Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com
Issue No. 6567
THE BEACON OF TRUTH SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED
Over 300 persons involved in vehicular accidents admitted to GPHC up to end of August
WHAT'S INSIDE:
“Guyana must embrace the future of medicine” – Dr Anthony P2
– close to 200 seek emergency care monthly Page 3 Presence of LOO near President’s private residence
No grounds to revoke or vary bail for Opposition Leader — Chief Magistrate rules Page 8
– extradition proceedings halted for Mohameds to attend funeral
Guyana sees 5.6% hike in visitor arrivals in August P14
GPF probes alleged $145M housing scam by British P10 businessman
A group of young Guyana Amazon Warriors fans at Guyana National Stadium, Providence East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Friday evening to witness the action as their team clashed with the Jamaica Kingsmen
$218.6M Regional Medical Distribution Centre commissioned in Reg 10 Page 9
Nandlall slams APNU, WIN for “incompetence” & “lack of direction”
- questions their ability to govern if they can’t agree on 3 matters Page 7
$1.6M theft at BJ Demerara River Bridge Page 11
Vagrant gets 12 months for theft; businessman granted bail for purchasing stolen articles
Iwokrama, British Chamber ink 3-year biodiversity conservation P14 pact
TSU Constable fined for trafficrelated offences P11
2 NEWS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
“Guyana must embrace the future of medicine” – Dr Anthony – as local healthcare workers benefit from Chinese training on digital health
H
ealth Minister Dr Frank Anthony has echoed a call to embrace the future of medicine amid the conclusion of a 21day training programme on digital healthcare co-organised by the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO), MOFCOM and Sinopharm. According to Dr Anthony, the Ministry of Health is working to ensure that medical personnel are adequately trained to operate various new pieces of equipment set to be installed at new hospitals constructed through Guyana’s partnership with the Government of China and Sinopharm. “We thought that this is going to be important, where we can bring people together outside of the hos-
Ministry of Commerce in China have organised this particular training. As you heard, it’s going to be for 21 days.” To top it off, Dr Anthony said the introduction of electronic health record systems will significantly strengthen Guyana’s digital health system by improving the availability and management of healthcare data. He explained that much of the research currently conducted at local research conferences relies on case reviews, which require researchers to manually go through patient files. However, missing files and incomplete documentation can make the process difficult and limit the usefulness of the available information. Dr Anthony said the
A section of the gathering at the training programme on digital healthcare
pital environment for a little bit, and we can have these types of training, and then you go back and you can do some of the practical things. And with that in mind, Sinopharm and the
Ministry wants to change this through the use of electronic health records, which would allow healthcare data to be properly stored and easily retrieved for research purposes – an area in which
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony (centre) alongside other officials
this training will assist in. “So digital health is a very important component, and we have to work to make sure that it’s fully deployed in our respective hospitals. That’s one area of how we want to work directly with our patients, get patient information, and help to better manage our patients. But we also have, if we are going to be doing good work for our patients, it means that hospital systems have to work properly.” According to him, one of the challenges the Ministry of Health faces when doing things manually is that it is sometimes unable to properly quantify how much medication, reagents, consumables and other supplies are being used, which can result in breaks in supply. He said the Ministry is hoping to put digital systems in place to better predict the types and quantities of supplies needed and ensure they are delivered on
time. However, he noted that for these systems to work properly, the Ministry must also manage the human input involved. He explained that if the information entered into the system is inaccurate or incomplete, the results generated will also be unreliable. Therefore, if staff do not use the system properly, it will not produce the intended benefits.
Partnership
Meanwhile, a representative of China Sinopharm International Corporation, Cui Jiao, provided information on the 21-day training programme and highlighted the benefits it will offer to participants. Cui Jiao said the seminar stemmed from a key consensus reached between Guyana and China during the implementation of the Six Regional Hospital Project.
He explained that following the delivery of advanced hardware facilities, leveraging digital solutions to achieve interconnection, efficient operation and lean management of those facilities remains a core challenge that both sides must explore together. She added that this is the main focus of the seminar. “Over the 21 days ahead, we will deliver training through a combination of thematic lectures and onsite teaching, focusing on core topics including telemedicine, digital management of medical equipment and supplies, and hospital information system construction and data application. We will share China’s practical experience in relevant fields and sincerely look forward to hearing your local operational insights. As you have the deepest understanding of the actual needs of Guyana’s healthcare system, your feedback
will also be a valuable asset to this seminar.” Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Yang Yang said China remains committed to working on the programme to enhance the effective use of technology, particularly as more digital initiatives are being undertaken in Guyana’s health sector. She posited that digital and intelligent technologies are rapidly reshaping healthcare and hospital management. “Nowadays digital and intelligent technologies are reshaping healthcare and hospital management at a rapid pace. China is ready to build on this seminar and deepen cooperation with Guyana in healthcare, human resource development and digital technology. We will continue to support the training of local professionals and help bring people, technology and facilities together more effectively.”
NEWS
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
BRIDGE OPENING
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, September 5 – 11:10h–12:40h and Sunday, September 6 – 12:40h–14:10h.
Over 300 persons involved in vehicular accidents admitted to GPHC up to end of August - close to 200 seek emergency care monthly
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
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Consultant Physician in the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) Emergency Department, Dr Dwayne Kellman
A
n alarming number of motor vehicle collision cases are being recorded at hospitals, with between 180 and 200 victims seeking emergency care every month and more than 1500 visits already recorded up to the end of August. Consultant Physician in the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) Emergency Department, Dr Dwayne Kellman, disclosed this information on Thursday, noting that by the end of August, the hospital had recorded more than 1500 accident-related visits for 2026, with approximately 300 patients requiring admission. Speaking on the recently aired Road Safety and You programme, Dr Kellman pointed to the significant human and financial burden caused by road crashes. He urged motorists and other road users to take greater responsibility, including wearing helmets and seatbelts and practising safer road use. The figures represent GPHC alone and do not include patients treated at hospitals in other regions and at private medical facilities. “So, I’ve just been checking the stats in our electronic medical records that we have running. So far for the year, on average, we’re seeing somewhere maybe between 180 to 200 motor vehicle collision visits in the emergency department. That’s per month. So far, that would have been totaling somewhere between 1500 plus visits for the year thus far at the end of August. Those figures are very, high. And so far, we’ve had about also 300 admissions to the hospital for the year. Those are pretty high figures.” According to him, if those figures were extrapolated to a higher population level, they would be considered very high. He noted that Guyana is among the countries in Latin America with high rates of road collisions and accidents. When asked how these cases are treated in the emergency department when accident victims arrive at the hospital requiring urgent care, Dr Kellman explained that there is a structured proce-
dure for dealing with each patient. “Just like an accident victim when they come in, if you are an immediate case or a high-priority case, you are taken in immedi-
ately and your care is addressed immediately. If it’s another accident victim, for example, maybe minor cuts and bruises, we would probably have you wait a little bit before you’re attended to. Some people, they’re walking, they’re talking, their vitals are fine, they can probably wait a little bit more. So, the first thing
we do is we prioritise who needs immediate life-saving care versus those who can wait a little bit.” Dr Kellman said he has come to realise that while there are many opinions expressed on social media, people do not fully understand the cost and resources involved in treating someone who becomes critically ill from an injury that could have been prevented. He pointed to the importance of wearing seatbelts and helmets, noting that failure to take such precautions can result in serious injuries requiring neurosurgical intervention, including surgery for subdural or epidural bleeding in the brain. He explained that such patients can spend prolonged periods
in hospital and do not simply return to their normal lives immediately after being discharged. According to him, victims can also experience significant psychosocial effects and physical consequences, requiring physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Dr Kellman also pointed out that people often fail to comprehend the amount of human and fi-
nancial resources required to treat serious injuries resulting from road crashes. He noted that while public healthcare is provided free of charge, there is still a cost attached to the services provided, which has to be borne somewhere. “It is paramount for persons to use the roads appropriately. Let us make this something that is easily preventable. And once we can curb this, it’s going to be a win for everyone. Just to reiterate what I would have discussed with yourself and the doctor here, many times when the accidents occur, persons leave the scene seriously injured. And whenever they go into the hospitals and so forth, well, just my opinion based on the level of injuries I would have recognised, persons just might be conscious.” He further explained that the hospital’s figures only increase when a person dies as a direct result of an accident. “But our figures only go up if the person dies as a result of the accident. And if they die as a result of some other sickness, it would not trigger our figure. I do acknowledge and would like to say to members of the public that driving, it just takes one second.” Meanwhile in June, it was reported that a higher number of road deaths has been recorded in Guyana during the first 170 days of 2026 when compared to the same period last year. Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Home Affairs Ministry Andre Ally disclosed this during the Guyana National Road Safety Stakeholders Consultation on Friday.
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
guyanatimesgy.com
Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com
Embracing Differences
D
iversity, at its most obvious level, concerns differences. While we may all be human, we would be hard-pressed to deny that we are further characterised by a surfeit of differences. Even if we were to restrict our survey to “culture”, which supposedly distinguishes us from other animals, there are so many religions, languages, traditions, values, morals, customs, etc. While equipping us with attributes that connect us with some people, at the same time, they make us different from others. Diversity, then, is an ineradicable fact of life. It is rather anomalous, however, that recently, with the increased immigration of Muslims into a generally Christian Europe, there has been a backlash against diversity after a period when the West as a whole had seemed to embrace it. The ascendancy of Donald Trump in the US Presidential race demonstrates that the movement against diversity is rising there as well – and against Muslims in particular. Interestingly, the definitive text of Islam, the Quran, offers a salutary perspective on the question of differences: “We have made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other.” Differences, therefore, were inscribed in the human condition by the Creator to facilitate recognition. If we were identical in every way, how would we distinguish between each other? Today, Islam is bearing the brunt for being “exclusionary and assimilationist”. One has to wonder, in light of the above explicit exhortation, whether this may not be a reaction to the pressures of the exclusionary and assimilationist imperatives of the West following the defeat and subsequent colonisation of the Muslim Ottoman Empire after WWI. During its four hundred years of rule, the Ottoman Empire was an ocean of stability. Unlike their practice of allowing all groups to observe their own cultures and personal laws, the European successors insisted that all groups had to assimilate to the majority (read “victorious”) culture. Uniformity, not diversity, became the standard. In fact, the epitome of this perspective became the motto of the US, the successor and inheritor of the European vision: E Pluribus Unum – out of many, one. Interestingly, the West backed off from their rejection of diversity and promotion of assimilation starting in the 1960s as they became aware of the dark and violent downside of such policies. Multiculturalism became their watchword, and much goodwill was recovered – which, as stated earlier, the new Islamic dispensations rejected as a subversive tactic. Very sadly, however, there has been a reversal of the multicultural approach in Europe and the US, making them more like the post-Ottoman Islamic states. In both civilisations, there is a growing xenophobia against “others” who come from different cultures. In Europe, because many – if not most – of the immigrants are Muslims, the backlash has taken an overtly anti-Islamic flavour. That this rejection of multiculturalism comes close on the heels of several wars waged in various Islamic countries by Western powers raises the suspicion that there is more in the mortar than the pestle. In Guyana, our diversity is legion, as, apart from the indigenous peoples, we are a nation of “immigrants”, whether brought here voluntarily or otherwise. There was a time when, under colonial domination, we too insisted on total assimilation, but after independence, good sense prevailed. We now actually celebrate our diversity; hence, our public holidays calendar is dotted with commemorations of events from our various cultures. Our school curriculum also assists in teaching acceptance of diversity by exposing us to the significance of the various beliefs and practices. Fear is always fear of the unknown and is banished by knowledge. We have to be careful that our proclivity to slavishly adopt Western trends does not precipitate any local anxiety about our Muslim brothers and sisters, and vice versa. In our hundreds of years of coexistence, Islam has not simply added to our diversity; it has enriched our common humanity, not to mention our Guyanese identity.
