Yearly Archives: 2024

UG student awarded ‘McGowan family education scholarship’ Aug 03, 2024 News Maritza Lutchman (seated centre) holds the award while surrounded by members of the McGowan Foundation Inc. scholarship programme. Kaieteur News – Victoria Village native Maritza Lutchman, a second-year law student at the University of Guyana (UG), has been named the 2023 recipient of the McGowan Foundation Inc. scholarship. The announcement was made during an award ceremony held on July 12 at the Herdmanston Lodge. Lutchman, who was selected from a competitive pool of applicants, received the scholarship valued at $1M. Lutchman is the third recipient to receive the award which was established in 2021 and is funded by an annual fundraiser and donations from supporters. The foundation requires that scholarship recipients complete twenty-five hours of community service and maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) above 3.0. The McGowan Foundation’s scholarship programme is known for its stringent criteria, including a demonstrated commitment to public service and community development. Expressing her gratitude, Lutchman vowed to uphold the values that the McGowan Foundation prizes. According to the press release, she told the McGowan family, “My assurance is given to stay dedicated to my obligations and responsibilities, while simultaneously using this experience to motivate and encourage other students who may be faced with feelings of doubt and despair that I’ve once felt. I intend to serve as a testament of what is possible through prayer, faith and hard work”. Further, the foundation’s President, Melissa Harding, highlighted the transformative power of education during the ceremony. “The McGowan family is committed to facilitating this transformation, one student at a time,” Harding said. Additionally, former McGowan Foundation President Lourdeth Ferguson, who delivered the keynote address, emphasized the scholarship’s alignment with the foundation’s core values—love, perseverance, honour, faith, scholarship, integrity, service, courage, and fellowship. She reflected on the legacy of the foundation’s founders, noting their impact on education and service. Looking ahead, it was announced that the foundation will host its signature summer fundraiser, Curry Q, on August 10. Following this event, the application cycle for the 2024 scholarship will open, continuing the foundation’s mission to support deserving University of Guyana students. Related Similar Articles

Man remanded for 2023 murder of bystander in West Ruimveldt Aug 03, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Remanded: Quacy Craig Kaieteur News – Thirty-six-year-old Quacy Craig was remanded on Friday to prison after being charged for the alleged 2023 murder of Dexter Horsham at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Craig appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Principal Magistrate, Judy Latchman who read the indictable charge to him. He was not required to enter a plea. Horsham was reported shot and chopped on August 10, 2023 while another was injured in the process. The two were spectators of a property dispute between a group of men in a pick-up and a soldier. Police reports indicate that on the day of the incident, Craig, accompanied by others, went to Lot 425 Hibiscus Street, West Ruimveldt, to evict someone from the property, which Craig claimed belonged to his grandparents. However, the accused was met with resistance from the persons at the house and persons in the neighbourhood which resulted in verbal and physical confrontation. During the fight, Craig allegedly took a gun from his vehicle and gave it to one of his accomplices who shot Horsham and other persons who were trying to bring about peace.  One of the accused accomplices dealt the deceased several chops about his body after he was shot. The group then fled the scene. Another suspect, Anthony La Rose called ‘Budhu’ was arrested one day after the incident and was remanded to prison August 17, 2023. Police persistently sought the other suspects and that lead to Craig’s arrest on July 16, 2024. During his arrest, Craig attempted to escape, resulting in police shooting him in the buttocks. He was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) before being placed in police custody. He was later charged for the offence of murder. Craig is scheduled to return to court on August 22, 2024. Related Similar Articles

