…APNU cites massive downward revision of key agriculture products in Mid-Year Report

(Kaieteur News) – The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) recently flagged the jump in inflation at the mid-year mark of 2026, urging the Government of Guyana (GoG) to take responsibility for high food prices on the market and implement targeted measures to bring relief directly to citizens.

APNU MP, Juretha Fernandes

During its press conference last week, APNU Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Juretha Fernandes pointed out that the inflation target for the year has been revised upward.  Inflation, as explained by the Bank of Guyana (BoG) is the sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.

Guyanese over the past weeks and months have been complaining almost daily of the struggles they face to purchase basic food items to sustain their families.

Recognising these challenges, Fernandes warned, “The inflation target had to be revised upwards because the reality as of June 20, 2026 is that inflation was over 4% but more interesting to note is that inflation of food is 6.7% with the highest percentage being allocated there under is inflation of things like vegetables.”

She argued that government often touts itself as the great “steward of the economy” during Parliamentary Sittings; however, the non-oil growth in the economy is merely “artificial” as it is driven by the oil sector, citing construction as a prime example.

To this end she explained, “So even the non-oil growth is heavily dependent and stimulated by oil resources so the government has failed tremendously…the government has failed to manage the economy in such a way that the earning that persons receive, that money cannot even sustain you on a monthly basis and that is the real question, when you look at the bread basket the consumers bread basket right now, when you look at those numbers, the economy is in a state that the ordinary Guyanese cannot survive.”

In responding to a question from this newspaper on what more needs to be done by the administration to address the issue, in light of President Irfaan Ali’s explanation that the country’s inflation was impacted by global situations such as soaring fuel prices, the party said government must take responsibility and stop shifting the blame.

The Mid-Year Report shows a downward projection in food production

Fernandes made it clear, “The President and the entire Cabinet cannot continue from 2020 to 2026 making excuses for inflation in food. From 2020, they have been coming to the National Assembly and they have been making excuses to say that it’s an external matter that we are suffering from in Guyana internally.”

She noted that while the global issues pose a challenge locally, the government cannot after six years just blame increase in food prices on external factors. In fact, she said this would be an admission on the part of government that it has failed to manage the economy.

The MP reasoned, “What you are saying as a government is that you are incapable of planning. You are incapable of planning if every year you come and you report the same thing and you use the same excuse. What else has the government done? The government has come to the National Assembly and they have said that oh we are going to be doing farm-to-market road and all of these things and we are gonna do zero excise tax on fuel.”

She said the APNU strongly advised against such measures that would rely on a trickledown effect to benefit consumers; however, the government continues with that approach.

As such, Fernandes suggested that direct injections to citizens are needed to alleviate the situation, such as the national cash grant.

“We have been saying consistently, you have to have direct injections to make sure that Guyanese are able to cope with the reality of the prices that they are facing today when it comes to their income those things are not being touched (or addressed). An 8% increase (in salaries) you are looking at and you have a 6.7% increase in food alone,” the Parliamentarian pointed out.

Delving deeper into the numbers, MP Saiku Andrews said that Guyana is often described as one of the only countries that can feed itself, yet an analysis of the Mid-Year Report shows several food production targets being revised downwards, a serious concern for the country.

He said, “agriculture, forestry, fishing has been revised (from) 7.6 to 2.9%, other crops from 9.8 to 2.1, sugar from 67.9% to 18.1%. There’s a cascading downward spiral of production activity when it comes to food in this country. That is where the real inflation in food prices comes from.”

As such, the MP strongly argued that food inflation is not imported. He said, “If inflation is imported most of the time, it would affect certain products in the food basket – the broccoli, apples and the cauliflower…but the 58% of Guyana living in poverty, they do not get a chance to buy broccoli and so the President really needs to check himself when it comes to this argument and the whole quoting of bank accounts opening as an indication of prosperity among Guyanese.”

He reminded that it was this administration that forced Guyanese to open bank accounts through a requirement for them to receive cash grants.

Source: Kaieteur News

Chinese workers at the site.

(Kaieteur News) – China Railway First Group (Guyana) Inc. has provided cleanup assistance at no cost to Hope Children’s Home in Enmore after a fire severely damaged the facility in July.

In a press release, the company said over nine days, the company deployed workers and equipment to remove fire-damaged materials and construction debris, helping prepare the site for reconstruction.

Workers of China Railway Group providing support.

