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NATIONAL POLICY ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAUNCHED
‘Break the cycle…Take control’
- Minister Manickchand calls on all Guyanese to join the battle against domestic violence
By Nathalene DeFrietas
THE Government, through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, yesterday launched the much-touted National Policy on Domestic Violence, the implementation of which is expected to result in strengthened prevention mechanisms and increased protection and service provision for those affected by domestic violence in Guyana.

The purpose of the policy is to inform and guide the Government’s future interventions in activities and programmes towards the prevention of domestic violence – acknowledged as the ‘most pervasive form of interpersonal violence in Guyana’ - and the provision of services to victims and survivors.

&Break the cycle we can…Take control we will’ – Minister Priya Manickchand
Under the theme: ‘Break the cycle…Take control’, the domestic policy has at its core, the transformation of attitudes that condone or normalise such violence, such as gender stereotyping and discrimination.

At the launching ceremony yesterday in the Rupununi Room at Tower Hotel, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Priya Manickchand said this policy is another step in the battle against domestic violence.

While admitting that domestic violence is not unique to Guyana, Minister Manickchand pointed out that the challenges likewise faced in combating the social ill are not exclusive to Guyana.

She said government is committed to ensuring that this scourge is tackled and efforts have been made to this end.

In 1996, the Domestic Violence Act was introduced; and since then several conferences and workshops have been held to address the issue.

&Some persons are so afraid to approach the police station if they have been subjected to domestic violence because they do not recognise that they have a right to do so…and we have to change this’ – Minister Clement Rohee
In his keynote address at the launching, Home Affairs Minister, Mr. Clement Rohee, announced that more effective and aggressive policing is required in order for the measures of the policy to be implemented.

He also outlined some of the weakness in the policing system as it relates to domestic violence in Guyana.

One such weakness, he said, is the reluctance of the police to be aggressively involved in following up on complaints of domestic violence, and taking complaints and arresting the offender.

According to Rohee, it is difficult to understand why there is an alarming percentage of women who are subjected to domestic violence, not only in Guyana but globally, especially given the fact that the family is the basic unit of a civilised society and that women plays such a crucial role in the creation and maintenance of that family.

Reports to the Police on domestic violence in Guyana, Rohee said, have doubled in 2007 with respect to the previous year.

He noted that there were 1,708 reports in 2006 compared to 3,621 reports in 2007, an increase of 1,913 – and these are only reported cases!

Rohee said there are many other cases that were not reported or if reported, were not recorded.

The most alarming increase of reports on domestic violence was in Police ‘B’ Division (Berbice) where, in 2006, there were 275 and in 2007 there were 1,890 cases, an increase of 1,615 reports.

In ‘A’ Division (Georgetown and East Bank Demerara) and ‘C’ Division (East Coast Demerara) there were reported reduction of 167 and 199 respectively for the comparative years.

&There are certain key elements that must be in mind (and) if domestic violence is to be successfully tackled, there is need for sound legislations,” Rohee declared.

&We need to improve what may be considered to be poor support to the victims and their families.”

In this regard, Rohee said he strongly support legislations for mandatory reporting or monitoring for convicted domestic violence perpetrators.

&Stronger policing is also required, more financing is needed and effective social policy interventions are required. The police are also required by law to accept and investigate reports of domestic violence,” Rohee told the gathering.

Rohee also ‘made no bones’ in declaring that there is a total lack of knowledge of the rights and obligations for victims of domestic violence.

He noted that there must be ways in which persons can access information and education so that they can be aware of their rights.

&Some persons are so afraid to approach the police station if they have been subjected to domestic violence because they do not recognise that they have a right to do so,” he lamented.

&They therefore need to overcome those fears,” he urged.

The minister also said the efficiency in which the police carry out their responsibly must not depend on the attitude of the individual officer at the station but must be a professional approach.

&The cooperation of the complainant to how educated the officer is on domestic violence is extremely important…Police stations must have key information of domestic violence,” said Rohee.

The minister said he is aware that when reports on domestic violence are made by a female victim, the police at the station most times are usually reluctant to take the complaint.

He said this may be because of similar reports by victims where the police took action and the victim withdraws the matter and drop charges.

