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Issue No. 6579

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED

Meeting on national interests

Pres Ali presses ahead with parliamentary engagement despite Opposition’s refusal …“Show up. That is leadership” to attend – McAllister slams Opposition's no-show Pages 3 & 10

WHAT'S INSIDE:

30,266 speeding tickets issued in P2 6 months

NGOs urged to drive cancer screenings as uptake remains low P13 $9.1B Saudifunded housing project to deliver over 3800 house lots in Reg 3 P15

2020 election fraud trial

President Dr Irfaan Ali meeting at State House with members of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services on Wednesday

Former GECOM IT Manager testifies to P16 removing server to protect election data

“Remedy the problems now” – Finance Minister tells NIS to address missing contributions Guyanese Judicial independence woman found Commencement does not mean order signed, dead at India clearing way for unaccountability – AG airport hotel Development Bank See story on page 7

See story on page 9

Page 12

P14

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

30,266 speeding tickets issued in 6 months …more roads to come under surveillance by year end

total of 30,266 speeding tickets were issued under the Safe Road Intelligence System (SRIS) during the first six months of the year, according to the midyear report released by the Finance Ministry on Monday. The SRIS currently oversees 112 lanes across Regions Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and according to the report, an additional 48 lanes will come under its review by year end. The expansion will target additional areas in Region Four as well as, for the first time, in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice). The issuance of the 30,266 tickets, the report outlined, contributed to efforts to curb speeding and disincentivise reckless driving. Moreover, it noted that the tickets issued during the first half of the year

sections of the East Bank of Demerara, East Coast of Demerara, and West Bank of Demerara Public Roads. SRIS cameras are also operational on the Bharrat JagdeoDemerara River Bridge. Motorists can check for outstanding fines online using the Guyana Police Force Ticket Portal by entering a ticket number, TIN, or vehicle registration.

contribute to a total of 62,450 issuances since the SRIS was launched in April 2025. The SRIS is an automated traffic monitoring and e-ticketing network launched by the Guyana Police Force and the National Data Management Authority (NDMA). It currently covers major roadways, including the Heroes Highway, the Mandela to Eccles Interlink Road, some locations in Georgetown, and

for the implementation of this new initiative, which is intended to ensure trucks travel at a prescribed speed. Further, with respect to the establishment of heavy-duty parking lots, the report has

heavy-duty parking lots in No 8 and No 75 Villages, Berbice; Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara; and Enmore, East Coast Demerara. To better regulate the use of the roadways by trucks

noted that works progressed on the Grove, East Bank Demerara facility and is slated to be completed by the end of the year. It added that in the second half of the year, works are slated to commence on

and heavy-duty vehicles, the Government had last year deployed 20 weigh-in-motion scales and 400 vehicle clamps across various thoroughfares. The Government enforces a 15-tonne per axle limit for heavy trucks.

Auto control speed regulators

Meanwhile, in another bid to improve road safety, the Government has procured 8000 auto control speed regulators, which it said it will install on trucks. According to the mid-year report, the installation exercise is scheduled to commence in the second half of the year. Already, members of the Police Force have been provided with the necessary training

NEWS 3

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS BRIDGE OPENINGS The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, September 17 – 07:30h–09:00h and Friday, September 18 – 08:20h–09:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny skies are expected during the day, followed by clear skies at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Economic committee meeting

Pres Ali presses ahead with parliamentary engagement despite Opposition’s refusal to attend …no-show at 2nd national-interest meeting

Winds: East-North-Easterly to Easterly between 3.12 metres and 5.36 metres. High Tide: 07:56h and 20:06h reaching maximum heights of 2.31 metres and 2.34 metres. Low Tide: 13:41h reaching a minimum height of 0.96 metre.

President Dr Irfaan Ali meeting at State House with members of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services on Wednesday

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday said his Government remains committed to engaging parliamentary committees, despite the continued absence of Opposition members from meetings convened to discuss matters of national importance. Ali made the statement in a post on his social media page following a meeting at State House with members of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services. The meeting is part of the President’s efforts to strengthen coordination between the executive and legislative branches on economic matters. “Today, I met with members of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services to further align my Government’s work with the legislative arm,” Ali said. He said representatives were updated on key economic issues considered important to the Government’s plans and strategies for navigating challenges in the global

environment. According to Ali, all members of the committee were invited through the Speaker of the National Assembly to participate in the engagement. “However, the parliamentary Opposition did not participate in the meeting,” he said. The latest engagement follows a similar meeting on Tuesday involving the Parliamentary SubCommittee on Foreign Relations, which Opposition members also did not attend. At that meeting, Ali briefed members present on foreign policy matters, including Guyana’s ongoing proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the recently negotiated Third Country National Agreement between Guyana and the United States. The President had said those issues carried implications for Guyana’s sovereignty, security and international partnerships, and that he wanted to hear the Opposition’s views. The Opposition par-

ties, in an attempt to justify their absence, however, questioned the manner in which the meetings were convened. They said the invitations did not include an agenda or sufficient information on the matters to be discussed. Despite the Opposition’s position, Ali has said he intends to continue inviting parliamentary committees to engagements. On Wednesday, he reiterated that position.

“My Government remains committed to strengthening its engagement with all parliamentary committees in an open, transparent and accountable manner,” the President said. The meetings come against the backdrop of ongoing efforts by the Administration to establish greater engagement with parliamentary committees on matters spanning economic, foreign policy and national development issues.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Screening must move from awareness to action

he expansion of cancer screening and treatment services in Guyana is an important investment in public health, but the benefits of that investment can only be realised if more people make use of the services available. The low level of participation in screening programmes deserves greater national attention, particularly as several of the country’s most common cancers can be detected earlier, allowing treatment to begin before conditions become more complicated. The figures presented at the launch of Pinktober 2026 is a reminder of the importance of early detection. Prostate, breast, cervical and colorectal cancers account for 46 per cent of the 704 cancer diagnoses recorded so far this year. These figures underline the need for screening to become a more routine part of healthcare rather than an intervention sought only when symptoms become apparent. Guyana has made significant progress in expanding access; as a decade ago, mammography services were far more limited. Today, mammography machines are available at public health facilities in Georgetown, Suddie, Linden, New Amsterdam and Lethem, in addition to services offered in the private sector. Yet only 1667 mammograms have been conducted from January to date. The disparity between increased access and limited utilisation requires attention. Infrastructure and equipment are essential, but they cannot by themselves improve health outcomes. Public awareness, education and community mobilisation are equally important. This is where NGOs, community organisations, churches, workplaces and other trusted institutions can make a meaningful contribution by encouraging people to take advantage of screening opportunities. The significance of early detection is particularly evident in breast cancer. Of those screened so far, 6.4 per cent tested positive. A positive screening result, however, does not represent the end of the road. It provides an opportunity for further investigation and treatment. Guyana has strengthened its capacity in this area, including through modern pathology services and access to telepathology for second opinions. Importantly, these services are available to citizens without cost. The same principle applies to cervical cancer, which presents an even greater opportunity for prevention. The expansion of HPV vaccination is a major public health measure, with coverage among children aged nine to 15 increasing from about 16 per cent to almost 70 per cent. The target of 90 per cent coverage must remain firmly in sight if Guyana is to build the level of protection required to make meaningful progress towards eliminating cervical cancer. Approximately 24,000 cervical cancer tests have been conducted through the $8000 voucher programme, with about 4000 positive results. These numbers show both the value of testing and the need to ensure that available vouchers are actually used. The inclusion of women aged 16 to 45 in the programme further expands the opportunity for prevention and early intervention. Men, too, must take greater responsibility for their health, as prostate cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Guyana, with 137 new cases recorded from January to date. While there is no single specific screening test for prostate cancer, PSA testing can help identify possible problems that require further investigation. The availability of a $10,000 universal health voucher provides another avenue for men to access testing. The planned expansion of colonoscopy services to six regional hospitals is another welcome development. Greater access outside Georgetown can help address geographical barriers and provide earlier investigation for colorectal cancer, for which 43 new cases have already been diagnosed this year. The central message is healthcare services have limited value if they remain underused. Screening can identify disease before complications develop, when treatment can be more manageable and outcomes can be improved. Pinktober should extend outside awareness campaigns and become a catalyst for action. Greater public education, stronger community outreach and more active participation in screening programmes are necessary. NGOs have an important role to play in reaching communities, distributing information and encouraging the use of available services. Cancer prevention and early detection cannot rest solely on the health sector. It requires a wider national effort involving families, communities, employers, civil society and individuals. The facilities, vaccines, vouchers and diagnostic services now available provide important tools. The next step is ensuring that more Guyanese use them.

One Communications, in collaboration with the Health Ministry, launched One Pinktober 2026 under the theme “Many Journeys. One Hope.” During the month, stakeholders will raise awareness, encourage screening, strengthen support, and stand beside everyone whose life has been touched by cancer. In the photo are Dr Frank Anthony along with officials from One Communications with survivors of breast cancer

Opposition's failure to rise above partisan politics Dear Editor, At some point, political Opposition stopped being principled scrutiny and became obstruction for obstruction’s sake. The recent decision by members of Guyana’s Parliamentary Opposition to boycott an engagement between President Dr Irfaan Ali and the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Foreign Relations should concern every Guyanese, regardless of political affiliation. This was no cocktail reception. It was no partisan rally. It was an opportunity for elected Parliamentarians to engage the Head of State on matters affecting Guyana’s national interest, including the Venezuela border controversy before the International Court of Justice and the agreement concerning third-country nationals. What purpose does an Opposition serve if it refuses the opportunity for constructive dialogue? Leadership is demonstrated by entering difficult rooms for meaningful and serious dialogue, not avoiding them. Political maturity demands engage-

ment with persons with whom one may profoundly disagree. Indeed, that is precisely when engagement becomes critical. The absence of a shared agenda and supporting documentation cannot reasonably excuse disengagement when issues of obvious national importance are to be discussed. Attend the meeting. Put the procedural objection on record. Demand the documents. Ask the uncomfortable questions. Require answers. Then report to the country. That is what an effective Opposition would have done. Walking away accomplishes none of those things. This episode is particularly troubling when considered against the recent conduct of the Opposition parties themselves. The Guyanese recently watched APNU and WIN hold highly anticipated talks concerning important disputes over Opposition representation, GECOM, the Local Government Commission and the Region Ten impasse, only for the engagement to conclude without final decisions on

the substantive matters. This reflects a disturbing, yet familiar, political pattern: hesitation where decisiveness is needed, procedural manoeuvring where substantive leadership is required, and political posturing at a time when national interest demands maturity. For the PNCR and its leadership, this should occasion serious introspection. The PNCR is not a new political organisation struggling to understand the machinery of Government. It is one of Guyana’s oldest political parties. It has governed this country. It has occupied the Opposition benches. It possesses decades of institutional experience. Guyanese, therefore, have every right to expect a level of political maturity from its leadership commensurate with that history. Yet maturity is not demonstrated by refusing engagement because the political circumstances are inconvenient. There is nothing courageous about remaining outside a meeting room while complaining about what may

be happening inside it. Political courage would have meant sitting across from President Ali and engaging him directly on the matters of national interest. Show up. That is leadership. This increasingly sterile politics of disengagement embraced by WIN and APNU is reflective of their inability to move beyond social media theatrics and political grandstanding. An Opposition cannot credibly complain that it is being marginalised while voluntarily vacating spaces in which its voice can be heard. More importantly, Opposition Parliamentarians do not occupy their seats merely as representatives of WIN, APNU, the PNCR or any other political organisation. They sit in the National Assembly because citizens voted for them. Every empty Opposition chair at an engagement on a matter of national importance, therefore, represents more than a political tactic. It demonstrates a failure to rise above partisan differences. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Unannounced visits: the reality check Guyana’s public service needs Dear Editor, I wish to commend the initiative of conducting unannounced visits to Government offices to see first-hand the type of service being provided to ordinary citizens. Too often, senior officials receive reports about how efficiently their departments are operating, but the experience of the ordinary person standing at a counter can be very different. An unannounced visit removes the opportuni-

ty for offices to prepare for an inspection and allows those in authority to witness the normal day-today operations of the agency. From my own observations and the experiences repeatedly shared by members of the public, poor customer service is not confined to one Government office. Similar complaints can be heard about several Ministries and public agencies: long waiting periods, employees appearing uninterested in assist-

ing citizens, people being sent from one officer to another, unanswered telephone calls, and members of the public sometimes being treated as though they are inconveniencing the very institutions established to serve them. This should not be accepted as normal. Public servants play an extremely important role in Guyana’s development, and there are undoubtedly many dedicated officers who perform their duties professionally.

