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The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the government and the University of the West Indies (UWI) to establish a medical campus in New Amsterdam, Region Six, was signed in January. This is a major venture that will help transform healthcare and medical education in Guyana.

The announcement was made by Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, during the recent commissioning of a new CT scan machine at the current New Amsterdam Hospital. The News Room understands that the MoU was inked in January.

Health workers at the New Amsterdam Hospital (Photo: Ministry of Health/July 2025)

Dr. Anthony revealed that the existing New Amsterdam Hospital will be converted into the UWI Medical Campus, while a new 220-bed modern hospital will be constructed nearby and serve as a teaching hospital.

“Once we move this hospital to the new one that we will be building, this whole campus here the intention is to convert this into a campus for the University of the West Indies where we will be having a medical school here in New Amsterdam and the new hospital would serve as the teaching site.

“We have already signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of the West Indies to allow for this to happen so once we build that we move across,” Dr. Anthony revealed.

Doctors to pharmacists will be trained once the campus is fully established.

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony (Photo: Ministry of Health/July 2025)

Meanwhile, the modern nursing school also under construction in New Amsterdam will be capable of accommodating 1,000 students at any given time. The health minister said it will include state-of-the-art lecture and simulation rooms.

The new NA Hospital will be equipped with cutting-edge technology including MRI machines and a Catheterisation Lab (Cath Lab), significantly enhancing diagnostic and treatment capabilities in the region.

 

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TEDxTurkeyen, a locally organised TEDx event, is set to take place on August 29, 2025, at the George Walcott Lecture Theatre, University of Guyana.

With the theme “Bold Voices, New Visions: Shaping Guyana’s Tomorrow,” the event promises a dynamic and timely platform for fresh ideas, civic reflection, and visionary thinking.

Rooted in the globally respected TED model, TEDxTurkeyen brings together thinkers, builders, and everyday Guyanese with extraordinary stories to tell. This inaugural event will feature a compelling lineup of speakers tackling issues such as inclusive democracy, justice, youth entrepreneurship, Indigenous language preservation, and rethinking education in a changing world.

“TEDxTurkeyen was born out of a deep concern for the quality of civic discourse in Guyana,” said event organiser Janelle Persaud.

“Too often, critical research and bold ideas remain locked away in institutions and publications or dismissed on social platforms. This event aims to bridge that divide, and will bring thought leadership to the public square, as it were. We want TEDxTurkeyen to be a space where people feel free to think out loud…to challenge, reimagine, and contribute to the national conversation with courage and care.”

TEDxTurkeyen will also serve as the precursor to the Guyana Academic Exchange, a quarterly initiative designed to spotlight academic research and lived experiences in shaping national development. This initiative will be officially launched later this year and seeks collaboration with the University of Guyana and other partners to deepen public engagement with rigorous scholarship.

More information, including ticketing and full speaker lineup will be released in the coming weeks. [Press Release]. 

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Defending champions Rangpur Riders survived a late scare from Dubai Capitals in the eighth match of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) on Wednesday morning at Providence.

The Riders eventually held on to chalk up their third win out of three with an eight-run win that sees them return to the top of the table and look in a strong position to defend their title.

After winning two close matches in their first brace of fixtures by 1 and 8 runs respectively, the riders were pushed close once more only to come out on top again.

Conversely Dubai Capitals came into the match having lost their last two matches by sizeable margins having defeated Central Stags on their first fixture, the only side below them in the tournament table.

Riders captain Nurul Hasan won the toss and chose to bat first, and lower order runs from himself and eventual Player-of-the-Match Iftikhar Ahmed helped get the Riders to a competitive total of 158-5 off their 20 overs.

The captain opened his shoulders to hit consecutive sixes off Gulbadin Naib off the final two balls of the innings to head into the turnaround unbeaten on 34 off 18 balls and Iftikhar Ahmed finishing not out on 41 off 32.

The Capitals used a total of seven bowlers as they looked to keep their attack varied and the wickets were shared around by five different members of their bowling attack.

Shakib Al Hasan the pick of the bowlers with one wicket for the frugal cost of 16 runs off his full set of four overs.

The Capitals reached 71-3 at the 10-over mark to leave themselves needing 88 from the final 60 balls, a recovery of sorts after they were reduced to 7-2 with Kadeem Alleyne castled by Kyle Mayers and Gulbadin chopping a ball from Iftikhar Ahmed onto the stumps.

The wheels came off the Capitals innings soon after, Sanjay Krishnamurthi was out to Rakibul Hasan in the 12th over and then they suffered a double wicket blow as Bangladeshi off spinner had dangerman Shakib Al Hasan stumped and pinned set batter Sediqullah Ata LBW to leave the Dubai side reeling on 85-6.

