Farmers to benefit from advanced agricultural technology
…Greenfield Farms to be used as demonstration plot
Georgetown, GINA, February 18, 2009
Farmers in Berbice recently benefited from information about advanced technologies in farming and the benefits of using shade cloth, drip lines, plastic mulch and UV plastic during a tour of the Greenfield Farms at Timehri. The exercise was facilitated by the Guyana Trade and Investment Support (GTIS) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Greenfield Farms is a state-of-the art agricultural farm which was established by a group of overseas-based and other Guyanese with the aim of supporting the ‘Grow More’ food campaign in its goal to increase crop production, explore new crops that could be grown in Guyana and reduce the need to import goods that can be grown locally.
The facility is equipped with a nursery while a pack house is also being considered. The farm also utilizes modern irrigation systems which include drip lines and fertilizer injectors that allow fertilizers to be administered directly to the irrigation system in specific quantities.
According to a USAID/GTIS release, the GTIS is providing technical assistance to Greenfield Farms through an experienced Field Manager who has worked extensively in the Region and with exporting fresh produce to Europe and North America.
The facility will target regional markets and according to the release, discussions with distributors, supermarket chains and Farmers’ Associations regionally and in North America have all indicated that buyers are interested in purchasing products from Guyana.
Through the implementation of the greenhouse technology, the Ministry of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) will be able to enhance its agricultural exports and train farmers in utilizing advanced agricultural technology by using the Greenfield Farms as a demonstration plot for farmers and school agriculture programmes.
Crops that are in high demand overseas and locally will be grown by the farm; these include tomatoes, sweet pepper, cantaloupe, broccoli, string beans, squash, and cauliflower.
The release also stated that farmers who participated in the tour benefited from discussions on crop projections, cost of materials, benefits of using drip lines, planning time and labour costs and prevention of pests and diseases due to the use of insect mesh.
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“We will not neglect our children”- Minister Manickchand
…as Human Services Ministry initiates foster parents programme
Georgetown, GINA, February 19, 2009
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand last evening reiterated Government’s commitment to care and protect all children of Guyana and to ensure that they can live with their families in a healthy productive environment.
According to the Minister when children are in situations which are unhealthy and may be encountering dangerous circumstances in their homes, then it is the duty of the Ministry to remove them from those environments and circumstances.
It is against this background that the Ministry for the first time is introducing a Foster Parents Programme to ensure that children are placed in homes where they can be loved and cared for. According to Minister Manickchand although “we are part of a global crisis we are not going to neglect our children.”
Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand speaking duirng the meeting with potential foster parents at the Tower Hotel.
Approximately 40 potential foster parents attended a meeting with Minister Manickchand yesterday at the Tower Hotel where officials from the Child Protection Unit of the Ministry and others shared information about the soon to be introduced programme.
Minister Manickchand expressed appreciation for the participants’ interest in becoming foster parents and said that though they may desire to do so out of the goodness of their hearts, they will need assistance and the Ministry will endeavour to render that support.
Acknowledging that although Guyana has not seen the effects of the global economic crisis as some other countries where people are losing jobs, she said that the Government has to be cautious about how its manages the country’s money so as not to reach the stage where jobs are being cut. She however, added that Guyana’s children are its most precious resource and though she is pleased with the other interventions made for vulnerable groups; this is the one that is most impacting.
Referring to the Ministry’s ‘Mission Child Protection’ campaign aimed at removing children from the streets which was launched one year ago, Manickchand stated that the Ministry persisted in spite of criticisms and has seen tremendous success with it.
Some of the potential foster parents at the Meeting yesterday.
When children are removed from these circumstances or taken off the streets as is sometimes the case, the Ministry provides temporary accommodation for them in orphanages. However though Guyana has 23 orphanages, studies have shown that the best place for children is at home. She added that though an orphanage is much more comfortable than the streets, it is an institution so the Ministry tries to place them in homes where they can be loved to help them to grow.
The Ministry’s aim is to reintegrate the children from the orphanages with their families and assist them with financing for necessities such as beds in cases where the children may be in need to make them more comfortable.
According to Minister Manickchand there are not laws currently in place that would protect children since Guyana is somewhat behind in that area. However she stated that three Bills were tabled in the National Assembly early this year which include;
- the Protection of Children’s Bill, which allows the Child Protection Agency to intervene and protect children from being put in harmful situations.
