Israel kills 58 in Gaza, mostly starving people seeking aid
…asUNagencywarnsofagraveriskoffamineasthenumber ofstarvationdeathshits162Palestinians,including92children.
Port Kaituma gets 30% reduction in
-PresidentAli
…sayswillbetransparent and accountable APNU promises to if elected to office save 25% of oil money
…promiseshousingscheme, removalofdutiesonATVs
Publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, has launched a scathing attack on Guyana’s political leadership, accusing the country’s three main political parties the Peoples Progressive Party Civic(PPP/C),APartnership of National Unity (APNU), and theAlliance for Change (AFC) — of surrendering Guyana’s national wealth in desperation to service ballooningnationaldebts.
Lall said that instead of negotiatingfairdealsforthe country’s resources, the political leadership has reduced itself to acting like beggars, signing away oil and gold in exchange for enough money to meet
annualdebtobligations.
“Imagine giving away billions of US dollars in blessings just to service loanstheyputonourbacks,” he stated. Lall likened the country’s economic situationtoamanwhotooka $3 million loan to start a family and then kept borrowingeveryyearjustto survive. “Forty years later, you drowning in $7 million debt,” he said. “Still paying the bank, still hustling to survive.”
Hesaidthatjustlikethat strugglingman,Guyanawas suddenly blessed with a miracle—vastquantitiesof oil, gold, and other natural resources. But instead of using those resources to
escapepovertyanddebt,the government has invited foreigncompaniestoextract the wealth, walk away with mostoftheprofits,andleave the people behind still begging.
“Any sane man would use that blessing to pay off the debt, build a future, and finallybreathefreeair,”Lall contended. “But not us. We invite the rich neighbors to dig up our land, carry away the riches, and walk off without paying proper royaltiesortaxes.”
According to Lall, Guyana is sitting on hundreds of billions of US dollars in resources, yet continues to borrow heavily — with the national debt reportedlyrisingfromUS$3 billionin2020tooverUS$7 billionin2025.Henotedthat despit
ntry producingoilwithanexport valueofUS$18.6billionlast year, and earning an estimated US$2.5 B in oil revenues, basic public services remain inadequate. “We can’t get clean water We can’t get stable electricity The hospitals
can’t even stock Panadol,” hesaid.
The businessman said thisdiresituationcouldonly be described as betrayal and economic treason. He said Guyanese leaders are giving away oil blocks and gold fields to countries and corporationsfromtheUnited States, China, India, Brazil, Qatar, and others, while ordinary Guyanese line up for old-age pensions and scrape to buy basic necessities.
“This is not leadership. This is madness,” he charged.
He questioned how leaders could claim to be representing the country’s interestswhile signing deals that allow foreign entities to extract resources with minimal returns to Guyana.
He described these companies not as investors but as “looters in suits,” “colonizers in ties,” and “thieveswithcontracts.”
According to Lall,
Businessman and Publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall
successive governments have handed over the country’swealthnottobuild national development, but simply to gather enough revenuetopayoffmounting loans. “We are a resourcerich country trapped in a poverty loop, managed by debt junkies who give away treasure to cover interest,” hedeclared.
He said the situation must no longer be tolerated and called for a national awakening, urging that Guyanese demand a minimum of 25% royalty from oil and mineral extraction. “This must be
carved into the ballot like a national promise,” he said, callingfordecisiveactionto reclaim control over the nation’swealth.
“September 1st must be the day we flip the script,” Lall declared. “The day we stop living like tenants and start acting like landlords in ourowncountry.”
He concluded by calling onGuyanesetowakeupand stop giving away their blessings while their families continue to suffer “Unless we come to our senses,” Lall warned, “we will remain beggars sitting onathroneofgold.”
ExxonMobil’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Darren Woods on Friday described Guyana as one of the oil giant’s most strategically important assets and predicted that the country’s Stabroek Block will go down as one of the most successful deepwater developmentseverrecorded.
Speaking during the company’s second quarter earnings call, Woods highlighted that Exxon recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its first oil discovery in Guyana and oil production commenced in December2019.
Currently, three Floating Production Storage and Offloading(FPSOs)theLiza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity are producing a combined total of about 650,000 barrels per day (bpd). Next week a fourth FPSO – One Guyana – is expected to commence oil production at the Yellowtail development increasing daily production to 900,000 bpd.
Woods noted that by 2030, the company anticipates having a total production capacity of 1.7 million barrels of oil equivalent per day across eight sanctioned projects in theStabroekBlock.
In addition to the Yellowtail project, Exxon has two other sanctioned projects under its belt: Uaru and Whiptail. It has also submittedanEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its seventh project, Hammerhead, with production targeted for 2029 Additionally, the company has filed an
application for an eighth development,Longtail.
“The success of these projects has established Guyanaastheworld’sfastest growing economy, it’s also one of the reasons I believe the Guyana development will prove to be one of the most successful deepwater developments of all time,” hesaid.
ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is the operator of the Stabroek Block which spans 6 6 million acres. The block is estimatedtohold11.6billion barrelsofoil.
Exxon holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd (now Chevron) holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds25percentinterest.
T h e a g r e e m e n t governing the Stabroek Block extends favorable terms to the oil companies. Accordingtotheagreement, Stabroek Block partners can recover75%ofoilproduced to cover investment costs. The remaining 25% is consideredprofitandissplit
equallybetweenGuyanaand the consortium, giving each 12.5%.
However,theconsortium pays a 2% royalty from its share to Guyana From Guyana’s 14.5% total take, thegovernmentmustpaythe oil companies’ taxes. The deal stipulates that the sum equivalenttothetaxesowed by the companies must be paid by the Minister responsiblefor petroleumto the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority(GRA).
Moreover, Woods also addressed the recent arbitration ruling which allowed Chevron’s US$53 billionacquisitionofHessto conclude, giving Chevron accesstotheStabroekBlock through Hess’ 30% stake in thatblock.
Headmittedtheoutcome was unexpected and noted, “I admit the ruling was a surprise we were highly confidentinourpositionand sowasCNOOC,thisdispute was about protecting our contractual rights… Having co-written the contract with Shell we understood its intent and believe the
contractual language conveyed it, unfortunately the tribunal interpreted differently.”
Woods stressed the importance of contract sanctityinfosteringinvestor confidence and reiterated that the tribunal’s decision
d o e s n o t c h a n g e ExxonMobil’s plans for Guyana.
He added, “What disappointed we respect the processandtheruling,aswe move forward, I hope our investorstakecomfortinthe length we will go too to
protecting the value our employees create for the c o m p a n y a n d o u r shareholders.Withrespectto the continuing development of Guyana the arbitration decisionchangesnothingfor usandwewelcomeChevron totheStabroekBlock.”
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
Three weeks after Cabinet gave its no-objection to the US$650,000monthlycontractbetweentheGuyanaPowerand Light,Inc (GPL)andtheDominicanRepublic'sInterEnergy Group(IEG),thedevelopmentbecomespublic Fourweeks before pivotal general and regional elections, Guyanese are informed of this new reality For a government that has compiled a record of being secretive and underhanded, the GPL-IEG contract takes the PPPC governance culture into newterritory Howtoabsorb,howtoconsider,adealforso much money done in such a manner, with what has plagued Guyanese,unsatisfiedenergyneeds,unstableenergysupply?
TheoppositionAPNUhasdenouncedthedealascorrupt, with the timing questioned, and sole-sourcing coming under fire Wethinkthatbothpointsrepresentfaircomment,forthe background circumstances are there to reinforce such positions Initsrushtoclosethisdeal,thedetailsofwhichare so sketchy, the PPPC Government bypassed parliament, ignored the public, and put to shame all that President Ali claims about transparency The GPL-IEG contract is for US$650,000 per month, or US$78M per year, and it is just droppedlikethatonthepublic InGuyanadollars,GY$130M monthly,orGY$156Bannually,andGuyanesearetreatedthis casually, this contemptuously, by the people they elect to nationaloffice AfterallthemillionsofUSdollarsspentinthe last five years (and more millions before), this is where Guyanese are with something as basic as electricity, somethingthatissocompulsory,butsomuchmissing. What arecitizenstomakeofallofthis?
The timing can be questioned, the secrecy that is so characteristicofthePPPCGovernmentraisesquestionsabout theintegrityofthedeal,andthesubstanceoftheobjectivesis alsoupintheair Guyaneselivewithenergyblackouts,and they are further handicapped by information blackouts If there is something to be said, this government has been consistent on both fronts. The government persists with the fairytale that Guyana is a democracy, while President Ali makesabigproductionabouttransparencyandaccountability. Both representations are made against the backdrop of near constant disregard for citizen rights and a culture of chronic leadershipandgovernancesecrecies. TheGPL-IEGdealadds anotherstaintotherecordofthisgovernment
Weassertthatnomatterhowwell-intendedthedealmay be,themannerinwhichithascometolightleavesitlookingin the most unfavorable light Guyanese have been dying on their feet for decades for a reliable supply of affordable electricity,butinsteadofasliverortwooflight,allthattheyget from government after government is more darkness, more energyblights TheWalesgas-to-energyhasbeensoldbyVice president Jagdeo as the remedy for Guyanese energy woes That project has started out and continued with the same sicknesses, such as secrecy from head to toe, lots of money beingspent,andzeroaccountability Unlesstheindependent mediapressesandpressesforanswers,evenlittleupdates,the governmentandthevicepresidentareastudyinresistanceand secrecy ItiswhythisnewGPL-IEGdealisnotsurprising, because it highlights the consistency of the current PPPC Governmentasbeingforwhatsetsthiscountryback,instead ofmovingitforward.
HowcouldagovernmentcommitoverGY$15Bayearof thetaxpayers'money,andoperateinthismanner? Itisnota familygovernment,norisitagovernmentoffriendsandcoconspirators interested in having a good time The money belongstothepeople,andthereisadutytobecleanandopen withthemonhowtheirresourcesarebeingspent,towhatends, andthattheirconfidenceisingoodhands Whatisthereabout this GPL-IEG deal that indicates any of those features? We don'tseeanything,andwhilethereishopethatGuyanesewill getsomevaluefortheirmoney,theprobabilitiesarenotintheir favor The question is if the GPL-IEG deal will be that innovation, a ray of light Or, just one more instance of the continuumthathasbeenpartandparcelofthefailuresofthe GPL,andgovernment,todeliverelectricity
DearEditor, EarlyonFridaymorning, August 1, 2025 – notably Switzerland's National Day –therewasarudeawakening for the Federal Council, Parliament, and the public. President Trump imposed a newpunitivetariffof39%on Swiss exports to the United States, citing allegedly massive export surpluses For now, pharmaceutical products–whichaccountfor roughly half the value of Swiss exports to the U.S. –are still exempt from this draconian measure The outcry across the country was loud and unmistakable. Business leaders, politicians from across the spectrum, major newspapers, online media, and Swiss radio and television all expressed outrageandofferedanalyses of the possible motives behind this unfair decision bytheU.S.president. What went entirely
unmentioned in the debate was the fact that our small neighborontheeasternbank of the Rhine – Liechtenstein – was “rewarded” with a mere 15% tariff on its exports to the U.S. This despite the fact that Liechtenstein, a country of just 40,000 people, exports significantly more goods to the United States than it imports According to census.gov,in2024theU.S. imported goods worth USD 267 4 million from Liechtenstein, while U S exports to Liechtenstein amounted to only USD 81.1 million. This results in an import-exportratioof3.3:1–e v e n h i g h e r t h a n Switzerland's ratio of 2.8:1 (approximately USD 70 billion in imports from Switzerland versus USD 25 billioninU.S.exports).
Why, then, was Liechtenstein spared from Trump's punitive tariffs
while Switzerland faced a 39%levy?Theanswerliesin Liechtenstein's membership in the European Economic Area (EEA). As such, the two other EEA members –Iceland and Norway – also receivedthesame15%tariff rate. This is exactly the rate the EU recently negotiated for its 27 member states. Liechtenstein thus benefits directly from its integration intotheEU'sinternalmarket – a path Switzerland has deliberately chosen not to follow
In a fiercely contested referendum on December 6, 1992, the Swiss electorate narrowly voted against joiningtheEEA,with50.3% opposed. Since then, this rejection has often been celebratedasagreattriumph for Christoph Blocher and the Swiss People's Party (SVP)–evenmythologized. Less well known is that the Green Party also supported
the opposition, arguing that EEA accession might weaken Switzerland's progressive environmental legislation. The irony is that today the EU is a global leader in environmental policy, while Switzerland now“autonomouslyadopts” many of the same regulations.
Back to Liechtenstein: just seven days after the Swiss referendum, the Liechtenstein electorate remained undeterred and voted on December 13, 1992,with55.8%infavorof joining the EEA – and a remarkable turnout of 87 8% The principality officially joined the EEAon May1,1995.
In retrospect, one might ask: Did the people of Liechtenstein already understand in 1992 that a microstate in Europe can onlysafeguardits (Continueonpage6)
DearEditor,
The longer we reside in this beautiful country, the more we witness, especially under the dictatorship-like, autocratic PPP/C regime. If Guyana were to host a Grammy Awards ceremony, theymighttakehomethetop prizeinthecategoryof“Best i
d Manipulation.”
This 2025 General and Regional Elections (GRE)
cycle has revealed the disturbing lengths to which some politicians will go to clingtopoweratanycost.It raises a sobering question; dotheseleaderstrulybelieve in servant leadership, or are theymerelyinitforpersonal gain?
Our nation is in crisis—an unraveling that becomesmoreapparenteach day We recently saw PresidentIrfaanAliconvene a meeting with ranks of the
GuyanaPoliceForce(GPF), reportedly to curry their favor in return for votes. If true,thisrepresentsablatant attempt at manipulation, ignoring the lessons of history, which show that the Joint Services, guided by experience and principle, cannotbesoeasilyswayed.
In a matter of days, Guyanese will again exercise their constitutional right to vote. I urge all citizens,especiallymembers
DearEditor,
Thankyouforyournews item keeping the population updated on fossil energy development that “a fourth Exxon oil vessel will commence oil production nextweek”(Aug2).Asinall previousproductionvessels, this one also starts earlier thanexpected.
Productionoffirstoiland by extension income or revenues (from all the vessels) started earlier than expected. The country has beenrakinginhugeamounts of revenues from oil. In addition to income from oil, revenueswillbeearnedfrom gas production sometime nextyear-withgastoenergy and subsequently selling bulk gas and perhaps bottling same for domestic use, making cooking gas cheaper
There is a small number of Guyanese who feel the
country would be or will be betteroffleavingtheoiland gas under the ocean floor That is not a wise position. This and the previous (coalition) government made the right decision to support and encourage oil discovery and production. And KN wisely does not support such a position of a narrowminoritywhowanted to leave the oil below surface No country that discoveredoilorgashasleft itundeveloped. Guyana has benefited enormously since first oil almostsixyearsago. The revenues have helped with infrastructural d e v e l o p m e n t a n d improvement in health care as well education and in all aspects of life. Pensioners and those on fixed income andNISrecipientsaswellas those receiving other forms of social security (child
grant, school grant, national adult grant, disability grant, etc.)haveseenanincreasein payments.These increments haveledtoimprovementsin qualityoflifeandinstandard oflivingthatwouldnothave been possible without oil production.
The current level of production at 650K bpd is expected to reach 900K by end of the month And sometime late next year, the countrycouldreachamillion BPD. In addition, gas will become commercialized
T h e r e v e n u e s a r e unimaginable just a few years ago, all because of oil andgas.
The revenues will continue to grow the economy and leapfrog the countryintoanotherstageof development from fourth andthirdworld.
Yourstruly, VishnuBisram
oftheJointServices,tovote for a better Guyana a Guyana with improved living standards, free from political interference, and grounded in justice for the likesofAdrianaYoungeand others who have suffered under current conditions. A Guyana that safeguards our national resources, especially our oil wealth, fromthehandsofthePPP/C whose interests, it appears, remain centered on selfenrichment and the empowerment of their associates. It was troubling to listen to recent video recordings featuring police officers publicly thanking President Ali for their promotions footage that surfacedjust48hoursbefore August 1. The nature and timing of this move suggest it was politically motivated. More concerning is that some officers appeared unaware of constitutional guidelines and established procedures surrounding appointments in the GPF, exposing serious training deficiencies within the Force.
Further, the PPP/C administration seems i n c r e a s i n g l y desperate—grasping at any opportunity to maintain public favor One need only look at the string of temporarypromises,suchas free tolls at major bridges, including the Berbice Bridge, the Demerara Harbour Bridge (which bears the heaviest traffic
load), and the WismarMcKenzie Bridge These measures, absent any corresponding provision in Budget 2025, raise critical questions, how will operationalandemployment costs be covered? Why was the National Assembly not consulted? Let us not be fooled These relief measures,thoughwelcomed by some, are politically t i m e d a n d l i k e l y unsustainable Mark my words by the end of September 2025, we may witness a reversal of these verypolicies.
Editor, I must also highlight a significant grievance among police ranks promoted in January 2025. To date, nearly seven monthslater,manyhavenot receivedformallettersorthe salariesassociatedwiththeir new positions. Yet, these same individuals are now beingconsideredinthelatest round of promotions. What direction are we truly heading in when the government flouts basic administrativeprocedures?
Since taking office in 2020, President Ali has repeatedly violated the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana confirmed by multiple legal challenges in court, which have found his actions unconstitutional This pattern points to a growingcultureofimpunity Icommendformersenior police officers, Mr Paul Slowe and Mr Clinton
Conway, for their public education efforts through their weekly program, “SpeakingOutandExposing Corruption.” Their work in shedding light on irregularitieswithintheGPF and broader governance issues is commendable. I consider myself a student of their insights, which have expanded my understanding of law enforcement and governance.
Since the recent announcements, the GPF's leadership appears to be backtracking, now adding new conditions to the promotionalprocess.Iftrue, thismeansmanyofthesame officers who lauded President Ali may now find themselvesdisillusionedand betrayed, not due to their own failings, but because of a leadership that thrives on manipulationanddistrust.
To all members of the Joint Services, do not allow yourselves to be used as political pawns. This is an election year commonly known as the “silly season” where grand promises are made, but rarely kept. Be wise. Bevigilant.Yourvote isnotforsale.Useittomake informed decisions, for yourself, your family, and thegenerationstocome.
Ithereforeurgeallrightthinking citizens to support the APNU—a party whose policies have historically prioritized people-centered governance.
Yourssincerely,
AnnetteFerguson
Thegovernmentof Guyana plans to co-investwiththe private sector to establish facilitiesthatwouldproduce peritoneal fluids, saline and syringes for the local health sectorandwiderCaribbean.
This was announced at the commissioning of the new $6.6B Bath Regional Hospital in Region Five on Wednesday by President IrfaanAli.
The President said his government will continue to invest until the country has the best health service that any citizen in the world can enjoyrighthere.
“As we continue on this journey of development, I also want to share with you s o m e a d d i t i o n a l information.
Peritoneal dialysis, we have 25 patients, imagine this, tell me which government in the world is doing this, 25 patients who receive care for a peritoneal dialysisandwearespending onthose25patientsaloneon the fluids $150 million annually and yesterday (Tuesday) we decided that they too in addition to this $150M must benefit from the $600,000 annual grant,” hesaidinhisremarks.
The President disclosed that discussions were held withtheprivatesectorabout an investment of between
US$15 million to $20 milliontoestablishafacility inGuyanafortheproduction of fluids including the peritonealfluidsandsaline.
“Sothatwecanproduce it right here in Guyana for here and the rest of the Caribbean.”headded.
The Head-of-State said focus is being place on the building out of a biopharma i n d u s t r y, a n d t h e establishment of a syringe plant “to serve the entire CLACregionthatiswhatwe aretalkingabout,thatiswhat wewouldbeco-investingin withtheprivatesector.”
He noted that through the public-private
partnership citizens would bebetterabletobenefitfrom qualityhealthcare.
BackinMarch,Minister ofHealthDr FrankAnthony spoke of Guyana's partnership with the European Union (EU) Recently, at a Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)inBarbados,a M e m o r a n d u m o f Understanding (MoU) was signed among Guyana, Barbados and the EU for collaboration.
“TheEUisgoingtofund this partnership and among the things that are in that partnership is to look at preparingGuyanatobecome a hub for manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and vaccines.
We are looking at developing a stronger regulatory institution and withthatinstitutionwhenwe certifysomethingthenitwill be accepted by other jurisdictions,” the Health Ministersaidatthetime.
Last year, the EU Ambassador to Guyana, René Van Nes said the EU hopes to help the Guyana
i n g o f pharmaceuticals, which not only would meet the country's needs, but that of theregionandbeyond.
Lieutenant Colonel Jaime Castello has become the first Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officer to successfullycompleteasuite of advanced military and academicprogrammesinthe FrenchRepublic.
Lieutenant Colonel Castello graduated from the esteemed École de Guerre (War College) in Paris, havingcompletedtheBrevet d'études militaires supérieures (BEMS), a senior officer programme reserved for individuals demonstrating exceptional command capabilities, leadership, and strategic thinkingincomplexmilitary environments.
Accordingtoastatement issued by the GDF, in
addition to the BEMS, Castello earned the RNCP Level8Certification,issued bytheFrenchMinistryofthe Armed Forces, confirming his mastery in strategic leadership, management, andcommand. Further broadening his skillset, he also completed the Cours élémentaire de Langue française 2025, attaining DELF A1 level proficiency in French, a reflectionofhiscommitment to cultural and linguistic adaptability in modern defencediplomacy
Lieutenant Colonel Castello graduated with distinction from Université ParisPanthéon-Assas,earningthe
International Relations, the GDFsaid.
“His achievement marks ahistoricfirstfortheGDF,as
(Continuedonpage8)
Frompage4
i n d e p e n d e n c e a n d sovereignty against the arbitrariness of global powers through integration with the EU and the EEA? Did Christoph Blocher lead Switzerlanddownthewrong geopolitical path in 1992? AndistheSwisspublicnow left to pay the price for that strategicmisjudgment?
Now to Guyana, which learned on August 1, 2025, that it too faces punitive tariffs of 15% on its exports totheUnitedStates. These tariffs are 5% higher than those imposed on most of its Caribbean
neighbors, with the exception of Trinidad and Tobago. The U.S. provided no official explanation for this discrepancy, leaving
Guyana's government and private sector scrambling to interpret the geopolitical signalsbehindthedecision.
Like Liechtenstein, Guyana is a small country with limited leverage on the global stage. And like Switzerland in the 1990s, Guyana currently maintains a h i g h d e g r e e o f independence in its external economic policy, relying on bilateral diplomacy rather than deeper regional or multilateralintegration.
