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…says committed to balancing needs of small, large countries if elected

Guyana’s candidate for the United Nations (UN) Secretary General (SG) post, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, has made it clear that her allegiance would be to the UN Charter and international law if given an opportunity to serve in the office. She made these remarks during a recent appearance on a Virtual Dialogue on “The Future of Global Leadership”, convened by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) within the framework of the World Governments Summit (WGS). The Ambassador responded to questions about her vision and priorities as a candidate for the position of Secretary General of the UN. Rodrigues-Birkett was specifically asked about how she intends to balance representing both developed and developing countries, especially given the fact that she hailed from a small nation that not only represents many similar global voices but is also seeking the UN’s support on a number of issues. In response, the Ambassador pointed out that while the UN is made up mainly of small countries – with over 100 nations having under 10 million persons, the Secretary General (SG) represents all 193 nations around the world.
“As Secretary General, the only bias I would have is to the [UN] Charter and to international law. And so, whatever I do as Secretary General must be in consonance with the Charter and with international law,” she asserted. According to Rodrigues-Birkett, there must be a balance when it comes to representing large and small and medium-sized countries. In fact, she contended that these nations need each other, arguing that they all face similar global challenges in most cases.
“I do not believe that it is one side or the other. I believe that small countries need large countries, large countries need small countries as well. And when we come to global challenges, it does not stop at the doorstep of any one country. It affects us all as we are seeing right now, for example, with climate change. [And] as we have seen when we have major trade routes affected, it affects us all. Prices go up for all of our countries,” she noted. The Guyanese SG hopeful went onto say add that she would work to ensure that there is balance by, among other things, maintaining very close relationships with all Member States, both through their representatives in New York and also directly at capital level. Moreover, Rodrigues-Birkett further outlined that if elected, among her first priorities in the top international office would be to implemented the host of reforms that were agreed upon by Member States. “The Secretary General is mandated by the Charter to implement the decisions of Member States. But if there are reforms that are not yet decided upon and member states need the relevant information from the Secretary General and the Secretariat, I would endeavour to provide that information, a very objective information, because how we come out of this reform as the United Nations must be guided by the objective information that would guide those reforms. And so…I would want to advance that,” she asserted.

Peace, security
Another issue at the top of her agenda is peace and security. The Ambassador indicated that she would want to have a panoramic view of all of the conflicts existing around the world in order to ascertain where she can utilise the tools available to the SG, and where she would need to go to the Security Council. On the peacekeeping side, she noted that they would have to look at how to advance politically. “As you know, peacekeeping was meant to keep the peace while we seek political solutions. And so, this is what I would also want to do to look at how we could move the needle on some of the conflicts,” she stated. Meanwhile, as part of her immediate plans upon assuming the top-UN post would be to engage the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) with the aim of working with them, and not talking down to them. “Even if we have some small incremental steps that would be very important and systemic, especially for developing countries. These are the things that I would like to see put in place,” she posited. While recognising that some progress was made, Rodrigues-Birkett noted that global humanitarian needs are ballooning and so one of her top priorities in her first 100 days in office would be to address this issue. As she continues her campaign across the globe, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett has been stepping up in the race for the UNSG post. In fact, only two weeks ago, she moved into the lead following the second United Nations Security Council (UNSC) straw poll, securing the highest number of “encourage” votes among the candidates. Rodrigues-Birkett received eight encourage votes, three discourage votes and four no-opinion votes in the second round. The result places her narrowly ahead of Rebeca Grynspan, who received seven encourage votes, four discourage votes and four no-opinion votes. The latest result represents a shift from the first straw poll, when Grynspan led the field with 10 encourage votes. Rodrigues-Birkett had secured nine encourage votes, two discourage votes and four no-opinion votes in that round.
While Rodrigues-Birkett’s encourage tally declined by one vote in this second round, Grynspan’s fell by three, allowing the Guyanese candidate to emerge with the highest number of encourage votes in the field.