CARICOM and Spain decide on areas of cooperation for the next five years Aug 03, 2024 News Assistant Secretary-General, Elizabeth (Centre, L) and Director of AECID, His Excellency Anton Leis Garcia (Centre, R), sign a new agreement for technical cooperation between CARICOM and Spain, during the IV Meeting of the Joint Commission of the Spain-CARICOM Fund held recently at the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters. Looking on are CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett and officials from the CARICOM Secretariat and AECID. Kaieteur News – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Kingdom of Spain have signed a new agreement for technical cooperation in food and nutrition security, health, climate change, and disaster risk reduction for the next five years. CARICOM Secretariat in a statement said that the focal areas were approved at the IV Meeting of the Joint Commission of the Spain-CARICOM Fund which was held recently at the CARICOM Secretariat headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana. The meeting was intended to continue the dialogue between CARICOM and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) to establish priority areas of cooperation and define the strategic objectives for a new cooperation program, within the framework of the Scientific and Technical Cooperation Agreement between the two parties. Ms. Elizabeth Solomon, Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations, signed the agreement on behalf of the CARICOM Secretariat, while His Excellency Antón Leis García, Director of AECID, signed for Spain. Ms. Solomon stated that the areas were “well-aligned” with the Community’s aims of increasing food security, addressing climate change, and strengthening regional health systems. In terms of health, she said: “CARICOM’s strategic focus is centered on addressing emerging health challenges and fortifying health systems in the Region, with specific emphasis on prevention and control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), enhancing maternal and child health outcomes, strengthening health systems to ensure universal access to quality healthcare services, and addressing environmental health threats”. She also stated that the Community is working to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25% by 2025, improve intra-regional trade, strengthen the agri-food system, foster long-term wealth creation opportunities for potential investors, and ensure food and nutrition security for all CARICOM Member States. With reference to climate change, the Assistant Secretary-General stated that the meeting occurred at a time when several CARICOM Member States were working to recover from the devastation inflicted by Hurricane Beryl. “The storms that impact the Region are becoming stronger and more frequent…The lack of access to concessional development financing and climate funding affects our ability to adapt to this crisis. Therefore, we must act urgently alongside development partners such as Spain to ensure the Community can face the challenges ahead,” Assistant Secretary-General Solomon stated. The AECID Director highlighted the importance and urgency of discussing how to work multilaterally as like-minded partners to address matters such as development finance, climate action, and support for Haiti. “We are very engaged in Haiti. We never closed our office. We remain engaged. We have contributed three million dollars to the international mission that is being deployed there. We salute the leadership of CARICOM not only in trying to bring security and stability to the country but also in forging a political solution and we are very encouraged by the developments on the ground.” Mr. Leis stated. (CARICOM Secretariat) Related Similar Articles

Emancipation arch unveiled at Victoria Village Aug 03, 2024 News The emancipation arch that was unveiled in Victoria Village (DPI) DPI – The government has partnered with residents of Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara (ECD) to build an emancipation arch in the community in recognition of the resilience, sacrifices, and indomitable spirit of African ancestors. Designed by 14-year-old, Kayden Meusa, the magnificent arch was unveiled on Thursday evening, as part of the community’s Emancipation Day activities. Attending the historic ceremony were Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, and Chair of Victoria Emancipation and Anniversary Planning Committee (VAPC), Kenneth Semple. Minister Anthony said that the arch will stand as a lasting reminder for future generations to fully understand and appreciate the sacrifices made by their ancestors. “This is the history that you came from. If we fail to remind the next generation of these atrocities, people would believe that what you have today and what you are celebrating came lightly…We have to find ways and means to teach people this history because it is important,” Dr. Anthony explained. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, and young artist, Kayden Meusa (DPI) The health minister also believes that a lot more can be done to celebrate Victoria’s rich tradition and culture. “We have a very rich history. And what we won in terms of this liberation in 1838 did not come without a struggle. It came because there were lots of people over many years that were involved in struggling for change in this country. We can go back as far as 1763,” he said. Back in August 2013, the 1823 Monument, which was unveiled by then President, Donald Ramotar, honours the enslaved that lost their lives during the 1823 Demerara slave uprising. Plantation Northbrook, renamed to Victoria, was the first village in Guyana that was bought by the freed slaves. Dr. Anthony emphasised the importance of such celebrations, noting that everyone has been able to make a valuable contribution towards the development of Guyana. Meanwhile, the young artist, Meusa noted that he conducted detailed research on Victoria’s history to compile the design of the arch. A plaque and a token were given to the youngster for his exemplary work. Related Similar Articles

