council on Tuesday to discuss security arrangements for the celebrations. Town Week 2026 will be held under the theme, “New Amsterdam 2050: A Small Town Rising, Bridging Heritage and Innovation,” with a series of activities scheduled from September 18. Key areas discussed during the meeting included public safety, traffic and parking arrangements, crowd control, noise nuisance, emergency access, vendor and promoter sensitisation, and the cleanliness of event areas. Das was accompanied by Deputy Commander, Superintendent Guy Nurse; Deputy Superintendent J. Hamer and Assistant Superin-

tendent Cinthia Kelly. The police team pledged the Division’s support for the celebrations and outlined measures aimed at ensuring that events are conducted in a safe, peaceful and orderly manner. According to Das, police operations will include increased patrols and visibility, traffic management, crowd control and monitoring of event locations. Arrangements will also be made to maintain emergency access, while police will continue engaging organisers and other stakeholders throughout the celebrations. Mayor McIntosh highlighted the significance of the celebrations, particularly as New Amsterdam marks its 135th anniversary as a municipality. He also expressed appreciation to the Regional Police Division for its continued support in maintaining security during major activities in the town. The Police Force said it will continue working with the Town Council, event organisers and other stakeholders to support a safe and orderly Town Week 2026.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

Padma De Lima appointed Guyana Breweries managing director

PADMA De Lima has been appointed Managing Director of Guyana Breweries Inc. (GBI), effective October 1, as ANSA McAL moves to strengthen its leadership and operations in the Guyanese market. The appointment was announced by ANSA McAL on Wednesday and comes as the regional conglomerate continues to expand its investment and commercial activities in Guyana. De Lima has more than 17 years of experience within the ANSA McAL Group and has held leadership positions across consumer goods, construction, sales, marketing and general commercial management. She currently serves as General Manager of ANSA McAL Distribution Inc. in Guyana, where she has been credited by the company with strengthening several of its leading brands, increasing sales, improving market execution and developing relationships with customers and business partners. Her previous positions include Divisional Head – Food and Consumer, where she was responsible for the Procter & Gamble portfolio, Head of Sales – Key Accounts, and roles within the Group’s Trading and Construction businesses. ANSA McAL Sector Head – Beverage, Adrian Sabga, said De Lima’s experience and knowledge of the group’s operations would support Guyana Breweries as it pursues further growth. “Guyana Breweries has a strong team and a significant opportunity ahead, and Padma brings the experience, commercial leadership and deep understanding of our business to help take the company forward,” Sabga said. He said the company remained committed to working with Guyana and creating value through its business operations and partnerships. De Lima’s appointment is also being positioned within ANSA McAL’s broader “Growing with Guyana” initiative, which the company describes as a long-term commitment to investment in people, communities and national development. ANSA McAL said it has operated in Guyana for more than 30 years and currently employs more than

Padma De Lima has been appointed Managing Director, Guyana Breweries Inc., effective October 1, 2026 430 Guyanese directly. The company said it contributed US$11.3 million in corporation tax over the past five years and has undertaken major investments, including the US$54.2 million Chateau Margot Mall and Lifestyle Centre. The group also said it pledged GYD$20 million in 2026 towards education and youth development grants. Through the ANSA McAL Foundation, 16 Guyanese have also been recognised to date through the Anthony N. Sabga Awards, Caribbean Excellence. As Managing Director, De Lima will oversee Guyana Breweries’ operations, with responsibility for strengthening its teams, customer relationships and business performance. Established in 2021, Guyana Breweries is part of the ANSA McAL Group and CARIB Brewery’s regional sales and distribution network. The company markets and distributes a range of beverage brands in Guyana, including 592, Stag Lager, Coors Light, Carib Lager, Mackeson, Royal Extra Stout, Caribe Tropical Hard Cider, Carib Shandy, Carib Malta, Smalta and Ginseng Up. ANSA McAL is headquartered in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and operates across multiple sectors and territories, including beverages, manufacturing, financial services, automotive, distribution, building solutions, real estate and media.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

Cricket, culture and community spirit highlight Amerindian Heritage 2026 in Kabakaburi

By Indrawattie Natram RESIDENTS from communities across the Pomeroon River and Essequibo Coast came together on Sunday, September 13, for a day of sport, culture and community fellowship as Alfro Alphonso & Sons Enterprises of Charity successfully hosted its Annual Amerindian Heritage 2026 cricket competition at the Kabakaburi Community Sports Ground, Upper Pomeroon River. The tournament featured a 10-over hardball cricket competition for males and a five-over-a-side softball

The tournament featured a 10-over hardball cricket competition for males and a five-over-a-side softball competition for females competition for females, attracting teams and spectators from Kabakaburi, St Monica/Karawab, Akawini, Wakapoa and surrounding coastland communities. Blessed with brilliant sunshine, the event provided an opportunity for residents to celebrate Amerindian Heritage Month while enjoying cricket, local dishes, drinks, music and a lively community atmosphere. The sporting action began with the male fixture between Eagles Sports of St Monica/Karawab and Akawini Storm, with Eagles Sports securing victory. In the opening female encounter, Wakapoa Royal Strikers defeated Kabakaburi Blazers. The second male match saw hosts Kabakaburi Blazers taking on Wakapoa Royal Strikers, with the visiting side emerging victorious. In the second female fixture, Akawini Royal Defenders defeated Eagles Sports, setting up a final against Wakapoa Royal Strikers. Wakapoa Royal Strikers went on to capture the female title after defeating Akawini Royal Defenders in the final. As daylight faded, the male final was played between Wakapoa Royal Strikers and Eagles Sports, with Wakapoa Royal Strikers

