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No clear motive for Turkeyen killings
THE two men who were gunned down at Pattensen/Turkeyen Road, East Coast Demerara on Friday morning have been positively identified as Clive McLean, 31, called 'Buck' of Lot 103 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and 33-year-old Clive Savory called 'Blue Mouth' of La Grange Public Road, West Bank Demerara.
Clive McLean was described as a very friendly person who was self-employed.
The Chronicle visited his home and was told by relatives that he was at the street corner on a motorcycle with his friend, Savory, when a white motorcar hit them both off the bike. The occupants of the car then bundled the two men into the car in the presence of many onlookers.
They said the next they heard was that his body was lying at the Lyken's Funeral Parlour.
His mother, who was in obvious shock, claimed that her son recently returned from overseas and was not in any trouble with the law.
Several relatives and friends had gathered yesterday at the dead man's home. They pointed out the area from which the men were abducted, and noted that there was still evidence of a crash as fragments of the motorcycle parts were strewn on the road.
McLean has no children and is survived by five siblings.
A post mortem examination is expected to be conducted on his body on Monday.
Meanwhile, Savory's home at 33 of La Grange Public Road, West Bank Demerara was tightly shut when the Chronicle visited. Neighbours said that he was known in the area as a minibus conductor.
However, at his brother Bertram's residence, relatives told the Chronicle that Savory was a mason by profession and had fathered three children.
Several residents related that he was a very outgoing individual who was always `liming' with his friend, Clive.
Up to late yesterday, there was no clear motive for the killings.
Investigations are continuing. (Michel Outridge)
Army to fully withdraw from Buxton
THE Guyana Defence Force is to soon withdraw its patrols from Buxton now that the village has returned to normalcy.
Yesterday, at the conclusion of a military display of Chinese Martial Arts at the Colonel John Clarke Military School, Tacama, Berbice River, Colonel Edward Collins told members of the media that he visited the community on Friday accompanied by several senior officers.
He pointed out that vehicles are travelling through the community freely, people are conducting their business as usual, and policemen are performing routine patrols.
Col. Collins stated that the GDF patrol is now deployed in the area as additional support, but he anticipates that the police will shortly not need the Army to assist them in the execution of their duties.
The army is reduced to one-fifth of its original strength at Buxton, he stated, and it is awaiting an indication from the police to completely pull out from the Eastern corridor and Buxton.
Scholarship awardees hosted at State House reception
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday held a reception at State House for the students who have been awarded scholarships to pursue tertiary studies in Cuba.
The present batch of Guyanese students is the second one under the scholarship programme provided by the Cuban government. The group is scheduled to leave for Cuba this week to pursue studies in various fields.
The batch comprising 94 awardees will leave tomorrow on a specially chartered flight for Cuba to begin studies for the 20002-2003 academic year. The flight will also accommodate scholarship awardees from political parties.
A farewell function at the Umana Yana was held last Monday which served as an orientation session for the students and their parents/guardians. President Jagdeo delivered the charge to the students.
Of the 94 awardees 25 will be pursuing studies in human medicine. Of the first batch of 124 students who are currently in Cuba, 69 are pursuing studies in human medicine.
During the first year of study, the students will study Spanish before moving directly to their specific fields of study.
Some 350 scholarships were offered by the Cuban government as a result of discussions that were held between Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Fidel Castro in Havana in 2001.
`Bitter Sweet Cassava Culture'
Exhibition captures significant Amerindian ritual
By Linda Rutherford
THE saga begins with a file of Amerindian men of varying ages, each carrying a warishi and other impedimenta on their backs, making their way up a gentle incline awash with verdant vines.
Each has a length of wood of some sort in one or other of their hands.
Behind them, at the point where the treacle dark waters of the waterway touch land, lie a number of canoes, all neatly parked as one would a car in a designated parking lot.
A sprinkling of womenfolk, some with the customary baby weighing down their generous hips, mill around the now stationary vessels, seemingly in search of a trophy or two that may have been inadvertently left behind by the group of strangely silent men.
So, too, does a young black and white mongrel, his velvety black nose riveted to the ground.
A barely perceptible movement of the water indicates the presence of a gentle breeze.
Etched at the left hand corner of the unusually large photograph is a single word. Arrival, it says.
But who are these men? Where did they come from? And where, in Heaven's name, are they going?
