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MONDAY 24th August, 2026

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUSIVE

No. 1081886

Gov’t targets 50 per cent cut in electricity costs through phased roll‑out SEE PAGE

- future reductions being analysed for areas utilising solar, hydro systems

As the work continues to increase agriculture in the Rupununi, new opportunities for farmers are being unlocked, food security is being strengthened, and the foundation is being laid for sustainable economic growth (Photos: President Dr Irfaan Ali/Facebook)

AI must assist journalists Guyana targets gold and jewellery hub not replace them SEE PAGE

- President Ali says, urges responsible use while safeguarding human judgement and editorial responsibility

status by 2030

President Ali pushes self-regulation, soundproofing, task-force model to curb noise nuisance SEE PAGE

SEE PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

Berbice River communities receive machinery to expand production

FARMERS across eight Berbice River communities are set to expand their agricultural operations with the support of new machinery handed over by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha. Eight tractors, eight rotovators and a harvester were, on Saturday, handed over to farmers in DeVeldt, Geatroy, Fort Nassau, Sand Hills, Kimbia, Ebini, Wiruni and Wikki, providing them with the tools needed to move from small-scale production towards more modern and commercial farming. The equipment forms part of government’s efforts to ramp up the production of beans, including black-eyed peas and red beans, for both the local and export markets. The intervention fulfils a commitment made by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali to farmers in communities along the Berbice River. The tractors are designed to work with the accompanying implements, allowing farmers to mechanise land preparation and planting. With access to machinery, farmers will be able to cultivate larger acreages, improve productivity and reduce some of the challenges associated with manual land preparation. For farmers in these com-

Eight tractors were delivered to the several Berbice River communities to enhance crop production munities, having access to modern equipment means an opportunity to increase their incomes, expand their farms and build more sustainable livelihoods through agriculture. Toshao of Wiruni village, Rohan Fredricks, commended the government for its in-

terventions in the region and said the support has given farmers renewed confidence to expand their operations. “On behalf of the Wiruni village and surrounding communities we would like to thank the government for delivering this equipment which will enhance the farm-

ing and benefit everyone in the community,” he said. Another farmer, Trishel Hinds, who is planning to start crop production on beans and corn within the community, said the machinery will create new possibilities for farmers who previously faced limitations

because of the amount of work that had to be done manually. “This is a great opportunity for us. Before, we could only do so much because of the labour and the equipment we had available. Now we can think bigger, plant more and produce more. We are

grateful to the government for investing in us and giving us the tools to move forward.” she noted. Meanwhile, Minister Mustapha said the intervention is part of government’s broader vision to modernise agriculture and ensure farmers have the productive assets needed to increase output. “We want our farmers to move beyond subsistence farming and into commercial production. When we put modern equipment in the hands of farmers, we are giving them the capacity to cultivate more land, produce more and earn more. This is about strengthening our food security, reducing our food-import bill and creating opportunities for our farmers to supply both the local and export markets.” he said. The government’s investment is expected to strengthen agricultural production in the Berbice River communities while contributing to national efforts to increase local food production and reduce Guyana’s reliance on imported food. For the farmers receiving the machinery, the message is clear: the opportunity to grow and expand food production in the region is now in their hands. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

Gov’t targets 50 per cent cut in electricity costs through phased roll‑out - future reductions being analysed for areas utilising solar, hydro systems

GUYANA is pressing ahead with plans to slash electricity costs by 50 per cent nationwide through a phased programme of solar installations and other renewable energy projects, President Dr Irfaan Ali has said. Speaking at a recent press conference, Dr Ali said the reduction was a key manifesto commitment and confirmed that some communities are already benefitting from lower tariffs. He noted that areas such as Bartica and parts of Region One have seen initial cuts following the commissioning of solar farms and battery storage. “One of the things that we have committed to in the manifesto is the reduction in the cost of electricity, and we are fully committed to the reduction of that cost, and that is to bring it down by 50 per cent

for consumers across the country,” he said adding: “We have started, especially in areas where we had the solar installation and where we had the battery backup system. In those areas, we have been able to already announce phased reduction in the cost of electricity. Both in Bartica when I was there on the cabinet outreach, and I think in Region One, we have addressed the issue of a phased reduction.” In Bartica 1.5-megawatt solar photovoltaic farm is now supplying power to the Region Seven community. This was an investment of more than $703 million has resulted in an output of 6,148 drums of diesel, with electricity costs now being reduced by 25 per cent. Dr Ali said similar assessments are under way for other commu-

President Dr Irfaan Ali

nities equipped with renewable systems, including solar projects in Region Two, Leguan and Wakenaam, as well as hydro‑powered Lethem. “I've committed to, in other areas, for example, in Region Two, where we have the solar system, and in Laguan and Wakenam, where we have that so-

lar system to look also at the phased reduction there,” he added. “Lethem is also one community where we have the hydro… those analyses are being conducted so that though the initial phased reduction, the tariff can be looked at in those communities. So, we are committed to this, and the consumers will

definitely benefit,” he told reporters, while assuring consumers they would “benefit tremendously” as the programme expands. Guyana has rapidly expanded its energy infrastructure. Under its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) the country has taken a transformative approach to energy that

seeks to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, by diversifying energy sources and ensuring affordable, reliable energy access for all Guyanese. The aim is to integrate renewable resources such as solar, hydro, wind, biomass, and natural gas to meet growing energy demand, while keeping emissions low. F u r t h e r, t h e 3 0 0 MW Wales Gas to Energy project, Guyana’s largest infrastructural initiative to date, aims to reduce electricity costs by 50 per cent and support domestic production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cleaner household cooking. Beyond immediate energy benefits, the GtE project is expected to enhance industrial competitiveness and strengthen the country’s energy mix.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

BIT training opens doors for employment, entrepreneurship for Regions One, Two residents FOR 30-year-old Eshwar Deodat of Region Two, completing the six-month welding and fabrication course through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) was more than gaining a certificate. It gave him the confidence and skills to start working for himself. Today, Eshwar is able to operate his own welding and fabrication workshop, just about a month after completing the training in 2025. The former MTA student said the BIT programme helped him strengthen the basic skills he already had and put them to use in a way that now allows him to earn an income independently. “The training was nice,” Deodat said, not-

Region One BIT graduate, Ellena Williams

ing that the experience gave him additional practical knowledge that he needed. Since opening his workshop, he has been using social media to showcase his work and attract customers, allowing the business to grow. “Financially, it works… the more people get to know you, the more customers you get,” he ex-

Eshwar Deodat of Region Two, a past BIT trainee

plained. While finding additional workers has been a challenge, Deodat explained that he remains focused on expanding his operation and hopes to eventually train someone to work alongside him. A d d i t i o n a l l y, h e shared that the opportunity provided through BIT is one that other young Guyanese should take seriously, particularly those who may not have gained any qualifications through high school. He encouraged other persons to take full ad-

vantage of these opportunities. “Go there and do what you have to do. Don’t watch for money. Just learn and get training. When you finish, then you will see the outcome,” Deodat advised. Meanwhile, in Region One, 35-year-old Ellena Williams is also putting her BIT training to use after completing a sixmonth tractor-driving programme. Williams, who is from Moruca, explained that the training was challenging at times, particularly learning to reverse the tractor, but

Eshwar in his workshop, operating a welding machine

she persevered and successfully completed the programme. “Yes, it was hard,” she recalled. “Driving it slow, the reversing part was more difficult for me but I overcame it.” Despite those challenges, Williams is now putting her training into practice by working within her community, earning an income through tractor-driving jobs. She added that the work has allowed her to secure employment following the training, although earning a stable income. Williams, who is a mother of five, revealed that she is nevertheless grateful for the opportunity to acquire a skill that has given her another avenue to earn a living. “Yes, yes,” she said when asked whether she believes she benefitted from the training and would encourage others to take advantage of similar opportunities. The experiences of Deodat and Williams

highlight the practical opportunities being made available to Guyanese through government-supported skills training, especially for persons looking to enter the workforce or improve on their earning potential or establish their own livelihoods. Through BIT, participants are exposed to practical trades and skills designed to improve their employability while also creating opportunities for self-employment and entrepreneurship. For Deodat, the results are already visible in his workshop, and for Williams, the training has provided a practical skill that she can use within her community. As government continues to push for self-empowerment and entrepreneurship, these skills training opportunities underscore the value of investing in skills and creating more opportunities for all to build a better livelihood. (DPI)

