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The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, together with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), has introduced seven new tourism experiences that place people, culture, and community at the heart of Guyana’s growing travel sector. The launch took place on Tuesday evening at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, where operators, partners, and industry stakeholders gathered to celebrate the country’s expanding portfolio of immersive tourism products.

In her feature address, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, spoke of the rapid transformation underway in Guyana’s tourism landscape and its potential to become a major pillar of the national economy. She underscored the government’s continued support for tour operators—many of whom are small businesses—highlighting the administration’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and broadening opportunities across the sector.

“We are investing this time because we want to really grow Guyana’s tourism experience, elevate our visibility on the global platform, welcome our visitors and give them a truly immersive experience,” the Minister said.

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Kamrul Baksh, reinforced this vision, noting the Authority’s strong focus on developing new products and deepening the country’s shift toward experiential tourism.

Throughout the evening, operators introduced their latest offerings, each crafted to bring visitors closer to Guyana’s people, traditions, and natural beauty. These include Bush Bar & Bites by Touring Guyana, the Kumerau Expedition by Blackwater Adventures, Essequibo Got Taste and Celebrating the Coconut by Eco Destination Tour Guyana, the Kids Botani Tour by Trail Masters Adventure Tours, the Cook Like a Guyanese Tour and the Guyana Flying Dress Experience by Wanderlust Adventures GY.

The launch reflects a wider national effort to diversify tourism, strengthen community-led initiatives, and create meaningful experiences for both residents and international travellers. One highlight of the event was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Wanderlust Adventures GY and the Carnegie School of Home Economics, aimed at expanding culinary tourism and nurturing local talent.

Since 2020, more than 70 new tourism experiences have been added to Guyana’s landscape, signalling a sector that continues to innovate and grow.

The Guyana Tourism Authority is a semi-autonomous governmental body dedicated to developing and promoting sustainable tourism through close collaboration with government agencies and the private sector. Its mission is to position Guyana as a premier destination known for protecting its natural and cultural heritage, offering authentic experiences, and ensuring communities benefit from tourism’s socio-economic opportunities.

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Works are progressing at Georgetown’s historic Le Repentir Cemetery, months after major rehabilitation efforts commenced in early 2025.

The cemetery, which has long suffered from years of deterioration, neglect and overgrown vegetation, is now undergoing phased upgrades as part of a wider effort to improve key public spaces in the capital. The Government released a new video showcasing the transformation already underway on Wednesday.

It highlights newly constructed internal roads, extensive vegetation removal, and the clearing of large sections that were previously inaccessible. These early works form the foundation for a broader programme designed to restore the cemetery’s structure, layout, and overall safety.

Under this ongoing upgrade, the cemetery is expected to benefit from a complete redesign of its internal network. Plans include the construction of six main roads, supported by thirteen cross streets and four dedicated footpaths to improve navigation throughout the grounds.

These new routes are intended to restore proper access for families, maintenance crews, emergency services, and municipal workers, while correcting decades-old issues caused by blocked drains, collapsed tombs, and a lack of clear passageways. The rehabilitation also incorporates modern fencing to curtail illegal dumping and prevent encroachment into burial spaces—issues that have contributed significantly to the site’s decay.

With the removal of dense overgrowth now well advanced, the layout of the cemetery is becoming more visible, allowing engineering teams to map out drainage systems and align future roadworks with long-term restoration needs. Although careful assessments are being carried out to address sensitive locations where tombs were historically placed along road reserves, the ongoing works remain focused on striking a balance between preservation and revitalisation. These interventions aim to create a safer, more dignified environment befitting the cemetery’s historical and cultural importance.

The current upgrades form part of a larger national effort to enhance cemeteries across the country. At Le Repentir, progress continues steadily, and the latest footage released by the Ministry of Local Government reflects a significant shift from the state of neglect that once defined the area. As works advance, the public can expect further improvements to drainage, accessibility, and the overall appearance of one of Guyana’s most significant heritage sites.

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Three of the seven suspects charged in connection with the Regent Street gas station bombing were on Monday further remanded to prison when they reappeared at the Leonora Magistrates’ Court.

The accused: Venezuelan national Jennifer Rodriguez and Guyanese nationals Wayne Correia, 44, and Ramesh Pramdeo, 51, appeared before Magistrate Alisha George.