Male drivers cause majority of accidents in Guyana – Minister Benn Aug 03, 2024 News Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn at the Road Safety Stakeholders’ Forum 2024 and Road Safety Campaign Launch. Kaieteur News – Young male drivers reportedly cause the majority of accidents in Guyana, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn disclosed on Friday during the 2024 Road Safety Stakeholders’ Forum and Road Safety Campaign Launch. The event was held at the Police Officers Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, Georgetown. “Young men, mostly young men some in the public transportation sector, young men who will go carousing and then become drivers of vehicles and our statistics perhaps as yet does not discern what the impact of driving under the influence is  in relation to road traffic deaths and accidents.” He added, “It merely talks about speeding but much of the speeding comes as a result of young and middle aged men too I think,” Benn said at the forum which is a partnership among the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana National Road Safety Council, ANSA McAl Distribution Inc, and Unicomer Guyana Inc. The forum addressed the commitment and future plans of key stakeholders and partners on actions undertaken to reduce deaths, injuries, crashes and trauma on the country’s roadways by 50%. “When we look at the problem of course as it was mentioned that most of the accidents and the fatalities resulted are …mostly young men and of course there are others too, who are impacted directly,” the Minister said during his address. Benn acknowledged the inappropriate behaviour of road users and highlighted that as a result of this behaviour, fatal accidents/ accidents will be a continuous problem. Minister Benn said that most road fatalities occur on the weekends and in the evening.  He said, “…From Fridays to Mondays and in the evenings are the times in which we have mostly these serious events.” He continued: “…And it behooves us to pay a particular attention to better discernment of what those statistics tells us and respond with measures to deal with the phenomenal, which is (what) the statistics tells us about.” At the forum, it was revealed that Guyana recorded 74 fatal accidents in 2023, while 56 road deaths are the current statistics in 2024. As a result, the Minister said that specific attention will be paid to behaviours. “…we [must] adapt the most responsible behaviour, to protect ourselves and by extension our friends, family, the community and the country in respect of these issues,” he said noting that the issuing of posters about road safety can aid in curbing the high incidence of accidents. “And again, I say all our problem is improper male adult behaviour,” he said adding that “Our men still have economic power and physical power and our men still think they alone should lead.” He continued, “…Our men still… perhaps the younger ones, we have default perhaps in bringing them up of one thing to be the leader, one thing to be the go getter, and not providing enough space I think for woman, for partnership, for development, not yielding enough space, not opening enough more degrees of freedom for woman in partnership in the society.” Further, the Home Affairs Minister said that road users speed because they assume they can get away with it. “It’s simple, persons speed perhaps because they know even if they are charged, they would not appear in court to pay the fine,” Benn said while criticizing police officers for accepting bribery. He said traffic offenders continue to break the law because they are allowed to pay bribes to escape penalty. Further, the Minister took aim at traffic offenders who assume they can, “make a call and somebody will get them off of it.” “It is my view now that we will not get a better hold in this situation if people are not made to feel the appropriate sanctions for reckless misbehaviour, dangerous behaviour,” Benn stressed. As such, Benn posited that traffic fines should increase three times while announcing that the Government intends to put in place the requisite technology in track court cases. “So I will push forward the effort along with the Attorney General (Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC) to increase road traffic fines by at least three times,” the Home Affairs Minister said while lamenting that the “road deaths and those who have lost their lives on the roads is for me a personal tragedy too.” Minister Benn reminded that the United Nations has the global imperative of road safety and the reduction of road traffic deaths this decade. As such, it is expected by 2030 that the deaths on Guyana’s roadways should be less than 50 annually. Related Similar Articles

