Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 23-02-2026

PPP:February23representsnation’sjourney tofullsovereignty,selfdetermination

ONthisproudoccasion ofGuyana’s56thRepublicAnniversary,the People’sProgressive Partyextendsheartfelt greetingstoallGuyaneseathomeandinthe diaspora.

February23rdstands

asapowerfulreminder ofournation’sjourneyto fullsovereigntyandself determination.Itisaday tohonourthevision,courage,andsacrificesofour foreparentswhofought tirelesslytoensurethat Guyanawouldstandasa

proudRepublic,governed byitsownpeopleand guidedbyitsowndestiny. Aswecommemorate thismilestone,wecelebratetherichdiversity thatdefinesournationand theunitythatcontinuesto strengthenus.Guyana’s

progresshasalwaysbeen builtontheresilience, hardwork,andaspirations ofitscitizens,andtoday weremaincommittedto buildingacountrywhere everyGuyanesecanshare inopportunity,prosperity, anddignity.

ThePPPreaffirmsits unwaveringdedicationto safeguardingdemocracy, defendingournational sovereignty,advancing inclusivedevelopment, andensuringthatthebenefitsofournation’sgrowth uplifteverycommunity acrossourbeautifulhomeland.

OnthisRepublicAnniversary,letusreflect onhowfarwehavecome andrenewourcollective pledgetoworktogetherforastronger,more united,andprosperous Guyana.

Happy56thRepublic Anniversary,Guyana.

THEEthnicRelations Commission(ERC)extendswarmRepublic DaygreetingstoallGuyaneseathomeandinthe Diasporaasournation proudlycommemorates its56thAnniversaryasa Republic.

OnFebruary23,1970, GuyanabecameaCo-operativeRepublic,transitioning fromtheBritishMonarchy asitsHeadofStateand affirmingoursovereignty.

Thishistoricmilestone continuestoserveasareminderofourcollective journeytowardself-determination,nationalpride, andunity.

Guyana’sRepublicDay issynonymouswithMashramani,anamederived fromourIndigenousPeoplesthattranslatesto“celebrationafterhardwork.” ThespiritofMashramani reflectsresilience,perseverance,andthesharedsacrificesofourancestorswho labouredtobuildthisnation.Itisbothacelebration ofachievementandarecog-

nitionthatnation-building requiressustainedeffort, cooperation,andmutual respect.

AsGuyanesecometogetherinvibrantdisplays ofculture,music,pageantry,andcreativity,theERC encouragesallcitizensto embracethedeepermeaningofthiscelebration. Mashramaniisnotonly afestivitybutalsoapowerfulsymbolofunityin diversity,areminderthat ourstrengthliesintheharmoniouscoexistenceofour manyethnic,cultural,and religiousconstituencies. Aswereflectonhowfar wehavecomeasanation, letuslookaheadwitha sharedsenseofpurposeand responsibility.

MaythisRepublicAnniversaryinspireustofurther strengthennationalunity, deepenmutualunderstanding,andadvancethe continueddevelopmentof Guyana.

HappyRepublicDay, andajoyfulMashramani toall.

Guyanaseeking‘best-inclass’globalpartners

ByNaomiParris

PRESIDENT,DrIrfaan AlisaysGuyanaisdeliberatelypartneringwith topglobalfirmsandis courtingMiddleEastern investorstoaccelerate developmentofamodern, export-readyfoodecosystem.

Speakinglastweekat theopeningofthe2026 EnergyConferenceand SupplyChainExpo,the HeadofStatenotedthat thecountryisleveragingits rapidlyexpandingoiland gassectortobuildresilient food-productionsystems.

Hehighlightedthe country’spartnershipwith BlumbergGrainandLogistics,theUnitedStatesU.S.basedagriculturalcompany tostrengthenGuyana’spositionasaregionalfoodhub andtoboostexportcapacity.

“Howdowebuildthis? Thequestionisnolonger howwewillbuildit;itis thatwearebuildingit.We havepartneredwiththe best:BlumbergGrains,”he said,adding:

“AndwhydidwepartnerwithBlumbergGrains? Yes,thesethingsarenot cheap,theyarecostly.But ifwewanttocreateanecosystemthatisreadyforthe worldinrelationtothestandardsthatareneededforour productstogetoutthere, thenwehavetoembracethe bestinclass.”

Theaimistoensure thatGuyanapositionsitself toaccessthebestmarkets, technologyandresources tomaintainrelevanceand sustainabilityontheglobal stage.

“Thatiswhyweare partneringwiththebestwho havedonethis,doneitwell, andtheywillhelpustoget ourscompletedontime,and doneinaccordancewiththe standardsthatarerequired,” PresidentAliasserted.

Throughstrategicinvestmentsinagriculture, GuyanahasbeenpositioningitselfastheCaribbean’s

andbyextensionLatin America’sfoodbasket, boastingself-sufficiencyin foodproduction.

Thegovernmenthas beenpursuingmoreclimate-resilientpractices, adoptingnewtechnologies andexpandingproduction, introducingnewcropsinto itsfoodecosystemsuchas corn,soyabeanandmore high-valuecrops.

“Weseefoodasaresponsibilityforus.Because ofourrichnessinfresh waterandarablelands,we nowseefoodasaresponsibilityforGuyana.That is,wehavearesponsibility toproducequalityfoodat goodpricesforthisregion andwearestartingthat processbyintegratingour foodecosystemwiththatof NorthernBrazil,transferthe technology;buildourlocal productivecapacity;build theprocessingindustryand bethemajorplayerinfood productionforthisregion andbeyond,”heexplained.

MIDDLEEAST

DrAlipointedtothe MiddleEastasakeypartner thatcouldhelpthecountry achieveitsfoodgoals.

“Andthatiswhythe MiddleEastisalsoimportant,becauseifwelockin financingfromtheMiddle Eastforthisproject,then theyhaveastakeinourdevelopment,thentheyhavea stakeinensuringthatwhat wearedoingissuccessful andtheyhaveahugemarket also,”hesaid.

Hestressedthat strengtheningpartnerships withestablishedglobal playerswillenhancethe country’ssuccessrateand fortifydiplomaticrelationshipsamongpartnersthat sharemutual,sustainable goals.

Tothisend,thePresidentnotedthatthegovernmenthasbeendeliberatein pursuingcollaborationsthat boostthecountry’seconomicstanding,whetherit’sin oilandgasoragriculture.

“Wearestrategicinthis outlookbecausewewantas

manypartnersaspossible tohaveastakeinourdevelopment,becauseifwe havemanypartnershaving astakeinourdevelopment, thentheyallhavearesponsibilitytoensurethattheir stakeissuccessfulandit enhancesoursuccessrate andcreatetheenvironment forustobesuccessful,”he said.

ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION

EvenasGuyana’soil boomcontinuestogain momentum,PresidentAli remindedthatthegovernmenthasremainedsteadfast initseffortstoensurethat

President,DrIrfaanAliaddressinglast Tuesday’sEnergyConferenceandSupply ChainExpo(DelanoWilliamsphotos)

traditionalsectorscontinue toexpandequally.

Andinpursuingadiverseportfolioofprojects inhealth,education,environmentalservicesand ecotourism,thecountry willbuildaneconomythat isresilientandcapableof maintainingsustainability inthefuture.

“Thethirdaspectofleveragingourrapidlyexpandingoilandgassector istopropeleconomicdiversificationandthisis important.Ididnotsay financialdiversification; Isaideconomicdiversification,becauseeconomic diversificationisdifferent. Itbringswithitinvest-

mentforsocialservices.It bringswithitinvestmentin infrastructure,investment inenhancingourcompetitiveness,investmentin marketing,andactuallyinvestmentindiversification ofoureconomyandyouare seeingthis.”

Headded:“Weare buildinganeconomy,as youhaveseen,toposition Guyanaasaleaderineducationalservices;health services;environmental services;climateservices; ecotourism;foodmanufacturingandindustrial development,allatthe sametimewhileensuring thatourenergyworksto ouradvantage.”

Guns,fashionableclothesanddeath threats:HowgangsinHaitiensnarechildren

A16-year-oldHaitianboy hasbeentalkingabout howhewasluredinto workingforacriminal gangbutthenthreatened withdeathwhenhesaid hewouldnotfightagainst thepolice.

Josephisoneofanincreasingnumberofchildrenwhoarejoininggangs inHaiti,aCaribbeanisland nationwhichisexperiencingoverlappingsecurity, humanitarianandgovernancecrises.

Some1.4millionpeoplehavebeenforcedto fleetheirhomesbecause ofgangviolenceandthousandsmorehavedied.

Joseph,ayoungboyinHaiti,joinsaUNbackedprogrammetopreventrecruitmentinto gangs(UNICEF/Heroldphoto)

Morerobustprotection measuresforchildrenin gang-affectedcommunities arebeinghighlightedina newreportreleasedbythe UNinHaiti.

ReadJoseph’saccount

ofganglife: “Igrewupinapoor neighbourhoodwhere gangscontrolledeverything.Isawarmedmen inthestreetsallthetime. Somewerewell-dressed,

hadnicecars,andwere surroundedbywomen. Theyweretheoneswho madetherulesinour neighbourhood.

Foruschildren,itwas normal.Wedidn’thave manyopportunitiestoplay sportsorhavefun,and therereallywasn’tany hopeforthefuture.

Oneday,towardsthe endofAugust2024,Iwas hangingoutwithafriend, andhetoldmethathewas partofagang.Hetalked tomeaboutallthepositive thingstheganggavehim, likemoneyandthefeeling ofbeingimportant.Hetold meIshouldjointhemtoo.

Twoforeignersincustody overseizedshotguns

TWOforeignnationalsare incustodyfollowingthe discoveryoftwo12-gauge shotgunsintheirposses-

sionwhileinthevicinity ofParika,EastBankEssequibo,theCustomsAnti-NarcoticUnit(CANU)

hasdisclosed.

Accordingtoapressrelease,onSaturday,February 21,2026,CANUOfficers, actingoninformationreceived,conductedanoperationinthevicinityof Parika,EastBankEssequibo, wheretheyinterceptedtwo suspects.

Asubsequentsearchof thetwosuspectsrevealed

two12-gaugeshotguns, CANUsaid.

Thereleaseaddedthat JorllisLacourtandArgenis Perez,whoarebothVenezuelannationals,werearrested andhandedovertoranksof GuyanaPoliceForce,atthe ParikaPoliceStationalong withthefirearms.

Investigationsareongoing.

IhesitatedbecauseIknew itwasdangerous,butIdecidedtogiveitatry.

ATTACKINGTHE POLICE

ShortlyafterIjoined, agangmembergaveme aradioandaskedmeto monitorthepoliceand informthegangoftheir movements.Thenthegang leadergavemeafirearm. Therewererumoursof amajorpoliceoperation, andIwastoldthatIwould havetofightthepolice.I wasafraid,becauseIdid notwanttobekilled.Itold thegangleaderthatIwantedtogohome.Hebecame veryangryandstruckme

withtheweapon.Hehitme repeatedlyuntilhebroke myhand.Hetoldmethat ifItriedtoleave,hewould killme.

EventhoughIwas veryafraidtoconfront thepolice,Imanaged toescapeshortlyafterwards.Someoneinmy communitytoldmeabout anorganizationthat couldhelpmegetmedical careandsupport.IcontactedtheminSeptember 2024and,sincethen,they havebeenhelpingme throughcounsellingand supporttocopewitheverythingIwentthrough.”

(UNNews)

‘Ourrepublicisstrong, prosperous,respected’

-PresidentAlihailsGuyana’sriseonglobalstage,economicgrowthasnation ushersin56thRepublicAnniversarywithdazzlingcultural,militaryspectacle

ByNaomiParris

ONtheeveofGuyana’s 56thRepublicAnniversary,thenationstood poisedbetweenreflectionandcelebration,as President,DrIrfaanAli declaredthatthecountry isnow“strong,secure, prosperousandrespected,”nolongeraquiet footnoteininternational affairsbutarecognised leaderinclimateaction andsustainabledevelopment.

