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On Thursday night, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports presented the highly anticipated 2025 Calypso Monarch Competition on Main Street, Georgetown.

In true Guyanese fashion, the show began fashionably late—starting at 20:30hrs instead of the advertised 18:00hrs.

Despite the delay, the eager crowd, mostly of the older demographic with a sprinkling of engaged younger faces, remained in high spirits.

In the end, Kenesha Fraser and Quincy Lacon (Ego) triumphed, with Kenesha claiming victory in the Junior category and Quincy securing the crown in the Senior division.

The charismatic Malcolm Ferreira returned as the host for the evening, effortlessly keeping the audience entertained and primed for what promised to be an unforgettable night.

The junior performers hit the stage with a mix of nerves and confidence—some showing promising potential while others appeared slightly tentative. The contrast between those with more stage experience and those just starting their Calypso journeys was clear.

Though eight talented juniors had registered, only seven made it to the stage, and the competition proved that Guyana’s Calypso future is in good hands.

Justine Hamer “Warriors Love Song”

One standout was Justine Hamer, who appeared in full Guyana Amazon Warriors gear for her performance, “Warriors Love Song.” The song, a heartfelt ode to the nation’s beloved cricket team, captured the spirit of unwavering support, even through defeats. Justine’s impressive breath control and vocal execution left a strong impression, though she did not place in either the Junior Calypso or Soca Monarch competitions—she’s definitely one to watch in future years.

Deanna Hinds “Stop De School Violence”

Deanna Hinds, daughter of Calypso legend Young Bill Rogers, impressed with her powerful message in “Stop De School Violence.” The performance began with a skit involving a schoolyard dispute between two boys, escalating into a fight until Deanna, dressed in a CPCE uniform, delivered her poignant, anti-violence lyrics. The message resonated deeply with the audience, making this a timely and relevant piece for today’s youth.

But the evening’s most talked-about performance came from Kenesha Fraser, daughter of the legendary Mighty Believer. A Calypso stage veteran since the age of seven, Kenesha took the stage by storm with her fiery song “Price Control.” Her bold commentary on rising inflation and the difficulties faced by the average Guyanese in the wake of the 2025 Budget resonated with the crowd. As the song delved into the everyday struggles of securing cash grants and navigating soaring prices, Kenesha’s fearless delivery left the audience chanting for an encore: “Bring back Kenesha!”

TonioGy best new comer

Junior Calypso Monarch 2025 Final Results:

1st – Kenesha Fraser
2nd – Simeon Raywaram
3rd – Deanna Hinds
Best Newcomer – Tonio GY

The senior competition was nothing short of a spectacle. Performers went all-out with elaborate sets, props, and theatrical elements that pushed the boundaries of creativity. From smoke and fire to a revolving stage and even an actual ambulance, it was clear that these seasoned Calypsonians were determined to leave the audience in awe. Yet, while some focused more on the grandeur of the production, others showed that when it comes to Calypso, the music must always remain the star.

Young Bill Rogers “I ain’t Giving Up”

The evening saw the return of Roger Hinds, better known as Young Bill Rogers, who made a surprise appearance to compete for the crown with his song “I Ain’t Giving Up.” The living legend delighted the crowd with his energetic performance, supported by the iconic character “Granny.” Roger’s playful, yet poignant lyrics about his struggles after a recent accident, paired with his cheeky stage presence, had the audience in stitches. He was undoubtedly a crowd favourite, drawing cheers at every turn.

Another unforgettable performance came from Quincy Lacon, known on stage as Ego, who brought the house down with his captivating performance of “Never Trade Guyana.” Starting with a childhood skit, Quincy’s portrayal of an aspiring police officer was punctuated by a police unit marching into the audience and fireworks lighting up the sky. His set, revolving from an old house to a mansion and even the Stabroek Market clock, kept the audience riveted. When the performance ended, a deafening silence fell over the crowd before a thunderous round of applause erupted.