Home! To celebrate, after a particularly successful hunt, explains a rather helpful and enthusiastic attendant at the National Art Gallery, where the picture at reference and others are mounted by British artist/anthropologist, Dr Fiona Wilkes, as part of a three-week, multi-media exhibition titled: 'Bitter-Sweet: Cassava Culture (1)'.
The location is Gunns Strip, on the Upper Essequibo River, which is home to the Wai-Wais, one of the country's nine nations of Indigenous Peoples.
These hunts, the attendant explained, are usually held around Christmas-time and can last for as long as two weeks. The object in their hands, earlier referred to, she said, are bamboo horns, which the men will use to reproduce in song the sounds of the many animals in the surrounding forest as they enter the village.
As the saga continues, the group of men, still maintaining their single-file formation, can be seen making their way across what looks like a courtyard, their bamboo horns now raised in unison to their lips.
Hanging at equidistant intervals from a length of sisal twine strung along the length of the courtyard are several hands of ripe bananas, their lemon-yellow colour lending handsomely to the festivity.
But wait! What are those thingummies riding high atop their warishis?
Effigies of animals, it seems; mainly the monkey.
Yes, agreed the attendant. They use those as a sort of talisman, to ward off any evil they may encounter during the hunt, and to generally bring them good luck.
This particular photo is titled: Plaza. The word again etched, rather unobtrusively, at the left hand corner of the photo.
Spree is the title of the next study, which takes us to what appears to be a communal benab, where the entire village seems to have turned out to welcome their tired but jubilant men-folk. The quality of the photograph suggests the men have broken into a run.
The festivity is in full swing.
It's a tradition with the Wai-Wais, says Dr Wilkes in a little booklet compiled to guide viewers through the exhibition. It's what you call a traditional cassava harvest celebration, she says. And it only occurs around Christmastime.
"My series of photographs capture this significant ritual, practised once a year as a community expression of the inherent value of the cassava cycle throughout the year, as part of a complex social, political and cultural economy associated with a body of social memory and rich iconography," she says.
She then goes on to say that according to the earlier colonial writers, the Wai-Wais were "the southern tribe of the territory," whose lighter than usual complexion made them "the legendary wild and beautiful white Indians" and whose preference for tapioca earned them the nickname: 'Indios do Tapioc'.
She also quotes the renowned anthropologist, Walter E. Roth, after whom the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology here was named, as saying that the name Wai-Wai, which means tapioca, was given the tribe by the Wapishanas, "on account of their liking for tapioca and starch foods."
Wilkes, whose discipline is Fine Art but has a passion for image-making and anthropology, says in her Artist's Notes: "... for centuries Amerindian societies have devised complex technologies, systems of knowledge and cultural practices, using artifacts such as the woven matapi and carved wooden grater in the creation of a wealth of cassava products valued by local communities as currency in maintaining identity and autonomy."
Cassava culture, she says, which has historically served as a vital source of subsistence and trade in village life, and as the main source of carbohydrate in many regions of South America and the Caribbean "envelopes a world of Amerindian mythology and expression associated with the plant's toxic tubers and its purification cycle, from the nutritional to the medicinal and spiritual, articulated through artifacts, iconography and ritual."
Noting that it is this significant Amerindian culture, which had been previously classified as merely a domestic sphere of subsistence that has been the focus of her research to date, Wilkes, whose doctoral thesis is based on extensive studies carried out here during the 90s, says:
"Pushing the boundaries of existing approaches, I have sought to understand the dynamics and world view of cassava culture, not only as a vital food source and repository of Amerindian knowledge, but also as a point of negotiation within the wider global context."
She uses "the tourism art market and Guyana's complex multicultural heritage" to explain the term: 'A point of negotiation within the wider global context'.
Through a combination of photographs, glass digital screen prints and image, and sound scrape projections, Wilkes says, "this exhibition articulates bitter cassava's unique role."
Sharing her views on what she thought of the exhibit, the contents of which are part of Wilkes submission for her doctoral thesis, Curator of the National Art Gallery, Ms Elfreida Bissember, said its very title "is perhaps apt in the modern context of inevitable loss and change which challenge lifestyles of all of us, including Guyanese Amerindians."
Its concerns, she says, "also accommodate, coincidentally, the theme of [Guyana's] Amerindian Heritage Month 2003, 'Igniting our Indigenous Roots Amidst Change'.
The exhibition runs until October 4.
