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Guyana’s female entrepreneur exhibition “WE LIFT” 5 opened at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal, on Friday to further promote small and medium-sized businesses.

The event that is hosted by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has increased its business participation from 75 to over 350.

According to subject Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud, the support these businesses receive is significant. This event provides entrepreneurs with an avenue to network and a platform to showcase their economic contributions. It is supported by the Nations Incorporated, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL).

The event will culminate on Sunday, and admission is free. This year, a highlight of the event is the training sessions, which will allow persons to participate in yoga, makeup, craft making, jewellery making, candle making, and soap making.

Some of the booths at this year’s WE LIFT

Dr. Persaud said that beyond the expo, the Ministry is working with women to develop businesses that can thrive in many different industries. One such training area is the Early Childhood Development Programme, for which two model homes in Regions Three and Four are being created.

“We have trained a significant number of women, in the 1000s in every region, and encouraging them not only to be trained, but to get into consortiums where they can start their own care industries in communities, and they can offer the services of care and early childhood development, blending the needs of children and parents and coming out in such a way that we tackle another very, very important building block of our country, and that is healthy families,” Dr. Persaud said.

The female entrepreneurs have access to the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute as well for them to further advance their business knowledge and particular business needs. And, through the Ministry’s Women Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme, some 15,000 women across the country were trained in entrepreneurship. She said that in addition to working with women to empower them to become business owners, the Ministry is also working to assist with overcoming barriers they may face.

Deondra Wishart, a socio-economic advisor at EMGL and entrepreneur participating at the expo, said ExxonMobil Guyana’s support for this event is part of its commitment to local content development. She noted that it increases economic opportunities for women.

Noting how “WE LIFT” supported her business, she said, “I can tell you for sure, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the support of other women helping to lift me up, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it hadn’t been for others, who I would have lifted up as well.”

Pamela O’Toole, one of the Directors at Nation,s said that many women have shown interest in the skills training programmes offered by the institutions, specially curated for Guyanese to respond to the country’s booming economy.

She also added, “We will award the outstanding early entrepreneur trophy for those aged 16 and under, who are really manufacturing and producing.”

Lorena Solorzana Salazar, the Country Representative at the IDB said they are committed to the work that “WE LIFT” does and will continue to support it. She also said it has given non-traditional businesses a platform and support to thrive.

“When we invest in one woman, we invest in the community, and by investing in the community, we also invest in the country and this context of the Guyana economy,” Salazar said.

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Two persons were arrested after officers of the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) found 100 kilogrammes (or about 220 pounds) of marijuana at a house at Bakershop Dam, #75 Village, Berbice.

CANU, in a release, said officers went to the house based on information received. A subsequent search of the house revealed a quantity of cannabis that weighed 100kg.

Two persons were arrested and are said to be assisting with investigations.

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Officers of the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) caught a Colombian and a Venezuelan with 5.536 kilogrammes (or about 12.2 pounds) of cocaine on Friday.

In a release, CANU said the officers acted based on information received. They went to Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, and intercepted and searched the two foreign nationals.

The search revealed a quantity of cocaine, which weighed 5.536 kilogrammes. CANU said investigations are ongoing.

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Dave Rajeshwar Persaud, a renowned fraudster, was jailed for three years after he was found guilty of defrauding a woman of $30 million.

Magistrate Wanda Fortune of the Friendship Magistrate’s Court found the fraudster guilty of obtaining by False Pretense in contravention of Section 194 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Chapter 8.01 and sentenced him to three years imprisonment.

The charge was instituted by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) after several reports of financial crimes and money laundering were made to SOCU.

A SOCU release noted that at the beginning of August 2023, Persaud visited the complainant’s premises situated at East Bank Demerara to rent the said property. Persaud related to the complainant that he was a businessman who imported groceries to sell to supermarkets or shops and that he owed an auto dealership. Persaud reportedly induced the complainant to encourage other community members to invest in his business, called ‘Dave Persaud Investment Co., in return for 50-80% profits. None of which were true.

In September 2023, the complainant obtained the sum of $30 million from her deceased husband’s life insurance policy, and Persaud induced her into investing the funds into his fictitious business in return for a 50% profit, that is, a $15 million profit within two weeks. After two weeks had passed, the complainant questioned Persaud about her returns on her investment, but she did not recover the money invested.

According to the SOCU Head, Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, during the period of September 2023- April 2024, efforts were made by SOCU to locate and apprehend Persaud on charges associated with money laundering and other serious financial offences committed within Guyana. Mr. Persaud, however, during this period, had fled the jurisdiction to neighbouring Brazil. A wanted bulletin was issued for his arrest by SOCU, and he was later apprehended and charged.

