Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 20-10-2025

Guyana,Canadatodeepentrade tiesbeyondrawcommodities

-PresidentAlisays,urgesshifttowards high-valuegoods,technologyandservices

ByShamarMeusa

PRESIDENTDrIrfaan Alihasreaffirmedthegovernment’scommitmentto strengtheningGuyana’s tradeandinvestmentrelationship.

TheHeadofStatewas atthetimespeakingatthe Canada-GuyanaChamber ofCommerceMapleLeaf Gala,duringwhichheemphasisedtheneedtomove beyondrawmaterialexports andtowardsadiversified, knowledge-driveneconomy.

HestatedthatGuyana’s evolvingeconomyprovides anopportunitytoredefine traditionaltradepatternsand tofosterpartnershipsthat focusoninnovation,technologyandlong-termgrowth.

“Wemustdeepentrade betweenourtwocountries beyondtheexportofraw materials.Wemustmove towardstheexportofvalue-addedgoodsandservices,”hesaid.

Hewentontoaddthat thegovernment’sdevelopmentstrategyisanchored indiversification,ensuring thatthecountry’soilwealth

actsasacatalystforinvestmentinnon-oilsectorslike agriculture,manufacturing, energyandinformationand communicationstechnology.

“Guyanaisopenforbusiness,butnotinthetraditionalsense.Weareopen forbusinessinthemodern sense…inwhichwefocus onvaluecreation,knowledge generation,innovationand technology,”hesaid.

Tothisend,hesaidthat CanadahasbeenalongstandingpartnertoGuyana, supportingkeysectorsincludingmining,financeand education,butaddedthatthe timehasnowcometochart anewcourse.

“Thetimehascomefor ustocreatenewpathways forcollaboration,pathways thatareguidedbyinnovation,technologyandvalue addition.”

AccordingtothePresident,thecountry’srapidinfrastructuretransformation, majorenergyprojects,and investmentsineducationare allpartofthegovernment’s effortstoestablishthefoundationforamodern,diversifiedeconomythatisglobally

competitive.

“Weareinvestingheavily inourinfrastructure,ourhumancapital,ourdigitalsystemsandourenergymatrix. AllofthisistomakeGuyana thehubfortradeandservices inthispartoftheworld,”he said.

Againstthisbackdrop, hepointedoutthatGuyana’s geographicpositiongives thecountryauniqueadvantagewithintheCaribbean, ashesaidthatthegoalis tomakeGuyanathebridge betweentheCaribbeanand LatinAmericaandabridge betweenthenorthandthe south

This,hesaid,placesthe countryinastrategicpositiontoserveasaconduit fortradeandinvestmentbetweenmarkets,withgrowing opportunitiesforcollaborationinlogistics,agriculture, tourism,andservices.

TheHeadofStatesaid thatwhiletheoilandgas sectorcontinuestodrive growth,thegovernment’s long-termobjectiveisto ensurethatrevenuesare channeledintoproductive investmentsthatstrengthen therealeconomy.

“Wearenotonlybuilding aneconomy;wearebuilding asocietythatisinclusive, resilientandfuture-ready. Canadaisanimportantpartnerinthatjourney.”

DrAliwentontonote thattheprivatesectorplays acrucialroleinthistransformationandurgedCanadian investorstoexploreopportunitiesbeyondtheextractive industries.

“Wewanttoseemore Canadianbusinessesinmanufacturing,ICT,education, healthcareandrenewable energy,”hesaid.

PresidentAliaddedthat asGuyanaexpandsitsglobalpartnerships,itremains committedtomaintaining arules-basedtradesystem, transparency,andcontinuous dialoguewithinvestorsand developmentpartners.

Hestressedtheimportanceofongoingcollaborationwiththediaspora andinternationalchambers, suchastheCanada-Guyana ChamberofCommerce,to ensurethatbusinesspartnershipsevolveinlinewith thecountry’sdevelopment vision.

“Thisisthemomentfor ustoreimagineourpartnership,onethatmovesus beyondthetraditionaland intothetransformational.”

DiwaliMessages

Diwaliisacelebrationofhope,renewal,inclusiveness

PPP:ThePeople’sProgressiveParty (PPP)extendswarmgreetingsandbest wishestoallGuyanese,particularly ourHindubrothersandsisters,onthe joyousoccasionofDiwali.

Diwaliisatimethatremindsus oftheenduringtriumphoflightover darkness,goodoverevil,andknowledgeoverignorance.Itisacelebration ofhope,renewal,andtheunwavering beliefthatrighteousnessandtruthwill alwaysprevail.

Asdiyasilluminatehomesand communitiesacrossourcountry,may theyalsolightthepathtowardunity, peace,andunderstandingamongall

Guyanese.ThevaluesthatDiwalirepresents--love,compassion,humility, andservicetoothers---aredeeply wovenintothefabricofournational identityandcontinuetoguideourcollectivejourneytowardprogress.

ThePPPreiteratesitscommitment tobuildinganinclusiveandprosperous

Guyana,wherethelightofopportunity shinesforeverycitizen,regardlessof race,religion,orbackground.

MaythisDiwaliinspirerenewed purposeinourheartsandblessevery homewithhappiness,harmony,and success.

ShubhDiwalitoall!

Diwaliholds‘deep’spiritualsignificance

GTUC:TheGuyana TradesUnionCongress (GTUC)extendswarmest Diwaligreetingstoall Guyanese,andinparticular,toourHindubrothers andsistersforwhomthis sacredfestivalholdsdeep spiritualsignificance. Diwali,theFestivalof Lights,symbolisesthetriumphoflightoverdark-

ness,goodoverevil,and knowledgeoverignorance. Itisatimeforreflection, renewal,andreaffirmation ofoursharedvalues—jus-

tice,unity,compassion, andhope.

Asfamiliesacrossour countrylightdiyasand gatherincelebration,the

GTUCurgesallcitizensto embracethedeepermeaningofthisseason:thatrighteousnessandequitymust alwaysprevail.

ThisDiwali,letusrecommittobuildingaGuyanawherejusticelights thewayforall. HappyDiwali!

VICEPresidentDr. BharratJagdeosays thegovernmentisimplementingaseriesof energyinitiativeswhich areaimedatimproving powerdistributionand boostingrenewableenergyinremoteregions.

Duringarecentpress conferenceatFreedom House,RobbStreet,Dr Jagdeonotedthatthecabinethasalreadyapproved thecreationofaloop systemdesignedtoenhancetheefficiencyand reliabilityofthenational powergrid.

“Thebigtransmission mainprojecttoBerbice, that'sbeingworkedon aggressively.Yourecall weawardedacontractfor over30megawattsofsolarpowerinregionstwo, sixandten.Thosearefar advanced.Weintendto expandtheprovisionof powerintheAmerindian communitiesintheseareas,”theVicePresident said.

Thegovernmenthas

madeextensiveeffortsto improveelectricityaccess inthecountry'shinterland regionsthroughinitiativesliketheHinterland ElectrificationCompany Inc.(HECI)andtheexpansionofsolarenergy. Keydevelopmentsincludetheinstallationof solarfarmsintownslike MabarumaandMahdia, thecommitmentto24hourelectricityforevery village,alongwithother initiatives.

ItwasreportedinJuly thatmorethan37,000 householdsinAmerindian,riverine,andremote communitiesarenow enjoyingaccesstoelectricityforthefirsttime.

ThisisduetotheSolarPhotovoltaicHome EnergySystems(SHE) project,whichwasrelaunchedbythePeople’s ProgressiveParty/Civic (PPP/C)inJuly2023. Althoughthetargetwas tobenefit30,000households,ithasexceeded thatnumberbyover

7,000.

Thevillagestargetedforthegovernment’s solardistributionproject werelocatedinareasaccessibleonlybyboat, whereresidentsencountersignificantchallenges transportingdieselorfuel fortheirgenerators.

Inaddition,thecost ofdieselinoff-gridvillagescanbeuptothree timesthepriceofdiesel inGeorgetown,makingit difficultforfamiliestoafford.Solarpanelsproved

tobeaclean,renewable andcost-effectivesolution.

TheGovernmentof Guyana,throughthe HECI,continuestomake significantstridesinexpandingstableandreliableelectricityaccessto remotecommunities.UndertheHinterlandElectrificationProgramme, freeandrenewableenergyisbeingintroducedto villagesacrossthecountry,enhancingtheliving conditionsofthousands

lips,whohasoversight oftheenergysector,reaffirmedthegovernment’s commitmenttoaddressingenergydisparities, emphasisingthatelectricityisakeydriverof nationaldevelopment.As aresult,severalAmerindianvillages,including AnnaiandKarasabaiin RegionNine,havealreadybegunreapingthe benefitsofthesetransformativeefforts,ensuring long-termsustainability andimprovedqualityof life.

ofresidents.

ChiefExecutiveOfficerofHECI,Horace Williams,inMarchof thisyear,outlinedthe company’splanstoaccommodatelargerenergy systems,withaprimary focusonbridgingthe electricitygapbetween thecoastandhinterland regions.

“Plansaretoimprove accessforsomehouseholdsreceivingelectricityfromsolarsystems thatarecurrentlylimited toprimarylightingand smallappliances.Householdswanttogettothe stagewheretheycanuse largeappliancesintheir homes,”Williamsstated.

PrimeMinister,Brigadier(Ret’d)MarkPhil-

Withavisiontoprovideequalopportunities forallGuyanese,thegovernmentaimstotarget 30,000householdswithin thehinterlandregion, ensuringaccesstosafe andrenewableenergy. Uponcompletion,the HinterlandElectrification Programmeisexpected togenerateatotalof4.8 megawattsofelectricity, significantlyimproving thestandardoflivingfor thousandsofresidents.

Thisinitiativerepresentsanotherstepin thegovernment’scontinuedeffortstoreduce disparitiesbetween coastalandhinterland communities,fostering greaterinclusionand developmentforall.

–saysmoralleadership,integrityvitaltonationaltransformation

PRIMEMinister,Brigadier (Ret’d),theHonourableMark PhillipsassertedthatGuyana’s continuedtransformation mustbeanchoredinmoral leadership,integrity,andthe fullparticipationofwomenin nationaldevelopment.

Deliveringthekeynoteaddressattheinaugural'Mantle ofDeborah'Builders’Summit, hostedattheMarriottHotelin Georgetown,PrimeMinister Phillipsstatedthattrueleadershipismeasurednotbypower orposition,butbypurpose, conviction,andservicetoothers.

Hedescribedthelaunchof theGuyanachapterasameaningfulstepforward,whichfostersmoralrenewal,inclusion, andstrengthenedleadership rootedinvaluesandservice.

ThePrimeMinisterunderscoredthegovernment’scommitmenttoempoweringwomen throughpoliciesandprograms thatpromoteequality,opportunity,andjustice.

Hepointedtowomenservinginseniorgovernmentand parliamentaryroles,notingthat womennowleadkeyminis-

tries,includingHomeAffairs, ParliamentaryAffairsandGovernance,Education,LocalGovernmentandRegionalDevelopment,HumanServices,Tourism, IndustryandCommerce,and HousingandWater.Womenalso serveasPermanentSecretaries, CEOsofagencies,Membersof Parliament,andseniorofficers withintheSecurityandDefence ForcesandParliament.

“Guyanarecognisesthat developmentcannotbesustainedunlesswomenaregiven thespacetolead,thetoolsto prosper,andtherespectthey deserve.Fordecades,women havebeenthequietyetpowerful forcebehindprogressinthis country.Theyhavebeenour teachers,nurses,farmers,andthe guardiansofourfamilies.Today, weareensuringthatthisquiet strengthismatchedbyvisible opportunity.”

