United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday hailed Guyana’s transformation, aligning that with President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s leadership.
“Guyana’s economic transformation under President Ali’s leadership has been truly remarkable,” a Facebook post from the US Department of State noted.
That post focused on Mr. Rubio’s recent visit to Jamaica, Guyana, and Suriname this week. It was noted that the US official visited these countries and engaged regional leaders as part of efforts to strengthen US partnership throughout the Caribbean and Western Hemisphere.
In Guyana, Secretary Rubio signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen US- Guyana security cooperation and address regional challenges.
While here, he highlighted Guyana’s incredible opportunity for rapid development, improved living standards, and its contribution to regional growth, all of which are set to be realised under President Ali’s direction.
“The lives of your children, the lives of your grandchildren, your lives are going to look very different in five to 10 years under this leadership,” Rubio stated at a joint press conference on Thursday.
“We get to visit a lot of countries. When you visit, you’ll find that some countries are unfortunately facing tremendous challenges, and they’re just looking to stabilise. Other countries are looking to improve. This country has an opportunity to transform.”
The US Secretary of State also commended President Ali for guiding Guyana toward an era of transformation, noting that the country is on track to become a beacon of progress in the region. He also reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to supporting Guyana, especially in maintaining the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amidst growing external threats.
Headquarters have cemented their dominance, successfully defending their title in the 2025 Commissioner’s T20 Cricket Tournament with a nail-biting victory over the Officers Team at the Police Sports Club Ground.
In a tense final on Friday, Headquarters, the defending champions, showcased their resilience and tactical nous to overcome a spirited Officers side.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Headquarters started strongly, racing to 59 in the first five overs. However, a flurry of wickets threatened to derail their innings.
When batting at number six, Troy Leitch provided crucial impetus with some powerful boundaries, propelling them to a total of 140.
Kevon Boodie led the charge with a well-constructed 39, ably supported by Leitch (34), Pernell London (18), Kyle Micheal (16), David Hikel (15), and Hazel Williams (10).
Headquarters were eventually dismissed for 140 in 19.3 overs.
For the Officers, Troy Benn was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets. Stephen Harris and Bernard Bailey bagged two each, while Trevor Benn took one.
In their run chase, the Officers struggled to maintain momentum against a disciplined Headquarters bowling attack and shrewd field placements.
Despite a brief flurry of boundaries from Kemol Savory off Kanhaiya Ramkaran’s bowling, Ramkaran responded immediately, clean bowling Savory and effectively sealing the game.
Ramkaran was the standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of four wickets for just 21 runs from his four overs.
Boodie starred with the bat and also made a significant impact with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 12 runs in 1.2 overs.
The Officers finished as runners-up
Ameer Mohamed’s Headquarters team held their nerve, dismissing the Officers for 143 in 19.3 overs, securing a hard-fought victory and retaining their title.
Deputy Commissioner Ravindradat Budhram (31), Stephen Harris (28), Kemol Savory (21), Bernard Bailey (15), and Trevor Benn (13) were the main contributors for the Officers.
Kevon Boodie was named Man of the Match and Best Batsman for his all-round performance, while Kanhaiya Ramkaran took home the Best Bowler award.
Damion Vantull of Region #2 was awarded the Overall MVP of the tournament for his impressive tally of 236 runs and eight wickets.
Under Ameer Mohamed’s captaincy, Headquarters have etched their name in the tournament’s history books, becoming the first team to win the Commissioner’s T20 Cricket Tournament in consecutive years.
The team’s success was made possible by the invaluable support of the Guyana Police Force Administration and sponsors GR.Builders.GY and Contact Printery. (Guyana Police Force)
The battle for national selection bowls off this Sunday as the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) U-17 Inter-County 50-Over tournament begins, showcasing the nation’s brightest young cricketing talents.
Matches at Transport Sports Club and La Bonne Intention (LBI) Community Centre Ground will set the stage for intense competition.
The Select XI will take on Demerara at Transport, and Berbice will face Essequibo at LBI. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 9:30h.
The tournament continues with the following fixtures:
Monday, March 31, 2025:
Essequibo vs. Demerara at LBI
Berbice vs. Select XI at Transport
Wednesday, April 2, 2025:
Demerara vs. Berbice at LBI
Select XI vs. Essequibo at Transport
The GCB emphasizes that this competition aims to “foster the development of the next generation of cricketers,” bringing together the best U-17 players from Berbice, Demerara, Essequibo, and the Select XI.
