Issuu

Saturday 22nd August, 2026 PRICE

$100 VAT INCLUSIVE

Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett takes lead in second UN Secretary-General straw poll No.1081884

—edges ahead of Grynspan as race for top job tightens

PAGE

Guyana’s fifth, largest FPSO arrives 03 PAGE

–– to significantly boost production offshore

The FPSO

GECOM: Blame the WIN-APNU rift, not us, for opposition deadlock 03 PAGE

GuySuCo’s CEO sues opposition leader over defamatory Facebook post 12 PAGE

–– seeks more than $10 million in damages

13 Region Six families 09 receive homes through MOM PAGE

PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett takes lead in second UN Secretary-General straw poll

—edges ahead of Grynspan as race for top job tightens GUYANA’S candidate for United Nations Secretary-General Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett moved into first place on Friday in the second Security Council straw poll to select a successor to António Guterres, narrowly overtaking early front-runner Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica

in a contest UN affairs watchers are calling a close race. According to information, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett received eight “encourage” votes, three “discourage” ones, and four “no opinion” ones from the Security Council’s 15 members. That marks a slight step

back from the nine encourage and two discourage votes she won in the first straw poll on 30 July, but it was enough to put her ahead, as rivals lost more ground. Grynspan, who topped the first round with 10 encourage votes, slipped further this time to seven encourage, four discourage,

and four no-opinion, down three encourage votes and up three discourage. The shift leaves her essentially level with the Guyanese envoy heading into the next stage of the contest. Behind the two women, Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, held on to his seven encourage votes but saw his discourage tally jump from two to six, cutting his no-opinion votes to two.

Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett Senegal’s Macky Sall was unchanged, repeating his first-round score of six encourage, seven discourage, and two no-opinion. Uganda’s Olara Otunnu climbed from two to five encourage votes, while Ecuador’s María Fernanda Espinosa dipped slightly to four encourage, three discourage and eight no-opinion. Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet suffered the steepest fall of the day, from six encourage votes down to two, with her discourage tally rising to six. A new name also appeared on the ballot for the first time: Ecuadorean diplomat Ivonne A-Baki, nominated by Tonga on August 17, registered zero encourage votes, eight discourage, and seven no-opinion. Commenting on the results on LinkedIn, UN affairs commentator Daniel Safran-Hon described the outcome as a deadheat, noting that while Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett has taken the top spot, her margin over Ms. Grynspan remains slim. He said the more significant question is what lies behind the broader rise in discourage votes, since ballots at this stage of the process are anonymous and not colour-coded, meaning it is impossible to tell whether any of the negative votes came from one of the Council’s five veto-wielding permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Colour-coded ballots, which expose potential vetoes, are only introduced in later rounds. Safran-Hon added that while a dip in encourage votes and a rise in discourage votes is typical at this stage, the front-runner has not changed hands, nor fallen below the nine votes needed for an eventual Council recommendation, at this point in the process over the past three decades, making this year’s shake-up

unusual. He also noted that no secretary-general selection has ever been resolved after just two straw polls, with the fastest past process taking four rounds, and suggested this year’s race could run longer still. Eight candidates now remain in contention to succeed Mr. Guterres, whose second five-year term ends on 31 December: Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett, Ms. Grynspan, Mr. Grossi, Mr. Sall, Mr. Otunnu, Ms. Espinosa, Ms. Bachelet and Ms. A-Baki. Further straw polls are expected in the coming weeks before the Council moves to a final, colour-coded round meant to identify a candidate who can secure at least nine votes without a veto from any of the five permanent members. The Council would then formally recommend that nominee to the 193-member General Assembly, which by longstanding practice has endorsed the Council’s choice. The next Secretary-General is due to take office on 1 January, 2027. Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett, who has served as Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN since 2020, and was previously the country’s first female Foreign Affairs Minister, was nominated by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and the Government of Guyana, with the backing of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). If appointed, she would become the first Guyanese, the first Caribbean national, and the first woman to lead the United Nations in its 80year history. Regional advocates have argued it is Latin America and the Caribbean’s turn to hold the post, noting that no one from the region has led the UN since the 1980s, and that a missed opportunity now could mean a long wait under the UN’s informal system of regional rotation.

Guyana’s fifth, largest FPSO arrives 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

–– to significantly boost production offshore

GUYANA’S offshore oil production is set to cross the one-million-barrel-per-day mark following the arrival of Errea Wittu, the country’s fifth and largest Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Natural Resources, and operator ExxonMobil Guyana, in separate statements on Friday, both welcomed the vessel’s arrival, calling it a major milestone for the country’s fast-growing oil and gas sector. Built by MODEC for the Uaru development in the Stabroek Block, the Errea Wittu is expected to begin production in the fourth quarter of 2026. The US$12.7 billion project targets more than 800 million barrels of recoverable oil. Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat said the vessel’s arrival represents an important chapter in Guy-

ana’s oil-and-gas development story. “With first oil expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, production is poised to cross the one-million-barrel-per-day mark. This is a major development for our country, and one that brings with it greater responsibility to ensure Guyanese continue to benefit from the sector,” he said. The minister added that as production increases, the government remains committed to transparency in managing the country’s petroleum revenues and to ensuring Guyanese share in the opportunities created by the industry. “The government will continue to disclose petroleum revenue receipts through the National Assembly, ensuring the people of Guyana are kept informed about the revenues earned from their resources,” he said, adding: “We will also continue to push for greater local content opportunities so

that more Guyanese workers and businesses can participate in and benefit from the growth of this industry.” In its own statement, ExxonMobil said the vessel’s name, Errea Wittu, means “Abundance” in the Warrau language, a choice the company said honours Guyana’s Indigenous heritage, and reflects the opportunity and growth the project represents. The company said it was proud of the role Guyanese companies and professionals have played in reaching the milestone, and that its teams are now focused on preparing the vessel for start-up. The Stabroek Block currently produces approximately 900,000 barrels of oil per day. It is operated by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, which holds a 45 per cent interest, alongside Chevron, with a 30 per cent stake, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, with 25 per cent.

First Lady Arya Ali had previously participated in the naming and tour of the Errea Wittu FPSO after becoming its godmother. Following its voyage from Singapore, this state-of-the-art vessel is the first FPSO built by the Japanese company, MODEC, for use in Guyana. The vessel’s arrival represents another significant leap in the continued growth and development of our country’s oil and gas sector (Source: First Lady Arya Ali’s official Facebook page)

GECOM: Blame the WIN-APNU rift, not us, for opposition deadlock

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has clarified that months of gridlock over scrutineers, commissioner appointments and Local Government Election planning all trace back to the fact that WIN and A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) have never settled who truly speaks for Guyana’s opposition. At issue is a list of scrutineers that Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, head of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, submitted to Chief Election Officer Vishnu Persaud on June 3. GECOM’s statement confirms it is currently paying 69 scrutineers, all appointed by APNU+AFC under a long-running arrangement, and that none represent WIN. But the Commission insists that that fact alone is not a ruling against WIN, as the real obstacle is that Persaud has no legal power to swap in Mohamed’s list on his own authority. That limit flows from Section 7A of the Representation of the People Act, inserted by amendment in 2022, which states that the Chief Election Officer “shall,

notwithstanding anything in any written law, be subject to the direction and control of the Commission.” Given that only the full seven-member Commission can approve a new scrutineer arrangement, and because APNU formally objected to Mohamed’s list, disputing whether the “meaningful consultation” required by Section 33D(2) of the same Act had actually taken place, Persaud told Mohamed on June 5, and again on June 10, that he had no authority to referee the disagreement himself. Both sides’ correspondence have simply been placed on GECOM’s official record, pending a Commission ruling. GECOM was most emphatic that this is not a finding against WIN, as it has neither determined whether Mohamed’s consultation process was inadequate, nor that WIN is excluded from scrutineer representation. The scrutineer’s dispute is really a symptom of a larger standoff that has left GECOM unable to act on almost anything requiring a full sitting. When Guyanese voters went to the polls on Septem-

ber 1, 2025, WIN won 16 of the 65 National Assembly seats, and pushed the long-dominant APNU into third place with 12. The governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic secured 34 seats. Mohamed had called for the resignation of sitting Opposition-nominated Commissioners Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin, and Desmond Trotman, but none had agreed to step aside. Mohamed called publicly for their resignation within days of taking office, and in a June letter to APNU chairman Aubrey Norton, he named lawyers he was considering advising the president to appoint in their place.

Norton and the sitting commissioners have refused, arguing that not only does no such vacancy exists, but that the Constitution’s security-of-tenure protections exist precisely to keep GECOM’s composition insulated from shifting party fortunes, not to be reshuffled every time an election changes the opposition pecking order. GECOM Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh, said in May that the Commission cannot move forward on its work, including Local Government Election preparations, until the opposition seats are resolved. On this dispute, too, GECOM says its hands are

tied. The statement stresses that the Commission has “no locus standi” over who the Leader of the Opposition nominates to fill its own seats, since that process runs through Article 161(3)(b) of the Constitution, and is a matter for the President and the Leader of the Opposition alone. The paralysis carries real consequences. GECOM’s Secretariat said it has already drawn up a full workplan for Local Government Elections, expected later this year, but the Commission’s own statement concedes the plan “cannot independently activate” itself, as it needs a decision from the very body that has not convened in nearly a year. Earlier this month, the Carter Center, which has monitored Guyanese elections for decades, called the impasse a matter of “considerable concern” and warned that without a fully functioning Commission, GECOM risks missing its statutory deadline for local polls and running out of time to implement reforms before the next general election. The WIN-APNU rift has spread far past the Commis-

sion’s boardroom. Just days before GECOM’s statement, Mohamed used his authority as Opposition Leader to name WIN and Forward Guyana Movement representatives to the new Local Government Commission, pointedly leaving out APNU’s nominees. Norton responded in sections of the media by saying he was open to meeting Mohamed to discuss the snub, but only at a “neutral” venue, echoing the same condition GECOM’s opposition-nominated commissioners set back in February, when they declined to meet Mohamed at WIN’s own headquarters. GECOM has maintained that it is following the law, not obstructing it, by declining to act outside its authority, and every disputed matter, from scrutineers to commissioners to the local election workplan, is waiting on a Commission that cannot function until WIN and APNU, or ultimately the courts, decide who leads Guyana’s opposition. GECOM said it remains committed to transparency and to running elections that reflect Guyana’s current political reality.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

