Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 23-08-2025

President Ali commissions

$6.6B Lima Hospital

–– says hospital a ‘Quantum Leap’ in Guyana’s health system

sets new standard of care for Region Two

RESIDENTS

of Region

Two and neighbouring areas will no longer need to journey to Georgetown for advanced medical treatment, following the official commissioning of the $6.6 billion state-of-the-art Lima Hospital on Friday afternoon.

The modern 75-bed facility, strategically located at Lima, Essequibo Coast, represents a major milestone in the transformation of Guyana’s healthcare system.

It is one of six new hospitals being built na-

tionwide to expand access to specialised services.

Offering an extensive range of care. including Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Cardiology, Orthopaedics, Mental Health, and Psychiatry, the hospital is also equipped with a 24/7 Emergency Department, Inpatient and Outpatient care, advanced laboratory and imaging services, dental and optical units, and modern operating theatres.

Delivering the feature address, President Dr. Ir-

faan Ali said the new hospital symbolises a “quantum leap in healthcare” and is designed to revolutionise medical services in Region Two.

“In every sphere of the health ecosystem, we have invested in building the human capital to deliver the best healthcare to the people of this nation,” the President stated.

“We are unleashing a revolution that every child will be screened early, and we must have health data to track that child’s development, based on a data-driven system.”

To guarantee high standards, the hospital will soon have a dedicated Quality Assurance Unit, while incentives will be offered to healthcare workers.

President Ali further highlighted that the facility includes a 12-chair dialysis unit, digitised patient records, CT scans, and telemedicine services to ensure timely and efficient care.

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, emphasised that the hospital is fully equipped to provide high-dependency and trauma care, a neonatal unit, modern laboratory

and imaging services, CT scans, and dialysis treatment.

Unlike the older Suddie Hospital, which lacked specialised units, Lima Hospital also features five-bed inpatient rooms—each with its own toilet and bath to provide privacy for patients.

“Importantly, this hospital is equipped with its own oxygen plant, ensuring a steady supply for patients,” Dr. Anthony noted.

Regional Chairperson, Vilma De Silva, hailed the commissioning as a “historic day” for Essequibo and praised the gov-

ernment’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery across Guyana.

Doctors and staff members who will serve at the hospital also welcomed the investment, describing it as a game-changer for both healthcare workers and patients in the region. The commissioning ceremony saw the unveiling of the hospital’s plaque by President Ali and Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony, alongside medical professionals who will now operate in one of the most advanced healthcare facilities ever built on the Essequibo Coast.

All set for ‘peaceful, lawful’ elections

–– Joint Services affirm ahead of Sept 1 polls

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali has expressed confidence in the integrity and preparedness of Guyana’s Joint Services ahead of the September 1, 2025, polls, as he has been given all assurances by the various heads that they will ensure peace is maintained.

This was according to Head of State in an invited comment to the media on the sidelines of polling day activities for the Joint Services, on Friday. He said that the Joint

Services have activated their mechanisms and, for a number of weeks now, have held joint meetings.

“They have assured me that they have every system in place, they have assured me that they have the equipment, the manpower, and they have a well-laid-out system to deal with any issues if they arise,” President Ali said.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, while speaking to members of the press after

casting his ballot, stated that prior to elections, the Guyana Police Force has been working with other arms of the Joint Services in relation to training.

Additionally, he said that their units are preparing with continuous training, which is still ongoing.

“We’re adequately prepared, remember Nomination Day we were quiet… we expected that this day would be quiet and similarly for the General and Regional Elections, we expect it to be

quiet,” he said. He went on to reiterate that the police are going to be prepared and will be monitoring polling activities in all regions come September 1.

Meanwhile, President Ali also expressed confidence in the preparedness of the Guyana Elections Commission while fielding questions about possible efforts to derail the process.

He said, “I think some may have the belief or they may have the desire or the genesis of what they are attempting may be very well that, but I don’t have any

concerns of the stalling of elections.”

He underscored that he is confident in the readiness of national institutions, particularly the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

He said: “I think our core systems are meant to deal with these issues… GECOM has made its position clear, and we are just concentrating now on these polls.”

Over 10,000 members of Guyana’s Disciplined Services were slated to cast their ballots yesterday, some 10 days ahead of the general public. Commissioner of

GECOM records no major hiccup on Disciplined Services voting day

–– voters, other stakeholders

MEMBERS of the Disciplined Services—comprising the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and Guyana Prison Service (GPS)—cast their ballots on Friday as part of early voting, ahead of Election Day scheduled for Monday, September 1, 2025.

Shortly after polls closed at 18:00hrs, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward, told the Guyana Chronicle that voting proceeded smoothly at all designated polling stations, with security personnel casting their votes ahead of the general electorate.

“Generally, the process went smoothly. We haven’t recorded any major hiccups. I would say that the issues that confronted us were nothing that procedurally affected our work,” she said.

When asked to provide more details, Ward referenced Facebook posts that included photos of ballots, implying that they had been taken during the voting process.

GECOM has banned the use of cellphones at polling stations.

This decisive action, according to a press release from the commission, is aimed at protecting the sanctity and secrecy of the ballot, particularly to address exist-

ing concerns regarding the potential for vote-selling that is directly linked to photographing of ballots.

Regarding this issue, Ward stated that GECOM has taken all necessary precautions, including issuing notices about the ban. She added that the matter will be discussed by the commission at its next meeting.

The voting exercise for the Disciplined Services was overseen by GECOM officials and observers with the usual safeguards in place.

Ballots are secured in tamper-proof containers and later mixed with the general ballots on Election Day before counting, maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of the process.

hail smooth, efficient process

This annual practice of early voting ensures that officers are able to vote while remaining available for election security duties on polling day.

A total of 10,481 personnel were listed to vote, with 6,909 from the GPF, 3,106 from the GDF, and 466 from the GPS.

The ranks voted at designated balloting stations across the country, using standard ballot papers corresponding to their registered districts. Those unable to vote on August 22 will be able to participate with the general electorate on Sep -

tember 1.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS), though part of the Joint Services, will vote on elections day.

To supervise the voting exercise, Chief Election Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud appointed three ballot officers, as published in the Official Gazette on June 5, 2025, in keeping with the Representation of the People Act, Cap. 1:03. Areana Britton was assigned to the GDF, Sharon Jethu to the GPF, and Sadhna Boodhanlall to the GPS.

The early voting of security personnel is intended to allow them to fulfil their

electoral duties without disrupting the deployment of officers to polling stations on election day.

The PRO assured the public that preparations for the upcoming elections are progressing as planned, and that GECOM remains focused on ensuring free, fair, and credible polls.

Friday’s proceedings were described as smooth and efficient by voters and stakeholders, who were satisfied with the systems in place.

Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan; Commissioner of Police, Clifton

Hicken; Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, all shared the view that the process was smooth and efficient. Party candidates including President, Dr Irfaan Ali, who is the presidential candidate of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C); A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) presidential candidate, Aubrey Norton, and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN)’s presidential candidate, Azruddin Mohammed, all provided positive feedback after observing the process at the polling stations early in the day.

Strong, intelligent leadership needed as Guyana navigates rising US-Venezuela tensions

–– President Ali

GUYANA and the Caribbean are facing rising military tensions between the United States and Venezuela.

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali warned that this conflict could destabilise the region and challenge the country’s sovereignty.

In these defining moments, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces stressed that it is clear that only strong and experienced leadership can safely navigate the country through this turbulent period.

Speaking at the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) public meeting at Bush Lot on the West Coast Berbice, President Ali declared that this is not a time for weak leadership.

“We must be able to have

leadership that is respected and trusted by our partners so that when we work with them, they know that they are working with people whom they can trust and respect,” the head of state asserted.

He told the energised crowd that intelligence from Guyana’s strategic partnerships has already exposed the presence of criminal enterprises and networks that are linked to destabilisation efforts in the region.

As Venezuela ramps up its aggression and the international community observes closely, President Ali said Guyana must be able to make decisions with maturity, respect, and credibility.

“These decisions are not easy. They require experience, they require inter-

national presence, and our sovereignty, our national security, our existence, our livelihood and our country must be prepared to work in this new environment,” he maintained.

Beyond diplomatic manoeuvring, the situation demands unity. President Ali called on citizens to stand together, rejecting the “false prophets” of the opposition who, in the past, made empty promises to farmers, youth, and Indigenous communities.

While the opposition continues to spew reckless statements, he pointed out that the PPP/C Government is actively defending Guyana’s territorial integrity and securing strong alliances with partners across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and even the Middle East.

President Ali stated that the PPP/C will not

allow “demons to run loose” and destroy what the people have built over the past five years, a clear reference to the PPP/C’s political rivals, who, combined, have nothing to offer the Guyanese population.

Instead, the president pledged the PPP/C Government’s commitment to confront these challenges head-on with courage, strategy, and with the support of allies who recognise Guyana’s strong commitment to democracy.

Apart from this issue, the president informed supporters of the PPP/ C’s plans for Region Five and the nation, urging the crowd to ensure they vote for prosperity and reject the agents of destruction. (DPI)

Attorney General dismisses FGM’s election

court challenge as ‘hopeless, frivolous’

–– assures case will not halt September 1 polls

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, has sharply criticised the legal challenge mounted by the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

He described the case as “absolutely without merit” and a “colossal waste of the court’s time.”

Commenting on the case on Friday, just days ahead of the September 1 General and Regional Elections, Nandlall emphasised that the application filed by FGM, led by attorney Amanza Walton-Desir, reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of Guyana’s electoral system.

Nandlall while criticising the case, highlighted the irony that the party’s leader is an attorney by profession yet appears to have a fundamental misunderstanding of Guyana’s electoral laws.

“This case, in my view, is a demonstrable illustration of a major lack of understanding of our electoral framework as established by the Constitution of Guyana, and the electoral machinery as established by the relevant statutory provisions. This case should never have been filed,” the AG stated.

He added: “The case has absolutely no merit, it has no likelihood of success and would amount to a colossal waste of the court’s time.”

Nandlall added that the timing of the action, coming less than two weeks before the September 1 General and Regional Elections, compounded its disruptive effect.

“Hopefully, at the end of the matter, the court will express its displeasure at its process being abused and impose an appropriate order in relation to legal costs, not only because of the flagrant lack of merit, but also because a tremendous number of resources, time, and energy that have to be expended at this crucial time—days before the election—on a

hopeless legal challenge,” he declared.

Nandlall said the court has a duty to safeguard its own processes from being used frivolously.

“Litigants who invoke the processes of the court at such an unfortunate time, and who cause the wastage of a massive number of resources, should feel the wrath of the court, and the court has an obligation to express its discontent with actions that are so patently frivolous and vexatious,” he said.

On Wednesday, FGM candidate Krystal Hadassah moved to the High Court seeking to block the elections unless GECOM includes the party’s list of candidates on the ballots in all 10 electoral regions.