The University of Guyana (UG) on Friday welcomed its 2026 cohorts and continuing students with an exhibition organized by the Student Clubs & Societies at the Turkeyen Campus, Greater Georgetown
Lorenzo Joseph’s world of oblivion displays alarming ignorance
Dear Editor, There is a saturation of silliness and ignorance in the letter, “When Compassion Becomes Political Ammunition: President Ali Owes Guyanese an Explanation”. The resilience from the polyonymous Lorenzo Joseph is quite risible, as he sought to assert that “President Irfaan Ali’s remarks were ‘deeply troubling’ and, quite frankly, beneath the Office of the President”. The letter is analogous to the writer, that is, lacking in substance and betraying ignorance of what obtains when a crisis of the Barima type occurs anywhere in the world. First, when anything of national scale occurs, it is imperative that all help be coordinated via a single channel. It is not rocket science, too. Harum-scarum must be pre-empted instantly. It is not difficult to picture that when we have multiple aid sources pouring in independently, there must be centralised coordination of all these inputs. If not, we create another problem, that of ignoring simple logistics, where we do not know who, what, and where is going on. This can lead to surfeit in or lack of things like immediacy, urgency, and adequacy of response and best use of efforts and resources. Yes, the offering of aid is natural and commendable, but all of these must be directed to that unit, in this case, the People’s Progressive Party Government, to disburse,
whether at the time of the crisis or its aftermath. I am thinking of the recent disaster in Venezuela. Imagine if all the countries had responded with rapid spontaneity at their own whims and fancies. The result would have been another catastrophe leading to bottlenecks at the airports, waterways, and roadways. Localise this and think of the rescue works during the Barima situation. Without directives from a central port of authority, there would have been nothing but pure chaos-running around randomly, reimbursing after colliding in specific places, and misbalancing and inappropriateness of personnel, etc. I reiterate that when a national mishap occurs, there is no place for improper distribution of manpower and equipment, unmonitored and inequitable distribution of help and helpers, and no chance-taking with such things as duplication or neglect. We cannot and never should have competing teams vying to help if we are truly philanthropic. However, if we are political opportunists and looking for points and pictures, we will go in with a fish market culture, and this was what WIN was about. Secondly, let us be reminded that President Irfaan Ali, and by extension the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government, did not at any time hinder or block any private citizen, opposition members, or independent groups from providing aid or relief to the families affected by the MV
Barima disaster. They simply outlined how this must be done, and this is standard procedure. I vividly recall the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, reiterating the Government’s position and call, explaining that “...relief work and donations from public and private entities are welcome,” but stating that “administrative processes or security checks on transport vessels are standard regulatory measures.” If WIN, We Invest in Nationhood Party, wanted to help in a selfless manner, and saw humanity and not politics, they could have supported the PPP Government. The avenue was created and still exists to do so. President Ali boldly and quickly announced the HEART Initiative (Hope, Empathy, Aid, Resilience, and Trust), and WIN’s mobilisation and resources would have been welcomed. I dare say that to bypass human suffering and seek to be opportunistic is quite nasty. It shows ulterior motives. This is not a case of the President describing people who were and are taking assistance to families of Barima as “wolves”. The President was alerting the general public to WIN’s attempt to turn human suffering into a political battlefield. He, the President, was not doing it. Then on the flip side, I want people to reflect on what WIN and company did during and immediately after the disaster, even as the tragedy was being addressed. Editor, the WIN party did
not focus on the disaster but ranted about the PPP’s leadership quality and their supposed errant ministers. WIN retaliated with the “HERO” donation drive, travelling clandestinely to heavily affected Indigenous communities like Port Kaituma and Mabaruma to distribute hampers and financial aid directly. They had a mission to create the impression that the PPP and their forces were not up to the job. Then look at their smear campaign – this went into overdrive as they started their misinformation canvassing regarding very unverified claims concerning vessel faults, such as failing and faulty mechanics, an inoperable engine, expired life rafts, and broken radar systems. I mean, rescue operations were still active, yet there were almost violent demands for resignations from Public Works Ministers Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar. WIN, alongside the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), went as far as drafting a formal No-Confidence Motion against the ministers, accusing them of undermining public trust. However, and this Lorenzo must absorb, that fearing nothing and no one, President Ali established an independent and internationally flavoured Commission of Inquiry. However, WIN and cohorts rejected it, calling it a “unilateral” and partisan move. Lorenzo Joseph knows not, and he knows not that he does not know. Yours truly, Hargesh B Singh
NEWS
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
“Make use of free education” – 1st-year UG students urged to seize opportunities as new academic year begins
T
he 2026 intake of students at the University of Guyana (UG) is being urged to make the most of the opportunity they have been given, particularly given the fact that they are benefiting from free tertiary education. “We are Guyana’s premier tertiary institution... As the university dedicat-
ing students in the Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programmes. This was a commitment made by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) in its 2020 Elections Manifesto. In addition to free education, the Dr Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C Administration also moved to write off an estimated $11 billion in student
Griffith, who delivered the keynote address during Friday’s opening ceremony. “Guyanese students in particular attending this university have the good fortune of a tuition-free education. I urge you to respect that and make the best of it. You are being provided with an opportunity to obtain a university education in a
The University of Guyana’s faculty and other department staff join freshman students for the opening of the 2026/2027 Academic Year
ed to educating our future contributors and leaders, let us constantly acknowledge that we are fortunate to be the beneficiaries of free education. Let us make use of that,” Registrar of the University of Guyana, Dr Nigel Gravesande, declared while addressing firstyear students during the Ceremonial Opening of the 2026/2027 Academic Year on Friday. Free tuition was introduced at UG from January 2025 for all new and continu-
loan debt for over 13,000 past and present students. Through these interventions, the Government is hoping to alleviate the financial burden on students while also empowering Guyanese and providing them with the opportunities to participate in nation-building. Also highlighting this unique opportunity that students are presented with was Chairman of UG’s Transitional Management Team, Professor Stafford
chosen area of specialisation at a much lower personal cost than those who came before you,” he stated. Griffith, who was put in charge of UG’s operations until a new Vice Chancellor was appointed, said a university education provides significant benefits, including access to more extensive career opportunities as well as opportunities for personal growth and development. It also provides an opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the
development of the country, but more importantly, he noted, a university qualification leads to a more fulfilling life. Against this backdrop, the UG official further told the new university students that they are among the privileged few in the world who will benefit from an advanced education. “You are on the road to becoming a trained professional in a specialisation of your choice. And this cannot be accomplished without the hard work, sometimes the gruelling work that is required. Success in your university education requires persistence,” he stated. Meanwhile, Professor Griffith also joined with the student representative, President of the UG Student Society (UGSS) Tirishatha Semple, to encourage the freshman students to not only attend all their classes and complete their assignments but also partake in extracurricular activities. Both speakers emphasised that this is important not just to create well-rounded individuals but also to balance their academic lives. According to Semple, “Don’t just come to the university and just go home... Education is key, but you must have a balance... We have the clubs. Everything is available for you as students, so don’t just come to UG, attend classes, and go home. Let UG pass through you as well [and] leave a mark.” The UGSS President further told the first-year students that while their
Chairman of UG’s Transitional Management Team, Professor Stafford Griffith
tertiary journey will be challenging, they can accomplish whatever they set their minds to as long as they put in the work. Semple further underscored that education leads to a brighter future and that UG is the stepping stone to get there. Meanwhile, classes for the first semester of the 2026/2027 academic year are set to commence on Monday, September 7. Approximately 5000 new students have enrolled for the new academic year and will join more than 10,000 continuing students pursu-
ing programmes across a wide range of academic disciplines. Prior to Friday’s opening ceremony, the first-year students participated in faculty-specific orientation sessions during which they were introduced to the university’s academic and administrative systems, policies, personnel, facilities, and support services. Students enrolled in online and blended programmes also receive guidance to help them navigate the university’s digital learning environment.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 0:00 Sign Off 6:00 TVG Devotional Hour 7:00 Evening News (RB) 8:00 Cartoons 8:30 Stop Suffering 9:30 KTLT 10:00 Movie - Norm Of The North (2016) 11:30 Movie - The Tale of Despereaux (2008) 13:00 Movie - Smallfoot (2018) 14:30 Movie - Open Season (2006) 16:00 Movie - Open Season 2 (2008) 17:30 TVG Music Break 18:00 Evangelistic Hour 18:30 Hephzibah Ministries 19:00 Movie - Mothers of the Bride (2015) 20:30 Movie - The Medallion (2003) 22:00 Movie - Lion (2016)
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
Foundation ◄
Page
guyanatimesgy.com
Area
Area is a measure of the amount of space there is inside a 2D shape. The area of a shape is measured in square units such as cm2, mm2, or m2. To calculate area we can use different formulas depending on the shape. Below are the formulas to find the area of some common shapes.
A
machine is a device that does a physical task. The most basic machines are called simple machines. Simple machines change the strength or direction of a force, such as a push or pull. There are six main types of simple machines: • Inclined Planes • Axles • Wedges • Screws • Levers • Pulleys Simple machines can be combined to create compound machines. Compound
machines can be as small as a mechanical watch or as
By Babette Deutsch We can also find the area of polygons and compound shapes using a combination of these formulas.
large as a construction crane. Some, such as a car, contain
thousands of parts. (Britannica Kids)
With the washed face of a child, to whom Only the simpler answers can be given, Morning on the threshold of the room, Mutely rehearses the lesson assigned in heaven, But hesitates. Such rooms as this one hold, In a pressed pillow, in a shred of clothing, The crowding sense of what can never be told By the light of day, but is not, therefore, nothing. Morning moves on at its must, careless who slept Or, in so tumbled a bed, did not sleep surely; But waked and wept, tossed and lay still, and wept, Though the bed stands now so sunken and smoothed securely. Yet, it may be, when children go away, Having asked, perhaps, not waited for an answer, Into the swept room the lesson they did not say Lightly steps with the fleet foot of a dancer. (Source: Poetry [July 1942])
Set your story in a shopping mall, amusement park, or cinema after hours.
WORD SEARCH
NEWS
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Nandlall slams APNU, WIN for “incompetence” & “lack of direction” – questions their ability to govern if they can’t agree on 3 matters
A
ttorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has ridiculed the opposition parties, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), over their failure to reach agreement on three matters related to their work. Nandlall questioned how the two parties could function effectively in Government if they are unable to resolve what he described as relatively simple issues, noting that governing requires multiple decisions to be made on a daily basis. On August 24, the two parties met for formal talks but the discussions ended with no agreements.
GECOM Commissioners
Attorney General Anil Nandlall
expected to ask…three issues they were to address and they still are to address and not one have they addressed,” he contended.
Opposition parties during their recent meeting
WIN, the main parliamentary opposition party, had invited APNU to the meeting to discuss nominees for the Local Government Commission (LGC), the status of the three opposition-nominated Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioners, the scrutineers involved in the registration process at GECOM and the election of the Chairman and Vice Chairman (VC) of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice). Both the leaders of WIN and APNU provided little details concerning the discussions, telling reporters following the more than one-hour long meeting that a joint statement will be issued by the end of the day. The statement however, was issued days later and contained little to no information on the discussions. Commenting on these developments during his programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday, Nandlall remarked, “the day passed, and five other days passed, and on the sixth day, a statement was issued and… it was completely vacuous. It says nothing, it achieved nothing, it tells you nothing. So, I don’t know what, if they just stood and looked at each other for two hours in that room and said nothing, and when the press was attempting to courteously ask them questions, they were very aggressive in avoiding answering very reasonable and pertinent questions that the press is
According to the AG, these politicians are seeking to be elected to Government, but their inability to reach agreement on relatively simple matters raises questions about their capacity to govern effectively. “I want you to look and examine that nonaction, the incompetence, the clumsiness, the lack of direction, the lack of maturity and everything else that permeated that engagement. Just examine it for some time and imagine that bunch is in a Government and has to make decisions about your life,” he argued. “And if you think seriously, that these people are capable of functioning in a Government, you better think again. And those who think so, I’m not speaking to you,” he added. During the meeting, the WIN delegation comprised the Leader of the Opposition (LOO) Mr Azruddin Mohamed, Member of Parliament (MP); Ms Odessa Primus, MP, General Secretary of WIN; Ms Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, MP; Ms Natasha Singh, MP; Mr Duarte Hetsberger, MP; and Mr Vishnu Panday, MP. The APNU delegation comprised the Chairman of APNU and Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Mr Aubrey Norton; Mr Sherwin Benjamin, General Secretary of the PNCR; Dr David Hinds, MP; Mr Ganesh Mahipaul, MP; Ms Coretta McDonald, MP; Dr Dexter Todd, MP; Mr Ronald Daniels; and Ms Shaneika Haynes.
Notwithstanding the APNU losing its position as the main parliamentary opposition in the 2025 elections, the party has shut down any considerations of removing any of the current APNU–appointed commissioners at GECOM to make way for new Commissioners to be appointed by the new main parliamentary opposition WIN. Upon the receipt of legal advice, United States (US)-indicted Mohamed had written President Dr Irfaan Ali on June 30, seeking the appointment of his three nominees as GECOM Commissioners. Mohamed nominated lawyers Roysdale Forde, Siand Dhurjon and Damien Da Silva to replace APNUbacked GECOM commissioners Desmond Trotman, Vincent Alexander and Charles Corbin. GECOM has since explained that “it has no locus standi in relation to the nomination by the Leader of the Opposition of persons for appointment as Members of the Guyana Elections Commission.” GECOM explained that the nomination and appointment of commissioners are matters governed by Article 161(3)(b) of the Constitution. “GECOM is not the authority vested with responsibility for determining the validity of such nominations or appointments. Accordingly, the Commission cannot properly intervene in, adjudicate upon, or resolve any impasse concerning persons nominated by the Leader of the Opposition for appointment as Commissioners,” GECOM’’s statement further reads. GECOM’s seven-member commission comprises the Chairman, three Government appointed Commissioners and three opposition Commissioners. The appointments are governed by the Constitution (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2000. A new set of commissioners can be appointed when the Government changes. However, many times the same Commissioners simply switch sides from being Opposition nominated to becoming a Government nominated. With no fixed terms being stipulated in the Constitution for their appointment, Commissioners usually serve until they resign or otherwise become unable to serve. Alexander has been one of the Commissioners since the early 2000s, outlasting Government changes across the 2011, 2015, and 2020 elections. Corbin was also appointed in the early 2000s. Trotman was appointed in 2017 to replace a commissioner who passed away that year. TURN TO PAGE 9
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Presence of LOO near President’s private residence
No grounds to revoke or vary bail for Opposition Leader — Chief Magistrate rules – Extradition proceedings halted for Mohamed to attend funeral
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hief Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday found no basis to revoke or vary the bail of USindicted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed during the ongoing extradition proceedings against him and his father, Nazar Mohamed. She stressed that the court must be guided by what can be proven, rather than what may be suspected. “Now, it is universally known that a court cannot act on what is known but can only act on what is proven. There is no basis for this court to revoke or
to the court establishing that Azruddin Mohamed had committed an offence. Hanoman maintained that the state was bringing the matter to the Chief Magistrate’s attention for consideration rather than making a formal application for his remand. The prosecutor argued, however, that Azruddin Mohamed’s detention may be necessary to preserve public order, pointing to the possibility that the investigation could uncover offences as serious as treason, an attempted coup, or even an assassination plot.
Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed accompanied by one of their lawyers at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts
vary the bail of Mr Azruddin Mohamed at this stage. In the circumstances, he remains on bail, with bail conditions attached. That is the ruling of the court. It is not what you know; it is what can be proven,” Latchman stated. The issue arose during the extradition hearing after prosecuting attorney Glenn Hanoman asked the court to consider whether Azruddin Mohamed had breached his bail conditions, relying on provisions of the Bail Act 2022. The application stemmed from an ongoing Police investigation into his presence near President Dr Irfaan Ali’s private residence at Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD), on Thursday evening. Hanoman said the investigation remained at an early stage, with Police seeking to establish whether surveillance was being conducted and what, if anything, may have been planned. However, the prosecution did not present evidence
As such, he asked the court to take the new investigation into consideration when determining whether the Opposition Leader should remain on bail. On the other hand, Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, who is representing the Mohameds, strongly opposed the application, describing it as “ridiculous, flimsy, and without any substance.” Forde argued that the prosecution had acknowledged that there was currently no evidence linking Azruddin Mohamed to a criminal offence and that Police were still investigating the matter. He contended that before bail could be restricted or revoked, the court had to be satisfied by evidence that a charge was likely to be brought and that the anticipated charge was likely to be serious. Forde also urged the court to consider Azruddin Mohamed’s position as Opposition Leader, arguing that he has constitutional, legal, political, and mor-
al obligations to respond to matters he believes expose corruption and other issues affecting society.
Visit to the area
Defence attorney Siand Dhurjon also told the court that Azruddin Mohamed had informed him that he had visited that area after receiving complaints about President Ali’s alleged acquisition of adjoining property. According to him, his client instructed him that he was seeking information on the matter in keeping with his role as a political leader. Forde, nevertheless, maintained that there was «absolutely no basis» for the allegation against his client. While acknowledging that President Ali is entitled to protection and security, the Senior Counsel argued that Azruddin Mohamed›s mere presence near the President›s home did not amount to a criminal offence and could not, on its own, justify the revocation of his bail. In the end, Chief Magistrate Latchman declined to revoke or vary Azruddin Mohamed’s bail, finding that the prosecution had not presented sufficient evidence before the court to justify such a request. In fact, had the court revoked his bail, he could have been remanded into custody pending the continuation of the proceedings, rather than remaining at liberty subject to his existing bail conditions. Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed remain on $150,000 bail each pending the determination of the extradition proceedings. Their bail conditions include surrendering their passports and reporting weekly to the Ruimveldt Police Station. The extradition hearing is set to continue on Monday, September 7, at the Georgetown Magistrates› Courts.
Adjournment
Proceedings broke at noon on Friday after the Mohameds requested and were granted an afternoon break to attend a funeral, although the matter had been scheduled to continue throughout the day. Azruddin Mohamed was among three men taken to the Leonora Police Station for questioning on Thursday evening after Police intercepted a vehicle near the president’s private residence in Leonora. Police said officers acted on reports that occupants of a black Toyota Land Cruiser were operating a drone in the area. The vehicle was stopped along the Windsor
Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman
Forest Public Road, WCD, where officers found a DJI drone in the trunk, along with four cell phones. Azruddin Mohamed, leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, was travelling in the vehicle with driver Eugene Thorne, 35, and technician Dwayne Ross, 25. He denied owning or operating the drone and was later released on self-bail. Ross reportedly told Police that the drone belonged to him while acknowledging that his operator’s licence had expired in 2023. Meanwhile, in a separate incident nearby, Police intercepted another vehicle and questioned its driver, 20-year-old Mario Mohamed. Follow-up searches at the men’s residences reportedly led to the discovery of a second drone at Ross’s home. The Police investigation remains ongoing.
Extradition
The United States is seeking the extradition of the Mohameds over allegations stemming from a multi-year scheme involving the evasion of taxes and royalties on gold exports, money laundering, and wire fraud. US authorities alleged that falsified customs declarations and the reuse of Government export seals were used as part of the scheme, which allegedly resulted in approximately US$50 million in revenue losses to the Government of Guyana. Both father and son were sanctioned by the US Government in 2024 and subsequently indicted in the US in 2025 on criminal charges arising from the alleged gold export and tax-evasion scheme. The Mohameds continue to challenge their extradition under Guyana’s Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Act on various grounds, including a constitutional challenge to provisions of the legislation that remain before the Court of Appeal of Guyana.
