Month: July 2011

International football players keep strong Guyanese roots

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This great land of many waters has produced many international athletes who, although making their Guyanese background known in foreign lands, are hardly heard of, if not unknown here. The dedicated Guyanese writer and researcher Ras Michael found two very young football players with a rich Guyanese background, and who are aggressive athletes internationally: Teal Bunbury and Sean Cameron. Sean Cameron was born on January 26, 1985 in Brooklyn, New York to Guyanese parents. He grew up in New Jersey and attended North Brunswick High School, where he became a…

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Sustainable forest investors visits Guyana on fact-finding mission

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A team of sustainable forest investors visited Guyana on a fact-finding mission, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported on July 15. The team was brought to Guyana by former St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Sir James Mitchell who renewed his acquaintance with President Bharrat Jagdeo during a courtesy visit. According to GINA, the team from the FTI Timber Growth Fund Limited, a European-based company operating in the Roraima state of Brazil, included board chairman Marcus Valentine and operations consultant John Edwards, among others. The company maintains reputable standards…

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Access to Info Bill step in right direction – Bar Association

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BY JANELLE PERSAUD Guyana Bar Association President Timothy Jonas has proposed that a database giving easier access to information be established to complement the recently-tabled Access to Information Bill. Jonas’s comments came days before the National Assembly closed submissions on the bill, which is currently before a special select committee. According to the attorney, the bill seems to be a step in the right direction. “That being said, I am in some doubt as to the immediate efficacy of the act. I wonder if it might not be a piece…

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Govt commences implementation of teachers’ multi-year agreement – finance minister

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Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh announced on July 15 that thousands of teachers across Guyana will start receiving benefits this month under the historic multi-year agreement concluded between the government of Guyana and the Guyana Teachers Union earlier this year. In making the announcement, Minister Singh indicated that he had instructed that funds be released by the Finance Ministry to the relevant agencies, and that the applicable payrolls be processed to implement the terms of the agreement. The minister stated that this having been done, and other required administrative steps…

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Miss Guyana Universe 2011 on a mission to make top 15

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With just about two weeks to go to the Miss Universe pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, newly-crowned Miss Guyana Universe is making it her mission to “get Guyana’s name called” in the top 15. “I know what I want, and I strive very hard towards getting there, and that’s what I’m aiming towards,” reigning Miss Guyana Universe, Kara Lord, said during a meeting with her designer. Lord is about to embark on an intensive regimen with trainer Derek Moore as she begins her preparations for the international leg of the…

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Preparations for GFW moving full steam ahead

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This is the fifth year that the Guyana Fashion Weekend is being held, and to commemorate this year’s anniversary, an exciting schedule of activities is planned. The Fashion Weekend will be held at the Guyana Cricket Club Ground in Georgetown on September 24 and 25. GFW has come a long way since its inaugural showing in the Conference Hall at the Princess International Hotel back in August 2007. What an energy-filled night that was. It was a clear indication that Guyanese fashion had found an outlet. The versatile world of…

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PNCR parliamentarian calls for awareness campaign on climate change

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PNCR parliamentarian Clarissa Riehl is calling on government to initiate a massive public education campaign on climate change and the effects of poor environmental practices. Speaking in the National Assembly on July 14, Riehl opined that the administration needs to take a more proactive approach to the issue of solid waste management in the city and the country as a whole. She noted that, despite the disastrous 2005 floods, Guyanese continue to dispose of “plastic and Styrofoam” items irresponsibly, and these clog drains and clutter parapets. “It is incumbent on…

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IICA commended for role in agriculture sector

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Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud commended the efforts of the Office of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) for its participation in agriculture on July 15 at Georgetown Club. Speaking at the annual Accountability Seminar, the minister said the endeavour to modernise and transform the traditional agriculture sector requires combined efforts from all stakeholders. Persaud highlighted improvements in the agriculture sector over the last four years, and noted different inputs and contributions provided by the IICA. He applauded the technical support which has helped the agriculture sector to reach…

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Guyana modernising payment systems – BoG official

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…. cash payments to be reduced Steps are being taken to have Guyana’s payment system modernized, so as to ensure safe, efficient, reliable, and convenient service is provided to customers by the local banking industry. According to Bank of Guyana Manager (Accounting and Budgetary), Leslie Glen, bank notes and coins are now widely used for payment purposes. He said that since 1997, Guyana, through the Central Bank, embarked on a modernisation of the payment system with the hope of reducing cash payments. “Guyana’s payment system is relatively underdeveloped. Guyana is…

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Russian businessmen express interest in Guyana

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Businessmen from the Federative Republic of Russia have expressed interest in trading and investing in Guyana. Russian Ambassador to Guyana, Nikolay Smirnov, made this disclosure during a recent courtesy call on Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Komal Ramnauth. Ambassador Smirnov noted that Russian businesses have shown interest in the areas of oil exploration and gold mining. The diplomat listed the Linden- Lethem road development project, the development of hydropower and the aquaculture sectors, supplies of passenger hovercraft, boats, and air traffic control and navigation systems as priority…

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