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At meeting of CARICOM Heads in The Bahamas
‘We are ready, willing and able’
- New Bajan PM warns local criminal elements
By Neil Marks
NEWLY-elected Barbados Prime Minister, Mr. David Thompson, on Friday, issued a call for governments within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to come to this country’s support in the fight against crime, given the two recent massacres which left 23 persons dead.

“Let us send a clear message to these assassins that we are ready, willing and able to put at the disposal of the Government of Guyana whatever assistance is necessary to carry out its primary role of protecting its people,” Mr. Thompson told his counterparts attending the 19th Inter-Sessional meeting of Heads of Government in the Bahamian capital, Nassau.

The Trinidad government, which loaned Guyana a helicopter to carry out air and sea surveillance, and promised specialised weapons this government has been unable to acquire, is the only one within the regional integration bloc to come forward so far to offer any help since the massacres.

The Guyana government’s chief spokesperson, Dr Roger Luncheon, was Thursday frank in admitting that the search for the gang(s) that carried out the massacres has not borne much fruit thus far. His comments came as he defended as not being last resort measures a series of consultations held by President Bharrat Jagdeo with local stakeholders to look at a national security action plan.

The massacres represent the country’s gravest security challenge in recent memory.

“If one of our member Governments is perceived as incapable of bringing criminals to justice, then what is there to stop criminals elsewhere from challenging the authority of Governments?” Thompson asked of his counterparts, saying that the time was never more opportune for that “Caribbean resolve and spirit in a matter impacting on all of us.”

Noting that the government and people of Guyana have suffered “immeasurable losses in the past month in an intolerable spate of senseless crime,” Thompson stoutly declared: “We in Barbados stand firmly in solidarity with our comrades from Guyana and resolutely condemn these acts of apparent random barbarity.”

He did not elaborate, however, on what forms of assistance should be extended to Guyana.

CARICOM Secretary General, Mr. Edwin Carrington also weighed in on the subject in his presentation saying that “unity is…necessary to surmount the serious threat of crime to the very fabric of our societies and to our hopes for a viable and prosperous Caribbean Community.”

But he was quick in calling for urgent action, saying: “Time is not on our side if we are to safeguard our security.”

‘Mash’ a success despite challenges
– Minister Anthony
- winners receive awards
MASHRAMANI 2008 was a resounding success despite the many challenges which Guyana was experiencing during the run up to February 23. The event, which marked Guyana’s 38th republic day anniversary concluded with a prize giving ceremony at Umana Yana Friday.

Among the highlights of the event was the presentation of awards to ‘Young Bill Rogers’, winner of the calypso competition, and Trevor Rose, of ‘Facts and Roses’ who copped the prize for ‘Designer of the Year’.

Chairman of Region Four, Clement Corlette, received a prize on behalf of the Region which was judged number one in the full costume band competition.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony, who spoke at the ceremony, alluded to the relentless acts which were carried out on residents of Lusignan and Bartica in January and February which evoked much speculation about hosting of Mash.

Minister Anthony said the government’s intention to proceed with the event and the public’s support which was evident was a clear demonstration of Guyanese not succumbing to the fear which these callous acts were intended to bring.

“If there’s one thing I know is that culture and sports are two things that bring this country together regardless of your race or political affiliation. Sports and culture are two things that Guyanese enjoy so we took a conscious decision that mash would go on… there were some who rejected but mash went on and we were quite successful,” Minister Anthony said.

Mashramani 2008 was held under the theme, ‘Let’s unite and celebrate in 2008.’ It was described by many as “beautiful,” and “splendid.” Guyanese were seen enjoying themselves as they viewed the costumes and floats.

Leading the way was a 300-member delegation from the Christian organisation, ‘The Body of Christ’.

Revellers also used the occasion to distribute bibles and testaments.

The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport carried the theme ‘celebrating in unity’, the Ministry of Education going under the theme ‘going green preserving our children’s future’ and the Ministry of Agriculture promoting ‘an abundance of crops and livestock’.

The Ministry of Health took to the streets again this year promoting its blood drive and immunization. Concept Entertainment, the new kid on the block this year, was among the larger floats.

Mashramani has seen many improvements in various aspects according to Minister Anthony, who made reference to the newly-introduced segment of the mash calypso competition which focuses on HIV/AIDS.

“This year’s competition, I am told, has improved tremendously and we have songs apart from those that were sung about social issues, that can really send that message about the deadly disease and prevention,” Minister Anthony said.

The competition, according to the Minister, reveals Guyana’s potential in the area of music which is often given little appreciation because of not being given much publicity.

In this regard he urged that more effort be made to air this type of music so that it becomes more popular and appreciated by the public. He also urged that musicians and other performing artistes continue working throughout the year to maintain excellence.

Fire officers to train overseas
The Government of Guyana in its efforts to support the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) to improve its capability and efficiency has granted approval for fire officers to undergo training overseas.

Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, made this disclosure during the three-day discussions on the estimates of the 2008 national budget, while responding to a query from People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Member, Deborah Backer, as to whether there were provisions for overseas training.

