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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.

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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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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has described the ongoing 2025 Guyana Energy Conference as an “exciting” event while pointing out that it is in stark contrast to past affairs under the previous APNU+AFC government.

While emphasising that it is much more than just oil and gas, Jagdeo highlighted the government’s intention to use the conference as a platform to promote Guyana’s non-oil sectors.

Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, Dr. Jagdeo noted the government’s intent on showcasing the country’s vast potential for economic diversification.

“There’s been healthy interest in our non-oil and gas sectors from many participants,” said Dr. Jagdeo.

Along with President Irfaan Ali, ministers, and technical staff, Dr. Jagdeo said he has met with numerous investors and stakeholders, furthering discussions about Guyana’s growing opportunities outside of the oil and gas industries.

“We want to use this conference to highlight the wealth and growth potential that exists outside of oil and gas. This is consistent with our approach to economic diversification.”

Dr. Jagdeo emphasised that the prosperity brought about by the oil and gas sector will inevitably decline in the future, and it is crucial for the government to develop other industries to fill that gap.

“If we do not do that, we will suffer the same fate as many other countries: brief periods of growth followed by long periods of economic decline,” he cautioned.

The conference, Dr. Jagdeo stated, is a step in the right direction, with a significant focus on areas beyond oil and gas, such as innovative payment methods, new technologies, and much more.

The Vice President also expressed his satisfaction with the level of local participation at the conference, highlighting that Guyanese companies were present in full force.

Many of these companies have been accredited with local content certification, and Dr. Jagdeo noted that numerous local firms are making pitches for partnerships and technology transfers with foreign companies.

With scores of Guyanese companies accredited, Dr. Jagdeo believes that this involvement will lead to more collaborations, enabling local businesses to grow alongside foreign partners, benefitting from their capital and expertise. However, he acknowledged that navigating the Guyanese landscape can be a challenge for foreign investors, stressing the importance of a transparent and well-defined policy environment.

“This conference is exciting, not a damp affair,” Dr. Jagdeo remarked, pointing out the clear direction now provided by the current government.

He contrasted the ongoing event with past years, where policymakers often struggled to provide clear guidance, leading to frustration from both local and foreign stakeholders.

“Under the previous APNU+AFC government, policy direction was unclear, and ministers were scarce. Now, if you ask about policy, there are clear answers,” he stated.

Dr. Jagdeo also took the opportunity to highlight the significance of the event being organised by Guyanese, with a secretariat led by Guyanese women.

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(Schengen News) – The Ambassador of Guyana to Belgium and the EU, Sasnarine Singh, has advocated for visa-free travel for Guyanese nationals to the Schengen Area.

Singh’s appeal to lift the visa requirements for nationals of Guyana was made during a meeting of the Central and South American ambassadors at the European Union Parliament, Schengen.News reports.

The meeting was hosted by the President of the EU Parliament, Roberta Metsola, with the aim of strengthening the EU-Latin America relations.

While Ambassador Singh addressed the visa matter during this meeting and asked for a visa-free travel agreement to be reached between the EU and Guyana, it has not been revealed whether the EU authorities touched upon this topic.

This is not the first time that the authorities of Guyana have been pushing to reach a visa-free agreement or at least a facilitation with the EU.

The President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, previously said that the current visa rules that citizens of his country need to meet are very strict and asked for some of the requirements to be facilitated.

To be able to reach a visa-free travel agreement, Guyana and all other countries whose citizens need a visa to enter the bloc need to meet a set of criteria.

The Guyanese authorities just recently said that the country is working in this direction, with the Ministry of Interior launching a ten-year e-passport.

Since October 2024, passport holders of Guyana have been able to apply for Schengen visas without having to leave the country – in Georgetown.

Before October of last year, Guyanese nationals needed to travel to Suriname in order to be able to apply for a Schengen visa adding to the total cost.

France is one of the Schengen member states that opened an embassy in Guyana. Almost a year ago, the French authorities announced that the country would open an embassy in Guyana in 2025.

Given the desire to forge closer links as neighbouring countries and friends, Guyana and France have decided to write a new chapter in their history by opening a French Embassy in Georgetown in 2025.

By opening the embassy, the French Ministry for European and Foreign Affairs said back then that this move would help both countries to strengthen their relationship and build closer ties.

Moreover, the authorities acknowledged that the opening of the embassy would make the visa application process for Guyanians more hassle-free.

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