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In the spirit of goodwill and compassion, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali handed over a newly constructed home to James Hercules and his family at Enterprise along the East Coast of Demerara, on Christmas morning.

Hercules, 46, lives with an orthopaedic impairment, a severe physical disability affecting his musculoskeletal system that hinders his movement. He has spent most of his life moving his family from place to place, never truly settling. He wrote to President Ali requesting his assistance.

On Christmas Day, he became a beneficiary of a brand new home, courtesy of the president and the Men on Mission (MoM) programme.

In a heartfelt address, Hercules expressed gratitude to God and to the government for the home he and his family received. He said that he had spent most of his life renting and relying on family support, and that guidance from a friend led him to apply for assistance.

“I’m thankful very much for this home…and I give God all the praise and thanks,” he said.

President Ali explained that Guyana can only truly grow and succeed if people help each other and feel good about the role they play in building the country.

“And to do that with a fair conscience is exactly what we’re seeing here today. Outside of the hundreds of families who have benefitted in a physical way from men on mission, there are thousands of families who have benefitted under different circumstances,” he stated.

The president commended the thousands of volunteers who worked through the MoM to bring hope and joy to hundreds of families nationwide.

MoM’s priorities for 2026

Looking ahead, President Ali outlined key priorities for the MoM initiative in the coming year, including improving sanitary facilities and ensuring homes have proper access to water.

He said MoM will also tackle social problems like gambling and alcohol abuse that often put men at the centre of family and community stress.

“We have to use men to resolve this.. to reduce the burden we put on society, and the burden we put on families and our children because of our behaviour,” the president emphasised.

Women will be empowered through a new program launching next year, which will include backyard gardening and shade house activities. President Ali stated that the focus will be on growing seasoning crops such as pepper and celery.

The president mentioned that the plan involves setting up prep kitchens in various areas. These kitchens would help clusters and homes prepare their produce for delivery to businesses. This program aims to create a demand for home-grown produce, promoting sustainable small businesses and local economic activity.

Since MOM’s inception, approximately 300 homes have been built for families nationwide.

Also present were Member of Parliament (MP) Suresh Singh; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Dr Josh Kanhai, and MoM’s Coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel Bhageshwar Murli and other officials (Republished from the Department of Public Information)

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A 44-year-old vendor of Charity, Essequibo Coast, was arrested on Christmas Eve after he was caught with several packets of cannabis.

According to a statement from Police Headquarters, the vendor dropped a black plastic bag on the ground as a Police exercise was ongoing. The bag was retrieved by Police ranks and, in his presence, found to contain several small zip-lock plastic bags with a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The vendor was then arrested and escorted to the Charity Police Station along with the suspected cannabis. The substance was weighed in his presence and amounted to 45 grams before being processed and lodged.

The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.

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Police are investigating the alleged drowning of a two-year-old child who was visiting her grandparents in the Pomeroon area for the Christmas holidays.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, said the incident occurred on Christmas Day at Grant Atlas, Lower Pomeroon River, Essequibo. The child has been identified as Zoria Seegobin.

“In the early hours of December 25, 2025 she was discovered missing from the home and was subsequently found submerged in a nearby trench,” Police said.

After the discovery, the child was transported by relatives to Charity, where Police ranks then escorted her to the Charity Cottage Hospital. She was seen and examined by a doctor on duty, who pronounced her dead.

The body was later taken to the Suddie Hospital Mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.

Investigations are ongoing.

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Gavin Linden Melville, a 49-year-old labourer of Tuschen Phase 2, East Bank Essequibo, was stabbed to death on Christmas Day.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, said Melville and his 48-year-old reputed wife had reportedly returned home after attending an event when an altercation ensued inside the residence. During the incident, the man received a stab wound to the neck area.

Upon arrival at the scene, Police ranks observed him lying motionless in the living room. He was escorted to the De Kinderen Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead oby a doctor on duty. The body was later taken to Ezekiel Funeral Parlour, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The 48-year-old female was taken into Police custody and then was escorted to the De Kinderen Regional Hospital where she was seen, examined and sent away. She remains in custody, assisting with the investigation.

Investigations are ongoing.

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See below the full Christmas message from President Dr Irfaan Ali: 

My Fellow Guyanese,

Merry Christmas!

The story of Christmas reminds us that a single, silent star once pierced a vast and uncertain darkness, guiding the way to a promise: the promise of hope.

For Christians across our nation and the world, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is the story of a light dawning in the deepest night. It often carries a message of hope.  It is the definitive expression of a transformative, divine love —a love so powerful, pure and perfect that it entered the world not in a palace, but in a humble crib, to uplift the lowly and heal the broken.