Through attorney Dr. Vivian Williams, Hadassah is asking the court to declare that GECOM’s current practice—excluding parties from ballots in regions where they are not contesting Regional Democratic Council (RDC) seats—violates constitutional guarantees of equal suffrage and representative democracy.

FGM maintains that GECOM’s refusal to include its candidates on ballots in regions Seven, Eight, and Nine denies its constitutional right to contest free and fair elections and restricts voters’ right to choose.

The party argued that the system disadvantages smaller and emerging political movements, distorting proportional representation and undermining inclusionary democracy.

It is seeking multiple dec-

Attorney-General Anil Nandlall, SC

larations against GECOM, including that its exclusion is discriminatory, unconstitutional, and invalidates the elections if not corrected.

The party further argued that the system discriminates against voters in regions where their preferred party does not appear on the ballot, citing Articles 59, 149, and 13 of the Constitution of Guyana.

FGM is also seeking a ruling that any elections conducted without its inclusion on every regional ballot would be “null, void, and of no legal effect.”

FGM is a coalition made up of Forward Guyana (FG), The People’s Movement (TPM), and the Vigilant Political Action Committee (V-PAC).

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION SYSTEM

In rebutting the claim,

Nandlall outlined the mechanics of Guyana’s proportional representation system, which he stressed are clearly defined in Article 160 of the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act, and the National Registration Act.

Nandlall explained that Guyana operates under a proportional representation system established by Article 160 of the Constitution, which governs elections to both the National Assembly and the Regional Democratic Councils.

He noted that each general election is essentially two elections held simultaneously—one to elect 65 members of Parliament and another to elect members of the Regional Democratic Councils. This structure, he pointed out, is the reason voters are required to cast two votes during General and Regional Elections.

He emphasised that the country is divided into 10 geographic constituencies, corresponding to the administrative regions.

Of the 65 parliamentary seats, he said that 25 come directly from those geographic constituencies while the remaining 40 are drawn from a national “top-up” list.

“So, each party has to submit three lists. One for the geographic 25 seats and one for the national top-up list,” Nandlall said.

He added: “When you vote, you are voting for the geographic seat and that vote is also counted for the national top-up. The two are inextricably bound. The Representation of the People Act says that in order to contest the elections, you have to contest a minimum of six of the RDC seats and at least 13 of the geographic seats.”

According to him, the FGM’s contention that it must appear on ballots in all 10 regions for national representation is legally baseless.

FGM has already indicated its intention to take the case all the way to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court

of Justice (CCJ)—the highest appellate court for Guyana.

In response to this, the Attorney General said: “This case is a clamor for attention. It is a shameless stunt for publicity. Maybe the presidential candidate will change her mind after the decision of the High Court. If there is a desire to appeal, that is a right—everyone is entitled to pursue his/her rights to the very end. I will not stand in the way of that.

“I just want to assure the general public that the exercise of that right to appeal will not affect the September 1 election.”

Nandlall noted that recent amendments to the electoral laws were designed to strengthen the electoral system by removing the excessive discretion previously held by officers, a discretion that had been abused as was evident during the 2020 elections.

He added that the changes also establish new election-related offences, and provide for harsher penalties for violations.

In reflecting on the lessons from the widely criticised 2020 elections, Nandlall emphasised the measures taken to prevent a repeat of past irregularities.

He highlighted that the system has been made more efficient, robust, transparent, and accountable, making it significantly harder for anyone to replicate the electoral manipulation seen five years ago.

However, he warned that those determined to undermine the process are resourceful and adaptive, and may still attempt to devise new schemes.

Nandlall said: “We have done a lot to make the system more efficient, more robust, more transparent, and more accountable.

It would be difficult for anyone to repeat what transpired in the 2020 elections. But the electoral miscreants are flexible and skillful, so no doubt they will hatch new tricks.”

Leguan gets $292.1M grid-forming solar photovoltaic farm

–– PM says project confirms government’s commitment to sustainable energy, people-centred development

PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips on Friday commissioned the 0.60-megawatt grid-forming solar photovoltaic (PV) farm in Leguan, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three), which marks another major step in Guyana’s renewable energy drive.

During the feature address at the commissioning ceremony, the Prime Minister underscored that the event was a testament to the government’s commitment to sustainable energy and people-centred development.

“There is one thing we can all agree on today: Leguan like every community across our country, is proof of what real, transformative progress and holistic people-centred development looks like. I wish to state unequivocally that this progress is a direct result of the vision, policies, and initiatives that your government, the PPP/C administration, is putting into action.”

Prime Minister Phillips emphasised the importance of energy security for the people of Leguan.

“Today, Leguan joins Wakenaam as one of the two islands in Guyana that has achieved energy security. This new facility means that you now have 24/7 electricity, no restrictions, and the assurance that your energy needs will be met at a reduced cost. This is a promise we made to the people of Guyana, and today we are delivering it here in Leguan.”

The facility was specifically designed to optimise efficiency, allowing Leguan to operate on solar power and battery storage for approximately 10 designated hours daily—significantly reducing reliance on diesel generators. With sufficient sunlight and battery capacity, the system has the potential to provide uninterrupted power around the clock.

The Prime Minister linked the commissioning to Guyana’s broader energy strategy. He reiterated that energy security, climate security, and food security are key pillars of the Low Carbon Development Strategy

(LCDS 2030), championed by President Irfaan Ali and his administration.

“Our goal is simple. We are creating real benefits for every Guyanese by expanding clean and reliable energy across the country.”

He stressed that energy access is not just about affordability, but also about unlocking economic potential for Leguan’s residents.

“With reliable power, Leguan has no excuse now but to encourage more investments and economic activity. Cottage industries can expand. Tourism can be developed. The private sector, regional authorities, and the NDC must now work together to make this happen. I look forward to the day when Leguan becomes a recognised tourist destination where Guyanese at home, in the diaspora, and visitors from abroad can come and enjoy the island’s culture, cuisine, and natural beauty.”

The Leguan solar PV farm features a 600-kilowatt-peak solar array and a 1,200-kilowatt-hour battery energy storage system. Valued at G$292.1 million, the project was implemented by the Guyana Energy Agency in partnership with Digiflic Controls India Private Limited. It is expected to reduce

diesel usage by approximately 1,400 drums annually, resulting in long-term financial savings and lower carbon emissions.

Prime Minister Phillips also highlighted the government’s efforts to shield Guyanese from rising global fuel prices while investing in sustainable infrastructure.

“That’s a promise we made to the people of Guyana that we will provide energy security, and we will do it in an efficient way. As a government, we did not increase electricity rates, even when fuel prices went up by 64 percent in 2023 and 2024. Instead, we found the resources to give GPL to cushion those costs. This is the type of leadership we are committed to, delivering development in every community.”

This project marks Guyana’s third grid-forming solar farm. The first, a 0.65 MW facility, was commissioned in Mahdia in 2024. The second, a 750 kWp solar farm led by GPL, was commissioned in July 2025.

Together with earlier projects in Lethem and Bartica, these facilities have already reduced diesel consumption by more than 12,500 drums.

Hemispheric Crime

THE statement issued by the Government of Guyana on Friday, warning of the dangers posed by transnational organised crime and narco-terrorism, is both timely and sobering.

In an era when fragile democracies in Latin America and the Caribbean are increasingly tested by the corrosive influence of drug cartels and criminal syndicates, Guyana’s firm position sends a clear signal: the region cannot afford complacency.

For decades, the Caribbean has been caught in the crosshairs of global drug trafficking routes. Weak borders, porous coastlines, and limited enforcement resources have made small states particularly vulnerable.

Today, the challenge has grown even more complex. Criminal syndicates such as Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles, with its alleged ties to elements of state power, are no longer simply drug smuggling networks.

They are actors capable of undermining entire institutions, eroding democratic governance, and destabilising

societies.

Guyana’s concern is not alarmist; it reflects a harsh reality. Transnational organised crime thrives on corruption, preys on poverty, and exploits political divisions.

Narco-terrorism in particular poses an existential threat, where drug money fuels armed groups, insurgencies, and political extremism.

Across the hemisphere, one can see its fingerprints, from the violent operations of cartels in Mexico, to the destabilisation of parts of Central America, to the tentacles reaching into Caribbean territories.

President Irfaan Ali’s administration has rightly framed this challenge as one that no state can confront alone.

The call for strengthened co-operation, national, regional, hemispheric, and global, is urgent and essential.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has long championed the idea of a Zone of Peace, but peace cannot be sustained without addressing the underworld economies that fund violence and

lawlessness.

Regional partnerships must go beyond rhetoric, evolving into practical intelligence-sharing frameworks, joint security operations, and stronger judicial systems to ensure accountability.

Guyana itself sits at a pivotal juncture. Its newfound oil wealth has put the country on the global map, but prosperity also attracts new risks.

The same criminal syndicates that threaten neighbouring states will inevitably look to infiltrate, launder, and exploit Guyana’s economic boom if vigilance falters.

This makes the government’s insistence on collaboration with bilateral, regional, and global partners both pragmatic and necessary.

Yet, co-operation cannot end with governments alone.

Civil society, the private sector, and citizens must also be part of the solution. Communities need to be resilient against the lure of criminal enterprises, which so often masquerade as providers of opportunity where the state is absent.

Investments in education, social wel-

fare, and job creation are not luxuries, they are fortifications against narco-terrorism’s recruitment strategies.

The declaration from Georgetown comes at a time when the hemisphere is increasingly alert to the nexus between drugs, terrorism, and political instability.

It is, in many ways, a reaffirmation of Guyana’s diplomatic role as a responsible partner in safeguarding not only its own sovereignty but the collective security of the Caribbean and the Americas.

But words must translate into action. The test will lie in how Guyana and its partners turn this recognition into tangible results: tougher laws, smarter enforcement, and a coordinated regional response. Failure to act decisively would leave the region exposed to criminal networks that recognise no borders and respect no law.

The government is right: unity is the only path forward. By confronting organised crime together, the Caribbean can hope to remain a true Zone of Peace, not merely in aspiration, but in reality.

Clear risks associated with Azruddin Mohamed

Dear Editor,

WE have all read the news over the past few days of the Trump government mobilising a significant presence of US Naval fire power and with troops on board, in the Caribbean seas, close by to Venezuela.

The US President has also put a bounty of US$50M on Nicholas Maduro’s head, which is about to be doubled by legislation in the US Congress. The Trump government has also declared that they do not recognise Maduro as the President of Venezuela, nor his party as the legitimate government of Venezuela.

With typical bravado, Maduro, has announced a creation of “a new people’s militia”, which he claims to be one million four hundred thousand (1.4M) people, for the purpose of defending against any American military attempt to enter Venezuela and arrest him. According to Maduro, he has also armed the People’s Militia with missiles and guns.