Gov’t to expand, optimise opportunities for earning as a country and a people

THE Office of the Prime Minister- Industry and Innovation Unit (OPM IIU) on Friday hosted a graduation ceremony for participants of its Innovation Camp at the Better Hope Community Centre on the East Coast of Demerara. Over the course of the innovation camp, young participants had the opportunity to learn, explore, create, collaborate and most importantly, discover that they have the ability to turn an idea into something meaningful. Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs Kwame McCoy in his speech said that the government’s investments in these camps may appear to be a simple investment. However, expending money for these camps to bring our young people together in different

forms, is not limited to ICT training, but to many other spheres. The minister said, “What we are doing here is actually deliberate; intentional on our part, unavoidable for us, because we must be able to expose all our young people to ICT skills, training opportunities, as we prepare you for the grand takeover and the role that we anticipate and we desire for all of you in this room.” Calling it an important investment, Minister McCoy stated, “We want our children to grow; to help their dear Guyana to advance, to find a solution to issues and challenges of problems that we may have missed. We want our children to grow, to have the opportunity to improve productivity and efficiency in our various sectors and spheres of life.”

According to Minister McCoy, the government aims to expand and optimise opportunities for making money as a country and as a people. In this way, we will feed ourselves and export as well, and create efficiency around the delivery of services and goods to people through creativity, knowledge and talent. He urged the participants to not take this opportunity for granted, as it is an opportunity that has amazing value, and adds to their empowerment as individuals and collectively as youth. During the closing ceremony, it was mentioned that innovation begins with a simple question: a what if we could do this differently? what if we could solve this problem? or what if we could create something better? This cohort of participants were told that this

achievement marks a significant milestone in their educational journey. Because the field of ICT is constantly evolving and expanding and creating new opportunities and challenges

for professionals, youths today have unique expertise and skills to navigate this dynamic landscape and make a meaningful impact in today’s world. Whether they’re fo-

cused on software development, networking, cyber security, or any other area within the ICT industry, they have the power to shape the future and drive innovation.

PANAMA Canal’s operator is to cut the number of vessels passing through

the key waterway due to low rainfall caused by El Niño.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) told shipping firms on Thursday that 32 vessels a day will be able to pass through it from 15 September, compared to 36 currently. El Niño, a pattern of periodical sea surface warming, affects weather systems globally. This year is expected to be particularly strong, with its effects made more intense by climate change. The shipping industry is already dealing with severe disruptions due to the Iran War causing a large

reduction in the number of vessels passing through the crucial Strait of Hormuz. The ACP said the measures were being put in place to preserve service reliability and safeguard water resources for human consumption. It added that despite the arrival of the rainy season in Central America and some water-saving measures already being put in place in the canal, additional action was needed “to support the long-term sustainability of transit operations”.

The new measures will be phased in from 3 September. The Panama Canal greatly reduces the time and distance ships have to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. About 14,000 ships per year use the artificial waterway, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As well as being a crucial route for global trade, it is also a key source of income for Panama, bringing in about $3bn (£2.2bn) a year. In 2023, the ACP cut the

number of vessels using the waterway during the last El Niño period after Panama was hit with its driest October since records began in 1950. Since then, the authority has introduced measures to cut the amount of water it uses. Many forecasts suggest that this year’s El Niño, which is a naturally occurring pattern, could be one of the strongest ever recorded, with disruptions to weather, food supplies and economies. (BBC)

Minister within the OPM with responsibility for Public Affairs Kwame McCoy and other officials with graduates on Friday (Sachin Persaud photo)

Panama Canal to cut number of ships passing through due to El Niño

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

Over 5,000 citrus plants distributed to East Bank Berbice farmers

By Bebi Shafeah Oosman

OVER 5,000 citrus plants have been handed over to farmers along the East Bank of Berbice, as the government continues to expand agricultural production and deliver on commitments made to farming communities. Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, on Friday distributed the planting material and fertiliser, fulfilling a commitment he had made to farmers during a previous outreach to the area. He stated, “I made a commitment that time that we will give approximately 5,000 citrus plants to the farmers on the East Bank of Berbice.” The plants, sourced

through the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), include several varieties of citrus such as lime, orange, tangerine, lemon and grapefruit. The distribution comes as farmers continue to expand cultivation following land-clearing and other agricultural interventions being undertaken along the East Bank of Berbice. Minister Mustapha said the distribution represents only part of the government’s wider plans for the area, stressing that President, Dr Irfaan Ali has placed significant emphasis on unlocking the agricultural potential of communities along the East Bank of Berbice. He recalled that during a visit to the area, President

Ali committed to having works enhanced, particularly in relation to land clearing and drainage and irrigation infrastructure. “This is important because this area here in Berbice is an area that we have big plans to develop the agriculture sector,” Mustapha said. According to the minister, the East Bank of Berbice has historically played an important role in agricultural production and possesses significant amounts of fertile land that can once again be brought into productive use. As such, he said the government intends to work alongside farmers to realise that potential by providing the necessary infrastructure, planting materials and other forms of support.

Mustapha pointed out that the area “used to make a large contribution to the country,” adding, “so we want to ensure we go back into that area because we have a lot of land here, the lands are fertile, we will continue to assist the farmers.” Further, the minister related that he recently brought together the owners and operators from the hospitality industry “because you know these hotels normally bring in produce from overseas, so I talked to them and said look now we have to link farmers with the hotels, so whatever we are producing, they will purchase.” Mustapha added, “We will continue to work with them and they will supply their needs to us what they

are using in the hospitality industry and we will work with farmers to produce those crops.” During his previous visit to the East Bank Berbice community, Mustapha had underscored the long-term importance of agriculture to Guyana’s economy and food security, noting that the sector will continue to play a critical role in the country’s development despite the rapid growth of the oil and gas industry. He had further urged farmers to recognise the opportunities that are emerging within the sector and to embrace modern methods of production. The Agriculture Minister had stressed that Guyana cannot continue to practise

agriculture in the same manner as previous generations if the country is to increase productivity, remain competitive and take advantage of expanding regional markets. “When we plant and go into production, we have to go into large-scale production. We have to plant crops that are easily marketable and things that are needed,” the minister said. While acknowledging that small-scale farming remains important for household income, community consumption and local food security, Mustapha had said the country’s broader agricultural ambitions require farmers to increasingly examine commercial-scale production and market demand.

TVET focus shifts students from textbooks to production - Parag says

GUYANA’S technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system is being repositioned to place greater emphasis on practical competencies, with students increasingly being given opportunities to make, create, package, and produce, Education Minister Sonia Parag has said. Parag made this known while delivering the feature address at the 2026 CXC results release ceremony on Tuesday, when she noted that TVET remains a central commitment of the government and part of its five-year plan. She indicated that practical skills should not be taught largely from textbooks, but also through hands-on experiences that allow students to apply what they learn. “I ask that we shift our focus much more deliberately towards practical competencies where our students are actually making, creating, building, and producing,” Parag said. The minister pointed to several products being developed and professionally packaged by students, including hair oil, achar, and banana ketchup, which she said demonstrated the potential of a TVET system geared towards production.

Parag said she had been particularly impressed by what students were producing, describing their work as “mind-blowing”. It was against this backdrop that she also highlighted the practical role students played during Guyana’s hosting of the 52nd meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development in Education last week. Rather than relying solely on private caterers for the regional meeting, the Ministry of Education arranged for students from the Home Economics departments of several schools and TVET programmes to prepare meals for education ministers from across the Caribbean and their delegations. Parag said the students’ performance attracted significant praise from the visiting officials. “I can tell you that every single minister who praised

the conference ended that praise with a praise about the food and the hospitality from these students,” she said. According to Parag, such experiences form part of the TVET system that the government is seeking to build, one which provides young people with the practical abilities and confidence to participate meaningfully in Guyana’s changing economy. It was then that she noted that the focus must be on equipping students not only with academic qualifications, but also with practical skills that can translate into real products, services and economic activity. “That is the TVET system we are building,” Parag said, adding that it should give young people the “competence, confidence, and opportunity” to participate meaningfully in Guyana’s rapidly changing economy.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

Men, silence isn’t strength

FOR generations, many men have been taught, directly or indirectly, that strength is silence. They are expected to be providers, protectors, and pillars of their families and communities, often carrying the burden of financial pressures, work demands and personal difficulties without complaint. Too often, in that environment, admitting sadness, anxiety, poor sleep, emotional distress or sexual and reproductive health concerns have been seen as a sign of weakness rather than as an act of responsibility. So, it’s a welcome and important development that more and more men are prepared to seek professional help. There has been a change in the Mental Health Unit at the Ministry of Health, where more men are coming forward to speak openly about mental, emotional, sexual and reproductive health concerns, and are seeking help for issues they may have previously ignored or hidden. Such a shift should be made and be welcomed. “There was a time when men would never go into a health facility and directly say that they are feeling sadness, sleeplessness or having disturbing thoughts,” said Dr. Bhiro Harry, Head of the Mental Health Unit at the Georgetown Public

Hospital Corporation. Rather, they may talk about being stressed, tired of not being able to concentrate, or just “having problems.” Increasing numbers of men are voicing their concerns and seeking help. This is a change of great importance far outside the consultation room. It’s a challenge to deep-seated ideas about masculinity. A man who seeks healthcare is not avoiding his responsibilities; he is taking them seriously. After all, a man can’t take care of his family, be productive at work, or be there for those he loves if he is not taking care of himself. This is especially true regarding mental health. Sometimes untreated emotional distress will not stay in its place. Dr. Harry’s example of a person who suffers from poor sleep and then turns to alcohol as a way of coping, shows how one problem that is not resolved can turn into another. The lesson is clear: Self-medication is not a cure. Such difficulties with sleep, sadness, anxiety, coping, and other daily changes that persist for long periods of time should not be dismissed as “just stress”. Alcohol and other unhealthy coping mechanisms can offer temporary relief, but they can also worsen the original

problem, and create new problems. The same need for transparency applies to sexual and reproductive health. These concerns have long been a stigma in themselves, with some men suffering in silence or waiting to see the doctor. But mental health is often linked to sexual health. Stress, anxiety, depression and relationship issues can affect a person’s sexual well-being, and sexual-health issues can then affect confidence, relationships, and emotional health. Silence is not good. Of course, there is still a very long way to go. Dr. Harry observed that the stigma hasn’t gone away, and some patients are worried about being seen when seeking care. And that is exactly why the progress being made now should be supported, not taken for granted. Families, workplaces, communities and institutions all have a role to play in making sure men don’t feel ashamed to say when they are struggling. Mental health care is changing, too, helping to make support more accessible. Greater training of General Medical Officers and nurses, and greater awareness and use of teleconferencing services are helping take mental health care beyond the traditional model of patients travelling long distances to reach a specialist.