This moment raises an urgent question: Can Guyana afford to remain on the margins of international economic frameworks when larger powers act unilaterally? Liechtenstein's example suggests that strategic alignment with
broadereconomicblocs–in its case, the European Economic Area – can offer small nations predictability, legal protection, and leverage in international tradenegotiations.
As Guyana considers its future trade strategy, it may wish to study how Liechtenstein used institutional integration not asasurrenderofsovereignty, but as a means of safeguardingit.
In a world increasingly marked by economic n a t i o n a l i s m a n d transactional diplomacy, such foresight may be critical to shielding national interests from arbitrary externalshocks.
Sincerely,
Prof.Dr AndréBrändli
In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Dr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecencies in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.
JULY28,2025
Politicalreporters
I n a n y h e a l t h y democracy, the press must serve as a watchdog, bold, fair,andindependent.Butin Guyana today, an unsettling pattern has emerged, more and more journalists are finding themselves entangled in the webs of political power. Some, willingly. Others, perhaps unconsciously. The result: a slow erosion of public trust, truth,andtransparency
Guyana's political l
ndscape is deeply polarised,andthemediahas not been immune to its gravitational pull. In recent years,atroublingnumberof journalistsandmediahouses have aligned, some overtly, others more subtly with the ruling political party This alignment has created a dangerous feedback loop: party loyalty is rewarded with access and visibility,
while the real press, the company of authentic professionals, has been locked out, hidden from, treated to a different s t a n d a r d All this is happening while thegovernmentboastsabout press freedom.The best that can be said of this boast, is that it is a lower, more worrying standard of the press;theworstisthatithas been no standard at all, save for the unacceptable ugliness,fortheobscenethat exceedscivilizedlimits.
TUESDAY–JULY29,2025 Noanswerstoguncrimes
Last week HomeAffairs Minister, Robeson Benn provided a very incoherent response to a question from thisnewspaperastohowhis governmentintendstotackle the rising cases of gun crimes. He repeated the old
stuff about porous borders and identified where the guns are coming from. He had no clear ideas as to how tostopproblem.
Most Guyanese would agree that crime is their number one concern at the moment: even trumping t
eir worri
out skyrocketing food prices. The government frankly does not have any answer and just as how Benn stuttered and fumbled when he was questioned is the same way the police and other law enforcement agencieshavebeenfaltering. If we are to make a dent in suppressing gun crimes washing over us, we must make it our primary goal among other measures to identify, to target, and to incarcerate the hardcore element of chronic offenders.Itwillnotbeeasy but it is the only way to go: intelligencewillbethekey
WEDNESDAY–JULY30,2025
Bigralliesorbig'bus-ins’
Since the election campaignbegan,thetwobig parties have been boasting about crowds We have heardsomereallyridiculous numbers. One party boated ofattracting35,000peopleat one of their rallies and 25,000 at another. In both instances, the figures were massivelyinflated.
The mistake we make is inassumingthatthesizeofa crowd at a rally is a reliable indicator of electoral support.Itisnot.Crowdsare bused in, promises are shouted out, and the energy is manufactured like a well-rehearsed stage play where the audience is also partofthecast.
We have seen parties transportsupportersfromall over to create the illusion of local dominance. A rally in
Region Four may feature crowdsfromRegionsThree, Five, and Six. The people waving flags and chanting slogans are not always the people who live there. They are performers in a political drama,extrasinaproduction meantfortelevisioncameras and social media clips. The real work the quiet, unglamorous labour of changing minds happen elsewhere.
FRIDAY–AUGUST01,2025
Leadermustcomeclean
For a country so rewarded with so much by wayofnaturalresources,the latest of which are these discoveries of massive quantitiesofoil,weoughtto beinafarbetterplace. Look at our leaders, and there is there source of this nation's problem that just will not go away
Crookednessistheirfirstand middle name, deception and failuretheirtitlethataccuses them. Their falsehoods fuel more failures in an endless cycle, and it is all because they are so greedy, so inclinedtodowhatiswrong andbadfirthepeople,while misusing and abusing the power given to them by the people. It is tiring and disgusting and enraging, as towhattheyhavedonewith thisoil,hoepoorlytheyhave takencareofitsfruits.
All this must be made known to them and in the most unsparing manner We must call our leaders to account, for this is not their wealthtohaveandtoholdon toforthemselves.Thisoilis ours and we, the people, must never let them forget thatandwemustmakethem pay for their many mistakes with it. We must confront them and compel them to comeclean.
Guyana's legal and taxation systems are not viewed as significant deterrents to those looking for opportunities in the country'sminingsector This is according to the Fraser Institute'sAnnual Survey of Mining Companies 2024, whichrankedGuyanaasthe most attractive jurisdiction in Latin America and the Caribbean for mining investment.
Guyanasecuredtheninth position globally on the Investment Attractiveness Index. As it relates to the Latin America and the Caribbean, Guyana outranked Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Mexico. Guyana also scored seventh on the Best Practices Mineral Potential Index, which reflects the country's untappedmineralpotential.
The Fraser Institute is a Canada-based firm that produces research on public policy issues impacting Canadians' quality of life, including taxation, education, energy, and natural resources. Its annual mining survey evaluates jurisdictions based on geological potential and the impact of government policies on exploration and investment.
Guyana last appeared in the Fraser Institute's 2022
report at 22nd. It was not ranked in 2023 due to an insufficient number of responses. The 2024 survey w a s c o n d u c t e d electronicallyfromAugust7 to December 15, 2024, and received input from 2,289 individuals across 82 jurisdictions.Itmeasuresthe impact of mineral endowments and public policy factors such as tax regimes and regulatory uncertainty on investment decisions Notably, the survey assesses how government policies and other
encourage or discourage mininginvestment. Intheareaofuncertainty c o n c
interpretation and enforcement of existing regulations, Guyana scored 50% for encouraging investment, with over 70% of respondents saying it is notadeterrenttoinvestment.
For uncertainty concerning environmental regulations, the country scored 20% for encouraging investment and 60% for it not being a deterrent. When it comes to legal system quality, the country posted 20% for encouraging investmentandover40%for notbeingadeterrent.
Regarding taxation,
Guyana earned about 30% for encouraging investment and nearly 60% for the system not being a deterrent toinvestors.
On infrastructure, 20% of respondents saw it as encouraging investment. In contrast, political stability emerged as a strong point: 60% rated it as encouraging investment and 80% said it wasnotadeterrent.
This publication previously reported that Canadian mining company
Goldsource Mines Inc , owneroftheEagleMountain GoldProject,highlightedthe strategic advantages of operating in Guyana, citing the country's favourable mining environment Goldsource described Guyana as rapidly emerging as one of South America's most attractive mining jurisdictions. The company also noted that the country has implemented several government initiatives to promote new mining
projects, including tax exemptions and a streamlined permitting process.
Notably, Guyana has a long history of small- and medium- scale alluvial mining However, its mining-friendlypoliciesand supportivegovernmenthave attracted several foreign firms in recent years. This publication previously reported that five Canadian mining companies collectively control an
estimated 15 5 million ounces of gold across various projects in different stages of development Theseventuresarecurrently undergoing exploration, feasibility studies, and permitting processes, with first production expected between 2026 and 2028. Most of these companies have commended Guyana's favorable regulatory environment and view their projects here as key drivers offuturegrowth.
President Irfaan Ali on Saturday announced that residents of Port Kaituma, Region One are benefitting from a 30% reduction in electricity charges from August1,2025.
The announcement was made at a Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) public meeting at Matakai. While there, the pres
dent told P
e Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips that in addition to the 15 kilowatts offreeelectricityprovidedto the area, which is being subsidized by the government at a charge of $110M, more should be done.“…Iwantyoutoknow today, with effect from the first ofAugust, just feel like we have given other communities We will reduce your electricity rate by30%,andwewilldoitby increasing the subsidy on your behalf here in Port Kaituma,”PresidentAlisaid
toloudcheers. He reasoned that the monies being paid by residents can now be retainedintheirpockets. Additionally, if elected to serve a second term, a president A
led administration aims to reduce the duties paid on four-by-four vehicles, as well as duties and taxes on ATV's and engines 150 horsepowerandbelow “Thesearethingsthatwe have already said, increase the Community Service Officers (CSOs) salaries for giving them more opportunities of earning The development of a housing scheme right here, 39 acres, support for agriculture, enhance security at Falls Top, we've already given instructions forapropersecurityoutpost tobebuiltthereatFallsTop. Help. We want every single community to benefit from the mobility, agility and
strength of our healthcare sector,”PresidentAlisaid.
In keeping with the party's mandate to provide quality education, the headof-stateremindedthatanew secondary school is being built at Matthew's Ridge along with a dormitory O
developments include the newairport,thenewlanding strip that
g constructed, bringing technical education to
g electricity and building microgridsinalloftheother communitiessothatcitizens can have an enhanced qualityoflife.
“(There is also the) building out the internal roads and infrastructure, investment in sports and the e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f government services. These are the things that are key and critical for you. These arethethingsthatwillmake thedifferenceinyourquality
oflife,”headded.
PresidentAliassuredthe residents that the PPP has a development plan for every village, region and Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC), which will see the comprehensive upliftingofGuyana.
Hetoldthemthatthesole responsibility is to see that thisplanisimplemented.
“This is not the time to gamble with your future. Thisisnotthetimetoputthe national security of our country at risk. This is not thetimetoputour country's sovereignty at risk, and you here, know more than anyone else, what the defense of our borders and our national security
means,”hesaid. The president told the residents that the government is also working with the private sector to ensure thattheyhaveaccess to banking and other financialservices.
“Let us recommit ourselves to working with every single home, to working with every single family in every single community, working together, knocking every door,educatingeverysingle person. Let us not come to anyone as being lost to anyone. Let us go back and invite them to come to this family Let us reach out to them and show them love. Letusreachouttothemand let them understand the truth. Let us reach out to themwithfacts.Letusreach outtothemwiththehonour, humility and dignity that is associated with the People's progressive partnership,” he urged.
Frompage6
no other officer has previously undertaken or completed this combination of French military and academictraining.
ItunderscorestheForce's commitment to building a globally competent Officer Corps capable of navigating complex strategic environments.”
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier
Omar Khan, MSS, praised Lieutenant Colonel Castello's performance, stating that it is also a proud momentfortheGDF
“Lt Col Castello's successatoneoftheworld's most respected military institutions reflects the high standards we expect within our Officer Corps. He has flown the flag of Guyana withdistinction,andwelook forward to the valuable
xp
rtise an
g
obal perspective he brings to the continued advancement of our Force,” Brigadier Khan said.The GDF said that Lt. Col. Castello's achievement stands as a “symbol of the G D F ' s d e e p e n i n g international military p a r t n e r s h i p s a n d unwavering investment in excellence through education and leadership development.”
Guyana's latest episode of diplomatic bungling marries farce with tragedy
The government of Guyana, having supposedly negotiated on behalf of its people with the economic leviathan of the Western Hemisphere, the powerful United States of America, has emerged from secretive talksnotwiththetriumphant fanfare of reduced tariffs, but with the dull thud of a 15% tariff slapped on its exportstotheUnitedStates. This, we are told, is cause for celebration.
T h e G u y a n a Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), apparently privy to some esoteric knowledge denied the rest of us, issued a statement of warm congratulations an applause more befitting the end of a civil war than the imposition of a barrier to trade. The Private Sector Commission (PSC), never onetomissachancetoecho a chorus line it assumes the government wants to hear, followed suit in the manner of a loyal house cat purring under the hand that feeds it. No surprise there. Guyana's private sector has long learned that its survival d e p e n d s n o t o n independence of thought, butontheskillfulnoddingof itshead.
But what are we celebrating? A tariff reduction, yes, from a hypothetical 38% to a very real 15%. The 38% was a phantom menace to begin with. It was one of Donald
Trump's trademark bluffs, a poker game played with the threat of economic retribution. And like all his deals, it follows the predictable rhythm of intimidation followed by concession He threatens high, settles low and then declaresvictory
The baseline tariffs for trade surplus countries are now 15%. For trade deficit countries, 10%. The key distinction is not the numbers but the story: Guyananowpaysmorethan most of the Caribbean, and forthatwe'reexpectedtosay thankyou?Themattermight have been less galling had the government explained what had been done in our name.Buttransparency,like fiscal prudence and clean procurement,hasneverbeen thestrongsuitofthecurrent administration. Throughout the process, the Guyanese people were informed that negotiations were ongoing, that discussions were taking place "at various levels." What levels? Between whom? Over what conditions?
Theanswersnevercame, and the silence was not accidental It was a calculated strategy of obfuscation. To involve the public, to seek the expertise o f s e a s o n e d negotiators including thosewhoonceservedinthe Caribbean's Regional
N e g o t i a t i n g
Machinery might have risked competence, and competence is often a threat topower
Consider the facts Guyana enjoys a significant tradesurpluswiththeUnited States but only because ExxonMobil, an American company operating in Guyana's offshore waters, ships out its share of crude oil. That oil attracts zero tariff. It generates no direct earningsforthestatebeyond the notoriously generous production-sharing agreement signed under mysterious and ignoble circumstances.Ifoilexports were subtracted from the ledger, the United States would be left with a trade surplus over Guyana In other words, the entire justification for imposing the higher 15% tariff collapses under minimal scrutiny Didournegotiators raise this point? Was this arithmetic even part of the discussions?
Wemayneverknow The details of the negotiation have been filed away under the general heading of "government business," which in Guyana usually means "none of yours " Therearenopublicminutes, no briefings in Parliament, nopublishedassessmentsof the economic impact of the tariffs on domestic manufacturers. And in the place of disclosure, we are offered press releases dripping in platitudes from the GMSA and the PSC.
These representative organizations that should be watchdogs have become, instead,cheerleaders.
One begins to suspect that the GMSA and PSC
Every day in Guyana, like clockwork, a new sucker does born. Is like is a national policy now breed ignorance fast and furious. Yuh don't need no hospital, no midwife,justopenyuhmouthandproveyou qualifyfuhthetitle.
Delatestepisodein“DumbandDumber: Guyana Edition” come after de fire at Critchlow Labour College. As soon as de place bun down, dem internet investigators—who can't spell “arson” but quick to holler conspiracy—start shouting, “Governmentbunitdownfuhgivecontract todemfriends!”
Onewomansehplainplain,“Dembunit downfuhrebuildit.”Whenaskwhobunit, she seh, “Is me fuh know and you fuh find out.” Like is Scooby-Doo she watching wholeday
Dem boys want ask she if government got contract to build private property now? Critchlowain'tbelongtogovernment.Itain't no ministry, it ain't no NDC. But ignorance
were not only not consulted but are desperate to pretend they were. Their statements read less like endorsements thanrehearsedlines.Intruth, their role is not to challenge buttoecho,nottoagitatefor betteroutcomesbuttoshield the government from criticism by pretending that all is well in the house of commerce. But all is not well A 15% tariff on Guyana's exports makes our goods less competitive. It limits access. It undercuts manufacturing and weakens oneofthefewsectorsinthe economy that is not wholly dependent on extractive foreign investment. And all ofthiscomesatatimewhen G
leveraging its newfound oil wealth to build economic sovereignty instead of begging for breathing space while Exxon ships out barrels and ships in tax holidays.
That our business associations do not rage against this outcome, but insteadapplaudit,isperhaps the saddest epilogue of all. Ratherthandemandtoknow who led the negotiations (and whether the “Balded Wonder”oflocallegendwas involved), rather than call for transparency and independent review, they have chosen to play the part of chorus.They sing praises whilethetradegatesclose.
In the end, what we are
witnessing is not just the failure of a negotiation but t h e r i t u a l o f
iescence the performance of gratitude in the face of loss, the veneration of secrecy as statecraft, and the chronic naivety of Guyana's private sectorinstitutions.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
ain'tneedlogic.Itjustneedaphoneandalil freeWi-Fi.
And dem boys notice something else—demorewilddestory,demoreshares itget.Viral!
One man seh if de government really want to give contract to dem friends, dem wouldn't need to bun down nothing. Is bare fancy projects flying round like mosquito—stadium here, highway there, andseadefenceindemiddleofnowhere.
Dem boys seh Guyana need a new ministry—Ministry of Common Sense. But we frighten it gon burn down too… and de samepeoplegonblamegovernmentagain. So till then, we stuck with de daily production line of suckers. Some born yesterday
Some just logged in today.All ready to believeanythingexceptfacts.
Dem boys seh if stupidity was fuel, Guyanawouldaexportitbynow Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
And the winner is…. Big Bharrat said that it's the PPP, can only be. Up came Aubrey the outsider to say, not so fast, buster; don't count out the PNC. In the beginning,theAFCwasstill in the running, with many thinking that it would be doing something. Time, often turns turtle. For the moment, I leave out (respectfully)theotherthree in the September 1 GY Steeplechase. Therearestill many hurdles to scale Credibility Yankees Prosperity Whohasmoreto give? Starting right now Whenlookedatthatway,the boysinredwereahead. Since then, time tossed andturned. Foralongtime, I thought that the PPP had victory in its back pocket, sureandsecured. Betterthat Isticktobeingacontributor, leave being a forecaster alone. When Jagdeo and company are forced to run around the country like li'l bhais, shouting themselves
hoarse, cussing out opponents left and right, the light dawned. Something ain'trite. No!notthetimeto administer last rites to the PPP But Big Boss Bharrat has lost plenty weight. He fightslikeamanwhosepast decisions and deeds have finally caught up with him. Don't count he and the PPP out. Justdon'tcountthemto be inside that circle and the top step Study the environment.
The PNC has surged. Meanwhile, theAlliance for Change (AFC) abandoned its name: alliance and change. It can't form an alliance, and refuse to change. When the PPPwas at its weakest, parts of the opposition (frequently, the whole opposition) proved still weaker It was less contributorynegligence,and more two other contributory factors. Nottamperingwith oil, not upsetting the white kinfolk. Family is family. The other was that beast
fromthenortheastthatislike yeast. American footprints ballooned before Guyanese eyes. Hello, Mr Marco; please to meetcha, Madame Ambassadah Because Jagdeo did anything and everything to greenlight, accelerate, and further rev
American interests, American ambitions, and Americanvisions,hehadthe insidetrack. Dr Bharratdid so much, so willingly, so cravenly for the Yanks, that he made me look like a blastedcommunist,awicked subversive. I draw a hard lineatterrorist.
Then the PPP of Jagdeo and the other lovely fellow, the entertainer and wrestler, encountered two tsunamis. No, not the PNC. Wrong again, not the FBI, since those dogs have been called off, penned, muzzled. The first whirlwind is from Lombard Street by way of somewhereontheEastBank Demerara, maybe even Essequibo. Alittlereminder
is timely for my fellow Guyanese In glorious London, Lombard Street is famedforfinances. Likethe Mother Country, like the descendants There is symmetry Of money Of politicsnowdraggedintothe picture, which should remind everyone what the cat brought into the house. Cripes! Aargh! It's the universal story of politics, except that in Guyana, the epilogue and appendix are longerthanthebookitself.
LandslideVictory”recently?
My compliments to him, please;sharethecareofone brother to another A real one,notapoliticalone,outto grab what can be had. The things I do for Guyana, for the PPP, surprises even me, sometimes. Saythenameof thecontenderfromnowhere, and PPP General Secretary, Jagdeo, reli
typewriting days. Clack, clack. Clickety, clackety.
Heisonebigfrenzy What did he do, what record compiled, that drives him (and the wrestler) to those flights of froth and what he now holds out to the people aslifesavingbroth? Ah,the people! Who are they, and where were they? Who is theirfamily,andwhatistheir pedigree?
My fellow Guyanese (and Americans), this is where the rubber hits the road, and the stuff hits the ceiling, despite plastering thefanonitsway Recallthe two tsunamis. The man from Lombard Street (or wherever) and the man-inthe-street. The hard, gritty, streets of Guyana, with the women of Guyana wailing by the wayside. All this oil and Guyanese can't buy a mosquito coil. Well, they shouldn't be ungrateful, because Dr. Jagdeo and Dr. RoutledgeofExxon-nowthe Exxon-Chevron axis of, of, ah, capitalist compassiondid handout cricket caps to
shelterfromtherains. What more could Guyanese want, since Exxon (and Mr Routledge)gavethemfreeof charge the equivalent of the Roman's panem et circenses (breadandcircuses)? Think of the millions spent by E x x o n o n c r i c k e t sponsorship. Nonewtaxes. None certainly for Exxon, thanks to Boss Bharrat Somehow, Jagdeo's Sicilian gambit has checkmated himself. He is the leader who will be remembered as snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. The other leader, the wrestler, is still outtheredoingwhathedoes best, mudwrestling. Part 2 comingup.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Friday rejected and condemned the recent call by the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party to boycott several banks and associatedbusinesses.
On Friday, WIN in a statement called on all citizens to boycott two commercial banks and their associated businesses after the banks closed the accounts of several of the candidatesontheparty'slist.
The party led by sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed said that the banks and the associated businesses are being used by the ruling People's Progressive Party (PPP) government to destabilise and demoralize thetwo-month-oldparty
In its statement,the PSC saidthecallmadebyWINis reckless, inflammatory, and both politically and economicallyirresponsible.
“Let us be absolutely clear: the private sector in Guyana is not an arm of the state. Our members make decisions based on their internal risk assessments, legal obligations, and the best interests of their shareholders, employees,
and clients These companies operate fully within the framework of Guyana's laws and international regulations,” PSCexplained.
Rejecting any attempt to bully or coerce the private sector into political conflicts,thePSCstatedthat the attempt by a political party, whose leader is currently sanctioned by the United States' Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), to pressure private businesses through public threats and organised boycotts is “a direct attack onthedemocraticprinciples itclaimstouphold.”
The Commission disclosed that many of its member companies maintain longstanding economic relationships with the United States and other international partners, and therefore, threatening these businesses for making responsible, lawful decisions is not only misguided but also reckless, with potential consequences for the thousands of Guyanesewhoselivelihoods dependonthem.
The PSC urged all political actors to conduct themselves with maturity andresponsibility “ThePSC willnotsupport,condone,or
remain silent in the face of any effort to destabilise our political or economic environmentortointimidate our members,” it said in its statement.
Similarly, the GCCI stated that the closure of the bankaccountsisasaresultof the June 2024 OFAC sanctionsagainstMohamed, the presidential candidate of theWINparty
The GCCI sought to remind that “Financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activitieswiththesanctioned entities and individuals may
expose themselves to sanctionsorbesubjecttoan enforcement action The prohibitions include the making of any contribution orprovisionoffunds,goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services fromanysuchperson."
According to the Chamber, these financial institutions, in the wake of dire implications of transacting business with sanctioned individuals and those who may benefit from
financial contributions from them,arewithintheirrightto safeguard their operations
from inherent risks associated with conducting business with such individuals.