Remembering…
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… Gloria Steinem
our Eyewitness believes that Gloria Steinem’s passing at 92 should cause us to pause in Guyana – not just because we’ve lost one of the most influential feminists of the modern era, but because her life’s central question remains stubbornly relevant!! How much have women actually been liberated from the expectations society dumps on them? There’s something particularly appropriate about remembering Steinem here in Mudland – because, like so many of us, her activist journey was launched, in part, by India. As a young woman in the 1950s, she found her way to India and hooked up with a local group in a society wrestling with poverty, inequality and social transformation. En route – not so incidentally – she had an (illegal) abortion in London – ‘cause she’d already decided she didn’t HAVE to be a mother!! She returned to the US with a deeper appreciation for grassroots activism – and eventually became the tremendously influential voice in the modern women’s movement!! Her essential argument was simple but revolutionary at the time – women shouldn’t have to accept secondclass treatment just because “that’s the way it is”!! That argument could have been written for Guyana, innit?? Coming out of slavery and indentureship, the Guyanese woman’s always been expected to be good at everything – a good mother, wife, employee, and daughter – and preferably managing it all without ever looking tired!! Meanwhile, the Guyanese man – many of them “visiting child fathers” – earns a round of applause simply for “helping” to wash the dishes in his own house!! Gloria questioned this in the States, and it reverberated everywhere – because the condition was the same everywhere!! She taught women to stop just asking how they could survive an unequal system – and start asking why the system was unequal in the first place!! Now, 60 years down the road, Guyana’s made enormous progress – our women are doctors, lawyers, engineers, academics, entrepreneurs, pilots, senior public servants, and political leaders. As with the recent NGSA, CSEC and CAPE results, girls excel academically and women have reached the highest levels of Government and public life. Yet there remains a curious contradiction in the violence our females face daily. A society cannot claim to have achieved “equality” while women continue to face domestic violence, sexual harassment, economic dependence, and the fear that speaking out will bring shame upon themselves rather than condemnation upon the perpetrator!! Too often we in the Caribbean keep on asking women what they did to provoke a man’s behaviour; what did she say? Where was she? Why did she go there? Why did she stay? Steinem’s legacy challenges that mentality – the question should be why men believe they have the right to inflict it!! …Court Orders At yesterday’s resumption of Sanction Man’s extradition case in front of Magistrate Judy, his lawyers came up with a novel interpretation of the word “proceed”!! The Court of Appeal had instructed the (harassed) Magistrate to proceed but hold the prior constitutional objections in abeyance!! But the lawyers pleaded, “Yes, Your Worship, but could we adjourn first?” – making the matter resemble the nearby Stabroek Market minibuses outside trying to pick up passengers – slow down, pull over, change lane – and hope by the time he gets moving again, the Policeman’s gone home!! The constitutional objections to the extradition treaty are before the Court of Appeal – but rather than allowing the Magistrate to get on with the proceedings as directed, the defence wants another pause by bringing up matters relating to the constitutional objections!! Your Eyewitness can hear the courtroom calendar groan – again??? Every time there’s a clear road ahead – another deadend detour proposed. Contempt charges might teach Sanction Man’s lawyers that “proceed” means to “go forward”!! …the greater Guyana Pressie reminded the country that Guyana’s more than the 10 per cent coastland – and that the remaining 90 per cent is being opened up with the Linden-Lethem Highway proceeding apace!! Apart from the ultra-modern Silica City, 6000 house lots are in the offing!! The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance
Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
$218.6M Regional Medical Distribution Centre commissioned in Reg 10 healthcare services closer to their communities. Further, Dr Anthony expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the successful completion of the Regional Medical Distribution Centre and urged those entrusted with managing the facility to ensure that it is operated efficiently and effectively, allowing it to fulfil its intended purpose of supporting healthcare delivery across the region.
In addition, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips underscored the importance of continued investments aimed at improving services and the overall quality of life for Guyanese. The new facility is expected to significantly strengthen the medical supply chain within Region 10, ensuring that health facilities are better equipped to respond to the needs of the communities they serve.
The ceremonial ribbon-cutting exercise
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n an effort to further strengthen healthcare delivery in Region 10, a new Regional Medical Distribution Centre constructed to the tune of $218,688,808 was commissioned on Thursday. The facility marks another significant investment by the Government of Guyana to strengthen the country’s public health infrastructure and improve the availability and distribution of essential medical supplies.
The new facility is expected to enhance the storage, management, and timely distribution of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and other essential health commodities throughout Region 10, thereby supporting health facilities and improving the delivery of services to residents. Delivering remarks at the commissioning ceremony, Heath Minister Dr Frank Anthony stated that
the investments made in modern health infrastructure are being complemented by improvements in medical equipment and technology, the availability of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, and the continued training and recruitment of healthcare professionals. He added that the Government’s vision is to ensure that persons, regardless of where they reside, have access to quality
Nandlall slams APNU, WIN...
FROM PAGE 7
This impasse is expected to be addressed by the ongoing constitutional reform process launched by the Government. The Constitution Reform Commission (CRC) has already formally invited public written proposals for constitutional changes, with submissions open until December 31, 2026. Among other things, the Commission said it will consider proposals relating to electoral reform, including the composition of GECOM, the method of appointing its chairman and members and its jurisdiction over national registration and the electoral process.
GECOM scrutineers
Mohamed has also raised concerns over the absence of representatives from WIN or the other opposition party, the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), among the 69 opposition scrutineers being paid by GECOM. Mohamed complained that, despite WIN’s efforts to engage the other opposition party on appointing scrutineers’ representative of all parties, all of the scrutineers are APNU-backed. According to GECOM, while the LOO submitted correspondence
dated June 3, together with supporting documentation relating to the consultation undertaken and the proposed appointments, the CEO subsequently received correspondence from APNU formally objecting to the proposal.
Local Government Commission
Mohamed had hosted consultations with the other parliamentary opposition parties before submitting recommendations for the LGC, following a request from Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira. Mohamed then submitted the names of three persons to sit on the LGC. They are Leola Narine and Leslyn Lowe of his WIN party and Nicholas Chesney from FGM – a move which excluded representatives of APNU. APNU nominees Joan Romascindo and Ronald Daniels were not selected.
Regional Democratic Council
During the inaugural council meeting on October 10, 2025, WIN candidate Mark Goring and rival candidate Dominique Blair of APNU tied 9–9 after a single round of voting. The
stalemate exists to date, prompting WIN to file legal actions against Regional Executive Officer (REO) and Clerk of Council, Dr Gregory Harris. Region 10 remains the only administrative region operating without an elected Regional Chairman and VC following last year’s elections.
Joint Statement
According to the joint statement issued on August 29, the parties will appoint teams to continue engagements. Specifically, it outlined, “the parties committed that, in the case of WIN, they will hold consultations with their leadership/membership before they decide whether they would agree to name a three-member team to work along with a three-member team from APNU to develop the general and specific guidelines to govern their engagement with APNU, and, in APNU’s case, it will consult with other parties in its coalition to select a three-member team.” The joint statement added that the two parties, during the meeting, exchanged views on developing guidelines to govern future engagements between WIN and APNU.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, with other officials, are touring the facility
10 NEWS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
GPF probes alleged $145M housing scam by British Businessman ...company denies allegations, says still actively operating in Guyana
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he Guyana Police Force (GPF) has launched an investigation into allegations that a British businessman has defrauded several Guyanese of approximately $145 million after reportedly collecting payments to construct homes and buildings that were never completed. At the centre of the investigation is Hardeep Singh, also called Hardeep Singh Bharya, a British national who stayed at Bonasika Street in Campbellville, Georgetown, and hails from Lot 45 Great West Road, Hounslow TW5 ODG, England. He operated as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Modular Builds Guyana Inc and is wanted for fraudulent misappropriation. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed to the Guyana Times on Friday that at least four victims have since filed police reports against Singh and Modular Builds Guyana. According to Police reports, the four victims had reportedly met Singh back in August 2024 during the International Building Expo held in Guyana, where he had a prefab house on display for his construction business – Modular Builds – which specialises in building houses. Interested in the company’s work, three of the four victims subse-
lice say investigations are in progress, Modular Builds Guyana has denied the allegations and insists that the company is actively operating in the country.
Denied allegations
quently entered into written agreements with Singh and Modular Builds. Based on police information, Singh allegedly took an advance of $28 million to build four two-bedroom apartments but only erected the columns and laid one hundred blocks at the site. He also reportedly received $50 million as an advance to erect an 11-storey apartment building but only threw four truckloads of sand on the land. In another case, Singh allegedly took an advance of $22 million to erect a three-floor model commercial building, but only meager works were done. The British national reportedly collected another $45 million to erect a three-storey apartment complex, for which construction had started but is only 15 per cent complete. Police say it was subsequently discovered that the accused has fled the country and is presently in the United Kingdom (UK). But even as the po-
Responding to the reports of its CEO fleeing the country after taking money from several persons, the company said in a statement on its Facebook page on Friday that “These allegations are completely false and constitute misinformation.” “Modular Builds Guyana categorically rejects the claims made in the publication. The company remains fully operational and continues to conduct its business and projects in Guyana,” it added. Modular Builds Guyana went on to threaten legal actions in response to the publications and sought to reassure customers, partners, employees and the wider Guyanese public that the construction company remains active in the country. “We take these allegations extremely seriously, particularly because statements of this nature can cause unnecessary concern and damage the reputation of our company, our employees and the people who have placed their trust in us,” the company noted. Modular Builds Guyana, which also operates in Jamaica, further declared
its commitment to its mission of providing affordable housing without compromising on quality, durability, or modern construction standards. “Our vision extends beyond Guyana. Modular Builds continues to pursue opportunities and develop projects across multiple locations throughout the Caribbean, with the goal of making high-quality, affordable housing more accessible to communities across the region. We remain focused on what we do best: building homes, creating opportunities and delivering quality,” the missive detailed. On its Facebook page, Modular Builds Guyana described itself as a construction company that offers an affordable, sustainable concept and design solution for housing, developments, offices and so much more. It noted that they offer everything from turnkey solutions to project management of homes or buildings. In fact, this newspaper understands that Modular Builds Guyana was contracted by the Housing Ministry under its turnkey house initiative some time back. However, a senior official at the Housing
British national Hardeep Singh
Ministry told this publication on Friday that the contract with the company was terminated for “underperformance.” This development comes on the heels of another fraudulent investigation into housing contractor DreamVu Homes. In fact, a few months ago, the Housing Ministry
said international law enforcement agencies, including Interpol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), were contacted as part of ongoing efforts to locate contractor Omar Malik and secure justice for families affected by a failed Young Professional Homes project.
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
$1.6M theft at BJ Demerara River Bridge
Vagrant gets 12 months for theft; businessman granted bail for purchasing stolen articles D
ays after he was arrested in connection with the stolen copper cables from the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara Harbour Bridge (BJDHB), 39-yearold Roy Morgan, unemployed and of no fixed place of abode, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. Morgan was arrested on Wednesday and appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Diamond/ Grove Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where the charge was read to him. He reportedly pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. In addition, Mustafid Pashaw, also called “Mustaf”, 51, a businessman of the Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was charged and granted bail for receiving stolen articles, namely two pieces of copper cable from the BJDRB. He appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, where the indictable charge was read to him. He was not required to plead and was subsequently granted bail in the sum of $300,000. As conditions for bail, he is required to report to the
Jailed: Roy Morgan
Ruimveldt Police Station on the third Friday of every month until the determination of the matter. He will make his next court appearance on October 2, 2026. It was reported that hours after the Guyana Police Force launched an investigation into a $1.6 million copper cable theft at the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge, detectives descended on a house in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, which led
to the arrest of Pashaw, who allegedly purchased the stolen cables. The businessman, who operates out of Lot 93 Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, was detained following the arrest and confession of Morgan on the bridge with cutting equipment. Following his arrest, Morgan admitted to stealing and selling the copper cable for $15,000 to purchase food and drugs. This
TSU Constable fined for traffic-related offences
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olice Constable Mohamed Amin, who is attached to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), was on Thursday slapped with four traffic-related offences and was fined a total of $170,000. Amin appeared before Magistrate R Weever at the Wales Magistrate’s Court and pleaded guilty to the charges, including dangerous driving, tinted motor vehicle, obscured identification mark, and breach of condition of fitness. Based on reports received, Amin was intercepted on Saturday, August 22, 2026, while driving motor car PAP 8030. The constable was asked to produce a permit for the vehicle’s tinted windows but was unable to do so. The tint was removed
Charged: Police Constable Mohamed Amin
from the vehicle, while the blue lights were also removed and lodged at the Police Station. Moreover, the vehicle’s certificate of fitness was
subsequently revoked due to the identification mark being obscured. Amin was later charged and fined.
was confirmed by the businessman, who admitted that he had indeed purchased 30 pounds of copper from the suspect but could not recall the description and, moreover, made no attempt to find out where he had acquired it. Some 90 feet of 4/350 KCMIL copper cable, valued at approximately $1.6 million, was reportedly stolen from the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge, Providence, EBD. The theft reportedly occurred sometime between 00:00h on August 23, 2026, and 09:00h on September 1, 2026. Police investigations revealed that the bridge, which is equipped with LED lights attached to steel poles along its high span, is
Charged: Mustafid Pashaw, also called “Mustaf”
powered by a generator beneath the bridge. The lights are used to display various colours and, according to the Police, were last operated on August 23, 2026. However, at about
18:30h on August 31, 2026, an electrical maintenance engineer attempted to illuminate the bridge in the colours of Trinidad and Tobago’s national flag in observance of that country’s independence anniversary, but only the lights on the northern side were functioning. The engineer and his team inspected the southern side of the bridge the following day, when it was discovered that the copper cables had been cut and removed from the metal trunking box. As such, the matter was reported to the Providence Police Station, which led to a full-scale investigation, thus leading to the arrest and prosecution of the two men.
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
90 Indigenous women to benefit from literacy, numeracy initiative
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roject ANAIM, an adult literacy and numeracy initiative designed to empower Indigenous women, was officially launched in Massara Village, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). The programme will be spearheaded by Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc, with funding support from the Greater Guyana Ianitiative
word meaning “Women of Strength”, ANAIM will provide literacy and numeracy support to 90 Indigenous women across five communities in Regions One, Eight and Nine. The initiative seeks to strengthen participants’ knowledge, skills and confidence, enabling them to better contribute to their families and communi-
many women face challenges in getting an education. Some live far from schools and training centres, while others may face financial difficulties, family responsibilities, or other barriers that make learning harder. Project ANAIM is helping to change that.” The training will be conducted for several months, administering practical in-
Representatives from the Greater Guyana Initiative, Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc and some of the beneficiaries of Project ANAIM
(GGI). GGI’s investment in ANAIM underscores its continued commitment to education, capacity building and the creation of opportunities that promote sustainable development for individuals, families, and communities. Derived from a Carib
ties while expanding their opportunities for personal and economic development. The villages targeted are Turu Mission, Kopinang, Fairview, Toka, and Massara. Socio-economic Manager at ExxonMobil Guyana, Lorna Carlson said, “This project recognises that
struction in reading, writing and numeracy, strengthening participants’ everyday decision-making, information management, and basic financial skills. Beyond developing foundational skills, Project ANAIM is intended to strengthen women’s ability to navigate everyday life, engage with
public services and participate more confidently in community activities. By strengthening foundational skills, the project aims to help women participate more confidently in family, community, and economic life while overcoming barriers that have limited access to education and opportunity. In addition, Chief Executive Officer of FFTP Guyana Inc, Andrea Benjamin, said the community-focused initiative aims to help women make their voices heard, including when engaging with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). “One of the greatest impacts we hope to see is confidence. We want women to feel comfortable attending community meetings, communicating with their leaders and speaking with teachers, healthcare workers, and Government officials. When the RDC engages with residents, we want to hear more women asking questions and contributing their own ideas to discussions about development and their communities.” Working with village councils, Toshaos, and Regional Education Offices, the project will bring learning opportunities clos-
Region Nine Regional Councillor Berney Robertson, addressing participants at the launch of Project ANAIM
er to women in remote Indigenous communities. This community-based approach is intended to make the programme accessible and responsive to the women it serves, while strengthening awareness of the importance of adult education and lifelong learning. The benefits are expected to extend to families and communities as participants become better positioned to support their children’s education and contribute to community life. Participant Leonie Edwards welcomed the programme’s projected benefits for her family. “I am glad that I am one of the students. I think I will learn more, and I know this project will benefit me
and my family, especially when it comes to managing money. When they teach us about financial matters, I will be better able to account for the money that I spend.” Region Nine Regional Councillor Berney Robertson encouraged participants to support each other, stating, “Do not feel that it is ever too late to learn. I encourage you to support one another. Let this programme become a place where women encourage women, learn together, and grow together.” Through GGI’s support, Project ANAIM advances adult education and lifelong learning as pathways to stronger participation and greater inclusion.