But services alone are not enough. People must be ready to use them as well. One of the most important takeaways from this discussion may be the simplest of all: Communicate. Get the family talking. Talk to a friend; talk to your healthcare provider. Talking things out doesn’t fix everything, but silence can weigh a lot of problems down. As Dr. Harry has said, it is often the case that once one person begins to talk, others may also be willing to talk about what they are going through. There is no health without mental health. Guyana has to keep normalising conversations around depression, anxiety, stress, sleep and sexual and reproductive health. “It’s important to begin to release the old concept that strength is only about suffering in silence, particularly for men.” True strength is knowing when something isn’t right, and doing something about it. So, the increasing number of men walking through the doors of the Mental Health Unit, openly talking about their struggles is more than a welcome trend; it is a sign of evolution. This should be encouraged in every community, every workplace, and every home. Asking for help is not a weakness. Sometimes that’s the strongest thing a man can do.

GOGEC welcomes arrival of Guyana’s fifth FPSO, Errea Wittu

THE Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) warmly welcomes the arrival of the Errea Wittu, Guyana’s fifth Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, marking another significant milestone in the continued development of Guyana’s offshore oil and gas industry. According to a press release from GOGEC, named Errea Wittu, meaning “Abundance” in the Warrau language, the vessel represents not only the scale of Guyana’s emerging energy industry but also a meaningful recognition of the country’s rich Indig-

enous heritage. GOGEC is proud to see Guyana’s offshore operations progressing with the arrival of the fifth FPSO, following the successful deployment of the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, Prosperity, and ONE GUYANA vessels. The Errea Wittu, constructed by MODEC for the Uaru development in the Stabroek Block, is expected to commence production in September, 2026, and is designed to produce approximately 250,000 barrels of oil per day at peak capacity. The US$12.7 billion Uaru development is targetting an estimated more than 800 million barrels of recoverable oil, representing a

substantial addition to Guyana’s production base and an important contributor to the country’s economic development. With current production

from the Stabroek Block at approximately 900,000 barrels per day, the arrival and commissioning of Errea Wittu are expected to take Guyana’s production

beyond the one-million-barrel-per-day milestone. GOGEC recognised that this expansion brings significant opportunities for employment, local businesses, investment, skills development, technology transfer, and increased economic activity across Guyana. GOGEC also extended its congratulations to ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, a committed member of the chamber and operator of the Stabroek Block, for its continued leadership in advancing Guyana’s offshore developments. “ExxonMobil has excelled in its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the people of Guyana.

We are equally pleased to recognise MODEC, another valued member of GOGEC, for successfully delivering its first FPSO for Guyana and contributing its global expertise to the Uaru development. GOGEC is particularly encouraged to see its members playing such significant roles in the country’s energy transformation,” GOGEC said. The chamber said it remains committed to supporting an industry in which Guyanese businesses and professionals are increasingly positioned to participate, compete, and benefit from the opportunities created by the sector’s continued growth.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

Prime Minister Gaston Brown of Antigua

PRIME Minister of Antigua, Mr. Gaston Brown, has made an awful statement on why his country is not ready to have the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as its final court. No matter how the commentator wants to observe protocol and use appropriate language to disagree with the reasons for Antigua not wanting to join the CCJ at this moment, it is impossible to restrain oneself. Mr Brown’s remark was nonsensical and silly and makes no sense at all. He offered two reasons and both border on analytical stupidity. The first one is that the Privy Council provides distance and anonymity, so there cannot be attempts at regional interference in the court. This statement is devoid of logic and commonsense. If you are going to argue that it is best to have judges far away from the local milieu so that they cannot be reached by those in the local society, then how can any country have a judiciary? If you follow Brown’s logic, then no country should have its court based in the country itself because local interference is possible. The commonsensical question is if judges of the CCJ can be reached even though they sit in Trinidad away from the other CARICOM nations, then by the same logic the High Court judges in every country can be contacted because they live in the nation over whose laws they preside. The obvious question to ask is how valid then is the functionalism of the High

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

Court in each CARICOM nation and the appeal courts in those nations? After all, if you follow Mr Brown’s logic, then local interference can occur. Is there a High Court in Antigua, and if there is Mr. Brown should quickly remove it to far places such as Iceland or Lesotho, so there can be no interference. In all my experience on earth, I have never heard a more absurd set of words from a Caribbean Prime Minister than those mouthed off by Mr Brown last week. I don’t see how he can maintain his credibility among CARICOM Heads after that outrageous descent into irrational thinking. Does Mr Brown know that it takes longer for a majority of CARICOM nationals to reach Trinidad, the seat of the CCJ, than for Europeans to get to the final court in Europe – the European Court of Human Rights based in France? It takes four times the hours for some CARICOM citizens to reach Trinidad than Europeans citizens from Italy, Germany, Spain, Belgium, etc., to land in France. It takes four times the hours for some CARICOM citizens to reach Trinidad than many states in the US to reach Washington, DC, where the highest American court is located. The point is distance is not a factor in the location of a country’s highest court, so Mr Brown has no point at all when it comes to the reason for distance. The second factor he offered for choosing the Privy Council is that the CCJ has not reached the level of maturity to satisfy

the people of Antigua. I wonder if this is a Freudian slip and that he actually means that it is Antigua that has not reached any level of maturity to participate as an independent country at the UN and in CARICOM. Let’s look at the statistics. Antigua is 108 square miles with about 90,000 souls. It has no discernible natural resources, and it is one of the weakest economies in CARICOM. It relied on online gambling to sustain itself, but the US sanctioned it for having such an industry. Another form of income is selling citizenship to foreigners if they invest in the island. The EU is about to clamp sanctions on Antigua and three more CARICOM islands for that policy. Antigua is not a competitive tourist destination compared to Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas and Trinidad. Against these facts, how can Brown say that the CCJ is not mature enough to be

accepted by Antiguans as their final court? A cynic can argue that Antigua itself has not reached the status of a country to have the same vote as other countries in the UN and OAS. If the people of Guyana, Barbados, Belize and St. Vincent can accept the CCJ as their final court, then these nations are not as intellectually strong as Antigua because one must remember what its Prime Minister has said – that Antigua has standards so high that the CCJ is not mature enough to warrant acceptance as their final court. I heard that an American billionaire once tried to buy Antigua. One day he may succeed and become the only judge on the island. 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.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

13 Region Six families receive homes through MOM

By Bebi Shafeah Oosman THIRTEEN families across Region Six are now enjoying greater security, comfort and dignity after receiving newly constructed or rehabilitated houses through interventions spearheaded by President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s Men on a Mission (MOM) Initiative and delivered on Friday by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha. The beneficiaries were drawn from communities across East Bank Berbice, West Canje, Port Mourant, Whim, Letterkenny, Rose Hall, Chesney, Hampshire, Belvedere and Guava Bush, Corentyne. While their circumstances differ, the families share stories of hardship and perseverance. Among them are elderly residents; persons living with health and mobility challenges; single mothers; families caring for children; young families building their lives and residents who were left with nothing after fires had destroyed their homes. For each family, Friday’s handing over represented far more than receiving the keys to a house. It meant having a safe place to sleep; improved living conditions for their children; greater comfort for elderly and vulnerable relatives and relief from one of the greatest uncertainties any family can face, not having adequate shelter. Minister Mustapha, who travelled throughout the region to hand over the houses, said the initiative reflects the president’s commitment to ensuring that vulnerable citizens are not left behind as Guyana develops.