- the Status of Children’s Bill which states that all children are born equal whether in or out of wedlock and have the same rights and
- the Adoption of children Bill which allows for children to be taken out of institutions and be placed into homes
Some of the potential foster parents at the meeting.
She added that other Bills are also currently being drafted and would be tabled soon.
Explaining the need for the foster care programme, Minister Manickchand said that when children are placed in institutions for a period of time the Ministry through its social workers in the child protection unit would offer to work along with their parents so that they can regain custody of their children. This however, has proven futile since in many cases most of the parents are unwilling to accept responsibility again for their children.
The Ministry will conduct screening of potential foster parents and as pointed out by Minister Manickchand, not everyone will qualify for custody of these children since the screening process will determine their suitability for this programme since according to her “we have to ensure that we put them in homes where they would not be abused or treated worse than they were before.”
She added that the Government is making a tremendous investment in these children because of their future potential.
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Brazilian Gov’t willing to support President’s proposal at Copenhagen
Georgetown, GINA, February 19, 2009
President Bharrat Jagdeo will be taking the lead on an unprecedented proposal for incentives for countries with standing forests at the upcoming post-Kyoto agreement framework in Copenhagen in December.
Brazil, one of the highly forested countries in the Guiana basin has signalled its willingness to support the initiative which also has carbon-based economic development potential.
Today Director, General of the Department of the Environmental and Special Affairs in Brazil, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Marchado paid a courtesy on President Jagdeo to learn about the President’s forest conservation and climate change ideas as the two countries seek to set the stage for the Copenhagen forum. He was accompanied by Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana Mr. Arthur Meyer.
President Jagdeo has been among the few tireless campaigners in this regard and according to Marchado, the Brazilian government is keen on working with Guyana to make the President’s desire a reality.
When asked about the Brazilian government’s policy on forest conservation Marchado said the administration is a firm believer that the forests are important resources in mitigating climate change and that all activities to reduce deforestation should be supported by the international community.
“As President Jagdeo said it (the forest) is not a question of a gift but the correct valuation of the services that the forests provide for the global climate,” Marchado explained.
 and Director General of Environmental and Special Affairs Luiz Marchado.JPG)
President Bharrat Jagdeo in discussion with Brazilian Ambassador Arthur Meyer (left) and Director General of Environmental and Special Affairs Luiz Marchado.
He further explained that all countries in the Amazon basin are keenly interested in the success of the new proposal at Copenhagen and leaders intend to strengthen coordination among the countries to go well prepared.
This, he said is a guaranteed way of impacting positively on the negotiations.
During his presentation on the avoided deforestation initiative last year, President Jagdeo disclosed that studies have shown that Guyana’s forests have the potential to generate economic benefits as their value to the nation lie between US$430M and US$2B per year.
These rewards, the Head of State said can be used to transform the economy to clean energy, provide incentives for forest villages and communities to develop village economies, diversify the economy into low carbon economic sectors and invest in people through improved education and health among others.
The Kyoto Protocol came into force in 2005 and sets the stages for countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
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Rules to be revised to empower public servants – Minister Westford
Georgetown, GINA, February 19, 2009
Minister of the Public Service Ministry Dr. Jennifer Westford during her budget presentation last evening said that in order to provide the nation with quality service it is imperative that there be a well qualified and equipped human resource base.
The public service is a dynamic field, she said, that was going through an ongoing exercise of remodelling through the modernisation programme.
In 2008, 250 categories of job descriptions were reviewed and structured to allow for streamlining of the responsibilities for workers. This was aimed at eliminating overlapping duties which featured in the old job descriptions.
All personnel workers in the public service were trained in human resource management and computer operations and the human resource database was automated to allow for inter-agency linkages and more efficient monitoring of the public service ministry.
Minister Westford said she envisages that this year her Ministry will be linking the human resource database with the payroll to ensure fiscal accountability.
Last year 108 persons were trained in the areas of human and veterinary medicine, agriculture science, forestry, engineering, sports, information technology, hydrometeorology and archaeology.
Also 15 persons graduated from the University of Guyana (UG) and the Guyana School of Agriculture in the fields of engineering, agriculture, information technology and management and they are meaningfully employed in government and its agencies and have contributed to the development of the sector.
Thirty one scholarships were given in different areas including cosmetology, cake decoration, sewing, carpentry and masonry at local institutions with the aim of empowering sections of the human resource base to be self-employed.
