Over 200 hospitality stakeholders conclude training
Georgetown, GINA, August 19, 2008.
Over 200 stakeholders in the hospitality industry have completed training in the areas of housekeeping, customer care, taxi service and front desk management.
The participants: 60 in housekeeping, 70 in customer care, 21 in taxi service and 60 in front desk management underwent training to provide a higher level of service in their respective areas.
From left: Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad, Tameca Sukhdeo-Singh, Master Trainer responsible for housekeeping and Norma Washington, Master Trainer responsible for front desk management, at the graduation ceremony.
The workshops were held by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) over the past few weeks.
A graduation ceremony for participants of the Refresher Training Programmes was held on August 18 at The Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal where Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad urged that the grandaunts share what they have learnt with their co-workers.
Minister Prashad addressing graduates
Minister Prashad reiterated that the training is not just for the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) X but that it should go beyond that.
Norma Washington- the master trainer responsible for housekeeping said that she was happy that so many persons took up the challenge and that they responded and participated well.
Washington is hopeful that the grandaunts would have already started implementing what they have learnt in their work environments.
Minister Prashad and graduands of the Refresher Training Programme
Tameca Sukhdeo-Singh- master trainer responsible for front desk management said that she too was very pleased with the turnout at the training since it shows that persons are interested in the development of human resource capacity.
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GPOC launches CARIFESTA X stamps
Georgetown, GINA, August 19, 2008
With the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) X just three days away, the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) today launched a special commemorative stamp as part of its contribution to the festival’s philatelic arts.
The ceremony held at the GPOC’s main office on North Road, was attended by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green, Chairman of GPOC Bishop Juan Edghill and other officials of the Corporation.
The stamps can be purchased for $20 $55, $80 and $120 at GPOC’s offices in Linden, New Amsterdam, Anna Regina and Parika. However a special edition featuring the different stamps and the Coat of Arms can be purchased for $1000
The CARIFESTA stamps on display
Prime Minister Hinds who is the minister responsible for the GPOC said the launching was a good initiative to ‘hype’ CARIFESTA.
Mr. Hinds disclosed that the CARIFESTA philatelic arts exhibition featuring various past and present stamps, will be launched on August 25 at the GPOC’s Lamaha and Carmichael Streets building. Included in this will be a special Sir James Douglas stamp.
The GPOC, a long serving institution in Guyana was commended by the Prime Minister for still existing despite the many new and innovative modes of communication such as the mobile phone and the Internet. He expressed optimism that it will still be in operation for the next 100 years.
The GPOC was quick to respond to the call to contribute to CARIFESTA and was commended by Minister Anthony who said that a special commemorative coin will also be unveiled at the Bank of Guyana.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony looking at the new CARIFESTA Stamps
“There are several other CARIFESTA memorabilia that are going to be around. There are T shirts, postcards representing important heritage sites and several others that you should look out for. I am sure they will be part of our history and collectors’ items in the future that you can share with your children,” Minister Anthony said.
The newly published stamps were considered by Bishop Edghill as a revival of philately which has been dormant for several years.
The CARIFESTA stamps are the first of their kind at the GPOC, and according to Bishop Edghill, they should be purchased and kept as souvenir items.
He disclosed that one private entity has already ordered 1000 of these stamps which can also be found on key rings, albums and bags.
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Ohio University students on special CARIFESTA project
Georgetown GINA, August 19, 2008
A group of 17 students and two facilitators from Ohio University, in the United States are in Guyana on a special project requiring media coverage for the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA).
The project is part of the students’ academic course. The team, accompanied by video producer Professor Frederick Lewis, will be staying in Guyana throughout the period of the festival.
Supported by five cameras and other media equipment, the students will be working in teams alongside staff of the National Communications Network (NCN) during the opening ceremony and a one-hour daily highlight on CARIFESTA.
Ohio University students touring the radio studio of NCN
On August 18 the team accompanied by Professor Lewis, visited NCN for a tour of the studio and other production areas.
During an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) Professor Lewis said CARIFESTA became known to the team through Guyanese-born Professor Vibert Cambridge.
Professor Lewis said the project will be a good experience for the students to enhance their knowledge in the area of video production while at the same time learning new cultures.
During the 10 days, the students are expected to be kept very busy but will however, get the opportunity to tour the magnificent Kaieteur Falls among other adventurous trips.