“To advocate for the boycotting of these banks and businesses associated with these institutions are dubious and self-serving, and such calls must be strongly rejected by the public,”GCCImentioned.
The GCCI pointed out that the country's economy andbusinesslandscapeareat a crucial juncture, and it is importantthatthistrajectory isnotimpededorobstructed by penalties as a result of “rogue elements instigating reckless, divisive and dangerous actions” that are destructive to private sector andnationaldevelopment.
“Weaponising the economy for political ends threatens livelihoods, undermines investor confidence, and erodes the democratic values we staunchly defend Businesses are not political battlegrounds-theyarevital pillars of our national economy and social stability,” the Chamber explainedinitsstatement.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Association of Bankers Inc.
(GABI) in a statement on Saturday reminded that all licensed commercial banks in Guyana operate within a framework of national laws andinternationalstandards.
“Banks are guided by strict regulatory obligations, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Te r r o r i s m ( C F T ) requirements, as well as global risk management practices. These standards are critical to preserving financial system integrity, protecting depositors, and ensuringcontinuedaccessto international financial markets,”GABIexplained.
Further, the Association noted that it remains committed to supporting a strong, inclusive, and compliant banking sector that serves the best interests of the Guyanese people and economy
Kaieteur News reported that WIN disclosed that two c o m m e r c i a l banks—DemeraraBankand the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI)—have cancelled the accounts of WINcandidates.
“This is not an accident. It is a clear, calculated, and cowardly attack against a legitimatepolitical (Continuedonpage39)
Le a d e r a n d
Presidential candidate of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed along with party executives and candidates met with the European Union (EU) Election ObserverMission(EOM)on Saturday Themeetingispartofthe Mission’s pre-election scheduleofactivities.
WINinabriefstatement placedonTeamMohamed’s Facebook page said that the discussions with the EU EOM, which was led by ChiefObserverandMember of the European Parliament, Mr Robert Biedroñ focused on a range of critical issues concerning the integrity of theelectoralprocessandthe needtoensurefree,fair,and credibleelections.
“Key matters addressed included the legal framework guiding the elections, the impartiality and conduct of state institutions, and the broader electoral environment particularlytheprotectionof political rights and fundamental freedoms for all Guyanese,” WIN reported.
Accordingtotheparty,it remainsfirmlycommittedto democratic values and will continue to engage with international partners to safeguardtheintegrityofthe electoral process and ensure that no institution or individual is allowed to abuse power or silence dissent.
OnFriday,theEuropean Union (EU) officially launched its Election Observation Mission
(EOM) ahead of the September 1, general and regionalelections.
Themissionwillmonitor the electoral process and ensure transparency and credibility throughout. Some 50observerswillbedeployed acrossthecountryonelection day and will monitor campaign activities, includingpoliticalralliesand social media platforms used bycontestingparties
“By deploying this second full-scale EU electionobservationmission to Guyana, we reaffirm the EU’sstrongpartnershipwith the country and our support for a transparent and credible electoral process,”
Biedroñ stated in a statement.
H e e x p r e s s e d appreciation to the government of Guyana for inviting the EU to observe the elections.
“Elections are morethanballots—theyare the foundation of democracy This is why we are here, with a strong team of observers, to assess the p r o c e s s w i t h professionalism and impartiality,”headded.
The EU EOM will monitor all phases of the electoralprocess,suchasthe performance of the election administration,thelegaland institutional framework, the conduct of the campaign, media coverage (including digital and social media), andtheroleofcivilsociety
The mission will assess whether the elections comply with Guyana’s domestic laws and with international and regional standards for democratic elections.
This week's beauty Chanté McPherson is a former Miss Emancipation Region Five Chante's life is shaped by a profound passion for science, children and community service She enjoys taking part in track and field events and engaging in meaningful youth activities. Chanté is currently a first year medical student at the University of Guyana, pursing a Bachelor's Degree in Medicine and Surgery Her ultimate goal is to become a Pediatrician. Her favourite quote is “true emancipation comes not just from freedom of the past but a daily decision to walk boldly into the future with purpose and pride.”
Iwas sitting in my dentist’schair,oneof the few events in which, while my mouth was open,Icouldnotspeak.
Even as she worked methodically, my dentist spokecloseenoughtomyear
that her words were unmistakable. “The tragedy ofGaza,”shesaid,isthatthe world is in a state of “collapse of compassion.” Indeed, psychology and behavioural economics
r e s e a r c h e r s h a v e documented this Simply put, suffering in others,
witnessed frequently, producesakindofimmunity inthemind.
This can be the only explanation for why people around the world are not
expressing outrage vociferouslyatthebrutaland inhumane suffering and indiscriminate deaths of people, including children,
f r o m h u n g e r a n d malnutrition in the prison that the Israeli government and its military forces have createdinGaza.
Since 17–18 March, Israeli air, land, and sea
strikes followed by
Displacement orders now blanket roughly 282 km²—over four-fifths of the territory leaving families to shelter in half-destroyed buildingsoropenfieldswith littleprotection.
Humanitarian aid has all butvanished.Afternearly80 days of a siege that barred food,medicineandfuel,only a small trickle of UN and NGO trucks has been allowed in by the Israeli government and its military forces and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees(UNRWA)hasnot delivered a single shipment since2March.
Of 323 planned aid convoys in June, 154 were denied, 30 impeded, and only 97 fully facilitated. As people converged on militarised distribution points in Rafah and Deir alBalah, they faced deadly risks:by25June,atleast549 civilianshadbeenkilledand more than 4,000 injured
e x p a n d e d g r o u n d operations—have killed and wounded tens of thousands of civilians, flattened hospitals, schools and homes,andforcedmorethan 1.9millionpeople(about90 per cent of Gaza’s population) from their neighbourhoods, often several times over
simply trying to reach food. The desperation that led to this risk, even in the face of missiles and bullets, and the resulting wanton deaths, challenge humane understanding.
In clinics overwhelmed by trauma, malnutrition has reached record highs.
Between January and May 2025, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recorded an average of 112 children admitted each day for severe malnutrition
Meanwhile, a four-month fuel ban threatens to shut down 40 per cent of Gaza’s drinking-waterfacilitiesthat are still operating; without generators, these taps will rundrywithinweeks.
Nearly half of essential medicines—heart drugs to antibiotics—are already out of stock, and another fifth will vanish within two months On the ground, every day is a struggle to survive. Women and girls bearanaddedburden.
Observers from the UN Human Rights Office describe“scenesofchaos”at thefewremainingfoodsites, where long queues leave the elderly, the disabled and children exposed to harassment and abuse. The
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reports that lackoffoodandcookingfuel has become a tool of c o e r c i o n i n s o m e households At the same time, the daily chore of fetching water or firewood exposes women to violence andexploitation.
At the international political level, inertia and inaction rule the day, as governments jockey over theirnationalandtheirallies’ nationalinterests.
The UN Security
Council sees more concern and more calls for action by its non-permanent members than from the five veto powers, each of which can blockunitedaction.
Finally,on30July2025, foreign ministers gathered at UN Headquarters “with Gaza smouldering,” and Secretary-General António
Guterres warned the situation was “at abreaking point” as they pledged to revive the two-State solution; that is, a recognised State of Palestine and a recognised State of Israel, both within secureborders
However, beyond conditional recognition pledges—from Canada, the
UK, France, and other EU states that tie Palestinian statehood to a ceasefire, hostage releases and elections—therehasbeenno sustained global pressure to open corridors, rebuild infrastructure or protect civilians. Media coverage has dwindled, diplomatic visits have waned, and headlines have shifted elsewhere.
If the two-state vision is to be meaningful, it must be backed by deeds, not just declarations.
The international community must insist on immediate, unhindered humanitarian corridors, establish a transparent reconstruction trust to fund homes, schools, and hospitals, deploy a stabilisation force to protect civilians and aid workers, and empower a reformed Palestinian Authority to restore basic services and security
Neither Israel nor
It is a tragedy that the people in Gaza are being killed and are also dying f r o m s t a r
t i o n , malnutrition and lack of medicines.
But the greater and real human tragedy is that the world is in a state of “collapse of compassion”, quietly looking away It is time for the world to speak up, or Gaza will weigh heavily and permanently on theconscienceofmankind.
(The author is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the OAS, and Dean of the OAS Ambassadors accredited to the OAS. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronald sanders.com)
Hamas, which continues to hold hostages, can have matters their way, and the rest of the world should collectively tell them so, fearlessly and forcefully CARICOM Governments, collectively and to their credit,havedoneso. Silence in the face of suffering is a form of violence. The facts on the ground documented by UNRWA, OCHA, UNICEF and OHCHR—are too stark to ignore. People are now scouringthedirtforfood.
Chevronwilllookoutfor Guyana’sinterest alongsideExxon–Jagdeo
Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo is confident that United States oil company Chevron will look out for Guyana’s interest alongside Exxon as they extractthecountry’soilfrom theStabroekBlock.
According to Jagdeo, Chevron can hold Exxon accountable, ultimately reducing inflated costs and maximizing Guyana’s share fromtheoil.
On Thursday, he was a s k e d t o s t a t e t h e implications of Chevron entering the Stabroek Block following its arbitration win againstExxonMobil.Jagdeo told reporters attending his weeklypressconferencethat there are no immediate implications noting that the governmentseesachangein the ownership of the shares. He reminded that Guyana has no jurisdiction in the matterarbitrationmatter “ having another US majorthathadakindofwell, tense relationship with Exxon…So,Chevronisone of the shareholders now in Guyana(and)willbehaving acquired Hess’s shares and Exxon on the other side
being another major shareholder that tension betweenthetwocouldserve our country better,” Jagdeo toldreporters.
The VP reminded that outside of being a shareholder in the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil is also the operator As a result, he
believes the other shareholder will be looking at the operation costs, making“surethatthosecosts areminimized,andfocuson maximizing output, because they as shareholders will be getting more money if that weretohappen,thecompany isrunmoreefficientlyandif it’s run more efficiently it’s alsomaximizesourtake.”
Giving an example to justifythisview,hesaidthat if the Kaieteur News has a fear that costs have been inflated by the operator in what is currently being audited, Chevron would sharethesameconcern,asit is now a shareholder and inflatedcostsbytheoperator willaffectthemaswell.
On July 19, this publication reported that Americanoilgiant,Chevron
Corporation,isnowa30per centshareholderinGuyana’s Stabroek Block after completing the US$53 billion acquisition of Hess Corporation, following a favourable arbitration outcome regarding Hess’ Guyanaasset.
L a t e 2 0 2 3 , t h e acquisition of Hess was announced The deal gave Chevron access to Hess’ mostvaluableasset,a30per cent stake in the Stabroek Block,whichisestimatedto hold 11.6 billion barrels of oil equivalent. However, the move prompted the other partners in the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil Corporation and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) to approach the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce(ICC)toexamine their preemption rights over Hess’share.
In May 2025, the oil companies, through their lawyers, faced off before a three-member arbitration tribunal. Exxon had argued thatitwanteditsrightoffirst refusal recognised before deciding on its strategy for the Stabroek Block Chevron, however, contended that it had conducted extensive due diligence on the operating agreement between Exxon andHessinGuyanaandhad significant experience with similar agreements worldwide.
On July 18, it was announcedthatChevronhad completed the acquisition Notably, had the arbitrator ruled in favor of Exxon and CNOOC, Chevron was prepared to walk away from thedealentirely In a statement, Chevron said, “the combined companyhasoneofthemost a d v a n t a g e d a n d differentiated portfolios in the industry, with leading positions in critical energy markets around the world
process for all new oil projects.
Notably, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is required to pay US $50 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) emitted asaresultofflaringinexcess oftheperiodsoutlinedinthe environmental permits for thethreeprojectscurrentlyin operation.
people and environment from the risks associated with a growing oil and gas sector.”
and a high cash margin productionprofile.”
T h e o i l m a j o r highlighted that the acquisition adds world-class assets,includingGuyanaand the U.S. Bakken, to its diversifiedglobalportfolio. It was stated, “Chevron now owns a 30 per cent position in the Guyana Stabroek Block, which has more than 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent discovered recoverable resource; 463 thousand net acres of highquality inventory in the Bakken; complementary assetsintheGulfofAmerica with 31 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day; and natural gas assets in Southeast Asia with 57 thousand barrels of oil equivalentperday.”
WINproposesoverhaul ofoilregulations …vowszeroroutine flaring,stricter environmentalreviews
The We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), the political party led by Guyanese businessman Azruddin Mohamed has proposed an overhaul of Guyana’s oil and gas regulatory framework if elected to office following theSeptember1election.
On Thursday, WIN launched its 2025 manifesto promising to better the lives of Guyanese through a slew of cash incentives among other policies One such policy is to revise the country’s oil and gas framework.
Outlined in its 2025 elections manifesto, WIN said it would amend the country’s petroleum and environmental laws to mandatezeroroutineflaring, unless explicitly justified The party also committed to e n
e Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
In addition to regulatory reforms, WIN promised to enhancetechnicaltrainingin the oil and gas sector by e x p a n d i n g T V E T programmes. This includes training more specialised instructors, upgrading to industry-grade simulators, and aligning curricula with currentindustrystandards.
Also, the party said it would implement a more
l Resource Fund (NRF). According to the manifesto, WIN plans to cap annual withdrawals to sustainable levelsandensurethefundis preserved for the benefit of futuregenerations.
In 2024, amendments to the NRF Act to increase withdrawals were approved.
Notably, in 2023 the National Assembly passed thenewPetroleumActivities Bill which was later became law The new legislation repeals the decades-old Petroleum (Exploration and Production)Actof1986.
Thispublicationreported that the party, which was launched in June 2025, has
The party stresses the need for policies that prioritise building a capable workforce, ensuring that Guyaneseareequippedwith the necessary skills and are first in line for opportunities in the sector It states, “The waywemanageoilrevenues can no longer be a source of division or doubt Strong, transparent systems must be put in place; systems that foster full public trust and ref
accountability, equity, and nationaldevelopment.”
Govt.goingaheadwith planto‘giveaway’oil blocksto‘friendly’ countries–Jagdeosays …Qatar,Kuwait identified
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has confirmed that government to government agreements to develop oil blocks offshore Guyana is stillonthecards.
At his weekly press conference onThursday this publication asked for an update on a statement President IrfaanAli made in October of 2022 saying that the government is open to government-to-government partnerships in developing oil blocks.Asked if the plan
pledged to seek fairer terms from the 2016 Production SharingAgreement(PSA),a deal that has long faced criticism for favouring the oil companies over the country
WIN’s manifesto highlights that almost six years after first oil, significant gaps remain in areas such as environmental protection, climate resilience, local content, workforce development, revenue management, and thelegislativeframework.
It states, “These gaps demand urgent attention if wearetotrulysafeguardour
certain oil blocks which would be used for government-to-government partnerships. He had made thedisclosureduringapress conference he held with British High Commissioner, Jane Miller, when it was announced that the UK was granting visa-free travel to Guyanese.
At the news conference Ali had refused to divulge further details on which specific blocks were set asideaswellaswhatspecial purpose vehicle would be used to represent the State’s interests in such matters. He didpledgehowevertodistill such details at the appropriate time The President had said the development followed engagements that were had earlier that year with former UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson as regards energy security
Ali said, “The specific discussion I had with Boris was in relation to energy security for the UK. As you know, we have some blocks that we are going to auction off very soon. And we have someblocksthataresetaside for what is termed government to government partnerships.Wearelooking at all our strategic partners withtheseblocks.”
isstillonthecardsifitwillbe prioritized if the PPP/C is reelected, Jagdeo explained that the government is still looking to go in that direction but it must yield good results for the country, in the sense that good deal must be cemented with peoplewhoareexpertsinthe field.“SomaybeaQatarora Kuwait or one of those countries that have long experienceinthisregard.So, it’s still on the card,” he added.
Back on October 22, President, Dr IrfaanAli had d i s c l o s e d t h a t h i s government has set aside
The President added, “We also have some natural gas fields We have not completed the national gas strategy as yet but in that strategy, more opportunities will be opened up.”Ali said overallthathisintentionisto ensuretheUKisabletoplay a role in Guyana’s energy transformation while continuing with efforts that will place the new oil producing State as a global leader on climate change, energy and food security Since the discovery of oil in 2015, the Guyana offshore b a s i n h a s s e e n u n p r e c e d e n t e d development, with Guyana setting a new paradigm for expeditious development of oilandgasresources.
‘Voteforwhoeveryou wantto’–GlennLall …urgesGuyaneseto rejectUSAmbassador’s commentsonMohamed
Businessman and social media commentator, Glenn Lallhasraisedconcernsover recent comments made by US Ambassador to Guyana, NicoleTheriot who said last weekthatWashingtonwould Continued on page 17
Frompage16
be uneasy if Azruddin
Mohamed wins the upcoming elections or is electedtoparliament.
Last year, Mohamed, his
father Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, their businesses, andgovernmentofficialMae Thomas were sanctioned by theU.S.Treasury’sOfficeof Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) The Mohameds were sanctioned for alleged gold smuggling When it announced the sanction OFAC said: “Today’s action
u n d e r s c o r e s o u r commitment to holding accountable those who seek
to exploit Guyana’s underdeveloped gold sector for personal gain,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. It added” These actions were conducted in coordinationwithHomeland Security Investigations New YorkOrganizedCrimeDrug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Strike Force, DiplomaticSecurityService,
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Intelligence – New York Operations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Miami Field Office, with assistance from HSI Miami, CBP Miami and New York FieldOffices,NewYorkCity
Police Department Intelligence Bureau, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.”
AccordingtoOFACgold is one of Guyana’s main exports, but it remains a highly fractured industry withsmall-scalegoldmining
operations in Guyana occupying a majority share
of the country’s gold production “These small, family-owned businesses have informal relationships with larger purchasers and traders like Mohamed’s Enterprise Once mined, Guyanese gold is sold and t r a d e d t h r o u g h o u t international markets, including the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and the European Union,”OFAChadsaid.
In June 2025, Mohamed launched his political party, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), which is one of six parties set to contest the General and Regional Elections on September 1. “Yes, we are concerned AnytimetheUSDepartment
o f Tr e a s u r y O FA C sanctionedindividualhasthe potential to become a memberofgovernment,that
is concerning for us,”
Ambassador Theriot told reporters last week Mohamed’spartyhasgained traction among Guyanese and would likely pose a big challenge to the PPP/C and theAPNU.
Inoneofhisrecentsocial media commentaries, Lall referenced that the current USPresident,DonaldTrump was convicted on 34 felony charges and yet he was elected by his country “Not accused, not sanctioned, convicted in a court of law forfraud.Yetwithallthat,he ran for President and won,” Lall noted He added: “President Lula of Brazil was jailed for corruption, released, ran for elections, and won India’s Prime MinisterNarendraModiwas once sanctioned by the US, he still ran for elections and wonbyalandslide.”
Lall even mentioned currentPresident,IrfaanAli, who he noted that before becoming President of Guyana, faced 19 criminal fraud charges tied to land giveaways under Jagdeo “He ran for office; the U.S. Embassy didn’t say a word back then But, Azruddin Mohamed, who hasn’t been charged, never been convicted of any crime in or out of Guyana, was simply sanctioned by the U S Treasury Department, not a court and suddenly, the U.S. AmbassadortoGuyanahasa problem with him possibly sitting in parliament Problem for who? Because itsureisn’taproblemforthe Guyanese people who never got a vote on the decisions beingmadeinthiscountry.”
“So, let’s get this straight: a convicted felon like Trump? No problem. A president with 19 fraud charges? No objection, a businessman with no conviction? Suddenly, he’s too dangerous to sit in the National Assembly.? Wake
whoever you want to,” Lall urged.
The ambassador’s comments had come days after U.S. Secretary of State MarcoRubioinstructedU.S. diplomats worldwide not to comment on the fairness or integrity of elections conducted by foreign countries, according to an internalnotethatwasseenby Reuters The news agency said that Rubio’s memo was a significant departure from Washington’s traditional approach of promoting free and fair elections overseas.
up,Guyana.Thisisn’tabout ethics, fair play or Justice—it’s about control,” Lalldeclared.
H e n o t e d t h a t Ambassador Theriot, like those before her, “clearly doesn’t want any new political force rising in this land unless it wears red, green, or yellow Why?”
“Because those three parties are controllable, already compromised They have signed away our oil, our gold, our lands, and our future—and in return, what theygettohandGuyanese,a cash grant and to keep their visaintact.Andanyonewho dares to challenge that arrangement becomes a threat A problem, and a danger to their plan.” Lall addedthatTheriotevenwent further to say, theAmerican PrivateSectorwouldhaveto rethink doing business with Guyana. “The truth is, the Americanprivatesectorisn’t here out of love for me and you, Guyana. They are here to take control of every sector Guyanese should own—from oil and gas, to supply and construction They’renotheretohelpyou andme.They’reheretohelp themselves And with that statement, she has made her position clear: She doesn’t stand with you, she stands with those who make it easiertoextract,exploit,and enslaveus,”Lallsaid.
He added: “She stands with the sellouts who smile for the cameras and sign away your future while the people of this land remain hungry,poor,andpowerless. And anyone who threatens that plunder, that kind of theft,anyoneboldenoughto say “enough of that, becomes the enemy That’s what Azruddin Mohamed has become- a threat to the robberytheyarecarryingout on us And they
September 1st, vote for
toforgepartnerships.“While the United States will hold firm to its own democratic values and celebrate those values when other countries choose a similar path, the Presidentmadeclearthatthe United States will pursue partnerships with countries wherever our strategic interestsalign,”thedirective said.
The order, sent to all U.S. diplomaticpostsinaJuly17 internal State Department cable, says the Department willnolongerissueelectionrelated statements or social m e d i a p o s t s f r o m Washingtonunlessthereisa “clear and compelling” foreign policy interest.
“When it is appropriate to comment on a foreign election,ourmessageshould be brief, focused on congratulating the winning candidate and, when appropriate, noting shared foreign policy interests,” said the cable, which was markedas“sensitive”butnot classified.
“Messages should avoid opining on the fairness or integrity of an electoral process,itslegitimacy,orthe democratic values of the country in question,” it said. U.S. It added that electionrelated messages should come from either the Secretary himself or the Department spokesperson and it barred U.S. diplomats fromissuingsuchstatements without explicit approval from the agency’s senior leadership The cable referencedPresidentDonald Trump’s May 13 speech in Riyadh when he criticized what he called “Western interventionists” telling Middle Eastern countries how to govern their own affairs, saying that was no longer Washington’s business and it was looking
U.S.Ambassador’s commentsa“clumsy attempt”toinfluence outcomeofelections …Guyanesehaveright tovoteforwhoever theywish–Int’llawyer MelindaJanki
International lawyer MelindaJankihasresponded to comments made by the UnitedStatesAmbassadorto GuyanaNicoleTheriot,who said Washington would be concerned if Azruddin Mohamed is elected to government or even a memberofparliament.