Recognizing Amerindian culture -
"You must never feel that your culture has a lesser part to play ..." President Bharrat Jagdeo
A GINA feature
IT IS during the month of September, that Amerindian Heritage Month is observed and Amerindian culture is brought to the forefront and given significant recognition. This is not to say that Government does not focus attention on the development of Amerindians in any other month of the year. There are noticeable developments in every Amerindian community and in every conceivable sector of these communities.
While there is still a lot of work to be done for Amerindians, many Amerindians recognize that the Government is doing its best with limited funds available. But even as Government seeks to promote sector developments in Amerindian communities it also recognizes and promotes Amerindian cultural practices.
September is used merely to highlight some of these developments and to allow Amerindians to showcase their involvement in the development process to the rest of the Guyanese society a little more than usual. Most of these activities are culturally based.
They showcase, among other things, Amerindian dishes, dress, dances and art and craft. Amerindian Heritage Month has now become part of the national calendar of cultural events and so Guyanese look forward, especially to this month, to acquiring their treasured pieces of art and craft intricately produced by specialized Amerindian techniques.
Amerindians for many decades were seen as 'people of the forest' whose culture was confined to the "bushes." However, late President Cheddi Jagan, committed to having their culture and their other contributions to Guyana recognized at the national level, in 1995 dedicated September as Amerindian Heritage Month.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues says Dr. Jagan knew that one day was far from adequate to recognize and highlight Amerindian culture and contributions to the society.
Amerindians throughout the country have been clamoring for a national holiday in their honour. While this has not yet been achieved, the designation of Amerindian Heritage Day and Amerindian Heritage Month should be seen as a major achievement in their favour.
President Bharrat Jagdeo has been very supportive of developmental initiatives benefiting Amerindians. He along with a five-member delegation of Government Ministers traveled to the remote Amerindian Heritage Village at St. Ignatius in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) to participate with villagers in the cultural and other activities in observance of Amerindian Heritage Day.
"We are celebrating an integral part of the Guyanese culture, not something alien not something different ... but an important part of the Guyanese culture," President Jagdeo said at the Heritage Day celebrations.
The President said among the areas his Government had prioritized for the indigenous population was to raise awareness about their culture. "Many people and even some Amerindians themselves thought that this wonderful, rich culture was backward and people were sometimes ashamed of practicing it," President Jagdeo said, "but that is not true. This is a rich and important part of Guyanese culture," he emphasized.
In her address at the launch of the month-long activities, Minister Rodrigues said that "since our late President designated this month to the Amerindian people we have witnessed an increased consciousness and pride that is moreso expressed when September comes around.... I believe out of all these celebratory type activities that will be seen in September, there is a strong message to all - Amerindian People are a proud people and they are happy to express that pride."
The Head of State stressed that what the country is trying to forge is one nation, one culture that is uniquely Guyanese, "that identifies all of us as equal Guyanese."
"You must never feel that your culture has a lesser part to play in this national culture. It has an equal part to play in the forging of this culture," President Jagdeo told the thousands of Amerindians who gathered at St. Ignatius for the Heritage Day celebrations. "At the same time we have to create opportunities for the preservation of their culture."
The Sand Creek Culture Group, which performs mainly traditional Wapishana dances and songs gained prominence at the recently-concluded Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) V111 which was held in Suriname. The group was part of the Guyana contingent. It was selected last year during the cultural extravaganza, which culminated Amerindian Heritage Month 2002 celebrations.
Following its outstanding performance in Suriname, there have been requests for the group to perform at another festival in French Guiana later this year.
Mashramani, a national occasion observed in celebration of the country's Republican achievement, can be seen as a major contribution by Amerindians at the national level. Mashramani, was derived from the Arawak dialect which means cooperation after hard work.
Amerindians of Arawakan ancestry engage even up to today in some communities, in cooperative community work, after which they use their local traditional drinks to celebrate their achievement. The Amerindians call this "cayape", group or community work.
To further promote Amerindian culture, Government is pursuing a pilot project to integrate some Amerindian dialects in the schools curricula. The Rural Women's Network, (RWN) a women's group that was instituted by the Government in 1998 also promotes Amerindian culture, especially their food and craft products.