Onthelawnsofthe PublicBuildings,militarybandsdeliveredstirringrenditionsofpatriotictunes,theirbrassand melodiesechoingthrough thenightairasranksof uniformedofficersmoved indisciplinedsynchrony.

PrecisiondrillsandceremonialmarchesunderscoredthestrengthandsecurityPresidentAlispoke ofinhisnationaladdress, offeringavisualtestament tothecountry’sresilience andsovereignty.

Culturaltroupesfollowed,transformingthe stageintoalivingtapestry oftheGuyaneseidentity.

Dancersadornedinelaboratecostumespaidhomagetothenation’sdiverse heritage,weavingtradition withcontemporaryflair.

Inhisaddress,PresidentAliemphasisedthat therepublic’sprosperityis rootednotonlyineconomicgrowth,butintargeted investmentsthatenrich lives.

Hepointedtoadvancementsineducation, healthcareandinfrastructuresuchasnewroads, bridgesandportsdesigned

tocatalyseproductionfor generationsaspillarsof amoreinclusivesociety. Theseinvestments,hesaid, areactivelyreducinginequalityandensuringthat nocitizenisleftbehind.

“Weareweavinganationwherenooneisleft behind.Wearebuildinga republicthatisaportrait ofitspeople,andthatportraitremainsunfinished untileveryfaceispainted withdignity,”thePresident said.

Hehighlightedtoothe

empowermentofIndigenouscommunities,the dynamismofyouthand theleadershipofwomen asessentialtobuildinga moresecureanddemocraticfuture.

“Onthis56thanniversary,Isaywithoutfear ofcontradictionthatour republicisstrong,itis secure,itisprosperous,it isrespected,itisdemocratic,”hesaid.

AndastheGoldenArrowhead,Guyana’snationalflagwashoisted forthe56thtimeincommemorationofthecountry becomingarepublic,the President’scallfornational prideresonatedbeyond thefestivities.

HechargedeveryGuyanesetoreflectontheir roleinstrengtheningthe republic,insistingthat prideandunityarerespon-

sibilitiesnooneelsecan shoulderonthenation’s behalf.

“Letitbesaidofus thatwedidnotmerely inherittherepublic.We madeitbetter.Letitbe knownthatwedidnot simplyoccupyaland. Welifteditandletit berememberedthatin buildingournation,we buildeachother,”the Presidentsaid.

Mashramani:celebratingouridentity

MASHRAMANI, our“celebrationafter hardwork,”isnot simplyanannualholiday.Itisareflection ofourjourneyasarepublicandareminder ofthecollectiveeffort thathasshapedmodernGuyana.Since 1970,whenweproudlyembracedrepublicanstatus,Mashramanihasstoodasa culturalanchor,amomentwhenthenation pausestocelebrate achievements,unity andresilience.

Today,thatcelebrationcarriesevendeeper

meaning.Guyanais undergoingrapidtransformationandamidthis progress,cultureremainsaunifyingforce thatbindsourpeople together.Fromthe youngestchildwaving theGoldenArrowhead totheelderswhowitnessedthebirthofthe Republic,Mashramani belongstoallofus. Fromthehinterland tothecoastline,every communitytakespart. Itisouridentity.Itis whoweare.

Undertheleadership ofPresident,DrIrfaan Ali,therehasbeena

renewedanddeliberate focusoncultureasa driverofnationalpride andopportunity.The government’sattention towhathascometobe knownasthe“orange” economy,recognises thatthecreativeand culturalindustriesare notperipheral,butare centraltoGuyana’sdevelopmentstory.Investmentsinfestivals, communitycultural programmes,support forlocalartistsandexpandedplatformsfor creativeexpressionall pointtoabroadervision--aGuyanawhere

creativitythrivesalongsideeconomicgrowth.

Thisyear’sMashramanitheme,“ExpressingOurCulture ThroughInnovation andCreativity,”highlightsunity,culture andbuildingthefuture, whichmirrorsthatvision.Ithighlightsthe understandingthatdevelopmentmustbeinclusive,reflectingthe voices,talentsandtraditionsofallGuyanese. Whenpeopleacross regions,backgrounds andgenerationscome togetherincelebration, theyreinforceashared

nationalspiritthatno economicstatisticalone canmeasure. Importantly,thisculturalpushspeaksdirectlytothenextgeneration.YoungGuyanese aregrowingupina countrythatisnotonly expandingeconomically,butisalsoembracingitsculturalwealth. Theyareseeingtheir music,dance,fashion, literatureanddigital creativityrecognised asvaluablecontributionstothenational landscape.Thatvalidationfostersprideand encouragesinnovation,

ensuringthattherepublic’sfutureremains rootedinitscultural strength. Mashramani,therefore,ismorethana commemorationofour republic’sanniversary. Itisalivingexpressionofunity,creativityandprogress.It remindsusthatwhile Guyanacontinuesto buildroads,bridges andindustries,itmust alsocontinuetonurturetheculturalheartbeatthatdefinesusas onepeople,onenation, withasharedandconfidentfuture.

TheRamadanVillageisatangible manifestationoftheOneGuyanafamily

DearEditor,

INtheQuranChapter49, verse13,itreads,“Omankind!Verily,wehavecreatedyoualloutofamaleand afemale,.andhavemade youintonationsandtribes, sothatyoumightcometo knowoneanother.Verily, thenoblestofyouinthe

sightofGodistheonewho ismostdeeplyconscious ofHim.Behold,Godis all-knowing,all-aware.”

Thenobleguest,the monthofRamadanisnigh, andonSunday,February15, wewitnessedyetanother LaunchoftheRamadan Village,thebrainchildof thedynamicandvisionary

DrMohamedIrfaanAli,the PresidentoftheCo-operative RepublicofGuyana.

Inhisusualpeerless style,HisExcellencyexpoundedonthenotionof consciousnessorTaqwaas itisreferredtoinIslamic terminologyinamanner thatwouldhavebroughta smiletoanyscholarofIslam

presentthere. Everyweekendduring theholymonthofRamadan, thelawnsoftheMuslim YouthOrganisation(MYO) becomesaspacethatbuzzeswithspiritualactivity andcommunalcelebration, markedbyfasting,nightly prayers,andthestrengtheningofcommunitybonds.

Thisisasharedandsafe spacewhereeverynationality,everyethnicityand everyreligiondescendto experienceatrueGuyanese Ramadan. Ramadanhasthepowertotransformusall.Fastingisacomprehensiveact ofworshipthatencompassesthephysical,mental,

andspiritualaspectsofa person'slife.TheRamadan villageasenvisionedbyHis Excellencycomplements thisandfurtherprovides anotherplatformtounite ournationundertheOne GuyanaFamily. BestRegards, SafraazAhmadShadood

ForbesBurnham’s birthdaynextto Mashramani

FORBESBurnhamwas bornthreedaysbefore thedateofMashramani. IcanrecallmanyGuyanese,includingRaviDev, expressingtheopinionthat Burnhamputtheeventon thisdaysoitwouldbeclose tohisbirthday.

Noonewilleverknowif thatwasBurnham’sintention becauseBurnhamdidn’t writeabouthislife.Isuspect thereasonhedidn’twas becausehewasstillavery youngpresident(hediedat 62),whofelthehadmany yearsofpowerleftinhim. Hecertainlyknewpower wasguaranteedbecausehe tenaciouslyembracedthe contentsofMachiavelli’s politicaltext,“ThePrince.” Machiavellifeltthatpower onceacquiredshouldbejealouslyprotectedatallcost.

Onceinpower,Burnham didnotallowalegallyconductednationalelection.He didauthorisehisunderlings toopendiscussionswiththe PPPforajointslateforthe 1985nationalelection.The

detailsofthosecovenants arecapturedinthebookby HalimMajeed(Guyana’s currentenvoytoCuba)titled, “ForbesBurnham:National ReconciliationandNational Unity,1984–1985.”

Thereisnooutlinein Majeed’sbookthatifthere wasaunifiedslateforfuture electionshowthepresidency wouldhavebeenshaped. Interestingly,MrsJanetJaganstayedclearoftheunity covenantsbecauseshedidn’t trustBurnham.ClementRoheewaspartoftheunity confabulationsbutinhis autobiography,hewasextremelydisappointinginnot providingnotesontheunity meetings,soonedoesnot knowwhatthepresidential power-sharingwouldhave beenlikewhenthecoalition becameasuccess.Ithink Burnhamwouldhavebeen forcedtoacceptpresidential power-sharingwithJaganby theUSSRandCastro.

SincehisbirthanniversarylastFriday,therehave beenanoutpouringofeu-

logies,butthepresentations havefollowedtheworn-out tracksoverthepastdecades andendupboringthereader.ThePNCalignedonline newspaper,VillageVoice, carriedanumberofarticles praisingBurnham.Oneof twothingshappened:either theeditorshowedthewriters eachother’sanalysisand theydecidedtorepeatwhat eachotherwrote.

Oralternatively,there wasnothingnewtowrite,so theyeachendedupchurning outthesameoldsermon –harbourbridge,Canje bridge,NIS,MMAscheme, refrigerationcompany,NationalFlourMillandSanata TextileMillandclaybrick factory.Inalltheeulogies ofBurnhamsincehis1985 death,itisthesamedescriptioneveryyear.In2027, andyearstofollow,onthe observationofthebirthanniversary,itwillbethesame stuckrecord.

MarkBenschopandformerGeorgetownmayor, UbrajNarine,becamecom-

icalintheirpraiseofBurnhamthisyear.Narinewrote: “Atacriticalmomentin ourhistory,hechampioned politicalstability,territorial integrity,andnationalunity.”Thisisbothhilarious andmoronic.

Narinewasn’tbornwhen Burnham’sstyleofgovernancecreatednationalchaos,weakenednationalunity andcausedtheVenezuelans toinvokeitsclaimonGuyana.BythetimeWalterRodneyarrivedonthepolitical scenein1974,Burnham’s popularitywassolowthat Rodneybecameanovernightsensation.Narine,if heisgoingtoremainin politics,needstoread.There isnoreplacementinpolitics forvoraciousreading.The CommissionofInquiryinto Rodney’sassassinationcited Burnham’sroleintheaffair.

LikeNarine,Benschop doesn’tread.Inofferinghis admirationonBurnham’s birthanniversary,thefirst

achievementthatcameout ofBurnham’smouthwas NationalService.Benschop citedanaccomplishment ofBurnhamthatbecame Burnham’snemesis.CompulsoryNationalService madeBurnhamadespicable despotintheeyesofthe Guyanesepeople,andhe wasdemonisedwhenstories ofmistreatmentoffemale UGstudentsbecameknown.

TheruleofForbesBurnhamfrom1968tohisdeath in1985wasthethirdmost terribleperiodinGuyanesehistoryafterslavery, thencolonialism.Youdon’t knowiftotreatascomical, asinineordangerousthe denigrationsofthepresent PPPgovernmentandtheAli presidencybypeoplewho showeremotionalpraiseon Burnham.

Youcan’thelpimagining whatwillhappeninGuyana ifPresidentAlidoesone percentofthetotalitarian, Machiavellianthingsthat

Burnhamdidtothiscountry. PresidentAliannounced themottoof“OneGuyana” andsomehaveinstantly rejectedit.Burnhamcomposedanationaldocument namedtheDeclarationof Sophia,whichstipulatedthat thePeople’sNationalCongressasthepartyinpower willhaveparamountcyover allstateinstitutions.IncontemporaryGuyanesehistory, itisreferredtoas“paramountcyoftheparty.”Next yearthepantomimewill continue.Butwhenyouadmirealeader,Isupposeyou writenicethingsabouthim/ hereveniftheparagraphs smellworsethandeadmeat.

DISCLAIMER:The viewsandopinionsexpressedinthiscolumnare solelythoseoftheauthor anddonotnecessarily reflecttheofficialpolicy orpositionoftheGuyana NationalNewspapersLimited.

