Year: 2013

Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Berbice Slave Rebellion History of the 1763 revolt

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The most famous slave uprising in Guyana was the Berbice uprising, which began in February 1763. On two plantations on the Canje River in Berbice, African slaves rebelled, taking control of the region. As plantation after plantation fell to the slaves, the European population fled; eventually only half of the Caucasians who had lived in the colony remained. Led by Kofi (now the national hero of Guyana), an Akan man from West Africa, the African freedom fighters came to number about 3000 and threatened European control over Guiana. The rebelling…

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Guyana seeks Caricom backing for Karran as OAS number two

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Guyana will be nominating its current ambassador to the United States, Bayney Karran for the position of assistant secretary general (AGS), when the position becomes vacant in 2015, a top official in the country has confirmed. Current OAS, ASG, Surinamese Albert Ramdin has served two terms and would not be eligible to run again. While Ramdin has expressed an interest in the secretary general position, his government said it would not support his candidacy, but rather would give Guyana’s its vote. Based on long established tradition, the top OAS position…

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Guyana cements diplomatic ties with Palestine

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Guyana has become the first member of Caricom to establish diplomatic relations with the Palestinian National Authority last week. Guyanese Ambassador to the United Nations George Talbot, and his Palestinian counterpart, Riyad Manssur, signed a document establishing bilateral relations. In the text, both countries committed to fully complying with the UN Charter and international law and promoting peace and security, as well as respect for the countries’ sovereignty and independence. Guyana is part of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and has…

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Birthdays

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The Kabaka In their free, sponsored Muckraker KN’s column, the PNC expanded on their founder-leader Burnham’s “weltanschauung”. No, that’s not his proclivity to ride round on horseback while insisting that civil servants weed ‘bush’ at Hope Estate. It’s a fancy German word the image-makers at Sophia dug up that means ‘world view’. They’re engaged in their never-ending yeoman efforts to rehabilitate Burnham’s legacy. You have to give them credit. Then again, King Canute couldn’t stop the waves by his command, could he? But he tried. Anyhow, not unexpectedly, the Sophia…

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Obama, other world leaders congratulate Guyana on 43rd Republic Anniversary

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United States President Barrack Obama and several heads-of-states the world over have expressed congratulations to Guyana on the celebration of its 43rd Republic Anniversary. In a letter addressed to President Donald Ramotar, President Obama wrote, “I am pleased to extend my congratulation on behalf of the American people of the people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of your Republic Day.” The U.S. president said “the United States and Guyana share a strong friendship enhanced by deep cultural and historical ties. I look…

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Agro-processors complete training to improve product quality

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A number of local agro-processors now have better knowledge of the criterion needed to meet international standards for agro-processed foods. This is following the completion of a four-day training workshop, at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street, hosted by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), which focused on education requirements for agro-processing and marketing. The session, which ran from February 18 to 21, wrapped up with Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy delivering remarks to participants. The training facilitated by the Agriculture Ministry,…

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TT seeking Guyana’s advice in agriculture – Rice production and aquaculture named specifically

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Minister of State in the Trinidad and Tobago Food Production Ministry Jairam Seemungal during his visit to Guyana last week, said his ministry is looking at signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Guyana to initiate a partnership on rice cultivation. Seemungal said the MOU will be a knowledge-seeking one between the two countries. He reiterated Trinidad is interested in seeking knowledge in the production of rice and the rearing of fish. During his visit to Guyana, he met with Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy and discussion…

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MPs tired of the bickering in Parliament

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By Samuel Sukhnandan – Nine months after a workshop was held to build better partnerships, reduce rhetoric and eliminate political agendas in the National Assembly, the august body is still the place for gridlock. But some Members of Parliament (MPs) are fed up with the situation and are hoping that there would be some changes. The two-day workshop, held in May last year under the theme “Managing through Partnership”, was supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).…

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Finance minister slams opposition’s move to cut budget again

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The ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has slammed the parliamentary opposition over public statements to cut the 2013 National Budget, even though discussions are still ongoing and the fact that it has not been completed. Speaking at a press briefing held at Freedom House on Friday, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said, “I’ve seen for example some scepticism expressed by APNU as it relates to the budget discussion. I believe the word that was used was “lukewarm”, which I thought was disappointing, hearing an APNU spokesperson speaking of their…

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Rum Jhaat Diaries

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Satiricus had experienced the pangs of withdrawal symptoms. No, Satiricus hadn’t stopped bending his elbow and imbibing his ‘waters’. He had solid medical advice that some alcohol taken daily was good for his heart. Satiricus was fond of his heart so he followed the advice religiously: “the boys” supported his regimen. Satiricus had missed the diaries his wife’s niece, maid to the opposition (wasn’t politics rewarding?!) used to filch for his perusal. After some excerpts had been published, the finks had gotten watchful. But on Saturday, they were all out,…

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