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See below the full release from the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC): 

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) strongly condemns the recent circulation of a song by the performer known as Baby Skello, which portrays the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi in a vulgar, sexually explicit, and blasphemous manner. This content constitutes a deeply offensive act that strikes at the heart of the Hindu community’s religious beliefs and is wholly unacceptable in a society that values mutual respect and coexistence.

The ERC firmly believes that freedom of expression carries with it the responsibility to respect the religious and cultural traditions of all groups in Guyana. Any content that mocks, insults, or degrades sacred religious figures undermines social harmony and offends the values of decency and tolerance that Guyanese society upholds.

As part of its response, the ERC formally requests that Baby Skello remove the song from all digital platforms and cease all forms of public dissemination of the material. The Commission views this action as a necessary step toward mitigating further harm and signaling that such expressions have no place in our plural society.

The ERC also affirms that it will explore all legal avenues available under the laws of Guyana in addressing this matter. Discussions are underway with the relevant authorities to determine appropriate legal action and ensure accountability.

In addition, the Commission will intensify its efforts to engage with stakeholders, including artistes, producers, and media platforms—to promote awareness of the importance of religious respect. Educational campaigns will be launched to reinforce those values, especially among younger audiences and content creators.

The ERC remains steadfast in its mandate to protect the rights, dignity, and beliefs of all Guyanese and to ensure that acts of religious disrespect are met with decisive and lawful responses.

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Lokesh Ibrahim, a 12-year-old student of the Skeldon Line Path Secondary, died after complications with dengue and his family is convinced he could have been saved had the doctors at the Skeldon Hospital took his illness seriously.

Lokesh was the eldest of three children. According to his aunt, Ashmina, his mother first took him to the Skeldon Hospital on Saturday.

“His mom took him there on Saturday and she [doctor in charge] refused to do any blood test because she is claiming she didn’t have a form to write the blood test up to prescribe it so she sent him home and asked them to go back on Tuesday,” Ashmina explained.

By Tuesday, Lokesh’s condition had worsened and his mother took him back to the hospital.

“When his mom took him to hospital on Tuesday, his condition got worse, they had him there from 9 in the morning until about 3 something they got some blood results back, when the blood result didn’t show what she wanted to see, then she requested a dengue test, mind you everybody is sick with dengue and that is not the first test she did,” Ashmina told the News Room.

Lokesh remained at the hospital until 21:00hrs, during which time his condition deteriorated rapidly.

“He started passing gas and started to mess up his skin,” his aunt said.

It was only at that point that doctors decided to transfer him to the New Amsterdam Hospital. Tragically, the child died at New Amsterdam.

Ashmina said a post mortem conducted on Thursday showed that Lokesh suffered a brain edema, kidney failure, and lung failure with internal bleeding.

“They said the dengue is the reason why he got the complications,” Ashmina said.

Lokesh’s younger sister was also admitted to the New Amsterdam Hospital with dengue symptoms but has since been discharged.

The family is now calling for accountability and hopes the health authorities can take urgent action.

Region Six has reported a concerning 332 new dengue fever cases for April 2025.

During the monthly statutory meeting of the Region Six Regional Democratic Council on Thursday, Regional Chairman David Armogan said two young children have died recently from dengue related complications.

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Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh stated that the recently released 2025 Article IV report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the Guyanese economy provides strong confirmation of the soundness and responsibility of the government’s stewardship of the economy.

In an invited comment, he said it also highlights the extraordinarily strong performance of the economy as a result of the favourable policy framework that the government has put in place.

In the report issued as the IMF Executive Board concluded the 2025 Article IV Consultation with Guyana, the body acknowledged that Guyana’s economic transformation is advancing strongly and broadening in scale. It added that rapidly expanding oil production, strong non-oil output, and large-scale public infrastructure investment supported the highest real GDP growth rate in the world, averaging 47 percent per year since 2022. The country’s economic outlook remains favourable, the IMF posited too.

That’s not all. The IMF acknowledged that there are some risks to the outlook but noted that these are “broadly balanced.”

Even so, the IMF said downside risks stem from overheating pressures, which, if not contained, would lead to higher inflation and a real exchange rate appreciation beyond the level consistent with a balanced expansion of the economy. Commodity price volatility in a highly uncertain global environment, including from trade policy and climate shocks, could also adversely affect inflation and alter the macroeconomic outlook.

The IMF report has some policy recommendations for Guyana.

