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Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr. Carla Barnett on Monday said racial discrimination, access to equal opportunities and reparatory justice for people of African descent must be addressed globally in order to have an equitable society.

During her address at the 4th Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent at the United Nations, Headquarters in New York, Dr. Barnett committed CARICOM’s support for the deliberations that will be conducted over the four-day event and said the outcomes are highly anticipated.

This year’s theme is “Africa and People of African Descent: United for Reparatory Justice in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” The forum will feature speakers from across the globe presenting their roles and key contributions to the global agenda for reparatory justice.

She said the injustices the global African community face are a top priority, and with the advancement of technology, people of African descent are at risk of being left behind.

“Inequitable access to AI tools and training further widens the digital divide, disadvantaging and leaving people of African heritage and their businesses ill-equipped to effectively compete in a rapidly evolving global economy in which AI is increasingly a critical factor,” Dr. Barnett said.

She added that in order to navigate these vulnerabilities, it is important for the prominent forum to advocate for inclusive policy frameworks and initiatives that can provide digital literacy.

Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Dr. Carla Barnett (Photo: CARICOM)

Dr Barnett also said the forum continues to provide an opportunity to confront the consequences of European colonisation and enslavement. And, she noted reparations for Haiti – a country in crisis – is a major focus for CARICOM.

“Reparations for Haiti continues to be central to CARICOM’s reparations claim. April 2025 marks the bicentenary of the indemnity of a 150 million Francs imposed on Haiti by France as reparation for loss of property including enslaved Africans as a precondition for recognizing the island’s independence,” Dr. Barnett said.

She also said the forum serves as a platform to aid in addressing the ongoing security, humanitarian and governance crisis in the country.

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Two males, including a teenager, have been remanded to prison following charges of robbing a Chinese supermarket in West Coast Berbice on April 9, 2025.

The defendants—a 17-year-old boy and Cleveland Sears, a 24-year-old construction worker from South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown—appeared before Magistrate Michelle Matthias at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the teenager and Sears, armed with a knife and a gun, robbed the Sweet Life Supermarket owned by a Chinese national.

Both defendants, who appeared without legal representation, faced joint charges of robbery under arms and pleaded guilty.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Garfield Edwards opposed bail, citing the defendants’ failure to provide proper addresses, which could hinder Police efforts to locate them if necessary.

He emphasised the severity of the crime, particularly the use of a firearm, and insisted that bail should be denied.

Magistrate Matthias ordered a probation report for the teenager, who was remanded to a juvenile holding center, while Sears was remanded to prison.

The two defendants are scheduled to return to court on May 12 for sentencing.

Reports indicate that on the evening of the robbery, around 21:12 hrs, as the supermarket was closing, two masked men, armed with a gun and a knife, stormed in, demanding cash. They made off with $500,000 in cash and $400,000 worth of phone cards.

Following the incident, the matter was reported, and the crime scene was examined. CCTV footage led to the swift arrest of the two men, who were confronted with the evidence and subsequently confessed during video and audio interviews.

Authorities recovered $7,800 along with clothing that matched what was seen in the footage, solidifying the case against them. The suspects have since been charged accordingly.

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Gavin Rodrigues, a 53-year-old construction worker of Robb Street Bourda, Georgetown, was granted $50,000 bail after he was charged for obtaining money by false pretense.

Police Headquarters reported that Rodrigues pretended to be the father of Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, the Susan Rodrigues, and was soliciting funds from persons.

He was arrested on Friday and charged on Monday with the Offence ‘Obtaining by False Pretense’: Contrary to Section 99 (b) of the Summary Jurisdiction offences Act Chapter 8:02 (Summary Jurisdiction Amendment Act 10:98.)

He appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Ravindranauth Singh. There, the charge was read to him, and he pleaded ‘not guilty’. He was granted $50,000 bail.

This matter was adjourned to June 23, 2025.

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At least 1,000 residents of Region Three received their house lots on Monday during a Ministry of Housing and Water ‘Dream Realised’ event. The allocations are being distributed at the Regional Housing Office in Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara.

The beneficiaries received low, moderate, middle and high-income lots at Plantation Lorenzo and Plantation Viva La Force, both situated in the newly-established Wales Housing Development. With a $10.5 billion investment in infrastructure in the Wales area, allottees can start to access their lands before the end of this year.

(Photo: Ministry of Housing and Water)

This initiative targets individuals who submitted housing applications by the end of December 31, 2024.

Addressing the growing demand for housing, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal said that all other pending applications for this period will soon get their house lots.

“We will offer by end of July all other pending applicants who are December 31, 2024 applicants and prior,” Minister Croal stated.

This also follows a commitment made by President Dr Irfaan Ali last month to clear the housing application backlog in Region Three by September 2025.

(Photo: Ministry of Housing and Water)

“Region Three, your pending applicants right now is about 10,000, we have allocated to date in this region, prior to today over 9, 424 house lots in Region Three,” Minister Croal said. He explained that because of the success story in housing, new applications in the recent years “have increased three-fold.”

And so, he is urging applicants to remain patient and trust the process, assuring them that their applications will be addressed.

Since 2020, over 44,500 house lots have been allocated nationwide. Of these, approximately 9,424 were allocated in Region Three across twelve new housing schemes.

“We have taken the housing programme to all ten of the regions of this country,” Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues stated.

Further adding: “Today, we can proudly announce allocations in a region where we don’t have to call people, where we can open up the allocation to everybody who has applied up to December 31, 2024.”