Guyana targets gold and jewellery hub status by 2030

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

GUYANA is targeting transformation into a global gold and jewellery hub by 2030, with a comprehensive strategy aimed at modernising the industry, increasing production and exports, and positioning the country’s gold and jewellery products more prominently on international markets. Technical Consultant at the Ministry of Natural Resources Dominic Gaskin said the vision, which originated with President Dr. Irfaan Ali, is being pursued through a 15-initiative strategy designed to address long-standing gaps and deficiencies within the sector. He was at the time speaking on the ‘Starting Point’ podcast, where he said the strategy represents a structural transformation of Guyana’s gold and jewellery industry, moving it towards a more technology-driven and modern model while significantly expanding the scope and scale of activities. The overarching goal of the strategy,

Technical Consultant at the Ministry of Natural Resources Dominic Gaskin

he said, is for Guyana to become “a gold and jewellery hub” by 2030. As part of the initiative, the government has introduced the El Dorado Reimagined national brand, which is intended to provide a common platform through which Guyanese jewellers can promote their businesses and products locally and internationally. The brand is owned

and administered by the Guyana Gold Board

through a programme management unit established to implement the sector’s development strategy. Gaskin clarified that El Dorado Reimagined will not be a physical seal or marking placed on jewellery. Instead, qualifying jewellers will receive licences allowing them to promote their businesses and products under the national brand. He said government-backed international promotion of the brand would allow licensed businesses to benefit from marketing initiatives, including potential trade shows, digital campaigns, and efforts to attract international buyers to Guy-

ana. The strategy also places significant emphasis on standards and consumer confidence. Licensed jewellers will be required to comply with applicable standards for gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and diamonds, while also meeting requirements covering business practices and customer transactions. Among the requirements are detailed receipts identifying the products sold, including relevant specifications, acceptance of non-cash payments and proper business signage. Importantly, Gaskin said the brand would also promote the use

of legally and ethically sourced gold, which in Guyana would generally mean gold purchased through the Guyana Gold Board. He went on to note that the transformation is expected to result in increased investment, training, production, sales, imports, and exports over the next two to three years. Gaskin indicated that the objective is ultimately to create greater international recognition for Guyana’s gold and jewellery industry, with the country becoming associated with gold in the same way it has increasingly become associated with oil and gas.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

Economics, Not Insults

SOMETHING predictable happens whenever a Guyanese leader says something complex out loud. It gets flattened into a headline, and the headline becomes the story. That is exactly what happened this past week, when President Irfaan Ali's remarks on changing consumption patterns and the cost of living were reduced, in some quarters, to a single accusation that he was telling struggling people to simply "change” their eating habits. That is not a fair reading of what was said. It is a distortion, and a damaging one, because it trades a genuine conversation about prices for a manufactured scandal that Guyanese did not need and do not deserve. Here is what actually happened. At a press conference, the President argued that grants and cash transfers, while necessary, cannot by themselves fix a cost-ofliving problem with structural roots. Input costs, market margins, import dependency, and yes, how consumption itself has changed. He pointed out, accurately, that more Guyanese are shopping in supermarkets instead of traditional markets

than they were four years ago, and eating out more often, and that supermarkets carry a materially higher margin than the market stalls they are replacing. That is not an insult. It is microeconomics. Consumer behaviour, which is what people buy, where, and why, has been a core subject of economic study for as long as the discipline has existed, and no economist would call it controversial to say that a shift in how and where people spend affects what they end up paying. Turning that observation into "the President blames the poor" required stripping out the context on purpose. What that distortion also erases is the record of the government actually in office. Guyana remains a free-market economy, but the PPP/C administration has intervened, deliberately and repeatedly, in nearly every channel through which global prices reach Guyanese households. VAT has been zero-rated on key food items and household necessities since 2021, and removed entirely from electricity, water, medicine, fertiliser, farm chemicals, and agricultural machinery.

More than 200 taxes inherited from the previous administration have been scrapped outright. Electricity and water tariffs have not been raised, even as the State absorbs what it would cost to let them rise. On top of that sit direct transfers: A new-born grant, the "Because We Care" cash payment, a $100,000 grant reaching households nation-wide, all worth billions of dollars returned straight to families.

None of that is theoretical relief. It is money that did not leave people's pockets, at a moment when, around the world, it was leaving nearly everyone's. That last point matters, because no serious person claims Guyana is immune to the world, and no honest official has ever pretended otherwise. A country that exports crude oil but still imports the refined fuel its taxis and trucks run on will always feel a distant war or a shipping bottleneck at the pump. What the data show, though, is that Guyana has absorbed those global shocks better than most of its neighbours. Inflation has run at roughly 2.5 to 3.5 per cent

through 2026, close to the government's own target, and, by its account, among the lowest rates anywhere in Latin America and the Caribbean. That gap between what Guyanese are feeling and what much of the rest of the hemisphere is feeling is not an accident. It is the visible result of policy choices that a headline about eating habits conveniently left out. Here is the part of the President's point that deserves more credit than it has gotten. Guyana's consumption patterns are changing because Guyanese, on the whole, have more money than they did a few years ago, and more confidence to spend it. This is a fact that should be studied and celebrated at once. Former retailers are becoming wholesalers. Roadside vendors are formalising into registered businesses. Families are defaulting to the convenience of the supermarket over the market stall, and paying the markup that comes with it. That is what growth looks like when it arrives faster than habits can adjust, precisely the "good problem" that far wealthier, more established economies are

also struggling to manage. The Vice-President put a related point plainly months before this controversy: Guyana still isn't producing enough of what its own people consume. The Opposition called that a confession of failure. It reads more like the truth; an honest diagnosis from a government willing to say the hard part out loud instead of pretending the problem away. That diagnosis points to the only durable answer, and, to the government's credit, it has said so without flinching; grants cushion, they do not cure. An import-dependent economy cannot subsidise its way out of a global price shock forever, at some point, it has to produce its way out. That is the logic behind farmers' markets designed to cut out inflated middlemen margins, behind the Small Business Bureau, which trained more than 3,200 entrepreneurs, and disbursed roughly $280 million in loans last year alone, and behind the Small Business Development Bank now taking shape to finance the next stage of that growth. It is also the logic behind the Gas-to-Energy project,

on track to cut electricity costs by roughly half once fully online. a single change that touches the cost structure of nearly every business and household in the country. None of this delivers relief overnight. All of it points in the right direction, and that direction is worth more than a slogan. What Guyana cannot afford, at this stage of its transformation, is a public conditioned to hear every hard economic truth as a personal insult, or every difficult sentence from a podium as proof of bad faith. There is no version of this growth that arrives without friction, and there is no going back to what the economy looked like before oil changed its scale. The sooner that is accepted, the sooner the real work, building skills, building businesses, adapting to a country that refuses to stand still, can begin in earnest. The government's direction has the potential to get Guyana where it says it wants to go. Getting there will take patience and honest engagement from citizens, not another news cycle built on a headline that was never true to begin with.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

Forbes Burnham: My contribution to understanding him WHEN you are a daily commentator, people will miss many of your deliveries because it is natural for people to do so. Yesterday (Sunday), I published the second review of a fantastic book on Guyana titled, “A Proxy Africa: Guyana, African Americans, and the Radical Seventies” by Professor Rickford Russell, historian at Cornell University. I got several emails about where the book can be bought. And I got two enquiries from two very well-known Guyanese asking me for my thoughts on what Burnham should have done with the global popularity he enjoyed in Africa and among Afro-Americans during the early 1970s. I guess these people missed the first review on this page in June. Here are my replies to the enquires. The book was sent to me and the person bought it from Amazon. The second enquiry is from two well known Guyanese that do not want to be named. I have to respect their wish. If they feel so, then so be it. Their question was based on what I wrote yesterday (Sunday) about Burnham’s deep sympathy and manifest empathy for anti-im-

perialist Afro-American radicals, especially from the Black Panther Party, on how they were treated by the American establishment. They wanted to know why Burnham allowed that moment of glory to evaporate and generated dislike among the very people that Burnham saved. What follows here is a very brief contribution to understanding one of Guyana’s enduring icons – Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, the first executive president of Guyana. I never met Burnham. I only saw Burnham once while I was in the Botanical Gardens. I was very young then. These notes are not based on extensive research. I was active politically in Guyana in the 1970s as a citizen and a UG student which gave me an insight into Burnham’s personality. I saw first-hand how Burnham alienated the very freedom fighters that he rescued from American repression because one of them was my personal friend. That is described in the first review in June. Why did this happen, and could it have been avoided and therefore Burnham would have left a legacy of greatness? There were two

pathways Burnham could have taken but he chose not to. The rest of this column explains Burnham’s cul-de-sac. The first sought a genuine reconciliation with Cheddi Jagan. Jagan was not your run-of-the mill opposition leader. The American freedom fighters that Burnham rescued and brought to Guyana admired and respected Jagan because Jagan was on the same wavelength with them – anti-imperialism. What the majority of freedom fighters did not like about Jagan as Russell showed in his book, was Jagan’s closeness to the USSR which they felt was a proponent of a whiteman ideology. But they saw Jagan in a positive light. Burnham’s refusal to cement a working relationship with Jagan was bound to hurt Burnham’s anti-imperialist credentials. So why Burnham allowed his relationship to deteriorate with Jagan, thus allowing the American freedom-fighters to grow uneasy? There is no

need to offer a separate analysis on the same question in relation to Walter Rodney, which is the second pathway that Burnham didn’t take. Burnham at a psychic level was trapped; there was no space even for a temporary respite. Burnham could not have developed a smooth and accommodating relation with Jagan or Rodney because his inherent power instincts could not and did not release him to do so. Nowhere in Rickford’s book did he describe any attempt by the freedom fighters to get Burnham to treat Jagan and Rodney with a reconciliation hand. The reason none of the freedom fighters attempted such a task was because as guests of the Guyana government they felt that could have been seen by Burnham as interference in Guyana’s sovereign affairs. Apart from the power instinct that drove Burnham to reject talks with Jagan and Rodney was the instinct of narcissism. This is my complaint about

