Guyana’s rich culinary culture to be highlighted at upcoming Food Festival
Georgetown, GINA, November 21, 2006
An invitation has been extended to all Guyanese to sample authentic local cuisine on November 26 when local culinary experts come together at the YMCA Cricket Ground, Thomas Lands for the Guyana Tourism Authority’s (GTA) Food Festival.
The Food Festival, another activity in observance of Tourism month, will allow Guyanese to savour a variety of foods unique to Guyana’s six peoples.
“Food is an integral part of Guyana’s culture and a significant contribution made by the diverse peoples,” said GTA’s Product Development Officer, Shara Seelall.
The Indigenous people contributed pepperpot a famous Christmas special and cassava bread. The Africans, traditionally slaves on British Plantations contributed dishes such as foo-foo and metemgee; the East Indians who came as indentured servants brought with them rich spices and their famous curries, the Portuguese their garlic pork, the Chinese contributed chowmein and fried rice to our rich food culture and Europeans their specialties such as cakes and pies.
Tourism Awareness month was launched on November, 1 at the Umana Yana under the theme, “Educating and promoting Guyana…Naturally”. During this month, awareness is heightened among the media, the public and other stakeholders in the tourism industry of the diversity of Guyana’s tourism product, locally, regionally and internationally.
Also in celebration of Tourism Awareness month, GTA held a familiarisation (FAM) tour to various resorts along the mighty Essequibo River. The Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad and other Officials in the tourism industry were provided with an opportunity to experience the beauty and splendor of Guyana’s tourism product. The resorts visited were Saxacalli, Shanklands and Baganara.
Two mini expositions were also held in Berbice and Bartica to showcase local products and services. The expo was also a part of the Authority's continuing outreach effort to sensitise of communities on the impact of tourism on the country’s socio-economic wellbeing.
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Major Berbice water project starts early next year
GINA, Georgetown, November 21, 2006
The US $12M Corriverton Water Supply project set to start in February 2007 will further enhance the lives of thousands of residents through the provision of safe water.
Two water treatment plants will be installed that will serve about 8,400 residents from Number 51 village to Moleson Creek in Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne).
The Guyana and Japanese Governments are funding the two-phase project. In the initial phase a water treatment plant will be built at Number 56 Village that will serve consumers from Number 51 to Number 73 villages and is scheduled for completion in March 2008. It is estimated that 3,300 persons will benefit when this phase is completed.
Phase-two is slated to commence in February 2008 with a completion date of March 2009.This will see a water treatment plant constructed at Queenstown, Corriverton that would benefit about 4,300 persons from Number 74 Village to Moleson Creek.
Government has spent in excess of $3B to upgrade the water distribution network in Region Six and its five-year Water Supply Strategy Plan is currently being implemented for the continuous improvement of water supply distribution across the country.
Providing potable water for its citizens has been one of the major goals of this administration and is reflected in the many water treatment plants that have been constructed in areas such as La Bonne Intention and Mon Repos on the East Coast Demerara, New Amsterdam and Rose Hall in Region Six, Pouderoyen, Region Three, Eccles, East Bank Demerara and Bartica in Region Seven.
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‘SWAT’ team members identified – Law and Order Commission
Georgetown, GINA, November 21, 2006
The establishment of a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit within the Guyana Police Force that would be tasked with responding to kidnappings, hostage situations, aircraft crashes and other emergencies is closer to becoming a reality.
This is according to a press statement from the National Commission on Law and Order, following a meeting of the Commission on November 8, at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Commission stated that “the Special Firearms Unit, otherwise referred to as a SWAT team, is intended to be specially trained to respond to particular emergencies which require special weapons and tactics.”
The operational base of the SWAT team is yet to be determined, as well as a comprehensive training programme for its members, who the Commission said, have already been identified.
Additionally, specially trained units will soon be put into operation as another anti-crime initiative.
Other measures include a strategy to improve the Force’s crime intelligence capability, coordination of armed foot patrols supported by vehicular and motorcycle patrols, ongoing snap roadblocks, and stop and search operations.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe earlier this month, disclosed that additional measures would be taken to enhance security during the Christmas season. He said the aim of the operation is to “control and reduce criminal activities, building police confidence, and reducing traffic accidents and congestions.”