“The GCB remains committed to youth development and sees this tournament as an integral part of preparing young players for future national and international representation,” the board stated.
Trinidad and Tobago will host the Regional U-17 tournament in August, featuring both 50-over and Two-Day formats.
This Inter-County competition serves as a crucial platform for players to impress national selectors.
The GCB will further enhance preparations by organising Two-Day matches in July.
Berbice U17 Squad: Romario Ramdeholl, Adrian Hetymer, Rafeal McKenzie, Gilbert Griffith, Micah Amsterdam, Vishal Williams, Navin Boodwah, Chamesh Seenauth, Arif Khan, Devin Lallbeharry, Razam Koobeer, Feaz Baksh, Sohail Mohamed, Anthony DePaul, Gavin Kisten. Coach: Ameer Rahaman and Manager: Junior Blair
Essequibo U17 Squad: Justin Dowlin, Nicholas Lovell, Elisha Ramdat, Darrius Pearson, Usain Fredricks, Bomesh Lall, Jathniel Nurse, Makayah Holmes, Shazim Mohamed, Navindra Sankar, Darwin Joseph, Eron Benjamin, Romario Bholo, Ravesh Singh, Zaheer Ramkissoon. Coach: Wayne Osborne and Manager: Vickram Ramnarine
Select XI Squad: Ravid Fredericks, Shazam Basheer, Dennis Crossman, Jay Desuza, Jumal Ramlall, Richard Ramdeholl, Nathneil Ramsammy, Arif Bacchus, Thierry Henry, Gibran Yacoob, Christopher Persaud, Arun Gainda, Narindra Isurdeen, Shane Prince, Vinesh Kalpoo. Coach: Orlando Tanner and Manager: Neil Rudder
(BBC) The worst part is the mental torture, Patricia Joseph says. The “gut-wrenching” flashes of wondering what her mother’s last moments were. The infinite state of limbo.
Six years after her mother’s mysterious disappearance, Patricia still catches herself looking out for the distinctive orange-lined raincoat that Hyacinth Gage, 74, was wearing the day she vanished, in the hope it may hold a clue.
Tragically, Hyacinth is just one of an ever-increasing number of people on the tiny Caribbean island of Antigua to disappear without trace in what some have dubbed an epidemic, others a crisis. At least nine have vanished in the last two years alone.
That day back in May 2019 started out ordinarily enough. Hyacinth, described as sprightly and self-sufficient, had gone for a routine check-up at the public hospital, but failed to return. She has never been seen since.
Patricia Joseph says not knowing what happened to her mother is particularly “gut wrenching”
It was to trigger an excruciating series of fruitless, island-wide searches and desperate appeals for help.
“We became detectives. My sister and I teamed up to look for leads. I went back to the hospital asking questions,” Patricia explains.
She was able to verify that while her mother had completed scheduled blood tests, she had not shown up for an electrocardiogram. Further investigations revealed she had apparently handed her handbag briefly to another patient to keep an eye on, but never returned. The bag was found by security staff the next day.
The family were also able to track down a motorist who said she had given Hyacinth a lift to a location a short distance from the hospital.
“The police got angry at us for investigating and told us to stop,” Patricia recalls. “Then they became annoyed at our constant questions, so eventually we had to back off and just pray.”
Anniversaries are particularly painful: 6 March would have been Hyacinth’s 80th birthday, a milestone for which the family had long planned a big celebration. Instead, Patricia took the day off work to spend in quiet reflection.
Hyacinth’s family had planned a celebration for her 80th birthday but spent the day remembering her instead
The number of people to vanish in Antigua appears to be disproportionately high compared with neighbouring islands, Patricia says, a notion supported by sources in several of the islands who spoke to the BBC.
In St Kitts, for example, which has a population of 48,000, official police stats provided show that of the total 54 people reported missing in 2023 and 2024, all but two are accounted for. The remaining two are believed to be Haitian migrants who have since left the country.
Antigua’s small size of just 108 sq miles, home to fewer than 100,000 people, makes the phenomenon particularly perplexing.
