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  • ‘We will campaign on our track record’ – Jagdeo says PPP faithful to Guyanese

    ‘We will campaign on our track record’ – Jagdeo says PPP faithful to Guyanese

    General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday said the party will spend the next few months campaigning on its track record in office.

    President Dr. Irfaan Ali recently announced that Guyana’s General and Regional Elections will be held on September 1, 2025. Ahead of those elections, Jagdeo, of the governing PPP, said the PPP is ready for the elections and confident it has fulfilled promises made to Guyanese.

    “We are going to campaign on our track record and what the PPP stewardship has meant to people

    “We have consistently been the sole party that fought for people’s freedom, democracy, and to ensure that all Guyanese can prosper,” Jagdeo said at a party press conference on Thursday.

    He added, “… the reason we are ready is because we have kept faith with the people.”

    Jagdeo, who is also a former President and current Vice President, posited that the PPP is not a party of “underachievers” and said a list of the 2020 manifesto promises achieved and exceeded will be issued soon. He vowed that the PPP will continue to push for Guyana’s progress.

    Meanwhile, Dr. Jagdeo also reminded the public that President Ali will return as the PPP’s Presidential Candidate. According to the Vice President, Dr. Ali is the “right person” leading the country.

    The post ‘We will campaign on our track record’ – Jagdeo says PPP faithful to Guyanese appeared first on News Room Guyana.

  • West Indies crash to 238-run defeat to England in Birmingham

    West Indies crash to 238-run defeat to England in Birmingham

    England racked up 400 to begin Harry Brook’s reign as captain with a comprehensive 238-run defeat of West Indies in the first one-day international at Edgbaston.

    Brook, Ben Duckett and Joe Root all posted half-centuries, but the most impressive contribution came from Jacob Bethell, who struck 82 from 53 balls.

    England’s 400-8 after being asked to bat was the sixth time they have reached 400 in an ODI, their highest total in three years and best against a Test-playing nation since they won the World Cup in 2019.

    West Indies were ordinary with the ball and would have conceded plenty more had they not taken three superb catches.

    The chase was a non-event, the second half of the game little more than a procession after Saqib Mahmood ran through the West Indies top order for 3-32.

    The highlight was Brydon Carse’s spectacular catch at deep square leg to hold West Indies captain Shai Hope off Mahmood. The tourists were hustled out for 162 in 26.2 overs.

    The lack of spectacle will matter little to England, who were desperate for any sort of victory after a wretched 18 months in white-ball cricket.

    This ended a seven-match losing streak in ODIs and the series can be sealed with victory in Cardiff on Sunday. (BBC)

    The post West Indies crash to 238-run defeat to England in Birmingham appeared first on News Room Guyana.

  • Massive Colombian asphalt plant launched in Guyana to support infrastructure boom

    Massive Colombian asphalt plant launched in Guyana to support infrastructure boom

    President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali welcomed the massive DROMINC Asphalt Plant located along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, describing it as a gateway to deeper relations between Guyana and Colombia.

    Created in 2024 in Guyana, DROMINC is a Colombian company that supplies asphalt mixture and stone aggregates, including the service of extension and compaction of the mixture. It is expected to serve Guyana’s booming construction sector with many infrastructure projects currently underway.

    President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali delivering the feature address at the Inauguration of the DROMINC Asphalt Plant located along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway

    This massive plant was inaugurated by a simple ribbon cutting ceremony held on Wednesday evening. Attendees included President Ali, the Former President of Colombia, Ivan Duque and Chief Investment Officer from the Guyana Office for Investment, Dr Peter Ramsaroop among other representatives from DROMINC and the local private sector.

    “Today is also about building relationship between two countries, because you can go back now and tell your private sector about your own experience, not about propaganda, not about …some perception, but –reality,” President Ali underscored in his remarks.  

    Guyana’s head of state also recognised former President Duque’s consistent international advocacy and support for Guyana

    Beyond just an asphalt plant, the president reemphasised that this single investment represents the opening up of doors and creating new opportunities for foreign investors, including Colombia.

    He encouraged Colombian businesses to go beyond their traditional markets and consider regional expansion, particularly in precast materials, affordable construction solutions, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

    The president also suggested positioning Guyana as a hub for rapid disaster response in the Caribbean, calling for more research and development to support this vision, from Colombian investors and others alike.

    Speaking on this specifically, he said, “I want to encourage you to work in your field, yes …but what about the next market? … How do we get affordable concrete blocks made in Guyana in every single market within the region, the Caribbean region?  How do we get precast tiles in every single market in the Caribbean?”

