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The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has condemned the circulation of sensitive information on social media regarding a five-year-old child who was reportedly sexually assaulted in Region Nine.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry described the sharing of such details as “irresponsible, unethical, and harmful,” warning that it further traumatises the victim and violates the child’s right to privacy and protection.

“Children who are victims of abuse must be protected, not exposed,” the Ministry stressed.

According to the Ministry, it was officially notified of the incident by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on October 9, 2025, following which the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) immediately intervened. The CPA has since been providing continuous psychosocial support and trauma-focused counselling to the child and family.

Officials have also maintained ongoing contact and monitoring to ensure the child’s safety and overall well-being.

After the child was medically cleared to speak, a forensic interview was conducted at the Child Advocacy Centre on October 13, 2025, in full compliance with established child protection protocols. The case remains under active police investigation.

The Ministry reiterated its appeal to the public to refrain from sharing or reposting any information relating to children involved in abuse cases, particularly those involving sexual assault.

It reminded that Section 10(2) of the Childcare and Protection Agency Act (Cap. 46:07) expressly prohibits the publication of any information that could lead to the identification of a child involved in legal proceedings. This includes the child’s name, age, address, school, or any other identifying particulars.

“This provision safeguards the privacy, dignity, and well-being of the child by preventing exposure that could cause harm, distress, or stigmatisation,” the Ministry noted.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to protecting every child in Guyana and said it will continue to act swiftly in all cases of child abuse and exploitation.

“The safety, dignity, and recovery of every child remain our foremost priority,” the statement added.

The post ‘Protected, not exposed’ – Ministry outraged by online sharing of five-year-old’s assault case appeared first on News Room Guyana.

ANSA McAL has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Guyana’s cultural heritage as it embarks on the development of the new Chateau Margot Mall — a major investment that balances modern progress with respect for history.

In a statement on Wednesday, the company said the Mall is being developed on privately owned land adjacent to the historic Chateau Margot Chimney, which remains a protected heritage site under state control. The chimney and its surrounding lands are owned by the Government of Guyana and managed by the National Trust.

At present, only preparatory works — including site clearance and landscaping — are taking place. No heavy construction has yet begun.

“From the outset, ANSA McAL has placed the preservation of the chimney and its surroundings at the forefront of this project,” the company stated. “We have commissioned a professional assessment of the structure to ensure its stability and to identify any reinforcement measures needed before construction begins.”

The assessment is being carried out by well-known Guyanese structural engineer, Marcel Gaskin, whose findings and recommendations will be fully implemented prior to the start of construction.

According to ANSA McAL, the initiative reflects its long-standing partnership with Guyana and its confidence in the country’s future.

“We are proud to show that progress and preservation can go hand in hand – honouring Guyana’s past while building responsibly for the future,” the release noted.

The company emphasised that it continues to work closely with the National Trust of Guyana, the Government, and relevant ministries to ensure the chimney remains a safeguarded and celebrated national landmark.

ANSA McAL reiterated that the historic chimney will not only be preserved but also maintained as a visible reminder of Guyana’s rich industrial past — even as new investments take shape nearby.

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Two Fridays ago, on October 3, seven-year-old Tiequan Scarville’s life changed drastically when he was struck down by a canter along the Kilcoy, Chesney, Corentyne Berbice Public Road.

The young lad from Fyrish Village suffered a severe brain injury and had to undergo emergency surgery. Now, he is on a long road to recovery, according to his mother, Towanna Yorrick.

“Because of the frontal lobe that was completely damaged, [doctors] said there is a possibility that all of that [memory loss and behavioural changes] is related to the frontal lobe being damaged,” Yorrick told the News Room.

Yorrick, a nurse, explained that school was out on October 3 as a result of Teachers’ Day and, so Tiequan accompanied his grandparents to work.

On his way back home, he was standing at the corner of the road with his grandfather when a canter struck him down.

The young child was rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital and subsequently to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Tiequan was later rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in a critical condition where he underwent emergency brain surgery.