Diana Chapman “Somebody gon Lose”- mentioned in the story

Diana Chapman, crowned this year’s Soca Monarch just days earlier, returned to deliver her bold Calypso offering, “Somebody Gon Lose.” With political figures brought to life by actors on stage, Diana’s lyrics unapologetically took aim at the political landscape. Her performance was raw and daring, breaking the rules by addressing societal issues head-on, even though political commentary is technically banned in the competition. Diana’s fearless stance and unwavering confidence in delivering her truth left the audience holding their breath, waiting for each word.

Vinel Hinds “Take Me Home”

Senior Calypso Monarch 2025 Final Results:

1st – Quincy Lacon (Ego)
2nd – Roger Hinds (Young Bill Rogers)
3rd – Vinel Hinds
4th – Osei Clarke (OKC)
Best Newcomer – Ray Sparman (The Mighty Creator)

The 2025 Calypso Monarch competition was a dazzling display of talent, passion, and unbridled creativity. The night showcased the next generation of Calypso stars, with parents passing down the torch to their children, ensuring that the future of Calypso remains in safe hands. Guyana can rest assured that its rich musical culture is alive and well.

While the event had its hiccups, from technical glitches to delays, the overall atmosphere remained one of excitement and celebration. The enthusiastic crowd, undeterred by the wait, left the venue with smiles on their faces, knowing that Calypso in Guyana is far from fading into the past.

A few improvements could be made, particularly in terms of timing and the management of technical effects, but overall, the event was a success. The crowd was kept safe thanks to the barricades, and despite some challenges, the night ended on a high note. As the performers proved, Calypso culture is here to stay, resonating with audiences young and old, and its future is as bright as ever.

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Ryan Rickelton scored his maiden one-day international century as South Africa claimed a comfortable 107-run win over Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy.

After opting to bat first, the Proteas posted 315-6 with left-hander Rickelton making 103 from 106 balls at the top of the order and Temba Bavuma (58), Rassie van der Dussen (52) and Aiden Markram (52) scoring half-centuries.

It proved far too many for Afghanistan, who lost wickets at regular intervals and slumped to 208 all out in 43.3 overs.

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was particularly impressive for South Africa with figures of 3-36, while Rahmat Shah was the only batter to provide any real resistance with a knock of 90 from 92 balls.

He was the last man out, edging behind to Rickelton off Rabada as South Africa wrapped up a convincing win to take a step towards the semi-finals.

The Proteas were in control from ball one with Rickelton showing a calm assuredness throughout his innings.

He and Bavuma put on 129 for the second wicket before Van der Dussen and Markram took over in the latter stages with Afghanistan unable to assert much real pressure at any point.

Losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz early in the chase seemed to drain Jonathan Trott’s men of all belief and despite Rahmat’s best efforts, the result was beyond doubt long before Rabada took the final wicket. (BBC)

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Five players on the Guyana team in the Concacaf Under-20 Women’s Qualifiers in Antigua and Barbuda have been deemed ineligible to compete in the tournament.

News Room Sport understands that Olivia Watt, Kaela Medas, Shareina Langevine, Sarah DaSilva and Myanna Fernandes do not possess a Guyanese passport, hence their ineligibility.

The Guyana Football Federation, in an official statement on Friday morning, said it is working with all concerned to arrive at a resolution.

“The Guyana Football Federation remains committed to resolving this matter and is actively engaging with all relevant stakeholders to find a solution,” the statement read.

Click here to view squad and fixtures 

Below is the full statement issued by the Federation

Players born outside of Guyana are eligible to represent the nation once it is demonstrated to the relevant authorities that either a parent or grandparent was born in Guyana.

FIFA regulations permit this eligibility, provided the player presents a valid passport – issued by the country of birth of their parent or grandparent, to the designated Match Commissioner on the day of the game.

The process of obtaining these passports is complex and requires coordinated efforts from multiple parties.

In previous years, authorities did not require players to be physically present for passport issuance, which significantly reduced logistical and financial burdens on the GFF.

However, within the last 24 hours, we have been informed of a policy change that now mandates in-person appearances.

For the past two decades, a designated technical official from the travel contingent would remain in Guyana to collect any passports subject to delays.