Maduro has also claimed to have mobilised some 4.5M troops to fight any American invasion, though there has been no detectable evidence of any such mobilisation.

All at the same time, US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has stated that “Maduro’s government” is, in fact, a “masquerade” and is, nothing but, the Venezuelan Cartel de los soles also called the “Cartel of the sun”, a criminal enterprise which now threatens “US oil companies that are operating lawfully in Guyana”.

Mr Rubio, of course, is referring to EXXON. He further announced at the State Department, that the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Control (OFAC), on 25th July 2025, has designated the Cartel as a “specially designated global terrorist” headed by Nicholas Maduro.

We are all very familiar with OFAC which has sanctioned Presidential Candidate Azruddin Mohammed, along with his father Nazar Mohammed, and all of their

businesses.

There has been a number of misleading stories and headlines in the Stabroek and Kaieteur News about this matter.

OFAC has in fact stated unequivocally, in response to the Mohameds lawyers, that “non-US persons”, Guyanese for instance, could “face sanctioned risk for certain activities involving sanctioned persons, such as providing material support to them”.

The OFAC statement goes on to define “material support” as “including any property, tangible or intangible or service”.

Highly respected lawyer, Sanjeev Datadin, in a recent post by him, underlines the fact that those persons who support Mohamed and his party WIN “believe wrongly, that this path would somehow free them…of offering material support”.

Put simply and practically, if you join and support a political party you are offering it “material support”.

To return, however, to the action being taken by the US government against Venezuela’s Maduro. When we vote on

September 1, we need to ask ourselves this question: “which of the contesting parties and contesting Presidential candidates command the unreserved respect of the US government and which does not”? The answer, of course, is staring us in the face.

The Trump government, for which US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, spoke, when he visited Guyana, manifestly demonstrated the respect it has for President Irfaan Ali and his government.

We can, on the other hand, take it as a given that the support of the US government for and the protection it offers Guyana against Venezuela, would disappear overnight if, by some miracle, the likes of Azruddin Mohamed were to become President of Guyana.

We can also take it as a given, that if Mohamed were to become President, it would not be long before Exxon would also disappear from Guyana.

An apology to Mrs Doreen De Caires

IN my column of Saturday, August 9, 2025 titled, “Deconstructing Nascimento and Stabroek News,” I wrote the following “SN’s reply I rather suspect was dictated by Mrs. DeCaires and written by her daughter Isabelle.

I don’t think Mr. Anand Persaud, the Editor-in-Chief and Isabell DeCaires have that kind of analytical access to the politics of the early Burnham era. Mrs. DeCaires is a product of that era.”

That quote was in relation to the Stabroek News’ (SN) condemnation of Mr. Nascimento’s role in the Burnham Government. I was wrong to think that Mrs. De Caires dictated the reply. I have been reliably informed that Mrs. De Caires could not have done it because she has been ailing for some time now.

I apologise to Mrs. DeCaires. I have also been told that Isabelle DeCaires and her brother, the major shareholders in the newspaper, are not actively involved in the editorials and day to day journalistic direction of SN.

My source tells me that the De Caires family have left Mr. Anand Persaud to run the newspaper. I was told too that Mr. Persaud is an uncompromising hater of the PPP and that the selected school of editorial writers was his choice and they are all anti-PPP.

So, it would appear that it was one of those writers who penned the response to Mr. Nascimento. I accept totally what my source has told me because of their vantage point. It is no secret in this country that SN has become vulgar and unbecoming in its political reporting.

What has been obfuscated in this country is the almost insane hostility of Mr. Persaud towards the PPP. Why his venom has been hidden is because social media has taken over the communication landscape so when you want to see a bad, obsessive PPP hater you look to the lunatic fringe who parade up and down the ladder of social media.

Mr. Persaud’s profile is also obscured be-

cause people tend to look toward Christopher Ram, GHK Lall, Peeping Tom, mainstream opposition figures and civil society actors like the Guyana Human Rights Association, Red Thread for hostility against the government. What remains hidden is that Mr. Persaud is even as frenetic in his rejection of the PPP as GHK Lall, Christopher Ram, Mike Mc Cormack are. Since he hides behind the curtain of the SN, people tend not to concentrate on him but on more publicly known anti-government personalities. The brutal fact is that Mr. Persaud is one of Guyana’s most enduring haters of the PPP.

Mr. Persaud does not deliver his anti-PPP poison frequently in his name thus he shields himself. He has other personalities to do it for him. I would like to think this is the reason why Mr. Ram has incredibly excessive latitude with SN and Mr. GHK Lall is allowed to publish a daily letter. There has been no way in the past and in the present, a letter-writer is allowed to publish a missive daily in a newspaper.

While Mr. Lall is given this special accolade, many letter-writers do not see their letters in SN. One such person is Gerald Perreira. This fellow is perhaps the longest serving Pan-Africanist in the Caribbean and has just been elected to the world’s Pan-Africanist Council. Mr. Perreira has more than 50 years in political activism.

Why is Mr. Perreira shut out? Because his area of academic interest is Western domination of the world. Mr. Perreira writes effusively on that topic. But Mr. Persaud refuses to publish Mr. Perreira’s thoughts because it would offend certain embassies that the newspaper is close to.

Under Mr. Persaud’s tenure, the SN has become extremely close to the Western embassies in Georgetown. A mere six months after living in Guyana, the ambassador of the EU mission, Mr. Van Ness, handed Mr. Persaud the embassy’s annual human rights

award.

The SN makes sure that there are no letters that refer to the Western attempts to re-colonise the Third World. I have been told that a certain Western embassy gives an annual stipend to SN because the paper is in deep financial trouble only surviving through state advertisements which brings in a substantial monthly income

In a shocking moment of brazen sycophantic journalism, SN refused to carry any of the three public symposiums on Gaza and the two Palestine marches on the streets of

Georgetown. SN did not carry the public appearance in Guyana of Palestine’s ambassador to the UN and Palestine’s ambassador to Guyana. I was not in the least surprised when I was told about Mr. Persaud’s crazy political temperament. It shows every day in the paper. It is obvious that since this is the topic of this column, I should elaborate.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.

Dear Editor,

IT is evident that the PPP/C has a surge of support in the streets and on social media. Three things account for this.

First, and foremost, the PPP/C is a people-oriented party, something most evident in the thousands of activists it has on the streets. These are mostly committed younger Guyanese, unlike the APNU which is made up of ‘geriatrics’, or the WIN which is made up of ‘flatulent stragglers.’

Secondly, unlike the APNU, AFC, and WIN, the PPP/C has leadership of exceptional, world-class quality. Irfaan Ali, Mark Phillips, and Bharrat Jagdeo, have more executive leadership than all the other parties combined.

Norton has never held an executive office; Azruddin is mostly known for his OFAC sanctions for gold smuggling and other infractions; Nigel Hughes is a low-energy candidate. Oh, and Amanza thinks she is still

lawyering the 2020 elections. On leadership, the PPP/C is light-years ahead.

Finally, the PPP/C is known for keeping election promises. The evidence is clear in education, healthcare, job creation, social welfare, national security, and the macro-economic management fiscal and monetary policies.

By contrast, the APNU broke every election promise it made in its last term in office. It had a helping hand in the sanctimonious AFC which lay prostrate while the APNU ran amok. WIN has no record of any kind.

The PPP/C is well-ahead because of its people-oriented policies, the quality of its leadership, and the fact that it delivers on all election promises.

These factors clearly explain the rising momentum of the PPP/C.

Sincerely Dr Randy Persaud

Ballot boxes secured after vehicular accident at LBI

–– GECOM PRO, police confirm; staff, party agents, police officer injured

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has confirmed that it has securely returned three ballot boxes to its Kingston headquarters after a contingent transporting elections materials was involved in an accident at La Bonne Intention (LBI), on Friday evening.

GECOM Public Rela -

tions Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward confirmed that the incident occurred while a contingent, comprising staff of the commission, party agents and police, was transporting the election materials from Georgetown to Berbice.

Based on information from the Guyana Police Force, the accident, which occurred around 20:55 hours,

involved minibus #BAB 6899; Motor Car #PXX 7899 and minibus #BAL 2180.

“Enquiries disclosed that minibus #BAB 6899 was proceeding west on LBI Public Road, ECD, with Ballot Box #DF048 from Central Police Station under escort, behind that was motorcar #PXX 7898, which was carrying Ballot Box #DF047 from

Central Police Station, and minibus #BAL2180 contained Ballot Box #DF050 from Whim Police Station.

“All of the vehicles were being escorted by Force motorcar #PAB 8212, when an unknown motorcar drove north-west out of LBI Access Road into the pathway of the escort, causing the police vehicle to apply brakes. In do-

ing so, minibus #BAB 6899 applied brakes, which led to minibus #PXX 7898 colliding with the rear of minibus #BAB6899, and then minibus #BAL 2180 collided with the rear of minibus #PXX 7899,” the police said.

Due to the collision, several passengers received injuries and were immediately escorted to the Georgetown

Public Hospital Corporation by the Police, and each respective ballot box was escorted to GECOM headquarters, safe and secured, the Guyana Police Force added. Ward, during a telephone interview, also confirmed that all of the ballot boxes are intact, and are stored safely at the commission’s headquarters.

Region Two will get College of Medical Sciences – Pres Ali announces DDL launches 13-year-old El Dorado Master Blender Special

REGION Two has been earmarked as one of the regions to offer the University of Guyana’s (UG) College of Medical Sciences programmes, bringing these medical courses closer to students.

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali made the announcement during commissioning of the Lima Regional Hospital, on Friday.

“I have given the Minister of Health and the Minister of Education instructions that we are going to attach a number of medical colleges from the University of Guyana in these regions, and this is one of the regions that will have one such medical college,” President Ali disclosed.

He explained that UG has received an overwhelming

number of applications to its medical field, including pharmacy, dental technician, dentistry, nursing, biology and medical sciences.

“I have given the Minister of Health and the Minister of Education instructions that we are going to attach a number of medical colleges from the University of Guyana in these regions, and this is one of the regions that will have one such medical college,”

President Ali disclosed.

He explained that UG has received an overwhelming number of applications to its medical field, including pharmacy, dental technician, dentistry, nursing, biology and medical sciences.

Unfortunately, the university cannot accommodate all the applicants, which has left

many feeling disappointed. This situation highlights the urgent need for the establishment of more medical colleges to support aspiring students.

“The new school that we are building will have enough capacity. We are building it so that in the night, it will be the Guyana Medical College Essequibo Branch as part of the University of Guyana, where your nurses, physicians, dentists, and technicians will be trained right here in Essequibo. Those are the opportunities,” the President stated.

