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The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) is taking a bold step toward modernising the country’s correctional system with the introduction of electronic ankle bracelets designed to monitor low-risk prisoners as they work both inside and outside prison walls.

Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, told the News Room during an interview on Thursday that the initiative is part of the Prison Service’s strategic plan to introduce smart technology in prisons, enhance public security and build trust among inmates.

Currently in the testing phase with ten devices, the programme is expected to expand to 300, with the potential for even more based on prisoner interest and security risk assessments.

Each bracelet is monitored from a central command operations room and operates within a geo-fenced zone. If a wearer steps outside the authorised area, the system immediately alerts the command center, and the prisoner receives a direct prompt.

An electronic ankle bracelet used by the Guyana Prison Service

“We have prompters that notify the wearer when they are 100 feet or 100 yards away from the authorized zone,” Elliot said.

The bracelets target convicted low-risk prisoners, giving them the opportunity to participate in work initiatives such as cleaning roadways, cemeteries and assisting government agencies.

“We have a large workforce inside the prison and many are eager to work but our supervision capacity is limited. This technology strengthens our ability to safely manage more prisoners at work,” Elliot said.

Beyond monitoring, the initiative also expands access to training programs and skills development, helping inmates remain active, earn income and prepare for reintegration into society.

“It gives prisoners an opportunity to be productive and earn for themselves while still under strict supervision,” Elliot noted.

The Guyana Prison Service currently has 10 electronic ankle bracelets

Prison officers are being trained on the technology to ensure effective supervision. Importantly, the programme includes clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for breaches, which will be consistently reviewed and updated based on incidents.

The service providers are responsible for keeping the system functioning at optimal capacity.

Elliot also emphasised that for now, the bracelets are only used for convicted prisoners, but policymakers are exploring expansion to include parolees and those eligible for pre-release or home detention. Prisoners are classified and assessed upon entry based on risk, sentence, conduct and profile, which determines eligibility for the programme.

“This initiative is about building smart prisons, enhancing officer efficiency, fostering public trust and giving prisoners meaningful opportunities.

“It is part of a broader prison reform strategy aimed at correcting, rehabilitating, and reintegrating inmates into society,” Elliot said.

The ankle bracelet programme, Elliot said, has already generated significant interest among prisoners.

The post ‘Keeping prisoners on track’- New electronic bracelets rolled out for monitoring and rehabilitation appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) has brought its signature warmth, flavor, and island charm to the International Pavilion at this year’s GuyExpo, allowing Guyanese to discover and experience the island for themselves.

Melinda Telesford, a GTA Marketing Executive, told the News Room that the team’s goal is to provide visitors with a complete guide to traveling to Grenada, whether for business or leisure.

“Any questions they may have, we’ll be able to answer at the booth, from flights and accommodations to unique island experiences,” she said.

Telesford explained that GuyExpo plays a key role in building on the GTA’s recent marketing activations in Guyana, as the Authority ramps up efforts to convert interest into bookings.

“We know people are familiar with Grenada, but we want to be a bit more tactful in getting them to actually book. Many want to travel, they just don’t know how to go about it,” she noted.

Beyond inspiring travelers, the GTA is also using the expo to strengthen partnerships with local travel agents and tour operators, who are seen as crucial in boosting travel between Guyana and Grenada.

And of course, visitors will be able to taste a bit of Grenada right at the booth with rum and chocolate sampling showcasing the island’s world-famous flavors.

As an added treat, patrons can enter to win a three-night stay at one of Grenada’s luxurious beachfront boutique resorts.

The post ‘Travel, taste and win a trip’- Grenada bringing the Spice to GuyExpo 2025 appeared first on News Room Guyana.

As Guyana strives to reduce the number of persons battling diabetes, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Wednesday disclosed that 30,000 persons currently receive treatment.

This is far less than the 60,000 persons recorded in 2021, when the ministry adopted a new strategy to curb the disease through self-monitoring.

The strategy, essentially, involves people regularly monitoring their own blood glucose (sugar) levels. It also highlights the significance of early intervention and prevention.  Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose.

