Guyana Times - Sunday, March 8, 2026

Sugar production exceeds target at Rose Hall, Albion Estates by 468 tonnes

Govt advances Parika waterfront relocations, clearing path for int’l port facility

Senior counsel retracts claims, apologises to Chief Justice Navindra Singh

$1.45B Aubrey Barker Road expansion opens to public after months of delay Nephew stabs uncle during heated altercation …country among

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, March 8 – 06:40h–08:10h, and Monday, March 9 – 07:10h–08:40h.

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers are expected to ease to cloudy skies during the afternoon, with clear conditions at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 4.02 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 07:10h and 19:33h reaching maximum heights of 2.61 metres and 2.47 metres.

Low Tide: 13:07h reaching a minimum height of 0.62 metre.

Shield of the Americas Summit

Guyana backs “strong, direct” actions to combat transnational crime, narco-terrorism in region – Pres Al …country

Pamong 13 nations signs onto pact against cartel activity

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has declared Guyana’s unequivocal support for the strong actions and direct approach being taken by the United States (US) to crack down on drug cartels and transnational crimes that have plagued the Western Hemisphere for decades.

The Guyanese leader made these remarks during an interview with Fox News’ Aishah Hasnie on the sidelines of the Shield of the Americas Summit hosted by President Donald Trump in Miami, Florida, on Saturday.

President Ali is among leaders from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago who were invited by

President Trump for the summit.

The Guyanese and Trinidadian heads of state were the only two leaders from the Caribbean at Saturday›s event.

During his interview, President Ali said he totally agrees with President Trump’s efforts to dismantle drug cartels and foreign terrorist organisations operating in the Western Hemisphere.

According to Ali, «The region itself has made many public comments in relation to drug cartels operating, using our airspace, and using our Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ], and this is not something that was there yesterday. We’ve always complained about this, and President Trump has taken a direct approach on this issue.”

He further lamented how these networks have hampered development within the region, exposing countries such as Guyana and their borders to transnational criminals and criminal networks and giving the region a “bad name” when it comes to drug trafficking.

“Counter-Cartel Coalition”

At Saturday’s Shield of the Americas Summit, Guyana and 11 other coun-

sign a proclamation, committing to the dismantling of cartels and foreign terrorist organisations operating in the Western Hemisphere.

According to President Ali, “We support the strong action on drug cartels. We’ve supported the charter to deal with transnational crime, especially narco-terrorism and these cartels. We have to agree first that this is a challenge to the region, and we have an approach now that is direct and one that seeks to take the region out of the stain of criminality, cartels, and drugs.”

President Trump described the proclamation as the “Americas CounterCartel Coalition”, noting that

these brutal criminal organisations are a “cancer” and pose an “unacceptable threat” to national and regional security. This, he pointed out, cannot be fought with law enforcement but with military might.

“The only way to defeat these enemies is by unleashing the power of our militaries. We have to use our military. You have to use your military... We’re going to use your military. In many cases, our forces have already been working closely with yours. And the United States looks forward to deepening and expanding that cooperation in the months ahead,” Trump stated.

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Advancing Women’s Empowerment in a Transforming Guyana

Today we observe “International Women’s Day 2026” under the United Nations theme of “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL women and girls.” As Guyana joins the international community in this observance, it is both fitting and necessary to recognise the important strides that have been made in advancing gender equality while reaffirming the commitment to ensuring that every woman and girl benefits from the country’s ongoing transformation.

Women have always been central to Guyana’s national development. From education and healthcare to agriculture, entrepreneurship and public service, generations of Guyanese women have played vital roles in building communities and strengthening the nation’s social fabric. Today, as Guyana experiences unprecedented economic growth, the contributions of women are becoming even more visible and increasingly recognised at the policy level.

Recent years have seen deliberate investments aimed at empowering women economically and socially. One of the most significant initiatives has been the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN), which has trained more than 90,000 women across Guyana in entrepreneurship, information and communication technology, garment construction, hospitality, and other income-generating skills. These programmes have helped many women establish small businesses, expand household incomes, and gain greater financial independence.

Beyond skills training, targeted financial support continues to open doors for women entrepreneurs. In 2025, dozens of women benefitted from small business grants of approximately $300,000 each through government-supported empowerment programmes designed to help women launch or expand their enterprises. Such initiatives demonstrate the tangible impact of policies that place women at the centre of economic participation.

Guyana’s progress is also being recognised internationally.

According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Gender Gap Report, Guyana now ranks 31st out of 148 countries, reflecting improvements in women’s participation in the workforce, education, and access to opportunities. The country also ranks among the top globally for women’s health and survival indicators.

Economic empowerment has also been reinforced through housing and asset ownership. Government data indicate that more than 60 per cent of housing titles distributed through national housing programmes are registered in women’s names, helping to improve financial security and strengthen women’s role in household decision-making.

Education remains another pillar of empowerment. With the expansion of scholarships and free tertiary education opportunities, women continue to dominate participation in higher education, accounting for roughly 72 per cent of scholarship recipients in recent national programmes. These investments are helping to prepare more young women for careers in emerging sectors such as science, technology, engineering, and energy. Ensuring women’s participation in leadership roles across the economy – including in the rapidly expanding oil and gas sector –remains a critical objective.

Yet, even with these encouraging developments, the work of building a fully equitable society is ongoing. Gender-based violence remains a challenge that requires sustained attention. At the national level, the government has continued to strengthen policies aimed at protecting women and promoting equality. The passage of the Family Violence Act in 2024 has introduced stronger legal protections for survivors of domestic abuse, while initiatives such as the Hope and Justice Centres, the 914-emergency hotline, and digital reporting platforms have expanded access to support services for victims of gender-based violence. But we note with consternation the continuing sexual attacks on our women and girls and join in the demands for urgent justice and action in this area. It is clear that there is a gap between the policies and programmes of the government and their implementation.

International Women’s Day therefore serves not only as a celebration of progress but also as a reminder that gender equality must remain a national priority. As Guyana continues its historic economic transformation, inclusive policies and sustained investment in women’s empowerment will be essential to ensuring that development benefits every citizen.

When women are empowered – through education, entrepreneurship, safety, and leadership opportunities – families grow stronger, communities become more resilient, and the nation moves forward with greater confidence.

On this International Women’s Day, Guyana can take pride in the progress achieved while renewing its commitment to ensuring that women remain equal partners in shaping the country’s future.

President Ali’s compassion, care, and concern for Guyanese

Dear Editor, Known for his no-nonsense direct approach, his long, enduring working shifts, and summoning meetings in the wee hours of the morning, President Dr Irfaan Ali is not beating around the bush. He typically grabs the bull by the horns and wastes no time getting to the core of a problem. His untiring efforts have resulted in Guyana’s transformative journey from poverty to prosperity.

Under his esteemed dynamism, President Dr Ali has guided Guyana to rise as a global player in the international market for the green economy and to highlight Guyana’s economic growth, attracting world investors to flood Guyana’s money-making gateway. In doing so, Guyana has levelled the playing field and is now positioned with unlimited opportunities for growth and development.

In the eyes of those who appreciate his work, President Dr Irfaan Ali has been applauded for his dynamic leadership role both at home and abroad. He has won accolades from every nook and cranny for changing the destiny of Guyana with his bold initiatives, technological innovations, and unprecedented impressions. Winning consecutive presidential elections, the only thing preventing him from winning a third term is a legislative limitation in the Constitution.

Last month, for strengthening economic ties, he was awarded Brazil’s Order of Merit Fort São Joaquim, the highest of honours from the Brazilian state of Roraima. For his visionary leadership, he received accolades for the Global Leadership Award for Open Innovation (2025) from the University of California. Ghana accorded him the Global Africa

Leadership Award (2024) for his One Guyana philosophy. President Ali was conferred in 2023 with Barbados’ highest national award, the Order of Freedom of Barbados, for fostering regional integration. Again in 2023, India honoured him with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians. From 2020 to the present day, President Ali continues to be welcomed and garlanded in every community he visits.

On this ever-evolving journey through this vast land of many waters, people, places, and problems, President Dr Ali is cognisant that all is not well and that much more needs to be done. He hit the ground running from day one and has not stopped traversing, observing, listening, learning, and acting accordingly. That is why his personal community outreach continues perpetually in all regions. Winning 36 seats in the last election of 2025 is a testament to his national acceptance.

While there are many ways to skin a cat, Guyana’s devastating socioeconomic and deteriorating geopolitical problems inherited from the damaging PNC/AFC Administration will not be easily eradicated completely by the current PPP/C Government nor resolved overnight. Positioned as the wealthiest nation in the South per capita, Guyana’s growth has surpassed the dictates of doom and gloom from its short-sighted predecessor.

President Ali and the PPP/C Government have crafted a five-year plan in their manifesto to serve Guyana and Guyanese toward a higher standard of living, a better life, and a comfortable livelihood. This Administration has already shifted Guyana’s pen-

dulum. This country is no longer the second poorest in the Southern Hemisphere.

President Ali’s compassion, care, and concern for Guyanese interests and intolerance toward any impropriety are of paramount importance. All communities throughout the length and breadth of Guyana must become free of any pollution in any kind, form, or shape, without discrimination, disturbance, or deterrents. Known for equal treatment, trust, and transparency, he advocates for expeditious efficiency for effective and immediate remedies.

Last December, President Dr Irfaan Ali assured the nation that it is “important to the future to build sustainable communities, communities that can withstand changing weather patterns, communities that are clean.” In the next five years, we will continue to build infrastructure for sustainable communities that are safe and clean, where the streets are well-lit, where drains are not clogged or polluted, and where noise nuisances are no more.”

In this deliberation, President Ali pronounced free zones for designated industrial and commercial areas to modernise communities, foster economic growth, and move businesses away from residential areas. Tiger Bay is the first modern urban neighbourhood; Wales Industrial Zone is the new industrial site for Region Three; Silica City is the modern township, and East Bank Development is another extension of its kind.

The president is only human and cannot accomplish all these feats on his own. He has, therefore, tasked his Ministers and their Ministries to undertake the successful achievement of his ideals, aspirations, and promises which are made and kept to maintain faith,

trust, and hope in his honesty, loyalty, and the dignity and integrity of the PPP/C party.

Last week, the honourable Housing Minister Colin Croal had to fire two contractors in Stewartville who breached their contracts. The Honourable Local Government Minister Priya Manickchand reminded NDC councillors and chairmen that they must serve the communities and not their status while calling on them to demonstrate commitment, accountability, and daily efforts.

The Honourable Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, stressed that patients must not be denied care at public facilities and implored all to report any malfeasance in care, treatment, or behaviour.

The Honourable Home Affairs Minister stole the show when Minister Oneidge Walrond charged the Guyana Police Force with business no longer being usual, while setting a zero-tolerance policy for the police to target corruption, bribery, and abuse of power both within and outside.

In his assurance to Guyanese, President Ali surmised, “We’re taking deliberate steps toward the beautification of our environment, deliberate steps in creating safe family environments, deliberate steps in creating and improving recreational facilities, deliberate steps in enhancing community life and, importantly, deliberate steps in building out the drainage plan for every single region.”

Hopefully, all these dreams will materialise very soon, and Guyanese will shortly live in clean, safe, and noise-free communities and will not later become discomforted with doubt, despair, and dread.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

JAPAN’S LIFESTYLE MEDICINE

By Ryhaan Shah

The Japanese have one of the world’s highest life expectancies, if not the highest. They have much fewer deaths due to heart disease and cancers, and this low mortality rate is attributable to a low rate of obesity.

The obesity rate for Japanese women is 3.7 per cent among women, and for men it’s 4.8 per cent. In Western countries, like Canada for instance, the obesity rate stands at some 25 per cent; that’s a quarter of the population. When you consider that obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease, diabetes and cancer, it becomes a vital health issue.

Japan’s longevity is a direct result of a number of variables that include a diet of mainly fish, vegetables and fermented foods, active lifestyles, strong community ties, cultural practices, and an effective health care system that is either free or affordable for most of the population.

The Japanese diet comprises very little red meat like beef and mutton and much less chicken than we consume. They eat fish, soy, vegetables, rice, and, well, seaweed, but I don’t think we are going to add that to our diet any time soon.

Their plant-based diet means it’s not calorie-dense, so there is less chance of gaining weight, and they do not use much dairy products like milk and cheese, or sugar, sweeteners, or even potatoes, which are all staples of our diet.

Because they eat less beef, mutton and chicken, they have a reduced intake of saturated fatty acids, which lowers their risk of heart disease, and their diet of more fish and seafood provides them with omega-3 fatty acids, which also works to lower their risk of heart disease.

In cooking, they add much less salt than we normally use, which is important for controlling blood pressure, and they cook with very little oil. Instead, they steam and simmer, which is water-based cooking. Their cultural practice is to eat until they are about 80 per cent full. This manages their calorie intake and is known as “hara hachi bu”.

Other cultural practices that aid their healthy lifestyle are daily movement like walking, gardening, and community activities, and they meditate for relaxation. They also practise ikigai, or “purpose”, which helps them find meaning in their daily life.