HehighlightedtheWomen’sInnovationandInvestment Network(WIIN),throughwhich morethan11,000womenhave beentrainedinentrepreneurship, leadership,andvocationalskills. Manyofthesewomennowown

smallbusinessesandleadcommunityprojects.

Healsonotedtheexpansion ofdayandnightcarecentres, theHomesteadProgrammefor singlemothers,andtheFamilyViolenceAct2024,which strengthenedprotectionand justicemechanismsforwomen facingabuse.

Reflectingonthebiblical storyofDeborah,PrimeMinisterPhillipssaidherexampleof courage,wisdom,andservice remainsrelevanttomodern leadership.

“ThestoryofDeborah speakstoleadershipbornof service—shewasawomanwho listenedbeforesheled,who guidedherpeoplethroughfaith andreason.TheMantleofDeborahremindsusthatleadership isamoraldutyasmuchasit isanadministrativeone.This movementprovidesaspacefor reflectionandrealignment,allowingleaderstoregainbalance inaworldthatoftendemands morethanitgivesback.”

HenotedthatsuchfaithbasedmovementssupportGuyana’snationalpursuitofethical

governance,transparency,and compassion.Moralstrength,he added,isessentialtoeffective leadershipandnationaltransformation.

ThePrimeMinisteralso emphasisedthegovernment’s investmentineducationand youthdevelopment,particularly forgirlsandyoungwomen.

Hereferencedthetuition-freetertiaryeducationpolicyattheUniversityofGuyana andthroughtheGuyanaOnline AcademyofLearning(GOAL), whichhasprovidedscholarships toover39,000Guyanese,more than40percentofwhomare women.

“Whenweinvestinthegirl child,westrengthenourfuture. Whenagirliseducated,afamilythrives.Whenagirlfeels valued,acommunitybecomes stronger.Asocietycannotclaim progresswhilehalfofitspeople areheldback.Genderequality isbothamoralandpractical necessity.Whenwomenrise, familiesstabilise,communities prosper,andeconomiesgrow.”

PrimeMinisterPhillips urgedeverycitizen,institution,

PrimeMinister,Brigadier(Ret’d)MarkPhillips deliveringremarksatthe‘MantleofDeborah’ Builders’Summit

andcommunitytoplayarolein advancingwomen’sempowermentandmoralrenewalacross Guyana.

“Theworkofempowermentdoesnotbelongsolely toGovernment;itbelongsto everycitizen,beginningin families,schools,churches, andworkplaces.Wemustraise oursonstorespectwomenas equalsandteachourdaughters tovaluetheirworth.Aswe celebratethislaunch,Icallon allinstitutions,religious,corporate,andcivic,tocollaborate increatingaGuyanawhere womencanlivefreefromfear, wheretheirvoicesareheard, andwheretheirpotentialis

DiwaliMessages

GAWUextendswarmestgreetingsontheoccasionofDiwali2025

GAWU:TheGuyanaAgriculturalandGeneralWorkers Union(GAWU)extendsheartfeltgreetingsandbestwishes toallGuyanese,particularlyto ourHindubrothersandsisters, onthejoyousandauspicious occasionofDiwali2025.

Diwali,theFestivalof Lights,hasprofoundspiritual andculturalsignificance.Itsymbolisesthetriumphoflightover darkness,goodoverevil,and knowledgeoverignorance.The

illuminationofthediyasandthe brilliancethatfillshomes,streets, andcommunitiesacrossGuyana serveasenduringremindersof thevictoryofrighteousnessand thepowerofhopeandrenewal.

Asweobservethissacred occasion,weareremindedof Diwali’suniversalmessagethat transcendsreligionandculture.It speakstotheessenceofhumanity:peace,love,compassion,and unity.Thesevaluescontinueto inspireandstrengthenournation

AMessageofLightandHope

HumanitarianMissionGuyanaInc.:Asthegoldenglow ofDiya’sbeginstoilluminate windowsillsandthespiritof joyfillstheair,Humanitarian MissionGuyanaInc.(HMGI) joinsthenationincelebrating thesacredfestivalofDiwali.

Weextendourdeepestand mostheartfeltgreetingstothe GovernmentofGuyana,every family,everycommunity,and everyindividualacrossour beautifulGuyanaandtheglobal Guyanesediaspora.Maythis sacredtimebringyouanabundanceofpeace,prosperity,and innerhappiness. Diwali,thereveredFestival ofLights,isfarmorethana celebration;itisaprofound spiritualreminder.Itsymbolizestheeternalvictoryoflight

overdarkness,knowledgeover ignorance,andhopeoverdespair.Theimageofasingle, smallDiyacourageouslypushingbacktheshadowsinadark roomisapowerfulmetaphor thatresonatesdeeplywithour workatHMGI.Itteachesus thatnoactofkindnessistoo small,andnoefforttoeducate andempoweriseverwasted.

AtHumanitarianMission GuyanaInc.,wehavededicated ourselvestobeingasteadyand enduringlightinourcommunities.Wefirmlybelievethat thetwobrightestandmost sustainableformsoflightare educationandcompassion.

Ourlifeskillsandvocationaltrainingprogrammesare carefullydesignedtodomore thanjustimpartknowledge:

aswestrivetoovercomechallengesandbuildabrighterfuture.

Diwaliisamongthereligiousobservancesthatreflectthe beautifultapestryofourcountry. InGuyana,ourdiversityremains oneofourgreateststrengths. ThecelebrationofDiwalibyall, regardlessoffaith,underscores thespiritoftogethernessthathas becomeadefiningfeatureofour society.Itisatimewhenhomes andheartsareopened,friendshipsrenewed,andourcollective

theyarecraftedtoignitea flameofself-belief.Weseeit inthehandsofawomanlearninganewtrade,inthefocused eyesofayouthmasteringa digitalskill,andinthedignified postureofaparentwhocan nowprovidefortheirfamily. ThisisthetruelightofDiwali manifestinhumanpotential—a lightthatdoesnotflicker,but growsbrighterwitheachlife transformed.

Thisseasonofreflection wouldbeincompletewithoutexpressingourprofound gratitude.Wecelebratethe luminouscontributionsofour incredibledonors,whosegenerosityfuelsourmission;our dedicatedvolunteers,whose selflessserviceisabeaconof hope;ourpassionateteachers, whopatientlykindlethespark oflearning;andourresilient

bondsasapeoplearereinforced.

Muchliketheradiantlights illuminatingthenightskyduring Diwali,Guyana’sflamecontinuestoendureandburnbrightly. Throughperseverance,solidarity,andhardwork,ourpeople havemadesignificantstridesin advancingournation’ssocial andeconomicdevelopment.As wemoveforward,letthelights ofDiwaliinspireustoremain steadfastinourpursuitofjustice,

students,whosejourneysof transformationinspireusdaily. Everystoryofsuccessthat emergesfromourcentresisa collectivevictory,atestament towhatwecanachievewhen wecometogetherasacommunity,unitedbyacommon purpose.

Aswegatherwithourown familiestoexchangesweets andlightourDiya’s,letus alsorememberthedeepercall ofDiwali:tolookbeyondour ownhomesandshineourlight forothers.Letthisfestivalbe acatalystforustoextenda handoffriendshiptothelonely, shareourblessingswiththe hungry,andofferawordof encouragementtothosewho havelosttheirway.

Letusconsciouslyseekto bethelightthatguidessomeoneelsethroughtheirdarkness.

equality,andprogress—values thathavelongguidedtheGuyaneseworkingclassandour union’smission.

TheGAWUencouragesall toembracethespiritofDiwali —toletitslightshinewithin ourhomes,communities,and hearts.Indoingso,wereaffirm oursharedcommitmenttopeace, harmony,andmutualrespect, ensuringthattheradianceofthis festivalcontinuestobrightenour

JustasthecountlessDiya’s acrossourlandscapeuniteto createabreathtakingtapestryof brilliance,sotoodoesourcollectiveeffortcreateastronger, moreresilientGuyana.HMGI remainsunwaveringinitscommitmenttothisvision.Weare notmerelybuildingindividualskills;wearecultivating community-wideconfidence, compassion,andconnection. Wearestrengtheningthevery foundationsofoursociety, oneempoweredindividualat atime.

Maythedivineradiance ofthisholyfestivalblessyour homeswithunwaveringpeace andenduringjoy.Mayeach flickeringflameserveasa gentlereminderthatthrough dedicatedservice,empowering education,andheartfeltunity, wepossessthepowertobright-

realised.”

Healsocongratulatedthe 'MantleofDeborah'onhostingtheBuilders’Summitin Guyana,notingthatitprovides anopportunitytostrengthen nationaldialogueonwomen’s leadership,ethics,anddevelopment.

PrimeMinisterPhillips wasjoinedbyhiswife,Mrs MignonBowen-Phillips;MinisterofEducation,theHonourableSoniaParag;MinisterofLabourandManpower,theHonourableKeoma Griffith;andMinisterwithin theMinistryofHousingand Water,theHonourableVanessaBenn.(OPM)

nationallife.

Onthisspecialoccasion,the GuyanaAgriculturalandGeneral WorkersUniononceagainextendswarmestgreetingsandbest wishestoallGuyanese,especiallytheHinducommunity.Maythe lightsofDiwalibringrenewed joy,prosperity,andunitytoevery householdandcontinuetoguide ournationtowardafuturefilled withpromiseandhope. HappyDiwalitoAll! Letthelightcontinueto shinebrightlyacrossourbelovedGuyana.

ennotonlyourownlivesbut theworldaroundus.

FromtheentireHMGI family—ourstaff,board,volunteers,andbeneficiaries—we wishyouandyourlovedonesa deeplyjoyful,prosperous,and spirituallyenrichedDiwali. Maythissacredseasoninspire usalltobecomerelentless bearersofthelight,spreading hopewhereveritisneeded most.

AswecelebrateDiwali 2025,letusbealightinthe livesofothers—spreading kindness,hope,andcompassion.Maythisseasonremind usofthetruemeaningofthe festival:thetriumphoflight overdarkness,goodover evil,andknowledgeover ignorance.Together,letus illuminatetheworldwithlove andpositivity.

ASGuyanajoinstherest oftheworldincelebratingtheFestivalofLights today,itisworthpausing toreflectonthedeeper meaningofDiwalibeyondtheshimmeringdiyasandthespectacular displaysoflight.

Diwali,orDeepavali, isnotmerelyafestival,it isaspiritualreminder,a moralcompassandacall tohumanitytoconfront darkness,bothwithinand aroundus.

Thissacredcelebration,

observedonthedarkest nightoftheyear,brings withitatimelessmessage: thetriumphofgoodover evil,lightoverdarkness andknowledgeoverignorance.

Theflameofeachdiya representsmorethanbeauty;itsymbolisesthelight ofwisdom,compassion andtruththatmustguide ouractionsandilluminatethedimcornersofour mindsandhearts. Toooften,theessence ofDiwaliislostinthe

Diwalialightforthenation’ssoul HappyDiwalicelebrationstoall

DearEditor, ONMonday,October 20,2025,Guyanesefrom allwalksoflife,includingChristians,Muslims andOrthodoxreligions, willjoinwiththeirHindubrothersandsistersto celebrateDiwali,orDeepavali,tosymboliseunity andtoshowthatgoodwill alwaystriumphoverevil, notonlyexternallybutin one’sheartandmind.