In June 2024, Persaud was charged with the offence of Obtaining by False Pretense in contravention of Section 194 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Chapter 8.01 and was remanded to prison.

Magistrate Fortune found that all the elements for the offence of Obtaining by False Pretense were properly established, and Persaud was found guilty and sentenced to three years imprisonment. The matter was prosecuted by Prosecutor(s) Aaron Daniels and Neville Jeffers of SOCU.

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Andy Sugrim, a 29-year-old resident of Houston, East Bank Demerara, was stabbed on Wednesday after he accused a man of theft.

Police Headquarters said the incident occurred at Back Street, Houston.

Sugrim was reportedly stabbed about the body at about 16:00hrs by the suspect, who goes by the alias “toe toe” (only name given).

Police said Sugrim was imbibing at a shop. At about 16:00hrs, the victim and the suspect, both of whom are known to each other, had an exchange of words, where it is alleged that the Sugrim told the suspect to stop thief.

As a result, the suspect became annoyed, pulled out a knife, and stabbed Sugrim several times. He then made good his escape.

Sugrim was subsequently taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he underwent surgery. It was found that he received three stab wounds to his left side abdomen and one wound to his left side face from his ear to his lip. His condition is listed as stable.

Checks were made for the suspect, but he was not seen. Several persons were questioned in the area, but no useful information was received.

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A Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni) couple was nabbed on Thursday with 328 grammes (or 0.7 pounds) of marijuana.

Police Headquarters reported that ranks went to their home at Fourth Street, 3 1/2 Miles Housing Scheme, and identified themselves to the 36-year-old man and 34-year-old woman.

The ranks reportedly told the couple they were acting on information received and subsequently requested to conduct a search of the home and premises. Both occupants gave their consent for the search.

During a thorough search of the premises and its immediate surroundings, the ranks found a plastic bag containing a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis, hidden at the front gate under a concrete bridge leading to the premises.

Subsequently, a second search was conducted a short distance away from the home across the road, where another plastic bag containing a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems also suspected to be cannabis was found.

Both individuals were informed of the offense, cautioned, and arrested.

They were then escorted to the Bartica Police Station, where the suspected cannabis was weighed. The first parcel of narcotics amounted to 39 grammes, while the second parcel amounted to 289 grammes.

Both suspects remain in custody pending further investigations.

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President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced on Friday that the government will make $2 billion available, an investment that will allow each farmer to get one free bag of fertiliser to boost production.

The farmers will get one bag of fertiliser for every acre cultivated.

“This is not only this year, this has been our efforts continuously since we came into office,” the President said at a community meeting.

In 2023 and 2024, President Ali announced similar support for farmers. The government first made $1 billion available for the fertiliser support and the following year, $2 billion.

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See below the full statement made by the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond, in response to concerns raised online by American-Guyanese fashion designer, Marissa Wilson:

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce rejects the false claims being made by MARRISA WILSON New York and supported by known political activists that the ORIGINS: Guyana Fashion Festival represents her ideas and not those of the Government of Guyana and those persons assembled to deliver this landmark event.

The ORIGINS brand was developed by a team of Guyanese industry practitioners and event organisers assembled by the Ministry to develop the government’s investment in support of Guyana’s fledgling fashion industry.

Our government’s support for the cultural and creative industries is no secret and amounts to over 2.7 billion in 2024 and 3.6 billion was budgeted for 2025.

Marrisa Wilson and her team were contacted by a representative of Alex Graham’s team in the United States, Alex Graham is serving as Event Director of the inaugural ORIGINS: Guyana Fashion Festival. Mr Graham met virtually with Marrisa Wilson and her team on March 13, 2025. In that meeting, the goals of the ORIGINS Guyana Fashion Festival were first shared and there was a meeting of minds on the goals and on a general approach about how Marissa, her Brand, and her Team could participate.

In an effort to demonstrate how they can participate in the Origins Guyana Fashion Festival (with no scope of participation being settled), Marrisa and her team provided to Mr. Graham, a 3-minute video to be shown at the launch and to have the ORIGINS brand included in some of their images. The images were never used but the video was shown during the launch event on March 26, 2025 at the Railway Courtyard and Marrisa Wilson was mentioned in the remarks from the podium.

On March 31, 2025, and based on further conversations, for the first time, Marrisa Wilson’s team submitted a proposal, inclusive of costs, outlining how her team could contribute to the inaugural ORIGINS: Guyana Fashion Festival. The comprehensive proposal covers some areas that are already being handled by other Guyanese fashion creatives and so internal discussions were still ongoing regarding the scope of Marrisa’s participation. It is during these deliberations that Marissa responded with the erroneous and mischievous video that has now been reposted by several others.