For older Japanese it is important that they enjoy life as they age. Their ikigai could mean caring for a pet animal each day, or, for someone else, it could just be meeting with a friend or finding solace in their faith. The idea is to give each day a purpose, a reason for being alive.

Their longevity is attributed to this blend of mindful eating, daily physical activity, strong community ties, and a calming focus on overall wellbeing.

In Okinawa there is no word for retirement, and, until recently, it was not even a concept. If you were a farmer, you continued to farm. The idea is to stay engaged with family and your community and to continue to enjoy activities that you always do.

A medical doctor and Confucian scholar named Ekiken Kaibara showed how illness can be prevented through lifestyle change. He wrote, “Don’t make your stomach full and reduce meat in your diet; walk after the meal and don’t sit at one place for a long time. Get up early and work hard; don’t be lazy.”

His recommendations were published in the first and most comprehensive lifestyle medicine book, “Yojokun”, which became a national best-seller. The year published? 1713. That’s right. Japan is ahead of the world by over 300 years in understanding the role lifestyle plays in our health.

Results from what is a “natural experiment” show that Japanese who have migrated to Western countries and have changed their diet and lifestyle now present with a higher risk of heart disease and cancer. As immigrants and their descendants assimilate into Western culture, their diets shift towards a higher consumption of red meat, saturated fats, dairy products, processed foods, sugar and salt.

In essence, adopting a Western diet appears to negate the protective health benefits associated with the traditional Japanese diet and negatively impacts their longevity.

We would not all want to suddenly change our diet drastically. But we would do well to consume less beef and mutton, add more vegetables and fruit to our diet, be aware of the quantities of such staples as whole milk and cheese that we use, and watch our intake of sugar, salt, and processed foods.

Incorporating the elements of lifestyle medicine, such as having good nutrition, regular exercise and maintaining good mental health, will help us to live a longer and healthier life.

The Guyana Times wishes to inform the public that on March 3, 2026, it inadvertently published that Ponzi scheme agents, Aubrey Norton and his wife, Martina

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2026 |GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Contribution of women cannot be denied CORRECTION

Dear Editor,

Each International Women’s Day there is a theme which guides our thinking and causes us to pause for reflection on what the status of women is as people and in our society. This year it is “give to gain”.

It is undeniable that women have proved their worth in our society in the execution of their responsibilities as primary nurturers/mothers and carers. Further, in the teaching and nursing professions as well as functioning as professionals in areas such as law, banking, medicine with its varied specialisations, and trade vocations originally designated for men such as welding and operation of heavy-duty machinery, as electricians, plumbers, and so many others.

The theme for

Seepersaud, were jailed for four years after pleading guilty to money laundering.

Instead, they were found guilty after a trial brought against them by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), which was heard before Magistrate Rushell Liverpool. We sincerely apologise for the misprint and grievance it may have caused.

International Women’s Day 2026 is “give to gain”. This theme may be interpreted in a myriad of ways. The Association, however, chooses to do so in the context of women and girls.

The girl child is the woman of tomorrow and ought to be the recipient of as much exposure to their rights as children and to the rights of women in specific contexts. With respect to the latter, our women of tomorrow must be given education on matters such as child abuse and domestic violence; gender equality; and the importance of demanding respect from males and everyone else in order to develop confidence and self-esteem.

When given such knowledge and information at an early age, they gain what will come to be critical in their adult life. From the perspec-

tive of women, the path their lives take primarily depends on socialisation in the home, education and experiences.

Negative experiences such as abuse in the home as a child will in adulthood translate to similar circumstances if they have not been alerted to the ways to combat what could become a vicious cycle – i.e., a victim of domestic violence or other negative experiences translates to a similar scenario in adulthood and impacts choices made.

The point that is being made is that women must be given support and the tools to be productive citizens in all respects. Women must be treated with respect, must not be discriminated against at home, in the workplace or anywhere else, must not be regarded as bodies for physical, emotional and mental abuse

and must, in general, be given all that is due to them. In turn, the home, schools, workplaces and society as a whole will gain. As stated earlier, the contribution of women cannot be denied. Take the woman out of the equation in the functioning of a society, and the imbalance and deficiencies in our society would be readily seen.

Accordingly, let us show our appreciation for our women and girls in all spheres, not only by giving kudos on International Women’s Day but also always with tangible actions which are positive in raising them up and not tearing them down.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!!

Guyana Association of Women Lawyers

Guyana backs “strong, direct”...

The US President further told the dozen regional leaders at the summit that their countries have unlimited and tremendous potential that cannot be achieved with the presence of cartels in the region.

“It’s a great part of the world, but to fill that tremendous potential, we must smash the grip of the cartels and criminal gangs and horrible organisations run by, in some cases, absolute animals and truly liberate our people.”

“We’ll work with you if you need. With the courage and resolve of the great leaders in this room, we’ll make our nations safer, stronger, richer, and more successful than ever before... I look forward to the incredible progress that’s soon to come. You’re going to see some incredible things,” President Trump declared.

Greater stability

Late last year, Washington deployed about 10,000 troops in the Caribbean as part of efforts to combat transnational crime and the illicit drug trade in the region, especially coming out of Caracas.

The Trump Administration has stated that designated narco-terrorist organisations like Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles are using the region’s air and sea corridors

to funnel drugs into the US, thus posing a direct threat to American lives and security.

On January 3, US troops captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas, taking them to New York to face several indictments on drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has since been sworn in as Venezuela’s interim President after Maduro’s ouster.

During Saturday’s interview, President Ali indicated that since the regime change in the Spanish-speaking nation, there has been greater stability and improvements in the region. He reminded him of the threats and aggression Guyana faced from Caracas under Maduro’s rule.

“Guyana came under threat from Venezuela under the Maduro regime, and what we have seen since the capture of Maduro is an attempt by the Government, of course in keeping with the agreement of the US, to move towards a safer environment in which the Venezuelan people would enjoy greater prosperity and greater development prospects and move towards a more democratic society – values that we share and values that we uphold.”

“And that by itself has brought a change in the mind-

set, a change in the condition, and we have seen greater stability, less rhetoric, and wherever there is less rhetoric about conflict, there’s greater confidence in the system. And wherever there is momentum towards democracy, there are greater prospects for the region. So yes, that would have brought improvement,” the Guyanese leader posited.

Over the years, Venezuela has been increasing its aggression towards Guyana in furtherance of its spurious claims to more than twothirds of Guyana’s landmass – the entire Essequibo region – and a portion of the country’s EEZ, where over 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) have been found and oil

operations are currently ongoing offshore by US oil major ExxonMobil and its partners. Back in 2018, Guyana had approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking a final and binding settlement of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which establishes the boundaries with neighbouring Venezuela.

After receiving written pleadings on the merits of the case from both countries, the World Court will hear oral arguments in May from the two sides, after which it will deliberate and issue a judgement that will be binding on both nations. The Guyana Government has already indicated its confidence in a favourable ruling.

00:00

Movie - Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025)

03:15 Movie - Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)

05:45 Daily Quran Recitation

06:00 Cartoons

07:00 Movie - Baabul (2006)

09:45 Movie - Sita Ramam (2022)

12:30 Movie - Tum Bin...: Love Will Find a Way (2001)

18:00 Maths is Fun

18:30 Week-in-Review

19:00 TVG Music Break

19:30 Supergirl S5 E6

20:30 Link Show 38

21:30 The Flash S2 E13

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2026

15:00 Movie - Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001)

22:30 Shadowhunters S3 E16

23:30 TVG Music Break

Page Foundation International Women’s Day

Breaking Stereotypes in Science

Has anyone ever told you that you couldn’t do something because you’re a girl or a boy? Comments like that are based on stereotypes. A stereotype is a shared belief about a group of people. One common stereotype is that girls are not as good at or interested in science as boys. When people believe this, it can discourage girls from taking part in science.

Stereotypes are prevalent in society. They can cause a lot of damage to individuals and groups of people. A common kind of stereotype is the belief that one group is better at a task or a subject than another. This is called an ability stereotype. Another kind of stereotype is an interest stereotype. This is the belief that one social group is more interested in a topic than another group. Interest stereotypes can change the way people see themselves. They can also influence a person’s motivations and their sense of belonging.

In the United States, the number of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) varies. Even when women work in these fields, gender stereotypes are still common. An example is the idea that men are more able or interested in STEM compared to women. This is a gender stereotype favouring men. Computer science and engineering have the largest gender disparities. This means that women are less likely to have these jobs. This can lead to discriminatory practices like paying women less than men. And that could increase the wage gap.

Researchers were curious about STEM gender stereotypes in children and adolescents. At what age do they show up? Do gender-ability or gender-interest stereotypes have a bigger impact on girls? Do these stereotypes actually cause girls to be less interested in these fields? Do they change girls’ desire to take part? They de-

cided to find out!

A survey was designed about gender-interest stereotypes favouring boys in computer science. Students in Grades 3–7 were asked if:

1. They believed boys were more interested in computer science than girls.

2. They thought boys were better at computer science than girls.

3. They felt like they belonged in the field.

various races/ethnicities). This survey included questions about engineering, too!

Researchers also ran an experiment where they gave students (eight–nine years old) two activities in the laboratory. One activity stated that “girls are much less interested in this activity than boys”. This linked the activity to the stereotype. The other stated that “girls and boys are equally interested in this activity”. So, that activity didn’t have a link to the stereotype. They presented the activities in a random order for each student. Then, they asked students if they were interested in the activities and which activity they would choose to take home.

It was found that a diverse set of students believed gender-interest stereotypes favouring boys in

4. They were actually personally interested in computer science.

Then a more diverse set of students was given a similar survey (Grades One–12,

computer science and engineering. Students developed these stereotypes at a very young age.

They also found that: 1. Gender-interest ste-

reotypes were stronger than gender-ability stereotypes.

2. Girls who believed the stereotypes were actually less interested in participating in computer science and engineering.

3. Girls who felt they did not belong in these STEM fields were less interested as well.

in STEM classes and activities.

3. The design of STEM programmes and activities should actively fight gender-interest stereotypes.

There are still many questions to address in the future. How long do these gender stereotypes last? What impact will they have

In the laboratory experiment, we found that girls were less interested than boys in the activity described by the gender-interest stereotype favouring boys. Girls chose to take those activities home less than activities with the gender-equal description.

Gender-interest stereotypes can cause changes in girls’ interests in STEM. Girls are less likely to take part in STEM activities if they feel like they don’t belong. Believing these stereotypes at a young age could increase gender gaps in STEM in the future.

This research suggests

on the future careers of students? Does experience in STEM change students’ belief in gender stereotypes? If we can understand and address these gender stereotypes, we can improve gender disparities in STEM. The sciences are for everyone. Give computer science and engineering a try! Ask your parents and teachers for help finding classes and activities. You never know what you might like. Tell your teachers you want to learn about successful women in STEM like NASA scientist Katherine Johnson, Internet pioneer Radia Pearlman, or comput-

that:

1. Girls should start to take part in computer science activities in early elementary school. This is before gender-interest stereotypes about computer science become common.

2. Teachers should find and use language that can increase girls’ interest

er scientist Grace Hopper. You can also learn more online – why not check out a project like Girls Who Code? And if you feel comfortable, speak up when you hear others using gender stereotypes. The more you correct others now, the less they will use gender stereotypes in the future.

Guyana “huge part” of ensuring regional energy security – US Energy Secretary

– lauds country as “well-governed” during meeting with Pres Ali

Guyana is being recognised as a strong partner as the United States moves to ensure the energy security of the Western Hemisphere amidst global worries over the recent crisis in the Middle East.

US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has emphasised his country’s strong support for Guyana’s energy sector and expressed interest in deeper collaboration to promote sustainable growth.

He made this commitment during a meeting with President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday evening in Miami, Florida, ahead of the Shield of Americas Summit hosted by US President Donald Trump.

Secretary Wright stated that the Trump Administration’s goal is to grow the production of energy and other natural resources within the Western Hemisphere – something which he noted Guyana is a key player in.

“This is our backyard. We want strong partners, strong nations, and strong energy production. Guyana is a huge part of this strategy,” he stated in a video posted on President Ali’s Facebook page following the meeting.

The US official further added that Guyana is “...a very well-governed country with great energy resources that’s starting to produce them and grow larger and larger. That’s a win for Guyana. That’s a win for the United States. It’s a win for the Western Hemisphere.”

Similar sentiments were expressed by President Ali, who underscored that regional energy security is important for Guyana as well.

“Part of our objective is to expand our energy footprint to build sustainability in our energy portfolio, not only petroleum but gas,” the Guyanese leader noted in the video.

He further stated that with the US Secretary of Energy, they discussed how Guyana could be positioned to ensure energy security in both countries as well as the wider region. He also explored strategies

to maximise the energy potential for the benefit of Guyana, the United States, and the hemisphere.

Energy infrastructure

According to the Guyanese Head of State, “...within this hemisphere itself, we can build out the infrastructure and the system through which we can be energy secure, and we can build out the opportunities that come with energy.”

