Dear Editor, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) was not surprised to read the comments of Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) Senior Communications Officer, Audreyanna Thomas, which were contained in an article titled “Despite low attendance, GuySuCo says on target for second crop” that appeared in the November 13, 2017 edition of one of the newspapers. The GuySuCo officer is quoted to have said that our Union is seeking to “frustrate the company”. For some weeks now, our Union has been pointing out that the Corporation had begun to…
Read MoreYear: 2017
Guyana plagued by external interference, quite to its detriment
Dear Editor, Guyana has always been a stomping ground for the big and powerful colonial and neo-colonial superpowers: Plagued by international interference for decades, with most of it to the detriment of this country. As far back as our entrance into adult suffrage and self-rule, the superpowers dogged our path. Our history lessons are inundated with these facts. At one time in history, our fledgling democracy was cut short by the physical removal of the elected head of government. The situation got so bad that the premier and his wife…
Read MoreUN report flags Guyana for child marriages, low life expectancy
By Jarryl Bryan A recent report from the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) has stressed the need for more attention to be placed on social welfare and protection for the average citizen in middle-income countries – among which Guyana numbers. The report places a focus on social protection services being offered by Governments throughout the world. It details that there is more work to be done when it comes to eradicating child marriage. According to the report, up to last year, 30 per cent of children in Guyana…
Read MoreChallenges of Budget 2018
Budget time has come again and the honourable Finance Minister will soon present his budget to Parliament. The Minister has declared there would be no new taxes and this is of course a welcomed statement, since the population is already overtaxed and further taxes would have helped to destroy the country’s economy with even greater speed and cause great sufferings to the poorer sections of the population. If the main point of the budget is to impose no new taxes for 2018, it would be sterile as the omissions and…
Read MoreHigh Court challenge to GECOM Chair’s appointment now set for January
– as Acting Chief Justice reprimands airing of case in public domain Weeks after parliamentary opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) filed an injunction in the High Court to rescind the unilateral appointment of GECOM Chairman retired Justice James Patterson, acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire on Thursday urged lawyers for both sides to cease “trying the case in the court of public opinion”. Her call was issued before she set a timetable for Attorney General, Basil Williams and Attorney-at-Law for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Anil Nandlall and their respective legal…
Read MoreNew York State employees to benefit from Public Service Award says Governor
… Honorees will receive a $5,000 professional development scholarship Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Wednesday that nominations are now being accepted for the Empire Star Public Service Award, a $5,000 professional development scholarship program for New York State employees. Nominations are being accepted for those who have distinguished themselves through their dedication to serve the public with a high level of performance, integrity, and pride. “Every day, hardworking men and women who make up the state’s public workforce strive to help improve the lives of their fellow New Yorkers,”…
Read MoreGECOM Chair’s role in ‘Grenada 17’ trial condemned by Human Rights Authority
…as pressure continues to bear down on Patterson to resign Amid heavy criticisms over the unilateral appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Guyana Human Rights Authority (GHRA) has now brought new information to the public’s attention about the alleged involvement of retired Justice James Patterson with the infamous “Grenada 17” trial of which he had a heavy hand in, while serving in the judicial system on that island. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the GHRA made reference to the United States’ (US) invasion of…
Read MoreSexual Offences Court launched to deal with increasing cases
– court will be equipped with trained personnel After years of extensive discussion and planning among stakeholders, the Supreme Court of Judicature (High Court) on Monday launched the Sexual Offences Court with hopes to take this same model to the other two counties – Berbice and Essequibo – in an effort to reduce the increased incidence of such cases. In declaring the court open, acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards said that the specialist court was properly staffed and would see the rotation of criminal judges. The Chancellor…
Read MoreIndenture Conference slated for Dec 2 at Columbia University, NY
On the occasion of 100th anniversary (1917-2017) of abolition of Indentureship from India, the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) is hosting an international conference to reflect on this historic event. Academics, community leaders and students are invited to make presentations and or to participate in the conference. The public is also invited to be a part this important conference which theme is “Indo-Caribbean Diaspora’s Achievements, Challenges and Prospects”. Attendance and participation is free. The organizers (FIIDS) note that “the inspiring journey of the indentureds and their descendants…
Read MoreGuyanese Keemo Paul optimistic as he scores First Class 100
Keemo Paul, the Guyana Jaguars’ big-hitting all-rounder said racking up his maiden First Class ton has only increased his appetite to score bigger and more consistently; as he plans to keep churning out match-winning performances for the defending champs. The 19-year-old hard-hitting batsman told this publication on the eve of the third round clash against the Leeward Hurricanes, that his second innings knock of 107 from 129 balls against Jamaica Scorpions was a very special innings and one which he had been waiting on for some time now. “It meant…
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