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As your Eyewitness knows from bitter experience, the phrase “Made in China” carries a notorious reputation!! It means cheap toys, questionable electronics, watches that stopped working before the warranty expired, and household appliances that came with the useful feature of becoming obsolete not long after purchase!! In today’s Guyana you take your life in your hands if you buy tools from the hundreds of Chinese hardware shops springing up everywhere like Jumbie Umbrellas!
But China has apparently decided the world deserves something bigger – “Made-in-China” infrastructure – and Guyana was selected as one of the regional testing grounds!! The US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs just pointed out what our Guyanese motorists and air travellers have long discovered the hard way – when Chinese state-owned companies undertake major infrastructure projects in our neck of the woods, a “completion date” can be treated less as a contractual obligation and more as a philosophical suggestion!!
Take the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, which was supposed to be a modern gateway to Guyana and onto the rest of South America!! Instead, it became a gateway to Chinese construction philosophy – where projects would take years longer than promised, cost overruns could multiply, and even after completion, one would still encounter leaking roofs, defective tiling, non-working toilets, malfunctioning systems, and airbridges apparently waiting for their moment of retirement before ever entering service!!
Then came portions of Heroes Highway and the East Bank road – the latter leading from the CJIA – and, as such, is the first impression visitors get when coming into the fastest-growing economy in the world!! It’s being executed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation and has made trips to the airport a test of fortitude – where sometimes passengers have to get out of taxis and lug their luggage for miles so as not to miss flights!! The President had to haul the contractors to State House and read them the riot act!!
Not that it has helped much since it’s clear that the Chinese construction calendar operates according to a different timeframe – one calibrated to building the Great Wall of China, which took over TWO THOUSAND YEARS!! Even their showpiece into which they poured all their efforts – the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge – was a year delayed!! Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with Chinese companies building infrastructure – they’ve demonstrated they can construct enormous bridges, railways, ports, and skyscrapers domestically at remarkable speed!!

The problem is the export version of Chinese infrastructure comes with a different quality-control setting under the slogan “Made in China, assembled elsewhere, delayed everywhere, and maintained by somebody else!!”
Going forward with ALL contractors, we gotta insist – build it properly, on time, and for the price agreed!! This ain’t anti-China.
It’s called getting value for money!!

…Desperate Delcy
Devious Delcy’s desperate struggle to remain in power added a new twist to her socialist “principles” – what’s yours is yours, unless Washington wants a majority share!! She just offered US control over a colossal Venezuelan oil bonanza, reportedly more than 65 billion barrels!! In revolutionary language, that clearly means “Please don’t let me lose my job!!”
But the really interesting part ain’t what America’s getting – it’s who ain’t rushing in!! If Venezuela were such an irresistible oil paradise, where are the oil majors? Why aren’t ExxonMobil and the other giants lining up to pour billions into the world’s “largest oil reserves”?
Well, they ain’t stupid!! They’ve EXPERIENCED Venezuela’s political instability, expropriations, sanctions, contract uncertainty and collapsing institutions and decided that 65 billion barrels can wait!! And that’s where we provide Devious Delcy with an inconvenient comparison!!
ExxonMobil didn’t need no political rescue package to come to Guyana – it came, invested billions, took enormous exploration risks and continues investing ’cause we offer what Devious Delcy can’t – stability and confidence that the rules gonna still exist tomorrow.

…on divided
Amazingly, Opposition worthies WIN and APNU still got no agreement on substantive matters – they can’t even establish teams to develop “guidelines” for future cooperation!!
What wankers!!

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Guyana’s National Under-14 Boys’ team, who, last week, returned from the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) U14 Boys’ Challenge series with the Tier II Championships trophy, were on Saturday night honoured by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).
The simple ceremony saw each player and staff member being felicitated and presented with commemorative plaques by members of the GFF’s executive body, including President Wayne Forde and General Secretary Pushpargha Chattopadhyay.
The U14 Junior Jags pulled off a 4-2 victory on penalties against Suriname after a 1-1 draw after regulation time on Sunday last to win the CFU Tier II Championship.

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While the Guyana Government is keen on building out a local hemp industry, President Dr Irfaan Ali has underscored the importance of having the necessary processing facilities in place before moving to advance cultivation. The Head of State made these remarks while engaging long-time advocate, Leon Saul, during a visit to Kuru Kuru on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway on Saturday afternoon to discuss developmental initiatives with residents. During their engagement, Saul enquired about the developments in the sector after the Industrial Hemp Bill was passed in the National Assembly some four years ago, paving the way for the decriminalisation of industrial hemp in Guyana. President Ali indicted that the Guyana Industrial Hemp Regulatory Authority has been established to oversee the advancement of the sector. In fact, he recalled previously discussing variety types and safeguarding the industry as well as plantations with Saul. But according to the Guyanese Leader, there needs to be the operators set up first before moving to planting crops. “So, the whole ecosystem we got to work on… The processing [facilities. In order to] get the oil, you got to get the companies. You got to get the right variety…[but also] the industry for the consumption,” the President stated.