The measures include additional foot patrols, booths at strategic locations around the city and its environs, increased raids and other special operations, more roadblocks, and river patrols.
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Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH) wins major CIDA award for project in Guyana – Foreign Affairs Press Release
GINA, Georgetown, November 21, 2006
The CIDA-funded project "Public Health Strengthening in Guyana", managed by the Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH) won a major award for the public health project being undertaken in Guyana.
The project strives to buttress the Guyanese public health system by promoting an integrated approach to the management of Tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS and other sexually- transmitted infections (STIs), and by developing an electronic health information system to best capture and analyse data in support of policy-making for the better health of the people of Guyana.
Every year CIDA projects all over the world are judged for efficiency and effectiveness by a. panel and awards are handed out to organizations that administer the winning projects. This year four projects from Guyana were nominated for awards.
"The success and sustainability of this Project is in large part due to the partners we work with and the team that implements the Project, both here in Canada and in Guyana," said Janet Hatcher Roberts in Ottawa as she accepted the award for the public health project that her organisation is implementing in Guyana.
In an invited comment Guyana's High Commissioner to Canada, Mr. Rajnarine Singh, who attended the award ceremony, stated that he “felt extremely proud in knowing that four CIDA funded projects being undertaken in Guyana were nominated for awards. It should demonstrate to the Canadian Government that Canadian tax-payers’ money is being put to good use and well accounted for. It would prove also that Guyana has the capacity to utilize in an effective manner whatever aid is offered to the country”.
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GPOC gears for holiday season
Georgetown , GINA, November 20, 2006
The Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) has instituted a number of measures to ease mail congestion during the holiday season.
The GPOC has anticipated an increase in the volume of mails and cards which are traditionally circulated during this period, and has taken a proactive role to counter this.
According to the post office’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Howard Lorimar “We are trying to beef-up our counters to ensure that persons are able to conduct their business expeditiously…they will be able to come in and be served without any of the wickets being empty at this time.”
The PRO disclosed that preparations are also being made to handle the high volume of incoming mails through the post office.
The GPOC is urging customers to ensure that cards and mails are posted within a reasonable timeframe to ensure timely delivery.
Local mails are required to be posted by December 20 while overseas mails have a December 18 postage deadline to ensure delivery before Christmas.
Lorimar announced also that the GPOC has added a gift delivery to its range of services.
This will attract an express fee and ensures delivery within one to two hours in Georgetown, while transactions out of the city will take approximately 24 hours.
Customers will be provided with a confirmation note upon delivery of the present, mail or package.
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Guyana ’s Long Distance gold medalist calls on President
Georgetown , GINA, November 21, 2006
President Bharrat Jagdeo today received a courtesy call from Guyana’s Champion Long Distance Runner, and South America’s Junior Championship Gold Medalist, Cleveland Forde at the Office of the President.
Forde leaves Guyana tomorrow for Kenya where he is returning to continue his scholarship granted through the National Olympic Committee (NOC), Guyana’s Correspondent Committee to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The 21-year-old was victorious in winning Guyana’s first gold medal at the South American Championship while competing in the 5,000 metres race, which he said is his specialty.
Forde is presently making preparations to compete in the Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in July, 2007.
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Presidential promise to Orealla fulfilled
-computers handed over
Georgetown , GINA, November 21, 2006
Following a promise by President Bharrat Jagdeo to the residents of Orealla in Region Six in June last, four computers were on Friday last handed over to Deputy Head Master of the village’s Primary School, Carl Peneux, by Administrative Officer in the Office of the President, Amanda Bulkan.
The equipment will boost the school’s modern technology facilities available for students in the lone Amerindian community in the Region.
The President made the commitment to the village while on a visit to the community during Cabinet’s Outreach to Region Six in June last.
Peneux said that it was an excellent and timely initiative of the President and will serve the community well.
In October as well, students of the Tain Primary School in Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) were provided with two new computers to enhance their computer knowledge when the computers and other equipment were handed over to the school by Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, Dr. Nanda Kishore Gopaul.
Dr. Gopaul had reiterated then that for the past four years or more, the Head of State has been emphasizing the need for students as well as adults to ensure that they learn about computers as this knowledge would assist them to face the challenges of the modern world.