Linden Lewis’ biography of Burnham. Lewis completely overlooked the presence of narcissism in Burnham. And I believe and always will that Burnham saw himself as a special person, too special to be first among equals, too special to be part of ordinary politics and too special to share political space with anyone else. What emerged then was a tragic consequence. So enamoured with himself, Burnham felt he could have ignored Jagan and undermine Rodney and yet secure the abiding

faith of the American freedom fighters and the continent of Africa. It couldn't happen. It was a political impossibility. You cannot be anti-imperialist and pro-Africa and at the same time be monarchial. Gasoline does not douse fire; it makes it more destructive. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this c o l u m n a re s o l e l y those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett outlines strategy to ‘move the needle’ on UN peace efforts

GUYANA’S candidate for United Nat i o n s ( U N ) S e c re tary-General, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said a closer examination of previous peace efforts could help the organisation identify new pathways for resolving some of the world’s most protracted conflicts. Speaking to the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Thursday, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett said that, if elected, she would assess the history of individual conflicts, including the interventions that have already been attempted and the outcomes they produced. “I will examine the conflict landscape to see what has been tried and what was not,” Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett said. She maintained that

Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (centre)

she would strengthen the UN’s ability to engage in preventive diplomacy before conflicts escalate. “There are certain tools at the disposal of the Secretary General, including his/her Good Offices and mediation. Conflicts do not start in a day. There are signals before a conflict erupts.

The UN has a large footprint around the world, that can provide early warning information to the Secretary-General’s office,” she said. Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett said she would not hesitate to get in touch with the parties concerned when she is made aware that a certain situation is

likely to escalate. “I am willing to use the tools at my disposal, but also to play any role that will de-escalate the situation and bring about a solution. This could be a broker, a mediator, a negotiator or even a messenger between the different sides” the ambassador said. She opined that a

detailed assessment would allow the UN to identify practical opportunities for renewed diplomatic engagement, particularly in situations where previous efforts have failed to produce lasting solutions. Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett ac knowledged that geopolitical considerations can make conflict resolution more difficult but said the UN must continue looking for ways to make progress. “In short, I will look at ways to move the needle. That’s the job of the Secretary-General,” she said. She said her approach would involve working with the UN Security Council and other relevant stakeholders and using the diplomatic tools available to the Secretary-General. The approach re-

flects Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett’s stated vision for a more agile, efficient, and effective UN, including a stronger focus on practical diplomacy and finding solutions to long-standing international challenges. Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett is Guyana’s candidate for the position of UN Secretary-General in the ongoing process to select a successor to the current Secretary-General. The election for the next United Nations secretary-general is expected to take place in 2027, when the General Assembly appoints the successful candidate upon the recommendation of the Security Council. The successful candidate will succeed the current Secretary-General at the start of January 2027. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

AI for Good: How the UN uses AI to advance human rights

FOR Ari, a six-year-old boy with learning difficulties in Jamaica, artificial intelligence (AI) opened the door to something many children take for granted: reading a book in his own language. Thousands of miles away, gold

and Adolescent Development, told UN News. “There are countless more examples like Ari’s, showing what becomes possible when digital learning is designed to reach every child.” For UNICEF, implementing AI means putting

global warming. “Everybody – every person, citizen – anywhere in the world who is concerned about climate change must have an interest in slowing down global warming, and fixing methane leaks is the emergency brake,”

Companies often take prompt action to address these leaks, Mr. Krause said, because the alerts help them avoid product loss – a winwin for companies and the environment. Not only is methane 80 times more potent than car-

at the WHO’s Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, told UN News. Earlier diagnosis also means fewer infectious people in the community, reducing onward transmission – a crucial step towards elimi-

software and studies health outcomes. “It really does help overcome these historical barriers around skilled personnel, access, cost, availability – all of these access barriers that prohibit good health,” Dr Veronese told UN News.

Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, speaks at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva (UN/Elma Okic file photo) miners in Ethiopia are being screened more quickly for tuberculosis, while communities around the world are breathing cleaner air thanks to faster detection of methane leaks. Across agencies, the UN is implementing AI tools to help promote peace, security and human rights while spearheading the global conversation around AI governance. By the book Six-year-old Ari in Jamaica has learning difficulties which make it difficult for him to study, but now AI technology is converting existing textbooks into interactive formats personalised to his needs. “The real impact is what this means for children,” Pia Rebello Britto, UNICEF’s Global Director of Education

the communities it supports at the centre of its technology development process. The agency worked with advocacy groups to design its Accessible Digital Textbooks for All (ADT) initiative, which tackles a persistent barrier in global education: inaccessible learning materials for the nearly 240 million children worldwide living with disabilities. While the programme existed before AI’s rapid rise, today’s AI-assisted version now operates in 17 countries, reaching nearly two million children, with a goal of expanding to 50 countries by 2030. Six countries have already joined this year. PUTTING A BRAKE ON METHANE Methane is one of the gases that is contributing to

said UNEP Climate Change Division Director, Martin Krause. Using satellite data to detect large methane leaks and notify governments and companies, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has helped prevent the equivalent of 24 million gas-powered cars worth of methane emissions since 2024. That’s the year UNEP launched the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), which uses AI to analyse data from 30 satellites to identify methane plumes. Because AI is 12 to 15 times faster and more accurate than humans at detecting methane leaks, UNEP has issued 7,500 alerts, triggering 42 mitigation actions over the past two years, Mr. Krause said.

bon dioxide in warming the atmosphere, but fixing methane leaks also reduces the proliferation of harmful smog, which can cause respiratory illness. “This is not the UN building a task force and discussing a problem and having a meeting. This is real stuff,” Mr. Krause said. “This is happening as we speak.” TB SCREENING With assistance from the UN’s World Health Organization (WHO), developing countries are using AI to analyse chest X-rays for signs of tuberculosis (TB), allowing faster screenings in areas with fewer specialists. “It’s really helping people to move through the sort of diagnostic cascade onto treatment much sooner,” Dr Vanessa Veronese, a scientist

nating TB. Dr Veronese pointed to Ethiopia, where gold miners face an increased risk of contracting TB due to dust and silica exposure. The technology behind early diagnosis is called computer-aided detection (CAD). Chief among CAD’s benefits is that it generates a TB likelihood score very quickly, helping overstretched radiologists in low-resource settings, which is important because many die from TB if they do not receive treatment. In 2021, the WHO officially recommended its use to screen for TB in adults and has since supported developing countries in adopting the technology. WHO provides practical implementation guidance, helps TB programmes calibrate the

ADVANCING CRISIS RESPONSE UN agencies are also using AI to detect land mines, assess disaster damage, identify suspicious financial transactions, monitor radioactive contamination, and accelerate nuclear fusion research. But as technology advances, the UN is emphasising equity, human rights and ethics to ensure AI promotes development instead of threatening peace and democracy. Mr. Guterres has called AI “humanity’s greatest opportunity in the 21st century” and “one of its greatest risks,” stressing the need for inclusive oversight. “We must ensure AI serves humanity, and not the other way around,” he said. (UN)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