When completed, medical students will no longer have to leave Essequibo to travel as far away as Turkeyen to pursue their medical studies. (DPI)

–– in celebration of 13 years as official spirit of CPL T20

DEMERARA Distillers Limited (DDL), through its El Dorado brand, has unveiled its latest limited-edition release: the El Dorado Master Blender 13-year-old rum, celebrating 13 years as the official spirit of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

According to a press release, this commemorative rum is a unique blend of marques from DDL’s heritage stills — the Uitvlugt French Savalle Still, Diamond Coffey Still, and the Port Mourant Double Wooden Pot Still.

Aged for a least 13 years in American oak casks previously used to mature bourbon, the 2025 El Dorado Master Blender’s Special Edition Rum is one of notable depth and character.

This rum offers an abundance of fruity and honeyed aromas, with a silky-smooth finish and a touch of butterscotch on the palate, making it a true celebration of Caribbean craftsmanship and cricketing spirit.

DDL’s Chairman Komal

Samaroo noted: “We’re proud to celebrate 13 years as the official spirit of CPL T20 with the launch of this special edition rum. This rum not only commemorates our journey with CPL, but it reflects our dedication to heritage, tradition, and the shared joy of cricket.

“It brings together the finest expressions from our heritage stills and ageing pro-

cess to honour a partnership rooted in Caribbean pride and craftsmanship. We look forward to continuing this spirited journey with CPL and the fans who make it unforgettable year after year.”

The El Dorado Master Blender’s Special Edition 13-Year-Old Rum is now available for sale at local retail outlets countrywide and all duty-free shops.

Chief of Defence Staff says handshake with WIN candidate twisted for political gain

CHIEF of Defence Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Omar Khan, has rejected the misuse of a courteous gesture to a presidential candidate and attempts to use it for political gain.

Brigadier Khan, in a statement on Friday, said at Base Camp Ayanganna during the Joint Services voting process, he responded to an act of courtesy in greeting a candidate who initiated a handshake.

“It has since come to my attention that this moment is being twisted and used for political gain on social media by the WIN Presidential Candidate, Azruddin Mohamed. Let it be clear, neither I nor

the Guyana Defence Force as an institution supports or endorses any political party or candidate,” he firmly stated.

He said that the GDF stands firm, neutral, patriotic, and loyal to the constitution and the people of Guyana.

“This misuse is not only misleading, it is dishonourable. Using the GDF’s professionalism for political gain goes against the values of honesty and respect that our democracy deserves,” he stated.

Brigadier Khan also took the opportunity to commend those men and women of the Joint Services for their steadfast work in maintaining peace and safety during this election season.

Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan in a statement, on Friday, said at Base Camp Ayanganna during the Joint Services voting process, he responded to an act of courtesy in greeting a candidate who initiated a handshake

AFC confident it will win elections

–– PM Candidate highlights; Patterson says social media abuzz with calls for their return to office

AS the nation gears up for the September 1 polls, the Alliance For Change (AFC), which has been campaigning quietly, has declared confidence in winning the upcoming elections.

These sentiments were expressed by the party’s prime ministerial candidate, Laura George, during a virtual press conference, on Friday.

Although the AFC was once hailed as a viable third force, the party is now facing numerous challenges, dating back to its absence from key national exercises such as the previous Local Government Elections (LGEs), and its ongoing recovery from a fractured coalition with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and failed attempts to revive this coalition earlier this year.

The party’s membership also took a hit after three of its parliamentarians crossed over to APNU.

In spite of these challenges and waning relevance in the political landscape, the party remains optimistic about securing victory at the upcoming polls

“I don’t want to be a pessimist, but I also believe in possibilities, because I believe that Indigenous Peoples and all Guyanese have endured enough,” George said, adding: “Citizens are prepared to have the AFC into office, the leadership in office, because we have worked with communities throughout, whether we were in office or not. So yes, the Alliance For Change is very confident.”

While the party has hosted frequent press conferences, as noted by its members on Friday, to announce a slew of promises, critics have opined that the rhetoric does not equate to political momentum, as the small party continues to face much criticism for its underperformance while in office with APNU from 2015-2020.

Earlier this week, Frederick McWilfred, who once headed the Political Division at the Ministry of the Presidency under the David Granger administration reflected upon the downfall of the Opposition.

The former political advisor spoke about how the APNU+ AFC coalition left the opposition fractured as the AFC- the smaller party- was sidelined and stripped of its purpose from 2015-2020.

“The APNU+AFC coalition was essentially a PNC government. I think the AFC was destroyed as a political party and political force due to that coalition. The PNC leaders did not treat the AFC as a coalition partner. They were, you know, just pushed aside. They were miniaturised, and they lost their purpose,” McWilfred bluntly stated. With the AFC being in such a sad shape, he did not express any confidence in the party even gaining one seat in Parliament.

During the virtual press conference, AFC executive member David Patterson also added his voice to whether the party can motivate the electorate to vote for them.

Confidently, he said: “Every single day on social media, the entire population are calling to bring back the AFC ministers… our track record speaks for itself.”

Critics say prior to its ultimate “demise” following the March 2020 General and Regional Elections, the AFC functioned in the shadow of APNU, completely powerless and unable to influence decisions or effect change.

The weakness of the party was exposed by former party member and Member of Parliament, Charrandass Persaud, who had voted yes in support of a motion presented in the National Assembly by then opposition PPP to topple the APNU+AFC administration in 2018.

First Lady opens Tuschen’s first modern recreational park

RESIDENTS of Tuschen and neighbouring communities on the East Bank of Essequibo, Region Three, are set to benefit from their first modern, multi-purpose recreational park, officially opened on Friday by First Lady, Mrs. Arya Ali.

The Tuschen Recreational Park is the 13th such facility developed under the Office of the First Lady’s

National Beautification Project, which was launched four years ago. Mrs. Ali described the new space as a significant investment in community well-being, especially for one of Guyana’s largest housing schemes.

“When we came into office in 2020, we promised a better life for Guyanese all across this country, and part of that involves ensuring

that you have access to safe recreational spaces for your children and the elderly,” the First Lady told residents during the ceremony.

The new facility boasts modern play amenities, gazebos, sanitary facilities, benches, lighting, receptacles, and fruit trees—an emblem of Region Three. A multi-purpose building has also been included, designed

to host skills training and empowerment sessions.

Mrs. Ali announced that women interested in learning trades such as cake decorating or sewing, and youth wishing to take up business management or customer service training, will soon have access to these opportunities at the park. She emphasised that the initiative reflects the People’s Progressive Party’s

(PPP) vision of holistic development, focusing on both communities and individual lives.

“Each time we open a new park or public space, it reminds us that apart from roads, bridges, and big buildings, development is also about creating spaces where our children and families can relax, feel safe, and enjoy life, and in this case, benefit from opportunities for self-development,” she noted.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, also attended the opening and praised the project. However, he cautioned residents to safeguard the new

facility against vandalism.

“It belongs to the people of this community, and we must not allow anyone to vandalise it, because if they do, it will be an affront to the development that we are trying to achieve. It will be to the disadvantage of the children and the families who are supposed to come here and have an afternoon time, sit and chat. Children will play,” the Minister urged.

The Tuschen Recreational Park is expected to serve thousands of residents and enhance the community’s appeal as both a residential and business hub in Region Three.

Opposition commissioner stirs unnecessary controversy over police recruits’ traditional uniform

OPPOSITION-APPOINTED GECOM Commissioner Desmond Trotman, on Friday, raised unfounded concerns about the long-established attire of police recruits.

Speaking to members of the press on the sidelines of polling activities, Trotman remarked: “I saw a whole contingent of persons who I believe to be recruits or lower rank persons with the red ties around their necks. I think the press should be concerned… I’ve never seen it before and that’s why I’m raising the concern.”

However, his comments were immediately met with confusion, since the uniform he described — cream shirts, red ties, and black pants — is in fact the traditional dress code of police recruits and has been a standard feature of the Guyana Police Force’s regimental attire for generations.

Pressed by reporters to clarify his unease, Trotman was unable to provide a clear explanation of what, precisely, was troubling about the attire.

The Guyana Police Force has consistently maintained

Opposition-appointed GECOM Commissioner Desmond Trotman

high standards of discipline and presentation among its recruits.

The red tie, far from being unusual, is a symbol of that tradition and has long been associated with the professional image of the Force’s newest ranks. By attempting to cast aspersions on a standard uniform, Trotman’s remarks were widely interpreted by critics as out of touch and misinformed. They highlighted that it is once again clear that the opposition has a penchant for sowing doubt rather than contributing meaningfully to the democratic process.

‘Irfaan Ali never granted me any favour’ – Mohamed

UNITED States-sanctioned businessman and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Presidential Candidate, Azruddin Mohamed, has admitted publicly that President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has never granted him a single favour, despite months of desperate attempts to link the Head of State to his scandal-ridden affairs.

“We had a close relationship… as a Muslim brother to a Muslim brother. That is it. Irfaan Ali never granted me no favour,” Mohamed told reporters at the Police Officers Mess, Eve Leary, on Friday.

The confession stands in stark contrast to the smear campaign he has been attempting to mount against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and President Ali, as the nation heads to General and Regional Elections.

which was seen and described as a blatant attempt to rob the State of over $383 million in taxes.

“As I stated before, at no time did Azruddin Mohamed present any invoice for US$695,000. Instead, he reaffirmed his lies by presenting to GRA a falsi-

fied invoice of US$75,000,” President Ali said.

Now out on $500,000 bail, Mohamed is fighting two criminal charges of customs fraud and tax evasion.

Evidence supplied by the U.S. Department of Justice includes the original dealership invoice and wire transfers from Mohamed’s own account to the U.S. seller — confirming the real price of the Lamborghini. This follows sweeping U.S. sanctions imposed on Mohamed, his father Nazar, and their companies for corruption and illicit activities.

Back in June, in a live video, Mohamed had shared WhatsApp messages between himself and a number purportedly belonging to President Ali regarding the importation of a luxury vehicle.

“The video of Azruddin Mohamed reinforces his duplicity and dishonesty,” the President had said, adding that having his phone

President Ali had previously called out Mohamed’s falsehoods, describing his antics as “dishonest and factually incorrect.”

number was nothing special since “thousands of Guyanese continue to contact me on various matters.”

Central to the scandal is Mohamed’s alleged attempt to cover up the true purchase price of a luxury Lamborghini, which U.S. authorities have confirmed to be US$695,000.

Mohamed, however, presented the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) with an invoice of just US$75,000,

Guyana ready to support efforts to combat transnational crime, narco-terrorism –– gov’t affirms

THE Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana has expressed grave concern over the growing threat posed by transnational organised crime and narco-terrorism, warning that such activities undermine peace, security, and democratic governance across the region.

In a statement issued on Friday, the government highlighted the operations of criminal syndicates such as Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles, designated a terrorist organisation by some countries in the hemisphere, as examples of networks with the capacity to overwhelm state institutions, subvert the

rule of law, and erode human dignity and development.