While acknowledging that the unwillingness to take action against the perpetrator could be because of several reasons, Rohee said the police ‘must record the complaint’ and explain the nature of the offence to the victim as it relates to charging and placing the offender before the court.

He said in many cases, the police may have a non supportive attitude towards the complainant.

NEW APPROACH NEEDED
In this regard, Rohee said that efforts will be made to ensure that police ranks must be able to explain all aspect of the Domestic Violence Act and how it affects the victim.

The police, in my view, must have a new approach and a new thinking in relation to domestic violence and hence it is expected that this new approach will manifest itself in a number of cases that will be put before the courts, we as men must endeavour to do our part in stamping out violence against women and we must help our women to break the cycle and take proper control,” Rohee asserted.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who was at the launching ceremony in his capacity as acting President, called on Guyanese to develop better human relations with each other, especially at the level of the family.

&My hope is that we should aim in Guyana to develop warmer relationships between our men and women, particularly at the level of the family,” Mr. Hinds posited.

Chairperson of the National Task Force on Domestic Violence, Ms. Magda Pollard said the issue of domestic violence has been a priority since the adoption of the World Plan of Action in 1975 at the U.N. Conference on Women that was held in Mexico City, Mexico.

It was recognised as a key deterrent to the successful achievement of an improved status for women worldwide,” she said.

She noted that in the demonstration of its full commitment to the eradication of this phenomenon, government has ratified eight conventions. These are:

* 1979 Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women;

* 1993 World Conference on Human Rights (Vienna Declaration and Platform for Action);

* 1993 Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women;

* 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (Cairo Programme of Action);

* 1994 Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women (Convention of Belem do Para);

* 1995-2001 Regional Action Programme for Latin American and Caribbean Women;

* 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action).

Minister Manickchand said unlike other policies, there will be implementation of the national policy on domestic violence.

She committed the efforts of her Ministry in addition to other stakeholders in working tirelessly to ensure that issues identified in the policy are addressed.

The Human Services Minister said in addition to political will, the policy is also supported by a number of Non-Governmental Organisations such as Help and Shelter, where domestic violence is on their work programmes.

According to the Government Information Agency, work has already started in the implementation of certain aspects of the national policy, including the expansion in legal aid services in the country.

LET’S JOIN THE BATTLE
Manickchand emphasised that the Government of Guyana is fully committed, as is evidenced by the launching of the policy, to ensure that all is being done to take care of Guyana and its citizens as it relates to domestic violence.

&Our country suffers from this particular ill - sexual abuse, domestic abuse - all of these fall under the umbrella of domestic violence; and we have seen steps taken including the passing of the domestic violence Act of 1996, we have seen conferences and workshops and policies, so we are not without challenges.”

&Government actions and Non Governmental Organisations actions are not going to be enough; we need every person in Guyana, every religious leader and every community-based organisation to join the battle against domestic violence.”

&This is not something we cannot beat; this is something we can win if we put our shoulders to the wheel. I understand that after talking about domestic violence for so many years some people may just get tired of talking and talking (but) I wish to assure you that this is not going to be a policy on paper, it is going to be a policy that we implement,” Manickchand said.

&Break the cycle we can…Take control we will,” declared the charismatic minister.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security will be the lead ministry in ensuring that the issues identified in the policy are addressed, and are done so at an early stage.

At the ceremony, various posters and newspaper clippings on domestic violence were displayed, which gave emphasis to the launching of the Government of Guyana National policy on Domestic Violence.

Among those present were former President of Guyana, Mrs. Janet Jagan, Cabinet Ministers and senior government functionaries, and members of the opposition parties.

President Jagdeo wraps up London visit
- meets with Prince Charles, Commonwealth SG, other officials  


Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma and President Bharrat Jagdeo in London on Tuesday.
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo’s schedule in London concluded yesterday with meetings with His Royal Highness Prince Charles and the Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Guyana’s Head of State and several other Commonwealth leaders on Tuesday concluded a two-day conference on the reform of financial institutions in London.

President Jagdeo, speaking at the close of the meeting, underscored the Commonwealth’s concern that the current structure and style of international institutions no longer respond adequately to the challenges of the 21st Century, the Guyana High Commission in London said.

