…as court filings increase

(Kaieteur News) – Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) President Justice Winston Anderson has pledged to ensure that the regional court remains accessible to the people of the Caribbean, as the institution begins its 2026-2027 judicial year with an increase in case filings and renewed efforts to deepen Caribbean jurisprudence.

“What does it mean to be CCJ? It means being the court of the Caribbean, for the Caribbean, independent in judgment, steadfast in purpose, committed to serve,” Anderson said on Monday as the CCJ marked the opening of its new court year.

President of CCJ Winston Anderson

He said the opening of a new judicial year provides an opportunity to reflect on the strides made by the court while looking ahead to what promises to be a productive and impactful year in service to the people of the region.

“Our jurisprudence remains strong, principled, and respected. The court is fully engaged, fully dedicated, and ready for the 2026-2027 judicial year and the years beyond,” Anderson said.

Anderson statement comes less than two months after the court was rocked by a scandal.

An explosive internal rift at the Caribbean court had triggered fresh concerns about the independence and credibility of the region’s highest court, following leaked emails in which sitting judges had accused Anderson of “dictatorial” leadership, panel manipulation and attempts to influence judicial opinions.

However, in a statement the CCJ had reaffirmed its commitment to judicial independence, inte­grity and public confidence in the administration of justice, saying the questions and allegations could be misunderstood or mischaracterised without the proper context.

In its statement, the regional tribunal stressed that its judges remain guided by the principles of the United Nations Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct and committed to delivering fair, accessible and efficient justice across the Caribbean Community.

Meanwhile, Legal Counsel in the Office of the President, Hilary Wyke, outlined the court’s progress over the past 21 years and its plans for the new judicial year.

Wyke said the CCJ has spent the past two decades building an institution grounded in judicial independence, integrity, excellence and service to the people and states of the region.

She said the court’s strategic plan, Harnessing Growth, Deepening Caribbean Jurisprudence, calls for action in several key areas, including making justice more accessible, better use of technology, stronger engagement with the region and continued investment in the judges and staff who sustain the institution.

Wyke said the court’s decisions and judgments have been widely accepted, applied and cited across the region.

During the past year, she said, the CCJ delivered judgments which further developed Caribbean law and received its first referral from a national court.

The court also took steps to make its decisions more accessible, including translating a judgment into Dutch and introducing new ways of explaining its judgments to members of the public.

“We have now noted an increase in case filings over the last court year,” Wyke said.

She said the court’s work on accessibility and public engagement will continue, with “bolder and more modern ways” of explaining its judgments, showcasing its extrajudicial activities and raising awareness of the institution.

Wyke also highlighted strengthened relationships between the CCJ and courts and institutions within the Caribbean and beyond, noting the benefits of cooperation with regional and international courts, bodies and sectors.

For the first time, she said, the CCJ will commemorate the opening of a new judicial year outside its headquarters, with the ceremony scheduled for 7^th October in St Lucia.

St Lucia is the fifth CARICOM Member State to accede to the appellate jurisdiction of the CCJ.

Wyke said the decision to hold the ceremony in St Lucia is significant because “the court should never feel distant from the people it serves.”

The CCJ will also hear matters and deliver judgments in its appellate jurisdiction during the St Lucia engagement, allowing litigants, attorneys, judicial officers and members of the public to witness the court’s work firsthand.

Anderson said that at the ceremonial opening, he will speak in greater detail about the court’s work during the past year and its trajectory for the new judicial year.

He expressed confidence that the court’s efforts to deliver accessible and efficient justice, advance the rule of law and protect the rights of Caribbean people will demonstrate its continued commitment to the region.

“I am certain that our efforts to administer and deliver accessible and efficient justice, advance the rule of law, and protect your rights will demonstrate our continued commitment to you, the people of the region,” Anderson said.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – New Amsterdam Prison escapee Budnarine Persaud, who was recaptured last month, was handed an additional 36 months imprisonment for his daring act.

The 28-year-old fisherman, of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, escaped the facility on 21^st September, at about 13:00hrs, while he was working at the new administrative building with three other inmates under the supervision of a prison officer.

Recaptured and resentenced: Budnarine Persaud

He was recaptured after being discovered hiding on a fishing boat at the No. 65 Fisheries on the Corentyne on 23^rd  September.

Already serving a 24-month prison sentence for simple larceny, Persaud was scheduled to be released on 5^th November, 2027.