His mother said doctors had to remove over fifteen bone fragments from his skull. She explained that the affected bone had shattered completely and was pressing against his brain, forcing surgeons to remove the entire section to relieve the pressure.

Tiequan was placed on a ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for three days before being moved to the Pediatric High Dependency Unit. After being hospitalized for six days, he was discharged from the hospital.

Yorrick said she remains hopeful her son could make a full recovery, but she is also concerned about future challenges he could experience.

“Currently, I am depressed because my child was a perfectly fine seven-year-old, going to school, doing his school work and I am out of work as of right now. I don’t know how many days I am covered when it comes to sick leave,” the mother stressed.

Following the accident, the driver of the canter was arrested and released after 72 hours.

“The police say that he is reporting every day to the station, but I am not aware of this. I have never seen him since the incident. I don’t know what he looks like,” Yorrick explained.

She further claimed that it has been two weeks since the accident occurred and the scene has not yet been marked. Yorrick said she is concerned about the lack of progress in the police investigation and revealed that the medical report has also not been uplifted.

“I just want the matter to be dealt with accordingly and the person responsible to be held accountable,” she said.

When contacted, Regional Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus told the News Room that the investigation was completed and the file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

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Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Tuesday said wheat grain research is still ongoing as the government invests heavily in research-driven projects.

Guyana’s agricultural sector is set to benefit from a significant boost in scientific innovation and technological advancement, as the Ministry of Agriculture continues to invest heavily in research-based initiatives.

Among the latest developments are scientific research and eco-friendly initiatives such as the construction of a state-of-the-art $402.5 million tissue culture laboratory, marking a historic first for the country.

This landmark facility, which will be commissioned soon, is expected to support sustainable farming practices and contribute to the diversification and modernisation of the agricultural sector, Minister Mustapha said.

“For the first time in our country’s history, we will be commissioning a tissue culture lab. “We are pushing for sustainable farming, and alongside this lab, we’ve already established a vermicompost unit,” Minister Mustapha said.

On Tuesday, the minister commissioned the vermicompost unit and the ant bait production facility, all of which enable scientists and researchers with reliable facilities. It is also expected to significantly enhance local food production capabilities and crop resilience.

Projects such as the tissue culture lab complements ongoing research ventures that aim to adapt non-traditional crops to Guyana’s climate, such as wheat.

“This marks our government’s commitment to advancing agriculture and ensuring the sector is not forgotten or left behind as the economy grows,” he added.

Minister Mustapha said tropical wheat trials continue, in partnership with the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation. The trials aim to develop wheat varieties capable of thriving in the country’s tropical climate, despite wheat traditionally requiring temperate conditions.

“We are still conducting trials for growing tropical wheat here. “As you know, wheat usually grows in temperate regions, which we don’t have in these parts. That’s why we’re working closely with EMBRAPA to develop a variety that can succeed in our environment,” the minister said.

These initiatives reflect a broader strategy by the government to enhance food security, reduce import dependency, and position Guyana as a leader in agricultural innovation in the region.

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After months of mounting public concern, the Georgetown City Council is proposing a formal tripartite agreement to regulate the continued use of a section of the Farnum ground by Mae’s School.

Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore told the News Room on Wednesday that the proposal would bring together the City Council, the owners of Mae’s School, and the Subryanville community in a legally binding agreement aimed at balancing the educational needs with residents’ rights to public space.

“We’ve done our part in facilitating education, but we’ve also ventilated this matter with residents and our own councilors,” Mentore said.

Mae’s School began using the site following a fire that displaced students from their primary campus. Temporary prefab classrooms were erected to house classes, but the installations proceeded without prior approval from the Council or the Central Housing and Planning Authority.

However, Mentore said the school has received a preliminary approval from the authority. Mentore, who addressed the issue during a recent Council meeting, said the City had taken a balanced approach after extensive public consultation.

Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore during his interview with the News Room on Wednesday.

Mentore previously expressed strong support for students affected by the fire, insisting that their education must continue without unnecessary disruption. However, he acknowledged that the school’s occupation of the community ground could not continue indefinitely or without formal regulation.

