Blog

The Guyana Zoo is poised for a major expansion as part of plans to develop green spaces in the capital city, Georgetown, and attract more tourists.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced this on Thursday as he addressed the 12th Parliament of Guyana.

He also said the zoo will be developed with international standards in mind and that the Botanical Gardens where the zoo is housed, will be enhanced overall. The capital city, Dr. Ali said too, will be enhanced as the government hopes to promote its cultural history.

“These are all parts of building a beautiful Guyana, a new Guyana in which we must take pride in,” President Ali said.

Later Thursday, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo spoke more about the plans for the zoo.

“The zoo has been languishing for a while,” the Vice President said at a People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) press conference on Thursday afternoon.

However, it is believed that the zoo can be expanded to include a learning centre and a dining area so children can see more animals while also enjoying a family-friendly environment.

This expansion is likely to unfold at the eastern end of the Botanical Gardens where persons usually engage in bidwatching activities. Jagdeo, however, noted that any expansion efforts must prevent any disturbance to the birds’ habitats.

“It’s a concept that we’re looking at that will give our children more opportunities to be exposed to animals and stuff like that,” he said.

A private sector-led safari-type zoo elsewhere is also being considered. Jagdeo believes this can be a major income earner, adding to Guyana’s ecotourism product.

The post ‘Languishing’ Guyana Zoo to be expanded with focus on learning, family-friendly environment appeared first on News Room Guyana.

In a positive assessment of the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute’s (GWLI) efforts and by extension the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme, a recent review conducted by the Auditor General’s Office reveals both achievements and areas where improvements could further empower vulnerable women across the country.

Launched in 2021, WIIN was designed to provide women and girls, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, with the skills and resources needed to access employment or start their own businesses.

With an investment of $185.5 million over two years, including $64 million allocated to WIIN in 2021, the initiative aimed to create opportunities for economic independence and personal empowerment.

The audit, which covered the period from January 2021 to December 2022, found that the WIIN programme has had a positive impact on many women.

Over 6,000 individuals across all ten administrative regions of Guyana participated in the training, which exceeded the original targets. This figure represents 41% of those who applied during this time, with training offered in seven technical and vocational areas.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud (center)
along with WIIN coordinator, Sanjay Pooran receives over 100 sewing machines from Silvie’s
Industrial Solutions’ Deepawattie Persaud

The GWLI has made significant improvements to the programme since its inception. While initial courses were offered at Level 1, the programme has since expanded to include up to Level 3 in the same areas, with the addition of two new subjects.

The Institute has also hired additional staff to ensure that more people can be trained effectively and efficiently, creating better working environments and providing essential equipment to support staff in their roles.

However, the review also highlighted some challenges that need to be addressed for the WIIN programme to reach its full potential.

While the programme successfully trained many individuals, a significant number of vulnerable women – especially unemployed single mothers – were not reached.

A class of WIIN graduates share a photo opportunity with Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud

Of the 14,663 applicants, 2,571 were identified as the most vulnerable women, but only 410 were able to participate in the programme, leaving 84% of those in need without access to the opportunities provided.

The Auditor General’s Office recommended a number of steps for the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute to improve its outreach and effectiveness.

Key recommendations include better staffing, enhanced monitoring and evaluation of personnel, and more targeted efforts to ensure that vulnerable women are given the support they need to participate and succeed.

The post WIIN Programme makes strides, Auditor General’s review highlights areas for growth appeared first on News Room Guyana.

By Telesha Ramnarine

A new television pilot for Guyana’s first Creole comedy-detective show, The Granny JJ Adventures: Guyana’s Daily Detective, is set to begin filming on the East Bank Demerara in 2025.

Based on a popular series of books, the show dramatizes the efforts of an elderly grandmother to solve perplexing crimes within her community.

Despite the fears stemming from her past, the show’s creators believe viewers will be drawn into her struggles to make Guyana a better place for future generations.

Joshua Cartwright, author of Granny JJ Adventures – Guyana’s Daily Detective, and Line Producer Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts sat down for an interview with the News Room on Thursday.

They are working to promote the new TV series and encourage Guyanese businesses to invest in it through sponsorships.

Directed by Orin Beaton from the UK, the series will consist of eight episodes, each approximately 30 to 45 minutes long, airing weekly.

Around 20 years ago, Cartwright married Glenda from Soesdyke, and the books are inspired by her mother. The first book, however, was written as a way to help their daughter better understand her heritage.

“I just fell in love with this amazing place: the generosity of the people, the vibrancy of the culture, and the wonderful sayings. I love all the Creolese.

“… Especially across the diaspora, people enjoy reading this when I mention things like ‘sit down grater’, ‘wash boards’, and all the things they had when they were growing up – licks like peas. It gives people a chance to come together and reminisce about the aspects of Guyana that I loved,” Cartwright shared.

Glenda, who co-wrote the script, revealed that her mother was the inspiration for the character. “Juliet Garrett, my mother, raised ten children; she was tough, smart, and could figure me out in a flash. We want Guyanese to be able to look at the screen, ‘buss a laff’, and say ‘dat is just like me granny so-and-so!’”