    The head of state also urged investors to consider how they can integrate with local services to minimise costs and increase operational efficiency, as the local capacity has been built over the past years.

    Looking back, President Ali noted that Guyana likely was not part of Colombia’s initial expansion plans– yet it has become a global story of transformation.

    This is not by accident, but is, driven by a multi-dimensional approach to national development and global positioning. And in that multi-dimensional approach, we are building a country to address all the global challenges that we face,” the president pointed out, noting that this includes food, energy and climate security and enhancing interregional trade.

    He pointed to the Linden-Soesdyke Highway as an example of Guyana’s infrastructural transformation. Previously seen as just a route out of Georgetown, it has now become a core development corridor.  The government is reconstructing the highway and billions of Guyanese dollars are being invested in diverse sectors along it, including agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and urbanisation.

    Other ambitious initiatives such as the Linden to Lethem Road, the new Corentyne River Bridge, and major infrastructure connecting Region Seven’s communities were highlighted. Looking ahead, President Ali said the government evisions bringing in three million annual visitors, leveraging the services and infrastructure being built. This includes expansion at the international airport and the creation of a robust ecosystem for tourism, investment, and innovation, among others.

    Rafael Reyes, Member of the executive board of directors of DROMINC, DROMOS Pavimentos and Incominerias

    Meanwhile, Member of the executive board of directors of DROMINC, DROMOS Pavimentos and Incominerias, Rafael Reyes,  recalled the group’s initial visit to Guyana, which he said opened their eyes to new possibilities.

    That experience, he informed the audience, not only revealed investment potential, but a deeper opportunity to contribute to the country’s growth.

    “We are not here for a one-time opportunity. Rather, it is a demonstration of our confidence in President Irfaan Ali’s national vision. Under his leadership, Guyana has achieved extraordinary results,” he expressed.

    The post Massive Colombian asphalt plant launched in Guyana to support infrastructure boom appeared first on News Room Guyana.

  • Attorney General leads Guyana delegation to CFATF 60th Plenary in Trinidad

    Attorney General leads Guyana delegation to CFATF 60th Plenary in Trinidad

    Attorney General Anil Nandlall  is leading Guyana’s delegation to the 60th Plenary of the Caribbean Financial Action  Task  Force  (CFATF),  taking  place  in Trinidad  and  Tobago  from  May 25–30, 2025.

    The CFATF Plenary, held biannually, brings together member states to discuss key issues related to anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism, and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF). The sessions include both Working  Group  and Plenary Meetings and are aimed at fostering international cooperation and compliance with global financial standards. The current Chair of the CFATF is the Hon. Fayval Williams, Minister of Finance and Public Service of Jamaica.

    Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, the Hon. Anil Nandlall, SC, MP

    Guyana’s delegation includes:

    ●  Dr. Gobind Ganga, Governor of the Bank of Guyana

    ●  Mr. Matthew Langevine, Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit

    ●  Mr.  Navindra  Datt  Prashad,  Deputy  Commissioner,  Guyana  Revenue Authority

    ●  Deputy  Commissioner  of  Police  Fazil  Karimbaksh,  Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit

    ●  Mr. Rommel St. Hill, AML/CFT Officer, Ministry of Legal Affairs

    ●  Mr.  Jimmy  Reece,  Deputy  Commissioner,  Guyana  Geology  and  Mines Commission

    ●  Mrs. Diana O’Brien and Ms. Natasha Backer, Assistant Directors of Public Prosecutions

    ●  Ms. Alanna Lall, General Counsel, Guyana Securities Council

    ●  Mr. Victor Herbert, Compliance Officer, Gaming Authority and

    ●  Mr. Visal Satram, Legal Officer, Ministry of Natural Resources

    In  his  address  to  the  Plenary,  the  Hon.  Attorney  General  emphasized  the importance of enhancing training for the main stakeholders in the AML/CFT/CPF framework.

    In particular, he highlighted that judicial training is key for there to be strong legislative enforcement and high conviction rates. He stressed that the legislation is sui generis, and by its nature, invasive and even draconian when compared with ordinary criminal legislation.

    This  legislative  reality  is  not  yet fully appreciated by those charged with the responsibility  of  interpreting  and  applying  it.  Not  surprisingly,  almost  every country in the Caribbean suffers from the identified deficiency of a low conviction rate coupled with grave difficulty in securing appropriate orders under the legislation. So one may have strong investigations and robust prosecutions, but fail to secure the desired results, because of a tribunal’s approach, interpretation and application of the relevant legislation.