“Maintaining macroeconomic stability remains the overarching policy priority given the sheer size of the expected oil revenue inflows and fiscal spending.

“Enhancing the monitoring of macrofinancial developments and proactively responding through tighter fiscal, monetary, and macroprudential policies, as needed, will be essential to ensure that the economy avoids overheating and the adverse effects commonly associated with “Dutch disease,” the IMF said.

So the IMF recommended that an appropriate fiscal policy remains in place. It also noted that to continue ensuring financial sector stability, efforts should focus on further improving systemic risk monitoring and strengthening financial sector supervision.

“Efforts to strengthen governance, anti-corruption, and AML/CFT frameworks, and transparency in extractive industries in line with international standards and recommendations should continue.

“Critical data gaps should be addressed to support effective policy making,” the IMF noted too.

Still, the body commended the authorities’ commitment to balancing development needs with prudent policies to entrench macroeconomic and fiscal stability.

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Region Six has reported a concerning 332 new dengue fever cases for April 2025.

During the monthly statutory meeting of the Region Six Regional Democratic Council on Thursday, Regional Chairman David Armogan emphasized the severity of the situation, highlighting the number of deaths associated with these cases.

“One 6-year-old and the other, a 11-year-old. So we have to be careful. We want all the NDCs to continue fogging,” he said.

Armogan added,” it seems to be affecting children more.”

Regional Health Officer Dr. Vineshri Khirdhor acknowledged the alarming surge in infections.

“The 332 cases that would have been mentioned earlier there are many types, different forms of technique. But the one right now is very severe and it weakens the children’s immune system very quickly. This one is the S1 NS1 dengue when you have these cases and you wouldn’t know,” she related.

Dr. Khirdhor confirmed that, while fogging exercises are currently being conducted in various areas of the region, there will be a reinforced focus on the application of larvicide to combat the outbreak effectively.

“… if you fog the community every day we will be causing intoxication for residents… We’re focusing on the outside and it’s more effective. You want to kill these mosquitoes before they hatch, and the larvicide is very effective. The chemical which we use to (for) the larvicide is not harmful to humans. This method is more effective,” Dr. Khirdhor stated.

Citizens are urged to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites by using insect repellent, sleeping under a mosquito net and use correctly, and wearing long-sleeved clothing and pants. Those with dengue fever symptoms are asked to get medical intervention.

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The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), if reelected, is keen on developing many digital solutions to improve the delivery of government services, and the party’s General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, urged citizens to submit more suggestions.

According to Jagdeo, suggestions from members of the public have been pouring in, weeks after the PPP invited public input on the initiatives the party should pursue in another term in office. He, however, noted that the party is still accepting more suggestions.

“We are still open to additional ideas in the digital society that will allow us to better deliver government services to people and make their lives easier,” Jagdeo said at a party press conference on Thursday.

The General Secretary, who is Guyana’s Vice President, said the government has already pursued new digital ventures in the security and healthcare sectors. He believes that more digital solutions can be infused into education and agriculture efforts.

Altogether, he believes that current and future efforts will help to make service delivery more efficient locally.

Outside of the digital thrust, Jagdeo previously affirmed that cash grants will continue in the next term, should the party get back into government. Additionally, old-age pensions will see increases over the next five years, taxes on vehicles will be reduced, and sporting facilities will be upgraded both on the coast and in the hinterland.

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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo cast aside suggestions that Guyana should pursue retaliatory tariffs against the United States’ exports, describing such calls as “extremely stupid.”

Jagdeo said this as he commented on the May 8, 2025, Stabroek News Editorial at his Thursday press conference. That editorial focused on actions needed to cushion the blow of recent tariff announcements made by US President Donald Trump.

The editorial suggested that diplomacy alone, as Guyana has been pursuing, “is not a responsible approach.”

It also noted that “many nations, ours [Guyana’s] excepted, have already formulated retaliatory measures to counter the potential economic damage.

But Jagdeo said any suggestions of retaliatory tariffs were absurd.

Jagdeo says gov’t will engage US administration on tariffs, assures exporters of support

“What they are suggesting is that we are deficient in Guyana because we don’t plan to retaliate in Guyana.

“Now you have to be extremely stupid to hold that view. How can a country like ours, with a bilateral trade that we have with the USA, plan retaliatory tariffs against the US as one of the menu of measures to address that?” Jagdeo said at his press conference.

Instead, he posited, countries must seek to cooperate with each other and governments should formulate policies to support any groups that may be affected by these trade measures.