Following his arrest on 23^rd September, he was formally charged on 2^nd October, with the offence of Escape from Lawful Custody, which occurred on 21^st September,2026 at New Amsterdam Prison Penitentiary Walk, New Amsterdam Berbice.

The charge was laid under Section 339 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Chapter 8:01.

Persaud appeared at the Albion Magistrate’s Court on 2^nd October, 2026 before Magistrate Michelle Matthias, where the charge was read to him. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed on Monday, accused the PPP/C led government of political corruption and judicial interference after discovering that Daniel Seeram remains unaccounted for in the national prison system despite a high-court-upheld remand order.

Seeram, Guyana’s National Border Patrol Director, was last Friday found guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm against his ex-wife. Following the verdict, Magistrate Abigail Gibbs ordered Seeram remanded to prison, a decision subsequently upheld on appeal by High Court Justice Joy Persaud-Singh.

However, during a direct investigation across state correctional facilities, Mohamed confirmed that Seeram was never processed into custody.

Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed

Standing outside the Lusignan Prison facility, Mohamed revealed that correctional officers confirmed to him Seeram’s absence from the premises. A subsequent check at the Georgetown Prison on Camp Street yielded identical results.

“This is a slap in the face of every domestic violence victim, especially during domestic violence month,” Mohamed declared. “This level of impunity only happens under a PPP administration. They protect abusers; they protect wife-beaters.” Mohamed noted that senior officers within the Guyana Prison Service indicated this incident marks only the second known instance in over two decades where a remanded individual bypassed incarceration entirely. According to prison sources cited by the Opposition Leader, the only prior occurrence involved Kevon Lorrimer, who served no time despite a nine-month fraud sentence.

The opposition leader framed the breach as a symptom of executive overreach and the erosion of democratic institutions in Guyana.

“This is what happens when there is no separation of powers…when the executive meddles in the judiciary,” Mohamed argued. “When courts cannot function independently, court orders cease to mean anything in this country.”

Mohamed directly challenged President Irfaan Ali over previous public commitments regarding equal application of the law, highlighting an apparent double standard between political elites and ordinary citizens. “President Ali previously stated that ‘once you do the crime, you have to do the time.’ Was he speaking only to ordinary Guyanese and not to political associates of the PPP?” Mohamed questioned, calling on international observers to take note of institutional corruption within the administration.

Concluding his address, Mohamed demanded immediate transparency from the head of state “I am calling on President Ali to tell the nation: Where is Daniel Seeram? I hope he is not at state house.”

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – The trial of an elderly man of New Amsterdam, Berbice who has been accused of engaging in sexual activities with a child got underway at the Berbice High Court on Monday.

Appearing before Justice Peter Hugh was Neil Fredericks, 65, of Philadelphia Street, New Amsterdam, who is indicted on two counts of child-related sexual engagement.

Neil Fredericks pleaded not guilty to two counts of child-related sexual activity.

For the first count of sexual activity with a child under 16 years, contrary to Section 11 (B) of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03, it is alleged that between the first day of March, 2020, and the thirty first day of October, 2021 in the county of Berbice, Fredericks engaged in sexual activities with a child who was between the ages of 10 and 11.

On the second count for rape of a child under 16 years, contrary to Section 10 (B) of the aforementioned Act, it is alleged that between the previously stated date and location, he engaged in sexual penetration with the said child.

The summary of the indictment was presented to the court by state prosecutor, Marisa Edwards.

In response to the allegations, Fredericks pleaded not guilty to both counts, setting the trial in motion officially with the empanelling of a 12-member jury.

He is currently being represented by attorney Charlyn Artiga.

The prosecutor informed the court of her intent to use the testimonies of at least 14 witnesses, which includes relatives of the victim, officials from the Childcare and Protection Agency, Probation officers and ranks from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) stationed in Region Six.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – Jorge Ganoza, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Canadian-based mining company Fortuna Mining Corp., which is operating in Guyana, recently stated that with gold prices rising, West African mining countries are increasingly considering ways to secure a greater share of revenues from the sector.

Ganoza made the comments during a recent discussion on the company’s operations when he participated in Mining Forum Americas 2026. He was asked about possible changes to tax regimes in the countries in which Fortuna operates.

Jorge Ganoza, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian-based mining company Fortuna Mining Corp.

