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By Danielle Swain
danielle@newsroom.gy

Guyana’s climate strategy is no longer only a matter for government negotiators, environment experts and international development agencies. It is a business opportunity.

That was the central message from Pradeepa Bholanath, Guyana’s Senior Director for Climate Change and REDD+ at the Ministry of Natural Resources, during a virtual presentation to the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry on what the outcomes of COP30 mean for Guyana’s businesses.

Speaking to members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), Bholanath said the private sector has a direct role to play in Guyana’s Low Carbon Development model and stands to benefit from new streams of climate finance, carbon markets, biodiversity finance and green investment.

“The private sector really has a key role,” she said, describing businesses as the implementers of many of the opportunities emerging from global climate negotiations. “The private sector in many ways is the implementer of what comes from these meetings.”

COP30 UNFCCC Round-Up: ​ What It Means for Guyana’s Businesses​ ​ by Pradeepa Bholanath Excerpt 1

For Guyanese businesses, climate policy is shaping access to finance, investment standards, tourism opportunities, construction practices, agriculture, energy security and the way companies position themselves in the global economy.

Bholanath told the chamber that Guyana’s forest conservation record has created a valuable national platform. With about 85 per cent forest cover and one of the lowest deforestation rates in the world, Guyana has earned revenue from forest carbon credits while continuing to pursue economic development.

To date, she said, Guyana has earned US$353 million from the sale of carbon credits into voluntary and compliance markets. Buyers have included Hess, now Chevron, Apple and 20 airlines participating in CORSIA, the international aviation emissions programme.

But Bholanath stressed that the private sector should not view carbon markets as something happening only at the national level. Local businesses help make those credits possible by building industries in ways that support sustainable development.

That includes ecotourism ventures, climate-smart agriculture, green construction, renewable energy, sustainable supply chains, technology services, insurance products and village-level enterprise development.

COP30 UNFCCC Round-Up: ​ What It Means for Guyana’s Businesses​ ​ by Pradeepa Bholanath Excerpt 2

“When a new ecotourism project is launched, rarely would we hear that this is part of the LCDS and helps to foster Guyana’s ability to create climate finance through the carbon markets,” she said. “But that is a fact.”

Her point was that businesses that reduce environmental impact, create green jobs, support Indigenous and rural livelihoods or help conserve forests are not operating outside the national climate agenda. They are helping Guyana prove that economic growth and forest protection can happen together.

That proof, in turn, strengthens the country’s ability to attract climate finance.

For the private sector, Bholanath outlined several areas of opportunity.

The first is access to finance. She said companies should continue to pursue financing through banks, international development institutions, private-sector partnerships, and multilateral agencies such as the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Caribbean Development Bank.

She also pointed to the planned Guyana Development Bank, which she said could help align private sector financing with national development priorities.

“The Guyana Development Bank, I think, will be a game changer in this respect,” she said.

The second opportunity is ecotourism and nature-based business. Bholanath repeatedly used tourism as an example of how companies can generate income while supporting conservation. She pointed to village-level investments, ecolodges, Indigenous tourism experiences and local knowledge as areas where Guyana can expand its low-carbon economy.

She also cited Iwokrama as a model for how sustainable forestry, ecotourism and community partnerships can create business value while maintaining ecosystem services.

Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development (Photo: Protected Areas Commission)

The third opportunity is green construction and engineering. Bholanath said construction is often seen as a “grey industry,” but Guyana has space to build a stronger model that blends infrastructure with environmental protection.

She pointed to mangroves along the coastline as an example of “green-grey solutions,” where natural systems and traditional infrastructure can work together. For engineering and construction firms, this opens opportunities in resilient infrastructure, coastal protection, drainage, renewable energy systems and climate-smart building design.

The fourth opportunity is agriculture and technology. Businesses can benefit by developing new crop varieties, expanding shade house programmes, investing in hydroponics, supporting climate-smart agriculture, transportation and creating technological solutions for emerging industries.

These areas, she suggested, are not separate from climate policy. They are part of the practical economy that climate finance is meant to support.