However, those employees should not have their reputations damaged by colleagues who fail to provide the standard of service expected of them. I therefore believe unannounced visits should become a regular feature across Government Ministries and agencies. Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and senior managers should occasionally walk into their departments without advance notice, sit among citizens, listen to their complaints

Opposition's failure to rise...

That is why this conduct is irresponsible. Consider the Venezuela controversy. This is an existential national issue transcending party politics. Guyana's territorial integrity cannot become collateral damage in domestic political gamesmanship. On matters involving our sovereignty and security and the defence of our territorial integrity, the Government and Opposition, and indeed all of Guyana, must speak with seriousness and purpose and with one voice. Regrettably, the Opposition’s abandonment of its national duty at a moment when Guyana’s sovereignty demands unity, responsible engagement and an unequivocal national voice is not new. During the 2025 debate on Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s Essequibo territory, when Venezuela’s conduct posed a continuing threat to Guyana’s sovereignty, the then Opposition, in a demonstration of tactical political misjudgement, walked out of the National Assembly. A responsible Opposition should want more information, not less; more engagement, not strategic absence. Politics cannot simply be the art of saying “no”. A viable Opposition

must demonstrate that it possesses the judgement, discipline and intellectual confidence to sit at a table, absorb information, analyse competing positions, negotiate where necessary and make difficult decisions. Repeatedly avoiding engagement creates precisely the opposite impression. It suggests a politics afraid of scrutiny because serious engagement carries a burden: once you enter the room, slogans are no longer enough. Questions must be intelligent. Arguments must withstand rebuttal. Alternatives must be workable. Leaders must demonstrate command of the issues. Walking away is easier. Guyana deserves an Opposition that understands that Opposition is a constitutional responsibility, not a permanent protest posture. If a political organisation cannot manage that responsibility from the Opposition benches, Guyanese are entitled to ask how it proposes to manage the infinitely greater responsibilities of Government. There is also a deeper democratic danger. When PNCR/APNU and WIN place tactical advantage above institu-

tional engagement, the people become spectators to political theatre rather than beneficiaries of representative democracy. Citizens did not elect these parliamentarians simply to issue press releases explaining why they would not participate. They elected them to participate, scrutinise, challenge, negotiate and

FROM PAGE 4

represent. An empty chair asks no questions. An empty chair advances no alternative. And an empty chair cannot represent the interests of the Guyanese people. The measure of political leadership is not how loudly one condemns an opponent from the pul-

and observe how employees interact with the public. The objective should not simply be to punish workers. It should be to identify weaknesses, improve training, strengthen accountability and ultimately create a public service in which citizens are treated with dignity and respect. The Government has invested significantly in modernising public services. That progress must also be reflected in the hu-

man element of service delivery. A modern building, computerised system or new programme means little if citizens still leave a Government office frustrated by the treatment they receive. Continue the unannounced visits. They provide decision makers with something that prepared reports sometimes cannot capture the reality on the ground.

pits of social media. It is whether one has the courage, preparation, and intellectual confidence to confront that opponent across the table when the national interest requires it. Guyana is undergoing profound economic, social and geopolitical change. This is no time for the Opposition’s political adolescence.

Leadership is not demonstrated through boycotts, procedural excuses and empty chairs, but through preparation, participation, intelligent interrogation and credible alternatives. The Guyanese people deserve nothing less.

Yours faithfully, Quincy Anderson

Yours respectfully, Thandi McAllister, MP

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 0:00 Sign Off 6:00 Islam for Guyana 6:30 TVG Devotional Hour 7:00 Documentary: Nat Geo Animals 8:00 HGTV 10:00 Stop Suffering 11:30 TVG Music Break 12:00 Movie - Dying for Chocolate: A Curious Caterer Mystery (2022) 13:30 Movie - Sailing into Love (2019) 15:00 Cartoons 16:00 Indian Soaps 17:00 The Young & The Restless 18:00 Documentary: Nat Geo Animals 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Stop Suffering 20:30 Voice of Islam 21:00 Grey's Anatomy S10 E3 22:00 The Rookie S4 E3 23:00 Modern Family S5 E7 23:30 Modern Family S5 E8

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

Foundation ◄

Page

By Chard Powers Smith

Venn Diagrams Cont’d Set Notation Set notation is mathematical notation that is used in set theory and probability. A set can be a list of items known as elements. A subset would be a selection of these elements. The elements of a set could be a set of integers, shapes, people etc. When we list elements within a set, we use these curly brackets {" " } and separate each element in the list with commas. The universal set, ξ, is the list of every element that there is available to choose from. (ξ is the Greek letter epsilon.) For example, Universal set, ξ, of integers from 1 to 12 is written as

ξ={1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12}. This set contains 12 elements. If we wrote a subset of this set, for example A = \{prime numbers we would have the set A = {2,3,5,7,11}. This set contains 5 elements. We use capital letters to define a subset. The complement of a set is denoted to an apostrophe "‘" . It would be the remaining elements in the universal set that are not part of that set. The complement of A =\{prime numbers} from 1 to 12 would be the following set, A^'={1,4,6,8,9,10,12}. We can also say not set A. We also have the empty set (or null set), ϕ, which contains no elements. For example, from the universal set ξ={1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12}, the set B = \{numbers greater than 12} =ϕ,

because there are no numbers greater than 12 in the universal set. There are other symbols that are used to describe set relationships. If ξ={1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12} The union,U, of the set of even numbers E={2,4,6,8,10,12} and multiples of 5,F={5,10} is the set EUF={2,4,5,6,8,10,12}. Note that 10 appeared in both sets but we did not write it twice in the union. The intersection, ∩, of the set of odd numbers O={1,3,5,7,9,11} and the set of prime numbers P={2,3,5,7,11} is the set O∩P={3,5,7,11}. To find the intersection of two or more sets, we find the elements that are contained within both / all of the sets only. The cardinality of a set, n(A), is the number of elements in a set. If A={2,3,5,7,11},n(A)=5.

The Doppler Effect

he Doppler Effect experiment is perfect to explore sound and its numerous properties.

This phenomenon affects the pitch of sound waves when a source moves relative to an observer. Materials • A whistle or a toy siren • 2-metre long rope (approx. 6 feet)

•A parent to oversee and help • Timer Instructions 1. Find the appropriate place for this experiment – somewhere open, where you can walk or run without any hindrance. 2. Have your parent go stand in one spot while holding the whistle or a toy siren. You will observe the sound, while they will be the source. 3. Stand approximately 10 feet from your parent as they blow the whistle. Take notice of the sound and how loud it is. 4. Now, your parent should start moving away from you while blowing the whistle continuously. 5. Then they should start moving back towards you. Interpret what

you’ve heard – how the pitch of the sound changes as the source approaches or moves farther away. 6. Use a timer to note how long it takes for the pitch of the sound to change as they move away and back towards you.

I pause a moment on this sunset bay To see a world of things, among them these: October painted red and gold the leaves; A town of lily-pads adrift one way; A family of water-bugs at play; A dragon-fly astride my boat; A lovely moth aflutter and afloat; A trout that swirls and carries him away. Here we are, pausing in the busy fuss Of love and death and change that make our days, Come to this single moment snatched from time Some billion years out of the common slime. The sun goes down. I shudder. All of us Depart forever on our several ways. (Source: Poetry [(October 1928])

What’s happening?

The Doppler Effect is a phenomenon that occurs when a sound source is moving relative to an observer. The closer the sound source is to the observer, the more compressed the sound waves get, and the pitch is higher. And it works vice versa. The farther the source moves away from the observer, the more stretched the sound waves get, resulting in a lower pitch. (Adapted from circuitmess.com)

Set your story in an empty hospital, school, or office building.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS 7

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Remedy the problems now” – Finance Minister tells NIS to address missing contributions …reminds employers of legal obligations

inance Minister Dr Ashni Singh charged the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to be proactive in identifying and addressing missing contributions from employers. At the end of every year, registered employers are entitled to automatically receive a statement from NIS of all the contributions made on behalf of their employees throughout the year. Delivering feature remarks at the 57th Anniversary General Assembly of NIS on Wednesday, Dr Singh urged the management of the scheme to ensure that this practice is upheld. “Please ensure that every employer gets a statement at the end of the year of the persons for whom they paid contributions and the number of contributions paid for those persons. And where you see there are gaps, please remedy those gaps immediately,” he posited. In fact, the Finance Minister says that the scheme can use technology to identify and rectify those missing contributions. “We now have technology that allows us to interrogate and pro-

cess data… Your team, Holly [Greaves, General Manager of NIS], can immediately run a query to see in every agency, employees that were at work in January, February [and then in] November and December, but for whom 52 contributions were not made,” he asserted.

Detect missing contributions

According to Singh, there is nothing stopping the NIS technical team from using the technology to detect missing contributions and then passing those onto the enforcement department to go after. “We don’t have to wait until these people reach age 60 or until we have some arrears collection exercise, or some big enforcement exercise, or until this becomes an issue that you have to take the employer to court. Run the report now. Use data analytics now to identify immediately which employers are the delinquent… Remedy the problems now, so we don’t have to wait.” The Finance Minister went on to note that this is also the responsibility of the NIS Board to ensure employers make the required contributions on behalf of their staff.

Moreover, Dr Singh reminded us that employers are legally obligated to pay NIS contributions. He also appealed to employers to ensure that they are registered and are making contributions on behalf of their employees. “I do not want you to wait for the NIS inspectors to turn up at your door to enforce or for an employee to come and claim a benefit and then discover that they cannot access their benefit… We don’t want to get there. If we have to do it, we’re going to do it, but we prefer not to be in that situation,” Singh stressed. He also urged employees to also play their part in ensuring that their contributions are up to date rather than waiting until their retirement to then get their affairs in order. The same is applied for self-employed persons, he noted. Singh pointed out that everyone is entitled to accessing their contribution statement, adding that they can also utilise tools such as the online platform on the NIS website to check on their contributions. “At least once a year, request your NIS record and make sure your contributions are up to date. And if your contribu-

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh speaking at the 57th Anniversary General Assembly of NIS on Wednesday

tions are not up to date, go to your employer… Fix it now; don’t wait until your 59th birthday to then scramble…” “It may look like a punitive thing now, but it’s not a punitive thing when a medical emergency arises and a claim has to be made, and you then discover that your contributions are not up to date. And it’s certainly not a punitive thing when you hit age 60 and you turn up expecting to receive that NIS pension only to discover that contributions were not being paid over on your behalf,” he asserted. According to the Finance Minister, many of the cases with missing contributions involved employers from decades ago that are no longer in existence, thus making it

difficult for NIS to access records. These calls by Minister Singh come as the NIS has seen its contributor base grow by nearly 80,000 persons, or 41 per cent, in the last five years.

Be more proactive

But even as he lauded NIS for how it has responded to this increase in contributors, the Finance Minister contended that there are still many persons out there working and not making NIS contributions. To this end, Dr Singh charged the NIS to be more proactive in ensuring that employers and employees are registered with the scheme and that the former makes the necessary contributions

on behalf of their staff. “We cannot be reactive. We cannot only sit down [in the office] and wait for people to walk through the door. We have to go out there and sensitise people through public education…[and] public outreach.” In fact, he pointed out that this is among the reasons that the Government has established NIS offices in the various Administrative Regions across Guyana. “We don’t have regional offices just so that people can enjoy the comfort of sitting in their offices but so that within their respective catchment areas, they will go out and ensure that everybody who is working is participating and contributing [to NIS],” the Minister posited.

M&CC's garbage proposal

Penalise non-compliant businesses only – ex-PSC Chair tells M&CC

ormer Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Komal Singh has proposed strict penalties for businesses in Georgetown that dispose of garbage carelessly along the streets. This came on the heels of recent proposals by Mayor Alfred Mentore for owners of commercial properties in Georgetown to develop garbage disposal plans and possibly provide security deposits for waste management.

According to Singh, the Mayor simply needs to enforce the existing rules, stressing that everyone has a responsibility to dispose of garbage responsibly. He said business owners, in particular, should take pride in maintaining proper waste-disposal practices. He added that greater enforcement of the rules could encourage people to comply, while noting the Government's ongoing efforts, including

Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore

the President's quarterly clean-up campaigns aimed at addressing garbage across the country.