In a statement on Monday titled, “Democracy means freedom to vote for thecandidateofyourchoice” Janki outlined that the Guyanesevotersareentitled to vote for Mohamed if they wish – given that he has satisfied the conditions for running for public office
Mohamed who was sanctioned by the U S Treasury’sOfficeofForeign Assets Control (OFAC) in 2024, is the presidential candidate for We Invest in
Nationhood (WIN), a political party that was launchedinJune2025andis oneofsixpartiesthatwillbe contesting the September 1 General and Regional Elections.
Lastweekonthesideline of an event in Georgetown
Ambassador Theriot disclosed that the U.S. was “very concerned” about the possibility of Mohamed entering government and how that would affect the
dynamics between the U.S. and Guyana However, international lawyer Janki noted, “Like it or not, Mr Mohammedhassatisfiedthe conditions for running for public office in Guyana Guyanesevotersareentitled to vote for him if they wish. The people will decide freely, as is their right. It’s calleddemocracy.”
She said that although democracy is better than the alternatives, it can deliver self-defeatingresults.Tothis end, she outlined that the American version of democracy has elevated Donald Trump, with 40 felony convictions, a court finding of sexual abuse and six bankruptcies, to President of the United States. “It must be rather humiliating for Her Excellency to have a felon and sexual predator as her ultimate boss Obviously, Her Excellency’s job is to promote the interests of the UnitedStateswhichincludes ensuring that American companies can continue to enrich their shareholders t h r o u g h b l a t a n t extractivism,”Jankisaid. Ambassador Theriot had contended that Mohamed being in government is “problematic in multiple ways ” The ambassador explained that if someone sanctionedbyOFACwereto become part of the administration, it would restrict or change how the U S government interacts withthatgovernment.
She said too that the situation would likely raise concern among U.S. private sector entities already operating in Guyana or planning to invest Ambassador Theriot underscored that the U S andGuyanaarecurrentlyina “beautiful position” due to how welcoming the country has been to American companies. “…and I don’t want,ifhe[Mohamed]were tobecomeamemberofthe Continued on page 18
Frompage17 government to change,” she noted.
Moreover, Janki
highlighted that the government bleats about ‘investment’ and she called ongovernmenttostartacting in national interest She
asked, “Ambassador Theriot’s clumsy attempt to influencetheoutcomeofour elections has exposed the ‘elephant in the room’ – to whomwillthePPP/Canswer – American companies or Guyanesecitizens?” Tothis end, Janki raised several questions, who can the voters now trust and will Guyana finally get a parliament in which no single party can dictate and destroy the country’s future; b u t r e q u i r e s a l l Parliamentarians to work together in the national interest.
NortonsaysAPNU Govt.willensureChinese businessesoperate lawfully,paytaxes …says there must be balance in commercial sector
L e a d e r o f t h e A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey Norton said a government under his stewardship will engage the Chinese authorities to ensure
businesses owned by Chinese nationals are in full compliance with the law, including the payment of all taxes.
He said while Guyana andChinahavehadalasting friendly relationship, Guyanese must pursue their owninterest.
“Ibelievewecanengage Chinese authorities to make it very, very clear that they have to operate within the confines of the law They havetopaythetaxes,etc.We will seek to remove any, what should I call it, any advantage they will have over Guyanese in business,” Norton told journalists on Friday
He assured that the necessary action will be taken to protect small businesses as the party does not believe Chinese nationals should dominate especially the commercial sector,whereGuyanesehave been for years and have the necessaryexpertise.
“…we believe some of what is happening is as a result of poor government policies It is the poor government policies of the PPPgovernmentthatcaused
a lot of Guyanese to run out of business and to rent their places to Chinese. We will rectify that, and we believe, in the final analysis, we will strike a balance where we don’t have to get rid of the Chinese, but the Guyanese here have first preference, and a right to be involved in business,andtheyshouldnot be disadvantaged by foreigners,”Nortonstressed.
He reiterated that Guyana is for Guyanese, and,onehastobeawarethat
“ w e l i v e i n a n i n t e r c o n n e c t e d , interdependent world, and thatChinaplaysaroleinthis world.Weknowthattheyare a significant actor We may be responsive to their concernsintheinternational arena, that we will pursue diligently this approach whichsaysthatthepeopleof Guyana must benefit and benefitfirst.”
Guyanese have over the years, been raising concerns about the growth of Chinese businesses in communities acrossthecountry
In October 2024 this publication reported that, residentsofAgricolatookto the streets to protest the establishment of a Chinese supermarket in their area Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo in response to a question by Kaieteur News on issue said that the regulatory bodies need to uniformly enforce the laws ontheseChinesebusinesses. Jagdeohadexplainedthathe was in contact with citizens who claimed that they are being displaced by Chinese nationals establishing businesses in their communities. On the other hand, he said there are other business persons who are pro-Chinese and rent their properties to them so they candobusiness.
He said there are cases where the Chinese business
owners often times bypass regulatory approval and the agencies responsible for enforcingtheregulations,do notholdthemaccountablein accordance with the laws of the country. “So, they (Guyanese)putupabuilding that breaches the building permits, no ventilation there onthebuilding,theywillget a visit from the inspector w h o s a y s t o s e l l pharmaceuticals here you have to have proper ventilation, but next door there is a Chinese company selling pharmaceuticals but there is no ventilation whatsoever, they are not applyingthelawuniformly,” theVPsaid.
Explaining that to sell certain items like alcohol there are different permits needed, Jagdeo highlighted that some of these Chinese entitiesselleverythingunder the sun without having the necessary permissions in place and this should not be so.
“Onemaygotoastoreto buy nails and want a beer; a shopnextdoormayhavethe permit to sell the beer but you would buy it from the store you are currently in becauseit’sconvenientatthe time, even though they do not have the approval to distribute alcoholic beverages.”
This is one of the other avenues that Guyanese are h i g h l i g h t i n g a s a disadvantage and Jagdeo said that “the Guyana RevenueAuthority does not pay careful attention for payment of VAT and other things, or hold them accountable for paying VAT and other taxes that they have to pay “So, we have made it clear to the regulatory bodies you have to enforce the laws uniformly and we believe that sometimes people are induced not to do that so we
are paying careful attention tothis,”Jagdeosaid.
WEDNESDAY
Bennslamspoorcondition ofpolicelock-ups …foundwomenlyingon flooratBVstation
Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, on Tuesday raised serious concerns about the conditions under which individualsareheldwhilein police custody, emphasising the need for more humane treatmentofthosedetained.
The minister also stressed that all police stations across Guyana should be a “welcoming” place for both victims and perpetrators.
Speaking at the National Road Safety Stakeholders Forum, Tuesday, Minister Benn said both victims and alleged offenders who may betraumatised,deservetobe treated with dignity and compassion “The police stationmustbeawelcoming place to people. It must be a place where those who are traumatised, which could be both the victim and the perpetratortoo,thatitshould somehow be a welcoming and calming place at the policestation.Eventhelockups must have beds and pillowsforpeopletosleepon andlieon,”hedeclared.
Theministerrecounteda distressing experience of witnessing women lying on the bare concrete floor in a policestation,describingthe scene as inhumane and disrespectful to the individuals involved and to the integrity of the justice system itself “I was traumatised when I went to the BV (Beterverwagting, EastCoastDemerara)police station one time and there werefouryoungladieslying onthecoldconcretefloor3’0
clock in the morning We can’t have that It’s disrespectful to them, to us, to the wider society, and it creates a disrespectful criminal justice system,” MinisterBennstated. He called for a cultural shift in how the criminal justice system treats people in custody, stating, “We don’t have to treat ourselves likeweusedtobetreatedby otherpeoplemanyyearsago. We’ve inherited these behaviours and attitudes to each other I don’t think it’s imprinted in our DNA, but we’ve inherited, and we’ve gottoletthosethingsandto bring the way we treat and deal with each other at a betterlevel,”hesaid.
Meanwhile, while recognisingtheeffortsofthe state in addressing overcrowdinginprisons,the UnitedNations(UN)Human Rights Committee last year rapped Guyana on what it termed ‘harsh and lifethreateningconditions’inthe country’sprisons.
According to the committee, those conditions i n c l u d e s e v e r e overcrowding, physical abuse, lack of access to adequate medical care, potable water, sanitary conditions, and limited sunlight. The human rights committee noted that it is also concerned by reports of the lack of transparency, accountability, and independence of the prison visiting committees, which are mandated to regularly inspect prisons and investigate prisoners’ complaints.
T h e c o m m i t t e e recommended that the state should ensure that the conditionsofdetentionarein compliance with relevant international human rights standards. “In particular, the state party should: harmonise laws and policies
onthedetentionofprisoners with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners,” the committee recommended. In its report, the UN committee also suggested that the state “takes immediate measures to significantly reduce overcrowding in prisons, including through the wider application of non-custodial measuresasanalternativeto imprisonment,asoutlinedin theUnitedNations’standard minimum rules for noncustodialmeasures;improve the conditions of detention, and ensure adequate access to healthcare, clean water, and natural light for persons held in all places of deprivation of liberty; facilitate independent, effective, and regular monitoring of all places of detention without prior n o t i c e a n d o n a n unsupervised basis, including by establishing an independent mechanism to monitor the prison conditions and providing mandatory training for relevant law enforcement officers as well as judges, prosecutors, and other legal professionals regarding prevention of deaths in c u s t o d y ” Inits2020countryreporton human rights, the US State Department said persons detainedbylawenforcement officials, particularly in the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) holding cells, face life-threateningconditions.
Looking into the country’s prison and detention centre conditions, the report found that the conditions in the police holding cells were reportedly “harsh and potentially life threatening” because of overcrowding, physical abuse and inadequate sanitary conditions.
According to the US State Department, in October, the Guyana Prison Service’s (GPS) statistics showed that in seven facilities, there were 1,761 inmates with a combined design capacity of 1,505 This was due to the overcrowding of a backlog of pretrial detainees, who accountfor30percentofthe totalprisonpopulation. Back in 2018, the report had stated that the government had released findings of a 2017 independentstudy,which Continued on page 28
ByAl Creighton
Iwasaskedtoanswerthe question: Is African CultureDyinginGuyana?
The answer is very short and very easy Yes, it is. Various forms of African culture in Guyana are moribund.
What do we mean by Africanculture? Whenmost peoplehearthewordculture they think of the arts and entertainment. They define cultureasart,music,theatre, dance, crafts and literature, and all the time in Guyana when there is “a cultural item” on a programme, it is the performing arts –someone is doing a poem, a danceorasong. Butthatisa limited and inaccurate definition.
Culture is much wider than that. It is actually the way of life of a people; how they live, how they conduct their affairs, how they organise their society It includes food, clothes, architecture, religion, language, traditions, customs, beliefs, spiritual faith,rituals,mythologyand folklore.Ofcourse,thisalso includes the arts – the performances and literature are artistic expressions of thatculture.
Following from that, African culture is all the ways in which the African heritage is visible in Guyanese society – to what extent do Guyanese practice the ways of living handed down from the vestiges of the African styles of living which would have been brought over by the forced and the voluntary African immigrants.
Theanswertothatisthat in contemporary Guyanese society these things are not very visible. Examples of theveryrichandfascinating African cultural practices in Guyana today are dying. Most have faded, and what remainsisgoingoutofstyle. Why and how is this
happening?
Wecangobackinhistory
and find some very compelling factors contributingtotheerosionof the culture. During slavery several things like names, language, religion, spiritual rites were consciously curtailed, suppressed and eradicated by the administration largely because they feared acts of resistance, conspiracies and uprisings among the
e n s l a v e d A f t e r Emancipation the colonial authorities continued this and many cultural practices werecriminalised.
However, many other factors have been at work in more recent times. Among themostimportantiscultural change. This is a normal thing that happens in all societies as time passes. In any culture everything does not remain the same from one generation to the next. People develop different waysofdoingthings,values change, fashion and popular preferences, as do modes of human behavior and outlook,sothatthesocietyis not the same today as it was 30 or 50 years ago as there are many forces that cause culturalchange.
One of these is acculturation,inwhichthere isalossofculturalcharacter and identity because of the infusion of values, modes, tastes and preferences from other economically more powerful cultures. This can comefromimitation. Avery good example of this is the cultural influences from North America upon the Caribbean. The popular culture adopts theAmerican way of talking, of dress, of fashion and even American valuesattheexpenseoflocal stylesandidentity Thishas contributed tremendously to the erosion of African or Guyanesefolkculture,andis one of the reasons African c u l t u r e i s d y i n g
Acculturation is a negative force that weakens and waters down strong i n d i g e n o u s l o c a l characteristics. It includes the mimicking of other cultures.
Guyanese culture has been undergoing changes because of modernity which tends to erase those cultural practices that reflected the African heritage, which largely resided in the folk and in the popular culture. Industrialdevelopmentand Continued on page 20
Frompage19
new technologies have driven the African presence into disuse. Peoplehavefoundnewmeansofentertainmentand communication, and the smart phone and artificial technologieshavereplacedmethodsandoutlookinwhichthe Africanpresencecouldbeseen.
But one of the most decisive and irresistible sources of socialchangeleadingtothedisappearanceofAfricancultural characteristics is the Guyanese people themselves. The attitudes of many people have caused the fading away of cultural traits ofAfrican derivation. Many black Guyanese peoplesuppressit;theyhavetheknowledgeofstrongcultural elements that still exist but they refuse to pass it on, some pretendthattheydonotknowandgenerallyitisnottaughtto children.
There is a colonial factor known as self contempt that causes black people in the Caribbean and Guyana to be ashamedoftheirownlocalAfricancultureandidentitywith the feeling that it is inferior or unprogressive. They do not approve of it and dissuade their children from adopting or practicingit.
Thisleadstoanotherfactorofculturaldiffusion,whichis education. TheAfricancultureinGuyanasuffersfromlackof retentionbecauseoflackofknowledge. People,particularly younger people and children, do not know and are not educated in those cultural traits which exist submerged in Guyanesesocietybutremainsuppressedbecauseofattitudes ofthesameblackpeople. Ifacultureisnottaughttochildren itwillfadeaway,andthatisthefatethathasbefallenAfrican Guyaneseculture.
Take,forexample,assimpleathingasclothes.
On the First ofAugust – last Friday, Emancipation Day, several Guyanese were colourfully dressed in African garments which they showed off with pride. But they only wear such clothes for one day each year – you will not see theminAfricanclothesfortherestoftheyear Guyanesedo notwearAfricanclothesandthatpracticenolongerexistsin Guyanaasaregularhabit.
IcanidentifyseveralformsofAfricanculturethatusedto beapartofnormalGuyanesecultureandpracticewhichhave fadedordisappeared,orwhicharestillthere,buthiddenaway and hardly visible. African music – African drumming, African dance forms, traditions such as KweKwe, the traditional wake, the Kumfa (Cumfa),African feasts, Obeah and the Maskarade (Masquerade). These are not foreign imitations,butformsthatusedtobeinGuyaneseculture.
TheKweKwe(QuehQueh),forinstance,isknownbythe songsandthedanceperformedontheeveofawedding,but not known as a village tradition – a way of life promoting moralityandchastityaswellasvalues. Mostofitisforgotten. Kumfa(Cumfa)isasuppressedreligiousfaith,hardlyknown by Guyanese today. That, andAfrican Feasts are confused withObeahbecauseoftheinvolvementinspiritpossession–many Guyanese do not know the difference. The spiritual characteristics of the traditionalWake and of the Maskarade arealsolargelyunknown.
These are allAfrican cultural forms that Guyanese have forgottenorareunwillingtopassontoothers,andwilleven discourage their children from involvement or familiarity Onceyoudisapproveordissuadethechildrenfromcarrying onalanguageoranyculturalpractice,youhavekilledit. That iswhyAfricancultureinGuyanaisdying.
Bipolar disorder
(formerly called manicdepressive illness or manic depression) is a mental illness that causes apparent shifts in a person’s mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. People with bipolar disorder often experience periods of significantly “up,” elated, irritable, or energized behavior (known as manic episodes) and very “down,” sad, indifferent, or hopeless
periods (known as depressiveepisodes).
Bipolar disorder can
affect children, with
symptoms sometimes appearing as young as five years old, though it is more commonly diagnosed in adolescence While the average age of onset is unclear, reported ages range fromfiveto19years.Bipolar disorder affects men and women with similar overall prevalence, but the way it manifestscandiffer
Bipolar disorder is categorised into three primary types: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic disorder
Todaywearelookingat BipolarII,and Cyclothymicdisorder
Bipolar II disorder is a mental health condition characterized by distinct episodes of depression and hypomania, a less severe form of mania Unlike
bipolar I disorder, individualswithbipolarIIdo not experience full manic episodes.Instead,theycycle
between periods of depression and hypomania, whichcanbelessnoticeable and disruptive to daily life thanfullmania.
Hypomanic Episodes:
Theseareperiodsofelevated mood,increasedenergy,and activity, but the symptoms
are less intense and disruptive than full maniac.
People experiencing hypomania may feel unusually happy, confident, or productive, Increased energy, activity, and restlessness. Irritable mood. Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity Decreased need
for sleep Increased
talkativeness Racing
thoughts Increased, distractibility Increased goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation
Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities have a high potential for painful consequences, such as unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or f o o l i s h b u s i n e s s
investments.
Depressive Episodes: Bipolar II is also characterized by periods of majordepression,whichcan be severe and prolonged. Signsofdepressiveepisodes are Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood. Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism.Feelingsofguilt, w o r t h l e s s n e s s , o r helplessness.Lossofinterest orpleasureinactivitiesonce enjoyed. Decreased energy or fatigue. Difficulty c o n c e n t r a t i n g , remembering, or making decisions. Insomnia, earlymorning awakening, or oversleeping Restlessness or irritability Thoughts of death or suicide. Appetite andweightchanges.
Cyclothymicdisorder: Cyclothymic disorder, also known as cyclothymia, is a mood disorder characterized by fluctuating moods with periods of hypomanic symptoms and periods of depressive s y m p t o m s T h e s e fluctuations are less severe thanthoseseeninbipolarIor II disorders, but they are chronic and pervasive, lasting for at least two years inadults.
Characteristics:
Alternating Moods: Cyclothymia involves distinct periods of hypomania and depression, thoughtheseepisodesarenot as severe or prolonged as in bipolardisorders.
Chronic Nature: The mood fluctuations are persistent, with symptoms presentforatleasttwoyears in adults (one year in childrenandadolescents).
Onset: Cyclothymia
typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood but there are exceptionalcasesinchildren with genetic disposition or extensive traumatic experience Individuals with Cyclothymia are often associated with other conditions, including anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and impulse controldisorders.
Symptomsof cyclothymiaare:
Hypomanic Symptoms:
inflated self-esteem, increased energy, racing thoughts, impulsivity, increased talkativeness, and decreasedneedforsleep.
Depressive Symptoms: Include low mood, feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, sleep problems, changes in appetite or weight, and difficultyconcentrating.
Impact
It is always critically important to become selfaware of our thinking, feelings and behavior They are indicators of normal lifestyle and abnormal lifestyle It is the presence of disordersanddisabilitiesthat disrupt our intrapersonal and interpersonalrelationshipthat goesontocreatechaosinour livesmakingusdysfunctional orhardtoworkwith.
PotentialComplications:
IncreasedRiskofBipolar Disorder: Cyclothymia can sometimes evolve into bipolarIorIIdisorder
S u b s t a n c e U s e
Disorders: Individuals with cyclothymia may be more vulnerable to developing substance use problems as a way to cope with mood
Difficulties: The emotional instability associated with cyclothymia can strain interpersonalrelationships.
Treatmentplanfor BipolarI,BipolarII,and Cyclothymicdisorder
Bipolar disorder (Bipolar I and II) and cyclothymic disorder require an effective treatment plan often combines medication, p s y c h o t h e r a p y , psychoeducation, and lifestyle modifications This isdependentoftheseverityof the experience The first and b e s t a p p r o a c h i s psychotherapy However, if there are a presence of psychotic behavior medication is required first AsaclinicalpsychologistIdo not include medication as treatment plan except in no o
s
s Medication triggers other psychological disturbances dependingonthesideeffects ofthemedicationbeingtaken
1.Medications
Mood Stabilizers: These oftenserveasthefirstlineof treatment and help regulate moodswings.
Lithium is particularly effective for treating both manic and depressive episodesinbipolarIandII.It may also be beneficial in cyclothymia.
Lamotrigine is often preferred for depressive episodes and maintenance treatmentin bipolar I and II. It may also be used in cyclothymia, particularly when there is a prominent anxious-depressive component.
Antipsychotics: These may be used alone or with mood stabilizers to manage manic symptoms or mood instability
Antipsychotics are sometimes used for shortterm treatment of cyclothymia symptoms, but long-term use should be avoided Antidepressants: Theseareusedwithcaution, particularly in Bipolar I, as they can sometimes trigger manic or hypomanic episodes. If prescribed for bipolarI,theyshouldbeused in combination with a mood stabilizerorantipsychotic.
For Bipolar II, they may beusedaloneinsomecases, butcautionisstillneeded.
Antidepressants may also be considered in cyclothymia, but with caution due to the risk of exacerbatingsymptoms.
2.Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy helps individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors, and develop copingstrategies.
CBTisconsideredagold standard and is widely used for all types of bipolar disorderandcyclothymia.
It can help identify triggers for mood episodes and improve emotional regulationskills.
Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT): IPSRT helps individuals establish regular routines (sleep, wake, meals) and improve interpersonal relationships. This can help stabilize moods and prevent episodes.
This therapy can be
beneficial for Bipolar I, BipolarII,andcyclothymia.
involves family members in the treatment process to improve communication, reduce family conflict, and
particularly helpful when family dynamics may be contributingtoorworsening theindividual’ssymptoms. Psychoe
ion: Learning about the disorder, its symptoms, treatment options, and triggers is e
management.
Psychoeducation can be incorporated into other therapies or delivered in a groupsetting.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): DBT focuses on mindfulness and emotional regulation skills. This can be particularly helpfulformanagingintense moodswings.
3.Lifestylemodifications
Consistent Sleep
Schedule: Establishing and maintaining a regular sleep schedule is crucial, as sleep disruption can trigger mood episodes. Regular Exercise: Exercise can help regulate mood and reduce symptoms ofdepressionandanxiety
HealthyDiet:Abalanced diet supports overall wellbeing and can help manage energyandmoods.
Stress Management: Developing healthy ways to managestressisimportantto
preventmoodepisodes.
A v o i d a n c e o f
Substances: Alcohol and recreational drugs can interfere with medications andworsensymptoms.
Strong Support System: Leaning on friends, family, and support groups can provide valuable emotional andpracticalassistance.