Region Eight gets $140.8M Simulation Centre to strengthen healthcare training

The new Simulation Centre in Region Eight that is expected to boost healthcare training THE Ministry of Health has further strengthened health sciences education in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) with the commissioning of a new Simulation Centre valued at $140,848,000. The facility was officially commissioned on Saturday August 22, 2026, by Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, marking another significant step in the government’s efforts to expand healthcare training opportunities and build a skilled health workforce across the country. The new Simulation Centre is designed to provide students and health-

care workers with hands-on, practical training in nursing and other healthcare disciplines. The facility will allow trainees to develop and refine essential clinical skills in a controlled environment before applying those competencies in healthcare settings. Delivering the feature address at the commissioning ceremony, Minister Anthony explained that the facility will address an important component of nursing education by allowing students to complete practical aspects of their training within the region. “Whether it’s learning

how to give an infusion, find a vein, deliver a baby, whatever the skill we require each nurse to know, this facility will enable it. We are not only going to train nurses; we are going to train other categories of healthcare workers,” Minister Anthony said. He emphasised that while theoretical knowledge remains important, healthcare professionals must also be equipped with the practical competencies necessary to perform effectively in clinical settings. According to the Health Minister, the Simulation Centre will therefore play a critical role in ensuring that trainees are better prepared

to apply their knowledge and skills when providing care to patients. Dr Anthony expressed the ministry’s satisfaction with the completion and commissioning of the facility, noting that it represents another boost to healthcare development in Region Eight. By expanding training opportunities within the region, the initiative will also help to develop a stronger local healthcare workforce and create opportunities for persons interested in pursuing careers in the health sector. The minister also highlighted other ongoing in-

vestments aimed at transforming healthcare delivery in Region Eight, including the Kato Hospital, which is currently under construction. He noted that the hospital will be the first of its kind in the region, a modern, state-of-the-art healthcare facility that will significantly enhance access to quality health services. Importantly, the Ministry intends to build the workforce required for the facility by training and employing persons from within the region. The establishment of the Simulation Centre complements this wider vision by ensuring that healthcare workers have access to the

practical training necessary to serve effectively at health facilities across Region Eight. Also present at the commissioning ceremony were Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Pauline Sukhai; Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally; Regional Health Officer, Dr Talitha Cort; Mayor of Mahdia, Eslyn Hussain; Director of Health Sciences Education, Chandroutie Persaud; Director of Regional Health Services, Dr Cerdel McWatt and other officials.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

AI must assist journalists not replace them - President Ali says, urges responsible use while safeguarding human judgement and editorial responsibility

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has urged Caribbean broadcasters to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to strengthen journalism, while cautioning against allowing the technology to replace human judgement and editorial responsibility. The Head of State made this known during a recent address at the opening ceremony of the 57th Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Annual General Assembly, during which he noted that AI should be incorporated into newsrooms to improve efficiency, particularly as media organisations contend with limited resources and rapidly changing technology. “Use AI, certainly,” the President said, while noting that the technology could be used to transcribe interviews, search large databases, analyse data, translate materials and identify patterns. However, he warned that the efficiency offered by AI must not come at the expense of the human element of journalism. “Never allow the technology to become the journalists,” Dr Ali said, as he argued that journalism involves far more than processing and arranging information. He said journalists must be able to listen, observe, develop relationships and understand tone and context, particularly when reporting on sensitive issues. “A journalist knows when a grieving mother needs silence rather than another question,” Dr Ali

said. Against this backdrop, he questioned whether an algorithm could fully understand those nuances, pointing to the emotional, cultural, and human dimensions of journalism that cannot simply be reduced to data. Dr Ali said a reporter covering the aftermath of a hurricane, for example, does more than collect information about wind speeds and rainfall. The journalist also observes the human impact of the disaster, including families who have lost their homes and individuals trying to recover their livelihoods. “That is why I believe the future of media must remain human centred,” he said. The President also warned that the increasing use of AI was making misinformation and disinformation more difficult to detect, particularly with the proliferation of deepfakes. He called for greater investment in verification and regional fact-checking capacity, as well as clear standards governing the use and disclosure of AI-generated materials. As such, the CBU, he said, should play a leading role in championing legislation and standards in this area. President Ali said the challenge facing Caribbean media was therefore not whether to accept or reject AI, but how to understand, regulate and use the technology responsibly. “We should not reject AI. We should understand it, regulate it wisely, and use it intelligently,” he said.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

Quick action contains fire aboard Liza Unity FPSO

A FIRE that erupted aboard the Liza Unity FPSO was quickly extinguished following the initiation of the appropriate response procedures, ExxonMobil Guyana said in a statement on Sunday. Based on a statement from the company, there was no extensive damage or injuries.

“Heat detectors aboard the Liza Unity FPSO were activated in the laundry room of the living quarters, indicating a small fire, which was quickly extinguished. “The appropriate response procedures were initiated. “All personnel aboard the vessel are safe and accounted for,” the statement said.

The Liza Unity FPSO, with a capacity to produce 220,000 barrels of oil, arrived in Guyana in October 2021 (Department of Public Information photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

President Ali pushes self-regulation, soundproofing, task-force model to curb noise nuisance PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has pledged a calibrated response to Guyana’s persistent noise-nuisance problem, promising measures that protect citizens’ quality of life while allowing the entertainment sector to operate sustainably. Responding to a question during a recent news conference on the national economic and social policy, the president acknowledged that noise nuisance is “affecting the quality of life of people” and must be addressed in a structured and fair manner. “Noise nuisance is affecting the quality of life of people, and we have to address it in a way that allows the entertainment sector and allow people to have a quality of life, but at the same time does not destroy the businesses,” he said. He outlined a series of measures under consideration or already in progress. For existing bars and nightclubs, the President said government intends to work through the Guyana Development Bank to help operators invest in sound-proofing and other noise-control infrastructure. “For those bars and those nightclubs that are already established, when the Guyana Development Bank come on stream, one of the things we should look

at [is] how they invest in the noise-proof material to enclose their facility, so that that would help, “he explained. In relation to openair venues, Dr Ali said the administration is looking to strengthen self-regulation by providing clear, real-time guidance to operators. This includes working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to design mechanisms that allow proprietors to monitor and control their own sound levels. “The open area, we have to put the workplace [and] EPA in setting up a mechanism that alerts people so that they can look at the meter and know how to regulate. Self-regulation is important in any country. Before you go to the police and everything else, self-regulation is important,” the President underscored. The Head of State also announced that government has already established a task force to address noise nuisance across all regions. This body is working closely with the Guyana Police Force, in direct response to long-standing public complaints about slow or inadequate responses to reports of excessive noise. “We have also established, after consultations, a task force

that is looking at the issue around across all regions, working

with the police. Because one of the complaints is the non-re-

sponsiveness of the police in addressing complaints or ad-

dressing issues at the community level,” President Ali said.

The EPA has already begun efforts to strengthen monitoring with the new public decibel-meter sign

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

TVET participation surges among CSEC students

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

- nearly half of candidates now taking at least one technical subject

NEARLY half of the students sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations

for students beyond traditional academic subjects, with technical and vocational training increasingly

creasingly pursuing subjects that can provide practical skills alongside traditional academic qualifica-

Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain

are now taking at least one technical and vocational education and training (TVET) subject, signalling a growing shift towards skillsbased learning among Guyanese secondary school students. This was according to Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain, who made the disclosure during the release of the 2026 CXC examination results, noting that participation in TVET subjects had increased by 8.9 per cent this year. Hussain indicated that participation has moved from about 41 per cent to close to half of all CSEC students writing at least one TVET subject. The development comes as the education system continues to expand opportunities

being positioned as an important pathway to employment and further education. Hussain also highlighted the broader subject choices being made by students, noting that close to 75 per cent of CSEC candidates wrote at least one science subject this year. He noted that the figures demonstrate that students are in-

tions. The increased participation in TVET is also reflected at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level, where the CEO reported that nearly half of all entries were in either TVET or science-based subjects. Against this backdrop, it was noted that the Ministry of Education has been expanding technical and vo-

cational opportunities as part of efforts to provide students with multiple pathways through secondary education. Hussain earlier noted that 488 students from the 2021 cohort opted to pursue technical education at the end of Grade 10 or Grade 11 instead of sitting CSEC, a decision he said demonstrated the importance of

maintaining alternative routes within the education system. The wider vocational programme is also producing students with recognised practical qualifications. Some 2,813 students are expected to receive Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQs) in 2026, covering areas including agro-food processing, aquacul-

ture, crop production, electrical installation, construction, welding, motor vehicle repairs, garment making and food preparation. Hussain said CVQ certification gives students the opportunity to pursue tertiary education while also equipping them with skills that can be used directly in the workplace.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

DR Congo Ebola outbreak spreading exponentially, UN responders warn AS the deadliest Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo’s history continues to spread, UN re-

sponders have renewed their urgent appeal for immediate international support, with existing

