May 2018 – Page 18 – Guyana Times International

Activist calls for more education to address rising levels of domestic violence in Guyana

May 4, 2018May 4, 2018 TIMES INT'L

For Guyana to reduce the incidence of domestic violence, which eventually results in fatalities and disrupted homes, education must be provided at every institution to inform people about the magnitude of this type of abuse. These were the sentiments shared by women’s rights activist, Joy Marcus, of Red Thread, who addressed this issue in light of the high domestic violence rate, which Guyana has faced over the past few months. Speaking with Guyana Times International on Monday, Marcus noted that a different approach was essential, given the fact that the…

Govt moves to Parliament for additional funds to fight border case

May 4, 2018May 4, 2018 TIMES INT'L

One month after Government formally filed legal proceedings against neighbouring Venezuela at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to finally confirm the legal validity and binding effect of the 1899 Arbitral Award, the coalition has moved to Parliament, seeking millions to pay legal fees. This request comes at a time when Government is yet to state how much of the US$18 million it received from ExxonMobil in the form of a signing bonus has been expended for this same case. That money is said to be sitting somewhere in the…

Worst examples of political persecution seen in Guyana for decades

May 4, 2018May 4, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, The recent charges laid against former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and former NICIL CEO Winston Brassington are the worst examples of political persecution seen in Guyana for decades, and reek of desperation on the part of the military dictatorship Government anxious to protect its stranglehold on power in the run-up to the 2020 national elections. Several prominent stakeholders in society, including the leadership of the Private Sector and other civil society organisations, have already expressed outrage at the obviously politically motivated charges laid against Singh and Brassington.…

The crude methods the PNC used to rig elections in the past may not be possible now

May 4, 2018May 4, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, Last year an email was sent from Basil Williams, Chairman of the PNC, to Amna Ally, Joseph Harmon, Winston Felix and Raphael Trotman. In that email, he reminded them of some decisions that were taken by the PNC’s Elections Committee in preparing for the next elections. In it he spoke about their throwing on some mega parties to attract young people. A lot of money will be spent to bring artistes from the Caribbean and further afield. He is, no doubt, working on the assumption that by doing…

Journey to Highbury

May 4, 2018May 4, 2018 TIMES INT'L

AN INDENTURED IMMIGRANT’S FIRST HOME Two hundred and fifty labourers had sailed from Kolkata (then Calcutta) India on The Whitby to arrive in British Guiana on May 5, 1838. Four died along the 96-day journey. Highbury, their first point of entry, is a small village at the culmination of an annual trek by those commemorating the arrival of East Indians in Guyana. According to some accounts, many of those who returned to India after their indentureship period at Highbury had ended, returned with substantial wealth; paving the way for the…

Guyana moving towards countrywide ban on plastic bags by 2021

May 4, 2018May 4, 2018 TIMES INT'L

The Guyana Government is making serious moves towards a ban on the use of plastic bags in Guyana, a move that, while it may have a blow-back effect on businesses, can move Guyana ahead in its environment protection plans. According to Minister of State Joseph Harmon at a post-Cabinet press conference on Friday, the ending of the use of plastic bags across Guyana is on the Government’s agenda. He explained that plastic is a problem across the world and Guyana, for its part, was not exempted from the consequences of…

Commemorating of East Indian Arrival

May 4, 2018May 4, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Guyanese, will on Saturday, May 5, 2018 observe East Indian Arrival Day ; an occasion commemorating the 180th anniversary of their arrival, bringing with them their ancient customs, food and culture from India. Under a system of agreement, an order in the Council of Britain was passed on July 12, 1838 making provision for indentured immigrants to travel to Guyana for a term of five years. On January 13, 1838 the Whitby left the shores of India with 249 immigrants on board and arrived in Guyana on the 5th May…

Another nail…

May 4, 2018May 4, 2018 TIMES INT'L

…in democracy’s coffin You’ve got to hand it to the PNC: they’re leaving no stone unturned in their drive to reinstitute over Guyana the dictatorship first established by Forbes Burnham. But then, the present leader of the PNC – David Granger — did say publicly and repeatedly that his mission is to continue the “legacy” of the PNC’s “founder-leader”. And like Burnham, he does seem to like covering his excesses with legal fig leaves. This time, it’s through reaffirming the ancient common law charge of “sedition” and seditious libel via…

Auntie Chalma takes us BACK a generation

May 4, 2018May 4, 2018 TIMES INT'L

By Lakhram Bhagirat Pongavanum Munsammy or w as she is lovingly known is a 91-year-old former estate worker, who even in her old age, enjoys an active life and is dependent on no one. Auntie Chalma came into the spotlight a few years ago when she was honoured as the oldest surviving worker of the Leonora Sugar Estate and since then, she has enjoyed national recognition. Born on February 17, 1927 to indentured immigrants Andikan and Chinganie at Leonora Pasture, West Coast Demerara, Auntie Chalma remembers growing up in a…

Press body calls for removal of sedition clause in Cyber Crimes Bill

May 4, 2018May 4, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Across the globe, World Press Freedom Day is observed on May 3 annually and this year the day is being observed under the theme “Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law”. In observance of this day, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) is calling on all media practitioners to take a stand against those in authority as they see to wield influence on content disbursement. “The GPA is cognisant that in our society, lines of power, authority and decision-making in the media are blurred by shared interests,…