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President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced that his government will move swiftly to ensure every Guyanese has access to a bank account. He made the commitment on Thursday at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Energy Insights Brief 2025.

The Ali-led government has long spoken about financial inclusion as a vital step in expanding economic opportunities for citizens.

“We have to be able in the shortest timeframe to ensure that every Guyanese has a bank account, even if the government must incentivise the opening of those bank accounts,” President Ali stated.

In April 2025, President Ali had revealed that Guyanese will be able to tap into more economic opportunities like co-investing in national projects, as part of the government’s commitment to achieving shared prosperity.

For this to happen, citizens must be integrated into the financial system and be better positioned to benefit from such ventures.

In April, Ali explained these ventures will span small, medium, and large-scale initiatives and are designed to generate higher returns for ordinary Guyanese while transforming the nation’s economic landscape.

At the same time, plans are also underway for a countrywide financial literacy campaign to empower citizens to manage and grow their own ventures.

These efforts will be supported by increased grants. Last year, every Guyanese citizen 18 and above received a $100,000 cash grant. During the 2025 campaign, citizens were assured that they will benefit from more cash grants and increases.

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On September 29, the Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS) in partnership with SBM Offshore Guyana, officially launched a booklet featuring the culture and stories of the Warrau Indigenous people of Guyana. The launch, held at the National Centre for Educational Resources Development (NCERD), marked a significant step in preserving the Warrau language, culture, and heritage. Designed as both an educational and cultural resource, the booklet reflects a growing commitment to ensuring that Indigenous languages and traditions are preserved through education and community engagement.

GMCS is currently working with Indigenous communities in the Barima Mora Passage (BMP), Region 1 to conserve biodiversity while advancing education, awareness, and community capacity in natural resource management. The organisation also promotes sustainable livelihoods that strengthen conservation and community well-being, while supporting and celebrating Indigenous culture and traditions.

A Glimpse of Warrau Culture is the fourth book in the BMP adventure series produced by GMCS with support from SBM Offshore Guyana. This booklet features a rich collection of stories, cultural references, language exercises, and illustrations that bring the traditions of the Warrau people to life. Beyond being a teaching aid, it is intended to serve as a bridge between generations, giving young learners access to their ancestral language while fostering cultural pride. Complementary activities such as storytelling sessions, workshops, and cultural performances will also be organised in schools and community centres across Region One to encourage interactive learning experiences. These initiatives aim to create interactive spaces where students and teachers can connect with the Warrau heritage in a meaningful and lasting way. The booklet also celebrates the work of Indigenous artist Courtney Douglas, who painted the mural of the Warrau story which is on display at the Imbotero Research Centre in the Barima Mora Passage. His mural inspired the illustrations of the “Sky People” depicted in the booklet.

From left to right: SBM Offshore Guyana’s (SBM) Sustainability Intern, Miriam Ogle; Director of NCERD, Omwattie Ramdin; SBM’s Operations Sustainability Officer, Uma Madray; SBM’s General Manager, Martin Cheong; GMCS Co-Founder and Project Director, Mrs. Annette Arjoon-Martins; SBM’s Sustainability Lead, Gwenetta Fordyce and Group Communication Business Partner, Jonelle De Veira

During the launch, Director of NCERD, Omwattie Ramdin, noted that as a former teacher, she has a deep appreciation for the initiative. She said, “We gather here not just to unveil a book but rather to have a peep into a window… through which younger generations and future scholars may look, learn and come to appreciate and celebrate the heritage of the Warrau people.”

Mrs. Annette Arjoon-Martins, GMCS Co-Founder and Project Director, in her remarks thanked SBM Offshore Guyana for their continued support.

“Thanks to SBM (Offshore Guyana) for making this possible. But best of all, it (the partnership) allowed (the creation of]) a suite of awareness tools using technology from the booklets to the animations, to the videos, to even a documentary,” she posited.

