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Press Release: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), successfully conducted a series of training sessions on Integrated Crop Production Management and Digital Sensor Systems under Protected Cultivation.

The training commenced at the Mangrove Centre in Mon Repos on 19 May 2026 and continued with practical field sessions in Regions Two, Five and Six. These regional sessions engaged over 90 participants consisting of farmers, academia and extension officers from six regions, strengthening hands-on learning and supporting field-level application.

Dr Ramnarace Sukhna, Head of Special Projects at NAREI, emphasised the long-term value of the initiative, stating, “This collaboration with FAO strengthens the technical capacities of our officers and farmers. The installation of sensors in regional model farms provides a strong foundation for scaling up protected agriculture and digital technologies nationwide.”

Protected cultivation systems, including greenhouses and shade houses play an important role in advancing climate-smart agriculture in Guyana by improving productivity, andcrop quality, while helping farmers reduce climate-related risks.

An important feature of the training was the introduction ofdigital sensor technologies that support real-time monitoring of key environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, soil moisture, light intensity and nutrient levels. This allows more precise, data-driven crop management. For example, farmers can use soil moisture data to optimize irrigation schedules, reducing water use while maintaining crop health, or adjust ventilation and shading based on temperature and humidity readings to prevent plant stress and disease

Alvin Prabudial, Extension Officer from Region 6 said, “The training was very good, not only the theory but also the practical experience of what is happening in real time as it really relates to our work, giving us new knowledge for us to advance greenhouse and shade house production.”

Participants received training in key areas relating to protected cultivation including; greenhouse climate and crop management, irrigation, fertigation and nutrient management, pest and disease prevention, sensor technologies and data platforms including the installation and operation of monitoring systems.

During the regional practical sessions, participants were introduced to digital sensor technologies and actively engaged in the installation of sensors procured under the project. These sensors were installed on pilot greenhouses at model farms in Regions Two, Five, and Six, helping to ensure that training was directly linked to field level application and practical use by farmers and technical officers.

Debbie Argyle of the Mahaica Women’s Group said, “I am happy to be part of this training which is very impactful and I will be sharing this new knowledge of shade house monitoring with the members of my group and community.”

The training formed part of a broader FAO technical mission that combines capacity development, equipment installation and field-based learning. By integrating classroom instruction with practical demonstrations, the programme ensures that participants are equipped to install, maintain and effectively utilise sensor data.

Assistant FAO Representative for Guyana, Ms Gitanjali Chandarpal, highlighted the significance of the initiative, noting that the integration of sensors and data-driven tools into greenhouse systems enables farmers and technical officers to better monitor conditions and make informed decisions, leading to improved productivity and resilience.

The successful implementation of the sessions contributes to the Government of Guyana’s vision to modernise the agricultural sector. FAO remains committed to supporting collaborative efforts that promote sustainable, efficient, and technology-driven agricultural systems across the country.

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Press Release: The 47th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of The Bar Association of Guyana was held 29th May 2026, via Zoom Online Platform.

This AGM recorded the highest membership attendance in the Association’s history, reflecting the continued engagement, support and interest of members in the affairs of the Association.

As part of the proceedings, the Bar Council for the 2026-2027 fiscal year was elected. The elections were contested, with the nominees led by Mr. Arudranauth Gossai defeating the nominees led by Mr. Darren Wade.

Mr. Arudranauth Gossai, who served on the previous Council as Second Vice-President, was elected President.

Mr. Kamal Ramkarran, former President, and Mr. Teni Housty, were appointed First Vice-President and Second Vice-President, respectively.

Ms. Yashmini Singh, who served on the previous Council as Secretary, was re-elected to the position of Secretary. Mr. Samuel Glasgow was elected Treasurer while Ms. Mohanie Anganoo was elected Assistant Secretary.

The other members who were elected to the Bar Council as Council Members are Mr. Robin Stoby, SC, Ms. Jamela Ali SC, Mr. Horatio Edmondson, Ms. Rea Harris, Mr. Chevy Devonish and Mr. Ron Motilall.

Mr. Rajendra Jaigobin served as Returning Officer for the election process.

Dated 29th May, 2026

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The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has re-elected Captain Gerald Gouveia Jr. as Chairman and Kathy Smith as Vice Chairwoman following its 2026 Annual General Meeting, signaling continuity in leadership as Guyana’s business community navigates a rapidly expanding economy.

The AGM saw members elect the organisation’s Executive Committee for the 2026–2027 term while reaffirming the PSC’s commitment to promoting private sector development, economic growth and national prosperity.

Joining Gouveia and Smith on the executive are Imran Saccoor as Treasurer, Josephine Tapp-Rutherford as Honorary Secretary and Manniram Prashad as Corporate Coordinator.

The PSC said the newly elected leadership team will continue advancing policies and initiatives aimed at strengthening Guyana’s business environment and supporting sustainable economic development.