“As you know, Guyana has tremendous opportunities ahead of us in which we could utilise energy to add value to our natural resources, whether it’s bauxite; building out our capacity and capability for fertiliser to support the rest of the region; data centres; and other investments in manufacturing, industrial development, LNG [Liquefied Natural Gas] plants; and be that first mover in terms of the infrastructure that will be able to accommodate gas from other partners within the region.”

Further, President Ali reiterated Guyana’s commitment to advancing a robust state-to-state partnership and emphasised the importance of private sector cooperation to further develop the country’s energy infrastructure.

“Of course, the US has a keen and strong interest in building out a state-to-state relationship and maximising US investment and investors into this ecosystem. So, those were some of the things we discussed. The Secretary is very keen on the development in Guyana and the opportunities there. So, I think it was a great meeting, and we were able to examine the future pillars on which our cooperation is based,” the Guyanese leader stated.

Guyana and the US have a strong bilateral relationship grounded in multiple areas of cooperation, including energy.

Gas-to-Energy Project

In fact, the US Export-Import (EXIM) Bank has approved a US$527 million loan for Guyana’s model and highly anticipated Gasto-Energy (GtE) Project at Wales, West Bank Demerara, which is set to deliver clean and reliable power at a cheaper cost when it comes into operation by year-end.

This transformative US$759 million GtE Project includes the construction of an Integrated Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant and a 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant, utilising natural gas from the country’s

offshore operations in the prolific Stabroek Block, where US oil major ExxonMobil and its co-venturers are conducting oil operations, producing some 900,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Already, some 250 kilometres of 12-inch pipelines have been laid to bring the gas onshore. This first phase, however, will only utilise 40 per cent of the pipeline’s capacity, bringing 50 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of dry gas onshore.

But with the pipelines having the capacity to push as much as 120 mmscfd of gas, the Government has moved ahead with Phase Two to utilise the remaining 60 per cent capacity of the pipeline, which will see an additional 75 million (mmcfd) of rich gas brought onshore to power a second 300 MW power plant and NGL facility right at the Wales, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) location.

Five companies have been prequalified for GtE Phase Two and are expected to submit their proposals sometime this month to the Government to design, finance, and operate the second phase.

The GtE Phases One and Two are expected to generate significant excess ‘lean gas’, which will be available for other industrial projects such as fertiliser production, a data centre, and a gas bottling plant.

In fact, only last month, ten international and regional companies, including a Guyanese business, submitted proposals to design, build, and operate a cooking gas bottling facility at Wales. The deadline for submissions of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the Guyana Ammonia and Urea Plant (GAUP) closed last Thursday.

Outside the Gas-to-Energy initiative, the Guyanese Government is also laying the foundation for a broader energy economy with a second massive gas project in Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Energy corridor

The United States energy firm Fulcrum LNG Inc. has been selected to develop a potential gas project in a tripartite arrangement with the Guyanese Government and ExxonMobil.

The Government has already touted large-scale industrial projects such as power plants, data centres, and an alumina plant, among other heavy industries, for the Berbice Gas Project – an initiative that will be separate from the Gasto-Energy project at Wales.

With these resources, Guyana is keen on establishing a regional energy corridor.

In fact, President Ali declared at the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo held just last month in Georgetown that his Government is eager to partner with Suriname on developing the neighbouring countries’ natural gas resources.

Like Guyana, Suriname is also on the verge of a major offshore oil and gas boom, with first production expected by 2028. According to President Ali, Guyana is looking for “like-minded partners”, as he directly appealed to Suriname to join Guyana in scaling up the Berbice gas project, which will not only benefit the two countries but the wider region.

President Ali revealed that discussions with Suriname are already underway, emphasising the need for decisions to be made in a timely manner in order to lock in investors. Meanwhile, during the energy conference, the ministers responsible for the energy sectors in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago have all called for strengthening cooperation among the three nations.

In addition, the President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Daniel Best, during a presentation at the energy conference in Georgetown, recognised Guyana’s ability to lead the Caribbean’s energy transition in a climate-smart and future-ready manner.

Reflecting…

…on Cheddi

Oh, how time flies – and not only when we’re having a good time, as some insist!! To your Eyewitness, seems it was only the other day that Cheddi passed on. As to whether he passed on to another plane, world, or heaven would be a question he woulda scoffed at since he was a committed atheist, in line with the staunch Marxism-Leninism ideology that guided him in every aspect of his life – and presumably in death!! But yes… It’s been 29 years since he was taken to Babu Jaan, near his beloved Port Morant, where he was cremated. Your Eyewitness remembers ex-President Desmond Hoyte snickering that this was a “national BBQ”. You don’t fall much lower than that in commenting at the passing of someone of Cheddi’s stature!! You’d think that the straitlaced and proper Desi would’ve respected the old adage even in its original Latin, “De Mortuis nil nisi bonum” –“Of the dead, [say] nothing but good”.

Pressie and the PPP issued a statement to mark the occasion by noting that Dr Jagan’s legacy continues to inspire their commitment to equality, human rights and the preservation of democratic principles in Guyana. Now you can’t set the bar on these values higher than that, can you??!! Here it is; Cheddi was born on a sugar plantation to parents who both came to the then British Guiana as babies of indentured labourers – and indentureship wasn’t ended until HE was two!! So, if you were to read his account of his early years, you would know he knew first-hand about inequality! You don’t have an institution more hierarchically stratified than a sugar plantation of those years!! The young chairman of Bookers – which owned Port Morant – said the mules had better accommodations than the workers!! The mule pens were electrically illuminated – which the workers didn’t experience till half a century later!!

But he also showed in his own life the grit that it takes to lift oneself up and out of poverty!! He did well in primary and up to fifth-form high school – then came all the way to GT to attend sixth form at Queens. Now you’re talking about a boy from deepest rural Guyana having to live on his own in the city!! Some of the experiences scarred him for life – especially the snobbery of the urban middle class!!

He went on to uni in the States and became a dentist. Quite significantly, he fell in love with a Jewish girl by the name of Janet Rosenberg, who followed him here after he returned in 1943.

Their joint efforts to get the Brits out of British Guiana cannot be denied – and can arguably be dubbed the fathers and mothers of modern Guyana!!

…on LGBT

Your Eyewitness had mentioned Sanction Man’s frantic efforts to extricate his foot from his mouth when in a masjid! – He criticised the leaders for allowing LGBT folks to enter and pray!! Said he was only stating what the official position was!! So why repeat it as a chastisement?? So is he saying he rejects what the sacred texts say??

It shows you how opportunistic this fellow is – but also how he can get himself in another pickle that might be even bigger than the OFAC sanctions he’s moving heaven and earth to evade!! He’s old enough to know –he announced ostentatiously he’s now thirty-nine!! – that Muslims don’t take kindly to folks who call themselves Muslims disputing their Koran!! They call it blasphemy, and the penalty is death – stoning is advised, but any other method is acceptable if necessary.

Apart from issuing fatwas to commit the act – like with Ayatollah Khomeini and Salman Rushdie – body bombs have become very popular, as we’ve seen in Pakistan!!

…on girls

Your Eyewitness is beside himself on this International Day for Women that we still don’t know who got that poor 14-year-old child pregnant – leading to her death. Whoever did the act automatically committed statutory rape – and by now someone should’ve been charged!!

Senior counsel retracts claims, apologises to Chief Justice Navindra Singh

Senior Counsel K A

Juman-Yassin has issued a public retraction and apology to the Guyanese public and acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh, withdrawing statements he previously made regarding the judiciary.

In a statement released through JumanYassin and Associates Legal

Practitioners, the attorney-at-law said he unreservedly retracts claims made in a letter published in the media on or about December 31, 2025. The letter was titled, “In the absence of any other information, I have come to the conclusion that a plan was hatched by the Govt to have Justice CummingsEdwards removed as chancellor.”

Juman-Yassin said that after further reflection and being made aware of the relevant facts, he recognised that several statements and implications contained in the publication were false and unjustified. He also expressed regret for any distress and reputational harm caused to Justice Singh.

Among the matters retracted was the assertion that Justice Singh knowingly participated in or acted pursuant to an alleged executive plan aimed at influencing the administration of justice or the handling of politically sensitive litigation. Juman-Yassin acknowledged that there was no factual basis for such an allegation and stated that he did not intend to suggest that the Acting Chief Justice was involved in any improper conduct.

The senior counsel also withdrew suggestions that Justice Singh’s appointment as acting chief justice was irregular or motivated by political considerations. He acknowledged that the appointment was constitutionally valid and consistent with established practice.

Additionally, Juman-

Yassin retracted claims that Justice Singh excluded or locked out Justice Roxane George from the Chief Justice’s chambers or acted on instructions to do so.

According to the statement, both Justice George and Justice Singh met at approximately 08:30h on the relevant morning and agreed to await a decision from Dr Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, regarding the continuation of their respective acting appointments. As a result, Justice George did not seek to occupy the chambers.

Juman-Yassin further withdrew any implication that Justice Singh subordinated his judicial independence, behaved discourteously toward a judicial colleague, or placed personal advancement above constitutional duty and the rule of law. He acknowledged that such insinuations were unfounded.

In the statement, the attorney offered a direct apology to Justice Singh for any distress, embarrassment, or reputational injury caused by the publication. He also apologised to the judiciary and the public for any impact the statements may have had on confidence in the administration of justice.

Juman-Yassin said he would refrain from making further statements of a similar nature and undertook to ensure that the retraction and apology are published with the same prominence and frequency as the original letter.

Nephew stabs uncle during heated altercation

The Police are on the hunt for a young man who allegedly stabbed his 32-year-old uncle during an altercation at River View Sea Dam, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, on Friday. Police stated that the injured man, a fisherman, and his nephew, the suspect, were standing in the yard when an argument broke out between them at about 18:35h.

This quickly led to an al-

tercation, during which the suspect allegedly armed himself with a sharp object, held onto his uncle from behind, and dealt him several stabs to his body. The young man then fled the scene. The injured man was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted in stable condition. Efforts are being made to apprehend the suspect as investigations continue.

Rupert Roopnarine and the IndoGuyanese question

ILinden labourer nabbed with ganja in Lethem

An David Hinds’ blog, Politics 101, reflecting on Rupert Roopnarine’s “political struggles”, he claims that on the latter’s return to Guyana in 1976 (not 1977 as claimed), it “was widely expected that he would formally join the PPP. Instead, he joined the WPA, the multiracial political movement. He was seen as this new Indian Messiah, creating a love-hate between Roopnarine and the party’s leadership.” He then jumps a decade and a half to claim “competition intensified when figures associated with activist Ravi Dev accused Roopnarine and other Indo-Guyanese members of the WPA of not being Indian enough…”

I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the claims as they refer to the groups to which I was affiliated – the Jaguar Committee for Democracy (JCD) and later, ROAR. We were active in the US tri-state area from the early 1980s, highlighting the excesses of the PNC dictatorship and lobbying for free and fair elections. The PPP had their own group, the Association of Concerned Guyanese (ACG), that saw us as “right wing” and were hostile. We were au fait with the works of Dr Walter Rodney and had followed the activities of the WPA, which trumpeted its “multiracial” credentials after being launched in 1974. We invited Mr Eusi Kwayana to address us on the political situation in Guyana sometime in 1984 in the Richmond Hill/ Jamaica area, where the Indo-Guyanese were concentrated. Afro-Guyanese were concentrated in Brooklyn, where I had attended Brooklyn College and had heard Dr Rodney speak at a meeting of the Caribbean Club during the late 1970s.

We had rejected the PPP’s position under Dr Jagan that race/ethnicity in Guyanese politics was an “epiphenomenon” that should be ignored in favour of class and felt that the WPA’s position was more realistic. On my return to Guyana in 1989, I frequently visited the WPA’s office on Brickdam and engaged its leadership in discussions. My sole financial political contribution ever was to the WPA. My most frequent interlocutors were Mr Eusi Kwayana and Rupert Roopnarine. While Mr Kwayana freely referred to his identification with his African roots, at no time did Rupert ever claim to be “Indian”.

As a matter of fact, he stressed his Creole-centric early years in Kitty/Georgetown in primary school under his schoolteacher parents to prepare him for the scholarship that would take him to Queens College. To emphasise this, he took time to tell me his first girlfriend was African Guyanese and later, when we spent much time together working to form a third force during 2005, that he was “more comfortable in McKenzie than in Mahaica”, where he was then living.

It was in the run-up to the 1992 elections that the question of Rupert as the “Indian co-leader in the multiracial WPA” was raised by a correspondent to the Jaguar Newsletter of the JCD. The person noted that in the 1985 elections the African co-leader Clive Thomas was the presidential candidate, and instead of Rupert getting the nod in 1992, he was “shafted”.

A hysterical full-page ad in the Stabroek News was taken out by Moses Bhagwan of the WPA, furiously attacking the JCD as “Indian tribalists”. This hysteria was intensified when a poll by Dr Ramharack in 1991 predicted the WPA would secure a minuscule four per cent of the vote, and we were accused of supporting the PPP, which was shown to be winning comfortably. The WPA actually received two per cent of the votes.