Only back in May, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha had indicated that several overseas companies have already expressed interest in investing in the industry, particularly in establishing a hemp processing facility in Guyana. “So what we are doing now…is that two regions were identified to plant hemp. Those two regions are Region Six and Region 10. We have an authority now in place. We have a CEO (Chief Executive Officer) in place. We already have some interests already been expressed by some companies overseas,” the Minister had noted.
Mustapha too had explained that large-scale cultivation cannot proceed until a processing facility is operational. To this end, he disclosed that the Government has already received several expressions of interest from potential investors and is hoping to move the process forward once a suitable company is selected.

Processing plant
“We are now in discussion with those companies to set up the processing plant. I am hoping that that can happen within another three to four months because you can’t plant hemp without a processing plant,” he had stated. Efforts to get an update from the Agriculture Minister on Sunday regarding those engagements with potential investors were futile. Nevertheless, the Guyana Government has committed to developing a high-value industrial hemp industry in the country.
To do this, the Industrial Hemp Bill was tabled in the National Assembly in May 2022, seeking to provide for the cultivation, manufacturing and research of industrial hemp and hemp-related products in Guyana. The legislation, which eventually passed in August 2022 and later assented to by the President, also provides for the establishment of the Guyana Industrial Hemp Regulatory Authority, which will regulate the industry. Industrial hemp is often confused with marijuana because both belong to the cannabis family. However, hemp contains significantly lower levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound responsible for the “high” associated with marijuana. Government officials have previously said the development of the industry could create opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing and exports while opening new economic avenues for farmers and investors.

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The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is urging miners to declare their gold through authorised channels as the authorities continue efforts to bring declaration services closer to mining communities.
Policy Planning and Coordination Officer at the GGMC, Omkar Lochan, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the Commission has been expanding access to declaration services, including through additional offices in areas with significant mining and gold declaration activities.
According to Lochan, the authorities continue to identify communities where mining activity is increasing and target those areas for expanded services.
Where establishing a permanent office is not feasible, arrangements are being made for GGMC officials to travel to mining communities on designated days to facilitate gold declarations.

Lochan also highlighted the role of licensed gold dealers and traders operating in the various mining districts in providing miners with access to legitimate channels for selling and declaring their gold.
“We have in excess of over 30 licensed traders, all in the different mining districts,” he said.
The expanded services are intended to make it easier for miners to declare and sell their gold through authorised channels, while supporting Guyana’s gold declaration and foreign exchange earnings.
Gold mining remains an important contributor to Guyana’s economy and a significant source of foreign exchange. Lochan therefore encouraged miners who may be reluctant to declare their gold to comply with the law, noting that the necessary services are increasingly accessible.
“I would urge them to come in. We are making it very easy to do that now,” he said, while warning that persons who breach the law will face the consequences.
Lochan also reaffirmed the GGMC’s commitment to supporting small and medium-scale miners, describing them as the backbone of the mining industry.
He said the commission will continue making mining lands available through lotteries, encouraging miners to remain engaged with opportunities being created within the sector.

Pork-knockers Day
The call for greater use of authorised gold declaration channels comes as the country observes Mining Week, which includes activities aimed at recognising the contribution of small-scale miners.
The Natural Resources Ministry, in a social media post on Saturday, said Pork-knockers Day activities were held across several mining communities on Saturday, with residents, miners and officials from the Ministry and GGMC participating.
The annual event is held during Mining Week to honour small miners and includes activities such as Tacuba Crossing, gold panning, and football.
Activities were held in Matthews Ridge in Region One; Bartica, Puruni, Imbaimadai, Issano, and Tamakay in Region Seven; Mahdia in Region Eight; and Aishalton in Region Nine.
The Ministry said the activities attracted participation from communities across the country.