    One  way  to  address  this  problem,  is  a  structured  and  centrally  orchestrated training programme across the Caribbean, that involves perhaps the guidance of judges  from  jurisdictions  that  have high frequency of convictions, such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States,’ the Attorney General said.

    A highlight of the 60th Plenary is the discussion of mutual evaluations for Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Notably, Mrs. Diana O’Brien, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Guyana, was appointed by the CFATF to serve as a Legal Assessor for the mutual evaluation of Curaçao. This marks a significant milestone, as these are the final two jurisdictions to be evaluated under the Fourth Round of Assessments. The Plenary will also review follow-up reports from Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

    Guyana is slated to report on its progress at the 61st CFATF Plenary, scheduled to be held in Barbados in the fourth quarter of 2025.

    Additionally, Guyana was formally recognized at the recent CFATF Risk Trends and  Methods  Group  (CRTMG)  for  its contributions to the project on “Money Laundering Vulnerabilities in the Financial Arrangements of Non-Traditional Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs).”

    The initiative, on behalf of Guyana, was led by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), represented by Mrs. Rajni Boodhoo Moore. The final report from this project will be published on the CFATF website.

    The Fifth Round of Mutual Evaluations will begin in 2026, with Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica scheduled for assessment.

    The post Attorney General leads Guyana delegation to CFATF 60th Plenary in Trinidad appeared first on News Room Guyana.

  • Drivers among four seriously injured in Canje Bridge collision 

    Drivers among four seriously injured in Canje Bridge collision 

    Two drivers are among four persons injured following an accident on the Canje Bridge in East Canje, Berbice on Wednesday morning.

    According to information reaching the News Room, the incident occurred around 6:30 hrs and involved two motor vehicles: a car with the license plate PAC, driven by 18-year-old Jerome King of Lot 723 Fort Ordinance Housing Scheme, and another car with the license plate PWW, driven by 48-year-old Ganesh Singh of Lot 617 Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice.

    Singh’s vehicle had two passengers: Babita Ramcham, a 48-year-old resident of No. 73 Village, Corentyne, and Dhanwantie Somra, a 26-year-old female from No. 72 Village, Corentyne.

    It is alleged that the two cars were traveling in the opposite directions. While in the process of overtaking, one of the vehicles collided head-on with the oncoming car.

    After the two vehicles collided, the occupants were safely extracted while conscious, thanks to the efforts of Emergency Medical Technician personnel and public-spirited citizens. They were then transported to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where they received medical attention from the doctor on duty.

    Dhanwantie was treated for cuts and bruises and subsequently discharged. Babita was treated and admitted with a fractured right leg.

    Jerome received treatment for a fractured right leg and left shoulder, while Ganesh was treated for a fractured right hand. Both Jerome and Ganesh were admitted to the hospital, and their conditions are currently stable.

    Investigations into the accident are ongoing.

    The post Drivers among four seriously injured in Canje Bridge collision  appeared first on News Room Guyana.

  • West Indies, England embark on another ODI reboot

    West Indies, England embark on another ODI reboot

    West Indies didn’t qualify for the last two ICC 50-over tournaments- the 2023 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy- but it is arguable whether that was any more embarrassing than the dismal campaigns England put together in India and Pakistan.

    With another failure at the T20 World Cup sandwiched in between, it did not require much deliberation for Jos Buttler to step down after less than three years as captain.

    His successor was picked from a very short shortlist, but while there is little doubt that Harry Brook has the minerals for captaincy, the question for England is whether a first-choice all-formats player can succeed in the job given the current schedule?

    With a calendar that includes series against West Indies (ODI and T20I), India (Tests), South Africa (ODI and T20I), Ireland (ODI), New Zealand (ODI and T20I), Australia (Test) and Sri Lanka (ODI and T20I) before he can even begin to think about the 2026 T20 World Cup in February, the odds are that something will have to give.

    Even Brook himself picked the Ashes as his priority when unveiled last month.

    But, for now, England have made a show of giving their ODI rebuild the attention it deserves by calling back Buttler, Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks from the IPL, despite their teams’ involvement in the tournament’s pointy end.

    West Indies, by contrast, have allowed Romario Shepherd and Sherfane Rutherford to stay in India, even with potentially vital ranking points (which will determine World Cup qualification) at stake.

