The PNC-led APNU/AFC coalition Government is now well past the halfway point of its term of office, in which it promised to deliver “the good life” to the citizens of Guyana. Sadly, by its own measure, that promise has receded even further under this regime, which is characterised more than anything else by the disjoint between its rhetoric and its actions. The rhetoric for achieving the “good life” was captured in its “joint manifesto”, in which the goals were stated right up front. It began with the need for “healing…
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Jagan and WI Pan Africanism
We noted CLR James saw Cheddi Jagan’s vacillation, in 1958, and refusal to clearly state his personal position – as the leader of the PPP — on the WI Federation as trying to have it both ways: maintaining the support of his mainly Indian base while signalling he was “principled” for not accepting a toothless British WI Federation. In his 1956 address to his rump PPP, he accepted Burnham had taken most African support after the 1955 split. But we want to suggest Jagan’s seeming vacillation arose out of his…
Read MoreMan found guilty of sexually assaulting 9-year-old
As cases of child sexual abuse remain prevalent in Guyana, another offender, Morris Fernandes, was on Monday found guilty by a majority jury for the offence that was committed between October 1 and October 31, 2016 in the county of Demerara. The girl was just nine years old at the time of the incident, which involved Fernandes rubbing her vagina. For this, he was indicted by the State for sexual activity with a child under age 16. The offender was out on bail prior to Monday’s verdict, which was returned…
Read MorePsychiatric evaluation of GDF rank completed
…prosecution gets report The psychiatric report on the mental capacity of Orwain Sandy, who in April reportedly murdered his reputed wife, Reona Payne, has been completed by Dr Bhiro Harry of the Mental Health Unit and was handed over to the Court. When the matter was called on Wednesday before Magistrate Judy Latchman, the prosecution revealed that they were in receipt of the psychiatric report, which was handed over to the Court. However, the contents of the report were not disclosed. Sandy’s lawyer, James Bond requested additional time to conduct…
Read MoreMinistry of Labour should be a separate ministry – Burton
While criticising Government for its handling of matters concerning outstanding wages and salaries owed to workers by employers, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Gillian Burton-Persaud used the opportunity to call on Government to reestablish the Labour Ministry to look at specific issues in relation to the many delicate challenges facing workers and trade unions. Burton-Persaud, who was one of the key speakers at the annual May Day rally which was held at the National Park on Tuesday, told the hundreds of workers in attendance that there is need for Government…
Read MoreBitter sugar ending
Satiricus was looking forward to the coming week. It was the merry month of May, and it was made merrier for Satiricus because it had two public holidays when he and the fellas could make merry. Even though he hadn’t ever joined in on the Labour Day March, he decided to wear his red shirt to the Back Street Bar just to get a rise out of the fellas who’d be waiting for him there. “Eh, eh!! Like yuh run out a shut, or wha’?” shouted Bungi on espying Satiricus…
Read MoreCheddi Jagan centenary stamp finally launched
…President, PM, Ministers no-show The commemorative stamps to mark the 100th birth anniversary of late President Dr Cheddi Jagan were launched on Wednesday at the Ministry of the Presidency, but senior Government officials were a no-show. Some close relatives of Dr Jagan and staff of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (CJRC) were the only ones present for the launch of the commemorative stamp. They included Dr Jagan’s sister, Dr Barbara Jagan and other relatives, including Dr Dionne Jagan-Fries and Dr Kyle Jagan. Also in attendance were other representatives from the…
Read MoreKavita Yadram: Embodiment of Cricket & Family
By Akeem Greene We are quite certain that most persons are aware of the correlation between the Yadram name and cricket in Guyana, and now at the Windies youth level. However, many may not be unaware of the contributions of Kavita Yadram towards the development of the sport. According to Kavita, “cricket runs in the blood” as grandfathers Shaeed and Jaimangal all played for Enterprise- the community of residence- and then followed her father Seemangal and his brothers Khandi and Latchman, who is now a National Under-15 coach. Her mother…
Read MoreLGE 2018: AFC mandates leader to respond to Granger
The Alliance For Change (AFC) held its second National Executive Committee (NEC) Meeting for 2018 on Tuesday where a decision was taken to have its leader, Raphael Trotman respond to President David Granger in a “prescribed manner” on the issue of Local Government Elections. The AFC late Tuesday evening said the meeting was held at the Georgetown Club and was attended by members of the NEC, representatives from all the administrative regions and Diaspora representatives, including persons from Grenada who represented the AFC’s Caribbean Chapter. According to the party, Trotman…
Read More“Arrival” is not geographical
By Ravi Dev On May 5th, the nation commemorates Indian Arrival Day. The holiday is officially designated “Arrival Day”, putatively to recognize all the other immigrant groups that were brought by the planters to labour on the sugar plantations after the abolition of slavery. These groups would then include the Portuguese and Chinese as well as Indians but there has not been any noticeable participation by the descendants of these industrious and hardy pioneers since the holiday was ushered in back in 2004. In 2016, President Granger – leader of…
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