Some of the houses that were handed over as part of the MOM initiative “This here is a commit- 61-year-old Ruckmanie a secure home removes a Gani occupied a neighbourment from President Ali; this Chetty, also a stroke pa- significant burden as she ing three-bedroom house. is another part of the PPP/C’s tient, whose new home will continues to provide for and Within a short period, both programme started by Presi- provide greater comfort and raise her four children. It also households lost the security dent Ali, Men on a Mission security. means her children now have they had spent years building. to give homes to vulnerable Meanwhile, 64-year-old the security of knowing they After the fire, Minispeople and these homes have Shivbachan Harrikishun of have a stable place to call ter Mustapha visited and been built, furnished and Letterkenny, Corentyne, re- their own. responded to the families’ given at no cost,” Mustapha ceived a home that will benMinister Mustapha also plight, making a commitsaid. efit not only him and his wife, handed over a fully rehabil- ment on behalf of President According to the minister, but also the two grandchil- itated home to Doodmattie Ali that the government the initiative was developed dren in their care following Ross, a single mother of four would assist them. to provide direct assistance the passing of the children’s from Vryheid, West Canje, to families who would oth- mother. Berbice. The rehabilitation FULFILLING A erwise face significant chalFor 59-year-old Totaram has significantly improved COMMITMENT lenges in constructing or re- Narine of Chesney, Coren- the family’s living condiOn Friday, that comhabilitating their own houses. tyne, the intervention also tions, providing Ross with a mitment was fulfilled when “So I want to extend on represents an important, new safer environment in which Mustapha returned to hand behalf of these people who chapter. Narine lives with to raise her children. over homes to the affected would have received these and cares for his mother, and However, some of Fri- residents, allowing them to homes [sic] and many others the home provides greater day’s most significant inter- move beyond temporary who would have received stability for their household. ventions involved families arrangements and begin homes [sic] like this, a thank The programme also who had experienced the rebuilding their lives. you to President Ali, this is reached younger families, devastation of losing their The response, according visionary leadership,” Mus- and 24-year-old Trisia Per- houses to fire. to the minister, is representapha said. saud, her husband and their For 68-year-old Jerry Al- tative of the government’s Among Friday’s bene- three children received a exander and his 76-year-old approach to assisting citizens ficiaries were 63-year-old home at Belvedere, Coren- wife, Rosaline Alexander of during moments of personal Devika Ramoutar and her tyne. Rose Hall Town, the assis- crisis rather than leaving vul67-year-old husband, MaFor the young couple, tance has given the elderly nerable families to recover on hadeo Saran, of Ankerville, home ownership provides couple an opportunity to their own. Port Mourant. Saran is bed- a stronger foundation upon rebuild their lives after their Since its establishment, ridden, making adequate which they can continue home was destroyed. Men on Mission has become living conditions particularly building their family while After experiencing the an avenue through which important for the couple. giving their three children a trauma and uncertainty that resources, skills and manTheir newly constructed safe and comfortable envi- follow the loss of a home, power are mobilised to assist home, handed over by Min- ronment in which to grow. the couple once again have communities and vulnerable ister Mustapha and Member At Guava Bush, Coren- a place of their own and the citizens. of Parliament Zamal Hussain, tyne, Anishwar Sewdat, 35, security that comes with it. Housing interventions will provide a safer and more and Ivanna Narine, 32, along At Sister’s Village, East have been among its most comfortable environment for with their five children, bene- Bank Berbice, Friday was visible forms of assistance, Saran, while giving the cou- fitted from extensive rehabil- also an emotional turning particularly for families who ple greater security in their itation works to their family point for two households lack the financial means to daily lives. home. whose homes were com- construct adequate homes At Letterkenny North, The repairs have trans- pletely destroyed by fire. The independently. 53-year-old Dankumarie formed the family’s living blaze had left 39-year-old The programme supBalkarran, who is a stroke conditions, giving the parents single mother Sharmilla See- plements the government’s patient, also received a home. and their five children a safer taram and 53-year-old Nazim housing and social-develFor Balkarran, the interven- and more comfortable space Gani without homes, forcing opment agenda, with Presition provides much-needed to call home. them to seek temporary ac- dent Ali placing emphasis on stability and a living enviAnother family receiving commodation with relatives. improving living standards ronment better suited to the assistance was that of Nanda Before the fire, See- through housing, employchallenges associated with Munisar, a single mother of taram lived in a two-storey, ment, education, healthcare, her health and mobility. four from Hampshire, Coren- two-bedroom house with her infrastructure, agriculture Similar relief came for tyne. For Munisar, having baby, niece and cousin, while and targetted interventions

for vulnerable citizens and friday’s programme demonstrated that approach at the household level. Rather than a single type of intervention, assistance was provided based on the circumstances of individual families, from constructing homes for those without adequate shelter to rehabilitating deteriorated houses and rebuilding for residents devastated by fire. Minister Mustapha also highlighted the importance of government officials remaining engaged with communities and following through on commitments made during outreaches. The Agriculture Minister has maintained a presence in communities throughout Berbice, where engagements with residents often extend beyond agricultural matters to wider social and infrastructural concerns. For the 13 families who benefitted from the housing interventions, however, the impact is immediate and deeply personal; a rehabilitated house means children can grow up in safer surroundings. A new house means an elderly couple can live with greater comfort. For a person battling mobility challenges, it means a more secure environment; and for families who watched everything they owned disappear in a fire, it means an opportunity to begin again. Through the interventions, the families are not simply receiving houses; they are being given greater stability and the foundation from which to move forward with renewed confidence and dignity.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

Azruddin Mohamed cannot pick and choose constitutional roles - VPAC –– says opposition leader can’t refuse duties simply because he disagrees with government

THE Vigilant Political Action Committee (VPAC) has strongly criticised Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed over his reported refusal to participate in constitutional consultations, arguing that he cannot pick and choose when to perform the responsibilities attached to the office he holds. VPAC said Mohamed, as the constitutionally elected leader of the opposition, is entitled to oppose, reject and challenge government decisions, but does not have the discretion to abandon constitutional processes simply because he disagrees with them. “Azruddin Mohamed as the constitutionally elected leader of the opposition does not have the luxury of deciding whether or not he wants to participate in consultations where the law says he must,” VPAC said. The political organisation argued that opposing the government and fulfilling constitutional obligations are not mutually exclusive, stressing that the Office of Leader of the Opposition forms an integral part of Guyana’s system of constitutional governance. VPAC said the constitution deliberately gives the opposition leader powers in areas where the president cannot act entirely on his own. It said, “The opposition leader cannot reasonably demand constitutional safeguards while simultaneously refusing to participate in the very safeguards the Constitution assigns to him.” According to VPAC, the

VPAC leader Dorwain Bess opposition leader is not re- constitutional responsibility. quired to agree with canIt noted that under Article didates put forward during 199 of the Constitution, the consultations, but is consti- JSC has responsibilities relattutionally required to engage ing to appointments and disin the process. ciplinary matters concerning It said the legal frame- various judicial and legally work governing the country qualified offices. requires participation aimed VPAC said this makes the at reaching an outcome rather opposition leader’s participathan abandoning the constitution in the JSC appointment tional mechanisms altogether. process directly connected to “He is certainly entitled the independence and functo disagree with proposed tioning of the judiciary. candidates, but the legal ar“This is why refusing to chitecture of the country participate ultimately affects demands engagement toward the operation of a judiciary an outcome, rather than aban- itself,” it said. donment of the constitutional The organisation simimechanisms,” VPAC said. larly pointed to the Public VPAC pointed to the op- Service Commission (PSC), position leader’s role in the where three members are appointment of the Chairman appointed by the President of the Guyana Elections Com- following consultation with mission (GECOM), arguing the opposition leader. that the Constitution places VPAC said the PSC exspecific legal obligations on ercises authority over apthe holder of the office. pointments, removals, and The group also highlight- disciplinary control in the ed the Judicial Service Com- Public Service, making the mission (JSC), describing opposition leader’s constiit as another critical area of tutional role relevant to the

GUYANA Power and Light Inc. (GPL) has renewed operation and maintenance contracts with Power Producers and Distributors Inc. (PPDI) and APAN Energy Services Inc., securing the continued management of power generation facilities with a combined capacity of nearly 135 megawatts. Under the renewed agreements, APAN Energy Services will continue to operate and maintain the

28.9-megawatt power plant at Columbia, while PPDI will remain responsible for the Kingston, Garden of Eden, and Vreed-enHoop power plants, which, together have a generation capacity of 106 megawatts. GPL said the contracts will support the continued operation and maintenance of the facilities, which play a critical role in meeting electricity demand and maintaining a reliable supply to customers across the national grid.

Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamaed functioning of the country’s appointment of an acting Public Service. commissioner when the office T h e g r o u p s a i d t h e is vacant, or the incumbent is same principle extends to unable to perform the functhe Teaching Service Com- tions. mission (TSC), where three VPAC therefore argued members are appointed by that the opposition leader’s the president after consul- participation is not merely tation with the opposition symbolic, but forms part of leader. the constitutional machinery It further identified the governing the country’s highPolice Service Commission est police leadership. as another area in which the The group also highlightopposition leader has a con- ed the opposition leader’s stitutionally prescribed role. role in the appointment of the According to VPAC, the ombudsman and the ChairChairman of the Police Ser- person of the Human Rights vice Commission is appoint- Commission, as well as reed by the President after sponsibilities arising under meaningful consultation with the Integrity Commission Act. the opposition leader. VPAC said these responThe organisation also sibilities demonstrate the pointed to the appointment breadth of the constitutional of the commissioner of police duties attached to the opposiand deputy commissioners, tion leader’s office. saying these appointments It also invoked the oath require consultation involv- of office, which requires the ing the president, opposition office-holder to bear true faith leader and Chairperson of the and allegiance to the people Police Service Commission. of Guyana, faithfully execute It said the constitutional the office without fear or faprocess also applies to the vour, affection or ill-will, and

“honour, uphold and preserve the Constitution.” Against that backdrop, VPAC rejected any suggestion that the opposition leader could simply withdraw from constitutional consultations because he believes the president will ultimately act according to his own wishes. VPAC said, “So, to say ‘I refuse to participate because I believe the president will do what he wants anyway’ is not an option.” The organisation described such a position as “an outright abdication” of the opposition leader’s constitutional obligations. VPAC’s statement comes amid ongoing debate over the constitutional consultations between President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed on appointments to key constitutional bodies. The organisation maintained that Mohamed retains the right to disagree with the government and challenge its decisions, but argued that those political rights do not erase the legal responsibilities attached to his constitutional office. VPAC’s statement comes a few days after Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, said the opposition leader’s limited responses to President, Dr Irfaan Ali’s letters have stalled consultations on appointments to the Judicial Service Commission and Public Service Commission. The processes he noted have therefore yet to advance towards the appointment of new members.

The agreements were signed by Head of GPL’s Executive Management Committee Kesh Nandlall; Plant Manager of APAN Energy Services Ronald Cheruiyot; and Chief Executive Officer of PPDI Dr. Brian Sukhai. Divisional Director Gary Hall, along with other representatives and stakeholders from the respective companies, also attended the signing. GPL said the renewal forms part of its wider ef-

fort to ensure the efficient management and maintenance of its generation assets while strengthening the reliability and stability of electricity supply across the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS). The company said it remains committed to working with its partners to maintain adequate generation capacity, while advancing initiatives aimed at strengthening and modernising Guyana’s electricity sector.

