attacks kill 60 in Gaza as more Palestiniansdiefromstarvation
...butGuyanapaidfivetimestheamountintaxesforExxonin2024alone $100B needed to cash grants, pensions Jagdeo says: fund PPP’s proposed
‘Critic’ batters Bryan Max
...duo placed on bail; to appear in court tomorrow
Pres. Ali reminds …warns farmers, Amerindians of other parties’ false promises
crackdown during live Facebook broadcast
backs
AFC promises to limit presidential powers, reform constitution
‘Speak up for Gaza way you’re speaking up for Ukrainians’ part-time workers who gave them jobs children the same
...Turkey'sfirstladytellsMelaniaTrump
Mikhael Rodrigues, called ‘Guyanese Critic’
Injured: Bryan Max
‘Critic’ batters Bryan Max on live Facebook video
...duoplacedonbail;toappearincourttomorrow
S o c i a l m e d i a commentator Mikhael Rodrigues known as the 'Guyanese Critic' and politicalactivistBryan'Max' Mackintosharescheduledto appear at the Georgetown Magistrates'Courttoanswer to several charges following the circulation of a live streamedvideoonFacebook
showing Rodrigues assaultingMax.
TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) on Saturday said that an investigation has been launchedintothematter
“Police today contacted both Mikhail Rodrigues (GuyaneseCritic)andBryan Max, both of whom are c o o p e r a t i n g w i t h investigators.Rodrigueswas placed on $50,000 bail and Max was placed on $25,000 bail.
They are both slated to appear in court on Monday (August25th,2025).”
On Saturday, in the live streamfromMax'sFacebook page, he was observed
entering Rodrigues' residence. In the 15-minutelong live stream he told his viewers, “Hey, we headed down by Critic. He said he has the money for Mr Azruddin, so we going and collect the money, from Critic.”
The social media commentator spoke of several matters before arriving at Rodrigues' home where he told his viewers that“Critichasagreedtopay the $50M he got for Azruddin Mohammed and Mr Shell Mohammed, so I am going to go collect it. Shell said take it Bryan it's your own, Azruddin said take it. It's my money now
Critic!”
Duringhisjourney,inthe vicinity of Laluni Street, Queenstown, he turned the phone'scamerafromhisface to show his exact location. He parked his vehicle some distanceawayandwalkedto Rodrigues'home.
“No weapons, just me andMr Critic,”hesaid.
Uponarrivingatthefront of Rodrigues home, he switched cameras again and bellowed, “Critic come downstairs,” and turning the camerabacktohimself.“…I don't play; I don't play If I say I coming, I coming, you tellCriticIwashere.”
As he approached the gate Rodrigues told him to enterandheresponded,“No, I ain't coming in your f***ing yard, ah want meh money outside I ain't coming in your property.”
Amidst all this Rodrigues washeardinsistingthatMax entersthepremises.
After further insistence hesaid,“Iamcominginyour f****ngyard,Iain'tfrighten nothing you got in your yard.” Max then entered the buildingandheadedstraight to Rodrigues' studio where hedemandedthemoney Rodrigues then asked, “Mohamed send you for the money?” to which Max responded “yes” Banter continued between the two and Max was heard saying that the money Rodrigues gave him was “jokey” money and not the correct amount owed. In response, Rodriguestoldhim,itispart ofwhatisowed.
Rodrigues insisted that Max take the money he placed it on the table, but Maxrefused.
However, Rodrigues then got up from his seat afterrepeatedlyinsistingthat Maxpickupthemoney Max demanded he return to his seat but instead was dealt several slaps about his face
by the social media commentator Max's phone fell to the ground as Rodrigues continuously hit him saying, “You come in people f*ing place and playingyuhmother**.”
During the ordeal, Max washeardsnoringloudlyasa guest of Rodrigues questioned his presence at Rodrigues'home.
Asthesnoringcontinued Rodrigues retrieved the phoneandsaid,“BryanMax stop playing games,” before thelivefeedendedabruptly
S u b s e q u e n t l y , photographs of Max's bloodied face circulated on socialmedia.
Meanwhile, Max in another live Facebook
broadcast accused Rodrigues of hitting him to hisheadwithagun.
“I get a couple of stitches, three in and three out...And that's when he ...that's whenhepulloutagunfrom hiswaistwhenhewhenIwas on the ground and my foot slip, and take advantage of methen.Sohepulloutagun lashme.
That'swhenhebustedit, because he can't bust it with in his hands," the injured mantoldhisfollowers.
on drug cartels in Caribbean
T&T welcomes US military to dismantle drug cartelsinCaribbeanregion
…says permission will onlybe grantedfor accessto T&T water for military action against Venezuela, if Maduro regime attacks Guyana
TheTrinidadandTobago (T&T) government has welcomed the United States (U S ) government's deployment of American military assets into the Caribbean region to destroy theterroristdrugcartels.
Last week, it was disclosed that the Donald Trump-administration orderedthedeploymentofair and naval forces to the Western Hemisphere to address threats from Latin Americandrugcartels.
U.S. Secretary of State MarcoRubiostatedthatthere aredesignatednarco-terrorist groups operating in the region, that have been utilizing international airspaceandwaterstotransit drugs that he labeled as “poison” into the United States.
Secretary Rubio disclosed that those groups will be confronted Washington had accused the Venezuelan regime of leading the Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns), a criminaldrugorganization.
In a statement on Saturday night, the twinisland state government expressedfullsupportforthe operation and stated, “the only persons who should be
worried about the activity of the US military are those engaged in or enabling criminal activity Law abidingcitizenshavenothing tofear.”
The Kamla PersadBissessar-led administration noted that since the announcementbytheU.S.,it has not engaged and has no intention of engaging Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member countries on this matter.
“Each member state can speak for themselves on this issue,” T&T said.The Trinidadian government explained that due to drug, human and firearms trafficking, Caribbean countries including T&T have experienced massive spikesintransnationalcrime, gang activity, murders, violence and financial crimes. The administration furtheroutlinedthatT&Tand other Caribbean territories havebeendealingwith“outof-controlcrime”forthelast 20 years. It stated too that smallislandstatesliketheirs simply do not have the
financial and military resourcestotakeonthedrug cartels.
Cartels have been enabledtoembedthemselves into the high echelons of Caribbean societies, thereby exhibiting significant influence in political, legislative, media, banking, security and economic decisions, often rendering governments toothless to enact actual change to stop criminal activity, the Trinidadian government explained.It said that record murder rates, gang activity, drug addictions, violent crimeandincreasingpoverty throughout the Caribbean and especially in T&T, certainly do not paint a peaceful existence
“Therefore, it is shocking to hear some persons using referrals to the Caribbean region as a zone of peace to push negative commentary on the US military deployment against these terrorist cartels,” the governmentnoted. Moreover, the T&T (Continuedonpage40)
ThereisonevoiceinGuyanathatisconspicuouslysilent, thatofExxonMobil. Inthegeneralandregionalelectionsthat serve as Guyana's equivalent of a circus, the American oil emperors have laid low. They are too busy counting their profitsfromthehundredsofthousandsofbarrelsshippedout daily Fromtheviewpointofanymajoroilcompany,orany multinationalinanybusinessinanyThirdWorldcountry,itisa boon when the citizens of a host country are trapped in elections passions The foreign companies pretend to be partners, pretend they are neutral, and pretend at having no preference about which group wins the elections Their pretenses fool few, the games that they play fail to deceive anyone,becausewhenlocalsfightamongthemselves,there's onlyonewinner
Whilethetimeandenergyofvotersarevestedinelections, they may think that they are marching to the winner's circle Thatiswhentheforeigncompaniesarebestpositioned The morethatthecitizensinacountrybattleamongthemselves,the freer the rein, the bigger the space, that the so-called foreign partners have to operate Whatever vigilance, whatever monitoring,therewasbefore,thoseenergiesarenotasstrong as during non-elections times When citizens bicker about whichisthebettergrouptorunthecountry,orwhoisthebetter leader,intheheatofelections,that'stotheprofitoftheforeign profiteers
DuringelectionsinGuyana,citizensdonotcareasmuch aboutoilorgoldorbauxite True,Guyanesewantabetterdeal from their oil bonanza, but which group has made that a priority in the present elections? The coverage of ExxonMobil'sactivities,howwellitisorisn'tpoliced,andhow it is profiting at the expense of Guyanese, are all nonissues Mediacoverageisfocusedonelectionsdevelopmentsthatare rarelyshortofanewangle,orwhatimpingesondemocracy's ideals ThoughtheGuyanaelectionshaven'tquitereachedthe stageofcover-to-covermediapresentations,theoilstoriesare few and far between From a daily blast in some form or fashiononhowthenation'soilwealthisbeingharvestedfora fewcheapdollars,theoilalmostdoesn'texist,givenhowmuch itfeaturesintheseelections
ThatcanonlybetotheadvantageofExxonMobil,easing the sharp criticisms on it, lulling the distrusts of Guyanese aboutitsoperations Theindependentmedia,alreadytinyto beginwith,istooenmeshedintheluresofelections,haveonly somuchspaceandsomanyhands Theoffshoreoilcompanies andtheonshoregoldcompanieshavethefloorforthemselves Thepartiescompetingintheelectionsallmakebigspeeches abouthowmuchtheywillspendonthepeopleanddoforthem
But not one of them has made oil and the profits that should comefromittocitizenstheirshowcaseissue Thepartiesthat havesaidsomethingaboutoilandgettingmorefromit,have beencarefultodosoinaroundaboutway Theoilcompany masters quietly approve, rest comfortably, as their activities stayintact WhileGuyanesegointoelectionsoverdrive,they have little left to prioritize pressuring the oil companies prosperingoffofthem Thesamecompaniesthatinsultwith cheap gifts, and deceptions about being good partners and democracy The same companies that love leaders that talk about sanctity of contract, and 'guarantee' judicial decisions
The same companies that favor the few benefiting at the expenseofthepoor,whiletheythemselveswalkawaywiththe nation'streasures Guyanaisthekindofrichterraininwhich multinationalslikeExxonMobilprofit Whenthepeopleare divided and distracted, the companies reap handsomely While the leaders drag each other down, the companies identify with the one that greenlights their massive exploitations,whiletheirownpeopleliveinpoverty Whena nation such as Guyana has so much riches, this is where multinationals, especially oil companies, divide and rule, corrupttheleadersandpeopleandprofitfromdoingso The oilmajorslikewhattheyseeandhear,knowhowtopauperize thepeople,howtocapturetheirwealth,whiletheyrageover elections
Kaieteur M@ilbox
In 2024 the government forwent about US$5,250 per Guyanese because of a lack of Ring-Fencing
AsofAugust2025,there are now 4 deepwater oil operations in production, altogether capable of pumping 900,000 barrels of oilequivalent(boe)aday,or US$1.8billioninoilrevenue per month, at today's oil prices There have been repeated calls for these projectstobering-fenced.To quote Christopher Ram's definition of Ring-Fencing, “…it simply means that the revenue from one field, or such revenue earned under one production licence, cannot be used to finance
exploration in other fields, even under the same agreement.” Mr Ram has been adamant that renegotiationoftheStabroek Blockcontractisnotneeded for ring-fencing to be applied. We show in the calculations below that if ring-fencing were in place
forthe3projectsthatwerein production in 2024, then the government would have had enoughfrom2024oilprofits to give about US$5,250 to each of the 800,000 GuyaneseinGuyana,instead of giving out GYD 100,000 (approximately US$500) onlytoGuyanese18yearsor
older US$5,250ismorethan 10timeslargerthanthe2024 payout! As of 2024 – the year for which we have the latest financials of the oil consortium – there were 3 Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessels in production. Those 3 FPSOs were Liza 1, Liza 2 and Payara, with capital cost totaling US$18.5 billion as shown in Table 1 below. Altogether the three FPSOs were pumping upwards of 650,000boeaday.Table1 (Continuedonpage7)
The Fairy-Lights Economy - How PPP/C's energy failures are strangling Guyana's growth
DearEditor, Guyana's electricity crisis is no longer just about f
s in households and businesses; it has become a chokehold on the economy The
(PPP/C) government, now nearing
the end of its term, has repeatedly promised that reforms at Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) would deliver reliable, affordable electricity Instead, the daily reality is economic loss, frustrated investors, and declining productivity, all stemming from blackouts
andemptyassurances.
EmptyAssurancesand CostlyBlackouts
In December 2024, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo declared that with over 267 megawatts of available capacity versus a 200 MW peak demand, “…the era of outages due to power
THE 'SANCTIONED MAN' FACTOR
Dear Editor,
As we draw closer to September 1, fears, real or imagined, have been expressed in some quarters over the prospect of AzrrudinMohamedaka'The Sanction Man' and WIN being elected to govern Guyana and/or to be seated in the National Assembly There is a strong view that should that fear be realized, theentirenationwouldbein jeopardy and will be faced withamajorcatastrophe.
The Bald Eagle Vs the Leopard in the room have assumed the form of OFAC driven sanctions on the Mohameds. Already, much has been said at press conferences, in campaign speeches, in editorials and letter columns of mainstreammediaaswellas bysocialmediaoutletsabout the travails and risks of association with the 'sanctionedman'Thewritten andoraladhominemattacks on the Mohameds are understandable in the context of the public's democratic respect for fundamental differences between political opponents fed by a growing interest in the Mohammed's 'Caracas Connection.'
Sections of the media seems intent on portraying AzrrudinMohammedasthis 'loveable' 'easy on the eye' everyman as he freely doles out chunks of his wealth to thegullible.
And irrespective of who he claims he is not in cahootswith;despitetheacts of altruism, he continues to provoke the ire of the establishedpoliticalparties.
And for reasons that have gained much currency, political leaders of the governing PPP/C, have sparednoefforttoexplainto their supporters why the 'sanctioned man's' entry into electoral politics constitutes athreattoGuyana'snational sovereignty and territorial integrity
In pursuit of that objective, the head of the Mohammed family was recently called upon to explain the purpose of his visit to the Venezuelan embassy, an explanation he has dodged thus far, but which, nevertheless, locked himintoapoliticallycharged entanglement.
From all indications,it appears that there is an underlying ideological
Apparently, the people who have gravitated to WIN, subscribe to a peculiar ideology, distinctly oriented
arch
sm, in which everythingisquestionedand nothingisguaranteed.
T h i s p a r t i c u l a r ideology is reflected in talk about violating contracts,
taking away private property, scrapping key infrastructure projects and giving away the country's wealth to 'God knows who' onthegroundthatdoingsois forthepublic'sbenefit.
In this way, WIN conflates needs with wants making democracy and electionsappearas if we are in a freewheeling game of monopoly
It is this approach that hasledmanytobelieve,that this newfangled and nonclassical political entity called WIN, has entered the political arena for the sole purpose of rejecting the extant status quo while trampling on long established political traditions Will they succeed? We will know by September3.
From tidbits and soundbitesgleanedfrom WIN's TikTok posts, the party appears to be in sync with a network of ambivalent influences and fleeting everyday experiences common place in letter columns; For its part,WIN'smanifestocomes across as a patchwork of
shortages” was over Yet blackouts have continued unabated Each outage disrupts factories, slows down operations across businesssectors,andinflates costs for farmers, retailers, andexporters;andpervasive irritantstoeverydaylife.The excuses range from hints of s
whimsical forum-shopped andscrawledassemblagesof catchphrases and jottings. Nordoesitpositanyserious understanding of vision nor dreams.
W I N h a s n o t identified a single realizable target fixated in space or time. Its Facebook posts are unworthy of studious contemplation; in fact, one can easily discern f l a w s i n c e r t a i n formulations.
WIN makes much noise about reducing poverty, the cost of living and improvement in the life of indigenous communities, thus the euphemistic, if not deceptive campaign slogan 'WeInvestinNation.'
In contrast, long before the launch of the PPP/Manifesto, President Ali detailed a national strategy aimed at tackling poverty, the cost of living andimprovingthequalityof life for all Guyanese. The President'sbroadcast,helped nail WIN'S propagandistic line And at the recent launch of the PPP/C manifesto, the audience was told; 'This manifesto contains the framework for economic diversification across a range of “new sectors, the new growth poles” such as hospitality, agriculture, biotechnology andlinkswithBrazil.'
The separation of parties with respect to programme and policies is deep and wide. But one fundamental
(Continued on page 8)
consistent; downtime, lost revenue, and higher costs of doingbusiness.
How can a country claiming surplus electricity still be held hostage by poweroutagesin2025?The answer is clear, poor
interference,andmanagerial failure; and the recently releasedPPPCmanifestohas none very little to address theseconcerns.
Gas-to-EnergyProject–A StalledEconomicLifeline
The 300-megawatt Gasto-Energy project at Wales w a s p i t c h e d a s a transformative pillar of Guyana'sfuture,expectedto slashenergycostsinhalfand powernewindustries.
Today, this project is years behind schedule with no revised milestones, cost updates, or transparent timelines. Billions are being spent, yet businesses and citizensareforcedtooperate in uncertainty This opacity erodes investor confidence, recalling past PPP/C blunderssuchastheSkeldon Sugar Factory - another “transformational” project that collapsed into a white elephant and brought the sugar industry to its knees. It'salsoimportanttonotethe Skeldon project included a bagasse cogeneration facilitytoproduce10MWof electricity for Berbice to assure residents of stable electricity In reality, that facility produced less than a quarter of its touted electricity capacity Hence, energy is the backbone of economic growth. Without
affordable, reliable power, Guyanacannotdiversifyinto manufacturing, agroprocessing, or advanced services.
Thegovernment'sfailure tomanagethegas-to-energy project responsibly is not just an energy issue, it is a direct threat to national competitiveness.Atthisrate, GPL appears to be heading onasimilarpathasthesugar industryunderthePPPC.
IgnoringthePrivate SectorandStifling Growth
Insteadofharnessingthe capacityofcommercialselfgeneratorsinmanufacturing, retail, and agriculture, the government has sidelined them Hotels, farms and factories remain dependent oncostlyprivategenerators, undermining efficiency and raisingconsumerprices.
The administration has failed to integrate private energy producers into the grid, or to implement progressive policies like net metering, which would allow households with solar panels to sell excess power back to GPL. Such policies would not only strengthen energy security but also advance Guyana's Low
Carbon Development
Strategy
By clinging to megaprojects and rental power
contracts, the PPP/C government is missing the opportunity to build a diversified, resilient energy system that underpins sustainablegrowth.
Afailinggovernmentand aweakeningeconomy
After more than four years in office, the PPP/C cannolongercrediblyblame its predecessors for GPL's failures.
This is Jagdeo's GPL. This is Ali's GPL. And the results are economic stagnation, frustrated investors, and citizens burdened with rising costs.
The fairy-lights flickering across Guyana are symbols
of a government that cannot deliver the fundamentals of development. Blackouts are not just an inconvenience; they are an economic tax on every household and business.
They erode productivity, discourage foreign investment, and keep Guyana locked in a cycle of dependency Investors will not build factories in a countrywherepowersupply is uncertain Fisheries cannot modernize if cold storage is unreliable Tourism cannot thrive when hotels must run costly backup systems. Now, the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) is left wondering or perhaps praying for uninterrupted power during the upcoming electionday
Conclusion
The PPP/C has failed to deliver reliable energy, and the Guyanese economy is paying the price. Without bold reforms, rooted in transparency,accountability, and a partnership with the private sector, Guyana will remain trapped in a fairylights economy - flickering, fragile, and fundamentally unsustainable.
Thetimeforexcuseshas long passed. September 1, 2025, must mark not just an election, but an eviction of failed leadership. Guyana needs a government that understands that electricity is not a luxury, it is the foundation of economic growth and a fundamental right for all constituencies, and without it, all other promises will collapse into darkness.
ColinWelch
Former Chief Executive Officer Guyana Power and Light
BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCIES!
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.
MONDAY–
AUGUST18,2025
Broomes,Amanza andtheAFC
TheAllianceForChange (AFC)isinpoliticalfree-fall and the performances of Amanza Walton-Desir and Simona Broomes in this election cycle underline the decline.
