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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) of Guyana on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which aims at enhancing the knowledge base surrounding hate speech and fostering institutional resilience in the face of this growing challenge.

This partnership comes when Guyana prepares for the 2025 General Elections, a period that historically witnesses a surge in ethnic and racial hate speech. 

In an age of unprecedented information access, a click, a swipe, or a scroll can open a constant stream of news, articles and social media posts competing for our attention. However, within this ocean of data lies a hidden danger: hate speech from information pollution. Understood as the spread of false, misleading, manipulated and otherwise harmful messages, information pollution can quietly shape opinions, instigate conflict, and erode trust in reliable information. 

As experienced during the pandemic and now with the multiple crises worldwide, information pollution is threatening our ability to make informed decisions, participate in democratic processes, and contribute to the building of inclusive, peaceful and just societies. In fact, the United Nations Secretary-General has identified this phenomenon as a major contemporary threat, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat it. 

In this scenario, UNDP, as the largest United Nations provider of electoral assistance and with extensive experience in the field of democratic strengthening, is developing a series of innovative tools to support national, regional, and global efforts to promote information integrity and the resilience of information systems. Similarly, the ERC, being a constitutional entity mandated to promote the elimination of all forms of discrimination, has long recognized the impact of hate speech on societal divisions and is committed to proactive measures to counteract it. As part of the MoU, UNDP will provide comprehensive support to the ERC, including: 

1. Technical assistance to strengthen ERC’s existing methodologies for mapping and countering disinformation and hate speech.
2. Strengthen ERC’s capacities to access social media data, providing crucial insights into information pollution.
3. Enhancing the ERC’s technological infrastructure to better respond to these challenges.

Central to this initiative is the ‘Digital Kit for Democracy,’ which includes the powerful eMonitor+ system—a state-of-the-art social media monitoring and analysis tool that leverages artificial intelligence to track and analyse harmful content across various platforms.

eMonitor+ facilitates the extraction and analysis of thousands of pieces of information from platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and others. This information increases knowledge of pernicious phenomena in the information ecosystems of countries and regions. 

Furthermore, as it is deployed simultaneously in various countries with different information dynamics, eMonitor+ is helping establish a standardized language and comparative data collection, analysis, and dissemination methodologies, so that cross-border dialogue, learning and cooperation can be facilitated. This makes eMonitor+ particularly usefulin contexts with little research or data available on these topics. Only in 2024, six countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have started implementing eMonitor+ (Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Venezuela), and have since accessed a portfolio of good practices, innovative approaches, and partnership possibilities to tackle electoral mis/disinformation and hate speech. 

The UNDP Resident Representative for Guyana and Surinam, Mr. Gerardo Noto said, “By equipping the ERC with the tools and methodologies to combat hate speech and misinformation, we are taking proactive measures to strengthen democracy and promote social cohesion.” ‘ 

The Chairman of the ERC, Shaikh Moeenul Hack, noted that “the ERC launched a proactive Countering Hate Speech campaign aimed at reducing racial and ethnic violations in the lead-up to the elections. The E-Monitoring Tool will be instrumental in enhancing our capacity to capture a wider reach of content. This innovative, automated system will efficiently identify key words and phrases that are racially and ethnically offensive, allowing us to respond more swiftly and effectively.” 

Through this collaboration, the ERC will enhance its Media Monitoring Unit’s capacity to identify and address racially- and ethnically-motivated hate speech, disinformation, and technology facilitated gender-based violence. The implementation of eMonitor+ will provide ERC with the necessary tools to extract and analyse large volumes of data, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges posed by information pollution. 

The signing of the MOU forms part of the wider ERC-UN System campaign to ‘Counter Hate Speech’, which was launched in June 2024. This campaign is an element of UN Guyana’s national implementation of the global United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, which highlights the UN’s ongoing commitment to promote peaceful, inclusive and just societies 

As this initiative unfolds, both UNDP and ERC look forward to setting a benchmark for collaboration against information pollution in the region, ultimately working toward a more equitable and democratic future for all Guyanese citizens (ERC press release)

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Tirishatha Semple was sworn in on Monday as President of the University of Guyana’s Students’ Society for the academic year 2024/2025, along with the rest of the members making up the Executive Council.

The formal installation ceremony was held at UG’s Education Lecture Theatre at Turkeyen Campus, East Coast Demerara.

The election for the president and three representatives for each faculty to form the executive council was held last September 25 for students of all UG campuses.

Replacing outgoing president Shaquawn Gill, Semple is the third woman to take the oath of office in the history of the university.

Semple is hoping to contribute towards the establishment of a universal prayer room for students of all religious backgrounds, better food options, discount cards, and a UG Steel Orchestra, among other initiatives.

“I never saw myself as merely a candidate. I saw myself as a representative of your hopes and dreams; as someone who can lead with authenticity, empathy, and purpose,” she expressed after taking the oath of office.

UG Vice Chancellor, Dr Paloma Mohamed-Martin urged the students to rethink their decision to be on the executive body if their only intentions are to have access to power and resources and to be able to order people around.