The SN allowed the debate on the ethnic identification of Rupert to be aired in its letters pages because, basically, we had identified a 1970 analysis of Walter Rodney to use as an organising principle. This proposed that since the racial divisions from the sixties were still salient, mobilisation within ethnic communities to engender cultural pride and confidence should be accepted – with the caveat that the “ethnic” leaders would then forge cross-ethnic linkages. Our surveys had shown those ethnic divisions persisting into the 1990s and, as such, proposed that the ethnic leaders in asserted “multiracial” parties like the WPA should, as such, not only be phenotypically (physically) Indian or African or Amerindian but also culturally so. To their credit, Rupert Roopnarine never claimed to be Indian in this sense.

Sadly, in one of the WPA defences, Mr Kwayana claimed that since Rupert had made a film on the Cove and John Ashram, he satisfied the criterion of being culturally Indian. That, of course, was tantamount to asserting that Francis Ford Coppola was a Mafia Godfather.

23-year-old labourer from Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10, was nabbed on Friday with a quantity of cannabis during an operation at Tabatinga, Lethem, Central Rupununi, Region Nine. Based on reports received, Police were conducting an exercise at a business premises in the area when they observed a male arriving at the location acting in a suspicious manner. As such, a search was conducted on him, during which a quantity of cannabis was found in a side bag he was carrying.

Further checks were conducted in an unoccupied building located near the premises, during which a bulky black plastic bag containing another set of cannabis was discovered. The suspect was arrested and taken to the Lethem Police Station, where the cannabis found in the unoccupied building was weighed and amounted to 2129 grams (g).

The ganja found in the suspect’s possession weighed 36g. He remains in Police custody as investigations continue.

Security guard found floating in Essequibo River shot in head – Police

Days after the body of 24-year-old Vishal Miguel, a security guard from Blake, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was found at Unity, Parika, EBE, the police on Saturday confirmed that he was shot to death. The police, after being pressed by the media for information on the murder, on Saturday stated that Miguel, who was employed as a night watchman at the shipping yard, was last seen on Monday, March 2, 2026, at about 19:00h when he entered the yard to commence duties.

However, two days later, the proprietor of the establishment visited the location and discovered that several outboard engines were missing from boats docked in the Essequibo River. This, the police stated, prompted a search in the

area, during which Miguel’s body was found floating in the river. Meanwhile, a post-mortem performed on the remains on Friday by Government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh gave the cause of death as a gunshot

injury to the head. The police have not stated if any arrests were made in connection with the murder.

Guyana Times on Saturday reported that one of Miguel’s eyes was reportedly dug out, while several of his teeth were broken, and there were burn marks on parts of his face and stomach. His head also has a scar suspected to have been caused by fire. Reports suggested that Miguel was killed during a robbery. Thus far, it is believed that five 75-HP outboard engines were stolen from the scene.

As news spread about the gruesome discovery, people in the area are now fearful for their lives and believe that the crime might have been committed by a group of Spanish-speaking individuals.

Passenger arriving from Suriname via backtrack busted with gun, ammo

A25-year-old fisherman from Logwood, Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was taken into custody on Friday following the discovery of a firearm and ammunition during an operation at No. 78 Village, Corriverton, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). Police stated that an intelligence officer attached to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) conducted a search on a male passenger who had arrived in Guyana from Suriname via the backtrack service.

As such, he was contacted by the rank, and a search was conducted on his luggage. During the search, a cream-coloured side bag was opened, where one 9mm pistol was found along with two magazines and 29 live rounds of matching ammunition. The 25-year-old fisherman was subsequently arrested and taken to the Springlands Police Station and is assisting with investigations.

Laing Avenue man arrested after allegedly dropping

firearm

Police have detained a 30-year-old businessman from Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, following the discovery of a firearm on Saturday during an oper-

ation. According to information received, ranks acting on tips went to Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, where a small crowd was seen gathered on the southern side of the roadway.

During the exercise, a male in the crowd was observed acting in a suspicious manner. As such, he

was approached by police, but in an attempt to evade the lawmen, he dropped a Glock 19 9mm pistol and a magazine without any ammunition. The suspect was arrested and escorted to the Ruimveldt Police Station, where an investigation was launched. The firearm was lodged pending examination.

Malicious construction worker charged with Rose Hall Town robberies

A21-year-old construction worker from Alness Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six, has been charged in connection with two robberies committed at businesses in Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, last month. Steve Anthony Tsoi, also called “Timmy”, appeared before Magistrate Michelle Mathias at the Albion Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where two counts of robbery under arms were read to him.

He pleaded not guilty to the allegations and was granted $100,000 bail on each count. Police stated that Tsoi robbed Stephen Ramsingh, Petal Sabsoop, and Gurudat Sudhai in Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, between February 23 and February 28, 2026. The matter was adjourned to March 20. However, Tsoi remains in Police custody as additional charges of robbery under arms, possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition are expected to be instituted against him on Monday.

The charges arise from a series of armed robberies that recently targeted businesses in Rose Hall Town, Corentyne. In one incident, gunmen stormed the Shanie Liquor and Grocery Store, firing a shot into the air before pointing firearms at people inside and escaping with cash and valuables. Days later, bandits again struck in the town, robbing G Sudhai and Sons Grocery Store, where the perpetrators, armed with hand-held firearms, reportedly carted off a large sum of money before fleeing the scene.

$1.45B Aubrey Barker Road expansion opens to public after months of delay

Final works being added to the roadway ahead of opening today

The final stretch of the Aubrey Barker Road expansion project will be officially opened to the public today, Sunday, March 8, 2026, months after the scheduled completion. This was revealed by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill during a site visit on Saturday, where he reiterated, “Aubrey Barker Road will be open tomorrow; works will be fully completed today [Saturday].”

The project forms a critical part of the wider urban infrastructure network linking key corridors across Georgetown and the East Coast of Demerara (ECD). This major artery in South Georgetown will connect commuters to the capital city through South Ruimveldt to the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) via the Heroes Highway and to ECD through the Ogle Bypass Road.

Back in January, Edghill noted that despite delays caused by the relocation of persons and water network mains, expansion works to connect the Aubrey Barker Road in South Ruimveldt to the Ogle Highway are progressing and are set to be completed by the end of January. He had stated that there was only one section remaining (Lot 26) to be completed. The works there, he noted, were stalled due to the relocation of residents.

“All 19 persons for this particular section have been removed. They have been properly relocated, and the settlement programme for most of them is currently ongoing. At the moment, there is no hindrance in relation to the relocation of informal settlers along this path. And we must say that the Ministry of Public Works has been very patient with us as we dealt with the social aesthetics that were needed to get these persons relocated,” an official had stated.

With these two issues already addressed, the contractor had recommenced work on the expanded road. During a visit to the project site back in October 2025, President Dr Irfaan Ali had explained that this new four-lane expansion along the Aubrey Barker Road

was designed to significantly improve traffic flow and connectivity across major urban and residential areas.

The president emphasised that with the completion of this section, commuters will soon be able to travel from Ogle to Mandela Avenue on continuous four-lane roads, easing congestion and improving accessibility for thousands of daily road users.

When combined with existing and ongoing expansions, the infrastructure will total 12 lanes of connected roadway between Eccles, Mandela, and Ogle – forming part of the Government’s broader vision for a modern, interconnected urban corridor.

This development, President Ali noted, reflects the Government’s aggressive drive toward national modernisation and urban transformation. The President also revealed that Government planners are looking ahead to even greater integration of transport infrastructure. He reaffirmed that these massive infrastructure projects – from new four-lane highways to potential rail systems – represent the foundation for a new urban Guyana, one that supports sustained economic growth, new housing zones and faster, safer travel.

The $1.45 billion expansion project includes the four-lane upgrade of the Aubrey Barker Road, complete with medians, bicycle lanes, walkways, bridges and improved drainage. Construction on the fourlane expansion project is being executed in phases as the Government accelerates the delayed work. The project started in August 2022 and was expected to be completed and delivered in July 2023. T he contract was awarded to Surrey Paving Aggregate Company Caribbean Limited. However, amid delays faced in the completion of the project, the Public Works Ministry had sent out tenders in February 2024 for the continuation of the 1.3-kilometre road, which will be expanded to four lanes.

MARCH 8,

Security guard found dead in Sophia electrocuted – Autopsy

Twenty-eight-year-old Trelon Frank, a security officer whose body was discovered along a dam in E Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, on Monday died as a result of electrocution, according to a post-mortem conducted on his remains. The autopsy was conducted on Friday by Dr Nehaul Singh. Frank, originally of Levi Dam, New Amsterdam, Berbice, had been working as a security guard at JS Supermarket in Sophia.

When contacted on Friday, Frank’s sister, Tuanna Christian, explained that the family was informed shortly after the discovery that he may have been electrocuted. She recalled that she was at work when she received the devastating news.

“My aunt called me first, and by the time I reached my mother, she had already gotten another call from one of my sisters saying that he was electrocuted because there were wires there,” Christian recalled. She explained that the fatal incident is believed to have occurred when Frank came into contact with an electrical wire near a pipe where water was present.

“He mashed the wire, and a pipe with water there,” she said. “When his hand connected with the wire and the water, that is what caused the electricity.”

She added that the marks on his body appeared to support this conclusion. “His eyes were closed, and there was no twisting or anything, but one of his hands where the wire catch had burns, and there was a wire imprint on his foot.”

Frank had been living in a squatting settlement in Sophia, where he had moved after leaving his hometown about five years ago. According to his sister, the man initially stayed with relatives in Georgetown but later decided to try to establish himself independently in the Sophia squatting area.

“He was living with my cousin before, but you know, young people want their own place,” she said. “And you know land is hard to get now, so he went there and started squatting so he could build a life.” Christian explained that while Frank lived by himself in his small home, the area was populated with other makeshift houses. “It has a lot of houses there. When you pass the trees and go behind, you would see plenty of little houses where people squat,” she said. “Where he was found was actually a shortcut to get on the road. He was hustling to go out to relieve his friend from work,” Christian said the family last saw Frank about a week before his death when he visited them in Berbice.

“Week before the last,

he came here in New Amsterdam, and I saw him. He came and visited everybody, including his mother,” she said. His sudden death, according to his sister, has been especially difficult for relatives, who described him as a hard-working and caring individual who remained closely connected with his family.

“He was a very loving person,” Christian said. “Whenever he called, he would say, ‘My sister, I love you. Tell my nieces and nephews I love them and take care of them.’”

She noted that Frank shared a particularly close relationship with their mother, whom he called frequently.

“He would always call her and say, ‘How you doing, my mother? I love you and take care.’” Frank had planned to return home shortly to celebrate his mother’s upcoming birthday.

“Her birthday is Monday and he was supposed to come so we could all be here for her birthday,” Christian said. “It is really hard knowing that.”

Frank was the fourth of eight children, and his passing has been especially painful for the family as he is the first sibling they have lost.

“It’s not easy losing a loved one and your first sibling,” Christian said. “And it’s not easy for a mother to bury her child when he was healthy and strong.” The sister also revealed that when Frank’s body was found, all of his personal belongings were still with him, suggesting that he had not been robbed. However, she noted that the bicycle he used to travel to work was later taken from the roadside where it had been parked.

She also expressed relief that Frank’s close friend and co-worker did not leave his post to search for him that night. According to her, the two men were very close and normally relieved each other at the supermarket where they both worked as security officers. She explained that Frank’s colleague would’ve considered going to look for him after he failed to return. However, she believes that the decision may have ultimately saved the man’s life. Funeral arrangements have since been made for the young man. According to his sister, Frank will be laid to rest on March 15.

Work permits for foreigners to be processed within 7 days as Govt, GGDMA tackle labour shortage

In light of the current labour shortage affecting the mining sector, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) is tasked with conducting a comprehensive assessment of the labour needs within the sector, after which a full assessment will be done to address the issue.

During a recent meeting with the association and the Government, it was decided that following this assessment, advertisements will be placed in local newspapers to attract workers.

However, should the needs remain unmet locally, the Government has committed to engaging an over-

seas recruitment agency to fill the identified gaps.

In addition, President Dr Irfaan Ali, who chaired the meeting, assured that work permits for foreign workers would be processed within seven days, and each worker would be issued a digital identification card.

Furthermore, the Head of State indicated that the Government is advancing plans to digitise the mining sector to enhance efficiency, transparency, and inter-agency coordination.

Key components of this initiative include a digital platform for the renewal and issuance of all mining licences, a dedicated mobile application for miners to up-

load production records, digitalisation of the compliance system, and a digital ID and unique mining number.

As such, each miner will be assigned a unique num-

ber under the new system. The Digital ID will integrate with banking services and other Government systems, creating a streamlined and secure framework for conducting mining-related business.

Meanwhile, the GGDMA, in a release on Saturday, reiterated its full support for the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Natural Resources in enforcing a “zero-tolerance” policy against illegal mining and unregu-

lated activities.

The Association endorses the comprehensive campaign to sanitise the sector and make 2026 a defining year in eliminating bad actors who damage the reputation of compliant miners.