Walton-Desir, once hailed as a fresh, articulate face, has failed to cut through the noise with any compelling vision with her new party- Forward Guyana Movement.
Her speeches are polished, yes, but they lack fireandfailtoresonatewith the everyday frustrations of ordinary Guyanese. Voters
rehearsedlines. SimonaBroomes,forher part, has leaned too heavily on her past reputation as a fighter That once-fiery energy now feels scattered and reactive, without a coherent strategytodrawsupport.Her messagingappearsoutdated, recycling the same talking points that no longer inspire confidence.
The AFC as a party is worse off. Once considered the bold “third force,” it has been reduced to an echo, struggling to differentiate itself from the larger political giants. Its inability tounify,innovate,orconnect withtheelectoratehascostit dearly Voters see a party clinging to relevance rather
thanchartingthefuture.The blunt truth is this: Walton, Broomes,andtheAFChave not just failed to attract voters: they have failed to matter
TUESDAY–
AUGUST19,2025
Boringrallies
The election campaign rallies in Guyana have become exercises in endurance rather than inspiration.
Speech after speech, night after night, regardless where these fellas go, the public is treated to the same tired script recycled slogans, finger-pointing and endlessmudslinging.
The sad truth is that neither side of the political
divide - APNU nor the PPP can boast of producing a singlegreatorator Insteadof fiery vision, intelligent humour, we get monotony Insteadoffreshideas,weget repetition.Audiences gather in the hope of hearing somethingthatstirsthesoul, only to be bombarded with thesamepromises,thesame insults, the same hollow applauselines.
These rallies resemble tedious lectures rather than electrifying calls to action.
Even the President attempting to dance has becomeboring.
At a time when Guyanesefacerealquestions about healthcare, housing, jobs, and national development, politicians
seemcontenttoshoutateach other across platforms, each one claiming moral superiority while offering littlesubstance.
The people want vision, leadership, and authenticity What they get instead is noise. If this is the best our political class can muster, then the campaign season will not be remembered for inspirationbutforboredom.
WEDNESDAY–
AUGUST20,2025
Thepoliticsof'if andafter’
In Guyana, politicians havefoundaslicknewtrick with their promises, they now package everything under two catchphrases: “if elected”and“afterelection.”
Much like Bharrat Jagdeo's grand promise back in 2020 that if elected the PPP/C government would renegotiate the lopsided oil contract.
The PPP/C was elected and the fella now claims he never promised that, even though this newspaper has himontapesayingso.
But Guyanese must be warned that before ballots are cast, it's sweet talk and big pledges. Once the votes are in, those same promises vanishintothinair
Votershaveseenthiscon game too many times Peoplearenotonlywarybut downright weary, knowing the cycle of empty words willrepeatwhilerealchange nevercomes.
$100B needed to fund PPP’s proposed cash grants, pensions
ThePeople'sProgressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government paid five-times theamountlastyear,intaxes for Exxon, Hess and CNOOC – it would cost to fund the proposed increase to the 'Because We Care' children's grant, old age pension and public assistance should the party win the upcoming general andregionalelections.
Therulingpartyrecently unveiled its 2025 manifesto which outlines the party's plantoincreasethe'Because WeCare'children'sgrantfor students in public and private schools from $50,000 annually to $100,000. In addition, the PPP plans to distribute an a n n u a l $ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 transportation support grant perchild.
The party also plans to increase the old age pension from $41,000 to $60,000. Pensioners will also receive an annual transportation support grant of $50,000. Moreover, PPP proposed to increase public assistance from$22,000to$40,000.
“Allofthesewilltransfer tothesecategoriesofpeople, those earning public assistance, the children of
...but Guyana paid five times the amount in taxes for Exxon in 2024 alone
our country and the pensioners about $100 billionperyear Thatiswhat it will cost. Every year they will get that. So that is what thesepromisescomeupto,” General Secretary of the PPP/C, Bharrat Jagdeo said at his press conference on Thursday
Jagdeo noted that this increase would be a gamechangerforpensioners,
‘Speak up for Gaza children the same way you're speaking up for Ukrainians' ...Turkey'sfirstladytellsMelaniaTrump
BBC - Turkey'sfirstlady has urged MelaniaTrump to speak out for children suffering in Israel's war in Gaza.
Emine Erdogan praised theUSfirstlady'ssupportfor childrenaffectedbyRussia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, asking Trump to "extend the advocacy" to Palestinians.
In a letter published by the Turkish presidency on Saturday,Mrs.Erdogansaid Gaza had become a '"children's cemetery", telling Mrs. Trump: "We must unite our voices and strength against this injustice."
It comes as UN-backed food security experts have assessed half a million people are suffering from famine in Gaza City - and 132,000 children's lives are
threatenedbymalnutrition.
"The phrase 'unknown baby' written on the shrouds of thousands of Gazan children opens irreparable woundsinourconsciences," Mrs.Erdoganwrote.
The letter calls on Mrs. Trump to "show the same sensitivity to Gaza that you have shown to Ukrainian children who have lost their livesinthewar".
Mrs. Erdogan also encouraged Mrs. Trump to appeal directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "end to the humanitariancrisisinGaza".
Earlier this month, Mrs. Trump sent Russian President Vladimir Putin a letter, imploring him to considerchildren,butdidnot reference any specific children.
The Turkish first lady
does not usually involve herself in politics, more oftenchoosingtobeactivein environmental issueswhich has earned her praise from UN Secretary General AntonioGuterres.
But Mrs. Erdogan has writtenletterstothepartners of world leaders in the past, in2016onbehalfofSyrians caught up in civil war and condemning Israel's actions inGazainMarch.
The letter was published in the wake of a damning report into the humanitarian situationinGaza.
The Integrated Food S e c u r i t y P h a s e Classification (IPC) report confirmed a famine in and around Gaza City - warning that more than 640,000 p e o p l e w i l l f a c e "catastrophic conditions" betweenmid-Augustandthe
endofSeptember
In Friday's report, the IPC noted the particular toll food shortages had taken on children - roughly one in three in Gaza are acutely malnourished.
Italsoprojectsthatupto June 2026, malnutritionwill threatenthelivesof132,000 childrenagedunderfive.
Gaza'sHamas-runhealth ministry has said 114 of the 281 people who have died from malnutrition are children.
Israel denies there is famine in Gaza It also accusesIPCexpertsofbeing biased,changingitsmethods for assessing famine, and using data coming from Hamas.TheIPChasrejected thiscriticism.
The report comes as Israelpreparestolauncha (Continuedonpage41)
families and persons receiving public assistance. Hesaidthathispartyplansto transfer direct benefits from the government to vulnerable groups and individuals who may be living in poverty or have difficultcircumstances.
It is important to note that in 2024 alone, the government paid over $500 billion in income taxes on behalf of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited and its partners,HessandCNOOC, under the terms of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement(PSA)governing theStabroekBlock.
This means the amount paidintaxesforthethreeoil companieslastyearwasfive times the amount needed to fund the PPP's proposed increases for the children's grant,pensioners,andpublic assistance Notably, the Irfaan Ali-led PPP administration has made it clearthattheStabroekBlock dealwillnotberenegotiated.
On the 2025 campaign trail, opposition parties, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU),Alliance for Change (AFC), and We InvestinNationhood(WIN) are promising to engage ExxonMobil Guyana for better terms if elected to office. However, Jagdeo has dismissed the opposition's promises as a political bluff and reiterated the PPP's position not to renegotiate thedeal.
Hepointedtoaclausein the contract that requires Exxon's agreement before any renegotiation can take place, noting that the oil companyhasalreadymadeit clear it will not revisit the agreement. Jagdeo further explained that the PSA contains a stabilisation clause, which prevents the g o v e r n m e n t f r o m unilaterallyalteringitsterms without facing financial consequences.
The PSA allows the oil companies to recover 75 percent of oil produced to cover investment costs, requirestheoilcompaniesto pay a 2 percent royalty to Guyana, and stipulates that the government must pay taxestotheGuyanaRevenue Authority (GRA) on behalf oftheoilcompaniesfromits share of oil. ExxonMobil Guyana operates the Stabroek Block with a 45 percent stake, while Hess Guyanaholds30percentand CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited25percent.
General Secretary of the PPP, Bharrat Jagdeo
Bootlicking dressed as statesmanship
The recent statement issuedbytheGovernmentof Guyana on the supposed menace of transnational crime and narco-terrorism readsnotlikeadeclarationof sovereignintent,butlikethe anxious recitation of a provincial servant awaiting instructions from the imperial capital. Cloaked in the moral vocabulary of “zonesofpeace”and“shared security,” it is less a policy than an act of public obeisance, an unconvincing bow toWashington's newest conjuringtrickofdrapingits quarrelwithVenezuelainthe camouflageofadrugwar
Guyana's misguided statement is not the product of inexperience. Nor is it a case of the faltering first steps of a foreign ministry unsure of its footing – there aresolidcareerdiplomatsin that Ministry It is, rather, a case of ineptitude, a surrender of judgment so thoroughthatitconfusesthe handcuffsforahandshake.
For the government to mistake the dispatch of an American armada to the Caribbean as some sort of gallant crusade against narco-trafficking is not only naïve, it is willfully blind.
Everyone outside of Georgetown can see the ships as staging grounds for regime change The Americans have said as muchbyputtingabountyon Nicolás Maduro's head and
branding him a narcotrafficker, a move straight from the imperial playbook. ThatGuyanaaloneapplauds thismasquerademarksitnot asvigilantbutasservile.
One might have thought that the memory of Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan, two leaders united in their distasteforforeignintrusion, would have inoculated the country against such fawning. Burnham was no stranger to opportunism, Jagan no saint of strategy, but both understood the danger of inviting imperial policemen to patrol the neighborhood.Bothrejected the Monroe Doctrine as a relic of the nineteenth century, a doctrine that reduced the Caribbean to an American lake and Latin America to a plantation.Yet here we are, under a government that dresses up its subservience in the language of “cooperation” and “integration, ” pretending that a naval blockade is a peacekeeping mission.
The irony is almost too rich.Washington, which has never met a LatinAmerican reformer it did not wish to strangle, now pretends to safeguard democracy in the hemispherebythreateningto topple a government. And Guyana,onceavoiceagainst foreign adventurism, now lendsitselfasthelocalherald of this charade. To speak of
“zones of peace” while applauding the buildup of warshipsisnotdiplomacy;it is self-indictment The government might as well havewrittenitsstatementon Americanletterhead.
The sycophancy is not without calculation. Having alreadyconcededthebulkof itsoilwealthtoExxonMobil on contracts that read like ransom notes, Guyana now discovers that fealty to the United States is a sort of tax levied on the newly oil-rich. TheAmericans took our oil, and now they want Venezuela's The PPPC government, apparently untroubledbythisarithmetic of plunder, contents itself with the role of chorus, repeating the imperial slogans in the hope of securingfavor Itisastrategy of bootlicking dressed as statesmanship.
B y e m b r a c i n g Washington's narrative, Guyana risks isolating itself from the rest of South America, a continent long committed to antiimperialism and allergic to intervention Braz
, A
, whatever their differences, understand that sovereignty isnotatrinkettobebartered for patronage If the Americans wish to resurrect the Monroe Doctrine, let them do so alone; it should not be Guyana's task to provide the local accent for
THE 'SANCTIONED MAN...
Frompage6 distinction can be made; 'The PPP/C manifesto is not a wish list…It is not empty rhetoric.Thisisadeclarationofintent.” In contrast, the manifesto promises articulated by other contestants are, for the mostpart,plagiarizedanduninspiring. PPP/Ccampaignspeakershavesounded warnings to supporters not to succumb to
complacency and the need to push back against the intrusive actions by the 'Sanctioned Man” and WIN. But the more ominouswarningwas;'Thereisabehindthe sceneplottoweakentherulingPPP/C.”
Will the plot succeed? We will know by September3,2025.
Yoursfaithfully, ClementJ.Rohee
DEM BOYS SEH
How much yuh looking fuh?
Nowadayswhenyuhapplyfuhwukdem companydoeswantinterviewyuh.Anddem doesaskyouallkindofquestion.Islikedem doeswantknowyuheducationbackground, yuh family history, your experience, your dietary preferences. When some of dem interviewers done question you, you does know thing about yuhself that you did not knowbefore.Butdehdoesgatonequestion that does fret dem boys. You looking fuh a jobandyuhdesperateanddemgoneaskyou whatsalaryyuhlookingfor Islikeifyuhcall asumthatistoolow,demganagreeandyou shortchangeyuhself. Andifyuhcallafigure toohigh,yuhnahgangetdewuk. It remind dem boys of de time a young engineercomebackfromforeignandapply fuh a wuk in Georgetown. At de end of de
theirventriloquism. Even if one were to set aside the moral questions, the strategic folly is staggering What benefit accrues to Guyana from aligning itself with a policy thattherestoftheregionwill denounce? What protection does it secure by fastening itself to a campaign that promises only instability on its western border? The governmentmaybelievethat loyalty will purchase security, but in imperial politics the client state is alwaysexpendable.Todayit is Venezuela; tomorrow it may be Guyana, chastised for failing to bow deeply enough The statement's pieties about “transnational organized crime” and “narco-terrorism” deserve little comment, save to note their emptiness Criminal networks may well threaten democracy and human dignity, but they are not confronted by aircraft carriers.Theyareconfronted
by functioning institutions, honest courts, and governmentswithspines.To pretendthatthesolutionlies inthearrivalofanAmerican fleet is to play the fool in a pageant staged for someone else'sapplause.
What we are left with, then, is a document that proclaims concern for peace while courting war It invokes the dignity of the hemispherewhilesellingout itsindependence.Itisapress release written in the language of sovereignty but intended for the ears of the master And it is precisely this incoherence, the eagerness to flatter, the incapacity to think that stands as Guyana's indictment. Foreign policy, like dignity, is not a gift bestowed by others; it is a habit cultivated by selfrespect. The government's statement reveals neither habit nor respect. It reveals instead a bootlicking opportunism that mistakes
compliance for wisdom, sycophancy for diplomacy In aligning itself with Washington's aggression, Guyana has not safeguarded itssecurity;ithasmortgaged itssovereignty
And so the record will show:whentheempirecame calling, the Government of Guyana answered not with caution, not with principle, but with applause. History, less forgiving than Washington, will remember it as the hour when Guyana mistook servitude for strategy, and ineptitude for statecraft.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
De Human Resource Officer lean back and seh: “Alright… how 'bout five weeks' vacation,14paidholidays,fullmedicaland dental, pension plan with 50% match, and every two years we buy a brand-new red Mercedesfuhyuh?”
'Whatever we say, we will do', says PPP General Secretary, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo. Hear ye, hear ye. Guyanese have h e a r d w o r d s a n d commitments like those before.
They shrink More disappointments waiting?
More disillusionments on theway? Unfortunately,itis my heavy duty to urge them tocheckwhattheyhavegot, how well they have done with the promises made by the PPP Government, PPP leaders. Poorly, I say A sordid affair, the usual stink andduttybusinessperfected by PPP warhorses given to creamyspeechesandcrappy fulfillment In some sequence,Isharewithfellow citizens as reminders of leadership hypocrisies, ugly political deceptions, now part of a nationwide sickness.
Whatever we say, we will do Chapter 1 The president stood on the stage of the National Cultural CenterfiveAugustsago,and sworetothreethings. Unity
Transparency is an international joke (access to info, non-delivery). The president is the only man in Guyanawhostillbelieveshe looks good with those three elements so missing from official life and Guyanese life.
Even men as pristinely properasVPJagdeoandAG Nandlallholdanewspaperin front of their faces, in attempts to pretend at ignoranceofthoseGuyanese realities, PPP truths now moth-eaten and diseaseplagued. NooneinthePPP canaccountfortheawardsof
certain procurement
contracts; no PPP handpicked body can provide any evidence of transparencyingovernment. Relative to unity, there is One Guyana, a presidential petsoscarredandsicklythat itislockedawayinshamein a safe at Office of the President. So,thestagewas setforwhatwastofollow Whatever we say, we will do Chapter 2. Guyana's irrepressible president had a co-starring role with Vice President Jagdeo Review and renegotiate. We say it, we
T r a n s p a r e n c y Accountability Since then, he has gone into hiding. Unityisintatters(don'tsplit the vote). Accountability is in a coma (national development priorities spending, bookkeeping)
will do it. All contracts. I haveneverseenthreewords reduce two adult men to political adolescents with near zero credibility Since “sanctity of contract” was and is so invincibly paramount, then why even open mouth back then and promise to “review and renegotiate?” Because it was known from then about whatthePPPleadershipwill not do, then why even go to the trouble and say something, anything? Making big promises to Guyanese, and then deceivingthemshouldnever come so easily from those theytrustrepeatedly Today, Exxon laughs at Guyanese. Guyanese should see for themselves who joins in the laughter from Exxon in mocking locals The presidency, the National Assembly, no ministry, shouldeverbepartoftaking advantage of Guyanese, howevergreentheymaybe. Whatever we say, we will do Chapter 3 To the relief of a growing regiment ofGuyanese. Thepresident took a rest, recused himself from the next failure to do what was said. VP Jagdeo promised a Petroleum Commission more than once. Insixmonthswasthe
Region 2 to get College of Medical Sciences –Pres.Ali
President Irfaan Ali on Friday told residents of RegionTwothatabranchof the College of Medical SciencesfromtheUniversity of Guyana will be establishedintheregion. The president made the announcement while delivering the feature
a d d r e s s a t t h e commissioning of the $6 6billion new Lima Regional Hospital on the Essequibo Coast “Right now, because of the free education we are giving, we have extraordinary numbers of applicants in the medical fieldwhetheritispharmacy, dentistry,dentaltechnicians, nursing, medical sciences, biology and the University of Guyana cannot accommodate all of them,” PresidentAlisaid.
According to the President,hehassincegiven MinisterofHealth,Dr Frank Anthony and Minister of
E d u c a t i o n , P r i y a Manickchandtheinstruction to attach a number of medical colleges from the University of Guyana in communities outside of Region Four Currently, through the Ministry of Health, an $881 million NursingSchoolandTraining Comp
firstyearsago,thenhisnerve and mathematics deserted him. In2025,heistheonem a n P e t r o l e u m Commission. Maybe that counts as the newest PPP instanceof'whateverwesay, wewilldo.'
Whatever we say, we willdoChapter4. Fromthe oilfrontandbusinessfront,a dip into the social and criminal fronts is timely The president is back, and louder than ever, a real bullhorn. Recallwhatheput onthetablefirst.
Thorough and credible investigation into the gruesome murders of the Henry cousins in Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice.
The first blasts of presidential verbal evidence promising 'thorough and credible' investigation
What Guyanese have lived with since then, none more than the Henry family, are what batters thorough and credible, hemorrhages both. When a respected Argentinian forensic expert wasrejectedbacktoBuenos Aires,“Whateverwesay,we will do” came to resemble the bait-and-switch of those who hustle innocents on GT streets for criminal advantage,enrichment. The same can be said for the police murders of Leon Fogenay and others in Linden Months after solemn leadership promises through other examples of, “whatever we say, we will do' has turned out to represent another glob of mucus spat on expectant Guyanese.
The mysterious death of
11-year-oldAdrianaYounge is a matter of turning a page inthePPPbookassembledin thepastfiveyearsalone. Whatever we say, we will do Chapter 5. VP Jagdeo had stood for identifying the beneficial owners of the Kaieteur and Canje oil blocks secretly bartered. Supported, then discarded. The beneficial ownershavesinceexistedin some deep underground t o m b U n n a m e d Unknown. Unrevealable. Cumulatively, merely small parts of the book compiled by the PPP that's titled: Whateverwesay,wewilldo. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Poorly lit hinterland airstrips and incursions by animals among issues raised by local air operators at GCAA meeting
Lconstructed at Suddie, RegionTwo.
During his remarks, the head-of-statementionedthat the new school will have enough capacity to accommodate persons, so in thenightitwouldbeusedas theGuyanaMedicalCollege Essequibo branch where nurses, physicians, dentists and other medical professionalswillbetrained.