SBM Offshore Guyana’s General Manager, Martin Cheong reinforced the company’s commitment to support cultural preservation, noting, “This booklet is a beautiful celebration of heritage and identity, created to ensure that the stories, traditions and wisdom of the Warrau people continue to inspire this generation and those to come. At SBM Offshore Guyana, we believe sustainability is about more than protecting the environment; it is also about valuing people, their culture and knowledge. Today’s launch is a shining example of that vision in action.”

He noted that SBM Offshore Guyana is also supporting an Indigenous language database to further preserve the culture of Guyana’s first people.

This initiative aligns with the company’s local development priorities, particularly addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities. By equipping schools and communities with culturally grounded resources, the booklet strengthens Indigenous identity while empowering youth across Guyana.

The launch was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education, Protected Areas Commission, Iwokrama, Conservation International Guyana, EMC Foundation, other partners, and members of the Indigenous community themselves, underscoring the importance of cultural ownership in initiatives of this kind (Press release)

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See below the full release from Scotiabank:

Effective November 1, 2025, The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) will transfer its Guyana banking operations to Scotiabank Guyana Inc. (SGI), a locally registered company which is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of Nova Scotia Canada. SGI has already been incorporated in Guyana and has been granted a license to conduct banking business and provide financial services under the Financial Institutions Act. This transfer will have no impact to customers, employees, suppliers, or any other stakeholder.

The Bank of Nova Scotia has been operating as a branch in Guyana since 1968 but has taken the decision to reorganise its business for greater efficiency and capital management. This structure is in alignment with Scotiabank’s other global operations, including those in the Caribbean region (The Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago and Turks & Caicos) and Latin America (Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru), which operate as subsidiaries.

The main change resulting from this reorganization is the new name of the company. Clients and suppliers already know the bank as Scotiabank but will now start to see the new name of “Scotiabank Guyana Inc.” as its legal name, as opposed to the previous name “The Bank of Nova Scotia”.

Jabar Singh, President & CEO, Scotiabank Colpatria (Colombia), Head, Scotiabank Caribbean and Central America, reinforced the Bank’s commitment to growing its business in Guyana under the new legal structure, indicating “We have made several recent investments, including technology enhancements to our Mobile App, the introduction of payment solutions for retail self-checkout kiosks, the digitisation of our client onboarding process, expansion of our ABM footprint, and incremental bandwidth upgrades. The Bank also plans to expand its client coverage and business portfolio in Guyana. This includes enhancements to Global Transaction Banking (GTB) products and services, and Global Banking and Markets (GBM) services such as investment banking, cash management and trade finance.”

 

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The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) is set to expand its national reach, announcing that Berbice’s first-ever drag racing event will occur on October 12.

The inaugural Berbice Drag Race represents a significant push by the GMR&SC to decentralise the sport and bring high-octane action to the ‘Ancient County’.

The event, which will feature top-tier machines from across Guyana in a quarter-mile shootout, will be held at the Rose Hall Canjie Airstrip.

Racing is scheduled to begin at 10:00h.

GMR&SC Vice President Mohamed Shiraz Roshandin confirmed that the move addresses long-standing demand from the region.

“For years, the ancient county of Berbice has been asking to be a part of our calendar of activities, and this year we put in a bit more work to include them,” Roshandin said.

He noted that securing a suitable venue was the main challenge: “One of the hardest parts was finding a venue that we could safely host the event. A place where we would have a long enough distance to run the quarter mile and still be able to have spectators view it safely.”

The Rose Hall Canjie Airstrip was confirmed following extensive preparation.

Senior racers and club executives will visit the site later this week to finalise safety checks.

The turn-out for this debut fixture will be crucial, with Roshandin adding that its success will determine if it becomes a permanent fixture on the GMR&SC calendar.

Tickets are available at the gate:Adults: $2,000 and Children: $1,000.

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West Indies Test captain Roston Chase has made it clear that the tourists are aiming for an upset victory in the upcoming two-match Test series against India, drawing inspiration from New Zealand’s recent success against the home side.