completing a memorable double by securing the male championship as well. The tournament also placed special emphasis on children and education. Party bags filled with sweets and other goodies were distributed to children, while approximately 150 backpacks were presented to primary and secondary school learners during the interval. Seventy-five backpacks were distributed to primary school pupils and another 75 to secondary school students. At the presentation ceremony, all eight teams that participated in the preliminary rounds received $100,000 each. The victorious Wakapoa Royal Strikers male and female teams each collected a trophy and $250,000 cash prize. Eagles Sports, the male runners-up, and Akawini Royal Defenders, the female runners-up, each received a trophy and $150,000. Third place went to Akawini Storm in the male category and Eagles Sports in the female category, with each team receiving a trophy and $100,000. Kabakaburi Blazers finished fourth in both categories and each team received a trophy and $50,000. Medals were also presented to the top three teams in both categories, while

additional cash incentives were awarded to the Man of the Match in the finals, the batter with the most runs and the best wicketkeeper. Cricket bats and gloves were also presented to outstanding performers during the tournament. General Manager of Adamantium Holdings, Mr Eric Gomes, thanked all participating teams and supporters for contributing to the success of the competition. Gomes congratulated the winners and commended the teams for their performances, particularly during the finals. He said the competition is expected to return next year with plans for an even bigger and better tournament. Throughout the day, patrons were entertained by the Calibro Brothers sound system, while local commentators provided ball-byball commentary, adding to the excitement of the competition. The event ultimately brought together sport, culture, entertainment and community support, giving residents an opportunity to celebrate Amerindian heritage while showcasing sporting talent from communities across the Pomeroon and Essequibo Coast.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

GGDMA back-to-school drive reaches more than 500 Bartica children

MORE than 500 primary and secondary schoolchildren in Bartica received backpacks and school supplies on Saturday as the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) continued its nationwide back-to-school programme. The Bartica outreach is part of an initiative valued at more than G$6 million, through which the Association is distributing approximately 1,000 school packages to children in communities across Guyana. Each beneficiary received a backpack containing school supplies, while lunch was also provided during the exercise, which catered for children who travelled from communities outside Bartica. GGDMA Managing Director, Avalon Jagnandan said the Association was pleased to take the initiative to Bartica, which has a longstanding connection with Guyana's mining industry. “Bartica means a lot to us, and we appreciate the community which has supported the mining sector over the years,” Jagnandan said. “We are happy to be here in the mining town of Bartica, the gateway to the interior, and to reach out to over 500 kids, both primary and secondary. Each child received a backpack with school supplies, and we also provided lunch because some of these children travelled from far-flung areas,” he added. The Bartica distribution follows an earlier handover in Region Four, where children from several communities and organisations also benefitted from school supplies. According to the GGDMA, more than 20 miners contributed to the programme, enabling the Association to expand the initiative to communities across the country. Jagnandan said the Association appreciated the support of its partners in making the programme possible. “This is a project valued at over $6 million, and we want to say thank you

to our partners. We have more than 20 miners who contributed towards this back-to-school initiative, and the support allows us to reach children in communities across Guyana,” he said. Deputy Commissioner Technical of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Jimmy Reece, attended the Bartica exercise and commended the GGDMA for supporting communities across Guyana. Region Seven Regional Councillor, Lorenzo Best, also welcomed the initiative, describing it as a meaningful contribution to families in the region. “What we witnessed here today is a true act of altruism by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association. It was very beneficial and well received by the residents of Region Seven,” Best said. He noted that the packages contained stationery and other essential items needed by children for the new school year. Best thanked the GGDMA on behalf of the Regional Democratic Council and residents of Region Seven, saying the assistance would contribute to the educational needs of the beneficiaries. Bartica resident Kiana Scott, who attended the exercise, said the assistance would help families meet some of the costs associated with preparing children for school. “The backpacks will go a long way for our children in need. The fact that they also catered for lunch shows that they care and continue to think about us,” Scott said. She also thanked the Association and its members for continuing to support communities. The back-to-school programme forms part of the GGDMA's broader corporate social responsibility efforts, with the Association highlighting support for children, families and mining communities as part of its community outreach. The Association also acknowledged GGDMA’s Executive Member, Vishanti Balgobin, for her

assistance in organising the Bartica outreach. The next school-package handover is scheduled for Linden as the GGDMA continues its nationwide distribution. The Association has maintained that the mining sector's contribution to Guyana extends beyond mineral production and economic activity to include support for communities and investments in the next generation.

Each beneficiary received a backpack containing school supplies, while lunch was also provided during the exercise, which catered for children who travelled from communities outside Bartica

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

GPL advances key substation upgrades amid rising power demand

Kesh Nandlall, Head of GPL’s Executive Management Committee (Sachin Persaud photo) GUYANA Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is advancing major upgrades at three key substations as electricity demand on the country’s main interconnected power system has increased by 18 per cent over the past two years. Works are underway at Chateau Margot, Columbia and Enmore, with the projects intended to increase grid capacity, improve reliability and strengthen the network’s ability to receive and distribute additional power. Head of GPL’s Executive Management Committee, Kesh Nandlall, provided an update on the projects, outlining the work being undertaken to expand and modernise critical components of the national electricity network. The upgrades come amid calls from President Dr Irfaan Ali for a comprehensive overhaul of the national grid following a series of power outages. The President has described the scale and frequency of recent blackouts as unacceptable. According to figures cited by the Head of State, peak demand on the Demerara–Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) increased from approximately 205 megawatts in 2024 to 242.6 megawatts in August 2026, representing an 18 per cent increase. This rate of growth is significantly above the three to four per cent average reported for power systems elsewhere in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the information provided by the

