Year: 2019

Boy, 16, found guilty of rape of 6-yr-old

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After being found guilty of rape at just 16 years old, Trevlon Frank now awaits his sentencing whilst on remand for the crime. This comes after a 12-member jury on Wednesday returned a unanimous guilty verdict against the teen, who was accused of raping a six-year-old back in 2016. Frank initially pleaded not guilty to the indictment when it was read by Justice Simone Ramlall at the trial commencement earlier this week. The indictment stated that between November 16 and 30, 2016, in Demerara, he engaged in sexual penetration with…

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IMF highlights Guyana’s inadequate foreign reserves

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As a rule of thumb, economists recommend that Governments keep enough foreign reserves to be able to cover three months of imports. In Guyana’s case, however, our reserves are enough to cover little over a month’s worth of imports. This was a finding of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during its recent article IV consultations in Guyana where it consulted with various stakeholders and analysed data to come up with economic projections and data on Guyana. The report pointed out that gross reserve coverage declined to 2.1 months of imports,…

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Guyana commissions 3rd Sexual Offences Court

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The Social Protection Ministry in collaboration with the British High Commission of Guyana and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) on Monday commissioned the third Sexual Offences Court, this time in Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). The structure was built in Suddie at the tune of G$17.4 million, with funding from the British High Commission and UNICEF. The two other Sexual Offences Courts are located in Georgetown, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Berbice High Court, Esplanade Road, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). The Department of Public Information (DPI) reported that under…

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PPP promises free tertiary education if elected

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As the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) rolls out aspects of its manifesto for the upcoming elections, Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali continues to highlight specific sectors – this time drawing focus on the education sector. He pointed out that the policies in the education sector under the PPP Administration would be geared towards improved access, quality, affordability and preparing Guyanese students at the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Tertiary levels so as to ensure that they secure better-paying jobs in line with the requirement of the economy. “Consistent…

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Referee…

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…for elections? The Carter Center made an invaluable contribution to Guyana and Guyanese back in 1992 when after two years of “behind the scene” and “on the scene” work, they were able to shepherd through the first “free and fair” elections in 28 years. Fast forward another twenty eight years and we’re once again in need of some help to facilitate another such elections. This weekend, the Carter Center’s back cause clearly, we haven’t been able to get our act (electorally) in all that time. There’s hope in some local…

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Drunken cop slams Police boat into private vessels; probe launched

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An investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding a police constable being allowed to operate a service boat while reportedly being under the influence of alcohol. INews understands that on Sunday afternoon the constable was steering the boat along the Canje River, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), when he crashed into two private vessels, causing them to become submerged. According to information reaching INews, the river exercise was in preparation for a trip that was scheduled to occur on Monday. INews was told that an officer at Central Police…

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“All educators are unique in their own way” Rezwan Amid Persaud

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Teaching requires the patience to deal with multiple personalities. Teaching requires the ability to see a classroom of students as individuals as opposed to a collective. Teaching is the art of simplifying the most difficult thing so that your students can grasp the concept. A teacher is judged by the achievements of their students because it is believed that a teacher has the ability to work miracles. Quite often, teachers go above and beyond what is required of them to get the job done. They sacrifice their personal lives so…

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Officials of Guyana Govt continue to act as if they are running a ‘cake shop’

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Dear Editor, Guyana’s oil discoveries have set insider trading alarm bells ringing at all the major stock exchanges in the past week. On September 8, a report by online magazine Petroleum Economist attributed new discoveries to Government of Guyana official, Owen Verwey. “There have been some big discoveries and by next Friday, we will be announcing another one… We are one of the hottest destinations for the oil and gas industry right now and that is set to continue,” this statement was made during an address at the Society of…

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Survey finds substance abuse prevalent among Guyana’s youths

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The National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA) conducted a National Drug Prevalence Survey among secondary school students in Guyana, which concluded that 40 per cent of teenagers are unaware of the risks associated with drug use. Although the survey was conducted six years ago, NANA said in a statement to the media on Monday that substance abuse is on the increase, especially with the sale of ecstasy in schools across the various administrative regions. “In addition to the use of ecstasy, it was discovered that the use of alcohol among young children…

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Justice…

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…and the constitution Every Sunday, the man who so much craves to be Prime Minister again – even though he complained bitterly he was gypped by Granger of his promised powers and his party has selected Ramjattan – gets a chance to brownnose his way into the PNC’s good graces. There’s his weekly Chronic column he has to justify the outrage de jour of the PNC!! This Sunday, it was the constitutional crisis that’ll be precipitated on Sept 18 since the PNC-led government will become illegal since elections should’ve been…

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