DiasporapartnershipcentraltoGuyana’snext phaseofdevelopment—AmbassadorBrothersonsays

GUYANA’Stransformationstoryisincompletewithoutitsdiasporaandtherelationship mustmovebeyondremittancestoco-investment partnerships,AmbassadorMichaelBrotherson declaredonSundayas headdressedaninterfaithserviceandbrunch receptioninBrooklyn, NewYork,tomarkthe country’s56thRepublic Anniversary.

Deliveringremarkson behalfofAmbassadorCarolynRodrigues-Birkett atStGabriel’sEpiscopal Church,Brotherson,who istheConsulGeneralof GuyanatoNewYork,told membersoftheGuyanese diasporathatthegovernmentisactivelypositioningthemasco-investors andcollaboratorsinthe nation’snextphaseofdevelopment,signallinga shiftfromsymbolicties tostructuredengagement

AmbassadorMichaelBrothersondelivering remarksattheinterfaithserviceandbrunch receptioninBrooklyn,NewYork,tocommemorate Guyana’s56thRepublicAnniversary

inGuyana’sexpanding economy.

Hesaidtheanniversary wasnotonlyamomentof reflectiononGuyana’sattainmentofrepublicanstatusonFebruary23,1970, butalsoanopportunityto assessthecountry’srapid progressandtheevolving

roleofGuyaneseabroadin sustainingthatmomentum.

“Today,however,the relationshipbetweenGuyanaanditsDiasporais evolving.Itisnolonger definedsolelybysentimentaltiesorremittances. Instead,itisnowrooted inpartnership,”Brother-

sonsaid,whileextending greetingsfromPresident, DrMohamedIrfaanAli andtheGovernmentand peopleofGuyana.

Addressingagatheringthatincludedreligious leaders,diasporarepresentatives,Caribbeanconsular officialsandmembersof themedia,theAmbassador underscoredthatpeople remainatthecentreof Guyana’sdevelopment, aligningwiththegovernment’s2026Budgetphilosophythatdevelopment mustbebythepeopleand forthepeople.

Hepointedtothe $1.558trillionnational budgetasevidenceofa deliberatestrategytotranslateeconomicgrowthinto tangibleimprovementsin citizens’lives,highlightingongoinginvestments ineducation,healthcare, housing,wateraccess,and infrastructure.

Thenewteachers’ evaluationpoints systemshould berevised

RECENTLY,theMinistryofEducationreleased anewpointssystemthat willapplytothepromotionofteachersforthe currentroundofpromotionstoseniorpositionsinschoolsacross thecountry.Letmesay fromtheoutsetthatI believethepointsregime isdefectiveanddoesnot reflectthenationalrealities.

Iamsimplywriting onanissuethathasgrave implicationsforthedevelopmentofthenation. Irecogniseanattemptto incentiviseacquisitionof higher-educationdegrees byteachers.However,this seemstobecouchedin avacuum.Thecurrent structure,bydesign,has stretchedbackintohistory anderasesabigpartofthe verystructurethatheldthe systemup,therebydiscardingamajorpartofthe existentialrealitiesofour educationsystem.Letme hastentoexplain.

Thecurrentpointssystemgivesnopointsand recognitiontoanytime spentintheclassroom whilehavinganuntrained status.Thisshouldnotbe, givenourhistorywherea significantproportionof schoolswerestaffedal-

mostentirelybyuntrained teachers.Ifthissoundsextreme,letmeputitanother way.Fromabout15years goingback,amongthe staffcomplementofmost schoolsaroundthecountry,thegreaternumber ofteachersinthesystem wereuntrained.Thiswas especiallytrueforrural andriverainschools.There wereseveralfactors.Inthe earlierdays,theCyrilPotterCollegeofEducation (CPCE)ranonlyonecampusinGeorgetown,cateringfortheentirenation. Naturally,onlyacertain quotacouldgainentry. So,teachershadtoremain untrainedwhiletheywait theirturn,throughnofault oftheirs.Itwassimplya lackofaccess. Nevertheless,theycontributedtoholdingthesystemtogetherandpicked upvaluableexperiences inclassroommanagement, teachingandeverything elsethatgoeswiththe profession.Iwillgosofar astosaythat20yearsago ifalluntrainedteachers wereremovedfromthe systeminoneday,our entireeducationsystem would’vecollapsed.That’s howvaluabletheywere. Now,tocome20-25years laterafterthoseteachers

(stillinthesystemand) enduredthoseharderand darkerdaysandcompletelydisacknowledgetheir contributionsisatravesty.

Withtheadventof branchesofCPCEinthe outerregionswhichprovideexpandedaccessto training(overthelast1015)yearsorso,alongwith theministrytakingdecisivestepstoenableand ensurethat100percent ofteachershaveaccess totraining,thereisnow noexcusefornotseeking training.Theministryis wellwithinitsscopeto disincentiviseuntrained status.Thisisapplicable forthecurrentsituation, butitwouldbepatentlyunfairtoreachback 15,20,25yearsagoand derecogniseeffortsalready inthebag.So,thesystem wouldbefairerandreasonableifitgaverecognitionpointstountrained teachersuptoacertain timeperiod.

Thesameappliesto thosewhoweretrained backinthosedays.Itwas nearlyimpossibletoattend universityifyouwerea ruralorhinterlandteacher. Itwasfirstnecessaryto applytoandwaityearsto beassignedateachingspot inGeorgetown,thengoon

awaitinglisttoattendour loneuniversity.Onlyfour teacherswereallowedper aschoolatanygiventime. Ifateacheristhenineth inline,hewasrequiredto waiteightyearstoallow twobatchestocomplete theirdegrees.Thisdoesn’t takeintoconsideration thatsometeachershad setbacksandtookadditionaltimetocomplete theirdegrees.Thislackof accessmeantthatteachersremainedundergrads muchlongerthanthey desired,butkeptonthe grindpickingupvaluable experience.Afterenduring allofthis,thenewpoints regimegivesscantvalue tonon-degreeholdersof yesteryear.

Myargumenthereis thesameasabove,itis probablyeasiernowtoaccessuniversityeducation, butthiswasnotso15, 20or25yearsago.Ifthe pointssystemusestoday’s realitytoevaluatepeople whoareinthesystemfrom 20,25and30yearsago,a

naturaldisenfranchisement willtakeplace. Iunderstandthedesire toincentivisehigherdiplomasanddegrees,but awarding14pointsfor attaininga“TrainedGraduate”statusbut18additionalpointsforgaining amaster’sdegree.Somethingisoutofsyncifat thesametimethereisnot aconcomitantrecognition foryearsofgraduateservice.

Atrainedgraduateused tobethegoldstandardand corequalificationinteachinguptolastmonth.

AG$10,000incentive wasgivenforamaster’s degree.Suddenly,amaster’s,whichisamereadd on,isnowworthmore thanthecorequalification andallthe20plusyears ofclassroomexperience puttogether.Thiscan’tbe rightinanyfairsystem.

Iwouldliketousethis forumtocallontheChief EducationOfficerandhis technicalstafftorevise thispointssystem.Iun-

derstandwhatisbeingattempted,butithasmissed themarkbigtime.Ihope theplayersarehumble enoughtoreconsidertheir output.

Initscurrentform,it willdisenfranchiseanuntoldnumberofteachers, especiallythosewhoupto lastmonthhadreachedthe goldstandard. Incidentally,Ihavea MAdegree,whichwasa doubledegreeandjoint awardfromtwoleading Germanuniversities, oneofwhichistheBerlinSchoolofEconomics.OnedegreeinInternationalEconomics andtheotherinLabour Policies,forwhichthese technicalissuesformed amajorcomponent.So, apartfrommycommentaryonapublic-interestmatter,Ibelieve Iamqualifiedtospeak onthissubject.Please considerthethinkingespousedinthealternative tablebelow.

Diasporapartnershipcentral...

AccordingtoBrotherson,newschools,expandedtechnicalandvocational training,scholarships,and enhanceduniversityand professionaldevelopment supportarebeingrolled outtoequipyoungGuyanesewithgloballycompetitiveskills,whileencouragingthemtocontribute meaningfullyathome.

Healsoreferencedthe constructionofnewregionalhospitalsandthe upgradingofexisting healthfacilities,notingthat theaimistoensurethat familiescanaccessquality andspecialisedmedical carelocallywithouthaving toseektreatmentoverseas.

Onthesocial-developmentfront,hesaidexpandedhousingprogrammes, improvedwateraccess, andtargetedsupportfor vulnerablegroupsareensuringthatthebenefitsof growthareinclusiveand people-focused.Meanwhile,majorinfrastructural andenergyinitiatives,includingthegas-to-energy projectandroad-network expansion,arelayingthe groundworkforlong-term prosperityandinvestment.

“Theseinvestmentsare notjustprojects,theyare opportunitiesfordiaspora partnerships,knowledge exchange,andco-creation

oflastingimpact,”hesaid, emphasisingthatthegovernmentstandsreadyto co-investwithdiaspora memberswhoareprepared toreturnhometobuild, innovate,andcontribute theirexpertiseandcapital.

Brothersonreminded attendeesthattheGuyanesediasporahaslong beenapillarofnational strength,sustainingfamiliesandcommunities throughremittances,professionalexpertise,entrepreneurship,philanthropy, andculturalpreservation.

HenotedthatGuyanese abroadhavedistinguished themselvesacrossdiverse fieldsincludingfilm,academia,athletics,politics, medicine,andtheculinary arts,therebyraisingGuyana’sprofileglobally.

He,however,urged thatthediaspora’srole mustnowexpandtoensure thatGuyana’stransformationremainssustainable andgloballycompetitive. “Guyanaisnotsimply invitingyoutoobserveits transformationfromafar, weareinvitingyoutohelp shapeit,”hesaid.

Drawingonthelocal adage“One,onedutty builddam,”Brotherson saidthecountry’sprogress hasbeenbuiltstepbystep throughcollectiveeffort bycitizensathomeand

abroad,addingthatthe workofnation-buildingis ongoing.

Healsocalledonmembersofthediasporato remainunitedintheiradvocacyforGuyana,cautioningagainstdivisivenessandurgingthatthe Guyanesespiritofrespect, care,andtemperanceguide interactions,particularlyin theageofdigitalcommunication.

“Aswecommemorate 56yearsasarepublic, letusrecommitourselves

tounityforpurpose.Let usstrengthenthebridge betweenhomelandand diaspora.Letusinvestnot onlyinprojects,but[also] inpeople,”hesaid.

Theeventformed partofcommemorative activitiesheldinNew YorktomarkGuyana’s RepublicAnniversary, celebratingthecountry’s progresswhilereinforcingthecriticalroleofits globaldiasporainshapingthenation’sfuture trajectory.

AmbassadorBrothersonreceivesacitationfrom NewYorkAssemblywomanMoniqueChandlerWaterman,duringthebrunchreception followingtheinterfaithservice

sovereignty-PresidentAli

PRESIDENT,DrIrfaanAli hasreaffirmedGuyana’s steadfastcommitmenttodefendingitsterritorialintegrity,insistingthathistoryand internationallawclearlysupportthecountry’sposition inthelong-runningborder controversywithVenezuela.

OntheeveofGuyana’s 56thRepublicAnniversary, PresidentAliemphasisedthat hisadministrationhasassembled“anableandcapable team”topresentGuyana’scase onthevalidityofthe1899ArbitralAwardbeforetheInternationalCourtofJustice(ICJ).

“Whenitcomestothe defenceofourterritory,we've assembledanableandcapable teamtoarguethevalidityof the1899arbitralawardbeforetheInternationalCourtof Justice,”hesaid,assertingfurther:“Letnoonebemistaken. Historyandinternationallaw areonourside.Ourborders aresacred,andwewilldefend them.”

TheICJwillbeginhearingsonthemeritsinthecase betweenGuyanaandVenezuelaonMonday,May4,2026.

BackinAugust2025,Venezuelafileditsrejoinderinthe ongoingcaseconcerningthe ArbitralAwardofOctober3,

1899. Thefiling,madeonMonday,August11,2025,comes withinthedeadlinesetby thecourt’sorderofJune14, 2024.Therejoinderresponds toGuyana’sreply,whichwas submittedinDecember2024, andmarkstheconclusionof thewrittenphaseoftheproceedings.