Importantconsiderations
Individualized
Treatment: Treatment plans forBipolarI,BipolarII,and cyclothymicdisordershould betailoredtotheindividual’s specific needs, symptom severity,andpreferences. Monitor for Side Effects: It’s important to monitor for potential side effectsfrommedications
Addressing Cooccurring Conditions: Many individuals with bipolar disorder and cyclothymia also have co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, substance use disorders, or ADHD. These need to be addressed as part of the overalltreatmentplan.
Any treatmentplanmust be from a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist
With children across Guyana heading backintoclassroomscomeSeptember,many parents are already shopping for new school shoes. But before you grab the first pair on sale, did you know there is a national footwearstandardinGuyanadesignedtohelp youmakebetterpurchasesespeciallyduring the back-to-school season? Yes, the GCP 5:1997 – Code of Practice for Footwear: Purchase, Care and Handling of Complaints was developed by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) to help consumersmakesmartchoiceswhenbuying shoes and to guide manufacturers in deliveringqualityfootwear
This standard offers valuable guidance forselecting,maintaining,andevenreturning footwear particularly for children. Though advisory in nature, it remains a helpful
resourceforbothretailersandconsumers.
Most children are born with perfect feet; unfortunately, poor fitted shoes during their earlyyearscanleadtolastingfootproblems. ThatiswhyGCP5:1997outlinesspecifictips forselectingchildren’sshoes;whenstanding, your child should have at least 10mm (1cm) ofcleartoespaceinsidetheshoebetweenthe tipofthelongesttoeandtheendoftheshoe.
Theshoesmustalsohaveadequatewidth, sothattheuppersdonotpressonthelittletoes or cramp the foot at its widest part. It is also essentialtohaveyourchildtryonbothshoes while standing, as one foot is often slightly largerthantheother
Once you have found the perfect pair, maintenance is key Shoes are made with specific finishes and materials that require care to preserve appearance and durability
Forleathershoes,removedirtormudusinga blunt instrument, then clean with a damp cloth and apply an even layer of appropriate polish.
For suede shoes, a stiff-bristled brush is recommended.Incaseswhereshoesbecome heavily muddied, gently scrape the excess with a blunt knife before wiping the uppers with a damp cloth. Canvas shoes should be cleaned by removing dirt with a blunt tool, and then rinsed thoroughly with clean water toeliminatespots.
Importantly, shoes not designed for specificenvironmentsshouldnotbeexposed to water, grease, solvents, or seawater, as thesecansignificantlyreducetheirlifespan.
Sometimes, even new shoes do not meet expectations. GCP 5:1997 provides clear guidance on how to handle complaints. If your new shoes are uncomfortable, return themtothepointofpurchasealongwithyour proofofpurchase.
Consumers are encouraged to approach thestoremanager,ratherthanasalesclerkto address complaints effectively Even though this standard provides further
guidance relating to exchange and refund, the ConsumerAffairsAct of 2011 provides requirements that supersede these guidelines
Meanwhile, in addition to this standard, GNBShasseveralstandardswhichcanoffer guidance for testing to manufacturers of footwear. These standards include; GYS 480:2009 – Test Methods for Uppers and Linings – Flex Resistance and GYS 484 –Test Methods for Stiffeners and Toe Puffs –Bendabilityetc. These standards help to ensure shoes meet durability and performance expectations before they hit storeshelves.
Ifyouareasupplierofshoes,conforming tostandardsisasmartwaytobuildtrustand avoid returns. Whether you are a parent prepping for the new school term or a shoe supplierstockingshelves,GCP5:1997offers practical advice for getting value, quality, andsafetyfromeverypairofshoes.
For further information on this subject, contact GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190064 or 219-0065, WhatsApp us on 6924627orvisitourwebsitewww.gnbsgy.org.
Likeareservedchildsecludedfrom his/hersiblings,standsSandvoort, a village nestled in West Canje Berbice. This village was established by the liberatedAfricanslavesnottoolongafterthe formalabolitionofslaveryherein1834.
A still predominantly Afro-Guyanese villagetoday,Sandvoortiswellremovedfrom the 'bustle and buzz' of the town of New Amsterdam, and by contrast is a perfect templateofcountrylifeinmanyrespects.
The sombre portrayal of its gloomy outlookfromafar,comesasanaturalfaçade, inthatshouldanoutsiderorfirst-timevisitor perch atop the elevated 'Third Bridge' and
gaze from the winding stretch of the fabled 'LonelyRoad'allthewaytothesilhouettesof alivingareaintheshortdistance,theywould regardSandvoortaslonesomeanddispirited. Such is a grave misjudgment, for the little villageisanythingbutdull.
Farfromit.
Most of the 300 plus residents are tested andprovenfarmers.
Both the young and old, affluent with wisdom in agricultural affairs, interact adeptly with the soil from which they source livelihood.
Ricefarmingisaprominentfeatureofits farming activities. Outside of agriculture, Sandvoort'ssocialarchitectureisbolsteredby its retention of many educators (notably youngones),nurses,andyoungprofessionals well positioned in Guyana's acclaimed and muchtoutedoilandgassector
Itsphysicalperspectivecharacterizesone entrance into the community, where one main strip of asphalted road divide houses erectedonitsleftandright.
Overthelastfewyears,landshavebeen clearedanddevelopedintopathwayswhich arenowconcreteroads,andnewhousesare erecting rapidly, thereby remodeling the village's outline. Sandvoort also boasts a healthcentre,anurseryandprimaryschool housed in one building, an Adventist church,snackettes,andguesthouses.
Essential modern commodities such as internet access, telephone services, water and electricity are available to many households.
On many Sundays, particularly when the sun seems bent on stamping official authenticitytoitsdaywithunrelentingheat, theswelteringconditionservesasarallying pitchtotheyouthsforarefreshingdipinthe creek,oneoftheprizednaturalofferingsof thetuckedawaycommunity
Perhaps the most recognizable detail about Sandvoort village is the pull of its African cultural festivities, notably its reputable soiree Its culture is deeply engrained, and its annual activities in commemoration of Emamcipation Day on August 1 is an attraction for many in and beyond the village, as many visitors swarm thelittlecommunitytopartake.
“I am black every day; I am African every day”, is perhaps the most accurate response that Elsie Harry can give to the question of why she wears African print clothing and Afrocentric accessories regularly
Elsie wears her culture proudly in a societythathasnurturedatraditionalethnic divide and, in true neocolonial fashion, has relegated the wearing of traditional garb to
specific commemorations at strategic times duringtheyear
She told this publication her counter questionswillalwaysbe,“areyouonlyblack on Emancipation Day”, “do you only acknowledge your Africanness at strategic timesduringtheyear?”
According to Elsie, adorning herself in African fashion goes much deeper than the skin; this simple act, lifts her vibrations, consciousnessandhelpshertorememberto esteem herself at the highest possible level, and to push back against oppressive, antiblacksystems.
“TheyremindmethatIcomefromalong lineage of strong, ingenious people, who thought,fought,andinnovatedtheirwayout of enslavement, so that generations like mine, coming after them, would know freedom-initstruestform,”sheasserted.
The simple act of wearing African fashionisforher,aprofoundreminderofthe facts that colonial empires and those who uphold neocolonial ideals would prefer that thoseofAfricanheritageforget.
“Our African ancestors built advanced civilizationsinKemetandTimbuktuthatare still recognized as the historical centers of culture and innovation, long before there were machines to do the work for them. Imhotep, anAfrican man, is the father ofmedicine.TheEmaswatiinvented mathematics,asevidencedbythe Lebombo Bone - a 35,000year-old artifact found in Border Cave, located in the Lebombo Mountains in Eswatini,”Elsiereflected
As she reflected, Elsie noted that right here in Guyana too,
monumental movements like the pooling of their resources across long distances and with very little communication, to purchase entire villagesaspartofthehistoricvillage movement,andthefairandefficient systems that they built to maintain theirresources,immediatelyafterthe gruesomeperiodofenslavement,like thevillagegovernancesystemandthe originsofcooperativeswhichrestsin communalvillagelife.
She said “It reinforces that I have inherited an indestructible spirit and I am imbued with the wisdom and tenacityrequiredtoachievemywildest dreams!”
“ThisisatthegenesisofwhyIdress inthewaythatIdo-thisiswhereIdraw inspiration from. When I put pieces together, I think about what each pattern, symbol, colour and design representsandIconsiderwhetherthey accurately capture the way that I want toshowupintheworld,”Elsiepointed out.
Elsie told this magazine that her conscious awakening began with her ancestors and continued with my parents, particularly her father, who grounded her in the writings of both Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, andWalterRodney
Shealsohadthegoodfortuneof reading the history of Victoria village-thevillagewhereherfather was born, and the first village purchased by free Africans following Emancipation, written byWilliamN.Arno.
“Ibelievehowever,thatthe outwardmanifestationsofthis inward self-awareness began in 2011, when I made the bold decision to permanentlylocmyhair-
(Continued on page 40)
As a recent article in The Economist magazine recently observed, “Talk to executives and before long they will rhapsodize about all the wonderful ways in which their business is using artificial intelligence.” JPMorgan boasts over 400AI usecases.Yum!Brands,whichownKFCand Taco Bell, claims AI will soon be the “new operatingsystemofrestaurants.”Executives everywherearepaintingafutureofseamless transformationpoweredbymachinelearning and automation.But behind the boardroom enthusiasm is a slower, messier reality Despite the promises, meaningful AI adoption across global workplaces has lagged.A2024BusinessTrendsandOutlook Survey (BTOS) by the U.S. Census Bureau found that only about 10% of US firms are usingAI in a transformative way UBS, in a recent paper, noted hurdles in enterprise AI adoption.AreportfromApril2025discusses howmanycompaniesareoptingfora“do-ityourself” approach to AI, building custom tools rather than relying on traditional software vendors This trend indicates dissatisfaction with generic AI solutions, as enterprises find off-the-shelf products unsuitableforspecificusecases,withonly$2 billion inAI product sales compared to $22 billion for cloud providers like Azure and AWS.
The slowdown can also be explained in partbyeconomics,integratingAIisnotplug-
and-play Manyfirmsarestillwrestlingwith outdatedinfrastructure,fragmenteddatasets, and cloud migration challenges. Morgan Stanley notes that “while AI adoption is drivingproductivityandearningsgrowth,the pace may be slower than anticipated due to high costs, infrastructure needs, and market euphoriaoutpacingreal-worldprogress.”
According to the Economist publication, “The optimism around 2025 being “the year of agents”; AI systems performing tasks independently, is already being tempered by what UBS now calls “the year of agent evaluation.” But the real resistance is more than technical, there’s also a human component to it. Organizational structures, internal politics, and fear are major factors.
As The Economist pointsout,manyfirmsare facinginternalpowerstruggleswheremiddle managers, HR departments, and legal teams quietlystallAIimplementation.Whetherout of self-preservation, regulatory caution, or sheer inertia, change is being delayed on the shopfloorevenwhileit’sbeingcelebratedin theboardroom.
ThiscontextmattersforGuyana,because ourchallengesandopportunitiesarenotvery different. AtSTEMGuyana,weareactively using AI not only to teach the content knowledgetoourjr (K-12)engineers,butto improvethedeliveryoflessoncontent,boost student engagement, and build internal tools that streamline our day to day operations.
We’vealreadyseenrealimpact,efficiencyin some areas has improved by more than 40% and that’s not theoretical, that’s real transformation.
We believe AI can dramatically enhance productivity and reduce operational costs in Guyana’spublicandprivatesectors,especially in education, government services, and customer-facing sectors The potential to improve service delivery, response time, and data-driven decision-making is enormous. Yetacrosspublicandprivatesectors,westill seehesitationanddelay.Someofitisdueto fearofjobloss.Someofitisduetoleadership that hasn’t fully grasped the upside, lack of skilled workers and some due to technical data challenges. In light of our rapidly growing economy, we have no choice but to presson.
Guyana is a country rich in natural
resourcesandhumanpotential.Butourfuture growthdependsonmorethanoil,itdepends on how well we harness the tools of the future.AIisoneofthosetools.Ifwewaituntil the perfect conditions appear, we will watch other countries race ahead. But if we take bold steps now, we can lead the region, not just follow The irony of automation, as The Economist notes, is that “people often stand in the way.” That may be the global reality, butitdoesn’thavetobeGuyana’sreality We have the opportunity to move decisively, to embrace the tools that will drive growth and efficiency across sectors. STEM Guyana is readytosupportanysuchtransition.Contact usdirectlytoexploreAI-focusedprofessional development, workflow analysis, and strategic planning tailored to your organization’s needs. Let’s move forward, together
Frompage18 was funded by the InterAmerican Development Bank,whichfoundprisoners being physically abused by prison officers. It stated too, thatin2018,thegovernment released findings of the UN Working Group of Experts
on People of African Descent, that found the conditions at the Lusignan prisonappallingandthatthe cells were unhealthy for human habitation There havebeenreportsofthelack
of potable water and complaints of lengthy confinement in the cells, with limited opportunities for sunlight by inmates.The statealsoreportedthatinthe adult prison, individuals, 16 years and older, are among thepopulation,whileinmost cases, young offenders, below the age of 16, were held in a juvenile correctional centre, where they are offered primary
education, vocational training and medical care
The report pointed out that theprisonserviceauthorities didstatethattheconditionof the prisons and detention
centres are monthly investigated and monitored and that prisoners often circumvent procedures for submitting complaints of inhuman conditions or mistreatment by sending letters to government officials through their relatives.
Globalgasflaring hitshighestlevelsince 2007–newreport
Globalgasflaringsurged for a second year in a row, wastingaboutUS$63billion in lost energy and setting back efforts to manage emissions and boost energy securityandaccess.
Flaring, the practice of burning natural gas during oil extraction, reached 151 billioncubicmeters(bcm)in 2024, up 3 bcm from the previousyearandthehighest level in almost two decades.
An estimated 389 million t o n n e s o f C O equivalent 46 million of that from unburnt methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases was needlesslyemitted.
While some countries havereducedflaring,thetop ninelargest-flaringcountries continue to account for three-quarters of all flaring, butlessthanhalfofglobaloil production.
Satellite data compiled and analyzed in the World
Bank’s annual Global Gas Flaring Tracker shows that fla
amount of gas flared per barrel of oil produced—has remained stubbornly high forthelast15years.
“When more than a billionpeoplestilldon’thave accesstoreliableenergyand numerous countries are seeking more sources of energy to meet higher demand, it’s very frustrating to see this natural resource wasted,” said Demetrios Papathanasiou, World Bank Global Director for Energy andExtractives.
Thereporthighlightsthat countries committed to the Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 (ZRF) initiative have performed significantly better than countries that have not made the commitment Since 2012, countriesthatendorsedZRF achieved an average 12% reductioninflaringintensity, whereas those that did not sawa25%increase.
To accelerate progress, the World Bank’s Global Flaring and Methane Reduction (GFMR) Partnership is supporting methane and flaring reduction projects through catalytic grants, technical assistance, policy and regulatory reform advisory services, capacity building,
and potentially reaching up to100,000tonneseachyear “Governments and operators must make flaring reduction a priority, or this practice will persist The solutions exist With effective policies we can create favorable conditions that incentivize flaring reduction projects and lead to sustainable, scalable action. We should turn this wastedgasintoanenginefor economic development ” said Zubin Bamji, World BankManagerfortheGlobal Flaring & Methane Reduction (GFMR) Partnership.
THURSDAY
Govt.secretlysignsdeal forDominicanRepublic firmtotakeover managementofGPL …monthlyfeepeggedat US$650K,opposition knockscontractas corrupt
Government has approved a sole-sourced contract of US$650,000 per month to a Dominican Republic firm- InterEnergy Group Limited (IEG) to provide management consultancy services for the GuyanaPowerandLight.
aboutthedeal.
favourites,” Mahipaul had stated.
Slapintheface ofcitizens
a n d i n s t i t u t i o n a l strengthening. For example, in Uzbekistan, GFMR allocated US$11 million to identify and fix methane l e a k s i n t h e g a s transportation network, cutting methane emissions by 9,000 tonnes annually,
The deal has been knockedbytheAPartnership for National Unity (APNU) ascorruptandwithitcoming by way of sole-sourcing and after elections was announced would raise further concerns about transparency Both the government and GPL have made no announcement
Cabinet gave its noobjections to the contract at its meeting on July 7, 2025, accordingtodocumentsseen by this newspaper According to the Cabinet papertitled:’Contractforthe provision of consultancy services Guyana Power and Light Inc.’cabinet reviewed amemorandumpresentedby Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and granted its noo b j e c t i o n Meanwhile, based on the contract the Government of Guyana will foot the severance payment bill for workersoftheGPLwhowill be terminated under the agreementwithInterEnergy Group(IEG).Thisrevelation comes 10 days after this publication reported that GPLhasgivenallassurances thatitsemployeeswillnotbe affected adversely by the agreement.Pagesevenofthe 10-page agreement seen by this publication states “IEG will relocate unnecessary personnel and terminate employees’labor agreement with GOG assuming any severance cost With an agreement to the following; no more than 75 per cent of the management staff, no more than 65 per cent of the supervisory staff, no more than 50 per cent of the technical/clericalstaff.”
Additionally, the agreement stipulates that IEGemployeesrelocatingto Guyanawillbegrantedatax exemption. The company in a statement to the media earlier this month, made it clear that it has workers’ interest at heart and that employees will benefit from training, hands-on experience and exposure alongside the international experts, to ensure local capacity is strengthened and the long-term sustainability ofGuyana’senergysector
“The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) wishes to address recent unauthorised publications and misleading materials circulating in the
public domain regarding its collaboration with InterEnergy Group (IEG) These materials falsely claim that the partnership will result in job losses for GPL employees GPL categorically states that these claims are inaccurate and misleading, ” the statementsaid. GPL’s statement followed statements made by executive member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Ganesh Mahipaul at anAPNU press conferenceonFriday.Earlier thismonth,APNUcautioned thegovernmentagainstGPL signing an agreement with the Dominican Republic’s Company Thatcompanyhas been earmarked to assist GPL in stabilising power generationanddelivery APNUsaidshouldadeal be struck with LEG, there w o u l d b e s e v e r e implications for the hundreds of staff employed by the power company Mahipaul said, “The APNU coalitionhasnotedwithdeep concern and alarm the circulation of a draft PublicPrivate Partnership Agreement between the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) and InterEnergy Group Limited (IEG), dated June 26, 2025 This agreement is reportedly awaiting signatures of the chairman of the GPL board, and Mr Rolando GonzalezBunster, chairman of InterEnergy Group,” the politiciansaid.
Mahipaularguedthatthe government’s agreement to sign the agreement raises “profound and troubling concerns”forGuyana,citing that the deal is shrouded in s e c r e c y a n d l a c k s transparency, as it was not the subject of public consultations and scrutiny “Such secrecy undermines democratic governance and public accountability and is clearly another PPP corrupt dealaimedatbenefitingPPP family, friends and
Following revelation yesterday that the contract was signed, Mahipaul said thisisaslapinthefacetothe Guyanese people “This secretive, bloated arrangement is emblematic of a government more concerned with wasting Guyanese money than empowering local talent or deliveringreliableelectricity to citizens ” According to Mahipaul, US/$7.8 million p e r y e a r, w i t h o u t competitive tender, without public consultation, and without parliamentary scrutiny, is not just poor governance, it is an insult to taxpayers, workers, and every Guyanese family struggling with blackouts andhighbills.
He said the PPP/C Government greenlit this deal behind closed doors, rather than public accountability “There was no transparent procurement process. No opportunity for local or regional firms to compete No independent evaluation of the contract’s necessity or cost. This was governance by executive fiat, not democratic p r i n c i p l e Even worse, the contract places a foreign entity in a position of immense power over GPL’s technical operations, procurement, hiring, and contractor engagement In essence, we’rebeingaskedtopaytens of millions for a foreign company to run our power sector while sidelining qualified Guyanese e n g i n e e r s a n d administrators,” Mahipaul noted.
He asked” Where is the benefit to the people of Guyana?Whoexactlyisthis deal designed to help? InterEnergy, or ordinary Guyanese?” The PNCR executive said the PPP/C’s decision opens the door to widespreadjoblosseswithin GPL and PPDI “Already, workers are anxious about what’s to come, and no binding commitment has been made to protect their positions Is this the Government’s development m o d e l ? To i m p o r t consultants and export our livelihoods? Worse still, InterEnergy’strackrecordis far from pristine. Under its stewardship in Jamaica, reportssurfacedof Continued on page 29
Frompage28 worsening outages and alleged mismanagement WhywouldourGovernment awardsuchsweepingcontrol to a company with unresolvedbaggage?”
Nodetails
Mahipaulsaidtodate,no government official has offered a full explanation or disclosed the terms of this contract What are the performance metrics? What penaltiesexistifInterEnergy fails? What steps have been taken to ensure value for money?Thesilencefromthe PPP/C regime speaks volumes “They cannot justify this because it is unjustifiable. An APNU-led Government will never treat national resources or public trustwithsuchdisregard.We believe in transparent governance, competitive procurement, and local empowerment.”
HesaidunderanAPNUled government they will ensure that: all energy contracts are subjected to open, competitive bidding, withclearevaluationcriteria
a n d s t a k e h o l d e r consultation; Guyanese workers are protected and prioritized; no contract will be allowed to threaten local jobsorinstitutionalcapacity; consultancy engagements must be tied to measurable results,andpaymentslinked to actual improvements in
service delivery and reliability; foreign entities
will never be given unchecked authority over strategic assets Guyanese sovereignty and technical leadership will be nonnegotiable and all major public contracts will be reviewed by Parliament, published online, and made subjecttoindependentaudit.
“The PPP/C has once again proven it cannot be trusted to manage the people’s business Their appetite for closed-door d e a l s a n d f o r e i g n dependency undermines our developmentandbetraysour workforce. The InterEnergy consultancyisnotasolution. It’s a symptom of a broken model that enriches the few while burdening the many Guyanese deserve better
Guyana deserves a government that places transparency over secrecy, people over profit, and s o v e r e i g n t y o v e r subservience That is the commitmentoftheAPNU,a government for the people, bythepeople,andinthebest interest of all,” Mahipaul
said.