(Photo: Ministry of Housing and Water)

Additionally, a total of 3, 926 certificates of titles and transports were processed for Region Three.

On Monday, 768 certificate of titles were also made available for residents who were allocated at Plantation Meten-Meer-Zorg Phase Two. Minister Croal assured that the titles for other areas are currently processing.

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A 23-year-old Airy Hall, Essequibo businessman was charged and placed on $100,000 bail after he was found with several rounds of illegal ammunition.

Deodnauth Lall appeared at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court where the charge was read to him by Magistrate Teriq Mohamed.

The charge was filed under Section 16 (2) (a) of the Firearm Act Chapter 16:05.

Lall was arrested on April 10.

He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail. The matter was adjourned to May 20, 2025.

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Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) secured a comprehensive 186-run victory over Sophia in a rain-affected New Building Society/Georgetown Cricket Association Second-Division 40-Overs tournament match hosted at MSC on Sunday.

MSC’s innings were anchored by a brilliant century by Andrew Gibson, who blazed his way to a sterling 104 off just 73 deliveries, peppered with seven boundaries and three towering sixes.

He found solid support from Adrian Hinds, who contributed a well-compiled 54, and valuable cameos from Shaquille Mosely (37) and Ronaldo Jeffrey (30) as MSC posted a formidable 258-9 in their allotted 35 overs.

Terrance Decuna, who picked up an impressive three wickets for just 18 runs, while Steven Rose chipped in with two for 43, led Sophia’s bowling effort and Vickash Parsram claimed one for 25.

Sophia’s reply never got going as they struggled to cope with the disciplined MSC bowling attack.

Under-19 cricketer Teddy Wong, hailing from Bartica, was the star with the ball, dismantling the Sophia batting lineup with a sensational spell of five wickets for a mere 11 runs.

Only Jonathan Nichols (19), Ronaldo Hercules (14), and Akeem Hinds (13) managed to reach double figures as Sophia crumbled to a paltry 72 all out in just 14.1 overs.

Trevon France provided excellent support to Wong, bagging two wickets for 10 runs, while Nichosie Barker also chipped in with two for 24, completing a dominant performance for the home side.

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The Embassy American Style Sports Bar in Georgetown was the stage for the successful Fireball National Nine-Ball Championship opening night, presented by the Cue Sports Association.

The tournament has drawn 64 participants, all vying to become Guyana’s first-ever national nine-ball champion.

Simextra Trading, the local distributor for Fireball, has become the championship’s prominent title sponsor.

A representative from Fireball underscored the company’s commitment to supporting local sporting events, fostering community spirit, and encouraging healthy competition.

They expressed their excitement in powering what they anticipate will be a dynamic and high-energy tournament under the Fireball brand while also including a standard reminder for responsible alcohol consumption.

Various sponsors and officials after the opening ceremony

A Cue Sports Association (Guyana) Inc. representative expressed the organization’s gratitude to Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey for its significant contribution to pool advancement in Guyana.

The association also extended their appreciation to a robust list of other sponsors whose generous support has been crucial in elevating the championship: WebSource Guyana, Global Imaging Services, Peerless Solutions, West Indies Women’s cricketer Mandy Mangru, Suraj Sports Bar, Sunil & Son Pool Bar, the host venue Embassy American Style Sports Bar, and Andy’s Auto Spares.

The remaining dates are April 13th, 26th, and 27th, leading up to the ultimate showdown on May 4th and 5th.

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Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton on Monday reaffirmed the Government of Guyana’s commitment to upholding human rights and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to empower citizens and address the challenges faced by developing countries.

Hamilton was delivering remarks at the Fourth Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD4), held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This year’s theme is “Africa and People of African Descent: United for Reparatory Justice in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”

Over the next four days, the forum will feature speakers from across the globe presenting their roles and key contributions to the global agenda for reparatory justice. Discussions will center on human rights, access to opportunities for women and girls of African descent, policies addressing systemic racism, and the application of AI in developing nations.

Hamilton told the forum that the Guyanese government is making deliberate efforts to prioritise access to opportunities for its citizens—particularly Afro-Guyanese—through the use of AI.

He noted that Guyanese benefit from several support initiatives, including cash grants to offset back-to-school costs and platforms that enable free access to tertiary education.

“In terms of the right to education and human resource development, the Guyana Academy for Online Learning (GOAL) has awarded thousands of scholarships over the past four years,” Hamilton said. “This is aimed at creating a modern workforce, including by facilitating access for residents in rural and remote areas.”

He added that technical and vocational training is provided free of cost at government-operated training centres, equipping citizens with skills needed in sectors such as oil and gas.

Hamilton also highlighted the government’s commitment to the human right to adequate housing. He said a robust housing programme has already distributed 40,000 house lots to benefit 200,000 Guyanese, with additional support provided through subsidies and mortgage relief to ease the financial burden of homeownership.

Women, he noted, are a primary focus of many of these initiatives.

Turning to the forum’s focus on AI, Hamilton emphasised the importance of developing ethical and inclusive AI systems that safeguard the human rights of people of African descent. He stressed that AI can be a powerful tool in advancing racial justice.

Developing countries face enormous challenges in promoting equal opportunities, he said. However, AI offers the potential to overcome many of these barriers.

“As we intensify our efforts, we are fully aware that artificial intelligence can significantly aid development—but the digital divide between developed and developing countries must be narrowed.

“Guyana will therefore continue to advocate for digital justice. Let us continue to advance the fight for reparatory justice—and AI must be part of that conversation,” the Minister said.

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