Thesehearingswillbe followedbythecourt’sdeliberationsandthedeliveryofits

finaljudgment.Thedecision, onceissued,willbebinding onbothGuyanaandVenezuela underinternationallaw.

PresidentAliusedtheoccasiontopaytributetoGuyana’ssecurityforces,thanking themenandwomeninuniform fortheir“selflessservice” andunderscoringthenation’s collectiveresolvetouphold itsconstitutionalandterritorial rights.

Theheadofstatealso

acknowledgedmembersof thediplomaticcorpsfortheir “steadfastsupportforour country,oursovereigntyand ourterritorialintegrity,”recognisingtheimportanceof internationalsolidarityinthe ongoinglegalanddiplomatic efforts.

1899ARBITRALAWARD

OnOctober3,1899,the ArbitralTribunaldelivered itsunanimousAward,which determinedtheboundarybetweenVenezuelaandBritish Guiana(“the1899Award”). TheAwardwastheculminationofarbitralproceedings duringwhichtherespective territorialclaimsofGreat BritainandVenezuelawere addressedatgreatlengthand indetailbydistinguishedlegalcounselrepresentingthe twostates,includingthrough manythousandsofpagesof writtensubmissionsandmore than200hoursoforalhearings beforetheArbitralTribunal.

ThecasebeforetheICJ concernsVenezuela’scontentionthatthe1899Arbitral Award,whichestablishedthe boundarybetweenthetwo countries,isnullandvoid. Guyanahasmaintainedthat theawardisavalidandbindinglegalinstrumentthatset-

tledtheborderoveracentury ago.

Inaccordancewiththe GenevaAgreement,Guyana andVenezuelaengagedinover twodecadesofGoodOffices effortsunderUnitedNations’ (UN)Secretaries-Generalauspices,inanattempttofinda peacefuldiplomaticresolution.

However,onJanuary30, 2018,aftertheprocesshad failedtoproducemeaningfulprogress,theUNSecretary-Generalconcludedthat theGoodOfficesinitiativehad ranitscourse.

InaccordancewithArticleIV(2)oftheGeneva Agreement,heexercisedhis authorityandselectedjudicial settlementbytheICJasthe nextmethodofresolution.

Guyana,inaccordance withtheSecretary-General’s decision,filedanapplication withtheICJonMarch29, 2018,seekingarulingonthe validityofthe1899Arbitral Awardandtheboundaryit established.

Venezuela,ratherthan co-operate,challengedthe court’sjurisdiction,onceagain arguingthattheGenevaAgreementdidnotallowforjudicial proceedings.

Afterreceivingextensive

writtensubmissionsfromboth partiesandholdingoralhearingsinJune2020,thecourt issueditsjudgmentonjurisdictiononDecember18,2020.

Thecourtfoundthat: “GuyanaandVenezuelamutuallyconferredupontheSecretary-Generaltheauthorityto choosethemeansofsettlement ofthecontroversy,andon 30thJanuary2018,theSecretary-Generalexercisedthis authoritybychoosingjudicial settlementbeforetheCourt.”

ThecourtaffirmeditsjurisdictiontohearGuyana’sapplicationregardingthevalidity oftheArbitralAwardandthe relatedissueofthedefinitive settlementoftheland-boundarycontroversybetweenGuyanaandVenezuela.

Guyanahasgainedinternationalbacking,withCARICOM,TheCommonwealth, theEuropeanUnion(EU), theOrganisationofAmerican States(OAS),andotherglobal partnersreaffirmingsupport foritsposition.

Theyhavecondemned Venezuela’srecentaggressionagainstGuyana’ssovereignterritory,warningthatit heightenstensionsandjeopardisespeaceandstability acrosstheregion.

PublicUtilitiesandAviationMinistryto boostnationalcompetitiveness–PresidentAli

PRESIDENT,DrIrfaan

AlionSaturdaypositionedthenewlyestablishedMinistryofPublic UtilitiesandAviationas acornerstoneofGuyana’spushtostrengthen nationalcompetitiveness,accelerateinfrastructuraldeliveryand optimisethecountry’s energyandwaterassets inarapidlyexpanding economy.

SpeakingatthecommissioningoftheFive MilesBarticaWater TreatmentPlantinRegionSeven,theHeadof Statesaidthecreation oftheministryreflectsa deliberateshifttoensure thatutilityandaviation serviceskeeppacewith thecountry’sunprecedenteddevelopmenttrajectoryandrisingglobal integration.

AccordingtoPresidentAli,theefficiencyof

publicutilitieswillbeone ofthedefiningmetricsof Guyana’seconomiccompetitivenessinthecoming years.

“Themostimportantmarkerofnational efficiencyandnational competitivenessisthe

PresidentDrIrfaanAli

efficiencywithwhichour publicutilitiesdeliver service.Howfastsomeonecangettheelectricityconnection,howfast someonecangetawater connection,howreliable istheresidentialsupply, ”hesaid.

Heexplainedthatas Guyanaexperiencesacceleratedgrowthdriven byhousingexpansion, newhospitals,airports, hotelsandindustrialdevelopment,thedemand forreliableandtimely utilityserviceswillin-

PresidentAiandMinisterofPublicUtilitiesand Aviation,DeodatIndar,inspectingtheFiveMiles BarticaWaterTreatmentPlantinRegionSeven duringthecommissioningonSaturday TURNTOPAGE13

tensify,requiringacoordinatedinstitutionalresponse. Thispolicydirection isreinforcedbythesubstantialbudgetarybacking providedfortheministry. Approximately$140billionhasbeenapprovedby

theNationalAssembly’s CommitteeofSupplyfor theMinistryofPublic UtilitiesandAviation, headedbyMinisterDeodatIndar. Theallocationcomprises$103.6billionfor

‘Farminginthepalm’tobelaunchedsoon

-newappwillprovideliveweatherupdates,market,soildatatofarmers -digitalfisherfolkmarkettocomeonstreambyMarchmonth-end,MinisterMustaphaannounces

ByNaomiParris

WITHanewagriculture app,aregionaldatahuband satellite-trackedfishingvessels,theMinistryofAgricultureisacceleratingitsdigital-transformationagenda, signallingwhatMinisterZulfikarMustaphadescribesas anewchapterwithfarming andfoodproductionmoving beyondtraditionalmethods.

“Inanotherweekfrom now,Iwillbelaunchingan appwhereanyonecango onthatappandgetallthe informationonagriculture… So,you'regettingtheweather forecast,”MinisterMustapha saidduringaSundayairingof the‘StartingPoint’podcast.

Theapplication,‘Farminginthepalm’willprovide weatherforecastsanddetailed soilmapsacrossthecountry throughtheNationalAgriculturalResearchandExtension Institute(NAREI).

Userswillbeableto searchspecificareas,suchas BlackBushPolderorLinden, andreceiveguidanceonthe typesofcropsbestsuitedto thoseareas,alongwithadvice onmarketpotential.

“Alltheinformationrelatedtoagriculturewillbeinone app,andeverybodycanget that.Sothatisthefirstonewe willdigitalise,”hesaid.

Additionally,theministry

isconstructingadatacentre andsituationroomwhich theministerhopeswillbe commissionedbyPresident, DrIrfaanAli,byMarch.Accordingtohim,thefacility isapproximately75percent completeandisintendedto servenotonlyGuyana,butthe widerCaribbean.

“Wehaveonecentre likethatintheentireCaribbeanandLatinAmerica inCostaRica,whereIICA

[Inter-AmericanInstitutefor CooperationonAgriculture] hasitsheadquarters.Wewent there,andthePresidentsaw it,andhesaidthatweshould buildoneinGuyana.Weare about75percentcompletealready.So,hopefullybyMarch, wecancommissionthat.You willhavetheweatherforthe entireregion.You'llhavewhat kindofcropyoucouldplant invariouscountries;youwill havewhattypeofsoilsexistin thesecountries,andanumber ofinformation,”hesaid.

DIGITALFISHERFOLK MARKET

Turningtothefisheries sector,theministersaida digitalmarketingplatformfor fisherswillalsobelaunched bytheendofMarch.

Heacknowledgedthat manyinthesectorhavebeen slowtoembracetechnology, preferringtraditionalmethods, butstressedtheneedforculturalchange.

“Fisherfolkstoday,you know,inthefishingindustry, likeotheragriculturesub-sectors,farmersdon'ttaketechnologyseriously.Theywant todothingshowtheyusedto doitbefore,howtheirparents usedtodothings.So,wewant tochangethatconcept.We wanttochangethatculture,” hesaid.

Fundsforthishavebeen allocatedinthe2026national budget.

MinisterMustaphaalso highlightedongoingupgrades tolandingsitesandwharves

acrossthecountry,aswell astheinstallationoftracking devicesonfishingvesselsto enhancesafetyatsea.

Morethan500vessels arenowequippedwiththe devices,whicharemonitored fromacentralstationtoallow authoritiestotrackandassist boatsindistress.

“Wearenowtransforming allthelandingsitesandwharf [sic]acrossthiscountry.We havepurchasedthesetrackingdevicesthatweplaceon vessels,sowhentheygoout thereandtheyencounterdifficulties,wecanknowwhich partandtracktheminthesea andgetthembacksafelyto land.

“ThatwasanotherinitiativethatwelaunchedwhenI becameMinisterofAgriculture.So,wehaveover500 vesselsnowthathavethese trackingdevices,andwehave acentralstationthatcanmonitorthesevessels,”headded.

Healsorevealedthatthe ministryhasbeenworking torevitalisefisherfolkorganisationsnationwideandis developingacomprehensive databaseoffishersincollaborationwithrepresentatives fromvariousregions.

Thecombinedinitiatives, hesaid,formpartofabroader efforttomoderniseagricultureandfisheries,improve productivityandbuildresiliencethroughdata-driven decision-making.

TheGuyanaChronicle hadpreviouslyreportedthat

thesenewdigitalinitiatives willbepursuedinpartnership withkeyinternationalbodies, includingtheInter-American InstituteforCooperationon Agriculture(IICA)andthe FoodandAgricultureOrganisationoftheUnitedNations (FAO).

Backin2025,President Alihadsaidthenewdigital platform,isexpectedtobecomeacentraltoolforfarmers,providinground-the-clock accesstoexpertguidance, real-timedata,andon-demand support.

ThisdigitaltransformationofGuyana’sagricultural sectoralignswithbroader nationalgoalsoffoodsecurity,climateresilienceand economicdiversification.

Inadditiontothis,theNationalDrainage&Irrigation Authority(NDIA)iscurrently intheprocessofcreating asingledigitalplatformto monitorthecountry’ssluices andpumps.

In2024,thecountryhad launchedanAgricultureInformationSystem(AIS),thereby markingashiftintheministry’saimtoimprovethesector throughtechnology.

TheAISfeaturesa farm-registermodulewhich createsafulldatabaseof farmers,includingbiodata andcontactinformation. Italsoincludesgeo-referencing,afarmprofile,and asurveymoduleforproducingandprocessingfarm surveys.

PublicUtilitiesandAviationMinistry...

capitalworksand$36.4 billionforcurrentexpenditure,reflectingaheavy focusoninfrastructuralexpansionandmodernisation.

ThePresidentemphasisedthattheministry’s mandategoesbeyondtraditionalservicedelivery, andisintendedtorepositionGuyana’sutilities andaviationsectorsas driversofeconomicdiversificationandregional influence.

“Andhowarewe buildingoutourenergyinfrastructuretomeet globalchangesandnationalchangesthatwillincorporategas,LPG[LiquefiedPetroleumGas], LNG[LiquefiedNatural Gas]…andhowarewe positioningGuyanaand ourprivatesectortobuild outanecosystemthatwill allowustobeamajor supplierofenergyacross theCaribbean,”President Alisaid.

Henotedthatthecountry’semerginggasand energyresourcespresent opportunitiesnotonly fordomestictransformation,butalsoforregional marketexpansionthrough strategicpartnershipsand power-purchaseagreements.