A BYD electric vehicle on display in Guyana. Clean energy transition is among the sectors being linked to new opportunities. (Photo: GT Automotive)

The fifth opportunity is Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting. Asked about ESG reporting, Bholanath said ESG should be seen as a company-level version of the Low Carbon Development Strategy.

“At the company level, that is ESG reporting. That is your LCDS,” she said.

She said ESG reporting can help businesses define what they stand for beyond profit, including how they treat employees, how they manage environmental risks, how they serve communities and how they prepare for future investment standards.

While ESG reporting is not mandatory for all businesses, she said companies that voluntarily develop clear plans and report on progress would be helping to usher in a “new era of responsible and responsive industry development.”

The sixth opportunity is direct participation in carbon markets. Bholanath said Guyana would welcome a local private sector first mover purchasing carbon credits, either as part of corporate social responsibility or another business programme.

She said local companies have already begun asking about the modalities for purchasing credits and suggested it would be significant if such a move happened under the leadership of the GCCI.

That, she said, would allow the private sector to close the loop, not only innovating and benefiting from the low-carbon economy, but reinvesting in the system that makes it possible.

COP30 UNFCCC Round-Up: ​ What It Means for Guyana’s Businesses​ ​ by Pradeepa Bholanath Excerpt 3

Bholanath also urged the GCCI and other business bodies to strengthen ties with regional and global private sector organisations. She said Guyana’s business community needs a stronger voice in global climate and finance discussions, especially as decisions are made about carbon markets, biodiversity finance and private sector support.

Without that connection, she warned, the priorities of smaller countries can be muted.

The presentation also looked beyond carbon to biodiversity finance, which Bholanath described as the next frontier for Guyana.

Through the Global Biodiversity Alliance, Guyana is seeking to build on its forest carbon model by placing greater value on biodiversity, ecosystem services, local knowledge and forest-based livelihoods.

For the private sector, that could mean future opportunities in biodiversity credits, conservation finance, nature-based tourism, sustainable supply chains and partnerships that link business growth to ecosystem protection.

Bholanath thanked the GCCI for being among the early members of the Global Biodiversity Alliance, saying its participation showed that the chamber recognises the link between global climate action, biodiversity and industry development.

COP30 UNFCCC Round-Up: ​ What It Means for Guyana’s Businesses​ ​ by Pradeepa Bholanath Excerpt 4

The challenge now, she suggested, is for Guyanese businesses to make that link more visible.

Several participants asked how businesses could see more direct benefits from climate finance. Bholanath acknowledged that government and the private sector both need to do more to show how investments in renewable energy, community development, construction, agriculture, education and village economies connect back to business opportunities.

That visibility, she said, should become part of the shared work ahead.

For Guyana’s private sector, the takeaway was that the low-carbon economy is not a narrow environmental agenda. It is a financing strategy, a branding opportunity, a route to new markets and a way to build companies that are more competitive in a changing world.

Government sets the policy, Bholanath said. Industry brings the innovation.

“The private sector is blazing the trail to show how those actions set out by policy could be best implemented in a way that benefits people,” she said.

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Police have made a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the alleged murder of Moses Chapelle, also known as “Bizo,” with the recovery of firearms and ammunition in the Cuyuni River area.

Chapelle was reportedly killed on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at about 21:30hrs at Blackwater Backdam, Cuyuni River.

As investigations continue, a 45-year-old gold miner of Company Road, Buxton, East Coast Demerara, remains in police custody in connection with the incident.

Police said that further enquiries led ranks on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at approximately 16:20hrs, to locations at Blackwater Landing, Cuyuni River, where a cache of weapons and ammunition was discovered.

Among the items recovered were an AM-15 rifle and a .32 pistol, along with multiple magazines and rounds of ammunition. These included two magazines containing 42 live .223 rounds, one magazine with four live .32 rounds, a 9mm magazine, as well as 70 additional .223 rounds and 48 live 9mm rounds.

The weapons and ammunition have since been taken into police custody and lodged as part of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities have not yet indicated whether the recovered items are directly linked to the murder, but sources say the discovery marks a key development in the case.

