A team of four representatives from the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (MTFTIP) visited the Imbaimadai community in Region 7, as well as surrounding areas, from June 14-17, 2013. The aim of the visit was to conduct monitoring exercises, training and awareness activities, along with listening to and considering the concerns raised by villagers in relation to trafficking in persons and child labour. The team engaged shop owners, convened meetings and conducted focus group discussions with residents from Imbaimadai, Kambaru Creek, Chai Chai Falls, Partang, Fort Knox and…
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Govt has placed increased emphasis on strengthening public administration – Dr Singh
Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said the Donald Ramotar-led administration has placed increased emphasis on strengthening public administration with a focus on key results. Dr Singh made the statement at the opening of a training and discussion workshop on strategic planning, targeting permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, and regional executive officers and their deputies. The sessions also included the director of public prosecution (DPP), director general of foreign affairs and secretary of the Public Service Commission. The finance minister said every sector has legitimate needs for expanded services and investment…
Read More16 graduate from forestry training programme
The Board of Industrial Training in collaboration with the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) has completed yet another programme for young men and women from across the country. The ceremony held at the GFC Multiplex Building in Kingston, was not only for the graduation of this batch but also for the launch of another programme with a new batch of young Guyanese men and women. BIT/ GFC Board of Directors Chairman Clinton Williams said it is vital for young persons who drop out of school to be given the opportunities to…
Read MoreFemales continue to outperform males at NGSA – chief education officer
Chief Education Officer Olato Sam said that an analysis of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) has clearly suggested that females continue to outperform males in all the subject areas and in all the regions. Sam highlighted that the performance in math has improved over previous years while performance in English and science continues to fluctuate with declines in those two areas being evident. Meanwhile, there is consistent performance across the board and over a number of years in social studies. “Although improvements have been noted in many regions, coastal…
Read MoreU.S. citizen jailed for cocaine trafficking
A U.S. citizen was jailed for four years for trafficking cocaine by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Friday. Brianna Rodney, 25, pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on June 3 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, she had in her possession for the purpose of trafficking 4.130 kilograms of cocaine. The defendant, who was unrepresented in court, is a social worker who arrived on March 12 this year for her second visit to Guyana. According to reports, she stayed at a hotel…
Read MoreGT& T song champs talk about next steps
After months of intense competition in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph company (GT& T) eight edition of the Jingle and Song Competition, Ryan Hoppie and Bibi Khan were on last Friday announced the winners of the English and Bollywood segments respectively at the company’s BlackBerry headquarters, Brickdam, Georgetown. This is the first year there was an absence of a grand finale which would normally pull the curtains on highly anticipated competition. Just before the results were revealed, anxious contestants streamed into the venue with high expectations, and more so, they…
Read MoreGuyana is the place of many investment opportunities – Private Sector head
Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Ronald Webster said Guyana is blooming with investment opportunities and must immediately begin finding creative ways to market itself. Webster, who was addressing the gathering at the recently-held investment seminar, listed some of the strategies to strengthen Guyana’s investment potential, including the development of the Guyana-Brazil road and trade links with South America. He noted that Guyana must build a strong trading relationship with adjacent markets, tap its hydropower potential and export energy, as well as develop a strong nature tourism industry, with supporting infrastructure.…
Read MoreManickchand calls for partnership to improve performance of students
Education Minister Priya Manickchand said for Guyana’s children to be able to live enhanced lives, a sturdy partnership among the government, the ministry, teachers, parents, students and the community is required. The minister made the remarks during an address to hundreds of Region Two teachers last Saturday. Manickchand was accompanied by Chief Education Officer Olato Sam, Permanent Secretary Delma Nedd, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary) Marcel Hudson and School Board Secretariat Coordinator Melcita Bovell. Regional Chairman Parmanand Persaud, outgoing Regional Education Officer Leslyn Charles and other regional officers were also…
Read MoreGuyana to ratify ILO domestic work convention by monthend – Dr Gopaul
Members of the Caribbean Workers Network Steering Committee have left Guyana optimistic that the country will be the first in the Caribbean to ratify the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Convention, Number 189, to protect domestic workers. According to a ministry release, representatives of the six-country network were in Guyana for their annual planning meeting, and on Monday paid a courtesy call on Labour Minister Dr Nanda Kishore Gopaul before departing. Important convention The minister told the group, which included an ILO representativePaula Robinson and representatives of Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago,…
Read MoreGuyana optimistic about HIV fight
By Svetlana Marshall As some international donors prepare to withdraw or reduce their financial support for AIDS programmes in the Caribbean, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Shamdeo Persaud said the Health Ministry will depend heavily on the National Assembly to approve funds to keep afloat critical HIV/ AIDS programmes in Guyana. The United States President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) is currently in its transitional stage, Dr Persaud said in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International. PEPFAR is designed to preserve the lives of persons suffering from HIV/…
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