GPL renews contracts to strengthen electricity reliability across DBIS The contracts were signed by Mr. Kesh Nandlall, Head of GPL’s Executive Management Committee; Mr. Ronald Cheruiyot, Plant Manager, APAN Energy Services Inc.; and Dr. Bri-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

GCAA awards Air Operator Certificate to Guyana Rotorcraft Services

The certificate was presented during a simple ceremony at the GCAA’s Head Office in Campbellville, where Director-General Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, A.A., handed it to Rotorcraft’s Chief Executive Officer Tarick Ramnarace GUYANA Rotorcraft Services Inc. has been granted an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), marking a significant step for the local aviation sector, and enabling the company to conduct certified rotorcraft operations. The certificate was presented during a simple ceremony at the GCAA’s Head Office in Campbellville, where Director-General Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, A.A., handed the AOC to Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Rotorcraft Services Inc., Tarick Ramnarace. The company is among

the first local entities to secure an AOC exclusively for rotorcraft operations, having met the safety, regulatory and operational requirements established under Guyana’s civil aviation framework. Speaking at the ceremony, Col. Field commended the company for the work and determination demonstrated in satisfying the rigorous standards required for certification. He said the achievement represented more than regulatory compliance, describing it as a step forward for the local aviation community. The Director-General also thanked the Govern-

ment of Guyana for creating an enabling environment for the development of the sector, and encouraged Guyana Rotorcraft Services Inc. to continue upholding high standards at both the local and international levels. Ramnarace described the certification as an important milestone for the company and the wider aviation sector. He expressed gratitude for the recognition, and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to safety, reliability and serving the needs of its clients and the wider community with integrity. The Air Operator Certificate is issued to operators

that satisfy prescribed requirements relating to safety, regulatory compliance and operational standards. The presentation ceremony was attended by senior GCAA officials, including Director of Aviation

Safety and Security Abraham Dorris, Chief Airworthiness Inspector Shiva Santee, and Flight Operations Inspector Edgar Heligar. R e p re s e n t a t i v e s o f Guyana Rotorcraft Services Inc. also in atten-

dance included Captain Zahir Yusuf, Accountable Manager, and Captain Christopher Douglas, Operations Manager and Chief Pilot, along with other company representatives.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

GuySuCo’s CEO sues opposition leader over defamatory Facebook post –– seeks more than $10 million in damages OPPOSITION Leader Azruddin Mohamed is facing another legal challenge, with Dr Paul Cheong, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), filing a High Court lawsuit over statements published on Mohamed’s Facebook page. Cheong is now seeking more than $10 million in damages from Mohamed in the defamation action arising from a video published on the “Team Mohamed’s” Facebook page on August 11. In his Statement of Claim filed in the High Court in Demerara on Augus 17 by

GuySuCo’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Paul Cheong Attorney-at-Law Rajendra

Jaigobin, Cheong said the publication has “seriously and irreparably damaged” his reputation and standing. He said the damage is likely to continue among his colleagues, employees, professional associates and members of the public in Guyana, the Caribbean and internationally. The claimant said the impact has already extended into his personal and professional relationships. “Indeed, persons who have worked with the Claimant for years before the publications have avoided and shunned him,” the court document stated.

Cheong further claimed that members of his profession have confronted him about the contents of Mohamed’s publication. The lawsuit alleged that the publication brought Cheong into “public scandal, disrepute, contempt” and severely injured his character, credit and reputation. It also said the allegations subjected him to “ridicule and odium,” lowering his standing in the estimation of ordinary and reasonable readers and listeners. The publication at the centre of the dispute concerned the proposed Versailles-to-Parika four-lane

Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed highway and allegations made by Mohamed about companies bidding for sections of the project. Among those mentioned was L’Heureuse Construction Services, which Mohamed linked to Cheong while questioning the GuySuCo CEO’s involvement in government construction work. Mohamed said that the proposed four-lane highway from Versailles to Parika, which is approximately 23 kilometres long and is divided into 17 lots, has attracted bids totalling about $121 billion, questioning the cost when compared with the 9.4-kilometre Eccles-to-Great Diamond four-lane highway, which cost $13.3 billion. He further pointed to a more than $6.8 billion bid from L’Heureuse Construction Services for the project. Cheong has rejected that connection. The claim expressly stated that Cheong “is not the owner of L’Heureuse Construction Services or L’Heureuse Construction Services Inc.” and that he has “neither made a bid for government road contracts nor has he been awarded a contract.” Cheong also disputed Mohamed’s claims concerning the Schoonord road project. The Statement of Claim said that Mohamed linked Cheong to the approximately $2 billion project and claimed that the road was already deteriorating, allegations Cheong maintains are false and defamatory. The CEO contended that the publication conveyed a number of serious allegations about his character and professional conduct, including that he was corrupt, lacked morality and integrity, was involved in a conflict of interest and was using his position at GuySuCo for financial benefit. He also said the publication portrayed him as putting his financial interests ahead of GuySuCo and its employees and as failing to properly perform his duties because

of alleged involvement in government contracts. The claimant is particularly critical of the manner in which he said the information was published. He alleged that Mohamed did so without conducting a “full and proper investigation into the truth or accuracy” of the allegations. The CEO described the publication as a “flagrant act of irresponsible behaviour” and a “reckless and wanton disregard” for Mohamed’s responsibility as opposition leader to publish material in the public interest in a fair, accurate and non-malicious manner. The lawsuit further alleged that the opposition leader published the statements knowing they were false or “recklessly not caring whether they were true or false.” The reach of the publication is also cited in support of Cheong’s claim of reputational damage. According to the Statement of Claim, by 6 a.m. on August 14, the Facebook post had attracted more than 1,300 comments and 7,800 likes, and continued to be viewed, shared and commented on. Cheong is seeking damages exceeding $10 million for libel, but the lawsuit is not limited to financial compensation. He is also asking the High Court to restrain Mohamed, his servants, or agents from republishing the statements or similar material on Facebook, other social media platforms or through any other medium. Additionally, he wants an order requiring the removal of the alleged defamatory publication from Facebook, along with costs and any other relief the court considers appropriate. Court documents state that Mohamed must file a defence within 42 days after being served with the Statement of Claim. Failure to defend the proceedings could result in judgment being entered against him in his absence. Mohamed is a United States-sanctioned businessman who has been criminally indicted there on charges, including conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud, and he is currently facing extradition proceedings in Guyana following the dismissal of his final appeal by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). The lawsuit comes days after Mohamed Aqtar Ali, the brother of President, Dr Irfaan Ali, also threatened legal action against the opposition leader over allegations made in a Facebook video.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

Nineteen GDF officers complete Senior Command and Staff Course

NINETEEN officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) have completed the 18-week Senior Command and Staff Course Number Twenty (SCSC #20), strengthening the Force’s pool of officers prepared to assume higher command and staff responsibilities. The course forms part of the GDF’s continued investment in professional military education, and focused on developing competencies in command, leadership, analytical decision-making and staff work. Officers received instruction in operational planning, military law, ethics, capability planning, and global security studies, supported by practical exercises, research and field training. SCSC #20 also included the Scenario-Based, Risk-Informed Capability Planning for National Security and Resilience programme, marking the first collaboration between the National Defence Institute (NDI) and the University of Guyana in this area. The initiative broadened the officers’ understanding of national security challenges, encouraging them to consider issues beyond the tactical and operational levels, and to examine the wider strategic factors affecting national resilience. Addressing the closing ceremony, Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, described the completion of the course as one of several defining moments in the officers’ military careers. He said SCSC #20 represented a deliberate investment in the future leadership of the Guyana Defence Force, having challenged the officers technically, tested their judgement, and broadened their perspectives. However, Brigadier Khan reminded the graduates that professional advancement would bring

increased expectations. “Leadership is not a noun; leadership is a verb,” he said. “Leadership is action before it becomes authority; it is influence before it becomes position. It is responsibility before it becomes privilege.” The Chief of Defence Staff urged the officers to measure their careers not solely by rank or personal achievement, but by their contribution to the institution and the nation, as well as their ability to lead and develop those entrusted to their command. At the conclusion of the programme, Captain Keevin Salaru was named Best Graduating Student of SCSC #20, earning the course’s highest overall award. Captain Stacey Codogan was named Runner-Up Student, and also received the award for Best Research Paper for her study, Climate Change and National Security in Guyana: Assessing Strategic Risks and Policy Implications. The research examined climate change as an emerging national security challenge, and proposed strategic policy recommendations aimed at strengthening national resilience and institutional preparedness. The successful completion of SCSC #20 further contributes to the GDF’s senior leadership capacity by equipping officers to operate in increasingly complex operational and strategic environments. The programme also reinforces the Force’s commitment to professional military education as a foundation for effective command, sound decision-making and institutional resilience. Among those attending the closing ceremony were the Colonel-General’s Staff, other branch heads, and senior officers of the Guyana Defence Force, along with Director of the National Defence Institute Dr. Randy Persaud.

