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See below the full release issued by the Guyana Office for Investment: 

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37-year-old fast bowler Kemar Roach has been recalled to the West Indies 15-man squad for the three-Test series against New Zealand in December, while the team will be without the injured pace duo of Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph.

The squad, captained by Roston Chase, sees the inclusion of maiden call-up Ojay Shields and the return of allrounder Kavem Hodge.

The series, which forms part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship (WTC), begins on December 1.

The selection committee prioritised experience in the pace department following the absences of Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, who are rehabilitating from injuries sustained earlier this year.

Roach’s inclusion is a direct attempt to bolster what is otherwise a youthful fast-bowling unit.

Among the key decisions, the selectors maintained faith in the two Guyanese Test incumbents, opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul and wicketkeeper-batsman Tevin Imlach, both of whom retain their spots.

However, the team saw the notable omission of fellow Guyanese batsman Kevlon Anderson, who was part of the recent Test squad that toured India but has been dropped for the challenging New Zealand assignment.

West Indies Veteran Fast Bowler Kemar Roach attends Camp in Antigua

Anderson’s exclusion, alongside spinner Khary Pierre, suggests a targeted selection approach based on expected pace-friendly pitches.

Hodge returns to the squad specifically on the back of his previous success against pace bowling, while Pierre was excluded due to the expectation that spin will have limited impact.

The bowling unit also includes uncapped Ojay Shields and the retention of Jayden Seales and Anderson Phillip.

CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, stressed that the preparation for the tour has been intentionally focused on replicating the conditions expected across Hagley Oval, Basin Reserve, and Bay Oval.

“New Zealand has traditionally been one of the toughest places for any touring side, which is why strong emphasis has been placed on targeted preparation,” Bascombe said. “The recent high-performance camp here in Antigua was designed to replicate, as closely as possible, the pace-friendly surfaces we expect to face.”

Bascombe highlighted that the squad, which began arriving in New Zealand on November 20 to acclimatise, is arguably one of the best-prepared groups for an away tour to the country in recent years.

They will play a two-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI in Lincoln before the first Test.

The series will serve as the West Indies’ final fixture for 2025.

West Indies Test Squad to New Zealand: Roston Chase (Captain), Jomel Warrican (Vice-Captain), Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields

FULL TOUR SCHEDULE (Caribbean Time) 

Two-Day Warm-Up Match: November 25-26, Lincoln, Christchurch

1st Test: 1-5 December 2025 – Hagley Oval, Christchurch @6pm AST/5pm in Jamaica

2nd Test: 9-13 October 2025 – Basin Reserve, Wellington @6pm AST/5pm in Jamaica

3rd Test: 17-21 December 2025 – Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui @6pm AST/5pm in Jamaica

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Former Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine, has resigned from the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

In a letter to party leader Aubrey Norton, Narine said he was resigning after “careful reflection” but expressed gratitude for the support he received while in the PNCR.

“I remain deeply grateful for the guidance, cooperation, and camaraderie extended to me by the Party and the wider party membership over the years. It is my hope that, even as our paths now diverge, we will continue to share a common commitment to peace, democracy, and the advancement of all Guyanese.

“Please accept my assurances of continued respect for the institution of the Party and its longstanding contribution ot our nation’s political history. I extend my best wishes to the Party as it continues the important work for nation-building,” Narine wrote in the resignation letter.

Like Narine, many other prominent members of the party have resigned over the past year. The PNCR, one of the two major parties in Guyana, has faced numerous challenges over that period and lost major support nationally, as evidenced by the votes received in the September 2025 General and Regional Elections. The party got the third-highest votes, with newcomer We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) securing more votes and becoming the main opposition party.

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The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has confirmed it will launch a formal investigation into allegations of verbal abuse by Head Coach Thomas Dooley against domestically based members of the Golden Jaguars squad.

On Wednesday evening, the GFF stated on Facebook that the inquiry will commence upon the team’s return to Guyana following their successful run in the CONCACAF Friendly Series.

The allegations, which were first reported by another section of the press, surfaced after Guyana secured back-to-back victories against Bonaire (2-1) and hosts Antigua and Barbuda (4-1).

In its official statement, the GFF acknowledged that it had been informed by team management of claims that “domestic players were subjected to harsh criticism by the head coach during a team meeting.”

The Federation stressed its commitment to professional standards, particularly within the national team programme.

“The GFF takes such matters seriously and demands the highest professional standards throughout the national team programme,” the statement read. “Upon the team’s return to Guyana, the Federation will commence a formal investigation to establish the facts. All parties will be afforded a fair and equal opportunity to be heard.”