The agreement which will be presented at the next statutory meeting includes the recommendation that the school vacate the ground by December 31, 2026, rejecting the school’s initial request to stay until March 2027. The school is asked to pay $2.5 million over the approved period for the use of public land. This includes a security deposit of $500,000 and $1.5 million will be held as a restoration bond, ensuring the area is returned to its original condition after the school leaves.

It was also suggested that the money be used to uplift the community. Mentore said the Council is open to ongoing dialogue and expects further consultation on how the $2.5 million collected from the school will be spent.

“We don’t want to dictate what the community does with the funds,” he said.

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A woman from Corriverton, Region Six was taken into police custody following a significant discovery of fireworks at her home.

The individual, a 30-year-old resident of Number 78 Village, Corriverton, Corentyne Berbice , is currently aiding law enforcement officials as they delve into the details surrounding this alarming find.

Forty-seven boxes filled with explosives were found hidden away at the woman’s residence

On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, a combined effort by various police officers led to the uncovering of a quantity of fireworks—specifically, 47 boxes filled with explosives—hidden away at her residence.

The investigating team swiftly secured the  items and transported them to the Springlands Police Station, where they will be carefully examined as part of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities are currently determining the origin of the fireworks and the circumstances that led to their illicit storage.

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Guyana now has 3,000 items being produced through agro-processing programmes and according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, the establishment of agricultural programmes provides more career opportunities for students.

An open day event at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara on Tuesday, made it possible for students at secondary and tertiary levels to have first-hand exposure to the work done at the research institute and interact with the Minister and Minister within the Ministry, Vickash Ramskissoon.

Peanut butter processed at the agro-processing factory at St Ignatius

Mustapha implored the students to explore the many opportunities within the sector and reminded that agriculture is not for farming only.

“Agriculture has a great career, if you’re an agronomist, you can earn a lot of money, you can be independent, a 60 by 90 shadehouse can give you earning of approximately $8 million annually.

“We are moving away from the primary forms of agriculture. As a farmer if you grow guava or you grow cherry, we don’t want you to just take the guava or cherry to the market, we want you to go to these agro-processing facilities and process it, make cherry juice so that we can export it,” the minister said.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha during his remarks to students and attendees.

Minister Mustapha told the students that his ministry will open its facilities to schools for them to explore and better understand the sector to make informed career choices.

“When you come out as agriculturists, when you come out as agronomists, and you match your skills with your learning, then our country will develop.

“We want you to walk around, ask questions, look at the facilities and see what you want to develop your career. You are the future leaders of this country, you are the people responsible to take us into the future,” the minister said.

As of 2020, the agriculture sector has undergone significant changes with massive investments to promote economic growth. Further investments in tertiary education have also boosted the nation’s ability to produce well-rounded citizens with the ability to respond to sectoral needs.

The Agriculture Innovative and Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP) makes it possible for agro-processors to earn significantly from their work.

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Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) Secretary Chet Bowling says standing on the podium at the recently concluded DSB Suriname Invitational is both a personal and national achievement, marking another proud moment for Guyana’s golfers on the international stage.

Reflecting on his performance, Bowling said his podium finish represents years of dedication and steady growth, not just for himself but for the Lusignan Golf Club community as a whole. Bowling took second spot in the B Flight, finishing behind fellow Guyanese Patanjilee Persaud.

Prolific Guyanese Avinash Persaud won the A Flight.

“It’s an achievement for me to stand on the podium at an international event, it says a lot about the level of golfing at the Lusignan Golf Club,” Bowling said.

“Our members are dedicated, supportive, and encourage each other. On a personal level, I’m excited, grateful and thankful. On a club level, I’m proud of how we performed and how we represented Guyana.”

Members of Team Guyana at the DSB Suriname Invitational presentation ceremony

He noted that LGC’s strong presence at the Invitational highlights the club’s commitment to raising the standard of golf in Guyana.

“We really dominated the prize-giving ceremony,” Bowling added.