Chase stated that the primary goal is to play “positive cricket” throughout the series, echoing the aggressive mentality of New Zealand, which dominated India 3-0 in a series held last year.

The series is being played under challenging conditions, with Indian captain Shubman Gill predicting a fierce examination of the West Indies’ batting lineup.

Historically, the touring side has struggled against quality spin on subcontinental wickets.

The first Test is set to begin on Thursday, with the action beginning at midnight Eastern Caribbean time.

For India, every home season brings the same expectations from India, but this one also brings a set of new anxieties. They’re about to play their first home Test since 0-3, their first home Test under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, and their first home Test since the retirements of R Ashwin, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

An unusually green pitch in Ahmedabad adds another layer of anxiety, potentially magnifying the importance of the toss.

India’s anxieties, of course, pale in comparison to those of their opponents: injuries to key fast bowlers, the loss of a T20I series to Nepal (albeit with a second-string team that has no overlap with their Test squad), the emergency review of the team’s Test-match performances that followed 27 all out in Kingston, and the existential questions around the team’s future in the World Test Championship.

West Indies can’t turn anywhere without fear of getting punched in the face.

But it could give them the license to throw a few punches of their own. Their captain Roston Chase put it simply on the eve of the Test match. “When you have nothing to lose, you can just go and play freely, because, I mean, everyone is expecting us to lose.”

Everyone expects West Indies to lose. Everyone expects India to win. Everyone always expects India to win at home. From the start of 2013 to roughly the same point last year, India kept meeting these expectations again and again and again.

Until they didn’t. Until New Zealand visited and won in a manner that showed just how much skill and effort it had taken for India to create and sustain the illusion of invincibility over such a long period.

You might be the best team in the world, but you have to keep going out and proving it again and again, each time against a set of highly skilled athletes throwing a new set of challenges at you.

Man to man, in personnel terms, this Test in Ahmedabad looks like a mismatch.

But it will begin with the scorecard reading 0 for 0, in conditions from which no one quite knows what to expect. (Modified from ESPNcricinfo)

India squad: Shubman Gill (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja (vice-capt), Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, N Jagadeesan (wk)

West Indies squad: Roston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican (vice-capt), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Johann Layne, Jediah Blades, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales

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The Court of Appeal, on Wednesday, heard oral arguments in the case filed by the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), challenging a High Court ruling that upheld the party’s exclusion from contesting in Regions Seven, Eight, and Nine during the 2025 General and Regional Elections.

The matter was heard before Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Roxane George  and Justices of Appeal Rishi Persaud and Naresh Harnanan.

Appearing on behalf of FGM candidate Krystal Fisher was Attorney Dr Vivian Williams, while GECOM was represented by Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan and Arud Gossai. Attorney General, Anil Nandlall is the second named respondent in the case. He appeared and was assisted by Shoshanna Lall and Raeanna Clarke.

All parties filed written submissions earlier but were permitted to make oral arguments in support of their positions during Wednesday’s hearing.

Fisher’s notice of appeal argues that Chief Justice (ag.) Navindra Singh erred in law when he held that placing a political party on the ballot in a geographic constituency where it did not field candidates, stating that would undermine the constitutional objective of inclusivity and representation of smaller or more remote communities.

She also contends that he erred in ruling that the omission of the FGM and the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) from ballots in certain constituencies was lawful.

During the Wednesday hearing, the court heard that the appellant has not paid the costs awarded by the High Court. As such, the acting Chancellor noted that while the appeal will proceed, the appellant should not disobey the court’s order.

Fisher is asking the Appeal Court to set aside that ruling, declare that the omissions were unlawful and unconstitutional, and direct GECOM to ensure that all qualifying political parties are included on ballot papers in every geographic constituency for future elections.

Chief Justice Singh had ruled on August 29, 2025 that GECOM was correct to enforce the requirement that political parties submit candidate lists for every district they intend to contest. Since FGM and ALP failed to do so in the three regions they were excluded. Dismissing the case in its entirety, Singh said GECOM acted within the law.