“The Government of Guyana underscores the necessity for strengthened co-operation and concerted efforts at the national, regional, hemispheric and global levels to effectively combat this menace,” the statement said.

The administration reaffirmed that, in keeping with commitments made by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Guyana remains firmly in support of a collaborative and integrated approach to dismantle criminal networks and safeguard regional security.

“We are committed to working with our bilateral

partners to find meaningful solutions and will support regional and global initiatives aimed at dismantling criminal networks to safeguard our shared security.

By confronting transnational organised crime and narcoterrorism with unity, we reaffirm our dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the region remains a Zone of Peace,” the release added.

The declaration comes amid heightened hemispheric focus on the growing nexus between narcotics trafficking, terrorism, and political instability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

President Ali rubbishes claim of state funds being used for campaign events

By Naomi Parris PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has dismissed

claims that state funds are being used to finance the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C’s)

election campaign, insisting that the party’s efforts are being supported solely by mem-

bers and supporters across the country.

“We are incumbent, these accusations are always there,” he told reporters, while responding to questions on the sidelines of polling day activities at Base Camp Ayanganna, on Friday.

He emphasised that the PPP/C has actively engaged in fundraising activities, pointing to the party’s widespread grassroots support.

The Head of State said: “But our party, as you know, might have been the only party that had so many fundraisers across the country. So, we have been able to raise enough resources with the love and support of the people, with the love and support of our supporters and members.”

Several dinners, fun days and other events were held by the party ahead of its official campaign launch back in July.

Many of these events were organised by the regional cluster groups of the party. It was reported that some 12,000 persons had come out for one event, a fund-raising dinner held back in June at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Region Four. And there was similar support at other

events, the party reported.

“We have been able to raise enough resources to efficiently carry out our campaign and our work for these elections. So, there is no need for state resources and state resources have not been deployed to support our campaign,” President Ali asserted.

Allegations of state-resource misuse by the incumbent PPP/C were brought to The Carter Center’s attention by opposition political parties and civil society; this was highlighted in the observer mission’s pre-election report.

During a Thursday press conference at free-

dom house, the PPP’s General Secretary, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo pointed out that in 2020, the APNU+AFC was utilising state resources to campaign, as they spent $419 billion outside of parliamentary approval, around the elections and signed large contracts even after election day.

“When you talk about abuse, that’s abuse. In fact, five months after the election, you had [APNU+AFC] ministers of government using state assets when they had already lost the elections,” the General Secretary added.

Chandan-Edmond: President

Ali’s

leadership superior to opposition’s candidates

–– tells New Forest residents of development, heritage, and future plans

THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), on Thursday evening, continued its grassroots campaign momentum with a vibrant public meeting at New Forest, Berbice, where Attorney-at-Law and former opposition Member of Parliament, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, joined by Pandit Ravi and community activist Sheriann Beharry, delivered a strong message of continuity, progress, and vision for the future under the leadership of President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

The meeting, held at the residence of Pandit Ravi, drew a large turnout of residents who were reminded of New Forest’s transformation over the years. Once described as a neglected and forgotten place on the map, the community has seen renewed life under the PPP/C administration.

Chandan-Edmond recalled that during a previous outreach, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, had visited the community on behalf of President Ali and made a promise to deliver electricity and water to residents. That promise, she stressed, has since been kept.

“New Forest today is no longer abandoned,” she said. “Families are moving back into the community, new residents are building their lives here, and our children can now study in comfort with electricity in their homes while benefitting from scholarships.”

She credited these interventions with creating new opportunities and giving young people the tools to succeed. “This is what keeping promises looks like,” Chandan-Edmond told the cheering crowd.

The former MP urged residents to dream big and think big, noting that Berbice is now emerging as an economic hub with massive opportunities on the horizon. She cited the construction of a

modern stadium, the planned Corentyne River Bridge linking Guyana and Suriname, and the new highway as catalysts for transformation.

“There will be opportunities for growth in every sector—hospitality, services, trade, and agriculture. Berbice will be at the heart of this economic expansion,” she declared.

Reflecting on the village’s past, Chandan-Edmond noted that under previous opposition governments, New Forest was left abandoned and its sugar lands neglected. She reminded residents that their lands are sacred, symbolising the blood, sweat, and tears of their foreparents, and strongly rejected calls for sugar lands to be used for marijuana cultivation.

“These are not just lands; they are part of our heritage and identity. We must protect them,” she emphasised.

She further compared the PPP/C’s record to that of the opposition parties, arguing that APNU is defined by “poor governance” while WIN has no proven track record. In contrast, she said, President Irfaan Ali has shown superior leadership and a commitment to deliver on promises.

“When the lights came on in New Forest, it was like Lord Rama returning to Ayodhya—this entire community lit up with life and hope,” she said, drawing applause.

In a sharp jab at Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, Chandan-Edmond described him as inexperienced and unfit to lead at such a critical time in Guyana’s development. Instead, she encouraged residents to take advantage of opportunities such as small business loans and investment initiatives.

“There is so much potential right here in New Forest and across Berbice. Together, we will move forward for a better Guyana,” she concluded.

The meeting, held under the banner “Forward Together for a Better Guyana,” ended on a note of

optimism, with residents expressing confidence in the government’s ability to continue transforming their lives and communities.

Qayyim Academy’s Najeeb Mohamed excels with 20 CSEC passes –– eyes engineering future

AT just 16 years old, Najeeb Mohamed of Qayyim Academy has emerged as one of Guyana’s top performers in this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, securing an

impressive 20 passes—17 grade ones and three grade twos.

Mohamed’s journey began at Qayyim Academy at the nursery level, later earning a place at Queen’s College through the National Grade Six

Assessment (NGSA).

He returned to Qayyim in Grade Eight (Form Two), where his academic discipline and competitive spirit began to shine.

Beyond the classroom, Mohamed distinguished himself in sports and ex-

tracurricular activities.

A member of the Karate Club, Archery Club, and Chess Club, he earned medals in national karate competitions and contributed to the school’s achievements in spelling and knowledge-based

competitions.

He placed among the top ten in the Guyana Learning Channel Spelling Bee, was a standout in the Shout Competition by Recover Guyana, and emerged as a winner of the Brainiacs Competition. Mohamed is also active in sports, representing the Everest Cricket Club and the Dolphin Speed Swim Club.

Reflecting on his achievement, Mohamed admitted that he initially doubted his performance.

“I wasn’t expecting so much. I was expecting something like a 13, maybe a couple of twos or threes. But I was so surprised I got 17 grade ones and three grade twos,” he shared with the Daily Chronicle.

He credited his teachers at Qayyim Academy and the support of his parents for his success.

With a carefully structured schedule that avoided clashes between subjects, particularly between business and science courses, Mohamed and his classmates were able to receive focused guidance from their teachers throughout the exam period.

“The teachers played a great role in our success,” he said.

Looking ahead, Mohamed has enrolled for

the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) at Queen’s College.

With a keen interest in mathematics and the sciences, he aspires to pursue a career in engineering, leveraging the strong foundation he developed at Qayyim Academy.

Mohamed described his experience in the Brainiacs Competition as particularly rewarding, noting it challenged him to test his abilities and expand his confidence as a student. He offered advice to fellow students preparing for examinations:

“Recap the stuff that has caused you difficulty or posed a little bit of a challenge.

Even when doing other things like chores or playing a game, always have it at the back of your mind. Take your time, be confident in what you’re doing, and try to recap as much as possible.”

In celebrating Mohamed’s achievement, Qayyim Academy remarked:

“May Allah continue to shower His blessings on him. Aameen.”

With his combination of academic excellence, extracurricular dedication, and future-focused mindset, Najeeb Mohamed is poised to make his mark both in higher education and beyond.

Women entrepreneurs share inspiring stories at Human Services Ministry’s support day

SCORES of women in business gathered on Friday at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI), Cove and John, East Coast Demerara, for the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Women in Business – Support Day.

The event, modelled on the Ministry’s flagship ‘We Lift’ expo but on a smaller scale, provided participants with access to critical services such as business registration, Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) compliance, National Insurance Scheme (NIS) compliance, Food Handlers Certificates, general business guidance, and financial support opportunities.

A key feature of the day was the sharing of powerful, personal stories by women entrepreneurs, showcasing their resilience, creativity, and determination to succeed.

Among them was Mrs. Debbie Argyle of Mahaica, owner of Magnificent Enterprise. A proud mother of ten, Argyle recounted her journey from farming and gardening—with support from the Ministry of Agriculture—to developing her own line of pepper sauces, seasonings, and achar. She explained that her products are already being marketed in Barbados through annual expos, and she has also expanded into soap-making, with products such as neem, pumpkin, and pawpaw soaps.

“My dream is to establish my own business, because I have a group named Mahaica Women’s Group; these are mostly senior women and early school dropouts,” Argyle told the

gathering, adding that she hopes to, one day, open a factory at her home.

Another moving testimony came from Ms. Jenneta Brandon of Tuschen, Region Three, who travelled to Cove and John to attend the event. Brandon shared that her lifelong dream was to open an ice-cream parlour and snackette, but a serious fall that required surgery left her unable to walk for a period of time.

Refusing to let her circumstances define her, Brandon started J and R Peeled Garlic, selling freshly peeled garlic to customers.

“I started with three pounds of garlic and used social media to push my business. It encouraged me, and I started to take baby steps.

I’m back on my feet,” she said.

While proud of her growing garlic business, Brandon told participants she remains determined to pursue her childhood dream.

“I’m good at J and R Peeled Garlic, but I’m not stopping there.

I’m here to get help to purchase an ice-cream machine and a slushie machine to move closer to that dream,” she said with optimism.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, who engaged with participants during the event, praised the women for their resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. She noted that the Support Day initiative is designed to make services more accessible to women in business while also creating a space for inspiration, mentorship, and empowerment.

The women who attended expressed grat-

itude for the opportunity to network, share their experiences, and explore new avenues for growth.

From mined-out lands to Dragon Fruit orchards

–– Guyana’s bold step in crop diversification

ON the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, farmer Muhammad Haron left a recent training session with renewed optimism. With a notebook in hand and visions of trellises heavy with dragon fruit, he expressed his excitement: “I enjoyed the way the information was presented. The interaction with the experts was great, and I am looking forward to planting dragon fruit on our farm. I believe it will be successful.”

Haron is among dozens of farmers now at the forefront of a ground-breaking agricultural initiative in Guyana. The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), has launched a pilot programme to introduce commercial dragon

fruit cultivation in Regions Four and Ten.

This is no ordinary crop experiment. Funded by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) through the Mainstreaming Sustainable Land Development and Management (SLDM) project, the initiative seeks to reclaim mined-out lands, strengthen food systems, and open new markets for Guyanese farmers.

The idea was born during a learning journey last year to Brazil’s Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA).

There, Guyanese experts studied how countries are turning degraded lands into fertile ground again through agroforestry, soil conservation, and reclamation projects. Among the crops highlighted was dragon fruit—a vibrant, nutrient-rich fruit that thrives even in poor soils.