“It proves that Lusignan has some of the top players in the region, and the golf being played at our club is truly at an international level.”

Bowling emphasised that the success was not just about skill but also about teamwork, unity, and shared motivation among the members.

“The support and encouragement within the club drive us to do better. That’s what makes Lusignan special, it’s not just a club; it’s a family.”

Looking ahead, Bowling believes the momentum from the Suriname Invitational sets the perfect tone for the Brava Guyana Open, scheduled for November 1-2 at the Lusignan Golf Club.

“The competition will be stiff,” he noted.

“Many players used the Suriname Invitational as preparation for the Guyana Open, so I expect this year’s event to be very competitive and exciting.”

Bowling also extended an invitation to the Surinamese golfers, saying he hopes they will return to Guyana to continue the friendly rivalry.

“After our performance, I’m sure they’ll want to come back and try to get revenge.”

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The Ministry of Housing and Water, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), has deepened its collaboration with major commercial banks in a joint effort to streamline the homeownership process and accelerate the government’s target of constructing 40,000 homes over the next five years.

In a strategic meeting held on Monday, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, and Minister within the Ministry, Vanessa Benn, led discussions with senior executives from several financial institutions, including the New Building Society (NBS), Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Citizens Bank Guyana Inc., Demerara Bank Limited, and the Bank of Baroda. Also present were Permanent Secretary Bishram Kuppen and CH&PA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Martin Pertab, along with other senior officials.

Representatives of the banks welcomed the opportunity to exchange views directly with policymakers, praising the Ministry’s proactive approach in facilitating homeownership. (Photo: Ministry of Housing and Water/Facebook/October 14, 2025)

The dialogue focused on ensuring that loan processing, land titling, and mortgage approvals are seamless for potential homeowners, ensuring the process of acquiring a home is more efficient, affordable, and customer-friendly.

Representatives of the banks welcomed the opportunity to exchange views directly with policymakers, praising the Ministry’s proactive approach in facilitating homeownership. (Photo: Ministry of Housing and Water/Facebook/October 14, 2025)

Representatives of the banks welcomed the opportunity to exchange views directly with policymakers, praising the Ministry’s proactive approach in facilitating homeownership. They indicated strong support for further dialogue and technical collaboration to help citizens access financing more easily.

The meeting concluded on an optimistic note, with participants reaffirming their shared vision of expanding access to affordable housing and empowering more Guyanese families to own homes.

L-R: CEO of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Dr Martin Pertab, Minister within the Ministry, Vanessa Benn and Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal (Photo: Ministry of Housing and Water/Facebook/October 14, 2025)

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A fire, suspected to be an act of arson, completely destroyed a vendor’s house at Lot 35, Liverpool Village, Corentyne Berbice.

Gavin Cummings, 60, who is also a farmer, told the News Room that he left home around 1:30 a.m. Saturday to sell fruits and vegetables at the Port Mourant market. He received a phone call around 5:00 a.m. informing him that his house was engulfed in flames.

Upon receiving the devastating news, Cummings rushed to investigate. When he arrived at the scene, he found his house completely destroyed.

Cummings reported that the three-bedroom wooden house he had occupied for 50 years was fully furnished, and all of his belongings were lost in the fire. For now, he is staying at a friend’s house until he can figure out his next move.

Gavin Cummings

Cummings mentioned that several weeks ago, his neighbor, Debra Leitch, was involved in a fight with another woman in Lancaster Village. He intervened to stop the fight after seeing Debra beating the other woman.

Cummings said he took the victim to the Whim Police Station to report the incident, which led to the accused being placed before the court.

On October 10, Cummings attended court with both the accused and the victim, where the Magistrate informed Debra that she would be sentenced on Monday, October 13.

Debra was sentenced to one month in prison on Monday for assault causing actual bodily harm.

According to Cummings after the court session, while he was in his garden, Debra reportedly threatened to burn his house down.

Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald confirmed that the house was maliciously set on fire by person or persons unknown.

The investigation into the fire is ongoing.

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