President. At Chateau Margot, GPL is constructing a new 69-kilovolt (kV) substation designed to step down electricity to 13.8 kV for distribution. Nandlall said the substation will also provide greater redundancy within the network, with power continuing towards the Columbia substation before being distributed to consumers. “Materials have already been ordered and are on ship, and we did factory acceptance testing. They are already on the way here,” Nandlall said. He added that the engineering and procurement phases have been completed and foundation works are finished. The next stages will involve assembling the equipment and commissioning the substation. At the Columbia Substation in Mahaicony, Region Five, GPL is expanding and modernising the existing facility while integrating it with a 28-megawatt power plant. Nandlall said the 69 kV transmission line will feed into the expanded substation, allowing GPL to bring more electricity into the facility, increase distribution capacity and establish additional feeders to serve surrounding communities. The Columbia expansion is estimated to be 60 to 70 per cent complete, with most foundation works finished. Pile-driving activities are continuing, while equipment undergoes factory acceptance testing and preparations

are made for assembly. On the East Coast of Demerara, substantial work is also progressing on the new Enmore Substation, which is expected to serve the existing population while supporting a planned industrial estate in the surrounding area. Nandlall said electricity entering the facility at 69 kV will be stepped down to 13.8 kV for distribution to the industrial estate and nearby communities. “Feeders will come out of here and it will bring reliability to this part of the East Coast,” he said. Foundation work at Enmore is nearing completion, while transformers have been ordered and factory tested. Engineering work has also been completed and equipment is being shipped for assembly. The substation projects form part of a wider programme to strengthen and modernise Guyana’s electricity infrastructure as demand continues to rise. Other measures identified by President Ali include the introduction of a more diversified fuel mix, more than 360 kilometres of new high-voltage transmission lines, smart metering, advanced control systems and battery energy storage. The combined measures are intended to expand the capacity and resilience of the national electricity system while creating greater flexibility to meet Guyana’s growing residential, commercial and industrial demand.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Thursday September 17, 2026) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel:225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) ABF & BT (2) Patriots Today’s Quiz: (1) Who scored most runs in the preliminary stage of CPL 2026? (2) Who took most wickets? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

ENGLISH RACING TIPS AYR 09:30 hrs Bassrah 09:00 hrs Oriental Prince 09:30 hrs Darzah 10:00 hrs Tiernah 10:30 hrs Tarmonbarry 11:00 hrs Starliner 11:30 hrs Ice Cube 12:01 hrs Dpirit Of Acklam PONTEFRACT 09:08 hrs Fiscal Policy 09:38 hrs Ashina 10:08 hrs Morbeh 10:38 hrs River Nile 11:08 hrs Venetian Lion 11:38 hrs Port George 12:08 hrs Thunder Goddess SOUTHWELL 11:20 hrs Wopbopaloomop

11:50 hrs Blackjack 12:25 hrs Level Lock 13:00 hrs Bullrider 13:30 hrs Don't Stop Movin 14:00 hrs Cool Molly 14:30 hrs Aspull 15:00 hrs Mimime 15:30 hrs Glitter Code IRISH RACING TIPS NAAS 08:50 hrs Be In Love 09:22 hrs Salt Lake 09 :52 hrs New Bond Street 10:22 hrs Invincible Irish 10:52 hrs Ferronniere 11:56 hrs Star Glory 12:32 hrs Miss Hong Kong SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS VAAL 08:30 hrs Eiphrstes 09:05 hrs Titans Of War 09:40 hrs Rock My Boat 10:20 hrs Salute The Flag 10:55 hrs Truth AMERICAN RACING TIPS DELWARE PARK Race 1 Endless Glow Race 2 Hope's Alive Race 3 Holden Faith Race 4 Kerness Race 5 The Magic Speed Race 6 Sir George Race 7 Chalk Talk

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

BCB/Cardiology Services Inc U-21 Tournament

Port Mourant hold their nerve to edge RH Canje to clinch title P ORT Mourant Cricket Club held their nerve on Sunday last to defeat arch-rivals Rose Hall Community Centre Cricket Club by two wickets to emerge as the champions of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) U-21 tournament. Playing in front of a sizeable crowd at the Port Mourant ground, the home team required 13 runs with only two wickets in hand, but level headed batting from Asgerally Nabie and Navin Boodwah took them home to start wild celebration from the home team supporters. Rose Hall Canje batted first in very hot conditions after being invited to do so by Port Mourant. They soon found themselves 10 for 2 in the third over as medium-pac-

er Doodnauth Seemangal bowled Romeo Ramdehall (0), and off-spinner Salim Khan bowled Luke Amsterdam first ball. The ultra-aggressive Sanjay Algu and Adrian Hetmyer added 30 for the third wicket before Hetmyer (4) was caught off Seemangal. The visitors never recovered as wickets fell at regular intervals as the Port Mourant bowlers applied the pressure. Only Sanjay Algu offered fight with 43 before Micheal Newland was last dismissed for 25, L.B.W to off-spinner Navin Boodwah. Richard Ramdehall 8, Zadeen LaRose 7, Donavan Newland 9, Avishkar Beharry 9, Devon Wharton 9 all failed to reach double figures, while Brandon Brijmodd was unbeaten on one.

Port Mourant are the champions of the BCB U-21 tournament

Rose Hall Canje ended on 122 all out off 33 of their allotted 50 overs. Doodnauth Seemangal 2 for 30, Salim Khan 2 for 34, Romeo Deonarain 3 for 19 and Navin Boodwah 3 for 21 were the best bowlers for the eventual champions.