The course forms part of the GDF’s continued investment in professional military education and focused on developing competencies in command, leadership, analytical decision-making and staff work

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

GPF officers benefit from Financial Readiness session led by Outliers Zone Caribbean

APPROXIMATELY 100 officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have benefitted from a specialised financial readiness immersion, designed to help them assess their current financial position, strengthen how they manage income and begin developing personalised fiveyear roadmaps towards greater financial security. The session, “Designing My Five-Year Financial Security Roadmap,” was delivered by Outliers Zone Caribbean during the GPF Officers Personal and Professional Development Symposium on Thursday at the Police Officers Mess Hall, Eve Leary. The symposium was hosted by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in collaboration with the GPF under the theme, ‘“Empowered Beyond the Badge: Advancing Leadership, Financial Resilience and Professional Excellence.” An Outliers Zone press release stated that Mrs Athalyah Yisrael, the Co-Found-

er of Outliers Zone Caribbean and Architect of Operational Financial Readiness (OFR), opened the session with a question that immediately brought financial legacy into focus. During the session, Mrs Yisreal said, “If you received an inheritance that gave you a financial head start in life, have a seat.” Approximately 99 per cent of the officers remained standing. In continuing, she asked, “Is that the legacy we want to pass on to our children?” That moment framed a larger challenge: moving beyond simply earning and spending a salary to intentionally use today’s income to create financial security and a stronger financial starting point for the next generation. Using Outliers Zone Caribbean’s Assess. Discover. Design framework, officers assessed their current financial readiness through the organisation’s signature 7 Fs for a Financially Fulfilling Legacy Assessment. The assessment exam-

ines ‘Faith, Fitness, Family, Finance, Fun and Fulfilment, Future, and Friends’ as interconnected components of a well-rounded officer and a financially fulfilling life. Officers then explored their current financial identity through wealthy, middle-class and poor money mindsets and examined the behaviours influencing their financial outcomes. From there, they began designing their five-year financial security roadmaps, bringing together salary, skills, opportunities to increase income, savings and investment in income-producing assets. Yisrael also introduced practical financial management systems that officers could begin applying immediately, such as the Money Increasing System, which teaches employees to give every dollar an assignment before it arrives across five areas: Tithe, Invest, Save, Donate and Spend. The system is designed to bring greater structure, discipline and intentionality to the management of

Outliers Zone Caribbean’s specialised financial readiness programme for GPF Officers (Guyana Police Force photos) income. Officers were challenged to view income as future seeds rather than allowing it to flow entirely from salary to bills and consumption. The immersion explored investing in self and financial education, increasing earning capacity, building savings and progressively acquiring assets capable of appreciating in value or generating additional income. Recognising the unique responsibilities and restrictions associated with police service, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, who was present during the session, was invited by Yisrael to provide clarity on investment and income-generating considerations for ranks. The discussion reinforced the importance of officers pursuing financial growth within the legal and professional framework governing their service. “Financial readiness for ranks within the disciplined services is not simply a personal benefit. It is a national stability strategy,” Yisrael said, “Salary increases are important, but without a system for managing, preserving and growing income, financial vulnerability can remain. Our goal is to partner with the leadership of the Guyana Police Force to help ranks convert today’s income into tomorrow’s financial security.” As the next step, Outliers Zone Caribbean is propos-

ing its 12-month Operational Financial Readiness (OFR) Licensing Solution for the GPF, moving beyond a one-time financial session towards a structured and measurable institutional system designed to identify financial readiness gaps, equip ranks with practical tools and measure progress over time. The proposed process would begin with a Financial Readiness Audit of 200 ranks to identify the financial behaviours, pressures and vulnerability indicators that may be contributing to operational risk. For the first time, leadership would receive an aggregated view of the key financial readiness indicators requiring attention, creating an evidence-based foundation from which a solution can be tailored to the specific realities of the Guyana Police Force. Ranks would then gain access to Outliers Zone Caribbean’s mobile-friendly Financial readiness Digital Hub, where they can access the financial readiness curriculum and progressively build their individual financial security systems from their mobile devices. The 12-month solution combines assessment, targetted education, practical implementation and ongoing measurement, creating a pathway from financial awareness to sustained behavioural change. “Our vision is not simply

to deliver a financial session and leave,” Yisrael said. “It is to give leadership a system to identify financial readiness gaps, give ranks practical tools to build financial security, and measure whether those gaps are actually closing over time.” The GPF engagement follows Outliers Zone Caribbean’s work with the Guyana Prison Service, including its participation in the Caribbean Senior Corrections Officers Conference, and forms part of the organisation’s broader mission to advance Operational Financial Readiness across Guyana’s disciplined services. The organisation intends to continue advancing this work with the Guyana Fire Service and Guyana Defence Force. Founded in 2018 by Athalyah and Gabriel Yisrael, Outliers Zone Caribbean is the Caribbean’s first Operational Financial Readiness institution focused on disciplined services and government agencies. The organisation has partnered with more than 43 organisations, trained over 3,575 employees and educated more than 14,000 children across Guyana, including through its annual Teach A Child to Save School Tour. For bookings and enquiries regarding Financial Readiness solutions for your organisation, contact Outliers Zone Caribbean at ozcship@gmail.com or +592 623 4386.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

Sterling bursary awards recognise academic achievements of employees’ children

FIFTEEN youngsters about to enter secondary school have received bursaries from Sterling Products Limited in recognition of their academic achievements, as the company continues its annual initiative to support the educational development of employees’ children. They were being recognised during Sterling’s 2026 Annual Bursary Awards ceremony, which brought together company management, employees, parents, children, and representatives of the Ministry of Education. The bursaries, which were placed into savings accounts, are intended to assist recipients with future school expenses as they progress through secondary education. Addressing the ceremony, Ministry of Education representative Donella Shamsudeen congratulated the soonto-be students on their performance in the National Grade Six Assessment and urged them to remain committed to their studies as they transition to secondary school and prepare for the next stages of

their education. She stressed the importance of ensuring that every child has access to educational opportunities and resources, while encouraging the awardees to make full use of the opportunities available to them. They were also urged to remain disciplined, work hard, and embrace lifelong learning. Sterling’s management congratulated the awardees and their parents, acknowledging the sacrifices, guidance and support that contributed to their academic success. Management encouraged the recipients to use the bursaries responsibly and continue building their savings throughout their secondary school years. The company also highlighted its Work Study Programme, which provides eligible students with opportunities to gain practical work experience with Sterling after completing secondary school. The ceremony featured an address by a Sterling

employee, who shared his personal educational and professional journey and encouraged the students to remain determined regardless of their circumstances. He urged them not to allow their starting point to determine their future, stressing the importance of perseverance, patience, discipline and continuous learning in achieving their goals. The award recipients, in turn, expressed gratitude to Sterling Products, their parents, organisers and other supporters for contributing to their educational development. They also encouraged their peers to remain focused, work hard, pursue their ambitions and take advantage of opportunities that can help shape their future. The annual bursary programme forms part of Sterling Products Limited’s commitment to supporting its employees and their families while contributing to the development of Guyana’s young people through education.

WCCIG backs stronger farm-to-market links to boost local food supply

THE Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana (WCCIG) is supporting efforts to establish stronger links between local farmers and food-service businesses, saying more predictable markets could help farmers expand production while reducing businesses’ reliance on imported food. WCCIG President Josephine Tapp-Rutherford represented the Chamber at a multi-stakeholder discussion chaired by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, where stakeholders examined ways to improve farm-to-market linkages and create more direct connections between producers and buyers. The engagement brought together farmers, hospitality businesses, private-sector organisations and agricultural agencies to identify practical measures for strengthening the local food supply chain. While the initiative initially focused on hotels, the discussions were expanded to include caterers, restau-

rants, cafés and agro-processors, recognising the significant demand for locally produced food across these sectors. WCCIG said the broader approach was particularly important because many of these businesses are represented within its membership and form an important part of the domestic market for agricultural producers. Among the challenges discussed were consistency of supply, quality, quantity, pricing, traceability and distribution , all factors that can determine whether businesses are able to reliably source agricultural products locally. A proposed four-month pilot programme, scheduled to run from September to December, is expected to provide an opportunity to connect participating producers directly with businesses while monitoring supply levels, quality standards, pricing and delivery. WCCIG welcomed the proposed pilot, describing

it as a practical step towards developing a more inclusive market-linkage system that reflects the needs of farmers as well as the full range of businesses purchasing locally produced food. The Chamber said stronger domestic supply chains could create new opportunities for farmers, support business growth, and contribute to Guyana’s food-security objectives. It also stressed the importance of public education and awareness programmes to ensure startups and entrepreneurs understand the initiative, including how they can participate and benefit from the opportunities created. WCCIG said greater awareness, coordination and direct engagement between producers and buyers would be critical to building a more resilient local food system and ensuring that increased agricultural production translates into sustainable commercial opportunities.

Some of the awardees posing for a group photograph at the ceremony hosted by Sterling Products Limited

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

Men increasingly taking initiative to address mental, sexual and reproductive health concerns

THE Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Unit is seeing a growing number of men taking the initiative to seek professional help for mental, emotional, sexual and reproductive health concerns, signalling a gradual shift in attitudes towards issues that were once rarely discussed openly. Head of the Mental Health Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr. Bhiro Harry, said while stigma surrounding mental illness remains, the department’s work over the years has contributed to a significant change in the willingness of men to come forward. “Very long ago, rarely you would get a man coming in to say, ‘Look, I have problems, I don’t sleep, I’ve been sad, or I have bad thoughts,’” Dr. Harry said. He noted that men would more often describe their

experiences simply as stress, poor sleep, unhappiness, difficulty concentrating or having problems, rather than identifying them as mental-health concerns. “Today, what we have found is that men will come in and tell you up front that I am having these problems,” he said. Dr Harry said the change is also evident in the willingness of men to discuss sexual and reproductive health concerns, which have traditionally carried an additional layer of stigma. He explained that whereas men previously might have presented with general complaints such as back pain, tiredness or weakness, some are now more direct about seeking help for intimate health concerns. The change, he said, reflects a broader evolution in how men approach their well-being. “We have evolved,” Dr.