Inaddition,PresidentAli said that the senior doctors andtechniciansfromRegion Two, “will now have the opportunity to benefit from that tax incentive and get a second salary teaching at that institution here in Essequibo.” The president recently announced that a branch of the College of Medical Sciences will be established in Region Three and students will be accommodated at the newly commissioned Tuschen SecondarySchoolbuilding.
ocal air operators onTuesdaycalled on the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to investigate several issues affecting their operations.Amongtheissues raised by the operators are runway incursions at hinterland airstrips caused by animals, pedestrians, vehicles as well as games beingplayedontheairstrips, inadequate or no lighting on the hinterland runways at night.
Theoperatorsalsoraised concerns about rotor and fixed-wing aircraft operations co-existing at the E u g e n e C o r r e i r a InternationalAirportatOgle, EastCoastDemerara(ECD).
Director General of the GCAALt.Col.(ret'd)Egbert Field, A.A. along with his team met with the local Air Operators on Tuesday, August19,2025,tosensitize them about the ongoing growth and expansion of Guyana'saviationsector
The meeting was held at the GCAA Boardroom on HighStreet,Kingston.
At the meeting, Field acknowledged the issues raised and committed to workingwiththeoperatorsto addressthem.Heassuredthe operators that the GCAA remains committed to building a safe and modern aviation sector that supports
the country's development andensuresthataviationand s e c u r i t y a r e n o t compromised.
Meanwhile,theGCAAin a statement outlined the significant expansion of the aviationindustry,whichwill greatly impact aviation operations, and listed key expectations necessary for regulatorycompliance.
Affirmingthatsafetyand operational excellence remain at the forefront, the Director General called attention to several ongoing projects, including the upgrading of infrastructure at OgleAirport, new aircraft are being added to the aircraft registry, A study to reorganizetheairspaceinthe Georgetown Flight Information Region (FIR); and Implementation of the Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs) and Standard Terminal Arrival R o u t e s ( S T A R S ) approaches.
The Director General also noted the immense investments and the numerous initiatives being undertaken to improve the aviation sector's operations, such as the construction of a second terminal and new taxiwaysattheCheddiJagan International Airport; construction of a new Staff Complex at the Timehri Control Tower compound;
recruitment and training of additional staff; online application platform for droneandlandingpermitsas well as preparations for Guyana to host two major international conferences in 2026 - one for the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the other by the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers'Associations.
Lt. Col. Field noted that these initiatives align with President Irfaan Ali's vision for enhancing local content andbuildingcapacitywithin the aviation industry, thus, positioning Guyana as a country with the most modern aviation sector by legislation, regulation, and investments.
Further, the statement said that Col. Field also emphasized that additional staff will be recruited and trained to meet the growing demandsofthesector
The operators who attended the meeting thanked the GCAA for the engagement and updates, andhighlightedsomeoftheir own recent developments, which include new parking facilities at Ogle Airport; expanded aprons; new terminal buildings; new cargo facility; and the constructionofanewhangar facility at CJIA for Jags Aviation.
The SecretaryGeneral of the Organization of American States (OAS),
Albert Ramdin, has proposed a Road Map for Haiti.
It is ambitious, detailed, and promising if adequately owned by Haitians But plans don’t save people; action, commitment, and accountabilitydo.
Haitians must set priorities, approve budgets, and be accountable to their citizensandtheinternational communityforresults.
Ramdin deserves credit for taking a frontal, active positiononHaiti Hehasput a framework on the table and invited OAS Member
States, Permanent Observers, and InterAmerican institutions to help shape it That is leadership Ifothersjointhe momentum he has initiated, this plan can move from papertopractice
Acrisisthat can’twaitforperfect Haitiislivingthroughthe hemisphere’s severest security and governance breakdown.
Armed gangs dominate much of Port-au-Prince; hundreds of thousands are displaced; schools, clinics, water, food—everything is frayed.
Womenandgirlsfacethe brunt of this crisis. Gang rape is rampant, particularly in the capital, and is exacerbated by precarious conditions in displacement camps. The plea is simple andurgent:actnow
WhattheRoadMapgets rightandthehelpitneeds
T h e R o a d M a p acknowledges that the UnitedNationsmustleadon peaceandsecurity;theOAS should facilitate, convene, andprovidetargetedcivilian support.
It casts the Government of Haiti as owner and agenda-setter, with a Coordinating Group Mechanism (CGM)—Haiti, theUN,CARICOM,andthe OAS providing strategic direction and political oversight. That architecture issound—if“Haitian-led”is operationalised as Haitian decision rights, not just attendance.
Security financing is the plan’s roadblock The Multinational Security Support mission runs on voluntary contributions, and deploymenthaslagged.
AUN support office has been proposed to improve logistics, but until predictable money and machinery exist, timelines will slip and so will confidence.
TheHaitiantest: ownershipascontrol Ownership must be matched by decision authority
T h r e e p r a c t i c a l safeguards would make that real, as the Antigua and Barbuda delegation argued to the OAS Permanent CouncilonAugust20.
First, Haiti should chair or at least cochair the Coordinating Group. No pillar workplan, b u d g e t , o r m a j o r
procurementshouldproceed withoutHaitianconcurrence recordedintheminutes,with an emergency-only exception and prompt written notice after any action. This ensures that no onecanclaimtheRoadMap wasimposed.
Second, a Haitian-issued annual implementation plan should become the map to which donors align If Haitianscannotsay,“Thisis ourplan,”thenitisn’t.
Third, billions of dollars have been spent on Haiti over decades, yet donors havenotseencommensurate social and economic improvements.Scepticismis natural; accountability is essential.
Therefore,theRoadMap should include a public scorecard. Quarterly results issued
, humanitarianaccess,andthe fight against gun-running a n d c r i m i n a l finance would provide a s s u r a n c e a n d accountability
These safeguards turn “Haitian-led” from words intodecisions.
CARICOM’srole
T h e C a r i b b e a n Community (CARICOM) has tried to play a role in Haiti to the extent of its Member States’ collective capacity The CARICOM Eminent Persons Group (EPG) helped broker the current t
ansitional arrangements, which have not been without criticism. Ramdin’s Road Map
envisages a role for
CARICOMintheCGM,but CARICOMhasyettoreview the plan collectively; it was recently submitted to Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, as
C A R I C O M C h a i r
CARICOMshouldensureits role reinforces Haitian consensus-building and decision-making when it engages.
Moneytalks.Makeit speakplainly.
The Road Map’s price tag about US$2 6 billion—is hefty Guardrails m u s t g i v e d o n o r s confidence These should include predictable security support through a UNmanagedplatformwithclear modalities, drawing on voluntary and bilateral funds—not a scatter of ad hocpledges.
Before any donors’ conference,thereshouldalso be pre-pledged packages for humanitarian action and elections;theconferencecan then align medium- and longer-term projects to the Haitianplan.
Significantly, each country should contribute according to real capacity, not quotas or expectations. Finally, to attract funding, the budget and unit costs should be published, and funds should be released in tranches only when verified
security, governance, and access benchmarks aremet.
Thecalendarcliff:7 February2026
One date could undo everything. Haiti will hit a governance barrier if a lawful successor to the Transitional Presidential Council(TPC)isnotinplace by7February2026.Security coordination will stall, election preparation will drift, and dissatisfaction and dissensionwillgrow
Thereisalreadygrowing concern in Haiti that the deadlinemustnotarrivewith the unelected TPC still in place.
A s c o n t i n g e n c y planning, a last-resort mechanism should be prepared by the end of September 2025 to replace the TPC if elections cannot credibly be held to install a representativegovernment. It is now evident that no such elections can occur while gangs dominate daily life.
Themeasureofsolidarity There’sacruelbeliefthat Haiti’s suffering is inevitable. It isn’t. Haitians are a proud people despite the poverty of their country and the grinding conditions theyendure.
The OAS SecretaryGeneral’s proposed Road Map can help if the funding is real, the security support is predictable, and Haitian leadership is committed and at the decision-makingtable.
The plan is not perfect, but it offers a tunnel with a light at its end. Haitians and the international community should help refine, support, and implement it. No one should become immune to Haiti’shorrors.
(The author is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States andtheOAS,andDeanofthe
O A S A m b a s s a d o r s accredited to the OAS Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com)
The contingency should be formulated jointly by appointees of Haitian representative groups, CARICOM,theUN,andthe OAS,andnotedbytheOAS Permanent Council It should provide a 90-day “caretaker body” limited to essential functions: security coordination, humanitarian facilitation, and election preparations.
Financial institutions in the United States of America (U S ) would not be in violation of a sanction for maintaining accounts ofnon-sanctionedpersonswhoare associatedwithsanctionedpersons.
This is according to a response to a query posed to the U S DepartmentofTreasury’sOfficeof ForeignAssetsControl(OFAC). Thisrevelationcomesatatime whenthreelocalcommercialbanks
have cut ties with several candidates of the We Invest in Nationhood(WIN)Partythatisled by sanctioned Guyanese businessman Azruddin Mohamed. Mohamed was sanctioned in June 2024 by OFAC. The local banks have cited the OFAC sanctions on Mohamed as a reason for their decision to cut ties with the membersofhisparty
According to an email inquiry seen by this publication, OFAC’s Compliance Hotline explained, “The implications of transacting with a political party led by an individualsanctionedbyOFAC,or with members of such a political party,woulddependonwhetherthe sanctionedindividualisinvolvedin the transaction. For example, U.S. financial institutions would not violate sanctions for maintaining the account of or processing a transaction involving a nonsanctioned organization or nonsanctioned members of that organization solely because another member of that organization is sanctioned However, U S financial institutions would be prohibited fromengaginginsuchtransactions if the sanctioned individual has an interest in the accounts or transactions.”
However, the email also states, “Unless exempt or otherwise authorized by a general or specific license from OFAC, transactions with sanctioned persons by U.S. persons are generally prohibited, and non-U.S. persons could also face sanctions risk for certain activities involving sanctioned persons,suchasprovidingmaterial supporttothem.”
The clarification came in responsetoaqueryreferencingthe June 2024 sanction on Azruddin, hisfatherNazar“Shell”Mohamed, their businesses and former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Mae Thomas under Executive Order 13818, which implements the Global M
Mohameds citing allegations of defraud
ng
he Guy
e government of US$50 million in taxes through gold smuggling, as wellasbribingpublicofficials.The local banks had cited the sanction asreasonthedecisionwasmadeto ensure the banks comply with international financial sector rules gov
sanctionedindividuals.
On August 6, speaking with reporters on the sideline of an event,U.S.AmbassadortoGuyana, Nicole Theriot stressed there is “absolutely no association” between the OFAC sanctions and the decisions made by local financial institutions The ambassador explained that OFAC sanctions are targeted specifically at the U.S. and apply “solely” to whathappensthere.
AmbassadorTheriotalsonoted thatlocalbanksdidnotengagewith the U.S. Embassy before making their decisions. “The decision by thebankswasentirelyindependent. Wewerenotconsulted;wewerenot asked. We have no opinion on the matter.Banksheremaketheirown decisions,”shesaid.
Notably,sheaddedthatshewas unsurewhethertherehadbeenany correspondence between the local banks and their U S banking partners.OnAugust1,WINcalled for citizens to boycott two commercial banks for cancelling the accounts of their candidates. The party said that the banks and their associated businesses are being used by the government to destabiliseanddemoralisethetwomonth-oldparty
Japanese ship builder MODEC recently noted that Latin America (Brazil and Guyana) and West Africa remain key regions for deepwater and the ultra-deepwater projects.
In its half-year 2025 presentation highlighting the industrylandscape,MODECnoted solid operating environments with competitive deepwater fields. The
SBMOffshorehasconstructedfour FPSOsforExxon’sStabroekblock operations, the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, Prosperity and ONE GUYANA.
Exxon had recruited the services of MODEC, for its fifth FPSO, Errea Wittu and SBM was awardedacontractlastyearforthe sixthFPSO,Jaguar
The victims have been
identified as a young couple JagnarineandKeyraStephenalong with their only daughter a toddler identifiedasLaurelStephen.
Speaking with Kaieteur News, thedeadman’scousinsaidthatthey are from Yakarinta Village, South Rupununi and were heading to Lethemwhentragedystruck.
ship builder noted that oil is expected to remain the leading source of energy supply even though alternative energy is expectedtogrow
MODEC said that its primary target market is the deepwater and the ultra-deepwater reserves, noting that these markets are costcompetitive and will remain profitable even in a depressed oil priceenvironment.
To this end, the company highlighted Brazil and Guyana in Latin America and West Africa, noting that these regions will remain key for deepwater and the ultra-deepwaterprojects.
MODECisacompanythatwas awarded a Limited Notice to Proceed (LNTP) contract by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL)inApril2024inrelationto aFloating,Production,Storageand Offloading (FPSO) vessel for its seventh project, Hammerhead, which has not yet received regulatoryapproval.
To date, Dutch ship builder
With no government or regulatory approval for the Hammerhead project, Exxon in April awarded the LNTP contract. This contract allows MODEC to start activities in relation to the FPSO design in two phases to ensure first oil by 2029. Phase one covers Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), while Phase two covers Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation (EPCI), which is subject to Final Investment Decision (FID) by ExxonMobil.
Notably, MODEC will also provide Operate and Management (O&M)servicesfortheFPSO.The FPSOfortheHammerheadproject will be capable of 150,000 barrels ofoilperdayandwillbemooredat a water depth of approximately 1,025meters.
MONDAY
Rupununifamily wipedoutinaccident
Inlessthan24hourssixpersons have been killed in separate road accidents, among them two children. The most recent accident took place on Sunday along the Rupununi to Lethem trail, Region Nine, reportedly wiping out a familyofthree.
Reports are that they collided withaminibusalongthetrailwhile negotiating a slight curve Allegationsarethatthebikewason the wrong side of the road at the timeofthecrash.
Stephenandhiswifereportedly died on the spot but the baby girl wasrushedtotheLethemRegional Hospital in a critical state Unfortunately,shetoopassedaway while receiving treatment in the emergencyunitatthehospital.The entirefamilywaskilledmerehours after another accident claimed the lives of three persons along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, RegionFour.Duringtheweehours of Saturday, a Fielder Wagon crashed, reportedly into a parked truck, claiming the lives of sevenyear-old Meranzo Campbelle, Shelly Joseph and Keiron Wells. The driver remains critical The seven-year-old victim is his son. Police are yet to provide a statement on both accidents Investigationscontinue.
In the first half of 2025, while overallroadaccidentsdecreasedby 3% compared to the same period last year, road fatalities increased by 6%, with 70 deaths recorded, including two children as of July 30. The period also saw 66 fatal accidents, 166 serious accidents, 235 minor accidents, and 428 damage-onlyincidents.
LatelastmonthChairmanofthe Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC), Earl Lambert, had called on the government to adopt a “three-strike” system for repeat traffic offenders as part of broader efforts to improve road safetyacrossthecountry
Speaking at a National Road Safety Stakeholders Forum, Lambert urged that drivers who repeatedly violate traffic laws should have their licenses revoked and be required to return to a certified driving school for retraining.Lambertemphasisedthe need for a cultural shift among drivers,statingthatmanymotorists todayfocusmoreongettingtotheir destinations quickly than driving safely “Indrivingit’sabout,go,go, go…youhavetostopandwaitand make sure that in that process you think about other road users, you thinkaboutgettingsafelytowhere you are, and on this time, I don’t think people exercise that caution ofensuringthatsafetyisexercised. Weneedtoemphasizesafetyonour roads,”hesaid.
The Stephens family who were killed in Sunday's accident in Rupununi
Frompage16 ticketing systems, speed cameras, and body cameras are enough to curve the high rate of road accidents. “One of the things that we would like to ask the governmenttoputinplaceiswhatI call the three strike system where motorist must be penalized every time, if they have been having severaltrafficticketsorinfractions, and therefore have their license suspendedorrevoked,andtheygo backthroughadrivingpractice,and they improve the way they use the road That by itself will send a message,becausealotofususeour driver’slicensetoearnandifthose licenses are suspended, it is going to send a message that you need to exercise care, caution, consideration, courtesy and commonsensewhenyouareusing the road, and that will contribute heavilytowardsthewayweuseour roads,”Lambertexplained.
CommissionerofPoliceClifton Hicken echoed Lambert’s concerns, stating that enforcement alonewillnotsolvetheroadsafety crisis. “We can increase patrols, install more speed cameras, and prosecute offenders, and we will, butunlesswechangeourcollective attitudetowardroadsafety,wewill continue to bury our children, our family members, and our friends,” Hickensaid.
“The police cannot do this alone. Road Safety is everyone’s responsibility It is drivers, pedestrians, parents, teachers, transportoperators,policymakers, insurance engineers and media personalities,”hesaid.
We Invest in Nationhood (WIN)iscallingfortheimmediate reinstatement of its candidates’ accounts that were closed by local commercialbanks,arguingthatthe clarification by the United States DepartmentofTreasury’sOfficeof ForeignAssetsControl(OFAC)has proven that such actions were unjustified.
Following the publication of WIN’s List of Candidates, three local banks and other financial institutions stopped providing services to several candidates, citing their membership in a party led by Guyanese businessman Azruddin Mohamed, who was sanctionedinJune2025byOFAC.
In response to a query, OFAC disclosed that U S financial institutions would not be in violation of sanctions for maintaining accounts of nonsanctioned persons or engaging in transactions with those associated withsanctionedindividuals.Itwas explained that the prohibition
applies only if the sanctioned personhasaninterestintheaccount ortransaction.
InastatementonSunday,WIN condemned the closure of its candidates’ accounts and argued that OFAC’s clarification proves the banks’ actions to be both unjustified and politically motivated.
“Despite this clear distinction, local banks have moved to close accounts belonging to multiple WINcandidates,amovethathasno basis in OFAC regulations. This overreach not only undermines the financialrightsofordinarycitizens who chose to serve their country under the WIN banner, but also raises troubling questions about political interference in Guyana’s bankingsector,”thepartysaid.
Moreover,WINsaiditfindsthe actionofthebankstobeapolitical act of victimization designed to intimidate candidates and undermine the party’s ability to compete fairly during the election. It was noted, “Such activities compromise public confidence in Guyana’s financial system as well asthedemocraticprocess.”
Moreover, WIN called on the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) andBoardofDirectorsofthelocal financial institutions to immediately restore access to the affectedcandidates,and“behavein accordance with international standards of fairness and nondiscrimination.”
Additionally, WIN urged the BankofGuyana(BoG),thePrivate Sector Commission (PSC), and other stakeholders to carefully observe these developments. The party noted, “Guyanese citizens deserveanevenplayingfieldwhere they can see their democratically elected representatives not
Presidential candidate for We Invest in Nationhood (WIN)
selectively targeted by the misuse of financial power. WIN will continue to fight for transparency, fairness, and equal opportunity for everyGuyanesecitizen.”
On August 16, Kaieteur reportedthataccordingtoanemail inquiry dated August 12, OFAC’s Compliance Hotline explained, “The implications of transacting with a political party led by an individualsanctionedbyOFAC,or with members of such a political party,woulddependonwhetherthe sanctionedindividualisinvolvedin the transaction. For example, U.S. financial institutions would not violate sanctions for maintaining the account of or processing a transaction involving a nonsanctioned organization or nonsanctioned members of that organization solely because another memb
organization is sanctioned
institutions would be prohibited fromengaginginsuchtransactions if the sanctioned individual has an interest in the accounts or transactions.”
However, the email also states, “Unless exempt or otherwise authorized by a general or specific license from OFAC, transactions with sanctioned persons by U.S. persons are generally prohibited, and non-U.S. persons could also face sanctions risk for certain activities involving sanctioned persons,suchasprovidingmaterial supporttothem.”
Further, OFAC said it will not direct an entity to conduct activity that undermines its policies and procedures.