They are facing a joint charge of aiding and abetting an act of terrorism stemming from the October 26 explosion.

The trio was charged separately from the other defendants in the magisterial district where their alleged offences occurred.

During Monday’s hearing, the prosecution requested additional time to complete disclosure of evidence. The request was granted and the matter was adjourned to December 17 for full disclosure. All three will remain on remand until then.

The other four defendants; prime suspect Daniel Alexander Ramirez Peodemo, Johnny Boodram, Krystal LaCruz and Alexander Bettancourt remain before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

They too are remanded and their next appearance is set for December 3.

Investigators believe Peodemo entered Guyana illegally from Venezuela around 08:00 hrs on the day of the attack.

He and three accomplices allegedly conducted surveillance of the gas station between 11:00 hrs and noon before executing the bombing later that night. Clothing believed to have been worn by Peodemo was reportedly recovered shortly before his arrest in Vergenoegen, Region Three.

Court case involving gas station attackers adjourned to Dec. 3

The attack sparked national outrage and was condemned by President Dr Irfaan Ali as a “vile assault on Guyana.” Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond has reiterated that the government will seek the death penalty for anyone convicted under Guyana’s anti-terrorism laws.

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Police in Regional Division Five have arrested two people after a huge quantity cannabis was discovered in the trunk of a parked car along the Harmony Hall Public Road, Mahaicony, on Tuesday night.

The discovery was made around 21:18 hrs, when a patrol observed a motorcar stopped on the northern side of the roadway. Upon approaching the vehicle, ranks made contact with the occupants — a 26-year-old Gold Miner from Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, and a 30-year-old Nursing Assistant from Rosignol, West Bank Berbice.

Police conducted searches on both individuals and the vehicle. During the inspection of the trunk, ranks found three black garbage bags containing seven transparent, compressed parcels with leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The duo was immediately arrested and taken to the Mahaicony Police Station, where the suspected narcotics were weighed in their presence. The total amounted to 30.625 kilograms.

The suspected cannabis has since been lodged, and both individuals remain in custody as investigations continue.

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Emphasising that services must be efficiently delivered to the people, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Thursday announced that the Ministry of Finance will sanction those contractors who are dragging their feet in the construction of bridges along the main New Amsterdam Road in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

While engaging with residents of New Amsterdam and surrounding communities on Thursday at the State House, President Ali made it clear that excuses are no longer acceptable.

Speaking on bridge projects along the main road, the president said that although the project is visibly lagging, punitive actions have not yet been imposed.

“I am astonished that liquidated damages are not yet applied…from my information so far, these contractors seem disinterested in completing the bridges,” the president said.

As a result, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance and the procurement head have been instructed to ensure these specific contractors do not receive new projects until the bridges are completed.

The finance secretary has been instructed to determine whether engineers have been delinquent in managing the project, and if so, to take the necessary administrative action.

President Ali reminded the audience that the finance secretary has the authority to enforce administrative requirements. If engineers fail to meet those requirements, corrective actions will be taken.

“There is no excuse anymore. There cannot be excuses. We pay for services from the government, and those services must be delivered efficiently… there are not shortcuts to this” the president said.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is rolling out massive infrastructural projects across the ten administrative regions, including the East Berbice-Corentyne region.

These include construction of a US$604 million highway from Palmyra to Moleson Creek is underway, which will make commuting easier for thousands of residents.

Other major projects include a new Berbice River Bridge resembling the new Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara Harbour Bridge, a new bridge across the Corentyne River and a massive industrialisation agenda.

The president is currently on a two-day outreach in Region Six with 47 community meetings planned over the two days. He is accompanied by his cabinet ministers and other government officials.

As part of President Ali’s directive to his cabinet, the full government will engage with residents frequently across all regions so that all citizens receive equitable service (Republished from the Department of Public Information)

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Daniel Persaud, an electrical engineer at the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), has been named the University of Guyana’s Valedictorian for 2025. Persaud read for a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology and secured a Perfect Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0, copping the coveted prize of the President’s Medal for Best Graduating Student with a bachelor’s degree.

Persaud, 33, will be amongst the three thousand seven hundred graduands who will be walking the university’s graduation stage when the nation’s premier tertiary institution hosts its series of convocation exercise from November 20 to December 6, 2025.