Cheating is wrang! Aug 03, 2024 Dem Boys Seh, Features / Columnists, News Kaieteur News – Dem boys seh dis country funny, funny bad. We quick fuh holler ‘cheat!’ when somebody try fuh mek a move in exam or sports. We set up all kinda fancy systems fuh prevent leak, peep, and sneak. Dem students gotta keep dem eyes pon dem own paper. And dem athletes? If yuh catch dem wid a lil needle, dem get ban quicker than yuh could blink. And don’t talk bout marriage! Cheat on yuh spouse, and de whole village talking. Is like we got dis big morality compass fuh everything. But come elections, da compass does spin wild. All of a sudden, all dem rules and morals does get throw out de window. People trying fuh win by any means necessary. Dem boys seh is like we get blind fuh one side winning. Exams is about yuh proving what yuh know. Sports is about fair play. Marriage is about trust. But elections? Dem is about we future as a whole nation! Yet, we does pretend like cheating is alright as long as it bring we party to power. Where de big, loud outrage gone? Dem boys seh, it gone hiding like thief in de night. We quick fuh point finger at dem students, athletes, and spouses, but when it come to politicians and elections? We shoulda holler loud when we see corruption and dishonesty. Politics shoulda got same moral standards like de rest. But nah, we does only talk ‘bout fairness in politics when is convenient. Dem boys seh, if yuh gon play clean, play clean all round. Not just in exams, sports, and marriage, but in politics too. ‘Cause at the end of the day, all we want is a fair deal, a fair shot, and a fair life. Yuh can’t cherry-pick morality, dat’s how de whole ting does spoil. Talk half. Leff half. Related Similar Articles

Fraser-Pryce, Richardson and Alfred to contest same women’s 100m semifinal in Paris Aug 03, 2024 Sports Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Sha’Carri Richardson and Julien Alfred will be lining up against each other in the same semifinal at the Olympics. SportsMax – The semifinals of the women’s 100m at the Paris Olympics will provide some of the most anticipated battles of the athletics programme. With all the projected medal contenders successfully making it through the heats yesterday, the fields for today’s semifinals have been set with a monumental clash set to take place in the second semifinal between three of the fastest women on earth. The second semifinal will see Jamaica’s three-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce lining up against American reigning World champion and current world leader Sha’Carri Richardson as well as St. Lucian reigning World Indoor 60m champion and 2023 Bowerman Award winner Julien Alfred. Fraser-Pryce was the fastest of the three in yesterday’s heats with her 10.92 to finish second behind Marie Josee Ta Lou-Smith in the eighth and final heat. Richardson ran 10.94 to win the first heat while Alfred won the second heat in 10.95. The rest of the field for semifinal two includes Gina Bass-Bittaye, Rosemary Chukwuma, Bree Masters, Patrizia Van de Weken, Imani Lansiquot and Gladymar Torres. Jamaica’s Shashalee Forbes will contest the first semifinal against the likes of Ta Lou-Smith, who was fastest in the heats with her 10.87, 2019 World 200m champion Dina Asher-Smith and World Indoor Championships 60m silver medallist Ewa Swoboda. Zaynab Dosso, Rani Rosius, Melissa Jeffferson, Mujinga Kambundji and Boglarka Takacs complete the field in that semifinal. Jamaica’s Tia Clayton and Trinidad & Tobago’s Leah Bertrand will contest the third semifinal. That field is completed by Daryll Neita, Audrey Leduc, TeeTee Terry, Karolina Manasova, Zoe Hobbs, Gina Lueckenkemper and Delphine Nkansa. The top two from each semifinal will advance to the final along with the next two fastest times. The semifinals are set to start at 12:50pm Jamaica Time (1:50pm EST) with the final scheduled for 2:20pm (3:20pm EST). Related Similar Articles