Needing to score 123 from 50 overs to lift their first ever U-21 title, Port Mourant were given a rousing opening stand of 38 in just four overs by national youth players Rampersaud Ramnauth and Romeo Deonarain. Deonarain (10) was

the first to depart after his stumps were sent flying by Sanjay Algoo in the fourth over. Vishal Williams and Ramnauth then added 15 for the second wicket before the latter was dismissed by off-spinner Richard Ramdehall for 29 in the eighth over.

Williams was run out for 12 after being involved in a mix up with Mukesh Rampersaud as the home team slipped to 61 for 3. Smart batting from Asgaralli Nabbie 19 not out then guided the home team to an exciting victory. Salim Khan supported with 12 and Navin Boodwah made eight in the tense finish. Ramario Ramdehall ended with 3 for 32 from ten overs, Avishkar Beharry 2 for 5 in a losing cause. O ff-spinner Deonarain was named Man of the Finals for his impressive bowling spell of 9-3-19-4. The winners received $80,000, while the runners-up took home $40,000. Both teams were presented with trophies.

Sophie Cunningham, Adam Silver Bears beat Essex to go top... (From back page) (19 pts) run ODI win against PaEthan Bamber took his discuss next WNBA commissioner beatWarwickshire Essex (3 pts) by eight kistan. seventh wicket in the match INDIANA Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has talked with NBA commissioner Adam Silver about the traits she would like to see in the next WNBA commissioner. She told reporters after the Fever’s practice on Monday that Silver reached out to her for her thoughts, t‌hough the NBA declined to state just what Cunningham and Silver talked about, according to ESPN. Silver has been known, however, to discuss important topics with players in both the NBA and WNBA. He is expected to lead the effort to identify who will replace Cathy Engelbert, who plans to retire at the end of 2026, as commissioner. The WNBA commissioner reports to ⁠him. Cunningham, 30, has been vocal this season in sharing how she feels about issues impacting women’s sports, notably her stand of transgender athletes playing

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham

in girls’ and women’s programmes. The Fever guard has plenty of detractors, with Cunningham often greeted by protests at out-of-town arenas. Cunningham did not share any names of potential candidates she might have passed on to Silver, but she wants to see the new commissioner do two things: build on the league’s growth in popularity over the past few seasons and unify the players. She said she also wants a commissioner who has an open door with players. “I really do think that you

need a commissioner who is players first, who wants a relationship with t⁠ heir players,” Cunningham said, per ESPN. “I think that’s so important. That doesn’t mean we’re always going to get along, and we’re always going to agree. Like they have a job, they work ⁠for the owners, and so they’re going to have to make hard decisions. “But if you have that open line of communication and that respect level, I think that it just feels different. I think that is a very important piece for our new commissioner.” (Reuters)

wickets) After a fourth defeat in five, Essex’s focus is on the other end of the table. They are down to bare bones in terms of fit players and were again outplayed for the majority of the two days after winning the toss and electing to bat. Warwickshire had eked out a first-innings lead of 57 at the start of the day largely thanks to Hain, who came in at 12-2 and batted for 57 overs while scoring an unbeaten 88. Matt Critchley finally dismissed the obdurate Olly Hannon-Dalby to return figures of 4-54. If things could not get any more dramatic after 19 wickets fell on day one, the second morning dawned with Essex forced to make not one but two injury substitutions. Captain Tom Westley damaged a finger in the field and was replaced by Luc Benkenstein. Shane Snater, meanwhile, succumbed to an unspecified leg injury with a debut given to 17-year-old rookie seamer Jack Auld, who took 3-67 on Monday in England Under-19s’ two-

The youngster had a maiden first-class wicket to his name with the fourth ball of his professional career when Rob Yates edged to second slip in Warwickshire’s run chase. Earlier, Essex had just cancelled Warwickshire’s first-innings advantage when Paul Walter, who had harvested seven boundaries in his 42, lofted Suthar towards cow corner where Chris Woakes judged the flight perfectly to take a tumbling catch. Dean Elgar had not looked altogether comfortable against Suthar during his 61-ball stay, though he had just lifted the spinner over mid-off for four when he popped up a catch to short leg. Despite a workmanlike 29, the former South Africa captain was given a rousing send-off to mark his final innings at Chelmsford before retirement. Warwickshire evidently saw the wicket of Charlie Allison as a key one judging by Ed Barnard’s delight after an inside edge had wicketkeeper Kai Smith scurrying to his left to claim the catch.

when Noah Thain, promoted to number three in the injury reshuffle, was beaten for pace and had his stumps rattled. Critchley followed four balls later, nicking Suthar to Smith. Essex’s lead was only 110 at tea and they lost a sixth wicket straight afterwards when George Bell was lbw attempting to work Suthar through midwicket. Without a run added, Benkenstein had his off-stump flattened by Woakes. Woakes had a second wicket in five balls when Mitch Killeen steered a delivery that got up into the hands of second slip. The innings was all over very quickly as Cook and Auld both fell lbw to Suthar and Woakes respectively. Woakes finished with 3-33. It had taken Essex 45 minutes in the morning to winkle out the last Warwickshire first-innings wicket while conceding another 40 runs. Hannon-Dalby stonewalled for 27 balls before getting off the mark. He faced two more deliveries before he became Critchley’s fourth victim to a catch at slip.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

Nairobi to host 2029 World Athletics Championships in African first

Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon completed a Kenyan one-two in the women’s 5,000m at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, where Kenya won seven golds to finish second in the medal table