According to the initial reports, several locally-based players alleged they felt unfairly treated, disrespected, and devalued in comparison to their international counterparts.

Further claims stated that the local Elite League was “denigrated” by the Head Coach.

The GFF concluded its statement by affirming its commitment to “maintaining a respectful and professional environment across all national teams” and promised further updates once the internal review is complete.

 

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Several parcels of suspected cannabis were found at the Queenstown Burial Ground, Essequibo Coast, on Saturday.

According to a Police report, Officers went to the location after receiving key information. While there, a search was conducted and four parcels wrapped in transparent plastic bags, concealed among bushes, containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis, were unearthed.

The suspected narcotics were transported to the Anna Regina Police Station, where it was weighed and amounted to 248.6 grams. The cannabis was then lodged as investigations continue.

The ganja found

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The Hydrometeorological Service hosted its 19th National Climate Outlook Forum on Monday at the Herdmanston Lodge in Georgetown, unveiling the country’s weather forecast for the upcoming months.

With mild La Niña conditions expected through March 2026, officials are urging stakeholders to prepare for wetter-than-usual weather conditions across most regions. However, temperatures may be warmer-than-usual during the daytime with cooler-than-normal nighttime temperatures.

From December 2025 to February 2026, Guyana is expected to experience near-normal to above-normal rainfall across the country, except for the far southern portions of Regions 6 and 9, where below-normal rainfall is expected.

At the forum where the information was shared, Deputy Chief Hydromet Officer, Haymattie Danny said the climate outlook engagement is vital for preparing the country at the onset of each rainy season.

“Climate services are powerful tools, they bridge the gap between traditional and scientific knowledge. By harnessing this information, we can navigate a changing climate with greater confidence and create a more sustainable future,” Danny said.

She further stated that engaging both public and private stakeholders is essential to fully understand climate impacts, better prepare for extreme events, and make more informed decisions.

Specialist Meteorologist Komalchand Dhiram noted that although La Niña is expected to remain mild, experts will closely monitor its evolution over the coming weeks and months.

For agriculture, the outlook projects that rainfall could boost crop growth and productivity, but warmer conditions may also increase heat stress, along with the threat of pests and diseases. Intermittent dry-hot spells could further challenge rice yields despite the general expectation of above-normal rainfall.

Water levels in reservoirs and conservancies are likely to reach or approach full capacity. However, increased evaporation may reduce the amount of water actually available. Heavy rainfall combined with rising temperatures could also heighten the risk of surface water contamination and algal blooms.

In public health, prolonged wet weather is predicted to create ideal conditions for mosquito breeding, increasing the risk of malaria and other vector-borne diseases. Higher temperatures may also raise the likelihood of heat-related illnesses in both humans and livestock. Flooding and contaminated water could lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

The forum also highlighted disaster risk concerns. Flash floods remain likely, posing threats to crops, property, and infrastructure. Flood-prone areas may face transportation disruptions, while persistent rainfall and site flooding could delay construction projects.

 

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The cycling and motorsport communities in Guyana are mourning the passing of Compton Persaud, affectionately known as ‘Squingy,’ who has been widely remembered as a selfless mentor, a true ‘lover of sport,’ and a man with an undeniable eye for talent.

Persaud passed away recently at the age of 72, reportedly after suffering a heart attack.

His sudden departure has left a significant void, particularly across the nation’s cycling tracks and motor racing circuits, where he was a dedicated supporter for decades.

For veteran motor and cycling racer Kevin Jeffrey, who knew Persaud for 50 years, the loss is deeply personal.

Jeffrey described Persaud as “a genuine friend, a trusted soul, and an honest, hard-working, contented person.”

Persaud’s passion for sport was unconditional.

He not only loved the competition but also backed individuals, supporting numerous cyclists and serving on Jeffrey’s own motor-racing and cycling teams, often touring alongside him during races.

Jeffrey noted that Persaud always seemed to possess a rare gift: “He always saw talent.”

Compton Persaud (far right) was part of Kevin Jeffrey’s (centre) racing team

This insight was never more evident than at the start of the career of the now-deceased Alonzo Greaves, one of the country’s most promising cycling talents, whom Persaud coached and guided in his early years.

Persaud’s influence was felt primarily at the grassroots level, away from the formal structures of the sport.

National cyclist Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams recounted how riders and businessmen would regularly meet at Persaud’s shop, a gathering they affectionately termed the ‘Parliament,’ where they discussed everything from cycling strategy to broader societal issues.

Although never holding a formal position on the Cycling Federation, Williams affirmed that Persaud was always willing to assist, bringing a hands-on approach to the sport, having been a veteran cyclist himself for a couple of years.