Leonora Cottage Hospital Lab joins 42 GNBS-certified labs nationwide – expects to boost diagnostic quality in Reg 3
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he Leonora Cottage Hospital Comprehensive Diagnostic and Treatment Centre Laboratory has achieved certification from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) to the National Standard. The certification, awarded on Wednesday, marks an important milestone in strengthening the quality and reliability of diagnostic services in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). The certification’s scope covers biochemistry, serology, haematology and urology.
Regional Health Officer of Region Three, Dr Fiaaz Hassan, during remarks at the lab certification ceremony
At the ceremony, Head of Corporate Communications at GNBS, Lloyd David, stated that Leonora Cottage Hospital Laboratory is the ninth laboratory within the public health sector to be certified under the GNBS
Head of Corporate Communications at GNBS, Lloyd David, delivering remarks
Laboratory Certification Programme. This newly certified lab brings the total number of certified laboratories in Guyana to 42, comprising both testing and medical laboratories in the Public and Private Sectors. “This [figure] will grow shortly as we’ve already received approval for two more laboratories to be certified in Region Three. With the certification of this lab, GNBS is pleased that more public laboratories are responding to its call to become certified, just as those in the Private Sector,” he added. Other Public Sector laboratories that have achieved GNBS certification include the GPHC Medical Laboratory, GPHC Pathology Laboratory, Guyana Rice Development Board Laboratory, Guyana Water Incorporated
Testing Laboratory, Guyana Livestock Development Authority Laboratory, Guyana Power and Light Laboratory, Government Forensic Science Laboratory, and the National Public Health Reference Laboratory. David, however, encouraged the laboratory team to view the national certification as a steppingstone towards achieving international accreditation, which would further demonstrate their technical competence and enhance confidence in testing services provided. Regional Health Officer
GNBS Technical Officer Delroy Benn presenting a plaque to Laboratory Manager Danielle Semple, flanked by RHO of Region Three, Dr Fiaaz Hassan & staff of GNBS and the hospital
formulated standard operating procedures and you have complied with and adhered to them, which is not an easy task. Certification is something you must uphold. You must maintain the certification and all the proce-
tification. Meanwhile, Laboratory Manager Danielle Semple explained that achieving GYS 170 certification required the team to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of all aspects of their
of measurements, maintaining equipment to the highest standards, and demonstrating the competence and proficiency of all personnel. She noted that the certification process not only reinforced the laboratory’s
Laboratory Manager Danielle Semple
(RHO) of Region Three, Dr Fiaaz Hassan, emphasised that the certificate is more than just a document; it represents a significant achievement earned through hard work, highlighting that it symbolises safety, trust, and scientific integrity. “For this lab to be certified, it means that you have
A section of the gathering at the ceremony on Wednesday
dures.” The RHO also reminded the laboratory team that maintaining the implemented management system is critical to sustaining its cer-
laboratory operations. This included strengthening testing methodologies, enhancing quality control practices, ensuring the traceability and reliability
commitment to delivering accurate and reliable test results, but also strengthened its overall quality management practices and technical capabilities.
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Govt commits to working with Guyana to showcase tourism, investment Reg 10 to unlock productive opportunities at SOTIC 2026 – Private Sector invited to participate potential – Min Mustapha
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Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and residents of Region 10
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he Government is advancing a comprehensive vision to transform Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) into a more diversified and economically vibrant region, with agriculture positioned as a key driver of investment, entrepreneurship, employment, and sustainable development. The initiatives were highlighted by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during a series of engagements within the region as part of the recently concluded Cabinet outreach. The Cabinet outreach has provided an important platform for the Government to engage directly with residents, farmers, community leaders, young people, and other stakeholders, allow-
nomic activities. “We want agriculture to be a major pillar in the economic transformation of this region. We are looking at how we can expand agriculture here, create opportunities for our young people, support entrepreneurs, and attract investment,” Mustapha said. He pointed to ongoing efforts to expand soybean and bean production, livestock development, mechanised agriculture, and the cultivation of high-value crops to supply growing local and national markets. Mustapha also disclosed that the Government is currently engaging an investor interested in undertaking hemp production in Region 10. The proposed investment has the potential to
tainable agricultural enterprises. Furthermore, he added that the level of interest demonstrated during the Cabinet Outreach reflects the considerable potential that exists within the region, and reinforces the importance of the Government maintaining direct engagement with communities. “The Cabinet Outreach is important because it brings the Government directly to the people. We are listening, we are identifying the opportunities, and we are working to ensure that the resources and programmes of the Government can reach the communities that need them,” Mustapha said. Meanwhile, he reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working
Minister Mustapha engaging residents
ing policymakers to hear concerns first-hand, identify opportunities, and respond with practical interventions that can positively impact communities. During his engagements, Mustapha met with residents and farmers, engaged members of the Rastafari community at the House of Nyabinghi at Wismar Shore, and held discussions with young people interested in entering modern tunnel-ventilated poultry production. The engagements also highlighted the significant potential for agriculture to become a stronger pillar within Region 10’s economy, particularly as the Government continues to pursue opportunities beyond the region’s traditional eco-
introduce another area of economic activity while creating opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and local participation. Another area showing growing interest among young people is modern poultry production. On this subject, he stated that the Government is working to support young entrepreneurs interested in establishing tunnel-ventilated poultry operations through the Agriculture Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP). The programme is intended to provide young people with opportunities to enter agriculture using modern technology and production systems while helping to strengthen domestic food production and create sus-
with residents, farmers, young people, investors, and community groups to unlock Region 10’s productive potential and ensure that the region benefits from Guyana’s continued economic transformation. “We have to develop this country. This country belongs to every one of us, and every region and every community must have an opportunity to benefit from the development taking place in Guyana,” the Minister said. The Government’s continued engagement through the Cabinet Outreach forms part of its broader commitment to ensuring that development remains inclusive, community-focused, and responsive to the needs and aspirations of Guyanese across the country.
uyana is set to host the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026 from October 5 to 9, and members of the Private Sector and wider business community are invited to participate. This marks the first time that Guyana will host SOTIC, which will be held under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive”. The conference will bring together tourism officials, industry leaders, Private Sector representatives, investors, researchers, media, and other stakeholders from across the Caribbean and international markets to examine key developments, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of tourism. President Dr Irfaan Ali is expected to deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony. According to a joint release, the programme will explore tourism intelligence and data, technology and innovation, sustainable and regenerative tourism, destination competitiveness, Indigenous tourism, the creative economy, and cruise tourism. Further, it will also feature the Investing in Guyana Luncheon, Cruise Master Class, B2B engagement and networking oppor-
tunities, and the Caribbean Tourism Research Forum. “For Guyana’s business community, the conference provides a platform to engage with regional and international industry representatives, explore potential business and investment opportunities, and gain insight into developments influencing the tourism sector,” the release added. Businesses across the tourism value chain, including accommodation, attractions, transportation, travel and tours, food and
beverage, aviation, creative industries, technology, finance, and investment, are encouraged to participate. The programme begins with CTO Business Meetings on October 5 to 6, followed by SOTIC on October 7 to 8. The Regional Tourism Youth Congress will take place on October 8, while Destination Media Briefings are scheduled for October 9. Registration information and the full conference programme are available at sotic.onecaribbean.org.
14 NEWS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
DPP fails in bid to remove Judge presiding Iwokrama, British Chamber ink over Haresh Singh’s murder case …application followed ruling to try one of four accused separately
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irector of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack has failed in an attempt to have Justice Priscilla Chandra-Hanif removed from the Haresh Singh murder case after she refused an application for her to recuse herself from the proceedings on Friday. The application followed an earlier ruling by Justice ChandraHanif to separate the trial of first-named accused Phillip Anderson, called “Rat Man”, from that of the other three men charged with the 2020 murder of the 17-year-old West Coast Berbice (WCB) resident. The other accused
tion disagreed with the decision and subsequently asked Justice Chandra-Hanif to reconsider and recall her ruling to sever the indictment. When that attempt was unsuccessful, the DPP moved to have the Judge recuse herself from further hearing the matter. In seeking her recusal, the prosecution raised concerns about the Judge’s treatment of issues surrounding identification and alibi evidence, along with a caution statement attributed to Anderson. The State contended that there was a real possibility that
Justice Priscilla Chandra-Hanif
earlier ruling as a whole and in its proper context, would not conclude that there was a real possibility of bias. In addressing the prosecution’s concerns, the Judge stressed that the ultimate determination of the evidence and the guilt or innocence of the accused would be for a jury. “Most importantly, the ultimate assessment of identification evidence, alibi evidence, witness credibility and guilt in the contemplated trial is not of the judge. It belongs to the jury,” she said.
Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack
Dead: Joel and Isaiah Henry and Haresh Singh
are Joel Gittens, called “Bolo”; Charles Scott, called “Bucko”; and Glaston Henry, also known as Gladwin Henry or “Soldier Man”. Under the Judge’s ruling, Anderson is to be tried separately, while Gittens, Scott and Henry are to stand trial together. The prosecu-
issues which remained to be determined at trial had been prejudged and that the circumstances gave rise to an appearance of possible bias. Justice Chandra-Hanif rejected those arguments on Friday, finding that a fair-minded and informed observer, considering her
The Haresh Singh murder case had initially been listed for hearing during the Berbice Assizes but was subsequently transferred to the High Court in Georgetown amid the large number of matters before the Berbice court. Singh, called “Raj”, was 17 years old and lived
at Number Three Village, WCB. His body was discovered in the Number Two Village backdam on September 9, 2020, three days after the bodies of cousins Isaiah and Joel Henry were found in the Cotton Tree backlands. A post-mortem examination (PME) found that Singh died from brain haemorrhage and blunt trauma to the head, compounded by compression injuries to the neck. Investigators subsequently alleged that Singh’s killing was an act of retaliation arising from the murders of the Henry cousins. The deaths of the three teenagers occurred during a period of heightened tension on the WCB and resulted in separate murder prosecutions. Earlier this year, the case against two of the men accused of murdering Isaiah and Joel Henry reached its conclusion at the Berbice High Court. Anil Sancharra, called “Dan Pole” and “Rasta”, and Vinod Gopaul, called “Magga”, were found guilty by a jury in June of murdering the cousins. The two men were subsequently sentenced in July to life imprisonment, with eligibility for parole after serving 35 years. The prosecution of the four men charged with Singh’s murder, meanwhile, remains before the High Court. With the DPP’s recusal application now refused, Justice Chandra-Hanif remains on the case, while her earlier ruling separating Anderson’s trial from that of Gittens, Scott and Henry remain in place.
Guyana sees 5.6% hike in visitor arrivals in August
– over 48,000 passengers processed
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isitor arrivals to Guyana continue to climb, with local tourism authorities reporting that the country welcomed some 48,582 persons during August 2026. This figure represents a 5.6 per cent increase compared to August 2025 and continues the country’s strong tourism growth trajectory, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) on Friday. Overall, it was noted that the year-to-date percentage for January to August 2026 stands at 11 per cent when compared to 2025 visitor arrivals for the same period. According to the officials, leisure travel remained the largest contributor to arrivals, accounting for 62 per cent of visitors, followed by business with 14 per cent and other at 24 per cent. Based on market share distribution, the majority of the visitors were from the United States, at 39 per cent. The Caribbean came in second with 33 per cent, followed by Latin America with nine per cent, Canada with seven
Tourism Minister Susan Rodrigues welcoming visitors to Guyana at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport [File Photo]
per cent, Europe with five per cent, and the remaining six per cent going to other markets. This rise in arrivals was supported by several key activities. This includes the Global Super League (GSL) Cricket tournament, which extended into early August and drew international fans and teams, reinforcing Guyana›s growing reputation as a sporting destination. Additionally, the return of diaspora visitors for the August vacation period also contributed significantly, reflecting the strength of family and cultural ties.
“These activities strengthened Guyana’s image as a destination that blends cultural depth, sporting appeal, and community connections while sustaining momentum toward the country’s projected milestone of over 500,000 visitors by year-end 2026,” the statement detailed. Previously, the Tourism Ministry had reported 45,127 visitors for July 2026 – the highest number ever recorded for this month in the history of Guyana’s tourism, marking an 11.1 per cent increase compared to July 2025. Meanwhile, the August figures align with a growing
trend regarding visitor arrivals in the country. Just last month, the GTA reported an increase in arrivals during the first six months of 2026, with 226,463 visitors recorded from January to June, representing a 12 per cent year-todate increase. The Tourism Authority credited major events and conferences for sustaining travel demand during the first half of this year, including the closing of the Diamond Jubilee Visual Arts Exhibition, Guyana Restaurant Week, International Building Expo, Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC) Annual Conference, Voting Rights & Electoral Justice Conference, Econome Business Mixer, Caribbean Port State Control Conference (CPSCC), and the WeLead Association Conference, among others. Moreover, it was reported that Guyana welcomed 40,002 visitors in June 2026, representing a 16.8 per cent increase compared to June 2025. This trend, the GTA noted, continues the country’s strong tourism growth trajectory.
3-year biodiversity conservation pact
BRITCHAM’s Secretary, Anand Harrilall, hands over the cheque to Iwokrama’s CEO, Dane Gobin, in the preseance of British High Commissioner, Joseph Fisher (Centre)
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he British Chamber of Commerce Guyana (BritCham) is set to fund Iwokrama International Centre (IIC)’s work under the Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA) for the next three years. This deal is cemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the centre and BritCham in 2025. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Iwokrama, Dane Gobin, stated, “The centre is grateful to BritCham for this support, which will help implement the centre’s activities under President Ali’s GBA initiative – both the centre and BritCham are members of the GBA. It is heartening to see the membership of BritCham, mainly involved in the oil and gas industry, recognise the importance of Guyana’s green agenda. The centre has long-standing links with the UK, as it is the home of the Commonwealth Secretariat, one of the centre’s founding partners, and the centre’s patron, King Charles III. The centre remains grateful for the long-standing support from President Ali and the Government of Guyana.” The partnership is also keen to develop and implement joint initiatives which can include collaboration on social and biological assessments, education and awareness, livelihood initiatives, research, sustainable forest management, and fundraising. Chairman of BritCham Guyana, Faizal Khan, noted that economic growth and environmental stewardship must go hand in hand, while adding that Guyana has a unique opportunity to demonstrate to the world that a rapidly growing economy can also be a global leader in biodiversity conservation. “Our three-year com-
mitment to support the Iwokrama Centre and its work under the Global Biodiversity Alliance reflects that belief. While our annual contribution is modest for now, we hope it serves as a catalyst for greater collaboration between the private sector and organisations dedicated to protecting Guyana’s extraordinary natural heritage.” Khan added that the United Kingdom has a long and valued relationship with the Iwokrama Centre and, as BritCham, is proud to strengthen that connection. “We look forward to working alongside the Iwokrama Centre, the Government of Guyana, and our members to support practical initiatives that promote conservation, scientific research, education, and sustainable development for generations to come.” British High Commissioner to Guyana, Joseph Fisher, welcomed the continued strengthening of the partnership between the Iwokrama Centre and BritCham. “BritCham’s support for the centre and its work on the Global Biodiversity Alliance demonstrates how environmental conservation and sustainable economic growth can go hand in hand. The UK is proud to have joined the Global Biodiversity Alliance earlier this year and has deep and long-standing ties with Iwokrama, including through the centre’s patron, His Majesty King Charles III. I wish both BritCham and the Iwokrama Centre every success as they continue to build this important collaboration.” This partnership underscores Guyana’s leadership in biodiversity conservation under the Global Biodiversity Alliance.
