Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 24-06-2026

–– fourth graduation ceremony ushers in first batch of doctoral graduates as Guyana’s human capital transformation continues –– over 3,800 persons conferred with certificates, degrees

Some 3,876 persons graduated after successfully completing various certificate and degree programmes via several universities through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL). Among the graduates were Guyana Chronicle’s Marketing Manager Beverly Roberts who attained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Logistics and Supply Chain Management; Managing Editor Rabindra Rooplall who completed a Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Media; and Essequibo Correspondent Indrawattie Natram who secured a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Engineering and Project Management (Delano Williams photos)

New digital system launched to strengthen emissions monitoring, boost climate finance access

–– as IATA alliance hits 50 members

GOAL exceeds expectations with almost 55,000 scholarships

–– over 3,800 persons conferred with certificates, degrees

–– fourth graduation ceremony ushers in first batch of doctoral graduates as Guyana’s human capital transformation continues

By Shamar Meusa

THE Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) programme has signifi -

cantly surpassed its initial target of awarding 20,000 scholarships within its first five years, with close to 55,000 scholarships now

granted and thousands of Guyanese benefitting from expanded access to higher education.

Senior Minister within

the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh announced the achievement while delivering the feature

address at GOAL’s fourth graduation ceremony, where 3,876 graduates were conferred with qualifications from certificates to doctoral degrees.

Dr. Singh noted that this was a staggering figure, indicating that the latest graduating class reflects both the growth of the programme and the transformation of educational access across Guyana.

“Today we are graduating 3,876 persons, and that alone is worthy of resounding applause,” he said.

The senior minister highlighted the diverse makeup of the graduating class, noting that graduates represented all regions of Guyana and spanned multiple academic disciplines and educational levels.

Among the graduates were 2,858 women, while 1,150 persons completed the GROW programme, the preuniversity initiative designed to provide an alternative pathway into tertiary education.

This year’s cohort also included 836 master’s degree recipients and, for the first time since the programme was established, doctoral graduates.

“Today, 35 PhD graduates are the first batch of GOAL doctoral graduates,” Dr. Singh announced while

extending special congratulations to the batch.

Against this backdrop, Minister Singh said the graduation milestone reflected the broader vision established by President Dr. Irfaan Ali when the scholarship initiative was introduced, as he added that the programme was conceived to remove long-standing barriers that prevented many Guyanese from pursuing tertiary education.

“When we introduced the GOAL Scholarship Programme, we promised 20,000 scholarships in the first five years. Today, six years later, we have granted 54,790,” he said.

Dr. Singh said GOAL was designed not simply as an educational programme but as a strategic national development initiative focused on building human capital.

The senior minister added, “It was not an experiment in Online education; it was never a convenient policy add-on. It was part of a deliberate strategic vision for national transformation.”

He related that previous generations often faced significant difficulties accessing university education, with many required to leave Guyana or relocate from their communities in order to

Education remains key to national progress

–– PM Phillips hails success of GOAL 2026 graduates

PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips underscored the importance of education as a driver of personal advancement and national development during his address at the Guyana Online Academy of Learning’s (GOAL) fourth graduation ceremony.

Held under the theme ‘Academic Acceleration for National Development’, the event saw 3,876 Guyanese graduate across academic, vocational, and professional programmes.

In congratulating the graduates, Prime Minister Phillips said their achievement reflects the Government’s continued commitment to investing in people and expanding access to opportunities across Guyana.

He noted that while national development is

often discussed in terms of roads, bridges, ports, and industries, the progress of any country ultimately depends on the development of its people.

“Education is the catalyst that makes those possibilities real. That is why this government has placed education at the centre of national development.”

The Prime Minister highlighted that since GOAL’s establishment in 2021, the programme has exceeded its original target of awarding 20,000 scholarships by 2025. To date, 54,793 scholarships have been awarded.

He also recognised the 1,150 graduates of the Get Ready for Opportunities to Work (GROW) programme, which provides another pathway for persons who were unable to complete second-

ary school, sit CSEC, or achieve the results they had hoped for.

“For many people, setbacks at an early stage of life can feel permanent, but GROW rejects that idea and encourages exactly what it stands for: growth despite previous challenges.”

The Prime Minister added: “Among you, we have many mothers who have returned to their studies after years away from the classroom, young men and women who discovered new paths and decided they wanted to pursue them, and people from hinterland communities who no longer see geography as a barrier to opportunity”.

As Guyana develops, he noted, demand for skilled workers continues to increase, particularly in technical services, logistics, accounting,

education, information technology, and maritime transportation.

He pointed to the 1,308 graduates from vocational and certificate programmes, the 76 graduates of the ACCA Foundation Programme, and the 61 cadets who completed the associate degree in Maritime Transportation.

The Prime Minister further reminded that the Government continues to make significant investments in education, including the $183.6 billion allocated to the sector in this year’s national budget to support schools, scholarships, digital learning, and teacher development.

He encouraged the graduates to continue developing their skills and to use their knowledge to contribute to their communities and country.

“Let your achieve -

ments also remind every Guyanese that education remains one of the surest pathways to personal advancement and national progress.”

The Prime Minister extended appreciation to parents, spouses, children, and loved ones for their support, and commended the leadership and staff of GOAL for their continued work in expanding educational opportunities for Guyanese.

Minister of Education Sonia Parag outlined the programme’s nationwide reach, noting that all 10 administrative regions were represented among the graduates.

The breakdown of graduates by region is as follows: Region One, 99; Region Two, 185; Region Three, 609; Region Four, 2,004; Region Five, 191; Region Six, 350; Region Seven, 62; Re-

gion Eight, 33; Region Nine, 82; and Region Ten, 261.

The education minister praised their determination and resilience, saying, “It takes courage to return to the classroom. It takes courage to say I am going to try again. It takes courage to study while working, while raising children, while managing responsibilities and while sometimes carrying the weight of people who have doubted you for a long time.”

She added, “But today no one can take this from you. No negative comment, no criticism, no bad wish and no attempt to make you feel small can remove the education you now carry.”

The graduates were encouraged to continue pursuing further studies through GOAL upon completion of every programme.

Forty drown in France as people seek relief from Europe’s heatwave

FORTY

people have drowned in France over recent days as they sought to cool down to escape record heat, the prime minister said on Tuesday as a heatwave swept across much of Europe.

Britain, Italy, Switzerland and Spain were also sweltering in extreme heat, with record temperatures in some areas disrupting schools and transport networks and forcing tourist sites - including the Eiffel Tower - to shut.

Europe is warming at more than twice the global average, according to the World Meteorological Organisation, making such prolonged heat episodes increasingly likely.

HEAT ALERT ACROSS FRANCE

France experienced its

hottest day on record on Tuesday, Meteo France forecaster said, with a peak of 44.3 degrees Celsius (111.74 degrees Fahrenheit) in one town in the south west

Fifty-four departments are under red alerts in what Meteo France said was unprecedented. That will jump to 58 on Wednesday.

Across the country, people have been jumping into canals and rivers to cool off.

Sports minister Marina Ferrari said she understood the urge to escape the heat but warned against swimming in unauthorized or dangerous areas.

Speaking ahead of an emergency meeting on the ⁠heatwave, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu called the drownings “a sad scourge” and said there had been 40

deaths since June 18, most of them young people.

On Monday, first responders were unable to resuscitate two children, aged 2 and 4, who were found unconscious by their mother in the family car outside their home, said a prosecutor in Carpentras, southeast France.

HEAT DOME

The heatwave is being driven by a weather pattern known as an Omega block, because it takes the shape of the Greek letter Ω, with a bulge of hot air trapped between cooler systems, allowing temperatures to build day after day. Heatwaves and storms are being intensified by climate change.

Meteo France said current conditions were comparable to the August 2003 heatwave, which lasted 16 days and led to an estimated 80,000 excess deaths across Europe. It was uncertain how long the current episode would last.

“Thursday will once again be a sweltering day (in

France), with temperatures remaining just as high. On Friday, a gradual drop is expected to begin from the Atlantic coast,” the weather forecaster said.

Heatwaves can affect people’s physical and mental health but also force businesses to adapt and put grain harvests at risk.

HEAT ALERTS IN ITALY, BRITAIN

23, 2026 (REUTERS/Jack Taylor)

In Italy, the health ministry issued its highest level alert for 15 cities and authorities took measures to curtail ⁠work in some sectors. Storms were expected over the Alps and Apennines, bringing heavy rain, gusty winds and hail.

Britain is also in the grip of the heat, with the Met Office forecasting temperatures of up to 37 C in southern England on Tuesday — potentially a new June record — before rising further on Wednesday and Thursday. Dozens of schools planned early closures.

Transport networks across Europe came under strain, with trains cancelled or running more slowly.

CLIMATE SHELTERS

Spain’s meteorological agency has issued red alerts across parts of the country, warning of dangerous heat with temperatures expected to reach 44 C. Dozens of municipalities across northern Spain cancelled traditional bonfires due to wildfire risks.

Madrid has opened climate shelters for the ⁠homeless and other vulnerable people.

In Belgium, soaring temperatures forced a primary school near Brussels to relocate its final exams to a nearby church.

In Switzerland, the northeastern canton of St. Gallen restricted water withdrawal from rivers and lakes, citing low levels and high temperatures.

TRYING TO ADAPT

In cities affected by the heatwave, fans and air conditioning units were flying off the shelves.