Earlier this year a few Amerindian women traveled to Trinidad and Tobago to share their expertise in craft production and food processing, among other things. Some other hinterland women also traveled to Jamaica to share their expertise in extracting and utilizing the juice of cassava. Mrs. Bibi Andrews, Coordinator of the RWN said the Jamaicans used the cassava and discarded the juice, which in Guyana is used to create bi-products such as casareep and 'tapioca' a starchy substance, used for making porridge.
Improved power supply attributed to active debt servicing, equipment maintenance
Move on to improve staff/customer relations
(GINA) - THE notable improvement in power supply to consumers since the withdrawal of AC Power from the Guyana Power and Light Company, GPL, has been attributed to the company’s active debt servicing and equipment maintenance programme that the new management undertook upon its assumption to office last May.
During a live discussion on GTV 11 last week, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the GPL, Mr. Ronald Ali, explained that the former GPL management walked away leaving a debt of $1B.
Ali said this sum was accrued due to the lack of payment for fuel and fuel shipments to Guyana, coupled with the deferral of equipment servicing.
To date, GPL has managed to reduce its indebtedness by $250M, and an additional $400M will be paid out to creditors by this month-end, said Ali.
The GPL Board Chairman said power outages have been substantially reduced with the company now reaching 96 per cent of its peak demand. However, he claimed that 67 per cent of GPL’s customers make habitual late payments.
Chief Executive Officer of GPL, Mr. Robin Singh, who also participated on the live programme, said GPL is currently operating strictly on a cash-inflow basis. He pointed out that the power company receives no subsidy from Government, but now depends heavily on consumer payments to manage its daily operations.
In addition to debt servicing, and in order to redress power supply problems caused through faulty transmission and distribution systems, GPL has expended some $100M towards the servicing and maintenance of equipment.
According to the GPL boss, the company has embarked on a massive revenue collection campaign aimed at maximising its revenue base. He emphasised the importance of timely payments by consumers to avoid disconnections.
On the issue of GPL’s estimation of consumption patterns, Chief Commercial Officer of the GPL, Mr. Sam Zimbe assured that on average, 15 per cent of GPL’s customers are billed on estimated readings.
Zimbe pointed out that the reason for such recourse by GPL is due largely to meter readers’ inaccessibility to premises.
However, he said consumers with queries with regard to estimated readings should visit the commercial department of GPL or call him on telephone number 225-4900. Others with disconnection queries may call the GPL disconnection hotline telephone 226-7408.
One of the major problems that faced the previous GPL managers and which they failed to conquer, was commercial loss experienced mainly through consumers’ theft of electricity. Since the heightened revenue collection drive by GPL, the company has disconnected several consumers who were in arrears for periods ranging from one month to six months.
Despite this effort by the company though, there are still loopholes in the system. Zimbe admitted that there are instances when the company took disciplinary action against members of its disconnection crew who were found guilty of colluding with consumers who handed over money so as not to be disconnected.
He affirmed that the Power Company has strict policies against such acts, and will continue to take necessary corrective action to curb illegal practices.
The absence of a proper stock inventory system under the previous GPL management has also been identified as the cause for the shortage of new meters for consumers. Towards redressing this situation, GPL plans to process about 1 000 new meter applications for this month.
During the call-in segment of the programme, public concerns raised ranged from irregular billing practices to discourteous customer relations meted out by GPL staff.
Zimbe said GPL has trained 1 000 staff members who interact with the public, but he assured that the company will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Chief Operations Officer of GPL, Mr. Bharat Dindyal, who was also another panellist on last evening’s programme, said the company is moving to address problems at the Berbice exchange.
Dindyal disclosed that discussions are being pursued with Independent Power Producers for the supply of 5MW of electricity for the Canefield Power Station.
He said GPL plans to embark on a maintenance programme for Berbice within a few weeks.
The live programme was an initiative of the Government Information Agency aimed at addressing the concerns of consumers with respect to the utilities sector.
Education Month extended to October
(GINA) - Education Month activities will flow over to the month of October this year.
Two major activities will be pulled off in the month of October. These are the National Awards ceremony at the National Cultural Centre on October 9 and International Teachers Day on October 5.
This month, the Education Ministry has decentralised its operations to enable Regional Education Departments to organise activities.
The theme for this year's Education Month is `Modernising Education and Strengthening Tolerance.'
In a press release, the Distance Education and Information Unit of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) acknowledged teachers' contribution to the sector.