“The Mayor just needs to enforce those rules. It is a responsibility of everybody to dispose of garbage in a very responsible manner. All of us as business people, it is a responsibility that each and every one of us should take pride in. And I think if the rules are enforced, I think people will get to like it, given that the Government has been doing a tremendous amount of work, even the President going around the place trying to have a

Georgetown continue to dump garbage indiscriminately and called for stronger enforcement against those found violating waste-disposal regulations.

Non-compliant businesses

Former PSC Chair Komal Singh

quarterly clean-up campaign.” He highlighted that some businesses in

He argued that penalties should target non-compliant businesses rather than those already following the rules, noting that many businesses are complying with the requirements. TURN TO PAGE 14

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New…

…Corruption watchman

our Eyewitness is reeling from the irony that we got a new anti-corruption specialist – one who’s clearly worried sick that somebody else might get the opportunity to do what he’s doing for years and years!! The LOO Sanction Man just sounded the alarm over the soon-to-be-launched Guyana Development Bank – which he insists is gonna become a playground for corruption, cronyism, and political favouritism!! Well, thank goodness SOMEBODY finally understands the danger!! And since the danger’s being flagged by a fella who has been positively wallowing in corruption, you’d think he’s an authority on the subject, wouldn’t you?? This is a man who’s been sanctioned by the US Treasury – under its Global Magnitsky sanctions programme – over involvement in an international corruption network that, unfortunately for him, involved Miami and US jurisdiction!! And based on their history, those chaps at OFAC don’t bring charges till they get an open-and-shut case, do they?? Case in point is one of Mad Maduro’s besties and partners in crime – Alex Saab – just pleaded guilty to an OFAC charge!! Then right here in our dear Mudland, the GRA also brought tax charges against Sanction Man and his Daady – charges that are in hiatus following the Government’s decision to give the US first dibs at fitting out that orange jumpsuit!! And if that weren’t enough to give him a graduate degree in corruption, last January, the GRA announced action concerning an AML/CFT breach involving Sanction Man and GRA employees. And your Eyewitness ain’t even gonna expand on the cases of the dutyskipped Lambos and Ferraris!! So yes… Here’s the man, standing sentinel over the Guyana Development Bank, warning the nation about corruption!! It’s a little like the fella who’s been nabbed speeding time and again – establishing a National Road Safety Commission!! Now this doesn’t mean Sanction Man mightn’t have a point!! But it’s just that our politics has a penchant for producing people who discover corruption and thiefin’ only after they’ve crossed THOSE roads – and found somebody else sitting in the driver’s seat!! So yes… Let’s protect the Development Bank from the entire Guyanese culture of “leh we see wha’ we can arrange!!” Because once billions become available at favourable terms, you know every Guyanese gonna try to follow Sanction Man’s footsteps by claiming he’s an entrepreneur; his neighbour’s got a brilliant business plan, and his cousin knows a man who knows a man!! After all, look where it got the man who just discovered that corruption is a national emergency!!! But seriously, folks?? Don’t assume this is the PPP Government’s first rodeo – and they ain’t addressing it!! They’ve candidly admitted that once money’s floating around, there’s gonna be sticky fingers!! As Sanction Man can testify!!

…greed

One fella insists that now that we’re getting a windfall from higher oil prices due to the goings-on in the Middle East – not to mention finally getting out from under Exxon’s 75 per cent expense deduction to calculate “profits” – we should double up on this year’s cash grant since we hadn’t budgeted for so much money!! And this is where your Eyewitness got a problem with encouraging the “gimme mo, gimme mo” mentality that’s sweeping our nation!! OK… more money came into the treasury – but have we forgotten that story about the ant and the grasshopper we learnt as kids?? For months on end, the ant worked and saved food for the winter – while the grasshopper spent his days singing, playing his fiddle, and dancing – mocking the ant for working so hard instead of enjoying life!! Came winter, and the starving grasshopper gotta beg the ant for some food!! So WE should all spend the oil windfall today – and not tell the Government to use it to build a better tomorrow??

…abdication

The Opposition whines that the Govt ain’t “involving” them – yet they’ve boycotted the Parliamentary Committees meetings where they could’ve quizzed Pressie on his policies!! To them “inclusive Govt” ain’t with committees – but only getting seats in the Cabinet!! The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Judicial independence does not mean unaccountability – AG

ttorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has emphasised that, while the Judiciary enjoys independence, judicial officers are not immune from accountability for their actions. He made the remarks during his programme Issues in the News on Tuesday evening, where he highlighted that in Guyana, the Judiciary enjoys independence and is adequately resourced. He also underscored the importance of an independent Judiciary to a country’s economy and business climate. “It is so crucial that we ensure that the Judiciary remains independent and remains competent because it is an indispensable factor in the development equation of this country because of the peculiar and fundamental role that it has to play in the adjudication and resolution of disputes,” he said, adding that “it’s against that backdrop that the government invests billions and billions of dollars every year in ensuring our Judiciary is adequately resourced, and I have said on innumerable occasions on this programme that the Judiciary of Guyana has never been the beneficiary of the magnitude of resources that it now benefits from at any time in its history.”

Unaccountability?

However, he stressed that judicial independence does not mean judicial officers are exempt from accountability for their actions. “Now, this is the question. Does judicial independence translate into judicial unaccountability? I say ‘no’. Though the Judiciary is different and is institutionalised differently and is the most independent organ of state, it remains an accountable institution,” the AG asserted. “If only for the fact

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

that it is funded by public monies. If only for that fact, there is no agency in a democratic society funded from public funds that is allowed or will ever be allowed to be unaccountable to the public who is funding the functioning. That can’t happen, and I respectfully submit that that does not obtain in Guyana,” he added. To further demonstrate his point, Nandlall referenced the foreword done by the then Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, in a Code of Ethics for judicial officers, which was promulgated in 2021. He said, “And I quote, ‘An independent Judiciary is indispensable to the administration of justice and the rule of law. Similarly, the integrity of judicial officers and their accountability to the public are indispensable for the administration of justice in a fair and transparent manner. “I continue, “We must be accountable to the public. Exemplary conduct on the part of judicial officers helps to inspire public confidence in the judicial system. “I continue, ‘Let justice be done with proprietary independence, integrity, impartiality, equality, competence and diligence; let us be accountable to the peo-

ple we serve.’ “ So here it is from the mouth of the head of the Judiciary embracing the concept that the independence of the Judiciary does not render it unaccountable.” “Her Honour rightfully asserts that judicial officers are accountable to the public and that accountability is indispensable to the administration of justice in a fair and transparent manner,” Nandlall emphasised. For instance, he explained that financially, the Judiciary is accountable to the Auditor General’s Office and, by extension, the Public Accounts Committee. The AG also pointed to legislation that outlines time limits for judicial decisions.

Not immune to criticisms

From another perspective, Nandlall emphasised that the Judiciary is not immune from criticisms that are in good faith. He referred to a Privy Council case from 1936 and an observation made by Lord Atkin: “Whether the authority and position of an individual judge or the due administration of justice is concerned, no wrong is committed by any member of the public who exercises the ordinary right of criticising in good faith…” TURN TO PAGE 13

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Meeting on national interests

“Show up. That is leadership,” McAllister slams Opposition no-show

o v e r n m e n t Member of Parliament (MP) Thandi McAllister has sharply criticised the Parliamentary Opposition for failing to attend President Dr Irfaan Ali’s engagement with members of the Parliamentary SubCommittee on Foreign Relations, accusing Opposition parliamentarians of placing political tactics ahead of their responsibility to engage on matters of national importance. McAllister’s criticism came after Opposition members declined to attend Tuesday’s meeting

Member of Parliament, Thandi McAllister

with President Ali, who had invited members of two Parliamentary committees to discuss collaboration between the executive and legislative arms and issues affecting the

country. The meeting went ahead with members who were present, with President Ali using the occasion to brief them on foreign policy matters, including Guyana’s ongoing proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the Venezuela border controversy and the recently negotiated Third Country National Agreement between Guyana and the United States (US). In a letter to the editor, McAllister described the Opposition’s decision as a failure to engage constructively, questioning what purpose an

US-sanctioned Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed

Leader of APNU/PNC, Aubrey Norton

Opposition serves if it refuses opportunities for dialogue on issues of national importance. “This was no cocktail reception. It was no partisan rally,” McAllister wrote, arguing that the meeting provided an opportunity for elected parliamentarians to engage the Head of State directly on issues affecting Guyana. She said Opposition members could have attended, placed their procedural objections on record, requested the necessary documentation and asked questions rather than staying away. “Attend the meeting. Put the procedural objection on record. Demand the documents. Ask the uncomfortable questions. Require answers. Then report to the country,” she wrote. McAllister said that would have constituted effective opposition. Instead, she argued, “Walking away accomplishes none of those things.” The Opposition parties had claimed that they took offence about the manner in which the meeting was convened. According to the information provided, the invitations did not include an agenda or outline of discussion points. The Opposition Leader’s Office, led by US-sanctioned and indicted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, accused President Ali of bypassing the constitutional office of the Opposition Leader and undermining Parliament’s independence. APNU said it had no

objection to meeting the President in principle but maintained that such engagements should take place before agreements are finalised and signed. The party called for a clear agenda and supporting documentation, including proposed agreements, financing frameworks and assessments of their implications. The Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) also aligned itself with APNU and the Opposition Leader’s Office, arguing that the matter went beyond the absence of an agenda and concerned what it described as the President’s “continuing disregard” for Parliament.

Political posturing

McAllister, however, rejected the decision to stay away as an acceptable approach to Parliamentary opposition. She argued that the absence of an agenda could not reasonably justify disengagement when issues of obvious national importance were to be discussed. The MP also took aim at what she described as a pattern of disengagement involving WIN and APNU, pointing to recent talks concerning Opposition representation, the Guyana Elections Commission, the Local Government Commission and the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) impasse. Those talks, she noted, ended without final decisions on the substantive matters. For McAllister, the episode reflected what she

Forward Guyana Movement’s Amanza Walton

described as hesitation, procedural manoeuvring and political posturing when national interest required serious engagement. She singled out the PNCR for criticism, arguing that the party’s long history in Guyana’s political system should bring with it a greater expectation of institutional maturity. The PNCR, she noted, is one of Guyana’s oldest political parties and has both governed the country and occupied the Opposition benches. McAllister said Opposition parliamentarians were elected to participate in the National Assembly and not merely to issue statements explaining their absence. “They elected them to participate, scrutinise, challenge, negotiate and represent,” she wrote. She was particularly critical of the Opposition’s absence during discussions involving Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. McAllister pointed to the Venezuela controversy as an issue that transcends partisan politics, arguing that Guyana’s territorial integrity should not become part of domestic political gamesmanship. She also referenced the 2025 National Assembly debate on Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s Essequibo territory, when, according to her letter, the then Opposition walked out of the Assembly. TURN TO PAGE 12

NEWS 11

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Nobody needs to join a line” – Finance Minister tells more than 40,000 NIS pensioners …as over 20,000 pensions being paid via bank

ver 24,000 persons are currently receiving their monthly National Insurance Scheme (NIS)

tic improvement from the just over 11,000 NIS pensioners who were receiving payments via the bank in December 2020.

count,” he stated. Dr Singh also pointed out that there are still in excess of 40,000 pensioners who opt to line

Pensioners waiting to uplift their NIS payments

pensions directly into their bank accounts. This is according to Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, who on Wednesday disclosed that this figure today is a dras-

“Today, 20,454 NIS pensioners took the bold decisions that they don’t want to join the line to get their pensions. They want their pensions to go straight to their bank ac-

up every month to collect their payments – a practice he says could be a thing of the past as the Government moves to digitise the scheme. “Nobody needs to join

a line to collect their NIS pension… If you exercise the option of getting your NIS pension paid directly into your bank account, then you simply have to send your life certificate, which you are now able to do via WhatsApp… your pension goes automatically to your bank account [every month],” he stated. To this end, Minister Singh called on the NIS to aggressively encourage more pensioners to switch their payment method via the banking system, noting that this

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh

not only saves them unnecessary travel expenses but also time spent

travelling and queuing up for long hours. TURN TO PAGE 15

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyanese woman found Demerara Bank customers dead at India airport hotel