Some lusty lower order hitting from Dominic Drakes and Qais Ahmed saw the Capitals come back into it but wickets were falling as regularly as the boundaries.

Ahmed and Drakes fell in quick succession with the target suddenly down to single figures.

The Capitals endured their third defeat at Guyana National Stadium, Providence which saw a certain end to their hopes of making the tournament final on Saturday.

For Rangpur Riders, the GSL title defence is very much still in play. (GSL)

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Facing a hefty $30 million bill to host this year’s Emancipation Festival, the African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA) is making a passionate plea to the country’s largest companies, particularly the oil giants, to support the authentic celebration of African culture in Guyana.

Speaking at the festival’s official launch on Wednesday, ACDA’s Chief, Eric Phillips, did not mince words about the financial gap the association must bridge each year to keep Emancipation celebrations alive and meaningful.

“It costs $30 million GYD to celebrate Emancipation. The Government of Guyana gives us $3 million — the rest we have to raise ourselves,” Phillips told the News Room.

Despite a shortfall, Phillips noted that the festival has secured “more than [what the government gave]” from the Gladstone family — descendants of the notorious 19th-century British slave-owning dynasty who recently issued a public apology for their ancestors’ role in slavery.

But with the 187th anniversary of Emancipation on August 01 fast approaching, ACDA’s biggest challenge remains securing substantial private sector backing for a national holiday that, Phillips says, too many corporate sponsors still neglect in favour of other events.

“Some of these new oil giants are preoccupied with cricket and other events that don’t promote pure African culture,” Phillips said pointedly.

“We engaged two major ones last year — we didn’t even get a response. This year we’ve done the same. We hope by this weekend we’ll know.”

With plans to fly in celebrated international acts like Maxi Priest and his band from the UK, ACDA says the cost of truly honouring the sacrifices and survival of African ancestors is far beyond the reach of the government grant.

“This is the dilemma we have,” Phillips explained.

“Unlike Indian organisations and events where you can go to your private sector and get funding, we don’t have that type of African-owned business community in Guyana. If you look at the top thousand companies in Guyana, you might find five African-owned ones.”

He pointed out that in Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados, Emancipation is treated as the most significant holiday on the calendar — with governments pouring in major resources. Yet in Guyana, he says, many people  and many companies still underestimate its importance.

Phillips lamented the “lack of civic education” in schools, media and even universities, warning that ignorance about the past leaves the nation “rudderless.”

The ACDA head said true culture is not simply entertainment or a catchy slogan, it is about shared identity, self-respect and healing deep historical wounds.

“Cricket does not define our culture,” Phillips said bluntly. “Our music, dance, sculpture, theatre, fashion — they are the soul of who we are.”

As Guyana marks 400 years since Africans were first brought here in bondage, Phillips stressed that this year’s Emancipation must be about more than symbols and slogans – it must be a turning point for recognition, reparations and real national unity.

He singled out ExxonMobil and other major corporations, urging them to come forward now to help carry the true weight of this moment in the country’s story.

“I call on companies such as Exxon to come to the table and participate in this most significant cultural event — not only for Guyana but for the entire Caribbean,” Phillips declared.

And as the descendants of the Gladstones work to acknowledge their ancestors’ role in slavery by directly supporting Emancipation in Guyana, Phillips hopes others — especially those who profit from Guyana’s new wealth — will finally understand what this holiday means to the African community.

“Let emancipation be about healing,” he said. “Let it be about recognising that we are one nation.”

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Promising to create a “future-ready” education system for Guyana, the Alliance For Change (AFC) released its education policy, ahead of the September 2025 General and Regional Elections.

The party’s education policy is divided into three phases, detailing the AFC’s short-term, mid-term, and long-term priorities.

In the first five years, that is, phase one, the party says it will:

• Establish the Guyana Skills Training Institute in each region to train students in technical and vocational skills. A stipend and start-up tools on completion will be offered to each student
• Establish smarter classrooms with interactive digital tools
• Reduce unnecessary subjects
• Invest in teachers through salary increases, and ensure that there are school psychologists and social workers

In the second phase, the AFC is proposing to double teachers’ salaries and ensure that each teacher is licensed and certified. The party is also promising to upgrade the University of Guyana, establishing a Centre for Ethnic Studies to embrace diversity. In this phase, the party wants to deliver an infrastructure overhaul, rolling out digital tools and e-learning for all schools.

