Dear Editor, The general and regional elections are due in a matter of days. The president has already made the announcement and not surprisingly, the political campaigns are in full swing. From the looks of things, the campaigns will be robust, and I trust that the parties will deal with issues and not personalities. Every Guyanese wants to see these elections conducted in the most transparent manner, free from violence and fear. No doubt the observer groups will play an important role in ensuring this happens. I noticed that the…
Read MoreYear: 2011
The damage done to Guyana by sections of the media will take many years to repair
Dear Editor, I have just returned from overseas on vacation, and I must say it pains my heart to hear what Guyanese who have been living abroad think about our dear country. This, I dare say, is as a result of what a few media houses have been reporting about the country, especially Kaieteur News, which is known for spreading lies and misinformation on a daily basis. I have had the privilege of speaking to many persons about their impressions of Guyana, and while I knew that there was a…
Read MoreFreddie Kissoon’s ‘gospel’ of criticism
Dear Editor, Whenever I read anything by Freddie Kissoon, I want to know what it is he is writing about. He has a ‘gospel’ of hatred and criticism. If I choose to believe his ‘gospel,’ then Guyana is the worst country in the world and President Jagdeo is the worst man. In fact, Freddie Kissoon has become so irrelevant and impossible that he once wrote that ‘Long Hair’ Naraine, the notorious Guyanese-Surinamese pirate, is not so bad after all. Why? Simply because Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee exposed and castigated…
Read MoreGuyana has made big strides in reducing HIV stigma – Desiree Edghill
By Danielle Campbell Artistes in Direct Support Director Desiree Edghill said that Guyana has come a far way in reducing stigma and discrimination against persons living and affected by HIV/AIDS. During a recent interview with Guyana Times International, Edghill disclosed that stigma and discrimination still exists, but Guyana has seen a tremendous reduction. “Guyana has really come a far way where reducing stigma and discrimination is concerned. When people feel comfortable walking into a site during National Week of Testing and getting tested, then that is huge,” the social worker…
Read MorePoverty
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was observed on Monday, October 17. This commemoration began in 1993, and was sanctioned by the United Nations (UN). The observance can actually be traced back to October 17, 1987. On that day, more than a hundred thousand people gathered at the Trocadéro in Paris, where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948 to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence, and hunger. Since then, people of all backgrounds, beliefs and social origins have gathered every year, to renew their…
Read MoreSecurity forces geared to ensure peace and order during election periods– Rohee
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee says the security forces are “geared” and “poised” to ensure the maintenance of peace and good order throughout the current campaign season, during and after the 2011 General and Regional elections. “From a security standpoint the plans are in place, the personnel are geared up with the necessary standard operating procedures. I would like to assure all Guyanese, including the private sector and investors, to rest assured that there will be a very high comfort level in respect of the atmosphere that will prevail in…
Read MorePPP/C keeps Sam Hinds as PM candidate
By Tiffny Rhodius Presidential candidate of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Donald Ramotar has announced that Samuel Hinds will be his running mate in the 2011 general and regional elections. Hinds would be the longest serving prime minister in Guyana if the party is returned to power. The disclosure was made at the party’s third rally, which was held in Linden, the place where Hinds spent most of his work life. “He is a man who has shown tremendous intelligence; he has shown a capacity for hard work; he…
Read MoreEU envoy upbeat about Guyana’s future
By Ariana Gordon Outgoing European Union (EU) High Commissioner to Guyana, Geert Heikens, said while democracy exists in Guyana, there is need for the political parties to unite to ease tensions. He said that in five years, Guyana should be bright, noting that he is optimistic that there would be significant changes, given the current growth of the economy. He pointed to the fact that the gold, bauxite, sugar, and potentially oil industries would generate enormous amounts of revenue. “If I come back in five years, I would see a…
Read MoreGECOM commences printing of voters’ list
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) said it has commenced the printing of the Official List of Electors (OLE) for the upcoming general and regional elections. The OLE is being printed on specially designed water-marked paper procured from CODE Inc, a reputable overseas supplier which deals in sensitive election materials, GECOM said in a statement. Electronic copies of the OLE were given by GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally to Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Robert Corbin and People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary and presidential candidate, Donald…
Read MoreFull Court dismisses injunction against Manzoor Nadir
By Tiffiny Rhodius A day after the Full Court dismissed her injunction against Manzoor Nadir, The United Force (TUF) presidential candidate Valerie Garrido-Lowe was evicted from Unity House, the party’s headquarters. When Guyana Times International arrived at Unity House on Wednesday afternoon, two men, in the company of party chairman Ismail Muhammad, had just kicked in the office door of the bottom flat of the building. Garrido-Lowe was sitting at a desk inside the office. Realising that the media was in the building, Muhammad responded with hostility demanding that Guyana…
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