The Minister said scholarship awards will be significantly increased as a result of the generous amount for training in the budget.
In responding to comments from the opposition that young people were not provided for, Minister Westford said 96 percent of the persons who are awarded scholarships are between the ages of 17 to 23.
This year the stipend for the 849 scholarship students in Cuba will be doubled, she informed.
In 2008, 283 employees from different areas were sent on development courses both locally and internationally. Minister Westford said this number will be increased in 2009 which is in contrast to other comments that the government was not investing in human capital.
She noted that the quality of services would be enhanced through implementing the necessary infrastructure along with qualified personnel.
Issues related to the delivery of service would be addressed seriously and those who do not embrace the service’s enhancement plan should do the right thing and leave the public service, Minister Westford said.
A performance appraisal system will be implemented this year for all permanent secretaries, regional executive officers and heads of department in the public service.
Minister Westford said that even though there was a restructuring exercise, there were still problems with the organisation structure. This year the public service will intensify its restructuring exercise for better efficiency.
She noted that there would be restructuring but no laying off since the government created jobs.
Public service rules will be actively addressed to empower public officers as they are outdated and silent on a number of critical issues including sexual harassment and the use of technology. Amendments will be made to the public service rules this year, she said.
Commenting on the issue of salaries and wages, Minister Westford said that from 1992 to 2008 the government has been giving salary increases and will continue to do so in 2009.
Responding to People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) parliamentarian, Mervyn Williams saying that contracted workers did not pay National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and income taxes, she said this information was erroneous since all workers do so.
Minister Westford stated she was highly optimistic of the future of the public service in Guyana since there were many talented and hardworking public officers. She also commended the staff of her Ministry.
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US President supportive of good relations with Guyana
… accepts President’s congratulations
Georgetown, GINA, February 19, 2009
United States President Barack Obama is confident that Guyana and the United States of America can work together to build a more secure world.
In a Note Verbale from the United States Embassy, President Obama expressed appreciation for President Jagdeo’s congratulatory message on his victory in the 2008 presidential elections.
Part of the message reads: “Thank you for your congratulations on my election as President of the United States. Your thoughtful message is much appreciated.”
The Guyanese Leader was the first of his Caribbean counterparts to congratulate President Obama both on his behalf and that of the Government and people of Guyana.
The message continued “I am confident that we can work together in a spirit of peace and friendship to build a more secure world during the next four years. I look forward to working with you in that effort and in promoting good relations between our countries.”
President Jagdeo in his congratulatory message to President Obama on what he termed a well earned and historic victory had expressed that “we in Guyana are very excited about the prospect of change in the United States…and we look forward to working with him in the future.”
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Several initiatives undertaken to increase TB awareness
Georgetown, GINA, February 18, 2009
Government’s thrust to ensure access to The Directly Observed Short Course Therapy (DOTS) programme has expanded to all 10 regions and the Ministry of Health plans aims to achieve stability in TB cases through intensifying its awareness campaign.
The DOTS Programme was adopted from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the 1970s, following a global emergency declaration for tuberculosis. The organisation recommended that DOTS be implemented as part of the health plan for developing countries.
Tuberculosis or TB is an airborne disease which is spread from an infected person to an uninfected through coughing, sneezing or talking. When infected, a patient may show signs of weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweating. Although TB is curable, it can result in disability or death if not treated.
The programme is being administered by community health workers who visit the homes of tuberculosis-infected persons to provide treatment and care.
The patients are required to take a mixture of Rifampacin, Isoniszide, Pyrazinamid and Ethambutol, the four main prescriptions for curing tuberculosis and are being observed on a daily basis for a period of six to eight months. Following this period, patients are asked to return six months later for a screening.
Coordinator of the TB programme Dr. Jeetendra Mohanlall said during the period 2007-2008 the Ministry of Health achieved about 65-70% coverage of TB through the DOTS programme. In 2008, 600 new cases of TB were recorded as opposed to 701 in 2007.
Dr. Mohanlall said the Ministry in embarking on several new interventions since it still encounters some challenges which could hinder achievement of meeting its 90% coverage target by 2011. One such initiative will be a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Health and two private hospitals - St. Joseph Mercy and Davis Memorial Hospitals.