NAIROBI has been selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, with the Kenyan capital becoming the first African city to stage the ‌event. World Athletics announced the decision on Tuesday after its council meeting in Budapest, while also awarding the 2031 edition to Munich. Nairobi had previously failed in its bid to host the event in 2025, which went ⁠to Tokyo. The Kenyan capital previously staged the World U-18 Champi-

onships in 2017 and the World U-20 Championships in 2021. Events will take place at Kasarani Stadium, which is being renovated ahead of hosting matches at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. “Nairobi presented a compelling and emotional bid, and taking the World Athletics Championships to Africa for ⁠ first time will be historic,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. “Kenya is one of the great athletics nations. The

sport is woven into the fabric of the country.” Munich will host ⁠ t he 2031 event at the Olympic Stadium, bringing the championships back to Germany for the first time since Berlin in 2009. “Germany ⁠ h as proved time and again that it is an outstanding and dependable host for major athletics events,” Coe ⁠ s aid. Both events will take place in the month of September, in line with the 2027 championships in Beijing. (Reuters)

Brits leads Amazon Warriors into final with comprehensive... (From back page) mond to help boost their run rate. Matthews was run out for 22 attempting a suicidal second run at the start of the sixth over, but Green kept the momentum going by blasting an unbeaten 30 off 16 balls, inclusive of three fours and one six. The Amazon Warriors didn’t get off to the best of starts either, losing Eboni Brathwaite to the third ball of the run chase after she mishit a full toss from Shawnisha Hector into the hands of Har-

leen Deol at mid-off. However, Brits found a reliable partner in Shemaine Campbelle, with the pair adding 51 runs in 27 balls to put their side in the ascendancy. They took 14 runs off the second over bowled by Matthews and 12 runs off Afy Fletcher’s ensuing over to motor to 32 for one after three overs. Suzie Bates was hit for a six and four in the following over that leaked 14 runs, but Joseph broke the partnership

by having Campbelle caught behind for 22 off 12 balls, to leave the score 54 for two at the end of five overs. Brits, who was named Player-of-the-Match, took charge thereafter, keeping the score ticking over to bring the equation down to one run off the final over. Nadine de Klerk was bowled off the first ball by Suzie Bates, but captain Chloe Tryon finished the match off in style by smashing the next delivery over long off for six.

IPL 2027 Auction to be held in India THE BCCI has decided to hold the IPL 2027 auction in India, bucking the recent trend of staging the event overseas. The decision was among the key takeaways from the IPL Governing Council meeting held on Tuesday. After the 2023 auction in Kochi, the event has been staged overseas in recent years, with Dubai, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi hosting the subsequent editions. This time, however, the BCCI/ IPL has opted to bring the auction back to India, with the event being a mini-auction. The mega auction next year could again be held overseas, sources in the know have told Cricbuzz. The decision is also in line with the assurances given to the franchises, who had expressed reservations

over the logistical and operational challenges of taking their delegations overseas for a mini-auction. The BCCI members are believed to have considered their views during last year’s auction in Abu Dhabi. Accordingly, the GC decided to explore an Indian city as the venue for this year’s auction. The venue, as usual, will be decided based on the availability of accommodation for the franchises and their delegations. The GC has taken into account the fact that it is the wedding season in India from October to December, and the choice of city will be decided depending on the availability of five-star hotels during that period. The BCCI requires more than 100 rooms for a couple of nights for the purpose.

ANOTHER GC MEETING TO DECIDE ON IMPACT PLAYER FUTURE Meanwhile, the Governing Council left the decision on the Impact Player rule open-ended. Another GC meeting will be convened in a month, when a final decision on the rule is expected to be taken. Cricbuzz reported on August 30 that BCCI sought views on the Impact Player rule. The franchises, most of whom, it is understood, are opposed to the rule, feel that it may be persisted with for one more year, if not longer. Some teams have also argued that, whether appropriate or not, they formed their squads keeping the rule in mind. Their view is that any decision to dispense with it would be best left until next year. (Cricbuzz)

The Sports Network to provide radio commentary at upcoming IMC Over-40s World Cup in Guyana THE Sports Network is set to provide radio coverage at the upcoming International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40s World Cup which bowls off October 17-31 in Guyana. Managing Director of The Sports Network Wadekar Anthony Khemraj expressed great delight to partner with IMC and Cricket West Indies Masters Association. A total of 16 teams will be at the historic tournament which will be the second edition after it was launched in 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. Khemraj, a veteran cricket commentator, stated that this will be history and he will execute the coverage to the best of his ability. He added that ardent cricket fans around the globe are no doubt excited to hear ball-by-ball commentary at a tournament of this magnitude. “I [am] definitely excited for this opportunity; I have gotten several quality and

experienced commentators at my disposal and we can’t wait to call play from October 17th,” the Berbician Khemraj related. Andrew Mason, Sean Devers, Reds Perriera, Inderjeet Persaud, Matthew Kissoon, Niam Chan, Brij Parasnath, Jermaine Neblett, Jemima Holmes and Delwin Neblett are the many names to be on the broadcasting panel. Matches will be played across Guyana and The Sports Network will be based at the National Stadium, Providence. On the opening day, West Indies and Australia will do battle at the facility. “The Sports Network has been around for a while now; we have done International and franchise matches at the stadium and that was a testament to our continued effort to provide radio commentary. We will have the same commitment to deliver what is taking place in the middle,” Khemraj commented. The 16 teams have been

Veteran cricket commentator Reds Perreira

grouped in two zones, A&B. Group A is made up of Australia, West Indies, Wales, Canada, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Namibia, and defending champions South Africa. Group B consists of New Zealand, USA, Pakistan, India, Scotland, England, Rest of the World X1 and Rest of the Caribbean X1. The grand finale will take place at the National Stadium, Providence.