Speculation is rife. Theories range from the banal – a lack of will to investigate by an under-resourced and under-paid police force – to the sinister.
“Other islands find bodies eventually,” Patricia says. “My mind goes all over the place wondering what happened. People suggest organ trafficking. I’ve even thought of gang activity. Is it something they’re required to do as an initiation?”
The disappearance of a nine-year-old girl on 12 March sent the nation reeling and sparked extensive searches. Chantel Crump’s body was found two days later in a case that has caused widespread public outrage and protests – and sent rumours into overdrive. A woman has been charged with Chantel’s murder.
Antigua’s Acting Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers acknowledges there is “room for improvement” when it comes to the force’s public relations, but rejects the idea that it is uncaring.
He also says he is keeping an open mind on the reason for the high number of disappearances, including a possible organ trade operating on the island.
“It’s something we’ve been hearing and something we will look into. There’s no evidence to support it, but it’s very important we don’t dismiss anything,” he explains.
Patricia has found some solace in connecting with families of other missing people and now plans to set up an action group to ask for international help.
“This isn’t a random thing any more, this is serious, there’s a crisis,” she adds.
Russian-Canadian tourist Roman Mussabekov is one of those to have disappeared in Antigua. He went missing in May 2017 while holidaying on the island. His mother Marina Bezborodova (shown with him in this photo) still remains hopeful that he will be found.
Aaron (not his real name) has collated a list of almost 60 people missing in Antigua – more than a third in the last decade alone – and believes there are several more. Men account for roughly two in three of the disappearances, ranging from teenagers to people in their 70s.
“I’ve personally experienced this pain. One of my family members went missing and another was murdered,” he says, speaking on condition of anonymity because of threats he says he has received for highlighting the issue.
“Families are suffering. Many have gone to their graves without ever seeing justice for their loved ones.
“While some may have disappeared due to their involvement in criminal activities, there’s growing concern that an organised organ harvesting ring could be operating behind the scenes,” Aaron adds.
Police say they are collating official figures for missing people covering the last two decades but by the time of publication had not provided any figures.
This year has already seen two more.
In late January, Orden David did not return home after a night out at a local casino. Orden’s burnt-out car has since been recovered, but there have been few other clues.
Orden David’s car was found but no further trace of him
Alline Henry recalls Orden as her “best friend of 23 years”.
“The worst part is not knowing if he’s being held against his will,” Alline says.
“Is someone abusing him, torturing him? Every day my thoughts run wild. If, God forbid, it’s the worst case scenario, we need closure,” she adds.
“I can’t explain how much it hurts that instead of focussing on the fact he’s missing, some people focus on him being gay.
“I believe the case may have made him a target,” Alline says sadly.
With swathes of bushland and ocean all around, the ostensible ease of concealing a body in Antigua may partly explain the absence of answers many families suffer.
Dense bushes cover parts of the island and make searches for missing people difficult
“Clearly the local police can’t solve these disappearances. They need to bring in outside help. How many more people have to go missing before they do something. Who’s next?” Alline adds.
Keon Richards, 38, who works for the national school meals programme, was last seen leaving work on 26 February. His mother Dian Clarke says she is “trying to stay positive”, adding: “You hear about people going missing in the news and then it creeps up on you.”
With the exception of a 43-year-old woman, all those to vanish without trace in the last two years are men, aged between 18 and 76.
Hindering investigations is the lack of a local forensic lab which means crucial DNA samples must be sent overseas for analysis, equating to lengthy waits for results.
Director of Forensic Services Michael Murrell tells the BBC that a new lab capable of analysing trace evidence such as hair, blood and semen will become operational within months, but admits DNA capabilities are some way off because of meagre finances.
Updated technology cannot come soon enough for some.
Gregory Bailey’s son Kevorn, 26, has not been seen since he received a phone call from an unknown person who he apparently left his home to meet in August 2022.
Gregory says the telecoms firm claims to have given the caller’s name to police long ago, but “up to now the police can’t tell me who it was”.
His frustration and despair are evident.
“It’s like a part of me is missing. Some people talk about closure, but I couldn’t handle seeing him in a coffin; I prefer to picture him alive,” he says.