“I came quick, I haven’t even had my coffee this morning, I ran here to buy an electric ⁠fan,” said filmmaker Victoria Yakubov, who managed to snag one last remaining fan in a Paris shop. “Everything was gone in less than 30 minutes.”

It was the same story in London, with fans “flying off the shelves”, John Lewis Oxford street branch manager, Paul Marsden said.

As parts of Europe baked, and the Eiffel Tower closed at 4 p.m. (1400 GMT) because of the heat, cooler northern destinations were drawing tourists seeking a “coolcation”.

“We were thinking ⁠about travelling to Croatia, but we came to Sweden because it’s cooler here,” said German tourist Katharina Rexing in Stockholm’s Old Town, on a day when it was 22 C in the Swedish capital and 30 C in Croatia’s Zagreb. (Reuters)

Guyana joins global push to scale aviation carbon credits

–– as IATA alliance hits 50 members

GUYANA has joined a major international ef fort to scale the supply of high‑quality carbon credits for aviation, the International Air Trans port Association (IATA) announced, as its Support ing Alliance for CORSIA Eligible Emissions Unit (EEU) Supply reached 50 participants.

The nation, according to IATA, signed the Aviation Carbon Market Compact and became a member of the alliance alongside Mada gascar, the United Kingdom, Zambia and Zimbabwe; several other governments, including Peru, have sig nalled interest in joining.

The alliance brings to gether governments, carbon market organisations and in dustry partners to ensure suf ficient, high‑integrity emis sions units are available for the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for In ternational Aviation (COR SIA), which is expected to need some 225–250 million CORSIA‑eligible emissions

units by spring 2027.

Guyana’s participation adds a low‑deforestation, high‑integrity forest ju risdiction to the coalition and could help the country deepen access to techni cal assistance and carbon finance, enabling its emis sion‑reduction activities to meet aviation’s compliance requirements.

IATA says the Support ing Alliance will pool re sources and targeted ex pertise to provide practical support and implementation assistance that accelerates the supply of EEUs; it will also help countries manage the interface between their Nationally Determined Con tributions under the UNFC CC and the procedures re quired to make carbon cred its available for CORSIA, and will work to improve host countries’ access to carbon markets and related resources.

New members from across the carbon market value chain are supporting the Alliance: the Internation

al Emissions Trading Asso ciation (IETA), the Verified Carbon Market Collabora tive (represented by High Tide Foundation’s Carbon Policy and Markets Initia tive), data partner Sylvera, and Airbus have joined and are providing technical and financial support.

Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice Pres ident Sustainability and Chief Economist, said the engagement of governments and partners “shows strong and shared commitment to strengthening the link be tween market demand and the policy frameworks” needed to unlock CORSIA EEUs at the speed and scale required.

Alexia Kelly of High Tide described CORSIA coming into force as an “unprecedented opportunity to channel capital toward impactful climate action,” and said the alliance’s coor dinated assistance for host countries to authorise credits and open access to carbon markets is “timely and es sential.”

Minibus driver remanded over crash that killed teacher

A 52 year old minibus driver was on Thursday remanded to prison after being charged with caus ing death by dangerous driving.

The charge stems from a fatal accident along the Di amond New Interlink Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), which claimed the life of teacher Tineka Hicks.

William Gomes of Dia mond, EBD, appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Diamond/Grove Mag istrates’ Courts, where the indictable charge was read to him.

Gomes was not required to enter a plea. and was re manded to prison until July 7 for disclosure.

The charge stems from a fatal accident that occurred at about 08:30hrs on Tuesday, June 16, along the Diamond New Interlink Road.

vehicle.

Police said Gomes re portedly lost control of the minibus, causing it to topple onto its right side, skid in a north westerly direction and crash into a drain on the western side of the road.

Hicks, known as “Pre cious”, was trapped in the mangled wreckage and suf fered severe injuries.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) respond ed to the scene, and she was later pronounced dead by a doctor.

Dirk Forrister, President and CEO of IETA, stressed that CORSIA’s success will depend on collaboration across the full value chain and said IETA will work with host countries and partners to “unlock the full potential of Article 6 and CORSIA.”

IATA said the supporting

alliance will remain engaged, share information on prog ress, and continue seeking opportunities to expand par ticipation in this broad‑based collaborative effort.

For Guyana and oth er participant countries, membership presents op portunities to attract cli mate finance, strengthen

technical capacity to au thorise credits, and open pathways to international compliance markets, while for the aviation sector the initiative aims to shore up the pipeline of high‑in tegrity credits needed to complement emissions re ductions as airlines move toward decarbonisation.

Police reported that Hicks, a 30 year old mother of two from Great Diamond, EBD, and a teacher at the Dolphin Secondary School, was a passenger in minibus BAH 4679 when the vehicle overturned and crashed into a drain.

According to inves tigators, the minibus was proceeding north along the western driving lane of the roadway during heavy rain fall when the driver allegedly attempted to overtake another

Six other occupants of the minibus, including three students and three adults, were injured in the crash. They were transported to the Diamond Regional Hos pital, where they received treatment before being dis charged.

Police had stated that breathalyser tests conduct ed on Gomes after the ac cident detected no trace of alcohol in his system.

The Success of GOAL

GOAL has become one of Guyana’s most visible public investments in people. Its fourth graduation ceremony highlights that education policy can lead to real, measurable national improvements.

With over 3,800 scholars graduated on Tuesday, the programme is no longer just a hopeful idea; it is a working pathway to higher education and career growth.

What makes GOAL significant is not only its size but also its reach.

The programme has opened doors for Guyanese who might have struggled due to cost, location, or family and job duties. It offers qualifications ranging from certificates to doctorates. In a country where increasing access to education is key to development, this impact is substantial. The latest gradua -

tion also shows the initiative’s diversity. This year’s group includes GROW students, certificate and diploma recipients, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, postgraduate diplomas, master’s degrees, and PhD graduates. This variety indicates that GOAL is meeting the needs of both entry-level learners and seasoned professionals. Public education programmes are often mea-

sured by speeches and slogans, but GOAL can be evaluated by its results. Thousands have received scholarships since 2021.

The programme has already produced thousands of master’s and doctoral graduates. Such outcomes strengthen the country’s workforce and broaden the supply of skilled workers essential for the evolving economy.

The programme is also vital because it shows flexibility. Its Online model allows people in remote areas and those with full-time jobs to study without leaving their careers or homes. This makes higher education more practical and inclusive.

GOAL deserves recognition for combining access, size, and ambition. It gives everyday Guyanese the chance to

become teachers, managers, researchers, technologists, and other professionals.

It underlines the belief that development starts with investing in people. If it continues with strong oversight, academic quality, and ongoing support, GOAL can be one of the most impactful education policies in modern Guyana.

SBB strengthens capacity of Essequibo entrepreneurs

through business development training

THE Small Business Bureau (SBB) recently conducted a series of business development training programmes in Region Two, aimed at strengthening the skills, competitiveness, and market readiness of entrepreneurs in Essequibo.

The training initiative included sessions in Bid Document Preparation, Digital Readiness, and Label Design. A total of 65 persons benefitted from the Bid Document Preparation training, while 25 persons participated in the Digital Readiness and Label Design sessions.

The Bid Document Preparation training was conducted in collaboration with the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) at the Essequibo Technical Institute. Participants were guided through key stages of the tendering process, including understanding

bid documents, meeting compliance requirements, and preparing competitive submissions.

The practical session equipped small business owners with the knowledge and confidence needed to pursue government procurement opportunities and compete more effectively for contracts.

The Digital Readiness and Label Design sessions focused on helping entrepreneurs improve their branding, promotional materials, and product presentation. Participants received practical guidance on creating professional marketing materials and developing clear, compliant, and market-ready product labels.

Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Bureau Mohamed Shazim Ibrahim highlighted the importance of bringing targeted business development support directly to entrepreneurs in regional com-

munities.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that small business owners, regardless of where they operate, have access to the knowledge and tools needed to compete and grow. These training programmes address practical challenges entrepreneurs face, from navigating procurement opportunities to presenting and promoting their products more professionally. By taking this support directly to Essequibo, we are helping businesses build stronger foundations and position themselves for sustainable growth,” he stated.

The initiative forms part of the Bureau’s continued efforts to expand access to practical training and business development support across Guyana. By strengthening procurement readiness, digital capabilities, branding, and product presentation, the SBB is helping entrepreneurs im -

prove their competitiveness and access new market opportunities.

This series of business development training programmes in Region Two aligns with the Government’s broader economic agenda to support small enterprises through targeted capacity building, expanded market access, and inclusive regional development. It represents one of the practical ways in which government budgetary allocations are translated into tangible benefits for entrepreneurs across Guyana, providing them with the skills, resources, and opportunities needed to strengthen and grow their businesses. Through strategic partnerships and practical training, the Small Business Bureau continues to empower entrepreneurs and support the sustainable growth of small businesses across Guyana. (DPI)

Amanza Walton-Desir: Which comes first: politics or laws?

ONE of the political puzzles in Guyana is why the leadership of the party in power or Cabinet members do not respond to the ignorance that is peddled on social media and in the mainstream media.

My guess is that ruling politicians are busy and feel that their time is more usefully spent on infusion of national development activities rather than responding to the ignorance of people.

I hold the view that the role of government is to expose such ignorance and educate the nation so they can better understand the nature of their country. I read letters (it is my job) in the press and I noticed a man that signed his name as Shabeer Zafar and he lists his designation as an attorney. I never thought of replying to Mr. Zafar because the contents of his outpourings come within the tradition of anti-government bashing.