‘I don’t even know if I’ll be there at Ashes 2027’ - Steve Smith STEVE Smith has made no commitment to the next Ashes campaign, with the veteran batter continuing to assess his Test future one series at a time. Smith, 37, is yet to decide whether he will be part of Australia’s tour of England next summer, despite the prospect of chasing a first Ashes series win in England. “I don’t even know if I’ll be there yet,” Smith said in an interview with The Telegraph. “I’m in kind of a series-by-series proposition, as I’ve been for a while, and that’s still a fair way away for me right now. I’d love to win one there or to have won one there, but you wait and see if that comes to fruition.” Australia are building up to a challenging run of Test match assignments, which includes away series in South Africa, India and England. Smith’s attention, for now, is on Australia’s upcoming series against the current holders of the World Test Championship. The threeTest contest will take him back to the country in Test cricket for the first time since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, although Smith is keen to draw a line under that episode. “For me, it’s just another series,” Smith said. “All that happened a long time ago, and we’ve played a lot of cricket and have been back to South Africa since then for one-dayers. They’re a good side at the moment, obviously beat us in the World

Steve Smith has made no commitment to the next Ashes campaign

Test Championship final. They have a really good pace attack as well, so should be a cracker of a series.” While his Test future remains open-ended, Smith has no intention of stepping away from the game altogether. He continues to pursue T20 opportunities, with representing Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics one of his often-stated ambitions. “Right now probably it’s just the Olympics to try to be a part of that,” Smith said. “One of the reasons why I wanted to play with Amsterdam [at the European T20 Premier League] was just to continue playing as much T20 cricket as I can.” Smith has similarly avoided putting a timeline on his playing career, saying his enjoyment of the game remains a major factor. “I still like to think I could play T20 cricket for a while. What’s next for me when I finish? I’m not sure, but yeah, hopefully a bit more time left

playing. “I’ve achieved a lot in the game. It’s been a great ride for the last 15 years or thereabouts. I’ve had a lot of fun. I’m still enjoying it, so I don’t have an end date, we’ll wait and see. But it’s been a good ride.” Smith also remains confident in his batting despite the increasing challenges presented by modern Test conditions, particularly the amount of movement available to seamers. He averages 49.4 over the last two years while pushing his Test century count to 37. “I feel like I’m batting really nicely,” Smith said. “I’ve found different ways to go about things on these tricky surfaces and still be able to score runs. So trying to contribute as well as I can for the team, score runs, take catches, help out in leadership areas where I need to. It’s been a good, fun couple of years.” (Cricbuzz)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

Stage set for high-stakes Georgetown/East Coast showdown in Lotto/Let’s Bet T10

The zonal climax takes place at the Enmore Community Centre ground on Sunday, October 4, with semi-final fixtures at 10:30hrs and 12:30hrs, followed by the final at 15:30hrs

THE stage is set for two pulsating weekends of tapeball action as the biggest zone in the Lotto/Let’s Bet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast takes centre stage from September 26. Round-of-32 action bowls off across four grounds on September 26, with Malteenoes Sports Club, Ogle Community Centre Ground, Better Hope Community Centre Ground, and Lusignan Community Centre Ground hosting the opening fixtures. The competition then shifts to the Demerara Cricket Club and Lusignan for the round of 16 on September 27, before Lusignan hosts all quarter-final clashes on October 3. Across these first three match days, games will be played in four back-to-back time slots starting at 09:30h, followed by 11:30hrs, 13:30hrs, and 15:30hrs. The zonal climax takes place at the Enmore Community Centre Ground on Sunday, October 4, with semi-final fixtures at 10:30hrs and

12:30hrs, followed by the final at 15:30hrs. Admission is free across all venues, though patrons are advised that coolers will not be allowed for the quarter-finals and zone finals. A packed field of 32 teams will battle for ultimate supremacy in the Georgetown/East Coast Demerara Zone, the final qualification step before the marquee event moves to Essequibo for its grand conclusion. “Based on some team submissions so far, it looks like we will have a galaxy of stars in this zone, the final zone before we head to Anna Regina for the National finals on October 11,” noted Tournament Director John Ramsingh. Three zone champions have already booked their places following intense qualifying campaigns. Grillmaster Sip N Play All-Stars produced a series of clinical performances to secure the Berbice zone title, Mahdia – Movements Family dominated the East Bank/West Demerara zone,

and Lusignan Bulls DTP II franchise claimed bragging rights in Essequibo. Once the Georgetown/ East Coast representative is locked in, all roads lead to the Anna Regina National Stadium on Sunday, October 11, where the country’s premier tapeball sides will contend for a lucrative purse. The national champions will take home $2 million, the runners-up $1 million, and the two losing semi-finalists $500,000 each. Each zone winner also pocketed $500,000. Individual brilliance will also be heavily rewarded. The tournament’s Most Valuable Player will drive away with a brand-new motorbike alongside a $150,000 cash prize. The leading run-scorer and top wicket-taker are each set to collect $100,000 plus a television set, while the Player of the Final earns $75,000. Players finishing with the Super Strike Rate and Best Economy Rate will each receive $50,000.

Bears beat Essex to go top of Division One MANAV Suthar spun Warwickshire into pole position in the race for the County Championship title with a second five-wicket haul of the season to set up a twoday, eight wicket victory over Essex. The 24-year-old spinner, who made his debut for India three months ago, took his tally to 26 wickets in five Championship matches with figures of

5-75 as Essex was dismissed for 189 in their second innings. It left Warwickshire requiring 133 for a fourth win in five games. Zen Malik hit four sixes in a whirlwind half-century to lay the foundation before his attempt to land a fifth fell short at deep mid-off. Dan Mousley and Sam Hain duly saw Warwickshire over the line in the sixth of the extra overs taken to achieve a positive result.