Health workers gather at an Ebola treatment centre in Bunia, in the eastern DR Congo (WHO/Grainne Harrington photo)

funding for life-saving work critically low. KEY POINTS Ebola deaths reach 2,516 in DRC Response funding could run out within weeks Dozens of frontline healthcare workers among dead “We're only covered for the next weeks, and very soon funding will run out,” said Julien Harneis, UN Senior Ebola Coordinator. “Every delay in funding and implementation makes this epidemic more deadly, more difficult to stop and more expensive. So, we need that international support immediately.” Since the outbreak was declared on May 15, 5,290 people have been infected. Of that number 2,516 have died, according to latest health authority data published last Friday. Of the total confirmed number of cases, 1,152 people have recovered and nearly 840 people remain in isolation or hospitalised. The fatality rate is 47.6 per cent and contact follow-up is 82.9 per cent. DEADLY PROGRESSION Briefing journalists from the Ebola epicentre in Bunia, Ituri province, Mr. Harneis warned that the disease is “growing exponentially,” with half of all deaths occurring in just the last 20 days. “The epidemic is

spreading to an area that is bigger than France. And the outbreak is growing faster and wider than the Ebola response,” he stressed, as “brutal” operating conditions continue to impede the progress of frontline workers. Three months into the outbreak, 160 healthcare workers have contracted Ebola and 43 of them have died. “And then when we do respond, apart from the threat from the virus, healthcare workers and frontline workers have been attacked by youths, ambulances have been burned and stoned and the healthcare facilities have been attacked,” Mr. Harneis explained. “Conditions on the ground are extremely difficult, but we will continue deploying all the humanitarian and medical assistance needed until the job is done,” the veteran aid official said. “Last week, I was trying to get into an Ebola hotspot, and it took three hours to drive 60 kilometres (37 miles),” he added. Another key obstacle to the response is the lack of basic social services in the six eastern, provinces where the virus is spreading (Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, HautUélé, Tshopo, and BasUélé), a direct result of decades of violence in the resource-rich area. Gaps in government-run, coordinated

healthcare services and a limited number of banks have created further problems. “In this area, the banking system barely functions,” Mr. Harneis explained. “We're unable to bring in the amount of money that is required to pay the workers, which has led to great unhappiness amongst frontline workers.” US AID BOOST And although the United States has contributed $80 million to the DRC Government to boost bed capacity and safe burial practices, among other support, cuts to aid work - especially in the last two years - have reduced the capacity of humanitarian organisations by more than 30 per cent, he added. Despite these challenges, multiple specialist UN agencies continue to work alongside the DRC authorities to push back Ebola. They include the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN migration agency (IOM), and partners including Médecins Sans Frontières. “It's a disease, it's an invisible threat which comes into your community and suddenly people start falling sick around you and your loved ones die,” Mr. Harneis said. “And that generates a lot of fear in any community.” (UN)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

Lottery Company celebrates 30th anniversary

- honours agents, employees during dinner and awards ceremony THE Guyana Lottery Company Limited (GLCL) on Friday night celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Banquet Hall, Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown in fine-style, honouring its agents and employees. General Manager of GLCL, Kalima Ali told the large gathering that the event is not only a celebration of a milestone, but it is a reflection of a journey

she said. Ali disclosed that to support this, the company has undergone significant management restructuring, and a new board of directors was appointed earlier this year. The GLCL General Manager added that the company’s vision is strategically aligned to complement Guyana’s booming economic development.

of success is an extraordinary achievement as it reflects the dedication, leadership, and commitment of countless individuals who have helped build the company into a trusted institution. Arends said gaming entertainment drives benefit beyond the game. “We have contributed meaningfully to the development of Guyana and the

Scores of persons on Friday attended the dinner and awards ceremony in celebration of the Guyana Lottery Company Limited’s 30th anniversary

built through partnership, perservance, innovation and service. She added that for three decades, they have partnered with the Government of Guyana to successfully provide lottery services to the people of Guyana. Ali reported that in 1996, government awarded the Canadian Bank Note company a long-term operator agreement to establish a national lottery in Guyana. The Guyana Lottery company was then formed with a main office at Lot 357 Lamaha Street, Georgetown, and its regional sales office at the General Post Office building on Robb Street. “We have invested in strengthening our human resources to ensure our compliance standards are always above board, and our staff and agents are equipped to deliver excellent service every time,”

She said the stories of their winners are truly inspiring. Many have used their prizes to build or renovate homes, pay off mortgages, start or expand businesses, take long-awaited family vacations, or pursue other meaningful goals. “Our contribution has also extended beyond lottery and gaming. We have supported the growth of more than 200 small businesses through our local agent network,” Ali said. During the dinner and awards ceremony, several long-serving agents and long-service employees were recognised for their contributions to the company. Kirk Arends, President of Lottery and Gaming Division, Canada Bank Note, noted that he wanted to take a moment to recognise the remarkable milestone and offer his sincere congratulations. He added that 30 years

growth of the lottery and gaming sector with safe and responsible play at the heart of everything we do,” he said. He noted that this anniversary is also a celebration of partnership. For three decades, Canadian Bank Note Company, the Guyana Lottery Company, and the Government of Guyana have worked together with a shared commitment to integrity, innovation, and responsible growth. “Before I close, I would also like to recognise the profound impact of the recent MV Barima tragedy that occurred on the night of July 18. Our thoughts remain with the survivors, the families who lost loved ones, and all those affected by this heartbreaking event. As a demonstration of our support and commitment to the people of Guyana, Canadian Bank Note Company is pleased

to announce a contribution of G$5 million to the HEART Initiative to help provide ongoing support to survivors and bereaved families affected by the tragedy. We hope this contribution will assist in the recovery process and serve as a small expression of our solidarity with those impacted during this difficult time,” Arends said.

An appreciation award was presented to the Government of Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

ECB investigates Carse ‘nightclub incident’

ENGLAND bowler Brydon Carse is under investigation after he was reportedly involved in an incident at a nightclub in Derby on Saturday, the England and Wales Cricket Board has confirmed. Videos circulating on social media on Sunday appeared to show Carse in handcuffs, being led away from a club by four police officers. The Durham bowler, who is in England's squad for the second Test against Pakistan this week, was seen with team-mate Matthew Potts. Carse, who is due to

Brydon Carse made his international debut for England in 2021

meet up with the squad on Monday, was not on England duty at the time of the reported incident. "We are aware of an incident which is reported to have taken place in Derby last night, and are

currently investigating," an ECB statement read. "We will provide a further update when possible." The ECB's investigation comes five days after England captain Joe Root

urged his players to be "really good role models and human beings" at the start of his second reign as Test captain. "You always want to represent your country in the best possible light," Root, 35, told BBC Sport. "We might have fallen short of that on a few occasions in the recent past. "The only thing we can do to rectify that is be really good role models, good human beings and put in really strong performances on the field." England has endured a summer of turmoil, with former captain Ben Stokes announcing a shock retirement from

international cricket and Brendon McCullum sacked as Test coach. Off-field issues dominated last winter's tours, including an incident involving Harry Brook and a nightclub bouncer in Wellington and the team's drinking during a mid-Ashes trip to Noosa, culminating in a heavy 4-1 defeat by Australia. The issues continued into the summer when Stokes broke a team curfew, setting in motion a chaotic six weeks that resulted in a 2-1 series defeat by New Zealand, Stokes' retirement and the sacking of McCullum.

Despite the issues, Root decided earlier this month to scrap the midnight curfew that was imposed in January. Speaking to Sky Sports, Root said: "There's not going to be a curfew. I don't think this needs to be a big deal, to be honest." Carse, who was born in South Africa, was suspended from cricket for three months in 2024 for historic betting offences. He was banned after putting 303 bets on matches between 2017 and 2019, though he was not involved in any of them.(BBC Sport)

Shanto wants more SENA Tests after Bangladesh rise to No. 6 in rankings …Bangladesh drew their first series in Australia in 23 years, and rose above No. 9 on the ICC Test rankings for the first time BANGLADESH’S captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, has said

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Bangladesh captain, Najimul Hossain Shanto

ment" for his side. However, he rued Bangladesh's poor per-

formance in the second and final Test of the series against Australia in Mackay, where they capitulated to an innings and 51-run defeat within two days. Though Australia completed a win to level the two-Test series 1-1, the ICC updated its rankings to indicate Bangladesh had jumped three spots, from No. 9 to No. 6, owing to their historic

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win in Darwin in the series opener last week. It is the first time Bangladesh has risen above No. 9 in the Test rankings. They are also fourth in the nine-team World Test Championship standings. "Of course [reaching No. 6] is good news," Shanto said. "I am just hearing about it. To reach No 6 in the Test ranking is a huge achievement. It would have been better if we could have played better cricket in this Test match. "We are here after 23 years [for Bangladesh's first Test tour of Australia since 2003]. It's not easy to compete in this condition against this quality of team. If we are able to come here consistently, then the players can get an idea of playing here. They will have experienced playing in Australia more. They

can adjust to this kind of condition and play good cricket." While conditions in Darwin were relatively easier to negotiate for Bangladesh's batters, the Mackay Test offered more pace and bounce, and Bangladesh was bowled out for 64 and 95 with Mitchell Starc taking ten wickets in the match. When asked about the 23-year gap between Tests in Australia for his team, Shanto said: "It's hard for the players. Probably 90% of the players haven't played here. They don't know how to adjust, how to cope with this kind of condition, and this kind of bowling attack. My request is we want to play here. We want to play similar kind of conditions consistently, not after 23 or 25 years."(Cricinfo).

