Disabled to receive priority treatment
- National Week for Persons with Disabilities opens with march
Georgetown, GINA, November 30, 2008
Priority treatment for disabled persons will be facilitated by the Georgetown Public Hospital from 2009. This was disclosed by the Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.
The Minister was addressing the opening ceremony of the National Week for Persons with Disabilities, which is being observed from November 30 to December 8. The ceremony was held today at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue where the Awareness March which started from the National Commission on Disability, culminated.
A section of the march.
Minister Ramsammy reiterated that disability legislation is close to being implemented since it is before Cabinet and will be read to the National Assembly shortly. He made this announcement earlier on November 28 at a press conference he hosted at his Upper Brickdam Office.
Minister Ramsammy noted that the Disability legislation will provide that buildings should have friendlier environments to accommodate persons who are disabled. He said these buildings relate not only to Government offices but all those places that are opened to the public for service.
The Health Ministry is also planning to implement Mental Health legislation.
The Minister said that in 2009, an individual will be in Parliament to deliver sign language for his speeches to the National Assembly, so that all will be able to understand. Apart from Parliament, other major speeches delivered by him will attract a sign language version.
Additionally, Minister Ramsammy said that in the new year, his Ministry will collaborate with the Education Ministry to convene a special meeting for all those with Braille competence in Guyana so that a programme for children who are blind can be addressed.
Some participants of the march.
“We have come a far way… We have things that are slowing us down; resource is one, but if we work together, we can do more. You, your families, and your friends must do more…Let me also thank the volunteers and institutions that are taking care of the disabled.”
Chairman of the National Commission on Disability, Evelyn Hamilton observed that the Commission’s major mandate is to advise the government on policies and to support activities which will lead to persons with disabilities having full and productive lives.
Hamilton, who is also the Chief Planning Officer in the Ministry of Education, reiterated that inclusive education is one of the key components of the new Education Strategic Plan 2008-2013. The Ministry is moving to address this issue so that better provision will be made in the school system for children with special needs and for more teachers to be trained in this area.
The Chairman urged everyone to be aware and offer support to disabled persons because anyone can become disabled due to illness or accident.
Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy during the Awareness March.
Director of the Support Group for deaf persons, Leon Walcott, said that although Government has done quite a lot for persons with disability since 1992, there is a need for an Act on disability since it is vital in paving the way for better representation for persons living with disabilities.
Walcott said that the media can play an important role in sensitizing the public on disability by firstly being more sensitive while referring to the disabled through the use of appropriate words.
“We must not only rely on the Government, private sector, and friendly organizations to do for us; we have to do for ourselves too… Demand that your organizations represent you because that is what they are there for,” he said.
The National Week for Persons with Disability is being observed under the theme: ‘Dignity and Justice for All of Us’. There are about 60,000 persons in Guyana living with disabilities. Guyana signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 30th March 2007
Today’s awareness march was the first activity to mark the week. Other activities include: media briefings, a workshop, distribution of flyers, a rap session, school symposium, and a concert.
The march attracted participation from various organizations and institutions including: Open Doors Centre. National Commission on Disability, Guyana Community Based Rehabilitation Programme, Cheshire Home, Mahaica and David Rose Special School.
The Government is working to create avenues to ensure that citizens with disabilities can lead full and productive lives and have equal rights.
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Foreign investors developing agriculture with modern technology
Georgetown, GINA, November 30, 2008
The Ministry of Agriculture’s initiative to encourage and provide technical support to foreign investors in cultivating traditional and non-traditional crops using new technology has been proving successful as more farmers have started investing in this area.
Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud made this observation during a visit to the Greenfield Farm, Timehri to observe the cultivation of crops using greenhouse, plastic-mulch, drip-hose and other modern techniques.
Minister Persaud noted that this type of crop cultivation has several advantages especially in a country where the weather can be unpredictable and as Guyana seeks to develop external markets. “We need reliable and consistent supplies. Some of the produce that we want to export, the quantities require a much more controlled environment,” he said.
Proprietor, Vijay Rambrich shows the drip-hose method of cultivation to Minister Persaud
He added that, “We have been propagating this in recent times through our research agency NARI and we now have three commercial farmers who are coming on board and utilizing this technology because they themselves have recognised that they are to be able to service the overseas market.”
The Greenfield Farm is one of the new farms which is a result of the interaction that Guyana has been having with foreign investors. Additionally, as a result of the Agriculture Forum the Government held in the United States and Canada, last year, there have been several investors who have started similar projects using the same technology.
The Minister noted that this will ensure that Guyana becomes a consistent and reliable supplier of these crops to the overseas markets.
The Ministry is currently providing technical assistance to the Greenfield Farm by having a graduate from Cuba assigned to the farm, allowing the use of the ministry’s land, facilitating investors when they bring in equipment to use on the farm and also create linkages with overseas markets for farmers.
Owner of the farm, Vijay Rambrich said that this form of crop cultivation provides a tremendous boost to agriculture development. “As long as you have these modern technologies you can guarantee reliable supply and quality. In addition, the weather would not affect you because you are operating under shaded conditions.”
 One of the greenhouses at the Greenfield Farm
The farm will be spread across 50 acres and Rambrich said that the farm is expected to be fully operational by June, 2009 with 20 greenhouses, each being 100 feet long and 50 feet wide. Some of the crops that will be cultivated include broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, red and yellow peppers, purple cabbages, cantaloupes, melons, and butternut squash. The farm will also be engaged in aquaculture.