Moreover, On August 6, speaking with reporters on the sideline of an event, U S Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriotstressedthereis“absolutely noassociation”betweentheOFAC
Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo addresses the gathering at the manifesto launch. Seated at the head table are: President, IrfaanAli, Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond
sanctions and the decisions made by local financial institutions. The ambassador explained that OFAC sanctions are targeted specifically at the U.S. and apply “solely” to what happens there. Ambassador Theriot also noted that local banks did not engage with the U S Embassy before making their decisions “The decision by the banks was entirely independent Wewerenotconsulted;wewerenot asked. We have no opinion on the matter.Banksheremaketheirown decisions,”shesaid.
Notably,sheaddedthatshewas unsurewhethertherehadbeenany correspondence between the local banks and their U S banking partners.
In June 2024, Azruddin, his father Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, their businesses and former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Mae Thomas wereallsanctionedbyOFAC.
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has announced that there are 757,690 personslistedonthevoters’list.
However, officers of GECOM present at a press conference on Monday could not give a breakdown of the categories on voters on the list. When asked to provide a breakdown on the number of voters who are Commonwealthcitizensorcitizens by birth, naturalization or descent, theChiefElectionsOfficer,Vishnu Persaud said GECOM has had no reason to do so. “First of all, we register persons who met the criteria of being 18 years and over by June 30th, who are Guyanese citizens or citizens of a Commonwealth country living in Guyanaforoneyearormore.Now, I started out by saying we register electors, we have no charge, no reason to categorise electors by nationality That is not something that the secretariat has been chargedtodo,wehavenotdoneso, and unless we are asked specifically to do so, then we have no grounds on which to do it,” the CEOsaid.
Further with regard to safeguarding against fraudulent voteviatheuseoftheCertificateof Employment, Civic and Voter Education Manager Nardeo Persaud explained that it would be difficult for anyone to vote twice due to the requirement that mandates voters to dip their index finger in indelible ink. “The right index finger is stained with indelibleink,soifthatpersonwith the Certificate of Employment votesatthepollingstationwherehe Continued on page 18
Frompage17 is working, his finger will be stained there…” For the Chief Election Officer, it would be virtually impossible for anyone to votetwiceintheseelectionsunless there is collusion “It would be virtually impossible for that ink to beremovedaseasilyandquickly,” CEOexplained.
With Guyanese still feeling the stingfromhispartyrenegingonits 2020 promise to renegotiate the lopsided ExxonMobil contract, Vice President and General Secretary of the PPP/C, Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday declared that whatevertheypromise,theywilldo if returned to government after the September1polls.
Hewasatthetimeaddressinga gatheringatthePegasusCorporate Suites where the PPP/C launched its 2025 elections manifesto
Themed ‘Forward Together For A Better Guyana’, the document sets outtheparty’sroadmaptoposition Guyana as a global leader in climate,energyandfoodsecurity. While serving as Opposition
Leader, Jagdeo during the APNU+AFC’s term in office said Guyanese should be sad each time ExxonMobil makes a new oil
discovery since the then administrationacceptedabaddeal. Heevenwentonthentocommitto “renegotiate those contracts”
However, when this newspaper reminded him of the promise back in 2024 at one of his news conferences Jagdeo, said he never meant that the deal with Exxon would be renegotiated. “Yes, so I saidthatandIheldtotheviewand not only did I say that, I said that thesecontracts,someofthe,orthe contracts will be renegotiated –contracts. So, we had at that time six contracts, that is with Kaieteur,
Canje block, several blocks. So, when we said we are not gonna renegotiate the Stabroek contract, and because we are already in production and we will kill the momentum.”
Back in 2019, Jagdeo while beinginterviewedon94.1FMsaid, “Theysoldusouttotheforeigners–theoilcompanies.Everytimethere isafindthere,ourpeopleshouldbe sad because nothing comes our way We are going to renegotiate those contracts because that’s not what we had in mind. When we were in the early days, we were coaxing the people (ExxonMobil and partners) to go along. They (APNU+AFC) came into office (and met) 3 billion barrels of proven reserves and then gave up zero royalty, no taxes, no ringfencing, no local content for these peopletospendanymoneyhere.”
He continued: “Paying our people GY$72,000 a month when theforeignerisgettingUS$10,000. Bringing water from California to drink here. We are paying for all that Landscaping – they wanna contract it to a company coming from abroad and the Trinidadians and others are just walking in not only in the oil sector but they are gettingalltheprimelandstoo…So thatiswhyIgotbackintopolitics. I’mnotpreparedtoseethishappen; I have no desire to be President again. ” Although Jagdeo’s commentsatthetimewerefocused onthelopsidednatureoftheExxon contract, he later claimed that the statementsweremeantfortheother oilblocks.
Wewillwin
On Monday at the PPP/C’s manifesto Jagdeo also assured the gathering that all the promises outlined in the manifesto will be fulfilled. “As you know, we’re a trustworthy party Whatever we say,wewilldo…andthat’swhywe believe that we will win these elections,”Dr Jagdeostated.
Thegeneralsecretarypointedto the 2020 election campaign, reminding Guyanese that every promiselistedinthatplanhasbeen
implemented. This, he said, was done equitably and fairly, which hasstrengthenedpublicconfidence in the PPP/C’s leadership over the pastfiveyears.
“More and more people are attractednotonlytoourvision,but tothecollectivethatthecombined, unifiedcollectivethatweoperate,” he added. Highlighting the party’s unifying approach, the party’s general secretary added that the PPP/C is the only party actively working to bring Guyanese together across racial, religious, and gender lines.According to Dr Jagdeo, this record of trust and unityiswhythePPP/Cisconfident of securing another mandate from the people of Guyana in the upcomingelections.
Jagdeo also warned that Guyana’s rapid oil and gas development must be carefully managed to avoid the Dutch Disease,stressingthatthePeople’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) is the only political party with a credible plan for economic diversification.
“Weruntherisk…oftheDutch disease, this could destroy your economy,ifnotmanagedcarefully We’veseenaroundtheworld,those countries that have bad windfall revenue from a single sector destroy the rest of the economy… Youseeahugedeclineineconomic prosperity. In fact, economic disaster. We’ve seen it around the world, Venezuela and many other oil-producingcountries.”
HecontrastedthePPP/C’slongtermvisionwithwhathedescribed as short-sighted promises from the opposition: “Every other party has spoken about only how they will use oil money, all of the promises they’re banking on, oil money remaining high, and oil prices can collapse no more. What will that leave us as a country? We’re the only party that speaks now of wealthcreation,diversificationand creat
d economy.”
Outlining the government’s approach, the Vice President
Mohamed Irfaan Ali has led from the front in ensuring that broadbased economy “You’ve heard President Ali speak a lot about diversification The things he mentioned here today, the new sectors,thenewproposalsthatwill createthewealthofthefuture,from thehospitalitysectortoagriculture to biotechnology to the connection with Brazil, all of these are areas that would receive vital policy attention to ensure that we have a diversified economy.” Jagdeo said the PPP/C is determined to ensure that prosperity reaches every sector,notjustoilandgas:TheVice President concluded that only the PPP/C has the track record, experience,andforesighttoprotect Guyana’s economy from the pitfalls that have devastated other oil-richnations.
The Carter Center said that local commercial banks may be over-complying with the U.S. sanctions imposed on Presidential Candidate of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Azruddin Mohamed with them closing the accounts of several of the party’s candidates.Thecentersaidtoothat the action undermines political participationandelectoralintegrity by discouraging people from participating fully in the political process.“Theprivatesectorhasan important role to play in safeguardingdemocraticrightsand freedomsand,assuch,mustensure decisions do not discriminate against individuals for exercising thoserights,”thestatementread.
WIN has already branded the move by the banks as politicallymotivatedandonSundaycalledfor the immediate reinstatement of its
candidates’ accounts that were closed,arguingthatclarificationby OFAChasproventhatsuchactions were unjustified Following the publication of WIN’s List of Candidates, three local banks and other financial institutions stopped providing services to several candidates, citing their membership in a party led by Mohamed.
However,inresponsetoaquery from WIN, OFAC disclosed that U.S financial institutions would not be in violation of sanctions for maintaining accounts of nonsanctioned persons or engaging in transactions with those associated withsanctionedindividuals.Itwas explained that the prohibition applies only if the sanctioned personhasaninterestintheaccount or transaction.
“Despite this clear distinction, local banks have movedtocloseaccountsbelonging to multiple WIN candidates, a move that has no basis in OFAC regulations This overreach not only undermines the financial rights of ordinary citizens who chose to serve their country under the WIN banner, but also raises troubling questions about political interference in Guyana’s banking sector,”thepartysaid.
Carterconcerned
Meanwhile, in its pre-election statement released on Tuesday, Carter Center recalled that in June 2024, the U.S. government sanctioned Mohamed, his father Nazar Mohamed, several of their businesses, and Guyanese government official Mae Thomas Jr forpubliccorruption.According to the center, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) blocked Mohamed’s assets in the U S financial system, and aimed to prevent transactions of money, goods, and services that would benefit Mohamed or the others within the U.S. financial system.
“Following approval of WIN’s list in July 2025, three local commercialbanksreportedly Continued on page 28
Back in July a team from the Carter Center had met with WIN’s Executive Team
Towards a better life with your psychologist EMOTIONAL NEGLECT
The difference between Emotional neglect and Emotional abuse by intention: emotional abuse is intentionally inflicted; emotionalneglectisanomissionof care.
Emotional neglect is a form of trauma on a child, maltreatment, where a parent(s) and or caregiver consistently fails to respond, or is unresponsive to a child’s basic emotional needs, such as a lack of nurturing, empathy, interaction, affection,andorunderminingselfesteem and sense of identity
Emotional neglect in childhood occursbetweenbirthand18years.
In the Caribbean, boys are more emotionally neglected than girls, which create severe relationship challengesinadulthood.
Emotionalneglectisinflictedin several ways by parents or caregivers.Failuretoacknowledge andvalidateachild’sfeelings:This can involve dismissing a child’s emotions, minimizing their experiences, or making them feel thattheirfeelingsarenotimportant.
“You are always with something”.
“Youlovetoseeandtalk”.Aparent who consistently ignores a child’s attempts to share their feelings or experiences
Lack of nurturing and emotional support: Not providing the comfort, reassurance, or encouragementachildneedstofeel safeandloved.
Inconsistent or absent
parenting: Parents /Caregivers are emotionally unavailable, unpredictable, or inconsistent in theirresponsestothechild’sneeds.
Unrealistic expectations or lack of empathy: A parent who puts unrealistic expectations on a child, causing them to feel overwhelmed and inadequate Or unable to understand or relate to the child’s emotional world.An absent parent who is always working and is unavailable or a parent who constantly criticizes or belittles a child,makingthemfeelinadequate.
Ignoring or isolating the child: not interacting with the child, not engaging in play time or conversation, or not providing opportunities for social interaction orputtingselfandothersbeforethe child.
ImpactofEmotional NeglectonChildren
The impact of emotional neglect begins to take shape 6 months into the experience in the child’s life. Emotional neglect in childhood profoundly impacts a child’sdevelopment.
Behavioural problems: Acting outandaggressioninschoolamong peers;Outburst;Lackconfidence Difficulty with social and interpersonalrelationships:They may have trouble trusting others, formingclosebonds,ornavigating social situations Attachment Issues: Lack of emotional care results in insecure attachment styles, making it hard to form healthy bonds with others and affecting relationships and continuinglaterinlife.
Mental Health Disorders: Emotional neglect leads to depression, anxiety, and posttraumaticstressdisorder(PTSD)as early as age 5, potentially continuingintoadulthood.
Difficulty with Emotional Regulation: Children who experienced emotional neglect struggletounderstandandmanage their feelings. This experience continuesintoadulthood.
Social Isolation: Strained relationshipscanleadtofeelingsof isolation.
LowSelf-Esteem:Neglectcan foster a negative self-image and lowself-confidence.
Impaired Social and
Occupational Functioning: Individuals struggle with their sociallivesandoccupationalstatus.
Difficulty Identifying Needs: Adultswhoexperiencedemotional neglect may not know what they need or feel they don’t deserve to
havethoseneedsmet.
Brain Development: Neglect can affect brain areas responsible foremotionsandcognition,aswell as delay the development of essentialsocialskillsandabilities.
Physical Health: Early life adversity from neglect also increases the risk of developing chronicmedicalconditions,suchas coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and other illnesses, reducinglifeexpectancy
ImpactonAdults
DepressionandAnxiety:Thisis also present in childhood among children with emotional neglect. Emotional neglect is strongly asso
ed symptoms of depression and anxietyinadulthood.
Post-TraumaticStressDisorder (PTSD): This condition can develop in adults with a history of childhoodemotionalneglect.
Suicidal Ideation: A loss of meaning in life, which can stem from emotional neglect, is a significant risk factor for suicidal thoughtsandbehaviours.
Relationship Challenges: Adultsfindithardtoformhealthy, close relationships due to a lack of emotional closeness in their childhood.
Avoidance of Intimacy: Some individuals may prefer solitude or struggle to maintain stable relationships, while others might excessively sacrifice their own needs to be in a relationship. Impaired Empathy: Emotional neglect led to deficits in empathy and emotional processing, impactinghowadultsconnectwith others.
Substance Use: Early neglect increased the risk of substance use disordersinemergingadulthood.
Borderline
PersonalityDisorder(BPD):
This is the most strongly associated personality disorder with childhood trauma, including emotional neglect. Adults with
BPD are significantly more likely to have experienced emotional neglect.
Avoidant Personality Disorder: Emotional neglect and avoidant personalitydisordermakebonding and intimate relationships a nightmareforadults.
Paranoid Personality Disorder: Emotional neglect is also associated with an increased risk for paranoid personality disorder Suspicious of everyone, unable to formhealthyrelationships
SchizoidPersonalityDisorder:
Dissociative Symptoms and Disorders: emotional neglect in childhoodandunresolvedissuesin adulthoodarelinkedtodissociative symptoms. Absence from reality, numbness and a poor coping mechanism
Toovercome emotionalneglect
This is a partnership with victimsandpsychologists
1. Acknowledge and Validate YourExperience
Recognize and accept that emotionalneglectoccurredandthat your feelings and experiences are valid.
Challenge: any self-blame or denialyoumayhold.
2.CultivateSelf-Compassion
Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, especially duringthehealingprocess.
Challenge negative self-talk and replace it with affirming, supportivelanguage.
Practice mindful selfcompassion: by accepting your emotionswithoutjudgment.
3 Reconnect with Your Emotions
Practice mindfulness and selfreflection: to identify and name youremotions.
Allow yourself to feel and express a wide range of emotions withoutfear
Use descriptive emotional language to articulate your feelings.
By Dr. Telford Layne
MSc.
4 “Reparent” Your Inner Child
Provide care and comfort: you weredeniedasachild.
Respond to your inner child’s needs: with consistency, awareness,andacaringattitude.
5. Identify and Nurture Your Needs
Acknowledge your needs, and make conscious efforts to meet them.
Identify things that bring you joy, and practice daily self-care to nurtureyourbodyandsoul.
6.BuildaSupportSystem
Surround yourself with empathetic and understanding individuals who validate your experiences.
Psychodynamictherapy
7.SetHealthyBoundaries
Learn to say no: to teach yourself that your needs and feelingsareimportant.
Set boundaries: to protect your well-being and prevent future neglect.
8.ProfessionalHelp
Talk to your psychologist, who can guide you through therapeutic modalities, CBT, or EMDR Psychotherapy is critical and is needed for healing and empowerment towards a better lifestyle.
Emotionallyneglectedchildren grow up to be emotionally neglectful adults – parents, who in turn emotionally neglect their partnerandchildren.Thiscyclecan end, to give you a quality of life. You can be a generational curse conqueror
Jr. PsyD,
Postgrad, BSc. Clinical and Developmental Psychologist - Psychoanalyst Unwrapping Gift -Clinic
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING MADE EASY WITH GNBS TIPS ON QUALITY AND STANDARDS
The countdown is
on, September is almost here, and families across Guyana are gearingupforthereopening of schools, a week after our General and Regional Elections.
Frombuyinguniformsto footwear to gadgets, backto-school shopping is an excitingandwellanticipated event for both parents and children But before grabbing these items off the shelf, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), as a consumer protection body, would like to remind you that quality matters just as much as affordability Whether imported or locally manufactured, severalback-to-schoolitems
are monitored by GNBS to ensuretheymeetqualityand labelling requirements, helping parents and guardians get value for moneyandkeepingstudents safe and comfortable during theirlearningexperience.
Included in the 17 categories of products monitored by the GNBS are footwear, garments, laptops, tablets and cellular phones which are used by students andteacherstoattendschool andreadilyaccesseducation. Theseitemsareinspectedby Inspectors of our Product Compliance Department at the ports of entry and sale outlets to ensure that they conform to requirements of standards.
Labels on footwear and garments sold in Guyana
must comply with the Guyana St
dsSpecification for the Labelling of Commodities – Part 4: Labelling of FootwearandSpecification for the Labelling of Commodities – Part 15: Labelling of Garments, which are mandatory standards These require labelstobeinEnglishandto include key information such as brand and type of p r o d
m e o f manufacturer or distributor, country of origin, care, m
d precautionaryinstructions.
For electronic devices, it is important to consider severalfactorstoensureyou are making a w
investment Researching brands
comparing prices, and
Additionally, pay attention to warranty, return policies, and after-sales service provided by the seller. Further, do not forget to assess your needs, including the size and performance of the device you intend to purchase, and think about futureneeds.
Meanwhile, when shopping for footwear and garmentsfortheschoolterm, GNBS encourages parents andguardianstochecklabels to confirm the size. A size that is too small or too big canaffectproperfit.Choose the right size of shoes based on your child’s larger foot (since one foot is often slightly bigger than the
other).Itisalsoimportantto dothewalk-testforshoeson a solid surface; carpets can giveafalsesenseofcomfort.
Especially for garments, adhering to the care instructions provided on labels can maintain the qualityofapparelandextend their usability Further, materials composition of productsstatedonlabels,can be a good indicator of productdurability
Finally,thefollowingare some key reminders for consumers:
·Alwaysensureitemsare labelled in English for easy understanding.
· Stick to trusted brands, as brand names and trademarks often signal qualityandreliability
· Collect receipts, they
are your proof of purchase and are essential in cases whereredressisneeded.
Choose durable, comfortable clothing which is designed to last throughouttheschoolyear By following these tips andchoosingquality,parents can avoid unnecessary frustrations during and after their back-to-school shopping. Getting it right from the beginning will ensure your child steps into the new school year confidently with quality attireandlearningresources. For more information on standards, and how GNBS protects you as a consumer, call 2190062/65, WhatsApp 6924 6 2 7 , o r v i s i t www.gnbsgy.org.
Lately the global
h e a d l i n e s screamed that “95%ofgenerativeAIpilots arefailing.”
These headlines are basedonarecentMITstudy
that interviewed 150 executives, surveyed 350 employees, and looked at 300individualAIprojects.It found that 95% of AI pilot projectsfailedtodeliverany discerniblefinancialsavings or uplift in profits.” Some blamethetechnology,others dismissAIashype.
But the real truth is this; AI is not the real problem. Theproblemisthebusiness.
Theresearchersdiscovereda “learning gap”, people and organizationssimplydidnot understandhowtousetheAI tools properly or how to designworkflowsthatcould capture the benefits of AI while minimizing downside
For Guyana’s Private Sector AI success is a data, workflow, and people game
risks. For local business personsstillwonderingwhat exactly AI is and what potentialvalueitcandeliver; IwantyoutothinkofAInot as complex technology, but asyourmostefficient,nevertiringemployee.
It can automatically handle repetitive tasks like data entry, customer questions, and invoice processing, freeing up your staff for more important work. It can analyze your sales data to predict what customers will buy next, it can help prevent theft and wasteinyourinventory,and itcanprovide24/7customer support.Thismeansyouwill see lower operating costs, higher sales, and fewer errors,directlyboostingyour profits and giving you a major advantage over competitors who are still
doing everything manually and this is only the beginning.