Roberts, who is responsible for coordinating and pulling the project together, said what she loves most about it is how inherently Guyanese it is.

“I feel like this project is a really good way to introduce the past to the younger generation. It’s a fun way for them to learn about the past, the history, and how we were culturally,” she explained.

The Granny JJ Adventures books are available on Amazon.

The post Guyana’s first Creole comedy-detective series set to film in 2025 appeared first on News Room Guyana.

A performance audit has found that there have been marked improvements in managing bed capacity at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Maternity Unit.

However, a shortage of healthcare staff remains a major concern.

The audit, conducted by the Office of the Auditor General, examined the period from January 2019 to June 2020, revealing both progress and some ongoing staff challenges in maternal healthcare services.

Over the years 2016 to 2020, GPHC recorded approximately 6,000 births annually, representing over 40% of the national total of 15,000.

Despite the high patient volume, the hospital’s Maternity Unit faced overcrowding, which raised concerns from Parliament, the media, and the general public.

The audit found that the average bed occupancy rate improved significantly during the audited period, falling to 76% from a previous high of 121%, which indicated overcrowding.

This suggests that the hospital has made strides in managing patient flow and meeting fluctuating demand for services.

However, the audit also uncovered that the GPHC continues to grapple with a shortage of healthcare personnel, particularly nurses and midwives.

The current Maternity Unit at GPHC

Staffing during the audit period was only 63% of the required staffing levels.

The lack of continuous training and the absence of a comprehensive manual of administrative procedures were also flagged as significant concerns. These factors not only compromise patient care but also place the safety of both patients and staff at risk.

In addition, the audit revealed that management had failed to conduct a needs assessment to determine the required personnel and equipment, which may have resulted in patients not receiving adequate treatment.

The absence of standard operating procedures further compounds these challenges.

The Auditor General’s Office has made ten recommendations to address these issues, including improving staff levels, implementing regular training, and establishing clear administrative guidelines.

The post Overcrowding eases but staff shortage still major concern at GPHC’s Maternity Unit – Audit appeared first on News Room Guyana.

A total of 66 teams will from this weekend head into battle in the inaugural Republic Bank/One Guyana ‘B’ Division Volleyball tournament at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

Featuring male and female teams, the tournament, hailed as the first of its kind in local volleyball, will conclude on November 10 with the top prize being G$300,000 cash, accompanied by trophies and medals.

Several individual prizes will also be at stake for both male and female categories.

The tournament was officially launched on Thursday morning with Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr., President of the Guyana Volleyball Federation Levi Nedd and Managing Director of Republic Bank Guyana Stephen Grell underscoring its importance.

Watch video below for comments 

The post 66 teams to compete in Republic Bank/One Guyana ‘B’ Division Volleyball tournament appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Guyana Women in Chess Community (GWICC), under the umbrella of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), has organised the inaugural Queenside Rapid Tournament. The event will take place on Saturday, October 12.

This event, reserved for women and girls, will encourage beginners and unrated female players to compete in hopes of expanding the pool of women and girls playing competitive chess.

There will be nine rounds of games with durations of 15 minutes + 5 seconds increments per round. Pinnacle Business Services Inc. and Jade’s Wok are the event’s sponsors.

The venue for the Queenside Rapid Tournament will be the David Rose Special School, with the first round kicking off at 09:00h. The top five female participants with the most points will receive trophies, and the top three players will win prizes totaling G$50,000.

The GCF is also looking for the best talents to emerge among the beginners, with a special trophy for the winner of that category. Prizes for the best girl, best woman and youngest player will also be awarded.

The Women in Chess Community has been eagerly anticipating this tournament. Over the past two years, the GWICC has hosted its annual Queenside Chess Camp, a programme designed to inspire more girls and women to embrace the game of chess and strengthen their community.

These camps attract women and girls of all ages and skill levels, fostering friendships and camaraderie among participants. Thanks to the GWICC, female participation in chess has surged, with 25% of national competitors now being girls.

This heartening trend challenges the traditionally male-dominated sport in Guyana. The GCF has strong female representation on its national teams, and they have represented Guyana both regionally and internationally with exceptional results.

The Guyana Chess Federation wishes to thank the administrators of the David Rose Special School for graciously providing the venue for the tournament. The GCF and the GWICC are grateful to their generous sponsors Jade’s Wok and Pinnacle Business Services, who have been long-time sponsors of the game.

The post Jade’s Wok and Pinnacle Business Services Inc. support Women in Chess appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Earlier this week, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo spearheaded the distribution of small business grants to 6,000 Berbicians, providing financial support aimed at expanding existing businesses and helping new entrepreneurs get started.

The grants are part of an annual initiative by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government, designed to empower small businesses and foster economic growth.

The program is open to all Guyanese, regardless of race, region, gender, or political affiliation, ensuring broad inclusivity.

