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ADVENT OF AMERINDIAN HERITAGE MONTH Sep 01, 2024 Consumer Concerns, Features / Columnists, News CONSUMER CONCERNS PAT  DIAL Kaieteur News – In August every year, World Indigenous Peoples’ Day is commemorated worldwide under the auspices of the United Nations and its theme this year is “Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact”.  World Indigenous Peoples’ Day promotes and advocates the achievement of the comprehensive ideal for Indigenous Peoples wherever they live and would obviously not uniformly apply to every country.  For example, this year’s theme of isolation and initial contact would be of relevance to the Andaman Islands but not to Guyana.  Accordingly, the level of achievement of the Ideal differs from country to country and Guyana stands out as the one country whose status is nearest to the Ideal.  Despite its extraordinary achievement, Guyana still enthusiastically commemorates World Indigenous Peoples’ Day each year.  Guyana’s achievement will unfold as we now consider Amerindian Heritage Month. In 1995, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, having returned as President of Guyana in 1992 after being kept out of office for 28 years, designated September as Amerindian Heritage Month to promote the interests of that community, showcase its culture and enhance its image. We will consider Amerindian Heritage Month from three standpoints: Firstly, the cultural heritage;  secondly, the activities being made to bring justice to the Amerindian community and the efforts to have Amerindians enjoy the same social amenities and economic opportunities which the people of Georgetown and the developed Coastal Regions enjoy;  and thirdly, the preservation and development of the Amerindian languages. The Amerindian peoples have always had a deep connection with Nature and have always been custodians of the Environment and Ecology and have provided the example and guide to the rest of the nation as to how to manage resources sustainably and to survive off the land and yet be in harmony with Nature.  This understanding of Ecology and what is now known as “Climate Change” has been part of Amerindian culture for hundreds of years before those concepts were discovered by Western culture and given scientific analysis and terminology.  It is probably a deep understanding in the Guyanese psyche deriving from our Amerindian heritage which manifests itself in Guyana’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and maintaining Guyana as a net carbon sink. There are other Amerindian contributions to Guyanese life as in cuisine such as pepper-pot, cassava bread and other ground provision dishes; the Amerindian style of houses with the sleeping area elevated as a protection against dangerous insects and animals; and a number of useful artifacts such as plaited hand fans, earthenware utensils of various types, arrows to spear fish since nets are not known or not available and hammocks.  In the 19th and early 20th centuries, when people from the Coastal regions such as individual miners and pork-knockers went into the Interior, they adopted the Amerindian mode of life and culture to survive. For generations Amerindian people were kept isolated and regarded as lesser than other Guyanese and without knowing why, their culture was despised and regarded as inferior by the dominant Western culture in its Euro-Creole form.  Indian culture was also once subjected to the identical prejudice and this has caused Indians to have an empathy with the plight of Amerindians.  Over the last three decades, however, Amerindians have been slowly raising their status by their own efforts mainly by being inducted into professions such as nursing, teaching and local politics and the other Guyanese communities have been welcoming and supportive of the development of “the First People”. This process has quickened over the last decade. The national road systems has been linking the Hinterland areas to the Coast and to Brazil;  schools and educational facilities especially in the technical fields have been introduced or upgraded in the Amerindian villages;  more Amerindians are being trained as medics, nurses and doctors and four high grade hospitals are being constructed in the Regions with full Amerindian access;  billions  of dollars derived from the Carbon Credit revenues, Presidential grants, Amerindian Development Fund and Ministerial programmes across several Ministries have been deployed to the Amerindian villages for them to execute hundreds of developmental projects;  electricity has been made available to more than 30,000 households by the supply of solar panels;  with electricity availability the Internet has been become available and the people of the Hinterland have taken to it with the same alacrity as their compatriots on the Coast;  most important, Amerindian communities have been awarded hundreds of square miles of land the communities occupy with ownership not only for the top soil but also the minerals in such land. In fact, 15% of Guyana’s land area has been awarded to the various Amerindian tribal communities.  