However,everybusiness depends on processes like sales, on boarding, and inventory management and if these processes are fragmented, undocumented, or inefficient, no software canfixthem.AI,whichruns on data like a car runs on fuel, will only produce dangerously inaccurate results if fed contaminated “fuel” from scattered spreadsheets, emails, and notebooks. You cannot put AI on top of chaos and expect order Investing prematurely leads to costly failure. The essential first step is the disciplined work of mapping workflows, cutting redundancies, and establishing reliable processes without AI. Only by first centralizing and
cleaning your critical data and understanding your business processes, do you create the solid foundation AI requires to deliver real value.
For Guyana’s private sector, the integration of AI into workflows presents a clear opportunity but also a wake-up call Local companiesarenowfacingan increasingly competitive environment brought on by the oil economy and that competition is now increasingly global. Foreign investors are coming with strong business processes, world-class tools, and expertise that drives efficiency And while local content rules may provide temporary protection in some spaces, the LC rules willnotsavecompaniesthat havehistoricallybeenpoorly run. Even more disruptive,
nimble new players right here at home that adopt modern practices quickly, willdominateintheirsectors and older firms that cling to outdated methods risk being leftbehind.
Finally, even with good data and clean processes,AI adoption will fail if your peopleareleftout.Toooften leadership announces big technology projects without explaining the why or preparing staff to use the tools The result is predictable; resistance, confusion, and wasted investment Real change requires training, communication,andsupport so employees understand how the tools improve their work.
The few companies worldwide that are succeeding with AI are not lucky. They are disciplined.
They start small, involve their teams, and build carefully Guyana’s private sectormustdothesame.This isnotaboutwhetheryouuse AI, it is about whether your company can survive in a more competitive, more demanding economy, doing business the way they’ve a l w a y s d o n e business…inefficiently
The bottom line is simple;don’tbuyaFormula 1 car when you haven’t paved the road Fix the workflow,cleanthedata,and trainthepeople.Then,when you finally apply AI, you willbebuildingonrock,not swamp. And in Guyana’s new economy, where global competition is fierce and nimble local players are rising fast, that discipline may be the difference between thriving and disappearing.
Frompage18 closed the personal bank accounts
of approximately 40 WIN candidates, party members, and their associates. Reportedly, some candidates also have been dismissed by private-sector employersforappearingonWIN’s list. Although the banks have not provided a detailed public explanation of their actions, they are reportedly concerned about secondary sanctions and their bankingrelationshipswiththeU.S. financial system,” the Carter Centernoted.
The center pointed out that the Guyanesebankingsystemoperates within national laws and international regulatory standards to prevent the misuse of the international financial system
“While the Center recognises the banking sector’s caution, the relevant Financial Action Task Force(FATF)andOFACstandards andguidelinesrecommenda“riskbased” approach to such matters and discourages overcompliance with practices such as blanket account closures (“de-risking”) Therelevantpracticeindicatesthat the risk of secondary sanctions arises when there is a prohibited transaction or other significant dealing with a sanctioned person. Mere political association, without evidence of such transactions or facilitation, does not constitute the proper basis for termination of accounts.”
The Carter Center said it is concernedthatbanksmaybeovercomplying with U S sanctions, which undermines political participationandelectoralintegrity by discouraging people from participating fully in the political process.“Theprivatesectorhasan important role to play in safeguardingdemocraticrightsand freedomsand,assuch,mustensure decisions do not discriminate against individuals for exercising those rights,” the statement concluded.
motor lorry bearing registration numberGAJ8825.
Gerdez’s body was discovered onMarch4,2025at9MilesRoad. An autopsy revealed that she died as a result of trauma to the head. Thewantedmansubsequentlyfled the jurisdiction and returned to Brazil.
On August 16, Kaieteur News reportedthataccordingtoanemail inquiry dated August 12, OFAC’s Compliance Hotline explained, “The implications of transacting with a political party led by an individualsanctionedbyOFAC,or with members of such a political party,woulddependonwhetherthe sanctionedindividualisinvolvedin the transaction. For example, U.S. financial institutions would not violate sanctions for maintaining the account of or processing a transaction involving a nonsanctioned organization or nonsanctioned members of that organization solely because another member of that organization is sanctioned However, U S financial institutions would be prohibited fromengaginginsuchtransactions if the sanctioned individual has an interest in the accounts or transactions.”
However, the email also states, “Unless exempt or otherwise authorized by a general or specific license from OFAC, transactions with sanctioned persons by U.S. persons are generally prohibited, and non-U.S. persons could also face sanctions risk for certain activities involving sanctioned persons,suchasprovidingmaterial supporttothem.”
Further, OFAC said it will not direct an entity to conduct activity that undermines its policies and procedures. Moreover, On August 6, speaking with reporters on the sideline of an event, U S Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriotstressedthereis“absolutely noassociation”betweentheOFAC sanctions and the decisions made by local financial institutions. The ambassador explained that OFAC sanctions are targeted specifically at the U.S. and apply “solely” to what happens there. Ambassador Theriot also noted that local banks did not engage with the U S Embassy before making their decisions “The decision by the banks was entirely independent Wewerenotconsulted;wewerenot asked. We have no opinion on the matter.Banksheremaketheirown decisions,”shesaid.
Notably,sheaddedthatshewas unsurewhethertherehadbeenany correspondence between the local banks and their U S banking partners.
INTERPOLissues
‘RedNotice’forBrazilian wantedformurderinGuyana
The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) hasissuedarednoticeforFernando Teles Pereira, a Brazilian national, following a request made by the GuyanaPoliceForce(GPF).
PereiraiswantedinGuyanafor the murder of 21-year-old Miguelys Centeno Gerdez, a Venezuelannationalwhoresidedat Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
According to police, on February5,2025,Pereira,whowas employed with W Golding, Logistic and Aggregate Company picked up Gerdez at the Diamond Junction,EastBankDemeraraina
“The red notice issued by INTERPOL on behalf of the GuyanaPoliceForceisarequestto law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest the named person pending legal action,”policesaid.
Theyaddedthattherednoticeis applicable to all law enforcement agencies of the 196 member countries under the umbrella of INTERPOL.
The decision by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to ban the use of cellphones in po
chairperson and some other commissioners last week voted againstthemeasure.
At its statutory meeting on August5,2025GECOMhadtaken adecisionnottohavevoterslodge theirphonesasameasuretoensure they are not used to photograph their ballots. Opposition appointed commissioner Vincent Alexander had told this newspaper that GECOMmadethedecisionbyway ofamajorityvote.Hesaidthenthat the government-appointed commissioners were supported by chairperson retired Justice ClaudetteSinghontheissue.This, despite the opposition commissioners objecting to voters being allowed with their phones in thebooths.Alexandersaidthenthat he believes that not allowing the phonesintothepollingstationsisa way of securing the secrecy of the ballots.
“There is a rumor that people are being paid to vote for specific partiessowhathappenswhenthey enterthepollingbooths,theytakea picturetoshowtothepartyasproof ofhowtheyvoted…Therewasalso an instance a few years back of personsvotingandtakingapicture of the ballot and posting it as soon as they left the polling station These are the things we are trying avoid.”“However,whenthispoint was raised, the commissioners opposed it and madea point of not allowingthephonesintothepolling stations being troublesome since thestaffwouldhavetobetrainedto secure people’s phones, and it would mean extra work for them and so on,” he said noting that the
commission has however agreed thatthetakingofpicturesinsidethe votingboothisprohibited.
About-turn
However, in an about-turn decision, late Tuesday night GECOMissuedastatementsaying thatasamatterofpolicy,theyhave decided to introduce a comprehensive set of measures to prohibit the use of cell phones within polling stations for the September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections. Contacted again on this about-turn decision, Alexander saidTuesday’s decision wastakenunanimously.Hesaidthe opposition commissioners were relentless on the matter and at a recent meeting to reconsider the initially decision by GECOM, the Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud proposed that instead of GECOM collecting the phones, a desk would be provided where voters will lodge their phones. He saidthisalongwithothermeasures w a s a c c e p t e d a n d t h e commissioned voted unanimously ontheissued.
According to GECOM, this
Regular announcement to all voters in the queue by polling day officials,informingthemtoturnoff theircellphonesbeforeenteringthe pollingstation.Everyvoterwillbe reminded of the need to turn off his/her cellphone before he/she is given the ballot to vote The National ID Card or valid Guyana PassportorDriver’sLicenceasthe casemaybe,ofeveryvoterwillbe retainedbythePresidingOfficerat thepointoftheissuingoftheballot and returned after the voter has completedthevotingprocess.
Voting compartments will be strategically positioned to allow GECOMstaffandaccreditedParty Agents to observe if a voter is attempting to use his/her phone to take a photo of his/her ballot. This observation will be respectful of voter privacy while maintaining vigilance against the use of cell phonesinPollingStations.
According to GECOM, in the event that a voter is observed attempting to photograph his/her ballot, GECOM staff and/or Party Agents will immediately raise an alarm to prevent the action. “Any
decisive action is aimed at protecting the sanctity and secrecy oftheballot,particularlytoaddress existing concerns regarding the potential for vote selling that is directlylinkedtophotographingof ballots. “The prohibition on cell phoneuseandthepenaltiesforvote
selling are rooted in the Representation of the People Act, Cap. 1:03,” GECOM said in the statement.
It added that considering that theintegrityoftheelectoralprocess is of crucial importance, the new measures are designed to ensure thateverycitizencancasttheirvote freelyandwithoutundueinfluence, andthatthesecrecyoftheirchoice isabsolutelyprotected.
As a consequence of the Commission’s decision, the following measures will be implemented to enforce the prohibitionoftheuseofcellphones in Polling Stations: – Posting of a clear and prominent notice by the entrance and within every Polling
Station explicitly stating, pictorially and in words, that the use of cell phones is strictly prohibited.
voterobservedtakingaphotograph ofhis/herballotpaperwillresultin a formal note being made of the incident, and a report will be immediately submitted to the Guyana Police Force for investigation.Adesignateddeskor table will be placed next to each voting compartment where voters willbeinstructedtoplacetheircell phones before using the voting compartmenttocasttheirvote.This will provide a visible location for phones, by all concerned, during the voting process,” the statement read.
GECOM said its officials will instruct every voter to place their phones on a designated desk/table before proceeding to the voting compartment “This instruction will be clear and consistently applied to all voters The Commission’sdecisionalignswith international best practices for election administration, which often include provisions to protect ballotsecrecyandpreventelectoral fraud. In this regard, collaboration with the Guyana Police Force underscorestheseriousnesswith Continued on page 29
Frompage28 whichelectoraloffensesareviewed and the commitment to rigorous enforcement.”
According to GECOM, it is imperative to understand that the selling of a vote constitutes a serious electoral offence which carries significant penalties “Offenders found guilty of selling their vote are liable to a fine of sixty-five thousand Guyana
Dollars (G$65,000) and imprisonment for a term of six (6) months.TheCommissionurgesall voters to cooperate with these new measures,specificallybecausethey are crucial for upholding the integrity and transparency of the electoral process. GECOM is committed to upholding the principlesoffreeandfairelections and will take all necessary steps to prosecute those who attempt to undermine the democratic process.”
President Irfaan Ali and Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand on Wednesday commissioned the new $930 million state-of-the-art Tuschen SecondarySchoolinRegionThree.
First of its kind in the Tuschen community, the school is one of five new secondary schools which the government committed to construct in the region since assumingoffice.
Deliveringthefeaturedaddress, PresidentIrfaanAlisaidpartofthe reason why such a “beautiful facility” was built in a very populated area in Region Three, is because the school will be converted in the evenings as a branch of the College of Medical Science of the University of Guyana(UG).
“When we spoke about second jobs, and giving tax break for secondjobs,theseniordoctorsthat would be working at the hospitals and senior nurses and technicians who are working in the system in Region Three will now have their tax incentives in their second job lecturingattheCollegeofMedical Sciences here in Tuschen and here inRegionThree,”hesaid.
According to the president, thereareover17programmesinthe CollegeofMedicalSciencesandat the University Some 206 applicants were received from RegionThreetoattendthecollege. He said because of inadequate space, UG was only able to accept 86ofthe206.
Ensuring that the remaining applicants have somewhere to furthertheirstudy inmedicine,the president said the decision was madetousethenewschooltohosta branchofthecollege.
Speaking on the reason for
government’s investment in education, the president stated, “…educationisnotsimplyanother item in the list of things, we are doing as a government. Education, I want to say is the single most important foundation upon which the future of our country will be built. So that when we build this school, we are not simply erecting another centre of learning, no, we are laying the foundation of a new Guyanathatisbeingcreated.”
“What sense would it make to have oil, gold, agriculture, but not have the people trained to manage it. What sense would it make to haveallofthenaturalresourcesbut nothavethescientistandengineers, the economist to multiply this value,whatsensewoulditmaketo havebillionsofdollarsflowinginto our economy, but not have the children prepared to turn that wealth into opportunities. It would makeabsolutelynosense.Oneday our natural resources will be depleted, one day it will not be to the extent that we have it but the minds our of our children once educated, will never run dry or knowledge be ever extinguished,” hecontinued.
Inhisplantobuildaknowledge economy by 2030, the president saidthateducationisatoppriority and the bridge from poverty to prosperity
“It is the passport from struggles to success, it is the revolutionthattransformsapeople from surviving to thriving,” he added.
Noting that the new modern school is second to none in the country and that it can match any other such schools in the entire Caribbean/LatinAmericanregion, he noted that the Tuschen Secondary School is part of his government’s overarching plan to revolutionise access to and deliver education.
“It is aimed at ensuring that higher levels of attainment by investingintheresourcesneededto produce better results Tuschen
The new state-of-the-art Tuschen Secondary School in Region Three.
secondary school says to every child that their dream is valid; it is saying to every parent, your child has a chance and will not be left behind.Itsaystoeveryteacherthat your work is valued It is my government’s expectation that universal secondary education becomearealityinGuyanasooner ratherthanlater,”heexpressed.
Meanwhile in her remarks, Minister Manickchand noted that when her government came into office in 2020, there was not enough space to accommodate some865childreninRegionThree who had just written the NGSA exams.
Not only is the government building five new secondary schools to accommodate the region’s children, but over the last three and a half years, the administrationcreatedmoreaccess to secondary education all across thecountry
Shestatedthatgoalistoachieve universal secondary education for all and by September 2026, “all over this country children will be abletogotoahighschoolcloseto where they live and get a sound secondaryeducation.”
Manickchand said since assuming office, the government built 67 nursery schools, 45 primary schools, and has either built or is building 42 secondary schools.
In2023,theeducationministry signed six contracts for the constructionofTuschenSecondary school,valued$864,705,395.
Theschoolwassaidtobeafully reinforced concrete one flat structure combined with a circular and cylindrical building outline covered in a dome roof At the signing ceremony it was revealed that the building measured in several blocks from 600 sq. ft. to 7105 sq. ft. The building includes several scientific and research centres, a multi-purpose and cafeteria hall, a storage and changing area, a library and document centre. It also has 24
classrooms to accommodate some 800students.
FRIDAY
Womanstabbed securityguardtodeath
ASheriffSecurityguardwason Monday evening stabbed to death on Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown by a woman who is also attached to the same security service.
The deceased has been identified as 63-year-old Paul Devonish.Incustodyis29-year-old Nicosie Clement The incident occurred at approximately 18:30 hrs.
According to police, an 18year-old male security guard, also employed with Sheriff Security wasondutyatTeleperformanceon Barrack Street, Kingston, when Devonish visited the location and allegedly used a series of abusive language towards a female guard andthenconfiscatedherphone.
As a result, the teen intervened andtoldDenonishhewaswrongto take his colleague’s phone and he should return it Devonish then dealt the 18-year-old two slaps to his face The teen then left Devoinish and the female guard and went to the doctor’s quarters located at New Market and Main Streets,whereClementwasonduty withhismother,VanessaJones.
The teen told Jones what transpired and she advised him to remain at New Market and Main Streets and later Clement will accompany him to retrieve his lunch bag While on their way heading east on Barrack Street, Clement and the teen were approached by Devonish who was riding an electric bike from the oppositedirection.
“Thevictim(Devonish)toldthe 18-year-old that he was lucky he did not ‘box off’ his head The suspect (Clement) intervened and askedthevictimwhyhewastaking advantageoftheteen,towhichthe
victim then asked her if she had come to representthe teen,”police said.
According to the police, a scuffle ensued between Devonish and Clement during which the suspectpulledoutaknifefromher pantspocketandstabbedthevictim on his left upper thigh. Devonish was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)wherehewaspronounced deadonarrival.
ItisallegedthatClementthrew theknifeawayintheLamahaStreet trench, after which she returned to work, uplifted her belongings and went to the teen’s home where she was arrested Police said that Clement admitted to stabbing Devonish during a video/audio interview Several persons were questioned and statements were taken as investigations continue. Kaieteur News has confirmed that Devonishwasoffdutywhenhemet hisdemise.
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C)BharratJagdeohassought toplaydownthedamningreportby the Carter Center on government’s abuse of state resources to campaign as well as local banks over-complying with OFAC sanctions on the Mohameds by closing the accounts of candidates of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN)party Hedescribedsomeof findingsinthereportasa“bunchof nonsense” and praised those that werenotcriticalofthegovernment.
The center has been observing key activities, including nomination day and a series of campaign launches and events, as part of its effort to assess electoral preparations and the political environment in Guyana ahead of theSeptember1polls. Inapre-electionreportreleased Continued on page 30
Frompage29 on Tuesday, the Carter Center said thatlocalcommercialbanksmaybe over-complying with the U S DepartmentofTreasury’sOfficeof Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions imposed on WIN’s Presidential Azruddin Mohamed with them closing the accounts of severaloftheparty’scandidates.
The center said too that the action undermines political participationandelectoralintegrity by discouraging people from participating fully in the political process.“Theprivatesectorhasan important role to play in safeguardingdemocraticrightsand freedomsand,assuch,mustensure decisions do not discriminate against individuals for exercising thoserights,”thestatementread.
Jagdeo at his press conference on Thursday said that he finds this position of the Carter Center to be strange.Heexpressedconcernsthat thecenter,apoliticalorganisationis telling banks how to conduct their operations Jagdeo added, “even OFAC refused to do that, OFAC madeitveryexplicit,andthat’sthe United States Treasury Department, which is a financial institution,said:wewillnottellthe local banks what to do, because each bank operates within a framework So I find that very strange.”
Moreover, Jagdeo expressed concernsoverotherfindingsbythe Carter Center, including that the PPP alleged misuse of state resourcesincludingthestatemedia initsongoingcampaigntoconjure upsupportforGuyana’supcoming generalandregionalelections.The centersaidithasreceivedmultiple allegations from political parties and civil society that the ruling party has misused state resources. In relation to the use of state vehicles, Jagdeo argued that Irfaan Ali is still the president. He noted, “Soyouexpectthepresidentnotto go with his vehicle, it’s a bunch of nonsense…”
The vice president also dismissed the center’s findings of abuse of media. He said, “What I
find strange is that the press association got into the report, almostconvenientlythatsomebody is harassing them, government officials are harassing them, intimidating them when they go out…”
“Whilst they accurately reflectedthemasallegationsbythe opposition,theydidn’tcoverallthe allegations,” the vice president contended. Jagdeo went on to list issues like vote buying which he thinks should have been addressed in the report On the flip side, Jagdeo disclosed that he is pleased withtheCarterCenterfindingsthat there is no evidence of a bloated OfficialListofElectors(OLE).He saidthisfindingconfirmswhatthe PPPhas been contending all along and would put the Opposition’s concern to rest that the list flawed.
“This has been APNU’s battle cry allalong.Theyhavebeenatthisfor thelastseveralyears,sayingthelist is bloated, that people who should notbeonthelistareonthelist…so the Carter Center examined all the evidence, and they found no evidence of a bloated list,” Jagdeo noted.
Secondly, Jagdeo is also pleased that the center found that the2025electioncampaignisbeing conducted in a peaceful manner, allowing all political parties to campaignfreelyacrossthecountry He added, “So I’m extremely pleased with those findings, because they’re crucial to the conduct of elections, whether you have a bloated list or people can’t campaign freely or in a peaceful manner.”