“It’s emotionally aggravating to pursue the police. If I don’t call them I don’t hear anything; if I do, I get sweet nothings,” he adds. “I want the government to know people are grieving; I don’t know if they appreciate that.
“I put up missing posters everywhere, but I couldn’t put up any around my home; I couldn’t bear it. It’s the most painful experience of my life.”
Gregory believes the high number of disappearances is largely due to the extent with which criminal factions get away with murder.
Aaron has also collated a list of more than 100 unsolved killings.
“People don’t trust the police; corruption is rampant in law enforcement,” Gregory says.
Aaron agrees: “There’ve been cases where perpetrators have retaliated against the families of victims when reports were made.”
Police Chief Jeffers says “no police force in the world is perfect”. But adds: “I can guarantee 90% of our officers are good.”
He also admits limited finances impede investigations.
“There’s no police force in the Caribbean that has enough resources to do everything we have to do.
“We do a lot to look for people, get leads from the public and matter and pledged a raft of new measures including the establishment of a designated missing persons’ task force and the acquisition of dogs trained to detect bodies.
But that may not be enough to appease those desperately awaiting answers.
“It’s time to take serious action,” Patricia urges. “I hope this doesn’t happen to someone close to them before they take a good fresh look at these disappearances.”
The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) is taking a collaborative approach to preparing its young athletes for the prestigious CARIFTA Track and Field Championships, which will be held in Trinidad and Tobago over the Easter weekend.
In a move designed to maximise the talent pool, the AAG employs a “collective input” strategy, drawing on the experience of all recognised coaches nationwide.
Mark Scott, the AAG’s newly elected First Vice-President, emphasised the importance of this inclusive approach, stating, “Everyone’s input is important.”
While a select group of coaches will travel with the team, the AAG is committed to utilizing the expertise of the entire coaching fraternity during the crucial preparation period.
This strategy aims to provide each athlete a comprehensive and tailored training regime.
Following impressive performances at the final trials held at the National Track and Field Facility, a strong shortlist of athletes has been identified.
This includes returning CARIFTA Games medallists such as Malachi Austin, Athaleyha Hinckson, Tianna Springer, Attoya Harvey, and Kaidon Persaud.
The AAG is aiming to send a team of at least 30 athletes to the championships.
AAG First Vice-President Mark Scott
To ensure peak performance, the shortlisted athletes will participate in two intensive training camps, scheduled for April 4-6 and April 11-13.
These camps will focus on refining skills, enhancing physical conditioning, and fostering team cohesion.
The final team to represent Guyana at the 2025 CARIFTA Games will be announced on April 8, following a rigorous evaluation of athlete performance during the camps.
Guyana enters the competition with high expectations, following a strong showing at the 51st CARIFTA Games in Grenada, where they secured eight medals and placed fourth overall.
This year, eleven Caribbean nations will hold electoral processes, marking a critical opportunity for strengthening democracies and inclusive participation across the Region.
In this context, representatives from CARICOM electoral management bodies attended a two-day workshop from March 26-27 in Georgetown, Guyana, aimed at enhancing their skills in electoral observation and strengthening their role in promoting safe, inclusive, and credible electoral processes.
The participants and facilitators of the Electoral Observation and Roundtable Discussion on Gender and Elections in the Caribbean, held in Georgetown, Guyana, 26-27 March
The workshop, titled “Electoral Observation and Roundtable Discussion on Gender and Elections in the Caribbean,” was organised by the CARICOM Secretariat, the United Nations Department for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UN DPPA); and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The activity follows the world’s most comprehensive methodology for the training of electoral stakeholders: BRIDGE – Building Resources in Democracy, Governance, and Elections. This is the first time in eight years that BRIDGE has been implemented in the Caribbean, building on similar experiences held in 2016 and 2018.
The two-day workshop, supported by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), included participation from the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the African Union (AU).
An interactive session during the workshop.
Delivering remarks on behalf of CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett, Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations, Ms. Elizabeth Solomon emphasised the timeliness of the workshop given the significant number of elections occurring across the region this year.
Assistant Secretary-General Elizabeth Solomon participating in the workshop.
“We are at a critical juncture as we navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, marked by evolving challenges to democratic norms. It is therefore opportune that we reinforce our capacity to conduct credible and transparent elections. Electoral observation plays a pivotal role in ensuring that these processes are conducted with integrity, fostering public trust and confidence,” ASG Solomon stated.