“The goal of these grants is to stimulate growth, create jobs, and support the entrepreneurial spirit of Guyanese citizens,” Dr. Jagdeo said during the event.

“This is part of the Government’s continued efforts to strengthen the economy and support small business owners throughout the country,@ he added.

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

Accompanying Dr. Jagdeo at the distribution event were several prominent government officials, including Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Sonia Parag, Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Anand Persaud, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service Dr. Ashni Singh, and other key figures from Region Six.

Region Six Chairman David Armogan, Regional Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain, and Regional Executive Officer Narindra Persaud were also present to oversee the event and assist in the distribution process.

The small business grants program has been well-received by Berbician entrepreneurs, many of whom are now looking forward to expanding their operations and contributing further to the local economy.

“We are committed to ensuring that all Guyanese have access to the resources they need to succeed,” Dr. Jagdeo said.

The post 6,000 Berbicians receive small business grants at two-day event appeared first on News Room Guyana.

A meeting held on Tuesday at the Classic International Hotel Conference Hall saw Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha engage in discussions with farmers on the government’s ambitious plan to transform 40,000 acres of land in Upper Corentyne into productive farmland.

Vice President Jagdeo announced that these lands, including privately held areas near Moleson Creek in Upper Corentyne, will benefit from a $2 billion investment in infrastructure to boost agricultural output.

“So right now, we have about $2 billion in the budget that I put aside. I made sure I put in there around budget time to fulfill the commitments we had,” he said.

While addressing the gathering of farmers, representatives, and stakeholders, Jagdeo outlined a strategy to utilise 25,000 acres of GuySuCo land at Skeldon for projects such as shrimp farming, hemp cultivation, and sugarcane.

He highlighted that former workers would be given opportunities for ownership in these ventures.

“…at Skeldon, we are thinking about getting involved in an ownership-type structure, so we put in the infrastructure there and then keep the remaining land, maybe around 20,000 acres, for the possible growth of cane again…” he added.

Additionally, the government is considering new sugarcane varieties that could potentially double current yields. The administration is also exploring the cultivation of onions using a high-yield hybrid variety.

“…Prolifically in Guyana, you know, in the past, it would grow at least… growing huge, very harvested, they are good quality and it’s not an experiment anymore, it’s done. It’s just to commercialise it and find the appropriate soil to grow it on so we could easily replace the onion import into this country by importing this seed from Brazil. It’s a hybrid seed…”

The Vice President further elaborated on plans to establish a tissue culture lab that would produce four million plants annually, along with a large-scale nursery. Additionally, training programmes for locals in seedling production are in the pipeline.

Infrastructure development is key, with efforts to improve remote access and provide support for farmers.

Jagdeo also announced that fishermen would benefit from a new facility at the Number 66 Wharf, encouraging its immediate use. He noted that the government is focusing on agricultural diversification to meet local demands, as well as modernising farming with mechanisation, drones, and soil testing labs.

The post Gov’t to transform 40,000 acres into productive farmland in Upper Corentyne appeared first on News Room Guyana.

A newly refurbished Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre, designed to enhance technical and vocational training, was officially commissioned on Wednesday by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand.

Located on the West Coast of Demerara, the state-of-the-art facility represents a significant investment in the development of Guyana’s workforce and the country’s technical education infrastructure.

The total cost of the rehabilitation was US$1.2M which covers improvements to the infrastructure, procurement of tools and equipment, as well as the provision of ICT equipment and furnishings.

The upgraded centre will accommodate up to 400 students, providing them with the practical skills necessary to meet the demands of an evolving job market.

Minister Manickchand, speaking at the commissioning event, stressed that the opening of the Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre marks a significant milestone in the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to produce highly skilled students who are prepared for the modern job market.

“This centre plays a crucial role in the Government of Guyana’s vision to create educational opportunities that ensure every child can have a bright future in the new Guyana we are building,” she said.

The Minister encouraged students to make full use of the resources available at the centre, urging them to embrace the skills and training on offer.

The rehabilitation of the Fellowship Centre is part of the larger Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project (GSDEP), which is being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

This initiative involves the refurbishment and expansion of Practical Instruction Centres (PICs) across Regions Three, Four, and Five, as well as Practical Instruction Departments (PIDs) in hinterland secondary schools.

The goal is to strengthen technical vocational education and training (TVET) throughout the country.

The centre will offer training in areas such as electrical work, woodworking, and food and nutrition. Graduates will be able to earn Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ), enabling them to either enter the workforce with confidence, start their own businesses, or pursue further education.

In addition to the commissioning, the Office of the Deputy Chief Education Officer with Responsibility for Technical Education made a generous donation to the centre, including 20 helmets, 20 safety vests, 20 pairs of gloves, and 20 pairs of goggles.

Dr. Ritesh Tularam, Deputy Chief Education Officer-Technical, also highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to advancing TVET across Guyana.

He noted that partnerships with key funding agencies such as the CDB are essential to ensuring that all citizens have access to quality technical education.

The post New Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre opens appeared first on News Room Guyana.