The assistance being provided by Government comes under the Administration’s initiative to advance the information technology sector. It is through this initiative that Government has been assisting in providing more modern technology equipment for schools as well as other institutions countrywide.
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Guyana gets PAHO immunisation award
Georgetown GINA, November 21, 2006
Guyana has been bestowed with a prestigious Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) award for its successful Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).
The Henry C award was received by Dr. Janice Woolford, Director of the EPI of the Ministry of Health during an award ceremony on November 13 in Suriname at an EPI meeting.
It was granted for the country’s outstanding vaccination coverage in children and for maintaining good surveillance in vaccine preventable diseases.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Hydar Ally said that he is delighted that Guyana’s efforts in providing quality health care have been recognised and this places it ahead of several countries in the immunisation programme.
Recognition was also given to the efforts of Maternal and Child Health personnel across the country who work beyond the call of duty to vaccinate children and adults. The Permanent Secretary said maintaining a good EPI programme will guarantee a decline in Guyana’s mortality rate.
The EPI programme has been in existence since 1995 and has made significant advancement with regard to the eradiation of polio, yellow fever and measles. It had progressed to such an extent that Guyana was granted polio free status in 1994 by PAHO/WHO.
There were no reported cases of neonatal tetanus, diphtheria, polio, whooping cough or measles over the last five years because of the active vaccination and surveillance mechanisms according to a release from the Health Ministry.
The programme also became a beneficiary of the Global Alliance on Vaccine and Immunisation (GAVI) which introduced a special vaccine for hepatitis B, haemophilus influenza, diphtheria, pertussis, whooping cough and tetanus.
In 2004 Guyana initiated the Rotavirus Surveillance at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to analyse the magnitude of the disease among children under five years old. Additionally, the EPI programme has seen a 90 percent vaccination rate of children under one year.
Director of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Dr Janice Woolford (centre) poses with other representatives of the programme after receiving the Henry C award for excellence by the Pan American Health Organsiation/World Health Organisation (PAHO) on November 13.
Director of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Dr Janice Woolford (centre) poses with other representatives of the programme after receiving the Henry C award for excellence by the Pan American Health Organsiation/World Health Organisation (PAHO) on November 13.
Director of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Dr Janice Woolford (centre) poses with other representatives of the programme after receiving the Henry C award for excellence by the Pan American Health Organsiation/World Health Organisation (PAHO) on November 13.
Representatives of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in the Ministry of Health who were given the Henry C Award by the Pan American Health Organisations (PAHO) for excellence in the EPI. The award is for outstanding vaccination coverage in children and surveillance mechanisms
Representatives of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in the Ministry of Health who were given the Henry C Award by the Pan American Health Organisations (PAHO) for excellence in the EPI. The award is for outstanding vaccination coverage in children and surveillance mechanisms
Representatives of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in the Ministry of Health who were given the Henry C Award by the Pan American Health Organisations (PAHO) for excellence in the EPI. The award is for outstanding vaccination coverage in children and surveillance mechanisms
Representatives of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in the Ministry of Health who were given the Henry C Award by the Pan American Health Organisations (PAHO) for excellence in the EPI. The award is for outstanding vaccination coverage in children and surveillance mechanisms
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Government addressing migration of skilled workforce
- Minister Insanally
GINA, Georgetown, November 21, 2006
Government is moving to curtail the migration of skilled personnel through the creation of more jobs and providing better incentives.
Foreign Affairs Minister Rudy Insanally said the policy of developed countries has helped to contribute to the outflow of skilled labour particularly nurses and teachers, and to counter this, government is finding other avenues to encourage them to remain in Guyana.
“The fact that many are going abroad is a natural phenomena, they search for opportunities wherever they can get and as the Government we try to facilitate that. We cannot legislate to keep poor citizens home; they have the right to travel. What we have done is to increase incentives and provide more job opportunities”, Minister Insanally stated.
The 2005 World Bank Report stated that Guyanese living in the developed world are highly skilled professional in management, business development, finance, information technology, tourism, entertainment and marketing.
It also indicated that Guyana had made major strides in the education sector, whereby locally trained teachers can access international employment.
A recent Caricom report stated that more Guyanese and Jamaicans have been receiving Certificates of Recognition of Caribbean Community Skills Qualification, which allow them to live and work unambiguously in countries that have signed onto the Free Movement aspect of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).