Guyanese woman travelling to India for medical purposes was found unconscious in a transit hotel at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru, India, on Wednesday, and was later pronounced dead at a city hospital. Dead is Racquel Olivia Chandni Seecharran, a Guyanese national who worked as an accountant at HFS (Hughes, Fields and Stoby) law firm in Guyana. According to a report by The Hindu published on September 16, Seecharran had arrived at KIA from London on a Virgin Atlantic flight at about 18:10h on Tuesday, September 15. She was sched-

Dead: Racquel Olivia Chandni Seecharran

uled to travel onwards to Mangaluru on an IndiGo flight at 14:35h on Wednesday. She was reportedly travelling for medical purposes. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is responsible for security at KIA,

said Seecharran was staying at a transit hotel in Terminal Two. At around 10:30h on Wednesday, as her scheduled hotel checkout time approached, a receptionist attempted to contact her by telephone. However, she did not answer the call or respond to further attempts to reach her. Hotel staff subsequently checked the room and found Seecharran unconscious. She was taken to a city hospital, where she was later declared dead. The circumstances surrounding her death were not immediately disclosed. Indian authorities are expected to determine the cause of death as part of the ongoing proceedings.

get banking on the go

emerara Bank Limited is set to launch its new mobile banking app and upgraded online banking platform on Saturday, giving customers access to a wider range of banking services without visiting a branch. The launch will take place at the bank’s Beterverwagting branch from 11:00h to 18:00h, where customers will be able to register for the new platform and receive assistance from Demerara Bank’s team. Customers will also be able to participate in live demonstrations and receive guidance on using the app and its features. The bank said customers can self-register without completing a physical application form or visiting a branch. The Mobile Banking App will allow customers to view account balances, transactions and statements; transfer funds between Demerara Bank accounts and other local banks; and make bill payments to services including GWI, IPED, GRA, NBS, ENET, Digicel, and One Communications. Customers will also be able to pay their Demerara Bank credit cards, submit wire transfer requests and track their status, while receiving real-time notifications and updates on transactions and applications. The platform will also allow customers to create payment templates, set up recurring payments and transfers, and apply for accounts, car loans, housing loans and credit cards while tracking the progress of their applications. Other features include the ability

to update customer profiles, view credit card balances and statements, block or unblock credit cards, submit banking service requests and book appointments. Customers will also be able to access the platform using biometric or facial authentication. The app is compatible with Android and iOS smartphones, iPads, tablets, and computers.

“Show up. That is leadership,” McAllister slams... “A responsible Opposition should want more information, not less; more engagement, not strategic absence,” McAllister wrote. She argued that opposition politics cannot simply consist of saying “no”, maintaining that a viable opposition must be prepared to absorb information, scrutinise competing positions, negotiate where necessary and present workable alternatives. McAllister further warned that repeatedly avoiding engagement creates the opposite impression and makes it easier to criticise from outside than to defend arguments in direct discussion.

“An empty chair asks no questions”

“There is nothing cou-

rageous about remaining outside a meeting room while complaining about what may be happening inside it,” she wrote. Her conclusion was blunt: “Show up. That is leadership.” McAllister said Guyanese deserve an opposition that recognises opposition as a constitutional responsibility rather than a permanent posture of protest. “An empty chair asks no questions. An empty chair advances no alternative. And an empty chair cannot represent the interests of the Guyanese people,” she wrote. President Ali has said the Opposition’s failure to attend was disappointing and that he would continue extending invitations for engagement, express-

FROM PAGE 10

ing hope that Opposition members would eventually see the value in participating. McAllister maintained that political leadership should be demonstrated through preparation, participation, questioning and the presentation of credible alternatives – not through boycotts and empty chairs. President Ali, despite the Opposition’s failure to attend, said he remained undeterred, telling those present that he would continue working to bridge the relationship gap and would continue inviting parliamentary committees to engage. He said he hoped the Opposition would eventually see the value in participating in discussions on matters of national importance.

NEWS 13

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NGOs urged to drive cancer screenings as uptake remains low …4 types of cancers account for 46% of 704 cases diagnosed so far in 2026 – Minister

ealth Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Wednesday called on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to drive greater public awareness about the need for Guyanese to test for various cancers. He made the call during the launch of Pinktober 2026, an annual, month-long observance held every October to raise awareness about cancers across the country. Speaking during the launch, Dr Anthony lamented that while a number of Government programmes are in place to assist the population, participation remains low. “Over the last couple of years, I think we’re doing much better in terms of what we’ve been doing to diagnose cancer patients and, of course, in how we treat cancer patients, and we’ve put a lot of programmes together, but sometimes, unfortunately, we don’t get a lot of people buying into the programmes,” he said. According to Dr Anthony, the top cancers in Guyana are prostate, followed by breast can-

cer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer. Combined, they account for 46 per cent of the 704 cancer diagnoses this year. Regarding breast cancer, Dr Anthony spoke about the strides made in detecting and treating this disease, noting that ten years ago, there was about one mammography machine in the country. “We now have at least seven mammography machines…in the public sector, you have at Georgetown Hospital, you have one at Suddie on the Essequibo coast, you have one in Linden, you have one at New Amsterdam, and we’ve put one as far away as in Lethem so that people can have access, persons from those regions, and of course, you have mammograms in the private sector,” he outlined. But despite these investments, he said not many persons are getting screened. “As of from January to now, we only did 1667 mammograms with all of this new facility we’ve put in place; we’ve only done 1667 mammograms. Why is that? Before, when we didn’t have the machines,

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

the problem was, ‘Okay, we didn’t have enough machines; people didn’t have access.’ Now we’ve opened up access, but people are not coming. So, I think the first challenge that we have [is] how do we change that, how do we get more people to come so that they can get themselves screened?” the Health Minister said. “If we can use the existing facilities so that more people can get screened, I think we can start; we’ll have a better chance of preventing some of these things from happening,” he added. Of those screened so far for breast cancer, the Health Minister said 6.4 per cent were positive. Nonetheless, he emphasised that early detection

Judicial independence...

FROM PAGE 9

Against this backdrop, Nandlall said members of the public “are entitled to criticise the judiciary, but you must do so without casting aspersions on the integrity of the officer, you must not be motivated by malice, you must be acting in good faith, your criticisms must be genuine, you must have a fair and reasonable concern, and not motivated by an ulterior motive.” “Judges and other judicial officers are accountable; they are accountable, and the public and society must hold them accountable for the discharge of their functions but must do so with dignity and respect,” he added. Nandlal further con-

tended that “when a case is before a judicial officer, that case has to be dealt with conscientiously, dealt with in accordance with law, where superior courts have given directions, those directions must be followed, when the particular judicial officer has fixed dates, one month before, for example, and lawyers are coming from all over the world to attend court, those dates must not be vacated at the whims and fancy of one side or for flimsy reasons.” The AG’s remarks come on the heels of Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman saying that “rushed justice is crushed justice” in the United States extradition case involving US-

sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed. The matter has been ongoing in the court since the proceedings against the father and son duo were initiated on October 31, 2025, following a request by United States authorities for their extradition. At the last hearing in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on September 10, the Chief Magistrate further adjourned the matter to September 21, 22, 28, and 29. In response to concerns raised by the prosecution, the chief magistrate had noted that the court will control its own pace and that she needed no reminder of timelines.

results in prompt treatment, which is available in Guyana. “When somebody is positive, it’s not like the end of the road. Now you start a journey, and we have that journey outlined, and what would be the next step?” he said.

Modern pathology labs

He noted that Guyana has one of the most modern pathology labs in the Caribbean and can do differentials for breast cancer, and if a second opinion is needed, those slides can be sent using telepathology to the Government’s partner in the United States, Mount Sinai, to do a second reading. While these procedures are costly, Dr Anthony said they are offered free of cost to citizens. Meanwhile, he noted that another big challenge is the low participation in programmes to address cervical cancer, which is preventable. “Up to about two years ago, we were using a vaccine that targets four strains of this virus, the more prevalent strains, and that is the type of vaccine that most countries use; it’s cheap and it’s effective, but it doesn’t cover all of the strains. The latest vaccine that is on the market, it targets nine of the most prevalent strains of the human papillomavirus. The cost of one dose of that vaccine is US$360… As of two years ago, the Government of Guyana has implemented a vaccination programme using the 9-valent vaccine;

that is, every time you give a child a dose, we’re actually putting US$360 into their arms. We have made it free here,” he highlighted. The Health Minister noted that coverage for this vaccine used to be about 16 per cent for children between the ages of nine and 15, but now, it has increased to almost 70 per cent. But he stressed that more needs to be done. “The job is not finished as yet because we need, according to the WHO, we need to take that up to 90 per cent…so that every child literally, between the ages of nine and 15, boys and girls, we need to vaccinate them,” he said. “That is the second challenge that we should give ourselves: let us get more people vaccinated, more of the children vaccinated,” he added. The Health Minister explained that boys need vaccinations too because they can get penile cancer. Meanwhile, he noted that once coverage reaches 90 per cent, this needs to be maintained for a number of years, and then Guyana would be on the way to eliminating cervical cancer. Beyond that target, he noted that the Government has opened the programme to include women from the age of 16 to 45. Another programme to deal with cervical cancer is the $8000 voucher initiative for tests. Since the programme started a few years ago, Dr Anthony said approximately 24,000 tests were done, of which some 4000 persons tested positive. Like with breast cancer, he stressed that there are guidelines on how to treat persons who tested positive. “It’s good to know; once you know, you can take action. If you don’t know, then you might be waiting, and then it gets very complicated,” he emphasised, adding that “we want to encourage people, use the vouchers; we

have literally thousands of vouchers to give to people to use.” On prostate cancer, the Minister said there is no specific test, but men can conduct a prostate-specific antigen test (PSA), and if there is a high reading, it might indicate a problem. He encouraged men to utilise the universal health voucher of $10,000 to get these tests done. For those with high results, a biopsy is then done, and if there are changes in the prostate, then the requisite steps are taken. Dr Anthony said from January to now, 137 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed. Against this backdrop, he emphasised the need for more screening and encouraged NGOs to assist. “Use your network to get these vouchers out to people. Let’s get more people doing the HPV screening, and we can make the vouchers available to you. We want more children to be vaccinated…the vaccines are in every health centre across this country… what we need to do is to get people to go to the health centres to get the vaccines, and then men, even if they don’t come to us, get the voucher and give it to them and let them go to any one of the private institutions, and they can get screened,” Dr Anthony urged. Meanwhile, when it comes to colorectal cancer, he said, from January to now, 43 persons were diagnosed. The Health Minister said the Government will soon start a programme to offer colonoscopies at the six regional hospitals. “We need people to know that these services exist, and we need people to come earlier so they can get the check-ups because if you pick up things earlier, it is easier to deal with it; when you have complications, it’s a whole new, different challenge that we have,” he emphasised.

14 NEWS Commencement order signed, clearing way for Development Bank THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

… “quantum leap” for SMEs financing – Finance Minister

head of the October 5 commencement of operations, Guyanese looking to tap into the zero-interest and collateral-free financing from the Guyana Development Bank (GDB) are being advised to be prepared. This follows Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh on Wednesday signing the Commencement Order to operationalise the Guyana Development Bank. The Order was subsequently Gazetted, paving the way for existing and aspiring Guyanese small business owners to start access financing and other support services. Wednesday’s signing comes days after President Dr Irfaan Ali announced that the Guyana Development Bank would commence operations on October 5. Once operationalised, the state-backed financial institution will offer loans of up to $3 million to citizens as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across a wide spectrum of sectors, with no collateral required and free of any interest.

Quantum leap

After the signing, Minister Singh called on Guyanese to be prepared to access financing opportunities from the devel-

opment bank. “The opening of the Guyana Development Bank will represent a quantum leap in the world of financing for SMEs… I want to urge every potential applicant for them to do their preparatory work, thinking about what can I do, what am I good at? Because you can't just have an idea, you have to know that it's something you're capable of doing, that you have experience on track record and competence of doing, that you're going to be committed to doing because it's a loan, you're going to have to pay back the loan,” he posited during an interview with the Guyana Times. The finance minister noted that this does not have to be an elaborate business plan but detailed enough to highlight the main tenants of such a plan. In fact, over the past few months, government teams having been visiting communities across the country to engage citizens on how they can tap into the bank’s financing opportunities as well as benefit from the business support services that comes with it. With an initial capital of US$100 million (G$20 billion) injected into this bank, the government had stated it is targeting vulnerable groups such

as women and young people. However, it was recently noted that plans are being mulled to expand to at least US$200 million, recognising that the bank will help unlock entrepreneurial potential, particularly among young people and community-based enterprises that have traditionally struggled to access credit.