Warwickshire must now await the results of the games involving the other contenders, Somerset and Nottinghamshire, before learning who goes into next week’s final fixtures at the head of the Division One table. (Scores: Essex 134: Bamber 6-26 & 189: Walter 42; Suthar 5-75 Warwickshire 191 & 138-2: Malik 51 (Turn to page 24)

Warwickshire last won the County Championship title in 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, September 17, 2026

Trophy Stall on board ninth edition of PM T20 Softball Cup TWO-time Corporate Sponsor of the Year (Small), Ramesh Sunich, proprietor of Trophy Stall, is once more displaying his undoubted generosity by donating all the trophies for this year’s ninth edition of the Prime Minister T20 Softball Cup. The affable Sunich, who captured the Corporate Sponsor of the Year award in successive years at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport National Sports Awards, readily agreed to sponsor the trophies which he also did on previous occasions. According to Sunich, Trophy Stall takes pride in knowing that its trophies and awards are part of the many competitions held across the country and the Prime Minister T20 Softball falls in that category. “We at Trophy Stall truly appreciate it and feel proud to be part of the effort to support sports and athletes across Guyana.” Sunich stressed that “supporting sports is not

about finances. It’s about passion and love for sport. It’s about helping young athletes chase their dreams. It’s about making society better through the power of sport.” Sunich has also been a sponsor with a difference. While most sponsors rarely venture out of the country of their birth to support other sports associations/organisations, Sunich, along with his brother Roger, has also sponsored softball cricket in Canada, including the 2024 Canada Cup tournament. The three-day extravaganza is set for October 2-4 at various venues in Georgetown, culminating with the four finals – Open All Class, Masters Over-40, Legends Over-50 and Women’s Division at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary on the final day. The winners in the Legends Over-50 will waltz away with the grand first prize of $800, 000 and a trophy and the runners-up will receive $200,000 and a trophy. In addition, the Most

Valuable Player (MVP) of the division will take home a three-piece living room suite, the player scoring the most runs will be awarded one floor model dispenser and the bowler with the most wickets will receive one microwave. The successful team in the Masters Over-40 are assured of $800,000 and the winners’ trophy while the runners-up will receive $200,000 and the runners-up trophy. The MVP takes home a refrigerator, the player with the most runs – a floor model water dispenser and the bowler with the most wickets – a microwave. In the All Stars Open, the winners will also receive $800,000 and a trophy and the runners-up - $200,000 and a trophy. The MVP gets a washing machine, the player with the most runs will walk away with a floor model water dispenser and the bowler with the most wickets will take home a microwave. The victorious women’s side carts off $400, 000 and

Flashback: Trophy Stall proprietor, Ramesh Sunich poses with the sponsored trophies and medals during the 2024 Canada Cup

the runners-up $200, 000. Several incentive prizes are also up for grabs in the category. The MVP will take home a four-burner gas stove, the player with the most runs will receive a floor model water dispenser and the bowler with the most wickets will be awarded a microwave. All the respective players of the finals are also guaranteed trophies.

Among the other sponsors are: I&S Trading, Tourism Guyana, Guy Drones, Andy and Amrit Furniture Store, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, ARD Auto Sales/ ARD YouTuber Dhanny Persaud, Chung’s Global Inc., Regal Super Centre, Freelancer Advertising Agency, Crown Mining Supplies, Cricket Zone

USA, Rajiv Ghandhi University, Price Chopper Variety Store, Banks DIH Ltd- GT Beer and Banks Beer, Elegant Jewellery and Pawn Shop, Unique Electrical and General Store, House of Gold and Gift Centre, New Doctor’s Clinic , Aagman Restaurant, Platinum Engineering and Reliance Services. (Frederick Halley)

India pick Kohli, Rohit for West Indies ODIs; Nigam WPL auction to be held joins Asian Games squad on October 28 in Kochi STALWARTS Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma headline India's One-Day International squad for their upcoming home series against the West Indies, while Vipraj Nigam has replaced injured spinner Varun Chakaravarthy in the Asian Games squad. Top-order batter Shubman ‌G ill will captain India in the three-match ODI series, with wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul named vice-captain, while batting all-rounder Naman Dhir and bowler Auqib Nabi have earned their maiden ODI call-ups. The ODI series begins in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on September 27. For the Twenty20 series against the West Indies, 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been included in ⁠ t he squad led by top-order batter Shreyas Iyer. India will play five T20 internationals against the

West Indies, starting in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on October 6. India will also play a one-off T20 international against Japan on September 22, before beginning their Asian Games campaign at the quarter-final stage six days later. Chakaravarthy has been ruled out of both the Japan T20 and the Asian Games with a side strain. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was originally named in the Asian Games squad, has been withdrawn and included in ‌the ODI ⁠squad for the West Indies series instead. All-rounder Hardik Pandya and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant are notable absentees from India's squads for the West Indies ODI and T20 series, the Japan T20 and the Asian Games. INDIA ODI SQUAD VS WEST INDIES Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ru-

India veteran batsman Virat Kohli

turaj Gaikwad, KL ⁠ R ahul (VC), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir. INDIA T20 SQUAD VS WEST INDIES Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, ⁠Ishan Kishan (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma (VC), Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar

Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav. INDIA UPDATED SQUAD FOR ⁠JAPAN T20 AND ASIAN GAMES Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (VC), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yash Thakur, Vipraj Nigam. (Reuters)