While Ganoza did not specifically identify Guyana when discussing potential changes to mining tax regimes, he outlined the company’s projects in West Africa. He added that Côte d’Ivoire is discussing an increase in its royalty regime, including the removal of an eight per cent cap, while similar discussions are taking place in Senegal.

He further explained that discussions between mining companies and governments have changed as gold prices have increased, with governments now more focused on how much revenue they can derive from mining operations as opposed to whether the operations will be approved.

“But the important dynamic in those discussions is, throughout the years, I’ve been many times in a situation when you are trying to convince your counterpart in government that mining is good and you know they should permit the mine and allow the mine,” Ganoza said.

He added that while governments are seeking to increase their take, they also have to consider the competitiveness of their mining sectors.

“In this case, the dynamic of the discussion is completely different. They all want the mine. The question is how much, and that’s sometimes a fair discussion, right? and I think where we are seeing these discussions take place, the host governments are being careful in how they manage their tax burden so they remain competitive,” he said.

Fortuna is one of the newest additions to Guyana’s gold sector. To date, there are over 13 Canadian mining companies developing large-scale mining projects across Guyana.

For five of the companies, the Proven and Probable Reserves and indicated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) amount to 15.7 million ounces of gold. The remaining companies are still in the exploration stage and have not reached the point of announcing resource estimates.

Ganoza’s comments on other nations looking to secure a higher share from their gold resources come as, over the past two decades, Guyana has been receiving either 5 or 8 percent royalties from the large-scale mining companies operating here. When the price of gold goes beyond US$1,000 per ounce, large-scale mining companies’ royalty would rise from 5 percent to 8 percent.

Notably, Fortuna is advancing the Quartzstone gold project, which covers 296 square kilometres of contiguous mining lands in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Earlier this year, Fortuna entered an earn-in agreement to acquire up to a 70 percent interest in the Quartzstone Gold Project. Fortuna is currently advancing its 2026 work programme on the project, valued at approximately US$5.6 million, including an initial 5,000-metre diamond drilling programme.

Moreover, Ganoza also highlighted Guyana as an area of investment interest, and drilling at its project in Guyana will start this month.

“We’re investing in the Guiana Shield. I don’t like to do proximology, but we’re only 30 kilometers north than from Oko West, and in similar rocks, we’re very excited about. We’re going to start drilling this month of October,” he added.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – Former Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe, is demanding immediate action against Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh, who is facing allegations of rape and threatening behaviour by a female police inspector.

Slowe, in a strongly worded statement posted on his Facebook page, questioned what it would take for the government to act, noting that Karimbaksh should be sent on administrative leave while the allegations are investigated.

Former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Rtd. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe

The Guyana Police Force confirmed last Friday that it had received a report containing allegations of rape and threatening behaviour against a senior officer. Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken subsequently established a team to investigate the matter. Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond later confirmed that Karimbaksh, who heads the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), is the officer at the centre of the allegations.

The female inspector reportedly alleged that she was raped on two occasions and subjected to threats, including an allegation involving a firearm. She has since been transferred from SOCU at her own request.

Walrond has said publicly that, in her view, Karimbaksh should be placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. However, she noted that the PSC, which would ordinarily have a role in such matters, is not currently constituted and that she would discuss the issue with Commissioner Hicken.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh

Slowe, however, contends that the absence of a functioning PSC should not prevent the government from taking immediate administrative action.

He pointed to the 2013 allegations against then Police Commissioner Henry Greene, who was investigated by a team that included Jamaican detectives and subsequently resigned.

Slowe also recalled that Deputy Commissioner Paul Williams was sent on leave in August 2020, shortly after the PPP Government assumed office, despite, he said, there being no allegation against Williams.

“Karimbaksh is 54+ and is therefore due to retire from the force during the first half of 2027. I am sure that he has a lot of vacation leave,” Slowe said, arguing that the senior officer should be directed to proceed on leave as an initial step.

“There is no need for any commission to initiate or be involved in that process. That is for the Ministry of Home Affairs to execute,” he asserted.

Slowe also raised questions about previous serious allegations of misconduct against Karimbaksh and asked whether the SOCU chief’s position gives him access to sensitive information. Is it that Karimbaksh, being the head of SOCU has secrets for some people?” Slowe asked.

He ended his statement with a blunt demand: “KARIMBAKSH MUST GO!”