High Court: GECOM right to keep parties of Amanza Walton, Simona Broomes off the ballot in some regions

At Wednesday’s hearing, Attorney Dr Williams maintained that the Appeal Court has full jurisdiction to hear the matter, describing it as one concerning constitutional rights rather than election validity.

He argued that the Chief Justice’s ruling reversed an essential right entrenched in the Constitution. According to Dr Williams, had Fisher requests been granted, the elections could have continued without leaving any residual constitutional question as to whether they were lawfully conducted.

Williams further argued that Fisher was disenfranchised, that her constitutional rights were violated, and that the exclusion amounted to discrimination. He also reminded the court that the matter was filed after members of the Disciplined Services had already voted, though he stressed that this did not take away from the constitutional issues raised.

Responding, Senior Counsel Astaphan described the appeal as “extraordinary,” stressing that FGM had simply chosen not to contest three regions.

“The political party made a decision not to contest three regions. There is no other explanation. The constitutional and statutory right in Guyana is to vote for options on the list. If there is no choice, then that’s their loss. Nobody will be denied of their right to vote. Every individual has the right to vote for other parties on the list,” Astaphan said.

Nandlall argued that the matters raised in the appeal fall squarely under the jurisdiction of an election petition and not the Court of Appeal.

“They seek to challenge parts of the elections, parts of the electoral process. The High Court or Appeal Court can’t deal with these matters. The decision of GECOM cannot be questioned. The case has no merit. It should have never been filed,” Nandlall argued.

Oral arguments concluded on Wednesday. The Court of Appeal is expected to deliver its decision on Thursday.

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As climate change brings hotter conditions and dry spells across Guyana, the government is stepping up efforts to support farmers in hinterland communities should they face any serious water shortages.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Wednesday addressed the issue in an interview at the sidelines of an event.

He said the Ministry has been proactive in putting systems in place.

“We have been working with the farmers there. We are trying to avoid any drought-like problems… because over the last few years, we have done a lot of water catchment ponds in the hinterland communities.

“We haven’t received any complaints yet of water problem, but our officers, they are monitoring the situation, and we are working very closely with the village councils across the Hinterland Community,” the minister said.

In recent years, dozens of catchment ponds have been constructed in drought-prone villages, particularly in Region Nine, to store water during the wet season for use during dry periods. The Agriculture Ministry also expanded drainage and irrigation works and invested in new pump stations to support farmers on the coast.

Guyana has been experiencing longer dry seasons due to changing weather patterns and the effects of El Niño. While some areas have seen wildfires and water stress, the Agriculture Ministry says systems are in place to cushion farmers against major losses.

Potable water access in hinterland communities has also increased significantly through new wells and water infrastructure, providing relief to households that previously faced shortages.

Minister Mustapha noted that the government will continue to monitor conditions and respond where needed.

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Traffic congestion along the East Bank Demerara corridor remains a challenge, and motorists are being urged to exercise patience as major construction continues along the roadways.

Assistant Superintendent of Police, Michael Ramdas, is the Traffic Officer of District 4B.

His area of responsibility is vast, stretching from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri to the National Stadium at Providence, and covering both the old and new Harbour Bridges. He is familiar with the massive road work ongoing.

“The length of construction is very large and at different points.

“So I am asking persons who use the East Bank public road, obey the traffic laws, obey the traffic ranks directions and you will get there on time. Do not try to overtake, undertake or form another lane and then expect the Police to hoist your vehicle back into line,” Ramdas said.

He was at the time addressing the traffic woes during a recent episode of ‘Police and You’ programme.

According to Ramdas, the Soesdyke highway is a critical but narrow roadway. He said it is the only available route for traffic coming from Linden and the interior. With no diversion roads, he said patience and discipline are key.

“Persons need to stay in line and stop overtaking unnecessarily. If you have to reach in an hour, leave an hour before. That’s all I can ask you,” Ramdas said.

He also encouraged carpooling to reduce congestion.

