AGP Executive Report

Sex Offenders Registry U-turn: After public backlash, President Irfaan Ali ordered the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill sent to a Special Select Committee, with a push for a fully public sex offenders register instead of a closed one. Anti-Bullying Push: The Ministry of Education received 1,000+ recommendations for a nationwide Anti-Bullying and Anti-Violence Policy, including anti-bullying clubs, peer advocates, stronger counselling, and tougher consequences. Labour Rights Protest: Wales gas project bus drivers in West Bank Demerara staged protests over months of unpaid salaries and poor conditions, with workers stranded as texts promised payment soon. Sugar Cost Spotlight: Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha told Parliament Guyana produced raw sugar in 2025 at about US$1.09 per pound including labour and maintenance. Youth Cricket Prep: Minister Charles Ramson Jr. urged Guyana’s U-19s to keep disciplined practice ahead of the CWI Rising Stars U-19 50-over Championships. Women’s Squash Win: Ashley Khalil says her national squash title is motivation to keep improving fitness, movement, and consistency for regional and international events. Sports & Community: Youth Basketball Guyana wrapped a Mini Basketball Jamboree with 79 players, special recognition for girls, and development scholarships. Energy & Oil Debate: New reports highlight oil investment not matching higher prices, while local coverage also revisits Exxon’s profit gap and its ongoing US$214M dispute with Guyana. Digital Child Safety: Attorney General Anil Nandlall said Guyana is consulting a UK law firm to study models for regulating social media effects on children.

Public Health Crackdown: President Irfaan Ali warns regional health officers and hospital administrators that bypassing Guyana’s new centralized medical supply system could mean immediate termination. Oil & Accountability: ExxonMobil says it may take its US$214M audit dispute with Guyana to the ICC, while separate reporting shows Exxon and partners earned far more profit than Guyana received in 2025. Sports & Culture: Youth Basketball Guyana wraps a Mini Basketball Jamboree that spotlights grassroots development and more female participation. Cricket & Community: Deputy Commissioner Ravindradat Budhram is inducted Patron of Tucber Park Cricket Club, backing youth and cricket growth. Women’s Cricket: Jamaica Empress joins the Women’s Caribbean Premier League as a new franchise for 2026 in Barbados. Media Watch: Former Stabroek News editor Anand Persaud leads the launch of free online newspaper “Kiskadee Watch” on June 14. Arts & Literature: Diana Evans wins the UK Jhalak prose prize for I Want to Talk to You. Governance Debate: Human Services Minister Vindyha Persaud says the Sexual Offenders’ Registry decision follows public consultation.

Oil & Accountability: ExxonMobil’s 2025 profit haul dwarfed Guyana’s take, with auditors also flagging Exxon’s US$214M dispute as the fight heads toward possible ICC arbitration. Sports Spotlight: Guyana gets behind the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Pre-Qualifier (July 8–12) with Kashif & Shanghai named Local Organising Committee, while the Women’s Caribbean Premier League expands with Jamaica Empress joining Guyana Amazon Warriors, Barbados Tridents and Trinbago Knight Riders in a Barbados festival format (Sept 5–17). Arts & Culture: A new Euro-Guyanese Classical Music and Opera Association debuts at St. George’s Cathedral, and Hooked partners with BPM Guyana to reshape socialising at the Guyana Electronic Music Festival. Media & Press Freedom: Former Stabroek News editor Anand Persaud leads the launch of free online paper “Kiskadee Watch,” with a weekly print edition planned later this year. Community & Safety: Human Services Minister says the closed Sexual Offenders’ Registry is backed by public consultation, and Govt moves to protect children online with age-based access rules.

Diaspora & Independence Buzz: Over 10,000 Guyanese turned out in Brooklyn for the Diamond Jubilee Independence celebration, with a big street parade and a high-energy Unity Concert that showcased local music and pride. Women’s Cricket Spotlight: Jamaica Empress has been added as the fourth franchise to the Women’s Caribbean Premier League, with the 2026 tournament set for September 5–17 in Barbados and Guyana Amazon Warriors opening against the new team. Classical Music Growth: The Euro-Guyanese Classical Music and Opera Association debuted at St. George’s Cathedral, featuring international talent and local performers under EU Ambassador Luca Pierantoni’s patronage. New Media for Press Freedom: Former Stabroek News editor-in-chief Anand Persaud will lead the launch of “Kiskadee Watch,” a free online newspaper starting June 14, with plans for a weekly print edition later this year. Tech Meets Culture: BPM Guyana’s GEMF experience leaned into social connection via the Hooked app, helping solo attendees meet up through QR codes and early access. Sports Infrastructure: Anna Regina National Stadium is slated to be commissioned July 3, aiming to boost youth sport in Region Two.