But one letter of his irritated me for one reason only: how can a man who says he is a lawyer be so ignorant of the laws of Guyana. Mr. Zafar believes that the law allows Ms. Walton-Desir (AWD) to serve on one the parliamentary committees. The law does not allow this and what makes Mr. Zafar so irritating is that he is a lawyer.

The Standing Orders of Parliament allow for party representation based on a mathematical formula which no MP or the Speaker can change. Only Parliament can do that by changing the Standing Orders. Because her party has one seat, the formula prevents Ms. AWD from being a member of any parliamentary committee.

Mr. Zafar went into non-legal directions

to argue for Ms. AWD inclusion. One is his reference to the Standing Orders of other parliaments. The argument for Ms. AWD has to be based on the law governing parliamentary functionism in Guyana. Secondly, Mr. Zafar calls into question the quality of his legal ability when he brings up the election of Lenox Shuman and Asha Kissoon as Deputy Speaker on different occasions even though they both came from small parties just as small as AWD’s party.

This is a terrible analogy and Zafar stole this reasoning from AWD. Both are lawyers and they bring rebuke unto themselves. Shuman and Kissoon were elected as Deputy Speaker of the House based on what the law requires not how small their parties were. Any Member of Parliament can become the Deputy Speaker based on a vote of the total MPs.

At the time, both Shuman and Kissoon were legally seated MPs and therefore could be elected to the deputy’s chair. The Speaker and Ms. Gail Teixeira, the PPP’s Chief Whip did not bend the rules to facilitate Shuman and Kissoon. They simply followed the rules. You may not agree with Ms. Teixeira’s choice and how the PPP’s MPs voted but no legal or constitutional rules were violated.

In the case of AWD, for her to be included in parliamentary committees, the rules rest on numerical representation in parliament. If AWD was accepted by a vote of nomination and Parliament had agreed then, Ms AWD was facilitated over and above the law. And why should the Speaker not intervene if that had happened, after all, he is the custodian of

the Standing Orders.

Mr. Zafar again called his legal training into question when he cited a visa case involving his family. One finds Mr. Zafar annoying because he simply disregards the line separating what is legal from what is non-legal. He argues a case for AWD to be included because he cites an example of how the Canadian Parliament operates.

He writes that he got an MP to raise a petition in Parliament for his wife to be given a visa so that his child could be born in Canada. The MP brought the matter to Parliament and his wife got the visa. What is the relevance of this to the AWD case in Guyana’s Parliament? The answer is none. The Canadian Parliament could not and did give his wife a visa.

The only person who legally could have done that was the Minister of Immigration.

What the Minister did was to accept the sentiment of parliament. But the Minister could have refused and the parliamentarians could not have done anything. Parliament could only have pleaded with the Minister but could not have compelled him to issue the visa. A majority vote in the American Senate for a visa issuance could be rejected by the Secretary of Homeland Security. This line of reasoning by Zafar is completely irrelevant to understanding the AWD issue in the Guyana Parliament. People like Zafar and AWD will be the first to hit the roof if a Guyanese Cabinet Minister or President acts above the law. It is called hypocrisy.

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.

President urges stronger food safety surveillance

President Dr. Irfaan Ali, accompanied by Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony and Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, on Tuesday met with leadership and staff of the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali, accompanied by Minister of Health

Dr. Frank Anthony and Minister of Agriculture

Zulfikar Mustapha, met with leadership and staff of the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GAFDD) to review the country’s food safety oversight.

During the engagement on Tuesday, the President reinforced the need for robust surveillance, monitoring and

testing systems to ensure that food products sold in supermarkets and markets across Guyana meet established standards for quality, safety, labelling, product description and nutritional content.

He urged the Department to continue strengthening laboratory capacity and regulatory enforcement so consumers can trust that products on shelves are accurately described and safe to eat.

Ministers and GAFDD officials discussed coordinated measures between health and agriculture authorities to improve inspections, expedite testing turnaround times, and enhance public information on nutrition and la-

belling compliance.

The meeting underscored the government’s commitment to protecting public health through stronger food-safety systems and clearer consumer protections.

GOAL exceeds expectations ...

pursue studies.

GOAL, he noted, sought to eliminate barriers related to geography, cost, employment obligations, and personal circumstances.

“Through GOAL, we brought university education within the reach of your fingertips,” he told graduates.

Dr. Singh noted that the government told Guyanese everywhere that they would no longer need to leave their homes, families or communities to pursue higher education. He also noted that the programme has created opportunities for persons who may have previously felt that they had missed

the chance to further their education.

Addressing graduates directly, Dr. Singh urged them to recognise that their qualifications carried responsibilities beyond personal advancement.

“Your certificate is not merely a piece of paper; your certificate is a responsibility. It is a tool;

it is a key. It is about the problems you will solve; it is about the systems you will improve; it is about the communities you will uplift,” he remarked.

The minister further emphasised that Guyana’s development would ultimately depend on the abilities and skills of its people.

Dr. Singh went on to say that while much of the world knows of Guyana because of its natural resources and oil and gas, the country’s finest resource is its human resource.

“Guyana’s finest resources are you,” he said.

That said, he congratulated the graduates and their families for their sacrifices and perseverance throughout their studies, and encouraged them to seize the opportunities emerging in Guyana’s rapidly evolving economy.

“Guyana is building the future, and you are the Guyanese who are building the future,” he remarked.

El Niño is coming. Here is where the risks to agriculture are highest

––FAO experts map where crops and pasturelands are most vulnerable to drought

ROME - A new El Niño phase is likely to begin within weeks, putting agriculture on alert around the world. New analyses by experts at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) allow for detailed mapping of where El Nino-linked drought is most likely to impact crops and pasturelands.

As the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) forecasts a stronger-than-usual cycle, FAO’s analysis draws on 41 years of historical satellite imagery from its Agricultural Stress Index System (ASIS), tracing where strong and very strong El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events tend to cause the most severe drought.

The risks are sharpest in the Sahel, across Southern Africa, in South and Southeast Asia, and in Central America’s Dry Corridor and the Caribbean, where some agricultural and pastureland areas face more than a 50 percent chance of drought over the coming months.

Many of the same regions were hit hard during the El Niño events of 2015–16 and 2023–24. El Niño cycles expose the same vulnerabilities and tend to trigger failed harvests, livestock losses, rising household debt, and migration in search of food and water. In 2015–16 alone, El Niño affected more than 60 million people and prompted $5 billion in humanitarian appeals across 23 countries.

Risks are now skewed to the upside as climate extremes increasingly collide with conflict and economic stress.

“This isn't like previous El Niños. The planet is

much warmer today, and with conflict and food insecurity widespread, this new phase will hit hardest in places that are already vulnerable and have limited coping capacity,” said Jorge Alvar-Beltrán, FAO Natural Resources Officer.

The map highlights priority targets for early action before forecasts become losses.

In response to the growing threat, FAO and the World Food Programme (WFP) have launched a joint anticipatory action appeal seeking $202 million to protect 8.8 million people across 22 high-risk countries from the potential impact of a strong El Niño weather pattern.

The appeal aims to scale up early interventions including support to farmers and pastoralists, anticipatory cash assistance, and strengthened early warning systems before droughts, floods and storms escalate into humanitarian emergencies.

WHERE

EXPOSURE IS HIGHEST

Risk is rarely about rainfall deficits alone.

A moderate drought can be devastating in places already facing conflict and chronic

hunger, where crops depend entirely on rainfall, livestock holds much of a household’s wealth, and families have little margin for recovery. More than 80 percent of drought impacts on agriculture are projected to hit in low- and middle-income countries.“A farmer might first lose crops, then livestock, and with that their entire livelihood,” said Alvar-Beltrán. “With cascading impacts of multiple crises already evident, there is an urgent need to act early.”

Across the Sahel, food insecurity has deepened for five consecutive years, while conflict continues to displace people and limit access to vulnerable communities. The maps point to a broad belt of agricultural drought stretching from Senegal and southern Mauritania through Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria, and eastward into Ethiopia and Sudan.

In Southern Africa, the signal is more pronounced. The most recent El Niño cycle brought the region’s worst drought in more than a century, leaving 61 million people in need of assistance, straining livestock, water systems and pasturelands, and pushing more than 8 mil-

lion people into food insecurity. FAO’s forecast points to a greater than 50 percent probability of agricultural drought across large parts of Namibia and Botswana, extending into Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and parts of Mozambique and Madagascar. In a region where livestock underpins both food security and household wealth, the loss of pasture quickly becomes a loss of assets and wealth.

In Central America and the Caribbean, drought risks can quickly translate into hunger.

The 2015–16 El Niño left 3.5 million people food insecure across Central America’s Dry Corridor, while in Haiti harvests collapsed by up to 70 percent, doubling food insecurity in a matter of months. Current forecasts point to a 70 percent probability of below-normal rainfall across the region. The risk of agricultural drought is highest along the Dry Corridor, Colombia and Venezuela and in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.

In Asia, the risk extends to critical global markets. El Niño can weaken the summer monsoon across much of India, putting rainfed crops such as rice and

FAO’s analysis can narrow the risk assessment in some areas to a single square kilometer. But turning precision into protection means linking national meteorological and hydrological services, agriculture ministries and extension networks, so the warning reaches the farmer in time.

maize under stress during the critical growing season. In 2015, maize and rice output fell in major producing countries, pushing up prices for key food commodity crops. This time, agricultural drought risk runs from Pakistan and India through to Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam and further to the East including the Philippines, Indonesia and Timor-Leste.