Accepting applications

Minister Singh told this publication on Wednesday that the Development Bank would start accepting applications as soon operations commence on October 5, with plans to process these as fast as possible. “The objective is efficiency. So, the objective is that as soon as the bank starts operation on [October 5]…that they'll be able to accept applications and process those in the shortest possible time. The objective is to make this as simple and free of bureaucracy as we possibly can make it. You're still going to have to meet some requirements and submit some documentation, but our aim is to make this as simple and as accessible as we possibly can,” Dr Singh asserted. Meanwhile, the finance minister indicated that work is already un-

derway to commence operation in terms of setting up the bank and identifying the necessary personnel including a Board of Directors with members suitably qualified across the fields of finance, economics, banking and law, with the latitude to execute broad management functions. Back in July, Dr Singh successfully piloted the Guyana Development Bank Bill in the National Assembly. The Bank is expected to transform the financing landscape for SMEs and entrepreneurs in Guyana, especially to the benefit of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, offering zero-interest loans of up to $3 million with no collateral required. Mentorship and training services would also be provided to ensure beneficiaries are equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to run successful businesses. Under a co-financing arrangement, borrowers would be able to unlock additional financing of up to $7 million from traditional lending institutions, at favourable interest rates. In fact, the finance minister explained during Wednesday’s interview that they would be setting up help desks within various commer-

cial banks’ branches to facilitate that borrowing expansion. “We're going to be working in collaboration with the commercial banks so the persons can graduate from the Development Bank onto the full financial system and get perhaps a full loan from the established Senior Minister with commercial banks,” he Responsibility for Finance, stated. Dr Ashni Singh Further, the Bank’s operational structure end-2025, while non-perwould facilitate the cre- forming loans plummetation of consortia among ed from 10.8 per cent to beneficiaries, providing 1.3 per cent. Since October 2024, opportunities for scaling, specialisation, and more than 179,000 new bank accounts were risk-sharing. established, with alThe entity’s financial records would be subject most 60,000 opened beto annual examination tween April and August by the Auditor General, 2026 alone, reflecting ongoing and an annual report on Government’s efforts to simplify the operations would have to be prepared and pre- process of setting up acsented to the people and counts. Previous PPP/C National Assembly of Administrations have Guyana. over the years advanced Establishment of the Guyana Development various institutions and Bank is a 2025 Elections initiatives to facilitate fiManifesto promise of nancing and other supthe People’s Progressive port for local businesses, Party/Civic (PPP/C) headlined by the Small Business Bureau, and Administration. This state-back insti- a partnership with IDB tution comes at a time of Invest. Since 2020, the rapidly expanding cred- Ali-led Government has it, robust and improving disbursed grants, disabilcredit quality, and grow- ity loans, guarantees and ing financial inclusivity. other services to the tune Both private sector credit of more than $2.7 biland commercial bank de- lion, while under the latposits more than doubled ter, business financing of between end-2020 and more than US$260 million was secured.

Penalise non-compliant businesses only...

He also urged the authorities to implement stronger measures to ensure that businesses have the required garbage bins available and adhere to the established regulations. “I don't agree with putting a penalty in place for everybody when you have almost 60 per cent of the people who are complying and the next 40 per cent are not in compliance. It doesn’t make sense to penalise those who are in compliance for those non-compliant individuals or businesses. So I think

they should really strongly put out some measures to enforce the regulation to make sure that businesses have their bins available.”

Greater responsibility Singh further urged businesses to dispose of their garbage responsibly rather than dumping it along the roadside or giving it to persons who may take it to vacant properties and dispose of it improperly. “The city has a lot of power when it comes to enforcement, and I think we should enforce. That's my

humble view as a businessperson." The business representative also stressed that businesses must take greater responsibility for managing the waste they generate, including ensuring that adequate garbage receptacles are placed in front of their establishments. He said businesses that generate larger volumes of garbage should provide bigger receptacles to accommodate their daily waste. The representative further called for greater col-

laboration between the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the Government, saying that with all stakeholders playing their part, the city can be kept clean. He noted that the Government is currently investing significant resources into efforts to maintain cleanliness in the city, while urging the M&CC to enforce the relevant regulations and business owners to fulfil their responsibilities. He said such collective efforts could help Guyana

achieve its vision of a clean “Garden City” that residents can be proud of.

Security deposit On Monday, Mayor Mentore proposed that commercial businesses operating in the city be required to develop garbage management plans and provide a security deposit to help address waste-disposal issues associated with their operations. City Council bylaws require businesses to use covered, movable receptacles, which should be metal or

FROM PAGE 7

metal-lined in some areas. In Georgetown, business premises are generally expected to use bins of a designated capacity, historically around 12 cubic feet, though modern wheelie-bin standards are increasingly adopted. Businesses must not dispose of commercial waste in public sidewalk bins or litter bins. It is the responsibility of each business to have a contracted, authorised waste collector or to use approved landfill sites.

NEWS 15

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$9.1B Saudi-funded housing project to deliver over 3800 house lots in Reg 3

orks will soon commence on a $9.1 billion housing project in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), which is expected to deliver over 3800 new residential house lots. The project is being funded under a US$150M loan from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), which was signed in 2023. On Tuesday, Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Dr Martin Pertab, met with contractors who will undertake infrastructural works under the project, which will be done at various locations. According to a statement from the CH&PA, Pertab emphasised the importance of completing the works within the required timelines, noting that Region Three is a critical hub for the government’s housing programme due to the availability of land and increasing demand from prospective homeown-

Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Dr Martin Pertab, meeting with contractors who will undertake work on the Region Three project

ers. “He said approximately $9.1 billion is being invested in Region Three through the project, covering infrastructural development, land preparation and the installation of utilities. More than 3800 new residential lots are expected to be developed, which will assist CH&PA in addressing the region’s nearly 10,000 pending housing applications,” the statement outlined. Pertab noted that while the project has a contractual completion period of ten months, the CH&PA is seeking

to have the works completed within six to seven months to ensure the lots become available for housing construction as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, Director of Projects Omar Narine said the project is part of the wider Region Three development plan, which seeks to improve connectivity and open additional lands for housing, the statement added. Narine further urged contractors to mobilise promptly, coordinate closely and maintain high standards throughout the works. He also reminded contractors that their per-

formance will be considered when future contracts are awarded. Also attending the meeting were HSE Manager Sunil Gopaul, Supervisory Engineer Albert Narine, Project Engineer Kenola Levans, and supervisory consultants PACE-SRKN.

Region Three

Meanwhile, in June this year, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo announced that some 11,000 house lots will be made available to Region Three by the end of next year. He had noted that the

administration remains committed to clearing the housing backlog across the country, except in Region Four, where the volume of applications is too high to be addressed within the same timeframe.

Saudi Fund

In June 2023, the Guyana Government signed the loan agreement with the SFD to finance a number of transformational infrastructural projects in the country, including the four-lane WismarMcKenzie Bridge in Region Ten (Upper

“Nobody needs to join a line”...

“I would like to get to a point where we are paying almost all our pensions directly into their account in [the pensioner’s] interest because it’s far easier and more convenient to do so,” the Finance Minister emphasised. According to the Finance Minister, this shift aligns with the Guyana Government’s push for financial inclusion for every citizen as the country moves to introduce a host of new digital services, including digital payment services, among others. In fact, he outlined plans to digitise the operations of NIS. In addition to paying nearly all pensions directly into bank accounts, effort is being undertaken to ensure that persons can fully interact with the scheme digitally in the future.

“You must be able to apply for a registration digitally. If you’re an employer or self-employed person, you must be able to submit your monthly returns digitally. You must be able to pay your contributions digitally. You must be able to check your NIS contribution records from the convenience of your home or anywhere else digitally. You must be able to submit your claims for your benefits digitally, and you must be able to track your claims digitally,” Dr Singh posited. The Finance Minister noted that these new services are slated to come on stream as early as this year. He pointed out many countries around the world are already doing this, and Guyana is now gearing up to follow suit. Meanwhile, Singh

pointed out that these changes also align with the expectation of the Guyanese public of good quality service being delivered by state agencies. Acknowledging that the scheme interacts mostly with the elderly and persons with medical conditions, the Minister noted it is of even more importance for NIS staff to be sensitive and caring when dealing with these vulnerable members of the public. “This Government has zero tolerance for service that is not citizen-friendly. Even if you can’t solve the problem on the spot. You are to be as helpful and as compassionate as you can. You are not to be rude and obnoxious or unhelpful. You’re not to push people around... Put yourself in the shoes of that pensioner…that benefi-

Demerara-Berbice). At the time of the signing, it was reported that some US$100M was designated for infrastructure development and works for the housing sector. It was also noted that the housing project aims to deliver major value by building main and secondary roads and the establishment of facilities such as water, sewage, and electricity systems, among other benefits. In addition to reducing the current housing shortage, this project will help stimulate the local economy through direct and indirect job opportunities in the housing sector and enhance community lives through social facilities, including parks and health hubs. In a brief interview with this publication on Wednesday, Pertab explained that the balance from the US$100 million loan will be expended on housing developments in Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). FROM PAGE 11

ciary or claimant… that bereaved spouse, claiming survivor benefit,” the Minister declared.

Complaints significantly reduced

Nevertheless, while he recognised that complaints relating to NIS have significantly reduced over recent years, the issues plaguing NIS have not been completely eliminated – a goal which they are working towards. Singh made these remarks on Wednesday at the 57th Anniversary General Assembly of the NIS. During the event, long service awards were handed over to a number of employees. Additionally, bursary awards were also distributed to children of NIS employees who excelled at this year’s CSEC and CAPE examinations.

16 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2020 Election fraud trial

Former GECOM IT Manager testifies to removing server to protect election data

Aneal Giddings

ormer Guyana E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) Information Technology (IT) Manager Aneal Giddings told the court that he removed the election server from the Commission’s Ashmin Building command centre during a March 2020 bomb threat because he believed it was his duty to protect GECOM’s information resources. Giddings made the statement on Wednesday during cross-examination by Attorney Nigel Hughes before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the ongoing trial into allegations of fraud stemming from the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. His explanation came as Hughes pressed him on why he removed the server despite Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers instructing him not to do so. Giddings told the court that, at the time he removed the server, he had interacted with Myers, who was instructing him not to proceed with removing it. He nevertheless went ahead. Explaining his decision, Giddings said, "I removed that server, nevertheless, because I know it is my duty and responsible for the protection and management of the information resources that are the property of the Guyana Elections Commission.” Hughes then chal-

lenged Giddings on the extent of his authority as IT Manager, pointing out that under his employment arrangement he was required to report to his superior and abide by instructions. Giddings acknowledged that he had no statutory position, giving him authority over the election server. Hughes asked whether Giddings’ position as IT manager was superior to that of the Deputy Chief Elections Officer. The witness, who is now the country’s Data Protection Commissioner, replied, “No, it wasn’t.” A significant part of the cross-examination focused on whether there was actually a need to remove the physical server to protect the election data. Giddings testified that GECOM had a system for regularly backing up information on the server and that the system operated on an hourly basis. When Hughes asked whether the server would have been backed up approximately an hour before Giddings removed it, the witness answered, "That would be correct. Yes.” He further agreed that he knew the server had been backed up an hour before he removed it. Giddings also told the court that, after becoming aware of the bomb threat, he had enough time to back up the system. Myers had asked him approximately 10 minutes after the threat was reported whether the election data could be backed up to a flash drive. Giddings said he answered “yes” and that Myers then instructed him to carry out the backup. He subsequently confirmed to Myers that he had backed up the information.