It emphasises that the sector is evolving and that informal, undocumented gold trading must come to an end. Legitimate miners have nothing to fear, but those operating outside the law must regularise or leave

the industry.

The GGDMA clarifies that enforcing mining and gold trading laws does not threaten small miners but is necessary to curb gold smuggling. Gold must only be sold to the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) or licensed dealers and traders approved by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). Anyone wishing to trade or barter gold must obtain the proper licence.

The Association also supports the requirement for miners to have local bank accounts, promoting transparency, security, and modern financial practices. Miners are reminded to desist from outdated practices – such as “paying in gold” or using the “blai box”.

The GGDMA maintains that these reforms will strengthen the sector, restore its integrity, and allow legitimate miners to operate free from the stigma created by illegal operators.

Govt advances Parika waterfront relocations, clearing path for int’l port facility

Relocation efforts for families residing along the Parika Sea Dam, East Bank Essequibo, continue to progress steadily as part of preparations for the construction of a modern international port facility at the Parika Waterfront.

On Friday, Housing Minister Collin Croal, along with a team from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), visited the Parika Waterfront area to engage residents and assess the progress of the relocation exercise.

During the visit, Croal reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the relocation process is conducted in a fair and orderly manner while advancing a major national development initiative.

“We are here at the Parika Waterfront, which has been earmarked for the

development of an international waterfront port. This represents an investment of approximately $4.2 billion and will require the relocation of several families who currently occupy the area,” the Minister explained.

He noted that the Ministry has engaged extensively with affected residents throughout the process and has received cooperation from the majority of house-

holds.

“We have engaged all the persons living here, and currently, only six families remain to be relocated. There has been cooperation from the residents, and in the new week, we will continue engagements to facilitate their immediate relocation,” Minister Croal added.

The relocation process forms part of efforts to facilitate the development of the

new port facility, which is being undertaken under Phase One of the Parika Waterfront Development Project and falls under the purview of the Ministry of Public Works.

As part of the initial groundwork for the relocation initiative, on August 22, 2025, a joint team comprising representatives from the Public Works Ministry, the Agriculture Ministry, and the Sea and River Defence Commission conducted a site visit at the Parika Waterfront Informal Settlement to inventory households occupying the area earmarked for development.

During that assessment, 42 structures were identified, representing 36 households slated for relocation. Of these, 36 households were deemed eligible for house lot allocations, while the remaining occupants were found to have already benefited from previous allocations based on CH&PA’s records.

Significant progress has since been made in the allocation of house lots to af-

fected families. To date, 28 households have received allocations, while six allocations remain pending as the authority continues to finalise the process. The relocation itself is also advancing. Fourteen households have already successfully moved from the Parika Sea Dam to their newly allocated house lots.

An additional 22 families are expected to relocate shortly and will receive logistical support from CH&PA as they prepare to settle into the new area.

Despite the overall coop-

eration of residents throughout the relocation process, some concerns have been raised regarding delays in some essential services in the new housing area, which are being addressed.

The relocation initiative forms part of the Government’s broader effort to support national development while ensuring that affected residents are provided with land allocations, relocation support, and assistance to establish homes in safer and more sustainable communities.

400 women entrepreneurs take centre stage at WE LIFT 6

Ambition and creativity were the qualities that were found within some 400 women-owned businesses that are on display at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where the Women Empowering, Leading, Innovating, and Flourishing Together (WE LIFT) Six exposition is hosted.

The exhibition, heading on to its sixth year, is being spearheaded by Human Services and Social Security Minister Vindhya Persaud and continues to serve as a platform for women entrepreneurs to market and expand their products and services. This publication witnessed the innovations first-hand and spoke with Minister Persaud, who revealed that approximately 30 per cent of the exhibitors this year are participating in the initiative for the very first time.

“Thirty per cent of the exhibition this year involves new entrepreneurs who have never done business before, and they’re diverse – from desserts to food to soap or beauty and skin products. You name it, they’re there. So, we’re doing two things:

we’re encouraging new businesses, and we’re growing the existing businesses,” the Minister explained. She was also seen assisting several entrepreneurs as they prepared their booths, offering guidance on branding, presentation and marketing strategies. She noted that one of her goals this year is to assist women in forming business consortiums to strengthen their enterprises.

“Because just as you see me walking around here like a busybody and getting things right, I would go to each lady and say, ‘I think your label might need this’, ‘I think your bottle needs

changing’, ‘I think you need to do this or that’, ‘I think what you need to do would improve your sales and your presence [is]…’, and this year I’ve directly been working with women on consortiums,” she explained. Thus, Dr Persaud stated that the Ministry has noticed a gradual shift happening in which women who are exhibiting are moving away from traditional niches and are venturing into new sectors.

New ventures of business

“We’re also seeing women coming out of the traditional niches. There’s a woman who owns a car and transportation company, she's all the way from Region Three. There are women here specialising in desserts and jewellery, and they actually make their own gold and silver jewellery in Region

perless financial transactions, while also exploring the creation of a marketplace for their businesses. She noted that the process has already begun at the event, with a representative from

Seven. You have women here from Region Ten who were trained by us in design and décor, and they’ve done the décor at the back. So, we’re not only exhibiting what they do – we’re incorporating them into how we present WE LIFT. That is the model I think will drive this whole economy around women entrepreneurs that I’m trying to create.”

Innovation is also taking shape within the exhibition, with new digital tools being introduced to support women-led businesses. Minister Persaud explained that the ministry is currently working with a digital financial company to allow women entrepreneurs to conduct pa-

the company present to engage exhibitors and provide information on the service.

Minister Persaud further explained that the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) app, which currently advertises women-owned businesses, already hosts about 1500 enterprises. According to the Minister, there are plans to eventually convert the platform into a digital marketplace, with the initiative beginning through engagements at the exhibition.

Food sector innovations

She also pointed to innovation among exhibitors, particularly in the food sector.

“There are some incredibly good condiments here, so what I got them to do – we had a special prep session – was the blending of spices. So, you will see combined boxes. If a tourist comes and they want to try the different peppers of Guyana, there are different products from different women. We are getting them into spaces that they weren’t in before – export and local markets – and that’s work we’ve been doing. Tomorrow you’ll hear some great announcements

on that.”

She added that presentation and branding remain key aspects she encourages entrepreneurs to improve.

“If you notice what I wanted to achieve, I did a mock-up of how this should look – what every piece should look like.

It’s also changing the way our women understand presentation because they are very accustomed to the tableand-chair setup. I don’t like that. We’re creating a very different look so they think further and see further, because presentation is everything.”

Meanwhile, Member

women to build businesses and gain economic security,” Teixeira added.

At the exhibition, Maria Dacosta, owner of “Prttybymaria”, a small business, recalled starting her business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dacosta said events like WE LIFT provide a valuable opportunity to connect with customers and other entrepreneurs.

“Well, honestly, it feels like building a community. I’m not really that social, but when it comes to the things I make, I’m very proud. I tend to get a little talkative when

of Parliament (MP) Gail Teixeira at the launch stated that the growth being witnessed through the WE LIFT initiative stands as a clear benchmark of Guyana’s progress in creating opportunities for women to participate meaningfully in the economy. She noted that without deliberate efforts to create such opportunities, women would be left with little more than the will to succeed but without the necessary support to turn their ambitions into viable enterprises.

“If you don’t create the enabling environment, all you have is the will of a woman making products to sell. We have to create the environment to allow women to take their rightful place in society and the economy. Initiatives such as expanded access to education, housing opportunities, training programmes and financial support have allowed more

it comes to the details. When I go to pop-ups like this and meet people who are interested in the same kind of things, it feels nice – like you’re connecting with people who appreciate what you create,” she explained. She also noted the impressive level of creativity displayed by fellow exhibitors. “From looking around, everybody is very creative. A lot of people here are hand-making their products. It’s that unique touch in the smaller details. I like flowers, pink and green, and I feel like that really shows in the pieces I make.” Dacosta added that it was inspiring to see so many women come together to support one another.

“This is my first time coming to WE LIFT, and it’s really nice to see everyone come together. Honestly, nowhere else you would see this much variety. And knowing that it’s all women makes me proud.”

Sugar production exceeds target at Rose Hall, Albion Estates by 468 tonnes

The Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) on Saturday announced that the Rose Hall and Albion estates have exceeded their combined weekly sugar production target, marking a strong early performance for the first crop of 2026.

For the week, the two estates produced a combined 2457 tonnes of sugar, surpassing the target of 1989 tonnes by 468 tonnes. The factories also recorded a tonnes-cane-to-tonnes-sugar (TCTS) ratio of 12.53 for the week, reflecting improv-

ing operational efficiency in the conversion of cane to sugar.

In a release issued by the sugar company, it stated that the achievement is particularly significant for Rose Hall, with the estate recording its highest production figures since its reopening by the current Government in 2023.

The Estate Manager, Threbhowan Shiwprasad, attributed the improvement to stronger collaboration and operational coordination across the estate.

“This improvement we see at Rose Hall is due to factory employees and field staff working closely as a team. It is all work that is showing better results. There has also been improvement in communication at all levels, the delivery of clean, fresh canes to the factory, and the proactiveness of staff members, together with the engagement of workers, all of which are contributing to the improved results.”

The first crop of 2026 is expected to run until around the first week of May.

At present, Albion,

Rose Hall, and Uitvlugt have commenced operation for the first crop, while Blairmont Estates is expected to come onboard during the new week.

GuySuCo noted that while the industry continues to confront labour shortages, estates have been able to capitalise on favourable weather conditions during the early weeks of the crop, which has supported field harvesting and factory op-

erations. The corporation expressed optimism that these favourable conditions will continue through to mid-May, allowing estates to maintain steady production. GuySuCo commends the management, staff and workers of Rose Hall and Albion Estates for their dedication and teamwork and encourages all estates to continue building on this momentum as the crop progresses.

Govt processes 250 land ownership documents for Lusignan Phase 2 allottees

The Housing Ministry, led by Minister Collin Croal, facilitated the processing of Agreements of Sale and Certificates of Title for persons previously allocated residential lots in Lusignan Phase Two, East Coast Demerara (ECD) Housing Development. On Saturday, approximately 250 allottees are completing their transactions as part of this ongoing exercise.

“This is part of our commitment to ensure that persons who were allocated lands receive their ownership document promptly. Homeownership is important, and we want families to have the security that comes with it,” Minister Croal related. This initiative began two Saturdays ago, which fulfils a commitment made during this year’s budget presentation, where the Ministry announced that over 3000 documents for previously allocated areas will be processed in the com-

ing months.

As part of the ongoing exercise, persons are contacted and scheduled to visit the office on specific dates to complete their transactions, ensuring a smooth and ef-

ficient process. Early last week some 3000 new allottees were contacted by the Ministry of Housing to sign their agreements of sale and begin the process of obtaining their certificates of ti-

tle across multiple housing schemes.

The seven areas identified include Number 75 Village, Number 76 Village, Village No. B, Lusignan Phase One, Lusignan Phase

Two, Good Hope Phase Two, Vriesland and Laurentia Catherina. Additionally, signings are scheduled for March 19, 21 and 24 at Vriesland, Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD). The ar-

eas of Laurentia, Catherina, in Wales – part of the wider Wales Development – are also included.

Minister Croal had stated that “Within two months or two and a half months, we will have over 3000 persons signing in these seven new areas…we have invested over $38.5 billion in those areas to make it accessible for persons to be able to access their land.” The Housing Ministry, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority, he said, is working beyond the call of duty to ensure that homeownership becomes a reality for Guyanese.

“Home ownership is not just about the allocation of lots, and that is certainly not where we are stopping. It is to ensure that, one, persons get ownership and, two, that they have the opportunity to build their own homes. That is part of our focus,” the Minister stated.

Autopsies confirm drowning in deaths of Melanie ECD siblings

An autopsy conducted on Friday on the bodies of eightyear-old Tianna DeCourte and her brother, 10-yearold Jadon DeCourte, who died on Phagwah Day at Enterprise, East Coast Demerara (ECD), has confirmed that both of them died as a result of drowning.

The examinations were performed at the Memorial Gardens Mortuary by Government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh on the siblings of Melanie Public Road, ECD. The bodies were subsequently handed over to relatives for funeral arrangements. Investigations into the incident are continuing. The tragedy occurred on Tuesday morning when the two children reportedly fell into a water-filled trench at a construction site along the Melanie Damishana/ Enterprise Access Road.

Police had reported that the siblings were in the area with their mother between about 08:00h and 11:05h but reportedly wandered away. At about 11:05h, in-

formation was received that two children had been found motionless in a trench. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) responded to the scene but pronounced both children dead. Police also indicated that no marks of violence were observed on their bodies.

The children’s father, Jason DeCourte, had explained that the siblings were in the area with relatives participating in Phagwah celebrations,

which is a yearly tradition in the community. According to him, Tianna had reportedly gone to refill her water gun from the trench, which had become filled with water due to ongoing construction works in the area. It is believed that she slipped and fell into the trench. Her brother, Jadon, reportedly attempted to rescue her but also fell into the water.