Some of the countries identified as highly exposed to El Niño-linked shocks also feature prominently in FAO and WFP’s latest Hunger Hotspots analysis, underscoring how climate shocks increasingly interact with conflict and economic stress further exacerbating acute food insecurity.

A MAP FOR ACTION

When risk is identified early and at the local level, farmers and pastoralists can make critical planting and livestock-management decisions before the growing season is fully underway: delaying planting, choosing drought-tolerant crops, storing fodder for cattle and securing extra water reserves before shortages begin.

“This level of detail changes what a government can do,” said FAO Natural Resources Officer Riccardo Soldan. “Instead of spreading resources thinly, it can concentrate support in the hotspots, directing cash transfers, water and irrigation support, livestock feed, and other critical inputs to the places most at risk.”

There is already evidence that acting before losses take hold can work. In Southern Africa, ahead of the 2023–24 El Niño, a regional pre-season effort directed nearly $31 million to more than two million people across seven countries, providing seeds, livestock support, and better forecasting through early warning systems. In Central America, timely distribution of drought-tolerant and short-growing-cycle seeds helped families produce vegetables, improving household food supplies and reducing the likelihood of families resorting to negative coping mechanisms, such as selling assets or skipping meals.

FAO’s analysis can help governments and partners decide where to move first, what support is most urgent, and which communities are least equipped to handle another failed season.

El Niño is forming, and the maps are clear. What happens next depends on how quickly decisions follow. (FAO)

Caribbean’s Blue Economy Knowledge Hub Has New Home

THE Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), officially launched an open-access, Caribbean Blue Economy (BE) Knowledge Hub that brings together decades of the Region’s expertise and insight on fisheries, aqua-

culture, and marine spatial planning.

The knowledge hub is a permanent, multilingual home for Blue Economy data, best practices, policy tools, and technical insight from across the participating countries – Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Panama, and Saint Lucia — built on CRFM’s expertise and the knowledge generated through the BE-CLME+ Project.

The digital platform is

a crucial outcome of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded, BE-CLME+: Promoting National Blue Economy Priorities Through Marine Spatial Planning in the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem Plus project.

Dr. Marc Williams, Executive Director, CRFM, stated, “The BE-CLME+ Knowledge Management Hub represents the continued drive of the CRFM to make knowledge products more

accessible to all stakeholders; connecting policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and communities to the evidence they need to act, adapt, and lead.”

Dr. Williams further elaborated: “Small-scale fishers, women who process and trade the catch, youth deciding whether this industry has a future worth joining, and Indigenous communities whose stewardship of marine ecosystems spans generations — all will find, in this platform, a resource calibrated to their realities. That means accessible formats, multilingual content, and practical tool that translate regional expertise into actionable guidance for every practitioner in the value chain, including fisherfolk, academics, and policymakers alike.”

Powered by insights produced through the BECLME+ Project and CRFM, the Hub organises technical reports, policy briefs, fact sheets, and multimedia resources across seven thematic areas for easy discovery. Users can search, filter by theme, and access an AI-powered assistant — “Ask BE-CLME” — available in both English and Spanish to help navigate the platform’s resources.

Across the six participating countries, governments now have a consolidated evidence base — which can be found at www.beknowledge. crfm.int — to drive marine spatial planning, sharpen

national fisheries policy, and attract Blue Economy investment.

Dr . Renata Clarke, FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean, said, “The importance of this platform cannot be overstated. It would help to unlock grey literature to better support decision-making by practitioners that is centered on benefits to communities. At present, piles of information and knowledge produced over decades sit unused, on desks and in drawers of national officers.”

With “over USD 200 million in annual Caribbean exports and more than half-amillion jobs” at stake across coastal communities from Belize to Barbados, according to the CRFM Statistics and Information Report –2021/2022, the sustainable management of marine resources is an economic and food security imperative.

Erick Castro, Principal Executive, CAF, said, “Advancing a sustainable blue economy requires long-term investment in knowledge, governance, and human capital. Through BE-CLME+, we are helping to build the foundations that enable countries to make informed decisions, strengthen institutions, and unlock opportunities for inclusive and resilient growth.

This platform is a tangible example of that commitment, transforming regional knowledge into a shared asset that will continue to

generate blue value over time.”

Sustainability Is Not a Cost — It Is the Business Case

The Caribbean sits at the centre of one of the most biodiverse marine regions on earth, yet a significant share of its seafood continues to be exported as raw, unprocessed product which leaves most of the value, and most of the jobs, somewhere else. Closing that gap is a trade strategy, not a conservation ambition.

The BE-CLME+ Knowledge Management Platform provides the market frameworks, training, and certification pathways for seafood standards, and value chain intelligence that make sustainable seafood profitable, scalable, and investable, while equipping businesses with the regional data they need to make decisions with confidence.

Since 2023, the BECLME+ project has aimed to maintain and preserve cultural heritage through sustainable fisheries management, improved livelihoods, and alternative livelihoods while strengthening the integration of fisheries and ecosystem management to restore, protect, and maintain marine biodiversity, productivity, and resilience of marine ecosystems. Credit (CARICOM)

New digital system launched to strengthen emissions monitoring, boost climate finance access

THE Department of En vironment and Climate Change, in collaboration with the local Global Green Growth Insti

tute (GGGI) team, on Tuesday launched a new initiative to strengthen emissions monitoring and reporting in Guy

ana’s Industrial Pro cesses and Product Use (IPPU) and other sec tors.

Supported through

The Department of Environment and Climate Change, in collaboration with the local Global Green Growth Institute team, on Tuesday launched a new initiative to strengthen emissions monitoring and reporting in Guyana’s Industrial Processes and Product use and other sectors

Jury trial

begins

today in

Amit Singh murder case

YOGENDRA Sukhdeo is expected to go on trial to day before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a jury at the High Court in Demerara for the 2023 murder of businessman Amit Singh.

Sukhdeo has pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleges that he murdered 21-year-old Singh of Delph Street, Campbellville, Georgetown on October 24, 2023.

Approximately 30 witnesses are expected to testify during the proceedings.

The prosecution is being led by attorney-at-law Latchmie Rahamat, while attorneys Dexter Todd and Dexter Smartt are appearing for the defence.

According to reports, Singh was allegedly lured to a property at Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, under the pretext of a gold transaction. After relatives reported him missing, police launched an investigation that led to Sukhdeo’s arrest.

Investigators subsequently discovered Singh’s body wrapped in a bloodstained sheet at the property. A post-mortem examination found that he died from multiple injuries, including blunt force trauma to the head, face and neck, along with multiple fractures.

the Green Climate Fund Readiness Programme, the project will improve data availability and institutional arrangements for emissions and mitigation tracking, and will establish a national digital Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system to streamline collection, management and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions across IPPU, and other sectors.

Officials said the MRV system will align Guyana’s reporting systems with international standards, increase transparency, and expand opportunities to access climate finance by producing more robust, verifiable emissions data.

Implementation activities include long-term capacity development through targeted training, strengthened cross - sector coordination, and en-

hanced stakeholder collaboration to improve data sharing and enable evidence - based decision-making and mitigation actions.

The initiative is framed as a key step to wards meeting Guyana’s national and internation al climate commitments and advancing the coun try’s low‑carbon devel opment agenda through 2030.

Investigators recov ered a large sum of cash believed to have belonged to Singh, as well as a piece of wood suspected to have been used in the killing. Sukhdeo has maintained his innocence and will now have his fate deter mined by a 12 member jury.

Apply newly acquired skills in meaningful ways

–– Minister Ally tells GOAL 2026 graduates, emphasises investments in education key to sustaining national development

he said.

MINISTER of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implemen -

tation Zulfikar Ally has underscored that Guyana’s most valuable resource is its human capital, as he addressed graduates at the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) fourth graduation ceremony.

while recognising the responsibility that comes with their new qualifications.

He told the graduates that the occasion marked a milestone in their continuous journey, urging them to take pride in their achievement

“From today, you should not look back, but you should remember the hard work and commitment you have put in to get where you are today,”

Ally added that graduates are now expected to apply their skills in meaningful ways, noting: “Our country expects that you would put everything that you would have learned into making a difference, making an impact in your workplace, in your communities, and for your country.”

Ally said the graduates are entering what he described as a “new Guyana” shaped by rapid transformation, digitalisation and expanding opportunities.

Against this backdrop, he stated that unlike previous years, access to education has been significantly widened through initiatives such as GOAL, alongside broader policy reforms in the education sector.

“You now are well equipped to face the new Guyana, the ever-changing Guyana, the digital Guyana, the modern Guyana,” he noted, adding that education is now more accessible and less financially burdensome for citizens pursuing higher learning.

He contrasted current conditions with earlier chal-

lenges, saying employment and access to tertiary education were once major concerns for many families, but argued that the situation has changed significantly due to government policies and economic expansion.

Ally further stated that Guyana’s growing economy has created increased demand for labour, pointing to expanding industries and job availability across sectors.

“The most valuable resource any country possesses is not what lies beneath its

soil or offshore, it is the knowledge, the skills, and the creativity of its people,” he said.

The minister further added that graduates must see themselves as central to national development.