The Heads are of the view that reform and the setting up of new international institutions should have guiding principles in order that they be effective and capable of addressing today’s global challenges

Guyana’s rainforest offer was one of the issues deliberated on and President Jagdeo again plugged for a compensatory mechanism for countries which have preserved their forests.

Guyana has offered to keep its forest intact to provide service to the rest of the world in the battle against the phenomenon of climate change.

President Jagdeo has been pressing his country’s case at several fora, noting that it deserves monetary compensation for this venture on the basis of Guyana’s vast carbon sink and that it is the developed countries which have contributed mainly to the phenomenon through their high levels of carbon discharge in the atmosphere.

Speaking on the issue of reform of International Environmental Governance, President Jagdeo emphasised his concern that there may not be a post-Kyoto framework which addresses the concerns of all groups within the Commonwealth and the wider world.

He noted that there are some countries in the Commonwealth that have large forests and some countries which do not have forests but need funds for adaptation.

According to the Guyana High Commission, the President said that in the discussions that have taken place thus far, few resources for adaptation are available and even the mechanisms that are provided in the forestry sector for reforestation and the clean development mechanism are too bureaucratic and will not serve the interest of the Commonwealth.

The President reiterated to the international media that the Caribbean is of the view that since deforestation contributes 20 percent of greenhouse gases, there must be a market-based mechanism that rewards nations that preserve the forests.

He said the Caribbean is also of the view that there should be significant funds flowing for adaptation because many of these countries do not have the capacity to adapt.

In this regard, the President informed that the Commonwealth Meeting agreed to develop a position that will influence the negotiations leading to the conclusion of a post- Kyoto framework.

Such framework, the President explained, must be all encompassing and providing for the necessary funds, the High Commission said. (GINA)

Cautious optimism that ‘Fine Man’ and gang will be caught
SIX days after Rondell Rawlins called ‘Fine Man’ and his notorious gang escaped from a team of Joint Services ranks on Friday last at Christmas Falls, upper Berbice River, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee told reporters yesterday that he is “cautiously optimistic” the criminal gang will be hunted down and caught.

He added that the situation in the dense jungle is very complex, adding that many factors can play out, but efforts are being made by the Joint Services to flush out the gang.

Rohee noted that the Joint Services are still hunting the dangerous band of men who are believed to be hiding in the jungle along the Berbice River.

Meanwhile, Fine Man’s diary, which most people would like to read, is still in the possession of the Joint Services and to date no revelation of its content has been made except a detailed plan for revenge for his sister’s murder.

A well-placed source said that a list of telephone numbers in Fine Man’s diary is very revealing and is still being processed, but authorities remain tight-lipped.

In the jungle, up to press time, the source said a large team of ranks have been combing the hostile and desolate jungle in a bid to capture and confront ‘Fine Man’ and his cohorts who have since admitted responsibility for the Lusignan, East Coast Demerara and Bartica murder of 24 people, including five children, through documented details in the diary discovered on Friday during a raid on their camp at Christmas Falls, some 300 miles up the Berbice River.

During the confrontation, one of Fine Man’s accomplices was shot and killed. He has been identified as Otis Fifee, 21, aka ‘Mud Up’ of Buxton, East Coast Demerara.

Ministry clamping down on teachers deserting classrooms for UG
By Tajeram Mohabir
THE incidence of teachers leaving their classes unattended to attend the University of Guyana (UG) has been greatly reduced, since the Ministry of Education started to address the problem last year.

This disclosure was made by Education Minister Shaik Baksh at the recent launching of the Early Reading Grade Assessment (ERGA) programme for primary school pupils at the National Centre for Educational Research Development (NCERD).

He told reporters that a small number of teachers are still engaging in the practice, but many have been written about this and their absconding from classes has been brought to the attention of the Teaching Service Commission.

The minister explained that once a teacher has been written more than twice about such behaviour, his/her promotion will be affected when it comes up at the Commission.

The ministry last year clamped down on this practice after scores of teachers were found to be attending classes at the University during teaching hours, without permission, causing many classes to be left unattended.

The ministry has embarked on a scheme with the university to accommodate teachers who wish to upgrade themselves after school hours, so as not to interfere with their work in the classrooms.

During the launching of the ERGA programme, Baksh implored parents to play a more integral role in their children’s education by regularly monitoring their activities both in and out of school.