According to Dr Mohanlall, in 2009 the DOTS programme is geared to have community outreaches to involve family and community members who are involved inproviding care and treatment of persons with TB.
The Ministry has received several recommendations from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Dr. Mohanlall said, and to increase awareness, the Ministry will be working with faith- based organisations.
Medication is an integral part of the programme which is often hampered by patients failing to follow instructions.
He noted that drug addicts and the homeless are some of the disadvantaged groups that often suffer the consequences of TB. At present an awareness support programme is being carried out where less fortunate patients are given a hot meal or a food hamper.
The programme was expanded to the Georgetown prison followed by prisons in Mazaruni, Berbice, Timehri and the New Opportunity Corps (NOC).
Government has established an active Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign for TB and is spreading awareness of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in communities.
Counselling is an active component of the programme and is being provided at all clinics countrywide while screening of entire households for TB is also done.
The Chest Clinic and the Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic at the Georgetown
Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was refurbished in June 2006 with support from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
There are units for monitoring and evaluation, laboratory quality control testing, a coordinator for the DOTS programme and an administrative staff.
Dr. Mohanlall noted that case detection laboratories have increased considerably as all 10 regions are offering microscopy.
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Ontario’s Deputy Housing Minister pays courtesy call on Minister Ali
Georgetown, GINA, February 19, 2009
Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, of Ontario, Canada Fareed Amin paid a courtesy call on Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali today at his office Brickdam.
His visit entails meeting with senior public servants and the Guyana Olympic Association to have discussions on Ontario’s bid for the Pan American Games in 2015.
Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Ontario, Canada Fareed Amin and Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali.
“Tomorrow we are attending some events with them (Guyana Olympic Association) to basically discuss what Ontario has to offer with regards to the Pan American games,” the Deputy Minister said during an invited comment.
The Pan American Games are a multi-sport event, held every four years between competitors from all nations in America.
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GPHC, Linden hospital benefit from Chinese donation
Georgetown, GINA, February 19, 2009.
Medical services at the Linden Hospital and Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) will be further boosted with the addition of equipment and medical supplies donated today by the Chinese Government.
This donation was made at the GPHC and is valued at $8M. The items will aid medical staff to perform laparoscopy and retinal and other surgeries on a daily basis.
The equipment was officially handed over by Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China Zhang Jungao to Minister of Health Dr.Leslie Ramsammy and the Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Michael Khan.
Ambassador Zhang expressed appreciation for the cooperation by Guyana in the area of health.
He lauded the good relationship between the Chinese medical team and nurses and doctors at the GHPC, and expressed hope that it continues for the benefit of patients.
Head of the Chinese medical team Dr.Hu Yin said that this donation is an example of what can be derived from good bilateral relations.
The Health sector has made quantum leaps during the past year as it relates to the enhancement of the health sector and ensuring a healthier nation. Access to health facilities has improved tremendously and with the implementation of numerous initiatives health indicators show a healthier nation with a decrease in the number of persons travelling overseas for surgeries and other medical treatment.
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$36B investment in social services sector evidence of value for citizens
Georgetown, GINA, February 19, 2009
People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Member Kwame Gilbert in his presentation supporting the 2009 budget, told the National Assembly that the allocation of over $36B directly to the social services sector was in itself evidence of the value Government has placed in the development and wellbeing of citizens.
He posited that the theme and thrust of the budget, ‘Working together – Reinforcing resillience’, shows Government’s recognition that all Guyanese need to work together in order to achieve the desired level of development which will take Guyana forward to meet the challenges facing the world.
Gilbert said that the budget was another attempt by Government to ensure the development of Guyana is achieved in a climate of inclusiveness. He noted that every major accomplishment of the Government resulted from collaboration, inclusiveness and cooperation and pointed to the completion of the Berbice River Bridge and the successful hosting of Carifesta X as recent examples of this.
Gilbert said that though some may argue that the amount allocated to the social service sectors was inadequate to address all the issues that need addressing, the reality faced by developing countries is that there is “unlimited demands to be addressed by limited resources.”
Odinga Lumumba, another PPP/C Member in his presentation refuted many of the claims made by members of the opposition during their presentations.
He chided Alliance For Change (AFC) Member Khemraj Ramjattan for what he termed as an irresponsible and immature for calling on the Government to close down six Ministries.