Amerindians are represented in national politics at the higher levels and there have been several Amerindian Ministers of Government.   In all of this, Guyana stands out in the world as treating its Indigenous people very close to the ideal. There is one area of Amerindian development which Guyana has found very challenging and that is the use and preservation of the Amerindian languages.  Sporadic attempts have been made over the years by the Amerindian Department of the University of Guyana and one or two researchers funded by US foundations to compile dictionaries and even grammars of one or two of seven Amerindian languages.   However, no sustained work was ever done largely because of lack of funding.  An effort should be made to preserve each of the seven languages and a lingua franca should be identified and developed.  In this process, the University of Guyana’s role is vital and if adequate funding is accorded by the State, this language project would be successful. Related Similar Articles

Last Hurrah! Dwayne Bravo to call time on CPL career after this year’s edition Sep 01, 2024 Sports Seasoned all-rounder Dwayne Bravo will retire from CPL cricket following this year’s edition Kaieteur Sports – Former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo says this year’s edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will be his last hurrah as he announced his retirement from the tournament on Saturday. Bravo, who represents the Trinbago Knight Riders, made the revelation on his Instagram account hours ahead of the franchise’s opening contest against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Basseterre, scheduled for 7:00pm. “It’s been a great journey, and I’m looking forward to playing my final professional tournament in front of my Caribbean people,” Bravo said in his post. “TKR is the place where everything started for me and will end with my team,” he added. The 40-year-old’s post all but indicates the end of a decorated professional career, as he retired from international cricket in 2021 after the T20 World Cup and also announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) a year later after being part of four title-winning Chennai Super Kings campaigns. Bravo, known for his flair and skillful batting and bowling, is currently the CPL’s highest wicket-taker with 128 scalps in 103 games at an average of 22.40 and economy rate of 8.69. In fact, Bravo is the leading wicket-taker in all T20s, with 630 scalps in 578 matches. He has also scored 6,970 runs with the bat. No doubt the electrifying Trinidad and Tobago stalwart will go down as one of T20’s early legends, having played seven World Cups in the format, winning two titles, as well as over 15 franchise league titles. He is the first bowler to get to 500 T20 wickets. (Sportsmax) Related Similar Articles

Cricket West Indies to hold election for vice president in September Sep 01, 2024 Sports Dr. Kishore Shallow Kaieteur Sports – ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA– Cricket West Indies (CWI) will hold elections for the office of the Vice President on September 20, 2024. On Tuesday, August 8, 2024, at a Board of Directors meeting, in consideration of the recent judicial pronouncement from the High Court of Guyana concerning the challenge to the Vice President’s election initiated by the Guyana Cricket Board, the decision was made to have the re-elections as soon as possible. This decision means that Mr. Azim Bassarath has vacated the office of Vice President for CWI. Commenting on the Board’s position, CWI President Dr Kishore Shallow said, said Dr Shallow. “This situation presents an invaluable opportunity to strengthen the CWI Memorandum and Articles of Association. Over time, policies and frameworks will always be tested. As a Board, we must remain open-minded and committed to evolving in all aspects; this circumstance is a testament to such fact,” “I am particularly grateful for the level of cooperation and professionalism in which Mr. Bassarath has handled this matter, and therefore extend my gratitude to him for such.” Pursuant to the by-laws of CWI, an Extraordinary General Meeting will be convened on September 20, 2024, with the sole purpose of electing a new Vice President. CWI reaffirms its unwavering commitment to democratic principles and transparency. The forthcoming election will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness and in alignment with CWI’s core values. (CWI) Related Similar Articles