By the time their father arrived at the scene, residents had already removed

the children from the trench and laid them nearby as persons gathered. Residents said the trench formed part of ongoing road and drainage works in the area, while questions were also raised about water reportedly being discharged into the trench during the construction process. Following the incident, President Dr Irfaan Ali expressed condolences to the grieving family and indicated that Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues visited the home to offer support.

Education Minister Sonia Parag also visited the family, while Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall urged that the tragedy not be politicised. The siblings were among five children. Tianna, who was a twin, would have celebrated her birthday on March 21, while her brother Jadon had turned 10 just last month.

Linden man stabbed to death over old grievance

A59-year-old labourer who was stabbed during an altercation at Mackenzie Market, Linden, on Thursday afternoon, has died while receiving medical treatment. Dead is Ray London of South Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

According to Police reports, the incident occurred at about 17:00h at the Mackenzie Market area and involved London and a 41-year-old carpenter of Wismar, Linden. The two men were reportedly known to each other and had previous disagreements.

It is alleged that during the confrontation, the suspect armed himself with a knife and stabbed London to the left side of his lower abdomen.

The injured man was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex, where he received medical attention. However, due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

London subsequently succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at the medical facility at about 05:33h on Friday. His body has since been taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination. The suspect has since been arrested and remains in Police custody, assisting with investigations.

Region 6 RDC scraps “Urgent Public Interest” agenda item after heated debate

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Six (East Berbice–Corentyne) has decided, by majority vote, to cease addressing matters of urgent public interest at its monthly statutory meetings without first providing written notice to the clerk for approval.

The motion to remove the “Matters of Urgent Public Interest” agenda item from meetings of the RDC was passed following a heated debate among Councillors at the council’s latest statutory meeting.

Previously, during statutory meetings of the Regional Democratic Council of Region Six, Councillors were afforded the opportunity to raise matters of public interest, which were then addressed on the spot.

This was catered for under the agenda item at those meetings labelled “Matters of Urgent Public Interest”. However, this agenda item was often misused to raise matters that were neither urgent nor of public interest.

As such, at its last statutory meeting on Thursday, the RDC struck this agenda item out. Councillor Sean

Smith brought the motion seeking to remove the agenda item. The motion argues that the agenda item has been repeatedly misused to introduce matters that should instead be addressed at the level of the council’s sectoral and statutory committees.

It also proposes the introduction of a formal written urgent motion procedure, requiring Councillors to submit urgent matters to the clerk of the council prior to meetings. The motion, brought by People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Councillor Sean Smith, was eventually approved by a vote of 19 in favour and nine against. In presenting the mo-

tion, Smith argued that the agenda item had increasingly been misused, resulting in disruptions to council proceedings and allowing matters that should be addressed at the committee level to be raised during statutory meetings.

He explained that the proposal seeks to ensure that issues are first examined by the council’s sectoral and standing committees, where technical officers are present, and matters can be reviewed in greater detail before being brought to the full council.

«Now therefore, be it resolved that the Regional Democratic Council remove the agenda item titled ‹Matters of Urgent Public

Interest› from the standard agenda of all statutory and special meetings of the RDC with immediate effect,» Smith told Councillors while presenting the motion.

He noted that the change would introduce a formal written urgent motion procedure, requiring Councillors wishing to raise urgent matters to submit written notice to the clerk of the council before the commencement of meetings.

However, the proposal triggered strong reactions from members of the opposition benches, who argued that removing the agenda item would limit their ability to raise matters affecting residents of the region.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Councillor Colin Moore criticised the proposal, contending that it was intended to silence opposition Councillors.

“We all know that this motion is nothing but a façade to silence the opposition,” Moore said during the debate. He warned that opposition Councillors would continue to raise issues affecting residents of the region even if the motion was passed.

On the Government side, Councillors defended the motion, arguing that the intent was to improve the efficiency of council meetings

and strengthen the role of committees in examining issues before they are brought to the statutory sitting.

PPP/C Councillor Shenellie Jafarally said the RDC’s committee system was established to allow detailed examination of matters before they are brought before the council.

“These subcommittees are put in place to examine issues in detail,” she told Councillors, noting that technical officers attached to the committees provide guidance and analysis on matters being discussed.

Other Councillors on the opposition benches also voiced strong objections.

APNU Councillor Mahalai McCalmont described the motion as “ill-intent” and argued that it would silence certain voices within the council.

Meanwhile, PPP/C Councillor Reynard Ward

maintained that the motion was intended to ensure that matters are deliberated in a more structured manner through the committee system.

Councillor Trishanna Park, representing We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), also expressed concern that the change could reduce opportunities for Councillors to raise matters affecting residents.

Following the lengthy exchange, Regional Chairman Junior Bassant called for the motion to be put to a vote. With 19 Councillors voting in favour and nine against, the motion was passed.

The decision means that the “Matters of Urgent Public Interest” item will no longer appear on the RDC’s meeting agenda, with Councillors now required to submit written urgent motions prior to meetings for consideration.

Messages

Gail Teixeira, a leader for equal rights for girls & women

We are delighted that, as Guyana joins our sisters and brothers around the world to observe International Women’s Day, a woman proudly sits in the seat as Guyana’s acting President.

The Honourable Gail Teixeira has served as a senior Government Minister and as a Parliamentarian for more than 34 years and has served Guyana as a fighter for freedom and democracy for over 53 years.

The Permanent Mission in Guyana takes this opportunity to honour a woman of worth as we acknowledge Guyana’s leading role in the global struggle for equal rights for girls and women.

The Honourable Teixeira is one of the outstanding pioneers in Guyana’s fight for democracy and exemplifies the pivotal and architectural role that women have played in the fight for independence, freedom, and democracy. She continues to serve with vigour and dignity.

Gail Teixeira has already earned a special place in the annals of Guyana’s history.

In the global struggle for gender equality, Guyana has a proud record. As reported in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, for gender equality, Guyana ranks 31st globally in 2025 and first in women’s health and survival. Globally, there is

still a gap in women occupying seats in Parliament.

Guyana ranks among the countries that have made progress in reducing the gap, with its 39.4 per cent Parliamentary representation by women placing our country among those with the highest representation. About 35 per cent of the cabinet are women. In the judiciary, 70 per cent of the Judges are women. This places Guyana at the top in the Western Hemisphere.

There are other outstanding areas showing Guyana is making dramatic steps to eliminate gaps in gender equality. For example, Guyana has made significant progress in the global effort to eliminate cervical cancer, one of the leading cancers in women and one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in women.

In this regard, Guyana has significantly increased its investment in the fight against cervical cancer and has set an ambitious timeline, 2050, for the elimination of cervical cancer. Guyana is making reasonable progress in achieving the global 90-70-90 cervical cancer elimination targets for 2030 and is ahead of many developing countries.

On November 17th, 2020, member states of the WHO adopted the Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination. An important outcome of the strategy is for countries to achieve an incidence rate

below four per 100,000 women. As a first step towards reaching this goal, countries must achieve the “90-70-90” targets by 2030.

The 90-70-90 targets are 90 per cent of girls vaccinated with the HPV vaccine before the age of 15; 70 per cent of women screened using a high-performance test by the age of 35 years and again by the age of 45; and 90 per cent of women with pre-cancer treated and 90 per cent of women with invasive cancer managed.

Further empowering women, since a housing subsidy programme was started by the Government, 85 per cent of housing subsidies have gone to women. It is noteworthy that women account for more than 60

Addressing challenges is essential to achieving true equality for all women & girls

In 2026, the Clerical & Commercial Workers

Union marked International Women’s Day, joining women worldwide in rallies to advocate for greater social and economic independence.

March 8 is celebrated by the Trade Union Movement as International Working Women’s Day, highlighting the theme: “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls”.

Violence against women continues to be a significant problem across the globe and is particularly concerning in Guyana. This issue is not limited to public spaces; it frequently occurs within homes, where domestic violence impacts the physical and mental health of everyone involved. The consequences extend beyond immediate harm, as such violence prevents women from exercising their fundamental rights.

It limits their ability

to participate in the workforce, support their families, and pursue a life of health and longevity without fear. Addressing violence against women is essential to ensuring that all women can fully enjoy their basic rights and live free from the threat of harm.

The conversation around gender equality continues to be a central focus in our society. We are often reminded of the importance of ensuring that women have the same rights and opportunities as human beings. Despite these ongoing discussions, there remain serious challenges affecting women’s health and well-being. Troubling statistics, such as those related to maternal mortality, highlight the urgent need to address these disparities and work toward a future where women can enjoy true equality in every aspect of life.

International Women’s

Day is not only a celebration of women’s achievements but also a critical reminder of the persistent inequalities they face.

Across the globe, and in our own communities, women continue to encounter significant obstacles to equality. The fact remains that women are disproportionately affected by health crises such as HIV/AIDS, are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and are at a higher risk of living in poverty.

Furthermore, gender-based violence continues to be a harsh reality for many, limiting women’s opportunities and undermining their rights. Addressing these ongoing challenges is essential to achieving true equality for all women and girls.

Sherwood Clarke General Secretary, Clerical

& Commercial Workers’ Union

per cent of house lot distribution, the highest in Latin America. In a genuine empowerment achievement, university-level graduation is now higher among women than men.

We are delighted that Guyana is on track to commission an MSME (micro-, small-, and medium-size) bank to support small entrepreneurs. Special ef-

forts are being made to ensure women are empowered to become business owners and access interest-free loans. Moreover, initiatives like the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) have trained over 90,000 women in fields like ICT, entrepreneurship, and technical skills.

The mission acknowledges that, despite its valiant efforts, there are challenges in securing full gender equality in Guyana. The Government, the Women and Gender Equality Commission, the Parliament, the private sector, and civil society must collaborate to eliminate the gaps that exist.

For example, national efforts must be amplified in the fights: Against the high rates of gender-based violence, with one out of two women reporting intimate partner violence.

• For equal labour force participation, with only 38 per cent women participation vs 65 per cent for men.

The Government recognises that much more must be accomplished. For that reason, the mission acknowledges the enactment of the Family Violence Act 2024, replacing an older law, providing for a stronger legal framework to support victims.

In providing greater access to support services, the Government has established the 914 Hotline for women to safely report violence and sexual abuse, the I-Report app, and the Hope and Justice Centres. We also acknowledge the establishment of 24-hour day care programmes to enable more women with children to build careers.

Guyana can be proud of its continued efforts to achieve gender equality. The Permanent Mission is proud because Guyana can genuinely celebrate achievements while working for a perfect landscape for gender equality.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy Permanent Mission of Guyana in Geneva, Switzerland

We salute your achievements, honour your sacrifices & celebrate your enduring strength

On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) proudly joins the global community in recognising and celebrating the invaluable contributions of women to the advancement of our societies and the betterment of humanity.

Throughout history and in contemporary times, women have played an indispensable role in shaping families, communities, economies, and nations. Across every sector – agriculture, education, healthcare, governance, entrepreneurship, and community development – women continue to uplift and transform our world through their resilience, leadership, compassion, and innovation. Their contributions have profoundly influenced everyday life and have been central to social progress and human development.

International Women’s Day itself is rooted in the historic struggles of women who bravely demanded equality, fairness, and justice in societies that too often denied them these fundamental rights. Their advocacy for better working conditions, equal opportunities, and recognition laid the foundation for the ongoing global movement for

gender equality.

While meaningful progress has been achieved over the years, women in many parts of the world continue to confront systemic discrimination, inequality, and undervaluation of their work and contributions. Persistent disparities in income, representation, access to opportunities, and protection from violence remain stark reminders that the struggle for true equality is far from over.

Encouragingly, Governments, organisations, unions, and civil society across the world are intensifying efforts to reverse these troubling trends and create a fairer, more inclusive world for women and girls. In Guyana, important initiatives continue to advance women’s welfare and empowerment. These include stronger actions to confront and reduce domestic violence, the promotion and support of women’s entrepreneurship, and sustained national emphasis on female empowerment through education and skills development.

Such efforts are essential to building a society where women can fully realise their potential and participate equally in national development. The empowerment of women is not merely a social objective

– it is a critical component of sustainable development and collective progress. As the international community observes International Women’s Day 2026 under the United Nations theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment”, GAWU reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advocating for fairness, dignity, and justice for women everywhere. The theme reminds us that the pursuit of gender equality must be inclusive, ensuring that every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.

On this important occasion, GAWU extends its warmest and most sincere wishes to all women across Guyana, throughout our Caribbean region, and around the world. We salute your achievements, honour your sacrifices, and celebrate your enduring strength.

GAWU remains steadfast in standing with and by women in the continued struggle for equality, empowerment, and justice, as together we work toward a future that is fairer, safer, and more prosperous for all.

Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)

T&T signs agreement to join Americas Counter Cartel Coalition

Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) has joined a newly established military alliance known as the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition.

The country joined the alliance after United States President Donald Trump signed the Doral Charter at the Shield of the Americas summit in Florida.

Addressing the handpicked invitees at the summit, President Trump said:

“The heart of our agreement is a commitment to using lethal military force to destroy the sinister cartels and terrorist networks once and for all. We’ll get rid of them.