“Take,forexample, oneoftheislandstates; theywilluseabout50 megawattsofpower,40 megawattsofpower.With ourLPGandLNGcoming onstream,itgivesusan opportunitytopartnerin thebuildingoutofthese plantsandhavingpower-purchaseagreements throughouttheregion. Thisallowsusanatural marketforLPGandenergy,”hestated.

PresidentAliunderscoredthattheministry willplayapivotalrolein mobilisingpublicandprivate-sectorcollaboration toscaleupinfrastructuraldeployment,expand servicesandcreatenew economicopportunities acrosstheCaribbean.

“Thisallowsusto buildoutourservicesindustry,expandourprivate-sectorreachandcreateopportunities.Itis thisministrythatmust nowactivelylookatthe

deploymentoftheseresources,”headded.

TheHeadofStatealso pointedtotheevolving definitionofutilityaccess, particularlyinhinterland communities,notingthat traditionalbenchmarks arenolongersufficient,as citizensdemandservices delivereddirectlytotheir homesratherthanthrough communalsystems.

“Yes,we’llgetto100 percentaccesstothe hinterlandwatersupply. Butyouknow,asIknow, thatthehinterlandcommunitiesarecallingnow foraccesstobeattheir doorstep.Soaccessinthe hinterlandisalsobeing redefined,”hesaid,while acknowledgingthelogisticalcomplexitiesposed bydispersedsettlement patterns.

Thispolicyapproach ismirroredinthegovernment’songoinginvestmentsinwaterinfrastructurethroughGuyanaWaterIncorporated(GWI), including$1.5billion allocatedforhinterland waterprojectsandcontinuedimplementationofthe CoastalWaterTreatment InfrastructureProgramme (CWTIP)acrossRegions TwotoSeven.

Beyondservicedelivery,PresidentAlioutlined abroaderobjectiveforthe ministrytoharnessGuyana’sabundantfreshwater resourcesasaneconomic asset,guidedbyintegrated water-resourcemanagementprinciples.

“Wealsoareaware thatwaterisaneconomic commodity,andthereare manystudiesthatpoint totheglobalrecession ofwaterindecadesto come.Wenowhaveto workwiththeintegrated water-resourcemanagementsystemprinciplesto developanoptimisation planofourwaterassetin Guyana,ourtotalwater asset,andhowthatasset canbedeployedtooptimisevalue,”hesaid.

Inthiscontext,the Presidentsetatargetfor localproductionofbottled water,signallingashift towardsvalue-addedutilisationofnaturalresources andreducedrelianceon imports.

“Itcan’tbesucharesource-richcountryin freshwaterandthenimportingbottledwater.This ministrymusttherefore setitssightonatargetof ensuringthatallourwater consumedlocallyisproducedlocallyinthenext 12months,”PresidentAli declared.

Hefurtherindicatedthatachievingeconomiesofscalethrough private-sectorcollaborationwouldbekeyto loweringproductioncosts andexpandingaccessto affordablepotablewater nationwide.

“Sowehavetolook atalltheverticalsand toseehowwecanhave economiesofscaleateverylevel,sothatwecan bringdownthecostof water…sothatacountrythatisknownasthe landofmanywaterscan havethecheapestwater availabletoitspeople,” hesaid.

ThePresidentalso highlightedaviationasa transformativesectorthat willfallsquarelywithintheministry’sremit, notingthatexpandedairportinfrastructureand improvedconnectivity areessentialtosustaining economicgrowthandintegratingGuyanaintoregionalandglobalmarkets.

“Thisministryisalso [theone]thatmustdeliver twointernationalairports infiveyearsandasecond terminal…ifweareto adjustoureconomyto regionalandglobalcompetition,thesearecritical infrastructuresthatwe mustcompleteinrecord time,sothatwecanleapfrogourselvesintowhat thefuturebringsforus,” hestated.

PresidentAliadded thatthegovernmentintendstodevelopmeasurableindicatorstoassess thecontributionofaviationandutilityservices tothecountry’sGross DomesticProduct(GDP), reinforcingtheministry’s centralroleinshapinga diversifiedandmodern economy.

“Aviationbyitselfis amassiveareaoftransformation,andwewant toseeinfiveyears,four

yearsfromnow,adirect countonhowmuch[sic] contribution[sic]aviation madetoGDP,whatcontribution[sic]allofthese sectorsmadetoGDP,waterandeverything,that iswhatwearemovingto buildingupthediversified economyinameasurable way,”hesaid.

TheHeadofStateemphasisedthattheministryhasbeendeliberately structuredwithablendof experiencedprofessionals andemergingtalentto driveinnovationandsustainedperformanceacross itswide-rangingportfolio.

“Thisministrywas wellthoughtout.Itis beyondthenorm,andthat iswhatI’vebeenpushing allofmyministerstodo, gobeyondthenorm… wehavealsoputalotof talentinthisministry,a lotofyoungtalent,and wehopethattimewill optimisetobringoutthe benefits,”PresidentAli remarked.

Hecalledforthecollectiveexperienceof long-servingprofessionalsintheutilitiessector tobeharnessedalongside newexpertisetodesign andpositionthefuture

ofthesectorinlinewith Guyana’slong-termdevelopmentvision. Ultimately,PresidentAliassertedthat theMinistryofPublic UtilitiesandAviation willserveasakeyinstitutionalmechanismto moderniseservicedelivery,unlockeconomic valuefromnaturalresourcesandensurethat thecountry’sinfrastructurekeepspacewithits rapidtransformation, therebystrengthening Guyana’scompetitivenessintheregionaland globaleconomy.

MinisterBrowne-Shadeekcallsforunity, recommitmenttobuildingGuyana

-inRepublicAnniversarymessage

MINISTERofAmerindianAffairsSarah Browne-Shadeekhas remindedthepeople ofRegionNineand allGuyanesethatwe arealloneandthere mustbeacollaborativecommitmentto buildinganddevelopingGuyana.

Shewasatthetime addressingresidents andleadersatthe flag-raisingceremony tomarkGuyana’s56th RepublicAnniversary. Theeventwasheldon

Sunday.

Theministerinher addressremindedcitizensthatregardless ofwherewelive,our ethnicity,geography, politicalbelieforreligion,weareallone.

Sheurgedattendees torecommittobuilding Guyanaonthepillars ofdemocracy,community,harmony,respect andprogress,noting thatweareallstrongertogether,whenwe standunited.

MinisterSarahnot-

ed,“It'saremarkable momentforusaswe observeacrossthe country,whenweboldlydeclarethatthepeopleofGuyana,across thelengthandbreadth ofthisbeautifulcountry,willberesponsible nowandforevermore forshapingourown developmentandsecuringourbrighterfuture.”

Theministersaid sheisamongthefortunateGuyaneseborn intoarepublicnation

intermsofeverything inourdevelopmentso far,”sheexpressed.

Theministernoted thattheGovernment ofGuyanaiscommittedtoworkingwith citizens,growingwith themandbuildinga stronger,unitedGuyana.

andstatedthatwemust payhomagetoour ancestors,thosewho foughtthegreatbattles, overcametremendous challenges,andmade sacrificestoensurethat wecanbehereasa sovereignnationtoday. Reflectingonsome ofherownexperiences, sherelatedthatgetting toschoolasachildin ahinterlandcommunitywasalaborious task.Sherecalledthat backthentherewereno freemealsoradditional supportgiventolearn-

ersorfamilies.

“Now,56yearslater,asarepublic,weask ourselvesthequestion, arewewherewewant tobeasacountry,asa people?IsGuyanathe corporateGuyana,the corporatecountry?And obviouslytheanswer wouldbeno,we'renot. ButIalwaysaskthe question,considering wherewewereabout, let'ssay10or15years ago,andwhereweare todayasanation,we cansafelysaythatwe are100percentbetter

Shesaid:“Aswe commemoratethisRepublicAnniversary,let usgivethanksfirstof alltoGodforourbelovedGuyana,forthe strength,thehopeand thevisionthatcontinuetoguideus.Letus recommitourselves tobuildingournation onthepillarsofdemocracy,community, harmony,respectand progress.

“Weareallstrongertogetherwhen westandunited.Let uswalkforwardtogetherwithashared purpose.Letusnever forgetwherewecame from,that'sveryimportant,butlet'slook aheadwithconfidence andwithdetermination.Westandtoday alwayswithprideand loveforourcountry,” MinisterBrowneShadeeksaid.

Science-ledgovernanceofAIcanhelppower sustainabledevelopment-Guterressays

UNSecretary-General AntónioGuterreshighlightedthekeyrolesciencehasininternational governanceofartificial intelligenceduringan eventonFriday,heldon themarginsoftheAI ImpactSummitinNew Delhi,India.

“Guidedbyscience,we cantransformAIfroma sourceofuncertaintyinto areliableengineforthe SustainableDevelopment Goals(SDGs),”hesaid.

Heurgedtheinternationalcommunitytobuild afuture“wherepolicyisas smartasthetechnologyit seekstoguide.”

NEWEXPERTPANEL

TheSecretary-General notedthat“AIinnovation ismovingatthespeedof light,outpacingourcollectiveabilitytofullyunderstandit,letalonegovern it.”

Hestressedthat“ifwe wantAItoservehumanity, policycannotbebuilton guesswork,”underscoring theneedfor“factswecan trust–andshare–across countriesandacrosssectors.”

Forthisreason,theUN isdevelopingmechanisms thatputscienceatthecentreofinternationalco-operationonAI,startingwith arecentlyappointedbody thatbringstogether40

UnitedNationsSecretary-GeneralAntónio GuterresaddressestheAIImpactSummitin NewDelhi(UnitedNations/IshanTankhaphoto)

leadingexpertsinthefield.

TheIndependentInternationalScientificPanel onArtificialIntelligence aimstohelpclose“theAI knowledgegap”andassess therealimpactsthesenew technologieshaveacross economiesandsocieties,so thatcountriescanactwith thesameclarityregardless oftheirlevelofAIcapacity.

ACCELERATING PROGRESS,

ANTICIPATINGRISKS

“Thepanelwillprovide asharedbaselineofanalysis–helpingmemberstates movefromphilosophical debatestotechnicalcoordination,andanchorchoices inevidence,”hesaid.

TheUNchiefwasadamantthatscience-ledgovernanceofAI“isnotabrake

onprogress,”butrather“an acceleratorforsolutions.”

Itwillhelpcountriesto identifywhereAI“cando themostgood,thefastest,” hesaid,andprovide“away tomakeprogresssafer,fairer,andmorewidelyshared.”

Furthermore,theinternationalcommunitywillbe abletoanticipateAIimpacts early–suchasrisksfor childrenordangersoffragmentation

Henotedthatinternationalco-operationisdifficulttodayamidstrained trustandgrowingtechnologicalrivalry.

“Withoutacommon baseline,fragmentationwins –withdifferentregionsoperatingunderincompatible policiesandtechnicalstandards,”hesaid,whichwill

only“raisecosts,weaken safety,andwidendivides.”

TheSecretary-General saidcountriescanaligntheir “technicalbaselines,”guidedbytheIndependentPanel andanotherUNinitiative, theGlobalDialogueonAI Governancetobeheldin GenevainMay.

MEANINGFULHUMAN OVERSIGHT

Beforeconcluding,he upheldthatwhile“science informs,”humancontrol ofAImustbe“atechnical reality–notaslogan.”

Thisrequires“meaningfulhumanoversightinevery high-stakesdecision–in

justice,healthcare,credit”as wellas“clearaccountability –soresponsibilityisnever outsourcedtoanalgorithm” hesaid.