    West Indies currently sit ninth in the ICC rankings, three points behind England and five points ahead of Bangladesh, with the top eight aside from co-hosts South Africa (sixth) and Zimbabwe (11th) going straight to the World Cup rather than having to fight through a qualifying event.

    Bilateral ODI engagements are often seen as context-free, but there is real jeopardy for England- who have never missed out on the World Cup- if they don’t improve on a grim recent record that reads three series wins (one of them against Ireland) in their last 11 going back to mid-2022.

    Brook, at least, is well rested, with just one appearance for Yorkshire and last week’s three-day Test against Zimbabwe since the Champions Trophy in March (he is, of course, banned from the IPL after pulling out at late notice, but we won’t get into those weeds).

    Even with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood out injured, he will still be able to call on a trio of 2019 World Cup winners, with Buttler continuing in the ranks, Joe Root ready to anchor the top order and Adil Rashid undisputed as England’s all-time leading white-ball spinner.

    In fact, the revolution has been far from bloody, with Liam Livingstone and Phil Salt the main casualties following three defeats from three at the Champions Trophy.

    Brydon Carse is fit to restate his case, so too Bethell after being injured on the tour of India, while Jacks, Jamie Smith, Matthew Potts, Jamie Overton and Tom Hartley are all backed to keep learning the ropes in a format that quickly disappears from sight in between ICC events.

    Smith, who endured a tough time at No.3 last time out, is set to open alongside Duckett, in a further show of England’s belief in his immense potential.

    West Indies, as ever, will hope to disrupt England’s plans – as they did at home in 2023-24 and 2024-25, on both occasions winning the ODI encounters.

    A heavy defeat against Ireland last week was a reminder of some of their weaknesses, but they responded by piling up scores of 352-8 and 385-7.

    In Shai Hope (11th) and Gudakesh Motie (sixth) they have the highest-ranked batter and bowler on either side, and in Daren Sammy a coach who will squeeze every last drop out of the players at his disposal as they too seek an escape from the doldrums in 50-over cricket.

    Playing XIs

    West Indies are missing the services of Shepherd and Rutherford until the conclusion of their IPL involvement, who were replaced by Jediah Blades and Shimron Hetmyer respectively.

    Jewel Andrew is the other spare batter, while it will likely come down to a choice between Shamar Joseph’s pace and Jayden Seales’ accuracy to complete the attack.

    West Indies: (possible) 1 Brandon King, 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Keacy Carty, 4 Shai Hope (capt & wk), 5 Amir Jangoo, 6 Justin Greaves, 7 Roston Chase, 8 Matthew Forde, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Gudakesh Motie, 11 Shamar Joseph/Jayden Seales

    England: 1 Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, 3 Joe Root, 4 Harry Brook (capt), 5 Jos Buttler (wk), 6 Jacob Bethell, 7 Will Jacks, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Brydon Carse, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Saqib Mahmood (ESPNcricinfo)

    The post West Indies, England embark on another ODI reboot appeared first on News Room Guyana.

  • Boxing Association’s Referee/Judges seminar takes centre stage

    Boxing Association’s Referee/Judges seminar takes centre stage

    The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will launch its Referee and Judges seminar today (May 29) from 09:00h at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis Gym in Albouystown, conducted by James Beckles, an International Boxing Association (IBA) Three-Star Referee and Judge.

    Beckles will lead the certification process as part of the GBA’s ongoing efforts to elevate the standards of boxing officiating in Guyana, coming at a time when amateur boxing is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in the sport, particularly in its youth and junior divisions.

    An Olympic and World Boxing Referees Instructor and Evaluator, Beckles most recently served as Chief Instructor and the top Evaluator for officiating at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, further highlighting the calibre of expertise he brings to this initiative.

    The certification course will blend theoretical instruction with practical application.

    Participants will get the opportunity to put their training to the test during a national boxing tournament hosted by the GBA from May 31 to June 1.

    The tournament will double as a live assessment platform, with Beckles evaluating the performance of aspiring referees, judges, and technical officials.

    Guyana’s emergence on the international boxing stage continues to gain momentum.

    Most recently, Abiola Jackman made history by becoming the first Guyanese boxer to win gold at the AMBC Elite Championships.

    Currently, Guyana is represented by one IBA Three-Star coach, Sebert Blake, following the passing of the revered Terrence Poole (MS), who also held the elite distinction.

    “Our boxers deserve the best possible support system, and that includes having competent, certified officials in their corner,” GBA president Steve Ninvalle stated.