GDFpilotstableafter plane-crashinTurksand CaicosIslands
A Guyanese Pilot and a Guyana Defence Force (GDF), officer was rescued on Tuesday after a small plane crash landed near the H o w a r d H a m i l t o n International Airport in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Two pilots were on board but GDF officer identified as Captain Dwight Bonus is the lone survivor
NBC reported that one person was killed when the small plane that left South Florida crashed in the Turks and Caicos Islands Tuesday, authorities said. The Cessna 210aircraftcrashedasitwas on approach to Howard Hamilton International Airport on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority officials said,accordingtoNBC. The flight had departed from North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines with two people on board Officials said first responders were immediately dispatched to the scene, including “a boat withsupportfromLasBrisas to assist in the rescue response ” Both occupants oftheaircraftwere“attended to by emergency medical personnel,” authorities said. One person did not survive. Their identity was not immediately revealed The H o w a r d H a m i l t o n International Airport was temporarily closed to facilitateemergency
The Federal Aviation
Administration in a statement said: “A Cessna 210 crashed short of the runway at Providenciales International Airport in Turks and Caicos around 4 p.m. local time on Tuesday,
July29.Twopeoplewereon board The FAA and
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will providefurtherupdates.”
A video uploaded by a Turks Caicos media entity called the Sun showed the moment Captain Bonus was broughttoshoreinaboatand rushed to a health facility in anambulance.TheGDFina statement sent to press said that it is aware of the plane crash. “Captain Bonus was on personal vacation at the time of the incident. He has since been medically evacuated and is currently receiving treatment overseas”, the GDF stated beforeadding“Hiscondition isreportedtobestable”.The GDFsaidthatitisincontact with the relevant authorities andcontinuestomonitorthe situationclosely”.
Investigations are ongoing.
FRIDAY
Jagdeoshutsdown callsforrenegotiation ofExxoncontract …callsotherparties promisetochange contracta‘bluff’
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic(PPP/C),Bharrat Jagdeo, has reiterated his party’s position that there will be no renegotiation of the Sta
Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil.
His remarks come in response to commitments from opposition parties A Partnership for National Unity(APNU),AllianceFor Change (AFC), and We InvestinNationhood(WIN), who are promising on the campaign trail to engage ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) for better terms if elected after the September 1 general elections.
OnThursdayJagdeowas asked for the PPP’s current stance He dismissed the opposition’s pledges as a political bluff. “So, you said on the campaign trail, they are promising renegotiation. SoAPNUhasdancedaround this issue their whole lives, APNU and AFC, they have danced around the issue,” Jagdeonoted.
He said that Exxon has made it clear that it will not agreetoanyrenegotiationof the2016contract.Moreover, he explained that the PSA includes a stabilisation clause which prevents the g o v e r n m e n t f r o m unilaterally altering the contract terms without financial consequences “Exxon has already said no, so you can’t have mutual agreement any longer for renegotiation, so that means unilateral change to the agreementandifyouchange unilaterally, there is a stabilityclausetosayitmust notaffectthemadversely,so we have to compensate them.”
He challenged the opposition to explain how they intend to address these hurdles if Exxon maintains its position “Those two questions will give you all the answers you need, and then you will see who is messing around with the people of this country we don’t do that. We tell them, honestly,whatwecandoand what we can’t do, and they [APNU +AFC] left us with this, this useless contract you… If you ignore those two things, then you’re just bull@&$ people,” Jagdeo said.
The PPP General Secretaryacknowledgedthat whilehisparty“wishes”they could renegotiate the deal, the stabilisation clause and Exxon’s refusal leave no room to do so. Instead, he said, the government has sought to balance the agreement’s shortcomings throughotherinitiatives.“At theendoftheday,youcan’t even succeed, because any international arbitration will say the government voluntarily,willinglysignon to these clauses Nobody heldaguntotheirhead,”the VicePresidentadded.
He cited the Local
Content Law, revised petroleum regulations, the gas-to-energy project, and a new model PSA with improved fiscal terms as the government’s efforts to improve the oil sector framework However, it shouldbenotedthatthenew PSA does not apply to the Stabroek Block contract
“They just, oh, negotiate, renegotiate, and they are lying to the people of the country,” Jagdeo stated Jagdeo further urged reporters to ask the opposition parties directly if they are prepared to unilaterallyalterthecontract in defiance of Exxon’s stance.
The 2016 PSAstipulates thattheMinisterresponsible for petroleum must pay the equivalentofthecompanies’ income tax to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on their behalf. Under the agreement,upto75percent of oil production is used to recover costs, the remaining 25 per cent is considered profit and is split equally between Guyana and the consortium,givingeach12.5 per cent However, the consortiumpaysa2percent royalty from its share to Guyana From Guyana’s 14.5 per cent total take, the governmentmustpaytheoil companies’taxes.
Article 32 of the Exxon contract, which lists out conditions for ‘Stability of theAgreement’statesat32.1 that, ‘Except as may be expressly provided herein, the Government shall not amend, modify, rescind, terminate, declare invalid or unenforceable, require renegotiation of, compel replacement or substitution, or otherwise seek to avoid, alter,orlimitthisAgreement without the prior written consentofContractor.”The Continued on page 30
Frompage29 agreement goes on to say at 32.2that“afterthesigningof this agreement and in conformance with Article 15,theGovernmentshallnot increase the economic burdens of Contractor under this Agreement by applying to this Agreement or the operations conducted there underanyincreaseoforany newpetroleumrelatedfiscal obligation,includingbutnot limited to, any new taxes whatsoever,anynewroyalty, duties, fees, charges, valueadded tax (VAT) or other
imposts.”
Analysts:Guyana’soil profitstodipas ExxonMobilandChevron earningsdroptolowest pointsincepandemic
HOUSTON, July 31
(Reuters) – Top U S oil producers ExxonMobil and Chevron are expected to report their lowest earnings in four years when they release second-quarter results on Friday, as weaker oil and gas prices slashed revenue.
The April-June quarter covered a volatile period in which the OPEC+ group of producers continued raising their production volumes, putting pressure on crude pricesandinturncuttingthe profits of oil firms
Oscillatingtariffpolicyfrom U S President Donald Trump’s administration also added to fears about weakening economies and
oildemand.
Global benchmark Brent crude prices declined 11% during the quarter from the previousthreemonths,while U S natural gas futures declined 9% While investors had previously been watching whether producers would cut spending in response to lower prices, the market is now likely to focus more on company-specific results and commentary about the m a c r o e c o n o m i c environment, said Jeoffrey Lambujon, an analyst with TPH Energy Research, in a notelastweek.
Exxon, the top U.S. oil producer,isexpectedtopost
US$6.67 billion in adjusted earnings for the second quarter, or US$1 56 per share, according to the consensus analyst estimates compiledbyLSEG. That would be a 27% drop from the year-ago quarter and the lowest earningssince2021,afterthe COVID-19 pandemic sank global demand The company had signaled earlier this month that lower oil and gas prices could cut aboutUS$1.5billionfromits earnings compared with the firstquarter Onebrightspot is improved refining margins, which Exxon said couldhelpboostsecond-
Continued on page 31
Frompage30 quarter earnings by about $300 million, but refining is a smaller portion of its business compared with oil and gas production The company has several projectsslatedforstart-upin the second half of the year that should drive stronger
earnings, said Jason Gabelman, an analyst with TD Cowen in a July 10 researchnote.
T h e s e i n c l u d e
Yellowtail, a fourth floating production, storage and offloading vessel in the prolific Stabroek Block in Guyana, the lucrative oil hotspotwhereprofitssoared 64%lastyear
What is making its way through the U.S. Senate –andhardtoimagineanything couldget80or90bipartisan votes in the U.S. Senate –WallStreetexpectsChevron, theNo.2U.S.oilproducer,to report $3 billion in adjusted earnings,or$1.70pershare, down 33% from the same periodayearagoandalsothe lowestinfouryears.
Chevron closed its acquisition of smaller oil producer Hess on July 18 after triumphing in a legal challenge from Exxon that delayed the deal close by overayear Chevronsaidthe dealwillleadto$1billionin cost synergies by the end of the year It will provide updated financial guidance
for the combined company during its investor day in November The company couldreportabout1%lower production volumes compared with the first quarter following a well blowout in Colorado, and a
shutdown at the Leviathan gas field in Israel during the country’s conflict with Iran, said Barclays analysts in a July13note.
French oil major TotalEnergies last week reported its lowest profit in four years as higher production was not enough to make up for lower oil prices. On Thursday, British oil major Shell reported a profitthattumbledbyalmost athird.RivalBPwillrelease resultsnextweek.
4thoilvesseltostart productionnextweek,4 monthsaheadofschedule –ExxonCEO
The One Guyana Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel is expected to start production next week offshore Guyana in the StabroekBlock,bringingthe total number of vessels producingoilheretofour This is according to ExxonMobil Corporation’s President and Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) Darren Woods. During the company’s second quarter earnings call on Friday, Woods said, “Our fourth development and the largest to date Yellowtail is next in line and anticipated to achieve first oil next week, deliveredfourmonthsahead ofscheduleandunderbudget by 2030 we expect to have totalproductioncapacity1.7 million equivalent barrels per day from eight developments.”
InApril, the government announced the arrival of the fourth FPSO in Guyanese waters.Thevesseljoinedthe LizaDestiny,LizaUnity,and Prosperity FPSOs, currently producing a combined total of about 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) With a design capacity of 250,000 bpd, One Guyana is expected to increase daily production to 9 0 0 , 0 0 0 b p d o n c e
operational.
One Guyana will produce oil from the Yellowtail Development
The US$10 billion project received government’s blessings on April 1, 2023. The FPSO was constructed by Dutch shipbuilder, SBM Offshore. In addition to an estimated minimum production capacity of 250,000 barrels of oil per day, the vessel has a storage capacity of approximately twomillionbarrels.
ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is the operator of the Stabroek Block which spans 6.6 million acres and is estimatedtohold11.6billion barrels of oil equivalent, accordingtogovernment.
ExxonMobil Guyana holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd (now Chevron) holds 30 per
cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds25percentinterest.
In addition to the Yellowtail project, Exxon has two other sanctioned projects under its belt: Uaru and Whiptail It has also submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its seventh project, Hammerhead, with production targeted for 2029 Additionally, the company has filed an application for an eighth development,Longtail.
Anothersectionof CritchlowLabourCollege destroyedbyfire,second timeinfourmonths
Fire of unknown origin destroyed another section of the Critchlow Labour College, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown during the wee hours of Friday, the second timeinfourmonths.
At around 00:53 hrs. the entire structure located behindtherubbleofthefirst building that fire destroyed onMarch22.
Firefighters were on the ground battling trying to containthefire.Theyarrived about 45 minutes before the mediaandrecalledthatwhen theyarrivedthebuildingwas alreadyengulfed.
On March 23, Kaieteur Newsreportedthatover200 persons, mainly students were affected after a fire destroyed the institution’s
mainbuildings.
President Irfaan Ali had promised to assist with the rebuilding of the buildings. No works have started but most of the rubble was clearedout.
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) in a statement labeled the fires assuspicious.
“Another suspicious fire has struck once again, this time erasing the entire physicalinfrastructureofthe Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and its education arm, Critchlow Labour College (CLC),” the GTUC stated while adding that it is still awaiting a reportonthefirstfire.
The GTUC said that the firemightbeablatantattack on the independent labour movementofGuyana.
“The unleashing of fire against the GTUC and its education arm will not silence or stop the work of the independent trade union movement, and its educational arms,” the GTUC stated before adding that,“Itwillnotstopthewill of the people and will only commit the movement to be more resolute in fighting against all forces formed againstthem”.
T h e G T U C a l s o remindedPresidentAliofhis promise to help rebuild and called on the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) to release the report on the first fire that occurredinMarch.
Once upon a time, on the beautiful island
of Prince Edward Island,therewasalittle village called Avonlea. Itwasaquietplacewith green fields, sparkling streams, and friendly people In Avonlea, therewasahousecalled GreenGables,wherean elderly brother and sister, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, lived. They were kind but serious people who decidedtoadoptaboyfromtheorphanageto helpthemwithchoresaroundthefarm.Little didtheyknowthattheirliveswereabouttobe turnedupsidedown!
One bright afternoon, Matthew took his horseandbuggytothetrainstationtopickup theboy Butinsteadofaboy,alittlegirlwith fieryredhairandafacefulloffrecklesstood waiting.Hereyessparkledwithcuriosity,and shewastalkingtoherselfasifshewashaving a conversation with the sky Her name was Anne Shirley, and she had a wonderful imagination.
“Where's the boy?” Matthew wondered,
feeling confused
Anne looked at him with hopeful eyes “Didn't they tell you?”sheasked.“I'm Anne,andI'meverso glad to be here!”
Matthew, too kindhearted to send her back, decided to take her to Green Gables and let Marilla sort it out.
W h e n t h e y arrived, Marilla was surprisedtoseeAnne insteadofaboy “There'sbeenamistake,”she said,shakingherhead.“Weaskedforaboy!” Anne's heart sank, but she couldn't help talking.Shetalkedabouthowmuchsheloved thebeautifulcherryblossomsoutside,howshe dreamed of having a family, and how she hoped they would want to keep her Marilla, despite her strict nature, found herself softening as she listened to Anne's lively chatter
Anne quickly became a part of life at Green Gables She made every day an adventure.Oneday,sheclimbedtothetopofa (Continuedonpage33)
WhatYouNeed-Dough Ingredients
*2cupsofSiftedBeach Sand (use 1 cup to split in half)
*1cupWarmWater(use 1/2cuptosplitinhalf)
* 1 1/4 cups of Morton Iodized Salt (use 5/8 cup to splitinhalf)
*1 1/2cupAll-Purpose (3/4cuptosplitinhalf)
*Makes enough dough for4smallhandprints
*ShellsFromtheBeach orCraftingShells
*ParchmentPaper
*RollingPin
*BakingSheet
* M o d g e P o d g e (optional)
Findandcirclethevocabularywords inthegrid.Lookfortheminalldirections includingbackwardsanddiagonally.
First - Set your oven to 250Fandthencombineallthe dry ingredients – sand, flour, andsalt- inamixingbowl.
Second - Slowly add warmwatertothesandwhile mixingit.Thegoalistocreate adough-likemixturesoifyou add too much water by accident, then add more flour and sand. You don't want the doughtobetoosticky
Third-Separatethedough into 4 balls. If you split the recipe,separateitinto2balls. Then cover a baking sheet with parchment paper, sprinkle with flour, and then roll out the balls so they're about1/2″thick.
Pro Tip: Since I made these while on vacation I did nothavearollingpin.Instead, I used a smooth, refillable waterbottle.
Fourth - Gently press your child's hand into the dough, leaving room around thehandprinttodecoratewith shells. Using a toothpick, or anything pointy, write your child's name and date under their handprint. This step is optional.
Fifth - Add small beach shells around the outside to decorate Try pressing the roughsideoftheshellintothe dough to make impressions. Bakeintheovenfor5 hours. If the bottom of your Beach Sand Handprint Keepsake is stillsoft,useaspatulatoflipit over and bake for another 2 hours. The goal is for it to be ashardasarock!
Optional: You can seal your keepsake with Modge Podgeforaglossylook.
byUncleRoy
Thegamesweplayaresomuchfun, WhenmyfriendsandIallmeet, Cricket,football,hopscotchandskipping, Theymakeourlivessosweet.
ButtherearetimeswhenIfind Somechildrendon'tplaysofair, fair Theypushandhityouwhentheylose, Andsometimesevenpullyourhair
Gamesareonewaywegettolearn
Tobefriendly,honestandkind; Playhardtowin,butalwaysplayfair, Andyouwillenjoythemallthetime.
Apart from the principleswhich mustbeadopted tomakeyourlifeproceedin therightmanner,youneedto incorporate the values necessary for proper living. Values are what we believe in, the things we stand for and against, the things that give direction and meaning toyourlife.
As a young person, at thebrinkoftheperiodwhen whatyoudowillaffectyour entire future, you have to decide in good time the valueswhichwilldirecthow
you will conduct yourself, and deal with the persons and things around, so that you are prepared mentally, psychologically, spiritually and even physically, to withstand the pressures that you will meet that will be acting against your own ambitions,inyourachieving the things you want to do, andthewayyouwanttobe. Withoutthisdirectionin yourlifeattheoutsetofyour gaining some sort of independence from your parents and the other guides in your life, you will find
Adopting values in your lifestyle y will ensure that you are on the right track towards proper living.
yourselfasinaboatwithout a rudder to guide it, and drifting through life subject to all the dangers which the world will undoubtedly thrustinyourway.
Youhavetodevelopa value system which will be able to deal with all these pressures through your attitude, through your behaviour, and through the choices you make as you facethevariousexperiences.
Youhavetorealisethat you seal your fate with the choices you make on the way
These choices during your younger days will determine the destiny or direction of your entire future. You do not need to look too hard to observe all around you many examples ofthosewhodidnotthinkit
necessary to determine beforehand what those choices should be, and who as a result drifted through lifeandfellbythewayside.
Take a positive step NOW to determine this value system which in your situation will be able to guide you through all the difficulties you are likely to encounteronyourway
Takeasheetofpaperand write down all the qualities thatwouldmakeyouanideal person.
Keep this list in a place where you can refer to it during your normal day Resolve in your mind to constantly work on your own personality to adopt thosequalities,andmakeita habittodisplaytheminyour speech, your thoughts and youractions.
Frompage32 cherrytreetopretendshewas afairyqueen. Anothertime,shetriedtodye her red hair black to look more like other girls, but it turnedgreeninstead!Marilla and Matthew couldn't help but laugh at Anne's mishaps and mischief, even though Marilla tried to hide her smile.
Annealsostartedgoingto schoolinAvonlea,whereshe met many new friends. She became best friends with a
Connect the dots to make edges so that e a c h c i r c l e i s surrounded by a s y m m e t r i c a l galaxy shape, and t h e p u z z l e i s completely tiled with galaxies. Each galaxy shape m u s t b e rotationally symmetric, having an identical appearance when rotated 180 degrees.
by Rosina Ragobeer
TobuildGuyana,forittobebetter, Wehavetotreatitasaseriousmatter TobuildGuyanaitneedscooperation, Soweneedtointroducespecialisation. It'slikewhenIreadyouwillwrite, Inthiswaytherewillbenofight.
Icantillwhileyouweed, Anotherdig,andthenextplanttheseed, Somewillhavetotaketheireducation, Whileothersworkontheplantation; Somemustformineralsdive, Asothersinthedangerousriversdrive; TobuildGuyanaImustworktomymaximum, Forit'snotfairtomybrothersfacingthesun.
Workingwiththisideaandstrongmanagement, Wecanallenjoyourmoneyandensureit'swell-spent; Somemustfetchtheloadsandfillthecrates, Whilesomeintheoceanaresettingbaits; Manyinthefieldswillbeworkinglate, Thusnomanwillbeabletodominate.
girl named Diana, and they did everything together. But Anne also met a boy named Gilbert Blythe, who teased her by calling her “Carrots” becauseofherredhair
Annewassomadthatshe brokeherslateoverhishead! But as time passed, Anne realizedthatGilbertwasn'tso badafterall.
Despite her mischievous nature, Anne was kindhearted and always tried to help others. She read to Mrs. Lynde, the nosy neighbor, when she was feeling lonely She helped Marilla around the house, even if she sometimesmadeamess.And she worked hard in school, determinedtomakeMatthew andMarillaproud.
As the seasons changed, Anne's red hair and wild imagination became part of the magic of Green Gables. MatthewandMarillarealized that the mistake at the train stationhadbeenthebestthing that ever happened to them. They couldn't imagine life without Anne's laughter and stories.
Green Gables was truly her home, and Anne was determinedtoliveeachdayto the fullest, making new memories and friends along theway TheEnd.
Follow-UpQuestions: Why did Matthew and Marilla want to adopt a boy fromtheorphanage?
HowdidAnnereactwhen shefoundouttherehadbeena mistake, and they wanted a boyinstead?
What did Anne learn about friendship through her experiences with Diana and Gilbert?
TobuildGuyana,allmustplayapart, Sharingworkevenlyrightfromthestart, Plantingrootsofpine,cashewandbanana, Withthissimpleadvice,wecanallbuildGuyana.
ByFranwcaFortune
Twenty-eightyear-old, Joshua
Nedd is fast becomingoneoftheleading musiciansinGuyana.
The self-taught keyboardistplaysfornotable names such as acclaimed Guyanese Gospel singer, Samuel Medas, upcoming female Guyanese Christian artiste Faith Corrica, as well as Christian recording
“standard for a child of a pastor”. Then he lost his mom in 2014 while he was about to wrap up his high school education, Nedd shared that music was his anchor; and the only life he knew was at home, church andschool.
The 28-year-old recalled thatwhilehissiblingsplayed music, he was never interested, until one day his church needed a drummer, and keyboardist and his
artistes from the Caribbean including Marc Issacs, John markWiggan,Positive,John Yarde, Blessed Messenger,
Jaron Nurse, Kevin
Downswell and DJ Nicholas. He has also had the privilege of playing for International singers, Phil
Thompson, Mathew
Stevenson and Todd Dulaney
Nedd, the youngest of fourchildrenforhisparents, told The WaterFalls that his journey began at the age of 11.. He grew up in a Christian nuclear family. Nedd said he was forced by hismothertoplaythedrums andkeyboardinchurchafter she saw the position was vacant.
He described his early life as one that was very
to connect to their Wi-Fi to download several lecture videosonhowtoplaydrums and use different techniques sotheycanuseitlaterwhen therewasnointernet.
After being able to masterthedrums,theyoung man went on to playing and masteringthekeyboard.
Nedd told this magazine that throughout his musical
challenge was access to the right information and tools
needed…..“Because in the Caribbean space you're competing with people that are not self-taught, people that are formally and classically trained and they are light years ahead of you in terms of production and musicaladvancement.”
He noted too that Guyana's educational system was not designed to accommodatesomeone who wishes to pursue music as a (Continuedonpage40)
mother coerced him to learn theinstruments.
From then, he said his love and passion for instrumentsandmusicgrew; it became strong and unbreakable.
“I didn't like music at first but then after the first lessonIbecameconnectedto it.Likeinlovewiththedrum and that sort of stuff, and eventually that made me moveontootherinstruments and professionally learning music,”Neddsaid.
ThekeyboardisttoldThe Waterfalls that he is mostly self-taught. He said that in thebeginningofhisjourney, due to him having limited access to internet and music school he along with his siblings and friends would ventureouttoanearbyshop
Guyana made a
p r o u d a n d m e m o r a b l e impression at the Festival de Guianas 2025, which was held from August 1–3 in Nickerie, Suriname The Guyanese delegation, led by Together We Win Business Network in collaboration w i t h U n i q u e A r t Entertainment, overcame last-minute preparations and logistical challenges to deliver a truly outstanding performance.
The Festival de Guianas brought together delegations fromGuyana,Suriname,and French Guiana in a vibrant display of regional unity and cultural exchange. Guyana's presence was a bold showcaseofitsrichheritage, creativity, and diversity, leaving a lasting impression onregionalandinternational audiences.