Five persons were injured on Friday night when three vehicles transporting ballot boxes to the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) headquarters collided,
after an unknown vehicle drove intothepathofapoliceescortalong the East Coast Demerara Public Road, in the vicinity of La Bonne Intention(LBI).
The injured have been identified as 39-year-old Nattel Stanley, an APNU polling agent from Lancaster Village, 28-year-
Supervisory Returning Officer from Corriverton, Police Corporal AnvinashBhiro(#23966)stationed at Whim Police Station, 37-yearold Andrea Cort, a WIN party pollingagentfromRoseHallTown, and 38-year-old GECOM agent Anascica Hinds from Glasgow Park,Berbice.
Police in a statement said the convoy consisted of thr
99, #BAL/2180 and #PXX/7899) carrying ballot boxes from the Central Police Station and Whim PoliceStationinRegion6,Berbice.
Police reported that minibus #BAB 6899 was heading west along the LBI Public Road, East Coast Demerara, carrying ballot box #DF048 under police escort.
Following closely behind was minibus #PXX 7898 with ballot box #DF047 Both vehicles originated from the Central Police Station.Trailingthemwasminibus #BAL 2180, that was transporting ballotbox#DF050fromtheWhim PoliceStation.
“Allofthevehicleswerebeing escorted by Force Motorcar #PAB 8212, when an unknown motorcar drovenorth-westoutofLBIAccess Roadintothepathwayoftheescort, causingthePolicevehicletoapply brakes.Indoingso,Minibus#BAB 6899 applied brakes, which led to Minibus#PXX7898collidingwith therearofMinibus#BAB6899,and then Minibus #BAL 2180 collided with the rear of Minibus #PXX 7899,”policesaid.
As a result of the collision, the five persons sustained injuries and were immediately transported by police to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for treatment.
Meanwhile, the ballot boxes
were transported safely and s e c u r e l y t o G E C O M ’s headquarters, Public Relations OfficerYolandaWardtoldKaieteur News.
“Alltheelectionmaterialswere intact They have already been deliveredtoGECOMheadquarters. They are in secure custody,” she stated.
An investigation has been launchedintotheaccident.
TheGovernmentofGuyanahas expressed concern about the threat to peace and security posed by transnational organised crime and narco-terrorism in the region. This disclosure follows the recent announcement that the Donald Trump-administration has ordered the deployment of air and naval forces to the Western Hemisphere to address threats from Latin Americandrugcartels.
The government said it notes threats to regional peace involving criminal networks such as the Cartel de los Soles of Venezuela, designated as a terrorist organisation by some countries in theregion.
“Such criminal networks have the capacity to overwhelm state institutions,underminedemocracy, perverttheruleoflawandthreaten human dignity and development,” itstates.
Itunderscoredthenecessityfor strengthened cooperation and concerted efforts at the national, regional, hemispheric and global levels to effectively combat this menace.Further,thegovernmentof Guyanareaffirmeditssupportfora collaborative and integrated approach to tackle transnational organisedcrime.
“We are committed to working with our bilateral partners to find meaningful solutions and will support regional and global initiatives aimed at dismantling criminalnetworkstosafeguardour
shared security By confronting transnational organised crime and narco- terrorism with unity, we reaffirm our dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the region remains a ZoneofPeace,”itsaid.
Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a short clip shared on the U.S. Department of State’s Facebook page stated that therearedesignatednarco-terrorist groups operating in the region. He notedthatsomehavebeenutilizing internationalairspaceandwatersto transit drugs that he labeled as “poison”intotheUnitedStates.
“Those groups will be confronted.Thepresidenthasmade that clear from the time he had operated and specific the question was about the Cartel of the Suns, Cartel de los Soles, which is a criminal organisation that happens to masquerade as a government,” hesaid.
Secretary Rubio added, “The [Nicolas] Maduro regime is not a government, it’s not a legitimate government, we have never recognisedthemassuch.Theyarea criminal enterprise that basically has taken control of national territory of a country and who by the way are also threatening U.S. oil companies that are operating lawfullyinGuyana.”
Rubio noted that President Trump has been clear, that “anything that’s a threat to the national security of the Unites stateshe’sgonnaconfront.”
Notably, American oil giant ExxonMobil is the operator of Guyana’s Stabroek block which is estimated to hold 11 6 billion barrels of oil equivalent Exxon controls 45% of the block, while Hess, another American oil company controls 30%. The third partner is CNOOC with 25% shares.
Guyana and Venezuela have a case pending before the InternationalCourtofJustice(ICJ) overVenezuela’sclaimtoGuyana’s Essequiboregion–whichmakesup two-thirdofGuyana’sterritoryand isaresourcericharea.
Three of the vehicles involved in the accident.
A HAPPY SUMMER DAY
–byWendyLeeKlenetsky
One Sunday afternoon last Summer, Bobbywenttotheparkwithhis Mommy and Daddy He saw his friends, andwalkedovertothem.
Bobby and his friends played tag and hopscotch.Theyalsotookturnsgoingonthe swings and playing in the sandbox. Some girlsjumpedrope,andsomeboyshadraces. They were all having such a great time together
Then after a while, Bobby wanted to go andbewithhisMommyandDaddy Because he was playing with other children, Bobby didn'tknowthathisparentshadleftthepark. When he turned around and saw that they weregone,Bobbystartedcrying.
A police officer saw him and came rushingovertofindoutwhatwaswrongwith him.Whatcouldhavehappenedtomakethat boycry?
"MynameisBobby,andmyMommyand Daddy are LOST!" he said to the nice policeman. "I don't know where they went.
Canyouhelpmefindthem?"
The policeman said to Bobby, "Bobby, let's go to the bus stop. That will be a good place to wait for them. They will see us there".
ThenthepolicemantookBobbytothebus stop Just as the policeman had said, he and Bobby waited together, and before long his MommyandDaddygottothebusstop Bobby rantothem,andgavethemeachabighugand kiss
The policeman said to Bobby, "See, Bobby,ITOLDyouthattheywouldfindusat thebusstopandtakeyouhome Right?!"
Bobby smiled and said “That's EXACTLY what he said, Mommy and Daddy,andBOYwasheright!”
Bobby'sMommyandDaddythankedthe policemanfortakingsuchgoodcareoftheir boy Then they took Bobby by the hand and headedforhome.
Bloop nodded and handed her a giant bubblewandandabottleofsupersoap.“Time toshine,skycleaner!”
Emilyjumpedonherdragonandjoinedthe cleaningcrew Shedippedherwandandmade massive, shiny bubbles that bounced off the stormclouds,poppingthemwithasatisfying splat!“Takethat,stinkyfog!”sheshouted
With teamwork, laughter, and lots of bubbles,thegrimecloudswerewashedaway, andtheskysparkledagain.
Backintheplaza,everyonecheered
“You were amazing, Emily!” Bloop said, bouncing up and down. “You're officially an Honorary Bubble Rider!” He handed her a tinypinshapedlikeasoapbubblewithwings.
“I wish I could stay forever,” Emily said, huggingBloop “ButIthinkIshouldgetback now…”Bloopsmiledgently “Youwillalways be welcome here Just blow the perfect bubble, and say the magic word whenyou'reready.”
Doingtherightthing
There are times when I do something That hurts someone in some way, It usually makes them want to act To make me feel bad and pay
So now I know that I must always Try to do what is right, But then this is many times hard to tell, Even though I try with all my might.
After much thought I have found the answer To how I should always be –Before I act make sure it will not hurt others, And they will surely do the same for me.
Sand Art Bottles with DIY Dyed Sand from the Beach
August 20, 2018 by
Barbara Rucci
Suppliesneededtomakesandartbottles:
Sand
Liquidwatercolour/foodcolouring
Ziplocgallonbaggies
Traysfordrying
Tupperwareforholdingthedriedsand
Recycled bottles or jars (clear juice bottles)
Funnels
Largespoons
Shells
Hotgluegun
Goldspraypaint
HowtoDyeBeachSand
1. Collect the Sand: Choose fine, clean beach sand preferably the most attractive and smooth variety available Fill approximately eight large (gallon-sized) resealablebags.Foragroupofeightchildren, thisquantitywilllikelybesufficient,though additional bags may be beneficial. Ideally, prepareonebagofsandforeachcolour
2.AddColourtotheSand: Pourliquid watercolour paint into each bag of sand and mix thoroughly to ensure even colouring. It may be helpful to dilute the watercolour paintwithwater,dependingonthestrength of the brand (e g Blick may require dilution, while Colorations may not) Expect the sand to be quite wet during this process, as a generous amount of colour tendstobeused
dry
Thisprocessmaytaketheentireday Stir and mix the sand occasionally to speed up drying and prevent clumping If drying indoors due to lack of sun, allow extra time forcompletedrying.
4 Store the Coloured Sand: Once fully dry,placeeachcolourofsandintoaseparate container Thedyedsandisnowreadyforuse insandartactivities
HowtoCreateSandArtBottles
1.DistributeToolsandGuideChildren
Provide each child with a large spoon Allowthemtochooseacolour,scoopthesand, and carefully pour it into their bottle using a funnel Emphasise the need to carry spoons steadilytoavoidspills.
2.EncourageLayering
Prepareasamplebottleinadvancetoserve as a visual reference Encourage children to alternatecolourswitheachscoop oratleast every two scoops to create layered effects, ratherthanusingasinglecolourthroughout.
3.FilltotheTop
Oncethebottlesarenearlyfull,removethe funnels and allow children to top off their bottleswithafinallayerofsand Itisimportant tofillbottlescompletelytominimiseairgaps, whichhelpspreventthesandfromshiftingor mixingovertime.
4.SealandDecoratetheBottles
Usehotgluetoattachdecorativeelements such as painted shells to the bottle lids Children can then choose their preferred lid andsealtheircompletedsandartbottle
Emily nodded She dipped her wand one last time, blew a big bubble,andwhispered, “Soaperdooperpop” Thebubblewrappedaroundher like a soft blanket and gently floated her back down… down… down…until—POP!
Emily landed safely in her backyard Her wand still sparkled, and the sky above looked cleaner than ever She smiled “Best bubbleever.”
TheEnd!
Follow-UpQuestions:
What made Emily's bubble differentfromalltheothersshehad blownbefore?
What do the creatures in Suddletowndotohelptheworld?
Writing a poem is a great pastime,butforthefirsttimeyoucanbe uncertainaboutdoingit.Ifyoufollowa fewsimplesteps,youcanlearnhowto write a poem that expresses your thoughts,feelings,orideas.
Step1:LearnWhataPoemIs
Before you can write a simple poem,youneedtoknowwhatmakesa poemapoeminthefirstplace!Apoem is defined as any collection or arrangementofwordsthatexpressesan emotionorideainamoreconcentrated stylethanstandardspeechorprose.
Poems are typically written in verses, rather than paragraphs. They can include complete sentences or incomplete sentences and often have a rhythm. Keep in mind, poems do not havetorhyme.
Step2:UnderstandYourPurpose
Whyareyouwritingapoemandwhat doyouwantittosay?Thepurposeofyour poem can dictate what form or style it shoulduse,howlongorshortitshouldbe, andthetypesoflanguageyouuse
Step3:ChooseaSubject
Spend some of your time during the holidays by writing a Poem
The subject is the focus of your poem, or what your poem is about. Choosing a subjectbeforeyouwritecanhelpfocus yourmindonthatspecificsubject.
Somecommonpoetrysubjectsare:
Anemotion,suchasloveorfear;A person,realorfictional;Aplace,realor fictional; A feeling, like acceptance or rejection;Anobject;Ananimal.
Step4:Brainstorm
Startbywritingdownallthewords that come to mind when you think of your subject. Poets and writers often imagine what other people or objects seeorfeel.
Step5:ChooseaPoemFormat
The format of your poem is influencedbythesubjectandtone.Asa beginner, you don't need to worry too muchaboutstyleorgetcaughtuptrying to perfect a format. Choose one, learn thebasicrules,anddoyourbesttostick tothem.
Types of Poems and Poetry Styles
Therearemanytypesofpoemsyou can write. Poems don't have to have rhymes and meter, but they can if you feel comfortable using them. Once you'veselectedaformat,youcanlearn
Any attempt at making the best of yourself will always lead to better results in all you do.
more about that style of poetry by reading many examples of that type of poem.
Some of the easier types of poems and poetry styles for beginners include:
Rhyming couplets: The last word ineachoftwoconsecutivelinesrhyme.
Step6:WriteOneLine
You have your purpose, subject, related words, and a format. Now it's timetowrite.Jotdownonelinetostart. Thiscouldendupbeingyourtitle,your opening line, or your last line. Take a lookatthelineandseewhereyouthink itfallsonthespectrumofyouridea.
Within each of the nine realms lives a lone queen. To maintain the peace, queens must not threaten each other: no row, column, nor diagonal may have more than one queen!
Work at Improving Yourself, then Others
Let each man learn to know himself; To gain that knowledge let him labour To improve those failings in himself, Which he condemns in his neighbour.
How lenient our own faults we view, And conscience's voice adeptly smother; Yet, oh, how harshly we review The selfsame failings in another!
And if you meet an erring one Whose deeds are blamable and thoughtless, Consider, before you cast the stone, If you yourself are pure and faultless.
So listen to that small voice within, Whose whisperings oft make men confounded, And trumpet not another's sin; You'd blush deep if your own were sounded. And in self-judgment if you find Your deeds to others are superior, To you has Providence been kind, As you should be to those inferior.
Example sheds a genial ray Of light which men are apt to borrow; So first improve yourself today, And then improve your friends tomorrow.
Invernisoft Inc - Coding Quality, Building Trust
What if your p a y r o l l s o f t w a r e coulddomorethancalculate numbers? What if it could build trust, reflect local expertise, and carry the national symbol of quality?
Introducing Invernisoft Inc. local software company which on July 10, 2025, achievedtherightstousethe prestigiousGNBSApproved Made in Guyana Standards
Mark on its locally developed Mintage Payroll System.
Founded on August 17, 2022, Invernisoft was born to fill a gap in the local
market. Many established businesses were hesitant to adopt digital tools, simply b
helf software did not fit their
ons Invernisoft stepped in and developed a custom payroll system,designedtointegrate seamlessly with existing businessstructures. From the first successful implementation of a custom
e Mintage Payroll, now a trusted solution across industries and the heart of Invernisoft’scommitmentto quality, now backed by its recentcertification.
“The Made in Guyana certification is a powerful v
t o r o f o u r commitment to excellence,” shared Managing Director, DeonThomas. “It gives our c l i
e assurance that our software meets national quality standards, which ensures theirconfidenceandtrust.”
Mintage Payroll is not just built for business; it is builtforGuyana.Thesystem is engineered to manage local tax and compliance requirementslikePAYEand NIS contributions, ensuring accurate, up-to-date payroll processing.
Updates are rolled out regularly to reflect changes in national legislation Invernisoft even partners with chartered accounting firms to stay ahead of regulatory shifts, which speaks volumes about its commitment to compliance a n d c o n t i n u o u s improvement.
Beyond payroll, the company’s growing portfolio includes a full HR management suite and custom software solutions usedbymajoraviationfirms and public agencies. Every lineofcodereflectsthesame standard: fit-for-purpose
relevance, and user-driven design.
For Invernisoft, being Made in Guyana certified is more than a title, it is a milestone of national pride. ItsignalsthatGuyana’stech industry is maturing and capableofproducingworldclassdigitalsolutions.
“We felt a sense of responsibility to pursue this cer
y, GigeshaThomas.“Itreflects the trust placed in us by our clients and affirms the potential of Guyanese innovation.”
WorkingwiththeGNBS was, in their words, “exceptionally positive.”
The software company praised the Bureau for its support, clarity, and the professionalism of the team which made the process smooth, from application to certification.
Invernisoft’sapproachto quality assurance, security, a n d c o n t i n u o u s improvement is nothing short of rigorous frequent updates based on client feedback and emerging needs, regular security audits to safeguard sensitive data and a focus on performance enhancements and user experience evolution.
This strategy ensures Mintage Payroll does not just meet the standard, but exceedsit.
The Made in Guyana mark gives Invernisoft an edge both locally and regionally Athome,itbuilds credibility;abroad,itsignals that Guyanese tech has the talent and systems to compete. The company is now actively pursuing opportunities in Caribbean markets, using its certification as a launch pad forexpansion.
“The mark is a trust signal. It tells clients they are getting a product that has been tested, reviewed, and approved by a national standardsbody.”
Invernisoft believes certificationisagrowthtool for every local business, not just a badge of honour. The process challenges companies to strengthen operations, enhance quality, and formalize their commitmenttoexcellence.
“ W e a b s o l u t e l y encourage other Guyanese businesses to pursue Made in Guyana certification. It lifts your brand and strengthens the collective reputation of what’s made righthereathome.”
Invernisoft Inc. is not only building software, but alsostandards,trust,andthe futureoftechinGuyana.For more information on becomingmadeinGuyana certified, contact the GNBS at 219-0062-66 or WhatsApp692-4627.
From Math lessons to a game-changing private school
– Berbice's very own FEI makes its mark at CSEC
By Shermon Hawker
Fraser's Educational Institute(FEI)isanacademy oflearninginBerbicethatis rapidly gaining momentum asanupcominginstitutionto be taken notice of in Guyana'seducationsystem.
But before it opened its doors as a private learning institution on September 1, 2014, it was a mere arrangement for lessons by Mr Marlon Fraser, the principal and owner of the expandingprivateschool.
Divingintothehistoryof FEI, the principal related thatheoperatedalessonthat
ran by the name 'Let's Pass Mathematics', which tended toForm5,butwasextended by strong requests to the junior Forms because of its g r o u n d b r e a k i n g accomplishmentsinthesore area of Mathematics. This was done, with inclusions made also to Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) English Language for Forms 1-5.
The thrill of their then success was shortlived, however "Our operations took a turn in February of 2008 when the Ministry of Education prohibited public
school teachers from holding lessons in schools and charging students for same. We were faced with the challenge of finding a new venue to hold classes. During the said February 2008, we started renting the
Hopetown Community Centre and we changed the name of our organization to 'Fraser's Educational Institute'," the head of the schooldisclosed.
2025,THE STANDOUTYEAR
Fastforwardto2025and the institute has blossomed into a stand out private school in Berbice. Matter offactitisthefirstandonly privateschoolintheregion. Thisyear'sperformances at the CSEC examinations have been nothing but exceptional, and the principaltippedhishattohis students for achieving in 2025 what he dubbed as the school's "peak year of performance."
Outliningthereasonsfor this, the elated FEI head
Region One teen emerges Brickdam
Secondary School's top CSEC performer
“I wanted to prove that great students can come fromanyschool,notjustthe so-called'top'ones.
These are the words of sixteen-year-old Allyana RoseFraser,whoemergedas the top performer at BrickdamSecondarySchool in this year's Caribbean Examinations Council
(CSEC) Secondary Education Certificate Examination.With10Grade Ones, 5 Grade Twos, and 2 Grade Threes, Fraser's success is a testament to perseverance, faith, and determination.
Her journey, however, began far away from the
bustling streets of Georgetown—in the small village of Hosororo, nestled inMabaruma,Barima-Waini RegionOne.
“ M y f a m i l y i s predominantly Amerindian, and everyone seemed to pursue normal, simple lives,” Fraser explained. “I never thought my story would turn out any differently.”
That all changed when her mother made the bold
decision to move to Georgetown to further her
studies. For young Allyana, it was both exciting and overwhelming. “Moving to Georgetown as a little girl was hard People spoke differently, the culture was different, even the way they carried themselves was strange to me. To my fiveyear-old self, it was like being dropped into a whole newworld.”
Shestartedhereducation at Graham's Hall Primary School, where she discovered her love for s c i e n c e a n d mathematics—subjects that would later shape her career ambitions. She later transferred to S
“Success Elementary was very challenging, with strict teachers, a heavy workload, anddayswhereIquestioned ifIwasevengoodenoughto keepup,”sheadmitted.Still, byGradeSix,shehadsether sights on St Stanislaus College. “I don't even know whyexactly,Ijustthoughtit was a 'good school,' and I wantedit.”