Inspired by Brazil’s success, the team saw an opportunity to reimagine parts of Guyana’s agricultural landscape. “This high-value crop is new to Guyana,” explained Kevin Paul of NAREI. “With both wet and dry conditions suitable for its cultivation, and with the training, farmers can easily produce dragon fruit. It will increase income and move Guyana from importing to producing — and even exporting.”

BUILDING FARMERS’ CAPACITY

The programme began in August with two intensive training sessions.

The first, a Training of Trainers (ToT) at NAREI’s Mangrove Hall in Mon Repos, brought together 32 representatives from NAREI, the University of Guyana’s Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, the Guyana School of Agriculture, and GLSC. A follow-up session at NAREI’s Kairuni Station on August 14 provided 37 farmers from the Soesdyke-Linden corridor with hands-on experience in dragon fruit farming.

Under the guidance of FAO experts Nguyen Van Son and Md Fazlay Arafat, participants learned everything from soil preparation and trellising systems to pest management and post-harvest care. They also worked directly in NAREI’s dragon fruit orchard, gaining the confidence to replicate what they saw on their own farms.

Beyond education, the project provides farmers with the tools to succeed. Each beneficiary will receive 200 dragon fruit saplings and 50 prefabricated trellises, along with ongoing technical support from NAREI’s extension team.

Training manuals, post-harvest guidance, and access to market linkages are also part of the package.

For farmers, this means moving quickly from theory to practice. For Guyana, it means advancing a broader vision of agricultural diversification and resilience.

SLDM Project Manager, Ahmed Jan, underscored the significance: “Crop diversification is key to stronger food systems and better farmer incomes.”

His sentiments were echoed by David Fredericks, NAREI’s Chief Scientist, and Asib Mohammed, GLSC’s Project Officer, who both stressed collaboration as the key to making dragon fruit a viable cash crop in Guyana.

A CROP WITH PROMISE

Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is no stranger to global markets. Its rising popularity as a “superfruit” makes it a premium commodity, commanding high prices and consistent demand.

By cultivating it locally, Guyana can reduce imports in the short term and eventually tap into export opportunities.

Just as importantly, the crop is drought-tolerant, making it a strong candidate for climate resilience strategies. Beyond orchards, the initiative is expected to stimulate new value chains— such as nurseries, trellis fabrication, aggregation, and agro-processing—offering additional income opportunities for rural communities.

For now, the pilot in Regions Four and Ten represents the first step in what could become a national movement. Minedout lands once written off as barren may soon yield orchards of dragon fruit, symbolising not just agricultural innovation but also sustainable land management.

For farmers like Muhammad Haron, the promise is simple but powerful: new skills, new crops, and new hope. And for Guyana, it is a chance to prove that innovation in agriculture can turn challenges into opportunities, one dragon fruit at a time.

Guyana/China Friendship Park set for completion by January 2026

WORK on the Guyana/ China Friendship Park, located on the western side of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge, is progressing under the oversight of the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), with completion now expected by January 26, 2026.

The $75.3 million Yuan (US$10.5 million) project officially commenced on July 24, 2024, and currently employs 42 active operational staff. According to the PAC, recent delays were largely

due to the prolonged rainy season, which created challenges for on-site scheduling and construction activities. Once completed, the Friendship Park is expected to become a premier destination for families and fitness enthusiasts alike. Features will include a children’s play zone, trampoline area, outdoor theatre, football field, basketball and tennis courts, cycling track, picnic spots, modern washrooms, and landscaped spaces designed for relaxation and leisure.

Two accused of $5.6M land fraud granted bail

TWO individuals accused of defrauding a man of $5.6 million under the guise of securing house lots and land were, on Friday, granted bail when they appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The defendants—29-year-old Sophia Singh of Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and 40-year-old taxi driver Feroz Mohamed—were jointly charged with three counts of obtaining money by false pretense. They both denied the allegations when the charges were read to them by Magistrate Annette Singh.

According to the charges, the duo allegedly collected a total of $5.64 million from the complainant, Chet Singh, on three separate occasions in June and August 2025.

Investigators said the pair promised to obtain house lots and land for the man despite knowing they had no authority or ability to do so.

The first incident reportedly occurred on June 13 at Robb Street, Georgetown, when the accused obtained $2.4 million. Six days later, on June 19, they allegedly received a further $3 million.

The third payment of $240,000 was made on August 13.

In court, Sophia Singh’s lawyer argued that she was not a flight risk, had no prior convictions, and would attend her trial. Mohamed’s attorney, Latchmie Rahamat, maintained that her client was only hired to transport a package and had no financial dealings with either party.

The prosecution opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the offences and the likelihood of additional charges. Nevertheless, Magistrate Singh granted each defendant $300,000 bail with conditions: both must report monthly to the Brickdam Police Station and surrender their passports. The case has been adjourned to September 19.

The Ministry of Housing and Water has issued stern warnings to the public to beware of fraudulent schemes involving the sale of government lands.

Citizens are urged to conduct all transactions directly through the Ministry’s official channels and to report any suspicious activities immediately.

In a recent site visit on August 15, 2025, PAC Chairman and Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud assessed the progress of the project, reviewed completed works, and evaluated timelines for remaining phases of the park, also known as the Joe Vieira Park project. The Commission indicated that improved management of material supplies, an expanded workforce, and periods of favourable weather are expected to accelerate construction.

Discussions were also

held regarding the planned four additional entrances for the park, which will be led by the Ministry of Public Works. PAC management reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the Ministry to ensure these entrances are completed ahead of the park’s internal works.

The project, a symbol of Guyana-China friendship and co-operation, also aims to support sustainable community development and provide a recreational hub for residents and visitors.

Kane hits hat-trick as Bayern puts six past Leipzig

ENGLAND’S captain, Harry Kane, scored a hattrick as defending champions Bayern Munich began the Bundesliga season by thrashing RB Leipzig.

It took 27 minutes for the hosts to break the deadlock when Michael Olise sent a powerful strike into the far corner after the ball dropped invitingly into his path.

Serge Gnabry was instrumental in the build-up to that goal and also the second five minutes later as the German picked out Luis Diaz after an excellent passing routine.

The Colombian forward rifled an effort in off the

underside of the crossbar for his first Bundesliga goal since his summer arrival from Liverpool.

Gnabry’s excellence was apparent again for Bayern’s third just before the break, tricking the Leipzig defence into thinking he was about to shoot before teeing up Olise instead to thunder home.

Kane got his first of the night in the 64th minute, cutting inside to round off a swift counter-attack and tuck an effort past Peter Gulacsi.

The visitors thought they had a goal back soon after,

but substitute Antonio Nusa’s goal was disallowed as the ball was rolling when a free-kick in the build-up was taken.

Leipzig’s luck only got worse, with Kane whipping an expert effort inside the far post from the edge of the box to add a fifth goal to Bayern’s tally.

He sealed a dominant success for his side when he netted his third in the 77th minute, a beleaguered Leipzig defence unable to keep up with Bayern’s running, leaving Kane unmarked and able to slot home.(BBC Sport)

Cape Town to host SA20 final; playoffs in Durban, Centurion and Johannesburg …

Durban will host a playoff for the first time

NEWLANDS will host the opening match as well as the final of the SA20 2025-26. The tournament begins on December 26 with defending champions MI Cape Town taking on Durban’s Super Giants.

The final will be played on January 25.

The Qualifier 1 will take place in Durban on January 21, the Eliminator in Centurion on January 23, and the Qualifier 2 in Johannesburg the following day.

“The SA20 season 4 is shaping up to be an incredibly exciting summer of cricket, kicking off on Boxing Day and running through the holiday period,” Graeme Smith, the league commissioner, said. “Last year Newlands sold out all five matches at the venue and with the final taking place on a Sunday, it sets up an incredible afternoon with great weather, entertainment and a lively atmosphere to crown our season 4 champion.

“Durban will host a playoff for the first time. We are hoping this will excite the fans, especially because the two best teams of the competition will Be playing in that Qualifier 1. We’re also excited to go back to Centurion and Wanderers

(Saturday August 23, 2025)

on Thursday and Friday nights. It’s always key to have the venues close together because the matches are a day apart.” For now, the teams will be focused on the player auction scheduled for September 9, where they will finalise their 19-player squads.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the first two editions of SA20, and were runners-up in the previous edition, where they fell short against MI Cape Town. (ESPN CRICINFo)

Nurul, Saif recalled to Bangladesh squad for Asia Cup

WICKET-KEEPER-batter Nurul Hasan has received a call-up to the Bangladesh 16-player squad, announced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Friday. He last played a T20I three years ago.

Apart from Nurul, Saif Hasan also makes a return to the national T20I set-up after a gap of one and a half-year. The batter last played for Bangladesh in the Asian Games 2023 before being left out.

Nurul was knocking the door of the selection panel for quite some time through his performance in domestic cricket. He even featured for the Bangladesh A team recently.

Nurul, the 31-year-old had last appeared in T20Is in November 2022 during the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.

Mehidy Hassan Miraz, who was part of the last T20I squad, could not retain his place in the 16-member squad, and were placed in the reserve list. Apart from Mehidy, Soumya Sarkar along Tanvir Islam and Hasan Mahmud were picked as stand-by for Asia Cup. Interestingly there was no place for former T20I skipper Najmul Hossain in the stand-by list.

This squad will also represent Bangladesh in the upcoming three-match T20 international series against the Netherlands in Sylhet starting on August 30.

SQUAD:Litton Kumer Das (Captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak

Ngidi’s five gives

Nurul Hasan last played a T20I in November 2022.

Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Shaif Uddin

STANDBY (For Asia Cup Only):Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud (Cricbuzz)

SA fifth consecutive ODI series win vs Australia

LUNGI Ngidi stepped up in the absence of the injured Kagiso Rabada, picking up 5/42 as South Africa clinched the three-match ODI series with a 84-run win in the second ODI. This gave South Africa their fifth consecutive bilateral ODI series win against Australia.

After opting to bat, South Africa found themselves in familiar territory at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay - rebuilding after early strikes before a dramatic late-order collapse threatened to derail what looked like a commanding total. South Africa lost four wickets for 31 runs in the space of 35 deliveries and went from 233 for 5 at the start of the 41st over to 264 for 9 in the 46th over before being bowled out for 277.

Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs had led a recovery from the middle-order after two early strikes from Xavier Bartlett. The duo put on an 89-run stand for the fourth wicket which closely followed a 67-run stand for the third between Tony De Zorzi and Breetzke.

These partnerships guided South Africa through the tricky phase in the middle overs. Breetzke’s counter-at-

Chasing a target of 278, Australia was bowled out for 193 inside 38 overs.

tack including a 16-run over against Aaron Hardie helped turn the momentum with a steady Stubbs at the other end.