Itisanationalholiday inGuyana,andiscelebratedbyHindusperforminga mélangeoftraditionalactivities,withpersonsfrom acrossthereligiousandculturalspectrumparticipating inthefestival.Theevent featuresfireworks,floats, worshipping,fastingandthe lightingofdiyas.

ThousandsofGuyanese willthrongthestreetsin Georgetownandothercities

andvillagesinthecountryto watchfloatsandmotorcades withablendofcolourfuland captivatingreligiousdepictions,apsychedelicarrayof lightsandmusicrepresenting thevariousmandirsacross thecountry.

Deepavaliisoneofthe mostimportantandcelebratedHindufestivalsinGuyana. Itisthefestivaloflights—an ancientHindugalathatis celebratedintheautumnof everyyear.Itiscelebratedby Hindus,Sikhs,andJainsin Indiaandelsewhere.About (0.4%)ofIndia's1.4billion populationidentifiesasJains, makingthemthesmallestof thecountry’ssixmajorreligiousgroupsafterHinduism, Islam,Christianity,Sikhism andBuddhism.

glitzofitscelebration. Thesweets,musicand gatheringsarejoyous;yes, buttheyaresecondaryto thefestival’struesignificance.Diwaliisnotonly aboutwhatisseen;itis aboutwhatisfelt.Itisan invitationtocleanseour mindsofselfishness,greed andenvyandtocultivate kindness,generosityand humility.

InHinduphilosophy, Diwaliisaprocessofboth physicalandspiritualrenewal.Inthedayslead-

inguptoit:homesare scrubbedclean,symbolisingthepurificationofthe bodyandenvironment. Thefastsandprayersof NavratriandDussehrathat precedeDiwaliprepare devoteesforintrospection,sacrifice,andspiritual awakening.Thisisatime toreflect,givethanksand renewone’scommitment torighteousnessandempathy.

Thisyear’scelebrations takeonrenewedsignificance.Thereturnofmotor-

cades,concertsandopendoorhospitalitymarksnot justaculturalrevival,but therekindlingofcommunityspirit,anembodimentof President,Dr.IrfaanAli’s OneGuyanavision.From governmentministriesto privatehomes,theglowof diyaswilllightpathwaysof unityandbelonging.

Yet,beyondthefestivities,Diwali’smessageurgesustomakethetriumph oflightadailypursuit. Everyactofhonesty,every gestureofcompassionand

everyefforttoupliftanotherhumanbeingisadiya litinthedarknessofour times.Therealvictoryof Diwaliliesnotinasingle nightofillumination,but inourcontinuedeffortto replaceviceswithvirtues, everyday,ineveryheart andacrosseverycommunity.

LetthisDiwalinotend withthelastsparkofa diya.Letitcontinueasa movementoflightinour homes,ournation,and oursouls.

dayfestivaloflights,celebratedbymorethantwobillionpeoplearoundtheworld, particularlyincountries, includingGuyana,withsignificantpopulationsofHindus,JainsandSikhs.Thefull storybehindDeepavaliisin theHinduholybookcalled “theRamayana,”whichis frequentlyreadaloudatthe festival.

nessaremorepowerfulthan darknessandevil,knowledge morethanignorance,and hopeoverdespair.When lightentersone’slife,itisas ifdarknesshadneverexisted.

Themainthemeofthe festivalisthetriumphof lightoverdarknessandgood overevil.Diwaliisafive-

Thefestivalcoincides withtheHinduNewYear, andistraditionallycelebratedonthe15thoftheHindu monthofKartika,which isinlateOctobertoearly NovemberontheGregorian calendar.Onthisday,Hindus wouldprayandfastforspiritualandphysicalblessings. Thespiritualsignificance marksthedifferenthistorical events,storiesormythsand remindsallHindusthatthe celebrationsymbolisesthe victorythatlightandgood-

TheoriginsoftheDiwali festivaldatebacktothebirth ofMotherLakshmifromthe cosmicoceanofmilkthat waschurnedbythegodsand demons.Onthethirdday ofthecelebration,Mother Lakshmi,thegoddessof wealthandprosperity,marriedLordVishnuandisinvitedintothehomesofHindus forthelightingofdiyas.

Diwaliisoneofthemost popularstoriestoldaboutthe legend,LordRamaandhis wifeSitawhodefeatedthe demonkingRavannainthe 15thcenturyBCandreturned fromexiletotheirkingdom innorthernIndiainthecity ofMadurabythenewmoon. Thereligioussignifi-

canceofDiwalivariesregionallywithinIndia,based onHinduphilosophy,regionalmyths,legends,and beliefs.TheYoga,Vedanta, andSamkhyaschoolsof philosophysharethebelief thatbeyondthephysical bodyandmindistheAtman, whichispure,infinite,eternalandcompassionate.Inthe Jainreligion,Diwalimarks thespiritualawakeningof LordMahavira.InSikhism, itisthegatheringofSikhsto receivetheirGuru’sblessings andthefreeingoftheir8th Gurufromprison. Thefestivalbringsfamiliesandfriendstogether,and isobservedbysharingthe traditionalIndiansweets, giftsandgreetingcardsto highlighttheimportanceof sharinggoodthingswithothersinordertoexpressgood willtowardsthem;wearing ofnewclothestosymbolize

ahealthysoulinsideofa healthybody;cleaningof housesandtheinstallationof brightlightsbothinsideand outsidesothatthespiritual goddess,MotherLakshmi couldenter;prayingand fastingasafamily,avoidingalcoholandattending servicesatHindutemples. Diwalirefreshesthehuman spiritandmindandcreates theatmosphereforahappy, prosperousandinspiringlife. Itrestoresreverence,removesthefeelingsofhopelessness,inspiresoptimism, andreinforcesthebelief thatlightandgoodness willalwaystriumphover evilanddarkness.This traditionalbeliefhasbeen passeddownfromgenerationtogeneration.Happy DiwalitoallmyHindu BrothersandSisters.

Sincerely, Dr.AsquithRose

Blackpuddingand politicswiththePNC’s GeneralSecretary

SATURDAYmorning, whileIwasbuyingblack puddingatGiftlandMall (IthinkDavidHindsshould knowitisaUkrainian, Whitewomanwhomakes thepudding;hopehepatronisesthelady),theGeneral-SecretaryofthePNC, SherwinBenjamin,stopped tochat.Iaskedhimtopay forthepudding,heagreed, tookouthismoney,butI toldhimIwasjoking.

IhaveknownSherwin longbeforeheeverdreamt ofbecomingapartyleader inoneofGuyana’stwomost enduringpoliticalparties. Wewereinvolvedinafew humanrightscases.Heisan attorney-at-law.Sherwinisa friendandapersonIconsider adecenthuman.Afriendly,non-antagonisticperson, Sherwin,Icansafelysay,is oneofourbetterpoliticians.

Thereissomething uniqueaboutSherwinas apolitician.Idon’tthink politiciansshouldhavesuch

aquietwayofspeaking. Politicsandquietspeaking areopposites.ThelasttimeI sawhimwasearlierthisyear atmynephew’sfuneral,so wedidn’tgetachancetotalk abouttheelectioncampaign. WechattedasIwaitedtobe servedmyUkrainianblack puddingandnaturally,the 2025electioncameup.Iwas stunnedatSherwin’stake ontheelectionresults,but Ididn’tletmyexpression show.WhatSherwinenunciatedontheelectionresults doesnotaugurwellforthe futureofthePNC.

IfSherwin’sperspective isheldbyotherPNCleaders (andIbelievetheyalldo), thenthePNCisnotgoing toparliamentafterthe2030 election.Twoadumbrations wereuntenablefromSherwin.First,hethoughtthatthe PNC’sshowinghadnothing todowithAubreyNorton’s leadership.Idisagreed.

ThePNClostalarge amountofseatsbecause

AfricanGuyanesedidnot considerNortonasleadershipmaterial.Thecrucial, deadly,destructivemistakes ofNortonwerecountless anditbeganfromthetimehe becameleader.Someofthe accusationsagainstNortonas PNCleaderwereshocking. Eveniftheywerenottrue, theyweretoodamagingfor Nortontosurvive.

Twoaccusationsandfour typesofbehaviouraltraits hadweakenedNorton’sgrip ontheleadershipposition ofthePNC.Thefirstwas thedeclarationbythethen TreasurerofthePNC,MursalineFaiz,thathesigned bankchequesattherequest ofNorton.Thesecondone wastheannouncementby VanessaKissoonofsexual harassment.

Kissoon’sallegation broughtbackmemoriesof asimilarcastigationagainst anotherPNCleader.Robert Corbinwasaccusedbythe daughterofDr.HugelyHa-

Ragebaitingandhate farmingapolitical odysseyinGuyana

THEleadingsocialmedia companieshave,through theirvariousbuiltAI scripts,stumbledupon agoldmine.Theyfound thatthemessurrounding portraitsofhatereceived greaterattentionthanany othertheme.

Thecompaniesthenarrangedtheirprofitmodel aroundharbingersofhate. TheydevelopedcomplexAI toolsandalgorithmsthatpredictwhatislikelytogenerate rage.So,socialmediaalgorithmsfavourcontentthat keepusersengagedlonger throughprovocativecontent designedsimplytotriggeran emotionalreaction.Forthese companies,greaterengagementtranslatestogreater financialgain.

InJanuary2024,CEOs ofMeta(MarkZuckerberg), TikTok(ShouZiChew), X(LindaYaccarino),Snap (EvanSpiegel),andDiscord(JasonCitron)wereall hauledbeforetheUSSenate toanswerquestionsregardingtheiralgorithm.Mostof themacknowledgedthatthe

companieswereawareofit, andpromisedtotakesteps tomonitorextremeviews andissuecontentwarnings. However,notasingleCEO tookresponsibilityorgavea commitmenttoreordertheir algorithmsaroundmorepositivelifesavingthemes.

Manysocialmediausers areunawarethatthereisa grandschemetotargetthe mostfragileandvulnerable instinctsoftheiremotional well-being.Youclickon Facebookwitheveryintentiontoexpressbirthday sentimentstoagoodfriend, andtopeepatthelatestpicturespostedbyasibling. Twoclickslaterand— boom—you’reshakingyour head,knittingyourbrows orclenchingyourjawata half-baked,all-capshateriddled,politicalrant.Howdid yousommersaultfrom“aww howsweet”to“hecan’tbe serious”inundertenseconds?Socialmediacontent creatorstendtoweaponise yourattentionandcashinon outrage.Itisthereforenot strangethatuserssometimes

nomanofsexualcoercion. Nothingwasprovenagainst Corbin,butthatincidentleft apermanentstain.Nothing wasprovenagainstNorton, butlikeCorbin,thecredibilitydamagewaspermanent.

Fourtypesofbehaviour expressionsleftNortonso badlybruisedthathebecame unelectable.Allfourofthese behaviouralstylesmadeNortonafailedpoliticianwhom PNCconstituenciesfrowned upon.Onewashiscrassness inrefusingtoshakethePresident’shand.