Women’s Cricket Spotlight: Jamaica Empress is confirmed as the fourth franchise in the expanded 2026 Women’s Caribbean Premier League, joining Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders. The festival-style tournament runs in Barbados at Kensington Oval from Sept 5–17, with eight matches and a new playoff setup. Local Sports Infrastructure: Anna Regina National Stadium is set to be commissioned July 3, with the project described as substantially complete and ready to open a modern training hub for Region Two athletes. Press Freedom in Focus: Kiskadee Watch, led by former Stabroek News editor-in-chief Anand Persaud, is set to launch June 14 as a free online paper, with a weekly print edition planned before year-end. Digital Safety for Kids: Guyana is moving toward an online child-safety framework, including a proposed minimum social media age of 16 and tighter access rules for ages 13–15. Entertainment & Community Tech: BPM Guyana’s GEMF collaboration with Hooked helped single attendees connect via QR codes and early access, aiming to make festival socialising easier. Big Science, Guyana Connection: An Indian surgeon reportedly set a world record for longest-distance robot-assisted cardiac telesurgery, operating remotely between Guyana and India.

Sports Infrastructure: Anna Regina National Stadium is set to be commissioned on July 3, with Minister Charles Ramson Jr confirming the facility is substantially complete and ready to expand structured sporting opportunities in Region Two. Youth Cricket: The Beharry Group of Companies Schools U-19 Cricket Tournament gets a Zone 2 team briefing, with National U19 Coach Anthony Adams praising school cricket as a talent pipeline. Local Football: President’s College and Dora Secondary defend their Region Four crowns in the Blue Water Girls’ U15 Championship, with standout players Neisa Lewis and Luiza Pugsley sharing the Most Outstanding Player award. Community Cricket & Brands: KFC Guyana renews as official Fast Food partner for the One Guyana T10 Blast, while BYD is announced as Official Car Sponsor of the Republic Bank CPL 2026. Education & Child Safety: Education Minister Sonia Parag says a file on alleged mistreatment of a special needs student has been submitted to the TSC, with disciplinary hearings expected within 10 days. Tech & Health Milestone: An Indian surgeon performs the world’s longest-distance robot-assisted cardiac telesurgery, operating remotely from Guyana to India using SSI Mantra.

Local Governance: PNCR says the prolonged absence of a functioning Local Government Commission is leaving municipalities and NDCs in “administrative paralysis,” blocking disciplinary action and accountability. Youth Sports: President’s College and Dora Secondary successfully defended Region Four crowns in the Blue Water Girls’ U15 football, with a tie for Most Outstanding Player. Cricket Development: Zone 2 schools get set for the Beharry Group of Companies U-19 Cricket Tournament after a team briefing led by national U19 coach Anthony Adams. Community Cricket (Tapeball): KFC Guyana renews as official fast-food partner for the One Guyana T10 Blast, backing the Aug. 8 season opener. Fashion & Culture: Origins fashion festival returns July 3–5 with a “A Diamond Legacy: Fashioning 60 Years” theme and per-designer grants. Tech & Media Literacy: U.S. Embassy and GPA launch a two-day “AI and Democracy” workshop to help journalists navigate AI-altered information. International Spotlight: Venezuela again questions the ICJ process over Essequibo after Guyana’s statements. Sports Legacy: Former Chronicle sports journalist Al McDonald dies in Florida; cremation planned June 8 with ashes to return to Guyana.

ICJ Tension: Venezuela says it has “well-founded doubts” about the ICJ process over Guyana’s Essequibo dispute, rejecting Guyana’s stance and insisting the matter should be handled under the 1899 Geneva framework. Media & Tech: The U.S. Embassy and the Guyana Press Association launched a two-day “AI and Democracy” workshop to help journalists navigate AI-driven misinformation and strengthen media literacy. Sports Sponsorship: KFC Guyana is back as official fast-food partner for the One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast, as the tournament gears up for an Aug. 8 season. Fashion Spotlight: Guyana Fashion Festival “Origins” returns July 3–5 with a “Diamond Legacy: Fashioning 60 Years” theme, runway nights, awards, and $250,000 grants for selected designers. Health Breakthrough: SSI Mantra reports a world-record robotic cardiac telesurgery linking Guyana and India over nearly 20,000 km. Cricket Development: Cricket West Indies’ “Five for Fun” programme officially launches in Barbados, continuing its regional push for youth cricket skills and inclusion. Local Sports Infrastructure: Anna Regina National Stadium is set for commissioning on July 3.