“Peoplemustunderstandhowdecisionsare made,challengethem–andgetanswers.”(UN News)

MoElaunchesfreemath lessonsforGradeSixpupils

THEMinistryofEducation,throughtheMathematicsUnitatNCERD,haslaunchedaMathematicsinitiativeprovidingfreelessonstoGradeSix pupilsacrossRegionsTwo(Pomeroon-Supenaam),Three(EssequiboIslands-WestDemerara),Four(Demerara-Mahaica),Five(Mahaica-Berbice), Six(EastBerbice-Corentyne),andGeorgetowninpreparationforNGSA2026.TheprogrammebeganonFebruary21,2026,andwillrununtilApril 18,2026,withsessionseverySaturdayfrom09:00hourstonoon.“Wesincerelythankthefacilitators,parents,pupils,andteacherswhohave supportedthisinitiative.Weencourageotherstotakeadvantageofthisopportunityandjoinusintheweeksahead,”theministrysaidinaposton itsFacebookpage.(MinistryofEducationphotos)

Dr.JagdeoattendsreceptioninNewDelhi

Vice-PresidentDr.BharratJagdeowithHighCommissionerofGuyanatoIndiaMr.DharamkumarSeerajandseveralAmbassadors/HighCommissioners/ Commissioners(GRULAC),HisExcellencyMr.AlbertoGuani

VICE-PRESIDENTof theCo-operativeRepublicofGuyana,Dr. BharratJagdeorecentlyattendedareception hostedbytheGuyana HighCommissioninNew Delhitocommemorate Guyana’s56thRepublic Anniversary.

TheeventbroughttogethermembersoftheDip-

lomaticCorps,officialsof theGovernmentofIndia, privatesectorrepresentatives,andmembersofthe GuyaneseDiaspora.

Inhisremarks,the Vice-Presidentreflected onGuyana’snationaljourney,thehardshipsendured, andthedetermination,zeal, andhardworkthathave positionedthecountryon

apathofdevelopmentfollowingthereturntodemocraticrule.

HereaffirmedGuyana’s enduringcommitmentto democracy,andunderscoredtheGovernment’s dedicationtothevalues thatguidethenation’sdevelopment.

Dr.JagdeoalsohighlightedGuyana’sremark-

ablegrowthstoryandongoingtransformation,and outlinedkeyGovernment initiativesacrossseveral sectorsaimedatensuring

inclusivegrowthanddevelopmentandimproving thelivesofallGuyanese.

TheHonourable Vice-Presidentiscurrent-

lyinIndiatoattendthe IndiaAISummit,andto hostaseriesofhigh-level meetings.

‘NothingtoFear’

–Mustaphadismissesallegationsofcorruption, saysassetsdeclaredandlawfullyearned

AGRICULTURE

MinisterZulfikar

Mustaphahasagain rejectedthefrivolous allegationsbeingcirculatedacrosssocial mediabytheparliamentaryopposition

andLeaderoftheWe InvestinNationhood (WIN)leader,AzruddinMohamed.

TheU.S.-indicted Mohamedhadrecently soughttoimplythat MinisterMustapha’s

residenceatBloomfield,Berbice,wasacquiredthroughcorrupt means.

Speakingonthe programme“Starting Point,”airedonSunday,theministersaid

heregularlysubmits hisannualincomeand assetdeclarationsto theIntegrityCommissionandinsistedhehas “nothingtofear.”

Hetoldlistenershe hadworkedsince1989

andthatallhisassets were“earnedhonestly.”

Respondingtoaccusationsaboutproperties,hesaidhecould proveloanshadbeen takentofinancetheir constructionanddismissedtheclaimsmade bytheopposition.

“Thepeoplewho aremakingthoseallegationsarethepersonswhohavethings inthecloset.Theyhave thingstofear,andthey willbeheldaccountableshortly,”hesaid.

“Iamopenanytime foraninvestigation.I alwayssubmitallmy annualincomeandall myassetstotheintegritycommission,”MinisterMustaphaadded.

Inastatement,he hadmaintainedthat theconstructionofthe propertywasfinanced solelythroughamortgagefromDemerara BankLimitedandpersonalsavingsearned throughlawfulemployment.

Hesaidhisstatutorydeclarationstothe IntegrityCommission wereuptodateandthat hecouldaccountforall assetsinhispossession.

Onthecountry’s broaderprospects,the ministerrespondedtoa questionfromapreviousguestaboutwhere hesawGuyanain10 years’time.

Inresponse,hepredictedatransformationbeyondpetroleumwealth.“Guyana willbe,onceagain, thefoodbasketofthe Caribbean,”hesaid, addingthatthenationwouldnotonly beanoilproducerbut aleadingsupplierof foodtotheregion.

Hepointedtohis morethanthreedecadesofpublicservice, includingstintsasa MemberofParliament, RegionalChairmanof RegionSixand,since 2020,aministerinthe People’sProgressive Party(PPP)government.

EducationMinistrycontinues anti-bullyingconsultations

-34incidentsreportedsinceNovember2025launchofABRS

TheAnti-BullyingReportingSystem(ABRS)createdbytheMinistryofEducation,encouragesstudentsto‘StandUp,SpeakOutandStopIt’

THEMinistryofEducation(MoE)iscurrentlyfacilitatinga seriesofweeklyanti-bullyingconsultationsacrossthecountrytogatherfeedback andrecommendations fromstakeholdersat thecommunitylevel.

Theministrystated thattheseengagements formpartofabroader nationalefforttoaddressbullyingcomprehensivelyandensure thatschoolsremain safe,inclusivespaces foralllearners.

Speakingwithresidentsandstudents duringoneoftheConsultationSessions,AssistantChiefEducation

Officer(ACEO)forthe LiteracyDepartment attheMoE,Stembiso Grant,highlightedone ofthemodesofthe mostcommonformsof bullyingtoday,online bullying,

TheACEOstated thatschoolshavebeen creatingWhatsApp groupstodisseminate informationtostudents. However,Grantsaid thesegroupshavebecomeatool/platform forbullyingtotake placein.

“And,studieshave shownthatchildren whoarebullied,that hurtiswiththemaftertheyleaveschool. So,parents,colleagues,

thereissomethingthat wemustbehonest about.Ourchildren werenotbornbullies. Theyweresocialised byus,”theACEOsaid.

Emphasisingthis point,NationalSchool HealthCoordinatorJessicaAnthony,saidthat theministry,andby extensiontheGovernmentofGuyana,has takentheinitiativeto addressthisgrowing issue.

Sheexplainedthat intheseconsultations, “weallhaveapartto playinmakingour schoolssafer.Really, it'sforusattheMinistryofEducationto understandhowbully-

ingimpactsyou,what bullyinglookslikein yourschoolandyour community,andhow wecanhelptoaddress it.Whatactionsdoyou thinkwouldbeusefultoaddressbullying andviolenceinyour schoolsandcommunities?”

Furthermore,Anthonysaidthatthereportingsystemcreated, givesyou(students/ parents/guardians)an independentmechanismtocontactthe ministryinadirectand confidentialway.

Asidefromthis,she mentionedtheMoE’s planstopartnerwith otherministriesonthis initiative.

TheNationalCoordinatorsaidtheMinistryofHomeAffairs willhaveasignificant parttoplayinhelping withtheenforcementof lawsasitrelatestothe sellingofalcoholand vapestominors.

Further,theMoE hasstatedthatbullying remainsaseriousissue that,ifunaddressed, canhavelastingand harmfuleffectsonstudents’well-beingand development.Theministryisencouraging anyoneexperiencing bullying,orwhoare awareofincidents, toreportthematter promptly.

Sincelaunchingthe campaigninNovember lastyear,therehave beenatotalof34complaints,andcounting.

Theministryhas a‘QuickGuide’to usingtheAnti-BullyingReporting System(ABRS)on itswebsite,aswell asonitsYouTube page:https://education.gov.gy/en/index. php/media2/newsevents/10232-quickguide-to-using-theanti-bullying-reporting-systemoronecan visitABRSathttps:// www.education.gov. gy/abrs/tomakea report

HealthMinisterhighlightslife-changing impactofprostheticoutreachprogramme

THEMinistryofHealth, throughitsRehabilitation andDisabilityServices, continuestoexpandnationalrehabilitationcare aspatientsfittedduringthe recentprostheticoutreach programmesharedpowerfultestimoniesofrenewed independence,dignity,and hope.

InaFacebookpost,the ministrysaidthatlastweek, aninternationalprostheticsandrehabilitationteam workedalongsidelocalcliniciansatthePtolemyReidRehabilitationCentretoassess, fit,andtrain20patientsinthe useofprostheticlimbs,while simultaneouslystrengthening localtechnicalcapacity.

ProsthetiKa,aUS-based organisationofinternational consultantswhosemission istoprovideappropriate andsustainableassistance forpersonswithdisabilities indevelopingcountries,has conductedseveralcapacity-buildingprogrammesat thecentre’sJ.E.Simmons Orthotic&ProstheticApplianceWorkshopssince2018.

LedbyJonBatzdorff, CertifiedOrthotist/Prosthetist(CPO)andProsthetiKa founder,thisyear’steam alsoconsistedofCPOsJohn MoralesandMeghanWright, andClinicalPhysiotherapistinvascularandamputee rehabilitation,LauraBurges,ClinicalPhysiotherapist, ProsthetiKa.

MinisterofHealth,Dr FrankAnthony,notedthatthe programmerepresentsmore thanclinicalcare;itrestores livelihoodsandsocialparticipation.

“Theseservicestransform lives.Ourgoalisnotonlyto provideprosthesesbutalso toensurepatientsregain confidence,independence,

andtheabilitytoworkand carefortheirfamilies,”the ministersaid.

Accordingtotheministry, DrAnthonyexpressedappreciationforthecollaboration, notingthattheinitiativenot onlyrestoredmobility,but alsoimprovedthequalityof lifeforpatients.

“Manypatientscannot affordprostheticservices, yetthesedevicestransform lives.Throughpartnerships likethis,weareimproving accessibilitywhilebuilding ourowntechnicalexpertise tosustainablyserveourpopulation,”theministerstated.

Hefurtherhighlighted theimportanceofprevention, explainingthatasignificant numberofamputationsresultfromcomplicationsof diabetes.Theministryis thereforestrengtheningmultidisciplinarymanagement toreducefuturelimbloss, whileexpandingrehabilitationservicesforthosealready affected.

Batzdorffcommendedthe ministry’spolicydirection.

“Providingaccessto prostheticsisapowerful policybecauseitrestores independenceanddignity topeople’slives,”Batzdorff said.

Heemphasisedthatthe week’sachievementswere theresultofextensiveteamworkandpreparation,stating, “Weassessedandfitted20 patients.Eachprosthesis requiresassessment,casting, plasticmoulding,assembly, andrehabilitationtraining;it takesafullteamtomakeit happen.”

Batzdorffunderscoredthe criticalroleoflocalhealthcareworkersandtrainees whoparticipatedinevery stageoftheprocess.

“Thisworkwouldnot havebeenpossiblewithout thelocalteam,frommixing plastertocastingandfitting. Wedidn’tjustaskpeopleto watch,weaskedthemtotry.”

Acentralobjectiveof theprogrammewassustainability.Ratherthancreating relianceonvisitingspecialists,theinitiativeprioritised

empoweringlocalprofessionalswiththeknowledgeand practicalskillsnecessaryto continueprovidingservices independently.

“Wearenotheretocreate dependence.Wewantthe skillstostayheresorepairs andfutureprosthesescanbe donelocally,longafterwe leave.”

Meanwhile,Directorof RehabilitationandDisability Services,DrArianeMangar,statedthattheinitiative representsasignificantadvancementinlocalrehabilitationservices.Inadditionto restoringmobilityandindependenceto20personswith amputations,theprogramme strengthenednationalcapacitythroughthetrainingofsix newprosthetictechnicians, anessentialinvestmentin sustainableservicedelivery.

Shefurthernotedthat, whilethismilestoneisbeing celebrated,aconsiderable waitinglistofpatientsremains.Theministry,therefore,anticipatescollaboration withJaipurFoot,whichis

expectedtosupportthefittingofapproximately100 additionalindividualsinthe comingmonths.

“Together,theseefforts arenotonlyrestoringlimbs, butalsorestoringdignity, productivity,andqualityof lifeformanyGuyanese,” shesaid.

PATIENTSSHARE THEIRSTORIES

DesmaPitt,59,losther limbafteraminorinjury worsenedthroughdiabetic complications.Whatbegan asasmallwoundquickly becamelife-threatening.

“Ididn’tevenfeelthe injuryatfirst.Thenitstarted turningblack,andIgotvery sick.Thedoctorstriedtosave it,buteventuallytheyhadto amputate.Ithankedmyfoot forthe59yearsofserviceit gaveme,”sherecalledwith asmile.