“The job of representing the number of students in the university, their interest and the number of things that have to be done, the number of complaints you get, the number of navigations that you have to help students to do, the number of events, so many things that you would have to do, is going to undermine this idea that any kind of resources that you will get in return is going to be worth the effort,” she said.

“This is about work and service,” she reminded them, as she encouraged them to balance the duties that they have to perform as representatives and their school work. “We don’t want people to be failing because they are taking on student work,” she said.

Addressing the new president, she observed: “When you are a woman who is leading, you have to be careful not to lead only for women. You are a leader for everyone, for the good of everyone. And that fairness, balance and focus needs to stay with you. Otherwise, you are not going to be very effective.”

Registrar Dr. Nigel Gravesande urged the students to build confidence with the student population which he said requires self-belief and positive thinking. “Good leaders should be good orators,” he said, as he encouraged them to improve their communication skills.

“Seek intentionally to understand the perspectives of others, even if they are diametrically opposed to yours. Strive to be truthful in your dealings with the administration and with your fellow students. Build trust. Trust is earned by people through constant, honest conduct. Consider the ethical ramifications for the choices you make,” he advised.

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A total of 389 contracts for small contractors in Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) were inked on Tuesday. Altogether, these contracts are worth about $6.9 billion.

The contracts were inked as Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo visited the region on Tuesday. The contracts are for various road upgrades.

Importantly, the Vice President told residents that a new rating system has been developed to allow more persons- especially smaller contractors- to secure work contracts needed. This system will allow small contractors to get deals without getting involved in the standard bidding process.

Meanwhile, an additional $7 billion in contracts will be tendered for larger contractors to undertake more extensive projects shortly.

The Vice President, however, noted that while newer or smaller contractors benefit from the non-bidding allocation process, larger projects will follow a competitive tendering system. Contractors with experience handling projects worth $20 to $30 million or more will have the opportunity to bid.

And Jagdeo made his expectations of contractors very clear as he advised contractors to not engage in any form of bribery.

“The government wants this to happen. Secondly, if anyone accepts a bribe from you for doing shoddy work, any engineer or anyone, you let us know. You are clear what we want to achieve here”, he said.

He also stressed that contractors are expected to deliver high-quality work and that poor performance will result in being blacklisted from future projects.

“We will just put you on a list that you didn’t do well on a project.

“… the work you do here leaves room for you to make money but don’t think it’s a one-off thing. If you want to grow we will provide you with the opportunities for growth and I expect you to do proper work.”

The VP reiterated that the government’s approach aims to foster a transparent and inclusive environment for contractors of all sizes and by doing so ensures fairness, accountability, and quality.

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As part of efforts to make travelling from Lethem to Georgetown much easier, the government may greenlight the construction of a two-lane bridge across the Kurupukari River.

This is according to Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo who provided an update on the Linden to Lethem roadway at his recent press conference.

“We’re also looking to see a proposal, maybe a two-lane bridge across the Kurupukari River because that will then complete the whole network.

“You will be able to drive from Lethem straight to Georgetown without having to go on a pontoon to cross the river,” Jagdeo said.

The journey from Georgetown, Guyana’s capital city and commercial hub on the coast, to Lethem, a town bordering Brazil in the south, is over 400 miles and includes travelling through the rainforest.

There is a roadway that connect Lethem to Kurupukari, and then Kurupukari to Georgetown. However, vehicles must travel on top a pontoon to get across the Kurupukari River when going either side, that is to Georgetown or to Lethem.

A new bridge, Jagdeo said, would allow heavier vehicles to travel across. More goods, he believes, can be transported too.

And once that bridge is in place, it would be a single drive from Lethem to Georgetown or vice versa.

Outside of this potential venture, Jagdeo said the 45 super- highway bridges being constructed along the roadway are progressing well. The first half of the road is also being paved.

 

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Michael Thomas, 50, a businessman of Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara was arrested on Monday night after he discharged a loaded firearm.

The incident occurred at about 20:20hrs in the vicinity of the Route 44 minibus park in Georgetown.

Police Headquarters related that ranks were on mobile patrol on Avenue of the Republic, in the vicinity of the Route 50 (Berbice) bus park, when they heard a gunshot.

The ranks proceeded to the Route 44 bus park and on arrival, the businessman was observed putting what appeared to be a firearm in his pants waist.

After a search was conducted on Thomas, a .32 Taurus pistol with two (2) magazines along with 14 rounds of ammunition, were found. One spent shell was also found.

Police said the businessman is a licensed firearm holder.

The suspect was arrested and escorted to the Brickdam Police Station where the firearm, spent shell and ammunition were placed into separate evidence bags, marked and sealed in his presence and lodged to be taken to the ballistics section for analysis.

No one was injured. Investigations are ongoing.

 

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A 58-year-old labourer from Enmore Seadam, East Coast Demerara, was arrested and charged with the brutal murder of 47-year-old carpenter Theodore Baynes.

The accused, Keith Jeffrey, known as ‘Pugga’, was charged more than a week following the death of Baynes on September 30, at Haslington North, East Coast Demerara.