Investigations are ongoing.

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The Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) has been hailed as an initiative that supported thousands of Guyanese, and anyone desirous of advancing their studies will be supported by the government, Minister of Education Sonia Parag has said.

“It is now, in the next five years, going to be unlimited scholarships to Guyanese… which is a fantastic thing,” Parag said Monday at a conference focused on quality assurance in higher education, held at the Regency Suites in Georgetown.

Learning opportunities, she reminded the gathering, are available through various means. Parag singled out GOAL as a game-changing initiative that has supported more than 40,000 Guyanese at various levels of study over the last five years. Additionally, tertiary education has been made free locally.

Amid this commitment to expand learning opportunities for Guyanese, Parag said the government is working alongside key stakeholders to ensure that learners all receive high-quality education right in Guyana.

“The next five years will be based on quality and improving quality in the education sector,” she said.

Parag’s address came as educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders discussed the initiatives needed to ensure that tertiary institutions across Guyana provide a high standard of education to all learners. Discussions at this conference include the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the education sector, and what programmes are needed to support the country’s long-term growth better.

Additionally, the Caribbean Area Network for Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education (CANQATE)- Guyana Chapter was launched. This body is expected to support capacity-building efforts so that local educational institutions uphold the high standards desired.

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Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru dominated Delhi Capitals to strengthen their title credentials.

Delhi were blown away inside the first four overs of the match as RCB’s impressive bowling attack reduced them to 8-6.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar produced a sublime delivery to remove Sahil Parakh with the first ball of the game and Josh Hazlewood took two in two off the next over to leave the Capitals 2-3.

The wickets kept tumbling, with Bhuvneshwar taking 3-5 off his three overs and Hazlewood returning 4-12.

Substitute Abishek Porel restored some respectability with 30 off 33 balls as the stunned hosts limped to 75 all out.

England’s Jacob Bethell hit two towering sixes into the leg side in the RCB reply before Devdutt Padikkal hammered 34 off 13 to seal a nine-wicket victory with more than 13 overs to spare.

Virat Kohli, the leading run-scorer in the tournament’s history, finished 23 not out for the visitors, scoring his 9,000th IPL run in the process. (BBC)

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Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, has lauded Elton Dharry following his historic rise to world champion status on Saturday evening, describing the achievement as a testament to perseverance, discipline and unwavering belief.

 “The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and the National Sports Commission (NSC), has always supported Dharry’s pursuit of a world title, and I am pleased to see him celebrating the realisation of a lifelong journey,” Ninvalle said in a release.

With President Irfaan Ali and members of his Cabinet cheering him on, Dharry etched his name into the nation’s sporting history when he defeated Tanzania’s Salim Kassim by unanimous decision after a gruelling 12-round contest to claim the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) Super Bantamweight title.

The bout, staged at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, marked a significant milestone as the first male world title fight ever hosted in Guyana- an occasion Ninvalle believes will resonate for years to come.

 “This is a proud moment for Guyana and for boxing,” Ninvalle said.

“Elton Dharry has shown what determination, resilience, and belief can achieve. He never gave up on his dream, and today he stands as a world champion.”

Reflecting on Dharry’s journey, Ninvalle pointed to the fighter’s earlier setback in 2019, when he challenged Australia’s Andrew Maloney for the WBA Super Flyweight title in Melbourne.

That contest was halted in the eighth round by referee Ferlin Marsh due to a severe cut, with Dharry trailing on the judges’ scorecards and ultimately suffering defeat.

According to Ninvalle, that loss proved to be a defining moment in Dharry’s career.

“He made a promise to himself after that fight, that he would return stronger and claim a world title. It took time, patience, and hard work, but he fulfilled that promise,” Ninvalle noted.

Saturday’s clash saw Dharry overcome an uncertain start before asserting control and dominating the latter rounds. The victory improved his professional record to 31-6-1, while Kassim slipped to 11-1-2, suffering the first loss of his career.