She outlined the scope of the workshop, noting that it covered the electoral process, including election systems, observation methodologies, legal frameworks, voting and tabulation procedures, and importantly, the gender dimensions of elections.
Ms. Solomon emphasised the vital role of women in all aspects of the electoral process, stating that the Community “recognizes and values the significant contribution of women in ensuring fair and inclusive democracies.”
In this regard, she commended the workshop’s focus on addressing the barriers women face and exploring ways to enhance their participation and leadership in electoral processes.
Commending the CARICOM-UNDP-UNDPPA partnership, she said it underscores the “collective commitment to strengthening the foundations of democratic governance” in the Region.
“The collaboration is a cornerstone of our shared mission to uphold democratic principles in the Region, allowing for the stability, prosperity, and well-being of our nationals,” ASG Solomon stated.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Guyana, Mr. Nicolas Pron, affirmed that the workshop is a testament of the shared commitment to uphold the principles of safe, inclusive, and credible elections.
“This event is the result of a longstanding and productive cooperation between CARICOM and the United Nations,” Mr. Pron stated.
UN Resident Coordinator in Guyana, Mr. Nicolas Pron, delivering remarks at the opening of the workshop.
Highlighting the responsibility of sovereign states to ensure periodic and genuine elections that reflect the will of their people, the UN representative underscored the value of the international community and regional organisations in supporting nationally owned processes for peaceful, credible and inclusive elections.
The UN’s electoral assistance footprint spans over 50 countries, working with national stakeholders throughout the electoral cycle and fostering the conditions for broader democratic strengthening.
“The United Nations is a strong supporter of the declaration of principles for international election observations. The UN is also pleased to offer support in facilitating exchanges of its experiences and good practices in electoral observations among regional organisations as is demonstrated in this event today,” the UN representative said.
Stressing the importance of electoral integrity for democracy, he said that the roundtable discussion offers electoral management bodies an opportunity to reflect on their roles in enhancing the credibility and trustworthiness of electoral processes in the Caribbean and beyond, while fostering mutual understanding.
He noted that electoral observations should not only ensure procedural transparency, but they should also involve all citizens, including women, who have faced barriers in political engagement.
Consistency is the watchword for Kemol Savory, who has emerged as one of Guyana Harpy Eagles’ reliable middle-order batsmen in recent times.
Also trusted into leadership, and at times donning the gloves behind the stumps, Savory has been a key member of the Guyana unit this season, averaging over 50 with the bat, despite missing out on a few milestones.
Ahead of the final two rounds of the ongoing West Indies Four-Day Championship, Savory related that he is currently in a good space and is looking to maximise on the remaining opportunities this season.
After five rounds of the Four-Day Championship, the left-hander, who many refer to as the ‘Prince of Essequibo’, has racked up an average of 54.6, an indication of his consistency this season.
The 28-year-old has amassed 273 runs from seven innings, with a highest of 99 in the opening round against Barbados Pride at Providence.
Twice he has been dismissed in the late forties- 48 against Jamaica Scorpions at Sabina Park and 49 against Windward Islands Volcanoes at Providence.
Kemol Savory bats against Windward Islands Volcanoes at Providence (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/March 13, 2025)
Despite missing out on the hundred in the first round and coming close to a few fifties thereafter, Savory prefers to dwell on the positives, one of which is being able to make a contribution every time.
“It’s been going good. I’m in a good space,” Savory told News Room Sport at a recent training session.
“You said earlier I missed out on a hundred, but at the same time, it’s about taking the positives away from that (knock). I’ve been getting some good starts and it’s just a matter of time (before those hundreds come).”
Savory already has two First-Class tons, the highest being 155, in 17 games, averaging 39.57.
His consistency has been across formats for Guyana- last season in the Regional Super50, he ended with consecutives unbeaten fifties against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and the West Indies Academy, and averaged a whopping 96.
His approach to batting has been quite simple- perfecting the fundamentals of the game by applying the lessons learnt over the years representing Guyana.
“It’s just about sticking to the basics, because at the end of the day it’s cricket. Four-Day cricket is about patience.”
