Dear Editor, Guyana has land mass and richness of soil and coconut is very easy to grow. According to the Agriculture Ministry, the increasing importance of coconut was evident with increased production from 10,725 metric tonnes (MT) in 2011 to 17,104 MT in 2012. Additionally, 2012 showed an increase in coconut exports, recording in excess of US$ 2.4 million for coconut and coconut products. On the subject of coconut, we should realise by now, that it is a fruit that is consumed in a number of forms. It is so…
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Teenage pregnancy is a major problem worldwide
Dear Editor, The issue of teenage pregnancy is inescapable. The Aranaputa Toshao Mark George opined that while progress has been made in the development of his community, he is very concerned about the rising level of teenage pregnancy. According to him, the scourge is on the increase and is becoming one of the most prevalent social issues that need to be addressed at the earliest opportunity. In the USA, problems in this area are most obvious: three in 10 teen American girls will get pregnant at least once before age…
Read MoreFuel concession for fishing vessels is a worthy consideration
Dear Editor, It is very comforting to note that boat owners may very well be in for a treat. They are now upbeat as Cabinet is expected to soon review a proposal for the granting of concessions on fuel for small fishing vessels. If and when this happens, it will go a long way toward aiding our fisher folk in Guyana. Many of them operate in other neighbouring countries and all because of various concessions. Currently, high operational cost per each fishing trip is quite high, and I do know…
Read MoreGuyana did itself proud in the fight against global hunger
Dear Editor, I am never surprised by Guyana’s success whenever the topic is food. If ever we are to be short on food, it has to be because of outright laziness or taking things for granted. One person did write about the quantity and types of fruits being wasted in Guyana. I can attest to this absolute foolishness. We do waste a lot of our farming produce. When it comes to fishes and other water food too, it is the same. I walked by a canal one afternoon after work,…
Read MoreAfrican Americans want more news about issues relating to Africa
Dear Editor,I have been following many of our local media outlets for more than ten years and have noticed, to my disappointment, considerable paucity of coverage on Africa. This could not be based on lack of activity or interest in the continent. After all, Americans of African descent comprise almost 15% of the U.S. population. Recently, waves of African immigrants have landed on American shores. New York City has the largest African immigrant population of U.S. metropolises. These groups, and Americans in general, need to know about happenings in the African…
Read MoreGreen had an empty title as prime minister
Dear Editor, It has been reported in the media that Hamilton Green, Mayor of Georgetown, former vice president and prime minister, has written President Donald Ramotar, requesting that as a former prime minister, he should be given a pension and facilities analogous to former presidents. The People’s National Congress (PNC) party, of which Green is a senior and influential member, has been vetoing former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s pension, claiming that such pensions and facilities are a waste of public funds. Green’s request for an analogous pension does expose the opposition…
Read MoreChinese doctors in Guyana boosting healthcare delivery
Dear Editor, Our health sector received a good top-up, as some 19 experts in a number of areas have come from China for a two-year tenure. The Chinese medical education system engenders great confidence. It closely follows the British one, but with a reduced length from six years to five years, in terms of the educational cycle. Modern medical education in China goes back to the early 20th century. The country’s medical schools offer four or five-year undergraduate programmes, as well as special two or three-year programmes. Also to control…
Read MoreGuyanese diaspora planning major reunion ‘back home’
Dear Sir, Since around 2005, it has become one of the rites of summer for Guyanese abroad, especially in the United States and Canada, to hold village reunions in the many scenic parks of the city in which they live. Recent years have seen a marked proliferation of these social events, as every village seeks to claim a day for itself. Indeed it is not unusual for there to be two village reunions side by side in different sections of the park. A village reunion is seen as an opportunity…
Read MoreGood news for Guyana where food is concerned
Dear Editor, Guyana is to receive an award for cutting extreme poverty and hunger, and this kind of news should really make all of us very proud. But first, I have a very compelling matter to talk about. I get very perturbed, when I read that globally, one third of all food produced is wasted or lost, while millions of people go hungry. Last year, I went to Canal Numbers One and Two and I was totally taken aback. I saw enough wasted fruits to fill a few barrels. I…
Read MoreGuyanese in NY are very impressed with Tagenarine Chanderpaul
Dear Editor, At the senior level, there is nothing to shout about as yet, but who knows, maybe in the near future, Tagenarine Chanderpaul will start on the tracks set by his father, Shivnarine. Tagenarine Brandon Chanderpaul was born May 1996 – a few have posited 1997 – and is now a cricketer, who is beginning to build a reputation. He has donned local colours, starting back in February 9, 2013, at the senior level in four games, and even though he has not yet landed a big score, the…
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