Secondly,hisdisrespect forthetraditionalvaluesof thePNCbyrefusingtoattend thefuneralofthePNC'siconicwoman,AmnaAli.Thirdly, hisautocraticstylevirtually guttedthePNC.Andfourthly, hismonumentalstupidityin embracingtheracistmorbidityofthelunaticfringethat AfricanGuyanesethought weremadpeoplewhowere

doingdamagetothePNC. NigelHughesandthe AFCknewthatNortonhad becomeunelectableandthat iswhytheyurgedaconsensuscandidateinaPNCAFCcoalition,eitherfrom outsidethePNCorifitwas tobefromwithinthePNC, itshouldn’tbeNorton.No oneknowshowmanyseats thecoalitionwouldhave won,butitwouldhavebeen morethanthe12itgotand thatwouldhavebeenatthe expenseofWIN.Tosumup, NortonwasthedecisivefactorinthePNC’smasochistic obliterationinthe2025poll. ThesecondadumbrationofSherwinwasthatthe moneyofWINplayedalarge factorintheelectionresults. Sherwinsaidhepersonally sawinSouthRuimveldt, wherehewasassigned,that WINwasdistributingmoneytopeople.ThoughIdo notagree,WIN’slargessas

afactorforitsshowingin the2025electionhasbeen amplifiedandexaggerated. Infact,thisisaninvention bythePNCtoobfuscatethe unlimiteddisgracethatithas tolivewith.

Twoargumentscanbe usedtoquestiontheefficacy ofWIN’smoneytheory.One isthatWINpickedupvotes inseveralplaceswhereitdid notvisitanddidnotshareout money.Secondly,WINdid notgotoPPPconstituencies andshareoutmoney.

ThePNCneedstoface reality.Africansvotedfor WINbecausetheyrejected Norton’sleadership.

DISCLAIMER:The viewsandopinionsexpressedinthiscolumnare solelythoseoftheauthor anddonotnecessarilyreflecttheofficialpolicyor positionoftheGuyanaNationalNewspapersLimited.

feelcompelledtorespondto provocativecontent.

Thoughwearefacinga self-consumingbeast,the effectsarenotentirelyinescapable.Thereasonwhy someofthesecanbeescaped issimplybecausealgorithms andAItoolsfunctionbased onadecisiontreemodelthat dependsheavilyontrends andpopularaction;inother words,wecanclickawaythe hate.Thesocialmediatools willshowyouinformation withthemesrelatingtothose youchoosetoclickon.

So,theessentialquestionis,howtostepoffthe ragetreadmillbeforeithijacksyourday.Therearetwo waystodothis.Firstthrough contentcreationawareness. Floodthesocialmediaspace withonlypositive,lifesaving informationandevenwhen discussingsensitivetopics, usealternativewordstothe standardloadedhateinviting wordsthatthealgorithm couldeasilyrecogniseand shoottothetop. Thesecondapproachis foruserstofollowonlythose

whogeneratepositivetrustworthycontent,thenclick andcommentonlyifthe commentitselfishate-free.

Further,whenyourecognisepositivecontentthatis freeofhate-riddledwords, likeitandmakeacomment evenifitissimplytoencouragepositivecontent.

Guyanaispartofthis insatiablesocialmediaalgorithmicdiktats.Inthis country,ragebaitingasa tactictogenerateoutrageis increasinglybeingemployed, particularlybypoliticalfigures,toattractfollowersand spreadmisinformation.There arefourbasiccharacteristics:

1.Audiencetargetting contentintendedtoevoke rageusuallytargetsspecific audiencestodriveengagementandprovokeemotional responses.Thisoftende-

liberatelytargetsmarginalisedgroups,whileexploiting vulnerabilitiestogenerate engagement.

2.Inflammatoryattention-grabbingheadlineswith exaggeratedclaimsinan attempttosparkimmediate emotionalreaction.

3.Landminecomments madebyhiredtrollslurkinginthecommentssection throwinginincendiaryremarkstokeeptheconversationheated.

4.Designedtogenerate income.Someofthevilest purveyorsofragebaiting oftensignupwiththesocial mediacompaniestoshare inviewershiprevenuesand/ orappealfordonationsand contributionsbecauselocalmainstreamadvertisers wouldn’tdareassociatetheir brandwiththatkindofnegativerage.

5.Thosewithmorenotoriousinstinctsareperched overseasanddonothavea reallocalexperiencebutsee itfittocommentonlocal politicsandsocialdynamicsoftenmakinglibelous, raciallyincitefulstatements, fearmongeringandoutright bullyingthatquiteoftenviolateourcybercrimestatutes. Thesemessengersofhate oftenclaimimmunityfrom Guyanesejusticeduetoforeignresidency.

DISCLAIMER:The viewsandopinionsexpressedinthiscolumnare solelythoseoftheauthor anddonotnecessarilyreflecttheofficialpolicyor positionoftheGuyanaNationalNewspapersLimited.

ShubhDiwali OneGuyana

DearEditor, HEADofHSSGuyana, RaviDev,aprominentand powerfulproclaimerand protectorofDharmauniversally,proclaimed,“One ofthemostimportantlessonsthatDharma,whichis thereligiousandmorallaw governingindividualconductinHinduism,teaches that,notjustonegroup butacollectiveeffortfrom allGuyaneseisneededto bring‘goodness’insociety sothatGuyanacanreach itsfullpotential.”

Guyanaandtherestof theworldwelcometheadventofafive-dayfestiveseasonoflights,DiwaliorDeepavali,whichcommenced onSaturday.Diwaliitself iscelebratedonthethird daywithallitsbrightness, blissfulness,glamour,glitter, flamboyance,fashion,festivitiesandfeasts.

DeepavaliorDiwaliis knownas“TheFestivalof Lights.”DeepameansLight andValimeansRow.SoDeepavalisignifiesa“Rowof Lights.”Itisoneofthemost prominentfestivals,customs, andtraditions,whichourfore parentsbroughtfromIndia anditistodate,celebrated

withgreatwarmth,joy,and shininggrandeur.

Diwalisignifiesthevictoryoflightoverdarkness, knowledgeoverignorance, goodoverevilandright overwrong.Itisanoccasion ofhighspiritualvalueasit signifies“theopeningofour owntruelightwhichsparkles withinusandsharingthis glowwithothersaswell.”

Whenweigniteacandle oranoil/gheelamp,itisto openlightinthephysical space.Similarly,ontheauspiciousoccasionofDiwali, whenblessedlampsarelit, theyilluminatetheenergetic pathwaytoOpentheLight withinus.

Onthisdayofdelight, theenergiesofLighttake overdarknesstospreadlove, joy,positivity,andenthusiasm.Itisadaythatdevotees payhomageandobeisance toMataLakshmi,thegoddessofpeace,prosperity, andprogress,whileseeking herDarshan(blessings)for materialandspiritualwealth andwisdomandhealthand happiness.

AfterShriRamhaddiscardedmanyevildoerswhile correctingmanywrongs duringhis‘BanBaas’era,he returnedtohishomelandin Ayodhyawherethepeople alsolitdiyastowelcome him.

TheHonourableAG,Mr. AnilNandlallencouraged Guyaneseto“carrythese valuesoflight,goodnessand wisdomintotheirdearlives, underscoringthecontinued relevanceofreligiousfestivalsasguidesforpositive living.”

Beyondthelights,laughter,leisure,food,fun,frolic, fashion,features,gifts,grace, gratitude,rituals,religious rights,reverence,ceremonies,cleaning,andcultural consequences,Diwaliisalso atimetoreflectonlifeand makechangesfortheupcomingyear

1.Giveandforgive.With anairoffreedom,festivity, andfriendlinesseverywhere, thisisamomentousoccasion tohugandembraceafterany lapseduetodifferencesand indifferencesandtoreach

outtotheneedsoftheless fortunate.

2.Riseandshine.Waking upduringtheBrahmamuhurta(at4amor1.5hoursbefore sunrise),isagreatblessing fromthestandpointofhealth, ethicaldiscipline,efficiency inwork,andspiritualadvancement.Yoga,pranayama,meditation,orregular exercisearethetenetsof goodaptitudesandattitudes tocultivate.

3.Uniteandunify.Diwaliisaunifyingevent,atime whenpeoplemingleinjoy andgreetoneanother.When thehearthasconsiderably hardened,onlyacontinuous celebrationofDeepawali canrekindletheurgentneed ofturningawayfromthe ruinouspathofhatred.On thefifthday,BhaiyaDooj,a familybondingisobserved.

4.Prosperandprogress. Onthefirstday,Dhanteras, HindumerchantsinNorth Indiaopentheirnewaccount booksandprayforsuccess andprosperityduringthe comingyear.Peoplebuy newclothesandjewelry fortheirfamily.Homesare cleanedanddecoratedby dayandilluminatedbynight withearthenoillamps.The bestandfinestilluminations canbeseenfromBerbiceto Demeraraandthroughout Essequibo.ThefamousRam MandirinAyodhyaissetto light2.6milliondiyasby 33,000volunteers.

Thisfestivalinstilscharityintheheartsofpeople, whoperformgooddeeds. ThisincludesGoverdhan Pooja,acelebrationby Vaishnavitesonthefourth dayofDiwali.Onthisday, theyfeedthepooronanincrediblescale.

5.Illuminateyourinner self.Hindusbelievethatthe lightoflightsistheonethat steadilyshinesinthechamberoftheheart.

6.FromDarknessunto Light.Ineachlegend,myth, andstoryofDeepawalilies thesignificanceofthevictoryofgoodconqueringevil, truthprevailingoveruntruth, andnesciencebeingreplaced byenlightenment.Thelight

ShubhDiwaliOne...

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empowersustocommitourselvestogooddeedsand bringsusclosertodivinity.

Letuslightaspecial Diyaforallthedeparted soulswehavelostandsay aspecialprayerintheir memory.Letusprayalso

forthewell-beingofall theleadersofthiscountry andtherestoftheworld toalwaysdowhatisbest andrightforthepeople,by exercisingwisdom,careand goodjudgement.

Mayallnegativitiesbe extinguishedfromevery-

one,especiallythesick, oppressedanddepressed, withthebrightnessofDiwali.PresidentAliwished thenationahappyDiwali byincluding,“…Today,as wewillturnthelighton, let’salsoturnourheartsinto momentsofreflectionand

examinewhatsmallorbig changemaybenecessary inachievingthispart(havinghopeoverfear;having knowledgeoverignorance;

havingfreedomoverbondage;havingunityoverdivision),thatwealsowantfor ourbeautifulcountryandfor ourfamilies.”

HappyDiwalitoyou, yourfamily,friendsand neighbours,OneGuyana. Yoursrespectfully, JaiLall

Diwalishowcasesunity,loveas thousandsattendannualmotorcade

DIWALIisafestival thatbringspeopleof allwalksoflifetogether.Itisintheheartsof Guyaneseworldwide andvisitors/tourists haveflownthousandsof milestobeapartofthis symbolicnationalevent hereinGuyana,tasting

thetraditionalfoodsand participatinginthevariousactivitieslinkedto thefestival.

IncelebrationofDiwali,theGuyanaHindu DharmicSabhahostedits annual,highlyanticipated Georgetown/EastCoast DemeraraDiwaliMotor-

cade,thelargestandfinal motorcadeoftheDiwali season.

Thiselaboratefestival marksthevictoryoflight overdarkness,knowledge overignorance,andgood overevil.Itbringstogetherpersonsfromacross cultures,trulyincorporat-

ingournationalmottoof “OnePeople.”

Theepicmotorcade commencedattheShri KrishnaMandirinCampbelville,Georgetown, travellingalongSandy BabbStreetandonto VlissengenRoadtowards

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ScenesfromDiwali2025 (SachinPersaudphotos)

Diwali showcases unity...

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theKittySeawalltothe LBICommunityCentre Ground,ontheEastCoast ofDemerara.