The fire caused extensive damage to the children’s home and left large amounts of burned materials and debris at the property. With limited financial resources, the home was unable to undertake the cleanup on its own. Following coordination with the Chinese Embassy in Guyana, China Railway First Group mobilised personnel and machinery to assist with the work.

China Railway First Group says it continues to participate in community and public-welfare activities in Guyana.

The team removed damaged roofing materials and wooden beams and cleared large quantities of construction debris from the site. Kenneth Finlayson, Director of Hope Children’s Home, later expressed his appreciation to the company and its workers in a letter, describing their work as “excellent.” He also thanked the Chinese Embassy in Guyana and Ambassador Yang Yang for helping arrange the assistance.

The initiative also reflects China Railway First Group’s continued participation in community and public-welfare activities in Guyana. Alongside its infrastructure projects, the company has taken part in local initiatives aimed at supporting communities and fulfilling its corporate social responsibility.

Source: Kaieteur News

By Rawle Toney

(Kaieteur News) – Guyana opened its 2026/27 Concacaf Nations League (League B) campaign on a winning note on Thursday, edging Puerto Rico 1-0 at Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica, as Osaze De Rosario’s 78th-minute penalty handed the Golden Jaguars three valuable points.

The result provided an ideal start to Marco Bonofiglio’s tenure as head coach of Guyana’s national senior men’s team, with the Italian overseeing his first competitive match in charge.

The Golden Jaguars entered the encounter with confidence, having won two of the previous three meetings against Puerto Rico, and with promotion back to League A among the objectives of its Nations League campaign.

Concacaf has confirmed that the 2026/27 League B competition features 16 teams divided into four groups, with Guyana, Puerto Rico, Dominica and the Cayman Islands comprising Group A.

Osaze De Rosario scores to help Guyana edge Puerto Rico.

Bonofiglio handed Slingerz FC’s Rashaun Ritch a starting berth in a four-man defensive unit alongside Terrence Vancooten of Stevenage FC, Jalen Jones (Dover Athletic) and Liam Gordon (Port Vale).

In midfield, former Middlesbrough player Isaiah Jones, now with Luton Town, operated alongside Nathan Ferguson (Hornchurch FC), while the attacking responsibilities were entrusted to Guyana’s all-time leading scorer Omari Glasgow (Chicago Fire/), Nathan Moriah-Welsh (Mansfield Town), Elliot Bonds (Salford City) and De Rosario, who is currently on loan at Sønderjyske from MLS side, Seattle Sounders.

The opening half was closely contested, with Guyana gradually finding its rhythm and forcing the Puerto Rican defence into several uncomfortable moments.

Glasgow and De Rosario were particularly active in the attacking third, probing for an opening as both sides went into the interval without breaking the deadlock.

Bonofiglio made changes after the restart in an effort to add fresh energy to the Golden Jaguars’ attack and maintain their intensity.

Slingerz FC’s Kelsey Benjamin, Deon Moore (Torquay United) and Enoch George (SVV Scheveningen) were introduced, replacing Isaiah Jones, Ritch and Glasgow.

The substitutions helped Guyana maintain its attacking momentum, while the Golden Jaguars’ defensive organisation remained one of the defining features of the performance.

At the other end, goalkeeper Quillan Roberts proved dependable between the posts, helping Guyana preserve a clean sheet as Puerto Rico searched for a breakthrough.

The decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute when Guyana was awarded a penalty.

De Rosario stepped forward and kept his composure from the spot, converting to put the Golden Jaguars 1-0 ahead and racking up his 11th international goal in 12 outings.

The late advantage brought a tense closing spell, but Guyana held firm to secure a crucial victory and begin the new Nations League campaign with maximum points.

The Golden Jaguars now turn their attention to the Cayman Islands, whom they will face on Sunday, September 27, at Windsor Park.

Guyana will then travel to Puerto Rico for the October window, where they’re scheduled to face Dominica on October 1 before completing the window against Dominica on October 4.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – Calling for a sweeping overhaul of global governance, President Irfaan Ali delivered a ringing defence of multilateralism at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, urging world leaders to transform the UN from a “monument to the past” into an “instrument for the future.”

At the heart of the Guyanese Head of State’s address was an urgent demand to reform the UN Security Council to reflect 21st-century geopolitical realities rather than the post-World War II power dynamics of 1945. Addressing world leaders, President Ali emphasised that a modernised body must embrace the world’s emerging multipolarity, specifically calling for permanent representation for Africa, as well as Latin America and the Caribbean. He cautioned that the current framework, which excludes entire regions from permanent decision-making power, can no longer sustain a just international order.

President Ali during his address.