In the third phase outlined, the AFC promises to update the curriculum every few years to “stay relevant.” It also promises to ensure that Guyana’s students are globally competitive and wants to develop a national policy for success, making Guyana a leader in education and innovation.

“This strategy aims to develop innovative thinking and adaptability among students, preparing them to thrive in a rapidly changing world influenced by technological advancements, climate change, and other unforeseen factors,” AFC leader Nigel Hughes said in a Facebook post outlining the policy.

Next PPP gov’t to introduce transportation grant for students -Jagdeo

Though the party has said many of these policies are innovative and forward-thinking, many of the proposals are already being implemented by the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). Smart classrooms have been established, and the PPP government is forging ahead with the Guyana Digital School, replete with digital tools and e-learning avenues for all. There has been a concerted effort to promote technical and vocational studies, too.

By way of policy, the government has also been working to guarantee that all teachers are trained. At the announcement of the 2025 National Grade Six Assessment results, Education Minister Priya Manickchand said all teachers in the public education sector have either been trained or are in training. A multi-year salary increase agreement was also inked last year for teachers.

Beyond these ventures, tertiary education has been made free, and various cash grants are being provided to children. Additionally, the Education Ministry has expanded its national school feeding programme through which close to 90,000 students – particularly those from hinterland regions – receive breakfast and hot meals with a beverage.

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Better provisions to protect queer youth are among the proposals for political parties contesting the upcoming elections from the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD).

On Wednesday, the group made public the demands of its LGBTQIA+ Manifesto 2025 and said it will be seeking support from political parties contesting the elections.

Joel Simpson, SASOD’s Managing Director, revealed several areas of focus during the media launch at the Herdmanston Lodge, Peter Rose Street, Georgetown.

These measures include Constitutional Reform, healthcare, education and training, sexual and gender-based violence protection and the establishment of shelters to provide safety for persons.

“As a human rights organization, SASOD Guyana strongly believes that in order to sustain the gains that the country is making as it relates to social attitudes law reform is of paramount importance.

And in that regard, our first four priorities relate to eliminating discriminatory laws and providing legal protection,” Simpson said.

These measures are part of a recommendation from the United Nations Human Rights Committee that SASOD was informed of after Guyana underwent its review on their international covenant and civil and political right in 2024.

Businessman Enzo Christopher and SASOD’s Managing Director, Joel Simpson pose with the manifesto following its reveal on Wednesday. (Photo: News Room/ July 16, 2025)

The group demands that these measures are implemented by the elected officials over the course of their term in office. Simpson said the latest that these measures should be implemented is 2030.

A massive part of the measures remains the repeal of sections 351 to 353, of the Criminal Law Offenses Act Chapter 84:01, which criminalises same sex intimacy between consenting adult men in private. Focus is also being placed on the safety of youths living in less progressive households.

“We’ve seen younger people come out as LGBTQIA to their families who might have older parents or people who don’t necessarily have as progressive views and unfortunately we’ve dealt with way too many cases where this has resulted in violence and the options to support, especially minors who are fleeing that violence are very limited,” Simpson said.

Anti-discrimination education should be established in classrooms to promote social protection of persons in school.

Simpson said SASOD will engage the political parties who will be contending the elections in a townhall on July 29. As it relates to openness to any social activity pertaining to LGBQTIA persons’ protection, Simpson said the parties that won seats in Parliament previously have shown interest in 2020 and one outcome of the previous manifesto was the inclusion of PReP in the public healthcare system. This makes it possible for persons to get preventative medications for exposure to HIV.

The group is also relying on support from private businesses to ensure that at the community level, persons are aware that LGBTQIA+ community is respected and treated as such.

“There are over 100 businesses that has endorsed the Guyana Together Campaign, what that means is that it doesn’t matter what sexual orientation you are, what type of business you run, the objective of the Guyana Together campaign is really and truly to see if people are willing to come together,” businessman, Enzo Christopher said.

The measures in the Guyana LGBTQIA+ Manifesto 2025 are as follows:

 