Asked by Hughes whether he informed Myers of the backup before removing the server, Giddings answered, "Yes, I did.” Hughes then established that the flash drive containing the backup was handed to Myers before Giddings removed the server. The Attorney put it to Giddings that, by then, he knew the physical server was not the only record of the election data. The witness agreed. Hughes nevertheless questioned why Giddings took the server despite having a backedup copy and despite Myers’ instructions. The server was subsequently placed in Giddings’ vehicle and taken to the muster point on High Street, where it remained for approximately two and a half hours. Giddings acknowledged that he did not tell Myers where he had placed the server. He also said he did not inform Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield. He did, however, tell his deputy, Khalid

Baksh, that he had removed the server and placed it in his vehicle. When Hughes asked why he had not informed Myers, Giddings initially said he could not recall. Pressed further, he told the court, "I can't recall the reasons for that decision.” Hughes suggested to the witness that his decision not to inform Myers was more serious than simply failing to communicate with her. Giddings maintained that his concern at the time was the protection of the server and the information it contained. The court also heard that no audit was, to Giddings’ knowledge, conducted on the server after it was returned to GECOM to determine whether any data had been altered. Asked whether an audit had been conducted, Giddings replied, "To my knowledge, none.” Giddings also acknowledged that Myers later called him while he was at the muster point and instructed him to return the server to the tabulation centre. Hughes put it directly to him: “You defied her

a second time.” Giddings answered, "Yes." Hughes later summarised his position by telling Giddings that Myers had instructed him not to remove the server, had subsequently instructed him to return it, and had repeated that instruction after he raised questions about whether the building was safe. Giddings ultimately agreed that he understood Myers was concerned about the server being in his possession in his vehicle. Asked whether he got “the very clear and distinct impression” that Myers was concerned about GECOM’s server being in his car, Giddings answered “Yes.” The server evidence follows Giddings’ earlier testimony about discrepancies in the 2020 election figures. Giddings had previously testified that the 2020 national recount resulted in an approximately 19,000-vote decrease in the tally for A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) in Region Four, while

the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) recorded an increase of about 11,000 votes. The trial continues on Thursday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Those on trial include Lowenfield, Myers, former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Minister Volda Lawrence and former APNU/AFC Chief Scrutineer Carol SmithJoseph. The other accused are former GECOM employees Enrique Livan, Sheffern February, Michelle Miller and Denise Bobb-Cummings. The prosecution alleged that the nine accused conspired to manipulate the tabulation of votes in Region Four and ultimately declare a false result in favour of the APNU/AFC. It further alleged that the accused inflated the coalition’s votes, reduced those of the PPP/C and departed from the prescribed process for ascertaining the results.

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

Regional

Former Ms Tennessee USA PAHO provides Latin America, Caribbean with nominated as US Ambassador new access to HIV drugs to 7 Caribbean nations

Chief Commercial & Corporate Affairs Officer at Gilead Sciences, Johanna Mercier; and PAHO Director, Dr Jarbas Barbosa

he Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says it is providing new opportunities for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to access lenacapavir as part of the preventative medicine to curb the spread of HIV throughout the region. PAHO said that the medication will be made available through its Regional Revolving Funds, under an agreement with Gilead Sciences, and that the initiative will make the long-acting HIV prevention medicine available to 14 countries.

Lenacapavir is a long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) administered twice a year. In 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended lenacapavir as an additional HIV prevention option following clinical trials that demonstrated almost 100 per cent efficacy in preventing HIV infection. Its twice-yearly dosing provides an alternative for people who may face challenges with more frequent prevention regimens. Under the new agreement, the 14 countries will be able to procure lenaca-

pavir through PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds, subject to applicable national regulatory and programme processes. The new pathway complements voluntary licensing agreements that already cover 24 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean under a broader global access framework covering 120 countries worldwide. Together, these mechanisms provide complementary routes for countries in the region to access lenacapavir. PAHO said lenacapavir adds to a growing range of HIV prevention options, including daily or event-driven oral PrEP, long-acting cabotegravir and condoms, alongside early diagnosis and timely access to antiretroviral treatment. Providing people with a range of prevention options can help respond to different needs and preferences and support more person-centred approaches to HIV prevention. (Excerpt from Trinidad and Tobago Guardian)

Rights abuses persist in Venezuela despite Maduro's removal, UN experts say

United Nationsmandated probe on Wednesday said that Venezuela's apparatus of repression remains largely intact despite a reduction in some abuses following President Nicolás Maduro's removal from power earlier this year. The US has locked Maduro up to face trial on drug-trafficking charges, but left his Socialist Party Government largely intact, to the disappointment of Venezuela's Opposition, which says it was robbed of a 2024 vote and should be in power.

In a report to the UN Human Rights Council, the independent fact-finding mission said Maduro's capture in January led to a fall in long-term politically motivated detentions and related abuses but did not amount to a fundamental break with years of repression. "The measures of political liberalisation adopted since that date remain partial, conditional and reversible at best," the mission said, adding a departure from the harshest forms of repression may not be a "genu-

ine and sustainable departure". Venezuela's mission to the UN in Geneva did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The report, covering the period from September last year to July, described the US intervention as a breach of international law. Maduro's rule had been widely challenged by the Opposition and numerous Western Governments, including over the disputed 2024 presidential election. (Excerpt from Reuters)

i m b e r l y Greenwood, a former Miss Tennessee USA who spent 18 years working within the Miss Universe organisation, has been nominated by the White House to serve as US Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda and six other Caribbean nations. The nomination, announced Monday, also covers Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. “I was raised to believe that when your country calls you to serve, you show up

Lee and Kimberly Greenwood (Jason Davis/Getty Images)

with gratitude, humility, and your whole heart,” Greenwood wrote on Instagram. “That is exactly what I intend to do.” Greenwood, 59,

is executive director of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA state pageants in Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia. She is married to country singer Lee Greenwood, best known for his patriotic hit “God Bless the USA". He has supported Republican causes for decades and performed at several events for President Donald Trump. The couple met during a USO tour supporting American military personnel. Greenwood’s nomination must be confirmed by the US Senate. (Antigua Observer)

Colombia, Brazil named deadliest countries for environmental activists, report says

olombia has again topped the list of countries with the highest number of killings of land and environmental activists, according to an annual report by campaign group Global Witness. Out of at least 124 activists killed globally in 2025, 39 were murdered in Colombia, followed by Brazil with 26. Most of the killings were part of land disputes, and in many cases were carried out by hitmen or members of organised crime gangs, the report states. Colombia has accounted for the highest number of murders of environmental activists for the past four

years. Almost half of those killed in the country were members of Indigenous groups, while many of the remaining ones were small-scale farmers, Global Witness's report says. Many Indigenous groups in Colombia have created their own protection networks in the form of Indigenous guards, which patrol their territory but are unarmed. Members of Indigenous guards are often targeted by illegal armed groups looking to expand their territory to plant coca – the raw material used to make cocaine – or to engage in illegal mining. Global Witness

warned that Brazil had seen a doubling of killings of environmental defenders in 2025 compared to 2024. As in Colombia, in Brazil most of the cases the group documented were primarily driven by conflict over land, Global Witness's researchers found. Outside of Latin America, 12 per cent of the murders occurred in Asia, with the Philippines at the top of the list with 12 documented murders. The group warned that while globally the number of documented killings had gone down from 146 in 2024 to 128 in 2025, its numbers were probably an underestimate, as many cases went unreported. (Excerpt from

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

War-damaged temporary shelter in Gaza collapses, killing at least 20

Gaza civil defence teams rescue people from a collapsed building

building housing displaced Palestinian families collapsed in Gaza City on Wednesday, killing at least 20 persons, most of them women and children, according to local health officials. The multi-storey structure was heavily damaged during the Israel-Hamas war, and there had been warnings about its safety. The building was housing about six dis-

placed families when it collapsed on Wednesday morning. At least 15 others were injured, and the 20 dead included eight children and six women, according to the Gaza Civil Defence rescue agency. The toll was expected to rise as more bodies were recovered from the debris. Video showed civil defence crews surveying the wreckage and using bulldozers to dig people out, including

children. The building had been partially destroyed in an Israeli strike early in the war between Israel and Hamas. It was not immediately clear what caused the collapse, but in Gaza – where the majority of buildings have been damaged or destroyed – dozens of bombed-out, multi-story structures have collapsed throughout the war, particularly during winter weather. Building collaps-

es have become a major hazard in Gaza. Displaced families have often returned from tent camps to homes damaged by bombardment during the almost three years of war. While the heaviest fighting in Gaza has subsided since a fragile US-brokered ceasefire took hold in October last year, Israel has continued to carry out strikes in the decimated Palestinian territory, including some Monday and Tuesday that killed several people. The violence has continued despite a visit last month by Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and a key Mideast negotiator, who met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an effort to push the ceasefire deal forward. (Excerpt from CBS News)

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil slips as Saudi Arabia offers more crude via Oman

il prices fell on Wednesday after reports that Saudi Arabia was offering additional crude cargoes through Oman eased some concerns about Middle East supply disruptions, while a smallerthan-expected draw in US crude inventories added further downward pressure. Brent crude futures fell US$2.92, or 2.7 per cent, to settle at US$105.83 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate futures fell US$3.40, or 3.2 per cent, to close at US$102.43. Saudi Arabia is offering more loadings of crude oil to Asian refiners via ship-to-ship transfers off Oman's Sohar port, people familiar with the matter said, blunting some of the hit to global supply from attacks on the country's East-West pipeline to the Red Sea. "News around Saudi Arabia exporting from the Gulf suggests concerns that the disruption could be larger are easing," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo. Oil prices had gained more than $3 in the previous session after shipping industry sources said crude loadings at Saudi Arabia's Red Sea export hub of Yanbu had been suspended and Riyadh had cancelled some cargo deliveries to European customers. The suspension followed strikes on the East-West pipeline, which feeds the Saudi port of Yanbu. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Saudis pound Yemen, Houthis fire Discovery of bodies of 8 women fuels at Saudi as Middle anger over femicide in South Africa East war spreads

he discovery of the bodies of eight women around Johannesburg’s international airport, including five in the past week, has prompted an outpouring of fear, grief, and anger over a lack of progress in tackling femicide. When Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo did not return after going for a run on September 9, her eight-year-old daughter alerted relatives, who contacted Police. The 38-year-old’s body was found on Saturday and identified by relatives on Monday. The news of her disappearance had gone viral. Police said in a statement on Saturday that four women’s bodies had been found since July 15 in Kempton Park, across

A protest against femicide in Johannesburg last November

the highway from OR Tambo international airport. All were half-naked and with visible bruising. On Monday and Tuesday, two more bodies were found in the town of Olifantsfontein, about 15 miles north of Kempton Park. On Tuesday, Police said another woman’s body had been found 25

miles to the southeast, naked and decomposed. The acting Police minister, Firoz Cachalia, said on Wednesday that another woman’s body found in Olifantsfontein on September 7 was being added to the investigation. South Africa has one of the highest rates of

femicide in the world. Women were killed at a rate of 12.2 per 100,000 persons in 2022, nearly six times the global rate, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. The latest deaths are being investigated by specialist officers. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

audi warplanes pounded Yemen, and Houthi fighters launched drones and missiles at Saudi cities, the Iran-backed movement said on Wednesday, after a lightning advance that has extended Tehran's reach in the Middle East war. In a sign of the worsening conflict in a new theatre, the United States tightened its travel warning for Saudi Arabia, banning Government employees from travelling within 20 miles of the Yemen border. The Houthis, who since last week have swept through Yemeni towns along the Red Sea coast and seized islands in the Bab el-Mandeb strait at its mouth, released a battlefield vid-

eo overnight of fighters seizing armoured vehicles from Saudi-backed forces. Warplanes flew overhead, and huge explosions billowed into the sky from desert dunes, the video showed. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group had launched fresh drone and missile strikes on the major Saudi Red Sea oil port of Yanbu and at a southern Saudi airbase at Khamis Mushait. He did not say when the strikes had taken place. Both cities were among a wide range of locations where Saudi Arabia announced alerts on Tuesday, although there were no similar announcements on Wednesday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

(March 21-April 19)

PICKLES (April 20-May 20)

Gather information. Whether you research, attend a lecture or sign up for what interests you, it will lead to something that stimulates your mind. Share your thoughts. Take better care of yourself, your relationships and your reputation. Work from home, if possible, and deal with institutions. Pursue any financial help available that can help you with home improvements.

(May 21-June 20)

Go where the action is and experience the excitement of being part of a movement you believe in. Your input will be welcome, and what you take on will help you gain insight into something you want to pursue.

(June 21-July 22)

Spend more time and effort on home and personal care. A routine will help you reach and maintain healthy goals that encourage you to look, live and feel your best. Be honest with yourself.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Life lessons can be the most effective way to redesign how you live and what you do next. Be open to suggestions and eager to try something new. Your attitude will set the stage for a positive alternative.

PEANUTS

Put your plans on hold until you have everything in place. Acting prematurely will cost you as the day unfolds. Pay attention to detail, and get what you want in writing.