Source: Kaieteur News

…says recall is precautionary and linked to product-quality issue, not food safety

(Kaieteur News) – GraceKennedy Foods (GK Foods) has announced a voluntary recall of specific batches of its Grace Tropical Rhythms Fruit Punch 1L, including products distributed in Guyana.

The recall affects Jamaica, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Turks and Caicos Islands, and St. Maarten.

Consumers are being urged not to consume the affected product if the top of the package bears either of the following best-before codes:

BB JUL 21 27 L6

BB JUL 22 27 L6

According to GK Foods, the recall is limited to these specific batches and markets and does not affect other batches of Grace Tropical Rhythms Fruit Punch 1L or products distributed in other markets.

The company said the issue has been assessed as a product-quality concern rather than a food-safety issue.

“Based on the assessments conducted and information available to date, the matter is considered a product-quality issue rather than a food-safety concern,” the company said.

GK Foods added that no adverse health effects are expected from consumption of the affected product and that it has received no reports of illness or other adverse health effects associated with the product.

Andrea Coy, CEO of GraceKennedy Foods, said the company decided to recall the affected batches as a precaution.

“The quality of our products and the trust consumers place in Grace are extremely important to us,” Coy said, adding that the company is working with distributors and retailers in the affected markets to remove the products.

Consumers who have the affected Tropical Rhythms Fruit Punch 1L are advised to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund or replacement.

GK Foods said consumers requiring additional information can contact the company at gracekennedy@gkco.com or (876) 922-3440.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – Oil production in August dropped to its lowest levels this year, following a fire aboard the Liza Unity Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) and an unexplained drop in production at the Payara project, earlier in the month.

Production figures published by the Ministry of Natural Resources on its website indicate that just 697,000 barrels were produced on 1^st August, 2026. This was as a result of decreased production at the Unity and Prosperity FPSOs which produced 179,000 barrels and 134,000 respectively. The Unity FPSO usually produces about 250,000 barrels while the Prosperity produces about 260,000 barrels daily.

Chart showing the lowest production level recorded for the year in August, 2026.

Production slowly jumped but again slid to 701,000 barrels on 9^th August 9 due to fallen output at the Payara project which only pumped 58 barrels.

On 23^rd August, production fell to 760,000 barrels following a fire in the laundry room of the Liza Unity FPSO. Exxon said it still produced 107,000 barrels on 23^rd August and 87 barrels on the 24^th. The company slowly resumed normal operations at the project, producing 189,000 barrels on the 25^th and 257,000 barrels on the 26^th.

In a statement, Exxon said it suspended operations at the facility which include the offloading of crude. It explained, “heat detectors aboard the Liza Unity FPSO were activated in the laundry room of the living quarters, indicating a small fire, which was quickly extinguished.”

The company said the appropriate response procedures were initiated. “All personnel aboard the vessel are safe and accounted for,” the company stated, adding: “operations were suspended as part of our established safety response and will resume following completion of the necessary checks,” the oil giant said.

Following the incident, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) said it will investigate the circumstances that led to the fire.

The ministry said, “…that the relevant regulatory authorities will conduct the necessary follow-up to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

It added that it will continue to closely engage ExxonMobil Guyana Limited and the relevant regulatory agencies on this incident.

The Liza Unity is Guyana’s second FPSO and produces hydrocarbons from the Liza Two project. The vessel commenced production activities in February 2022.

The vessel was designed to produce 220,000 bpd but was optimised by Exxon which pushed production to about 250,000 bpd.  It is moored in water depth of about 1,650 m and is able to store approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil.

Unity is one of the four FPSOs in Guyana’s fleet. ExxonMobil also produces oil at Liza One, Payara- its third project- and Yellowtail, the fourth project. A fifth FPSO, the Errea Wittu recently arrived in Guyana and is slated to come online during the fourth quarter of this year, increasing the country’s daily production beyond a million barrels per day.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – Some people does talk so long before getting to the point that by de time dem reach de point, de point done pack up and gone home.

Deh gat one fella who does offer commentary on social media. But before he comment about something, he does read a newspaper report about it. Then he does read another newspaper report ’bout de same story. Then he does find a follow-up report.

By de time he ready to give he own opinion, people already know more ’bout de story than he does. And then he starts. “Before I tell you what I say, let he tell you what I propose to say and what you are likely to hear people say.”