Afterreceivingherprostheticlegduringtheprogramme,shedescribedoverwhelmingexcitement.

“Idreamtaboutwalking again.NowIcan.I’mso

thankfultotheteam,my children,andeveryonewho encouragedme.Thisisanotherphaseoflife,andI’m readyforit.”

Hergoalissimplebut meaningful:“Iwanttowalk aroundmyyardandtakecare ofmyplantsagain.”

Anotherbeneficiary,Ivor Fordyce,explainedthathis amputationfollowedanunnoticedinjurycausedbya fragmentofbrokenglass whileworkingaroundhis home.

“Itstartedsmallbut spreadfast.Withinhours,my footturnedblack,anddoctors hadtoamputate.”

Afterbeingfittedwitha prostheticlimb,henowfeels hopefulaboutreturningto normaldailyactivity.

“Idon’tliketositdown. Evenbeforethis,Itriedhelpingathome.NowIfeel betterandencouraged.This willhelpmebecomeindependentagainandprovide formyfamily.”

Heexpressedgratitude fortheopportunity:“God blessthewholeinstitutionforputtingusbackon track.”

Theoutreachprogramme emphasisedtrainingpatients towalksafelyandconfidently,whilealsoequipping localtherapistsandstudents withfabricationandrehabilitationskills.Theinitiative ensurespatientsnotonlyreceivedevices,butalsolearn howtousethemeffectively ineverydaylife.

TheMinistryofHealth reaffirmsitscommitment topartnershipsthatimproveaccessibilityto prostheticservicesand strengthennational-rehabilitationcapacity,ensuringmoreGuyaneseregain mobilityandindependence.

EPAissuespublic advisoryon‘unhealthy’ declineinairquality

THEEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)has issuedapublicadvisory statingthattheairqualityacrosstheLowCoastal Plain,includingGeorgetownandsurrounding communities,hasbeen adverselyimpactedasof February21,2026.

AccordingtotheEPA, thecurrentairqualityin GeorgetownandWhim, Berbice,remainsinthe veryunhealthyrange.

TheEPA’sair-quality sensorsinEcclesandin centralGeorgetownhave recordedPM2.5levels, wellinexcessoftheWorld HealthOrganization’s Guidelinesforgoodair quality,theadvisorysaid, addingthatthisdecline inairqualityisprimarily duetoelevatedlevelsof particulatematter(PM2.5), causedbySaharandustand highhumidity.

Thereleaseaddedthat theSaharanAirLayer, whichconsistsoffineparticlesofsand,dirtanddust fromNorthAfrica,istransportedacrosstheAtlantic Oceanbyaircurrentsin

theupperatmosphere.This phenomenonhasledto thevisiblehazeobserved acrossthelowcoastal plain,includingGeorgetownanditsenvirons.

Theseconditionsare expectedtopersistuntillateintheeveningon Wednesday,February25, 2026.

Residentsarestrongly advisedtominimiseexposurebylimitingoutdoor activities,particularlyfor sensitivegroupssuchas children,theelderly,and individualswithrespiratoryorcardiovascularconditions;wearingamask whenoutdoors,especially ifyoumustbeoutside forextendedperiodsand monitoringyourhealth, andseekingmedicaladvice ifyouexperiencedifficultybreathing,persistent coughing,orotherrelated symptoms.

TheEPAsaiditwill continuetomonitor air-qualityconditionsand provideupdatesasnecessary.

Foranearreal-time updateontheAirQuality

Indexnearyou,visitthe EPA’swebsite: https://epaguyana.org/ andselect‘YourEnvironment’andthenclick‘Air qualityData’.

Similarly,furtherinformationonSaharan dustanditsimpactscan befoundathttps://www. myfoxhurricane.com/saharan_dust_car.html.

Stoppress.India'svictory streakinT20WorldCups washaltedat12bythesidenalofthelastWorldCup.AfSouthAfricarecoveredfrom 20for3topost187andthen launchedjustabouttheperfectdefencebothwithtactics

net-run-rateimplicationsas well.

DavidMillerandDewald Brevisstartedthecomeback withsomespecialhittingto balanceJaspritBumrah's3 for15withanalysisof4-047-1forVarunChakravarthy.Eventhoughtheylost musclejustbeforethedeath togiveSouthAfricasomethingtoworkwith.

Giventhedewandthe improvementinbattingconditionsafterthefirstfour almosteverythingtheytried withtheballworked.Aiden Markrambowledthefirst overandhadanIndiaopener thistime.MarcoJansenhad Ngidiwasunhittablewithharajproducedthreeboundthebiggestpartnershipthey allowedwas35.

BUMRAH, ARSHDEEPHURT

SOUTHAFRICA

Itfeelslikealongtime -

SOUTHAFRICA

RACINGTIPS

GREYVILLE

08:25hrsSanbeenee

09:00hrsTroisTrois Quatre

09:35hrsGimmethegoodlife

10:10hrsPoursomesugaronme

10:50hrsSovereign Gem

ENGLISHRACING

TIPS

AYR

09:50hrsOrkneyBlue

10:25hrsStrideOn

11:00hrsJaccours

11:30hrsGreenHope

12:00hrsTheJeweller'sPet

12:30hrsJardinDe Tunis

PLUMPTON

09:30hrsMondoMan

10:00hrsKalkaroo

10:35hrsLumiPlugin

11:15hrsAltoAlto

11:45hrsJuniorDes

goodwhenBumrahand ArshdeepSinghranthrough thetoporder.Bumrahwas

backintohittopoflegand bowlingabewitchingslower getridofRyanRickelton. WithArshdeepSinghgettingAidenMarkramforthe seventhtimeinthelast51 Indialookedunstoppable.

Mottes

12:15hrsGetawayKing 12:45hrsElizaDolittle

WOLVERHAMPTON

12:25hrsAlbertCee

13:00hrsRingOfDiamonds

13:30hrsCityQueen

14:00hrsVonKrolock

14:30hrsBelieveIn Lies

15:00hrsWaterford Castle

15:30hrsDesiderata

16:00hrsGrandHarbour

16:30hrsBerkshire Schmokin

AMERICANRACING TIPS

MAHONINGVALLEY

Race1HonorAnd Glory

Race2MagicMotown

Race3EkatisWay Race4Dowhateverittakes

Race5MidnightWarship

Race6TallGirl

Race7TriggerPoint

Race8QueenInThe Deck

itwouldhavebeeneasyfor Millertoplaythescoreboard andnottheconditions.Itis askillwecan'tevenfathom theenormityoftojudgethat theconditionsareimproving andthattheyneedtogofora bigscoreandthentobeable toexecuteit.

hisexperienceoftheconandpullSouthAfricaout ofthehole.BeforeBrevis hadalreadyracedawayto whichdoessuggestabitof overpitchingthankstohis Brevisannouncedhimwith thesameover. Therewasapointwhen hadgonefor3for37as against3-0-39-0fromspin. ThisiswhenIndia'ssloppinessturnedup.Thatlast balltomakeitsevenovers wasano-ballfromHardik Pandya.Millerhitthefree hitforasix.SoonShivam Dubeofferedhimanother

BetweenthosetwofreepaidtoDube'swidelines withtwosixesandafour. Dubehadhisownbackwith anotherBrevisdismissal butfolloweditupwiththat no-ball.

STUBBSPROVIDES THEFINISH

Varunwasheadedforhis worstanalysisinT20Iswhen hemanagedtohaveMiller

themosthehasconceded. Thewicketcamejustbefore

Bumrahtobowlatnewbatters.Bumrahreturnedtwo oversforeightrunsandthe Stubbstooktolloftheonly slightlysoftoverhecould getatthedeath.Facingall sixballsfromPandyainthe thelasttwoballstoendup

DREAMSTARTFOR SOUTHAFRICA

emailedandfaxedthat Markramwouldtakethe newballagainstthethree left-handbattersatthetop. nearlyfellpreytothelow bounceoftheblack-soil pitch.Thenhetriedtoslog hadlostanopenerforaduck Indiadidn'tseparate theleft-handbatterswith SuryakumarYadavsticking tohiscomfortzoneofNo.4. Varmadidn'tquitewaitfor andedgedaliftingdelivery.

MOHAMEDShairazRoshandinwaselectedpresidentoftheGuyanaMotor RacingandSportsClub (GMR&SC)inalandslide victoryonSaturday,followingthelargestannual generalmeetingintheorganisation'srecenthistory.

Roshandin,whopreviouslyservedasvice-president,defeatedincumbent Mahendra'Raj'Boodhoo witha123-61vote.The resultsignalsashiftinleadershipastheClubprepares toexpanditsinternational racingcalendar.

OtherelectedmemberswereAlainHopkinson (Vice-President),AzimJafar (Secretary),AzaadHassan

(Treasurer),RiteshSingh (AssistantSecretary/Treasurer),RameezMohamed (ClubCaptain),StefanJeffrey(TechnicalAdviser), ElanRahaman(Committee Member),ShemroyRamsingh(CommitteeMember), AshleyPersaud(CommitteeMember)andKrishna Ramseywack(Committee Member).

Theincomingpresident saidhisimmediatepriority isthehostingoftheGT ChallengedelasAmericas, scheduledforJuly11-12at theSouthDakotaCircuit.

Theeventisexpectedto featurehigh-performance GT3machinery,markinga

motorsportintheCaribbean region.

"Thegoalistoshowthe bestofGuyana,"Roshandin said,addingthatheintends toworkwithallstakeholderstomaintainthesport's upwardtrajectory.

Inasignificantchange totheClub'sgovernance, membersalsoadopteda motiontoextendtheexecutive’stermfromoneyearto twoyears.

Whiletheleadership willnowservelongertenurestoensureadministrativestability,theClub meetingsforauditedfinancialstatementswill continue.

CMC–WestIndieshead coachDarenSammyis notconcernedthathis sidehasbeendrawnin the‘GroupofDeath’for theSuperEightphase oftheICCMen’sT20 WorldCup.

Despitewinningall fouroftheirpreliminary matches,theWindieshave foundthemselvesinGroup 1withfellowunbeaten sidesIndia,SouthAfrica andZimbabwe.

SpeakingonSunday,aheadoftheircrucialopeningSuperEight matchagainstZimbabwe onMonday,Sammywas askedwhathefeltabout theICC’spre-seedingprocessthatresultedinallof thegroupwinnersbeing placedtogether.

“Weplaywhat’sin frontofustobehonest.I meanweknewbeforethe tournamentwhatwasgoing tohappen,whereifwedid thatwhereweweregoing tobe,andwejusttriedto controlwhatwecan.

“Ideallyinsports,you seldomgetthetopteams fromdifferentgroupsin thesameround,butmy teamknowsthey’rejust

CMC–JannilleaGlasgow’s justshortforthesecond consecutivematch,asSri LankaWomenrecordeda tense14-runwinoverWest IndiesWomenhereonSundaytoclinchtheirOneDay Internationalserieswitha matchremaining.

heretoplayaWorldCup andwehaveZimbabwe tomorrow,wehaveSouth Africa,andthenIndia… Ifyouhavetowinyou havetoplaywhat’sin frontofyouandnottake itforgrantedandnottake anybodylightly,”Sammy explained.

“Ifyoustarttobringin otherfactorsthenittakes youofftrackofyourfocus andforus,ourfocusis Zimbabwetomorrowand doeverythinginourpower tocomeoutvictorious.

“…Idounderstand fromthelogisticsstandpoint,tryingtogivethe fansthesurety,butthat’s notmyfield,”headded.

Sammy,atwo-time WorldCupwinner,said theWestIndieswerewell awareofthethreatZimbabweposed.

Hesaidvictoriesover AustraliaandSriLanka hadprovedtheywerea strongside,despitesuggestionsthattheydidnot belongintheSuperEights.

“WhosaysZimbabwe isn’tsupposedtobehere? AlotofpeoplesayWest Indiesisn’tsupposedtobe hereeither.