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony (Photo: Ministry of Health)

Dr. Anthony shared these insights as he launched a recipe book, focused on improving the way Guyanese prepare meals and guiding more health-conscious options. He emphasised the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles as it has proven effective.

“We have maybe 30,000 persons in Guyana that are coming to institutions for diabetes, and one thing is to treat them but if they don’t have control, they will have complications.

“We’ve seen over the last few years persons with diabetes would progress with these complications. Some of those complications would include kidney disease, problems with your eyes, some persons would have ulcers on their legs,” the Health Minister said.

Guyana continues to record high rates of persons living with chronic non-communicable diseases. It is believed that the diet of persons attribute to this.

“When we see patients in our diabetic clinics, one of the challenges that we have is to talk to them about nutrition and if they don’t change their diet then we will have a harder time managing their blood sugar. Diet is extremely important,” the minister said.

The post Targeted nutrition and treatment helped reduce diabetes cases by half – Health Minister appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Husband-and-wife Lokoya and Curtly Critchlow have teamed up to develop a study app for students.

The couple’s passion for science merged well with their individual strengths—Curtly’s background in technology and Lokoya’s extensive years as a teacher— to produce Lokademy, an artificial intelligence (AI) study tool.

In an interview with the News Room, the couple explained how this app assists students who may not have access to afterschool lessons.

Lokoya said she was inspired to find a way for every student, whether in Guyana or beyond, to access extra support. With the support of her husband, she was able to get this project off the ground and roll out a 24/7 AI-powered Chatbot.

Husband-and-wife Lokoya and Curtly Critchlow.

Lokademy offers interactive CSEC courses in Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Science, and Physics, all built in line with various CSEC syllabi to ensure there are no conflicts with what students are taught in school.

“Unlike traditional lessons that last an hour or two, Lokademy gives continuous support.

“Students can ask questions, practice, and master topics at their own pace,” Lokoya said.

Curtly, a software developer and reservist in the Guyana Defence Force, brought his technical expertise to the project. Though his first degree was in biology, his career shifted after discovering how coding could automate data analysis.

“Once I saw how programming could make complex work easier, I was hooked,” he said.

Now, he uses that same technology to make learning easier for students. He said the chatbot is trained specifically on the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) syllabi, providing accurate and contextual responses.

The app, available on both Google Play and the App Store, allows users to create a free account and access a CSEC Success Toolkit, with premium courses available for US$25 or G$5,000 per month.

The Critchlows will be showcasing Lokademy at GuyExpo, marking their first public display of the platform.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to introduce this homegrown education technology to Guyana,” Curtly said.

In addition to supporting students, Lokademy offers an affiliate programme for teachers, allowing them to earn a commission for every student they refer and custom AI learning systems for businesses to streamline onboarding and training. The app can be downloaded here: https://www.lokademy.com/app

The post Couple turns passion for science into study app for students appeared first on News Room Guyana.

One hundred and ten persons have died on the country’s roadways after they were involved in accidents for the year so far.

The deaths were recorded from a total of 99 fatal accidents so far this year.

The figure represents a slight increase compared to 107 deaths from 95 fatal accidents during the same period in 2024.

Traffic Chief, Mahendra Singh, has described these figures as worrying, even though the country has seen an 8 percent overall reduction in traffic accidents.

“It’s an increase… one death is one too many,” Singh told the News Room during a recent interview.

He explained that traffic-calming measures implemented across several busy areas, particularly in Georgetown have helped to reduce minor collisions, but have not yet translated into fewer deadly crashes.

Traffic Chief, Mahendra Singh

According to Singh, speeding, inattentiveness, and drivers or pedestrians crossing into the path of moving vehicles remain the leading causes of fatal accidents.

“Pedestrians continue to use the road as if they are the only class of road user who is using that space at the same time,” Singh said.

The Traffic Chief also criticised the lack of care and discipline displayed by some motorists.

“The discipline with which the road is used by motorists leaves much to be desired. Were it a case that drivers pay more attention to details, plan their journeys, or ensure that their vehicles are in a serviceable state, much of what we are experiencing would be less. It would be a far improved situation,” Singh posited.

He added that the traffic situation in Georgetown continues to be heavy, often resulting in lateness and impatience among drivers — behaviors that sometimes lead to reckless decisions on the road.