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Efficient chain supply system critical for effective health care delivery
– Minister Ramsammy
Government, GINA, August 19, 2008
Government during 2008 will be spending about $2.5B for the procurement of medicine and medical supplies which is an essential requirement in the delivery of quality health care services.
Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said Guyana over the years has developed a very proficient system for the procurement and distribution of goods and medical supplies.
“Government has been allocating more and more money annually for the procurement of medicine and medical supplies because we are cognizant that adequate supplies of drugs and effective chain supply system, meaning that drugs have to reach all health facilities on time, are two very important aspects for proper health care delivery. People do not realise that effective health care delivery do not mean only having enough doctors and nurses but also equipping doctors and nurses with the tools for them to work with,” the Health Minister said.
He said Guyana has one of the most modern patient care and safety system in place at all health care facilities across the country, noting that an enormous amount of supplies is being used to ensure patients’ safety.
“Health-care workers have been trained to change their gloves after every patient and to change the syringes after every use. We never in Guyana reuse a syringe so you can imagine the number of syringes that is used in the sector, it is enormous and it is not just for injection of medicines but it is also used when blood specimens for laboratory work. We also use syringes when vaccines are given and so this is a huge expenditure for the health sector,” Minister Ramsammy explained.
He noted that Guyana is an example to other countries which are beneficiaries of the President’s Plan for Emergency AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) as the country has been able to develop an excellent procurement, distribution and shortage system.
For the first time goods and medicines such as vaccines are stored in a cold storage facility. This is a fully computerized system which also allows for timely procurement of new supplies.
“The supply chain that we have in place also includes a distribution network so we have developed a distribution capacity. We have over the years improved on this and have replaced the old system which was very time consuming in drug distribution,” the Minister noted.
Apart from the money being allocated by Government for the procurement of goods, the health sector is also benefiting from its HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria grants.
“I think Guyanese need to reflect a little because back in 1991, Guyana spent less than $100M on medical supplies, today we have increased that to about $2B,” the Minister said.
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Guyana deemed ‘hottest’ new destination in South America
Georgetown, GINA, August 19, 2008
Guyana has once again attracted international recognition with the attention that it has been receiving at the British Birdwatching Fair, London.
The country continues to be the “most talked about booth at the Fair with a steady flow of visitors crowding the stand to get more information on what is fast becoming the ‘hottest’ destination in South America for birding and nature tourism,” a Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) release noted.
While a number of tourists visited the booth, there were a series of tour operators who wanted to discuss organizing group holidays to Guyana.
GTA’s Director, Indranauth Haralsingh, said he was very impressed by the Birdfair and the interest expressed in Guyana. “You can see the results from prior work with familiarization trips – Guyana is now listed in the catalogs of almost every company that visited the country.”
According to the release, “Many are so confident in Guyana as a new destination that they plan to start selling tours to Guyana before they even have the opportunity to travel to the country first to preview it for their clients.”
Some of the tour operators included the Rock Jumper Birding Tours of South Africa, Manu Expeditions of Peru, Tierra Natuurreizen of Belgium, Algarve Birding of Portugal, and Eustace Barnes Tours, Lionscape Wildlife Tours and Sarus Bird Tours of England.
The recent three-part BBC series Lost Land of the Jaguar, that was done on Guyana was said to be one of the greatest advertising tool as many saw the documentary and came in search of the booth.
Many visitors also expressed support for the Government of Guyana’s efforts to preserve the rainforest as they along with others hope to see this national treasure remain in its pristine state for the world to enjoy.
Ron Allicock, a ranger at the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development attended the Fair. He reported that, “Compared to last year, the booth has gotten much more attention by far.” He attributed this surge in interest in part to the well-timed BBC series.
Three UK-based tour operators, Ornitholidays, Naturetrek and the Traveling Naturalist have all reported that the demand for trips to Guyana has been so great that they have already sold out of their 2008 and 2009 tours.
Further with the country’s surging popularity, seven new companies from England including Avian Adventures, Bird Holidays, Wild Parrots Up Close, Birdfinders,
Geodyssey, Limosa, and the Adventure Company are planning to add trips to Guyana for 2009 and 2010.
Other organisations such as the Neotropical Bird Club, a UK-based company dedicated to birdwatching and conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean has selected Guyana as the next destination for their yearly club expedition.