Lumumba said that such a move would place more persons out of jobs and would create an avenue for the Opposition to justify its claims of discrimination by the PPP/C Administration as 80 percent of those employed in the public service were Afro Guyanese, thus they would be most affected.
Responding to Opposition Leader Robert Corbin’s accusation of discrimination, he reminded the House of the 28 years of ‘political vindictiveness’, when the PNC Government retained power by denying Indo Guyanese the right to have their votes counted.
Lumumba pointed to the provisions in the budget which allocated $2B for development works in Region Ten, over half of which would be utilized in Linden, the awarding of scholarships to qualified Guyanese, some of whom are children of Opposition Members, irrespective of race and affiliation
The security forces, he pointed out, were headed by professionals and the composition of the Cabinet reflected the inclusive nature of the Administration.
Lumumba told the House that unlike other countries whose economies are being devastated by the global financial crisis, Guyana’s economy remained stable. He pointed to the expansion of the banking sector and the returns achieved in industries as evidence of the confidence being placed in the Administration’s management of the economy.
Government Member Neil Kumar, in his presentation, also answered some of the accusations forwarded by the Opposition. In response to PNCR member Africo Selman that youth development was being driven without direction, Kumar said that the draft of the National Youth Policy was tabled in the National Assembly and is being examined by a select committee where it would be finalized before implementation.
Kumar further pointed to the development of the rice industry which in 2008 produced three times the amount of rice produced in 1991. The expansion in the banking sector and the investment in the bauxite and sugar industries, he said, were examples of Government’s commitment to ensuring the sustainable and equitable development of Guyana.
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Culture Ministry warns against unauthorized persons soliciting donations
Georgetown, GINA, February 19, 2009
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Keith Booker today said that he has been advised that a number of unauthorized persons have been attempting to solicit donation from the public claiming that they were doing so on behalf of the Culture Ministry for Mashramani events.
He has advised that no permission was granted by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to any person to collect donations on its behalf.
He further advised that persons transacting business on behalf of the Ministry should be asked to produce a Ministry’s identification card and any document requesting donations for the Ministry must bear the Ministry’s official letterhead.
The Permanent Secretary advised the public that a report should be made to the Ministry if any unauthorized person seeks to solicit donations on the Ministry’s behalf so that the necessary action could be taken against them.
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President urges GDF to continue relentless campaign against crime
Georgetown, GINA, February 19, 2009
The Annual Officers Conference of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) commenced today with a strong call by Commander in Chief of the Armed forces, President Bharrat Jagdeo for them to continue the relentless campaign against criminal elements in society.
The two-day conference held at the Officers Mess, at Camp Ayanganna under the theme ‘Re-engaging to Enhance National Security’, was attended by Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Dr. Roger Luncheon, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Commodore Gary Best, other GDF members and Police Commissioner Henry Greene among others.
During the conference reference was made to the army’s input in the work of the Joint Services which lead to the dismantling of the criminal enterprises led by Rondell ‘Fineman’ Rawlins last year. The Head of State was first to commend the valiant efforts of the GDF.
President Bharrat Jagdeo speaking to officers of the Guyana Defence Force at the annuyal officers conference.
The $128.9B, national budget and the increased allocation to the security forces was described by President Jagdeo as a demonstration of government’s commitment to boosting the sector’s capacity.
“It means that we have accorded security and defence the same priority that we have accorded to the other sectors of the economy because the greatest way of knowing what the executive is committed to, is to look at its budget,” President Jagdeo.
The Head of State recalled the period last year when the country was faced with a series of factors that threatened the future development of Guyana, among which were the escalating food and oil prices and crime.
Now that the ‘Fineman’ gang has been dismantled, President Jagdeo called on the soldiers not to be complacent since there will constantly be battles between the state and criminal enterprises.
“Some of them will take the form of marauding groups with high powered rifles and others will come in the form of drug dealers and money launderers and people who steal from the treasury. We have to be vigilant in our battle against all of these groups because these groups sap the life of our society. They affect our development potential and one of the duties of the State is to ensure that people and enterprise in that particular country have the possibility of flourishing without having to worry about security, President Jagdeo said.”
In his remarks at the opening ceremony, Commodore Best said the support to the Joint Services in the fight against crime is the most visible activity of the GDF which has today lead to the restoration of order in society.
 following the annual officers conference at Camp Ayanganna.JPG)
President Bharrat Jagdeo with members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) following the annual officers conference at Camp Ayanganna.