For Savory, sometimes having a triple role as one of the main top-order batsmen, vice-captain to Tevin Imlach and wicketkeeper in the absence of Imlach is not seen as pressure, but rather a challenge that he relishes.
“It’s a professional set-up, we get paid for it so it’s just about keeping it simple and play what you see.”
Savory’s efforts have contributed to Harpy Eagles being top of the table after five rounds and on course for a successful title repeat.
The defending champions next play Leeward Islands Hurricanes in St. Kitts from April 2, and then Trinidad and Tobago Red Force from April 9 at Queen’s Park.
Harpy Eagles (102.6) currently lead Red Force (101) by 1.6 points on the table and their final round clash could potentially determine which way the title goes.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made it two wins from two at the start of the Indian Premier League with a 50-run victory over five-time champions Chennai Super Kings.
RCB, still chasing their first IPL title, battled their way to 197-7 and then impressively restricted their hosts to 146-8.
England opener Phil Salt provided a fast start with 32 from 16 balls, while Virat Kohli played more conservatively for 31 from 30.
Skipper Rajat Patidar was dropped twice en route to 51 from 32 and Tim David added a late boost with three sixes in the final over bowled by England international Sam Curran to end 22 not out off eight balls.
David’s Australia team-mate Josh Hazlewood then took two wickets in the second over of the chase and CSK never recovered.
Curran struggled for eight from 13 balls until he hit England team-mate Liam Livingstone, who finished with 2-28, to long-on.
New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra was the highest scorer with 41. MS Dhoni ended on 30 not out, in the process becoming CSK’s highest run-scorer in the IPL.
In a bid to accelerate Guyana’s economic transformation, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud is calling on the Guyanese Diaspora in Canada to seize a unique opportunity at the upcoming job fair in Toronto this Saturday, April 05.
This event is set to connect skilled professionals with some of the country’s top companies and public agencies, paving the way for Guyanese nationals abroad to play a pivotal role in their homeland’s development.
“We’ve been hosting a series of job fairs aimed at attracting back the skills and investments that Guyana needs,” Persaud said in an exclusive interview with the News Room.
“The private sector is crucial to our nation’s growth, and we’re facilitating opportunities for them to engage with our Diaspora, who bring valuable skills and expertise from all over the world.”
The Toronto job fair is the final leg of a successful series of events that have already taken place in Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, and New York. Persaud pointed out that Canada, with its significant Guyanese community, has an especially important role to play in Guyana’s future. Toronto alone is home to one of the largest Guyanese populations outside the United States.
With this in mind, the event will provide a platform for Guyanese professionals to meet with representatives from a wide range of industries—from oil and gas to construction, tourism, agriculture, and ICT. This is more than just a recruitment fair; it’s a chance to contribute directly to Guyana’s exciting transformation, which is already drawing global attention.
“We need every single Guyanese to get involved in the transformation process,” Persaud urged.
“These job fairs are not only about finding jobs, but about providing an avenue for the Diaspora to see how they can contribute to our country’s development. This is your chance to be part of the change we are working towards.”
Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud
The job fair will feature a variety of companies seeking talented individuals with expertise in key sectors that are driving Guyana’s economic boom. Although oil and gas remain a key area of growth, the government is keen to emphasise that opportunities are vast across other sectors too.
“We’re not just looking for professionals in oil and gas,” Persaud clarified. “We need engineers, architects, accountants, technicians, skilled workers in construction, food processing, tourism, and ICT. Guyana’s economy is diversifying, and it’s crucial that we have a strong and varied skillset to meet these new challenges.”
The Toronto event is designed to be more than just a networking opportunity. Companies will be able to meet potential employees face-to-face, answer any questions, and even begin the recruitment process, making it a highly practical and actionable event for those looking to contribute to Guyana’s growth. It is a chance for participants to get an insider’s view of the booming industries and projects in their home country, while exploring what role they could play in its future.
“We want this job fair to be the start of something bigger,” Persaud said. “It’s not just about filling immediate vacancies, but about creating lasting connections between companies and skilled professionals. We want our Diaspora to return with a clear understanding of the opportunities available and how they can get involved in shaping our country’s future.”
The job fair in Toronto follows successful events in other cities, including a well-received job fair in New York, where numerous companies reported securing candidates with the right skill sets. “The success so far has been tremendous,” Persaud shared. “It’s not just about recruiting talent—it’s about allowing Guyanese abroad to see the amazing transformation that’s taking place in Guyana and realise they can be a part of it.”