NEWS
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
GCCI hosts inaugural Youth Entrepreneur Conference to inspire Guyana’s next generation
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he Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has launched its inaugural Youth Entrepreneur Conference, a new chamber initiative designed to introduce young Guyanese to entrepreneurship, innovation and emerging business opportunities from an early age. The conference, themed “Igniting Guyana’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs”, will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, and is expected to bring together approximately 100 to 150 young persons from ages 10 to 17. Conceived by GCCI President Kathy Smith as a flagship youth entrepreneurship initiative, this initiative responds to the Chamber’s recognition that as Guyana’s economy grows and diversifies, deliberate attention must also be paid to developing the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders. The initiative complements the wider national focus on youth development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and preparing young Guyanese to participate meaningfully in the country’s economic transformation. Smith said the initiative
reflects the Chamber’s belief that preparing Guyana’s future business leaders must begin long before they enter the workforce. “Somewhere in a classroom in Guyana today is a 10-year-old with an idea. That idea may one day become a business, employ people, solve a problem in a community or even become one of the companies that helps to shape Guyana’s economy twenty years from now,” Smith added. She further stated, “But ideas need opportunity. If we want Guyana to have more entrepreneurs, innovators, creators and business leaders tomorrow, we have to begin exposing our young people to those possibilities today.” The programme has been designed as an interactive experience rather than a traditional conference where young people simply sit and listen to presentations. Participants will engage in workshops covering the Orange Economy, Tourism and Hospitality, Agroprocessing, AI-Augmented Entrepreneurship, and Marketing and Public Relations. The GCCI President further added that the areas were deliberately selected to expose young people to both traditional and emerging opportunities and to broad-
GCCI President Kathy Smith
en their understanding of what entrepreneurship can look like. “The entrepreneur of tomorrow will operate in a very different environment from the entrepreneur of yesterday. Technology is changing business, creativity is creating new industries, and opportunities are emerging across sectors. We want our young people to begin seeing themselves as part of that future.” The conference seeks to build confidence, creativity, financial literacy and problem-solving skills. while exposing participants to the fundamentals of identifying opportuni-
ties, developing ideas and creating value. These objectives form part of the original GCCI concept. To broaden access to the inaugural Conference, the GCCI is using a two-pronged approach to participation. A public registration form will allow interested young people between the ages of 10 and 17 to register to attend, with parents, guardians and schools also being encouraged to share the opportunity with eligible students. Additionally, the Tourism Industry and Commerce Ministry and the Education Ministry are supporting the initiative. The
partnership will help the GCCI extend the reach of the programme and provide opportunities for young people from a wider cross-section of the country. Smith stressed that the initiative is particularly relevant at a time when Guyana is undergoing significant economic transformation. “Our young people must know that their future is not limited to finding employment. They can create employment. They can build businesses. They can innovate. They can export. They can become employers and industry leaders,” she said. The inaugural Conference is also being supported by sponsors, businesses and other partners that have contributed through financial sponsorship, donations, services and other forms of in-kind support. She thanked the organisations for responding to the chamber’s call to invest in the development of young people, noting that the private sector has an important role to play in helping to build Guyana’s future entrepreneurial pipeline. “The business community of tomorrow is sitting in our classrooms today. While the chamber advocates for and supports the businesses of today, we also have a
responsibility to help create the business community of the future,” Smith said. This programme is not intended to be a one-off activity. The GCCI’s concept envisages the conference becoming a recurring and recognisable flagship youth entrepreneurship initiative that can grow and evolve in the years ahead. “Among these young people may be a future manufacturer, agro-processor, technology entrepreneur, tourism innovator, designer, content creator, marketer, exporter, or CEO. We do not know which one it will be, but we can give them the exposure, encouragement and opportunity to discover what they are capable of,” Smith said. the GCCI hopes to help develop a generation of young Guyanese who see themselves not only as participants in Guyana’s economic transformation but also as entrepreneurs, innovators, employers, and business leaders capable of helping to shape it. Students are encouraged to attend in their school uniforms, helping to create a unified and welcoming environment for participants. Eligible students can register through https://forms. gle/YUYvbM6K4DLVi5vm6, with parents and guardians encouraged to complete the registration on their behalf.
City Hall steps up campaign to remove derelict vehicles …67 identified as Mayor presses officers for action
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he City Hall is stepping up efforts to rid Georgetown of derelict vehicles, with approximately 67 already identified and Mayor Alfred Mentore pressing municipal officers to ensure those still occupying public spaces are removed. Some vehicle owners have already responded to the municipality’s efforts and moved their vehicles, but others remain, prompt-
ing renewed instructions for the council’s engineering department to follow through with the exercise. “We took all the pictures and so on; the people started to move. If some were left back, he got to get them moved,” Mentore said during the council’s recent statutory meeting. Mayor Mentore made the remarks as councillors examined several prob-
lems involving vehicles and other obstructions across Georgetown and questioned how effectively previously identified issues were being addressed. Rather than beginning another round of discussion on the derelict vehicles, Mentore pointed out that responsibility for dealing with them had already been assigned. “We deal with the trucks already. We already deal with the trucks; the engineer has the responsibility to deal with the trucks,” he said. He subsequently instructed that vehicles remaining on a tarmac also be checked, with registration information obtained as part of the process of getting them removed. “Get the registration. Get them a notice if they don’t move,” he directed. The municipality’s exercise extends beyond derelict vehicles. Old trucks, containers, equipment and
other encumbrances along roadways and drains have also been targeted as City Hall attempts to improve access, traffic flow and drainage while cleaning up public spaces. However, the discussion exposed a wider frustration at the council over matters being identified but not dealt with quickly enough. That frustration surfaced repeatedly during the meeting as Mentore urged municipal officers to act on problems within their authority before they developed into larger issues. “These are things that you could act on before they become an issue,” he noted while addressing another encumbrance problem. He also rejected the idea of allowing lengthy periods for obstructions to remain after they have been identified, telling officers in that instance, “This is not something that we ask you to give them a long notice.”
The removal of derelict vehicles is expected to complement other works being undertaken across Georgetown, particularly in areas where abandoned vehicles and other objects occupy road reserves and road edges, or interfere with drains.
For City Hall, however, the immediate task is no longer identifying the problem. With approximately 67 derelict vehicles already documented and some removed, the pressure is now on municipal officers to clear those that remain.
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
PAS Cargo Guyana secures IDB’s 36 teachers to serve as financing to accelerate digital Guidance Counselling transformation, logistic expansion Officers across 9 regions
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AS Cargo Guyana Inc has entered into a financing agreement with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Lab to support the company’s digital transformation and geographic expansion, marking a significant new chapter in its continued growth and development in Guyana. The financing will enable PAS Cargo Guyana to strengthen its technology and operational capabilities, expand its geographic reach, and enhance the logistics solutions available to businesses and communities across Guyana. The financing agreement was signed in the presence of Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh; IDB Country Representative Lorena Solorzano Salazar; General Manager (GM) of IDB Lab Graham Macmillan; Guyana’s Counsellor to the IDB Board Navita Anganu Ramroop; Chief Planning Officer of the Ministry of Finance Tarachand Balgobin; and Private Sector Development Consultant at IDB Lab Maria Niles. Dr Singh congratulated PAS Cargo on its breakthrough as the first Guyanese private sector company to secure financial assistance from IDB Lab, and he also reiterat-
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Executive Director of PAS Cargo Guyana Inc Shridat Naraine, along with IDB Lab General Manager Graham Macmillan, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, and IDB Country Representative Lorena Solorzano Salazar among others after the signing
ed his support for such ventures as he reminded that the Government continues to encourage more Guyanese companies to take the opportunity to engage with IDB Lab and other private sector arms of these international financial institutions. The financing will support PAS Cargo Guyana’s digital transformation and geographic expansion, strengthening the company’s ability to provide modern logistics services and improve access to logistics solutions for small businesses across Guyana. The agreement represents an important next stage in PAS Cargo Guyana’s development after 14 years of operations in the country. Established in Georgetown
in 2012, the company provides a one-stop cargo clearance facility with the convenience of easy access, secure cargo processing, and a safe dock high facility. Services include documentation, cargo handling, in-house customs clearance, import and export logistics and door delivery services. Executive Director of PAS Cargo Guyana Inc Shridat Naraine signed on behalf of the company, while IDB Lab GM Graham Macmillan signed on behalf of IDB Lab. Following the signing, Naraine stated, “This is more than financing for PAS Cargo; this milestone represents confidence in what we have built in Guyana and
in our plans for the future.” He added, “We entered this market long before Guyana became an oil-producing nation, and we have continued to invest, adapt and grow with the country. This partnership gives us an opportunity to strengthen our technology, expand our services, and make logistics more accessible and efficient for the businesses that depend on us.” PAS Cargo Guyana Inc is a 100 per cent Guyanese-owned entity and Local Content Certified. The company is part of the PAS Group Caribbean network as well as global international freight forwarding networks under the World Cargo Alliance (WCA) and Lognet-Global umbrellas.
he Ministry of Education has listed approximately 36 teachers from across the country to serve in the capacity of guidance and counselling officers at their respective secondary schools. The 36 counsellors are located across 34 different secondary schools, with nine being located in seven secondary schools in Region One (Barima-Waini); four are at schools in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); two in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); one in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); one in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); three in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); five in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); nine in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); and two in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice). There are no officers in Region Five. In Region One, the officers are located at Santa Rosa, Port Kaituma, Kwebana, Waramuri Secondary, Matthews Ridge, Baramita, and St Nicholas Secondary Schools. Region Two’s officers are at 8th of May, Charity, Kabakuburi, and Wakapoa Secondary Schools, while in Region Three they are at
286 Reg 3 young people complete technical, vocational training programmes
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ome 286 young people from Leonora Technical & Vocational Training Centre, Lust-en-Rust Community Development Council, and Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre have completed the competency-based training through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT). The participants were awarded during a graduation ceremony hosted at the Leonora
Some of the participants with their certificates
Labour & Manpower Planning Minister Keoma Griffith handing over a certificate to one of the successful participants
Technical & Vocational Training Centre on Friday. The programmes were designed to provide individuals with entry-level skills, expand their employment opportunities, encourage self-employment, and improve their livelihoods. Of the 286 graduates, 51 completed Information Technology, while 60 completed Commercial Food Preparation. A total of 21 participants graduated from
Welding and 48 successfully completed Electrical Installation. In addition, 12 participants completed Masonry, 13 completed Refrigeration and AirConditioning Repairs, and 19 completed Joinery. The largest group consisted of 62 graduates who successfully completed the Heavy-Duty Equipment Operator programme. The successful completion of these programmes
represents a significant achievement for the graduates, their families, the training institutions, and the BIT. Through practical, competency-based instruction, the graduates gained valuable skills to help them pursue employment, establish small businesses, and contribute positively to the development of their communities and the wider economy.
the Leguan and Essequibo Islands Secondary Schools. In Region Four the officer is stationed at Dora Secondary School, and in Region Six at Orealla Secondary School. In Region Seven officers are at Phillipai, DC, Ceasar Fox, and Jawalla Secondary. In Region Eight they are at Mahdia, Kato, Kopinang, Monkey Mountain, and Micobie Secondary. Region Nine’s officers are at St Ignatius, Aishalton, Annai, Sand Creek, Karasabai, Massara, Maruranau, Nappi, and Tabatinga Secondary Schools. In Region Ten the officers are at Wiruni and Hururu Secondary Schools. The counsellors were identified in a correspondence sent out by Chief Education Officer (CEO) Saddam Hussain, who noted that the identified teachers would be performing the new roles at their respective schools, and as such should not be teaching within the classrooms but instead carry out responsibilities associated with their new roles as Guidance and Counselling Officers. Hussain noted that the teachers are undergoing training for their new roles. “These teachers are currently being trained to function in this role. Accordingly, they should not be timetabled to teach, as they are expected to carry out all responsibilities associated with the Guidance and Counselling Officer role. Where necessary, these teachers may also serve as form teachers or class teachers,” Hussain noted. This latest cohort of Guidance and Counselling Officers will add to existing officers that are already in place at a number of secondary schools across the country. Last year Guidance and Counselling Officers were placed in 92 of Guyana’s 116 secondary schools, with some schools having two or three officers based on assessed needs. An increase in guidance counsellors at schools across the country has been part of the Government’s approach to tackling bullying and mental health issues facing learners in schools across the country. Following growing social concern over the rise of bullying and violence among students from various schools across the country, the Government has been increasing measures and initiatives to tackle the issue. Earlier this year, the Education Ministry conducted a nationwide consultation process aimed at developing a comprehensive anti-bullying and anti-violence policy for schools across Guyana. During those consultations, the need for the expansion and improvement of counselling services was among some of the key points discussed.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
guyanatimesgy.com
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Regional
US continues to squeeze US carries out third consecutive deportation flight of at least 100 Haitians as TPS ends Cuban economy with new round of sanctions T
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he United States has announced a new series of economic sanctions targeting Cuba, its latest step in a campaign to squeeze the island’s already fragile economy. The US State Department said on Thursday that it was sanctioning several Cuban companies and 31-year-old Fidel Ernesto Castro, grandson of 95-year-old former leader Raul Castro. “Cuba’s Communist regime elites preside over a failed state where ordinary Cubans go hungry,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a social media post on Thursday. Since January, President Donald Trump has under-
taken a heightened campaign to weaken Cuba’s Government in an effort to spur regime change. Part of that campaign has been a series of escalating sanctions, as well as a de facto fuel blockade. Cuba had already been under a historic, decades-long US embargo that stretches back to the Cold War. But Rubio argued that further actions were necessary to penalise Cuba’s leadership for decades of mismanagement and repression. He further accused Cuba of seeking to “export subversive Marxist ideology to the United States and other states in the Western
Hemisphere”, echoing Trump’s assertions that the island is a national security threat. Since the start of the heightened pressure campaign in January, Cuba has taken steps to defuse the criticism. In June, it passed its biggest free-market reforms in decades, with 176 new measures. It has also conducted prisoner releases as a “humanitarian and sovereign gesture”. On Thursday, further reforms were announced, with 34 pages of legal changes designed to loosen regulation and state control in industries like tourism. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
he United States authorities deported 101 Haitians to CapHaïtien on Thursday, marking the third consecutive deportation flight to Haiti since the Trump Administration moved to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The latest group brings to 319 the number of Haitians deported on three US flights since August. The deportations are taking place as Haiti faces a severe security and humanitarian crisis and struggles to receive and reintegrate returnees. More than 300,000 Haitians who have relied on TPS face the possibility of removal following a July US Supreme Court ruling that cleared the way for the protections to end. The ICE Air expulsion flight departed Miami for Cap-Haïtien International Airport, according to multiple reports. Around 09:15h EST
Haitians arriving in Cap-Haïtien on a deportation flight
Thursday, US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin shared a photograph on X showing Haitian migrants lining up to board an aircraft, some appearing to be restrained with leg chains and reinforced seat belts. US authorities previously informed Haitian officials that they planned to conduct two deportation flights per week, carrying as many as 250 migrants.
