Guyana Cultural Association of New York will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2011 under the theme ‘Aal bady waan bady’. In recognition of this milestone, the association will be hosting its annual awards ceremony to acknowledge Guyana’s cosmopolitan heritage and the emergence of a common culture. This even is slated for August 31 in Brooklyn, New York. The association is inviting suitable applicants to submit their nominations for awards between now and May 14. Nominations can be submitted for a person or an entity whose work fits within the…
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Barbados denies being anti-Caricom
–health minister says Barbados is “a great team player” Barbados Health Minister Donville Innis said there is no new policy that restricts non-nationals from access to health care services on the island. According to him, there is also no legislation that provides for this, contrary to reports in the regional media. Addressing media operatives in Guyana at the end of the 21st meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD), Minister Innis said it has always been a policy of Barbados that non- nationals could not access without…
Read MoreSearch on for prime ministerial candidate for PPP – Ramotar
Having unanimously selected and endorsed Donald Ramotar as its presidential candidate, the People’s Progressive Party said it will now move aggressively to compile its full list of candidates, including the prime ministerial candidate. At a recent media conference, Ramotar told reporters that the process had only now begun. “We are going to start that in earnest. … I have some ideas at the moment, but I don’t want to deal with that before discussing it with my own colleagues,” he said. A source close to Freedom House told Guyana Times…
Read MorePNCR, CIOG slam Ogunseye’s ‘race’ remarks
The main opposition People’s National Congress Reform party and the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana have both expressed concern over alleged racist remarks made by political activist Tacuma Ogunseye at a public meeting over the weekend. But the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) executive member has tried to put into context recent comments he made, which some are fearful could fuel racial riots in Guyana. In an interview with Guyana Times International on Tuesday, April 19th, Ogunseye said he was merely calling on Afro-Guyanese to engage in constitutional struggle…
Read More23 graduate from IT course in Region 10
Twenty-three persons from Region 10 graduated from courses in Office Ethics, Introduction to Windows, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Excel, Access, Outlook, Computer Repairs, and Networking. There was a 95 per cent pass rate, with Andrea Dover being the top student with 82.4 per cent. The recipients benefited from an initiative facilitated by the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), a Guyana government programme providing funding to aid local development. Delivering the feature address at the graduation ceremony, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh explained that government recognises “that those who have access…
Read MoreBoG staffer killed in accident
A staffer of the Bank of Guyana was killed in an accident on April 19th, on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown. The accident occurred at about 04:00h in the vicinity of the National Cultural Centre. Dead is Shondel Samaroo, 34, of Lot 32 Public Road, La Grange, West Bank Demerara. Samaroo, manager/secretary of the Guyana Netball Association, was riding her motorcycle, CF 923, when she reportedly lost control of the machine and slammed into a route 42 minibus heading south. Reports reaching Guyana Times International revealed that the motor cycle broke apart…
Read MoreEnmore packaging plant to be commissioned next month
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud on Tuesday announced that the new cane sugar packaging plant, “Project Gold”, at Enmore, East Coast Demerara, will be officially commissioned on May 9. This project aims to ensure the viability of the sugar industry since it requires a transitional shift in operational procedures, implementation and overall production, fused with raising standards and expansion in the range of products generated by the industry, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said in a release. Construction of the Gy$2.4 billion packaging facility commenced in October 2009. The facility is…
Read MoreRussian debt relief to fund local social programmes
Russia has restated its interest in providing debt relief to Guyana for the remaining portion owed by government under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HPIC) Agreement. In an invited comment, Russian Charge d’Affaires to Guyana, Dr Sergey Tarasov, disclosed that the debt amounts to US$227,000. He confirmed that the Russian government is finalising the technical aspect of the promised debt write-off to Guyana. Dr Tarasov told Guyana Times International that once the transaction is completed, the remaining debt will be converted to be used on social projects locally. He pointed…
Read MoreMore Amerindian communities benefit from interventions
Several Amerindian communities received donations valued $9.8 million from the Amerindian Affairs Ministry to assist in improving the lives of residents. Paruima Village in Region Seven received a 25-HP boat engine to help with transportation in the community. Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, in handing over the donation to the community, said it ‘will go a long way’ in helping to alleviate transportation issues in the community, the Government Information Agency reported. Paruima is highly dependent on river transportation. Muritaro in Region Ten received a portable saw mill, which the…
Read MorePolice mull charging parents involved in child marriages
By Devi Seitaram In wake of allegations that a teenaged Berbice girl had been duped by an overseas-based Guyanese into an arranged wedding last week that the groom promptly repudiated, police and religious leaders are moving to address the issue. B Division Commander, Assistant Police Commissioner Stephen Merai, said he is to seek advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge parents who are guilty of arranging marriages for children under the legal age of consent. He said there is a scourge of sexual allegations from…
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