On another issue, the Minister stressed that teachers who are involved in any form of sexual abuse of their students will be dismissed, as in the case of a teacher at Richard Ishmael Secondary School.

The ministry has launched an independent investigation into that incident.

He said too that apart from the Richard Ishmael Secondary matter, his ministry has received reports of four other incidents which are currently being investigated.

The ministry, in an effort to address the problem, has heightened its school welfare officers programme to keep a closer eye on what goes on at schools.

In addition, Baksh underscored the need for moral education in schools and pointed out that the ministry’s health and family life education programme will be implemented in all schools from September this year.
NEWS

Asbestos removal from U.G Turkeyen campus begins July 1
By Tajeram Mohabir
Chairman of the committee for the removal of asbestos from some buildings at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus, Mr. Vincent Alexander, has said that the process will begin July 1.

Speaking to the media at a press briefing convened at the Education Lecture Theatre, Mr. Alexander explained that the responsibility for removing the substance lies with the Education Ministry, and the campus will be handed over to the Ministry’s contractors on June 30, after everyone has been evacuated from it.

Mr. Derrick Boston heads the secretariat responsible for the evacuation.

The chairman pointed out that asbestos will be removed from the Physics, Chemistry, Health Sciences, Library, Administrative, the Faculty of Technology class rooms, the Faculties of Arts, Social Sciences and Education, the Staff Club, the Technology Laboratories, the Technology Mechanical Workshop, the George Walcott Lecture Theatre, the Small Lecture Theatre and the cafeteria buildings.

The process is estimated to last for two months, during which time the university’s administrative work will be done at the Dennis Irvine Dormitory at Goedverwagting on the East Coast Demerara.

Negotiations are under way for the Tutorial High School in Georgetown to be used for summer courses.

Mr. Alexander stressed that every effort is being made to complete the university’s business for the current academic year before the end of the month; and should the removal of the asbestos go beyond the end of August, adjustments will have to be made to the next semester.

The project involves two phases: the removal of the asbestos and the replacement of ceilings.

Before the campus is re-opened, the university’s technical team will test the environment to ensure its safety.

Summer classes will commence this month and students will be advised on this through advertisements in the media.

Some 54 courses will be offered to some 900 students, and these will be completed by August month end to allow students to register for the new academic year.

In the meantime, the university officials noted that student registration is ongoing and should be completed by month end.

The asbestos problem was detected in August last year by Canadian Laboratory Resources Environmental Associates Limited, after 131 samples of the material was tested.

Since the discovery, five UG staff members were trained and have been working to stabilise the affected areas.

Government early this year allocated some $300M to the university, of which $200M will be used for the removal of the asbestos and the remainder for the purchase of furniture and sanitisation of the campus.

98 percent of bakeries receiving subsidised flour – Minister Prashad
- bread, flour prices have stabilised
THE price of bread on the market has been stabilised following the administration’s intervention to subsidise flour for bakeries after there was a noticeable increase in the price of the commodity.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad, said the system is “working very well because we have been subsidising the flour to all the bakeries and the price of bread has not increased.”

President Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister Prashad had held a meeting with the stakeholders of the industry, including the National Milling Company (NAMILCO), the distributors and the bakers. At that meeting, it was agreed that flour to the bakeries would be subsidised to stabilise the price of bread and relieve the consumers of the increased cost.

Minister Prashad said that 98 percent of the bakeries in Guyana, including the major players like Bakewell, Banks DIH and Graham’s are receiving the subsidy and many small bakeries have been applying for it as well.

He noted that the managers of these bakeries have been very cooperative and have all indicated that all their prices have remained the same since receiving the subsidy.

The ministry has been monitoring the progress of this initiative and has a list of the bakeries with the quota that they initially started producing with.

In the event that they request an increase of flour or raise the price of bread they will be taken off the list, Minister Prashad said. 

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), this initiative by the administration is in its sixth week and will last for the next two and a half months.

Officials of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) have been visiting outlying areas and selling flour at a reduced cost and as a result, this has helped to stabilise the price of the commodity.

Prior to May 1, when the intervention was made, flour was sold at $6000 per bag, and since then there has been a steep increase in the cost resulting in the price increasing by 20 percent.