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For years, Governments have been told that regulating social media is either impossible, impractical, or an assault on free speech. The technology companies have been particularly fond of this argument. Apparently, the moment Washington, Brussels, or Georgetown asks them to accept responsibility for what their algorithms do to children, democracy itself is supposedly under threat.
Then came Meta’s (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, with a valuation of US$1.47 trillion and projected revenues this year of US$228 billion) US$18 billion wake-up call. Meta has agreed to pay up to US$18 billion to settle claims brought by several US states alleging that Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that encouraged addictive use among children and teenagers. Separately, New Mexico took Meta to court over allegations that its platforms enabled child sexual exploitation and failed to adequately protect children from predators. A New Mexico jury found Meta liable under state consumer-protection law and imposed a US$375 million penalty. At long last, it appears that regulating social media does not look quite so impossible with alleged threats to “protected speech”. So we see that regulators elsewhere – Australia, South Korea, Brazil, and the European Union – have already taken the hint and are demanding that Meta’s new protections for American teenagers should not stop at America’s borders. We should be demanding the same with also the broader New Mexico precedent.
A week ago, President Irfaan Ali had reiterated the need to address the harmful use of social media, particularly where children are concerned, and Attorney General Anil Nandlall was tasked with examining international legislative models. The Meta and New Mexico settlements provide them with something even more valuable than another foreign law to study: a demonstrated international precedent that the platforms can be compelled to change their behaviour.
We should therefore stop treating the President’s call as merely a question of regulating what people post but going beyond to what the platforms themselves are permitted to do to our children. Guyanese children should not need to become lawyers, psychologists or digital detectives before being protected from doctored pictures or algorithms deliberately designed to keep them scrolling. Nor should parents be expected to compete with billion-dollar technology companies armed with sophisticated algorithms, behavioural data and armies of engineers.
The Government should consider legislation requiring platforms accessible in Guyana to provide not only effective age verification, parental controls, and meaningful limits on children’s usage but also protections against harmful or exploitative content.
And there should be consequences since a multinational technology company should not make money from Guyanese users without also being prepared to accept Guyanese responsibilities. We may have a small population, but we are not operating in a legal vacuum. Most importantly, however, the legislation must be carefully drafted so it does not become a convenient excuse for Government censorship or political control of legitimate speech. The target should be harmful content, manipulative design and exploitation of children and others – not inconvenient opinions. That distinction is crucial.
The Meta settlement has demonstrated that Governments do not have to surrender to Silicon Valley simply because Silicon Valley is rich, powerful and technologically sophisticated. If the United States and other jurisdictions can tell the world’s largest social-media companies that children require protection, Guyana certainly has the right to do so with not only that company but also those who use their platforms.
Mr Nandlall, therefore, need not reinvent the wheel but can examine what the Americans have extracted from Meta and also what Australia and other countries are doing, and then ask a very simple Guyanese question: Why should a child in California or New Mexico receive protections from Instagram or Facebook that a child in Georgetown does not?
Guyana should follow suit – not necessarily by copying America’s US$18 billion price tag, but by copying the principle behind it. If social media companies are big enough to influence our children, they are big enough to be regulated when they harm them. And if Meta has finally discovered that children’s safety is a legitimate reason to change its business practices, then Guyana should help it make that discovery universal.

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…says clusters to be created to access funding from Development Bank

President Dr Irfaan Ali has pitched several agricultural projects that the Government intends to work with young people and farmers on along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
During a visit to Kuru Kuru on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway on Saturday afternoon, the Head of State discussed a number of developmental initiatives with the residents, including shade houses, stingless bee honey production, and livestock farming.
Addressing the residents, Ali pointed out that many persons have acres of farmland that are either unused or underutilised. He outlined plans to work along with farmers to establish shade houses to produce high-demand crops with short turnovers that would increase earnings.
“What you can do with a half-acre of land with a shade house, you’ll make more money than with five acres of land. With modern farming, you don’t need five acres. You need to have these shade houses so you can do [farming] in a modern way. The five acres will be there, and you can develop those five acres and put like permanent crops, whether it’s the provisions, coconut and other things,” the president stated.
He went onto add that the Government, through the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) and private sector stakeholders such as the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), would work along with the residents to find markets for their products.
“We want to help you so that you can increase your income… But you have to have a piece of land that is producing all the time. If you have, for example, in here 50 farmers and you have 50 shade houses doing peppers, celery, shallots and those things, the market is so huge for it that you will have continuous sales,” he asserted.
According to the Guyanese leader, persons can even explore cultivating exotic fruits, hybrid fruits and even more local fruits such as cherry and guava that are in demand by local manufacturers like Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL).