Then he does tell you what he propose to say. After that, he does tell you what somebody else might say about what he propose to say. Then he does explain why somebody might misunderstand what he propose to say. Then he does explain what he really meant by what he propose to say.

By this time, the listener does need a snack, a bathroom break and possibly a small loan.

Some people does take ten minutes to say something that coulda fit comfortably in a WhatsApp message. Dem boys know one man who does ask a simple question and get a twenty-minute answer.

“Where you going?”

“Well, before I answer that, we have to understand where I was coming from, where I am presently situated, where I might be going, and where people believe I should be going…”

Man!

Wherever you going, just go!

Another one does start every sentence with, “Let me put this into context.”  Dem Boys seh context is useful, but some people does put so much context around de point that de point become a prisoner.

And there is another one who does say, “I will come back to that later.” Later never come. That point gone missing like a promise after election day.

Dem Boys ain’t saying people should rush. Take your time. Explain. Give evidence. But if you have a point, make de point before de point make you tired.

Because in this age of social media, attention span short. If your commentary taking longer than the problem you discussing, people ain’t waiting for the conclusion. Dem scrolling.

And by de time you finally say, “So, my point is…” Dem done move on.

Talk half. Leff half.

Source: Kaieteur News

…as CXC’s planned overhaul creates confusion over Paper 032

(Kaieteur News) – The Ministry of Education has moved to clarify uncertainty surrounding the future of School-Based Assessments (SBAs), directing all secondary schools to ensure that Grade 11 students sitting the 2027 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations complete all prescribed SBA requirements.

The ministry, in a statement yesterday, stressed that Paper 032 is not authorised as a substitute for SBAs for Guyana’s 2027 CSEC candidates, and warned schools against directing or permitting students to undertake the paper in place of their required SBA work.

The clarification follows an announcement by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) earlier this year that it will overhaul the SBA system in response to growing concerns about the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in completing students’ coursework.

Education Minister, Sonia Parag

CXC had announced that, beginning with CAPE examinations in May-June 2027 and CSEC in 2028, SBAs in a number of largely theory-based subjects would be replaced by Paper 032, an assessment conducted under supervised examination conditions.

At the time, CXC said the move was intended to protect the integrity and credibility of Caribbean qualifications amid difficulties in determining whether SBA submissions represented students’ own work.

However, CXC had also indicated that CSEC candidates would have the option in 2027 of completing either the traditional SBA or Paper 032, before the new system becomes mandatory in 2028.

The education ministry’s latest directive makes clear that, for Guyana, the existing SBA requirements remain in force for the 2027 CSEC cohort.

“All Grade 11 students enrolled in CSEC subjects requiring an SBA are directed to resume or continue their assessment tasks immediately,” the Ministry said, noting that students must meet the prescribed March 2027 submission deadline.

Schools have also been instructed to provide adequate instructional time, guidance and supervision to ensure that students complete and refine their SBA projects.

Headteachers have been tasked with overseeing the immediate resumption of SBA activities across departments and monitoring students’ progress.

The ministry further said education officers will conduct regional visits to schools, examine SBA progress records and engage school administrations to determine whether candidates are on track.

The CXC had said 13 subjects are slated for the discontinuation of traditional SBAs, with changes being introduced on a phased basis.

CXC Director of Operations, Dr. Nicole Manning, had explained that the growing use of GenAI had made it increasingly difficult for the examination body to verify the authenticity of students’ submitted work.

“When GenAI is used to produce an SBA that is submitted as a student’s own original effort, we can no longer be certain whose work we are assessing,” Manning had warned.

Under the proposed Paper 032 system, candidates would receive their assessment topics about one month before the examination and would be permitted to take reference notes into the examination room. The final assessment would then be completed under supervised conditions.

Practical subjects, including Agricultural Science, Visual Arts, Music, Physical Education, Technical Drawing, Food and Nutrition and Healthcare, are expected to retain SBA components because of the importance of hands-on assessment.

CXC had said its decision followed consultations with educators across the region, with almost 2,400 educators surveyed. According to the Council, 77 per cent supported the CSEC reforms, while 76 per cent backed similar changes at CAPE level.

The ministry has therefore urged schools to ensure that candidates remain on schedule and that all prescribed SBA work is completed and submitted by the March 2027 deadline.

The new arrangement is expected to give Guyanese students another year under the existing SBA system before the wider CXC changes take effect for CSEC in 2028.

Source: Kaieteur News