CALVIN AND HOBBES (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Learning from past relationships will help you become a better partner and encourage you to make wiser decisions. Spend more time listening and less trying to charm others. Less anger and distaste toward those you encounter and more strength and discipline toward becoming the best version of yourself will pay off. Say no to temptation. Broaden your horizons, connections and goals. Choose what makes you happy and who you enjoy spending time with most, and adjust your calendar to ensure you schedule what's most meaningful to you. No matter who you share time with or what you do, enthusiasm will make the time spent more vibrant, interesting and entertaining. Form close ties with people who bring out the best in you. Think about what you want to do next. Build your future using your skills, experience and intellectual talents, and you'll find your niche. Set up interviews.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Sensitive issues will make communication difficult. Be bold and direct, and fact-check information before you follow through. Participate in events or activities that encourage you to use your skills.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

Bravo, Bishop inducted into Republic Bank CPL Hall of Fame

Fellow commentator Danny Morrison presents Ian Bishop with his award

he Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) confirmed its inaugural Hall of Fame class on Tuesday, September 15, inducting Dwayne Bravo and Ian Bishop at a gala dinner held at the Hilton Barbados. Bravo received the newly cre-

ated Sir Garry Sobers Award as the tournament's first playing inductee, presented by Daniel Sobers on behalf of the Sobers family. The Sir Garry Sobers Award, the centrepiece honour of the CPL Hall of Fame, is named for the West Indies icon widely regarded as the

Dwayne Bravo is presented with that Sir Garry Sobers Award

finest all-rounder the game has produced, with the Sobers family granting CPL permission to attach his name to the trophy. Bravo, one of the most decorated performers in CPL history, retires from playing with 129 wickets to his name and five titles as a player with

Trinbago Knight Riders, adding a sixth as head coach in 2025. Bishop was inducted in the non-playing category, recognising a broadcasting career that has been part of the CPL story since the tournament’s launch in 2013. His commentary has helped bring

the "Biggest Party in Sport" to fans across the Caribbean and around the world, and Tuesday’s honour reflected his standing as one of the game’s most respected voices. Pete Russell, CEO, Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), said,

"Dwayne and Ian represent everything this Hall of Fame was created to celebrate. Their contribution to this competition, on the field and behind the microphone, has helped build CPL into the phenomenon it is today, and it was a privilege to welcome them into this inaugural class.” Tuesday's gala also supported the Sir Clive Lloyd Healthcare Foundation's prostate cancer awareness initiatives, with two new names to be added to the CPL Hall of Fame each year going forward. As Republic Bank CPL continues to grow and expand its footprint across the region, the Hall of Fame stands as a lasting tribute to the players and personalities who have shaped one of the world's premier T20 leagues.

GAW, ABF lock horns in blockbuster...

FROM PAGE 24

"If the wicket does play tough, try to adapt and then put a good score on the board if we do have to bat first; basically, just fight the whole way through and give it our all.” "I know the fanbase that we’ve got is fantastic; they’ll be behind us the whole way, and I guess just going out there and giving it our best," he added about "Warrior Nation".

First-time finalist? On the other hand, ABF have been growing in consistency over their few years as a franchise. Now, making the playoffs for a second consecutive season, the Falcons are looking forward to making their mark.

Captain Moeen Ali told Guyana Times Sport exclusively, “Obviously, very excited for the game against the top side, probably the best side in the whole competition. They’ve been outstanding, and we did really well to beat them at their place. But yeah, I wouldn’t say we’re super confident, but we know it’s a challenge, and we’re going to have to play really well to beat them. So, we’re preparing well and hopefully ready by Thursday.” “I think the fact that we kept trying to take wickets and they were scoring pretty fast, but because we were taking wickets, we managed to stop them from scoring,” Ali said, reflecting on their last encounter in Guyana. “But they kept coming at us,

which is what Guyana does; they’re so dangerous. Obviously, there’s a couple of key wickets that we need to try and get early. We managed to bat well, actually; we had a foundation and finished really well. So, it was a challenge, and it was tough, and we pour a lot into a win, but hopefully we can do it again.” He added about his team’s key players, “Obviously, Shadab has been outstanding for us as an overseas to come and bowl and bat the way he has. We have a lot of leaders in the team; everyone’s really made an impact at some point, which is great for our side. We don’t know big superstar names on our side, but I would say, for me, Joshua James has been unbelievable for us. We’ve got

some very good players who’ve all chipped in and impacted at some point, and that’s what you want from a team.” “Nicko the coach, Kesh, Ambi, and the guys from the back-room staff have been outstanding, and they’ve really driven this culture in the side and made my life a little bit easier for me. I would say it’s all about improving for us. The challenge is now if we go through games and win those two games and lift that trophy for the first time. That would be amazing; that would be unbelievable for us,” Ali shared when quizzed about the possibility of making it into their first final this year. The blockbuster clash between GAW and ABF will bowl off at 20:00h this evening.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

24th Victor Macedo Memorial Road Race pedals off Sunday

Flashback: Jamaul John won the 23rd edition of the Victor Macedo Memorial Cycle Road Race

he Flying Stars Cycle Club will continue one of

Guyana’s long-standing cycling traditions when it stages the

24th Annual Victor Macedo Memorial Cycle Road Race on Sunday,

Promotech renews sponsorship for NTFGL Tournament

Basmattie Haricharan, Financial Controller, Promotech, and Managing Director Amrit Prashad of Genuine Auto Spares & Tools hand over the sponsorship cheque to LGC Secretary Chet Bowling

league, as they continue to demonstrate their corporate social responsibility,” Bowling said. He noted that Genuine Auto Spares and Tools was no stranger to golf, having previously sponsored events at the club and being a company of golf enthusiasts. Bowling added that the company had indicated its intention to continue supporting the league and was looking forward to a competitive and successful tourna-

two groups competing over different distances. Group One riders will continue along the Mahaicony New Road to Belladrum Village, where they will make a U-turn and begin the journey back towards Georgetown. The cyclists in Group Two will turn at Perseverance, commonly known as “The Big Tree”, before heading back to the city. On the return journey, the riders will use the Mahaicony Old

Road and Drill Public Road before reconnecting with the East Coast Public Road. Both groups will finish at Liliendaal, opposite the Liliendaal Hospital. Jamaul John was the winner of the previous edition in 2025. John finished ahead of Robin Persaud, Curtis Dey, Paul DeNobrega and Alexander Leung. The event honours the late Victor Macedo, who was regarded as a stalwart of Guyanese cycling.

Cotton Tree crush Whim in BCB quarter-final

… Genuine Auto Spares and Tools hops aboard romotech has renewed its sponsorship of the National Top Flight Golf League (NTFGL) Tournament Three, while Genuine Auto Spares and Tools has come on board as a new sponsor, strengthening corporate support for the competition at the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC). The announcements were made during a simple presentation ceremony, where LGC Secretary Chet Bowling welcomed the continued support of Promotech and the addition of Genuine Auto Spares and Tools. “Promotech is very happy to renew their sponsorship of the

September 20. The event will begin with a roll-off at 07:00h from Macedo’s residence on Peter Rose Street, Queenstown. The cyclists will travel through Lance Gibbs Street and Irving Street before passing the Kitty Roundabout and moving onto Clive Lloyd Drive, where the competitive section of the race will officially begin. The riders will then head east along the East Coast Public Road, with the field divided into

ment. The renewed partnership with Promotech and the support of Genuine Auto Spares and Tools are expected to contribute to the continued development of the NTFGL, which provides golfers with an opportunity to compete in a structured and engaging competition. The LGC expressed appreciation to both sponsors for their commitment to the sport and their support of the league.

wo of the fastest-growing cricket clubs in Berbice, Cotton Tree and Whim Cricket Club, battled for supremacy in Berbice Cricket Board Anil Lalsa Construction Service 40-over quarter-final. Cotton Tree came out victorious, crushing the visitors by 128 runs at the Cotton Tree Cricket Club ground. The home team was asked to bat first and posted 288-7 in 40 overs. Abdol Subhan led the way with an unbeaten 59, while Nick Ramsaroop scored 55. Roshan Gaffoor and Nashad Gaffoor both made 37 runs, while Daniel Harrynarine chipped in with 34. Bowling for Whim, Toney Sookram claimed 2-48 from his allotted eight overs, being the pick of the bowlers. Whim replied with 160 all out in 28.5 overs, with former Berbice youth player Surrendra Budhu rolling back the clock with a shot-filled 67.

Nick Ramsaroop scored a half-century for Cotton Tree

Bowling for the spirited Cotton Tree team, Tyrone Jairam had 3-8 from four overs. Pooran Persaud and Abdol Subhan had two wickets

each.

Cotton Tree Die Hard are now awaiting their opponents in the semi-final of the tournament.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

Republic Bank CPL…

Jamaica Kingsmen send Barbados Tridents packing en route to Qualifier 2 By Jemima Holmes in Barbados

fter losing to the same opponent twice this season, the J a m a i c a Kingsmen put on their most comprehensive performance w h e n it matt e r e d most in Eliminator One of the 2026 Republic B a n k Caribbean Premier League (CPL), to oust the home side, Barbados Tridents, from the competition. Kingsmen Captain Rovman Powell won the toss and opted to bowl first, his team going on to knock down the Tridents’ top order cheaply and in no time. Though a solid partnership from Quinton de Kock and Captain Chris Green got the hosts to a respectable total, it mattered little as Maaz Sadaqat put on a show.

30-5 in no time

The Kingsmen promised to turn the tides on the Tridents in this faceoff, and they did, reducing the Tridents to 30-5 by the seventh over. Brandon King went first, trying to find the boundary after being cramped by Hassan Khan for the first four balls of the innings. However, Kingsmen Captain Powell, diving to his right in the cover region, made a brilliant catch to dismiss his countryman for a duck.

Kevlon Anderson skipped out to the crease confidently, but his innings too was shortlived, edging Andre Russell’s delivery back to the debutant Romaine Morrison, who fumbled the ball at first but eventually held on to it on the second try. Zachary Carter, who’d been uncharacteristically quiet up un-

til that p o i n t , was also looking for the release shot. Whipping the ball over his h e a d , Morrison did not trouble the nerves this time around, taking a clean catch on the first Maaz Sadaqat slammed a belligerent century

try or Barbados’ third. Saim Ayub’s bowling was roughed up by Quinton de Kock in the following over, presenting the possibility that Barbados had finally found some stability. But Hunain Shah’s introduction into the bowling attack saw the back of the home leg hero, Shadrack Descarte. The LBW was fervently appealed by the

The Jamaica Kingsmen have locked in their spot in Friday’s Qualifier Two

Jamaican side, but umpire Zahid

Bassarath was not convinced. The review eventually showed that the ball would crash into the leg stump, handing Descarte his marching orders. S h e r f a n e Rutherford sent a convincing boundary into the on-side but played the following ball a bit too early, as the ball straightened up on him and crashed into the stumps. The Kingsmen would have rued the missed opportunity to send de Kock back to the dugout. Keemo Paul, who had been a bit on the expensive side, finally served up the wicket-taking delivery to the South African international, but Vitel Lawes, running back from slip, could only get finger tips on it, drop-

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ping de Kock on 33. His partnership with Captain Chris Green flourished, finally giving the fans at Kensington Oval something to cheer about. Keemo’s forgettable night continued, as he misjudged a shot from Green, squandering the opportunity to break the thriving sixth-wicket partnership. The hundred-run partnership between the two eventually came up in the 19th over as both went on to complete half centuries in valiant effort.