We need your help.”

He added: “You have to just tell us where they are. We have amazing weaponry, as you probably noticed over the last short period of time.”

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who stood to the right of President Donald Trump during the signing ceremony, received the pen used to sign the agreement from the US President. The symbolic gesture appeared to delight the T&T leader, who has remained steadfast in her support for the expanding US military presence in the Caribbean and the region’s joint campaign against drug cartels.

President Trump told the leaders of the various nations in attendance:

“I saw it so badly, how you’re suffering with what’s happening with the crime in the region. And I said, If we ever come back, we’re going to eradicate that crime, and I’m going to work with you, and if you want, we’re going to do it; we can do it pretty easily.”

The other countries present were Guyana, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Sri Lanka evacuates crew from Iranian navy vessel days after warship was destroyed by the US

Sri Lanka has evacuated 208 crew members from an Iranian navy vessel that made an emergency request to dock, a day after a US submarine strike sank another Iranian frigate, killing more than 80 people on board.

Sri Lanka’s President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on Thursday confirmed that the country’s navy would take over Iranian military support ship IRIS Bushehr and allow it to dock at the north-eastern port of Trincomalee.

The Iranian military ves-

sel had requested permission from the Sri Lankan navy to come into port, citing engine issues. The call came a day after a US torpedo destroyed IRIS Dena, an Iranian warship, on Tuesday night as it headed back home after taking part in a military training exercise in India. The attack quickly sank the vessel and killed at least 84 sailors.

The Sri Lankan Government had spent hours deliberating the request made by the second Iranian military ship amid fears it

could be the target of another attack.

Dissanayake said his Government had discussed the docking of the second ship directly with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.

“We are not taking sides in this conflict, but while maintaining our neutrality we are taking action to save lives,” Dissanayake said in a televised statement on Thursday.

“No person should die in a war like this. Every life is equally precious.” (Excerpt from The Guardian)

More than 30 injured in nightclub bombing in northern Peru

About 33 persons have been injured in a nightclub bombing in the coastal town of Trujillo in northern Peru, with minors among those hurt in the explosion.

Authorities say that the attack took place in the early morning hours on Saturday, with an explosion ripping through the club.

The circumstances of the blast are still being investigat-

ed, but the bombing took place in a region that has been hard hit by an uptick in organised crime, a source of growing concern in Peru.

At least five of those injured are in serious condition, according to the executive director of the Trujillo Health Network, Gerardo Florian Gomez. Three of the injured were minors: one 16-year-old and two 17-year-olds.

Some victims have suf-

Around the World

Armed robots take to battlefield in Ukraine war

Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has developed into a high-tech conflict.

Swarms of spy and killer drones have set the skies of Ukraine abuzz, and uncrewed boats have crippled the Russian navy in the Black Sea.

Now, Ukraine has embarked on a massive programme to deploy armed robots on the ground.

Uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs), or ground robot systems as they are known in Ukrainian military parlance, have already proven their worth.

There have been reports of UGVs successfully repelling Russian attacks and even taking enemy soldiers prisoner.

Ukrainian and Russian killer robots are even said to have clashed without hu-

mans being present at the site of the battle.

"Robot wars are already happening," says Oleksandr Afanasiev from the Ukrainian army's K2 brigade. He commands its UGV battalion –the world's first, he says.

One way in which the brigade has been using these robots is by mounting Kalashnikov machine guns on top.

"They open fire on a bat-

tlefield where an infantryman would be afraid to turn up. But a UGV is happy to risk its existence," Maj Afanasiev says. His battalion has also been using explosive-laden, battery-powered kamikaze UGVs to blow up enemy positions and hideouts.

Unlike aerial drones that buzz overhead, they make no sound to warn the enemy of an impending strike. (Excerpt from BBC News)

fered shrapnel wounds and are undergoing amputation procedures and surgery.

A similar incident occurred in the same city less than a month ago. Trujillo is located about 500 kilometres north of the capital of Lima, and it is one of the most populous cities in the country.

Official figures show that a total of 136 explosions took place in Trujillo in 2025.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Haiti excluded from Shield of Americas summit amid ongoing TPS

Haiti was not invited to the regional “Shield of the Americas” security summit hosted yesterday in Doral, Florida, by US President Donald J Trump. The summit brings together leaders from a dozen Western Hemisphere countries to discuss regional security, migration and foreign interference, the US State Department said.

According to a March 6 statement from the US Department of State, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will join Trump at the summit, which officials say aims to promote “freedom, security and prosperity” across the region.

Participating countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago.

Notable leaders expected to attend include Argentine President Javier Milei, Dominican President Luis Abinader, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, and Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves, among other Trump allies.

US officials said discussions will focus on strategies to counter foreign interfer-

controversy

ence in the region, combat criminal and drug trafficking networks, and address illegal and mass migration. The State Department described the gathering as a coalition of the hemisphere’s "strongest, like-minded allies".

Haiti’s exclusion comes amid ongoing controversy over Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals in the United States. The Trump Administration has sought to end TPS for roughly 350,000 Haitians, though federal courts have blocked the move, keeping protections in place for now. (Excerpt from The Haitian Times)

Iranian hard-line clerics seek swift naming of new Supreme Leader

Hard-line clerics have called for the swift selection of a new Supreme Leader to help guide Iran, Iranian media reported on Saturday, as the Islamic Republic reels under a new wave of US and Israeli strikes.

The calls suggest some in the clerical establishment may be uncomfortable leaving power in the hands of the threeman council put in charge temporarily after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had the final say in all matters of state.

US President Donald Trump has said the US should have a role in choosing the new leader, a demand Iran has rejected.

Iranian media late on Saturday cited Ayatollah Hossein Mozafari, one of the 88-member Assembly of Experts, the clerical body charged with choosing the

next leader, as saying the assembly could meet in the next 24 hours to make a decision.

It was not clear if that would involve an in-person gathering. Sources said some clerics had previously held consultations online.

Mozafari's statement followed earlier comments from hard-line clerics demanding a quick decision.

Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, whose title means he commands a broad following for his religious rulings, said an appointment was needed swiftly to "help better organise the country’s affairs", state media reported. The constitution states a supreme leader should be chosen within three months. (Excerpt from Reuters)

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TAURUS (April 20May 20)

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

CANCER

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LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Update documents, tidy up your finances, and take care of your private affairs, and it will put your mind at ease and encourage you to do something that brings you joy. Getting together with old friends or joining forces with those who share your concerns will ease the burden of doing your part to make a difference.

Share your feelings with someone special. A change of routine or rearranging your schedule to spend more time with someone you love will be like a lifestyle upgrade. Embrace the time you have that enhances your love life, sparks your imagination, and helps you create the time, space, and activities that bring you the most joy.

Take care of matters personally. If you rely on someone else to do things for you, you will be disappointed. Focus on getting the latest updates and securing your position, financial situation, or pursuing upgrading your qualifications to enhance your income. It’s up to you to bring about positive change and to take responsibility for your happiness.

Relay facts; if you imply something that isn’t exact, you will face negative feedback. Keep your life simple, offer help to those in need, and socialize with the people you care about most. If you exude peace, love, and joy, you will get the same in return. Don’t take unnecessary risks with your health or physical well-being.

Put your emotions aside and your best version of yourself on display. Let your charm and generosity shine through, offering positive suggestions and insight. Short trips, visits with old friends, or attendance at a motivational event will leave you feeling good and grateful. Something you hear or discover will help you make your personal space more convenient.

You’re sitting in a good position. Communication is key to getting what you want. Partnerships look promising, and a change of scenery will offer a unique perspective regarding the possibilities. A chance to upgrade your living arrangements or redesign your lifestyle will encourage commitment, greater cash flow, and personal contentment. Love and romance are in the stars.

You’ll excel if you put in the time and effort. Initiate talks, host an event, revive your living space, or update your appearance and appeal. You have plenty to gain if you research, budget, and pursue what makes you feel and look your best. A commitment seems inviting, and personal gains along with emotional relationships are favored.

Spend time at home, relax, and enjoy the company of loved ones. Expressing your feelings will help you find out where you stand and who’s likely to help you reach your goal. Talks will turn your dreams into plans and enhance your relationships with those who matter most to you. A physical change you make will fetch compliments.

Be careful what you say and to whom. Someone will be eager to misinterpret your words. Stick close to home, pay attention to what’s happening around you, and protect yourself, your possessions, and your reputation. Personal and physical improvements will encourage better health, a fresh start, or a new look. Strive to be your best.

(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

PISCES

(Feb. 20Mar. 20)

Look for opportunities in your field of expertise, and something interesting will surface. Don’t expect everyone close to you to be on board with the changes you want to make. Offer your take on the possibilities and incentives that surround the choices available, and you’ll find the right balance regarding what’s best for you and those you love.

Weigh the pros and cons of a situation that arises, talk to those you care about most, and consider the long-term effects. Preparation is the key to making the right choice and following the path that offers the best return. A lifestyle change that raises your income may not be worth the emotional stress attached.

Socialize, communicate, and express your feelings and intentions. Sharing with potential contributors will help turn your aspirations into something tangible. A positive attitude will encourage others to participate and support your efforts. A social event will lead to an encounter with someone who can offer insight into funding you hadn’t thought of, like government grants and corporate kickbacks.

KFC Guyana has confirmed it will return as the title sponsor for the 19th edition of the National School Basketball Festival (NSBF), reinforcing the tournament’s reputation as the premier pathway for youth talent in the country.

The partnership was officially announced at the KFC Vlissengen Road Headquarters and ensures the continued growth of a competition widely regarded as the “breeding ground” for Guyana’s national basketball representatives.

The 2026 season is set to

YBG Co-Director Rayad Boyce receives that cheque from KFC/ Beharry Restaurant Holdings HR Manager Nathely Caleb-Mars as other officials look on

tip off later this month with the Regional Championships, which serve as the rigorous qualifying stage for the main event scheduled from June 28 to July 5.

This year’s edition is expected to be among the most expansive to date, with Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) confirming that qualifiers will take place across

Archery Guyana deepens athlete welfare efforts with NSC seminar participation

– hosts Part II of wellness, nutrition initiative

As Archery Guyana continues to strengthen its commitment to athlete welfare, education, and development, the federation participated in a seminar hosted by the National Sports Commission (NSC) in collaboration with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Physiotherapy Department at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

The seminar formed part of a broader national effort to strengthen athlete care and promote evidence-based approaches to injury prevention, recovery, and performance management.

Archery Guyana formally sanctioned the participation of eleven representatives from across its membership, including athletes, coaches, and technical officials.

Those in attendance were Narda MohamedMangra, Anand Mangra, Sean Duncan, Nolan Grey,

Greyson Hooper, Michael Forde, Dwain Albert, Rovindra Singh, Ramnarine Ragoobar, Jeewanram Persaud and Karin Toppin.

The Federation expressed its appreciation to Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle and ADoS Franklin Wilson and Melissa Dow-Richardson for facilitating initiatives that strengthen athlete support systems across the sporting community.

In addition, the federation expressed gratitude to Dr Ariane Mangar and the Physiotherapy Department of the GPHC for their partnership in delivering valuable technical knowledge to athletes and coaches.

Building on this momentum and the first workshop hosted in December 2025 by the Federation, Archery Guyana hosted Part II of its Wellness and Nutrition in Archery Seminar on Saturday at the National Racquet Centre.

This interactive session focused on key aspects of athlete wellness, including nutrition, recovery, and overall health practices essential for performance both on and off the field.

The seminar forms part of a series of activities organised by the Federation in recognition of International Women’s Day, highlighting the importance of holistic wellness within sport and encouraging greater participation and leadership by women in archery.

The event was hosted in collaboration with the Guyana Physiotherapists Association, the NSC, and the Ministry of Health.

Archery Guyana remains committed to advancing athlete education, strengthening technical capacity, and fostering a sporting environment where health, wellness, and performance go hand in hand.

KFC Guyana returns as title sponsor for 19th National School Basketball Festival

Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and 10 – potentially involving over 70 schools vying for a place in the national finals.

KFC joins long-standing partners Edward B Beharry & Company Ltd and G-Boats Guyana in supporting YBG’s grassroots development programmes.

Representing KFC Guyana, HR Manager Nathely Caleb-Mars highlighted that the sponsorship goes beyond the sport itself.

“KFC is proud to support an initiative that creates meaningful opportunities for young people while positively impacting schools and communities,” she stated.

“Partnerships such as this are critical in ensuring that the festival remains a truly national championship,” Co-Director of YBG, Chris Bowman, stated while adding, “It provides structured competitive opportunities for schools and young athletes across the entire geographical spread of Guyana.”

Schedule:

March–May: Regional Championships (Qualifying Phase)

June 28–July 5: The National School Basketball Festival (The Finals) July 11: The showpiece All-Star Game

GFF, RFA host female introductory referee, coaches’ programme in Lethem

As part of its continued dedication to advancing women in football, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), in collaboration with the Rupununi Football Association (RFA), recently conducted a Female Introductory Referee and Coaches' Programme in Lethem.