With November being observed as Road Safety Awareness Month under the theme “Careful Driving Saves Lives,” Singh said the Traffic Department is intensifying its efforts to educate the public, improve enforcement, and integrate more technology to monitor and manage road safety.

“For Road Safety Month, we are seeking to be up, about, and around. We are seeking to get the message spread as widely as it could and we will be enforcing as we should,” Singh told the News Room.

He urged all citizens to play their part in preventing road deaths.

“As citizens of the country, each of us have a role to play to achieve road safety. As a driver on the road, it’s not that each time I leave home, I would like to feel I might not return… Speed will never be the answer,” Singh said.

The post ‘Speeding will never be the answer’- Traffic Chief says as 110 died in accidents so far this year appeared first on News Room Guyana.

An educator for nearly two-decades, 37-year-old Dhankumar Singh recently graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) as the Best Industrial Technology Student.

“I wasn’t expecting that. I was just working towards being the best Industrial Technology teacher. But it was an accomplished feeling for me at this age,” the father of four told the News Room.

For Singh, teaching was not always the plan.

“After school, I didn’t plan to become a teacher but at that time, the job was available, and after teaching for a couple of years, I realised I had [this thing] in me to help.”

Dhankumar Singh recently graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) as the Best Industrial Technology Student.

Nineteen years later, that realisation has become his life’s mission. Known for his hands-on approach and love for creating and building, Singh says his greatest joy comes from sharing his skills with his students.

“I like to do things with my hands, make stuff, and I like sharing with children what I’ve accumulated throughout my adult life,” he said, adding: “I saw students in need and decided to teach them a skill so they could become independent individuals.”

His journey to this qualification was not without its challenges. Early in his career, Singh attended the New Amsterdam Training Centre but had to quit after his first year due to financial difficulties and the strain of late-night classes and long travels.

Dhankumar Singh recently graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) as the Best Industrial Technology Student.

Despite it being years later, Singh had renewed determination and with the encouragement of his family and friends, he is now a trained teacher.

“Even though I had been teaching for years, [the college] still taught us things we didn’t know,” he said.

He believes that once you love what you do, there is no challenge you cannot overcome.

Today, Singh says he has no plans to leave the classroom.

“I don’t want to leave; I want to help these children. Teaching is a very good profession, it’s rewarding.

“I feel proud when a police officer stops me on the road and says, ‘Sir, how you doing?’ It’s a rewarding job,” Singh stated.

Singh is an industrial technology teacher at the Hopetown Practical Instruction Centre, West Coast Berbice.

The post After 19 years in the classroom, Berbice teacher graduates with top award from CPCE appeared first on News Room Guyana.

West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford is set to represent the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL 2026 season following a successful trade from the Gujarat Titans (GT). Acquired by GT for a fee of INR 2.6 crore, Rutherford will move to MI at his existing fee.

The 27-year-old has featured in 44 T20Is for the West Indies and holds the record for the highest sixth-wicket partnership in T20Is, having stitched together a 139-run stand with Andre Russell against Australia in Perth.

Rutherford has played 23 IPL matches so far, having earlier represented Delhi Capitals in 2019 and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2022.

He was part of the MI squad in 2020 and the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, but did not feature in the playing XI during those seasons. (IPL)

The post Rutherford traded to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans appeared first on News Room Guyana.

BK Security Services, one of Guyana’s leading private security firms, is proud to announce its participation in GuyExpo 2025, where the company will officially introduce its Smart Security initiative, powered by Scylla AI technology.

Visitors can find BK Security in the “One Guyana Auditorium”, located next to the GRA and Ministry of Public Works booths.

BK Security’s Smart Security platform represents the next step in national safety — combining artificial intelligence with real-time monitoring to detect and respond to threats faster than ever before.

The system provides 24-hour surveillance, threat detection, gun and weapon recognition, and false alarm filtering, ensuring that every alert receives immediate, verified response from trained personnel.

“This is about creating a safer, smarter Guyana,” said Travis Shephard, Managing Director of BK Security Services.

“With Scylla AI, we’re moving from reactive to proactive security, protecting lives and assets before incidents occur.”