    According to Ninvalle, the seminar reflects on the GBA’s commitment to ensuring that every jab, hook, and decision in the ring is governed with fairness, professionalism and world-class expertise.

    The post Boxing Association’s Referee/Judges seminar takes centre stage appeared first on News Room Guyana.

  • Continued support for PPP as Lenox Shuman endorses President Ali for second term

    Continued support for PPP as Lenox Shuman endorses President Ali for second term

    In a strong show of continued political support for the incumbent government, former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lenox Shuman, has officially endorsed President Dr. Irfaan Ali for a second term.

    Shuman’s endorsement adds to a growing list of political figures, activists, and former critics now backing the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) ahead of this year’s general elections.

    Shuman, known for championing Indigenous rights and inclusive governance, cited the administration’s developmental efforts and respect for Indigenous communities as key reasons behind his decision. His public endorsement was issued via social media, where he praised the PPP/C’s track record over the past five years.

    “I have witnessed genuine efforts to include and uplift Indigenous voices and communities. I believe in continuity where progress is evident,” Shuman stated.

    His endorsement signals further consolidation of support for the PPP/C from across the political spectrum—an encouraging sign for the ruling party as it seeks a renewed mandate.

    Joining Shuman in support of President Ali are several other notable figures:
    – Daniel Seeram, Executive Member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Chairman of Region Four, declared his endorsement of both President Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. Citing “fruitful discussions and careful considerations on matters of national and regional development,” Seeram’s endorsement is seen as a major departure from his party’s stance.
    – Shazaam Ally, a founding member of The Citizenship Initiative (TCI), also announced his support for the PPP/C’s reelection campaign. “While I haven’t always agreed with the PPP/C, I’ve seen real progress… and want to contribute meaningfully to that momentum,” he wrote on Facebook.
    – Selwyn Pieters, a prominent Guyanese-Canadian civil rights lawyer, publicly endorsed President Ali, highlighting the administration’s consistent engagement with civil society and advocacy for justice.

    His statement followed a similar endorsement by businessman and former parliamentarian James Bond, who has previously been aligned with opposition politics.

    This series of high-profile endorsements underscores a growing narrative of cross-party and civil society support for the PPP/C government, reflecting a broader national consensus around development continuity and political stability.

    The post Continued support for PPP as Lenox Shuman endorses President Ali for second term appeared first on News Room Guyana.

  • No evidence Adriana was removed from pool and returned there, autopsy concludes 

    No evidence Adriana was removed from pool and returned there, autopsy concludes 

    The final autopsy report into the death of 11-year-old Adriana Sueria Younge has found no evidence to support claims that the child was removed from a hotel pool and placed there after death.

    The report, compiled by a team of three medical professionals and marked confidential, confirms that the cause of death was drowning, and that the young girl showed no signs of trauma or foul play. Adriana was found unresponsive in the pool of a hotel on the East Bank of Essequibo on the morning of April 24, 2025, a day after she was last seen alive.

    The examination was conducted at the Georgetown Public Hospital and involved extensive external and internal inspections, postmortem imaging including CT scans and X-rays, toxicology, and DNA analysis.

    Crucially, the report notes:

    “There is no external or internal evidence of acute traumatic injury… No evidence of strangulation. No evidence of anogenital trauma. Clothing was appropriately positioned… Skin is intact and free of antemortem injuries.”

    A key detail supporting the conclusion that Adriana was not moved after death is the presence of a distinct patterned imprint on her right forearm, matching the design of a VIP wristband she was wearing. The report states this pattern likely formed from the band pressing against her skin during prolonged submersion in water — a mark that experts say could not have occurred if the child’s body had been removed and placed back posthumously.

    Toxicology revealed the presence of ethanol in her system, but forensic experts clarified that the level detected in the blood and stomach fluid is consistent with postmortem decomposition, not with alcohol consumption.

    The DNA analysis also returned no foreign profiles. “No molecular evidence of sexual assault,” the report adds, quelling earlier speculation about foul play.

    The findings bring a measure of clarity to a deeply emotional case, although questions may still remain about supervision and safety measures at the hotel pool. Nonetheless, based on the current forensic evidence, there is no indication that Adriana’s body was manipulated after death or that any person played a role in her tragic drowning.

    Investigations remain ongoing, particularly from a procedural and accountability standpoint, but the medical conclusion is unequivocal — Adriana Younge died from drowning, and there is no evidence she was removed from the pool and placed there afterward.