President Ali framed the present crisis confronting global diplomacy as an opportunity for structural rebirth. “If the United Nations is to remain humanity’s best hope, then this is not the hour to retreat from multilateralism,” Ali declared. “This is the hour to reclaim and to renew it. For it is in times such as these, when wars rage across borders, when the shadow of existential threats falls across the future of human civilisation, when the old certainties are dissolving before our eyes, that multilateralism must rise.”

He stressed that lasting security and economic progress depend on shared responsibility, noting that “multilateralism rests upon the proposition that our destinies are bound together, that the security of one cannot be at the insecurity of another, and that in an interdependent world, cooperation is a necessity.” He warned that there can be “no enduring prosperity where inequality deepens, and no just international order where rules are applied selectively.”

To make the institution genuinely fit for purpose, President Ali outlined a comprehensive blueprint focused on institutional governance and efficiency. He called for making the organ “more transparent, accountable and responsive,” while insisting that member states must “strengthen the General Assembly and give greater weight to its deliberative and representative authority.”

Addressing internal administrative hurdles, Ali stressed the imperative to “bring greater coherence to a system too often divided by institutional rivalries, bureaucratic silos and competing mandates,” while simultaneously ensuring that the UN’s financial and operational “resources match the responsibilities we have entrusted to it.”

Closing his address, the President challenged the Assembly to match their commitments with decisive action rather than rhetorical tradition. “Recommitment cannot mean merely repeating the language of yesterday. The world has changed, and multilateralism must change with it,” Ali asserted, urging the international community to forge “a new and invigorated multilateralism, one equal to the turbulence of our age, sufficiently courageous to confront its trials, sufficiently imaginative to navigate its transformations, and sufficiently principled to defend the rule of international law.”

Source: Kaieteur News

Cricinfo – Hayley Matthews’ scintillating 182 off 156 set up a commanding 99-run win for West Indies over Zimbabwe in the first women’s ODI in Harare. Matthews’ knock powered West Indies to 299 – their second-highest ODI total – and their bowlers bowled Zimbabwe out for 199 to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Matthews and her fellow opener Realeanna Grimmond laid down the platform for West Indies with a 128-run stand. The partnership was a steady one, with Matthews the brisker batter.

Grimmond hit seven fours and a six as she brought up her third ODI fifty in her ninth match. She was finally caught behind off Beloved Biza in the 24th over for 53 off 70.

From there, it was the Matthews show as she racked up 120 of the 171 runs that West Indies scored from there.

Hayley Matthews celebrates her century.  (Zimbabwe Cricket)

She brought up her century off 108 balls, and then got her next 50 runs off 32 balls. She only continued to up the ante, scoring her final 32 runs at a strike rate of 200 before being yorked by quick Tendai Makusha on the first ball of the final over.

Matthews’ 182 became the sixth-highest individual score in women’s ODIs, and the highest by a West Indian, going past Stafanie Taylor’s 171 against Sri Lanka in 2013.

Medium pacer Francisca Chipare finished with two wickets for Zimbabwe, while Biza and Makusha finished with one each as they managed to prevent West Indies from reaching what would have been just their second score of 300 or more.

Aaliyah Alleyne in her bowling stride.  (Zimbabwe Cricket)

Zimbabwe’s openers got off to a good start, with Sharne Mayers going 6, 4, 4 off Aaliyah Alleyne, albeit with a couple of thick outside edges. But she was caught at deep square leg trying to flick Jannillea Glasgow, giving West Indies their first breakthrough.

Mayers’ opening partner Modester Mupachikwa then fought a lone battle as Zimbabwe continued to lose wickets at the other end.

She found some support from No. 4 Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano for a 49-run stand, but Zimbabwe went on to lose their remaining eight wickets for 100 runs, with Mupachikwa the last batter to fall, bowled by Alleyne for 86 off 106.

Alleyne finished with three wickets, while Glasgow, Ashmini Munisar and Afy Fletcher all chipped in with two strikes apiece.

Scores: West Indies 299 for 6 (Matthews 182, Grimmond 53, Chipare 2-57) beat Zimbabwe 200 (Mupachikwa 86, Alleyne 3-44, Fletcher 2-31) by 99 runs.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – Team CAMS (Caribbean American Motor Sports) is officially on board with this weekend’s opening round of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) National Championships.

The two-day event begins on Saturday with qualifying before Sunday’s 10:00hrs race day start.

And the CAMS team, according to team Leader Afraz Allie, is using the September 26 and 27 event as a gauge for the November 1st season finale.