In a statement following the meeting, the commission thanked its members and stakeholders for their participation and support, while reiterating its commitment to being a strong voice for the private sector.

The PSC has played an increasingly prominent role in national discussions on economic diversification, investment, governance and private sector participation as Guyana’s economy continues to expand.

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Delivering the feature address on behalf of President Irfaan Ali today at the Private Sector Commission’s (PSC’s) 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh urged Guyanese companies to expand beyond the domestic market while challenging them to be the regional conglomerates of tomorrow. 

“There are a lot of Guyanese companies here that have the capacity to expand their footprint outside of Guyana…and you know that President Ali’s vision for Guyana is a Guyana where we are leading not only the region but the world. And a part of that journey of getting in the shortest possible time to a place where we are leading the world must surely involve looking beyond Guyana’s borders for opportunities to expand into new markets to sell our products,” Dr. Singh advised as he addressed business leaders at the event.

The Minister then provided examples of Guyanese entities that expanded to the region in the past when the country had not even reached its current progressive level and when there were even more challenges than at present.

“A hundred years ago Guyanese insurance companies (some of our oldest insurance companies) established a presence in the Caribbean in an era when you didn’t have the internet and when you probably didn’t even have airplane travel and you had to travel by a mail boat to go to a Caribbean island. Companies like Guyana Trinidad Mutual Life (GTM), Demerara Life, Guyanese insurance companies, they established a presence throughout the Caribbean in an era when you probably didn’t even have telephones,” he outlined.  

Dr. Singh further advised business leaders to use this period of economic prosperity and ‘when the sun is shining’ to ensure that they expand to regional and other markets.

“There is a saying, we use it particularly in relation to economic policy-it has broader connotations and applications—that you must fix the roof while the sun is shining. I want you to reflect on that. I think it would be fair to say that as far as things economic are concerned, as far as the business environment is concerned, the sun is currently shining very brightly in Guyana and very brightly on your respective businesses,” he told the group of business leaders

Meanwhile, the finance minister also urged businesses to improve the quality of the businesses and services. 

 “There is still a lot of room for us to improve the quality of service that we deliver. And I want to say at the onset that we recognize that imperative in government. We recognize (as I have always said and that President Ali has always said) that the transformation of Guyana must not only be a transformation that we see physically, but it must be a transformation in our daily experience in interacting with institutions of State. That’s why the president has an aggressive agenda for digitization and digital delivery of services. But that is also an imperative that applies to the Guyanese private sector,” he concluded reminding persons about government’s countrywide digitization progamme currently being rolled out.

Also attending and delivering an address as guest speaker was French Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Olivier Plançon who congratulated Guyana on its 60th Independence Anniversary. The Ambassador also relayed a message from France’s President Emmanuel Macron that France is proud to stand with Guyana during this occasion and reaffirmed France’s recommitment to the respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana in accordance with international law. 

The Ambassador also alluded to the French embassy in Guyana which was established last year and noted that there has been strong interest expressed by French companies to invest in Guyana.

He then touched on Schengen visas noting that the French are working to streamline this visa process and he also commended the efforts of a local airline which he pointed out has been working to establish a route between Georgetown, Paramaribo and Cayenne.

“I am very optimistic about the growth of our relations,” the Ambassador concluded. 

  Chairman of the PSC Gerald Gouveia jr during his remarks noted that when he became Chairman of the PSC, he came with three clear goals-to protect democracy and stability, to continue promoting Guyana on the world stage and to give unwavering support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). 

“Over the past years we have worked and built those goals together”, he said while reminding that he witnessed in 2020 when democracy was under threat in Guyana and the longest period of uncertainty and institutional challenges that created fear among businesses and damaged investor confidence. 

“That is a period of history that we must never forget,” he added while reminding the gathering that the PSC organized the largest group of observers for the 2025 election to ensure that democracy was protected and that the private sector played a key role in defending transparency, stability and public confidence.

In terms of promoting Guyana on the world stage, Gouveia said Guyana has now taken centre stage on all world forums.            

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For decades, West Indies cricket has wrestled with a recurring, deeply frustrating conundrum: how do you capture the raw, unvarnished talent found on the region’s streets and successfully shepherd it into a professional pipeline?

In Guyana, the answer is being built from the ground up, quite literally, within the primary school system. On Wednesday, the fourth edition of the Future Warriors Tapeball Tournament was officially launched at ExxonMobil’s headquarters in Ogle.

What began as a modest local knockout competition has blossomed into a sweeping, multi-county pathway spanning Demerara, Berbice, and Essequibo. A total of 48 teams—16 from each zone—will compete in a tournament designed specifically to eliminate the financial hurdles that so often derail promising young Caribbean athletes before they have even laced up a pair of boots.