But the COVID-19 pandemicdisruptedherpath. Writing the NGSA during that period, Fraser fell short of her dream placement and was instead assigned to Brickdam Secondary “At thattime,Ithoughtmyworld had ended. I couldn't have been more wrong,” she reflected.
Brickdam Secondary, she would later learn, was exactlywhereshewasmeant tobe.“Theschoolwasn'tjust a place of teaching; it became a family I found people who cared, who pushedme,andwhogaveme space to grow. I made a promise to myself when I entered Brickdam to make myschoolproud.”
By Grade Nine, Fraser had already charted her
career goal: petroleum engineering.
Determined to align her studies with that dream, she chose the science stream, preparing to write 11 subjects But she wasn't satisfied with just that. “I wanted to challenge myself to study an additional six subjects,”shesaid,crediting Business Head of Department, Ms. Albertha Fredricks,forherguidance.”
“She worked beyond the call of duty to ensure that I covered the various syllabi. This entailed sleepless nights, endless textbooks, several extra classes, and late-night studying with my bestfriend,wherewewould push each other to keep going.”
The journey, she admitted, was anything but easy “There were so many moments of self-doubt, tears, and quiet struggles no one else knew about. But I was determined to make my schoolproud.”
That determination paid off on results day. “I could barelybreathe.Myheartfelt likeitwasgoingtojumpout ofmychest.Seeing10Grade (Continuedonpage40)
divulged that this year, the school obtained its highest number of Grade 1 passes since it came on stream as a private school, to the figure of 215. Further, it achieved its highest number of Grade 2 passes, which stands at 166. "I would also like to highlight that it is the first time since our existence in 2014 that we produced a national top performer," Fraser shared elatedly The school's top CSEC student, OdwinBouyea,earnedthird place in the country, he revealed.Thisispremisedon preliminary data released, and confirmation will be made by the final published results.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Owing to this year's significant showcase by the students of FEI at the examinations,theschoolhas gainedsomemoreattention, having for the first time one ofitsstudentsinthenational top 10. Added to that, the school,herevealed,hasbeen leadingthechartsforRegion 5 with regard to CSEC results for an impressive stretch of 4-5 consecutive years, producing the regional top performer each yearthroughoutthatprolific period."We'vealwayshadat least four out of the top ten performers for the Region#5 this year, I would want to think that we willdominatethetopten.."
Addingtothehypeofits 2025 results, the school has also received a call up for five of its students to the Education Ministry's national release ceremony for the CSEC results, owing to their praiseworthy accomplishment of 12+ Grade 1 passes. These are featsthatlayevidencetothe credibility of FEI's impact on the local education system.
CHALLENGES
As is common with any organization, FEI is confronted with its own unique challenges One major stress-incurring ordeal revolved around acquiring capital for expansion. Shedding details on this, Fraser revealed: "I recall when we were building the school, I approachedaparticularbank foraloanandIwasn'tgiven theloan.Iwasrejected. POSITIVE TURNAROUND "And then I turned to IPED and IPED rescued us. IPEDgavemethefundingto at least start the building," Fraser continued in his reflection. In harmony with that encouragement, his ambitions received a strong muscle of GYD $3Million from his mother, Mirriam Murraytowardsthebuilding projectoftheFEI.This
(Continuedonpage40)
FEI's Principal, Mr Marlon Fraser
Proud feat: FEI's top CSEC performers share a moment with Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand
Top CSEC performer at Brickdam Secondary School: Allyana Rose Fraser
First location of FEI is housed at Chapel Street in NewAmsterdam
Second location of FEI is housed at Fort Wellington on the West Coast of Berbice
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AFC promises to limit presidential powers, reform constitution and guarantee judicial independence in manifesto
The Alliance for Change (AFC) on Friday released its manifesto,inwhichitispromisingtolimitpresidentialpowers and to have judicial independence should the party get into government.
The party, within its first 100 days in office, intends to establish a constitutional reform commission that will be taskedwithreviewingcurrent constitutional provisions against international democratic standards.
Initsconstitutionalreform framework,thepartyispledging to advance reforms that will address the core weaknesses of Guyana’s governance structure. This will include “Limiting Executive Power; reform the powers of the executive presidency to strengthenparliamentaryoversightandcabinetaccountability,” theAFC said.
The commission which willbemakingallthispossible will consist of “representativesfromgovernment,opposition, civil society, trade unions, the private sector, religious groups, youth and women’sorganizations,Indigenous Peoples, and the diaspora.”
cratic standards and produce and publish a Draft Revised Constitution for national debate within two years.”
In April 2024, Kaieteur News reported that President Irfaan Ali administered the oath of office to members of the Constitution Reform Commission at the Office of thePresident,withformeracting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh being appointedchairmanofthebody Meanwhile, according to the manifesto, the party intends to include the diaspora in national decision-making and the implementation of
policies.Therewillbemechanisms introduced to guarantee there is ethnic security, fairpoliticalpresentationand shared governance models to foster inclusive governance.
Theframeworkalsospoke to judicial independence, whereby the process for appointingtheChancellor,Chief Justice, and other senior constitutional officers will be reformed to ensure independence, merit, and transparency.
There will be a Rights Commissions, which will “strengthentheroles,powers, andresourcesofRightsCom-
missions to safeguard the rights of all Guyanese”
On the side of national patrimony, the party is offering a guarantee that in the Constitutionitwillbewritten that every Guyanese has a righttobenefitequitablyfrom the nation’s natural wealth.
Additionally, the party has promised reforms to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) “and the broader electoral system to ensure free, fair, transparent, and credible elections.”
Notablythepartyislooking to do all of this within its first100daysinoffice.
RegionOneteenemergesBrickdam...
From page 39 Ones, 5 Grade Twos, and 2 GradeThreesmademebreak down and cry. It wasn’t only happiness; it was a mix of relief and thankfulness all at once. Every late night, every prayer, every hard moment, and all the support from my mom and family suddenly made sense.”
Petroleum Engineering. I want to take what I learnt to help grow Guyana’s oil and gas industry, make a real impact in my country, and show other children, especially those from small villages like mine and from schools that are not considered the best in Guyana, that they can aim high too.”
can take the next step toward thatdream,becauseItrulybelievethateducationisthekey to success.”
Looking ahead, Fraser’s dream remains steadfast. She said: “My plan remains the same: to further my studies in the field of
For now, her immediate goalistosecureascholarship to continue her education.
“Right now, my biggest goal is to earn a scholarship so I
Reflectingonherjourney, the teen said with gratitude, “Thisjourneywastough,but all the hard times and doubts helpedshapemeintotheperson I am today. I thank God for guiding me through it all, andIthankmymother,grandmother, my aunts, my teachers, my best friend, and the manyothersforstandingwith me.”
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The AFC said too that it willensurethatthereisafully funded Secretariat to provide administrative,technical,and legalexpertisetotheCommission while noting that it will be mandatory to conduct widespread consultations both nationally and with the diaspora, to “review existing constitutional provisions against international demo-
From page 39 warming deed by his mother has been given a customary swell of praise on repeat by Fraserateachgraduationceremony for the learning institution, and students and teachers alike would be reminded of the fact that Mrs. Murray was the first individualtoinvestinFEI.
And there’s no complacency to be added to the upswing the school has enjoyed.
Fraser and the FEI are in accelerated expansion mode. Currently, they retain a
daycare facility along with a pre-school setup. In September, there will be the official opening of a nursery school, and this will supplement the FEI’sacademiccatering,asit is presently delivering secondary level education.
Absorbing the positives of these prospects, the principalaffirmedthat“Weareon the verge of massive expansion,andthingsarealittlebit better now...”
FEI’sgrowingpresenceis pinned by two branches to date, with one situated at Chapel Street in New
Amsterdam, and the main branch at Fort Wellington on the West Coast of Berbice. At present, the Fort Wellington location holds in excessof300students,while the New Amsterdam branch has in proximity of 150 students.
The school’s curriculum is executed by a 22 capable teachers, many of whom are young and foster much youthful modern reliability with the school’s demographic to a considerable extent, which makes for pleasantlearningexperiences.
T&T backs US crackdown T&T backs US...
From page 3 governmentdisclosedthatno requests have ever been made by the American Government for their military assetstoaccessTrinidadianterritory for any military action against the Venezuelan NicolasMaduro-regime.
To this end it was stated, “Trinidad andTobago has alwayshadgoodrelationswith the Venezuelan people and thatwillcontinue.
However, I want to make itveryclearthatiftheMaduro regime launches any attack against the Guyanese people orinvadesGuyaneseterritory and a request is made by the AmericanGovernmentforaccess to Trinidadian territory to defend the people of
Notably,SecretaryRubio had stated that the U.S had not recognized the Maduro regimeasalegitimategovernment and stated, “They are a criminal enterprise that basically has taken control of national territory of a country and who by the way are also threatening U.S. oil companies that are operating lawfullyinGuyana.”
Notably,GuyanaandVenezuela have a case pending beforetheInternationalCourt of Justice (ICJ) over Venezuela'sclaimtoGuyana's Essequibo region – which makes up two-third of Guyana's territory and is a resource rich area.
Guyana,mygovernmentwill unflinchingly provide them that access.” Moreover, on FridaynighttheGovernment of Guyana has expressed concern about the threat to peace and security posed by transnationalorganisedcrime andnarco-terrorismintheregion. The Guyanese government said, “We are committedtoworkingwithourbilateralpartnerstofindmeaningfulsolutionsandwillsupport regionalandglobalinitiatives aimedatdismantlingcriminal networks to safeguard our shared security.Byconfronting transnational organised crime and narco- terrorism with unity, we reaffirm our dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the region remains a Zone of Peace.”
crowned Miss Cosmo Guyana 2025 Kayla King
KaylaKinghasbeencrowned Miss Cosmo Guyana 2025. King was selected as winner following a night of competition between four delegates held last Friday She displayed consistency and exceptionalism throughout her MissCosmoGuyanajourneyand onthecompetitionstage.
Alongside her, Miriam Alexander Contestant #2 was dubbed 1st Runner-Up – Sasha Khellawan, Contestant#4wasgiven2ndRunner-Upand the 3rd Runner-Up position went to Contestant#1:DoneetaRamlakhan.
Accordingtoinformationavailableonthe Miss Cosmo Guyana’s Facebook page each of the young women displayed confidence, grace, and impactful beauty throughout the competition. King is expected to represent Guyana at the Miss Cosmo International nd Pageant later this year This is King’s 2 crown. She was Miss Guyana Independence 2022, Kayla has since become a recognized face in Guyana’s modeling and pageant circles, earning a Top 5 placement at Miss GuyanaCultureQueen2023. Hercareerbeganwithaboldstepintothe runway world in 2020, proving that passion
Miss Cosmo Guyana 2025 Kayla King
notconventiondefinessuccessinthefashion industry King describes herself as an entrepreneur and co-founder of Bluemoon Management, a creative agency helping emergingtalentbreakintomodeling,styling, andmediaproduction.Hermission:tobuilda platformwhereauthenticityanddiversityare notjustaccepted,butcelebrated.
Outside of her work and pageantry, Ms Kingisstudyingpsychology,workingtoward a future where she can uplift others not just through art, but through mental health advocacy
Shedescribesherselfasresilient,aproud, curvy, Guyanese woman challenging industry standards and redefining beauty on her own terms Her message: “Your differenceisyourpower Ownit,liveit,lead withit.”
At right: Miss Cosmo Guyana 2025 Kayla King stands alongside Miss Cosmo Guyana 2024, Misha Caleb
GECOM fails to provide answers on specifics of voters' list
- No data given on number of Commonwealth voters, Guyanese voters or
Officials of the Guyana Elections Commission have failed to provide key information as it relates to the breakdown of the Official List of Electors (OLE) While the commission announced that 757,690personsarelistedto vote, officers failed to providekeydataasitrelates tocategoriesofvotersonthe OLE.
Whenaskedtoprovidea breakdownonthenumberof v o t e r s w h o a r e Commonwealth citizens or citizens by birth, naturalization or descent during a recent press conference the Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud said GECOM has hadnoreasontodoso.
“First of all, we register personswhometthecriteria ofbeing18yearsandoverby June30th,whoareGuyanese citizens or citizens of a Commonwealth country livinginGuyanaforoneyear ormore.
Now, I started out by saying we register electors, wehavenocharge,noreason to categorize electors by nationality That is not something that the secretariat has been charged to do, we have not done so, and unless we are asked specificallytodoso,thenwe havenogroundsonwhichto do it,” the CEO said in response to the questions surrounding the specifics of thevoterslist.
Faced with a similar question as to how many personsontheOLEarefirsttime voters, officers of the commissionsaidtheydidnot have that data readily available, but they could provideitlater
ThesizeofOLEreleased by GECOM has raised concerns among some sections of society Alluding to the issue, Opposition-
Frompage8
appointed Commissioner, Vincent Alexander said on Wednesday that he is not surprised at the size given thatthelistcontainspersons registered as of 2008
A c c o r d i n g t o t h e commissioner GECOM has created condition for the list to be bloated and for voter impersonationtotakeplace.
“We have a system, wherewehavenotperfected mechanism of taking the dead off the list, internally the registrar of births and deaths sends to GECOM a list of the registered deaths. Once,wegetthatlist,weflag those names, but we have evidenceto thefactthatthat list is deficient, and they are personswhosenamesareon thelistwhowouldhavedied years ago Thousands of overseas dead are on the list.”
Alexander referenced a recentincidentwhereadead person's name was detected onthevoters'list.
Combined with this, Alexander pointed to GECOM's flawed facial identificationprocess.
He explained that “GECOM does not make it mandatory for persons to have updated ID cards. So, youmightfindapersonwho registered when they were 14yearsoldhavingthesame ID card at age 30 and that it was, they will identify them astheyvote.Thereisnoway
new military offensive aimed at occupying GazaCity
Gaza's health ministry has reported 61 deaths in the past 24 hours after Israeli attacks. It said eight people, including two children,havediedasaresultofmalnutrition inthesameperiod.
In one attack on a displacement camp in the southern city of KhanYounis, 19 people were killed, according to Palestinian news agencyWafa.
Israel's military launched a campaign in
that, that person looks the same. This is how voter impersonationcanoccur.”
Further,Alexandernoted that in 2020 there was evidence of overseas Guyanese verified as being votedforinGuyana.
“Given the actual numberofvoterswhoarein country, probably not more than 500,000 there was indicator that votes may have been cast for absent person. That was confirmed by the verification of the absentee votes by the Chief Immigration Officer,” he stated.
Presidential candidate of the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), Amanza Walton- Desir, had also raisedconcernsoverthesize ofOLE.
In a live post via the official Facebook page on Tuesday, Walton-Desir noted that the size of OLE should be of concern to all citizensandpoliticalparties.
“Somebody explain it to us, why is our officiallist of electors, the size of population. Our population may have grown but they refusedtoreleasethecensus. Guyanese people wake up and understand what is happening and demand answers. Because I can tell you that if you don't, what theywantistohaveelections andstuffthoseballotboxes.”
“We have been trying to get information on GECOM and the voter's list, now we have a situation where, we don't know how many foreignersareonourlist,we don't know how many Commonwealth citizens are on our list, this is a problem because it means that there are people and through the machinationsofthePPP,will getonourlistandthwartthe willofthepeopleofGuyana, this is serious business” WaltonDesirsaid.
GazainresponsetotheHamas-ledattackon southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 othersweretakenhostage.
Atleast62,122peoplehavebeenkilledin Gaza since then, according to the health ministry
Most of Gaza's population has also been displaced multiple times; more than 90% of homes are estimated to be damaged or destroyed; and the healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene systems have collapsed.
CEO Vishnu Persaud
Pres. Ali reminds part-time workers who gave them jobs
As the 2025 general and regional elections draw near, P
’s P
y/C
v
c (PPP/C) presidential candidate Irfaan AlionFridaynightreminded part-time workers that it was his administration that created the 10-day worker initiative which has now employedthousands.
The National Pathway Workers Programme, launched in 2022 by the PPP/C, allows citizens to earn $40,000 monthly for 10 days of work. Government currently invests about $611 million monthly in the programme, which has created employment for some15,283persons.
Speaking at a public meeting at Bush Lot, Region Five, President Ali accused the opposition of hypocrisy for first attacking the initiative,butnowpromising on their campaign trail to increase the salary “Who give y’all the job…now they promise to increase the salary,”hetoldsupporters.
During his address, Ali revisited broken promises made by the former APNU+AFC administration and reminded his supporters ofwhatisatstakeinthe2025 elections He cautioned voters against being swayed by campaign pledges of
otherparties.
The PPP’s presidential candidate also pointed to the investments his government has made in farmers, contrasting this with what he described as the coalition’s neglect. “And they come onceagain,onceagain.They come to you, and they say, rice farmers, we love you farmers, we love you. We will give you more. We will take care of you. We will lift you up…it is false promise,” Alisaid.Moreover,Aliurged Indigenous communities to be cautious of opposition “falsehood.” He reminded that it was the previous administration which axed the Community Service Officer (CSO) programme, a Ministry of Amerindian Affairs initiative that employed and trained Indigenousyouths.
“They sent more than 2000 young Amerindians to the breadline. Today, they come again, and they say we love Amerindians, and we will give the CSO more. It is nothing but hypocrisy lies, andwemustsmashthoselies on September one by voting overwhelmingly for the People’s Progressive Party,” Alistated.
Speaking about PPP’s planned increase for the ‘Because We Care’
children’s grant, public assistance and the old age pension, Ali said these measures would see billions more being invested into households across the country
He urged Region Five residents not to stop the development that his administration has started since August 2020, but instead to vote wisely to ensure it continues for the nextfiveyears.
“You’re voting for more money in your pockets You’re voting for less taxes. You’re voting for direct support to the vulnerable. You’re voting for free education,worldclasshealth services. You’re voting for better roads, streetlights on every single light post, CCTV cameras to keep your family safe, b
tter recreational facilities, you are voting for good grounds, sports facilities You are voting to have a world-class horse-racing track here in Region Five. You are voting to empower our religious leaders because we will transfer money directly to the religious organization to help us. You’re voting for a stronger, more secure future foryourchildren,”hestated.
Further, Ali explained that development is not only about roads, schools and hospitals, but also about building human capacity. “It is called the human capital, andyouwillliveinacountry where our salaries and benefits will be so good that those nurses, teachers, doctors, engineers that left our shores will be coming back home because home will give them a quality-oflifedevelopment,”Alinoted.
Israeli attacks kill 60 in Gaza as more Palestinians die from starvation
die from malnutrition after famine declared in Gaza.
Aljazeera - At least 60 Palestinianshavebeenkilled in Israeli attacks across Gaza,medicalsourcestellAl Jazeera, as health authorities in the besieged territory recorded eight more deaths from malnutrition amid a deepeninghungercrisis
Israeli artillery shelled tents sheltering displaced families in the Asdaa area northwest of Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Saturday, killing 16 people, including six children, the sourcessaid
In central Gaza, two people were killed in an Israeli drone strike on a house in the Maghazi refugeecamp.
At least 16 Palestinians also were killed while seeking humanitarian aid in the coastal enclave, including a Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli forces near a distribution point closetotheso-called“Morag axis”, southeast of Khan Younis.
Another civilian seeking aid was shot dead near the Israeli-controlled Netzarim Corridor
Starvation deaths
Palestinian health authorities said on Saturday that eight more Palestinians, including two children, died from malnutrition over the past 24 hours, raising the total death toll to 281 since Israel’s war on Gaza began nearlytwoyearsago.
Munir al-Bursh, the
director-general of Gaza’s Health Ministry, said on social media that 114 children were among the victims “The famine is silently ravaging the bodies of civilians, depriving children of their right to life, and turning tents and hospitals into daily scenes of tragedy,”headded.