President Trump said he would impose a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the U.S. and higher duties on dozens of other countries. Guyana was among the countries to face a “reciprocal tariff,” a higher tax rate of 38%, though that move has been paused.

Jagdeo also said on Thursday that the government continues to engage the US administration on the tariff issue and has communicated its “strong arguments” about why the tariffs should not be applied to Guyana.

Even so, the Vice President said the government explored some measures it will pursue to keep Guyanese exporters competitive should the tariffs go back in place. Retaliatory tariffs are not one of those measures, he clarified, however.

The post Suggestions of retaliatory measures on US tariffs ‘extremely stupid’ – Jagdeo appeared first on News Room Guyana.

A fresh chapter in hospitality and tourism has begun in the Mabaruma Settlement, Region One, with the official opening of the Banobo Guest House.

The Guest House was officially commissioned during a simple ceremony on Tuesday with Minister of Housing and Water and Region One Parliamentary Representative, Collin Croal. Among those present were also Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, Regional Vice-Chairperson, Annansha Peters, and Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Sewchand.

Funded through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) Grant at a cost of approximately $63.5 million, the facility boasts ten rooms, a spacious kitchen, storage areas, and a balcony. It is designed to boost the hospitality offerings in the region while promoting sustainable development.

Chairperson of the Mabaruma Settlement Community Development Council (CDC), Ms. Lynn Hernandez, expressed pride in the project’s completion, stating, “when we envisioned our guest house we wanted to create more than a place to stay. Our mission is to provide an unparalleled experience for travelers where comfort, hospitality and local culture come together”. She added that the project created job opportunities and stimulated community growth, as she praised the government’s continued support for development initiatives.

Regional Chairman Ashley shared similar sentiments, highlighting the government’s commitment to hinterland development through initiatives such as the LCDS funds that empower communities and stimulate sustainable economic progress.

In addition to the Guest House, a new $6 million bakery was also commissioned in the same compound, aimed at promoting the production of more local products. Some 105 solar systems were also handed over to households in the area.

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Commenting on the increase in law enforcement actions against individuals involved in looting and other illegal activities during the recent unrest, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo affirmed that he supports “strong enforcement” action against all lawbreakers.

“Whether they are PPP or not, I support strong enforcement action against anyone who broke the law.

“A few people, very few, may be caught up in the protest unfairly, but a majority of the people who were charged and are before the court, there is video evidence of their transgressions, (of) them breaking the law, looting or harming people. They have to be dealt with in the same way under the force of the law,” the Vice President said at his Thursday press conference.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: 17 remanded for attempting to incite terror in Georgetown

Dozens of individuals were remanded to custody on serious charges under the Criminal Law (Offences) Act.

These individuals were part of widespread unrest that gripped the capital city of Georgetown last month. The violence was sparked by public outcry over the tragic death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge, triggering scenes of looting, road blockades, and the burning of debris.

The Guyana Police Force confirmed that more than 100 people were arrested nationwide in connection with the disturbances, and many have been facing charges in various magisterial districts.

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Occupational Health and Safety Officers attached to the Ministry of Labour are conducting capacity-building training sessions focused on safety at various workplaces.

Gwenette King, an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) at the Ministry of Labour, on Wednesday said the ministry is charged with the responsibility of monitoring, encouraging, and enforcing good practices in safety and health standards at work. By actively engaging workplaces, the ministry is able to execute its duties.

“We would conduct workplace inspections, we will investigate workplace accidents because workplace accidents are supposed to be reported to us, it’s a legal requirement, if it’s a fatal accident it is to be reported forthwith, if it is a non-fatal it is to be reported within four days,” King said.

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work, was observed on April 28, under the theme: “Revolutionising Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalisation at Work.”

The ministry conducted several activities to highlight this observance, but more than that, it takes health and safety at workplaces into the homes. This is a way of providing the general public with information that further aids in safety at every level. Roydon Croal, the assistant chief OHS officer told the News Room on Wednesday that vital information and preventative advice shared during these sessions are part of efforts to reduce and prevent workplace accidents.

“We have some senior officers here who do some specialised training. We go to that workplace and all the officers do PowerPoint presentations, that’s for trainings more than an hour.

“With regards to awareness talks, officers have brochures that they use,” Roydon said.

He also said that persons show interest in better understanding safety and laws.