He alluded to operation ‘Restore Order,’ a Joint Services initiative which was adopted over 30 years ago, noting that it continues to bear fruit and provide an appropriate platform for joint action in areas of law enforcement.
“The joint services approach has impacted on the sharing of assets, for example our helicopters worked continuously with the police force and our human resources have doubled if not tripled. I had also asked the Commissioner of Police to identify police officers to train as helicopter pilots as we recognize more and more the strength and potential of the joint services,” Commodore Best said.
He assured the Head of State that the GDF’s efforts will also continue to encompass both the city and bordering areas which are now developing through commercial growth and are posing a challenge to the tactical and strategic locations of some of the GDF’s border defence installations.
However, President Jagdeo disclosed that a national defence policy strategy is in the process of being crafted and will involve a multi-stakeholder input including those from the army and the legislature.
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More interpretative heritage markers unveiled at historical sites
Georgetown, GINA, February 19, 2009
Interpretative heritage markers were yesterday mounted at three historical sites as part of the second phase of the Interpretative Heritage Markers Project sponsored by various private sector agencies. These will serve to provide visitors, tourists and the general public with snippets of information on historical background and general significance of the sites.
The exercises were conducted at Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (Red House), Lighthouse and Parliament Buildings. The signs were sponsored by RKs Security and Universal Janitorial Services respectively.
Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony who witnessed the unveiling of the sign at Parliament Building said that the construction of a heritage marker at such a location signifies the building’s historical importance.
He said generally persons would walk by the public buildings not knowing the importance of them. Hence, with the mounting of the signs it will help the public by bringing them closer in touch with the country’s history.
Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran unveils an Interpretative Heritage Marker at Parliament Building. Looking on is Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony
“I would like to encourage other cooperate entities to come on board with the project. It’s not costly but in that way we can really accelerate the pace with which we are putting out these markers so that we can identify all these important buildings,” Minister Anthony urged.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran who assisted with the unveiling of the plaque said that the marker announces to the public and commemorates that Parliament is a heritage building.
“It (Parliament Building) has long been designated as such and we are now giving official notice of that fact. I hope that now the public is aware and conscious to the fact that it is a heritage building, it will play a great role in enhancing our national life, tourist and other potential to this remarkable beautiful building,” Ramkarran said.
The first phase commenced during August 2008 and had seen 10 interpretative heritage markers erected across the country while the second commenced during December 2008 and will be completed by the end of next week.
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42 graduate from the EU/LIHP training programmes
Georgetown, GINA, February 19, 2009
Forty two participants from Glasgow, Berbice graduated from a Technical Assistance Training Programme yesterday at a graduation ceremony at the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School in New Amsterdam, Berbice.
The programme commenced in October 2008 and lasted for a period of eight non-consecutive weeks covering at least nine hours per week. These lecture sessions were facilitated in the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED), Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC), Carnegie School of Economics (CSHE), New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI), Partners for the Americas, Farmer to Farmer Programme, Global Perspective Inc., New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School, Cummings Lodge Secondary School and Guyana School of Agriculture.
 Graduates at the ceremony
The European Commission/Low Income Housing Project EU/LIHP was launched in 2004 between the Government of Guyana, the European Commission in Guyana and GTZ International Services to support the Low Income Housing Sector. This programme is governed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority with an overall programme objective access to affordable housing for low income groups in Guyana and to improve the quality of existing settlements through community partnership.
A graduate receiving his certificate
The graduates expressed appreciation for the opportunity to be apart of such a programme and also for becoming qualified in their different fields.
The project has six planned outputs which include the establishment of community services in the settlements and community self-help schemes promoting self-employment and income generation through services to the community which these benefited from.
GTZ Project Team Leader Bernhard Weihs noted that a contract will be signed soon to facilitate construction of a multi purpose building in Berbice.
Exhibits from graduates of the craft course
Graduates completed programmes in sewing, craft, catering, small business management and development, housekeeping, food processing, kitchen gardening, carpentry/joinery and masonry.
The EU/LIHP will also host other workshops following the successful completion of courses in an effort to provide further support to the graduates in using their enhanced skills in a sustainable manner, to enhance the quality of life for themselves, their families and communities.
Also present at the ceremony was Technical Head Programme Sec-EU Delegation Christopher Inglebrecht the Community Development Officer Sharon Singh, Director of Global Perspective Audreyanna Thomas, Deputy Mayor Hyacinth James, and Chairman of the Community Democratic Council Mitford Ward.