Beyond his exploits in the ring, Ninvalle was quick to commend Dharry’s contributions to the sport locally.

He highlighted the champion’s commitment to developing boxing in Guyana, particularly his efforts to support emerging professionals and integrate amateur bouts into his locally promoted cards.

Ninvalle believes Dharry’s success could serve as a catalyst for the sport’s growth, inspiring a new generation of fighters to pursue excellence.

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A judicial training programme aimed at reducing criminal case backlogs and speeding up trials was launched on Monday under the Partnership of the Caribbean and the European Union on Justice (PACE Justice) initiative.

In his remarks at the opening ceremony, Attorney General Anil Nandlall said the project directly targets long-standing delays in the criminal justice system and seeks to prevent future build-ups of cases.

He explained that the backlog is driven by several systemic issues, including “weaknesses in police data capture, paper based evidence management systems, limited digitisation of corrections processes,” which have created bottlenecks for investigators, prosecutors and the courts.

“This training is timely because we all recognise that crime now perhaps more than ever assumes priority in the region… Crime is now accepted as a public health hazard in the Caribbean,” Nandlall said.

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Roxane George, said the training is intended to improve how efficiently criminal cases are handled and ensure timely hearings before the courts.

She said the programme will further enhance their capacity and capability to better address the criminal cases that will come before them so as to ensure the fair hearing of cases within a reasonable time by an independent impartial tribunal.”

“Judicial education programmes will keep them on the cutting edge so that they maintain the high standards of judicial conduct embodied in the code of conduct,” she said.

European Union Ambassador to Guyana, Luca Pierantoni, said strengthening trust in the justice system is central to improving its effectiveness.

He highlighted the importance of protecting those involved in legal proceedings, stating that there is a need for protective access to justice and the need for protecting victims and witnesses in order to enforce trust in the judicial system.

“So the focus is rather on the issue of trust in the system, empowerment,” he said.

The four-day training programme will focus on improving court efficiency and reducing delays through enhanced skills and modern tools. Topics include jury orientation, complex criminal trials, defences, no-case submissions, vulnerable witnesses, voir dire, DNA evidence, digital evidence, and artificial intelligence in the justice system.

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Two individuals were remanded to prison by Magistrate Michelle Matthias on Monday after being charged with possession of narcotics

Antonio Peters, aged 21, a construction worker residing at Lot 35, Sheet Anchor Village, East Canje, Berbice, and Delvin Semple, aged 28, a taxi driver of Timmers Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice, appeared before the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court when they faced a joint charge.

It is alleged that on April 23, while in Weldaad Village, they possessed 2,600 grams of cannabis with intent to traffic.

Both Peters and Semple entered pleas of not guilty.

In response to the bail application, Police Prosecutor Sergeant Garfield Edwards argued that at the time the cannabis was discovered, Peters and Semple were the sole occupants of the vehicle.

Prosecutor Edwards also highlighted that both defendants are considered flight risks, citing the inaccurate address provided by Semple. He noted that if bail were granted to Semple, there would be no reliable address to locate him.

Furthermore, Prosecutor Edwards indicated to the Court that there is a video interview in which Peters and Semple admitted to the possession of the narcotics. He contended that bail should be denied due to the seriousness of the offense.

During the hearing, Attorney-at-law Horatio Edmondson, representing Peters, stated that the prosecution opposed bail without first knowing the nature of the substance involved. After correction by the Magistrate, Edmondson clarified that the substance is alleged to be cannabis until proven otherwise.

He further argued that there was no indication whether any of the confiscated substances had been sent for testing, and he noted the absence of any mention of a video by the prosecution.

Considering the gravity of the offense, Magistrate Matthias denied bail.

Peters and Semple were remanded to prison, and the case was transferred to the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court for additional proceedings.

According to a police statement, on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at approximately 15:40 hours, during a stop-and-search operation on Weldaad Public Road, West Coast Berbice, officers intercepted a white Toyota Fielder Wagon with two male occupants. Searches conducted on the vehicle and the individuals revealed four large parcels, wrapped in transparent plastic and containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis, concealed in two multi-colored shopping bags in the trunk.