Head, Mental Health Unit, GPHC, Dr. Bhairo Harry in discussion with Psychiatrist Tristan Griffit on mental health issues in Guyana Harry said. “What has caused that evolution, I am not sure but I have some ideas,” he added. For many years, mental-health professionals would often encounter concerns about men through their family members. A wife, parent or other relative would seek assistance, and conversations would eventually lead back to the male figure in the household. Dr. Harry said men are

increasingly becoming active participants in that process themselves. The shift is particularly significant against the backdrop of traditional expectations of masculinity, where men are often expected to be responsible, dependable and strong for their families and communities. During a discussion, Dr. Harry highlighted the “silent battle” that men frequently face while managing multiple forms of stress and respon-

sibility. He said being a man involves being present for one’s family, upholding values and serving as a role model, but those responsibilities do not remove the need for men to care for their own well-being. Despite the progress, Dr. Harry stressed that stigma has not disappeared. “The stigma still exists,” he said, noting that some patients still request additional privacy because they do not want others to know they are seeking care. However, such requests are now relatively uncommon, pointing to the progress made through years of work within the Mental Health Unit. The changing behaviour among men reflects a wider effort to normalise conversations around mental health and encourage people to seek assistance before challenges become more difficult to

manage. For the Mental Health Unit, the growing number of men who are willing to walk through the doors and speak openly about their concerns represents an important step forward. Experts note that erectile dysfunction is not always only a physical issue, as stress, anxiety, depression and relationship pressures can also play a major role in men’s sexual health. Research shows that psychological factors account for a meaningful share of cases, and men living with anxiety or PTSD are especially vulnerable Health professionals say this is why open conversations matter, because early support can help men address both the emotional and physical sides of the problem before it affects confidence, relationships and overall well-being

Police officers receive child-friendly justice training

POLICE officers are undergoing a three-day training programme aimed at strengthening child-friendly procedures and improving the response of law-en-

forcement officers when children come into contact with the justice system. The workshop, organised by the Juvenile Justice Department, is

focused on equipping participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to ensure that children are treated with dignity, fairness and respect throughout their

The workshop, organised by the Juvenile Justice Department, is focused on equipping participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to ensure that children are treated with dignity, fairness and respect throughout their interaction with the justice system interaction with the justice system. The training covers a range of issues relevant to children in conflict with or affected by the justice system, including child rights, gender, disability and vulnerability, and trauma-informed approaches. Participants are also being trained in identifying different forms of trafficking, interviewing children, procedures relating to juvenile police custody and the use of diversion measures. Particular emphasis is being placed on ensuring that police responses are child-sensitive and rights-

based, while taking into account the individual circumstances and vulnerabilities of children. The Juvenile Justice Department said the training is intended to strengthen the capacity of police officers to respond appropriately to children and promote practices that safeguard their rights and well-being. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to improve the administration of juvenile justice and ensure that children who come into contact with the justice system receive appropriate protection and treatment.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

Six non-nationals detained over unauthorised mining operation

SIX non-nationals, including five Brazilians and one Chinese national, have been detained following the discovery of an unauthorised underground mining operation in one of Guyana’s mining districts, the Ministry of Natural Resources said. The individuals were detained on August 20 after authorities found them operating a mining shaft without the required licences, permissions, and regulatory approvals. The operation was uncovered through a joint effort involving the Guyana

Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Corps of Wardens and the Guyana Police Force. The six individuals remain in police custody as investigations into the operation continue. The Ministry of Natural Resources said the enforcement action forms part of sustained efforts by the GGMC to detect and curb illegal mining activities

across the country. It warned that all mining districts remain under surveillance, and reiterated that the law applies equally to Guyanese and foreign nationals involved in mining. “Any individual, Guyanese or foreign, found conducting mining activities in breach of Guyana’s laws and regulations will face the full force of the law,” the Ministry said.

The Ministry is also reminding miners and operators that they must obtain all required licences, permissions and regulatory approvals before commencing mining activities. It stressed that compliance with Guyana’s mining laws is mandatory, and that violations will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

Falcons deliver late drama to seal thriller

THE Antigua & Barbuda Falcons kicked off their home leg in style, edging the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots by three wickets at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in a thrilling Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) encounter. In a closely fought battle between the CPL’s bottom two teams, Evin Lewis, Shadab Khan and Moeen Ali starred in a dramatic run chase that once again went down to the final over. The competitive spirit was evident from the outset, with an early battle between Johnson Charles and Jayden Seales setting the tone. Seales eventually had the last laugh, removing Charles for 19 just as the opener was beginning to put pressure on the Falcons attack. The conditions demanded patience, with a strong Caribbean cross-breeze sweeping across the ground and the pitch offering some early grip and turn. The Patriots made a solid

start, reaching 51 for 1 at the end of the Power Play, with Charles the only wicket to fall. That grip and turn continued to trouble the Patriots in the middle overs as Shadab Khan and Fabian Allen applied the pressure. The dismissal of Kyle Mayers and the run-out of Andre Fletcher in the same over compounded the visitors’ problems, before Khan produced a beautiful googly to bowl Kevin Wickham and leave the Patriots in real trouble. However, the Falcons were unable to maintain that control at the death. Their quicks struggled to contain the ball, with Seales, Shamar Springer and captain Moeen Ali all coming under pressure. Dasun Shanaka took full advantage, launching a furious late assault that transformed the Patriots’ innings. His blistering hitting produced 55 runs from the final three overs, lifting the visitors from a modest total

to a formidable 187 for 6. Shanaka finished unbeaten on 49. The Falcons’ reply got off to a shaky start when Amir Jangoo was brilliantly caught by Obed McCoy at short third man just four balls into the innings. At the other end, however, Evin Lewis was quietly assessing the conditions. After the Falcons matched the Patriots’ Power Play score, Lewis began to find his timing and, crucially, the boundary. The left-hander blasted five sixes before eventually falling to Jason Holder at long-on, but his explosive contribution had put the Falcons firmly in the hunt. Hasan Nawaz and Shadab Khan then picked up from where Lewis had left off, with Khan unleashing a quickfire 30 from just 12 balls. He looked set to crank up the pressure on the Patriots before Wanindu Hasaranga produced a spectacular running catch to end his charge.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday, August 22, 2026) ENGLISH RACING TIPS NEWMARKET 08:34hrs Great Balls Of Fire 09:09hrs Pilu 09:44hrs Napolian 10:19hrs Prince Of India 10:54hrs Night In Vegas 11:29hrs Goblet Of Fire 12:04hrs Tiva YORK 08:50hrs Damysus 09:25hrs Limestone 10:00hrs Zavateri 10:35hrs Square Necker 11:10hrs Coul Angel 11:45hrs Adonius 12:20hrs Diego El Queso CHESTER 09:05hrs Rhoscolyn 09:40hrs Lazy Griff 10:15hrs Bated Benevolence 10:50hrs Mollisha 11:25hrs Henrythenate 12:00hrs Station X 12:35hrs St Mawes IRISH RACING TIPS CURRAGH

08:05hrs Iveagh House 08:40hrs Handani 09:15hrs Chicago Pope 09:50hrs Green Empress 10:25hrs Giant Sequoia 11:00hrs Nellcote 11:35hrs Carmers 12:08hrs Hugo’s Girl

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS DURBANVILLE 08:20hrs Miami Summer 08:55hrs Navasnine 09:30hrs Vivo Per Lei 10:05hrs Ireland Forever 10:40hrs United Front 11:15hrs Boozy Susie AMERICAN RACING TIPS SARATOGA Race 1 Bubster Race 2 Mutaawid Race 3 Powerline Race 4 Americanexpres sion Race 5 Loveontheleft bank Race 6 Key Colony Beach Race 7 Sacrosanct

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD., 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel:2256158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

Nicholas Pooran-504 runs (TKR) Noor Ahmad-22 wkts (SLK)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who struck the highest score in CPL 2024? (2)Who had the best bowling figures in a single game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

The Patriots may have felt their regular strikes were enough to keep the Falcons at bay, but the contributions of Lewis, Nawaz and Khan had quietly kept the home side within striking distance. Shamar Springer then swung the momentum decisively in the Falcons’ favour, smashing 15 from just six balls to leave the hosts needing seven from the final over. Ali delivered the perfect finish. He sent the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium into raptures by slicing a four over short third man before launching a massive six to seal a crucial three-wicket victory with three balls to spare. The Falcons move to four points from four matches and will face defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders on Saturday. The Patriots, meanwhile, remain at the bottom of the table with two points from four matches and now head home for their home leg, beginning next Thursday against the Jamaica Kingsmen at Warner Park.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

Tongue, Robinson, Archer lead the way as England seal three-day innings win (ESPNCRICINFO) - Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue took their shared match haul to eight wickets apiece, as England’s four-pronged pace attack delivered a statement victory in Joe Root’s first Test back as full-time captain. With Jofra Archer topping and tailing the innings for a three-wicket haul of his own, Pakistan were swept aside by an innings before tea on the third day of the opening match of the series at Headingley. In collapsing to 135 all out in just 37.3 overs, Pakistan surrendered the match in just 1053 balls, making it the joint-second fastest win of Root’s 66-match tenure, behind England’s win over India at Lord’s in 2018, and level with their defeat of Ireland at the same venue the following summer. In fact, had it not been for more than four hours of rain on the second morning, it’s debatable whether the contest would have made it into day three - a familiar scenario for this England team, after their experiences at Perth and the MCG during last winter’s Ashes. Unlike those performances, however, England were clinical and measured in their approach to victory, with the relentlessness of their bowling backed up by Root’s imaginative field placings and fittingly sharp catching, albeit against a thoroughly outclassed opposition. After resuming with a hefty overnight lead of 195, England extended their total past 400, and their advantage to 238, in the first 38 minutes of the day. That was thanks largely to a sparky 23 not out from 25 balls from Archer, who quickly translated that joie de vivre into his primary suit. The result had never rarely been in doubt, but if there had been some signs of red-ball rust in Archer’s first-innings

Josh Tongue celebrates dismissing Salman Agha•PA Photos/Getty Images spell, they had all been sandpapered off by the his gloves too high as Jamie Smith snaffled At 13 for 2, Pakistan needed an urgent contest’s end. the deflection. response. Abdullah Shafique and Shan As for Pakistan, there was simply no Azan, a highly-rated prospect at the age of Masood regrouped for a time in a stand of 38, place to hide as their second innings began. 21, notched his first runs in England, includ- including a flurry of boundaries as Archer and Azan Awais at least avoided the indignity of ing a sweetly timed boundary through point, Robinson strained for the next breakthrough. a king pair, as he played out a tight maiden but Archer soon had his number … aided by But they didn’t have to wait too long. from Robinson, but Pakistan still slumped another glimpse of Root’s new, proactive Soon after Smith had donned the helto 0 for 1 for the second innings running. approach on his return to the Test captaincy. met to stand up to the stumps, Shafique Archer, steaming up the hill from the Foot- After consulting with his bowler, Root posted pressed forward with his back foot anball Stand End, found pace and lift to the himself at leg gully, and instantly had the ball chored in the crease; Robinson found just left-handed Imam-ul-Haq, who tried to sway following him, as Azan flicked loosely off the enough movement for Harry Brook to out of the way of his fifth delivery, but kept full length to traipse off for 9 from 14 balls. scoop up a low edge at second slip.