Guyana started issuing the certificates in 1997 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has since granted 989 certificates.
Minister Insanally said that in the final analysis Guyana finds it difficult to compete with some of the developed countries which pay much more, pointing out that developed countries need to provide some form of support to offset challenges faced by migration.
Minister Insanally alluded to a former scheme set up by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) whereby the agency provided financial assistance which went directly to boost wages and salaries.
“ Guyana is providing a service and if the developed countries are going to benefit from that service, then they should provide some compensation,” Minister Insanally stated.
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Holistic approach needed to tackle violence against women
- Minister Manickchand
Georgetown , GINA, November 21, 2006
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand has pointed to the need for collaborative efforts to make the Domestic Violence Act efficient and effective.
She said the legislation can only be as effective as the efforts of the Ministry.
“We have to have various sectors including the Police, Home Affairs and the Judiciary just as committed as we are,” the Minister said.
Laws addressing sexual offences against women are inadequate and there will be aggressive approaches to reform them, Minister Manikchand said.
The Women’s Affairs Bureau (WAB) of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is working in partnership with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and will host a national day of activity at the Parliament Building.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women will be observed on November 25 under the theme ‘The justice system must protect women from violence’.
A ceremony will be held on November 24 which will comprise an interactive session where persons will participate in a hand-printing exercise pledging to eliminate violence against women and a rally
Several rallies, symposiums, lectures and visits to homes will commence on November 24 to December 10 to sensitise the public on the dangers of violent activities against women and these activities will be observed countrywide.
The Domestic Violence Act was introduced in 1996 and provides protection in cases involving domestic offences by the granting of protection in order to provide the Police with the powers to arrest when a domestic offence occurs.
The WAB was established in 1981 and its purpose is to offer technical advice on issues relating to the National Policy on women. This department also offers services such as counselling and advice for women in areas of domestic violence, spousal abuse and sexual harassment among others.
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NARI aiding agricultural production
Georgetown, GINA, November 21, 2006.
Focus on developing the agriculture sector by boosting production and aiding farmers’ activities is intensifying through several projects being undertaken by the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI).
One of the projects entails conducting soil characterization in Regions Two and Three to ensure the proper and effective use of fertiliser for crop cultivation. It includes site visits, collection of soil samples which are analyzed at NARI’s laboratory and advice to farmers including technical information.
The project is being done under the Poor Rural Support Services Project (PRCSSP) which seeks to alleviate poverty and increase rural household incomes in Regions Two and Three by providing efficient and sustainable support services.
Director of NARI Dr. Oudho Homenauth said work has been completed in Region Three and will be conducted in Region Two next month. It is expected to assist farmers in identifying the problems facing them and developing solutions.
Upon completion of the project in each community, meetings will be held with farmers to advice them on the soil fertility and appropriate products that could be cultivated based on the soil type in their respective areas.
NARI is also engaged in promoting the cultivation of ‘bull-nose’ pepper for export to the United States of America that was sourced for the supply of 10 000 pounds of pepper weekly. This initiative is supported by the new Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), Guyana Trade and Investment Services (GTIS) and the Guyana Agriculture Business Association (GABA).
NARI identified several farming areas where the crop could be cultivated including Naamryck, Laluni, Bath Settlement, Black Bush Polder and Crabwood Creek where farmers were provided with seedlings for cultivation.
The farmers have begun harvesting and it is expected that the first shipment of an initial 2000 pounds of peppers will be exported shortly. Dr. Homenauth explained that the shipment would continually increase to meet the marketed amount.
These projects are among the many being undertaken by NARI, which was established to advise and develop appropriate systems to promote balanced, diversified and sustained agricultural production through adaptive and investigative research.
Additionally, the institute is responsible for transferring the technology it has developed to farmers, students, extension personnel and others interested in agricultural research. NARI’s goal is to increase productivity and improve the quality of crops and livestock for national use and for export.
This year, government allocated approximately $220M to the institute for execution of its annual work programme.
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Regional health officers meet to address issues affecting health sector
Georgetown GINA, November 21, 2006
The second semi-annual meeting of regional health officers and programme heads commenced today to discuss successes and shortcomings of health care and delivery in the various regions.
The three-day exercise which is being organised by the Regional Health Services department in the Ministry of Health will facilitate discussions on the administrative functions of hospitals, health centres and clinics around the country, and plans and proposals for the improvement of health care and delivery.
