2015 – Page 23 – Guyana Times International

NY-based eight-year-old girl launches book at National Library in Georgetown

August 17, 2015 TIMES INT'L

An eight-year-old girl Anaya Lee Willabus on Wednesday launched her book, “The Day Mohan Found His Confidence”, at the National Library’s Conference Room in the presence of Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes and Education Minister Rupert Roopnaraine. Willabus, who was previously recognised by the New York State Assembly Chambers as the area’s youngest published author, was inspired by her vacation in Guyana to write the book. Her book tells the story of a young boy named Mohan and the many difficulties he experiences at home and at school. The aspiring teacher…

‘Hindu School’ produces Guyana’s top CXC students

August 17, 2015 TIMES INT'L

…Top student gains 20 Grade Ones The Ministry of Education in Guyana has released the results of the 2015 Caribbean Secondary Examinations Council (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) which show the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN), a private school at Cornelia Ida, in Region Three, copping the four top spots and Queens College dominating the CAPE performances. SVN had more than 10 students in the preliminary results with Victoria Najab [Top Student] receiving 20 grade ones, Vamanad Hiralall with 19 grade ones and one grade two. Two other…

Ingrid Griffith – US-based Guyanese writer and actor

August 7, 2015August 7, 2015 TIMES INT'L

By Jihan Ramroop Ingrid Griffith, the writer and performer of “Demerara Gold” sat down with the Guyana Times International to talk about what inspires her, moves her, and drives her one-woman show. 1. What made you want to write Demerara Gold? Caribbeans in America are very much a fabric of this society yet our stories and experiences are still pretty isolated and not fully told. There are books authored by Caribbean writers about the Caribbean experience but we don’t see movies or Plays about our experience. I played Ruth Younger…

Roopnaraine agreed to abrupt end of Rodney CoI

August 7, 2015 TIMES INT'L

– admits succumbing to PNC-dominated Cabinet pressure BY ALEXIS RODNEY Leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has confessed that he was a signatory to the precipitous decision to scrap the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI), but said that he is still prepared to offer his statement to Commissioners who are yet to present their findings. By making this admission, Roopnaraine, who was appointed Senior Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister in the new Government, has confirmed reports that the decision of the Peoples National Congress…

Govt will not directly market rice – Holder insists amid growing concerns

August 7, 2015 TIMES INT'L

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder made it clear that the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration will not get involved in the direct marketing of rice, insisting that it is a job for the millers themselves. This is contrary to what the coalition had promised in its Elections Manifesto 2015. Specifically, under Chapter Five: Production, Transformation and Economic Diversification, under the subheading relating to the rice industry, it is boldly printed that “The APNU/AFC coalition will… Immediately initiate a sustainable Rice Sector support programme which would include…the…

PPP/C slams Govt over anti-poor policies

August 7, 2015 TIMES INT'L

…moves being made to give laptops to friends, cronies — PPP/C By Kristen Macklingam The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on Monday whipped the David Granger Administration for implementing anti-poor policies as it rejected the notion that when it was in power there was consideration for raising the salaries of its Ministers and Presidential Advisers at the expense of taxpayers and distributing laptop computers to its friends and cronies. PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee, during a media briefing, explained that his Party would never think about increasing monies for themselves against…

Nagamootoo promises State media Boards will be free from “political hacks”

August 7, 2015 TIMES INT'L

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Monday claimed that his Government would soon move to reconstitute State Boards across the country that were free from what he referred to as “political hacks”. Nagamootoo made this comment although he has approved and supported the appointment of Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive Member and Public Relations Officer Beverley Alert as the Head of the Government Information Agency (GINA). He has also appointed several other persons within the National Communications Network (NCN), Guyana Chronicle and GINA. Prime Minister Nagamootoo, in an address to the…

Govt to increase travelling “per diem” allowances for officials

August 7, 2015 TIMES INT'L

By Michael Younge Government is currently taking steps to increase the per diem and other benefits for its officials, Ministers and other members of the administration by an average of some 60 per cent whenever decisions are made to travel abroad for state business. Sources close to the Finance Ministry on Wednesday told this newspaper that after becoming dissatisfied with what was offered by the State under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) as allowances for travel aboard, the new Government decided to make changes that would see its members experiencing…

Pressure mounts over massive pay hike for Ministers/ VPs

August 7, 2015 TIMES INT'L

– but govt maintains increases will not be implemented “at this time” By Devina Samaroo Amid widespread public outrage over the proposed pay hike for Government Ministers and other officials, Government on Wednesday stonewalled questions from the media about the particulars of the pay hike and while insisting that there would be no drastic or 100 per cent increase, Government refused to offer specific alternative numbers. Government also remains mum on how soon this increase will be implemented; indicating only that it will not take place “at this present time”.…

“Spectacular celebration” planned to mark Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary in U.S.

August 7, 2015 TIMES INT'L

Guyanese living in the United States (US) have begun preparation for the commemoration of Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary in May of next year. US-based Guyanese Rickford Burke, has been named Coordinator of the Commemoration Planning Committee, which will oversee the planning and execution of activities which are expected to be a grand occasion. President David Granger is expected to be at the festivities. The initial meeting of the Committee was held last Wednesday at Guyana’s consulate in New York. Guyana’s Consul General Brentnold Evans, and the Committee brainstormed a series…