GNBS REINFORCES COMMITMENT TO STANDARD EDUCATION DURING EDUCATION MONTH Sep 01, 2024 Features / Columnists, GNBS, News GNBS IN FOCUS Kaieteur News – As September marks Education Month, this year’s theme is “Investing in Education, Bridging Gaps, Creating Opportunities”. The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is always eager for opportunities to reinforce its commitment to providing standards education to students across the country. Broadly, the Bureau’s Standards Education initiatives include the promotion of standards, metrology and the International System of Units through school lectures, competitions and other awareness activities. As part of its efforts to instill a culture of quality and precision from a young age, GNBS conducts highly interactive lecture sessions with secondary school students across Guyana. These sessions are largely aimed at introducing students to the concept of standards; helping them to understand how standards impact their daily lives, from the quality of products they use to the safety of their environment. As students return to school tomorrow, Monday, September 02, 2024, the GNBS is keen on reengaging the young minds on the importance of Standards, using accurate and approved measurements, their rights and responsibilities as consumers and the diverse career opportunities within the field of Standardisation. These topics are crucial, not only for helping students and pupils to develop a preference for quality goods and services, but also for them to encourage their parents/guardians and peers to exercise their rights and ensure due diligence as consumers. During September, the GNBS’ Corporate Communications team will be travelling to the Essequibo Coast, Region Two as well as Linden in Region Ten where school lectures are planned for the Grade Ten sand Eleven students of the Johanna Cecilia, Abram Zuil, and Charity Secondary, and Linden Foundation and Wismar Secondary, respectively. These sessions are a customary part of the Bureau’s outreaches to the various regions. Completing these lectures will bring the total to twenty-one (21) for the year, educating more than two thousand (2000) students and teachers. Apart from lectures to secondary school students, the GNBS conducts a Standard in Academia Quiz Competition. This biennial activity is tailored specifically for primary schools and involves pupils competing intra and extra regionally with their peers of other schools based on their learned knowledge on the importance of Standards and Measurements for consumer protection and business development. In October, as part of its National Quality Week (NQW) activities, the GNBS has planned an Impromptu Speech Competition for the students at schools in Region Five. This year’s theme for NQW is “Shared Vision for a Better World: Standards for the Changing Climate.” As such, the competition will focus on how standards are useful in addressing impacts of climate change. As many Bureaus worldwide try to adopt similar strategies like what already exist in Guyana between the GNBS and the Ministry of Education (MOE), the GNBS looks forward to building on what exists.  The Bureau’s dedication towards promoting standard education is a testament of its commitment to creating a quality-conscious society, starting from the classroom. No doubt, through these efforts, the GNBS is laying the groundwork for a future where standards are not just understood but embraced as a fundamental aspect of national development. For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0064-66 or WhatsApp 692-4627 or email us at [email protected] Related Similar Articles

GASA ‘bubbling’ on Tyrell issue Sep 01, 2024 Sports GASA president- Dwayne Scott Kaieteur Sports – Accusations of lack of transparency within the governance structure of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) are causing mounting pressure on President Dwayne Scott to change his approach and support the development of the sport’s participants. Since taking the helm in November 2020, Scott has been accused of managing the association in violation of good governance principles, causing concern among swimmers, parents, affiliates, and sports organizations such as the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport (MCYS), the National Sports Commission (NSC), and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA). Another contentious issue involves US-based swimmer Delroy Tyrell’s application to represent Guyana at international competitions. Despite submitting all the required information to GASA, it was discovered that the association failed to provide the necessary information to World Aquatics, hindering Tyrell’s chances of representing his country. Leaked emails between Tyrell’s father and