Outside of sport, Persaud was a familiar face in Georgetown, having managed BATA shoe store in the 1970s until the company closed its doors in Guyana.

He attended St. Ambrose Primary School and then Christ Church Secondary School.

On social media, the cycling fraternity has extended its deepest condolences, honouring the memory of a man whose humble spirit, warmth, and quiet dignity touched many lives with sincerity and goodwill.

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By Danielle Swain in Belém, Brazil

danielle@newsroom.gy

In a brightly lit conference room on the edge of the Amazon, two CARICOM siblings made the case that some of the most effective climate solutions are not emerging from wealthy nations, but from small developing states learning from one another.

At a joint COP30 side event on Saturday titled “Building Climate Resilience in Belize & Guyana: Uniting NDCs & REDD+ for Transparent Partnerships,” ministers and technical teams from both countries framed their collaboration as a blueprint for how South-South partnerships can accelerate climate ambition, even as international finance remains slow, uneven and insufficient.

And at the centre of Guyana’s delegation was Vanessa Benn, Minister within the Ministry of Housing, whose rise in national politics has been marked by a determined push to link development with environmental stewardship. Her presence in Belém underscored President Dr Irfaan Ali’s wider World Leader’s Climate Summit call, that Guyana’s forest-based climate leadership should serve both national prosperity and regional solidarity, especially among countries confronting similar vulnerabilities.

Guyana’s Minister within the Ministry of Housing Vanessa Benn speaks during a joint Belize–Guyana climate side event at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, November 15, 2025. (Photo: Yusuf Ali/News Room)

Partnership in shared vulnerability and vision

Belize and Guyana may lie in different bodies of water, but their climate profiles read almost the same. Low-lying coastlines threatened by flooding and sea level rise, forest communities dependent on natural resources, and economies strained by increasingly extreme weather events.

Both nations, like most Small Island Developing States (SIDs), also face a financing gap that hampers their ability to meet their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

According to Belize’s Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet, “ambition equals resources,” and those resources remain painfully inadequate for countries that did little to cause the climate crisis.

Belize’s Minister of Sustainable Development Orlando Habet speaks during a joint Belize–Guyana climate side event at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, November 15, 2025. (Photo: Yusuf Ali/News Room)

Yet the joint event suggested that small states do not have to wait on the world.

Guyana’s long-running Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), first launched in 2009, and its landmark partnership with Norway have earned the country global recognition for transparent forest governance and high-integrity carbon markets. Belize, meanwhile, is advancing an increasingly inclusive model of NDC development, built on community engagement, improved climate finance systems and a new Carbon Markets Initiative Bill.

The countries’ 2022 Memorandum of Understanding signalled the beginning of what speakers described as a “new era” of Caribbean climate cooperation, one grounded not only in political goodwill, but in technical exchanges between ministries, data teams, MRV specialists and forest officers.

Minister Benn: Be bold in climate action

Speaking with characteristic directness, Minister Benn framed Guyana’s forest success not as a miracle, but as the product of political will, detailed technical work and the participation of the communities who protect the country’s vast forest estate.

“We have a multi-stakeholder steering committee… and the participation of our citizens through continual stakeholder engagement,” she said, emphasising that Indigenous peoples are not just beneficiaries but decision-makers in Guyana’s LCDS and carbon market programmes.

Guyana’s Minister within the Ministry of Housing Vanessa Benn with (from left) Village Councillor Don Antone and Toshao of Aishalton Anthony Williams during a joint Belize–Guyana climate side event at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, November 15, 2025. (Photo: Yusuf Ali/News Room)

This message aligns with her broader public record.

Since taking office, Benn has advocated for greener development priorities, particularly in housing, sharing that public policy must be both sustainable and people-centred. Her push to integrate environmental stewardship into Guyana’s housing sector, including the use of lesser-known timber species and higher construction standards, is part of a larger effort to make national development climate-resilient.

At COP30, she extended that philosophy to international cooperation.

“Caribbean countries like Belize and Guyana are advancing ambitious mitigation and adaptation agendas, but the scale of available financing remains far below what is needed,” she warned. “Still, we are not waiting to act.”

Technical Leadership Belize and Guyana bring science into focus

While ministers set the political tone, the technical exchanges anchored the event in evidence and implementation.