Running out on the last ball of the innings, de Kock ended on 71 from 49 balls, having smashed five sixes and two fours. Green, however, remained unbeaten in 57 from 44 deliveries with five fours and one six. The Barbados Tridents may have been proud of their recovery, getting to 144-6 in their 20 overs, but Maaz Sadaqat soon showed that the total may have been inadequate. Sadaqat brought up his half-century in just 22 balls, sending AM

SCOREBOARD Barbados Tridents (20 ovs maximum) Brandon King c Powell b Hassan Khan Zachary Carter c †Morris b Russell Kevlon Anderson c †Morris b Russell Quinton de Kock † run out (McKenzie/†Morris) Shadrack Descarte lbw b Hunain Shah Sherfane Rutherford b Saim Ayub Chris Green (c)not out

0 3 0 71 0 6 57

Extras (b 1, w 6) 7 Total 20 Ov (RR: 7.20) 144/6 Did not bat: Daniel Sams, Gudakesh Motie, AM Ghazanfar, Jakeem Pollard Fall of wickets DRS 1-0 (Brandon King, 0.5 ov), 2-1 (Kevlon Anderson, 1.4 ov), 3-10 (Zachary Carter, 3.5 ov), 4-22 (Shadrack Descarte, 5.1 ov), 5-30 (Sherfane Rutherford, 6.5 ov), 6-144 (Quinton de Kock, 19.6 ov) Bowling Hassan Khan

O-M-R-W 4-1-16-1

Andre Russell Saim Ayub Hunain Shah Keemo Paul Vitel Lawes Rovman Powell

3.5-0-36-2 4-0-28-1 4-0-25-1 3-0-33-0 1-0-4-0 0.1-0-1-0

Jamaica Kingsmen (T: 145 runs from 20 ovs) Maaz Sadaqat c & b Sams 112 Kirk McKenzie not out 22 Saim Ayub not out 3 Extras (b 1, lb 1, w 6) 8 Total 14.1 Ov (RR: 10.23) 145/1 Did not bat: Romaine Morris †, Rovman Powell (c), Keemo Paul, Andre Russell, Hassan Khan, Keacy Carty, Vitel Lawes, Hunain Shah Fall of wickets: DRS 1-138 (Maaz Sadaqat, 13.3 ov) Bowling Daniel Sams Chris Green AM Ghazanfar Gudakesh Motie Jakeem Pollard Kevlon Anderson

O-M-R-W 3-0-26-1 4-0-32-0 3-0-40-0 3-0-31-0 1-0-11-0 0.1-0-3-0

Ghazanfar over deep extra cover for a maximum to bring up the milestone. That over was littered with two more maximums – the intention was clear: the Kingsmen were dead – set of playing Friday’s Qualifier Two. The Kingsmen continued to motor along in the chase when the Tridents saw a flicker of hope in Gudakesh Motie’s second over. Sadaqat holed out too long off where Green was set, but even with a forward dive, the ball dropped just short of the Tridents Captain as Sadaqat received a second life on 77. The Pakistan International made the most of the lifeline, going on to bring up his century in 44 balls. It was just a matter of formalities from that point on. The Kingsmen brought up their 9-wicket victory in 14.1 overs, with Kirk McKenzie remaining unbeaten on 22 from 34. Sadaqat ended with 112 from just 49 deliveries in what was considered a match-winning knock.

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

Limacol WCPL…

GAW Women march into final, handing Tridents back-to-back defeats

went as far as Connel at fine leg. But the umpire would put out the dreaded hand, signalling a no-ball. That overturned decision turned out to be one from the nightmares for the Amazon Warriors as Grimmond went on to concede another four and six for the most expensive one of the innings – 18 runs. The other Grimmond, though, Realeanna, was the one to exact the revenge in the following over, sending in a quick return from deep extra cover, and Matthews, hoping to run two, was found short of her ground at the striker’s end. Matthews finished GAW Women will meet the Trinbago Knight Riders Women with 22 off 14, making way in today’s final for Maddy Green. Green was just what the doctor The Tridents got off to a By Jemima Holmes ordered for the Tridents, slow start, part in parcel to in Barbados hitting three fours and one Qiana Joseph’s three off 12 six in a brisk 30 off 16 balls reduced eight-over deliveries. to get the hosts up to 69-4 It appeared as though contest to determine in their eight overs. the second finalist the innings would make a Shmailia Connell and in the Limacol Women’s turnaround when Hayley Erin Burns ended with one launched Caribbean Premier League Matthews scalp each. (WCPL) as inclement Shenetta Grimmond over The first over of the weather in Bridgetown deep midwicket in her 1st chase was a spotty one forced a late start at the ball, but the maximum for the Amazon Warriors, turned out to be a rarity Kensington Oval. exacerbated by the loss of When the skies finally as the Tridents’ struggles Eboni Brathwaite early for cleared enough, it was the continued and Joseph just two runs. Guyana Amazon Warriors retired out. However, Shemaine Matthews’ eyes lit up as (GAW) Women who won Campbelle picked up where the toss and opted to bowl Grimmond returned for her she left off in the last match first, similarly to their last second over, sending her against the Tridents, upping successful encounter with first ball for a six over long the ante alongside Tazmin on. the Barbados Tridents. Brits to push the Amazon Grimmond almost had In the end, it all paid warriors along quickly. off as the Amazon Warriors her woman two balls later A wicket that could have women completed a tidy as Matthews, knowing that possibly turned the tides for chase to ensure they met she needed to continue the the Tridents went a begging the Trinbago Knight Riders momentum, tried another in the third over, as Afy big shot, but the top edge in today’s final. Fletcher delivered her first. Fletcher, at the non-strikers' end, bobbled a return that would have found Brits Barbados Tridents Women Guyana Amazon Warriors (8 ovs maximum) Women (T: 70 runs from 8 ovs) short of her ground, having Qiana Joseph retired out 3 Eboni Brathwaite c Deol b Hector 2 only contributed 12 runs at Hayley Matthews (c) run out Tazmin Brits not out 35 the time. (RMAU Grimmond/†Campbelle) 22 Shemaine Campbelle † Kiran Navgire st †Campbelle b Burns 0 c †Mangru b Joseph 22 But as fate would have Maddy Green not out 30 Nadine de Klerk b Bates 4 it, the backbone of the Suzie Bates c SS Grimmond Chloe Tryon (c) not out 6 Amazon Warriors’ women's b Connell 9 Pooja Vastrakar not out 2 Extras 6 (w 6) victory in their last match, Total 75/3 7.2 Ov (RR: 10.22) stuck around again, this Extras 3 (nb 2, w 1) Did not bat: Erin Burns, Realeanna time to see them over the Total 69/4 8 Ov (RR: 8.62) Grimmond, Shabnim Ismail, Sheneta Did not bat: Harleen Deol, Shawnisha Grimmond, Chedean Nation, Shamilia line and into the final. Hector, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Connell Brits slammed an Mandy Mangru † Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Eboni Brathwaite, Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Qiana Joseph, 0.3 ov), 2-54 (Shemaine Campbelle, unbeaten 35 off 23 balls, 2.6 ov), 2-16 (Kiran Navgire, 3.1 ov), 4.6 ov), 3-69 (Nadine de Klerk, 7.1 ov) featuring three fours and 3-40 (Hayley Matthews, 5.1 ov), 4-53 two sixes, while Campbelle (Suzie Bates, 6.4 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Shawnisha Hector 1-0- 6-1 pitched in with 22 from 12. Bowling O-M-R-W Hayley Matthews 2-0-21-0 Tensions flared in the Shabnim Ismail 2-0-15-0 Afy Fletcher 2-0-20-0 final over of the chase, with Shamilia Connell 2-0-17-1 Suzie Bates 1.2-0-20-1 Sheneta Grimmond 2-0-26-0 Qiana Joseph 1-0-8-1 the visitors needing just Erin Burns 2-0-11-1 a solitary run. Suzie Bates

SCOREBOARD

Tazmin Brits played a game-winning knock once again

struck, castling Nadine de Klerk for three and raising the Tridents’ hopes for some sort of comeback. But as the Tridents pulled their field within the circle, with a lone fielder off the ropes at deep forward, Amazon Warriors Captain Chloe Tryon sent the ball over the head of that fielder for the game-winning maximum.

Belief buoying the GAW Women Speaking exclusively with Guyana Times Sport following their triumph, Head Coach Shakera Selman spoke of how crucial she thought the toss was. “Obviously, they [conditions] were tough, and I thought it was a very important toss to win. The ball was holding in the surface initially, but we were very focused. And we got lots of belief beating Barbados a few days ago,” Selman told this publication. The Head Coach went on to discuss how they were able to pull off backto-back wins over the Tridents, who they’ve never beaten previously, and the key performances from Campbelle and Brits. Selman revealed, “Belief is a lot of it. Believing in ourselves, believing in the team that we have,

and we thought from the onset that we put together a really good team, a very strong team. Honestly, the local players this season have been the difference. We haven’t been fully dependent on the international players, and then just being able to get international players to perform and then also local players has been what’s worked for us.” She turned her attention to the duo, stating, “Yeah, two professionals. Two players who have lots of international experience, so they know exactly what’s required. Luckily for us, Shemaine came into this competition with a lot of confidence on the back of a really good World Cup, and I think she’s brought all that confidence, all that experience, into this team. Even though she isn’t captain, she’s standing out as a leader.” “And then Tazmin, obviously her first franchise competition, so she wanted to prove a point. It’s really good to see her get scores in the last two games,” the head coach added. Selman later touched on her role as one of the first female head coaches in the WCPL and what she brings to the job. “I think what I’ve been

able to show is that gender doesn’t matter,” she said candidly about the Head Coach position. “Cricket is Cricket at the end of the day, and I have a really strong understanding of cricket; that’s what helped me throughout my career as a player, and it’s helped me as a broadcaster as well. Now I’m able to transfer that knowledge in a more intimate way with the girls. Yeah, I just share my knowledge.” “Funnily enough, not lots of cricket is played here during the local season or anything. So, I think, if anything, I would’ve brought my experience and my knowledge of women’s cricket and a lot of the local cricketers into this game. Of course, you know I’m a broadcaster sometimes, so I know a lot about the women’s game. It’s been really refreshing for me; the respect that I’ve gotten from the girls – they trust me, they trust my knowledge. "I'm just here to facilitate, and I think I’ve done that well,” she further stated. The Limacol WCPL final between GAW Women and the Trinbago Knight Riders Women will bowl off at 14:00h at the same venue today.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

GAW, ABF lock horns in blockbuster clash for final spot Story and Photos by Jemima Holmes in Barbados

ne of the most crucial clashes of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 season will unfold at the Kensington Oval in Barbados today as one team will book direct passage to Sunday’s final. The Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) and the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons (ABF), having met twice already this season, have their records levelled 1-1. GAW struck the first blow, chasing 117 in 9.5 overs after routing the Falcons cheaply at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium in Antigua. However, ABF hit back at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, posting 182 and going on to rout the hosts for 117 for a 65-run win. Now, with all things even, one of the two teams has a chance to make the season record 2-1.

Eyeing the second star

For GAW, coming off a loss hasn’t fazed the tournament’s most con-

for the finger spinners. So, going out there and trying to adjust to what we get on the day, but understanding that it might be a bit more of a fighting semifinal as opposed to where there’s a big high score going up,” the New Zealand inter-

I know that the feelings that we have in the camp is that there’s number two on the board for us, and we’re really excited about it. Just can’t wait for that day to reach to lift that trophy and go back home.” On the other hand,

national added. With a chance to add another star to the GAW badge, both players remain hopeful the Guyanese franchise can pull it off. Joseph candidly expressed, "I must say it’s an emotional week ahead; that’s all I can say. You know, I don’t want to overthink too much but just to take one step at a time. But

Phillips divulged, “I think there’s always pressure when you come to finals time. It’s really just about the team that happens to show up on the day, I guess, play their best cricket, and it does come down to a oneoff situation. So, hopefully, for us, going out there trying to adjust to everything on the fly."

Spirits were high in the GAW camp ahead of Qualifier One

sistent team this season. “Well, I just think that we’ll forget about the past, you know, that game gone already, so there’s nothing to worry about that game. It’s just to come in the future game and just be prepared for whatever happens. This probably might be a new wicket than what we play on the last time, so when you get on that day, it’s just to adjust and to commit to whatever you go out there to do,” GAW’s frontline pacer Shamar Joseph said in an exclusive interview with this publication.

Joseph added, “I just think that we need to stay as a team, remain focused and adjust to conditions.” According to the Baracara native, the Amazon Warriors remain quite confident. “Well, the confidence is really good. You know, the last time we faced these guys, they defeated us, but that doesn’t push us back from achieving what we want as a team, and there’s a lot of confidence around the camp. Putting in the work now as a group,” he shared. Meanwhile, for Glenn Phillips, the explosive

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all-rounder is appreciative of being able to get a feel of the Kensington conditions already. Phillips related to the Guyana Times Sport, “I think winning one and losing one is always a good thing coming into finals. You have an opportunity to see what they do well and try and plan for it. Obviously, you know what you did well, so try and capitalise on those strengths for us.” “And then I think from the Kensington Oval perspective, we did have an opportunity to see to spin from those slower deliveries. If it does come out and do the same thing, obviously, the Antigua bowlers are quite different, few more wrist spinners, they bowl a bit more cross-seam deliveries, and we saw from Imi there wasn’t quite as much turn as there was

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