The number of people aboard Thursday’s flight was initially reported as 78 by the Haitian Bridge Alliance, according to LSV Media Production. The Miami Herald later reported that 101 deportees arrived in Haiti. The authorities have not publicly disclosed the immigration status or circumstances of all those deported on the flight. (Excerpt from The Haitian Times)
agenda to guide future collaboration between the two countries. The new phase of relations to be led by PM PersadBissessar and Rodríguez will be grounded in “mutual respect, understanding and good neighbourliness”, according to the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs. Sobers was accompanied by Permanent Secretary and Head of the Foreign Service Randall Karim, officials from the Ministry’s Americas Division and the Defence Attaché at T&T’s Embassy in Caracas. The delegation departed Trinidad at about 08:15h and returned shortly after 07:00h
yesterday. Upon arrival at Simón Bolívar International Airport, the delegation was welcomed by officials from T&T’s Embassy in Caracas and senior Venezuelan Government representatives before proceeding to Casa Amarilla, the headquarters of Venezuela’s Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. In a statement, the Ministry said the visit underscored T&T’s commitment to active diplomatic engagement, regional security and constructive dialogue with its nearest South American neighbour. (Excerpt from T&T Guardian)
Colombia President provokes disgust by posing with bodies of “terrorists” No word on PM’s persona non grata status as T&T, Venezuela C move forward with energy talks olombia’s hard-line President, Abelardo De La Espriella, has provoked outrage after posting a video on social media in which he strides through rows of white body bags that he says contained the corpses of 23 “neutralised” guerrillas. De La Espriella took power last month vowing “all-out war” against illegal armed groups, and he published the footage on Thursday in an apparent attempt to show he was fulfilling that pledge. Celebrating the military operation in the Colombian Amazon during which the 23 alleged terrorists were killed, De La Espriella declared: “We are utterly determined to destroy you, who are a cancer.” The body bag footage, set to a stirring Hollywood-style score, was condemned by human rights activists and the President’s political opponents. Iván Cepeda, the left-wing candidate beaten by De La Espriella in June’s election, wrote on X: “He strolls among
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A screengrab from the video posted on social media by Abelardo De La Espriella (centre)
the bags with the corpses.” He nearly treads on them with contempt. He calls himself a Christian, but in reality he’s an unscrupulous being lacking the slightest sense of humanity.” De La Espriella hit back at his critics, posting, “Forgiving terrorists is God’s business. Sending them to meet him – if that’s where they’re headed
– is the President’s job.” De La Espriella’s post captured the bellicose and performative political zeitgeist sweeping the Americas, where a growing number of right-wing populists are seeking to woo voters with promises of ferocious, “TikTokable” crackdowns on crime. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
He was scheduled to meet with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office on August 7, to discuss US support for Colombia’s earthquake response. A quake struck Colombia three days after de la Espriella was sworn in, killing about 300 persons, injuring thousands a nd causing damage across western and central parts of the country. Rubio will also meet Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori, who was inaugurated on July 28, and
Ecuadoran President Daniel Noboa, whom he previously met on a trip to Ecuador in 2025. The Latin American trip will also address drug trafficking and trade, the State Department said. It did not mention neighbouring Venezuela, where the United States has become deeply involved since capturing former President Nicolas Maduro in a January military raid and bringing him to the US to face drug-trafficking charges. (Reuters)
new era in Trinidad and Tobago-Venezuela relations is being ushered in following the development of a roadmap aimed at strengthening cooperation in key areas ranging from energy and agriculture to security, which is to be led by Prime Minister (PM) Kamla Persad-Bissessar and acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez. The initiative emerged after Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers and his Venezuelan counterpart, Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Félix Plasencia, met in Caracas yesterday and agreed on a work
2 Saint Lucians arrested in US$28.7M Trinidad cocaine bust
T Rubio to visit Ecuador, Colombia, Peru next week
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S Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Latin America next week, visiting Ecuador and meeting a pair of newly elected Presidents in Colombia and Peru in his first trips to those two countries as America’s top diplomat, the State Department said on Friday. Rubio, who has made four prior trips to Latin America and the Caribbean as secretary of state, will travel Tuesday to Thursday, the State Department said in a statement.
wo Saint Lucian nationals are among three people detained in Trinidad and Tobago after Police seized approximately 416.5 kilograms (kg) of cocaine with an estimated street value of TT$193.5 million (US$28.7M). The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said the two Saint Lucians, aged 38 and 37, were detained during an intelligence-led operation in Longdenville between Wednesday and Thursday. Police said their enquiries had focused on the suspected concealment of illegal firearms and narcotics. Acting under Section 12 of the Emergency Powers Regulations 2026, officers searched a residence, warehouse and surrounding com-
The drugs were found in 420 packages hidden in backhoe tyres
pound. Inside the warehouse, they found six large backhoe tyres mounted on rims. A closer examination revealed rectangular packages concealed inside four of the tyres. Police said 420 packages were discovered and seized. A 42-year-old businessman from the British Virgin
Islands was also arrested on suspicion of offences connected with the seizure. The three who were detained were taken to the St Joseph Police Station pending further enquiries. The TTPS said investigations are continuing. (St Lucia Times)
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
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Around the World
Nepal rescues two workers from OILNEWS OIL NEWS hydropower tunnel 9 days after floods Oil ends week higher on renewed US-Iran strikes; diesel hits record
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il prices rose on Friday, ending the week substantially higher after the United States and Iran resumed military exchanges in the seventh month of their conflict, while retail US diesel prices hit a record high. Brent crude futures settled at US$92.68 a barrel, up 76 cents, or 0.8 per cent. West Texas Intermediate crude futures finished at US$91.48 a barrel, up 18 cents, or 0.20 per cent. For the week, Brent crude rose 7.6 per cent while US crude gained nearly 10 per cent as supply routes in the Middle East remain impaired due to the war. The rally in oil prices combined with a much steeper increase in fuel prices has pushed inflation and Government borrowing costs higher around the world and intensified fears that global economic growth might pull back without some relief. “All sectors of the economy are affected by diesel. This is one of the reasons why the Government bond yields in the United States are so high; it’s the expectation that inflation will continue to go up,” said Claudio Galimberti, chief economist at Rystad Energy. Average US diesel prices hit record highs as renewed US-Iran hostilities and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries increased supply disruptions. A gallon of diesel now costs US$5.85 on average in the US, according to AAA data. (Excerpt from Reuters)
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earch teams have rescued two men from a hydropower tunnel buried by debris during the flash flood that devastated Nepal nine days ago. The two workers were pulled alive from the main tunnel at the construction site of the Trishuli 3A plant early on Friday. The rescue raises hope of recovering more of the hundreds of people believed to remain trapped in hydropower tunnels. A video released by Nepal’s Ministry of Energy showed cheering as a man emerged through a small muddy opening. He was helped to his feet by rescuers and carried on the
Nepal army personnel carry a worker rescued from a tunnel at the Trishuli-3A Hydropower Project
backs of emergency workers, raising his hand as they took him towards a helicopter.
A second man covered in mud pressed his hands together in prayer as he was carried
away on a stretcher. The rescued men were identified as Sanjay Shah, 30, a mechanical foreman, and Kabir Maharjan, 45, a mechanical supervisor, by Nepal’s Minister of Home Affairs, Sudan Gurung. “I am so happy; my heart is lighter,” Maharjan’s brother Amir told the AFP news agency. The Nepali Army said the two men were receiving medical treatment and would be taken to a hospital in Kathmandu, while “search and rescue operations are ongoing.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Russian drone strikes Ukraine’s security service HQ, escalating air war
UN votes to adopt new A world map to reflect Africa’s true size
Russian drone hit the headquarters of Ukraine’s SBU security service in Kyiv on Friday, one of the most high-profile targets struck during the war as Russia intensified its campaign of air strikes against Ukraine. Ukraine said the attack was a major escalation of the
war, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed to retaliate, as Moscow’s air strikes on the Ukrainian capital extended into the 10th day. Heavy black smoke rose in Kyiv’s historic city centre following the attack, which the city’s mayor said had wounded at least 12 persons. During almost five years
of war with Russia, Ukrainian Government buildings have rarely been damaged in drone and missile strikes. “The drone was aimed directly at the office of the Head of the Security Service in that building,” Zelenskiy said on the Telegram app. He said that he ordered “an appropriate, tangible response
and, where possible, one that mirrors this strike.” “(SBU) Head Oleksandr Poklad reported on preparations for our active response to the Russian strikes,” Zelenskiy said, posting a picture of their meeting in his office in Kyiv. “The geography of our response has been determined.” (Excerpt from Reuters)
Israelis shoot dead 2 Palestinian teenagers after settlers encircle village
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he UN General Assembly has voted to replace the traditional world map with one that more accurately reflects the size of Africa. The “Correct the Map” resolution, sponsored by Togo and backed by African Union (AU) members, passed with the support of 164 nations, including France and the UK. The United States was the only nation to vote against it – and there were six abstentions. Yaryna Ferencevych, a US representative at the UN, said the resolution mocked the work and purpose of the UN General Assembly. “Instead of focusing on genuine problems of international peace, prosperity, or good relations, this body is debating map projects from the 16th century and their
role in promoting reparations and ‘cognitive justice’,” she said. The Mercator map, which has been in common use since the 16th century, has come in for criticism as it shows Africa as similar in size to Greenland, even though it is 14 times larger. The distortion of this map is a result of the fact that it is impossible to accurately represent the surface of a globe on a two-dimensional chart. In an effort to correct this, a team of cartographers in 2018 created an equal-area map they called the Equal Earth projection. In February, the AU’s 54 member states adopted it and said it “more accurately represents the sizes of all continents, particularly Africa”. (Excerpt from BBC News)
sraelis have shot dead two teenagers in a Palestinian village encircled by settlers, and Israeli troops have razed an entire village outside Hebron, in the latest attacks in a surge of Israeli terror and ethnic cleansing across the occupied West Bank. The shootings targeted Khalil Abu Alia, 16, who was about to start Grade 11 at the al-Mughayyir boys school, and 19-year-old Omar al-Nassan, who graduated from the same institution with top marks this summer. The teenagers were killed soon after sunset, when a group of settlers entered the village under Police and military escort to steal dozens of sheep from a Palestinian
Mourners at the funeral ceremony of Khalil Abu Alia, 16, and Omar al-Nassan, 19
home, village residents and
Israeli activists said.
Snipers took up position on rooftops and one-shot Abu Alia in the neck, his English teacher, Waheed Abu Naim, said in a phone interview. The boy was on the doorstep of his home when he was targeted. Al-Nassan was shot twice, the second time in the back, residents and activists said. Both teenagers died before they made it to hospital. A spokesperson for the Israeli military said Israeli Police, army, and settlers had entered the village to take sheep claimed by settlers from a Palestinian home. The spokesperson provided no evidence of ownership, theft or investigation into stolen goods. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
Influencer Andrew Tate indicted on charges of trafficking minors, money laundering
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omanian prosecutors on Friday indicted social media influencer Andrew Tate on charges of trafficking minors, sex with a minor, and money laundering. Andrew Tate, 39, and his brother Tristan Tate, 38, were first arrested in Romania’s capital, Bucharest, in late 2022. Tristan is indicted with complicity in the case, according to DIICOT, Romania’s anti-organised crime agency. The agency said on Friday that the Tate brothers coerced a victim by pre-
tending to be in a loving relationship and then forcing her to produce pornographic material for an online webcam business. DIICOT alleges that in 2012 the brothers recruited a 15-year-old girl in Luton, a town in England where the brothers are from, and that they obtained more than $1.2 million from her webcam activity after she was repeatedly transported to Romania. The crime agency alleges that Tristan Tate knew the victim’s age, that she had been recruited by Andrew, and that between 2014 and
2021 he knowingly deceived her about his brother’s “feelings and intentions”, which helped to facilitate her sexual exploitation. It is further alleged that between December 2020 and mid-2021, Andrew Tate “repeatedly had sexual intercourse and sexual acts with another minor victim”, who was also age 15. The Tates, who are dual US-British citizens, are among the world’s most polarizing internet personalities by promoting wealth, male dominance and misogyny through their social media empire.
Between December 2023 and July 2024, DIICOT alleges the Tates tried to “hide or disguise the illicit origin of the money” obtained from human trafficking by purchasing four luxury cars worth about 825,000 euros ($957,000) and said they had requested the vehicles be confiscated. Both the Tate brothers have repeatedly denied the allegations against them. Andrew Tate has also claimed that there is a political conspiracy to silence them. (Excerpt from CBS News)
guyanatimesgy.com
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
ARCHIE
19
DAILY HOROSCOPES
(March 21-April 19)
PICKLES
(April 20-May 20)
(May 21-June 20)
PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)
(July 23-Aug. 22)
CALVIN AND HOBBES
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)
SUDOKU
SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE
Pay attention. Don’t jump to conclusions or let drama build. Put more time and effort into home improvements and family ties. Getting along with the ones you love will test your patience if you aren’t willing to compromise. Look for opportunities to pursue hobbies or projects that excite you. A positive financial or lifestyle change looks promising. Don’t share personal information or give away your secrets. Concentrate on self-improvement, not trying to change or impress others. A change to how you use your skills, experience or expertise will help you bring in more cash. Someone’s gestures will offer insight into how they feel about you. Avoid overspending and taking on too much. Something you discover will change your perspective regarding where or how you live. If you gather information and use your imagination, you’ll come up with an innovative alternative. Turn something you enjoy doing into a profit. Be sure to research sufficiently to avoid setbacks. An old interest will resurface. Update and reuse what you already have. Self-improvement projects will help offset some of the negativity you are trying to suppress. Putting on a happy face and trying to see the good and the positive in whatever and whoever you encounter will help you avoid disagreements and discord. Your best results will come from making your home functional. Less clutter means greater convenience. You’ve got more wiggle room than you think. Explore your interests, and expand your plans to suit your demands. Keep the momentum flowing. Search for new and exciting ways to use your skills, and find ways to meet people who stimulate your mind. A quick response or reaction will help when dealing with relationships. Rethink your plans, overhead, and how and what you want to save for. Having a goal or destination in mind will help you build enthusiasm and designate more of your free time to the people and projects that you feel close to. A financial opportunity and commitment look promising. Share your thoughts and feelings with someone you love. Share your insight, show compassion and become the go-to person in your circle. A change you make will face setbacks if you don’t go through the proper channels. A mistake will cost you your reputation if you aren’t swift to turn things around or admit your error. A change at home will encourage you to alter your lifestyle.
(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
If you can recognize the problem, you can direct your energy to accommodate what’s holding you back. The sooner you address what torments you, the easier it will be to bring about positive change. Leaning toward simplicity and having a tight budget will eliminate skirting issues that need to be addressed if you plan to make progress. Do what’s necessary. Fear of failure wastes time.
(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
Do your own thing. Refuse to let anyone push you aside or take control. Stick close to home, and move things around to serve your needs. Don’t feel you have to appease others to avoid discord. Your happiness depends on doing what works best for you. An opportunity to learn something new will be helpful. Romance is favored.
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
(Feb. 20-March 20)
Speak up and do your part to avoid letting anyone disrupt your plans. Don’t jeopardize your physical or emotional well-being to satisfy someone else’s needs. Distance yourself from situations that pose a risk to you emotionally, physically or financially. Use your intelligence to outsmart anyone trying to compete with you. A change of plans will favor you. Look for opportunities that will allow you to bring in extra cash. Use your talents to turn an idea you want to pursue into something tangible. You have more to offer than you give yourself credit for. Selfimprovement projects will lead to compliments. Take control. Sit back, wait, watch and be patient. What you observe will help you figure out your next move. Pamper yourself or make your surroundings more convenient and comfortable. Partnerships are apparent, but conversations to make sure you are on the same page are necessary. Don’t give away too much without knowing what you are getting in return.