The release said, "We are grateful to them for their sterling contribution and for their continued efforts to uphold the motto `We mould the nation', and exemplify in all their doings that they care, serve, mould and build."
It also stated that activities planned for Education Month in all Regions are designed to enhance children's skills in reading, writing and speaking.
Region Ten hosted a Spelling B Competition for Primary Three and Form Two students Wednesday. A Poetry Competition and a Rally were scheduled for yesterday.
Other activities are a reading competition on September 23, a Children's Rally on September 25, and a Landscaping/Environment Competition on September 29, along with the formal opening of the Linden Foundation Secondary School.
Their final activity will be an Awards Ceremony on September 30.
Region Seven will host a Spelling B and Reading Competition and a Science Fair, while Region Five will execute a Career Fair for September 30.
Rehabilitation works on schools continue
(GINA) - PERMANENT Secretary in the Education Ministry, Mr. Ganga Persaud, says deterioration in some schools could not be addressed all at the same time.
There are 1 200 schools that must be maintained by the Ministry.
"We continue to do what can be done with available resources, but there is need for Guyanese to focus on their responsibility to maintain public property," Persaud said in an interview with GINA.
He encouraged persons, especially parents, teachers and students, to care for school buildings and other physical assets.
He also urged persons to closely examine the efforts by the Ministry of Education, at varying levels, to maintain schools and other infrastructure.
Mr. Persaud is of the opinion that any position taken to dismiss the vigorous efforts by the Ministry to improve school environments is unfair. He said there are a number of interventions to uplift the present environment where students and teachers work.
He added: "We have a very active maintenance programme and our programme seeks not only to deal with buildings, but with infrastructure in general."
Rehabilitation works were recently completed at the Stella Maris Primary School, St. Sidwell's Primary School and St. Barnabas School in Georgetown. Uitvlugt Primary School was also completed to the tune of $21M.
The Ministry anticipates that the Winfer Gardens Primary will be completed by this month end and Bygeval Secondary School by year end.
Annandale Secondary reports good CSEC performances
ANNANDALE Secondary School on the East Coast Demerara has reported improved performances at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC) examinations.
Collis October emerged as the school’s top student, gaining eight subjects with seven Grade Ones and a Grade Two. This was followed by Kamlawattie Ramsaywack who gained five Grade Ones, two Grade Twos and a Grade Three; Rajesh Ramgoolam -four Grade Ones and four Grade Twos; Matthew John - four Grade Ones and four Grade Twos; Renuka Anandjit - three Grade Ones, three Grade Twos and two Grade Threes; Diana Dhanraj - three Grade Ones, three Grade Twos and two Grade Threes; Shripaul Rooplall - one Grade One, five Grade Twos and two Grade Threes; Harsha Mohan - four Grade Twos and four Grade Threes; and Doodnauth Sukhram - five Grade Ones, one Grade Two and one Grade Three.
In addition, 11 students secured passes in seven subjects while 25 passed six subjects and 17 got five subjects, reflecting an overall pass rate of 78 per cent of Grades One to Three.
One hundred per cent passes were obtained in several subjects, including Clothing and Textiles, Food and Nutrition, Home Economics and Management, Mechanical Engineering technology, office procedures, Principles of Accounts and Building Technology-Woods.
Impressive results were also obtained in several other subjects including Principles of Business – 98 per cent, Social Studies – 97 per cent, Agriculture Science (Double Award)- 92 per cent, English B –77 per cent, Caribbean History –73 per cent, Geography – 71 per cent, Physics – 71 per cent, Chemistry – 69 per cent, Biology – 60 per cent, Mathematics – 56 per cent and Technical Drawing – 54 per cent.
At the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (C.A.P.E) level, five students wrote the examination. One student, Satesh Boodram, obtained three passes-one Grade One and two Grade Threes. He was followed by Wasim Ali and Rhyan Harry with passes in two subjects each, reflecting a 54 per cent overall pass rate. (Chamanlall Naipaul)
Lethem businessman's funeral postponed
THE funeral of murdered Lethem businessman, Mohamed Khan, 50, of Savannah Inn, has been postponed due to documentation delays and other problems.
Khan's funeral was scheduled for next Sunday, but further investigations are continuing in Brasilia. According to the President of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Alfred Ramsaran, Khan's bones are in the Brazilian capital
The Sunday Chronicle was reliably informed that the investigations have so far revealed that Khan was robbed of some US$6 000, electrocuted, then burnt to death.