AstapleofannualDiwalicelebrations, themotorcadeattracted thousandsofGuyanese andvisitorsfromdiverse backgrounds,wholined theroutefrombeginning toend.Itwasanticipatedthatnearly40floats participatedfromacross Guyana’sthreecounties: Demerara,Essequiboand Berbice.

TheLBICommunity CentreGround,which

was“prepped”fortheannualculturalprogramme andpresentationofprizes,featuredperformancesfromNevalChatelal,SurajSingh,Nishard Mayrhoo,DharmicNritya Sangh,ElizabethWong, VishaleSamlall,BerbiceDelights,theShakti StringsBandandafolkdancetroupefromIndia.

TheGuyanaHindu DharmicSabhaina postonlinesaiditis proudtohavesustained andgrownthisunique andbelovedGuyanese traditionformorethan fivedecades.

REGIONSix’sshrimp farmersarereapingrecord profits,earningnearly$775 millionuptoAugust2025, asGuyana’saquaculture expansiondrivesunprecedentedgrowthacrossthe agriculturesector.

SpeakingattheWorld FoodDay2025ceremonyon Fridaylast,MinisterofAgriculture,ZulfikarMustapha, revealedthatshrimppro-

ductioninRegionSix(East Berbice-Corentyne)hasskyrocketedfromjust9,933 kilogramspermonthin2021 to122,000kilogramsper monththisyear,atwelvefold increasefuelledbystrategic governmentinvestmentand farmerempowerment.

MinisterMustaphacreditedthesuccesstothegovernment’slong-termfocus ontransformingagriculture

intoamodern,high-value industry.

“Werecognisetheimportanceoftheoilandgassector,butagricultureremains themostimportantsectorfor ourcountryandtheworld becauseitisresponsiblefor foodsecurity.Withoutfood, wecan’tsurvive,”hesaid.

Overthepastfiveyears, thegovernmenthasdramaticallyexpandedspendingon

agriculturefrom$13billion in2020to$104billionin 2025tomoderniseinfrastructure,strengthenfood systems,andcreatesustainableincomeforruralcommunities.

Thebrackishwater shrimpfarminginitiative inRegionSixhasbecome oneofthestandoutachievementsofthistransformation.Initiallylaunched witharound80small-scale farmersalongtheCorentyneCoast,theproject hasevolvedintoathrivingaquacultureindustry throughtargetedtraining, technicalsupport,andinfrastructuralupgrades.

“Now,in2025,wehave completedabout80%ofthe project,andproductionhas movedfrom9,933kilograms in2021to122,000kilograms monthly,”MinisterMustapha reported.

Thefinancialimpacton

localcommunitieshasbeen substantial.Shrimpfarmers inRegionSixearnedapproximately$1.8billionin2023, andbyAugustthisyearhad alreadygenerated$774.9 million,withseveralproductivemonthsremaining.

“Wehavebeentransformingpeople’slives. That’sourobjective,tomake moreopportunitiesavailable forourcitizens,”Minister Mustaphasaid.

AsGuyanacontinuesto strengthenitsaquaculture andbroaderagri-foodsystems,theRegionSixshrimp successstorystandsasa modelforruraldevelopment, jobcreation,andeconomic diversificationbeyondoil andgas.

“TheprogressinRegionSixshowswhat’spossiblewhenweinvestinour peopleandinthefuture ofagriculture,”Minister Mustaphaconcluded.

EssequiboCoastLionsClubobservesWorldMentalHealthDay2025

INobservanceofWorld MentalHealthDay,on October10,2025,theEssequiboCoastLionsClub hostedaneducationaland interactivesessionwitha groupofyoungpeopleat theEssequiboTechnical Institute.

AddressingthegatheringwasDrZubairMohammed,GovernmentMedical OfficerandMentalHealth Specialistattachedtothe SuddiePublicHospital.

Inhisremarks,DrMohammedhighlightedthat inaworldwhichcelebrates strength,resilience,and thepursuitofsuccess,itis easytooverlooktheimportanceofpsychological

well-being;yet,itremains thefoundationuponwhich peoplebuildtheirdreams, facechallenges,andconnectwithothers.

Heemphasisedthat mentalhealthisjustas crucialasphysicalhealth.

“Justaswewouldnotignoreabrokenarm,”hestated,“weshouldnotignore signsofmentaldistress.” DrMohammedexplained thatdepression,anxiety, self-harm,andothermentalhealthdisordersare notsignsofweakness,but medicalconditionsthatrequireunderstanding,treatmentandcompassion.

Inclosing,DrMohammedreiteratedthatmental

healthissuesdonotdiscriminate,theycanaffect anyoneregardlessofage, gender,orsocioeconomic background.However,stigmaandmisunderstanding oftencauseindividualsto sufferinsilence.Heurged everyonetohelpchange thisnarrativebyfostering opennessandreachingout totrustedindividualsfor support.Healsoencouragedtheyoungparticipants toreachouttohimpersonallyiftheyeverneedsomeonetotalktoorrequire assistance.

Meanwhile,President oftheEssequiboCoast LionsClub,LionSabriena Harrychan,remindedthe

gatheringthataccessto mentalhealthcareshould beuniversal,notaprivilege.Everyone,regardless oftheirbackground,deservesaccesstothesupport andresourcesnecessary tohealandthrive,from affordablecounsellingto crisisintervention.

PresidentHarrychan furtheremphasisedthat mentalhealthawareness isnotjustaboutrecognisingsignsandsymptoms, butitisalsoaboutcreatingacultureofempathy, support,andinclusivity—onewhereevery individualfeelsvalued, understoodandcaredfor.

GeorgetownMayoroutlines plansforcurbinglittering

MAYORofGeorgetown, AlfredMentore,hasoutlinedupcominginitiatives thatincludeenhancedenforcementmeasuresand publiceducationcampaignsaimedatcurbing litteringinandaroundthe capitalcity.

MayorMentoresaid consultationswillbeheld everyotherweekandmust besustained.Heemphasised thatasacouncil,theywill educatecitizensandcollaboratewithgovernment togetpersonsontheright path.

MayorMentorecommittedattheleveloftheMayor andCityCounciltodotheir part,voicingexpectations forgovernmenttodosame.

“Wealsoexpectcitizens themselvestodotheirpart andbecommittedinthese exercises.Likeotherswould havesaid,wejustcan’tbe chasingafterwherethenext persondumpsgarbage…

thatculturehastochange. Thattransitionhastobe made,”MayorMentoreadded.

Heassertedthatwhatevermeasureshavetobe putinplacetocurblittering,

willbeenforcedtostopany attemptbypersonstolitter.

Notingthattheywantto encouragevending,hesaid itmustbedoneinaresponsibleway,wherepersons dealwithissuesandare

committedtotheoverall agendaofthecounciland thecountryasawhole.

“We’llbeputtingsystemsinplace.We’llbeaddressingthesethingsevery otherweektobeableto

getthisplacecleared.But whilewedothat,wehaveto beabletosustainthiskind ofdrive,andwewillimplorewiththeTownClerk, theGeneralCounciltodo this,andwefinancethese agendas,”MayorMentor disclosed. Additionally,newmeasureswillbeputinplace toaddressthisscourge, encouragingpersonstodo therightthing.

CARICOMawardscertificates to23youthsfollowing intensive4-monthtraining

-launchesits‘YoungProfessionalsNetwork’

TWENTY-THREEyoung professionalsfrom12 CaribbeanCommunity (CARICOM)member statesreceivedcertificates aftersuccessfullycompletingfourmonthsof intensivetrainingthrough theCARICOMYoung ProfessionalsProgramme (CYPP)onFridayatthe CARICOMSecretariat atLiliendaal,EastCoast Demerara.

Theoccasionalso markedthelaunchofthe CARICOMYoungProfessionalsNetwork(CYPN).

TheCYPPwas launchedin2024inresponsetoCaribbeanyouth beingunawareoftheCARICOMSingleMarketand Economy(CSME),andits potentialtoenhancetheir futureprosperity.Theprogrammeseekstoempower youthsintheregion,as wellastobetterposition themtotakeadvantageof opportunitiesthatareavailableundertheCSME.

Overthelastfour months,participantswere involvedinanumberof activitiesthatwereaimed atdeepeningtheirunderstandingoftheCSME. Throughthisengagement, theygainedskillsneededto deepenawarenessandunderstandingoftheCSME, whileadvocatingforgreateryouthinvolvement.

Ontheotherhand,it wasstatedthattheCYPN, whichwasformally launchedonFriday,isintendedtoencourageeven greateryouthparticipation inthedecision-makingprocessrelatedtotheCSME.

AssistantSecretary-GeneralforHuman andSocialDevelopmentat CARICOMAlisonDrayton,indeliveringanoverviewoftheprogramme, statedthatthisistheriseof anewgenerationofCaribbeanleaders,whoareresilient,confident,andready to“makethingshappen”.

ThroughtheCYPP,participantswouldhavetackledrealissues:Regional integration,policydevelopmentandimplementation.

Draytonnotedthatas theyrevisedtheCAR-

ICOMYouthDevelopmentActionPlan,lessons fromthiscohortarealready shapingthefuture,onethat empowersouryoungpeopletoparticipatemeaningfullyandleadboldly.

Sheremindedtheparticipantsthatthecertificatesarenotfullstops,but theyarelaunchpads.

Draytonusedtheopportunitytourgethemto takewhattheywouldhave learnedintotheirworkplaces,communitiesandacross theregion.

Further,sheencouraged themtostrengthencooperation,advancetheCSME, andkeepthevoicesof youthsloud,informed,and impossibletoignore.

Shesaid,“Weknow thejourneywasnotalways smooth.Therewerehiccups,hurdles,andI'mvery sureafewWi-Fiwarsalong theway,butyourperseverance,yourprofessionalism, andyourteamworkspeak volumesaboutthekindof leadershipourregionneeds, grounded,collaborative, andunstoppable.”

Markedasthecontinuationofacollectivejourney towardsamoreinclusive, empoweredandsustainable futureforyoungpeople intheCaribbeanregion,it wassaidthatyoungprofessionalsaremorethanfuture leaders;theyarepresent actors,andchampionsof development.

TheCARICOMYoung ProfessionalFramework andDeclarationthatwas presentedisaproductof monthsofconsultation, collaborationandconviction,thatisrootedinthe voicesofyouthsacross CARICOMMemberStates.

Init,strategicpriorities forregionaldevelopment thatcentreonyouthengagementareoutlined,not asatokenisticgesture,but asafundamentalpillarof sustainablegovernance, economictransformation, climateresilienceanddigitalinnovation.ThedeclarationaffirmsCARICOM’s collectivecommitmentto buildingaCaribbeanwhere opportunityisaccessible, contributionisvaluedand

novoice,especiallythat ofayoungperson,isleft unheard.

Comingoutofthis,as partoftheirvision,five ideasweresuggestedtoadvancetheCSME:aCSME RegionalYouthBusiness Incubator,CSMENavigatorsNetwork,aRegional VirtualJobFairandYouth StartupGrant,Mentorship Programmes,andaYouth BusinessMobilityCard.

TheCARICOM

CARICOMAssistantSecretary-GeneralforHumanandSocialDevelopment AlisonDrayton,CARICOMSecretary-GeneralDrCarlaBarnett,CARICOM oftheCARICOMYoungProfessionalsProgramme(Photo:Caribbean Community/Facebook)

YoungProfessionalNetworkwillfollowaparticularstructurewherewe arestillgoingtobeguidedbytheCARICOMSecretariat,specificallythe

DirectorateofYouthDevelopmentProgramme. Itwillsubdivided intoaRegionalYouth LeadershipNetwork, RegionalInitiativeLead, ResourceMobilisation Lead,Informationand CommunicationLead, andanAdvocacyand PolicyBriefLead.