the legal counsel for World Aquatics revealed that inquiries confirmed GASA’s President provided inaccurate information regarding the submission of required information. This calls into question the President’s transparency and truthfulness. Furthermore, the President’s failure to meet with relevant stakeholders such as the MCYS, NSC, GOA, and clubs to resolve various issues led to the withdrawal of support from GASA. Some contentious issues included the non-submission of audited financial reports, allegations of unfair treatment to certain clubs and swimmers, non-acceptance of new clubs, and the non-submission of Mr. Tyrell’s request to represent his country of birth. The MCYS, NSC, and the GOA are known as the primary financiers of sports in Guyana, providing funding for facilities, athlete development, coaching staff, and other essential aspects of sports. It’s crucial for GASA to collaborate with these organizations to support the growth of sports and its participants. Only time will reveal, whether GASA has made the right decision or if they will need to accept fault. World Aquatics has set a deadline of September 15 for GASA to submit Mr. Tyrell’s documents. It will be intriguing to see if GASA will maintain its reluctance to provide the athlete’s details or choose to let the world body decide on his eligibility. Once again, time holds the answer. Related Similar Articles

Talking Dollars & Making Sense: Decoding the Income Statement Sep 01, 2024 Features / Columnists, News Kaieteur News – Welcome back to Talking Dollars & Making Sense. Today, we’re breaking down the Income Statement, a crucial financial document that tells the story of a business’ profitability over time. Whether you’re a seasoned financial professional or a small business owner without a finance background, this column is designed for you. We’ll use real numbers from Demerara Distillers Limited’s (DDL) 2023 Annual Report to illustrate the key concepts and trends. Let’s dive in. What is an Income Statement? An Income Statement, also known as a Profit and Loss Statement, is like a scorecard for your business. It shows your total income, costs, and profits over a specific period—typically a month, quarter, or year. This document helps you see whether your business is making money (a profit) or losing money (a loss). The Structure of the Income Statement An Income Statement is organized into several key sections. Let’s go through each one using DDL’s 2023 figures: Revenue (Sales): This is the total amount of money your business earns from selling its products or services. For DDL, the total revenue in 2023 was G$33.27 billion, up from G$31.42 billion in 2022. This increase of about 6% shows that the company sold more products or possibly raised prices. Revenue growth is a good sign that a business is expanding and reaching more customers. Cost of Sales (Cost of Goods Sold – COGS): This represents the direct costs of producing the goods sold by the company, such as raw materials and labor. For DDL, the cost of sales in 2023 was G$19.41 billion, up from G$18.53 billion in 2022. The increase in cost indicates that while the company sold more, it also had higher production costs, which could be due to higher material costs or increased production volumes. Gross Profit: This is the difference between Revenue and Cost of Sales. It represents the money left over after covering the direct costs of making the products. DDL’s gross profit for 2023 was G$13.86 billion (G$33.27 billion in revenue minus G$19.41 billion in costs), an increase from G$12.88 billion in 2022. A higher gross profit suggests that DDL is good at managing its production costs while increasing sales. Trend Analysis: DDL’s gross profit increased by around 8% from the previous year, which is a positive trend. This indicates that the company is not only growing its sales but also efficiently managing the costs associated with producing its goods. Operating Expenses: These are the costs required to run the company that aren’t directly tied to making a product, such as rent, utilities, salaries for administrative staff, and marketing expenses. For DDL, the operating expenses include: Selling and Distribution Expenses: G$3.32 billion in 2023, slightly up from G$3.19 billion in 2022. This increase might reflect higher costs for marketing and distribution as the company expands. Administrative Expenses: G$3.29 billion in 2023, up from G$3.07 billion in 2022. This could include higher costs for office administration, salaries, or other overhead expenses. Operating Profit (EBIT): This stands for Earnings Before Interest and Taxes and is calculated by subtracting Operating Expenses from Gross Profit. It shows how much profit a company makes from its core business operations. For DDL, the operating profit in 2023 was