He further urged them to build on their qualifications, noting that their success represents not only personal advancement but an investment in Guyana’s future as the country continues to modernise and expand its economy.

Stakeholders consult on implementation of Condominium Act, mortgage rules

ATTORNEY General

(AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, on Tuesday, met with the Guyana Association of Bankers Inc. (GABI) and other key stakeholders at the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs to address concerns raised by the association regarding the condominium mortgage registration process. This engagement, according to the AG, was in keeping with President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s recent call on commercial banks to take a more proactive approach to financial inclusion by bringing

banking services to new housing schemes. In attendance at the engagement were Rosalie Robertson SC, Registrar of Lands; Reza Manraj, Registrar of Commerce; Zanna Frank, Registrar of Deeds; Rajesh Ramgolam, Secretary, Central Housing & Planning Authority (CHPA); Hannifah Jordan, Head, Corporate Legal Secretariat, CHPA; Nafeeza Gafoor, Chairperson, GABI and Manager, ScotiaBank; Shawn Gurcharran, Treasurer, GABI and CEO, GBTI; Darshan Ramdhani, KC, drafter of the Act and other representatives. During the engage -

ment, representatives of the association sought guidance and clarifications on the application of the Condominium Act 2022 and requested clarity on the applicable procedures for the registration of condominiums as well as registration of mortgages on condominiums in Guyana.

It was recognised that there was a need for closer collaboration between the banking sector and the Deeds and Land Registries, as well as training of the staff in relation to procedures outlined in the legislation.

Following substantive discussion, it was mutually agreed that no institu-

tional impediments exist with respect to the Act or its associated processes, and that the legislation, in its current form, is both efficient and effective in achieving its intended objectives.

The Attorney General reaffirmed his commitment to facilitating public sensitisation of the Act and has directed the drafter of the legislation to develop a comprehensive guidance manual for use by financial institutions to ensure consistent and informed application of the Act’s provisions.

Heart disease now rampant in Guyana

––

increasingly affecting young adults, Dr. Carpen laments

HEART disease has become alarmingly widespread in Guyana and is increasingly affecting people in their 20s, 30s and early 40s, according to cardiologist Dr. Mahendra Carpen, who warned that the country is facing a growing public health crisis.

Appearing recently on the Guyana Dialogue programme, Dr. Carpen said Guyana has inherited an unwanted distinction once associated with neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago, where heart disease was previously regarded as one of the country’s most serious health challenges.

“There was a time in the early 90s and early 2000s when our neighbours in

Trinidad and Tobago were considered the heart attack capital of the world,” he said, adding: “Unfortunately, I think Guyana is now taking up that crown, and it’s an unwanted crown, where heart disease is rampant in our country.”

The cardiologist said that when he returned to Guyana in 2012 after completing advanced medical studies in Toronto and Boston, most heart attack patients were in their 50s, 60s and 70s. However, that trend has changed dramatically over the last decade.

He explained, “Now it is a very common thing to see 30-year-olds, late 20-yearolds and early 40-year-olds coming into the hospital with heart attacks.”

Dr. Carpen described the development as deeply concerning because it affects individuals during some of the most productive years of their lives.

“These are people who have young children in school, who are working, building careers, qualifying for mortgages and supporting families,” he noted, adding: “It’s a very worrying development.”

According to the cardiologist, heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally and Guyana has not been spared from that reality.

While researchers have not yet identified all the factors driving the rise in cardiovascular disease

among younger Guyanese, Dr. Carpen said several lifestyle changes may be contributing to the trend.

Among them are declining levels of physical activity, increased consumption of fast food and processed meals, and a shift away from healthier lifestyles that were once more common.

“People walk less, people eat more out of the home, and therefore they’re subject to all kinds of additives in the food that they eat,” he lamented, noting: “Fast food is becoming more and more prevalent in Guyana.”

He also pointed to changing transportation habits, noting that many people are less inclined to walk even short distances as part of their daily routines.

In addition, Dr. Carpen said fewer households maintain kitchen gardens, reducing access to fresh produce and home-grown foods.

Another major concern, he said, is the lack of routine health screening among younger age groups.

LACK OF EARLY SCREENING

He stated, “The most important thing, unfortunately, is the lack of screening at an early age.”

To address the issue, he said efforts are being made to promote health screening and awareness from the primary and secondary school levels so that young people can identify health risks before symptoms emerge.

“We are hoping to address that by conducting health screening programmes at the primary and secondary school levels, so that we can build a healthier and more health-conscious population,” he said.

“The goal is for people to take care of themselves

unexpected deaths among Guyanese in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

In a public alert issued early last month, he highlighted the growing risk of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD), a condition caused by a fatal disturbance in the heart’s electrical system that can lead to death within minutes. He noted that many victims collapse during routine activities or die in their sleep.

According to the cardiologist, artery blockages account for most cases, though heart inflammation, uncontrolled hypertension, enlarged heart muscles and certain inherited conditions can also trigger SCD.

before symptoms occur, rather than waiting until something catastrophic happens and then turning up at the hospital,” the renowned cardiologist said.

Dr. Carpen’s remarks came as he outlined broader advancements in Guyana’s healthcare sector, including expanded cancer screening programmes, telemedicine services, drone-assisted medication delivery to remote communities, and the construction of six new regional hospitals equipped with advanced diagnostic technology.

He highlighted government-supported healthcare screening vouchers that allow citizens to access services such as pap smears, breast cancer screening and prostate cancer screening with minimal out-of-pocket expenses.

The cardiologist also pointed to the increasing use of telemedicine, which enables community health workers in hinterland and remote regions to consult specialists based in Georgetown and along the coast in real time.

Additionally, he praised recent breakthroughs in robotic surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), including a landmark tele-robotic heart surgery conducted between Guyana and India and subsequent robotic procedures performed locally.

According to Dr. Carpen, these innovations signal a transformative period for healthcare delivery in Guyana.

However, he stressed that combating the growing burden of heart disease will require greater emphasis on prevention, healthier lifestyles and early detection.

Dr. Carpen’s warning comes just weeks after he raised concerns about an emerging pattern of sudden,

Over 111,650 kilogrammes of beef produced at Onverwagt abattoir since operationalisation

––– GLDA says, dismisses misinformation being peddled by opposition

THE Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has dismissed recent claims circulating on social media about the abattoir at Onverwagt, Region Five.

The authority, in a press release on Tuesday, said the claims being peddled by the opposition are based on spec-

ulation and misinformation rather than facts.

“These attempts to create a false narrative disregard the evidence and overlook the significant role the facility is playing in the development of Guyana’s livestock sector.

“The GLDA Abattoir was established as part of the government’s wider strategy

to modernise the industry and provide livestock farmers with access to a modern, hygienic and internationally compliant facility for slaughter and processing,” the authority said.

This investment was made to improve meat quality, strengthen food safety standards, create opportuni-

ties for value-added production and position Guyana to better serve both domestic and export markets.

GLDA added: “Claims that the facility is inactive or has failed are simply not supported by the facts. Since becoming operational, the abattoir has produced approximately 111,650 kilogrammes of carcass beef, utilising cattle supplied mainly by farmers from Regions Four, Five, Six, Nine and Ten, with limited quantities originating from Bon Fin, Brazil, through approved and lawful channels.”

The authority added that these are verifiable figures and demonstrate that the facility is functioning and contributing to the growth of the sector.

“It is also important to understand that an abattoir is not a cattle farm. Animals are brought to the facility according to scheduled slaughter requirements. Therefore, the absence of cattle or employees at a particular moment cannot reasonably be used as proof that the facility is abandoned or underutilised. Such conclusions reveal either a lack of understanding of how modern processing facilities operate or a deliberate effort to mislead the public,” GLDA said.

The authority added: “Particularly irresponsible are allegations that cattle are being secretly imported from Brazil for the benefit of public officials. These are serious accusations for which no evidence has been presented. Guyana has established veterinary, inspection, quarantine and certification systems that govern the importation of livestock. These safeguards exist to protect animal health, food safety and the integrity of the livestock industry.”

GLDA said that anyone with credible evidence of illegal activities should submit that information to the relevant authorities for investigation.

“Allegations of criminal conduct cannot be based on rumours, assumptions or

anonymous claims. Facts and evidence must prevail.

“Equally, accusations of corruption and personal enrichment are serious matters that should be pursued through the appropriate legal channels and supported by evidence. Reckless allegations and sensationalism do nothing to strengthen accountability and only serve to undermine public discourse,” the authority said.

Beyond the abattoir, the government continues to invest heavily in herd expansion, genetic improvement programmes, animal health services and measures aimed at increasing productivity and strengthening food security.

These initiatives are intended to build a more competitive livestock industry and ensure a reliable supply of quality beef for Guyanese consumers.

“Citizens have every right to question public investments and demand accountability. However, accountability must be rooted in facts and not in political theatrics. Isolated photographs, assumptions and unsubstantiated allegations cannot outweigh production records and the tangible benefits being delivered to farmers and consumers,” the livestock development authority said.

The authority added:

“The GLDA abattoir remains an important national investment and its success should be measured by the opportunities it creates for livestock producers, the improvements it brings to food safety and quality, and its contribution to building a stronger and more competitive livestock sector.

“Public debate is healthy, and scrutiny is necessary, but truth matters. Facts matter. And no amount of misinformation can change the reality that Guyana’s livestock industry is advancing and that investments such as the GLDA Abattoir are helping to secure its future.”