Gov’twillcontinuouslyengagebanking sectoroneaseofdoingbusiness-AGsays

THEgovernmentremains committedtomaintainingactiveandcontinuousengagementswiththe bankingsector,aspartof itseffortstoimprovethe easeofdoingbusinessand simplifyingbankingproceduressuchastheopening ofaccounts.

ThisaffirmationwasgivenbyAttorneyGeneral(AG) andMinisterofLegalAffairs,AnilNandlall,whowas

speakingonSunday’sepisodeofthe‘StartingPoint’ podcast.

Duringtheepisode,he notedthatthegovernment ledbyPresident,DrIrfaan Alihasprioritiseddialogue withthefinancialsectorto addresschallengesthathinderbusinessoperationsand financialaccess.

Nandlallrecalledthathis mostrecentmeetingwiththe commercialbanksfollowed

adirectinstructionfrom PresidentAliaftermembers ofthesectorhadraisedconcerns.

“ThePresidentimmediatelyengagedmeandsaid, sitdownwiththebanking sector.Sitdownwiththis importantstakeholderandgo throughwhateverproblem theyhave,andlet’sseehow wecanaddressthis,”theAG recounted.

AccordingtoNandlall, thatengagementrevealed thattherewere“nomajor problems”withinthesystem,butrathera“disconnect”thatcanberesolved throughregulardiscussions.

“It’sjustthatweneed toengagemoresothatif thereismisunderstanding oralackofclarityonanyof theprovisionsofthestatute, whatevertheyare,wehave todiscussthem.Andthat

waswhatwasreallylacking,”hestated. Againstthisbackdrop,he notedthatsomeoftheexistingchallengesstemfrom outdatedmeasuresintroducedduringGuyana’spreviousplacementinrelation toanti-moneylaundering andcounteringthefinancing ofterrorism(AML/CFT) compliance.

HenotedthatwhileGuyanahassincerectifiedits legislativeframeworkand achievedstronginternational scores,somelocalbanking practicesremainunnecessarilyrestrictive.

“Whatisstillinthebankingsectorareremnantsof thatoutdatedregime,”he said,referringtorulesimplementedduringtheperiod whenGuyanawassanctioned.“Oursystemwas certifiedtobefarmorecom-

pliantthan[othercountries], yetIamtoldthattoopen anaccountinoneofthose countriesislessburdensome.Somethingiswrong.” Furthertothis,hestated thatdespiteGuyana’shigh ratingintheCaribbeanFinancialActionTaskForce (CFATF)mostrecentevaluation,localbankscontinue toapplyrigidprocedures thatmaynolongerbejustified.

“Itmeansthatoursystem needstodoanintrospection andriditselfofself-imposed obstaclesthatarenolonger relevant,”hesaid.

Withthis,heaffirmed thatthegovernmentremainsopentoengagement withfinancialinstitutions toensurethatthesector’s operationsalignwiththe country’sdevelopment goals.

Over$1billionspenttoimprove communitygroundsinBerbice

MINISTERofCulture,

YouthandSport,Charles RamsonJr.,hasconfirmed that,inthelastfiveyears, over$1billionhasbeen expendedoncommunity groundsimprovementin Berbice.Thisinitiative,he emphasised,willcontinue toensurethatsafeandsupportivespacesaredevelopedforcommunitiesand youngpeople,helpingto deterthemfromnegative orunproductiveactivities.

“UphereinBerbice,we wouldhavespentovera billiondollarsinthelastfive yearsbecausethere’sjust somanygrounds,somany villages,andtheywereall inabadshapeandduring theAPNUperiod,theyactuallyhadcuttheirbudget by66%,”MinisterRamson toldthisnewspaperduringa recentvisittoBerbice.

“Youneedcontinuous investmentsincommunity grounds,”headded.

Hefurtherexplainedthat manyofthenewandexistinghousingschemeseither neverhadarecreational groundorwereindireneed ofdevelopment.

“Overthisperiodof time,youwouldhavealso seentherewereeitherhousingschemesthatweredevelopedthatneverhada communitygroundbefore, sowestartedtodevelopthat, ornewhousingschemesthat wereopenedormanyareas wheregroundswerenever

TheBerbiceHighSchoolSportsGround,where worksarecurrentlyongoingtoinstalllights

developedatall,sothat’sthe reasonwhywehadtospend somuchmoneyoncommunitygrounds.”

MinisterRamsonhighlightedthattheenhancement ofthesecommunityfacilities playsapivotalroleinimprovingthequalityoflifefor residents.Herevealedthat almost90groundscountrywidewerebeingequipped withlightingthisyear,furtherboostingaccessibility andusability.

AccordingtoRamson, theinstallationoflights atcommunitygrounds enablesgreateruseof thesefacilities.Withthe necessarylightsinplace, activitiescanbekeptin theeveningatthevarious grounds,hesaid,underscoringthegovernment’s ongoingcommitmentto developinginclusive,safe, andvibrantcommunity spacesacrossthecountry.

Aggressivelegislativemomentumtiedto

Guyana’sdevelopmentpush–AGNandlall

ATTORNEYGENERAL

andMinisterofLegalAffairs,AnilNandlall,S.C, hasunderscoredthecrucialroleoflaw-making inGuyana’sdevelopment push,notingthatthegovernment’saggressivelegislativeagendaisdirectly linkedtonationalgrowth objectives.

Nandlallmadethis knownwhilespeakingon the‘StartingPoint’podcast onSunday,duringwhichhe alsonotedthatmostpolicy initiativescannotbeimplementedwithoutaproperlegalstructuretosupportthem.

“Therealityisthatyou hardlycanfindamajorpolicyimperativethatcanbe implementedandsuccessfullyexecutedwithouta regulatoryframework,and thatregulatoryframeworkis invariablyalegislationthat willgoverntheparticular concept,”hestated.

TheAGusingexamples fromseveralsectors,illustratedhowlegislativereform

hasbeenintegraltoenabling newsystems,technologies andinvestmentsacrossthe country.

Inthehealthsector,he explainedthateffortstomodernisemedicalcare,includinginitiativessuchastissue transplantsandtelemedicine, requirednewlawstoensure propergovernanceandprotectionofsensitivepersonal data.

“Wewantedtomodernise ourmedical-careprogramme andtoembraceandenvelop itinmodernmedicalprocedures,”Nandlallsaid.

“Butthosewhowanted topromulgatethatconcept quicklyrealisedthatyou can’tdoitwithoutlegislation.So,wehadtopass asuiteoflegislation,like thetissuetransplantlegislation…Wehadtoenact data-protectionlegislation, becauseyouneedtotake people’spersonaldata,their medicalhistory;onceyou takethat,youhavetofind amechanismtostoreitand

‘Stopandsearch’atRegion Ninecheckpointturnsinto majordrug‘bust’

Thesuspectedcocaineandcannabisthatwere foundbytheRegionNinepoliceonSunday (GPFphoto)

RANKSoftheGuyanaPoliceForcestationedatthe CorkwoodPoliceCheckpoint,RegionalDivision#Nine, arresteda43-year-oldgoldminerofProvidence,East BankDemerara,followingthediscoveryofaquantityof suspectedcocaineandcannabisonSunday,October19, 2025.

Reportsindicatedthatatabout07:45hrs,rankswereconductingaroutinepoliceoperationwhentheyintercepteda minibusenroutefromGeorgetowntoLethem.Asearchofa haversackbelongingtooneofthepassengerswasconducted, andduringwhich,severalplasticbagscontainingsubstances suspectedtobenarcoticswerefoundconcealedamongother itemsinthebag.

Thesuspectednarcoticswereweighedinthepresence ofthesuspectandamountedtoapproximately491.7grams ofcocaineand1,009.7gramsofcannabis.Theseitemswere sealed,markedandlodgedasexhibits.

Thesuspectwasinformedoftheoffencecommitted, wasarrestedandtakenintocustody.Heremainsinpolice custodyasinvestigationscontinue.(GPF)

toprotectitandtoguardits confidentiality.”

Tothisend,hehighlightedthatasimilarapproach wastakeninthehousing sector,wherethegovernment introducedmodernmodels ofhomeownershipsuchas condominiums.

“Whenwelookedatthe lawsinGuyana,itdidnot permittheestablishmentof condominiumsbecauseour land-titlingsystemgives youatitleoratransport… foraplotoflandwiththat

buildingthatisontheland,” theAGnoted.“Butcondominiumsalloweachunitin thatbuildingtobeowned separately…sowehadto enactaCondominiumAct.”

Asanotherexample,he pointedtotheSingleWindowPlanningandDevelopmentAct,whichprovided thelegalframeworkforthe easeofdoingbusinessand acquiringpermits,whichwas previouslyabureaucratic processriddledwithredtape.

Heexplainedthatthe newlawallowsapplicantsto submitallnecessarydocumentsthroughasingle-entry point,whichthencirculates themtorelevantagenciesfor approval.

Nandlallalsoreferenced emergingareassuchaselec-

troniccontractinganddigital signatures,whicharebeing legislatedtokeeppacewith globaltrends.“Wewantto useelectronicsignatures.We wanttomovefrommanual papercontractstoelectronic contractstoe-contracts… Theworldhasgoneinthat direction.Howdoyoudo that?Youhavetopasslegislationtothateffect,”hesaid.

Furthertothis,speaking onthegovernment’sapproach,Nandlalldescribed legislationasthe‘cradle’in whicheverymajorpolicy initiativemustbenurtured.

Itwasthenthathenoted,“Thatiswhywehave suchanaggressivelegislativeagenda,becausewe haveanaggressivedevelopmentalagenda.”

Farmers’daughterwillbe Warapoka’sfirst-everMedex

ByMichelOutridge

DOLLYHenryhasalwaysdreamedofhavingajobinhealthcare, somuchsothatshe picturedherselfwearingtheuniformand administeringmedicalcaretothelocals longbeforeitevenhappened.

Cateringtotheneeds ofothershasalways beenonhermindand herdreamwasfulfilled whensherecentlycompletedafour-yearMedexcourseofferedby theMinistryofHealth.

Thecourseaimedto empowerqualifiedindividualstoreturntotheir remotevillagestoprovideprimaryhealthcare.

The22-year-oldrecentlytoldtheGuyanaChroniclethatshe learnedoftheMedex programmethroughher cousin,whowasworkinginthecity.

Thatrelativetookall herinformationandappliedforhertobeenrolledforthecourseand shegotthrough.

Henryrecalledthat aftershefinishedsecondaryschool,shewas lookingforajoband whensheheardabout theMedexprogramme, shewaselated.

Relocatingtothe citywasdifferentasshe wasn’taccustomedto thehustleandbustleof theplace,sinceshelived inaruralvillagewhere therewerenovehiclesor rushhour.

Thetransitioning phasetookawhile,but afterafewyears,she grewusedtoit.

Henryaddedthat sheattendedSantaRosa SecondarySchool,also inRegionOne,andshe stayedatthedormitory forfiveyears.

Aftersheexitedthe formalsecondaryschool system,shereturned hometoWarapokaVillagewhereshetried

togainemploymentin 2019.

HenrytoldtheGuyanaChroniclethatafter shesignedupforthe Medexprogramme,she wasaccommodatedat theNurses’Dormitory inthecompoundofthe WestDemeraraRegional HospitalatBestVillage.