Adding to the challenge are heavy-duty trucks moving construction materials.

Ramdas revealed that the Police have reached out to sand pit owners to ensure drivers properly cover their trays, but not all have complied.

“Those who fail to comply, when we catch them, we charge them and place them before the court. They pay a fine, but some return and do the same thing again. The most we can do is enforce,” he explained.

Ramdas also highlighted traffic enforcement at night, targeting vehicles with improper or dangerous lighting.

“To some extent, the bright lights install are at the rear of the vehicles. It’s dangerous. My advice to truck and lorry drivers is the law is the law. The law doesn’t say anything about fog lamps. My advice to them is to develop different and better driving habits,” Ramdas stressed.

Turning his attention to motorcyclists, who continue to lead road fatalities, Ramdas strongly urged riders to wear safety helmets and avoid reckless overtaking.

“Follow the rules of the road, follow the traffic laws. Please, I am begging motorcyclists, be careful on the roadways. Do not overtake as if you don’t care about your life,” he said.

Despite the frustrations, ASP Ramdas said arrangements are being made to ease the situation on the East Bank.

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Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha placed massive emphasis on Guyana’s rapidly developing agriculture sector at the launch of Agriculture Month 2025.

The month being observed under the theme: “Transforming livelihoods through Agri-food systems.” The ministry has a schedule packed with activities to highlight these advancements and the stakeholders.

Minister Mustapha said the government’s $104 billion budgetary allocation is driving growth across multiple subsectors, allowing the country to meet domestic demand while positioning itself to become the breadbasket of the Caribbean.

“For the first time in our country’s history, we are producing corn and soya, and I’m hoping by next year, we can be self-sufficient in producing all our needs to reduce the import bill of corn by US$40 million,” Minister Mustapha said.

He added that the country is now involved in hydroponics. He also said that with new interests, the sector is creating new opportunities for young people.

“As we grow this sector, we are creating meaningful employment, which helps to reduce poverty, and promote equity in every single region,” he said.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha at the launch of Agriculture Month 2025.

Guyana continues to see strong production figures. According to Mustapha, the investments go beyond production as infrastructure remains a major concern for stakeholders and the government is working to improve it.

He said significant works—including the construction of new pump stations, canals, and drainage and irrigation systems in Regions Five and Six—are also bringing relief to farmers.

Turning to the diversification of the sector, he said Guyana has started producing Vietnamese prawns and expanded black shrimp output from 10,000 kilogrammes monthly to approximately 120,000 kilogrammes. Mustapha also noted a sharp reduction in piracy, crediting the Ministry’s interventions over the last five years.

GRDB 18 – a new long grain high yielding variety of rice launched in 2024.

Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Vikash Ramkissoon, reminded those gathered at the launch that agriculture has long been a cornerstone of Guyana’s development. He said traditional crops – rice and sugar – have historically been driving forces for the economy.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative Gillian Smith commended the focus on building resilience.

“Agriculture is not just about the crops and the livestock. It is the backbone of rural livelihoods. It’s a driver of innovation worldwide,” Smith said.

She also said with record outputs, modernised infrastructure, and expanding diversification, Guyana’s agriculture sector is advancing at a rapid pace and strengthening its role as a key driver of growth, employment, and food security.

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The Guyana Police Force is probing an incident at Albouystown, Georgetown, after a loaded firearm was discharged on Tuesday night, causing damage to a resident’s car.

Police said the incident occurred at about 21:40hrs, between Cooper and Non Pareil Streets, Independence Boulevard, Albouystown.

A plumber, 28, living in the area, said he was at home with his child when he heard several loud explosions suspected to be gunshots. He took cover, and he later observed that his motor car, which was parked in front of his home, had sustained damage believed to be caused by the gunfire.

Police ranks, including members of the Crime Scene Unit, visited the location and processed the scene. Several spent shell casings were recovered, and CCTV cameras observed in the area will be reviewed. Police did not have any reports of injuries, and persons in the vicinity are assisting with the investigation.

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