Honey production
On honey production, President Ali proposed using stingless bees. He explained, “The honey is clearer, but it’s a new honey that’s coming on the market. So, we want to do a lot of the stingless bees here with you guys. Honey production, that is something that I think has enormous potential.”
Stingless bee honey is a superfood with unique health benefits, containing low-glycaemic trehalulose (which prevents sharp blood sugar spikes) and rich antioxidants.
In Guyana, groups like the Madeweni Queen Bees – backed by the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), and the Guyana School of Agriculture – are already engaged in stingless bee farming to empower local women and build eco-friendly livelihoods.

Swine farming
Moreover, the Head of State also spoke about working with residents on a massive swine project. He highlighted plans to build out the pens with funding from the Guyana Development Bank, which offers zero-interest, collateral-free financing of up to $3 million to small and medium-sized businesses.
“[We want to] do a huge swine project here with the young people. So, all those young people and farmers who are interested in the swine project…we can put you in a cluster and have you work on that project,” he stated.
This same approach, according to President Ali, would be used for the honey production and shade house initiatives.
The Head of State has identified Minister within the Housing Ministry, Vanessa Benn, to work along with the young people and farmers from the community to advance these projects.

Other interventions
Meanwhile, during Saturday’s engagements, the president also directed the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) to establish two shallow wells in the farmlands to assist farmers with accessing water for their crops.
This was one of a series of interventions made during his engagements with the residents. At the meeting, President Ali also announced upgrades to the community’s learning centre and ground, including a pavilion, fencing, and spaces for cricket, football, and basketball.
Moreover, he further informed residents of efforts already underway to expand the water distribution network in the area and works being done by the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) to install six megawatts of additional power to be stationed at Moblissa to support Linden and highway communities.
The President has also asked the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry of Labour, and the Ministry of Public Works to meet with the Co-op Society to work out how unused land nearby gets used.
More than $1 billion has gone into road works in the area since 2022, much of it done with community involvement, and, according to President Ali, works on another 15 to 20 roads are planned. That work, however, will be scheduled around a land-use meeting set for Tuesday, so it does not run into new housing construction.
The Head of State was joined by Minister Benn and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, during Saturday’s visit.

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…as schools nationwide reopens today

Education Minister Sonia Parag has assured parents, teachers and students that schools across the country are prepared to welcome learners for the start of the 2026-2027 academic year today, as she wished all stakeholders the best for the new term. In a video message to parents and learners on Sunday, Parag said the new school year represents a fresh beginning for students entering nursery, primary and secondary schools. While acknowledging that the transition can bring excitement and anxiety for both children and parents, Parag encouraged the learners to embrace the opportunities ahead. “I welcome all of our beautiful babies back to school tomorrow. It’s a new beginning for our children and I don’t want them to feel intimidated; I don’t want them to feel anxious,” Parag noted. “As we get into our new school year for 2026-2027, to all of our babies who are coming nursery, primary, secondary, I want to welcome you. You will be meeting new friends and you will be creating bonds that may last a lifetime. Teamwork is a great thing. Always respect your teachers. Always respect your fellow students” Parag also recognised that returning to school after the holidays may not be welcomed by every child. She noted that while some students are excited about entering secondary school, younger children starting school for the first time may experience anxiety.
“I’ve spoken to some students, some of them are very excited about getting into high school, as we know it, and you know, you ask them, so why are you excited? And they tell you straight up, because I’m going to be a big boy or a big girl, you know, so they’re excited about going into that phase of their life,” she said. “And then you have nursery students who, of course, for the first time they’re coming into school and you will have that anxiety from both parents as well as their children. I would have experienced that a couple years ago, and you have this little, the strength of your heart, they’re tugged at when you drop off your children for the first time at school.” To the parents, Parag acknowledged that there would be challenges in getting children ready for school, including early mornings and traffic.
“Parents, I know tomorrow you’re going to be getting up really early, I am too. I know you have to battle with the traffic and I really hope that the traffic is kind to you as well as me tomorrow morning when I’m heading to school to drop off my son as well,” she shared. Parag thanked education officials and school personnel who worked during the holiday period to ensure schools were ready for reopening. She stressed that the Ministry remains committed to providing the resources and infrastructure needed to support students, while noting that education extends beyond academic achievement. “I want to say thank you to all of the officers, all of the HMs (Headmaster/Headmistress), all of the teachers who have worked in the Ministry of Education, the REOs (Regional Executive Officers), the REDOs (Regional Education Officers), who have worked with us this holiday to ensure that schools are prepared and ready to be opened for our students and open their doors,” the Minister noted. “School is a natural part of all of our lives and we’re really happy at the Ministry of Education to be able to provide resources, infrastructure as well as other resources for our children to thrive and to be successful at their exams and to be successful in life because it’s not just academics as well.” She commended teachers for the role they play in supporting students academically and emotionally.
“I know that teachers will dedicate their time and their effort and also give that little extra to ensure that their children are compassionate and ensure that their children are successful but also on the softer side of things help them to manage their feelings and maneuver the grade that they’re in.”