Minister Anthony highlights rapid growth of Guyana’s medical imaging capacity

THE Ministry of Health continues to aggressively expand and modernise the nation’s medical imaging landscape, driven by strategic international partnerships and a massive rollout of diagnostic technology across both coastal and hinterland regions.

During his remarks at the opening of the Update on Medical Imaging in Guyana 2026 Continuing Medical Education (CME) conference, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony highlighted the profound evolution of the sector over the last few years.

Addressing a packed auditorium of healthcare professionals, the minister noted the immense turn-out as a positive indicator of the local medical fraternity’s eagerness to advance their clinical capacity, drawing a sharp contrast to past iterations of the seminar where many chairs sat empty.

Central to this diagnostic transformation is Guyana’s structured relationship with Canada’s McMaster University, which began with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed under challenging circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister Anthony emphasised that this formal partnership replaced previous ad hoc arrangements, paving the way for a sustainable pipeline of specialised medical fellowships.

“The collaboration has already seen Guyanese doctors sent abroad to train in various disciplines, including radiology, paediatrics, surgery, and vascular surgery, providing the high-level expertise needed to match the Ministry’s ongoing infrastructural boom”, he said.

Reflecting on the state of the public sector’s im-

aging capabilities just a few years ago, Dr. Anthony recalled a time when the entire country relied on a single functional CT scanner at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

“Outdated units at the Bartica and New Amsterdam hospitals had fallen into complete disuse, with manufacturers no longer producing the spare parts required to fix them. The Ministry has since executed a rapid turnaround of this infrastructure, adding seven brand-new CT scanners to the public health system last year alone, placing them at New Amsterdam and within each of the newly constructed regional hospitals”, the minister said.

He added: “At GPHC, a total overhaul is underway to replace the old scanner with a stateof-the-art model. This is being complemented by the construction of a new two-storey diagnostic and surgical facility next to the Accident and Emergency department, which will house an additional CT scanner, the hospital’s newest MRI machine, dedicated digital mammography suites, and advanced urology equipment for non-invasive stone treatments.”

Minister Anthony closed his address by commending the visiting McMaster faculty for their continuous advice, creative problem-solving, and ongoing guidance in developing strategic frameworks for local breast cancer screenings.

He also extended praise to the local organising teams at the Ministry of Health and GPHC for their daily dedication to reshaping patient care and elevating Guyana’s medical imaging standards to a global level. (Ministry of Health)

Saipem starts operations for the offshore GranMorgu project in Suriname

SAIPEM has officially started its operations for the offshore GranMorgu project in Suriname, with the arrival of the multipurpose construction vessel, Normand Navigator, at the commercial port of Jules Sedney Harbour in Paramaribo.

The vessel, according to Saipem in a press release, is now moored and set to begin the preliminary activities.

The GranMorgu project, operated by TotalEnergies (40%) alongside partners APA Corporation (40%) and Staatsolie (20%), is located in Block 58, 150 km off the coast, and represents Suriname’s first large-scale offshore oil development. It is expected to start up in 2028.

The contract awarded to Saipem in 2024 entails the engineering, procurement,

supply, construction, installation, pre-commissioning and assistance for the commissioning and start-up of the Subsea Umbilicals, Risers and Flowlines (SURF) package, at water depths ranging from 100 to 1,100 mt.

For the offshore campaign, Saipem will deploy a combination of S-Lay and J-Lay vessels, providing the optimal pipeline installation

solution.

To handle the significant volumes of equipment required for Saipem’s execution of the SURF package, the company is deploying a dual-marine base approach.

“Saipem has in fact secured a major logistics hub at the commercial port of Jules Sedney Harbour. Spanning an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 square metres, this facility is dedicated

to the reception, handling, and storage of all incoming pipes, equipment, and standard containers before they are loaded onto supply vessels bound for the offshore fields,” the company said.

As the second pillar of Saipem’s approach, the DORDT marine support base, also in Paramaribo, will serve to receive, store, and manage heavy subsea structures and manifolds,

keeping high-tonnage fabrications segregated and streamlined for deployment.

By utilising local docks, material handling and transport networks, the subsea campaign will inject significant value directly into the Surinamese supply chain, confirming Saipem’s long-term commitment in the country, the company said.

New CT scanner being installed at GPHC to boost healthcare delivery

A brand-new CT scanner is being installed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), marking a significant upgrade in diagnostic capacity for thousands of patients.

The modern system, which replaces the hospital’s older machine, promises faster scans and more accurate imaging to support clinical decisions and improve patient outcomes.

Hospital officials say the new scanner will be fully operational within

the next week, bringing advanced diagnostic services to the public without delay.

The installation is the latest in a series of healthcare investments aimed at expanding and modernising medical infrastructure nationwide.

Government and health leaders have emphasised that new hospitals, new technology and expanded services are central to improving access to quality care for every Guyanese.

“While others talk, we

continue to deliver,” one statement noted, highlighting the administration’s focus on tangible improvements to the health system.

Clinicians at GPHC expect the upgraded equipment to reduce wait times, enhance detection of conditions ranging from trauma to chronic disease, and streamline workflows for radiology teams.

For patients, the modern CT scanner means quicker diagnoses and more timely treatment plans.

Stokes, Atkinson among four changes as England name Trent Bridge XI

(ESPNCRICINFO) - England have announced four changes to their XI for the third and final Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, beginning on Thursday, including the return of both Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson following the incident at a Chelsea nightclub a fortnight ago.

Shoaib Bashir also returns to the starting line-up, with the soaring temperatures in the UK encouraging the recall of England’s frontline spinner, who was omitted for England’s 253-run loss at The Oval, having not bowled a single ball in the series opener at Lord’s.

There is, however, no recall for the Player of the Match in that Lord’s Test, Ollie Robinson, despite being deemed fit for selection after missing the second Test with a knee niggle.

Jamie Smith completes the quartet of

returnees, after missing the Oval Test due to the birth of his second child on the eve of the contest. He replaces James Rew, who was cut from England’s 15-man squad after enduring a tough debut in that match.

Speaking shortly before the team was confirmed, Brendon McCullum, England’s head coach, acknowledged that the prospect of 38-degree heat on the opening days of the Test would be a challenge to his side.

Of more immediate concern, however, is the projection of team unity after a torrid fortnight for the England squad, in which Stokes’ future as an England cricketer came in for intense speculation, as well as his relationship with the coach.

“They are the moments that your methods and the environment that you’ve created is tested,” McCullum said. “And that’s what you want. Anyone can lead when it’s easy. The true account of a leader or leadership group is to be able to lead when times are difficult.

ENGLISH RACING TIPS

CARLISLE

09:00 hrs Queen Of Christmas

09:30 hrs Silesia

10:00 hrs Social Spirit

10:30 hrs Runswick

11:02 hrs Ellusive Butterfly

11:35 hrs Canvas

12:05

“I remember talking to Eoin Morgan after 2015 World Cup, and you know how close I am with him. He came to me and asked

me ‘what do you think I should do?’ I said ‘tough times don’t last but tough blokes do’. And I think it’s no different - you’ve got to be prepared to go through some tough times knowing that if you’re able to navigate through that, and hold the fort and hold your nerve, then there’s some good stuff to come.

“That’s how we approach it, that’s how I approach it, that’s how Ben approaches it. That’s why looking at this week, knowing that the prize is large, it’s exciting. Yes, it’s going to be nervous for some people. There are going to be moments in the game where things will happen which will decide the outcome for the game.”

England’s defeat at The Oval means they have lost six of their past seven Tests, dating back to India’s series-levelling win at the same venue in September 2025. McCullum, however, insisted he was more concerned with processes than outcome.

“What will be will be from a results POV,” he said. “We’re desperate to win, but at the time what will be will be. How can we hold our nerves during those moments and have absolute clarity to make the right decisions to give ourselves the

best chance? If we do that, then we are a good chance of getting the prize that we want.”

England XI for third Test: 1

2

3

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Wednesday June 24, 2026)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 12 (WI) (2) 15 (SL)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who has recorded most runs for the WI in Tests against SL to date? (2) Which SL has scored most Test runs versus the WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Evelyn, Anderson steer WI Academy past Sri Lanka Emerging Players in opening ODI

CMC – Damel Evelyn and Kevlon Anderson scored superb half centuries as the West Indies Academy drew first blood against Sri Lanka Emerging Players in their opening Youth One Day International on Tuesday.

Evelyn hit an unbeaten 77 off 97 balls and Anderson blasted an aggressive 58 off just 45 balls, as the Academy withstood a tough start and a flurry of late wickets to register a tense two-wicket win at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

The visitors did well to bowl out Sri Lanka for 184 in 33.4 overs after winning the toss and electing to field.

Sri Lanka were actually in a good position at 121 for three in the 19th over before suffering a middle order collapse that saw them lose their last seven wickets for 63 runs.

Captain Nipun Dhananjaya, who top-scored with 65 off 73 balls and Ranesh Silva, who made 21, looked to be in cruise control during a 55-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

However, when leg spinner Zishan Motara broke the stand by trapping Silva lbw, the innings crumbled.

Kavija Gamage was bowled by Motara for 11, and pacer Raneico Smith dismissed Dhananjaya to see them slip to 141 for six, before Jediah Blades wrapped up the tail to bring the innings to a swift end.

Motara was the pick of the bowlers with 3-32, Blades took 3-42 and Smith 2-25.