Such delays can occur due to the vetting of source documents, late call-ups, the identification of exceptional talent, or the standard processing time for applications.

It is important to note that securing passports for diaspora players is an inherently demanding task for the national team management, a challenge further compounded when managing four national teams simultaneously.

Currently, five players in the U-20 Women’s squad have been affected by this situation and do not have their Guyana passport.

The Guyana Football Federation remains committed to resolving this matter and is actively engaging with all relevant stakeholders to find a solution.

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On Thursday afternoon, Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali played a pivotal role in the signing of two major Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Barbados. The agreements mark significant strides towards regional development and cooperation.

The ceremony was attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, and Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell. All parties underscored the importance of these MoUs for the future of the Caribbean region.

The first MoU was signed by Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd, on behalf of the Government of Guyana. This agreement will see Lithuania providing technical assistance to Guyana and Barbados in the area of pharmaceutical regulatory services. A key objective of this partnership is to create a pathway for vaccine manufacturing within the region, enhancing the Caribbean’s ability to respond to public health needs.

The second MoU focuses on the exploration of digital telecommunication services. It was established between the Spanish company HISPASAT and the CARICOM Telecommunications Union. This agreement aims to expand digital infrastructure across the Caribbean, improving connectivity and supporting regional development.

At the signing, President Ali, President von der Leyen, Prime Minister Mottley, and Prime Minister Mitchell all highlighted the importance of these agreements in fostering regional cooperation. They emphasised the critical role these initiatives would play in the development of essential sectors, such as healthcare and digital telecommunications, which are vital to the future of the Caribbean.

These MoUs represent a significant step towards deeper regional collaboration, which is set to benefit not only Guyana and Barbados but the broader Caribbean community as well.

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The $100,000 cash grant cheques being distributed by the government is valid for six months and therefore there is no need for citizens to rush to the banks.

A social media commentator falsely claimed in a LIVE broadcast on Thursday evening that the cash grant cheques were only valid for three days, creating unnecessary panic among citizens.

However, according to guidelines from the Bank of Guyana, the cheques are valid for a full six months from the date of issuance.

Additionally, there is no need to rush to the bank, as the cheques can be conveniently deposited at ATMs.

It is important to note that cheques will only be considered “stale-dated” — and therefore no longer valid — if they are not cashed or deposited within six months. After this time, they will no longer be valid, as is standard practice.

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, addressed the confusion earlier on Thursday, emphasising that misinformation from citizens was creating unnecessary delays and hindering the efficiency of the process. He urged the public to cooperate and follow the guidelines to ensure the smooth distribution of funds.

Citizens are reassured that there is no need to panic and that the cheques will remain valid for a substantial period, allowing ample time for individuals to deposit or encash them.

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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has rejected the findings of Transparency International’s (TI) 2024 Corruption Perception Index.

Describing the report as a “damp squib,” Jagdeo accused local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals opposed to the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) of deliberately downplaying improvements made under the current government.

Jagdeo, in his response, pointed to a broader regional trend, with several countries—including the United States—experiencing significant declines in their corruption scores.

The U.S. saw an 11-point drop, while Venezuela and Canada each declined by eight points.

To this end, Jagdeo questioned the accuracy and fairness of global assessments of corruption, especially when such nations are often seen as benchmarks for good governance.

Jagdeo expressed doubts about the validity of comparing Guyana’s progress to that of other democracies, suggesting that the country’s local critics are more inclined to focus on negative perceptions rather than acknowledge the improvements.

Reflecting on past scores, Jagdeo noted that Guyana’s standing had improved in 2019, under the former APNU+AFC government, but he quickly pointed out what he believes was the manipulation of local reports during that time.

He claimed that these reports, which had painted a positive picture of the APNU+AFC period, were fabricated, resulting in an inflated score for the country.

“Anything they say about us now will pale in comparison to what they did,” Jagdeo stated, criticising the lack of parliamentary oversight and excessive spending under the previous government.