But just as they were poised for more, Breetzke miscued a big hit off Nathan Ellis to be out caught for 88. Another short ball got the better of Dewald Brevis in Ellis’ next over leaving South Africa shaky again. But Stubbs managed to guide them ahead before he became part of the collapse in the back-end of the

innings.

In the chase, Australia had another bad day out with the bat, with Travis Head falling in the third over, mistiming a loft off Nandre Burger. It got worse as Marnus Labuschagne’s horror run in international cricket continued. Chasing a wide one from Ngidi, Labuschagne fell for 1 for the second time in succession. Skipper Mitchell Marsh survived a dropped catch and hit four fours in his 18 before falling to a mistimed pull.

Stage set for OMSCC Legends Over-50 semi-finals today

THE stage is set for two electrifying semi-finals today in the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Legends Over-50 tournament.

Three-time defending champions, GTA Storm, will oppose newcomers Warriors at the St Bede ground while Toronto Blizzards clash with Canadian Legends on the adjoining Littles ground in Scarborough, Toronto, Canada. Both games are scheduled to get underway at 2:30 pm.

In last Saturday’s quarter-final action, GTA Storm made light work of KC Stalwarts at St Bede, inflicting a 10-wicket victory over their opponents in a lop-sided affair.

Ian “Russian” Baldeo starred with a fine-all-round effort, grabbing two for five off his three overs, including a double-wicket maiden and came back to slam six fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 48 off a mere 21 balls as GTA Storm reached 84 without loss in reply to KC Stalwarts 80 for nine in their allotted 20 overs.

Skipper Troy Gobin was on 31 not out when victory was achieved, an innings which contained four fours and a six off 16 balls.

Earlier, KC Stalwarts struggled throughout their innings with skipper Marcel Arokium’s 17 being the best effort as Rudy Bhopaul (two for four) and Jerry Brittania (two for seven) gave valuable support to Baldeo.

Cameron Green and Josh Inglis steadied the ship with a 67-run stand for the fourth wicket before the former hit a return catch back to Senuran Muthusamy to be dismissed for 35, Inglis remained as the lone warrior as the innings unravelled rapidly thereafter.

Ngidi wrapped up the lower-order including the crucial strikes of Hardie in Inglis in successive overs as Australia were bowled out for 193. (Cricbuzz)

The Toronto Blizzards/Remax All Stars encounter, played at Dean Park, saw the former winning by seven wickets. Chasing 113 for victory, after Remax All Stars huffed and puffed their way to 112 for seven in their 20 overs, Toronto Blizzards reached the target in 12.5 overs with all-rounder Lalchand Shivraj hitting an unbeaten 63, Sunil Dhaniram (23) and Fazil Rasool 21 not out.

Debidin Moses topscored for Remax All Stars with a defiant 42 while there were two wickets each for Lal “Dingo” Singh and Shivraj.

Canadian Legends withstood the challenge of upstarts Friendship Masters to triumph by 10 runs at Littles.

Set 220 for victory, after Canadian Legends reached an imposing 219 for four, batting first, Friendship Legends were in the hunt but ended on 209 for six when their 20 overs expired. Sunny Ramadhar (45) and Naresh Prashad (39) led the charge.

No scores were available in the Warriors/Ramblers Rampage game which reportedly ended in controversy. Warriors were however declared winners following a protest from their opponents.

GTA Storm won both of their preliminary round matches against Warriors but will be wary of their opponents in this do or die fixture while Toronto Blizzards and Canadian Legends game should also be an eye-catching affair. (Frederick Halley)

Split board as USA Cricket cuts ties with ACE; World Cup preparations at risk

IN a significant development, USA Cricket has formally severed ties with its strategic partner, American Cricket Enterprises (ACE).

The national governing body entered a 50-year agreement with ACE, the company behind Major League Cricket (MLC), in June 2019, granting it exclusive rights to own and operate a top-tier T20 league in the United States.

The deal also covered commercialisation of the national teams and plans to develop cricket infrastructure in a country with limited dedicated facilities. However, years of tensions repeatedly pushed the partnership to the brink. With the termination notice sent by USA Cricket yesterday following its threehour board meeting, the relationship reached a breaking point. The board, already operating under an ICC suspension notice since July 2024, was sharply divided.

The proposal to terminate ACE’s contract was put forth by Chairman Venu Pisike and board member David Haubert, a move supported by allies Srini Salver, Anj Balusu, and Pintoo Shah. Pisike and Salver’s differences with ACE have long been public. Balusu, a confidant of Pisike from the Atlanta Cricket League, was elected unopposed after other candidates were disqualified on technical grounds, circumstances similar to Salver’s own ascension. Haubert and Shah, meanwhile, were independent directors whose appointments had Pisike’s support. Together, this faction

ACE’s Chairman Venu Pisike

outvoted directors Nadia Gruny, Kuljit Nijjar, Atul Rai and Arjun Gona. Incidentally, Gruny has formally challenged the legitimacy of Pisike as Board Chairman, as per the USA Cricket bylaws. Also present were USAC CEO Johnathan Atkeison and legal counsel. Multiple sources said Atkeison repeatedly warned supporters of the motion about the consequences of such a move.

The board’s legal counsel also cautioned that the termination was unlikely to hold up in arbitration, while the external attorney reportedly went further, calling the decision “reckless.” Atkeison also warned the board about the financial impact for an organization already facing constraints. According to multiple sources, USA Cricket could be only weeks from bankruptcy without ACE’s

quarterly payments.

To compound matters, the ongoing suspension notice means ICC funds remain under the direct control of the world body, leaving the board with few immediate options. Since 2019, sources estimate that ACE has provided USA Cricket with over $10 million towards sanction fees, operating costs, and player payments. Future payments are now in jeopardy.

To note, the dispute largely centres around the management and finances of the US National Team, and USA Cricket has stated that they want to see Major League Cricket continuing. In addition, Major League Cricket is sanctioned by the ICC, removing reliance on USA Cricket for continuity. Nonetheless, ACE is expected to challenge the termination in arbitration, given its investments to date and future investments around the broader American cricket ecosystem. This legal process may cost USA Cricket significantly, further straining the board’s finances.

The downstream impact of this action will be significant. Most immediately, capital needed to support the US national team is now uncertain. USAC and MLC were working on a $700,000 budget and use of MLC’s Venues in Dallas and Morrisville to support preparatory fixtures for the National Men’s, Women’s and Junior programmes, including three one-dayers and three T20s against West Indies A scheduled for October, and the USA Women’s matches against West Indies in

the same month.

The termination now places those matches in jeopardy, and it raises the possibility that USA could enter a World Cup without T20 practice beyond any ICC warm-ups scheduled shortly before the tournament.

The immediate standoff can be traced to June 23, when USA Cricket issued a termination warning outlining several alleged breaches by ACE. The ACE responded to USA Cricket in July with a point-by-point reply to the claims from USA Cricket. USA Cricket did not respond further before issuing the termination notice. However, a review of the term sheet accessed by Cricbuzz indicates that only two claims qualify as material breaches explicitly listed in the termination clause: failure to pay yearly minimum guarantees and failure to construct a High Performance Centre.

Bank records reviewed by Cricbuzz show that ACE has been making the minimum-guarantee payments to USAC on a quarterly basis. With regard to the High Performance Centre responsibilities, ACE, in its July note to USA Cricket, noted that the High Performance Center in Grand Prairie was designed in consultation with USA Cricket leadership, and exceeds the standards of high performance centres of most other ICC Associate nations, and has even been deemed of sufficient standard for the ICC to conduct World Cup matches in 2024. (Cricbuzz)

White-ball success for Conrad, but there’s batting work to do

THAT South Africa beat Australia in Mackay on Friday to clinch their men’s ODI series with a game to spare was only the tip of the iceberg. There’s plenty going on below the waterline, particularly in a batting sense.

The visitors, who won the first match by 98 runs in Cairns on Tuesday, added an 84run thumping at the Great Barrier Reef Arena to make Sunday’s game at the same venue an irrelevance.

Lungi Ngidi was the star, intelligently applying his variations of pace -- and diving across the pitch to claim a stunning return catch -- to take 5/52. That did more than anything to dismiss the Australians for 193 in 37.4 overs to complete a comprehensive victory.

With that South Africa had their fifth consecutive series win in the format over these opponents, who slipped to their third straight defeat in ODI rubbers. Let’s not forget Australia are the current holders of the World Cup, which they have won a record six times. Or at least three times as often as any other team.

The Aussies were also who South Africa downed in the WTC final at Lord’s in June. What made them such beatable opposition for the side from the sharp tip of Africa?

Ngidi was having none of that at his press conference: “It’s always a tough challenge; they always put you under pressure. It was a test of character today. It usually is against Australia. Today there was assistance [in the pitch], but it’s more of a mental battle every time you play Australia.

“You’ve seen from the T20 series [which Australia won 2-1] how it’s up and down. They win, we win, and they win again. It’s

always competitive. In the ODIs, it’s no different

“We had the opportunity to win a series tonight. It was about mentally stepping up and finishing it off. It’s a great rivalry that’s always been there, and it’s going to continue for many years.”

The win was South Africa’s first whiteball success since Shukri Conrad added the short-format portfolio to his red-ball duties in May. Before the current series, South Africa had lost five of the eight T20Is they had played under Conrad - who has cemented his international credentials by guiding his team to 13 victories in 17 Tests, only three of them lost.

One of the keys to Conrad’s style is to give players more autonomy than other coaches. What does that mean on the field?

“For the bowlers, it’s pretty much giving you the freedom to bowl what you want to bowl,” Ngidi said. “We’ve been playing international cricket for a couple of years now, so we know what we’re good at and what we need to do. That’s the beauty of what he’s gifted us. It’s freedom - set your field and bowl what you want to bowl according to whatever you see in front of you. Play the conditions and don’t be scared to try things.”

For instance, Ngidi said, “I believe in the slower ball, so if I want to bowl it in the powerplay I’ve got the freedom to do it. That’s something beautiful because it gives me confidence in what I want to execute.”

But however eloquently Ngidi articulates what life as a bowler is like with Conrad as coach, he’s not going to be able to say what it means for batters. Which brings us back to

Tristan Stubbs’ 74 on Friday marked the first time he reached 50 in 14 innings across formats

what is going on under the waterline around South Africa’s iceberg.

The Conrad approach seems to be working for Matthew Breetzke, whose lowest score in his four ODI innings is the 57 he made in Cairns on Tuesday. Breetzke’s form has already made him the leading runscorer among all ODI players in

their first five innings - even if he gets out for nought in his next trip to the crease.

Other batters are not in such prolific form.

Tristan Stubbs’ 74 on Friday marked the first time he reached 50 in 14 innings across formats. But he might not be out of the woods yet - he also dropped two catches, which makes it six spilled chances in five games for a player capable of making the stupendous look simple in the field.