The United Nations on Friday officially declared a famine in Gaza – the first such designation ever announced in the Middle East – with experts warning
500,000 people face “catastrophic”hunger
The UN has accused Israel of “systematic obstruction”ofaiddeliveries
to the war-ravaged Palestinian territory, and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the famine as a “man-made disaster”.
The Integrated Food S e c u r i t y P h a s e Classification (IPC) system, aglobalhungermonitor,said 514,000 people – close to a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza – are experiencing famine, with the number due to rise to 641,000 by the end ofSeptember
Reporting from Deir elBalah, Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary said many other Palestinians in Gaza were at riskfrommalnutrition.
“The UN famine report hasbeenverylate,according to Palestinians. They have been witnessing weeks and
months of this ongoing starvation,”shesaid.
‘Engineering of starvation’
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said on
S a t u r d a y t h a t i t “appreciates”thedeclaration of famine in the enclave, although it believes the announcementwaslate.
“We emphasise that the engineering of starvation is one aspect of the chapters of genocide,whichalsoinclude the systematic destruction of the health sector and other sectors, mass killing, and the policy of exterminating generations,” the ministry wrote in a statement on Telegram.
Since May 27, Israel has enforced a unilateral aid delivery mechanism through the so-called “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation”, backedbyIsraelandtheUS.
The setup has been rejectedbytheUNandmajor relief groups as illegitimate and failing to adhere to humanitarianprinciplessuch as independence and neutrality
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 2,076Palestinianshavebeen killed and more than 15,300 people wounded while seeking aid since the GHF schemewaslaunched.
Israel has killed more than 62,600 Palestinians in Gaza since the Hamas-led October 2023 attack on southernIsrael
Health authorities say eight more people, including two children,
Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox
In 2024 the government forwent about US$5,250 per Guyanese because...
Frompage4
Now, if we had ringfencedall3oftheseprojects, Guyana would have to pay the Consortium US$18.5 billion in capital cost before the production expenses dropped below 75% of revenue. For simplicity, we will define expenses as capital cost + operational cost We estimate that operational cost is around US$10 a barrel, based on HESS saying that the cash unit cost in 2027 would be US$10/barrel (see 2Q2023
HESS earnings call transcript). Also, in a 2020 report, Global Witness
pegged operating cost at around US$11/barrel (duringthewithdrawalofits report,GlobalWitnesssaidit stood by its fiscal modelling).Forcomparison, the 2017 IMF report estimated the operating cost atUS$10.50/barrel.
From Table 2 below, we can see that in 2024, the average revenue per barrel was US$80. Now, if the capitalcostsofall3projects were not paid off, then Guyana's profit share per barrel would have been US$80*(1-0 75)*0 5= US$10/barrel But if the capitalcostforthe3projects
had been paid off, then Guyana's profit share was (US$80 - US$10)*0 5= US$35/barrel.
Table2
WecanobserveinTable 2thatbytheendof2023,that Guyana had repaid the Consortium about US$15.5 billion in capital costs. That
What we next need to determine is how many barrels would it take to pay off the remaining US$3 billion. We can figure this out by dividing the US$3 billion capital cost by how much capital cost was paid off per barrel in 2024 or (US$80*0 75)-US$10 = US$50/barrel. That works outtobe60millionbarrelsor about26%ofthe225million barrels produced in 2024. Usingthederivedpro-rating we arrive at Guyana's share of 2024 oil profits – before thecapitalcostwaspaidoff–ofUS$591million,andafter the capital cost was paid off of US$5.8 billion [(US$80US$10) *0.5*(225m-60m)] foratotalofUS$6.4billion. However, because of a lack of ring-fencing, Guyana's 2024 profit share
reported by the Bank of Guyana was only US$2.2 billion, or a forfeiture of US$4.2 billion. Divide that amount by 800,000 citizens, andin2024Guyanagaveup US$5,250percitizen.
The Liza 1 and Liza 2 projects were approved in the 2016 PSA by the APNU+AFC government without ring-fencing. The current PPPC government promised to renegotiate the contract if it got into power, s e e https://www.oggn.org/2024/ 07/14/jagdeo-before-2020w
contracts/. The PPPC also knew about ring-fencing which requires no renegotiation Hence, Guyanese have to be bewildered as to why the currentgovernment–with4 chances to put ring-fencing in place: with Payara, Yellowtail,Uaru,Whiptail–looked the other way
Guyana's forgoing of US$4.2 billion in 2024 will only increase because while in 2024 we were pumping 650,000barrelsaday,nowin 2025 we are pumping 900,000barrelsaday
According to the World Bank, more than 40% of Guyanese are struggling to surviveonUS$5.50adayor US$2,000 a year How does the government explain to them that it could have supplemented them in 2024 withanextraUS$5,250,ifit had ring-fenced all 3 oil projects when Payara was approved in September 2020?
DarshanandKhusial
JanetteBulkan
AndreBrandli o n b e h a l f o f www.oggn.orga501(c)(3) https://www stabroekne ws.com/2022/11/02/news/g uyana/world-bank-sayspoverty-in-guyana-amonghighest-in-latin-americacaribbean/
GDFdismantlesDenAmstelasSantos...
From page 51
DenAmstelFC.NiomieWilliamsopenedthe GDF’s account with a rocket shot from outside the box in the 7th minute. As one wouldexpect,hergoalopenedthefloodgates, eventhoughDenAmstel’sgoalkeepergother hands on quite a few saves. Sandra Johnson (12th, 15th, 19th, 24th, 30th) and Glendy Lewis (10th, 11th, 19th, 26th) led the charge forGDF’sspreeinthefirsthalf,accompanied by strikes fromAkeelahVancooten (24th, 33rd)andGlengieLewis(29th,31st). Inthesecond,theflowofgoalscontinued with Aaliyna Christie (35th), Jalade Trim (37th, 54th, 55th), Nikita Wayne (43rd), Abioce Haywood (46th), Shenesa Cornelius (46th, 60th), Rosa Toss (50th) and Patsy
Walker (56th) all adding their names to the scoresheets.
The following clash between Santos and Western Tigers FC was almost evenly poised untilAleena Baptiste found the ice breaker in the 11th minute, playing through Western’s defensestofindthecornerofthenet.
Santos held on to their lead with solid defenses and managed to extend it through Captain Tyneshia Thorne in the 59th minute; thussecuringa2-0victory
The Women’s Division One League will continue this Friday, August 29 with another doubleheaderatthesamevenue.At18:00hrs, DenAmstel FC will take onAnn’s Grove FC while at 19:30hrs, Western Tigers battles FrutaConquerorsFC.
PremierLeague:
Gyokeres scores twice as Arsenal...
From page 49 youngest player to play for the club at 15 years and 234 days old, only behind his team-mate Ethan Nwaneri who made his debut at 15 years 181 days in September 2022againstBrentford.
Arteta will be concerned though by the injury to Saka, while he was also forced to replace Martin Odegaard in the first half after his captain limped off with an injury on his 200th appearance for the Gunners.
Sunday August 24, 2025
ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19)
Youmayneedtospendalotof time in the car today You couldhittrafficandmisssome of the people you need to see. Irritations could quickly turn toangerifyouaren'tcareful.
TAURUS(Apr 20–May20)
Paperwork involving money mayneeddoingtoday,andthis could take you away from what you love most - working on your own projects and spending time with a love partner
GEMINI(May21–June20)
An unhappy visitor, probably a woman, could come to your home today This person has a lot of anger right now and probably won't make much of a conversationalist. If you can't make your excuses, put on some music or perhaps a funnymovie.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Have you been expecting an important letter? If so, it may not arrive for a while. If it doesn't appear today, call the person who sent it and ask for a duplicate because the original could be lost in the mail.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Money worries could have your nerves on edge, Leo. It's better to focus on doing what you have to do to resolve your difficulties than it is to waste timefrettingoverthem.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
A lot of tedious paperwork is probably waiting for you, and you will want to get it done as quicklyaspossible.Youmight be distracted and irritated by everyone goofing off. Don't worryabouteveryoneelse.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Some facts that you may need for certain projects might prove elusive today, Libra. No matter what website or periodical you consult, you'll probably come across some interestingstuffbutnotexactly whatyou'relookingfor
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
You should pay attention to your dreams, Scorpio, but tonight your subconscious might send you some garbled information that means next to nothing. If the message is obvious,payattentiontoit.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
A miscommunication with a business or romantic partner might cause some ruffled featherstoday,Sagittarius.You can divert this by explaining the facts clearly whenever you giveinformation.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Do you work with a lot of documents? If so, you might find today that some of the papers you need are missing. They might seem to have vanishedintoablackhole.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
A missed communication - or miscommunication - with a romantic partner could find youwaitinginthewrongplace. If you're planning to get together with someone special tonight, make sure you get the fulldetailsofthelocation.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Today you could find that you've left something at home, perhaps a book or letter that you need. There's no way around it, Pisces, you'll have to go back. This could make you late.Staycalm!
Leeds were outclassed for most of the match and only really threatened the Arsenal goal once when Pascal Struijk had a header savedbyRaya.
Lusignan Golf Club looks...
From page 50 community,” Hackett noted. Athome,theclubisworking diligently to upgrade its facilities While Hackett acknowledged that “a few glitches on the greens” remain to be resolved, he was quick to point out that the course is in excellent condition overall “The fairways are lush, providing good bounce and distance, creating ideal playing conditions We are committed to ensuring that the grounds remain topquality for both practice and competition,”hesaid.
Theclub’sbroadervision extends beyond just tournaments and course upkeep.LGCaimstoexpand its membership base, encourage new players to take up the sport, and continue forging private partnerships that sustain its growth. By aligning competitive opportunities w i t h c o m m u n i t y engagement, the club hopes to cement its role as both a nationalandregionalhubfor golf.
“Aswemovedeeperinto the season, we expect not only strong competition but also lasting improvements that will benefit the sport for years to come,” Hackett affirmed.
With high-profile tournaments approaching, o n g o i n g c o u r s e i m p r o v e m e n t s , a n d international ambitions, the Lusignan Golf Club is charting a future defined by growth, excellence, and opportunity
Pharmacy overcomes Tucber Park to reach 6th consecutive final
Defending Berbice under-13 champions, Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy, had to fighttotheendtodefeatadeterminedTucber Park Cricket Club to advance to their sixth consecutive finals in the ancient county Playing in the first semifinals at the Area H Groundinblisteringheat,thehometeamwas led to a close two-wicket victory by their captain,JaydenGanpat,wholedinfrontwith bothbatandball.
The visitors won the toss and elected to take first strike in a perfect batting pitch, but wereneverallowedtoscorefreelyasthenew ball pair of Dishawn La Cruz and Anthony Srikissoon bowled well. Openers A. Felix andDequanLewiswerekeptto20fromeight
overs in the 30 overs before Lewis was bowled by the impressive Anthony Srikissoonfor12.
The attractive left-handed batsman, Ashton DeJonge, joined Felix as they both struggled against the impressive bowling attack. Felix was then caught and bowled by left-arm spinner Devish Narine for 12 as TucberParkreached52for2inthe20thover Therestoftheirbattingline-upthenfellapart as the Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy bowlers never eased up the pressure DeJonagetopscoredwith 22ashisteamwas dismissed for 90 in the 29th over Left-arm spinner Divesh Narine took three wickets for twelve runs from six overs and was well
supportedbyoff-spinnerAkeeamFraserwith 3 for 10, while skipper Jayden Ganpat took his tournament haul to fifteen wickets with a spell of two for 14 from six overs. Anthony Srikissoon 1 for 10 from six overs and Khemraj Bharrat 1 for 15 were the other successfulbowlersforthehometeam.
Needing to score 91 from 30 Overs to advance to the finals, the defending champions slumped to 52 for 6 in the 15th over as several of their batsmen fell to poor shot selection. Ganpat, who played for Berbice last year, used all his experience to top score with an unbeaten 22 to see his team home at 92 for 8 in the 26th over Akeeam Fraser and Royston Crandon scored ten runs
apiece. Bowling for the disappointed Tucber ParkwereASamuelwith2for11,SDeJonge 2for13andRDeJonge2for18.
The Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy now awaits the winner of the Albion versus Cotton Tree semifinals to play the finals at a venue to be determined by the Berbice Cricket Board Competition Committee. The defending champions have reached all five finals of the BCB under-13 tournaments and have emerged as champions on three occasions Players like Tameshwar Deochand, Raffel McKenzie, Leon Reddi andSohailMohamedareproductsoftheteam and have gone on to represent Guyana at the Nationallevel.
(BBC Sport) - Viktor Gyokeres scored his firstArsenal goalsastheGunnersputfivepast Leeds after unveiling new £60m signing Eberechi Eze before kick-off.
It was a jubilant atmosphere in north London as Eze was introduced to the crowd before thegameandtheenergeticcrowd
seemedtogivetheteamalift.
Jurrien Timber scored the opening goal, heading in a trademark set piece before providing an assist for Bukayo SakaforArsenal’ssecond.
Saka smashed a shot past Lucas Perri just before half-time but then the England winger was forced to limp off injured in the
secondhalf.
Striker Gyokeres, a £64m signing, jinked into the box to score Arsenal’s third with a low strike before Timber scored his secondfromanothercorner
Mikel Arteta also handed a PremierLeaguedebutto15-yearold Max Dowman, who replaced Noni Madueke, who had been
making his first start for the Gunners.
Dowman had an immediate impact, winning a penalty after being brought down by Anton Stach and Gyokeres slammed the ball into the bottom corner with almostthelastkickofthegame.
Dowmanbecamethesecond Continued on page 47
Viktor Gyokeres. (Getty Images)
North Ruimveldt Secondary could now have 400m track
…Sports stakeholders welcome consultation with Minister Priya Manickchand
Plans for the construction of modern athletics track and other sports facilities at North Ruimveldt Secondary School have taken an important step forward, with key sports stakeholders praising Minister of EducationPriyaManickchandforfacilitating meaningful consultation and incorporating theirconcernsintotheproject’sdesign.
The consultation, held under the leadershipofMinisterManickchand,brought together a wide cross-section of the sporting community
Present were Guyana Olympic Association President Godfrey Munroe, Head of the Unit of Allied Arts Nicholas
Fraser,andrepresentativesfromtheAthletics Association of Guyana, Guyana Football Federation, Guyana Basketball Federation, Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force, and members of the sports journalism fraternity
Teachers from North Ruimveldt Secondarywerealsopartofthediscussion.
Stakeholders described the engagement as both constructive and encouraging, noting that their input was not only heard but taken intoconsideration.
Minister Priya Manickchand with stakeholders during consultation for the North Ruimveldt Secondary Sports facility.
Minister Manickchand emphasized that sports remain a critical component of the Ministry of Education’s vision, particularly with facilities being directly tied to schools. She underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring the project meets both community and international standards, whilelaudingtheassociationsfortheiractive involvement.
One of the most notable outcomes of the consultation was the decision to expand the athletics track from 300 metres, as initially announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali, to a 400-metresyntheticsurface.
Thisadjustmentnowpositionsthefacility tohostinternational-standardcompetitions,a development warmly welcomed by the athleticsfraternity
In addition, the Guyana Basketball Federation’s proposal for 3x3 basketball courts was embraced and incorporated into thedesign.
Thisisexpectedtocomplementthewider vision for the complex, which will also feature courts for basketball, volleyball, and tennis, in keeping with PresidentAli’s earlier announcement.
The facility is earmarked to serve as a major recreational hub for residents of North Ruimveldt and its neighbourin
communities, while directly benefiting the estimated 4,000 students attending schools across North, East, and South Ruimveldt, as wellasTucville.
According to Dr Ali, the complex will mirror the quality of the Leonora Synthetic Track and Stadium on the West Coast Demerara, ensuring access to world-class infrastructureinGeorgetown.
Built on an unused lot near the North RuimveldtSecondary School, the complexis expected to transform sports development in thecapitalcity
By welcoming dialogue and adapting the facility’s design, the Ministry of Education has earned commendation from the sporting community, who view the North Ruimveldt projectasatimelyandsignificantinvestment inGuyana’sfutureathletes.
Lusignan Golf Club looks ahead with ambitious plans for season and beyond
The Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) has officially reopened its golfing season, setting the stage for an ambitious series of tournaments, course enhancements, and international engagements. The reopening was marked by the recent Gmin Ventures Tournament, which not only welcomed players back into competition but also underscored the exciting opportunities on the horizonfortheremainderoftheyear
LGC Public Relations Officer Brian Hackett explained that the season ahead is designed to maintain momentum and ensure thatgolfinGuyanacontinuesitstrajectoryof growth. “With the season now open, we’re seeing more and more players preparing for what promises to be a successful year The upcomingtournamentsprovideaplatformfor players to sharpen their skills while contributing to the overall growth of the game,”Hackettsaid.
Among the most anticipated fixtures are the Banks DIH Tournament, the Macorp Tournament, and the prestigious Guyana Open. These competitions, all scheduled in the coming months, represent cornerstone events on the club’s calendar Hackett emphasized that they are expected to attract not only local golfers but also regional players, further positioning Guyana within theCaribbeangolfcircuit.
Looking outward, the LGC has its sights firmly set on international exposure. Several local golfers are preparing to participate in tournaments in Trinidad, Jamaica, and other regional destinations, using local events as preparation grounds “Our players are determined to raise their level of play, and international competition offers the perfect stage for that. These experiences also bring recognition to Guyana, strengthening our presenceintheCaribbeangolfing Continued on page 47
LGC PRO Brian Hackett
Guyana to face Jamaica, St. Lucia at FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup in Mexico
Guyana’s Men’s 3x3 Basketball Team will once again face the qualifying round at the prestigious FIBA3x3AmeriCup, set for November 27–30 in León, Mexico.
TheFIBA3x3AmeriCup is the premier competition forcountriesintheAmericas Zone, bringing together the region’stopteams.
Guyana has yet to secure direct entry into the Main
Draw of the men’s tournament.
The nation’s best performance came in 2022 when the quartet of Delroy James, Gordon James, Nikkoloi Smith, and Shelroy Thomas advanced from the qualifiers and narrowly missed out on a quarterfinal berthinMiami.
This year, Guyana has beendrawninGroupAofthe qualifying round and will faceJamaicaandStLuciaon November27.
A successful outing will see Guyana advance to the Main Draw in Group B
a l o n g s i d e r e g i o n a l powerhouses Puerto Rico
and the Dominican Republic.
In addition to Guyana, Jamaica, and St Lucia, other countries battling in the qualifiers include Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis, Haiti, The Bahamas, Venezuela, Uruguay, Paraguay,andEcuador
To prepare for the tournament, the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) will host its National 3x3 Championship on September 27–28 at the SeawallBandstand.
The championship will serve as the official qualifier to shortlist and select the players who will represent GuyanainMexico.
GBF President Michael Singh described the draw as challenging but expressed optimism, adding “St Lucia and Jamaica are worthy opponents, but we believe in the talent at our disposal.We are determined to field a team capable of surpassing our2022showing.”
According to Singh, the GBF “look forward to the National Championships, and is excited to see locallybased players competing with those arriving from
The Main Draw already features host nation Mexico, defending champions USA, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina.
overseas. This will give us a good view of our talent pool andallowustoselectthebest possible team to represent Guyana.”
At last year’s AmeriCup in Puerto Rico, Guyana’s team of Harold Adams, Nikkoli Smith, Travis Belgrave, and Dominic Vincente fell short in the qualifiers against the CaymanIslandsandHaiti.
theWomen’sDivisionOneLeague.
GDF featured in what was an exciting resumption of the Leagueafteraweekoff,withanentertaining24-0drubbingof Continued on page 47
Harold Adams at the 2024 FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup in Puerto Rico
Action between Santos (on ball) and Western Tigers during their showdown on Friday
An eventful evening unfolded at the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) National Training Center (NTC) at Providence on Friday evening, when the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Santos Football Clubs’ Women pulled off contrastingvictoriesin
Guyana to face Jamaica, St. Lucia at FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup in Mexico
North Ruimveldt Secondary could now have 400m track