UN & Regional Diplomacy: Trinidad and Tobago’s election to the UN Security Council (2027-28) is framed as a big win for small states, but also a test of CARICOM alignment and regional positions. Sports & Community Cricket: KFC Guyana is back as official Fast Food partner for the One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast, boosting the August 8 season opener. Football Viewing: ENet secures exclusive broadcast rights for FIFA World Cup 2026, with live coverage via its apps and platforms across Guyana. Health Tech Spotlight: An Indian surgeon and SS Innovations report the world’s longest-distance robotic cardiac telesurgery—linking Guyana and India over nearly 20,000 km using the SSI Mantra robot. Athletics Calendar: AAG sets the National Seniors, Youth and Juniors Track and Field Championships for June 26-28 at West Coast Demerara, with Commonwealth Games and U20 Worlds targets. Local Sports Prep: GBA sends four boxers and a coach to a 10-day camp in Trinidad and Tobago ahead of CAC and Commonwealth Games. Education Accountability: The Education Ministry says disciplinary hearings for David Rose Special School teachers are expected within 10 days after a widely circulated mistreatment video. Energy Debate: APNU demands transparency over Guyana’s reliance on powerships while Gas-to-Energy remains stalled, calling for a real energy plan. Arts & Culture: Guyana’s creative sector gathers for ECONOME V: Swim Differently—focused on personal branding, collaboration, and growth. Remembering Al McDonald: Former Guyana Chronicle sports journalist Al McDonald dies in the US; cremation planned in Florida with ashes to return home.

World Record Medicine: Guyana’s Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) and IRCAD India marked a milestone with the world’s longest-distance robot-assisted cardiac telesurgery—about 20,000 km—using the SSI Mantra system. Education Accountability: The Ministry of Education has sent a David Rose Special School investigation file to the Teaching Service Commission after a video of alleged teacher mistreatment; disciplinary hearings are expected within 10 days. Energy & Governance: InterEnergy outlined its plan to modernise GPL’s grid through 2030, while APNU demanded transparency over powership reliance and the stalled Gas-to-Energy “permanent solution.” Oil Wealth Watch: Finance Minister Ashni Singh tabled Natural Resource Fund receipts in Parliament; the NRF balance was reported at US$4.1B. Football & Media: ENet secured exclusive Guyana broadcast rights for FIFA World Cup 2026, with live viewing via its apps and platforms. Sports Prep: The Guyana Boxing Association sent four boxers and a coach to a 10-day training camp in Trinidad ahead of the CAC Games and Commonwealth Games. Creative Sector: Creatives gathered for ECONOME V to learn about personal branding and collaboration. Caribbean Cricket Fun: CWI’s “Ladies Night” at Sabina Park offers free admission for women ahead of the WI vs Sri Lanka ODI. Policy Debate: Government tabled a bill to restore former presidents’ benefits, including utilities, security, medical care, and staff.

Star Trek & Guyana Legacy: Reginald “Lal” Singh’s final screen role as Captain Chandra in the original Star Trek is revisited, alongside his wider life from British Guiana to the Indian freedom movement. Global Football Access: ENet secured exclusive broadcast rights for FIFA World Cup 2026, promising live coverage across Guyana via its apps and platforms. Cricket Night Out: CWI’s “Ladies Night” at Sabina Park offers free admission to women for the West Indies vs Sri Lanka ODI, with DJ entertainment and match-day perks. Guyana Sports Prep: The Guyana Boxing Association sends four elite boxers (including Desmond Amsterdam and Akeelah Vancooten) plus a coach to a Trinidad training camp ahead of the CAC Games and Commonwealth Games. Creative Sector Boost: Women in Guyana’s creative industry gathered for ECONOME V: Swim Differently, focusing on personal branding and collaboration. Education Accountability: The David Rose Special School case moves forward as the Education Ministry sends its investigation file to the TSC, with hearings expected within 10 days. Public Safety Shock: A 7-year-old boy was found dead with his throat slit during a home invasion in Zeelugt, while his grandmother was badly injured. Energy & Governance Debate: APNU demands transparency over the government’s powership reliance as InterEnergy outlines a GPL grid modernisation roadmap through 2030. Oil Wealth Watch: Finance Minister Ashni Singh tables NRF receipts notification; the fund balance is reported at US$4.1B. Policy Fight Over Former Presidents: Government tables a bill to restore unlimited benefits for former presidents, drawing pushback from opposition MPs. Tech & Security: Guyana joins the LAC4 cybersecurity alliance to strengthen training and digital forensics capacity. CPL Partnership: BYD announced as Official Car Sponsor of CPL 2026, rolling out cricket-themed activations and a design challenge.

