Year: 2012

An indigenous history

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Part 2: Indigenous Guyanese and the slave trade On the early Dutch Essequibo plantations, the Indian slave trade, as it is known, is said to have begun in the late 17th century. The trade also existed alongside early African slavery, and there is mention of an Arawak-African slave uprising in Berbice in 1687. The Indian Slave Trade was eventually abolished in the 1790s during the time of the later African Slave Trade on the colony. Like the African slave trade, it is documented that the Indian Slave Trade was often…

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Battling disability with skill: Blind radiographer defies the odds

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By Danielle CampbBell “The mind is truly more perceptive than the eyes,” is a belief which holds true for radiologist Loretta Vigilance. Vigilance, a mother of four, analyses and interprets dozens of X-rays every week at the hospital where she is employed, and is also a dietary nutritionist, a lecturer, and interior decorator. Her story would have been considered the average life of a Guyanese woman had she not defied the odds that were stacked against her. Vigilance is visually-impaired. Her masterfully designed pieces are breathtaking and thought-provoking, even more…

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Young entrepreneur talks business – “My ultimate advice: create value”

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Trading the medical field for entrepreneurship, young Guyanese Rosh Khan, holder of a medical degree, is now sought after by many renowned international companies for his practical advice on business success. At 24, Khan decided he would create a social media agency, and in January 2011, he officially launched SocialRank Media. His company has since developed from a bedroom business catering to local New York clients to a global operation with hundreds of clients around the world. His new head office is currently under construction in Georgetown. In an exclusive…

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Enmore Packaging Plant is working to expectations – Agri Minister

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By Samuel Sukhnandan Amid concerns raised about the general operation of the Enmore Packaging Plant, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said the recently-built factory is in full operation, but it will be some five to eight years before it starts to function in its full capacity. Dr Ramsammy made this statement on Friday, during a tour of the facility for members of the local media. According to him, while the packaging plant had encountered some technical issues at the beginning, it is now performing well. The agriculture minister noted that…

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More opportunities for export will be opened up to farmers – President

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By Indrawattie Natram Thousands flocked the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground to be part of Essequibo Night as President Donald Ramotar officially opened the activities for the two-day event. Ramotar said investments made by the government will allow greater exports for coastland farmers. He was at the time speaking about the government’s intention of building a deep water harbour to Brazil and roads leading to the Rupununi. “Once the deep harbour is built, more lands will be opened up in the interior areas, as such, farmers can cultivate and increase…

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Gold production up by 23 per cent – Persaud

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There has been an overall increase in gold production, declaration and sales for the year so far, with production being recorded at 314,000 ounces, an increase of about 23 per cent over the figure for the corresponding period last year. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud made this disclosure on Thursday. He said for the same period last year, just about 207,000 ounces of gold were declared. “We have seen declaration and sales going up, sales to the Guyana Gold Board as well as to the private dealers,” he…

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Survey finds 38 per cent of Guyanese believe opposition sabotaging government

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A recent opinion survey has revealed that 38 per cent of people in Guyana believe the combined opposition is sabotaging government’s development initiatives, while another 40 per cent do not support its tactic of withholding funds to the president’s office. The survey was conducted in July by New York-based pollster, Vishnu Bisram, for the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA). These and other findings were obtained in the poll that queried voters’ views on a number of issues impacting Guyana. Thirty-nine per cent of those polled said they are satisfied…

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Lindeners launch “One Mile Primary School Rebuild Project”

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The Linden community on Saturday launched its “One Mile Primary School Rebuild Project”, which will see the school located at Wismar being reconstructed by residents. The school was burnt by arsonists during the month-long protest over an electricity tariff increase in the mining town in August. The launch held on the lawns of the burnt out school was attended by Opposition Leader David Granger, Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon, regional councillors, representatives of donor organisation, the Linden Fund USA (LFU) and students of the One Mile Primary School. A cheque…

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20 years more!

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Satiricus has been around the block and then again. He knows that the PPPEE has done good; but he’s wondering whether after 20 years, they shouldn’t be stepping aside to let the other guys have a chance. Ok, he knows politics isn’t cricket. Errr… well not so different from the new cricket, he realised. Couldn’t imagine Kevin Pietersen stepping aside for anybody!   Anyhow, he decided to float the suggestion to the brain trust. They were quaffing a few in honour of October 5. “Step aside? Step aside?” shrieked Hari in…

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Skeldon factory on course to surpass 2012 target – Ramsammy

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By Kristen Macklingam In spite of many challenges that the sugar industry, and specifically the Skeldon Sugar Factory has faced in recent times, the flagship factory of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has created a new historical feat with a production of 2502 tonnes of sugar last week. Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who facilitated a tour for media operatives to have an opportunity to visit the factory on Saturday, noted that this latest success story could not have been possible without the farmers as they play a critical role…

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