1. Repeal sections 351 to 353 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Chapter 8:01, which criminalise same-sex intimacy between consenting, adult men in private, by 2026.
2. Include sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected categories from discrimination in the Prevention of Discrimination Act 1997 by the end of 2027.
3. Develop and implement comprehensive legislation to eradicate all forms of discrimination, whether direct or indirect, in every sector, including discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics, by the end of 2028.
4. Include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories in the non-discrimination provision of the Guyana Constitution (Article 149) by 2029.
5. Implement mandatory, ongoing training on Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion for the uniformed services, social workers, healthcare workers and other state providers to eliminate discriminatory attitudes and unconscious bias in the provision of state services.
6. Develop and implement a clear policy to end all forms of violence and discrimination, especially bullying based on sexuality and gender, in the schools by the end of 2026.
7. Train education officials, school administrators, teachers and social workers in schools as part of a comprehensive, anti-bullying programme that is inclusive of LGBTQIA+ issues.
8. Provide employment and entrepreneurial training programmes for vulnerable groups, including LGBTQIA+ people, and make capital accessible to develop micro-enterprises and small businesses through start-up grants and low-interest lending schemes.
9. Provide free, quality mental health services which are LGBTQIA-friendly and accessible and invest resources to ensure that the skills and systems exist to deliver these services.
10. Provide emergency shelter for LGBTQIA+ youth who are fleeing violence.

– Social Protection – including access to safe and secure housing – is essential not only for reducing vulnerability and inequality, but also for enabling people to contribute meaningfully to the Guyanese communities in which they live and work. The Government of Guyana has various initiatives aimed at addressing the housing needs of citizens, including those in vulnerable situations. LGBTQIA+ persons face disproportionately high rates of housing insecurity due to unique challenges such as family rejection and lack of support systems. Expanding existing government schemes and initiatives to include, and provide tailored support for LGBTQIA+ youth in particular, can reduce the risk of violence, improve mental health, empower individuals to stabilize their lives, access education and employment opportunities and find permanent housing.

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Africans have been part of Guyana’s story for 400 years, a legacy built on survival, sacrifice and the fight for freedom. As the country prepares to mark the 187th anniversary of Emancipation on August 01, the African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA) is urging the nation to remember this profound history and to unite in celebration of the freedom that once seemed impossible.

On Tuesday, ACDA hosted a special media briefing and official launch of this year’s Emancipation Festival at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown, celebrating not only the anniversary but also ACDA’s own 32 years of championing African culture and unity under its enduring mantra of #UBUNTU.

The theme for this year’s festival is “Highlighting the connection of all peoples through African culture as we strive to build a world where all our children are loved and protected.”

Speaking at the launch, ACDA’s Chief Eric Phillips reminded Guyanese that while Emancipation in 1838 freed their ancestors from the chains of slavery, it was not just physical bondage that ended.

“Emancipation meant freedom from physical harm, mental harm and spiritual harm,” he said, “but it did not erase economic harm — a harm that still echoes today.”

Phillips traced the African presence in Guyana back to 1625 — a sobering reminder that Africans were forcibly brought here for centuries before they won their freedom.

“It came at the horrendous cost of 473,000 lives,” he said, urging that this sacrifice must never be forgotten.

Launch of Emancipation Festival 2025.

This year’s festival will again spotlight the deep roots and achievements of African civilisation, from the ancient skeleton of ‘Lucy’ in Ethiopia to the advanced civilisations of Kemet (Egypt) and Ethiopia, the wealth of Mali’s Mansa Musa and the enduring contributions of African intellectuals, scientists, doctors and leaders.

Yet Phillips warned that despite this legacy, too many Guyanese are disconnected from their history.

“A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots,” he reminded the audience. He argued that this lack of civic education leaves young people rudderless and the nation diminished.

This year, ACDA will honour both an African country and a Guyanese village as part of its cultural revival efforts. The 2025 festival recognises the village of Buxton — once a stronghold of the freedom movement — and acknowledges the Chinese icon, Desmond Hoyte, as part of Guyana’s shared, diverse story.

“Every year we choose a country in Africa because Africa is not one country but a continent of 54 nations. We do this to reconnect with our lost diversity,” Phillips explained.

As Guyana moves towards another Emancipation Day, ACDA hopes the moment will not be lost in the noise of politics but instead become a call for healing, unity and respect for all who share this land.

The grand Emancipation Festival will take place on August 01 2025 at the National Park. ACDA has extended an open invitation to all Guyanese.

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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, introduced legislation to strengthen U.S. security cooperation with Guyana and deter Venezuelan aggression against the country.

“As Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro continues to threaten Guyana, the United States must work with Guyana to deter such aggression,” said Bennet. “This bill will force the Pentagon to evaluate current cooperation and determine where improvements can be made.”

Bennet’s legislation would require the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to Congress on the state of current security cooperation between the United States and Guyana and whether additional U.S. assistance is necessary to deter a potential Venezuelan attack on Guyana.

Since taking office in 2013, Maduro has ramped up threats against Guyana, claiming the country’s Essequibo region as part of Venezuela despite international law affirming the region’s status as part of Guyana. Maduro’s regime has flown Venezuelan Air Force Jets over Guyanese territory and threatened oil facilities in Guyana’s internationally-recognized maritime territory, among other malicious actions.