Jeffrey appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The charge was read to him, and although he was not required to enter a plea, bail was denied.

He has been remanded to prison pending his next appearance, which is scheduled for November 06, 2024.

Baynes, a father of two, was found lifeless outside his residence at Lot 40 Haslington North.

His body bore multiple injuries, including severe facial trauma, a deep slash to his neck, and numerous cuts to his back and other parts of his body.

The circumstances surrounding his death have left family and friends in shock.

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A 30-year-old construction worker, Konata Simpson, was arrested on Monday  in the Tucberg neighbourhood of New Amsterdam, Berbice after police found nearly 700 grams of cannabis at his residence, along with a stolen police radio and military-style clothing.

The ranks were acting on information they had received, which led them to Simpson’s home.

Officers arrived at approximately 16:00 hrs and began a search of the property, where they uncovered the ganja hidden beneath a wooden table. It weighed approximately 696 grams.

When confronted, Simpson reportedly acknowledged that the drugs were his.

Despite this admission, the search continued, and police made further discoveries, including a police-issued radio and two camouflage shirts, which were confirmed to be stolen from the Guyana Police Force.

The cannabis, radio, and military-style attire were seized as evidence and transported to the Central Police Station for further investigation.

Simpson has been placed in police custody and is expected to face charges of possession of narcotics and possession of stolen property.

 

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Dennison Edwards, 46, died on Monday after he crashed into a utility pole along the West Canje, Berbice Public Road.

The News Room understands that the accident occurred at about 17:00 hrs Monday.

Edwards of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice, was reportedly riding his motorcycle (#CK 995) along the public road at a fast rate and lost control of it. He subsequently crashed into a utility pole and fell onto the grass parapet. The motorcycle came to a stop in a nearby trench.

The man is said to have sustained injuries to his head and other parts of his body. He was picked up in an unconscious condition by public-spirited citizens and was taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where he was seen and examined by a Doctor on duty, who pronounced him dead.

The man’s body is at the hospital’s mortuary, awaiting an autopsy.

Investigations are continuing.

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Nola Rodney and her family garnered widespread attention when they recently hosted President Dr. Irfaan Ali at their beloved Guyanese bar – Waterfall Lounge – in Brooklyn, New York.

The visit, which took place as part of the President’s community outreach tour, highlighted the growing influence of the Guyanese diaspora and marked a significant moment for the venue.

However, in a zoom interview with the News Room on Monday, the philanthropist was keen to underscore that her efforts are not driven by political motives, but rather by a deep commitment to the wellbeing of the Caribbean diaspora in New York, particularly the Guyanese community.

Rodney expressed her excitement for the upcoming launch of several community-focused initiatives, including a new mental health programme titled: ‘Chill & Chat’, set to begin on October 17.

The programme will offer an eight-week series of group sessions where participants can engage with a therapist in a relaxed, conversational setting.

“Our focus is not just on entrepreneurship or offering services, but truly giving back in ways that are needed right now,” she said.

“Mental care is at the core of what we’re doing. We want to provide a space where people can tap into their mental wellbeing, feel comfortable, and even have fun while addressing what’s going on in their minds and bodies,” she added.

The mental health initiative comes as part of Rodney’s broader Community Hub Initiative, which will also offer digital literacy workshops.

These programs are intended to help local community members navigate the challenges of an increasingly digital world while fostering personal growth and communal connection.

Roberts said she was able to share her vision with the Guyanese Head of State and has received commitment of support.

“It was an incredible experience to host President Ali and share our mental health and tech literacy initiatives with him.

“It’s vital to build these bridges between our community here and back home. His administration is eager to support these efforts, and it’s all about fostering collaboration and creating positive change,” she explained.

Rodney continued to clarify that she has no political agenda.

“We’re very proud to have presented our initiatives to him. It’s not about politics; it’s about service. Our goal is to help people, to provide them with the resources they need to thrive,” she added.

However, despite the positive momentum, Rodney acknowledged that hosting the President was not without its controversy, with some members of the diaspora expressing dissenting views. When asked about the “backlash”, she responded with a pragmatic attitude.

“Whenever there’s positivity, there’s always going to be someone who opposes it,” she said.

“That’s just part of life. What matters is that we focus on solutions and continue pushing forward. I’m not worried about negativity; I’m focused on what we’re doing and how we can help the community,” she added.

Looking ahead, Rodney’s Community Hub Initiative will continue to expand, with future plans to include workshops on financial literacy.

Rodney’s initiatives are open to all, and she reiterated her gratitude for the ongoing support from the community, both in Brooklyn and beyond.

While the programmes are free to participants, Rodney is actively seeking additional donors and resources to sustain them.

The interview also touched on the legacy of giving back within the Rodney family. Nola’s mother, Doris Rodney, has long been a fixture in the Brooklyn community, known for her generosity and commitment to uplifting others.

For those interested in supporting Rodney’s initiatives, she can be reached via email at nola@theonenolaroe.com.

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