PPP again urges GECOM to ‘get its act together’
By Priya Nauth
THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has insisted that it has no interest in giving the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) a ‘hard time’ but is serious in pointing out GECOM’s shortcomings in its present operations in conducting the national house-to-house Registration exercise.

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Freedom House headquarters in Robb Street, Georgetown yesterday, General Secretary of the PPP, Mr. Donald Ramotar, said the party views with amusement some of the lame attempts to place the PPP and GECOM at odds with each other.

&It was stated that the Local Government Task Force is delaying the holding of the Local Government Elections. This is utter rubbish…the point was made earlier that GECOM does not have a Database in place and will not have one in the near future if it continues to work at the current pace.’
“Prior to the commencement of the national house-to-house registration exercise, GECOM met with the Chief Scrutineer and in exchanging of information, GECOM stated that it has projected 591,297 persons who would be eligible to be registered,” he explained.

According to GECOM, 190 days commencing on January 7, 2008, and concluding July 4, 2008 would be required to successfully complete the registrations of these persons, Ramotar noted.

He emphasised that the national house-to-house registration exercise is intended for GECOM to have a new national register of registrants database which will be the basis for the holding of any future elections in Guyana.

“All political parties represented in Parliament agreed that the national house-to- house registration exercise must be transparent and above board,” he attested.

Ramotar informed the media that GECOM as of June 1, 2008, has completed 399, 768 or 67.6 per cent of the projected registrants using 147 days or 77.7 per cent of the allocated time.

The General Secretary also added that there are still 191,529 persons to be registered with 43 days remaining as of June 1, 2008, and GECOM has edited only 47.2 and encoded only 29.9 per cent of the transactions done in the field as of June 1, 2008.

“GECOM must now explain these low levels of field registrations particularly since the levels seem to affect some Regions much more than other. Why is this so,” he questioned.

He further underlined that: “Moreover, GECOM has to explain why the editing unit is so far behind with the work load produced by the field registration and even more so why the encoding unit is not keeping up with the work load presented by the editing unit”.

“Are these units all full time and are their work performance being monitored regularly as with the field registration exercise? How much work have these two units done on a weekly basis since the beginning of the exercise?” the General Secretary asked.

He said GECOM must explain this otherwise it means that GECOM is really very far away from having in place the National Register of Registrants database hence no elections is in sight.

“This forms the basis of the PPP’s frequent urging to GECOM to get its act together and stop making misleading statements that ‘everything is on stream’. The truth is that GECOM cannot and should not seek to cast blame on anyone outside of its employ for its present state of unpreparedness for the holding of Local Government Elections,” he observed.

GECOM does not have a database in place from which a Voters List can be extracted which is a prerequisite for holding any elections, Ramotar pointed out.

Ramotar also noted that some politicians are enjoying the situation created by GECOM where scrutineers are being paid so the opportunity to divert cash to the Party can be facilitated and the longer the process, the more money.

“Scrutineers as we have observed, are forced, threatened to march or face dismissal. Hence a ready gathering for the street demonstrations. Take out the scrutineers and there is no crowd,” he added.

Also, the politicians are getting ‘a breathing space’ to try to build a structure in preparation for Local Government Elections, he said.

“It was stated that the Local Government Task Force is delaying the holding of the Local Government Elections. This is utter rubbish,” Ramotar declared.

“The point was made earlier that GECOM does not have a Database in place and will not have one in the near future if it continues to work at the current pace. How can an Election be held without a voters list,” he reiterated.

Ramotar said that he is reliably informed that the Task Force has completed its work on the Local Authority Elections Amendment Bill so GECOM should stop its attempt to identify scapegoats and get on with its work.

“The PPP will not be daunted by these baseless allegations and accusations and will continue to discharge its mandate and responsibilities to the Guyanese people by monitoring the work of GECOM and pointing out GECOM’s shortcomings in the nation’s interest,” the General Secretary exhorted.

Two-day agro-tourism workshop at Mainstay
Empowering lake communities’ residents
From Wendella Davidson at Lake Mainstay
The potential of three Amerindian communities, Mainstay, Tapacuma and Capoey, in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supernaam) is being harnessed under a pioneering initiative aimed at future sustainability of the communities.