The first semi-annual conference which was held in June had as its central focus, disaster preparedness and management and included presentations and reports from all regional health stakeholders.
Today’s meeting was also attended by medexes who graduated in August after completing an 18-month course and are now serving in several regions.
Minister within the Ministry of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsarran who is spearheading the regional health programme explained that the medex are seen as key stakeholders at the regional health officers meeting since they are responsible for administering health care throughout the regions.
The Minister however, expressed his disappointment with the absence of regional administrative officers who are seen as important players in regional health development.
He made specific reference to frequent complaints from officers about the absence of adequate capital and human resource in the health institution, all of which will be addressed at the meeting.
Minister Ramsarran highlighted the need for a merger of the Regional Health Officers and the administration to increase the number of regional representatives and financial resources.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Hydar Ally, who was present at the meeting, noted that the health sector must be complimented for the delivery of quality health even though complaints still surface about poor deliverability and tardiness.
The problems in the system according to the Permanent Secretary, are attributed to the lack of dedication among health personnel in meeting the timely needs of their clients. This crucial area is one that will be addressed during the meeting.
Minister Ramsarran pointed out that several reports about under-staffing at many health institutions have been a major source of concern. Some institutions have attained a mere five percent administrative occupancy rate, while other officers have failed to live up to contractual obligations.
Migration and retirement were sourced as major blows to the human resource capacity in the health sector and there is a greater need to retain staff.
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Farmer’s training manual launched
Georgetown, GINA, November 21, 2006.
A Farmer’s Guide has been developed to ensure continued capacity-building for farmers on improved agricultural practices in keeping with government’s programme to ensure sustenance and further growth of the sector.
The booklet was developed under the Poor Rural Communities Support Services Project (PRCSP) and focuses on issues such as soil management for vegetable and fruit production, pest and disease management, post-harvest handling of perishable commodities and export criteria. It was launched today at PRCSSP Office, Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud said the initiative is commendable since it allows for the sustenance of agricultural activities. It would provide farmers with knowledge to improve and expand their operations in accordance with modern technologies and techniques to compete on the market scene.
Agriculture is a science, that changes along with time, the Minister said and therefore, farmers, agro-processors, exporters and others in the sector must acquire the knowledge to help them adapt to the change. This would result in making their activities more profitable.
He further stated that the booklet fits into a wider programme of extension services which is currently being reorganized to better serve farmers. A comprehensive programme is being developed to improve the delivery of this service.
Farmers were urged to review the booklet, discuss it and use the knowledge gained to improve their practices. The booklet will be reprinted for distribution to all farmers across the country while a special website will be developed for farmers to access the information on the computer.
This, the Minister said is part of government’s plan to ensure that information technology (IT) is taught to farmers to enable them to utilise modern techniques to attain advancement. At present, the Ministry is working to establish 10 Farmers’ Resource Centres countrywide to encourage IT in farming practices.
Speaking about PRCSSP, Minister Persaud said it has made very critical interventions in agricultural development, particularly in Regions Two and Three. Last month, $109M was released for carrying out various activities while it is expected that $600M will be spent this year under the project that seeks to develop social and economic status of rural households.
Velma Da Silva, a farmer of the Lower Pomeroon River expressed gratitude to the government through PRCCSP for the various interventions including training for farmers and the booklet.
She noted that these initiatives have benefited many farmers and will continue to provide assistance to their activities that would make their agri-business more viable.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Dr. Dindyal Permaul, also delivered brief remarks at the ceremony while Project Manager of PRCSSP Sasenarine Singh outlined the various aspects of the project and its objectives.
The booklet was developed with input from technical personnel of various agencies within the Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders in the sector, including the Guyana Marketing Corporation, the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) and the University of Guyana.
PRCSSP is a US$16.5M agricultural-based project that seeks to alleviate poverty and increase rural household incomes in Regions Two and Three. It aims to provide efficient and sustainable support services to rural communities, with particular focus on poor households, Amerindian communities and women-headed households.
It is being funded by the Government of Guyana, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). It has three major components – infrastructural development, provision of subsidised credit to farmers and technical training to farmers.
The project began in 1997 with an initial six-year duration period but was later extended.
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