The Christmas story is not one of faith alone, but a profound lesson for all mankind. It relays to us that within our shared humanity lies the capacity for renewal, for compassion, and for hope.

This is why it is so heartening to see Guyanese everywhere, at home and across the diaspora, keep our cherished Christmas traditions alive. The shared meals, the Christmas songs that fill the air, the outstretched hands to neighbours and strangers alike and the outpouring of kindness to the less fortunate in our midst. Through these acts of goodwill, we strengthen the very bonds that unite our harmonious, beautiful, and diverse society.

And we have much to celebrate. Guyana is shining brighter than ever. The country is, experiencing its best days. We stand on the threshold of unparalleled opportunity. But let us remember that the true measure of our light is not in its intensity, but in how far it reaches. Prosperity only has meaning when it is shared prosperity.  We will continue along this enlightened path, ensuring that ever community, every family, every child feels the warmth of this new dawn.

Just days ago, I laid out a broad vision for our nation’s next five years—a detailed plan to spur unprecedented growth and, crucially, to ensure that the benefits of this growth reaches everyone.  This is our covenant with you, the people of our beloved country. It is our collective project of hope. From the hope of Bethlehem to the hope of a thriving Guyana, the message is the same: we are builders of a better tomorrow.

This Christmas as we gather in joy, I call on each of you to also gather in safety. Let us protect the gift of each other. Be vigilant on our roads, mindful in our celebrations, and watchful over our loved ones. Let this season be marked by peace in every home.

As the candles of our Christmas celebrations cast their gentle glow, let their light reach beyond the warmth of our own hearths. May we remember those who dwell in the quiet shadows of want, extending not just the bounty of our tables but the greater wealth of our compassion. May this same gentle light be a solace to the sick and a comfort to the grieving, a reminder that no heart need heal alone

And let our hearts, buoyed by the season’s promise of peace, become a silent chorus of prayer for our brothers and sisters in lands where the night sky is pierced not by starlight, but by conflict and strife. Let this Season bring hope for every soul that lies awake longing for a dawn where the only sound is the whisper of peace.

So, as we celebrate this joyous and blessed Season of Christmas, let us let us embrace its profound truth. The greatest gift is to be found in a humble heart. This Christmas, let us renew our hearts. Let us choose love over indifference, unity over division, and hope over despair.

From my family to yours, may God bless you all with a peaceful and joyous Christmas.

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See below the full message from GAWU: 

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) extends sincere Christmas greetings and best wishes to all Guyanese, and in a special way to the Christian community, as the nation observes the holy and joyous season of Christmas.

Christmas holds profound spiritual significance for Christians, marking the birth of the Christ child and symbolising renewal, hope, peace, and redemption. It is a period that calls for reflection on faith, humility, compassion, and the enduring promise of a better tomorrow grounded in love and service to others.

In Guyana, Christmas holds deep cultural significance. It is a season that transcends religious boundaries and is embraced by Guyanese from all walks of life, irrespective of faith, ethnicity, or social background. Through shared traditions, fellowship, and community engagement, Christmas reinforces the values of togetherness and mutual respect that are fundamental to our multicultural society.

GAWU recognises that the core message of the Christmas season—unity, piety, charity, and goodwill to all—has particular relevance at this time in our national life. Our country faces pressing challenges that demand collective effort, understanding, and solidarity. We therefore urge all Guyanese to reject voices and actions that seek to divide our people, and instead to embrace dialogue, tolerance, and national unity in the interest of peace and progress.

As we celebrate, GAWU encourages all Guyanese to do so responsibly and safely, with consideration for one another and for the well-being of our communities.

On behalf of the leadership and membership of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), we wish all Guyanese a happy, peaceful, and prosperous Christmas season, and trust that the spirit of hope and unity inspired by Christmas will continue to guide our nation in the year ahead.

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See below the full message from the PPP/C: 

The People’s Progressive Party extends warm Christmas greetings to all Guyanese, and especially to our  brothers and sisters within the Christian community, as we celebrate the joy and meaning of the Yuletide  season. 

Christmas is a time of family, fellowship, and generosity. It is a particularly special time for our children, who eagerly anticipate the treats, gifts, and traditions that make Christmas a memorable occasion. 

The birth of the Christ Child symbolizes hope renewed and light overcoming darkness.  

Born in humble circumstances, Jesus’ life and teachings reflected compassion, humility, justice, and love  for all. He crossed social barriers, stood with the marginalized, defended the voiceless, and challenged  injustice—values that continue to inspire humanity and remind us of our shared responsibility to one  another. 