    The post No evidence Adriana was removed from pool and returned there, autopsy concludes  appeared first on News Room Guyana.

  • ‘Stop paying for bad advice’ – Labour Ministry, GCCI push for compliance with employment laws, skills training

    ‘Stop paying for bad advice’ – Labour Ministry, GCCI push for compliance with employment laws, skills training

    Senior officials from the Ministry of Labour held a high-level engagement on Wednesday with members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), in a landmark session aimed at deepening collaboration between government and the private sector. The focus: ensuring legal compliance, developing the workforce, and driving inclusive economic progress.

    Held at the GCCI’s headquarters in Georgetown, the forum featured a keynote address by Joseph Hamilton, Minister of Labour, and remarks by Ms Kathy Smith, President of the GCCI.

    Ms Smith lauded the Ministry’s direct engagement, calling it vital for the business community’s growth and legal awareness.
    “These are organisations that advocate on behalf of businesses,” she said. “GCCI has now surpassed 130 corporate citizens. While 70 per cent of our members are small and medium enterprises, many micro-businesses are now coming in. But they’re often unfamiliar with the regulatory structure, especially as it relates to labour. That’s why your presence here today is so meaningful.”

    In a frank and wide-ranging address, Minister Hamilton addressed a number of critical issues plaguing the business-labour interface. Chief among them: the prevalence of employers relying on unqualified consultants for labour advice.

    “Over the years, I’ve heard companies say they acted on the advice of lawyers or HR consultants—even when those actions were against the law,” he said. “Let me be clear: the authority to speak on labour law, hiring practices, and workplace standards lies with the Ministry of Labour.”

    Hamilton urged businesses to take advantage of the Ministry’s free legal expertise, including services offered by the Chief Labour Officer, a qualified lawyer.

    “Stop paying for bad advice. Engage directly with the Ministry. All the guidance you need—on hiring, safety, termination—is available to you without cost.”

    Touching on the national labour market, the Minister expressed concern about the widespread misconception that academic qualifications automatically translate to job readiness.

    “Qualification does not equal employability,” he declared. “We’ve seen graduates with ten or more CXCs who can’t write a professional email. Real employability comes from ethics, responsibility, and job readiness—not just certificates.”

    He called for a cultural shift, encouraging the private sector to value technical training and practical skills just as highly as academic achievement.

    Hamilton also spotlighted the Ministry’s free training initiatives, including those facilitated by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA). Over the past five years, more than 13,000 individuals—60 per cent of them women—have been trained.

    The Minister urged greater uptake of apprenticeship programmes and better utilisation of the CRMA’s job bank. He further encouraged the private sector to help shape training curricula to align with evolving demands, such as fibre optic maintenance and solar PV technology.

    “We have a vibrant apprenticeship programme. It allows businesses to shape model employees from day one—those who understand the company, culture, and expectations,” he said. “I am not satisfied with the private sector’s current use of this programme. It is an untapped opportunity for growth.”

    One of the most powerful moments of the engagement came as Minister Hamilton addressed the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) framework—stressing that mental health is now a recognised and enforceable part of workplace safety standards.

    “We’ve had to intervene in cases where employers acted as torturers,” he said bluntly. “Mental health is now a core part of OSH, and we’re working with the Ministry of Health to address it across the workforce.”

    In his closing remarks, the Minister called for stronger tripartite collaboration between government, businesses, and the labour force. He emphasised the enduring importance of unions and employee representation, even in non-unionised environments.

    “We can’t build a strong labour market without representation,” he asserted. “Even if unions aren’t present, companies must create internal channels for dialogue—employee representation groups, regular meetings—not just when there’s a crisis.”

    Several senior labour officials joined the session, underscoring the Ministry’s commitment. Among them were:

    • Mr Dhaneshwar Deonarine, Chief Labour Officer

    • Mr Richard Maughn, CEO of the Board of Industrial Training

    • Ms Yolanda Grant, Chief Recruitment and Manpower Officer

    • Ms Gweneth King, Consultant, Occupational Safety and Health Department

    • Mr Janaknauth Panchu, Chief Cooperative Development Officer

    The session concluded with a pledge of continued partnership and support. The Ministry committed to maintaining open dialogue, increasing its presence at future Chamber events, and working alongside the private sector to build a labour market that is modern, inclusive, and legally robust.

    The post ‘Stop paying for bad advice’ – Labour Ministry, GCCI push for compliance with employment laws, skills training appeared first on News Room Guyana.

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