Tim Earl, the Traveling Naturalist praised the efforts of the Guyana Sustainable Tourism Initiative (GSTI) for their combined achievements in raising the profile of Guyana. He recommended that lesser-known destinations trying to promote birding tourism to use Guyana as a model for how to run a successful marketing campaign, the release stated.
The Guyana booth was sponsored by Bradt Guides which published the first comprehensive guide book to Guyana.
Ian and Tracy Hempstead of Newark, UK, were selected in a drawing for a free seven-night trip to Guyana and were delighted as they announced that, “This is one of our dream destinations… If we had won a trip to anywhere in the world, we would have chosen Guyana.”
Greenheart Trust, another Guyanese booth that focused on conservation activities in the South Rupununi, also received prominent attention at the Birdfair, winning the prize for “Best overseas Stand.”
The country is also soon to benefit from similar exposure in the U.S. market as following a connection made at the American Birding Association convention in Snowbird, Utah, the producer of Birding Adventures and Reel Adventures confirmed that a crew will be visiting Guyana for 10 days in October to film four television shows.
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President receives souvenir CARIFESTA stamps, coin
Georgetown, GINA, August 19, 2008
In order to ensure that the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) X is long- remembered and remains an important part of Guyana’s and the Caribbean’s history, the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) and the Central Bank of Guyana have produced memento stamps and coins in observance of the event and today the first of these were presented to President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the President.
President Bharrat Jagdeo receiving the souvenir coin from Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Gobind Ganga
Chairman of the GPOC, Bishop Juan Edghill explained that the Post Office is seeking to revive the philatelic market in the country to aid in preserving the country’s history.
Meanwhile, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Gobind Ganga presented the first of the special coin minted for the event which has been produced in the denomination of $2,000.
Ganga said the Bank is pleased to be associated with preserving Guyana’s history and the coin is expected to be unveiled shortly at the Bank.
President Jagdeo being presented with the collection of CARIFESTA X stamps by GPOC Chairman Juan Edghill
The Central Bank has pointed out that the coin is made of cupro-nickel and was
minted in limited quantity by the North American Mint Incorporated. The reverse of the coin depicts the Carifesta logo designed by Keith Bernard while the obverse depicts the National Coat of Arms of Guyana.
The coins will be available for sale to the public from 21st August, 2008, at the Bank of Guyana at a price of $3,800.00 each.
The President in turn thanked the entities for the initiative as he noted that the mementos will certainly enable Guyanese to remember CARIFESTA X for years to come.
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CARIFESTA X Security plan three-tiered – Deputy Commissioner Slowe
Georgetown, GINA, August 19, 2008
Outlining the details of the special security plan in place for CARIFESTA X Deputy Commissioner Operations (ag) Paul Slowe said that the arrangements are three-tiered. He was at the time addressing a specially arranged security briefing organized to updated the media, private sector and other stakeholders on security plans for CARIFESTA X.
He said that the plan was adapted from the Cricket World Cup 2007 for CARIFESTA X. He however acknowledged that the difference was that whereby one venue was used for the former event, a number of venues across Guyana would be used for CARIFESTA X.
Border Security
Deputy Commissioner Slowe said that all visa requirements for entry into Guyana between August 15 and September 15 have been waived and the Advance Passenger Information system (APIS) has been reactivated to better manage visitors. Contact has been made with Regional Intelligence Fusion Centre to provide information on passengers if necessary.
In addition, the security at all ports of entry will be boosted with more ranks stationed at the various ports, while the Police and the GDF Coast Guard will intensify patrols in the territorial waters.
Internal Security
The Deputy Commissioner said that emphasis will be placed on traffic and Crime control and disaster preparedness to ensure that in any eventuality persons are evacuated as quickly as possible. Protection for delegations and dignitaries and security of all utility services, both state and privately owned will be in place.
He assured that all tourism resorts, hotels and entertainment venues will be secured by both static and mobile patrols as security assessments of the various locations were already done by the security services and support will be provided to the operators where necessary.
The arrangements, he said also encompass a public health aspect as this was viewed as necessary. Inspections were conducted at all restaurants and other public facilities in and around event venues and accommodations to ensure that strict hygienic standards are maintained.