“I must first congratulate the fire service for put forwarding a very good training programme to which we (government) have approved and this includes training overseas. For your information four fire officers will attend overseas training this year,” Minister Rohee asserted.

In this year’s budget, $8.5M has been allocated to the fire service for training and scholarships in an effort to enhance the work of the service.

The Minister also informed the House that members of the Fire Service are expected to receive help through the establishment of an auxiliary unit that will comprise trained members to assist the Service’s fire-fighting efforts.

The special group of men will receive training, equipment and stipends from the Fire Service.

The Minister received kudos from the opposition members for such a proactive move. In the 1950s and 1960s there was a similar unit which became inactive after the 1970s.

Meanwhile, Minister Rohee said that in accordance with the Juvenile Offenders (Amendment) Bill, $34M has been allocated to the establishment of the first juvenile holding centre which will be located in Sophia.

The Bill, which was approved by the House last May, will allow for the establishment of holding centres for youths, and for maintaining them for the reception, care and custody under the orders of the court or for any other appropriate reasons as the Minister may determine.

The establishment of the centres will depend on the number of persons, local conditions of divisions in different regions and consultations with various agencies.

Minister Rohee, in response to queries as to when other centres will be established said that they are in the making but was emphatic that Sophia was to be the first.

Backer also enquired why such a huge sum of money ($160M) has been allocated to the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) for dietary needs. She noted that it was portrayed that more emphasis would be placed on self-sufficiency.

Minister Rohee said this was done to provide better quality food for prisoners until the agriculture programme comes fully on stream.

In January, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Prison Service inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the restart of agricultural activities at the prisons to ensure self sufficiency in food.

The Prison Service once had an active farm that provided some of its food requirements.

Government had promised that work will be done to utilise the prisons’ estate to cultivate and rear livestock and produce more food.

The administration sees this as easing the budgetary allocation for dietary expenditure as money will be used in other areas. Every prisoner costs the State approximately $19,000 per month.

Growth in Non-traditional agro-exports significant – GMC
- Over 4.4 million pounds of fresh fruits & vegetables exported in 2007
THE Guyana Marketing Corporation, lead agency for the promotion of the non-traditional agro-sector, sees the increase in exports of non-traditional agriculture products for 2007 as a clear indication that measures being put in place by the Ministry of Agriculture are having a positive effect on the growth and development of its charge.

General Manager, Mr. Nizam Hassan, was quoted as saying in a release issued yesterday that the recorded increase in exports for 2007 of 7,394 tonnes, about a third of which was primarily fresh fruits and vegetables, is a significant development which shows that Guyana is well on the way to becoming the number-one supplier of food to CARICOM.

“For 2007 we have seen exports of fruits and vegetables increase to 2,001 tonnes, from 1,562 tonnes in 2006. This translates to an increase of 967,819 pounds being exported, a clear indication that the sector continues to show significant signs of growth and development,” he reportedly said, adding that this should be seen in the context that exports in the early 1990s amounted to just over 1,900 tonnes, inclusive of fruits/vegetables and processed produce.

The revenue earned for the 7,394 tonnes more of non-traditional produce exported in 2007, he said, was in the vicinity of G$1.87 billion.

According to the release, several agro-business investors came here recently to explore business opportunities in the non-traditional crops sector. Said investors, which included representatives from Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados, paid visits to several farming communities countrywide for a first-hand look at the investment opportunities that exist.

It said that as part of its continuing drive to meet internationally acceptable standards, the GMC has expended a total of $16 million on rehabilitating its Central Packaging Facility housed at the Sophia Exhibition Complex, and that similar facilities at Parika, Charity and at Number 43 Village, on the Corentyne Coast will also become operational in the near future.

It also quotes an Agri-business Specialist attached to the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Mr. Frank Lam, who was part of a team that facilitated a three-day exporters’ enhancement workshop as saying that he was pleased with the packaging facility and GMC’s drive to further develop the sector.

Lam, in recognition of the massive potential and business opportunities that exist here, coupled with the facilitation services being provided by GMC, is said to have signalled his intention of passing on this information to regional stakeholders who may be inclined to visit Guyana to further pursue business opportunities.

A team of Barbadian agriculture officials who visited Guyana in January lauded the upgrading of the Sophia Pack House, describing it as impressive and a welcomed development, since agro-exports to Barbados, as well as other CARICOM member States continue to show annual increases.

In conclusion, the missive says that the GMC “remains committed to playing an integral role in the development of the non-traditional crops sector and will continue to work with other agencies, farmers, agro-processors, exporters and stakeholders in its efforts to achieve this objective.”

Controversial GMU continues to refute fraud claims
GREENHEART Medical University (GMU), the offshore tertiary institution embroiled in a controversy with its overseas students, yesterday continued to refute claims of fraud.

The claimants comprise a group of Nigerians enrolled as personal support workers (PSWs) and a few Doctor of Medicine (MD) students.