Valley Boys Sports and Cultural Club Over 50s open Guyana tour today

ONE of Trinidad & Tobago’s oldest community cricket institutions, Valley Boys Sports and Cultural Club, open their goodwill tour of Guyana with a match versus Everest Masters at the Camp Road, Georgetown ground today, Saturday, August 22. Today’s game in the 20-over encounter will be followed by live entertainment provided by the Caribbean Hot Shots Band. Former Trinidad national senior off spinner Mukesh Persaud will lead the visitors, while the Everest Masters will be spearheaded by Sahadeo Hardaiow, arguably the best over-50 batsman in the country. Hardaiow is a former Essequibo junior and senior all-rounder. Former Berbice inter-county player, Luke Latif, will also be on show, representing the touring team. That game is being sponsored by Trophy Stall, Blue Spring Water and Readymix Concrete Limited. The action switches to Parika on Sunday with the visitors opposing Parika Defenders at Parika. Following a rest day on Monday, Valley Boys tackle Enterprise Sports Club at Enterprise on Tuesday, Windsor Forest at Windsor Forest on Wednesday, Canal Number 1 at Canal on Friday and Essequibo at Anna Regina next Saturday, August 29.

Rebel Tennis Club completes intensive Miami clay-court training camp

SEEKING to sharpen their competitive edge, a 24-member team from the Rebel Tennis Club recently wrapped up a two-week training camp at the High Intensity Tennis Training (HITT) Academy in Miami, Florida. Led by Head Coach and President Andre Erskine alongside junior coaches Denzel Luthers and Gerald Scotland, the squad travelled to gain international exposure to different coaching environments and ways to train and to experience foreign playing conditions. The initial days were focused on settling in and adjusting to new demands. Used to hard courts back

home, the players had to adapt their footwork and court movement to the predominantly clay courts present. South Florida’s summer weather added another layer of difficulty, presenting high temperatures, severe humidity, and frequent rain. While some players struggled with the environmental transition, others adapted more quickly. Nevertheless, the sessions remained energetic, interactive, and productive throughout. The academy served as a global gathering point, bringing together athletes from around the world. This gave the team an opportunity to forge new friendships and share their Guyanese culture with international peers.

Over the weekend, several players tested their progress at a Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) tournament hosted by the Casely Tennis Club. The event featured balanced, competitive matchups against unfamiliar international opponents, while also producing a few exciting intra-club matches between Guyanese teammates. The two-week camp marks a major achievement for Rebel Tennis Club. Returning home with improved court / condition adaptability and valuable training, the squad is well prepared for upcoming regional competitions. (Sean Devers)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 22, 2026

High stakes in Essequibo as Lotto/ GAWs’ Hercules Let’s BetT10 battles begin today says right

combination key to CPL success

A powerhouse field of 16 teams is set to clash for zonal glory, all fighting for a prized ticket to the national grand finale THE battle lines are drawn and the the fans. spectacle moves exclusively under the stakes could not be higher as the This leg follows two pulsating lights at Anna Regina. Essequibo Zone leg of the Lotto/ regional qualifiers that set a sky-high Back-to-back semi-finals bowl off Let’s Bet One Guyana T10 Tapeball benchmark. Grillmaster Sip N Play at 14:30hrs and 16:30hrs, followed by officially ignites today. All-Stars dominated the Berbice Zone a marquee exhibition match between A powerhouse field of 16 teams is to become the first team to lock down Trophy Stall Jaguars and Trophy Stall set to clash for zonal glory, all fighting a spot in the national draw. Over in Eagles at 18:30hrs. for a prized ticket to the national grand the East Bank/West Demerara leg, The grand zonal final takes centre finale. Mahdia (Movements Family) pulled stage at 20:00hrs to determine who With rosters featuring an explosive off a dramatic, high-scoring heist at wears the Essequibo crown. blend of current and former national Meten-Meer-Zorg, dethroning 2025 Substantial rewards are up for stars alongside the region’s sharpest champions Eccles All-Stars. grabs: Shawn’s Mini Mart is backing junior tapeball specialists, edge-ofAttention now shifts west for a the leg with a G$500,000 winner’s the-seat drama is guaranteed from the bumper weekend of action starting purse; Jaigobin Hotel has provided opening ball. Saturday, August 22. Opening-round the G$200,000 runner-up cheque, and Co-organiser John Ramsingh high- action bursts into life at 10:30hrs across Scoop Ride Inc ensures all losing quarlighted the surging level of play as the four grounds—Pomona, Affiance, ter-finalists pocket G$25,000. tournament expands its footprint across Hampton Court, and the Anna Regina Once the Essequibo champions join Guyana. “The standard of cricket we National Stadium. Grillmaster and Mahdia in the grand have witnessed throughout this tournaBlockbuster early fixtures feature finale, the tournament will briefly pause ment has been extraordinary, and the Aurora Knight Riders taking on GT for the closing stretch of the Caribbean Essequibo squads are as stacked as any Warriors at Pomona, while Riverstown Premier League. we’ve seen,” Ramsingh noted. collide with Fibreglass Gladiators at Action resumes on September He added that combining seasoned Affiance, leading directly into high-oc- 26 with the Georgetown/East Coast national caps with hungry young talent tane knockout quarter-finals in the Demerara Zone before all roads lead under the floodlights at Anna Regina afternoon. back to Anna Regina for the National will create an electric atmosphere for On Sunday, August 23, the entire Grand Finale on October 11.

President Ali, GCF hail giant in local cycling, Hassan Mohammed HASSAN Mohammed, a beloved former national cycling coach and one of the stalwarts of the cycling fraternity in Guyana, passed away on Friday at his residence. Head of State Dr Irfaan Ali, in a social media post, hailed Mohammed as a man devoted to developing the sport and nurturing successive generations of cyclists. According to the president, Mohammed’s name is indelibly etched into the history of the local sport. The former cycling coach organised countless cycling meets, particularly around the circuit of the National Park, and helped many young cyclists to graduate into serious competitors. He was their teacher and converted the circuit into a classroom, a testing ground, and a launchpad. The president shared that his final

ride is over, but the sport will continue to be propelled by generations of cyclists, coaches, and administrators, inspired by his example. Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Guyana Cycling Federation, Major Mark St Claire, says the loss of Mohammed is a significant one, as his ‘Teach them young’ programme was instrumental in the development of most of the nation’s top riders. “The Guyana Cycling Federation and executives mourn the loss of former cycling coach Hassan Mohammed, who was the brainchild of the young National Park programme, which a number of senior cyclists would have benefitted from. The executive notes his contribution to cycling for over the decades, where he was instrumental in nurturing various champions.” Mohammed was 80 years old at the

time of his death and would have turned 81 in October. St. Claire says Mohammed taught champions the likes of Marlon Williams, Robin Persaud, and Linden Dowridge. He said plans were already in place to honour Hassan Mohammed. “The federation’s executive was on the verge of revamping the Teach Them Young cycling programme from 2027 for him to be present to open proceedings, only to be hit with this news of his passing. We hope, along with the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, can pull off a simple yet significant event before his burial.” Hassan worked as the National Cycling Coach since the 1980s for more than 40 years with the then National Sports Development Council, the forerunner of the National Sports Commission.

GUYANA Amazon Warriors Assistant Coach Ryan Hercules believes that getting the right mix of overseas and regional players is key to the team’s advancement in the 2026 edition of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League. This, he says, has become a vital factor with adjustments to the number of overseas players in the playing 11. “The overseas players you can play only four at a time, and you have to play one breakout player, which Sampson is our breakout player. Now we have got Gurbaz, and we have got Haris also on the bench. These guys who played well in Guyana on the slow, flat, spinning surfaces—that is where I think you will get the best out of them.” CPL before the competition started announced that for the 2026-2028 cycle, teams are permitted to sign up to five overseas players, with a maximum of four overseas players in the starting 11. Hercules says that preparatory work prior to the Global Super League and 2026 CPL for the regional-based players was crucial, as a hectic CPL schedule makes it tough to do much training during the competition. ‘We would have worked with a lot of young players to make sure we get them to suit the role best for them. When we are on tour, you travel, you get one day of rest, and then you play the next day or train the next day, so that day of training is to make sure you try to keep them in a good space mentally.” He says they have a long way to go in the competition “We go over to Antigua to play Falcons then we head over to Trinidad. It is going to be packed when we head to Guyana because we play about five matches in eight days, not much time for training, is just play, rest, so it is going to be a very busy schedule when we get home to Guyana, but the important thing is keep them in a safe space and make sure the bodies are ready to go.” The former Guyana player says they want to finish the away games unbeaten; looking ahead, he says they have a specific plan for each team, and they are playing each game on its merit. “We have our plan in terms of how we are going to approach the TKR game because we’d love to go home with four wins, because the Guyana conditions suit us very well, so with four wins on the road will put us a in a really good position on that table. Obviously, we want to be that team that finish number one to get that spot in the finals.” Guyana will take to the field on Sunday against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground before meeting Trinbago Knight Riders on August 31 at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Falcons deliver late drama to seal thriller See story on page 37

Shamar Springer watches a maximum sail over the boundary

Rebel Tennis Club completes intensive President Ali, GCF hail giant in local cycling, Hassan Mohammed Miami clay-court training camp See story on page 38

Rebel Tennis Club Completes Intensive Miami Clay Court Training Camp

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

See story on page 39 39

Former National Cycling Coach Hassan Mohammed

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2026