To this end, a two-day agro-tourism strengthening workshop, an extension of a initial US$95,000-funded W.K. Kellog Foundation Project facilitated through the Inter-American Institute on Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), was convened yesterday at the Mainstay Resort.

Themed ‘Expansion of income generation activities in the lake communities in Guyana’, the forum seeks to further empower residents as they embark on this trail-blazing venture of identifying and making sustainable use of the natural resources in the communities, what to do to preserve them and to link them.

The tri-lake communities collectively have immense potential for organic pineapple production, cassava production, craft making, culinary arts and the development of a heritage trail, the latter seen as an excellent way of preserving the heritage of the Amerindian communities.

Already there is a thriving organic pineapple production factory at Mainstay, which supplies the demand of an overseas market, while efforts will be made to resuscitate the production of cassava delights at a factory in Tapacuma, along with craft at Capoey, all areas where tremendous opportunities abound.

Recently appointed Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Sukhai, on her first visit to the community since taking over the post, lauded the initiative of the communities in seeking to collectively harness their potential in the communities.

She however observed that a number of mushrooming agro-tourism ventures in the hinterland, like those in Surama and Nappie, go unnoticed, and called on the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce to play closer attention to these areas.

The Minister views the empowerment of women as a challenge to communities now that there is the global demand for food, as it would attract investment.

IICA Representative in Guyana, Mr. Ignatius Jean, who gave a brief overview of the Kellog project, noted that the project, which expires in July, was initiated two years ago, and has already benefitted from an extension.

He however stressed that continuity and sustainability of the initiative, even after the expiration, will be a challenge, hence the importance of the workshop.

Referring to a US$25,000 Revolving Fund, from this of which only US$6,000 has been utilised to date, Mr. Jean said a review will be undertaken to examine other areas which can benefit.

Alluding to the just-concluded agriculture investment forum, where investing in agriculture was the focus, the IICA country representative made note of technical assistance readily available to the communities, through the efforts of his organisation.

Earlier, Captain of the Mainstay/Whyaka community, Mrs. Yvonne Pearson, who is also president of the Tri-Lakes Farmers’ Association, in opening remarks, spoke of the holding of the workshop as an historical day for the tri-lake communities which will now be venturing into a new domain-- agro-tourism.

She views the idea of harnessing the communities’ potential as invaluable, as they will be able learn from each other. Additionally, it will further strengthen the existing relationship with the IICA.

One aspect of the project involves residents of the communities being aware of the need to promote good environmental practices, to assist the communities to develop, and to maintain their agriculture and tourism enterprises.

Mr. Shan Nokta, Managing Director, Environmental Management Consultants, told the gathering, which also included the captains and councillors of the other two communities, that environmental awareness is not only about sanitation and waste management.

Other key issues are the use by communities of its natural environment; improvement that communities may want to make, and the implications; actions needed to protect the environment; how government or aid agencies can help and the inputs of locals on their own, as well as communities; and how groups can make a living that can serve as an inheritance for the future.

“It is important to recognise that we are all part of the environment and it is our actions that can affect us”, Nokta added, re-emphasising the need for everyone to play a role.

Regional Development Officer, Region Two, Devanand Ramdatt, in his remarks, noted that one of the main challenges facing Guyana and other countries in the Caribbean is diversification of the economies to compete on the international market.

To this end, he sees agriculture as playing an important role to meet the shortfall likely to be caused by other protected markets.

He likened agro-tourism as a form of tourism development featuring various activities focused in rural areas, where visitors get the opportunity to become acquainted with agriculture products, services, and traditional cuisine, as well as the daily life of the local people.

It also encourages investment in agricultural ventures, and improvement in cultural and ecotourism production and services, and contributes to sustainable economic and social development.

The Regional official also spoke of the importance of diversification if there is to be sustainability of ago-tourism products, noting that economically it would increase employment, reduce food import costs, and foreign exchange outflow.

To this end, he sees training not only as an important facet to develop awareness for ago-tourism, but also for residents to develop their own ventures as a way of improving their livelihoods.

Echoing the need for diversification was Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Brian Greenidge, who underscored the need if communities are to attract investment.

He cautioned though that communities must be cognizant of sound environment practices and greater food security.

Also making a detailed presentation yesterday was Trinidadian-born ago-tourism consultant Mr. Steve Maximay, who noted that food is a strong link between the land and culture. He also touched on issues such as why develop a joint activity.