To ensure a level playing field, the tournament organisers have removed all financial barriers. Everything from playing kits and bats to meals and transport is fully funded by the joint venture between ExxonMobil Guyana and FL Sport.

The format is unashamedly modern: a high-octane, eight-overs-a-side knockout competition. In a progressive twist, teams also have the flexibility to field mixed-gender XIs, intentionally integrating boys and girls on the same turf from a foundational level.

Speaking at the launch, Minister of Education Sonia Parag highlighted the crucial link between grassroots sport and character building.

“Sport is so critical to the development of our young people,” Parag said. “It is not just about the runs scored, but about developing the discipline and leadership that will serve these children well beyond the cricket boundary.”

It is a sentiment echoed by Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, who stressed the energy company’s commitment to creating sustainable social pathways for youth.

“We also want to be a part of the fabric of this community, and I love sport because of how it brings people together,” Routledge explained. “I love to see the energy and the passion of these young players, and seeing the partnership working so beautifully to lift up the next generation is incredibly rewarding.”

Meanwhile, Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle praised the tournament’s continuity, noting that structured school cricket remains vital for feeding talent into the national framework and that private-sector and government support is critical.

The government, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, has made the National Stadiums accessible for matches.

“I would like to commend the organisers for their vision,” Ninvalle stated. “Maintaining this level of consistency is exactly what our sports ecosystem needs, and we look forward to seeing how these young players progress into the future.”

Yet, the tournament’s modernising ambitions extend well beyond the boundary rope. While regional winners will take home comprehensive equipment bags for their schools, the top four teams in each zone will also receive tablets.

The goal is distinctly analytical: teaching children the digital mechanics of online match scoring, fusing technology with play to cultivate an early understanding of modern cricket metrics.

To bridge the gap between aspiration and reality, active national cricketers are also being deployed across the tournament as team mentors, providing pupils with direct access to elite role models who can guide them through the tactical nuances of the game.

John Ramsingh, Co-Director of FL Sport, expressed immense confidence that this fourth cycle would solidify the tournament’s reputation as a vital scouting ground.

“We remain committed to ensuring that this is not just a one-off weekend of cricket,” Ramsingh told the launch. “The ultimate objective is to ensure standout performers do not simply disappear after the final ball is bowled, but are instead funnelled directly into established local clubs and regional academies. Let’s give these young players a round of applause for what they are about to achieve.”

The logistics will see the tournament test three of the country’s premium venues over consecutive weekends, with play commencing at 09:00h local time each day.

The Demerara Zone gets underway on May 30-31 at the National Stadium in Providence, before moving to the historic Albion Sports Complex for the Berbice leg on June 13-14. The regional qualifiers will conclude in Essequibo on June 20-21 at the Anna Regina National Stadium.

The incoming crop of schools will be chasing the high standards set during the previous national finals, where Berbice’s Cropper Primary produced a tactically clinical display against Demerara’s Grove Primary and Essequibo’s C.V. Nunes to claim the ‘Champion of Champions’ title.

This year’s regional winners will earn an automatic berth to the national postseason, with the showpiece ‘Champion of Champions’ leg scheduled for the August-September window.

 

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Fifteen foreign workers linked to EKAA HRIM Resource Management have opted to remain and continue working in Guyana, even as the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning continues investigations into a series of complaints raised against the company operating in Batavia, Region Seven.

In a statement issued Friday, the ministry said it has already secured employment opportunities for the 15 workers and is advancing the process for their work permits.

The ministry said it has been actively engaging 37 employees of the company following concerns over withheld passports, outstanding wages, alleged withholding of monies, repatriation arrangements, and occupational safety and health conditions at the quarry operation.

Regarding the passport issue, the ministry said workers initially reported that their travel documents were being withheld by the company. However, the company maintained that the passports were voluntarily lodged for safekeeping.

According to the ministry, the company later submitted ledger records showing occasions when workers uplifted their passports to conduct personal transactions, including obtaining driver’s licences, opening bank accounts, and remitting money to relatives in India, before returning the documents to the company.

The ministry stated that the matter has since been resolved and all workers are now in possession of their passports.

On the issue of wages, the ministry confirmed that all employees received their outstanding April salaries along with payments owed up to May 16, 2026. The company reportedly provided proof of bank transfers and payment breakdowns to ministry officials.

Workers had also claimed that a sum of US$`2,500 was owed to them. However, after examining employment contracts presented by the workers, ministry officials found no evidence supporting claims that monies were being unlawfully withheld.

The ministry explained that 11 workers possessed contracts stating that US`$2,500 would be deducted and paid as a bonus at the end of the contractual period. However, those agreements referenced the laws of Mauritius and the United Arab Emirates rather than Guyanese law.

The remaining 26 workers were employed under agreements providing for lower wages during an initial six-month probationary period, with increased salaries after confirmation of employment from the seventh month onward.