Additional foot, canine, mounted and mobile patrols have begun in all commercial centres and would continue throughout the festival.
CARIFESTA X Specific Security
Deputy Commissioner Slowe said that security measures specific to CARIFESTA X will entail arrangements for the movement of delegations, visitors and dignitaries from the ports of entry to accommodations and all in-country movements during the festival. He advised that the movement of delegations and dignitaries to and from the airport and venues would be done under police escort.
Attention would also be placed on venue security, he said. The use of multiple venues had posed a challenge. This, however, would be conquered by the deployment of Private security services and Community Policing Groups.
Emergency response teams would be posted at each venue during events. Plans are also in place for disaster management at venues and accommodations and a special traffic management plans will be observed
Traffic management
Traffic Chief Neil Semple outlined the plans for the management and smooth flow of traffic in and around venues identified to host activities. The two largest activities are expected to be the opening and closing ceremonies to be held at the National Stadium, Providence.
Special routes have been identified to allow access of the different categories of persons to the various events. For the opening and closing ceremonies, the western carriage way of the East Bank Highway from Nandy Park to MACORP compound would be opened to two-way traffic.
The eastern carriage way would be used for access to the National Stadium. A public parking area would be established in the area between the Buddy’s International Hotel and the Stadium. No parking would be allowed on the East Bank Highway between Nandy Park and the MACORP Compound during the two main activities. The main gate for the stadium would be restricted to pedestrians while the southernmost entrance will be used as entry for dignitaries, delegations and other performers.
Arrangements have also been made with catering concessionaires for delivery of vehicles to arrive and depart all venues at specific times to reduce the possibility of congestion caused by these vehicles.
Special traffic arrangement will also be in place for events hosted at the National Park and the Sophia Exhibition Centre.
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Region Nine prepares for Carifesta X
Georgetown, GINA, August 19, 2008
Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) is part of the celebrations for Carifesta X as the region has sent six cultural groups from Surama, Bina Hill, Aranaputa, Sand Creek, Aishalton and the Karaudarnau to participate in the event.
In Guyana there are nine Amerindian tribes who live mainly in the hinterland Regions. The Surama, Bina Hill and Aranaputa Cultural groups are made up of the Macushi Amerindian tribe while Sand Creek, Aishalton and Karaudarnau cultural groups comprise members of the Wapishana tribe.
Regional Chairman of Region Nine Clarindo Lucas said that the groups will be performing dances, skits and poems while a component of the contingent will be demonstrating the production of fabric from cotton.
Cotton production is a main source of income for many households in the Region. Cotton is usually spun into fabric and woven into hammocks which are then sold. The majority of houses in the Region use hammocks for sleeping and every person is expected to have the female members of the home skilled in cotton spinning.
However, Lucas said that this has been changing over the years and more males are attracted to the skill of weaving hammocks and making other crafts.
As part of the Carifesta celebration, Government had allocated $20M for the construction of an Amerindian Village to showcase the life of Guyana’s indigenous people.
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Information plaques presented on Amerindian Village
Georgetown, GINA, August 19, 2008
The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was today presented with six information plaques to be placed at the Amerindian Village constructed at the Sophia Exhibition Complex, Georgetown for CARIFESTA X.
Handing over the plaques to Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai at the Amerindian Village was Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony. During the simple handing over ceremony, Minister Sukhai expressed gratitude for the plaques and said they will be very useful for visitors and students.
One of the six plaques being handed over to Minister of Amerindian Affairs
The information plaques were done by six students who recently concluded the Walter Roth Museum’s archaeology course.
Minister Sukhai said she was very impressed with the work done by the students and expressed the hope that they would move on to other major things in the future.
The Amerindian Village for CARIFESTA X is meant to educate people and create first hand experience on the way of life of the Amerindians, including their culture, traditions and the many successful strides to civilization.
The information plaques being displayed by the students
The village comprises replicas of homes of the Arawaks, Macushis, Arecunas, Patamonas, Warraus, Akawaios and the Wai Wais.
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GECOM registered 430,746 persons, otherS to be captured in continuous registration process
Georgetown, GINA, August 19, 2008
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has announced that as at July 4, the end of the House-to-house registration exercise for Local Government elections, 430,746 persons completed registration while 33,827 persons could not be registered because they were not in possession of the required documents.