Belizean climate policy specialist Ide Sosa presents on Belize’s transparency and NDC progress during the joint Belize–Guyana climate side event at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, November 15, 2025. (Photo: Yusuf Ali/News Room)

For Belize, climate policy specialist Ide Sosa presented the country’s first Biennial Transparency Report and NDC achievements, walking the audience through the institutional challenges, data gaps and capacity needs that shape Belize’s climate reporting. She outlined the country’s plans to strengthen greenhouse gas inventories, improve data management and scale up sector-level technical training. Her presentation underscored the core Belizean message that progress is happening, but structural support is urgently needed.

For Guyana, environmental policy expert Preeya Rampersaud detailed the country’s 18 million hectares of forest, its world-leading 0.05 per cent deforestation rate, and its jurisdictional approach to ART-TREES credits. She highlighted the benefit-sharing mechanism that channels 15 per cent of carbon revenues directly to Indigenous communities and emphasised Guyana’s position as a global early mover in high-integrity carbon markets.

Guyana’s climate and biodiversity specialist Preeya Rampersaud presents on Guyana’s forest and carbon market programme during the joint Belize–Guyana climate side event at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, November 15, 2025. (Photo: Yusuf Ali/News Room)

Together, Sosa and Rampersaud demonstrated the strength of the partnership at the technocratic level with two systems developing in parallel, learning from one another, and pushing each other higher.

Belize is learning from and contributing to the model

While Guyana’s carbon market achievements featured prominently, Belizean officials stressed that their country is not a passive learner.

As Sosa and Minister Habet highlighted, Belize has already submitted its first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR), is executing its NDC 3.0 roadmap and is strengthening its greenhouse gas inventory systems with new institutional arrangements, improved data management and national consultations.

Its inclusivity in NDC development, they argued, offers lessons for the wider Caribbean, including Guyana.

Moreover, Belizean officials emphasised the centrality of forests and Indigenous communities to their national climate ambitions, mirroring Guyana’s approach, and underscoring why the partnership works.

Toshao Derrick John, Chair of Guyana’s National Toshaos’ Council, pressed Minister Habet on the role of Indigenous peoples in Belize’s climate programmes. Habet acknowledged the challenges, legal, administrative and cultural, but affirmed that Indigenous participation must be written into policy to ensure continuity across political cycles.

Toshao Derrick John, Chair of Guyana’s National Toshaos’ Council, asks Belize’s Minister Orlando Habet about Indigenous involvement in Belize’s climate programmes during the joint Belize–Guyana side event at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, November 15, 2025. (Photo: Yusuf Ali/News Room)

His response reflected the underlying theme of the event that the resilience of national systems depends on the resilience of local communities.

Norway’s enduring climate partnership

Norway, long regarded as Guyana’s most trusted forest partner, also addressed the room.

Hege Ragnhildstveit of Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative attends the joint Belize–Guyana climate side event at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, November 15, 2025. (Photo: Yusuf Ali/News Room)

Hege Ragnhildstveit of the Norwegian Climate and Forest Initiative praised Guyana’s “ambitious forest policies,” its “global service” in storing 19.5 gigatons of carbon and its groundbreaking issuance of ART-TREES carbon credits. But she also reinforced the need for transparent implementation and continued community benefit-sharing, applauding Guyana for designing mechanisms that direct 15 per cent of revenues to Indigenous communities.

Scaling up a Caribbean Climate Model

For much of the event, both countries described themselves not simply as vulnerable nations, but as innovators and early movers.

Guyana’s jurisdictional carbon market programme has already attracted more than US$200 million in revenues under its second phase, while Belize is building the architecture to access similar results-based finance.

The COP30 side event acted as an example of how Caribbean states can strengthen regional collaboration and international support for climate priorities by speaking with a unified voice.

In Belém, where President Ali attended the pre-COP30 high level Climate Summit urging global leaders to mainstream forests and biodiversity into climate cooperation, the message was given again, the Caribbean is not waiting for permission to lead.

Partners and equals

By the end of the 90-minute session, what emerged was a developing model of climate action that is regional in spirit, strengthened by shared struggle, and powered by mutual respect.

As Edalmi Pinelo, Belize’s Chief Climate Change Officer, noted in her closing, the partnership shows “we are ready to fight climate change in any region.”

For Minister Benn, the collaboration is an extension of Guyana’s wider global leadership, and a practical demonstration of President Ali’s insistence that forest countries must shape the future of climate governance, not merely react to it.

Representatives from Belize and Guyana pose for a group photo after the joint Belize–Guyana climate side event at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, November 15, 2025. (Photo: Yusuf Ali/News Room)

And for Belize, it is proof that cooperation among developing countries can deliver more than solidarity. It can build systems, strengthen institutions and change the pace of climate ambition.

In the Amazon, two small states showed what big climate leadership looks like.

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