Upon hearing the news that he was named the UG’s 2025 Valedictorian, Persaud said that he was lost for words at first. “I couldn’t explain how I felt. I am humbled by it. I am honoured by it. I never envisioned me being here. I actually thought this would have been awarded to one of my classmates.” He attributed his high-achieving 4.0 GPA to a focused approach, reminding himself that “getting an A is not impossible, there is no reason to fail.”

Persaud explained that his academic success was not easily achieved, it required commitment, hard work and a drive to succeed. “The challenges were basically just balancing what was required at UG with what was happening at home. UG had lots of late nights, exams and lots of assignments to take care of and I also had many responsibilities at home.”

According to Persaud, the rigorous nature of engineering, especially the intense mathematics required, compounded the difficulty. “In engineering, there’s a lot of math, and I wasn’t good at math before coming to the university. There were definitely times when I questioned, ‘What are you doing here Daniel? Why did you choose this torture?’”

Persaud, a son of Wales, Region Three, acquired his secondary education at the West Demerara Secondary School. In his drive for academic success, he then continued his studies at the GuySuCo Port Mourant Training Centre and the Government Technical Institute in Georgetown.

Persaud’s journey to UG was not immediate. He recalled that prior to 2021 when he was accepted in UG, he had initially applied for admission, but he was not accepted since he did not meet the requirements at the time for admission. “I felt rejected when I did not get through at first. But looking back, if I had gotten accepted, I would have struggled without that GTI foundation.” He noted that he did not back down, he ended up using the opportunity to complete the necessary technical training at the Government Technical Institute (GTI) which provided him a stronger foundation to pursue his Electrical Engineering degree at UG.

Persaud’s academic pursuit at the University of Guyana was made possible through a scholarship from Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), where he started working in 2013. The company’s leadership, he explained, “promotes growth for their employees.” He gave special mention to his manager, Mr. Khemraj Sukhdeo, who was also instrumental in pushing him forward. According to Persaud, he was not required to work while on the scholarship.

Throughout his time at UG, Daniel credits his success entirely to a strong support system. His parents, Sewchand Persaud and Jasoda Deokaran, encouraged him throughout his studies. His siblings, Nadeina Persaud and Debbina Persaud, were also supportive, but the cornerstone of his early education was his grandmother, Mabel Persaud, who, he said, “has been a support of my education from the time I started school up to the point of UG.”

Beyond his immediate family, he highlighted two key mentors. Chelsea Balkaran, whom he referred to as a “very special friend,” was the person who encouraged him to apply for the scholarship at DDL and guided him throughout the complexities of university life. “She was always a mentor… she did not want me to go through what she went through, so she taught me how to navigate UG,” the proud graduand said.

His academic partnership with friend Lemuel Williams was important for tackling the workload. “For me, this is the guy that knows everything about anything. There were many late nights, group meetings. We would utilize Zoom, sometimes Google Meet, and we would teach one another.”

Though the demanding schedule of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology meant he could not participate in any UG extracurricular activities, Persaud remains an active person outside of school, dedicating time to martial arts, cricket, a little football, and volleyball, among other activities.

Addressing current and future students, Persaud shared the wisdom passed down by his mentors. “Treat the negative you hear about UG as noise, take the challenge and come. There is so much you could learn at UG, not only lifelong skills, but the relationships you develop.” He urged peers to find study groups, be vocal in class, and engage with lecturers who, he believes, “are trying to help you grow.”

The Valedictorian encouraged his peers who are also graduating this year from the University of Guyana to serve their homeland as too often persons with key skills are looking outward for opportunities. “We are at a stage right now where we are building bridges, roads… we are experiencing rapid development… as our President says, transformation. Stick around, take advantage of the opportunities, don’t be afraid to share your ideas, dream big, innovate, be yourself.”

Having achieved the pinnacle of his undergraduate career, Persaud is hoping to continue his career at DDL while also pursuing his Master’s degree in a related field. He remains deeply grateful for his faith, noting that being Valedictorian is all thanks to “God and my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

The public is invited to celebrate with the University of Guyana at this year’s very special graduation events which will be streamed live on the University’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/uniofguyana and UG Broadcasting Service at https://broadcasting.uog.edu.gy/ The ceremonies will also be covered by local and international media.

The University of Guyana has produced upwards of 80,000 graduates in its 62-year existence – many of whom have gone on to serve at the highest levels in both the private and public sectors nationally and internationally (UG press release)

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