G$7.66 billion, compared to G$7.05 billion in 2022. Trend Analysis: The 2023 figure represents an 8.7% increase from the previous year. This growth suggests that DDL’s core business operations are becoming more profitable, despite rising operating costs. Finance Costs: These are the costs of borrowing money, such as interest expenses. For DDL, the finance costs in 2023 were G$177.50 million, up from G$118.12 million in 2022. The increase could be due to more borrowing to finance expansions or other investments. Profit Before Tax (PBT): This is the profit left after all operating expenses and finance costs have been subtracted but before taxes are paid. For DDL, the profit before tax in 2023 was G$7.67 billion, up from G$7.09 billion in 2022. This 8% increase reflects strong financial management and operational performance. Taxation: This is the amount of money the company owes in taxes. DDL’s tax expense in 2023 was G$1.71 billion, slightly down from G$1.77 billion in 2022. A decrease in tax expenses while profits are rising could be due to tax planning strategies. Net Profit After Tax: This is the final profit after all expenses, including taxes, have been deducted. It’s the amount that can be reinvested in the business or distributed to shareholders. DDL’s net profit after tax in 2023 was G$5.97 billion, an increase from G$5.32 billion in 2022. Trend Analysis: The net profit grew by about 12% from 2022 to 2023, indicating a healthy growth trend. This shows that DDL is effectively managing its expenses and boosting its bottom line. Why These Numbers Matter Understanding these numbers is crucial for any business owner. They tell you where your money is coming from, where it’s going, and how much is left over. By analyzing trends—like increasing revenue, managing costs, or improving net profit—you can make informed decisions to grow your business. Looking Ahead In our next column, we’ll discuss how to use these insights from the Income Statement to make better business decisions, such as budgeting, forecasting, and planning for growth. Feel free to reach out at [email protected] with your thoughts, questions, and stories. Until next time, keep making sense of every dollar. Related Similar Articles

Excitement Heats Up at 2024 Igloo Hockey Festival Sep 01, 2024 Sports GCC Outlaws and YMCA OFHC Bob Squad got things going in the Boys’ U17 division on the opening day of the Igloo Hockey tournament – Contrasting results for host GCC on opening day Kaieteur Sports – The 2024 Igloo Hockey Festival, proudly hosted by the GCC Hockey Club and sponsored by Igloo Ice Cream, kicked off yesterday at the GCC Hockey Turf with an exciting lineup of matches. From the opening whistle, the tournament has featured intense competition and showcased some of the best hockey talent in the region. The atmosphere was electric as teams battled for supremacy, thrilling the crowd with every goal and save. Fans turned out in full force, cheering on their favorite teams and creating a vibrant display of sportsmanship and community spirit. Their enthusiastic support has been crucial in making this event a huge success. Friday night results were full of action: in the U17 Girls division, SHC Sensations notched two victories, defeating YMCA OFHC Stars 5-0 and GCC Her-Ricanes 3-2. In the U17 Boys category, GCC Outlaws dominated YMCA OFHC Bob Squad with a 5-0 win, while SHC Legends narrowly beat SHC Sigmas 3-1 in an exciting match. SHC Sensations defense held firm against YMCA OFHC Stars on day one, forcing a 5-0 victory The U21 Girls division saw a thrilling game between GCC Spartans and Saints U21 Ladies, which ended in a 2-2 draw. On the men’s side, SHC’s Team defeated GCC Pitbulls 5-1, and YMCA OFHC Young Boyz overcame SHC Conquerors 3-1 to set the pace in the U21 division heading into day two. In the Men’s category, Bounty GCC and YMCA OFHC Top Guns played to a dramatic 2-2 draw in the Group A division, while Saints defeated Pepsi Hikers 4-2 in their Group B matchup. The Women’s division featured three exciting games: GBTI GCC handed Team Rebels an 8-2 defeat, and in another game, they drew 5-5 against the Saints Ladies in a high-scoring affair. Team Rebels bounced back in their second match, defeating Saints 7-4 for their first win. Part of the sizzling action on the opening day of the Igloo-GCC Hockey Festival With more thrilling matches scheduled for Saturday, the competition is set to heat up even further as teams compete for the coveted championship title. The festival is more than just a sports event; it has become a celebration of the local hockey community, bringing together players, fans, and supporters in a true display of passion and talent. The tournament is set to conclude with an exciting finale today (Sunday) at the same venue. Related Similar Articles