The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has fired two of its officers for their roles in the smuggling of a large quantity of cocaine in logs earlier this year. The shipment was intercepted in Jamaica, by port officials there, but until now no one has been charged with the find. Local drug agents had questioned a number of people, including the shipper and owner of the logs. The GRA said that in addition to the two officers another one has been suspended. In a statement, GRA said the decision to terminate…
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Mentoring programme to expand to five more schools
BY SAMUEL SUKHNANDAN In an effort to build students’ self-esteem and confidence, the Education Ministry will be introducing its mentoring programme to five more schools in the new academic term. National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Coordinator Carol Benn told Guyana Times International in a recent interview that this move was triggered by the success of the mentoring programmes. Benn explained that the programme has helped to lift the level of values of children and has attracted several volunteers. The ministry is calling on professionals to support the mentoring programme by…
Read MoreJagdeo, LaRocque agree on approach to regional integration
President Bharrat Jagdeo has reiterated his appeal for a more meaningful and impacting role of the Caribbean Community in the promotion of regional integration. The Guyanese head of state made these remarks when newly appointed Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, paid him a courtesy call on Friday, August 26. Ambassador LaRocque was inducted as the sixth secretary general of Caricom on August 15. At that occasion, he called for a turnaround in the architecture and governance of the community’s integration arrangements. He told the Government Information Agency (GINA) about…
Read MoreMalali, Muritaro residents urged to be guided by Amerindian Act
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai encouraged residents of two Region Ten communities to be guided in their affairs by the Amerindian Act, which empowers Amerindians socially, economically and politically. Minister Sukhai told the residents that when the PPP/C government took office, there were 74 titled Amerindian villages; and in less than 15 years, 96 villages were demarcated. According to her, regardless of the geographic location of communities and settlement patterns, government is committed to their development. Sukhai and a team visited Malali and Muritaro, two riverine communities of Region Ten,…
Read MoreClimate change being integrated into schools’ curricula
In an effort to improve the quality and effectiveness of the delivery of science education, the Education Ministry is reviewing its curricula for primary and secondary schools to include interactive lessons that focus on climate change awareness. This drive is being executed in partnership with several agencies, including UNESCO, the Office of Climate Change, Conservation International, the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the University of Guyana (UG), the Mangrove Action Committee (MAC), the Agriculture Ministry, and the Caribbean Academy of Sciences. Proposals have been drafted, in collaboration with the…
Read MoreGlobal action needed to tackle chronic diseases – Ramsammy
As countries the world over prepare to gather at the upcoming United Nations High Level Summit on Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in September, Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy believes that more needs to be done to ensure that developing countries are placed in a better position to adequately address the issue. He noted that NCDs are the major causes of death not only here but globally and can only be tackled through a collaborative approach. Chronic NCDs such as heart diseases, stroke, diabetes, cancer, lung diseases and neo-psychiatric disorders are…
Read MoreTUF weighs option of expelling Nadir
– Garrido-Lowe warns him against “manipulating” executives Leader of The United Force (TUF), Valerie Garrido-Lowe, says the party’s executive is considering expelling Manzoor Nadir from the party if he continues to “manipulate” some of its members. At a press conference on Tuesday, August 30, to address the issue, Garrido-Lowe, accompanied by three other executive members, said the party expects Nadir, the current labour minister, to do the “decent thing” and vacate the party’s parliamentary seat. “Election is just a few months away and TUF wants a fair chance at…
Read MoreGovernment should think seriously about re-entering the airline business
Dear Editor, Your editorial titled “Air travel, a constraint to tourism”, which appeared in the August 22 edition of your daily newspaper, has emphasised a concern on which I have been pondering for a while now. During the past six months, I have travelled thrice to North America, and my experience with the airlines was very unpleasant. In addition to being extremely expensive and offering a poor service, the frustration of getting a flight is overbearing. Also, I have friends in Canada and the U. S. A. who are eager…
Read MoreMuch progress made in education sector
Dear Editor, From recent developments around the country, it is quite evident that the government is serious about equipping the nation’s children for the working world. In this regard, the government has made several interventions as part of its efforts to enhance school attendance throughout the country. This effort is not limited to coastal areas alone, but rather the entire country. The interventions come in different forms from time to time and are meant to prevent parents and children from coming up with excuses for children not attending schools. Apart…
Read MoreWomen and Gender Equality Commission honours outstanding Afro-Guyanese women
Fifty-two women of African descent were honoured by the Women and Gender Equality Commission on Saturday, August 27, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to society and in celebration of the International Year for People of African Descent. “Today, as we look back, based on the struggles and sacrifices made back then, we enjoy a better quality of life as women, since they (women) were deprived (of this right) in those days,” Junior Finance Minister Jennifer Webster said in her feature address to the women at the National Cultural Centre.…
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