There was also a presentation from Guyana Tourism Authority representative Sharda Seelall; Chairperson of the proceedings was Dr Richard Blair, Sustainable Rural Development Specialist, IICA.

CARICOM Secretariat thanks Agriculture Investment Forum sponsors
TWO commercial banks which lent their support to the just-concluded Regional Agriculture Investment Forum were on Tuesday lauded for their contribution toward making the event a success.

Scotia Bank through its representative Ms Amanda St. Aubyn, Country Manager; and Republic Bank, through its representative Ms. Donna Roberts-Benjamin, Communication and Public Relations Officer, presented their cheques to Ms. Desiree Field-Ridley, Adviser, Single Market and Sectoral Programmes at the CARICOM Secretariat at a simple function held in the Secretariat’s Executive Lounge.

The Forum on 6 and 7 June, held at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Georgetown, was geared to creating linkages among stakeholders in the Region’s agriculture sector.

A statement from the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown noted more than 150 persons participated in the event.

Ms. Field-Ridley expressed gratitude to the banks and was optimistic about seeing the fruits of the Forum in the not too distant future.

Other sponsors of the event were the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA) and Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL).

Laparkan awards outstanding Caribbean scholars
RECENTLY, at the New York Congregational Centre for Community Life, the Laparkan Una Clarke Caribbean-American Scholarship committee comprising Celia Zuckerman of New York Congregation Nursing Centre and Kenrick Cort of Triboro Home Care presented Eboni Blenman, Kalila Nichols, Dean Cox, Patrice Bailey, Yesenia Francisco and Yamilca Rosa with awards and scholarships based on their commitment to academic excellence and achievement, community service and volunteerism.

As part of the celebrations Mr. Gordon Berment, Laparkan’s Senior Vice President, North East Region, announced the appointment of the Honorable Una S. Clarke, Vice President of External Affairs and Ms. Cira Angeles, Vice President of Business Development and Community Relations-Latin Region.

Dignitaries and elected officials in attendance were Councilman Mattheiu Eugene, Genevieve Brown Metzger - Consul General of Jamaica, and Allen McGuire - Consul General of Grenada.

Administrated by Laparkan since April 24, 2003, the Laparkan Una Clarke Caribbean-American Scholarship has successfully become a vehicle for social and economic mobility by supporting education within the Caribbean community.

The goal of this programme is to provide financial support to Caribbean/Caribbean-American students who exhibit outstanding academic performance and are actively involved in or have participated in projects related to the improvement of the Caribbean community in New York City.

GNBS urges cell phone dealers to get registered
THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) said all unregistered dealers in cell phones should get registered with GNBS by June 30, 2008 or failing to do so would result in their cell phones being placed on hold by Inspectors and the GNBS publishing the list of unregistered cell phone dealers.

Public Relations Officer at GNBS, Mr. Lloyd David said it has been recognised that there is a significant decline in the number of cell phone dealers who have registered for this year when compared with last year despite the mandatory requirement that all cell phone dealers must be registered annually with the Bureau before they can operate.

David said the GNBS is urging all registered dealers to post up their registration certificates at their sale outlets to provide guidance to consumers when purchasing.

He said consumers on the other hand are advised to purchase cell phones only from registered dealers where they could obtain quality phones, written warranties and receipts and redress in the event of their phones becoming defective.

According to David, registered dealers could be identified by their GNBS registration certificates that are prominently displayed at their sale outlets.

Dane Gobin new CEO at Iwokrama
Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development yesterday announced that Mr. Dane Gobin has been appointed its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

According to a release, Mr. Gobin, who holds a BSc in Management and an MBA in Finance from St. John’s University, New York, succeeds Dr. David Singh.

The new CEO joined the centre in 2002 as a Business Development Consultant and subsequently held positions as Programme Support Director and, more recently, Director of Finance and Operations.

Chairman of Iwokrama International Board of Trustees, Mr. Edward Glover, warmly welcomed Mr. Gobin and expressed confidence in his ability.

“I am delighted that Dane Gobin is now leading our team at the Centre. His skills, experience and proven drive will be extremely important as we complete the development of our businesses on which the Centre’s viability largely depends, and embark on a bold new scientific programme” he said.