“The team is going to be competitive because we’re putting our best foot forward, treating this just like November, like I said. You know, we need to push the cars to the extent of where we want to be for November and then see how things line up, if something breaks or whatever happens,” he said.

Team CAMS is officially on board with this weekend’s opening round of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club National Championships.

According to Allie, the team, which includes himself in both the group two, group three and Starlet Cup classes using a Honda Civic for the first and a Toyota Starlet for the other two, is, gearing up for competition.

“We’re going to be giving it our all and we expect to be very competitive. So we just hope everything works out as planned, but it should be fun. Looking forward to this,” he added.

The team also has Neil Persaud driving a Honda Civic in group two and a Honda CRX in group three, Kemal Rahaman driving the Sport Tuner Class (1600cc) Class, group two and group three and Damian Singh in groups two and three.

Admission is $4,000 for adults and $2,000 for children.

The 2026 championship is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, One Guyana, GUYOIL, Enet, KFC and Tropical Shipping.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – A woman was arrested after police found three large parcels and hundreds of small packages containing suspected cannabis during an intelligence-led operation at Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, on Tuesday night.

The cannabis seized by police during the operation.

Police said ranks from Regional Division #3 conducted the operation between 21:30hrs and 22:00hrs and proceeded to a premises in the area, where they contacted the woman.

A search of the premises, conducted in her presence, unearthed three bulky parcels, 31 small containers and 332 small zip-lock bags containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis. The woman was arrested and taken to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, along with the suspected narcotics.

Police said the items were counted in the woman’s presence and amounted to a total of 366 packages/containers. The suspected cannabis was lodged pending further investigation. The woman remains in police custody as investigations continue.

Source: Kaieteur News

Under ‘Building Out Communities’ Initiative

By Shenecka Paul | HGP Nightly News |

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — The urban community of Leopold Street in South Georgetown is poised for a significant structural and recreational enhancement following announcements by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.

Speaking during an on-site walk-through and community consultation, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand confirmed that modern recreational and athletic infrastructure will be constructed to provide children, youths, and families with a dedicated, safe environment for community recreation.

The developmental initiative forms part of the government’s broader “Building Out Communities” campaign, aligned directly with the executive-led “Re-imagining our Capital City” master plan designed to modernize Georgetown’s urban core while restoring municipal spaces.

The Mansfield Recreational Complex: Multi-Sport Blueprint

The central anchor of the infrastructural intervention is the Mansfield area, situated in close proximity to Leopold Street, which has been earmarked for comprehensive redevelopment:

• Integrated Multi-Sport Design: The Ministry has finalized the structural blueprint, which consolidates several disparate recreational elements into a unified community hub.
• Facilities Roster: The approved design incorporates a modernized children’s play park, a dedicated tennis court, an upgraded football field, and a standard basketball court.
• Community Cohesion: Minister Manickchand highlighted that aggregating these sports assets into a single secure zone aims to deter youth from antisocial activities, promote physical fitness, and restore social trust across neighborhood blocks.

“So the idea is to be able to give to your community a ground that works, a ground where your young people can come out and enjoy community, where your young people could come out and play and sweat and get to know each other better, in an health environment,” Minister Manickchand told residents during the walk-through.

‘Re-imagining Our Capital City’: Heritage, Youth, and Elderly Care

Minister Manickchand explained that the revitalization of the Leopold Street and Mansfield corridor operates within the state’s broader urban renewal campaign, titled “Re-imagining our Capital City.”

The initiative is engineered to balance aggressive urban modernization with heritage conservation, targeting specific improvements in sanitation, architectural preservation, and municipal leisure infrastructure:

• Protecting Architectural Heritage: The capital plan prioritizes the restoration and safeguarding of historic Georgetown landmarks, maintaining their cultural and architectural significance.
• Inclusive Spaces for Seniors: The master plan mandates the design of quiet, green public parks specifically structured for senior citizens to gather, relax, and socialize safely.
• Empowering Urban Youth: By rehabilitating community grounds in traditionally underserved neighborhoods like Leopold Street, the administration aims to guarantee that inner-city children have equal access to sporting facilities and developmental opportunities.

“Transformation of Georgetown is going to see us holding our historic buildings, the history, the value in those buildings,” Minister Manickchand affirmed. “It’s going to see us create a city where we celebrate our culture, history and architecture, and we look after our elderly and give them spaces where they can gather and be and reminisce on the beauty of their lives.”