“In the circumstances, there was no evidence to support the contention that the monies were being withheld from the workers,” the ministry stated.

Meanwhile, the company indicated a willingness to repatriate workers with three months or less remaining on their contracts despite what it described as contractual breaches by some employees.

The ministry said five workers fall within that category and discussions are ongoing regarding arrangements for their return home.

Another 17 workers are still being engaged through the Indian High Commission and other stakeholders regarding repatriation. Authorities also noted that assistance remains available should those workers choose to remain employed in Guyana.

The ministry further disclosed that several occupational safety and health complaints were raised by workers at the quarry site. Investigations were carried out and recommendations issued to company management to address the concerns.

Officials said the ministry remains engaged to ensure the company complies fully with occupational safety and health standards.

The Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of all workers in Guyana, both local and foreign.

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A man from West Berbice has been sentenced to seven years and seven months for stealing from his former employer.

On Friday, Justice Deborah Kumar-Chetty handed down the sentence to Hemraj Singh Pahalad, who worked as a clerk for Ramdial Ramoutar.

The court heard that between February 12 and 16, 2013, Pahalad fraudulently took over three and a half million dollars from his employer’s business, claiming it was for the accounts of Sahidrul Satar. He also embezzled an additional three million from Karamdeo Mangru.

During that same period, Pahalad was accused of stealing a large amount of flour—200 bags of Thunderbolt flour, 515 bags of 2kg flour, 311 bags of 1kg flour, and several bags of other types of flour, totaling over $10 million in value, all belonging to Ramdial Ramoutar.

When he appeared in court, Pahalad pleaded not guilty, which led to a trial where a jury ultimately found him guilty of embezzlement and larceny.

In determining his sentence, Justice Kumar-Chetty highlighted the seriousness of the breach of trust involved. She pointed out that Pahalad held a position of confidence, having access to the flour bond and being responsible for depositing cash and cheques at the bank. His employer had placed significant trust in him, even naming him on a joint bank account. Instead of honoring that trust, Pahalad chose to abuse his position for personal gain.

 

The court also noted that during police questioning, Pahalad admitted to stealing the flour and the money, showing a lack of remorse even when he knew he was under investigation. The judge mentioned that he had the chance to repay the stolen amounts but chose not to.

The complainant mentioned that the crime did not just affect him directly; it also impacted his family members who live abroad. They had to adjust their living arrangements to help cope with the losses.

The court acknowledged that embezzlement has a harmful effect on the economy and can shake public trust in business activities.

After weighing several factors, the court handed down a five-year prison sentence for the embezzlement.

However, as a mitigating factor, the court noted that Pahalad had no previous convictions since this was his first offense.

They reduced the initial sentence by two years. The court also took into account a 13-year delay in prosecution without any explanation and decided to decrease the sentence by an additional five months.

In the end, Pahalad received a two-year prison term for the embezzlement charge, with the court ordering that the time he spent in remand be deducted from his sentence.

When looking at the seriousness of the larceny charge, the court considered the value of the stolen goods.

They set the starting point for the larceny sentence at seven years but then reduced it by two years. Pahalad was ultimately sentenced to five years for larceny.

Justice Kumar-Chetty stated that the sentences would run concurrently since they were part of a single act of dishonesty by Pahalad.

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Read full statement from RECOVER Guyana here:

On May 23, 2026, ExxonMobil Guyana hosted an in-person capacity building session for the Top 20 national finalists of SHOUT4Change. SHOUT, now in its fourth iteration, is Guyana’s national environmental speech competition, and is implemented by Recover Guyana, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, with support from ExxonMobil Guyana.

The immersive session formed a key component of the competition’s developmental programme, aimed at strengthening participants’ understanding of environmental sustainability, conservation efforts, and the role of industry in shaping Guyana’s low-carbon future.

The day began with an operational update, provided by ExxonMobil Guyana’s team. Finalists gained valuable insight into the company’s activities, with particular emphasis on environmental management and sustainability practices.

Representatives from the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development then delivered a comprehensive presentation on the Guyana Conservation Initiative (GCI) its alignment with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030. GCI, a multi-year grant provided by the ExxonMobil Fondation, supports awareness on marine and conservation issues, ecosystem restoration, livelihood initiatives, and community support in coastal and hinterland regions.

As part of the experiential learning activities, finalists later participated in a guided tour of the Mangrove Information Centre. This segment provided practical insight into the importance of mangroves in coastal defense, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. The programme concluded with a visit to the Turkeyen Seawall Mural, where participants explored how environmental awareness can be effectively communicated through public art and community engagement.

The SHOUT National Environmental Speech Competition continues to empower young voices across Guyana, equipping participants with the knowledge and confidence to advocate for a more sustainable future, with ExxonMobil Guyana Limited as a key partner over the years.

End

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