The Academy didn’t get off to the best of starts, losing openers Johann Jeremiah and Mbeki Joseph and Shaqkere Parris cheaply to find themselves 35 for three.

Evelyn and Anderson changed the complexion of the match during a 110-run partnership for the fourth wicket that carried the Academy to relative safety at 145 for three after 23 overs.

With victory in sight, off spinner Gamage grabbed four wickets in quick succession to reduce the Academy to 181 for eight and set up a thrilling ending.

Evelyn ensured his side would get over the finish line though, with his unbeaten knock containing eight boundaries proving to be too much for the Sri Lankans.

Gamage took 4-18 and Traveen Matthew 3-30.

‘I’m back’ - record-breaking Ronaldo answers critics

(BBC) - “I’m back! I’m back!”

After scoring twice in his side’s 5-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan, Cristiano Ronaldo stared into a television camera lens and screamed a defiant message for those who said he was Portugal’s problem at the 2026 World Cup.

The 41-year-old could not hide his feelings, nor contain his joy as he celebrated the historic feat of becoming the first player to find the net in six editions of football’s biggest tournament.

It was also the perfect response to the critics who had written him off.

Ronaldo had been widely criticised after Portugal’s laboured 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their opening Group K tie, while other global stars including Argentina’s Lionel Messi, France forward Kylian Mbappe, Norway talisman Erling Haaland, Brazil’s Vinicius Jr and England captain Harry Kane all impressed in the first two weeks.

Ronaldo has scored at 11 different major tournaments - five more than any other European player in history, with Germany’s Jurgen Klinsmann and Miroslav Klose, as well as Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri, on six

But Ronaldo made a spectacular, albeit late, entrance to the party.

He only needed six minutes to open the scoring with his record strike, sweeping in a superb half-volley from Joao Cancelo’s cross, and netted again before the break with a fine finish following Bruno Fernandes’ perfectly-weighted through-ball.

Only a goal-line clearance from Abdukodir Khusanov denied Ronaldo a first-half hat-trick and, despite the efforts of his team-mates in the second half, their captain could not get the hat-trick he craved.

When asked about his “I’m back” statement after the

match, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said it was “only so they [his critics] don’t forget - 23 years [doing so] like this”.

“I’m very happy but the most important thing is the work the team did and the confidence it gives us,” added Ronaldo.

“Obviously personal records are always nice but my goal is always to help the team achieve its objectives.

“We had to get through many obstacles during the week, but the team worked very well, we improved a lot.

“It’s been a difficult week, a dark week without kicking a ball, but we dealt with it as we always do because we believe in our work. It was difficult, but we’re back.”

Portugal will face Colombia on Sunday 28 June (00:30 BST) in their final match to determine who goes through from Group K and tops the standings.

And boss Roberto Martinez said Ronaldo had been vital in lifting spirits and maintaining standards after the disappointing draw with DR Congo.

“It was a difficult week because we hadn’t achieved the result we were aiming for and we had a difficult situation with criticism, noise - which was actually unfair,” added Martinez.

“We were raging, we were sick, but we grew as a team, overcame emotions and have been able to give our very best. Cristiano Ronaldo was a perfect captain, very much focused and made use of his experience because it is not the first time he deals with this situation.

Real sign Schroeder in ‘most expensive’ women’s transfer

(BBC) - Teenage forward

Felicia Schroeder has joined Real Madrid in a deal that makes her “the most expensive transfer ever in women’s football”, her former club says.

The Sweden international, 19, has signed a four-year deal at Real after scoring 91 goals in 128 games for Swedish club BK Hacken.

Last summer, Orlando Pride made Mexico winger Lizbeth Ovalle the most expensive signing in women’s football history, with the 26-year-old moving from Tigres UANL in a deal worth $1.5m (£1.1m).

Felicia Schroeder scored 30 goals as BK Hacken were crowned champions of the top-flight Damallsvenskan in 2025

Schroeder’s agent and Gothenburg-based Hacken have declined to say what

the exact value of her move to Spain is.

However, a Hacken spokesperson told Reuters: “It’s based on this price tag being higher than the previous record sum of $1.5m, a record sum that was confirmed at the time by the Orlando Pride. However, what exactly this price tag is is not something we are making public.”

Real finished last season second in Spain’s Liga F, 15 points behind champions Barcelona.

The Spanish side said they were signing a player who was “the standout star of the tournament” at the recent Women’s Europa Cup.

Ariel Trophy Stall Masters to participate in NYSCL Independence Cup

RENAMED Ariel Trophy Stall Masters, after playing under Ariel Masters for the last few years and making a name for themselves in Guyana, the Samuel Kingston led over-40 masters side will be embarking on their first overseas sojourn this weekend.

The Guyanese outfit will be among the teams slated to participate in the highly anticipated New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) Independence Cup, scheduled to bowl off on Friday at several venues within the New York tri-state area.

Based on reports coming out of New York, this year’s tournament, which also features the Open and Legends Over-50 categories, promises to be one of the biggest and most exciting softball cricket events ever staged in

New York City.

Apart from the vastly experienced Kingston, the Ariel Trophy Stall Masters also includes key players in Chien Gittens, Harrynarine Dilchand, Sherwin Hubbard, and Richard Latif, the latter known in the softball circle as “Mr. Cricket,”

According to Kingston, his team is heading to New York with one objective and that is to enter the winners’ row when the final is contested on Sunday at Baisley Park, 150 Rockaway, Queens.

Now in its 21st year, the NYSCL Independence Cup will see winners receiving Eagles plus cash incentives while several other prizes will also be up for grabs in the three-day extravaganza.

GFF Youth Ensemble surpasses

2,000

player registrations nationwide

THE Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Youth Ensemble has recorded an outstanding level of nationwide participation, with 2,019 player registrations and 123 club entries confirmed across the Boys’ Under-13 and Under-15 Championships.

The Boys’ U-13 Championship features 913 player registrations from 58 club entries, while the Boys’ U-15 Championship has attracted 1,106 registrations from 65 club entries.

Participation extends across nine

regional associations: Berbice, Bartica, East Bank, East Demerara, Essequibo Coast-Pomeroon, Georgetown, Rupununi, Upper Demerara and West Demerara.

GFF President Wayne Forde said the response demonstrates the strong national demand for consistent and structured youth football.

“This programme can only succeed through the collaboration of our clubs and regional associations, and I am extremely pleased that they have all

responded positively, even under challenging circumstances. More than 2,000 young players are now benefiting from this initiative. This is what football development in Guyana will look like over the next four years, clubs working together to create opportunities and build a clear pathway for the next generation.”

The widespread engagement reflects the collective efforts of the regional associations, clubs, coaches, parents, volunteers and community leaders who continue to support the development of

young footballers throughout Guyana.

The Youth Ensemble forms part of the GFF’s long-term commitment to providing regular competition, expanding access to football and establishing a sustainable development pathway from grassroots and youth football to the national level.

This is the youth development infrastructure being put in place over the next four years, supported by an annual investment of GY$44 million in collaboration with FIFA.

Dakota 100 Endurance cancelled due to ongoing track work

THE Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) has announced that its upcoming Dakota 100 Endurance Race Meet scheduled for June 28, 2026, has been cancelled.

The decision comes as ongoing works at the circuit have not yet been fully completed, resulting in the venue not being in a condition to safely host drivers, competitors, and race

officials.

The safety of all participants remains the highest priority, and after careful assessment, organisers determined that postponing the event is the most responsible course of action at this time.

“We appreciate the patience, understanding, and continued support of our drivers, teams, sponsors, and fans as we work to ensure the best possible conditions for future

events,” organisers stated.

“We knew that the aggressive timeline of getting the venue up to scratch was going to be difficult and the weather has not been on our side. However, we have commissioned a team to work 24hrs to get the venue to the standard we need it,” the official added.

“What we can say is that the actual track is complete. It’s the ancillary work, perimeter fencing and things like that that are still being

built and put in place that is ongoing. It’s because of this that we have kept some of the machinery and materials nearby and as such, we can’t risk having competitors on the venue where there are hazards.”

Updates regarding a new event date and future racing activities will be communicated once arrangements have been finalised.

Mannol Oil back as powerplay sponsor

One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast

SAMAROO Investments, through its Mannol Oil brand, has officially renewed its support for the upcoming fourth season of the One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast.

The tournament, which has quickly grown into one of the most anticipated fixtures on the local sporting calendar, returns from August 8 with an expanded prize structure and innovative rule modifications designed to maximise on-field entertainment.

This year, the tournament has made minor adjustments to dynamic features in order to heighten the intensity of the tenover format.

Teams will navigate a specialised oneover ‘Mannol Oil Powerplay’ in two slots where only two fielders are permitted outside the 30-yard circle.

Captains can choose to activate this Powerplay during two distinct intervals: between overs one to three and then between overs eight to ten.

There is also the TrackPoint Time Out, which will grant teams a 90-second strategic window at the conclusion of the eighth over in each innings.

This high-stakes pause is designed to allow captains and coaches to recalibrate and finalise their blueprints for the final two overs, which often determine the outcome of the fast-paced T10 format.

Yusuf Ali, speaking on behalf of the One Guyana T10 Tapeball organising committee, expressed immense satisfaction with the

returning sponsor and the evolving nature of the competition.

“We are delighted to have Samaroo Investments and Mannol Oil back on board for this edition because their sustained support directly fuels the growth of community cricket across the country,” Ali stated.