The three-day initiative, which ran from February 20–22, 2026, was aimed at strengthening female participation in football by equipping women in the region with foundational knowledge and practical skills in both refereeing and coaching.

Referees’ Programme

The refereeing component of the programme provided participants with foundational knowledge and practical training in football officiating, with particular emphasis on understanding and applying the Laws of the Game. Sessions combined classroom-based theoretical instruction with practical field exercises, allowing participants to develop confidence and competence in match officiating.

The programme was facilitated by MA technical instructor Natasha Lewis and technical instructor Abdulla Hamid.

A total of 14 participants successfully completed the refereeing component, enhanc-

ing the pool of trained female match officials within the Rupununi region.

Coaches’ Programme

The coaching component focused on empowering women through foundational skill-building, confidence development, and professional growth. Participants were introduced to the fundamental principles of football coaching, with emphasis placed on self-awareness, goal setting, and effective communication as essential tools for leadership and athlete development.

The programme also sought to encourage the emergence of female leadership in football and to build a supportive network of aspiring women coaches within the region.

Topics covered during the coaching sessions included: Overview of the Guyana Football Federation; Female in Football – Some

Peculiarities and Preparing and Delivering an Effective Coaching Session Plan

The coaching sessions were facilitated by Lyndon France and Rhesa Pompey, with 12 participants completing the programme.

The initiative forms part of the Guyana Football Federation’s ongoing commitment to expanding opportunities for women in football across all regions of Guyana. By providing accessible training in officiating and coaching, the programme aims to increase female representation in key technical roles and support the continued development of the sport at the grassroots level.

The GFF expressed appreciation to the Rupununi Football Association and all facilitators for their collaboration in delivering the programme and supporting the advancement of women’s football in the region.

All eyes on the finale: India chases back-to-back T20 World Cup glory

- as NZ eyes 1st world title in limited-overs cricket

India are on the verge of breaking new ground as they face New Zealand in the grand finale of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 today in Ahmedabad.

The defending champions are one win away from winning back-to-back titles, becoming the first host team to win the Men’s T20 World Cup and the first to win three Men’s T20 world titles.

They come into the summit clash having won six of their seven matches at the World Cup, which culminates today.

What makes them the favourites for the contest is their big-match experience.

A majority of their players were part of the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad. In the last 12 months, India has also won the ICC Champions Trophy and the T20 Asia Cup 2025.

“There are a lot of players in this team, right from our coach (Gautam Gambhir), who have played ICC events,” said India captain Suryakumar Yadav on the eve of the final against New Zealand.

“We have players like Hardik (Pandya), (Jasprit) Bumrah, or Axar (Patel) who have played in pressure situations at the World Cup. That experience matters a lot. We

have these conversations, be it on the team bus or at dinner tables, about what to do in certain tight situations and try to come up with a solution.”

The 2024 T20 World Cup triumph was seemingly the seminal moment for the Indian team as they ended the ICC Trophy drought, in any format, after 11 years.

Since then, they have embarked upon a dominant run in the shortest format of the game, earning a 39–7 winloss record and not losing a single series or tournament they have competed in. Even at the T20 World Cup, India have won 14 of their last 15 matches.

Suryakumar, who took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma after he retired following the 2024 World Cup, believes the team camaraderie has been key to their success.

“This feels like a proper family,” he said. “You can turn to any player, any support staff member, because even they have been in these situations during their playing days.

Talking to each other helps a lot to stay calm. I don’t need to give them advice. They work best when they are given the freedom. All I do is tell them to keep sticking to the methods that have worked for them.”

At this World Cup, India suffered a defeat against 2024 finalists South Africa after a perfect run in the group stage. But they have made a strong comeback, scoring dominant wins over Zimbabwe and West Indies in the Super Eight before the high-scoring epic against England in the semi-final.

In their last three matches, India have breached the 250-mark twice, including

this edition’s high of 256/4 against Zimbabwe.

One of the tweaks they made after the South Africa loss was bringing back Sanju Samson as an opener. It has helped break the left-handed monotony at the top of the order, with Samson opening the innings with Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan slotting in at three.

Samson played match-winning knocks of 97 not out and 89 in the clutch games against West Indies and England, respectively.

“In the last bilateral series, we had Ishan, Abhishek, and Sanju in the top three, and that was very beneficial to the team,” said the India captain.

“Sanju’s inclusion has changed the complexion of the game completely; it was a positive call. When he wasn’t in the playing XI, he did everything to contribute to the team cause and put in a lot of effort behind the scenes. He has reaped the rewards of his hard work in the last two or three innings.”

In today’s final, India will be up against one of the canniest teams in the world. Though New Zealand has not won a world title in limited-overs cricket yet, they have been one of the most consistent sides in recent times, reaching five finals in

ICC white-ball world tournaments in the last 11 years.

“I wouldn’t mind winning a trophy,” New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said in the press conference on Saturday. His country had previously reached the final of the 2025 Champions Trophy, 2021 T20 World Cup, 2019 One Day International (ODI) World Cup and 2015 ODI World Cup.

“We are pretty consistent in these tournaments because we try and not get overawed by the situation or opponents. We just go out there and do our thing. It’s been no different this time.

“Everyone knows we are not the favourites, but we don’t mind. We know if we do the small things well and put in a strong team performance, then we will be in a pretty good position. I wouldn’t mind breaking a few hearts to lift the trophy for once.”

The showpiece event will take place in the biggest cricket arena in the world, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with more than 90,000 spectators expected to attend.

“They have a very tactical side,” admitted Suryakumar. “They come with a good plan. But we also have our plans; we have also been preparing for this big stage. So, we want to focus on what we do, rather than think about them.”

Meanwhile, India has never won against the Black Caps in their last three T20 World Cup clashes. But a World Cup final, in front of a near-100,000 home crowd, is a different challenge, and the Indian team believes they are ready for the showdown. The champions will bat off with US$3 million, while the runners-up will pocket US$1.6 million. The first ball is expected at 09:30h local time.

Ace Warriors, Malteenoes secure wins in Sherwin T20 2nd Division action

Action in the Sherwin T20 Second Division Cup continued yesterday at the Malteenoes Sports

Club Ground, with two matches producing convincing victories for Ace Warriors and hosts Malteenoes Sports

Club (MSC). In the early morning encounter, Ace Warriors faced Positive Foundation Agricola

GAPLF initiates training to increase referees’ corps

In its efforts to satisfy the need to build its refereeing corps, the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) has embarked on a programme to train young and interested members of the fraternity to become referees, first at the national level and possibly International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) Category Two referees in the future.

The GAPLF’s Vice President and General Secretary met with three as-

piring referees who will be introduced to various aspects of refereeing at its 2026 Novices Championships to be held today, Sunday, March 8, at Saints Stanislaus College Auditorium.

These aspiring referees will be supervised by the senior referees while being exposed to some of the key aspects of refereeing, namely equipment check, coordinating the platform, jury duties, and, importantly, setting up of the lifting platform for

Championship day.

These key elements will be observed in addition to actually performing refereeing duties for the three routines of powerlifting, which are squat, bench press, and deadlift.

It is the GAPLF’s wish that they will remain interested and committed and soon migrate to more technical aspects of refereeing as championships unfold. We welcome them.

in a reduced 15-over contest. Batting first, Agricola struggled to build momentum and was restricted to 88 for six from their allotted overs.

Nasrudeen Ally led the scoring with 20 from 24 balls, while Rickford Mohammed chipped in with 16, and Shawn Thompson added 15. The Ace Warriors bowlers kept things tight, with Junior Philips and Roger Aarons picking up a wicket each to keep the opposition in check.

Chasing a modest target of 89, Ace Warriors made light work of the total. Damani Thomas produced an aggressive cameo of 39 from just 24 balls, striking two fours and three sixes to put his team firmly in control.

Ace Warriors raced to 90 for three in only 10.1 overs, sealing a comfortable seven-wicket victory.

In the second match of the day, hosts MSC took on the Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC) Cricket Club after winning the toss and opting to field.

GNIC failed to capitalise with the bat and was bowled out for 93 in 19.4 overs.

David Dick top-scored with a slow unbeaten 18 from 38 deliveries, while Roger Harper contributed 15.

The Malteenoes bowling attack proved effective, led by Jonte Thomas, who claimed impressive figures of four for 21. Delon Dalrymple and Marcus Watkins provid-

ed solid support, each picking up two wickets.

Malteenoes had little trouble chasing down the target. Nichosie Barker anchored the innings with an unbeaten 33 from 28 balls, while Jeremiah Scott provided quick runs with a brisk 23.

The home side reached 94 for three in just 8.4 overs to secure a comfortable victory. Jamain Grosvenor, Kevin Lindo, and Ovid Richardson each claimed a wicket for GNIC.

The Sherwin T20 Second Division competition is expected to continue in the coming days as teams battle for early momentum in the tournament.

Abram Zuil Sec claims

AirBadminton tournament title

The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) hosted its first tournament of 2026 with an AirBadminton tournament sponsored by the National Sports Commission (NSC) and El Dorado Trading on Friday at the Motorcross Ground, Mainstay, Region Two (Pomeroon–Supenaam).

Six schools participated in the tournament, and a random draw of 15 teams was conducted, with teams selecting their own creative and fun names. After an exciting day of competition, Abram Zuil Secondary School (Lil Threats) emerged as the champions.

The matches were played

in a triples format, consisting of two males and one female per team, with games played best of three for 11 points.

The GBA expressed its appreciation to the teachers and athletes for their enthusiastic participation.

Tournament Results

First Place

Abram Zuil Secondary School – Lil Threats

Joash Inniss

Aeon Jairam

Deeroya Morris

Second Place

Anna Regina Secondary School – Bomb Squad

Mark Daniels

Tyrese Stephney

Ashley Williams

Third Place (semi-finalists)

Anna Regina Secondary School – Block List

Samarious Forde

Brian Bissasar Omika Williams

Aurora Secondary School – Aurora All Stars

Matthew Wilson

Arif Singh

Shameela Fraser

The tournament was made possible following the introduction of badminton on the Essequibo Coast through the Shuttle Time Programme, where twenty teachers were trained

Schools’ Basketball League

GTI edges PC in dramatic 72–70 showdown

Athrilling contest unfolded at Budhram Court as the Government Technical Institute (GTI) held off a late surge from President’s College (PC) to secure a narrow 72–70 victory in the Schools’ Basketball League.

GTI set the tone early, taking control of the first quarter with sharp offensive play and solid defence to lead 16–10. They maintained their momentum in the second period, outscoring President’s College 16–13 to head into halftime with a 32–23 advantage.

President’s College returned from the break with renewed determination. In the third quarter they tightened their defence and found better rhythm offensively, taking the period 13–11 and trimming the deficit slightly.

The fourth quarter turned into a high-scoring thriller as President’s College launched an aggressive comeback. Both teams traded baskets in

GTI move up to third on the table with 13 points

a fast-paced final stanza, with PC exploding for 36 points while GTI added 27.

Despite the late charge, GTI managed to hold their composure in the closing moments to seal a 72–70 win, much to the delight of their supporters.

The encounter showcased the competitive spirit of the School Basketball League, with both teams delivering an exciting game highlighted by momentum swings and a dramatic finish.

during a workshop held last year through the collaborative efforts of the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Educationunder the Five Priority Programme.

The GBA reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the promotion and development of badminton across Region Two and the Essequibo Coast.

The association also expressed profound gratitude to its sponsors, the NSC and El Dorado Trading, for their support.

Further, the organisation

expressed special thanks to Wazeeda Bacchus, sports coordinator of the NSC, for her

instrumental assistance in ensuring the success of the tournament.

Remedial work at Mainstay Airstrip forces postponement of GMR&SC drag race meet

Remedial works to the Mainstay Airstrip in Essequibo have forced the postponement of the county-wide drag racing weekend, initially scheduled for March 28 and 29, 2026.

According to a spokesman for the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), the airstrip was badly in need of resurfacing.

“The airstrip, we were informed, had to be resurfaced and updated, and it’s something we had been monitoring for some time. Following our last event there, we had begun noticing the potential for incidents to happen.”

As such, we welcome the repaving of the venue because in the grand scheme

of things, we value safety above all other things when it comes to these events.”

“Based on what we are hearing, there is a slim possibility that the works may be finished before the scheduled date, but we think that still holding the event might be cutting it close, and we still do not want to take that chance and be forced to cancel closer to the date.”

He added that the club is also gearing itself towards a new standard of safer, more family-friendly events, and the upgrading of the Mainstay airstrip falls perfectly in line.

“We welcome the upgrade of the venue by the Government of Guyana; it tells us that the Government

is interested in sport and making the commitment to developing sport. Outside of that fact, we are also cognisant of the major infrastructure investments happening to decentralise sport, with the construction of several sporting venues across the country, and we see this venue upgrade as one of those investments.”

“To the people of Essequibo, we are sad to announce this postponement as we know you’ve had it on your calendar that we were coming for that weekend, but rest assured, a new date will be found.” The club will announce a new date for the event shortly.