Yesterday Khan's wife, Linda indicated her dissatisfaction with the delay in having her husband's remains buried in Lethem.
According to Ramsaran, this delay is causing even more pain to Khan's family who wish to bury his remains as soon as possible and bring some measure of closure to their ordeal.
A well-placed source told this newspaper that the Brazilian authorities have demanded payment for the DNA analysis that was performed on Khan's remains.
The RCCI and Khan's family have since indicated that they will also seek the assistance of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help resolve the issue so that Khan can be finally buried in his homeland as soon as possible.
In a brief telephone interview with the Chronicle yesterday, Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj said he is willing to render assistance to the Khan family. However, the issue falls beyond his jurisdiction and office. He advised that the relatives and the RCCI seek assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in having the matter resolved.
The Chronicle understands that Mrs. Khan has secured the services of a Brazilian lawyer and is seeking compensation from the Brazilian authorities for her husband's death. The family was advised that, based on the DNA investigation, had Khan survived, he would have had a life span of more than 30 years.
The DNA results on Tuesday positively confirmed that the skeletal remains discovered in Brazil were those of abducted businessman and the former President of Rupununi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).
Khan, of Savannah Inn, Lethem, was kidnapped en route to Boa Vista. His remains were discovered in Sao Silvestre, Brazil.
`Skills for Success' programme launched
THE Durban Park Lions Club, in collaboration with the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education on Tuesday launched the 2003-2004 `Skills for Success' training programme to help young people of South Georgetown sharpen their academic skills, and rediscover their hidden potentials. The ultimate aim of the programme is self-improvement and the development of the communities in which the participants live.
The 12-week training programme at the North Ruimveldt Lions Den, Blue Mountain Road, Festival City, will offer the more than 25 participants, tuition in Basic English, Mathematics, and practical and entrepreneurial skills, among others.
Delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony, Director of IDCE, Mr. Samuel Small thanked the participants for joining with the Durban Park Lions and the IDCE in a "very noble opportunity" aimed at helping young people get a "new lease on life", and to think more positively about themselves, especially under circumstances where a lot of people seem to have lost hope.
He sees the programme as an opportunity to put together ideas, skills and determination, "as we work towards restoring our youth".
Stressing that the programme aims to provide the participants with "skills for Success", he said that apart from the core subjects of Reading and Mathematics, the focus on entrepreneurship is intended to help people to become self employed - to identify the things they like to do and work towards it.
"Good as academic subjects are, we need much more than that," he told the participants gathered for opening ceremony.
Mr. Small also urged them to appreciate the benefits of "learning to work with each other", developing attitudes of confidence and self-reliance, and thinking positively, and being punctual.
President of the Durban Park Lions Club, Lion Sarah Gordon, urged the participants to be vigilant, attentive and ensure they attend all classes.
Vice Chairperson (Education and Youth) congratulated them, as well as their parents and other family members for making it possible for them to attend the classes. She urged them not to drop out of classes, and pointed out "your development will make for the development of the community."
Chairperson was Lioness Karen Yaw. (Shirley Thomas)
Guyana to host fourth Caribbean Week of Agriculture
(GINA) -A week of activities will commence on October 6, 2003 to mark the fourth Caribbean Week of Agriculture in Guyana (CWA). This event is being coordinated by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in association with the CARICOM Secretariat and the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Agriculture.
Among the events scheduled for the week is a forum with Ministers of Agriculture from the Region as well as Organisations of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) members.
A grand Trade Show is billed for the Sophia Exhibition Complex under the theme `Completive Marketing: The focus for the success of Caribbean Agriculture'.
Acting Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock Mr. Satyadeow Sawh, IICA representatives and officials from CARICOM will be present.
Other events will include a one-day marketing workshop, a Regional Agricultural Policy Network Workshop and the Annual General/Special Meetings of Regional Institutions of the Alliance for Sustainable Agricultural Development and Rural Milieu.
These include the Caribbean Agri-business Association (CABA), Caribbean Council of Higher Education in Agriculture (CACHE), Caribbean Network of Rural Women Producers (CNRWP), a forum of Caribbean Youth in Agriculture (CYA) and PROCICARIBE.
This year's CWA activities, which will culminate on October 10, will be observed under the theme `Facilitating Economic Development through the Promotion of Competitive Agriculture in the Caribbean.'
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