GMU Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Reza Chowbury, speaking at a press briefing in the Fourth Street, Campbellville, Georgetown campus, said it is committed to providing the highest standards of education and student welfare in all aspects of its operations.

With him were GMU President, Dr. Joshua Thambiraj; Vice-President, Finance, Mr. Dennis Ramnarace; Director of Operations, Dr. Jerry Meehan; Associate Dean, Dr. Dale Srinvas; Dean, Dr. Ruben Tavarez and a group of MD graduates.

Chowbury maintained that the establishment, to offer quality health care workers and increase the number of medical personnel in Guyana, desires Guyanese students to avail themselves of the low cost education opportunity.

Before the media event, 10 Nigerians protested in front of the premises, with placards claiming that the school also owes them money.

But Chowbury said those and others who were most vocal in the press are the same ones who have not paid their fees but were allowed to remain far longer than they would have been allowed elsewhere.

“It is only after they failed some courses they decided to tarnish GMU and its legitimate fee paying students, by making false accusations. They continue to owe GMU thousands of dollars,” he insisted.

Ramnarace named a student who was enrolled through an agent in India and said, the bank draft tendered by the latter has since been cancelled after he, eventually, arrived here via Barbados and Germany.

“We have not received one cent from him,” Ramnarace said.

He said the student was on the PSW, a nurse aide programme which has been stopped after it was found to be attracting bogus students using the GMU name to get out of their countries of residence.

“They had no intention of studying and never paid any of their fees,” Ramnarace explained, stating that GMU now only offers the MD course.

He said the complaining foreigners were given the option of returning to their home countries and having their tuition charges refunded, if they were dissatisfied with the conditions here but none has taken up the offer.

Ramnarace said the Indian High Commission is aware of the situation with its nationals and the allegation that GMU is staffed by unqualified personnel is “grossly unfounded.”

He said, from 2005 when GMU began operations, it has always had qualified tutors, many of whom are University of Guyana (UG) Medical School instructors.

Ramnarace admitted, though, there was one instance in which a teacher quit abruptly, after the school discovered his credentials were fake.

The GMU Vice-President disclosed that its administrators will meet with Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy to address stated accusations, as they want to build a safe and secure environment for students.

Meanwhile, Chowbury, reacting to concerns about the students’ qualifications and facilities available for practical work, said all its entrants are scrutinised to verify the required certification for enrollment and the hands-on work is done at Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).

Previously, some Nigerian PSWs who graduated in December 2007, together with MD students, alleged that GMU had promised them huge loans for studies, books, accommodation, food and more expenses, as well as jobs in North America.

Chowbury categorically denied that and said, once the students entered Guyana, their own sponsors in North America abandoned their financial obligations and GMU cannot guarantee them employment.

“These students have produced no written evidence that such promises were made by the previous management,” the CEO said.

Women’s health unit in the works
THE Ministry of Health said yesterday that women have specific health needs that cannot be adequately addressed without unique provisions in the health care system and that it is for this reason that it will be establishing a Women’s Health Unit later this year.

“… it is quite clear that when we look at health, we have to look at the health of the woman in a special way and so the Ministry of Health has decided that we should establish a Women’s Health Unit at the Ministry so that problems peculiar to women can be addressed in a focused way,” Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said yesterday as he reflected on the effects of ill health on women during observances here to mark ‘International Women’s Day 2008’, which was is being commemorated the world over under the theme, ‘Investing in women and Girls’.

The Minister said that someone has already been identified to spearhead the programme and that his ministry is in the process of formulating plans and seeking budgetary allocations to support it.

Celebrated annually on March 8, International Women's Day (IWD) is the global day connecting all women around the world and inspiring them to achieve their full potential. The first International Women's Day was launched on 8 March, 1911 in Copenhagen by Clara Zetkin, Leader of the 'Women's Office' for the Social Democratic Party in Germany.

Noting that there is a huge disparity in terms of providing adequate health care that is gender specific to women, Minister Ramsammy said that “between 600,000 - 800,000 women die every year giving birth, and [that] for every one woman that dies of child birth, between three to five and in some countries as many as 10 are maimed for life.”

He said too that while the Human Papilloma Virus is sexually transmitted from men to women, it is the women who bear the effects of this virus, one of which is cervical cancer. “So, while a woman can get infected by a man who carries the virus, it is the woman who then bears the burden of that transmission and almost a million women die every year because of this. So if you look at the vulnerability of women, you see it expressed in many ways; and one is health,” the minister said.

Another pressing issue relating to women which can also ruin their health, he said, is unequal relationships, a new buzz-word it seems for domestic and other types of violence perpetrated against women.

Noting that violence against women, particularly domestic violence, largely affects women rather than men, both physically and psychologically, the minister said this is an issue which requires a multi-sectoral approach if it is to be properly addressed.

“Some of this violence -- domestic violence and violence against women and children -- lead to not only death, but to lifelong disabilities and we need to address all of these issues, he said, adding that rape and sexual abuse is another area that needs to be further addressed.