“Ithinkwhenyou’re inaWorldCupyouhave torespecteveryoppositionandthat’swhatwe’ve beendoing,that’swhatI encouragemyguystodo; respecttheoppositionbut believeinyourself,believe inyourprocessesandyour executions,”Sammysaid.

“Sotomorrowweapproachitthesameway we’dapproachagame againstIndiaorAustralia.Likeus,theyarevery confident,theyareplaying somegoodcricket.Ithink I’vesaiditbefore,T20is aformatthatbringsteams closertogether,there’sno clear-cutwinner.Youhave togooutonthedayand executeyourplansorelse youcouldlosethematch.

“…Therearealotof thingsgoingforthemand Icouldunderstandfrom thatstandpointwherenobodygivesyouachance andyoucanusethatas inspiration.So,I’mreallylookingforwardto tomorrow;twoteamsthat havenotlostandhopefullythepeopleentertain, butinalltheentertainmentWestIndiescome outvictorious,”hesaid.

Glasgowstruckaneven halfcentury,hersecondof theseries,butWestIndies Womenweredismissedfor 194in48oversinpursuit ofSriLanka’stotalof208 in47.1oversattheNational Stadium.

Itgavethevisitorsan unassailable2-0leadinthe best-of-threeseries,withthe heldonWednesdayatthe samevenue.

TheWestIndies’toporderfailedtonavigateSri Lanka’sspinningtrioof SugandikaKumari,Inoka RanaweeraandDewmiVihanga,andfoundthemselves precariouslyplacedat93for

Vihangaclaimedthe wicketofcaptainandstar batterHayleyMatthewsfor 13andfourballslaterwithoutarunadded,Kumarihad QianaJosephcaughtfor16 toleavethescore30fortwo.

JannilleaGlasgowscored hersecondhalfcenturyofthe

seriesinalosingcausefor WestIndiesWomen ShemaineCampbelleand StafanieTaylortriedtorebuildtheinningsduringa 44-runpartnershipforthe thirdwicket,untilRanaweera hadtheformercaughtbehind for27.

ChinelleHenrymade justfourbeforebecoming Kumari’ssecondwicket, andwhenRanaweerahad Campbellestumpedfor30, WestIndiesWomenwerein serioustrouble.

DeandraDottinwasthen controversiallygivenoutfor obstructingthefieldafter catchingaballwithherglove andthreerunslaterAaliyah Alleynewasbackinthepavilionafterscoringasolitary runtoputSriLankainthe ascendancywiththescore 119forseven.

Freshfromscoringa maidenODIhalfcenturyin theopener,Glasgowadded 27runswithShawnishaHectorandthenafurther45with AfyFletchertorevivetherun chaseandgivethehomeside anoutsidechanceofpulling

However,withWestIndiesrequiring17runsfrom 21balls,Ranaweeraclaimed theimportantwicketof Fletcherfor20.

CaptainChamariAthapaththuthenwrappedupthe matchthreerunslaterby dismissingFletcherforthearies.

Kumari(3-38)and Ranaweera(3-44)ledthe wayforSriLankawhileVihangatook2-33.

Earlier,afterbeingwinningthetossandsendingthe visitorsintobat,theWest Indiesbowlersdidwellto restrictthemtoabelowpar totalaftertheirtopordergave themastrongstart.

Followingtheearlyloss ofopenerHasiniPerera, Athapaththu,whomade32, HarshithaSamarawickrama(35)andPlayer-of-theMatchVishmiGunaratne, whomade58off66balls goodpositionof107fortwo. OnceAfyFletcher bowledSamarawickrama, SriLankaslippedto166for theirgriponthematch.

TheWestIndieswould havebeendelightedtograb additionofonly36runs,with Ramharack(3-26)Fletcher (2-40)andMatthews(2-44) beingthemaindestroyers. However,thattotal provedtobeenough.

THEcountry’strack-and-

TheministersonSaturdaymadetheannouncement tosomeofthenation’stop track-and-fieldathletesat theLeonoraTrackandField stadium.

AthleticsAssociation ofGuyana(AAG)PresidentAmandaHermonstine wasamongthosepresent, alongsidelocalcoachesand athleteswhentheannouncementwasmade.

Ramsonsaid,“[Theprogramme]Willseehigh-level coachescomingtothecountrymultipletimesayear, withsessionsfocusedonsis,andworld-classtraining

techniques.Thisisaninvestmentinyou,becausewe believeinyourpotential.If wedon’tdothis,wewillnot reachtheOlympics.”

Theseniorministersaid theAAGwilltakealeadingroleintheprogramme, adding,“Howsuccessfulit iswillalsobedetermined byyou.Coaches,youknow yourathletes’strengthsand weaknesses;youmustguide them,ensuretheyaregiving theirbestintraining,andapplytheupdatedmethodsand technologyprovided.Weare nolongergoingtooperate inoutdatedways;theworld ischanging,andwemust changewithit.”

MinisterJacobssaid, “Iknowallofyouwant toseeyourathletesonthe podium,thisprogrammeis aboutworkingtogetherto preparethem,smalldetails, anathlete’sinjury,strength training,accesstoproper

technology,makearealdifferencewiththeseresources andyourguidance,wecan producethebestathletesin theregion.”

Theinitiativewilllink internationalelitecoaches andtrainersdirectlywith locallybasedGuyanese athletesandtheirrespectivecoachesatkeyperiods duringtheyearbefore,especiallybeforemajorinternationalgames.

TheAAGispartnering withtheministryandUSAbasedDStarrwithaneyeon qualifyingathletesforthe OlympicGamesin2028to bestagedintheUSA.

minuteofthe2ndhalf, scoredtheirsecondgoal tohelpthemclincha2-nil victory.

Theday’sopeningencounterpittedAnn’sGrove UnitedagainstMonedderlustFootballClub.

WesternTigerstooka 2-nilvictoryoverFruta Conquerorsinthefeature clashoftheevening.

Tigers’WilliamEurope’s35thminutegoal brokethesilenceintheir contestastheywentintothe breakwitha1-nillead.

TylerLyle,inthedying

Theengagementof MederosRegalado,aformer worldrecordholder,marksa transitionfromvolunteer-led instructiontoastructured, high-performancemodel.

"Theengagementofa full-timenationalcoachrepArcheryGuyanaPresident VidushiPersaud-McKinnon saidinastatement.Sheaddedthatthemovesignalsa long-termcommitmenttointernationalcompetitiveness.

MederosRegalado, knowninthesportas"Coach Lula",brings20yearsof experiencefromCuba'snationalsystem.Hermandate includesoverseeingtechnical developmentforeliteand juniorcategories,designinga

nationaltrainingsystem,and mentoringlocalcoachesto ensuresustainability.

Theappointmentcomes asGuyanaseekstoexpandits footprintinregionalOlympic disciplines.TheprojectisbeingsupportedbytheGuyana OlympicAssociationand theNationalSportsComState-backedpushtoelevate minoritysports.

MederosRegalado'scareerincludesaneight-year stintontheCubannational team,andcoachingroles withinHavana’sprovincial system.

Afteragoal-lesssedate firsthalf,DelwinFraser scoredthegame’slonegoal fortheBerbiceside.

Ann’sGroveUnited showedtenacity,andfought equalizer,andtookaneedle loss1-nil.

TheEliteLeagueCup

(Frompage35)

shooting,"Richardstold members.

Inareshufflingofthe financialexecutive,veteranmarksmanLennox BraithwaitewaselectedTreasurer,replacing long-standingofficial HemantNarine,whodeclinedre-electionbutwill remainonthecommittee.

TheAssociationreport-tion,aidedbyrecentcapital donationsfromtheGuyanesegovernment,including specialisedmachineryand transportvehiclesforthe Timehrifacility.

Onthecompetitive front,Guyanaispreparingtionalschedule.TheGNRA

confirmeditwillhosta inApril,servingasalead-in totheWestIndiesChampionshipsinMay.National teamofficialsstatedthe primaryobjectiveforthe regionaltournamentisthe reclamationoftheShortRangeTitle. Torecogniselong-term internationalservice,the membershipunanimously appointedMahendraPersaudandHaroldHopkinson asLifeMembersofthe association.

continuesonWednesdayat theGFFNationalTraining Centrewithadouble-header startingfrom18:30hrs.

TheGuyanaPolice ForceFCwilllineup againstSantosFC,then WesternTigerswillget backinactionagainstThe GuyanaDefenceForce.

BySeanDevers

ONthebackofthree half-centuries,Georgetown roaredtotheirsecondconsecutivevictorywhenthey whippedEastCoastby 180runsatLBIGround onEastCoastDemerara intheDemeraraCricket Board(DCB)Inter-Association50oversU-19 tournament.

AtLBI,Georgetown reached300-5whenthe allotted50oversexpiredin hotconditionsbeforedismissingthehomesidefor 119in34.4overs.

Watchedbyafair-size gathering,KushSeegobin hammeredsevenfoursand 80from76balls,andshared withKishanSilus(18)beforeArunGandiabowled thelater.

SeegobinandEmmauel Lewis(14)carriedthescore to95beforeLewiswasdismissed.

settoscorethetournament’s secondcentury,andhisdemisebrought16-year-old WestIndiesU-19left-hander ShamarAppletojoinJonathanMentore,sonofformer U-19openerAlfredMentore.

THEGuyanaNationaltensionforPresidentBrigadierOmarKhan,and annualgeneralmeetingon Thursday.

TheelectionofBasmateeMohabeertothepost ofSmallboreVice-Captain thedemographicsofthe organisation'sexecutive council,whichhasbeen male-dominatedthroughout itsdecades-longhistory.

BrigadierKhan,who wasreturnedunopposedfor the2026-2030term,said theAssociationisentering aperiodofmodernisation. However,internalreports

Thepairplayedsome enterprisingshotsbeforepleforapugnacious51,aries,whichincludedahuge sixtoleaveGeorgetownon partnership.

DhaneshPersaudhit threefoursandasixinhis 32beforehefelltoJude Andrewsat296-5.

(3)andMentore,whowas unbeatenonanexplosive 78from33ballswitheight foursandasix,sawthevis-

Gaindahad2-38from EastCoast,who,thoughgivenasolid73-runfoundation andJuniaDindyal,endedup crumbling.nershipwhenhebowled Dindyal,whohadfourfours, for19.

ReyadLatifwasthearchitectofdestruction,and scalps.

AndwhenMuneshOutar fellfor14at94-3,thelast runs.

Latifhad7-21,andwas supportedbyEvaldoPerri-

RayadLatif(right)receiveshisMan-of-the-MatchTrophy fromChairmanoftheGCB’sCompetition’sCommittee ShawnMassiahaftertaking7-12forGTyesterdayatLBI

yesterdayforGT

Intheothergameinthe city,UpperDemerara,comprisingofseveralnon-RegionTenplayers,were

JonathanMentorescored anundefeated78forGT

EastBank’sskipperJoshuaBudramgetshisMOM TrophyfromformerWestIndiesTestbatter AsaadFudadin

WestIndiesU-19batter ShamarApplemadean entertaining51forGT yesterdayatLBI

bowledoutfor72in18.4 oversasErrolAlderand TyricHenrytop-scoredwith 16each. scoredatonforGeorge-

townintheInter-Association U-16tournament,couldonly managesix,whileExtras contributed17.

Off-SpinnerJoshua Budramcontinuedhisgood forminthistournamentwith theball,bagging4-3,while RavindraSinghhad3-22. from18oversdespitelosingthreebatters,including ShaneKissoondeo(10)at 25-2,andShaneShivbarran (15)at62-3.

DilshanLatchman,who made29not-outwiththree thegamewithasixoff balltoendonseven.

BrigadierOmarKhan Somemembersofnewcouncil

presentedatthemeeting highlightedacriticalinfraanindoorfacilityfollowing thedestructionoftheTac-

ticalServiceUnit(TSU) range. SmallboreCaptainGordonRichardsnotedthat

theabsenceofadedicated indoorrangecurrentlylimits thecountry’sabilitytofacilitateOlympic-styleshooting

disciplines.Operationsare presentlyconfinedtothe outdoorrangesatTimehri. "Theurgentneedfora