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

Starc takes 10 wickets as Australia thrash Bangladesh

MITCHELL Starc took 10 wickets in the match as Australia bounced back from last week's shock defeat by Bangladesh to win the second Test by an innings and 51 runs and draw the series 1-1. The visitors were skittled for 95 in 38.3 overs with Starc taking four wickets and Nathan Lyon and captain Pat Cummins three each, as Australia wrapped up victory just after tea on the second day at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Starc finished with match figures of 10-51, following his 6-12 in the first innings as Bangladesh

struggled to 64 all out. The game was the fourth-shortest completed Test match with a side winning, with exactly 125 overs bowled. Last Sunday's nine-wicket defeat for the world's top-ranked side in Darwin was widely seen as one of Test cricket's greatest upsets. "A lot of things went right these couple days and a lot of things went wrong last week," said Cummins, 33, who took 3-10 in the second innings. "We needed to bounce back, and it was a great couple of days from the lads. I thought everyone was sharp. It was a great

start and we didn't really let up after that." Earlier in the day, Australia added 45 runs to their overnight total as they were bowled out for 210 with Cameron Green top scoring with 67 and Lyon adding an unbeaten 32 to give them a first-innings lead of 146. Left-arm paceman Shoriful Islam was the pick of the bowlers with 7-48. The visitors' second innings got off to a poor start, losing both openers inside eight overs as they slumped to 24-3. They then collapsed in the middle session, struggling to 95-8 by tea before

Starc has now moved to 10th on the all-time Test wicket list with 445, 126 shy of Lyon's haul in sixth place.

Mitchell Starc has the most Test wickets for a left-arm fast bowler

Lyon wrapped up victory by taking the final two wickets in three balls. "Much better week. We knew we weren't at our best, or what we expect of ourselves, in Darwin," said 36-year-old Starc, who was named Player of

the Match and Series after taking 12 wickets at an average of 12.08. "What we expect of ourselves this week is what we got, particularly with the ball and the wicket that aided us with the ball."

Australia next Test series is a three-match tour of world Test champions South Africa in October. (Final Scores ): Second Test, Mackay (day two of five) Bangladesh 64: Starc 6-12 & 95: Shanto 31; Starc 4-39, Cummins 3-10, Lyon 3-25 Australia 210: Green 62; Shoriful 7-48 Australia win by an innings and 51 runs

Padikkal century puts India ahead on hard-fought day

DEVDUTT Padikkal struck a century for a second consecutive Test as India wrangled up 300 for 5 on the opening day of the second Test at the SSC in Colombo. At the crease at stumps were debutant Saransh Jain and Dhruv Jurel on 4 and 7, respectively. Padikkal's 117 came across three separate stands, the most prominent being 120 with Shubman Gill and 74 with Ravindra Jadeja. Sri Lanka's bowlers toiled on a hot and humid day, having lost the toss and been asked to field. Asitha Fernando was the most effective of the bowlers, ending with 3 for 46, while Lahiru Kumara and Keshara Nuwantha picked up a wicket each. Kumara's menace, however, belied his figures, as one of his short deliveries rushed Rishabh Pant on the pull, striking the batter's forearm and forcing him off injured before yet another short one landed a blow on Jadeja's forearm. Jadeja continued game-

Devdutt Padikkal struck a century for a second consecutive Test

ly afterwards, but ended up feeling the impact belatedly as he struggled with cramps in the same left forearm. After two separate bouts of physio treatment, his concentration was disrupted enough for him to leave an inducker from Asitha that seamed back and clipped the top of off stump. That was the second of the two wickets to fall in the final session, the first being totally against the run of play as Nuwantha seemed to catch Padikkal in his crease with a quicker one that pitched on off stump and straightened. The left-hander defended

down the wrong line as the ball beat his outside edge and crashed into off stump. n fact, many of the wickets that Sri Lanka picked up across the day came against the run of play. KL Rahul was looking quite comfortable when he edged a lazy waft outside off, a dismissal that would be repeated by Gill later in the day off Kumara. In between the two, Yashasvi Jaiswal had just taken Asitha for a trio of boundaries when he managed to seam one back from a good length and hit the stumps via the inside edge. Those moments of bat-

ter peril were few and far between, as India's batters made good on what are likely to be the best of the batting conditions. Despite this being a recently relaid surface, the consensus at the SSC is that it's a good pitch for batting for the first two to three days, before spin becomes a more prominent factor as the surface dries out. So even with some live grass on the surface, Gill had little doubt in winning the toss and electing to bat. His counterpart, Dhananjaya de Silva, would have made the same decision. While there was some early swing for both Kumara and Asitha, the introduction of Prabath Jayasuriya as early as the eighth over was telling - both in terms of how swiftly that swing disappeared and how Sri Lanka hoped to spread the workload amongst their pair of fast bowlers. With the conditions unsuited for lengthy spells, both Kumara and Asitha bowled in spells of three

to four overs at a time at most. In between, the spinners were tasked with containing as well as potentially reaping breakthroughs. It made for pretty dour cricket for the most part, as runs were got and strike rotated with a fair amount of ease by the Indian batters. In that sense, Padikkal might not score a more straightforward century across his career, even if he was dropped twice early on. The first was off the very first delivery he faced, slicing a drive low to Sonal Dinusha at point, who was unable to do more than get fingertips to it. The second came shortly after when he was on one, cutting at a wide ball from Keshara that flew to Dhananjaya at slip, as he could only react fast enough to palm it over. It was a pair of opportunities that Sri Lanka will no doubt look back and lament, tough as they were India's ability to find boundaries to ease any dot-ball pressure was also a hallmark of their play, find-

ing 36 boundaries across the day. Much of this initiative unsurprisingly came from the trio Jaiswal, Padikkal and Gill. Before his dismissal, Jaiswal at the top of the order showed good intent against the seamers, while the pair of Padikkal and Gill were extremely comfortable in using their feet against the spinners. It was only when Sri Lanka began utilising defensive lines outside leg stump - so much so that the umpires began calling wides - that India's scoring slowed down. And it was this change in tempo that arguably brought about the lapse in concentration to break the Gill-Padikkal stand, as the former edged a wide one. In that sense, Sri Lanka cannot be criticised for their efforts, with skipper de Silva doing well to marshal and swap around his resources seven bowlers were used in total - even as India had the better of the conditions.(Cricinfo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

GTA Storm regain OMSCC Legends Over-50 title in ‘run fest’ final

By Frederick Halley

TWO-time winners, GTA Storm who suffered a crushing defeat to newcomers and eventual title-holders Warriors in last year’s semi-final, returned to winners’ row in emphatic fashion to claim the 2026 title when the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Legends Over-50 tournament climaxed at the St Bede ground in Scarborough, Toronto, Canada, on Saturday. In what was considered a run fest, which saw an amazing 467 runs being scored for the loss of seven wickets in 38.4 overs, by the two teams, GTA Storm turned back the challenge of archrivals Toronto Blizzards who were making their eighth consecutive appearance in the final. The victory was also achieved despite a scintillating, boundary-studded unbeaten 118 from the experienced Mohan Harihar, who treated the GTA bowlers with disdain as his team reached an amazing 232 for four in the allotted 20 overs, after being inserted by GTA skipper Troy Gobin. Clearly unfazed by the huge total, GTA Storm set about their task decisively with openers Jito Narine and Ian Baldeo blasting 99 off a mere eight overs before the latter went caught by Khemraj Bhudai off Khem Singh,

The victorious GTA Storm players and officials pose with their winnings who was summoned from his commentary duties to stop the onslaught. Baldeo’s knock of 45 contained three fours and four sixes. Bent on capturing his third title as skipper of GTA Storm, Gobin entered the fray as Narine continued to bat with gay abandon, adding a further 37 with his captain before “picking out” Sunil Dhaniram at long-on. Narine’s superb 69 was laced with two fours and eight huge sixes. GTA suffered a minor setback with the departure of Richrard Driffield (14) at 157 for three in the 13th over but that

was to be Toronto Blizzards final success as Gobin found a useful ally in former Canadian player, Austin Codrington who made his softball debut in this year’s regular season tournament. Gobin, who smashed one four and five sixes in his unbeaten 63, was fittingly at the helm when victory was achieved, dominating an unbeaten 76-run fourth-wicket partnership with Codrington who contributed 18 not out. Earlier, Gobin’s decision to insert Toronto Blizzards yielded immediate dividends as Bhudai was sent packing off the first