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
Pretorius 101, Esterhuizen 88 eliminate heartbroken Namibia against
Lhuan-dre Pretorius brings up his hundred
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nce was a surprise. Twice was a concern. On Friday, South Africa avoided a third straight defeat to Namibia, but only just. In the last match of the tri-series, Namibia fell 11 runs short in a high-scoring thriller which had a match aggregate of 445 runs. The result means
Namibia w i l l miss out on the final, which will be played between South Africa and Zimbabwe on Sunday. Still, the hosts can hold their heads high for the cricket they have played over the last week, which has included beating South Africa, a lastball defeat
Zimbabwe, and a lastover loss in their final game, where they faced a huge target. Put in to bat, South Africa posted their fifth-highest T20I total of 228 for four on the back of a 156-run opening stand between Lhuandre Pretorius and Connor Esterhuizen. Pretorius went on to record his first T20I hundred and the second of his international career, after a Test tonne in Zimbabwe. South Africa was in sight of 250, but as has been the case throughout the series, they fell
Connor Esterhuizen smashed 88 off 40 balls
away slightly at the end, and it almost looked like they would regret that. Asked to complete their
highest successful chase in T20Is, Namibia gave it everything they had. Jan Frylinck and Louren Steenkamp put on 119 for the first wicket, but the momentum they created could not be sustained. That neither Zane Green nor Alex Busing-Volschenk batted may also have been the difference – especially when Steenkamp re-tired hurt – but ultimately, South Africa’s young quicks held their nerve to secure the win.
Esterhuizen relishes the chance at the top
Esterhuizen, who emerged on the international scene when he was the top run-scorer in South Africa’s T20I series against New Zealand in March, has not had much opportunity to build on that in this series until he was promoted up the order for this match. After using the opening over to have a sitter, Esterhuizen took on the quick Ruben Trumpelmann almost immediately and pulled a short ball over the fine leg for six. In the next over, he charged at left-arm seamer JJ Smit for six more and then took back-to-back sixes off Jack Brassell. By the end of the powerplay, Esterhuizen had hit five sixes and was on 40 off 21 balls. For comparison, Pretorius had 23 runs off 15 deliveries and not one six at the same stage. Esterhuizen wasn’t done there either. He took 24 runs off Brassell’s second over, the ninth of the innings, to bring up his fifty off 26 balls, in a sequence that read 6, 4, 4, 6, 4, 0.
Pretorius finishes the job
Three days back, Pretorius missed out on a first T20I century when he was on 94 with an over to
Jan Frylinck smashed 72 in the run chase
go against Zimbabwe. But he made up for that against Namibia. At the start of the 20th over, Pretorius, on 89, hit Gerhard Erasmus into the parking lot to move to 95. It was clear that he wanted his hundred the next ball when he tried another big heave but didn’t connect. That, though, didn’t stop him from trying again. Pretorius slogswept the third ball of that over, and it sailed over the boundary for six more for him to bring up his century. Pretorius had barely finished cel-ebrating when Erasmus delivered a yorker, and Pretorius could not get his bat down in time to keep it out. He was bowled out with two balls left in the innings, but with a milestone to his name.
Frylinck fires up Namibia’s start
Given the magnitude of their task, Namibia had no choice but to throw everything they had at the South African bowlers – and the opening pair did exactly that. Steenkamp and Frylinck showed off their shots as they got Namibia off to a quick start, and their confidence grew as they kept finding boundaries. The biggest of them came when Andile Simelane, who was brought into the squad in place of the injured Lutho Sipamla, went for a short ball and was dispatched for back-to-back sixes by Frylinck. That helped Namibia end the powerplay on 67 without loss. Those were the first
two of Frylinck’s five sixes in what was a dazzling display of brave hitting. Frylinck brought up fifty with a six of legspinner Nqaba Peter off the 28th ball he faced, sent South Africa’s stand-in captain Bjorn Fortuin out of the ground, and when Simelane was brought back, hit him onto the stadium roof. Simelane had the final word when Frylinck tried to pull him over midwicket but didn’t get as much on it as he hoped and was caught by substitute fielder Tony de Zorzi on the rope.
South Africa squeezes at the end
Namibia kept themselves in the hunt throughout the chase, and it was a case of mere moments where South Africa inched
aaa
ahead. The first came when Eathan Bosch hit Steenkamp on the arm in the 16th over, and two balls later, Steenkamp retired hurt on 61. That brought JJ Smit to the crease, and he man-aged a four-ball nine before holing out to the fielder at sweeper cover to give South Africa a second slight advantage. Kwena Maphaka’s final over, the 19th, cost 13 runs, which left Namibia needing 24 to win off the final over. Nqobani Mokoena, in his fifth T20I, held his nerve at the end with an obvious plan to bowl wide yorkers. Two of them were too wide, and one was a full toss, but he did not concede a boundary in the final over and got a wicket off the last ball to give South Africa a tense win. (ESPNcricinfo)
SCOREBOARD
South Africa Namibia (20 ovs maximum) (T: 229 runs from 20 ovs) Lhuan-dre Pretorius Louren Steenkamp b Erasmus 101 Connor Esterhuizen †b Balt 88 Dewald Brevis c Erasmus b Balt 3 Rubin Hermann c †Green b Trumpelmann 26 Eathan Bosch not out 1 Jordan Hermann not out 1 Extras (b 4, lb 2, nb 1, w 1) 8 Total 20 Ov (RR: 11.40) 228/4 Fall of wickets: 1-156 (Connor Esterhuizen, 11.3 ov), 2-172 (Dewald Brevis, 13.1 ov), 3-213 (Rubin Hermann, 18.3 ov), 4-227 (Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 19.4 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Gerhard Erasmus 3-0-28-1 Ruben Trumpelmann 4-0-38-1 JJ Smit 4-0-50-0 Jack Brassell 2-0-39-0 Max Heingo 3-0-36-0 Jan Balt 4-0-31-2
retired hurt 61 Jan Frylinck c sub (T de Zorzi) b Simelane 72 Gerhard Erasmus (c) not out 30 JJ Smit c Brevis b Mokoena 9 Ruben Trumpelmann c †Esterhuizen b Mokoena 21 Extras (b 8, lb 3, w 13) 24 Total 20 Ov (RR: 10.85) 217/3 Fall of wickets: 1-119 (Jan Frylinck, 10.5 ov), 1-167* (Louren Steenkamp, retired not out), 2-191 (JJ Smit, 17.5 ov), 3-217 (Ruben Trumpelmann, 19.6 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Kwena Maphaka 4-0-38-0 Eathan Bosch 4-0-43-0 Bjorn Fortuin 3-0-28-0 Nqobani Mokoena 4-0-43-2 Andile Simelane 2-0-28-1 Nqabayomzi Peter 3-0-26-0
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
GUYANATIMESGY.COM
21
Mittelholzer records new personal best in Buenos Aires G
uyanese distance runner Hicks Mittelholzer produced a new personal best at the Buenos Aires Half Marathon in Argentina, completing the 21.1-kilometre (km) event in a net time of one hour, 21 minutes and nine seconds. Mittelholzer placed 502nd among 28,729 ranked participants and finished 95th out of 2,250 runners in the men’s 18– 29 category. The official results recorded a gun time of 1:23:00, with his 1:21:09 performance representing the time between crossing the starting line and reaching the finish. “In terms of my performance, I was able to run a new personal best in the half marathon with an of-
ficial time of 1:21:09, so I’m definitely happy with that,” Mittelholzer said. “It shows me that the work I’ve been putting in is paying off, but at the same time, I know there is still a lot more work to be done.” The 26-year-old Guyanese reached 5km in 19 minutes and 20 seconds before completing the next 5-km section in 18:42. He passed 15km in 57:33 and 20km in 1:17:09 before completing the remaining distance in four minutes. Mittelholzer said the favourable weather, welcoming people and organisation of the race contributed
Guyanese distance runner Hicks Mittelholzer produced a new personal best at the Buenos Aires Half Marathon in Argentina
Sri Lanka names strong squad for Over-40s World Cup in Guyana
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ri Lanka have named a 16-member squad for the 2026 International
will Captain the team, while versatile all-rounder Suneth Sampath has been appointed Vice Captain. Sri Lanka will compete in Group A alongside Australia,
Canada, the West Indies, Namibia, and the defending champions South Africa, Wales and Colombia. They will begin their campaign against the West Indies at the National Stadium, Providence. Group B consists of England, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, the United States Attacking batsman Rajiv Nirmalasingham of America, will Captain the Sri Lankan Masters Scotland, the Over-40 team at the 2026 International Rest of the Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40s World Cup, scheduled for October World XI and 17 to November 1 in Guyana the Rest of the Caribbean XI. The tournament will feature 16 teams, with the top two sides from each group adMasters vancing to the Cricket (IMC) semi-finals. Over-40s World Cup, The chamscheduled for October 17 pionship to November 1 in Guyana. match Attacking batsman w i l l Rajiv Nirmalasingham
to an enjoyable experience in Buenos Aires. He also thanked the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and Gafsons Industries Limited, commonly known as Gafoors, for supporting his participation. Most of the cost associated with the trip was covered personally. His attention will now turn to the 26.2-mile Atlantic City Marathon in New Jersey, United States, on October 18. The full marathon is scheduled to begin at 08:00h. “Now the focus moves on to the next major event, which will be the Atlantic
Mendes carries narrow lead into 3rd Keep Fit Series race
also be played at Providence. Sri Lanka will be aiming for an improved performance after failing to progress beyond the group stage at the in-
a u gural Over-40s World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2024. They recorded two victories from five group matches on that occasion. The Sri Lanka Cricket Masters Association said the team is ready to compete on the international stage and believes the players will demonstrate pride, passion and commitment while showing that age is no barrier. The association also extended best wishes to the squad as it prepares to carry Sri Lanka’s flag against leading Masters teams from around the world. The full squad is Rajiv Nirmalasingham (Captain), Suneth Sampath (Vice Captain), Mevan Fernando, Ruwan Premathilaka, Dasis Ishanthamaal, Hansa Wijayasundara, Mohan Wickramasinghe, Sineth Withanage, Jonathan Weerasuriya, Achinta Jayawardena, Manjula Guruge, Ujitha Sepala, Arosh Fernandopulle, Nuwan Sovis, Damith Arjune, and Charith Anthony.
City Marathon on October 18, 2026,” he said. “That will be the full marathon distance, so the work continues from here. I’ll take some time to recover properly and then get back into training, with the aim of continuing to improve and hopefully producing another strong performance.” After Atlantic City, Mittelholzer is hoping to close his competitive year at the Run Barbados Marathon and Wellness Weekend in Bridgetown. That event is scheduled for December 4–6, with the half marathon and marathon set for the final day.
Alex Mendes leads the overall standings with 12 points
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lex Mendes will enter the third meet of the Alex Mendes and Kaieteur Attack Racing Cycling Club Keep Fit Series with a slim one-point advantage when the action continues on Sunday at the inner circuit of the National Park. The open event will begin at 10:00h and will feature 36 laps, with cyclists from all categories eligible to compete. Valuable points will again be available as the series, which began in July, moves closer to its conclusion later this month. Mendes leads the overall standings with 12 points after producing consistent performances in the opening two races. He finished second in the 30-lap first meet to earn seven points before placing third over 36 laps in the second race for another five. Aaron Newton is close behind on 11 points. He won the opening race in one hour, nine minutes and 22 seconds to collect 10 points but added only one point after finishing sixth in the second meet.
Robin Persaud occupies third position with 10 points following his victory in the second race, which was completed in one hour and 16 minutes. Segun Hubbard, who placed second in that contest, sits fourth overall
with seven points. Christopher Griffith holds fifth place on five points, while Andre Greene and Paul Choowee-nam have three points each. Geron William and Jaikarran Sukhai are tied on two points, with Julio Meville completing the standings on one. In the opening race, Newton finished ahead of Mendes, Griffith, Choo-weenam, Sukhai and Meville. Persaud then claimed the second meet ahead of Hubbard, Mendes, Greene, William and Newton. The same scoring system will be used on Sunday, with the winner receiving 10 points. Seven points will go to the runner-up, five to third place, three to fourth, two to fifth and one to sixth. With only two points separating the leading three riders, Sunday’s contest could produce a major change at the top of the standings. Special prizes will be awarded to the top three overall cyclists when the series concludes.
Aaron Newton is close behind on 11 points
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GUYANATIMESGY.COM
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
WCM Shariff targets strong showing in fourth Chess Olympiad appearance
Woman Candidate Master Sasha Shariff is aiming to use her experience and intensive preparation to deliver a strong performance for Guyana at the 2026 Chess Olympiad
W
oman Candidate Master Sasha Shariff is aiming to use her experience
and intensive preparation to deliver a strong performance for Guyana at the 2026 Chess Olympiad in
Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Shariff, who is preparing for her fourth appearance at the prestigious tournament, told Guyana Times Sport in an exclusive interview that her main objective is to secure valuable points for the national team while continuing her development on the international stage. Her training currently combines tactical puzzles, advanced endgame study and detailed work on various opening systems. She is strengthening her existing repertoire while exploring new variations that could make her less predictable against international opponents. Shariff said previous sessions with Serbian Grandmaster Aleksa
Speedfest set to ignite South Dakota Circuit on Sunday
T
he South Dakota Circuit will come alive on Sunday when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) stages its Speedfest Superbike and Vitz Cup Track Day. The event will feature two rounds of racing for motorcycles and Vitz Cup cars, with the main programme scheduled to begin at 10:00h. General admission to the venue is free, while access to the pit area will cost $3000. Activities will begin earlier in the morning, with competitors required to arrive for registration and technical inspection between 08:00h and 09:15h. A briefing for riders and drivers will follow at 10:00h, before a transponder check at 10:25h and the opening warm-up sessions. Qualifying and time-attack action will get underway at 11:10h. The Street Bike class will be first on the circuit, followed by the Open Class and 600cc motorcycles. Drivers in Vitz Cup Classes A and B will then contest their qualifying session from 11:40h as they prepare for two races later in the day. The competitive pro-
Striković played an important role in her development. Striković identified specific areas that needed improvement and provided strategic and tactical guidance that she has continued to incorporate into her independent training. Since those sessions ended, Shariff has reassessed her approach and placed greater attention on the areas she believes could produce the most improvement. Her preparation also includes sharpening her positional understanding, managing her time more effectively and remaining composed under pressure. Once the Olympiad pairings are announced, Shariff plans to analyse her opponents’ recent games, preferred openings and general playing styles. This research will help her identify their strengths and weaknesses before developing a suitable plan for each encounter. Having represented Guyana at three previ-
ous Olympiads and several other international tournaments, Shariff believes her experience will be valuable. Those events taught her how to compete under pressure, control her nerves and adapt to players with different approaches to the game. The Olympiad will again expose her to highly rated and titled players from around the world. Shariff identified the strength of the opposition as one of the biggest challenges but is working to improve her concentration, confidence and ability to manage stress, regardless of an opponent’s rating or title. Beyond her personal ambitions of improving her rating and possibly advancing to another chess title, Shariff remains focused on the overall performance of the Guyanese team. She intends to play solid and resilient chess while supporting her teammates on and off the board. Representing Guyana at a fourth Olympiad car-
ries deep personal significance for Shariff. The selection reflects years of disciplined training, sacrifice and perseverance, while giving her another opportunity to contribute to the country’s growing presence in international chess. She also hopes her journey will encourage young Guyanese players to pursue their ambitions. Shariff believes her continued participation at the highest level demonstrates that players from smaller chess nations can earn international opportunities through dedication, talent and consistent effort. The Guyanese chess player is also looking forward to the Olympiad’s atmosphere, which brings together experienced Grandmasters and emerging talents from different cultures. She sees every match as an opportunity to learn, improve and gain knowledge that can support the next stage of her career. (Michelangelo Jacobus)
Youth Ensemble U15 finals set for Sunday showdown
The event will feature two rounds of racing for motorcycles
gramme will begin at 12:20h with the first Street Class motorcycle race. The Open Class and 600cc competitors will take to the track at 12:40h, followed by the opening Vitz Cup race at 13:00h. The second round will begin with the Street Class at 13:25h, while the Open Class and 600cc motorcycles will return at 13:45h. Vitz Cup Race Two is scheduled to start at 14:05. A presentation ceremony and photo session at 14:30h will bring the day’s activities to a close. The event will allow competitors to test their machines
in a structured track-day environment while offering spectators several hours of motorcycle and motorcar action. Speedfest is being promoted under the slogan, “No Speed Limits, No Excuses.” The sponsors include Castrol, GuyOil, ENet, One Guyana, KFC, Guyfresh Trading, Spring Aqua, W Golden Inc, TE Enterprises, KSP Motorsport, Golden Chest Investments, Auto Aesthetics GY, Atla Fit Club, Trevor’s Enterprise, Secure Innovation & Concept Inc, and Bardon Construction Services.