Over the past six months the Agriculture Ministry has approved approximately 60 projects which will utilize various technologies that are necessary not only to make farming in Guyana profitable but also to take agriculture to the “next level”, Minister Persaud said.
He noted that, “Overall the response has been very positive and favourable and it’s now up to us here, to make sure that our different agencies working with these investors move and fast-track these proposals.”
President Bharrat Jagdeo had stated that a desk would be set up at GO-INVEST to look at this type of investments. It will also provide investors with the information needed to overcome any areas of difficulty.
“We want to get around that but in the mean time; we want to show the investors what is possible and what can happen, what are some of the strides we are making in agriculture, what are some of the new technology,” Minister Persaud said.
He further noted that he hopes this farm will “serve as a demonstrative effect on others because it’s always good when others can come and see what is happening and it’s always good when they see that is someone from their community, from the diaspora.”
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Health Minister urges support for persons living with HIV/AIDS
- encourage abstinence as major form of prevention
Georgetown, GINA, November 29, 2008
The Ministry of Health in its continued thrust to heighten awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention measures, through its National Aids Programme Secretariat (NAPS) yesterday promoted an HIV/AIDS concert on Camp Street Avenue bearing the theme “Stop aids, keep the promise-leadership” as part of its HIV/AIDS awareness month activities.
The concert plugged abstinence as the major HIV/AIDS prevention method and educated the gathering about access to treatment for those who may be infected with the HIV virus.
Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy who addressed the audience emphasized that the message of the concert is not only about HIV /AIDS prevention but also about persons living long and healthy lives. He added that “our health is only determined by good doctors, nurses, and hospitals; it is because we as a nation in solidarity, take responsibility for our own health.”
The Minister in encouraging participants to eat well and exercise emphasized that people’s actions and choices determine whether they enjoy good health or not. “We must not abuse substances such as tobacco, alcohol and others; we must abstain and have safe sex,” he said.
Dr. Ramsammy also referred to domestic violence, incest and sexual abuse of children as public issues which he described as “issues of shame” for our country and other countries in the world. He declared that those who abuse children sexually and engage in sexual violence should be imprisoned.
He commended the efforts of the volunteers, performers and supporters who participated in the awareness concert and urged society not to stigmatize those living with HIV/AIDS, but stigmatize those who abuse children.
At the conclusion of Minister Ramsammy’s address, a symbolic release of balloons was conducted in memory of those who died of AIDS. He concluded that the lift- off is also a re-examination of our own commitment to stop HIV/AIDS and prevent more persons from becoming infected and dying with HIV/AIDS.
The concert featured performances by youths and other Guyanese artistes including the APSARA Dancers and Eddi Neblett.
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Accountability exists for domestic violence reports at police stations – Dr. Luncheon
Georgetown, GINA, November 30, 2008
Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly press brief on November 28 noted that the law enforcement agencies are required to prepare a report on every domestic violence case that is reported.
He stated that, “An accountability framework exists in all of the police divisions and all police division commanders have been deemed responsible for performance by the division in certain broad categories. One such category is domestic violence and the way in which it is being handled.”
Dr. Luncheon encouraged members of the public to make their complaints and provide the information to the authorities. He added that this will allow for a proper evaluation of performances.
The Cabinet Secretary stated that this will assist the divisional commanders to see how it can promote greater ability in combating this crime.
Dr. Luncheon noted that Government is aware that some members of the law enforcement entity do not discharge their full responsibilities. “It seems that the need for sensitization was evident and Police Commissioner, Henry Greene, who participated in that consultation, I am sure, is taking notes.”
President Bharrat Jagdeo recently hosted a consultation on domestic violence with approximately 25 organisations from various segments of society including religious bodies, trade unions, the private sector, the Guyana Bar Association, Guyana Association of Women Lawyers and other members of civil society.
The Head of State approved a $15M fund that will be accessed by labour, the private sector and religious organizations as part of an intensified campaign to ensure that resources are available to combat this occurrence of domestic violence which has become prevalent in society.
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President joins in Kala Utsav celebrations
Georgetown, GINA, November 30, 2008
President Bharrat Jagdeo today joined Hindus from various communities across the country to observe Kala Utsav celebrations at the Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra, Prashad Nagar.
President Jagdeo in congratulating the Hindu Dharmic Sabha for promoting the event and for engaging youths in the performances, acknowledged the rich depth of talent in Guyana and hopes that more effort will be diverted towards developing the talent of youths in the country.
President Jagdeo with participants at the Kala Utsav celebrations.
According to President Jagdeo, there needs to be more regional outreaches so that talented youths in outlying areas could be given appropriate training so that their talent can be developed. “This is very important for our country and for the preservation of our culture….. “We all brought the wonderful culture from India,” the President said.
Performers at the Kala Utsav celebrations.
He said the wonderful culture of India is kept alive by the youths and he is certain they will carry with them the “seeds of this beautiful culture.”
President Jagdeo also expressed condolence to the Government and people of India for the horrific events over the past days which caused much harm not only to the economy of that country but also to the people. He said “extremism in all forms must be fought vigorously wherever it exists and certainly India has our support as it tries to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
President Jagdeo and Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud with other officials of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha at the Kendra.
Dr.Vindya Persaud of the Hindu Dharmic Sabha said the Kala Utsav celebration is an annual one that is observed to portray various Indian arts and culture. It includes singing, music and dances.
This year’s event attracted over 200 participants from the three counties of Guyana.
A section of the gathering at the Kendra.
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