Once again the CSEC results are out in Guyana and we are all agog at the performance of the “high flyers”. It certainly demands special powers of concentration, not to mention real grit and “stick-to-it-ive-ness”, to be able to write 15 subjects, much more to obtain grade ones in all of them. With the top two students revealing that they wrote Agriculture as a double award, they actually ratcheted up 16 grade ones. An incredible performance and we tip our hat to them. While all the details of the results…
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Behind the U.S. debt drama
Guyanese plugged into the U.S. media outlets that dominate our local TV programming were transfixed at the sight of the president of the United States and his Republican opponents locked in talks on their spending, which threatened to bring their government to a screeching halt. Disaster was averted at the last moment, and we can all breathe a bit easier. We use the editorial plural “we” advisedly, since the U.S. economy’s health is so crucial to global wellbeing. But what were the issues behind the crisis? Right up there was…
Read MorePrioritising education
Education is the power that transforms societies; the vehicle that takes the poor out of poverty, and the tool that gives learners the knowledge, skills, and confidence to reach their full potential. The value of education cannot be overemphasized, and the drive to facilitate equitable access to education for all is equally important. This overarching vision is not strange to the government; in fact, it has been the hallmark of government’s tenure in office. This is evident through the heavy investment made in education year after year, to ensure that…
Read MoreEconomic nostrums
One of the most distressing features of the political campaign launched by the opposition (the governing party appears to be keeping its powder dry for the while) has been their dearth of ideas on the economy in general, and the economic system in particular. At the most, they have simply resorted to taking pot shots at the government, invariably after the fact. This cannot do. In this fast- paced, globalised world, to be reactive in the economic arena – and it is an arena – inevitably means national stagnation and…
Read MorePolitical cavilling
To “cavil”, the dictionary informs us, is to find fault unnecessarily; to “nit- pick” and to “quibble”. In the normal course of events, cavilling may be brushed off as being merely an annoying idiosyncrasy. But in a situation of heightened emotions, it has the potential of leading to unnecessary questioning of motives and intentions, which can trigger undesirable actions. The recent opposition, by the opposition APNU/ AFC, to the proposal by GECOM to extend the claims and objections period to facilitate the inclusion on the voters list of individuals who…
Read MoreCaricom’s cherry picking
Last weekend, the 32nd meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom was held in St Kitts. It was reported that Ms Lolita Applewhaite, acting secretary general of the group, assured citizens that Caricom was “alive, on the move, and here to stay.” We beg to differ. Caricom may technically be alive, but we would like to be informed in what direction it is moving. Does backwards count? As to whether it is here to stay, we are doubtful about that. Ms Applewhaite described Caricom as a “living…
Read MoreBridging the gap – transforming Guyana
The government’s programme for housing development and home ownership has catered for every Guyanese across all racial and political divides, and has been an important achievement for the country to be proud of. For example, official records show that over the last three years, government has allocated more than 17,000 house lots. Also, it is expected that, in the East Bank area alone, there will be another 15,000 house lots ready in another two years; and by the end of this year, the ministry would have available 3,500 more house…
Read MoreConsumer protection legislation
Guyana is moving towards enacting modern consumer protection legislation which seeks to ensure the rights of consumers are safeguarded. The enactment of this new piece of legislation will see the country joining the league of other Caricom countries that have already passed adequate consumer protection legislation in keeping with the changing times. Countries such as Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines among others, have already enacted relevant consumer legislation and have established effective institutions to carry out enforcement activities. Once enacted, this bill will…
Read MoreThe LCDS and the tourism industry
There is no doubt that Guyana’s tourism industry has taken off. And while there is much work to be done, the news is spreading and we are being talked about as one of the most attractive and unique new tourist destinations. Unlike our Caribbean counterparts that offer the typical sun, sand and sea tourism, Guyana has a different type of tourism product with our irresistible combination of fascinating and breathtaking natural beauty; pristine Amazonian rainforests, immense waterfalls, amazing wildlife, and a rich cultural heritage. Tourists going to other parts of…
Read MoreA timely warning
Continued worldwide destruction of rain forests that form a cooling band around the earth’s equator is recognised as one of the main causes of climate change. And there is increasing global recognition and acceptance of the fact that protecting forests is essential to the fight against climate change, hence there is compelling reason for nations to invest more in protecting the important natural resource of rainforests. According to a UN report, forests are under threat, decreasing by 5.4 million hectares every year, mainly to agriculture. The report, ‘Forests in a…
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