Ryan Rickelton admitted that his 71 off 55 in the first T20I in Darwin on August 10 was too laboured for the requirements of the match situation. He looked fretful at the crease in his four subsequent innings, in which he had a highest score of 33.

Aiden Markram’s 136 in the WTC final was among the most consequential and momentous performances by any player in the history of South African sport, but he was out for fewer than 20 four times on this tour; including for nought and one. The exception was his 81-ball 82 in the first ODI - when his anguished anger after he flapped untidily outside his off stump and was caught behind to end what until then looked like a hundred in the making spoke volumes.

Tony de Zorzi, who cracked the nod on Friday because Temba Bavuma was left out as “part of his workload management,” has gone 15 innings without making a half-century. And that by a player who scored 85, 119 not out, 81, 78 and 177 in the course of his first 23 innings. Doubtless, Conrad is more acutely aware of all of the above than anyone else. Just as certain is that only he and his support staff, and nobody else, can do something about it.

(Cricbuzz)

Caribbean nations learn fate in draw for 2025/26 CONCACAF W qualifiers

MIAMI, Florida, (CMC)

– The road to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is now set for the Caribbean’s top footballing nations.

CONCACAF conducted the official draw for the 2025/26 W Qualifiers, placing the region’s teams into groups where they will battle for a coveted spot in the confederation’s premier tournament.

A total of 29 nations, including the region’s strongest Caribbean sides, were drawn into six groups.

The qualifiers will be played in the FIFA international windows of November 2025, February 2026, and April 2026.

The draw produced several intriguing groups for the Caribbean contingent: Group B is headlined by Jamaica, the recent World Cup darlings.

The Reggae Girlz will be heavily favoured to top a group that includes Guyana, Nicaragua, Dominica, and Antigua and

The Reggae Girlz will be heavily favoured to top a group that includes Guyana, Nicaragua, Dominica, and Antigua and Barbuda.

Barbuda.

Group D features a compelling Caribbean showdown between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, ensuring a fierce battle for the top spot. They are joined by Suriname, Belize, and Anguilla.

Group E presents a major opportunity for Panama, but also for Caribbean sides Saint Kitts and Nevis, Curaçao, and Aruba, who will all look to challenge Cuba for a surprise advancement.

Group F pits Trinidad and Tobago, a traditional regional power, against Barbados and Central American opponents El Salvador and Honduras.

Elsewhere, Puerto Rico and Saint Lucia will face a mammoth task in Group A against powerhouse Mexico, while Grenada, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands found themselves in Group C with Costa Rica and Guatemala.

The ultimate prize for these teams is immense as the six group winners

will advance to the eightteam 2026 CONCACAF W Championship, where they will join the region’s two automatic qualifiers: the United States and Canada.

This W Championship, to be played in November 2026, is the direct pathway to global glory.

The four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while the two finalists will also secure a berth at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

West Indies women gear up for demanding schedule with intensive Antigua camp

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – In a significant push to elevate their game to world-class standards, the West Indies Women’s cricket team has wrapped up an intensive high-performance training camp at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

The extended camp, a key part of Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) increased investment in the women’s programme, was strategically split into two phases. This allowed coaches to work closely with a broader pool of talent, from established stars to emerging prospects.

The final group of players concluded their rigorous sessions this week under the guidance of Head Coach Shane Deitz and his support staff.

West

Lanka and Australia, and a tour to Ireland.

Head Coach Shane Deitz was pleased with the progress made during the five-week developmental period.

“It’s been great to be able to focus on some fundamental technical work and some strength and conditioning work,” Deitz said. “We have already seen some improvements in a short space of time. The girls are responding very positively to the push from our coaching staff.”

THE Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) has announced the start of its highly anticipated Under-13 Cricket Tournament, with the first matches set to be played today at the Queen’s College Ground. The competition, which runs until Wednesday, August 27, will feature four promising teams showcasing Demerara’s brightest emerging players: the DCB Falcons, DCB Crows, DCB Hawks, and DCB Eagles.

Falcons v DCB Crows (QC Pitch 1) & DCB Eagles v DCB Hawks (QC Pitch 2)

August 24: DCB Falcons v DCB Hawks (QC Pitch 1) & DCB Eagles v DCB Crows (QC Pitch 2)

August 27: Final, Team A v Team B (QC Ground)

All matches are scheduled to begin at 09:30h.

Squads

The tournament provides a vital platform for these young cricketers to hone their skills and gain competitive experience, forming a crucial part of the DCB’s initiative to foster the next generation of Guyanese talent.

Tournament fixtures

August 23: DCB

DCB Falcons: Mohamed Bahsk, Jayden David, Makai Dowlin (C), Michael Pereira, Laksman Jaigopaul, Aslam Ali, Chidannand Mahabal, Makhaya Jones, Justin Simeon, Sanjay Suman, Tyler Nedd, Michael Moore, Amir Gainda, Monesh Latif, Omari John, Jonathan Kandasammy.

DCB Crows: Kailash Dindial, Jason Moonsammy, Isaac Hussain, Hezekiah Hohenkirk (C), Ajay Kissoon, Nathaniel Harper, Afraz Khan, Safiullah Ali, Nathan Puran, Aiyan Persaud, Vijay Chaindat, Jadin Simeon, Vickash Khemraj, Ashton Collins, Jadgesh Latif, Shaquown Bookie.

DCB Hawks: Karran Khemraj, Mario Singh (C), Nathaniel Ramkhelwan, Caleb Bastian, Satyannand Mahabal, Xavier Dodson, Zahid Talkudar, Elijah Mohamed, Nathaniel Bishop, Joshua Yipsam, Ravi Singh, Jayden Emanuel, Shivcham Ali, Mark Simeon, Jadon Birch, Hemesh Latif.

The comprehensive training block left no stone unturned, with meticulously planned sessions focused on technical skill refinement, tactical game awareness, peak physical conditioning, and mental resilience.

serves as the foundational preparation for a packed international calendar.

The timing of the camp is critical, as it

The major target on the horizon is the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England, preceded by a home series against Sri

The players will now disperse to compete in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), after which they will regroup for what Deitz describes as “an intense few months of training” to ensure they are ready for the crucial challenges of 2026.

DCB Eagles: Irfaan Nasoordin, Samuel Herall, Paul Wintz, Dashawn Ramauth (C), Jayden Kissoon, Jamal Samuels, Rakeeb Latif, Andrew Narine, Ethan Roopnarine, Tafari Softleigh, Daniel Baird, Quacy Cummings, Darius Haynes, Mikkel Langhorne, Jeremiah Johnson, Brandon Kandasammy.

Holder’s all-round masterclass seals Patriots victory over Royals

BASSETERRE,

St. Kitts, (CMC) – A brilliant all-round performance from captain Jason Holder propelled the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots to a tense 12-run victory over the Barbados Royals in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League thriller here at Warner Park on Thursday. night

In a match that ebbed and flowed, the Royals, chasing a target of 175, seemed wellplaced at 92-3 at the halfway mark.

However, their innings unravelled in the face of a devastating bowling spell, led by their opposing skipper.

Holder was the undeniable architect of the win, first blasting a crucial 38 runs from just 21 balls to help the Patriots post a competitive 174-8.

He then turned the game with the ball, producing a scintillating spell of 4-14 that included two separate bursts of two wickets in two balls.

His clinical execution effectively broke the Royals’ chase, culminating in him trap-

ping Jomel Warrican lbw in the 19th over to seal the result.

The Patriots’ innings was built on a solid foundation from Kyle Mayers, who topscored with 42.

For the Royals, left-arm quick Ramon Simmonds was the standout bowler, claiming impressive figures of 3-26 from his four overs.

This victory, their second of the tournament, lifts the Patriots into second place on the table.

More significantly, it marks a dramatic turnaround in their bowling fortunes.

After historically struggling to bowl teams out, a 50-inning drought without taking all ten wickets, Holder’s side has now achieved the feat twice in this year’s competition alone.

For the Royals, captained by Rovman Powell, who won the toss and elected to field, it is a second consecutive defeat as they continue their search for a first win in the 2025 CPL campaign.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Barbados were crowned champions of the CWI Rising Stars Under 17 two-day Championship on Thursday, sealing the title with a dominant 10-wicket victory over the Windward Islands at Queen’s Park Oval in the final round.

The title was built on the back of a phenomenal bowling display by Justin Parris, whose match figures of 9 for 46 dismantled the Windwards and underscored Barbados’s superiority throughout the competition.

After skittling the Windwards for a paltry 91 in their first innings, thanks to Parris’s 5-15, Barbados posted

a commanding 195 for 9 declared.

Despite a fight from Aravinda Bishop, who took 6-47 for the Windwards, the Bajan total proved more than enough.

Forced to follow on, the Windwards could only muster 131 in their second innings, with Parris again the chief destroyer, claiming 4-31.

Barbados needed just six overs to knock off the required 29 runs without losing a wicket, emphatically securing the championship.

The final round of matches saw a clean sweep of victories across the board. At the National Cricket Centre,

KELIZA Smith has officially arrived on the international stage.

The Guyanese sprinter stormed to a thirdplace finish in the women’s 200m final at the junior Pan American Games in Paraguay, clinching a bronze medal for her country.

Smith crossed the finish line in a blistering 23.42 seconds, cementing her place as one of the nation’s most promising young track stars and adding to Guyana’s medal haul. The top of the podium was claimed by Liranyi Alonzo of the Dominican Republic, who set a new championship record with a dominant 22.69

hosts Trinidad and Tobago finally broke their duck, securing a convincing 10-wicket win over Jamaica. The victory was set up

by a magnificent 7-37 from Ra’ed Ali Khan in Jamaica’s first innings, which restricted them to 142. A solid batting response, led by Saleem

seconds. Colombia’s Marleth Ospino grabbed the silver with a time of 23.14.

Smith’s journey to the podium was highlighted by a phenomenal semi-final performance, where she set a new season’s best of 23.08 seconds. That time put her within striking distance of Brenessa Thompson’s 2017 national record of 22.94, a tantalising glimpse of what could be in store for the rising talent.

The bronze is Guyana’s third medal of the Games, following strong showings from swimmer Raekwon Noel and the 4x400m Mixed Relay team.

Khan’s 68, gave T&T a crucial first-innings lead.

Roberto Badree then sealed the deal with 4-16 in the second innings, leaving

T&T a simple target of 34, which they chased down effortlessly.

Meanwhile, at Inshan Ali Park, the Leeward Islands eased to an eight-wicket win over Guyana. Jathan Edward was the star with the ball, taking 4-34 in Guyana’s first innings and 3-29 in the second to keep the opposition’s totals low.

A composed, unbeaten 64 from Tanez Francis in the run chase guided the Leewards home comfortably.

With the two-day format concluded, attention now turns to the 50-Over Cup, which commences on August 24 and runs through to September 1.