THE Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that the Women’s Premier League (WPL) Season 5 auction will be held on October 28 at the Grand Hyatt Kochi. The information was formally communicated to the five teams on Wednesday before the BCCI issued a media release confirming the same. The BCCI also confirmed the dates for the 2027 edition, which will be held from January 14 to February 7. Meanwhile, the five teams have until September 28 to decide on the retention and release of their players. Each squad can have up to 18 players, of whom a maximum of six can be overseas players. The salary cap for the current cycle is INR 15 crore. While the BCCI hasn’t revealed the venues for WPL 2027, it is believed that they

have zeroed in on Mumbai and Vadodara. There have been suggestions to hold some matches in Varanasi, where a new stadium is being built, but that remains a remote possibility at this stage. Sources in the WPL say a decision on hosting matches in Varanasi will depend on the stadium’s preparedness. The venue can host the league only after it has been tested through domestic matches, and at this stage, staging WPL games there is considered a remote possibility. The CCI in Mumbai and the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara have been identified as the definitive venues. Season 4 was held at these two venues, with the final played in Gujarat city on February 5. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the defending champions. (Cricbuzz)

Bravo, Bishop officially inducted into CPL Hall of Fame

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – FORMER West Indies cricketers Dwayne Bravo and Ian Bishop were officially inducted into the Caribbean Premier League’s (CPL) Hall of Fame during a glitzy gala dinner at the Hilton Barbados on Tuesday night. The 42-year-old Bravo became the first player to receive the newly created

Sir Garry Sobers Award as the tournament’s first playing inductee, while Bishop 58, was inducted in the non-playing category. Bravo, widely regarded as one of the best T20 all-rounders in the sport’s history, is the CPL’s most decorated player. He has won five CPL titles as a player, with the Trinbago Knight Riders in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2020,

and with St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots in 2021, and added a sixth as head coach when he guided the Knight Riders to the title in 2025. He is also the tournament’s third-highest wicket-taker of all time with 129 wickets. The Sir Garry Sobers Award, the centerpiece honour of the CPL Hall of Fame, is named after the West Indies icon wide-

Brits leads Amazon Warriors into final with comprehensive victory over Tridents BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – THE Guyana Amazon Warriors Women brought an end to threetime defending champions Barbados Tridents Women’s reign in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League, defeating them by seven wickets in the Eliminator at Kensington Oval on Wednesday. In a match that was delayed by almost two hours due to heavy showers and eventually reduced to an eight over contest, the Tridents recovered from a horrible start to post a competitive 69 for four after being sent in to bat. Tazmin Brits then smashed an unbeaten 35 off 23 balls to guide the Amazon Warriors to 75 for three in 7.2 overs and a spot in Thursday’s final against the Trinbago Knight Riders Women. The Amazon Warriors will be chasing their first WCPL title, having lost to

Tazmin Brits smashed an unbeaten 35 off 23 balls to lead the Guyana Amazon Warriors Women into the final of the Women’s Caribbean Premier League

the Tridents in the 2023 and 2025 finals, while the Knight Riders, who won the inaugural tournament in 2022. will be seeking their second championship. The Tridents would have been hoping for a speedy start in the shortened match, but an out-of-sorts Qiana Joseph struggled to get the ball away. She scored just three runs

in 13 deliveries before the Tridents took the decision to retire her out at the end of the third over with just 16 runs on the board. Kiran Navgire was stumped off the bowling of Erin Burns with the next delivery, but captain Hayley Matthews and Maddy Green took 18 runs off the fifth over bowled by Sheneta Grim(Turn to page 24)

ly regarded as the finest all-rounder the game has produced, with the Sobers family granting CPL permission to attach his name to the trophy. Meanwhile, Bishop was given the honour in recognition of his broadcasting career that has been part of the CPL story since the tournament’s launch in 2013. His commentary has

Dwayne Bravo (left) and Ian Bishop pose with their respective awards after being inducted into the CPL Hall of Fame (Photo courtesy CPL)

helped bring the “Biggest Party in Sport” to fans across the Caribbean and around the world, and Tuesday’s honour reflected his standing as one of the game’s most respected voices. Pete Russell, CEO of the CPL said: “Dwayne and Ian represent everything this Hall of Fame was created to celebrate. Their contribution to this competition, on

the field and behind the microphone, has helped build CPL into the phenomenon it is today, and it was a privilege to welcome them into this inaugural class.” The gala also supported the Sir Clive Lloyd Healthcare Foundation’s prostate cancer awareness initiatives, with two new names to be added to the CPL Hall of Fame each year going forward.

Seven former Australia captains raise Imran Khan welfare concerns SEVEN former Australia captains have written to Foreign Minister Penny Wong urging the Australian Government to raise concerns with Pakistan over the welfare and treatment of former Pakistan Prime Minister and World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan. Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh said they were writing not as political figures, but as former captains concerned about a fellow cricketer. They cited reports of limited medical care, restricted family contact and minimal access to legal counsel, while stressing that they took no position on the legal or political case against Khan. “We take no position on the legal or political case against him. That is Pakistan’s business. But the treatment of any person in detention is a matter of basic humanity, whatever their politics,” stated the letter. “This is not the first time international captains have raised this concern. It has been brought to public attention on two separate occasions in the past six months, and the reports since then - now echoed by his own family suggest the situation has not improved,” added the letter. “We would be grateful if the Australian Government could raise this directly with the relevant Pakistani authorities.” The latest appeal comes after Khan’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, spoke to former England

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Imran Khan is Pakistan’s former PM and a World Cup-winning captain

captain Michael Atherton in an interview broadcast by Sky Sports during the lunch break of the second England-Pakistan Test at Lord’s last month. They spoke about their father’s deteriorating health and conditions in detention, prompting a formal complaint from the Pakistan Cricket Board and a reported threat not to return to the field after lunch. This is the third appeal from former international captains in seven months. In February, 14 former captains, including Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Chappell, called for better medical care and humane detention conditions for Khan. In August, 21 former captains renewed the appeal following developments around a Supreme Court-directed medical examination and family visits. (Cricbuzz)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026