The Centre was established on November 9th 1995, through an agreement between the Commonwealth and the Government of Guyana.

It was first conceived and publicly announced at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kuala Lampur in 1989, and since then has established itself as a global leader in participatory natural resource management.

The centre is responsible for the setting up, operation and promotion of business development that demonstrates economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Reclamation of mined-out areas still on gov’t agenda
– Prime Minister
THE restoration of mined-out areas in Guyana still remains a priority of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and government as the two bodies continue the campaign of promoting sustainable mining.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who is the Minister responsible for mining in Guyana said restoration in past years was left to the course of nature.

However, more responsible approaches are required, especially in areas where intense mining operations were conducted.

The Prime Minister said a three to five-year period should be the aim for restoring mined-out areas.

Restoration, he said, can also be enforced by instituting regulations for it to become mandatory that property holders take on the task.

He added that this can also be achieved by minimising the level of land dredging and other mining operations from the time an operation starts.

The Prime Minister disclosed that environmental bonds of about $100,000 have already been made for the restoration of medium-scale blocks but he believes that it can be better encouraged with a few pilot projects.

Government has long been considering the reclamation of a number of mined-out areas, with a view of creating social, industrial, agricultural and economic opportunities.

In 2006, several recommendations were proposed to have mined-out areas restored when the GGMC met the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) and the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) during a meeting at the Linmine Secretariat, in Linden, Region Ten.

Participants of the meeting suggested ground covering, tree planting and land levelling as some of the key efforts to the reclamation programme.

Only recently, OMAI Gold Mines Limited (OGML) which will be officially closing its mine site on October 1, discussed a detailed restoration plan which the Prime Minister noted has already been started.

OMAI has in the past conducted reclamation projects which were being reviewed every 18 months.

Under the current restoration plan, a number of areas will be returned to nature while others will be converted for continued use. These include internal roads, landings, airstrips and camp sites.

The GGMC, which is the watchdog agency for the mining sector in Guyana, has already undertaken measures to facilitate re-vegetation. This was according to Commissioner (ag) William Woolford who said that a plant nursery has been set up in Mahdia, Region Eight, for this purpose.

The Commission will also be continuing its relentless campaign of clamping down on unlawful mining by small and medium-scale operators who make up the majority of the mining population in Guyana.

Labour Ministry to launch national training programme
- today is World Day Against Child Labour
THE Ministry of Labour will today launch a national training programme in an effort to eliminate all forms of Child Labour from the workplaces, using education, policing, prosecuting and offering youths information on where to acquire education and skills.

Minister of Labour, Mr. Manzoor Nadir, in his message to mark World Day Against Child Labour today, said, “We want our children to be in school, to get an education, to enjoy their childhood and to be able to realise their fullest potential without premature work.”

Government’s efforts over the years to this end include the Ratification, in 1999, of the International Labour Organisation’s Conventions 138 and 182 which deals with setting the minimum age for workers and elimination of the worst forms of child labour; supporting constitutional amendment mandating all children to remain in school until they are 15 years of age; enacting legislation to prohibit the employment of persons under the age of 15 years and to allow persons between the ages of 15 and 17 to work only under certain conditions; and establishing a National Steering Committee on Child Labour in 2003.

In addition, Government has significantly improved the quality and delivery of basic education and provided opportunities, to acquire literary and life skills, for those young persons who dropped out of school before 15 years.

Minister Nadir said the elimination of child labour, in all its forms, has been made one of Government’s national priorities in acknowledgement of the fact that a large number of children are not in school and are involved in economic activities. 

In his message, Minister Nadir made a special plea to persons who engage underage persons: “You are not helping that child or his family, you are harming them and you are also breaking the law,” he said.

Workers were encouraged to be vigilant and report any incidence of child labour in their organisations.

Parents were also urged to ensure that their children attend school and be given the chance to have a bright future.

The International Labour Organisation has estimated that some 165 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are involved in child labour.

In the Millennium Development Goals, the United Nations and the broader international community set targets of ensuring that by 2015 all boys and girls complete a full course of primary education and that there is gender parity in education.(GINA)

CARIFESTA X team visits Providence Stadium
-Venue set for opening and closing ceremonies, super concerts