We are pushing the boundaries of what tapeball cricket can look like, and with the stakes being higher than ever, the fans are in for an absolute treat from the very first ball.”

For Samaroo Investments, aligning with the tournament represents a direct investment into the passion and talent inherent in Guyanese communities.

“For us at Samaroo Investments and the Mannol Oil brand, returning to the One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast was an incredibly easy decision,” Johnaton da Cruz, Sales Representative of Samaroo Investments, noted.

We want to see our local athletes excel, and providing a platform of this magnitude, alongside the organisers, allows us to give back to the communities that support us.”

The financial incentives for the 2026 edition are unprecedented for domestic tapeball.

Financial rewards begin early in the competition, with the losing teams at the zonal quarter-finals assured a payout of $25,000.

The rewards scale progressively, as the losing semi-finalist at the zone level pockets $50,000, $200,000 for the losing finalist, culminating in a G$500,000 prize for the respective zonal champions before they even

transition into the national bracket.

The stakes reach their peak in the national playoffs, where the eventual national champions will secure a $2,000,000 purse, while the runners-up will pocket G$1,000,000.

The two losing semi-finalists will get $500,000.

Beyond the cash rewards, the top four national finalists will earn qualification berths to represent Guyana at a proposed Global T10 Tapeball Blast.

The tournament’s Most Valuable Player will drive away with a new motorbike alongside a G$150,000 cash prize.

Furthermore, the leading run-scorer and the top wicket-taker of the tournament will each take home G$100,000 and a new television set.

There will be prizes as well for the highest strike rate and the most economical bowler.

With the tournament structure locked in, organisers have issued an urgent directive to regional teams to secure their spots immediately rather than delaying registration to tinker with squad selection.

To guarantee a spot, teams must pay the $35,000 entry fee now, which secures their franchise slot and grants them logistical flexibility to finalise their 15-man rosters closer to their respective zonal start dates.

The entry caps will be rigidly enforced to maintain the integrity of a dense schedule.

The Berbice, East Bank/West Demerara,

and Essequibo zones are strictly capped at 16 teams each, while the combined Georgetown/East Coast Demerara zone will accommodate a maximum of 32 teams.

Registration forms can be accessed through the tournament’s official social media handles or by contacting the organisers on WhatsApp at +592 635-2235.

The tournament caravan kicks off with the Berbice Zone on August 8–9, across four premier venues including the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground, No. 69 Ground, and the Welfare Ground in Canje, before concluding with the zonal finals at the Albion Sports Complex on August 9.

The action then moves to the East Bank/ West Demerara leg on August 15–16, followed by the Essequibo Zone on August 22–23.

In a strategic scheduling move designed to avoid clashing with regional cricket priorities, the tournament will observe a complete hiatus during the Caribbean Premier League window, ensuring local fans can engage with the premier T20 tournament without domestic scheduling conflicts.

Action resumes post-CPL with the Georgetown/East Coast Demerara leg on September 26–27 and October 3–4, leading into the national grand finale on October 11, 2026.

In a historic first for the competition, the final will be hosted at the Anna Regina National Stadium in Region Two.

Munisar calls first T20 World Cup wicket a special movement Hickerson sign with equipment sponsors Global Tennis Brand Babolat

MULTI-DISCIPLINE young star Zion Hickerson is now sponsored by sponsors Global Tennis Brand Babolat as he seeks to elevate his game in the sport of tennis.

Babolat is a world-renowned French Tennis company who has sponsored the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.

Zion Hickerson told Guyana chronicle that the sponsorship is a demonstration of faith in his abilities.

“I’m super excited that this company Babolat is sponsoring me and it really shows that my hard work and dedication is paying off,” he said.

He said this sponsorship will provide critical equipment support to compete both locally and internationally.

“This sponsorship is important to me because it helps me to get my equipment, shoes racket, balls and shirts and it helps me to prepare for my tournaments.”

The young tennis ace caught the eye of Babolat scout Parker McGuiness when he was competing in Miami, Florida earlier this year

Zion’s is scheduled internationally in several tennis tournaments as well as be part of a football camps at Paris Saint-Germain, in France this year.

He set to compete at Junior CASA on July 10 -16th in British Virgin Islands and is currently competing in the FIFA backed GFF Youth Ensemble U 13 Football Tournament.

GUYANESE and West Indies women’s player Ashmini Munisar is looking to add to her tally after making her world cup debut on Sunday against Sri Lanka.

The West Indies women prepare to take host England in the ICC T20 World Cup on today from 13 hours 30 at Lords Ground and Munisar is aiming to provide another good performance for her team

“It was a really special feeling and a special moment, as soon as it hit her that was out and they reviewed it, just myself and the entire team was waiting for confirmation to know it was my first, it was an enjoyable moment sharing that special wicket with all of my team members,” she said

Her goal is always having an impact on the game and thinks adaptation will be key in their clash with England, adding, “Once you are doing well officiously confidence will boost but you got to know within yourself that you have to have confidence and having an impact in such a game just goes to show that you are good enough and I can only get better from here.”

The women have had a dream start to their campaign being played in England with an opening win against defending champions New Zealand, before beating Scotland and Sri Lanka.

The top four teams go straight to the semifinals set for June 30, with the finals set for the 5th of July.

Global Super League 2026…

Rossouw to replace injured Green

SOUTH African top order batter Rilee Rossouw, one of only 20 men to have scored over 10,000 runs in Twenty20 cricket, has joined the Desert Vipers as a replacement for the injured Chris Green in the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL).

Rossouw steps into the squad in the wake of Green suffering a hand injury during a stint playing county cricket in England and he brings a wealth of experience and quality with him.

The left-hander has represented South Africa in 36 One-Day Internationals and 29 Twenty20 Internationals, scoring five white-ball hundreds for the Proteas.

But as significant as Rossouw’s international pedigree is his vast body of work in franchise cricket all around the world including in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), South Africa’s SA20, the Bangladesh Premier League, the Sri Lanka Premier League, the Indian Premier League, the T20 Blast and The Hundred in the UK, the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States of America and the Big Bash League in Australia.

With that background, the player is well-qualified to pass judgement on what it takes for any franchise side to come together and gel quickly and he gave his views to the Vipers Voices podcast after arriving in the USA for another round of MLC, with the Texas SuperKings.

“Because of the modern-day age in which we play the game, you have to open yourself up to a little bit of vulnerability from other players around you,” he said. “That is the quickest way for people to get to know you. I think that is one thing where I feel a coach like Stephen Fleming does superbly well.

“He gets the guys to gel really, really quickly with certain little exercises that he does with the guys. It really opens you up for people to get to know you. That is how you are supposed to do things now in the modern-day age of gelling with each other, because there are no more big rivalries anymore.

“You cannot abuse a guy because maybe next week you are playing with that guy. Yes, there is obviously competition on the cricket field, but I feel like things

have changed with the modern game, where you have to be mates with the guys, if that makes sense.”

That need to gel quickly is significant because the Vipers players are due to arrive in Guyana on 20 July, just four days before the side’s opening match of the Global Super League, against Lahore Qalanders.

And Rossouw said he expected the process of the squad getting to know each other to be a smooth one from his perspective.

“There are a lot of guys that I probably do know that I am going to get along well with at the Vipers,” he said.

“I feel like my personality when it comes to that is pretty easy-going. I am a pretty relaxed person, so that also does help in that situation. It is a quick turnaround, but I am pretty sure it will be easy.”

Rossouw was a late hire for the Desert Vipers, and he said his long-time connection with Vipers Director of Cricket Tom Moody was the key to his recruitment.

“Myself and Tom Moody really go way back,” he said. “So, out of the blue, Tom just messaged me and asked me if I was keen to come to the Desert Vipers.

“Obviously, any franchise with him involved is a successful one. So, I was very happy and I told him I was very interested to be joining.”

The 36-year-old said he felt in good touch, after a successful season in the PSL with the Quetta Gladiators in which he topped that side’s run aggregates by scoring 317 runs at a strike rate of over 140, including four half-centuries.

“I was coming off an injury from the SA20, where I also thought I was in good nick,” he said. “I am always a little bit sceptical coming back into a tournament after an injury, but I went through that (PSL) tournament fairly well and did score some runs for the team.

“At the end of the day, you want to win trophies and it was a bit unfortunate we did not. But yes, I am very pleased with where I am this year with my cricket and how well I am striking the ball. And I am just really looking to stay on top of it.”

Prior Caribbean experience could well be crucial in shaping success or failure for sides in the GSL and

Rossouw, having previously lined up in the CPL, said he knew what to expect from conditions.

“Conditions are definitely different,” he said. “There are some places in the Caribbean that are very nice to bat on, but in Guyana it is

probably a bit of a different story. The ball is turning and it keeps low and it is slow.

“So, we are going to have to adapt to conditions when it comes to that. Hopefully, we have some good cricket that is being played. I am pretty sure

there will be.”

Here is a list of players who will represent the Desert Vipers at the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League: Daryl Mitchell (NZ), Bevon Jacobs (NZ), Kyle Jamieson (NZ), Shadab Khan (PAK), Vriitya Aravind (UAE), Khuzaima Bin Tanveer (UAE), Matiullah Khan (UAE), Sanjay Pahal (UAE), Andries Gous (USA), Kyle Mayers (WI), Khary Pierre (WI), Ramon Simmonds (WI) Zachary Carter (WI)

Dakota 100 Endurance cancelled due to ongoing track work