Caribbean Cricket & Culture: BYD is named official car partner of CPL 2026, rolling out fan activations across eight countries including Guyana, plus a “Wrap the Future” design challenge. Local Sports Spotlight: Guyana’s “Green Machine” eyes a bounce-back win over Barbados in RAN Tier Two after a tough start, while grassroots tapeball keeps heating up with One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast support from I&S Trading. Youth & Community Sports: Cricket West Indies launches free entry for kids 16 and under to home matches across the region, and the GBA hands boxing equipment to the Republican Boxing Gym to help restart prison boxing and prep for national competition. Tech, Health & Guyana’s Reach: SS Innovations says it completed the world’s longest-distance robotic cardiac telesurgery between Guyana and India. Online Safety Push: Guyana begins a national consultation to protect children from harmful social media content, with Attorney General Anil Nandlall stressing Big Tech can be held to court orders. Arts & Books: Shana Chandra’s debut novel “Banjara” spotlights Indo-Fijian indenture history, linking past and present through two women’s journeys.

Child Online Safety: Guyana has kicked off a national consultation to draft new rules aimed at shielding children from harmful social media content, with ministers citing models from places like the UK and Australia and promising a consultative, locally tailored framework. Politics & Leadership: PNCR leader Aubrey Norton says he won’t run for president in 2030, but will stay on to guide party rebuilding and succession. Parliamentary Scrutiny Row: Guyana is accused of following Ghana’s pattern on hiding the powership contract, with critics pointing to limited parliamentary oversight and “take-or-pay” cost concerns. Youth Sports: The Guyana Golf Association’s 4th National Junior Open Golf Championships gets Ministry of Education backing, set for July 3 at Westside. Local Industry & Maritime Growth: Construction begins on a US$5M tug and barge for Canada’s G Mining Ventures to support the Oko West Gold Project. Entertainment & Culture: Banks DIH’s XM Rum and Spirits win Gold Medals at the Monde Selection awards, adding to Guyana’s growing brand spotlight.

World-record tech-med news: SS Innovations says it has completed the world’s longest-distance robotic telesurgery, remotely performing a cardiac procedure between Georgetown, Guyana and Indore, India. Caribbean tourism spotlight: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 is underway, bringing tourism ministers and officials together under “One Caribbean: Infinite experiences.” Cricket for the kids: CWI launched free entry for children 16 and under to every match of the “WI Outside!” home series, with big youth turnouts across the region including Guyana. Local boxing revival: The Guyana Boxing Association handed equipment to the Republican Boxing Gym in the prison system as it prepares for the National Novices Championships. Tapeball triumph: West Ruimveldt Primary won the Demerara zone title in Future Warriors Tapeball after a dramatic final. Online safety push: Government consultations begin on regulating harmful social media content for children. Sports insurance upgrade: NALICO/NAFICO unveiled a wide-ranging protection plan for the Beharry U-19 Schools’ Cricket Tournament. Environment study: Research links small-scale gold mining in Guyana to long-term damage to dung beetle communities in the Amazon.

Motor-Sport & Youth Culture: Jumbo Jet Events is bringing back karting with “Need for Speed,” including a meet-and-greet at West Central Mall (2pm–7pm) and a three-round championship with over GYD $17M up for grabs. Local Sports Development: The Guyana Boxing Association boosted the Republican Boxing Gym in the prison system with equipment ahead of the National Novices Championships, while the Pan American Boxing Confederation praised Guyana’s youth boxing after a bronze at the South American Youth Games. Tapeball Spotlight: West Ruimveldt Primary won the Demerara zone Future Warriors Tapeball title after a final that turned on preparation and nerves. Cricket Calendar: Cricket West Indies confirmed its 2026 home season schedule, with Guyana hosting key matches in the Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Pakistan series. Online Child Safety: Government launched national consultations on regulating harmful social media content for children, with Attorney General Anil Nandlall saying a tailored framework is being drafted. Public Safety & Tragedy: Families mourn a Unity Beach drowning that killed a couple and their unborn son. Governance & Trust: The Ethnic Relations Commission flagged 151 social media violations so far this year, with racial slurs topping the list.

Water Street Fire: Guyana Fire Service and police say the multi-million-dollar Water Street blaze was deliberately set, with investigators pointing to CCTV footage showing an operative igniting a cargo truck inside the Demerara Shipping compound. Cricket (CWI): Cricket West Indies confirmed the 2026 Men’s home season “WI OUTSIDE!” from June 3 to Aug 6, featuring 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is and 2 Tests vs Sri Lanka, then 5 ODIs vs New Zealand (final two co-hosted by Barbados) and 2 Tests vs Pakistan. Boxing (GBA): Pan American Boxing Confederation president Elise Seignolle praised the Guyana Boxing Association after a bronze-medal showing at the South American Youth Games. Youth Sports (Insurance): NALICO/NAFICO unveiled a major insurance protection plan for players, coaches and officials ahead of the Beharry U19 School’s cricket tournament. Online Safety: Government launched national consultations on regulating social media’s harmful impact on children, with Attorney General Anil Nandlall urging protections without blocking educational content. Politics (PNCR): Aubrey Norton denied PNCR/APNU is collapsing after defections and said he won’t run for president in 2030, while still aiming to help rebuild the party.