GECOM in a release issued today said those persons will be captured during the continuous registration exercise scheduled to commence by October.
The Commission said that of the 33,827 who were not registered, 11,370 persons who had applied for birth certificates were still awaiting these documents while 1,905 refused to be registered and approximately 12,000 persons could not be registered because they were out of their area of residence.
GECOM has compiled a list of persons who are awaiting birth certificates and would be forwarding it to the General Registrar’s Office to assist in expediting the process. The list will also be shared with the respective political parties so that they could assist in stimulating their supporters to register, the release added.
The release further stated that GECOM is currently engaged in efforts to contract out the cross matching of finger prints to eliminate the possibility of multiply registration.
The national registration exercise commenced in January after the political Opposition insisted that a new Register of Registrants was necessary before Local Government Elections were held.
GECOM, recognized that all persons may not be registered at the end of the exercise and therefore arranged for continuous registration to commence after the production of the new Register of Registrants to capture persons not captured in the House-to-House registration. Twenty three Registration Offices and four sub offices have been established in the 10 Administrative Regions to facilitate this exercise.
Government made the sum of $300M available to GECOM at the beginning of the exercise to finance the scrutinising of the process to ensure transparency. The scrutineers are drawn from the political parties in parliament.
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President makes second inspection of CARIFESTA venues
-as CARIFESTA counts down to two days
Georgetown, GINA, August 19, 2008
As the auspicious event, the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) X counts down to two days before the opening ceremony, President Bharrat Jagdeo today visited a number of venues to ensure their readiness for the event.
The Head of State toured the National Park which will be the venue for the Youth Village and other activities of the event as well as the Sophia Exhibition site, Sophia to check on work there.
Officials of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs were also at the Amerindian Village site giving final touches to the entrance to the benabs contructed and placing the names of the various Amerindian tribes at their respective locations.
It was noted by the President that the adjustments he suggested last week while on a visit to the site were already made.
The Sophia Exhibition site will be the venue for a number of CARIFESTA events following the opening ceremony which will take place at the Guyana National Stadium on August 22.
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St Cuthbert’s Mission farmers urged to take cognizance of climate change effects - Grow More caravan visits
Georgetown, GINA, August 19, 2008
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and several key officials from his Ministry and agencies visited St. Cuthbert’s Mission recently and held a meeting with residents of the Amerindian community, located in Region Four to stimulate greater food security and increased food production.
Minister Persaud told residents that much emphasis should be placed on the economic development of the community which he noted is driven by logging and agriculture.
The Agriculture Minister said that the ‘grow more’ initiative is aimed at exposing farmers to new technologies by working with them to improve the way in which they conduct their farming activities by linking them to potential markets.
The community was urged to select farmers/residents to be trained as Extension Agents to service the village’s needs.
The Minister emphasized the need St Cuthbert’s to become prosperous and successful by recognizing the challenges and problems faced and addressing ways of confronting them in order that they can maximize benefits and exploit the full potential of their community.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud addressing St. Cuthbert’s Mission residents, Region Four
Noting the topography and location of the community, Minister Persaud said it will be vulnerable to floods and with the increasing effects of climate change; the community will not be in a position to deal with its effects and therefore, farmers must take this reality into consideration by looking at the type of farming activities that can be done and the crops they can grow. The Minister promised technical assistance for the community.
Farmers highlighted concerns about the high cost of agro-chemicals and were told by the Minister that several meetings were conducted with importers and distributors to reduce prices and encourage bulk buying to assist farmers to purchase at reasonable prices.
In addition, government has been pursuing a number of steps to source affordable farming chemicals to assist farmers, he added.
Minister Persaud encouraged the community to set up an agriculture fund where the proceeds from logging and internal craft activities can contribute towards the purchase and repair of agriculture equipment. The Ministries of Agriculture and Amerindian Affairs can work with the community to set up the fund but general interest must be shown, he emphasized.
He said individually a single farmer cannot survive the global competition and urged that they pool their resources since their strength as a group will complement each other in the type of farming activities.
Meanwhile, the community received a quantity of vegetable seeds, acoushi ant bait, training manuals and other planting materials from the Ministry as part of its continued support for farmers.
Several communities across Guyana have been visited by the ‘Grow more’ caravan, among them being Santa Mission, Dora, Kairuni and several other communities located in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six.
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