Marrisa’s work and achievement are outstanding, and it is therefore disappointing that someone of Guyanese roots, who had an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the industry here, quickly choose to go public with distortions, exaggerations, and lies in response to our effort to include her and her team.

The Government of Guyana is firmly of the view that Guyana is not just a land of natural beauty and economic potential; we are a force in fashion, creativity, and culture. As such, this festival is a visionary initiative, spearheaded by His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, to give our designers a global platform. It is a declaration that Guyana’s fashion industry is ready to shine, and we invite the world to take notice.

We will remain committed to the task and continue to work to deliver a world class show in May. It is unfortunate that Marissa Wilson and her team have chosen this route and thereby denied themselves the opportunity to be part of this groundbreaking event, for and on behalf of our creative professionals and aspirants alike.

The 2022 proposal referred to in her post will be shared on my page. There was nothing original about that proposal.

Thank you.

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The Guyana Harpy Eagles have one hand firmly on the 2025 West Indies Four-Day Championship trophy after a dominant Day three against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at Queen’s Park Oval.

Their imposing first-innings total, spearheaded at the backend by a brilliant all-round effort from Keemo Paul, has left the Red Force facing a mountain to climb.

Resuming their innings 269-5, the Harpy Eagles batted through a significant portion of the day, eventually posting a formidable 463.

The innings was anchored by a near-century from West Indies all-rounder Keemo Paul, who fell just seven runs short of a deserved hundred.

He was well-supported by Raymond Perez’s solid 82, a crucial half-century from Veerasammy Permaul (52*), and contributions from Kevlon Anderson (51), Kevin Sinclair (35), Tevin Imlach (33), and Kemol Savory (32).

Khary Pierre was the standout bowler for the Red Force, claiming four wickets for 119 runs, while Jyd Goolie and Joshua James chipped in with two wickets each.

Keemo Paul followed up his probing spells with a top knock of 93 (PHOTO: Cricket West Indies)

Having established a commanding 223-run first-innings lead, the Harpy Eagles put the Red Force under immense pressure.

In their second innings, the home side struggled to gain momentum and reached the close of play on 101 for 2 after 35 overs.

Amir Jangoo (50) reached his half-century, while Cephas Cooper remained unbeaten on 26.

However, the Harpy Eagles have already made crucial breakthroughs, with Kevin Sinclair (1-7) and Ronaldo Alimohamed (1-24) picking up a wicket apiece.

The Harpy Eagles entered this final-round encounter with a 6.2-point lead over the Red Force and have already secured vital first-innings points, placing them in pole position to clinch their eighth title in the last ten seasons of the Professional Cricket League.

Unless the Red Force can produce a remarkable batting display and bundle the Eagles, their agonising wait for a Four-Day title since 2006 looks set to be prolonged.

The Guyana Harpy Eagles are poised to lift the 2025 Championship trophy.

FULL SCORECARD: https://matchcentre.windiescricket.com/match/66c1bb30-4a4b-4bdc-8be6-b0202f8aa5ca/scorecard

Below are the summarised scores of the other matches:

At Coolidge Cricket Ground: Windward Islands Volcanoes 106 all out from 25 overs (Noelle Leo 22, Kimani Melius 20; Nathan Edward 2-15, Kelvin Pitman 2-22, McKenny Clarke 2-34) and 181 all out from 46.1 overs (Alick Athanaze 41, Kimani Melius 40; Johanna Layne 6-30) lost to West Indies Academy 253 all out from 66 overs (Teddy Bishop 56, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett 45, Justin Jagessar 42; Kenneth Dember 6-45) and 35-0 from 3.3 overs (Ackeem Auguste 33*) by 10 wickets

At Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground: Combined Campuses and Colleges 327 all out from 86.3 overs (Shaqkere Parris 112, Johann Jeremiah 69, Larry Edward 44; Abhijai Mansingh 5-91) & 153-5 from 38.3 overs (Shaqkere Parris 85*, Romario Greaves 19*; Marquino Mindley 2-30, Peat Salmon 2-255) beat Jamaica Scorpions 133 all out from 36.2 overs (Kirk McKenzie 31; Jaden Edmund 5-59, Larry Edward 3-6) and 206-5 from 46 overs ( John Campbell 104, Javelle Glenn 86, Peat Salmon 35, Brad Barnes 30; Larry Edward 5-86, Chemar Holder 3-79) by five wickets

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