Alongside this new technology, BK Security continues to offer a full suite of professional protection and transport services, including:

Armed & Unarmed Security, Executive Bodyguard Services, Cash in Transit, Alarm & Camera Monitoring, Secure Transportation, Chauffeur Services, and Airport Shuttle Operations.

The company will also be hiring on the spot during GuyExpo, inviting motivated individuals to join its growing team and be part of Guyana’s most advanced private security network.

GuyExpo Promotion:

Visitors can enjoy 20% off Smart Security installations and 15% off other BK Security services when signing up during the event.

For more information, visit www.bksecuritygy.com, call +592-608-5933, or email info@bksecuritygy.com.

Follow BK Security on social media for live updates throughout GuyExpo 2025.

The post BK Security launches smart security at GuyExpo 2025 appeared first on News Room Guyana.

As part of efforts to strengthen the country’s transplant and organ donation programme and reduce the hefty US$3,000 cost, local doctors will soon be sent to Brazil for specialised training.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Wednesday, on the sidelines of an event, highlighted this major step to reduce the cost of compatibility testing for kidney transplants, a procedure usually done overseas. The minister’s remarks follow a recent engagement with a high-level delegation from Brazil’s Ministry of Health and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC).

Through a new partnership with the Government of Brazil, Guyana will establish its first Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) laboratory, allowing these critical tests to be conducted locally.

“We have already purchased all the equipment and are now arranging for our staff to train in Brazil.

“Once the lab becomes operational, it will not only save us money but could also serve other countries in the Caribbean,” the Health Minister said.

The delegation that visited Guyana and met with the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.

The collaboration will also help Guyana move beyond living donor transplants to include deceased donor kidney transplants, significantly expanding the country’s medical capacity. Doctors will travel as soon as early 2026, the minister said.

Brazil’s transplant centers are among the busiest in the region, performing up to seven transplants a day. Dr. Anthony said the hands-on experience there will give Guyanese doctors invaluable exposure to advanced techniques.

“Many of the other transplant programmes in the Caribbean would want to send their HLA samples for us to review so this is building capacity not only for Guyana but for the rest of the Caribbean,” Dr Antony said.

Over the two-day mission, the Brazilian delegation visited key medical institutions, including the Nephrology and Transplantation Departments and the Central Medical Laboratory at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

An action plan that outlines specific activities and timelines to close identified gaps within the national transplant system is also expected to follow.

The post Local doctors to train in Brazil as Gov’t aims to reduce transplant testing cost appeared first on News Room Guyana.

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited and its Stabroek block co-venturers, Hess Guyana Exploration Limited, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, today announced that they reached a new production milestone of 900,000 barrels of oil daily.

This achievement comes just months after the successful startup of Yellowtail, Guyana’s fourth offshore project, which has now achieved its initial annual average production capacity of 250,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd). This combined with excellent operating performance from Liza Phase 1, Liza Phase 2 and Payara assets are contributing to achieving this significant milestone.

“We continue to safely deliver industry-leading performance, providing the oil and gas the world still demands,” said ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge. “Guyana’s story is one of continuous achievements because of the close collaboration with the Government of Guyana, our co-venturers, suppliers, contractors, and employees. Together, we are building a world-class energy sector that is delivering significant value for the people of Guyana.”

The Stabroek co-venturers have committed more than US$60 billion to develop seven government-sanctioned projects on Guyana’s offshore Stabroek block including Uaru, Whiptail, and Hammerhead.

The Uaru and Whiptail projects, Guyana’s fifth and sixth projects, are each expected to produce approximately 250,000 bopd. The projects are expected to begin operations in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

Hammerhead, the seventh project, is expected to add approximately 150,000 bopd when production begins in 2029.

An eighth project, Longtail, is currently undergoing regulatory reviews. Once approved, ExxonMobil Guyana expects to have total production capacity of 1.7 million bopd from eight developments.

ExxonMobil affiliate ExxonMobil Guyana Limited is operator and holds 45% interest in the Stabroek block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30% interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25% interest (ExxonMobil release)

The post Guyana’s daily oil production hits 900,000 barrels  appeared first on News Room Guyana.