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Gov’t, security stakeholders developing national defence policy strategy
Georgetown, GINA, February 19, 2009
President Bharrat Jagdeo today in his address at the opening of the Guyana Defence Force Annual Officers’ Conference at Base Camp Ayanganna, told the Officers of Government’s multi-stakeholder approach in developing a national defence policy strategy to ensure the security and wellbeing of the nation.
“We are working together with your Chief of Staff, the Commissioner of Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs on crafting a comprehensive national defence policy strategy that will not conflict with yours here, this will be a broader one which would have a multi-stakeholder approach, and once that is crafted then I’m sure that you will have, at the officers’ level, a chance to comment on it,” he told the Officers.
The President pointed out that though Guyana has excellent security plans, there may be a lack of coordination or clearly established linkages between the different agencies.
He said that the link is necessary to direct how the different security agencies relate to each other to achieve a higher level of success.
“ We have a drug master plan, we have a plan for the improvement in the criminal justice system; three components of the criminal justice system, but we now need to bring these together,” he explained.
The President said that people may want to know why this is being only done now, but “there are many solid components that are already in place but we need to now integrate these different components into a productive whole and it is that process that we are engaged in at this point in time.”
He said that it is expected that the Parliament would be engaged in the process at the appropriate time even though the operational aspect of national defence and security are the responsibility of the Executive branch of Government, it is desired that the Legislative branch of Government would have an input into the development of the strategy.
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Government’s commitment to education undeniable – Minister Baksh
Georgetown, GINA, February 19, 2009
Government’s commitment to education is undeniable as it has played a significant role to progress the transformation of this country and to contribute to the economic and social development of Guyana as a whole. Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh, made this statement during his presentation at the 2009 National Budget debate before the National Assembly today.
A sum of $20.4B has been included in this year’s budget towards education which represents 16% of Government spending and 8% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In comparison, in 1990, education spending represented only 4.4% of the budget and 2.1% of GDP, almost four times less.
In fact, Minister Baksh said, Guyana is listed as one of the top countries in the world when it comes to spending on education according to the Global Monitoring Report of UNESCO for 2009.
The sum of $400M has been budgeted for technical and vocational programmes in the budget for the establishment of two industrial training centres at Leonora and Mahaicony while $50M has been provided for the continuation of the Basic Competency Certificate Programme (BCCP) and a sum of $251M has been budgeted to continue with the Fast-Track Literacy Programme, a key project in the Government education agenda.
In response to criticisms by People’s National Congress Member Amna Ally about the effectiveness of the literacy programme, Minister Baksh provided the following facts in support of the increased sums that have been included in the budget for this project. In 2008, he said, 7,779 persons were enrolled in the programme and the result was, at the national level, an 80% growth in literacy using pre- and post-training evaluations. Also, money from the Fast-Track Literacy Programme was used to conduct numeracy and literacy training for children who performed poorly at the Grade Six assessment, taken from a total of 45 schools. Student skills showed a 7% increase to 38% and a 23% increase to 72% in numeracy and literacy respectively by the end of the programme.
In capital spending, the budget provides $2.5B for the construction and rehabilitation of schools, Minister Baksh stated which will see the construction of two new nursery schools at Bath and Cumberland, five new primary schools at DeHoop, Tuschen, Belle West, Parfaite Harmonie and Semoni and two new secondary schools at Hope and No. 8 Village, as Government moves towards ensuring universal secondary education so that each child benefits from a sound secondary education.
Another project of the Education Ministry is the hot meal programme that is currently conducted at 60 hinterland schools. In 2009, $710M has been budgeted for this programme and Minister Baksh has reiterated Government’s intention of increasing the number of schools that benefit to 100 in two years, including schools along the coast in depressed communities.
To support the two University of Guyana campuses at Tain and Turkeyen, an amount of $626M in included in the budget.
The Education Minister identified the need to have trained teachers in schools as teachers are the backbone of the education system. To this end, a sum of $150M has been budgeted for training. The Minister also called for the strengthening of parent-teacher associations and continued community consultations to ensure that the needs of all students in Guyana’s schools are met.