Despite the timeline, the Guyanese team rose to the occasion. Unique Art Entertainment took the lead in curating and delivering p o w e r f u l c u l t u r a l performancesthatwowedthe audience from traditional musicanddancetotheatrical and visual presentations that reflectedthenation'sidentity andpride.Theeventprovided a platform to promote crosscultural collaboration, tourism, and regional friendship, and Guyana's participation was hailed as one of the highlights of the festival.
T h e G u y a n e s e delegation's resilience, passion, and professionalism stoodoutasatestamenttothe strength and spirit of the country's creative sector.The t e a m ' s s u c c e s s f u l representation underscored Guyana's commitment to cultural diplomacy and its readinesstotaketheregional stage,evenunderpressure.
Peters, is a ‘Special Person’
By Shania Williams
Emancipation is more than just a historical milestone marking freedom forAfricans; for many, it represents a celebration of cultural roots and Africanheritage.
ForRonaldPeters,apassionateandlongstanding advocate for African culture, heritage, and rights, emancipation signifies something even deeper—liberation through Africanspirituality
This proud Afro-Guyanese is a teacher, mentor,advisor,andfarmer,deeplyrootedin thetraditionsofhisAfricanancestry
Hislifelongexposuretoandappreciation for his heritage have shaped his path, and in recognition of his unwavering dedication, Peters has been named this week’s “Special Person”byTheWaterfalls AFRICANVALUES
BornandraisedinDartmouth,Essequibo Coast,PeterswasimmersedinAfricanculture from an early age. Located at Lot 56 Public Road formerly known as “The New Ground”—Petersgrewupinahouseholdwith his parents and three siblings. He recalls that beyond his immediate family, the entire villageplayedaroleinraisinghim,instilling disciplineandastrongsenseofcommunity Dartmouth,asPetersdescribes,wasaselfsufficient farming village established by 25 formerlyenslavedAfricans.
“Wewerebigonagriculture.Wehadboth cropsandlivestock. Wehadsomuchproduce onthefarmatthattimewewereencouragedto establishacommunityfoodcenterandafarm market.Allthatweneedforsurvivalwasright there”
Peters began farming and caring for animalsasearlyasfiveyearsold.“Iwasdoing all sorts of thing at that age, I was planting, cultivating the crops, had to look after the animals. I had an early start and that was automatic,itwaspartofmylife”
Beyond farming, Dartmouth is a closeknit community that truly embodies the saying,“ittakesavillagetoraiseachild.”
Hesaidhegrewupwithastrongsenseof discipline, shaped not just by his parents but bytheeldersandneighborsaroundhim.
He learned valuable life lessons through this communal upbringing. “I couldn’t do anythingoutoforder,”hesaidwithasmile.
“If we did anything wrong, we’d get a goodbeating.Sometimes,justonelookfroma neighbourwasenoughtostraightenyouout,” headded.
As a child, Peters attended Dartmouth Primary School before moving on to Anna Regina Secondary, where he discovered a passion for woodworking. This led him to develop an interest in forestry and the symbolic connection between trees and Africanroots.
He explained “I heard the stories that sparked a lot of awakening in me. It really started during my secondary school years, becauseIbecamealittlecuriouswhenIwasin 4thForm.Myfatherguidedmetolearnaskill, and I started working with wood. I was curioustoknowmoreaboutwoodandwhere itreallycamefrom.”
The craftsman later pursued formal training at the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) and eventually worked with
theGuyanaForestryCommissionuntil2002.
“Myjobtookmealloverthiscountryand theexperienceIgainedwasalotbutbecause of administrative issues I was laid off,” he disclosed.
After leaving his job, Peters returned to farming, focusing on poultry and crop production He also delved into honey production and began conducting in-depth researchintoAfricancultureandheritage.“It becameaboutself-repairunderstandingwhoI reallyam,”hesaid.
Peters has since founded and joined severalorganizationsdedicatedtopreserving African culture and empowering AfroGuyanesecommunities.TheseincludetheAll African Guyanese Council, the Cuffy250 Committee, the Guyana Reparations Committee, and the International Decade for People of African Descent AssemblyGuyana (IDPADA-G), where he has made valuablecontributions.
He is particularly passionate about passing on cultural knowledge to the next generation.
PetersteacheschildrentraditionalAfrican skillslikedrummingandcrafts,emphasizing theimportanceofknowingtheirheritage.“It’s about knowing who you are and where you camefrom,”hestated.
Given his strong sense of heritage Peters remains an integral part of the Emancipation celebrationsinDartmouth.
He recalled that Emancipation season in the village was always a spectacular and vibranttime.
“Theentirecommunitywouldcomealive with the rhythmic sounds of African drums, traditional dances, and spiritual celebrations. It was a true expression of liberation, filled with rich cultural displays and some of the finesttraditionalAfricanfoods.”
Petersfullyembracesandenjoysthespirit of Emancipation. “On pre-emancipation you willhavelotsofdrumminganddancing,some libations and on the day itself you have displaysofvariousfoodsandcrafts”
>>> Continued on page 40 <<<
When Joy Chinwendu Nduka moved from Imo State,NigeriatoGuyana,shedidn’tarrivewith a business plan but she brought something just aspowerful-thetasteofhome.
After casually observing how curious many Guyanese wereaboutNigeriancuisine,Ndukadecidedtobridgethegap withfood.
“Beinginthiswonderfulcountryandseeinghowsomeof theGuyanesetalkaboutNigerianfood,becausetheyseeiton the movies, and always wish they could have a taste of it, inspiredme,”shesaid.
The Nigerian cook who has been here for close to three years came here as a visitor and saw employment opportunities.
labeled ‘Adambaise Kitchen’located at 47 Pere Street, Kitty, Georgetown. Fromthisspot,Ndukaandhersmallteamcook upNigerianmealsforindividualorders,families,andcatered events. Her menu is steeped in tradition and packed with flavour: jollof rice with chicken, ogbono (draw soup), oha (cocoyamrootsoup),vegetablesoup,okrasoup,andtheeverpopularegusisoup—eachservedwithagenerousportionof fufu.
“The most popular is egusi soup with fufu,” Nduka said. However, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Starting a food business in a new country, sourcing the right ingredients,andbuildingacustomerbasefromscratchcanbe daunting.
Herinspirationquicklyturnedintoafull-fledgedoperation
Nigerian chef, Joy Chinwendu Nduka is bringing a taste of Africa to Guyana
ButforNduka,theexperiencehasbeendeeplyrewarding. “It has not been easy but it’s an amazing journey because it paveswaytomeetdifferentandnicepeople.”
Allthedishesarepreparedusingingredientssourcedfrom amixofNigerianvendorsandlocalmarkets.“Isourceitfrom someNigeriansherethatsellsAfricanfoodstuffs,andbuythe otherfoodstuffsfromthelocals,”sheexplained.
Nduka is not only a chef she’s also a university graduate, actress, and comedian. Yet her roots in cooking run deep, shaped by the women in her family She said, “I’m Joy, from westernpartofNigeria,ImoState.Iamagraduateofbanking and finance in Imo State University of Nigeria. I’m also an actressandacomedian.ButIlovecookingthat’swhyIdecided totakeitasaprofession.IlearnthowtocookAfricanfoodfrom mymotherandgrandmother.”
One of her staple offerings, okra soup with fufu, is made using a traditional method. “First step is to cut the okra into pieces,secondstepistoboilyourprotein,thirdistoeitherfry your okra or put your okra in the protein as it’s boiling, add youroil,weNigeriansuseredoil,addpepper,yourseasoning, stiritalltogether,allowittosteamforfewminutesthenbringit downfromfire,”sheadded.
HerfufuismadewithWheatuppowder,stirredintoboiling wateruntilitformstherightconsistency Customerscanplace ordersthroughWhatsApporbycalling663-0306.Pickupand delivery options are available, and Adambaise Kitchen also promotes its dishes on TikTok under the handle Adambaise KitchenAfricanfoodinGuyana.
ForEmancipationDay,Ndukaofferedallmenuitemsata flatpriceof$2,000.“Yes,anyordermadeonemancipationwill be special and the same price which is 2,000 for any of the foods,”shesaid.
Advancing a Guyana free of corruption with arobusteconomy,renowned local businessman, Dr Terrence Campbell said an APNU government will save a minimum of 25 per cent of the money the country receives each year from its oil resources.The new party candidate mounted the stage in New
Amsterdam, Berbice,
Saturday evening at the APNU's campaign rally and unleashed an unbridled onslaught on the PPP/C government,whohesaidhas beenrapingGuyanaofitsoil resources.
Campbell, who sits on theinvestmentcommitteeof the Natural Resources Fund (NRF), reported that the PPP government has been nonchalantly requesting money from that fund .“Theyspendout95percent of the money that we earn fromoileveryyear.
A few years ago they saidtheywanted75percent and they got drunk on the moneyandtheygoneallthe wayto95percent.
Everysinglecentofyour oil money is being spent crazily by the PPP,”
Campbell relayed He promised that an Aubrey Norton-led government will
take very good care of Guyana’s petroleum finances.“
The APNU government willaccountforeverysingle centoftheoilmoneythatwe collect
We will account to you because it is your money.”Campbell lamented that Guyana, under a PPP leadership that continues to squander the oil fund, will end up in situations like many once oil -rich nations.He said the West African country of Ghana has a similar system as Guyana, where oil money is placed into the consolidated fundandthenused.
The difference however, isthatthereisaccountability for the money spent.On this note he cautioned voters to choose wisely as they head to the polls on September 1.Campbell acknowledged that Guyanese continue to sufferinacountrysaidtobe the “fastest growing economy in the world ” However, the wealth is not trickling down.“ We thirsty atthebottom.
Itissheerpunishmentfor Guyanese…”He said while the government owns the Guyana Marketing Corporation, recent reports show that food prices have been up 75 per cent since
2021.“
Rentgoneup,everything goneup.
Andwhilethepeopleare suffering, the fat man is holding balls at state house and he has scantily clad females up in the air He is eating lamb and lobster , eventheMuslimpeoplesaid thatisHaram.
Hesaidthemeasuresthat will be put in place by the APNU will allow every Guyanese to have a liveable income .According to him, inthefirst100daysinoffice, oldagepensionwillbemore than doubled to some $100,000.
No more taxes for Guyanese earning less than $400,000, wage for public sector workers will increase
by 35 per cent, while cash transfersof$100,000willbe placed into citizens’ bank accounts.
According to Campbell, no one must dehumanise himself for money that already belongs to him.Campbell who said he did not enter politics for personal gain, dubbed the 2025 elections as the “grandmother of all elections.”Hereiteratedthat Guyanese must make the choice that will secure themselves and family a goodlifeinGuyana.“
You have a clear choice tomake,youhavetomakea choice between poverty, or fair distribution of our
Frompage10
movement contesting elections in its own homeland. It is a politically orchestrated effort to destabilize and demoralize WIN and its supporters,” WINposited.
Stating that its measures represent an assault on the Constitution of Guyana, WIN noted in its statement that these banks have become nothing more than “corporate footstools of the PPPCregime,dancingtothe tune of a government that
wealth. You have to make a choice between corruption , corruption with lands, corruption with contracts, corruption with GPL, corruption in the police force, corruption with firearm licenses, corruption everywhere.
You have to make a choice between corruption andintegrity,youmustmake a choice for justice or injustice ” He continued, “The path is clear, you have an APNU team under the leadership of comrade
Aubrey and comrade Juretha.Abalance,qualified, competent team with integrityintact.
fears accountability and trembles at the rise of a new political force rooted in justice, equity, and nationhood.” As a result, WINcalledonallGuyanese to resist what it deems to be “creeping authoritarianism” and as a first step boycott “Demerara Bank, Guyana BankforTradeandIndustry (GBTI),DemeraraDistillers Limited (DDL) and all their goods and services, The Beharry Group and all its subsidiaries, goods, and services, KFC (and) Pizza
On the other hand, you have parties of fraud, squanderandcorruption.All our peoples find fraud, squander and corruption repugnant.
So choose well my friends ”Addressing the youth who he said are “flirting”withotherpolitical parties and exploring other political avenues, Campbell stressed that government and international diplomacy requires knowledge, skills andintegrity
He later addressed the need for justice for the Henry boys, Adriana Younge,theLindenmartyrs, the Mocha squatters and residentsofHillfoot.
Hut.”
WIN said the identified corporate actors must understand that they are not above the citizenry and they cannot 'pick and choose' persons' political views and determine what is “safe” for businesses.
“They are either neutral or they are political operatives And if they choose to operate as agents ofrepression,theymustface the consequences of public outrage and resistance,” the partysaid.
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From page 37 However, he acknowledges that these traditions have faded over time. “When you go to Dartmouth, you still havethatrawcreolestalkbut when it comes to the dances and drumming, that is not so much there.And I feel I little bit guilty about that because inmyfather’shomewealways had drums. My father had some drums and grew up knockingonthosedrumbutI was told to secure those drumsforhimandmakethem
ready for any engagements,” he said.
Peters noted that his love for the African culture and rootsalsoinfluencedhisspiritual journey
Though raised in the Catholic Church, Peters becamemorealignedwithAfrican spirituality.“Igrewupin a Catholic church, and then I realized the role the church playedinthelivesofmyforefathers and what it truly meantfortheAfricannation” “I became less sympa-
thetic to that side and embracedAfricanspiritualityinstead.
I found out that when we cametoGuyana, our culture was stripped away we couldn’t use our drums or sing our songs. That was only reinstated later by founder-leaderBurnham,”he said.
Outside of this, Peters is alsoaproudfatherofoneand is committed to raising his son with a deep understanding and appreciation of Afri-
can culture. As an entrepreneur,hesellstraditionalAfrican items, bowls, clothing, jewelry that reflect the richness of his heritage. He stands as a steadfast advocate for African culture and spirituality. His life is a testament to resilience, selfdiscovery, and cultural pride. “African spirituality is what brought us to where we are and it is the kind of energy we need to have to sustain our life indefinitely,” he said.
From page 35 career, and because of that, he struggled to acquire the skills he needed.
Another challenge he faced was with, were negative comments and remarks made by people saying, “Musicdon’tmakesense”or ‘You cannot make a life out ofit’.
He said he views those remarksasaformofmotivation reminding him that he can do it because of the love he developed for this path. The musician also draws
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motivation from his fiancé who has been by his side for six years, along with the encouragement from his close friend.
He highlighted that his biggest motivation is being able to set a target in music and being able to achieve it, he added that for example, being able to reach a certain sound or a particular level in music while working on a piece.
He noted that the goal he set is the motivation to see if he can achieve it.
“When you in love with somethingitdoesn’tfeellike pursuing, it doesn’t feel like work so much. It is literally just going and do it, and you don’t even know that you’re making advancement and achievements,” Nedd told thismagazine.
The musician revealed thathisformalmusicaccreditation is a grade three certificate in music theory and a grade four certification in pianoperformance,awardedby the Puerto Rico Music Conservatory (PRCM) Depart-
ment of Jazz and Caribbean Music. Outside of the music, Nedd holds a degree in accounting since that was hisinitialpath.
Healsodelvedintoradio broadcasting.
Nedd also works in several aspects in the music industry behind the scenes; in production, and management; he currently travels the world on tour with Guyanese Gospel artiste, Samuel Medas, being a part of his live worship experiences.
Elsie Harry embraces her African heritage...
From page 26 this was at a time when locs were still frowned on in society and persons who wore locs were considered to be Rastas, which was seen as a taboo,” Elsie said Still,sheforgedaheadand maintained the mindset that anyone who discriminated against her because of her natural hair is ignorant.
Elsie noted that her consciousness reached a high pointin2013whenshere-migrated to Guyana and began to volunteer withAfrican OrganizationsliketheCuffy250 Committee.
She said: “Being deeply engrossedincommunitywork inAfrican-GuyanesecommunitiesmademefeellikeIwas continuing the critical work startedbymyancestors,toliberateAfricanpeoplementally, economically and socially. I became more intentional about adding more Afrocentricpiecestomywardrobe during this period and also made the conscious efforttosupportlocalGuyanese designers and crafters.”
STYLE
Fastforwardto2025,ithas been 12 years since Elsie moved back to Guyana and has become known for her
African Fashion.
The main designer of her Afrocentric pieces is undoubtedly, the exceptionally talented Mwanza Glenn of Wanza’s Designs.
True to his name of Tanzanian origin, the designer embodiesthespiritofAfrican culture in the way that he dresses and the causes that he champions- but also, the exquisiteAfrocentricdesigns that he conceptualizes and masterfullyconstructs.Glenn is intentional about his fabric choices, and sources high quality material from various countries, including Ghana andNigeriaforhisexceptional creations.
While the designer also makes non-Afro centric pieces such as pageant gowns,bridalwearandresort wear- His Afrocentric pieces are a staple in Elsie’s closet.
The other 2 main sources of herAfro centric pieces are Makeda- a Guyanese-owned Africanclothingstorelocated onAlbertStreet,betweenRegent and Charlotte Streets in Guyana. This store sells strictlyAfrocentricpiecesand feelslikeasafehavenforconscious shoppers like Elsie. Theirtaglineis:“ExpressYourself theAfrican Way”, which
inspired the title of her musingstoday.Herfinalsupplier forAfrocentric clothing isanonlinestorecalledGrassFields; it is owned by Cameroonian sisters and is located in the United Kingdom.
Together, these three entities help Elsie to integrate African fashion into my everyday life and to dismantle the inaccurate narrative that African fashion must be reservedforEmancipationDay, or the notion that African fashion isn’t professional enough for formal settings.
“My wardrobe features Afro centric pieces for every, single occasion,” she boasted.
Elsiecontinues“Ibelieve my simple act of showing up as me- An African woman born in Guyana is shifting mindsets and perspectives- I amencouragingthemembers of my community to remember their powerful origins, to embrace it, to tap into it, and to pass it on to future generations.”
She emphasized while some see mere fashion and styleinthebeautifulclothing that“Iwear-Iseealegacythat I am leaving behind for the generationcomingafterme.”
Aljazeera - At least 51 people, including 27 aid seekers, have so far been killed on Saturday in Israeli attacksacrossGaza.
Seven more people, including one child, have died due to “famine and malnutrition” in Gaza, the territory’s Health Ministry said,bringingthenumberof deaths from starvation to 169,including93children.
Gaza faces a grave risk of famine, with one in three people going days without food, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned
UNICEFonFridayurged the international community to act swiftly as conditions continuetodeterioratedueto Israel’sgenocidalwar
“Today, more than 320,000 young children are a t r i s k o f a c u t e malnutrition,” Ted Chaiban, UNICEF’s deputy executive director for humanitarian action and supply operations, said in a statement on Friday following a recent trip to Israel, Gaza and the occupiedWestBank.
He said the malnutrition indicator in Gaza has “exceeded the famine threshold”.
“Today, I want to keep the focus on Gaza, because it’s in Gaza where the suffering is most acute and where children are dying at an unprecedented rate,” he said.
“We are at a crossroads, and the choices made now will determine whether tens ofthousandsofchildrenlive ordie.”
On Saturday, Atef Abu Khater, a 17-year-old Palestinian, died of malnutrition, a medical source at al-Shifa Hospital toldAlJazeera.
Earlierthisweek,Khater, whohadbeeningoodhealth before the war in Gaza, was hospitalised in intensive care, according to media reports, which quoted his father as saying he was no longer responding to treatment.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 60,000 Palestinians, more than 18,000 of them children. Many more remain buried under the rubble, most presumeddead.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, the number of deaths from starvation in the territory stands at 162, including 92 children.
‘EngineeredIsraeli genocidalchaos’
Ahmed al-Najjar, a journalist and resident of Gaza who is sheltering in Khan Younis, says Palestinians in the besieged territory are faced with “tragedy and torment” amid Israelibombardment,forced starvation and a complete feelingofinsecurity
“With the cats away, the mice will play – except that it’s not just a mouse, but an engineered Israeli genocidal chaos,” he told Al Jazeera, stressing that safety is “nowhere to be found” in Gaza.
“Wearenotjustreferring tothefactofconstantfearof the Israeli bombs being dropped on our heads, but the fact that there is a total security and power vacuum that leaves us here unsure and uncertain of our own safety,”al-Najjarsaid.
He described that even walking in the street and goingtobuyabagofflouror some other basic necessity makes people feel uncertain whether they will be able to returnhomesafely
“There is not any sort of presenceofpoliceorsecurity forces in the streets; we’ve
Rescue teams in Chile aresearchingforfiveminers trapped after a partial collapse triggered by a tremor killed one colleague and halted operations at the world’s largest underground coppermine.
Atleast100peoplewere involved in the perilous search effort, said Andres Music, general manager of El Teniente mine in Rancagua, some 100km (62 miles)southofSantiago.
“Sofar,wehavenotbeen able to communicate with them.Thetunnelsareclosed, they are collapsed,” he told reportersonFriday
The miners had been working at a depth of more than 900 metres when the collapse happened Their exact location has been pinpointed with specialised equipment.
Palestinian children share a bowlof lentil soup obtained from a food distribution point in Gaza City [OmarAl-Qattaa/AFP]
been seeing the continuous and systematic targeting of thepoliceforcesinsidethese ‘safezones’here.”
In March, Israel blocked foodaidfromenteringGaza. It eased the blockade in late May, after which the controversial Israel- and United States-backed GHF took over aid distribution in Gaza.
But GHF has been accused of grave rights violations and the targeting of civilians. The UN says morethan1,300Palestinians havebeenkilledtryingtoget food from the GHF’s aid hubs.
Many have been purposefully shot by Israeli soldiers or US security contractors hired by GHF, according to testimonies from whistleblowers publishedinthemedia.
With starvation across the Strip spreading, international outcry over images of emaciated
children and increasing reports of hunger-related deathspressuredIsraeltolet more aid into the Gaza Strip earlierthisweek.
The Israeli military last week began a daily “tactical pause” of its military operations in parts of Gaza and established new aid corridors.
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, SteveWitkoff,alsotravelled to Gaza on Friday to inspect theGHFaiddistributionsite, together with Mike Huckabee, the US ambassadortoIsrael.
The diplomats “spent overfivehoursinsideGaza”, Witkoff said in a post on X, accompanied by a photo of himselfwearingaprotective vest and meeting staff at a distributionsite.
He added that the purpose of the trip was to “help craft a plan to deliver food and medical aid to the peopleofGaza”.
Meanwhile, several Western and Arab governmentsbegancarrying out aid airdrops in Gaza earlier this week, to feed more than two million inhabitants.
But aid agencies have saidtheyaredeeplysceptical that airdrops could deliver enough food safelyto tackle a deepening hunger crisis in Gaza.
“Look, at this stage, every modality needs to be used,everygate,everyroute, every modality, but airdrops cannot replace the volume andthescalethatconvoysby road can achieve,” Chaiban said, adding that allowing about 500 humanitarian and commercial aid trucks into Gazaisimportant.