GTA Storm MVP Jito Narine collects his award from OMSCC Secretary Amit Bacchus

ball of the match, brilliantly caught by Baldeo at long-off, off the bowling of Suren Persaud. Thereafter, Harihar and Dhaniram took centre stage adding 99 for the second wicket before Dhaniram, who was dropped on 22, went caught and bowled to Orlando Deonarine for 52, which included one four and six sixes. D h a n i r a m ’s d i s m i s s a l seemed to have fuelled Harihrar who went on a six-hitting spree, with no bowler being spared. When the 20 overs expired, he was unbeaten on 118 which was laced with four fours and an in-

credible 14 sixes, which seemed a winning effort but it proved otherwise eventually. Jaimini Singh also lent support with a useful 33, adding 104 for the third wicket with Harihar. At the presentation ceremony which followed, GTA Storm copped the winners’ trophy, while the two Most Valuable Players (MVP) trophies went to Narine of GTA Storm and Harihar of Toronto Blizzards. Runners-up Toronto Blizzards were also the recipients of a trophy while players from both teams collected medals. GTA Storm skipper Gobin,

Toronto Blizzards MVP receives his award from OMSCC Treasurer Khem Singh while obviously pleased with the performances of his players, pointed out that cricket was the winner. Among the OMSCC executives in attendance were – President Azeem Khan, Vice-president Hardatt Ramcharran, Secretary Amit Bacchus, Treasurer Khem Singh, Player Management/Statistician Terry Mathura and Umpires Coordinator Bobby Ramlagan. Meanwhile, the OMSCC annual presentation ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 26 at Windies Restaurant & Bar, Scarborough, Toronto.

Former international captains renew appeal to Pakistan ...This is the former captains’ second PM over Imran Khan’s health appeal to the Pakistan PM in six months

TWENTY-ONE former international captains from around the world have written another letter to Pakistan's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, renewing their appeal for the medical treatment of former captain Imran Khan following recent developments that they say fall short of a Supreme Court directive. "Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered that Imran Khan be transferred to hospital for examination by a medical board that was to include his own personal physicians and his sister, Dr Uzma Khan," the letter says. "The Court also reinstated weekly family visits. These were very welcome steps. Concerningly, Mr Khan's hospital stay lasted only a few hours. He was examined by a state-appointed team rather than the board the Court had directed,

declared "medically fit," and returned to Adiala Jail before that board could complete its work." Their letter makes three specific requests: That the medical board directed by the Supreme Court - including Mr. Khan's own doctors - be permitted to complete a full and independent assessment of his health, particularly the reported loss of vision in his right eye. That the weekly family visits reinstated by the Court be honoured without interruption or administrative delay. That whatever the outcome of that medical assessment, the treatment recommended by it be provided without delay. The latest letter is the former captains' second appeal to Pakistan's Prime Minister in six months. In February earlier this

Imran Khan, Pakistan’s former prime minister, was sentenced to a slew of prison sentences • (Getty Images) year, 14 former captains had written, expressing deep concern for Khan's health following reports of an eye complaint that Imran's family said has left him almost completely blinded in one eye amid accusations of

medical neglect in prison. The signatories, who describe themselves as writing "not as politicians, but as former colleagues and rivals who share a bond forged on the cricket field," are careful to note that

they do not seek to adjudicate Pakistan's domestic legal processes. The 21 signatories on the letter include Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Allan Border, Sunil Gavaskar, David Gower, Clive Lloyd, Arjuna Ranatunga, Steve Waugh and John Wright among others. Khan, who served as Pakistan's prime minister from 2018 to 2022, was sentenced to a slew of prison sentences after his removal from the top office. These include corruption charges that have landed him 10, 14 and 17 year sentences. Ahead of the 2024 elections, he was also sentenced to seven years in prison for getting married to his current wife without waiting an appropriate period of time after her divorce. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Inter-

national Federation of Human Rights are among the organisations to have expressed concern over the fairness of his trial and the state of his conditions in prison. His sons have said Imran remains in a "death cell" where he has been subjected to psychological torture. The Pakistan government has repeatedly denied all such claims. Captains' list Michael Atherton, Alex Blackwell, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Alastair Cook, Michael Gatting, Sunil Gavaskar, Lee Germon, Adam Gilchrist, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Kapil Dev, Arjuna Ranatunga, Andrew Strauss, Dilip Vengsarkar, Steve Waugh, John Wright. (Cricinfo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

GBA’s Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Boxing Tournament

Guyana win five of seven finals on final night

Team Guyana celebrate their win on Sunday morning at the CASH (Sean Devers photos)

By Sean Devers DESPITE a slightly disorganised tournament, the ninth edition of this tournament confirmed that Guyana is the manufacturing factory of amateur boxing in the Caribbean when they copped their ninth team title. The ninth edition concluded in the wee hours of Sunday morning at the fully refurbished Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, which was opened in November 1975. Guyana won five gold and three silver medals on the third and final night; the only defeats were to St Lucia, who attended every Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Boxing tournament since it was conceptualised in 2016 by GBA president Steve Ninvalle. On a night when TKR lost their second match in the CPL in Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago lost both of their bouts in Guyana, on a disappointing night for sports for the “Trinis.” A small gathering watched in cool and comfortable conditions at the “Sports Hall” as the inmates represented the Republican Boxing Gym in four exhibition bouts in which the boxers went at each other as if they were title fights. For the first time in the Caribbean, female inmates boxed in a public event, while males from the RBG usually participate in local inter-gym tournaments. The inmates who boxed on the final night were: Saffie Mohamed, Tricia Campbell, Deborah

Guyana’s Ryan Rogers defeated Fabio Jacb of Trinidad and Tobago

Williams, Celine Dilawar (female) and Mark Joseph, Jason Hardy, Elton Gibson, Kemraj (Male). A Trophy was presented to the RBG by Guyana’s Director of Sport and GBA Head Steve Ninvalle. One of the most exciting bouts of the night was the 57-60 kgs international between Guyana’s Ryan Rogers and Fabio Jacb of Trinidad and Tobago. In a hectic first round, Jacb came out with a flurry of shots before Rogers counter-punched, but it looked as if Jacb had done enough to take the round. The Guyanese southpaw used his right jabs to good effect and caught Jacb with a crunching uppercut that staggered him as Rogers fought himself back into the contest. Rogers executed his jabs with precision and followed them up with wicked lefts that hurt the “Trini” and sent him to his knees. Jacb launched some good shots in the dying stages of the final round, but it was the Guyanese who was adjudged the winner on points. The 60- 63.5 kg fight between the highly touted Guyanese Ken Harvey and St Lucian Nachan Alex ended in a loss for the Guyanese. Alex started with all guns blazing, firing fast four-shot combinations which kept Harvey in defensive mode. In the second stanza, Harvey connected with a right to the head which stunned Alex, who looked very confident and dangerously aggressive. In the final round, Harvey, desperately

The Republican Boxing Gym received a trophy for their inmates’ showing in the exhibition bouts

looking for a knockout, caught the St Lucian with a crisp left hook and body shots and the disappointing turnout were on their feet. Alex would survive the last-minute onslaught to take the gold medal for St Lucia, whose youth development has shown steady improvement during the past few years. The other St Lucian to win gold was Daniel Martin, who defeated Guyana’s Ossis Prince. Prince was brought to the ring by his ‘Royal Subjects’ (Members of Team Guyana) with the Golden Arrowhead, accompanied by music from the sound system. Martin used his superior reach advantage to stick jabs in Prince’s face every time he advanced and many times ‘ran’ into clinical shots. When Prince threw a punch, the tall St Lucian would retaliate with three punches. Samir Arndell of St Martin and Guyana’s Jofes Jackson, fighting in the 71-74 kgs final, both pugilists threw plenty of brutal punches at each other. Jackman connected with a stinging upper cut followed by a right to the body, causing Arndell to stumble into a clinch. But Arndell would counter punch and hurt Jackman as he targetted the body, and when the dust had settled it was Jackman who won on a split decision, a verdict that could have gone either way. In the other fights on the 11-bout card (including the four exhibition fights), Trinidadian Shawn Ramnauth lost to Guyana’s

Daniel Martin of St Lucia (right) and Guyana’s Oasis Prince on the medal podium. Martincaptured Gold

Junior Madray in the 37-40kgs final, Natram Sugrim lost to his countryman Ukesh Persaud, and Isiah Nurse beat fellow Guyanese Cort Mahase.