Drivers in Vitz Cup Classes A and B will then contest their qualifying session from 11:40h as they prepare for two races later in the day
Vurlon Mills Football Academy’s U15 and U13 teams are in their respective age-group finals on Sunday
T
he stage is set for an exciting conclusion to the Youth Ensemble Under-15 football competition, with the championship and thirdplace matches scheduled for Sunday at the National Training Centre (NTC), Providence. The final will see Vurlon Mills Football Academy and Buxton Stars FC battle for the coveted U15 championship title, with both teams aiming to cap their campaigns on a winning note and secure bragging rights as the competition’s best youth side. Before the championship clash, Friendship FC and Challengers FC will meet in the third-place playoff, providing both teams with an opportunity to finish the tournament on the podium.
The finals are expected to showcase some of Guyana’s promising young footballers as the teams compete for championship honours and valuable experience. The Guyana Football Federation is encouraging families and football fans to come out and support the next generation of Guyanese talent. The action kicks off at 10:00h on Sunday, September 6, at the National Training Centre, Providence, with the thirdplace playoff preceding the U15 Grand Final. With the title now within reach, all eyes will be on VMFA and Buxton Stars FC as they seek to write the final chapter in what promises to be an entertaining Youth Ensemble U15 campaign.
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Clinical Patriots end home campaign with massive win
Dasun Shanaka shattered the CPL record for the fastest century as the Patriots piled on the runs (CPL T20)
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he St Kitts & Nevis Patriots handed the Saint Lucia Kings a crushing 137-run defeat at Warner Park in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Dasun Shanaka shattered the CPL record for the fastest century as the Patriots piled on the runs before Jeremiah Louis capped a superb all-round performance by ripping through the Kings’ batting to bowl them out for just 98. Sent in to bat, the Patriots made a slowish start, losing Kyle Mayers early to Matthew Forde. But when Andre Fletcher joined Johnson Charles at the crease, the dangerous duo quickly shifted the momentum in the home side’s favour, taking the Patriots to 59 for one at the end of the power play.
Fletcher, who has been in fine form throughout the tournament, looked in no mood to slow down. He raced to his half-century from just 23 balls. The Kings had earlier chances to remove him, but Fletcher was dropped twice in the seventh over, with Forde and Maheesh Theekshana both unable to hold on. Fletcher eventually fell for 64, but the Patriots continued to press the accelerator on a Warner Park surface that has produced plenty of runs this season. Fletcher has so often been the Patriots’ main man with the bat, but this time Shanaka stole the show, unleashing a brutal assault on the Kings’ bowlers. Linking up with fellow Sri Lankan Wanindu Hasaranga, Shanaka put the bowling at-
tack under siege. The right-hander reached his half-century from just 24 balls and needed only 39 deliveries to reach three figures, rewriting the CPL record for the fastest century. After Tim Seifert and Shimron Hetmyer had equalled the previous record of 40 balls the week before, Shanaka blitzed his way into the history books. Shanaka was almost single-handedly responsible for a stunning 79 runs coming from the final four overs as the Patriots surged to the tournament’s highest total so far – 235 for four from their 20 overs. He finished unbeaten on an incredible 121, climbing to the top of the tournament’s run-scoring charts in the process. His breathtaking innings included 12 sixes.
Faced with such a daunting target, the Kings needed to stick to their usual aggressive approach in the Power Play. However, the punishment Shanaka had inflicted with the bat appeared to linger as the Kings struggled from the outset, reaching 46 for three after six overs. Wanindu Hasaranga, Naseem Shah and Ashmead Nedd each picked up a wicket to leave the Kings in serious trouble. With the required task becoming increasingly steep, the Kings needed something drastic to turn things around. Instead, their innings unravelled completely. Only Tim Seifert threatened momentarily with 50 from 36, but no other batter showed up. The middle and lower order offered little resistance,
with none managing to reach double figures, and the Kings were bowled out after just 13.5 overs. If Shanaka was the star with the bat, Louis was the destroyer with the ball. He claimed the final wicket of Amari Goodridge to complete a magnificent five-wicket haul, finishing with remarkable figures of five for 10 from 2.5 overs. It was a picture-perfect finish to an emphatic Patriots homestand. The Kings will look to pick themselves up when they face the Barbados Tridents on Sunday. The Patriots, meanwhile, will head to Guyana full of confidence after backto-back victories, where they will take on the Guyana Amazon Warriors.
GOAL scholarships to boost Courts Pee Wee academic, sporting development tournament takes learning beyond the classroom T
he Government of Guyana has launched the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) Sports Scholarships Programme, a new initiative aimed at combining academic advancement with the development of the country’s sporting talent. The programme, officially launched on Friday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, represents a collaboration among the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Ministry of the Public Service, Ministry of Education, National Sports Commission (NSC), and GOAL. The initiative is designed to provide sportspersons with opportunities to pursue higher education while continuing to develop their athletic careers through access to training, mentorship, and educational resources. Assistant Director of Sports at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Melissa Dow-Richardson, described the programme as an important step towards the holistic development of Guyana’s athletes. “This new initiative specifically focuses on nurturing talent in sports while ensuring academic growth, reflecting our commitment to holistic development and national progress,” Dow-Richardson said. She explained that the programme will provide sportspersons with opportunities to pursue their sporting ambitions while preparing for future careers, stressing that the initiative is intended to benefit athletes regardless of their geographical or social background. “Hinterlanders, coastlanders, everyone has the same opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the development of our country,” she added. Dow-Richardson also
Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, Charles Ramson Jr
pointed to the need for sportspersons to become leaders beyond their athletic careers, noting that while many athletes have gone on to become Captains of industry in other sectors, greater emphasis must now be placed on developing leaders within sport itself. A representative of GOAL said the programme reflects the academy’s wider mission of making education accessible to Guyanese and creating opportunities for personal and professional advancement. Since its inception, GOAL has awarded more than 29,000 scholarships, highlighting the scale of the programme’s contribution to education. The GOAL representative stressed that the sports scholarship initiative is about more than simply obtaining a degree. “It is about opening doors for you. It is about creating opportunities for you,” the representative said, adding that the programme seeks to prepare athletes not only for their next competition but also for the next chapter of their lives.
Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle welcomed the initiative, describing it as a response to what he termed a period of “academic asphyxiation” hovering over sport. Ninvalle said the programme has been carefully conceptualised and would help remove the barriers that have traditionally existed between academic and sporting development. He also used the occasion to highlight Guyana’s growing success on the international sporting stage, revealing that the country’s athletes won 534 medals in international competition last year. According to Ninvalle, that figure has already been surpassed in 2026, with Guyanese athletes collecting more than 600 international medals as of August 31. “The figures do not lie,” Ninvalle declared, while pointing to the rapid improvement in Guyana’s sporting fortunes.
The launch of the GOAL Sports Scholarships Programme comes against the backdrop of increased investment in sport and infrastructure by the Government, with the new initiative seeking to ensure that athletic achievement is matched by educational and career devel-
opment. The programme’s theme, “Strengthening Sport in Guyana through Education”, underscores its central objective of creating a generation of athletes who can excel both on the field of play and in the classroom. With the partnership bringing together key Government agencies and GOAL, officials believe the initiative can provide athletes with the tools needed to sustain successful careers in sport while building productive lives beyond competition.
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he 13th annual Courts Optical Under-11 Peewee Football Tournament will give young players from Georgetown and seven Administrative Regions an opportunity to develop both their football ability and important life skills when the competition begins on September 19 at the Ministry of Education Ground. Approximately 32 teams are expected to compete, while a provisional roster contains 37 schools and two standby teams. Defending champions Leonora Primary will return in pursuit of another title. The tournament was officially launched on Thursday at the Courts Optical head office, where officials highlighted the role school football plays in teaching children teamwork, discipline, leadership, resilience, and respect. The Petra Organisation has coordinated the tournament for more than a decade, providing generations of primary school players with organised competition and greater exposure. Petra Organisation CoDirector Troy Mendonza said several players who participated in the tournament went on to represent Guyana at the junior and senior levels. That pathway was recently demonstrated during Guyana’s successful campaign at the Caribbean Football Union Under-14 Challenge Series. Several players in the national squad had previously competed in the Courts Pee Wee tournament. National coaches have also worked with participating teams over the years, strengthening the tournament’s place within the country’s wider football-development structure. However, officials stressed that the competition is not only about identifying future national players. It is also ex-
pected to reach hundreds of children and give them opportunities to remain active, build friendships and learn through competition. Unicomer Guyana Managing Director Jillian Matthews described the tournament as an investment in children and communities across Guyana. She reminded the young players that the friendships, experiences and lessons gained from participating are just as valuable as winning the championship. Head of the Ministry of Education’s Unit of Allied Arts, Nicholas Fraser, also welcomed the tournament’s continuation and the number of children it will reach. Fraser said participation in sport allows children to exercise, socialise and develop outside the traditional classroom. He also acknowledged the contribution of coaches, teachers and parents, who dedicate several hours to preparing the players. The Ministry of Education is seeking to improve safety within the tournament by having teachers who work with the teams trained in safeguarding and other areas that can create a better experience for the children. Deputy Director of Sport Franklin Wilson said the basic skills developed at the Under-11 level could provide the foundation for players to progress further in football. Wilson encouraged the youngsters to play hard and fairly while remaining disciplined and respectful. He noted that sport can teach responsibility, positive habits, and social skills that can benefit children at school, at home and in their communities. The tournament will have a strong national presence, with schools travelling from the coastland, Linden, Bartica and the Essequibo region.
Sophia Primary, Redeemer Primary, FE Pollard Primary, North Georgetown Primary, Marian Academy, Winfer Gardens Primary, St Pius Primary, and West Ruimveldt Primary are among the Georgetown teams on the provisional roster. Tucville Primary, Enterprise Primary, St Ambrose Primary, St Stephen’s Primary, Stella Maris Primary, Mae’s School, Georgetown International Academy, and the School of the Nations complete the Georgetown contingent. Amelia’s Ward Primary and One Mile Primary are listed from Region 10, while Potaro Primary and St John the Baptist Primary will represent Region Seven. St Therese’s Primary and St Aloysius Primary are included from Region Six, with Belladrum Primary and Rosignol Primary representing Region Five. The East Coast Demerara teams are Ann’s Grove Primary, Plaisance Primary, Annandale Primary and Friendship Primary. Craig Primary, Soesdyke Primary and Timehri Primary are listed from the East Bank of Demerara. Leonora Primary will be joined by Malgre Tout Primary, Vreed-en-Hoop Primary and Westminster Primary as the Region Three representatives. Region Two will have representation from Tapakuma Lake Primary and Kabakaburi Primary. Greene Acres Primary and Golden Grove Primary have been named as standby teams. The tournament is supported by Courts Optical, Unicomer Guyana, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport.
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business
Warriors kick off home leg with convincing win over Kingsmen another setback when Mohammed Nabi removed captain Rovman Powell for a golden duck. Sadaqat’s resistance finally ended at 35 from 33 balls when he holed out to Quentin Sampson at long-off, giving Pierre his second wicket and leaving the Kingsmen in serious trouble at 87 for six. With the innings threatening to unravel, former Guyana Amazon Warriors players Odean Smith and Hassan Khan launched a timely counterattack. The pair added 55 runs for the seventh wicket to revive the Kingsmen’s hopes of posting a competitive total. Khan was particularly destructive, plundering 21 runs from the
Dwaine Pretorius celebrates as he delivers in the powerplay (CPLT20)
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he Guyana Amazon Warriors began their home leg of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in impressive fashion, defeating the Jamaica Kingsmen by eight wickets in Match 26 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. The Warriors won the toss and opted to field, with fast bowler Dwaine Pretorius making an immediate impact by striking in the opening over. H e trapped Kirk McKenzie lbw for just one. Maaz Sadaqat and Keacy Carty briefly steadied the Kingsmen innings, but Pretorius, bowling his third consecutive over, struck again to remove Carty for 18 from 12 deliveries, including two sixes. The Kingsmen reached 46 for two at the end of the powerplay, but their innings soon lost momentum. Usman Khan struggled to 10 from 12 balls before Khary Pierre claimed his first wicket. Sadaqat was
then handed a reprieve when continued t o
Shimron Hetmyer dropped a chance, allowing the lefth a n d e r to continue as the Kingsmen reached 66 for three after 10 overs. T h e pressure
mount a f ter the halfway stage. Local player Keemo Paul was run out for 15, leaving the Kingsmen 83 for four after 12.1 overs. T h e Rahmanullah Gurbaz v e r y shone with the bat for the home side (CPL T20) next delivery
brought
19th over bowled by veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir, including three sixes. Smith was eventually run out for 13, but Khan continued his assault and brought up his half-century in the final over. The right-hander finished unbeaten on a superb 60 from just 28 deliveries, striking two fours and six sixes, as the Kingsmen closed on 159 for seven from their allotted 20 overs. The Warriors, however, made light work of the target. Mavendra Dindyal and Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave the home side a flying start, putting togeth-
er a 46-run opening stand, with Dindyal leading the charge. The young Guyanese entertained the home crowd with a blistering 33 from just 17 deliveries, including one four and four sixes, before he was beaten by a brilliant yorke r from Hunain Shah. Despite l o s i n g Dindyal, the Warriors maintained their momentum, reaching 65 for one at the end of the powerplay.
Gurbaz and Shai Hope continued to dominate after the powerplay, f i n d i n g the boundary with larity as reguthe Warriors moved to a commanding 98 for one after 10 overs. Making his first appearance of this year’s CPL, Gurbaz b r o u g h t up his half-century in emphatic fashion, launching Vitel Lawes straight over the bowler’s head for six.
Sadaqat eventually broke the partnership when Gurbaz was caught at cover for 54 from 35 balls, an innings that included five fours and three sixes. The Warriors were comfortably placed at 114 for two after 12.2 overs. In-form batsman Shimron Hetmyer then joined Hope to finish the job.
Hetmyer struck
30 from 1 7 balls, i n cluding
Hassan Khan gave his team a fighting chance with a brilliant innings (CPL T20)
t w o fours and a six, while Hope remained composed throughout his unbeaten 39 from 35 deliveries. The pair guided the Warriors to 160 for two in just 17.2 overs, completing a convincing eight-wicket victory and giving the home side an ideal start to their Providence leg of the CPL.
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