Healsonotedthatwhatis happening on the ground is “inhumane” and stressed that “what children in Gaza needfromallcommunitiesis a sustained ceasefire and a politicalwayforward.”
our energy and all of our strengtharededicatedtothis cause and to seeing this through,”headded.
Codelco cancelled a presentation of its first-half financial results, set for Friday morning, due to the rescueefforts.
Temporaryclosure
The cave-in happened after a “seismic event” on Thursday afternoon, of whichtheorigin–naturalor causedbydrilling–isnotyet known, according to authorities The tremor registered a magnitude of 4.2.
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successfully surfacing 33 minerstrappedinaminefor morethantwomonthsinthe Atacama Desert in 2010, attracting a whirlwind of globalmediaattention.
“We will do everything that is humanly possible to rescue the five trapped workers,”MaximoPacheco, thepresidentofChile’sstateowned mining company Codelco, told a news conference on Friday afternoon.
Mining minister Aurora Williams earlier announced the temporary cessation of activity at the mine, which began operating in the early 1900s and boasts more than 4,500km(some2,800miles) ofundergroundtunnels.
“All of our experience, all of our knowledge, all of
Last year, El Teniente produced 356,000 tonnes of copper – nearly 7 percent of thetotalforChile.
“It is one of the biggest events,ifnotthebiggest,that the El Teniente deposit has experienced in decades,” said Music, adding:“We are makingeveryefforttotryto rescuethesefiveminers.”
“The next 48 hours are crucial,”themanagersaid.
The search team included several of the rescuers who participated in
Chile is the world’s largest copper producer, responsible for nearly a quarterofglobalsupplywith about 5.3 million tonnes in 2024. Its mining industry is one of the safest on the planet, with a death rate of 0 02 percent last year, according to the National GeologyandMiningService ofChile.
It also lies in the seismically active “Ring of Fire” that surrounds the shoresofthePacificOcean.
Frompage46 competition and are expected to make the tournamentamemorableaffair
On the team rewards front, the championship winner will walk away with $500,000 in cash, along with a hamper, compliments of Ricks and Sari Enterprise. The runner-up will collect $300,000, third place will receive $200,000, and the fourthplace team will secure $100,000, rounding out this year’s attractive prize package totaling**\$1.5millionincashandprizes.
The participating teams include: Pele, Sophia, North Ruimveldt, Liliendaal, Road Warriors, Stabroek Ballers, Campbellville, TeamTaliban,WaleAllStars,BentStreet‘B’, Beavers, Back Circle, Soesdyke, Police FootballTeam,BellWestWestStars,Festival
City, Paradise, Pouderoyen, Herstelling, Mocha, Stabroek Ballers ‘B’, Albouystown, Espanyol, Timehri United, Gladiators, Bent Street‘B’,TimehriPanthers,andBackCircle ‘B’. The tournament, proudly supported by DeputyMayorofGeorgetownDeniseMiller and a host of corporate partners, will officiallykickoffthisFriday,August8,with **eight thrilling matches scheduled to begin from6:00p.m.ActioncontinuesonAugust9, 13, and culminates on August 20, when the new Inter-Ward Football champions will be crownedunderthelightsatEveLeary
With favorable weather and strong backing from the Guyana Police Force, this year’s Deputy Mayor’s Cup is shaping up to be a standout event on the local football calendar
Frompage49
Government of Guyana has allocated an unprecedented $21.61 billion to sport development, and for Allicock, the resultofthatinvestmentisverymuchvisible.
“The money that government has been injecting in sports, you’re seeing where it’s going, you’re seeing the development, you’re seeing the changes, you’re seeing youngpeoplefromthoseareasthatdidn’thaveopportunities arenowgettingopportunities.”
SinceassumingofficeinAugust2020,PresidentAlihas always touted Guyana as a hub for major sport and entertainmentevents,andthecountry’spotentialasthego-to eco-tourismdestination.
Allicockisexcitedbythatprospect,furtherunderlining hisdecisiontosupporttheincumbentforanotherterm.
With this in mind, the national boxer is encouraging fellowGuyanesetomaketherightdecisiononSeptember1 whentheygotothepolls.
ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19)
Don'tgettooemotionalabout a situation today, Aries. You could feel a sinking feeling, but if you go that route you may end up in a pit of emotional quicksand that's hardtoescape.
TAURUS(Apr 20–May20)
This is a terrific day for you Youshouldeasilyfeelitspower coming together in an upbeat, positiveway Othersareaptto fall into place by your side as they realize the wisdom in yourwayofdoingthings.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Your normal steady pace usuallywinstherace,Gemini, but today you might need to take some shortcuts. Jump on opportunities that seem to come out of nowhere, but don't feel like you need to committoanythingnow
CANCER(June21–July22)
Don't deny your emotions today,Cancer Theywillbeof great use to you. There's an intensity about your feelings that's helping you stay strong injustabouteverysituation.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Indecisiveness may plague youtoday Becarefulthatyou don't avoid doing something simplybecauseyoudon'tknow whichwaytogo Tocureyour restlessness, you should think aboutgoingonashorttrip.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Take things to the limit today and then go beyond. This is one of those days in which people may go to extremes, especially emotionally You have the right to push the boundaries and see how far youcango.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Thisisadaytobespontaneous andadventurous.Althoughthis may feel a bit foreign and against your usual grounded nature,itwouldbeagoodidea to take this time to do somethingonawhim.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Thismaybeaclimacticdayfor you, Scorpio, especially when itcomestoyouremotions.You could find that people try to wieldsomesortofpowerover you. Maybe they're trying to throw their weight around to getyoutodosomething.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Instead of turning all your burning questions inward today, Sagittarius, you might want to consider broadcasting them outward Engage in discussions and extend your queriestothegroup.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
There'sagreatwindunderyour wings today, Capricorn, and you may find the day's energy quite transforming. You now have the opportunity to make great strides in whatever you wishtoaccomplish.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
Try not to weigh everything down. Don't pick things apart tothepointthatallthat'sleftare thetinydetailsofthesituation. Dealwithitasawhole.Mental andemotionalissuesareaptto beofgreaterconcerntoyou.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
As you work to keep things in balance today, remember that oneofthekeythingsistohave fun.Happinessisanextremely important element of the cosmicequation,especiallyon adaylikethis.
With the rapid surge in football activity locally, the long-overdue Deputy Mayor’s Cup Seven-a-Side Inter-Ward/Village Football Championship is finally set to take centerstagefromAugust8–20attheGuyana PoliceForceSportsGroundinEveLeary Thirty-two teams from Georgetown and various regions across the country will assemble for what promises to be a highenergy knockout tournament, packed with thrilling matchups and fierce rivalries Though the event faced several delays regarding its kickoff, anticipation has only grown,andteamsareeagertotakethepitch.
Amajor boost to the 2025 edition of the tournamenthascomefromtheGuyanaPolice Force(GPF).CommissionerofPolice(COP) Clifton Hicken, alongside several topranking officers, has thrown his full support behind the initiative According to tournament coordinator and former national coach Lennox Arthur, COP Hicken, recognizing the value of grassroots football, donated a brand-new motorcycle and trophy for the tournament’s Most Valuable Player
(MVP)onJuly20.
commitment, Assistant Commissioner of Police Errol Watts has pledged a trophy for the Most Disciplined Team, while Acting COP Ravindrauth Budhram will present the Top Goal Scorer with a special trophy and prize.
These generous contributions have greatlyenhancedtheprofileofthisyear’s Continued on page 45
TheplacetobeistheKennardMemorial Turf Club (KMTC) today Thousands are expected to swarm the prestigious venue for their much-anticipated Emancipation Horse RaceMeettoday,August3.
Situated at Bush Lot Farm Corentyne, Berbice,theClubisknownforstaginghighquality horse race meets with today’s event expectedtobeonesuchaffair
Close to 50 horses have entered for the Meet, which has six exciting races on the card. Nearly GYD$5M in cash, trophies and other memorabilia will be available for the outstandingperformers.
The feature E2 and lower event has a fantastic line-up and has all the ingredients forafeaturematch-upandading-dongaffair isanticipated.
The likes of Stormy Victory, Morning Colours, Wild Texas Tom, Beckham James, El Tarzan, Creemore, Full Liberty, Principe Joaquim and Full Force will be going full
force to capture the $500,000 and trophy availableforthewinner
Another top race is the event for H and Lower animals for a winner’s take of $400,000andatrophyoversevenfurlongs.
The other top-notch event is the race for animals classified I3 and lower over five furlongs. The winning prize is another $300,000takealongwithatrophy
Guyana Bred two-year old animals will hit the track in a five-furlong affair for an encouraging first prize of $300,000 and a trophy
The other two events are the event for J ClassanimalsandtheLClassanimalsOpen. Botherareoversixfurlongsforatopprizeof $300,000andatrophy
TrophyStallwillbepresentingaccolades to the top stable, jockey and trainer, among others.
The J Supermarket and Racing Stables hasaddeditsnametothelistofsponsorsthat
‘I believe in his leadership’
“Whatatimetobealive, to see the massive transformation and growth inmycountry.”
The words of Guyanese Olympian, boxer Keevin Allicock as he endorsed President Irfaan Ali for a secondterm.
Allicock, who became the first Guyanese boxer to compete at an Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 since John Douglas in 1996, praised the government for itsinvestmentacrosssectors
a n d n o t e d t h e
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n ’ s commitment to moving the country forward. He is the second from the sport of boxing to support President Ali’ssecondterm,following ontheheelsofGuyana’slone Olympic medalist Michael Parrislastweek.
“ I s u p p o r t H i s Excellency for a second term I believe in his leadership,” Allicock, a Commonwealth Youth Games silver medallist affirmed.
“ I ’ v e s e e n t h e development. These are not thingspeoplesitandtellme, this is not something I have tobeadvisedupon,I’mhere andI’mseeing!”
“Acoupleofyearsagoit was never like this, but now we’reseeingitandI’mtruly honouredandgratefultobea partofthegrowth.”
Allicock hailed the leadership of President Ali,
Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips for delivering on their promises over the last five years, adding that they have a great vision for the country
The proud son of
Albouystown also highlightedthe“tremendous job” of Sport Minister Charles Ramsson Jr and his team at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in collaborating with associations and athletes, and placing great emphasis o n i n f r a s t r u c t u r e
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The day’s events will be held using the rulesoftheKMTC.
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(SamuelWhyte)
developmentinsport.
“I know of a lot of athletes who have been getting assistance to further theircareers.Atthispointin time, it’s far better than wherewewereandIknowit will get even better over the next five years,” Allicock asserted.
In 2025, a record G$8 billion was allocated for sport in the national budget, which was a record-high G$1.3trillion.
From 2020 to 2025, under the stewardship of PresidentAli,the Continued on page 43
West Indies’ youngest ever T20 International player JewelAndrew has been signedbyCricketZoneUSAasanE4Brand Ambassador
During the contractual period, 18-yearoldAndrewwilldontheE4lineofproductsin all forms of cricket, signaling the rising global appeal of the brand, founded and developed by USA-based Guyanese entrepreneur and cricket fanatic, Ravi Etwaroo.
At18years,236daysAndrewbecamethe West Indies’ youngest player in T20 Internationals when he made his debut againstPakistaninFloridaonJuly31,2025.
WithhisnewlymintedE4willowinhand, theAntiguan right-hander stroked 35 off 33 (1x4, 3x6s), opening the batting alongside JohnsonCharles.
“We’resohappytohaveJewelAndrewon board,”Etwaroorelated.
“He’scertainlyoneofthebrightesttalents in Caribbean and world cricket and we hope this alliance will bring him the success that he’slookingforinhispromisingcareer.”
Andrew’s agent, Brad Gillings, the CoFounder and Managing Director of GGSM Sports based in Florida, was elated with the signing: “Having worked with some of the world’s leading cricket manufacturers over thepastdecade,IcanconfidentlysaythatE4 has elevated their quality to a level comparablewithanytopglobalbrand.
What makes this partnership even more specialisthatE4isahomegrownbrandfrom our region, and we are deeply passionate aboutsupportingboththeCaribbeanandour clients.” Gillings added: “We believe E4’s vision and goals perfectly align with our
expectations, making this an ideal partnership for Jewel Andrew, who is undoubtedlyoneofthebestyoungplayersin theworld.
Thiscollaborationnotonlyshowcasesthe risingstandardofCaribbeanbrands,butalso highlights the bright future ahead for Jewel andE4together.”
Andrew apart, GGSM Sports also represented fellow West Indians Hayley Matthews, DeandraDottin, Brandon King andKevlonAnderson.
Just last week, Guyanese duo- batsman Andersonandall-rounderKeemoPaul-were also announced as E4 Ambassadors as the brand continues to extend its reach in the sport.
Meanwhile, E4 is International Cricket Council (ICC) approved to be used in all formats of international cricket (Tests, ODIs and T20Is), meaning the the E4 logo can legally be displayed on clothing and equipmentusedininternationalcricket.
Togainthisaccreditationandapprovalin March 2024, it was important the E4 brand cateredtoalllevelsofcricket-male,female, senior,juniorandyouth.
Over the years, Cricket Zone USA, throughE4,hassponsoredseveralcricketers across the region, among them Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Matthew Nandu, Oraine Williams, Tevin Imlach, RaymonReifer, Ronaldo Alimohamed,JuniorSinclair,KevinSinclair, Kemol Savory, Fabian Allen, Adrian Hetmyer, Akshaya Persaud and West Indies female cricketers Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams, Chinelle Henry and Natasha McLean.
The third edition of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast reaches its crescendo today, Sunday, August 3, as the national finals are staged at the National Stadium,Providence.Theaction-packedday is set to crown a new champion from four formidable teams, each boasting the quality toliftthecovetedtrophy
The intensity of the competition is palpable. All four remaining sides have navigated a path through approximately 80 teams across Guyana to reach this ultimate stage The zone champions – Mahdia (MovementsFamily)fromEssequibo,Titans
A l l - S t a r s f r o m E a s t C o a s t Demerara/Georgetown,MontraJaguarsfrom Berbice, and Eccles All-Stars from East Bank/West Demerara – are all vying for nationalsupremacy Thecricketingspectacle begins with the first semi-final at 15:30h, pittingdefendingchampionsTitansAll-Stars againstMahdia(MovementsFamily).
Thiswillbefollowedat17:00hbyMontra Jaguarstakingonthe2023champions,Eccles All-Stars. The grand finale, which will determinetheultimatechampionoftheKares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast, will commence at 19:30h. Adding to the day’s excitement, a female exhibition match will takeplaceat13:30h,showcasingthegrowing talent in women’s tapeball cricket. Later, at 18:30h, a star-studded exhibition match will featureprominentfigures,includingMinister Charles Ramson Jr., Kerwin Bollers, West IndiesplayerTevinImlach,DJStress,Rawle Ferguson,andWRReaz.
Thestakesareconsiderablyhigherinthe nationalfinal,withteamsvyingforamassive $1.7 million grand prize in addition to the $300,000 zone prize they have already collected. The national runner-up won’t go home empty-handed, pocketing $700,000 with a trophy and medals, while even the losing semi-finalists will be rewarded $300,000each.
Individual brilliance won’t go unnoticed either, with a host of prizes up for grabs, including MVP ($150,000 + motorcycle), Most Runs ($100,000 + trophy +TV), Most Wickets($100,000+trophy+TV),Man-ofthe-NationalFinal($75,000+trophy+TV), Highest Strike Rate ($35,000), and Best Economy($35,000)
While admission is free, the organisers have indicated that coolers, firearms, and glassbottlesarenotallowedintothestands. The main seating area will be the Green Stand,overflowingintotheRedStand. Parkingisalsofree,andpatronsareasked toaccessgatetwoforparking.
TitansAll-Stars:LeonJohnson(captain), Christopher Barnwell (vice-captain), Kemol Savory, Keemo Paul, Jonathan Van Lange, Nkosi Barker, Paul Wintz, Trevor Benn, Daniel Ross, Quentin Sampson, Sachin Singh,ShemroyBarrington,ClintonPestano, RonaldoAlimohamed Mahdia (Movements Family): Raydon Austin (captain), Ricardo Adams, Ershaad Ali, Suresh Dhani, Deonarine Seegobin, Ryan Adams, Gavin Moriah, Nizam Khan, AndyLall,FloyJoseph,AndreGibson,Mark Gonsalves,MartinSingh,TyroneNarine Montra Jaguars: Jonathan Foo (captain), AnthonyBramble(vice-captain),Ramnaresh Sarwan, James Kimai Jr, Nial Smith, Raymond Perez, Devendra Latchman, KevlonAnderson,ParmeshParsotam,Gavin Singh, Kevin Warner, Joshua Persaud, RivaldoPhilips,SachinSingh,ImtiazGhanie Eccles All-Stars: Keshan Persaud (captain),AkeimVieira(vice-captain),Jonte Thomas, Kevon Joseph, Deion Thomas, Quazim Yusuf, Ayodha Joseph, Rajendra Dhanraj, Troy Gonsalves, Devon Paul, Nandkumar, Ramanan, Oscar Joseph, Damion Vantull, Dhaniram Ramkhlawan, AnthonyAntonio
The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast has garnered support from: Kares Engineering Inc, the Office of the President, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, KFC Guyana, Star Rentals, Banks DIH, ENet, Guyana Lottery Company, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Trophy Stall, Impressions, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal, Shawn’s Mini Mart, Giftland Group of Companies, Kris Jagdeo ConstructionCompany,MontraRestaurant& Lounge,WindsorEstates,TheNewDoctor’s Clinic, GuyOil, ANSA McAL, SuperBet Guyana, Digital Technology, Camille’s Academy, Navin and Sons Construction, Demerara Mutual Life Insurance,
Th e a c t i o n
remained red-hot
i n s i d e t h e
National Gymnasium on Friday night as the ‘One Guyana’ Indoor Hockey Championshipskateddeeper intothefinalrounds.
TheGCCSpartans,SHC Sigma,OFHCWarriors,and SHC Snipers all notched crucialdivisionalvictoriesto book their spots in the final day,whiletheSaintsWomen continued their unbeaten run, stunning tournament favourites GBTI GCC, and Bounty GCC bagged a vital win in the Men’s division to stayinthetitlehunt.
Friday’s slate had fans out of their seats, especially in the Girls’ Under-19 division, where Hannah Percival put on a clinic, leadingtheGCCSpartansto acommanding7–0routover the Hikers Junior Jets Percival, a strong MVP candidate, registered a hat trick, while Rebecca Bento added a brace with goals in the 18th and 20th minutes.
Captain Rebecca Ferreira andKadenceBelonyalsogot on the scoresheet in a dominantteamperformance.
In the Boys’ U19 category, SHC Sigma blanked the Hikers Hatchets 2–0,puttingonastrongtwoway performance OFHC
Warriors edged their clubmatesOFHCGladiators inatight2–1showdown.
M
contention for the U19 title with an offensive showcase, led by Jabari Lovell, who lit the lamp four times in a 5–2 victory over the GCC Outlaws Navid Hussain addedthefifth,cappingoffa dominantteameffort.
In Senior Women’s play, GBTI GCC bounced back with a 2–1 win over early front-runners Saints, thanks to a captain’s performance from Sarah Klautly, who found the back of the net in the9thand26thminutes.
The Men’s division broughtfireworksofitsown, asBountyGCCrespondedto a subpar showing the previous night with a gritty 3–2 comeback win over Old Fort.
Trailing 1–0 at the half, Tariq Nelson and Mark Sargeant buried back-toback goals in the 17th and
22nd minutes to level the match,beforeDwayneScott slammed home the gamewinnerinthe39thminute.
In a recap of Thursday, matches; U19 Boy’s GCC Outlaws held SHC Sigma’s 2
thrashingofOFHCWarriors, while top performers Saints defeated Hikers Juniors 5-1 intheU19Girl’sfixtures.
OFHCInfernometwitha tough Hikers unit, salvaging a 4-2 win in the Women’s division.WhileintheMen’s category; Pepsi Hikers clipped GCC Outlaws 3 goalstoone,OldFortproved their dominance against SHC S’Team with a 9-0 beatingwhileSaintsforceda 6-2 result against Bounty GCC.
Thetournamentwrapsup today (Sunday) with muchanticipated divisional finals at the same venue Saturday’s results, also packed with action, will be coveredinthenextedition.
The championship is sponsoredbytheMinistryof Culture, Youth and Sports, and is coordinated by the GuyanaHockeyBoard.
Young Grant Fernandes on the counterattack for GCC Outlaws
Cropper Primary delivered a commanding performance to emerge as the Champions of Champions in the Future
W
to
n
men
, wh
ch concludedonSaturdayatthe National Stadium in Providence.
ExxonMobil Guyana powersthetournament.
Saturday’s national finals saw the three county
champions Cropper Primary (Berbice), Grove Primary (Demerara), and C V Nunes Primary (Essequibo) battle for nationalsupremacy
The display of budding talent from all three teams was a pleasing sight, showcasing the depth of youth cricket in Guyana. Cropper Primary was the dominant force, winning both matches to claim the title deservedly In their opening encounter, Cropper Primarypostedaformidable 117fornolossineightovers against C.V Nunes Primary
T h e i n n i n g s w a s spearheaded by Jayden Garner, who hammered an eye-catching 66 not out off just 22 balls, including six maximumsandfivefours. He was ably supported by Anthony Fagelal, who contributed an unbeaten 37 off 23 deliveries, striking threefoursandthreesixes.In response, C V Nunes struggled to keep pace, reaching 53 for 4 from their allotted eight overs, with
The victorious Cropper Primary, along with officials from ExxonMobil Guyana and FLSport
well for Grove, taking 2 for 8, but his team’s batting falteredinthechase.Despite aspirited32off17ballsfrom Joshua Ramotar, Grove couldnotreachthetarget. In the other match of the day, C.V Nunes Primary posted a strong 122 for no loss against Grove Primary, with Zach Madholall (41*) and Vidal Narine (39*) leadingthecharge.
Grove gave a spirited effort in response but fell shortat75for6,withWayne Green (26), Sherwin Bunbury (15), and Daniel France (14*) making contributions Kavroy Garrway took 2 for 9 and Madholall returned to claim 2for15forC.V Nunes.
Fagelalwasonceagaina key contributor, making 48 off 35 balls, while Tejpaul Persaudaddedaquickfire24 off11deliveries.
Roles Melville bowled
Kaysean Doodnauth topscoring with 19 Khusal Seepaul was the pick of the Cropperbowlers,claiming3 for6fromhistwoovers. Against Grove Primary, Cropper continued their aggressive batting, racking up another imposing total of 93for3.
As champions, Cropper Primaryhasearnedaunique opportunity: they will now face the Guyana Amazon Warriors in a novelty match during the home leg of the Caribbean Premier League, scheduled from September 6-14.