Shereportedthat duringherfouryears there,shecommuted dailytothecitytoattendclassesandwould returntothedormitory tostudy.

Itwasasacrificeshe madeanddidnotregret itatall.Shewassuccessfulattheendofthe courseandgraduated with29newMedexes, whoallwentbackto theirhomevillageto workaftertheyhadcompletedtheirsix-week preceptorshipundera doctor’ssupervisionat theregionalhospital nearesttotheirhomes.

Henrysaidshewill soonreturntoWarapokaVillage,having completedhersix-week preceptorshiptrainingat theMabarumaRegional Hospital.

TheyoungMedex willnotbethefirst healthcareproviderin herfamilyasheraunt, whosadlypassedaway sometimeago,was aCommunityHealth Worker.

Henrystatedthather familysupportedher throughouthereducationaljourney,andshe willforeverbegrateful tothemfortheirunwaveringencouragement andguidancewhichkept hergroundedandensuredsheachievedher goal.

SheismorethanhappytobeaMedexand beingfromaremotevillageinGuyana,shewill takeherpositionvery seriouslyandeducate othersaboutthegeneral aspectsoftheirwell-being,whileadministering

qualitymedicalcare.

Henrywillbethe first-everMedexfrom hervillageandshewill beattachedtotheWarapokaHealthPost.She willalsobevisiting thehealthfacilitiesin PariokaoandWaikaibai, whichareneighbouring villages.

Warapokaisaremote villagelocatedonthe westbankoftheWaini RiverintheMabaruma sub-district,RegionOne. Itisascenicriverine communitythathasa

populationofmostly Amerindianstotalling between600to700.

Henryistheyoungest ofsixchildrenforher parentswhoarefarmers.

Shehaspromisedto servethepeopletothe bestofherabilityand withrespect.

“Thepeopleare proudofme.Iamalso proudofmyself,and Iamverygratefulfor theopportunitytobecomeaMedex,andI willfulfilmyrole,”she said.

(FORMULA1)-MaxVerstappenhasclaimedadominantvictoryattheUnited StatesGrandPrix,theRed Bulldriverconvertingpole positionintoacommandingwinwhileLandoNorris beatCharlesLeclercto secondplaceinathrilling duelbetweenthepair.

Ithadbeenastrongstart totheraceforVerstappen, theDutchmanholdingthe leadfrompoleposition throughturnonemuchmore cleanlythanduringSaturday’saction-packedsprint.

Thoughquestionsremainedintheearlystages overstrategychoices,all stopplan–andthisworked smoothlyforVerstappen, whoremainedinP1afterhis stop.Andwhilehehadto nursehissofttyreshomein thelatterstages,thereigning WorldChampioncrossedthe linewithamarginof7.959s triumphoftheseason.

playedoutbetweenNorris

andLeclerc,ascrapthatlystagesafterLeclercgot aheadoftheMcLarenatthe start.Withthetwogoing head-to-headagaininthe madeamovesticktotakea valuableP2,leavingLeclerc toroundoutthepodiumin third.

LewisHamiltonaddedto Ferrari’spointshaulinfourth place–apositionhejustheld ontodespiteseeminglysuf-

lap–whilechampionship leaderOscarPiastribrought atoughweekendtoanend

andtheKickSauberofNico Hulkenberg.OllieBearman scoredpointsonHaas’home soilinP9,withAstonMartin’sFernandoAlonsocompletingthetop10. LiamLawsonjustmissed

Bullsin11th,asdidtheAstonMartinofLanceStroll in12th.KimiAntonelliembarkedonarecoverydrive to13th,theMercedesdriver havingdroppedbackwards earlyonintheracefollowing acollisionwithWilliams’ CarlosSainz.

TheotherWilliamsof followedbyHaas’Esteban Bulls’IsackHadjar(P16). FrancoColapintotookP17 forAlpine–afterignoringa teamordertoholdposition behindteammatePierrewichedbetweentheminP18. Sainzwastheonlyretireeoftheday,havingpulled offtrackfollowinghis aforementionedclashwith Antonelli.Andinterms ofthestandingsafterthe raceinAustin,Verstappen isnowjust40pointsaway fromPiastriintheDrivers’ Championship,whileNorrisisonly14pointsadrift ofhisteammate.

WATCHEDbyalargeand raucouscrowdatNumber 69GroundinUpperCorentyneBerbice,defending ChampionsDemerarabeat thehomesidebythree wicketsinQueenswaySecurityInter-CountySuDemeraranowadvances 9:00hrs.

ditionsandatwo-pacedtrack whichfavouredspin,Berbice,strengthenedbytheinclusionofWestIndiesbatters KevlonAndresonandShimronHetmyer,werebowled Demerararecoveredfrom overstothedisappointment ofthepartisancrowd.

Berbicebattedfirst left-handedHetmyer(16) edgedaballwhichturned Looknauthashisrunofpoor formcontinued.

Left-armspinnerAshmeadNeddbowledJunior SkipperAndersonlbwfora duckat6-2.

lbwtoLooknauth23-3while WestIndiesplayersKevin

WhenHetmyer,whohit acoupleofspankingboundendedbyLooknauth,thefans -packedinmini-busesand carsparkedoutontheground outsidetheboundary-were anticipatinganearlyday.

BenjamenandNational all-rounderClintonPestanoshipwithdoggedbattingon atrackwhichcurtailedfree scoring.

Butwiththescoreon92, Benjamen(22)wascaught behindbySkipperandWest IndiesKeeperTevinImlachondtime.

Pestanoaddedvaluablelower-orderrunsbeforePestanoented18-year-oldJonathon VanLange.

VanLangewhoisalsoa nationaltabletennisplayer andthepresentNational ‘Doubles’Championalong withShemarBritton.

VeerasammyPermaul (6)arrivedatthecreasewith Berbiceon131-7andLooknauthbowledPermauland

Thelastpairofhomeboy andcrowdfavouriteOmesh Mathura(12)andpacerSylus

162beforeMatthewNandu hadMathuralbw.

werethepickofthebowlers forDemerarawhoremoved bothopenerswiththescore on30.

Nandu,theonlybatter withatoninthetournament, wasbowledbyPermaulfor 13beforeJuniorSinclairhad UshardevaBalgobin(15) caughtandbowled.

WhenJuniorSinclairreandtrappedImlach(15)to visitorsknewtheywerein dancingtotherhythmsof Tassadrums. However,awell-constructedunbeaten61with 37-ball36notoutfromVan Lange,whichincludedafour home.

JuniorSinclairhad3-48 whilePermaultook2-15 inalosingcause(SeanDevers)

THEGuyanaDefence Force(GDF)’sWomen’s footballteam’sgoalfestin theongoingWomen’sDivisionOneLeaguecontinuedonFridaynightwhen theLeagueleadersblasted32unansweredgoals pastMonedderlustFCat theGuyanaFootballFederation(GFF)’sNational TrainingCentre(NTC) atProvidence,EastBank Demerara(EBD).

Onceagain,SandraJohnsonwastheleadingladyfor oftheneteighttimesinthe 6th,9th,20th,25th,34th, 39th,41stand41stminutes. GlendyLewissecuredsix

goalsinthe18th,21st,23rd, 27th,28thand43rdminutes.

BothShenessaCornelius (3rd,7th,18th,29th)and NiomieWilliams(11th,13th, 22nd,27th)registered4goals each.

Alsoaddingtheirnames tothescoresheetwereGlengieLewis(8th,38th),Deena Horsham(32nd,51st),Rosa Heywood(52nd),andSarena Johnson(59th).

Incompletecontrast,one goalseparatedtheteams inthefollowingcontestas WesternTigersandRiver’s ViewFCclashed.

topcornerofthegoalmade thedifferenceforWestern Tigers,followingagoalless teams.

TheWomen’sDivision OneLeaguewillcontinueon thesamevenue.

At18:00hrs,GDF’s GroveUnited,whileat 19:30hrs,WesternTigers willhuntanotherwinagainst MainstayGoldstarsFC.

TheteamsintheWomen’sDivisionOneLeague arecompetingforahistoric G$1Mgrandprize.

TROYBennstruckanaggressivecenturytopropel theGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF)toa72-runvictory overtheNewYorkPolice Department’s(NYPD)VeteransLawEnforcement cricketteamatthePolice SportsClubGround,Eve Leary,onSundayafternoon.

Thematchwasheldin honourofthelateRandolph Holder,aGuyanese-AmericanDetectiveFirstGrade, whotragicallylosthislifein thelineofdutyin2015.

Thelocalsidewascap-er-in-ChiefoftheArmed Forces,PresidentDrIrfaan Ali,andincludedseveralliceforce,includingDeputy CommissionerRavindradat Budhram.

Thevisitingside,which playersalongwithplayers Bangladesh,wonthetoss

SewnarineChattergoonand Budhramstartingcautiously.AfterChattergoonwas dismissedfor11runsoff

Benncametothecrease. The41-year-oldsettlediningsomecleanshotsenroute toanevencentury.

Budhramalsofoundhis rhythm,finishingwith27 fourfours.

SupportcamefromMihelpedpropelthesideto 229for5.

BothBennandNewland closeoftheinnings,leaving TrevorBenn(Troy’syoungon14.

CMC–Inadirectresponse tothespin-friendlyconditionsondisplayintheseries opener,theBangladesh CricketBoard(BCB)has reinforcedtheirODIsquad byaddingleft-armspinner NasumAhmedfortheremainderofthehomeseries againsttheWestIndies.

ROSANNAFungmade historyforGuyanaby winningtheIFBBWorld Championshiptitleatthe prestigiousBinousClassics inDubai.

AccordingtoacongratulatorymessagefromPresidentIrfaanAli,"withthis extraordinaryvictoryinthe Wellnesscategory,Rosanna

Guyana’shistorytocapturea WorldChampionshiptitleinentirenationwithpride". Competingagainsttop internationalathletesonone ofthelargestandmostreintheMiddleEast,Rosanna deliveredatrulyworld-class performance.

PresidentAlisaidher dedication,discipline,and unrelentingpursuitofexcellencehaveshowcasedthe

"Rosanna’striumph ismorethanapersonal victory—itisasymbolof nationalpride,amilestone inGuyana’sgrowingpresbodybuilding,andaninspirationtoathletesacrossthe Caribbeanandbeyond.She hasshownthatGuyanese talentcanrisetothevery topoftheworld."

Thedecision,announced onSunday,comesadayafter dominatedproceedingson Sher-e-BanglaNational inMirpur.

The30-year-oldNasum,

wealthofexperience.Hislast 50-overoutingfortheTigers

Hisinclusionprovides

theteammanagementwith anotherspecialisedspinoponthehomeconditions.

ThepivotalroleofspinspinnerKharyPierrewas19fromhisfullquotaof10 overs.

However,itwastheBan-matelystoletheshow,with RishadHossainandTanvir Islamorchestratingthevis-

LBWagainstfellowcaptain

IvorTrotzmaintainedasolid 3for27fromthreeovers inthelatterstagesofthe innings. SuperintendentRonald Alisupportedwith2for28 fromhisfourovers.

4x4s,3x6s)showedresilienceforthevisitingside, 157for9fromtheirallotted overs.