In this spirit, we encourage all Guyanese to remember the elderly, the differently abled, and the  underprivileged, and to extend kindness not only to family and friends, but also to neighbours and  strangers alike. As a proud multicultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious nation, this message of love,  unity, and caring resonates deeply with who we are. 

The People’s Progressive Party joins the nation in celebrating the birth of the Christ Child, while reflecting  on its true meaning and enduring significance. 

Merry Christmas and best wishes for peace, goodwill, and prosperity. 

 

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See below the full Christmas message from the ERC:

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) extends warm Christmas greetings to all Guyanese as the nation joins in observing this sacred and festive season.

Within Christianity, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ, whose coming into the world symbolizes hope, redemption, and God’s love for humanity. It is a sacred occasion for Christians to reflect on Christ’s teachings of peace, humility, compassion, and service to others, values that continue to guide us and inspire acts of kindness and goodwill.

While Christmas holds deep religious significance for Christians, it is also embraced nationally in Guyana as a time of shared celebration, reflection, and generosity. In our diverse and multi-ethnic society, Guyanese of all backgrounds join in observing the season, that encourages unity, generosity, and togetherness, and reflects the respect we show for one another’s faiths and traditions.

Christmas is a time that calls for reflection on shared values of love, peace, compassion, and goodwill, principles that transcend religious, cultural, and ethnic boundaries. It is a period that reminds us of the importance of unity, mutual respect, understanding, empathy and dialogue which are central to building and sustaining harmonious relations within Guyana’s diverse society.

As we celebrate Christmas, the Commission encourages all citizens to use this season as an opportunity to strengthen bonds within families, communities, and each other, reaffirming our collective responsibility to promote peaceful coexistence and harmonious relations.

The ERC wishes all Guyanese a safe, peaceful, and joyous Christmas, and looks forward to continued collaboration with all stakeholders in the pursuit of unity and national harmony in the new year ahead.

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The Guyana Police Force is probing the alleged theft of $153.9 million from a telecommunications company.

In a release from Police headquarters, it was noted that the act was allegedly committed by a 37-year-old man of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara. That man was identified as businessman Quincy Baird in a photo shared by the Police Force.

It was also noted that the theft occurred between July 1, 202,1 and February 18, 2025.

On Tuesday December 23, about 16:33 hrs, ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters conducted an operation on the East Bank Demerara, where the man was contacted in relation to the allegation.

He was informed of the allegation, arrested, and escorted to CID Headquarters, where he remains in custody pending investigation.

Police said investigations continue.

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The lives of a single mother and her five children, ages three to 14, were transformed after they received a newly constructed three-bedroom home at Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD), from First Lady Mrs Arya  Ali on Christmas Eve. 

Ms. Teasha Spellen, who is now a first-time homeowner, previously lived with relatives alongside her children, all of whom are currently in school. The family shared a single bedroom, which posed significant challenges for them daily. 

The new home is valued at approximately $14 million, which includes the cost of developing the land, fencing the yard, constructing the building, and furnishing the home. It was made possible by the Office of the First Lady with support from Courts Guyana, Comfort Sleep and Guyana  Breweries. 

Inside the new home (Photo: Office of the First Lady/ December 24, 2025)

During the handing over of the new home, the First Lady reflected on her own personal challenges growing up in a single-parent home. 

“This new home provides you with a safe, stable, and dignified environment to ensure all of you have a better quality of life, and your children have a brighter future. I was raised in a single-parent home, so I know of some of the challenges. But today you and your little ones have a place to call yours, so I want you to recognize how blessed you are,” Mrs Ali said.  

The First Lady also encouraged Ms Spellen to ensure she continues to prioritize her children’s education and support their endeavours. 

Overcome with emotion, Ms. Spellen described the new home as “life-changing” for her family,  expressing gratitude for the opportunity to have a safe and comfortable place they can call home. 

First Lady Mrs. Arya Ali with new homeowner Ms. Teasha Spellen and her children (Photo: Office of the First Lady/ December 24, 2025)

“First of all, I want to thank God Almighty for this new home. And I want to say thank you to the First Lady and everyone who made this possible for us. This is life-changing for my family because we’ve had it very, very hard,” Ms Spellen said before she broke down in tears.  

Ms Spellen indicated that she will immediately move in to ensure her family spends Christmas in their new home. She also shared her vision of using the remaining space in the yard to start a kitchen garden.

This is the fourth home Mrs. Ali has handed over to families in Region Three since assuming the role of First Lady, underscoring her continued commitment to the upliftment of families in vulnerable situations (Press release from the Office of the First lady) 

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