Both the Biden and Trump administrations have bolstered security cooperation with Guyana and promised to impose costs on Venezuela if Caracas attacks Guyana. This bill would augment these bipartisan efforts.

Guyana is a key partner in advancing regional security, democracy, and stability, and a burgeoning oil exporter that supplies crude to Europe – helping the continent reduce its reliance on Russian crude amid Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war on Ukraine.

In January 2025, Bennet and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) introduced the Venezuela Advancing Liberty, Opportunity, and Rights (VALOR) Act – after Maduro falsely claimed victory in 2024 elections and took office despite the Venezuelan people voting for Edmundo González Urrutia – to guide U.S. policy in support of a transition to democratic order in Venezuela. Bennet and Risch first introduced the VALOR Act in 2024 following Maduro’s sham July 2024 presidential election.

Bennet and U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) also lead the Americas Act, the only major strategic economic plan to counter China’s geopolitical and economic influence in the Western Hemisphere. In February 2025, Bennet (D-Colo.) joined U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) to introduce the Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension (HELP) Act, which would extend trade benefits for apparel products produced in Haiti from 2025 to 2035.

Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Armed Services Committee, co-sponsored this bill (Press release from the Office of Michael Bennet)

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Guyana’s transport sector is set for a major upgrade with the arrival of four new ocean-going ferries before the end of this year.

The ferries will be assigned to the Supenaam, Parika, Georgetown, and Region One, significantly improving travel and cargo movement, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill said on Tuesday.

One of the vessels, sourced from Greece, is expected to depart for Guyana by July 26. It will be assigned to the Supenaam-Parika route and has the capacity to transport 86 caravan-type vehicles, nearly double the current capacity of vessels serving that area.

A second ferry, also from Greece, will be deployed to the Region One.

With the ability to carry 55 caravan-type vehicles or 19 trucks, this vessel is expected to drastically improve the transportation of goods and people between the coast and the hinterland.

“These vessels that we are purchasing—their carrying capacity of vehicles and cargo is what makes our engagement very robust,” Edghill said while speaking at an event.

In addition to the ferries, Edghill announced that two brand-new pilot boats, built by a French company, are already completed and will soon begin their journey to Port Georgetown.

“The capability of the movement and haulage by the Transport and Harbour Department will be multiplied by five or six times on every single trip,” Edghill explained, noting that the initiative forms part of the government’s broader efforts to modernise and expand Guyana’s transportation infrastructure.

“These are not just new boats—they are transformational tools,” he added.

The addition of these ferries is expected to ease congestion, reduce travel time and improve trade logistics, particularly for communities that rely heavily on maritime transport.

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Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George has ruled that President Dr Irfaan Ali’s confirmation of Clifton Hicken as Commissioner of Police, even after he turned 55 years old, was not unlawful.

The ruling, handed down in the High Court, brought clarity to the legal challenge filed by Troy Garraway, represented by attorney Dexter Todd.

The applicant had questioned the legality of Hicken’s substantive appointment after he reached the retirement age for public servants in 2023.

In her decision, the Chief Justice found that President Ali acted within the scope of the law when confirming Hicken, noting that there are no legal provisions in the Constitution or the Constitution (Prescribed Matters) Act that prohibit the appointment of a Police Commissioner beyond the age of 55.

As part of her ruling, the Chief Justice awarded costs amounting to $500,000: $200,000 to the State and $300,000 to Hicken. The costs are to be paid on or before 29 August 2025.

The State, in its argument, maintained that the Constitution (Prescribed Matters) Act allows for the extension in office of the Commissioner of Police beyond the age of 55 up to 60 years. The Attorney General argued that nothing in the law prohibits a confirmation after the age of 55, and the President’s actions were therefore valid.

Todd, in his challenge, accepted that an acting appointment beyond the age of 55 was permissible but contended that Hicken’s confirmation should have occurred before he turned 55, as there was no legal provision allowing for a substantive appointment at that age.

President Ali had appointed Hicken to act as Commissioner in March 2022, following the pre-retirement leave of then Commissioner Nigel Hoppie. In December 2024, the President confirmed Hicken’s appointment using his constitutional authority under Article 211 of the Constitution.

Under Article 211 of the Constitution, the President must consult with both the Leader of the Opposition and the Chairperson of the Police Service Commission before appointing a Commissioner or Deputy Commissioners of Police. The Commission Chair is also required to consult with other members of the body before any confirmation is made.

The ruling affirms the constitutional authority of the President in appointments of this nature and settles ongoing questions about the age limit in such senior postings.

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