“The feedback from the companies that we worked with, the content which was given which would enable them to enhance safety in their workplace. Since we would’ve found oil years ago, everybody is interested in safety. They want to know…the rights of the workers, duties of the employers, so they are really upbeat with it,” the Assistant Chief OHS officer said.

In 2024, the ministry recorded 32 workplace deaths and over 500 accidents were received by the ministry. The ministry investigates these reports and in cases of unsafe working conditions, it conducts evaluations and recommends solutions. These are to be implemented and adhered to, and the ministry conducts follow ups.

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton has reaffirmed the need for workplace safety, especially in sectors prone to have industrial accidents – mining, construction, agriculture – where heavy duty machinery is used.

The ministry has stationed labour officers in almost every region as part of efforts to keep track of agencies and ensuring that accidents can be actively reported on and even prevented.

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Preliminary forensic findings in the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge have revealed no evidence of sexual assault or traumatic injury, and support the conclusion that drowning was the cause of death, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has confirmed.

See below the full statement issued by the Guyana Police Force: 

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) wishes to set the record straight by reiterating the factual account of the events and procedures surrounding the autopsy of the body of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, discovered in the swimming pool of the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

Unfortunately, this has become necessary as a result of a relentless campaign by certain persons to distort the truth in the public domain, in particular on social media.

As a result of public concerns generated from the circumstances in which the death of Adrianna Younge occurred, the Government of Guyana intervened and an extraordinary and unprecedented process was embarked upon to facilitate an independent forensic post-mortem examination to be conducted by respected and highly qualified foreign pathologists.

Aiming ultimately to maintain transparency and independence, Dr. Gary Collins, who was specifically chosen by the family of the deceased, Dr. Rudner from Mount Sinai, and Dr. Paul from the Government of Barbados conducted a comprehensive forensic examination on the body of the deceased.

This examination was done in the presence of Darren Wade, the legal representative of the family, and Dr. Caleb Mc Cloggan, a medical doctor chosen by the family.

The Guyana Police Force wishes to make it abundantly clear that it was the relatives of the deceased, their lawyer, and the doctor representing the family who divulged to the Press and published on social media the preliminary finding of the cause of death—drowning—of the forensic examination.

Thus, the Guyana Police Force categorically rejects the contention of Dexter Todd that the Police, prematurely or at all, released the preliminary finding of the cause of death to the public.

Moreover, it was never disputed that the report prepared by the pathologists was preliminary in nature. This was made clear from the inception. It was also made pellucid that a toxicology analysis will be conducted overseas and only when this process is concluded, a final report will be issued.

It is rather unfortunate that Mr. Todd would attempt to blatantly mislead the public by his erroneous utterances and uninitiated opinions in a highly technical scientific field. Professional comity and common courtesy demand that he defers to the opinion of three renowned international experts in the field.

Unfortunately, as a result of a barrage of misinformation being peddled on social media intending to confuse and cause public mischief, the Guyana Police Force feels compelled to share with the public some of the findings of the preliminary forensic examination report:

1. There was no evidence of sexual assault (her external genitalia were examined and found unremarkable with her hymen intact).
2. Her soft tissues as well as skeletal structure were free of traumatic injury.
3. There was a residual cone of foam identified within her nostrils and oral cavity, which is often observed in cases of drowning (this finding dispels any contention that there was cotton wool in her nose).
4. The skin changes observed were from prolonged immersion, with “washerwoman” changes noted on bilateral hands and soles (washerwoman changes are also consistent in cases of drowning).
5. The skin was found to be intact and free from antemortem injuries (meaning that she did not receive any injuries to her body prior to her death).
6. The sphenoid sinus was found to have approximately 1ml of liquid (this is the air space located in the brain, consistent with drowning).
7. Liquid was also found in the lungs of the deceased, which is consistent with drowning.

Additionally, as stated above, a comprehensive toxicological study of the blood and gastric contents is being conducted by the National Medical Services (NMS) Laboratories in the United States. Also, tissue specimens are undergoing histological analysis by Mount Sinai’s board-certified forensic and diagnostic pathologists in the United States.

The purpose of the post-mortem toxicology analysis is to detect, identify, and quantify drugs, alcohol, poisons, or other toxic substances present in the deceased’s body. This analysis helps determine whether any of these substances were present and, if so, whether they contributed to the death of the deceased.

It is hoped that this statement brings clarity to the matter. The Guyana Police Force hereby advises against the dissemination of malicious and unfounded rumors, fanciful and uneducated opinions, and reckless speculations on this very grave and important matter.

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