Editorial

No sector of the economy is immune from the current crisis, not even culture. 

The country has been fairly agog over last week’s Agri-Investment Forum and Expo: Investing in Vision 25 by 2025 at the Arthur Chung Con-ference Centre, Liliendaal, attended by many of the who’s who of Caricom and featuring an eye-catching and inspiring display of local products and food.

“Inferiors revolt in order that they may be equal, and equals that they may be superior.”

It is almost certainly the case that no other Guyana Head of Government or regional one, for that matter has ever before benefitted from such a surfeit of international exposure within such a short space of time after accession to office, as has President Irfaan Ali.

Today at 5 pm at the Umana Yana, a public scoping meeting will be held in relation to the application by ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, EEPGL for the establishment of a fifth offshore oil extraction project at the Uaru site.

Voters can be forgiven if they regard the local politicians as tiresome.

It has been 34 years since Parliament passed the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act of 1988.

When celebrating World Press Freedom Day Minister Kwame McCoy rhapsodized about government’s commitment to freedom of expression.

Perhaps the most positive outcome of last November’s UN climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland was the move by France, Ireland, Sweden, Wales and Quebec to join the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA), which had been established by Denmark and Costa Rica in September 2021, just two months prior to the confab.

Renewing their passports and driver’s licences are two exercises that Guyanese probably look forward to with as much anticipation as their next scheduled dental appointment.

Save and except for the purpose of summit meetings of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Heads of Government of the region rarely congregate in any one member country.

On Thursday, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh spoke at the Annual General Meeting of the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

Back on the government agenda is the Georgetown-Boa Vista road. This has the appearance of being a misnomer.

There is something vulgar about hosting an “all white” party on a barge in the Demerara River with a ticket price that is higher than the current monthly minimum wage even if it is for a good cause.

April was not a good month for the government in relation to indigenous matters. 

Once again, the world watches agog as the United States of America seems determined to prove that its very name is a misnomer.

“To improve the golden moment of opportunity, and catch the good that is within our reach, is the great art of life.”

The challenge that the Government of Guyana whichever political administration holds the reins of power will always face whenever it make a gesture that appears designed to create a more robust culture of media professionalism, meaning, among other things, the freedom to think and to pronounce free of any kind of censorial constraint, has to do with what has long been the insidious usurpation of the prerogative of political control of much of the information that finds its way into the public space.

What was styled as the World Press Freedom Day 2022 National Conference and Symposium helped at least to bring to the public’s attention what is required for the media to operate without interference and to hold decision-makers to account.

There were two major official celebrations along with a less publicised third event on Arrival Day this year.