Inthechase,President fourovers,including14dot

Atthepresentation ceremony,PresidentAli thankedtheplayersfrom bothteamsfortheirservice.

tosealacomprehensivevictory. a1-0leadinthethree-match series,themovetodraftinmaintainingtheiradvantage. Thepitchforthesecond 21atthesamevenue,isUpdatedBangladesh ODISquad:MehidyHassanMiraz(Captain),TanzidHasanTamim,Soumya Sarkar,MohammedSaif Hasan,NajmulHossain Shanto,TowhidHridoy, MahidulIslamAnkon, JakerAliAnik,ShamimHossain,QuaziNurul HasanSohan,RishadHossain,TanvirIslam,Taskin Ahmed,MustafizurRahman,TanzimHasanSakib, HasanMahmud,Nasum Ahmed.

GUYANA’SThomasUnitedMastersfootballsideon Saturdaycaptureda2-nil winoverSurinameseMasterssideSportivoaspartof theirgoodwillseries.

AnthonyStantonstepped upinthe5thminuteofplay togivethemtheleadbeforeChristopherBarnwellSr doubledtheadvantagefrom thespot10minutesintothe secondhalf.

Theteamwillnowplay WestBoysinParamaribo beforereturninghome.

Guyana’sThomasUnited isusingthegoodwillseries topreparefortheupcoming LegendsRepublicCup.

Guyanaishostingthe inauguralLegendsRepublic CupattheGCCGround BourdafromFebruary1922,2026.

Theinternationaltournamentwillfeatureteams fromBarbados,Trinidad andTobago,FrenchGuiana, Suriname,USA,Canada,

ThomasUnitedMasters

StVincentGrenadaandSt Lucia.

Theinternationalteams willbattleintheover40and over50categories.

Theover50winningside willpocket$2,500USDand theover40$3000USD.

Theteamismanaged byPaulD’Andradeand sponsoredbyBanksDIH throughtheirI-ceebrand andGuyanaBreweryInc underCoorsLightbeer brand.

DEFENDINGchampion ChaseAcademicFoundationstartedtheirdefence withavictorywhenthe RepublicBank’sSchools theMinistryofEducation Groundwithfourhighoctanematches.

Chasestartedofftheir 2025campaignagainstEssequibo’sAbramZuilSecondary.Itwasahighly-charged encounterbutthechamps stoodtalltowalkawaywinners2-1complimentsof

IPFMastersWorldChampionship…

PRESIDENToftheGuy-

anaAmateurPowerlifting Federation(GAPLF)Paul MeusasaysthatFranklyn Brisport-Lukelivedupto expectationstohandthe country4moremedalsat theInternationalPowerliftingFederationMen’s MastersWorldEquipped Championship.

Theeventistakingplace inCapeTown,SouthAfrica.

AccordingtoMusa,“His wasastellarperformance;he equippedhimselfwell,and didallthenumberrequired togetthosemedals.It’sa performancewearesoproud of,andwecanonlygetbetter toBrisportforputtinginthat performance,andrepresentinghiscountrywell.”

Guyana’smasterstwo 66KGpowerlifterBrisport-Lukehasshownhisexperienceandclasstocapture

bronzemedalsintheSquat, DeadliftandBenchPressto

Brisport-Luke’sbiggest competitioncamefromMongolia'sBatchuluunGavaa, andGermany’sMatthais Riesch.

IntheSquat,hewould withRieschtakingthegold withaliftof190kg.

IntheBenchPress,Brisport-Lukehadabestof75 kgtoagaintakebronze,with Gavaatakinggoldthistime withabestbenchpressof 110kg.

IntheDeadlift,theGuyanesewasagaingoodenough forthird,withahighestlift of137.5,withGermany’s Rieschagaintakinggoldto wintheoverallmasters2 66kggoldmedal.

Healsocompetedinthe classicsegmentofthecom-

inthe66kgMasters1weight class.

Earlierintheclassicsegmentofthecompetition, NadinaTaharallycaptured thebronzemedal.

Taharally,competingin theWomen'sMasterstwo76 kgcategory,tookaDeadlift bronzemedal,butfinished 4thplaceoverallagainstthe world’sbestinherweight class.

Shewasonlybetteredin theDeadliftclassbyCanada’sMayoAmelie,andNew Zealand’sJessopRoshelle, whocapturedgoldandsilver intheDeadlift.

AlsorepresentingGuyanaattheMastersChampionshipwasMohammad hisMastersone,93kgcategory,andBjornWilliams, whofinished7thoverall inhismastersone105kg group.

goalsfromIsaiahIfilland KennardHalley.

However,itwasAbram Zuil’sOmarKendallthatput Chaseonthebackfootinthe 14thminutewithhisopener beforethetwoChasestrikes.

Next,ThreeMilesSecondarycamefrombehind todefeatWestRuimveldt Secondaryviaa2-1victory. LebronMendoncaand JoshuaJamesaccountedfor ThreeMiles’goalsinthe 55thand70thminutesas theyedgedtheirGeorgetown opponents.

SouthRuimveldtSecondaryalsostoppedPresident’s College2-1intheircontest.

JadonEdwardsand TyresePembertonscoredon eithersideofthebreakinthe contestastheygotthebest possiblestarttotheirleague campaign.

DanielAlexanderscored President’sCollege’sconsolationgoal.

Charlestownalso whippedDolphin2-nilto concludetheday’splay strongstartwithavictory.

MALTEENOESSports

Clubproducedadominant all-roundperformanceto recorda113-runvictory overEverestCricketClub intheGeorgetownCity CricketCup&Friends Mayor’sUnder-17Hundred-OversLeague.

compiledacompetitivetotal of192alloutin39.1overs, anchoredbyaclassyinnings fromJoshuaBudhram,who from55balls,strikingfour boundaries.

Hiscomposedknockheld theinningstogetheraswicketsfellintermittentlyaround him.

ShemRamcharanadded 24valuableruns,whileDeshawnRamnauthcontributed 19lowerdowntheorder.The extras,whichboostedtheir totalonatestingsurface.

Inresponse,EverestCC falteredbadly,andweredismissedfor75injust15.1 overs,chasingarevisedtargetof189undertheD/L method.TheMalteenoes bowlerswererelentless,led byafieryspellfromDeshawnRamnauth,whoreturnedremarkablefigures of4wicketsfor12runs from2.1overs,completely dismantlingtheopposition’s middleorder.

ForEverest,AnekHemnarinetop-scoredwith14, butnoneoftheothersmanagedtobuildpartnershipsto threatenthetarget. Malteenoes’commandteamworkanddiscipline, withBudhram’selegant strokeplayandRamnauth’sincisivebowling standingoutasthehighlightsofthematch.The victorykeepstheclubin strongcontentionfortop honoursinthisyear’sUnder-17competition. GeorgetownCityCricketCup&FriendsMayor’s

CaptainKyleGibsonprovidedearlybreakthroughs with2for24,whileAkeem Persaud,TylerNedd,and KeonBiasalsochippedin withawicketapieceasEverest’sbattinglineupcollapsed undermountingpressure.

BySeanDevers

INswelteringheat,GCC wereledbycenturies fromRivaldoPhillipsand theunrelatedPersauds (NavindraandYeudstar) astheirGISE,StarParty Rentals&TrophyStall Two-dayFirstDivision Cricketmatchoverthe weekendagainstTransport SCendedinahigh-scoring draw.

Left-armspinnerand GCCcaptainDevonLord had6-61whiletherewere half-centuriesfromTransport’sbattersJeremiahHohenkirk,JohnPersaudand JadonCampbell.

GCCwereinchargein theirbackyardatstumpson theopeningdayon195-3 withPhillipsunbeatenon 117.Withhim,Navindra Persaudnotouton66in replytoTransport’s205all out,needinganother10runs

Phillips,thebrotherof nationalplayerRicardo All-Mohammed,hasreached theboundary12timesand cleareditsixtimesinhis 109-ballknock.Heshared ina170-runthirdfrom209 ballswithPersaud,whohas

faced121ballsandhitsix boundaries.

inRossopenedthebowling andremovedMartinPestano-Bell(11)andNicolas Shiopersaud(0)toleave GCCon25-2.

Earlier,the30-year-old Lord,captured6-61ashe continuedtobefuddlethe battersdespitehisshocking rejectionfromtheongoing

inter-countySuper50.

TransportSC’sHohenkirkhitsevenfoursand sixinhis46,whileEwert Samuelsblastedanunbeaten 17-ball38withsixfoursand twosixes.

OnlyJohnPersaud(30), JoshuaDaniels(24)and Campbelloftheotherbatters reached20.

Thepitchgotbetterfor battingyesterdaywhenGCC

resumedontheirovernight scoreonanotherdayof scorchingheat.

Phillipsaddedthreeruns

PersaudbowledPhillipsto endthe176-runstand.

ThePersauds(Navindra andYeudstar)joinedforces onabattingparadise.Both battersparticipatedinthe runsfeastastheysharedin

GCCCaptainDevonLord had6-61againstTSCat Bourda

anunfinished178fourth partnershipbeforeGCCdeclaredat379-3.

Yeudstarhit12foursand sevensixesina76-ball121 whileopenerNavindra119 lasted119ballsandwasdecoratedwith12boundaries.

TransportSCreached 215-4intheirsecondinnings beforethecaptainsopted thecalloffplayjustafter 15:00hrswhenthediminutiveCampbellwasremoved byNavindraPersaud,amedicaldoctorbyprofession.

TSC’sJeremiah Honenkirkfolloweduphis accomplished85 yesterdayatBourda

Campbellhitsixfours andtwosixesin72-ball59. ThiswasafterRyanLatif (10)andJohnPersaudwho reachedtheropesseven timesandcleareditoncein a48-runopeningstand. foursandsevensixesinan accomplished85beforehe wasunfortunatelyrunout atthenon-striker’send when15shortofamaiden

THEbattlelineshavebeen drawnandonlyeightteams remainintheCourtsOpticalPeeWeeFootballCompetitionwhichheadstothe quarter-finalsonSaturday October25.

Intheroundof16,there weresomeevenlymatched battlesasthetopprimaryschool teamsvieforachancetoadvancetothenextround.

wereStPiusPrimary,theproAgatashPrimary,StGabriel’s Primary,WestRuimveldtPrimary,TucvillePrimary,LeonoraPrimaryandSantaRosa Primary.

Theday’sbiggestupsetsaw RedeemerPrimaryknocking outthechampionsSantaRosa. SantaRosaPrimaryshowed gritbutaslipupindefencegave

RedeemerPrimarytheopportunitytheydesiredandElijah Naughtonburieditinthe23rd minute.

Itwouldprovethelonegoal forthecontestasbothteams foundithardtopenetrateeach other'sdefenceafterwards.

WestRuimveldtandLeonorawerethebiggestwinners byscoreline.

WestRuimveldtgotpastSt Theressa’sPrimary5-nil,with JaseenParisscoringahat-trick withZyronAustinandCeon Rajkumarscoringtheother goals.

LeonoraPrimarythen thrashedMarianAcademywith doublesfromAdrianHarryand JhonathanMelvin. OtherwinnerswereTucville PrimarywhobeatGeorgetown InternationalAcademy. St.PiusPrimaryalsogot

Actionintheroundof16oftheCourtsOpticalPeeWee FootballCompetition

pastPotaroPrimary2-1,StJohn theBaptistalsoedgedStella MarisPrimary2-1. NorthGeorgetownwent downtoAgatashPrimaryon penaltykicks3-2.

CharityPrimaryandSt Gabriel’sPrimarywerealso tiedattheendofregulation timeforcingpenaltykicks todecidethewinnerwithSt Gabriel’swinningit3-1.