Junior Golden Jaguars crowned CFU Tier II champions

G U YA N A’ S U n d e r- 1 4 Boys’ national football team has officially been crowned the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Tier II Champions following a hard-fought victory over Suriname in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. After playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation time— where Dane Vancooten delivered a crucial equaliser in the 45th minute—the young squad held their nerve to win 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout. Spot-kick conversions

from Wayshawn Forde, Adiel Hamilton, Dane Vancooten, and Aaron Vasconcellos sealed the title win to cap an extraordinary tournament run. The championship victory was built on momentum from an undefeated groupstage campaign in Group C, where Guyana finished top of the table with a perfect nine points, scoring 13 goals while conceding only twice. They opened the competition with a dominant 8-1 win against Montserrat, followed by a 4-1 victory

The championship victory was built on momentum from an undefeated group-stage campaign in Group C, where Guyana finished top of the table with a perfect nine points, scoring 13 goals while conceding only twice

over Anguilla, and secured the group with a 1-0 win against The Bahamas, courtesy of a 65th-minute strike by Wayshawn Forde. In the semi-finals, Guyana battled Saint Martin to a 2-2 draw in regulation before demonstrating the same composure from the penalty spot to advance 4-2 in the shootout. Guyana’s impressive overall performance was bolstered by standout goalkeeper Royston Winter, who earned both the Best Goalkeeper and Most Valuable

Player (MVP) awards for Tier II. His heroics between the posts, particularly during the penalty shootouts, proved vital to the team's triumph. Showcasing remarkable discipline, skill, and resilience throughout the series, the team's success highlights the growth of Guyana's youth football programme, earning warm congratulations from the Guyana Football Federation for their outstanding regional achievement.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 24, 2026

Jumbo Jet’s new horse, Sand Pipes, wins Guyana Cup

NEWLY imported horse from the Jumbo Jet Racing Stables, Sand Pipes, stormed to a comprehensive victory in the prestigious Guyana Cup horse-race meeting at the Rising Sun Turf Club on a cool Sunday evening. The 18th running of the Guyana Cup was arguably the best race ever, and Sand Pipes capped a thrilling million-dollar day. Running at one mile, Sand Pipes hit the right gear at the right time, as jockey Jose Da Silva stopped the clock in one minute and 44 seconds. I’m Sam from Js Racing Stables ran second, while Santorini, and Vitruvian rounded out the top four finishers. The familiar horses, in Stat, Dataman and Olympic Kremlin had no answers for Sand pipes. Earlier, the G$66-million-dollar day started with the ‘L’ Class Sprint non-winner of three races. Heartland piloted by last year’s champion jockey, Yovin Kissoonchand, took the win. Private Dancer II finished closely behind in second spot while Perfect Trip ran third and Citation finished fourth. The competition went to another level in the H3 non-winner of three races, open to three-year-old horses. Daring Move from the Js Racing Stables cruised to a comfortable win in the one distance while Head of the

Class from Jumbo Jet Racing Stables claimed second. Fire Bird ran third while Mufasa came in fourth. In a field stacked with eight horses, GT Boss displayed class to edge away from Spank Me in the ‘K’ Class and Lower race. Lion Heart ran third and Bin Laden finished fourth in a closely contested race. The fourth race of the day had four starters and the excitement was paramount, as fans came to see Here Comes Heidi dominate. Here Comes Heidi, formerly owned by Jagdeo Racing Stables and now owned by Biso Racing stables and trained by Randolph Gray was denied victory by Bourban Blitz. Bourban Blitiz too k a slim victory over Here

ALLROUNDER Shadab Khan struck an unbeaten 20-ball 52 to complete a remarkable turnaround for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons (ABF) and lifted them to No. 1 on the CPL 2026 points table on Saturday night. Walking in at No. 7 with Falcons at 92 for 5, Shadab combined with Kusal Perera (34*) for an unbroken 76-run partnership off 33 balls as they chased down 166 with nine balls to spare. Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) had 37 runs to defend

from the final three overs, but a 27-run 18th over, delivered by Nathan Edward, transformed the chase. Shadab struck three sixes in the first four balls of the over to swing the pressure back onto TKR. With 11 then required from the last two overs, he quickly finished the game with two more sixes off Terrance Hinds to seal the win and the Player-of-the-Match award. Falcons had begun the chase in rollicking fashion, with Rahkeem Cornwall taking 14 runs from the first

Minister Charles Ramson, and winning officials in the winner’s circle withGuyana Cup winner SandPipes

Comes Heidi, while Stormy Victory ran third in the F3 & Lower race. In race five, the J/K/L Maidens saw Republican II taking the top spot while Damage Control ran second. World Boss and Patriotism were the other finishers. Js Racing stables continued their winning ways as they stormed to another crushing win in the ‘J’ Class Open to H3 Non earners. Three D Movie left the dust behind Top Gun in a tense battle. Republican ran third and Just Exhale finished fourth. Jagdeo Racing Stables then stormed to dominance in race seven, the ‘H’ Class race with Theory of Colors going back-to-back. Sydney then finished in a close battle for second along with Mulan.

Jagdeo’s Racing stable new horse, Baytown Ona was adjudged second, being metres away from crossing the line while She’s No Joke and Mischievous Girl were the other respective finishers. The Sir Balaji Guyana Derby was won by Torpedo Jet in typical Colin Ross fashion. Skill, and experience of Ross was on the saddle of Torpedo Jet, and that proved sufficient for another win for Jumbo Jet. Miracle Boy ran second while Summer Time and Glory Queen were the other finishers. Race 12 was fraught with controversy as the battle became more intense in the imported Derby. Prototype, of the Jagdeo Racing Stables was cornered by Royale Rocks which sparked a steward’s inquiry.

Falcon Jet and Adios Baby were the other finishers in that order. The newly imported Sir London had a grand time in the Guyana Cup Sprint, stopping the clock in one minute four seconds in yet another top-quality race. Norbello ran second while Oy Vey finished third, followed by Nina’s Last Gift. Next year’s Guyana Cup is set for Sunday, August 15, 2027. List of Winners at Guyana Cup 2026 and (Owners) 1. Heartland (Jonathan Cheefoon) 2. Daring Move (Js Racing Stable) 3. GT Boss (Perreira Racing Stable) 4. Bourbon Blitz (Dhanessar Rampersaud) 5. Republican II (Elcock Racing Stable) 6. Three D Movie (Js Racing Stable) 7. Theory of Colors (Jagdeo Racing Stable) 8. Barbara (Jumbo Jet Racing Stable) 9. Brilliant Bride (Brunson Cheeffoon) 10. Calypso Queen (Slingerz Racing Stable) 11. Torpedo Jet (Jumbo Jet Racing Stable) 12. Prototype (Jagdeo Racing Stable) 13. Sir London (Dave Chattergoon, Dillon Sooklall, Lenio Roberto Alves Viera) 14. Sand Pipes (Jumbo Jet Racing Stable)

off 36 balls, Evin Lewis took 14 balls for his 10, and No. 4 Hasan Nawaz managed just one run from 10 deliveries. When Moeen Ali became the fifth batter dismissed at the start of the 13th over, Falcons still needed 74 runs from 6.5 overs and were well behind the required rate. Shadab and Perera, however, took the chase deep before exploding in spectacular fashion to complete the win with relative ease. Earlier, TKR was inserted and posted a respectable 165 for 6, although they should

have had more. Colin Munro shellacked 46 off 33 balls and Nicholas Pooran blazed 43 from 17, but beyond the two left-handers, there wasn't much more. Cornwall accounted for Alex Hales (2) and Matthew Breetzke (2), while Joshua James dismissed Kieron Pollard for nine off 16 balls. Sunil Narine (19*) and Hinds (14*) put on an unbeaten 34-run stand from 3.5 overs to bookend the innings, but ultimately it proved far too little at North Sound.

Sand Pipes was all alone on dominant day for Jumbo Jet Racing Stable

Angry Bird ran third. The ‘E’ Class race was won clinically by Barbara, piloted by the ever-consistent Jockey Colin Ross. Ritorna Vincetori ran brilliantly for second while Gryphon and Companheiro Leal finished third and fourth respectively. Brilliant Bride was too hot to handle in the ninth race of the day, the locally bred dash. Last season’s champion jockey Yovin Kissoonchand made it twin wins in the afternoon, when he piloted Brilliant Bride to a sweet victory. Scars of Glory ran second while Ocean Star ran third. The excitement then shattered the ceiling in the Twoyear-old imported juvenile fillies sprint as debutante Calypso Queen stunned the field in a classic photo finish.

Shadab brilliance takes Falcons top of the table in CPL

Shadab Khan made 52* in 20 balls • (CPL) over. But he was run out off the first ball of the second while trying to scamper through for a single.

The next three Falcons batters struggled to maintain the early momentum: fellow opener Amir Jangoo made 31

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| MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2026