He further questioned the integrity of the reports being sent up by local groups, claiming that these groups are now hostile towards the PPP government and continue to misrepresent the country’s progress.

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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has accused the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) of treating Afro-Guyanese solely as a “vote bank” rather than valuing them as individuals.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Dr. Jagdeo vehemently responded to the recent controversial comments made by WPA member David Hinds, which he condemned as “disgusting.”

Hinds, a prominent figure within the WPA, recently referred to Afro-Guyanese who support the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) using derogatory terms, including calling them “house slaves” and “lick bottoms.”

Dr. Jagdeo, joining with previous comments by President Irfaan Ali and Minister Gail Teixeira,   expressed his dismay that such inflammatory remarks had been made without condemnation from Hinds’ leader, Aubrey Norton, adding that these statements insulted the intelligence and integrity of Afro-Guyanese.

“The WPA and the PNC treat Afro-Guyanese as though they are unthinking, easily manipulated individuals.

“They believe that these people will blindly follow them, without considering the broader issues or their own self-interest,” said Dr. Jagdeo.

The Vice President also pointed out the positive strides being made by Afro-Guyanese across the country, noting that more Afro-Guyanese-owned small businesses are now securing contracts.

He emphasised that these individuals are not “selling out,” but rather, they are “smart” and capable of making informed decisions for themselves. He added that people’s decisions to support the PPP/C stemmed from a logical, ambitious pursuit of opportunities, not a blind allegiance.

Dr. Jagdeo took aim at David Hinds and the WPA’s history, accusing them of betraying their own leader, Dr. Walter Rodney, who was tragically murdered under the PNC government in Jund 1980.

“David Hinds had a cushy job during the last government,” Dr. Jagdeo said. “But did he once speak up for the Afro-Guyanese community? What did he do when the APNU government took away children’s grants?,” he quizzed.

The Vice President continued, recalling the period from 2015 to 2020 when Hinds and other WPA leaders were in power, yet did nothing to advance the interests of Afro-Guyanese.

“These people forget their history. They betrayed Walter Rodney, one of the world’s leading scholars, because he stood up against the dictatorship of the PNC. His life was snuffed out because he spoke the truth, but today, they forget all that.”

Dr. Jagdeo further pointed out that the track record of both the WPA and the PNC shows a lack of vision and concern for the future of young Afro-Guyanese.

“Why would anyone want to align themselves with a party that has done nothing for them? People have choices. They are not sellouts – they are simply making smart choices. They are looking for opportunities, not racism or oppression.”

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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday labelled the Opposition’s push for the restoration of Georgetown’s Le Repentir Cemetery as politically opportunistic, claiming the issue had been raised not out of genuine concern but as a means to gain political leverage.

The call for immediate restoration came from Opposition MP Volda Lawrence, who tabled a motion in Parliament last week to address the deteriorating state of the historic cemetery.

However, Jagdeo said that the government had already acknowledged the problem and had been working on plans to improve the cemetery as part of a broader city enhancement initiative.

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo (Photo: News Room/ Vishani Ragobeer/ October 24, 2024)

“I don’t know when the cemetery became such a big political issue,” Jagdeo said.

“The APNU is only now bringing it up, opportunistically, even though we’ve been working on this for years as part of our city improvement plans,” he added.

Jagdeo highlighted that the condition of the cemetery, while a concern, was always seen by the government as one component of a larger plan to improve infrastructure in Georgetown. He noted that when visiting surrounding communities, residents frequently inquired about the state of the cemetery, prompting government action.

“People kept asking, ‘When are you going to fix the cemetery?’ That’s when we decided to focus on it as part of our broader plan,” he said.

The Vice President went on to explain that, in line with prior commitments, resources had already been allocated for cemetery improvements, with $20 million set aside for each Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to address cemetery concerns across the country.

“We promised to fix the roads first, and that’s what we’ve been doing,” Jagdeo added.

Despite the Opposition’s criticisms, Jagdeo stressed that the Ministry of Public Works had already made strides towards addressing the cemetery’s issues. Small contracts had been awarded to repair the roads.

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