As Guyana continues to experience rapid growth, with international investment pouring into the country, the Foreign Secretary’s message is clear: Guyana needs its people to come home. “Foreigners are flocking to Guyana because they see the opportunities. The question is: why aren’t we seeing the same urgency from our own Diaspora?” Persaud asked. “Our job fairs are providing an enabling environment for them to understand what’s happening and how they can be involved. The time to act is now.”
Guyanese nationals in Canada—whether based in Toronto or elsewhere—are encouraged to attend the job fair and explore how their skills and experience can contribute to the nation’s future. This event isn’t just about securing a job; it’s about being part of something bigger—a nation on the rise, ready to unlock its full potential.
As Navratri approaches, Amaya Milk Company proudly announces the launch of Havan Ghee, a premium, 100% pure cow ghee prepared in strict accordance with Vedic principles. Free from additives and preservatives, Havan Ghee is designed specifically for religious offerings, embodying the essence of purity and tradition.
The havan (sacred fire ritual) is a fundamental aspect of Hindu religious ceremonies, and pure ghee is its most essential component. When burned, pure cow ghee is believed to purify the atmosphere, enhance positive energy, and promote mental clarity. According to Vedic tradition, the sweet, buttery scent of burning ghee benefits the respiratory system and fosters a deeper spiritual connection. However, these benefits cannot be expected from impure ghee, which may contain vegetable oils or reconstituted milk.
With many temples and households struggling to find genuine pure cow ghee for their prayers and rituals, Amaya Milk Company has stepped in to meet this need.
CEO of Amaya Milk Company Omkaar Sharma shared the inspiration behind Havan Ghee:
“I was unaware of the shortage of pure cow ghee until a delegation of Hindu priests approached me and asked if we could help. I know there are some excellent ghee available on the market, but none are specifically made for use in puja. Understanding this need, I took it upon myself to produce a true havan ghee.”
He further explained the meticulous process behind its production:
“Our ghee is made once a week using 100% pure cow’s milk. It is prepared on separate equipment by a single individual on their fasting day, ensuring it meets the highest spiritual and purity standards. This level of quality is rare in commercial production, and while it limits our output, our ethos at AMC has always been to focus on important products where we can truly make a difference, and I see this as a continuation of this mission.”
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The Officers finished as runners-up
Patricia Joseph says not knowing what happened to her mother is particularly “gut wrenching”
Hyacinth’s family had planned a celebration for her 80th birthday but spent the day remembering her instead
Russian-Canadian tourist Roman Mussabekov is one of those to have disappeared in Antigua. He went missing in May 2017 while holidaying on the island. His mother Marina Bezborodova (shown with him in this photo) still remains hopeful that he will be found.
Orden David’s car was found but no further trace of him
Dense bushes cover parts of the island and make searches for missing people difficult 100vw, 640px”><figcaption class=)
AAG First Vice-President Mark Scott
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<p>” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/newsroom.gy/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Granger-in-Brazil.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/newsroom.gy/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Granger-in-Brazil.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1″ class=”wp-image-44563″ sizes=”(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px” srcset=”https://caricom.org/wp-content/uploads/Interactive-session-during-the-workshop-1280×853.jpg 1280w, https://caricom.org/wp-content/uploads/Interactive-session-during-the-workshop-640×427.jpg 640w, https://caricom.org/wp-content/uploads/Interactive-session-during-the-workshop-1024×683.jpg 1024w, https://caricom.org/wp-content/uploads/Interactive-session-during-the-workshop-1536×1024.jpg 1536w, https://caricom.org/wp-content/uploads/Interactive-session-during-the-workshop-200×133.jpg 200w, https://caricom.org/wp-content/uploads/Interactive-session-during-the-workshop-500×333.jpg 500w, https://caricom.org/wp-content/uploads/Interactive-session-during-the-workshop.jpg 2048w” alt=”” width=”640″ height=”427″><figcaption class=)
An interactive session during the workshop.
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Kemol Savory bats against Windward Islands Volcanoes at Providence (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/March 13, 2025) 100vw, 640px”><figcaption class=)
Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud