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Guyanese artiste Daniel Wharton, popularly known as “Baby Skello,” was on Tuesday morning granted $45,000 bail by High Court Judge Simone Morris-Ramlall.

The bail was granted just days after Wharton was charged with blasphemous libel in relation to a song he performed and shared on TikTok. The track allegedly contained references to the Hindu goddess, Mother Lakshmi.

Under Guyanese law, blasphemous libel refers to actions or expressions that insult, offend, or vilify a religious deity. A conviction can carry a prison sentence of up to one year.

Wharton first appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman last Friday, when he was denied bail and remanded to prison. He spent the weekend in custody before his legal team—led by attorneys Dexter Todd and Everton Lammy-Singh—petitioned the High Court for bail on Monday.

Following submissions from the defence, the presiding judge approved the request, allowing Wharton to be released.

Before being formally charged, Wharton was the subject of a wanted bulletin issued by the police. He later surrendered to law enforcement and was held in custody for three days during the initial investigation.

In response to the public backlash, Wharton issued a public apology for the song’s content and removed it from his TikTok account. He was also summoned to appear before the Ethnic Relations Commission but did not attend the scheduled hearing.

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Effective Tuesday, June 17, only trucks, heavy-load vehicles, and public transportation are permitted to use the Diamond to Good Success Public Road on the East Bank of Demerara, as rehabilitation works intensify.

The restriction is part of measures to facilitate critical upgrades to the busy corridor, which is the country’s most trafficked roadway.

“This work has been ongoing for a while…we have now gotten into that stage where we are now doing the rehabilitation of the actual carriageway which will see interruption of traffic,” Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill said during a visit to the site on Tuesday.

“What we are seeking to do now is to only allow trucks and vehicles carrying heavy loads to remain on this carriageway and all other…the smaller vehicles to start as of today, going through the bypasses that has been created,” he added.

The East Bank Demerara Public Road sees more than 30,000 vehicles daily, with trucks making up between 20 to 30 percent of that number.

“So we are asking for all other (vehicles) to keep off of this particular section so we can have the heavy machines working, traffic flowing and there is adequate arrangements with all of the signs that have been established starting from Heroes Highway,” Edghill said.

All other vehicles are now being diverted to alternative bypass roadways accessible from the Heroes Highway. From there, traffic can connect through Diamond, onto Jimbo Bridge, and back to the East Bank Highway. All bypass routes are marked, with signs to guide motorists.

Edghill also noted that discussions were held with the relevant Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to ensure property owners retain access during the works.

Traffic diversion will be supported by the Guyana Police Force. Assistant Commissioner and Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh said police will be deploying resources to ensure the restrictions are enforced.

“As limited as we are we will do as we should do but before [it] goes into actual enforcement, the signs that help the road users to understand where the diversion is and where they can reroute, it has to be in place,” Singh said.

The $1.3 billion rehabilitation project is being executed in five lots by different contractors. According to Collin Gittens, Head of the Ministry’s Special Projects Unit, the works are 45 percent complete.

Once completed, the 1.6-kilometre stretch will feature widened lanes, enhanced capacity to carry heavier traffic loads, and improved shoulders for parking on both sides of the road.

 

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As access to technical and vocational subjects improves across Guyana, the Ministry of Education on Tuesday launched a two-day Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Fair and Exposition to showcase students’ skills.

The event, held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal, highlights practical work in block making, painting, carpentry, welding, and agri-processing to students.

During the opening ceremony, Education Minister Priya Manickchand noted that the education system has significantly progressed since 2020, with more subjects now available for students to earn the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ).

“When I came into office we had nine schools offering four CVQ subjects. Today, because of conscious investment planning, getting on the ground and putting the facilities in place, we now have 74 schools across Guyana offering 24 CVQ subjects,” Manickchand said.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand during her remarks. (Photo: News Room/June 17, 2025)

She further highlighted that Practical Instruction Centres (PICs) have been established in nine of the ten administrative regions, with another set to be commissioned in Region Nine.

The minister emphasised that the ministry’s strong focus on technical training is aimed at preparing students for the evolving job market, particularly as Guyana’s economy expands.

“We want our children to be competent in what they are going to pursue. We want them to competitively engage in the various new arising sectors that are coming out of the oil and gas industry. We want them to earn,” she added.

Dr. Ritesh Tularam, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Technical), said the ministry’s TVET policy ensures that students are equipped with practical knowledge. With expanded facilities in every region, more young people now have access to training and certification that were once only available in centralised locations.

Students engage in painting at the TVET fair and Expo. (Photo: News Room/ June 17, 2025)

He also noted that the ministry has introduced a management information system to support technical education, improving access across the country.

With secondary schools and institutions offering training in various technical fields, Dr. Tularam said the fair provides students with a platform to demonstrate their skills.

“I want for us to understand that this exposition is a celebration of what our young people can achieve when they are given the tools, training and support to succeed,” he said.

The ministry’s strategic introduction of technical subjects through the CVQ is designed to give students broader career options beyond traditional academic paths.

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The new school term will no longer begin on September 1, 2025, as that date has been designated for General and Regional Elections.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand confirmed Tuesday that schools will remain closed on that day to serve as polling stations, as is customary across the country.

“Schools are usually used for polling places. Election is one day in our country and it’s an important day to reinforce and refresh our democracy,” Manickchand said.

She noted that the reopening date will be adjusted and announced soon.

“We are happy to give up the schools for that important purpose of allowing people to exercise their will,” the minister added.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced the elections date during his Independence Day address on May 26. In addition to schools, Neighbourhood Democratic Council offices will also serve as polling stations.

Manickchand recalled that schools have previously been used for national exams just a day after elections and said this year would be no different in terms of preparations and accommodations.

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In a major move to strengthen small businesses, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is preparing to launch a Micro Learning and Training Centre aimed at equipping entrepreneurs with essential skills in marketing, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and agro-processing.

GCCI President Kathy Smith, in a recent interview with the News Room, said the Centre is designed to help entrepreneurs move beyond the traditional ‘buy and sell’ model to more sustainable, structured business operations—particularly targeting women and those in the agro-processing sector.

“That Centre is going to ensure that we just don’t buy and sell, but it is a centre that ensures we focus on marketing. We are going to do a lot of training on marketing, a lot of training on entrepreneurship, a lot of training on financial literacy, branding, packaging – focusing heavily on agro-processing because we are targeting women,” Smith explained.

Scheduled to open by the end of July, the Centre will be located on the second floor of the GCCI building on Waterloo Street, Georgetown. It is currently being furnished and outfitted for use. According to Smith, the Chamber is collaborating with various stakeholders, including oil companies and a financial institution, to support the initiative.

Importantly, the services offered at the Centre will be free of cost and open to all small businesses—not just GCCI members.

“This is a space that is not just for small businesses who are members of the Chamber, it’s for all small businesses. We are going to have a help desk. If you need help in building out a business plan, help in creating printing documents, you can come and spend an entire day,” Smith said.

The Centre will also feature a small boardroom for private meetings, networking events, and mentorship sessions. As part of its programming, successful Guyanese entrepreneurs will be invited to share their experiences and insights with emerging business owners, promoting transparency and sound business practices.

“I always say to people, do business the right way and the money is going to come. But what you have to focus on is sustainability, structure, processes, those sorts of things,” Smith added.

To ensure broader access, the training sessions will be delivered in a hybrid format, allowing participation from remote areas across the country.

“The women can be in Region One, Region Nine and join a session on entrepreneurship,” Smith said.

She emphasised that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are a growing and critical part of the local economy. At present, they account for over 70 percent of the Chamber’s membership.

“I want to ensure that micro, small, and medium enterprises get the attention because we realise that is the group that is growing. At the Chamber, they represent more than 70 percent of our membership, and they are growing every day,” she said.

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The Berbice Criminal Assizes officially opened on Tuesday, with approximately 48 inmates set to stand trial.

Justice Zamilla Ally-Seepaul will preside over this critical session, which is scheduled to continue until October.

A total of 59 cases are listed for the June session. Among them, 47 men and one woman are scheduled to face murder charges. Additionally, two men are charged with engaging in sexual activity with a child, one man with sexual penetration, and another with unlawful and malicious wounding.

In a formal address delivered at the prison, it was reported that 58 male inmates are currently being held at the New Amsterdam Prison, while the lone female inmate is at the Timehri Prison. All are awaiting trial in the Supreme Court of Judicature’s Criminal Division in Berbice.

The June session commenced with a traditional parade featuring a strong contingent of female police officers, supported by a select group of senior male officers, including Region Six Regional Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus.

Also in attendance were the Mayor of New Amsterdam, Wainwright McIntosh, and his Deputy, Kirk Fraser.

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The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will continue receiving government support, but President Dr. Irfaan Ali says the body must diversify into other crops and services.

“GuySuCo can and must become a hub of rural economic development,” Dr. Ali said at a forum ceremony hosted to mark the 77th anniversary of the death of the Enmore Martyrs.

He opined that the corporation can branch off into the production of other crops like rice, corn, and cassava, or even develop other services from agro-processing to fabrication and engineering ventures. It is believed that the corporation can move away from the heavy focus on exporting bulk sugar.

GuySuCo is a huge employer of Guyanese workers across several estates. President Ali said the sugar industry will continue to enjoy government support as communities depend heavily on this sector.

BUDGET 2025: $13.3 billion to support, further rehabilitate sugar sector

However, he acknowledged that GuySuCo has long been beset by various challenges, including mismanagement and neglect from 2015 to 2020 when his party, the People’s Progressive Party, was out of office. He also said climate change is an increasingly serious issue. Nevertheless, he opined that GuySuCo is turning its fortunes around slowly.

“GuySuCo has begun to fight its way back. Factory downtime is down by 22%, cane yields are up by 11%, investments are being made…” he told the scores of persons gathered at Enmore.

Dr. Ali also reminded them of the government’s continued focus on mechanisation and improving workers’ lives. Such ventures, he explained, are part of a steadfast commitment to honour the martyrs through the government’s and party’s actions.

At this annual event, many remember the selfless sacrifice of the five slain sugar workers — Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee, Surajballi, and Harry. The Head of State reflected on their brave sacrifice. He, like many others, said the death of the Enmore Martyrs was a watershed moment in Guyana’s political history. After the 1948 incident in Enmore, the struggle against colonial oppression intensified until Guyana gained independence in 1966.

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Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Jessica Callender was in the Bahamas co-lecturing a Preparation of Teachers course under the supervision of South African WIM Anzel Laubscher, a representative of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess in Education Commission.

Callender’s work in the Bahamas this past week was aimed at helping certified instructors implement chess as an educational tool in schools.

Chess can be implemented as a stand-alone subject or integrated into other subjects as exercises, investigations and chess-related activities.

Game-based education engages students and improves the quality of the learning experience. Motivated students thus gain skills for success in and beyond the classroom.

This is the focus of FIDE’s Chess in Education Commission.

Callender’s visit to the Bahamas from June 10-12 was only one stage in obtaining her Senior Lead Instructor Certification, the highest level of the Chess in Education certifications offered by FIDE.

She took the first step by earning her school instructor title in 2022. This was followed by taking the Lead School Instructor course for the second highest tier title offered in Chess in Education.

This title is held by Guyanese chess officials Marcia Lee, Anthony Drayton and Aniyah Couchman.

After this, Callender underwent further training by the FIDE Chess in Education Commission and submitted a portfolio for evaluation.

There are only seven certified Senior Lead Instructors worldwide who are authorised to conduct the FIDE Preparation of Teachers courses for certified School Instructors.

These educators are also instrumental in promoting these vital courses to national federations and other key stakeholders, significantly expanding the global reach of chess education.

The FIDE Chess in Education Commission is dedicated to significantly increasing the global impact of chess in educational settings. Recognising that children thrive through play-based learning, chess is leveraged as a powerful educational tool.

It not only fosters the development of intellectual abilities, but also cultivates essential 21st-century skills in students. Callender consistently makes significant contributions to the advancement of chess in Guyana.

She contributes as a National Arbiter and chess coach, and also volunteers her time with chess in Special Needs Schools.

Furthermore, Callender has been a stalwart member of the Guyana National team since 2022 and is a distinguished two-time former National Women’s Chess Champion.

She commented that the skills she gained at the lecture will allow her to better support our teachers and coaches, which ultimately means more young Guyanese will have access to meaningful, structured chess education.

“When we bring chess into classrooms, we’re not just teaching a game, we are also empowering children with critical thinking, focus and resilience that will serve them both on and off the board,” she said.

Guyana has made significant strides in its existing Chess in Education programme, which was boosted when Jerry Nash, Chairman of the Chess in Education commission, visited Guyana in late 2023, offering School Instructor certification to teachers and members of the chess federation.

The Guyana Chess Federation is confident that with Callender’s continued dedication to the development of chess and her consistent hard work, she will soon earn her prestigious Senior Lead Instructor title as she continues the process.

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Amid Israel’s attacks on Iran and the recent military escalation in the region, Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali called for an immediate end to the ongoing conflict on Monday as he addressed a forum ceremony hosted to mark the 77th anniversary of the death of the Enmore Martyrs.

“We have made a call today for both parties to respect international conventions, international law… We cannot afford another war,” President Ali stressed in his address.

Consequences of another war, the President explained, include the senseless loss of lives, the destruction of property, and the increased cost of goods like fuel and food.

Since Friday, Israeli strikes have killed more than 200 people in Iran, including top generals and scientists but also civilians. AP News reported that Iran has retaliated by launching hundreds of drones and missiles against Israel, some of which have penetrated Israel’s vaunted aerial defense system, killing two dozen people so far.

AP News further reported that Israel said the attack was necessary to prevent Iran from building an atomic weapon. Iran has always insisted its nuclear program is peaceful, and U.S. intelligence agencies and the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, have repeatedly said Iran was not pursuing a nuclear weapon when Israel unleashed its airstrikes.

Guyana’s official position on the matter, President Ali said, is that there must be peace.

Earlier Monday, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, told a meeting of the UN Security Council that Israel’s latest attack on Iran contravenes the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

“Guyana reiterates its appeal to both Israel and Iran to exercise maximum restraint and to avoid any further maneuvers that could plunge the entire Middle East into further turmoil, or worse, result in a nuclear catastrophe. The world simply cannot afford any miscalculations. The consequences for civilians could be catastrophic.

“Guyana, therefore, urges both Israel and Iran to fully comply with their obligations under international law and relevant resolutions adopted by this Council,” she said.

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