Technical teams from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development are scheduled to commence ground preparations at the Mansfield site in the coming weeks as procurement for the civil works advances.

Source: HGP Nightly News / HGPTV

(Kaieteur News) – Following the successful hosting of its 2026 Congress where a new executive was elected to serve the South American Powerlifting Federation (FESUPO) for the next four years, Guyana was confirmed or the first time, as the host of the 2028 championships.

Secretary General of the Fesupo Jose Luis Inguanti made the announcement following the election of the new executive which saw Julio Conrado of Brazil returning to the helm. The International Powerlifting Federation, Vice President Mr. Dietmar Wolf was in attendance.

Fesupo President (center) Julio Conrado, shares a light moment with GAPLF President Franklin Wilson (2nd left). SG Jose Luis is at left, VP Nicolás Urioste (2nd right) and Treasurer, Sandra Conrado.

Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) President Franklin Wilson and Vice President, Edwin Gordon Spencer attended the congress, and both hailed the historic announcement as a great moment for the sport and Guyana.
Wilson said that the 2026 Fesupo championships brought great success for Guyana as it was the first time that the nation has facilitated the training of two local based coaches, including one female.

“Our athletes at this year’s edition continue to keep the tradition of medaling at this international level intact, and we have now been confirmed as the official host for the 2028 edition of the championships after Columbia hosts, in 2027.”
Wilson further stated that destination Guyana for the highest level of competition in Fesupo will see athletes from Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Suriname, Peru, Columbia and Chile descending on the nation to showcase their power against the home team.

Fesupo and GAPLF Presidents, Julio Conrado (left) and Franklin Wilson discussing powerlifting matters in Chile.

“We are looking forward to this historic moment and as a federation, we are ecstatic to make our contribution to the sports tourism landscape in Guyana and to also answer the challenge of President Dr. Irfaan Ali to bring more international events to Guyana.”

Fesupo Secretary General, Jose Luis commented on the selection of Guyana as host for 2028, “Thank you for collaborating with Fesupo on organising the 2028 championship. We are confident that we will have a great competition, and we will work together to achieve that.”

President Conrado also expressed confidence in Guyana hosting a successful. The Executive of the Federation will be meeting shortly to further discuss and commence planning early for 2028.

Source: Kaieteur News

…health minister urges early testing as 400 of nearly 600 biopsies return positive

(Kaieteur News) – Prostate cancer has emerged as the leading cancer diagnosed among Guyanese men, with Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, warning that too many men are waiting until the disease is advanced before seeking medical attention.

Anthony made the disclosure earlier this week at a symposium for pharmacists, where he urged men to take cancer screening seriously and seek testing early. “Of all the cancers diagnosed, prostate cancer accounts for 31 percent of those cases,” the Minister said, noting that breast cancer had previously ranked higher overall, while prostate cancer has now moved into first place among men.

He attributed the high number of late diagnoses in part to men failing to seek medical attention early. “You don’t come, and when you come it’s too late,” Anthony said.

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony

The minister said the situation can be changed through greater public awareness and early detection. He disclosed that from January to September this year, at least 704 people have been diagnosed with cancer, which he said also reflects improvements in the country’s ability to detect the disease.

At a forum earlier this year, Anthony revealed that nearly 600 prostate biopsies had been conducted over the preceding year, with approximately 400 returning positive results. He stressed that early diagnosis can significantly improve the prospects for treatment.

“So those men were able to come into care earlier. So, it’s going to make a difference, because right now, prostate cancer is the number one cancer among men in Guyana. So, if we catch it early, we’ll be able to treat people and prevent them from dying from prostate cancer and that’s the objective of the ministry,” he said.

Anthony also called for a stronger national cancer-awareness campaign during October, including efforts to increase uptake of the HPV vaccine. “You have a large network that spans the entire country. Can we get more people to go and get the HPV vaccine?” he asked pharmacists.

His comments came as the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders launched PinkTOBER 2026, a month-long campaign aimed at raising awareness of breast, prostate and other cancers, while encouraging early screening and detection. Anthony has called for the campaign to be used to promote greater public awareness and encourage people to prioritise their health before symptoms become severe.

Organisers said PinkTOBER will also highlight the support and care available to cancer patients and their families, while providing opportunities for survivors and patients to share their experiences of treatment, resilience and hope. The campaign will also feature fundraising initiatives to support the broader fight against cancer. Organisers stressed that the initiative is not intended to end with October, but forms part of a wider effort to strengthen public knowledge, promote screening and encourage sustained action against cancer.

Source: Kaieteur News