Another examination cycle begins
The Minister also called on teachers to give their best as another examination cycle begins. “To our teachers who are coming back I say to you give your all because it’s another cycle of examinations. It’s another cycle of you shining as a teacher because when your students do well it ultimately tells a story about you as well. So I want to say good luck to all of you,” she said.  Using a Grade Three classroom at St Gabriel’s Primary School as an example, Parag said the learning environment can help ease the concerns of students entering a new grade or school. “We are in a Grade Three classroom and it is brightly coloured, so when students walk into this classroom, they are feeling like sunshine, and that lifts their mood if they’re feeling anxious or if they’re feeling a bit nervous about starting school for the first time,” Parag pointed out. She said providing children with access to education and ensuring they take advantage of those opportunities remain priorities for the Ministry. “Educating our children, giving them that opportunity and ensuring that they make use of the opportunity and I can assure you and I commit to you that as the Minister of Education I will ensure that I work with all stakeholders to strengthen our system as well as to allow our children to have all of the resources that they need to be successful,” Parag said. Parag’s Sunday message comes as she spent the past few days visiting schools across the country, reassuring parents and students that public schools are prepared to receive learners come Monday morning.

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The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) is reviewing a passenger’s complaint concerning the confiscation of an edge-control product at the airport’s security screening checkpoint. In a statement issued Sunday, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC) said it is aware of a social media post about the incident and has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the confiscation. The corporation said its team is examining the matter with urgency, while maintaining that its priority is to provide a safe and respectful environment for travellers and assist passengers in navigating aviation security requirements. CJIAC also referred to the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) 3-1-1 liquids rule, which permits passengers to carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers of 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) or less. Passengers are limited to one quart-sized bag containing such items. The corporation said items exceeding the permitted limits are required, under standard security procedures, to be placed directly into a designated collection container. Passengers are also not permitted to empty the contents of containers or cans into airport bins, according to CJIAC.
The corporation further reminded travellers that filming is prohibited within security-sensitive areas of the security checkpoint, citing the privacy and safety of both passengers and airport staff. CJIAC acknowledged that security procedures can sometimes feel stressful for travellers and said the incident has its “full attention.”
The corporation said it will provide the passenger with its detailed findings once the review is completed.

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Dr Tariq Jagnarine

Mental health affects how we think, feel, behave, cope with stress, and interact with others. Just as we protect our heart, blood pressure and blood sugar, our mental health deserves attention too.
One condition that is often misunderstood is psychosis. Unfortunately, fear and stigma sometimes prevent people and families from seeking help early.

What is psychosis?
Psychosis is not simply “going crazy”. It is a state in which a person may have difficulty distinguishing what is real from what is not.
A person experiencing psychosis may:
• Hear or see things others do not – these are called hallucinations.
• Develop strong beliefs that are not based in reality – called delusions.
• Become unusually suspicious or fearful.
• Have confused or disorganised speech or behaviour.
• Withdraw from family and friends.
• Neglect personal hygiene or normal responsibilities.
• Experience major changes in sleep, emotions, school or work performance.
Importantly, psychosis is a symptom, not a single disease. It can occur with conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression but may also occur because of substance use, certain medications or medical and neurological illnesses.

What can trigger psychosis?
There is usually no single cause. Psychosis can result from a complex interaction between biological vulnerability and environmental or psychological stressors.
Common factors that may precipitate or worsen psychotic symptoms include:
1. Alcohol and recreational drugs
Cannabis – particularly frequent or high-potency use – and other psychoactive substances can contribute to psychotic symptoms in susceptible individuals. Substance misuse should therefore never be dismissed as harmless experimentation.
2. Severe sleep deprivation
Going for prolonged periods with little or no sleep can significantly affect thinking, emotions and perception. Sleep disruption can also be an early warning sign that someone’s mental health is deteriorating.
3. Severe or prolonged stress
Bereavement, relationship difficulties, violence, financial problems, unemployment, academic pressure and other major life events may contribute to mental distress, particularly when several problems occur simultaneously.
4. Trauma
Exposure to violence, abuse and other traumatic experiences can increase vulnerability to mental health problems.
5. Stopping prescribed psychiatric medication
For someone already being treated for a mental health condition, suddenly stopping medication or repeatedly missing treatment can increase the likelihood of symptoms returning. Medication changes should therefore be discussed with the treating healthcare professional.
6. Physical illness or medication
Some neurological and medical conditions, as well as certain prescription medicines, may produce psychotic symptoms. A first episode of psychosis therefore requires proper medical assessment rather than assumptions about its cause.

Look for the warning signs
Psychosis does not always appear suddenly. Family and friends may notice changes beforehand, including increasing isolation, unusual suspiciousness, deterioration in personal hygiene, difficulty thinking clearly, confused communication, abnormal sleep patterns or a sudden decline in school or work performance.

Early recognition matters
The longer significant psychotic symptoms remain untreated, the more difficult the disruption to education, employment, relationships and everyday functioning can become. Early assessment and appropriate treatment are associated with better recovery.

Can psychosis and mental illness be prevented?
Not every mental health condition can be prevented, and having a risk factor does not mean that someone will develop mental illness. However, we can reduce avoidable risks, strengthen protective factors and intervene before problems become severe.

Protect your mental health every day
Sleep consistently. Protecting regular, adequate sleep is one of the simplest ways to support emotional and cognitive functioning.

Avoid harmful substance use
Alcohol and drugs should not become coping mechanisms for stress, anxiety, loneliness or depression.

Manage stress before reaching crisis point
Exercise, relaxation, recreation, spirituality that is personally meaningful, hobbies and healthy routines can all form part of coping.

Stay connected
Isolation can worsen mental distress. Strong relationships with family, friends and community provide important protection.

Talk about problems
Asking for help is not weakness. Sometimes speaking with a trusted person, counsellor, social worker, psychologist or doctor can prevent a manageable problem from becoming a crisis.

Take care of your physical health
Regular physical activity, adequate nutrition, management of chronic diseases and avoidance of harmful alcohol and drug use also support brain and mental health.

Build emotionally healthy homes
Children and adolescents particularly benefit from safe environments, supportive relationships, opportunities for education and development, and adults who listen without immediately judging them.
WHO emphasises that social connection, supportive environments, good physical health, emotional skills and access to education and services are important protective factors for mental well-being.

When should you seek help?
Seek professional assessment when changes in thoughts, emotions or behaviour are persistent, worsening or interfering with someone’s ability to function.
Urgent help is needed when a person is hearing voices telling them to harm themselves or others, is severely confused or agitated, cannot adequately care for themselves, expresses suicidal thoughts, or appears to pose an immediate danger to themselves or another person.
Do not ridicule, argue aggressively with, threaten, or stigmatise someone experiencing psychosis. Keep the environment as calm and safe as possible, and facilitate professional assessment.

Mental health is health
We should be able to discuss depression, anxiety, substance use, and psychosis with the same seriousness and compassion that we discuss diabetes or hypertension.
Psychosis can be frightening for the individual and their family, but effective treatment exists, and recovery is possible. Early recognition, appropriate treatment, family support, and continued care can make a major difference.
Protect your sleep.
Manage your stress.
Avoid harmful substances.
Stay connected.
Recognise changes early.
And seek help before a mental health problem becomes a mental health crisis.

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