TIMES INT'L

Guyana testing Sexual Offences, Child Abuse Registries

October 26, 2018October 27, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Although the much-anticipated Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Registries were launched back in September, sources have indicated that they were yet to be officially opened to the public. An officer attached to the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) said that the software has been set up and was being tested to ensure all aspects were intact. Back in August, CCPA Director Ann Greene revealed the Agency’s plans to have the Registries launched during Child Protection Week. The Child Abuse Registry will be helpful in providing information in relation to…

AG no-show in court, case delayed

October 26, 2018October 27, 2018 TIMES INT'L

The High Court challenge to the misconduct in public office charges against two officials of the former Government was delayed and rescheduled to early next month after Attorney General Basil Williams was a no-show for submissions. The Court was told that the AG had to attend Cabinet at the time the matter was slated to be heard on Tuesday and could not appear in Court although the hearing was fixed almost one month ago. Former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and former National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Chairman…

Guyana’s tragedy

October 26, 2018October 27, 2018 TIMES INT'L

The GECOM decision has once again raised political temperatures in Guyana. The Mahabharat is rather unique among Hindu texts in dealing very extensively with the world of politics and, as I wrote a decade ago, I am once again struck by parallels in that ancient conflict and ours in Guyana. The Mahabharata is about the way we humans deceive ourselves, how we are false to others, how we oppress fellow human beings, and how deeply unjust we are to each other in our day-to-day lives. And all the while holding…

APNU/AFC in full campaign mode in Linden

October 26, 2018October 27, 2018 TIMES INT'L

…as LGE draws nearer President David Granger recently took the Local Government Elections (LGE) sensitisation campaign to the mining town of Linden, where he encouraged local leaders to pay attention to addressing issues at the local level. Addressing members of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and community members at the Egbert Benjamin Centre, the President pointed to the importance of LGEs in shaping local democracy. Members of the coalition were in full campaign mode, endorsing the APNU, with President Granger declaring it the most exciting rally hosted so…

The Sugar Workers’ Fight

October 26, 2018October 27, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Following the closure of four sugar factories last year, and the displacing of almost 5000 workers, the workers have been fighting for their jobs and severance packages. Last year, 1851 workers were sacked from the Skeldon Sugar Estate, 1181 from the Rose Hall Estate, 1480 from the East Demerara Sugar Estate and 251 from the Wales Sugar Estate. Just Friday we saw former Wales Estate workers protesting the National Assembly calling for their severance packages and the government also owes a number of other works the remaining 50 percent of…

Reputed wife identifies gunman during ID parade

October 26, 2018October 27, 2018 TIMES INT'L

The reputed wife of murdered Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara handyman Christopher Swamy has positively identified a suspect — arrested on Sunday following the shooting — as one of the gunmen involved in the shooting death of her husband. This development has been confirmed by ‘C’ Division Commander Calvin Brutus during a telephone interview with Guyana Times International on Monday. Commander Brutus said the suspect was picked out during an identification parade on Monday, but reportedly gave Police several alibis, which they are probing. Brutus further informed that the home…

New York-based Guyanese donates over G$1M to dismissed sugar workers

October 26, 2018October 27, 2018 TIMES INT'L

An overseas-based Guyanese has donated in excess of G$1 million in cash and other items to dismissed sugar workers in East Canje and Skeldon, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). Each of the worker received G$5000 along with lunch on Wednesday. Some of the former estate workers were also given school bags for their children. The donor, who asked for his name not to be published, left Guyana in 1982 at age 19. He told Guyana Times International that in New York where he currently lives, many Guyanese are disappointed with…

Business magnate Yesu Persaud: Celebrating his achievement

October 26, 2018October 27, 2018 TIMES INT'L

The life and achievements of local business tycoon and philanthropist, Dr Yesu Persaud, is being celebrated as the University of Guyana (UG) kicks off a lecture series in his honour. The lecture series will highlight Dr Persaud’s seminal contributions to Guyana through his audacious authenticity in business, entrepreneurship and civic contributions. The work of the local business tycoon, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, spans many continents, two centuries and several successful business ventures, while his civic and philanthropic work has been and continues to be highly impactful. At Tuesday’s…

Cancer Warrior, Volda Lawrence, tells her story

October 26, 2018October 27, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Guyana’s Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence calls herself a “cancer warrior” because she believes she has fought for her life and for the opportunity to live another day to inspire others. Minister Lawrence was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in January 2017. This diagnosis came at a time when she was settling into a new appointment, as a senior Public Health Minister. Partaking in a routine annual feature, the Minister took a pathology test for breast cancer cells; the results of which returned negative for estrogen receptors (ER-),…

Key legislation lacking in Guyana

October 26, 2018October 27, 2018 TIMES INT'L

…political analyst says as time draws closer to first oil As the time draws closer for first oil, which is expected in the first half of 2020, Government has been making plans to prepare for this new sector, which has the potential to transform the economy, improve infrastructure, and advance the social services in the country. However, much has been said about the Government’s slothfulness in looking towards implementing key pieces of legislation that would guide the sector beyond that critical year. Adding his voice to that argument is former…