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President disappointed with budget debate
– there’s no balance
Georgetown, GINA, February 19, 2009
The debate in the National Assembly on the 2009 National budget which has been ongoing since February 16 has been reduced to a mere child’s play because of members losing sight of the big picture.
This was the view of Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo while speaking to Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officers at their annual officers’ conference at Camp Ayanganna today.
He said that instead of engaging in more relevant and important discussions such as a solution to the global financial crisis, parliamentarians have used the occasion to talk about flippant issues.
“There is no balance in the debate. It’s done as though it is child’s play. They’re throwing out ideas just like that without any attempt to analyse the impact on the macro variables or the development prospect,” President Jagdeo.
He commented on a call recently for a reduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT) as one of the examples. Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Robert Corbin while speaking in Parliament on February 17 had called for VAT to be reduced from 16 percent to 8 percent. He had also called for a restructuring of the financial system to satisfy the working class.
The Head of State however, refuted the proposal noting that a bigger fiscal deficit will be created in Guyana if this action is taken.
According to President Jagdeo, many people are already unwilling to pay taxes and this will inevitably result in higher inflation, deteriorating exchange rates and ballooning of the domestic debt
Government is already faced with a fiscal deficit challenge because of revenue collection falling short of spending.
“The reason why we still have a fiscal deficit is because we have to spend more on education, health, fixing roads, water and electricity systems, building bridges etc because they are vital to future economic prosperity in this country,” President Jagdeo said.
The Head of State also alluded to a call by an Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament to do more for workers in Guyana following the low score given in this regard by the Index of Economic Freedoms report by the Heritage Foundation.
The Heritage Foundation report stated that Guyana scored low in this regard because of the overwhelming laws protecting workers, but according to President Jagdeo, persons should understand the mastermind behind the reports and the means by which they are composed.
“If you spend more on education and health care, you get a low score on the index so a country like Haiti that has a very small social programme doesn’t spend quit a bit because of its fiscal position… so they get a higher score than a country like Guyana,” the Head of State said
He concluded by encouraging the public to conduct their own research and investigations instead of waiting to be influenced by opinion leaders.
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Call for fiscal stimulus package counterproductive – President Jagdeo
Georgetown, GINA, February 19, 2009
The call by some sections of the public for a stimulus package as a necessary intervention to address the present economic situation has been seen by President Jagdeo as trying to ‘parrot’ the initiative taken by some of the developed countries.
Some opposition members of parliament in the National Assembly during the 2009 budget debate had called for this measure. The Private Sector Commission (PSC) was the most recent group to call for a stimulus package.
In a statement on February 17, the PSC said its review of the 2009 national budget revealed that important sectors such as bauxite, timber gold and agriculture among others face challenges and there is need for a stimulus package for the vulnerable sectors.
The Head of State believes however, that this intervention is not the solution to the problem since the impact of the financial crisis varies between the developing and the developed world.
The global financial crisis dates back to the collapse of housing prices in the United States of America as a result of low interest rate offers by financial institutions which influenced many low income families to take advantage.
The institutions compounded the problem by extending the mortgage systems to banks in the United States of America and other parts of the world resulting in a hollowing of balance sheets in banks.
The Head of State said Guyana has not seen a collapse of housing prices and as a result there is no need to call for a fiscal stimulus package since it does not relate to the country’s specific situation.
He added that the developed world has the ability to introduce stimulus packages because of their monetary value.
“Most of these countries can introduce a fiscal stimulus package because their borrowings were denominated in local currency. When the developing world borrows it borrows in foreign currency so what happens is that if you have an exchange rate depreciation… if you have too large a fiscal stimulus package in the developing world, automatically it feeds into inflation and exchange rate depreciation. What will happen is that you will have a ballooning of the debt in local currency terms,” President Jagdeo explained.
While, developed countries such as the United States of America, Germany, and Britain have the ability to pursue large fiscal packages, President Jagdeo said it is also compounded by a credit crunch resulting from the unwillingness of institutions to provide loans.
The same does not exist in Guyana because of liquidity in the local banking system.
“They are so liquid that the bulk of the money of our banking system is held in treasury bills because they can’t find many investment opportunities. We don’t have a credit crunch; our society does not operate on the same level of credit like the developed economies,” President Jagdeo said.
He added also that Guyana was not faced with the threat of large scale lay offs as experienced in the US where thousands are of state employees are now facing this threat.
Guyana will however be affected in the area of remittances, international borrowing and global demand, he said.
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