The driver, Semple, and passenger, Peters, were both arrested and taken into custody.

The suspected cannabis, vehicle, and both individuals were transported to Weldaad Police Station, where the seized narcotics were weighed in their presence, totaling 45.4 pounds before being lodged.

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Officers of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) have seized a quantity of foreign marijuana during an intelligence-led operation carried out on the East Bank Essequibo.

The interception occurred on Saturday, April 25, 2026, along the Tuschen Public Road, where CANU officers stopped and searched a motor vehicle.

During the search, ranks discovered ten brick-like parcels containing suspected foreign marijuana. The narcotics were later weighed and amounted to approximately 10.992 kilograms.

Two individuals have since been arrested. They are 25-year-old Austin Jawahir of Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo, and 22-year-old Jose Presilla.

Both men were taken into custody and escorted to CANU Headquarters along with the seized narcotics.

Authorities say investigations into the matter are ongoing.

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A still unidentified male sporting dreadlocks was shot and killed early Sunday morning following an altercation along North Road, Georgetown.

The incident occurred at approximately 07:45hrs between Alexander and Camp Streets. According to preliminary reports, the now-deceased man was standing in front of a bar in the area when he became involved in a confrontation with another male, who was allegedly armed with a handgun.

Investigations revealed that the altercation quickly escalated. The suspect reportedly dealt the victim several blows to the head before a loud explosion was heard. The assailant then walked away from the scene, leaving the victim lying motionless on the roadway.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) were summoned and responded promptly. However, upon examination by a doctor at the scene, the man was pronounced dead.

Police processing of the scene led to the recovery of one suspected .32 spent shell and a brown leather holster in the vicinity of the body. Investigators have identified several CCTV cameras in the area, which are expected to play a key role in ongoing efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the killing.

The body has since been transported to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it awaits identification and a post-mortem examination.

 

No arrests have been made, and investigations are continuing.

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Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Keemo Paul scored contrasting half-centuries, as Guyana Harpy Eagles were bowled out for 242 on Day One of the third round clash against Windward Islands Volcanoes in the West Indies Four-Day Championship in Antigua.

Playing at the Coolidge Cricket Ground on Sunday, Volcanoes closed on 22-1, trailing by 220 runs with Nial Smith removing Ackeem Auguste for two.

Volcanoes’ decision to bowl first brought immediate rewards as Harpy Eagles were reduced to 20-3 with Matthew Nandu (0), Kevlon Anderson (5) and skipper Tevin Imlach (5) all falling cheaply.

Chanderpaul and Kemol Savory repaired the damage with fourth wicket stand of 53 before Savory was dismissed for 35 off 73 (5x4s).

A sedate Chanderpaul and a free-flowing Paul then added 76 for the fifth wicket, the highest partnership of the innings.

Chanderpaul, who has been ultra-cautious this season, made 69 off 212 balls, hitting eight fours, while Paul struck five fours and four sixes in a breezy 64 off 57.

It was Chanderpaul’s 22^nd First-Class fifty and second of the season, and Paul’s sixth half-century overall and second of the season.

Gudakesh Motie (24), Richie Looknauth (17) and Shamar Joseph (15) chipped in with lower-order runs as Ryan John took 4-28 and Darel Cyrus 3-79.

In this new bilateral format, Harpy Eagles defeated Volcanoes in Rounds One and Two and are atop the points table, in a prime position to qualify for the final.

Below are the summarised scores from the other games 

Jangoo, DaSilva lead Red Force’s solid batting effort 

SUMMARY: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 247-3 from 64 overs (Joshua DaSilva 72*, Amir Jangoo 69*, Jason Mohammed 47, Jyd Goolie 36; Oshane Thomas 2-44) vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes

Prolific Pride take first day honours at Sabina Park 

SUMMARY: Barbados Pride 346-5 from 87 overs (Jonathan Drakes 94, Roston Chase 82*, Kraigg Brathwaite 74, Leniko Boucher 40*; Brad Barnes 2-56) vs Jamaica Scorpions

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