Articles

Chatting with Basil Williams – Guyana’s Attorney General and The Minister of Legal Affairs on Guyana’s promising future

Published

6 years ago

June 29, 2018

BY: LEANNE BENN

It’s not very often that you get a chance to sit down and chat with the Attorney General of Guyana and the Hon. Minister of Legal Affairs. Many Guyanese in Guyana and especially in the Canadian Guyanese diaspora and around the world will recognize the name Basil Williams; as one of Guyana’s most powerful lawyers, legal advisors and representative to the government of Guyana.

Within the last few years, there has been an undeniable amount of change happening in this South American nation. Almost anyone can now relate Guyana to the pending oil boom and economic overhaul that is taking place. Guyana is focused on developing a “green economy” on the cusp of the oil and gas transformation.

But let us rewind three years to May 2015 when the current administration, the APNU took office, Under President David Granger’s leadership, Basil Williams started one of his most challenging journeys yet. “The government took office 23 years after the last government, from the start, we’ve had challenges of correcting issues that arose over the years,” Williams stated.

However, challenges and issues of corruption aside, Williams mentioned the focus the government has on ensuring the proper management of oil and gas, he mentions the risk of “Dutch disease” essentially neglecting other sectors while only focusing on one area. For instance, Guyana’s agricultural stronghold should not be neglected; the agriculture base needs to be strengthened in order to improve the economic life.

This is only one step in many areas that Williams has paid attention to. Specifically, Williams does not shy away from a good challenge. In the past few years, Williams took on the almost seemingly unrealistic challenge of removing Guyana from a FATF (Financial Action Task Force) and CFATF (Caribbean Financial Action Task Force) blacklist, addressing issues such as money laundering, anti-corruption and terrorism funding. Guyana was publically blacklisted by the CFATF in May 2013. Generally according to Williams removing a country from a backlisting can take many years, even just to get new legislation approved for instance in Canada can take up to two years.

By 2015, Williams was on the case handling issues of money laundering and drafting laws in order to meet the standards of the organization. By 2016, in just one year, Williams and a specially appointed anti-corruption task force were able to get Guyana removed from the blacklist. Despite only taking a year, it was a challenge and as Williams stated previous AG’s did not deal with that matter. It is key now to maintain Guyana’s standard and standing. In fact, Williams was eventually elected as deputy chair of CFATF in the 2016-2017 period and is presently Chairman in Office for the 2017-2018 period, in essence showing how committed he is to this matter.

With all that Williams has going on, he remains committed to dealing with the law and has had many teams of lawyers under his guidance and even travels to different regions in Guyana to educate citizens and workers on issues of corruption and recently has undertaken a team dealing with cybercrime legislation.

In terms of relations with the diaspora, Williams would hope that experienced Guyanese familiar in the oil and gas sector would one day return and assist the developing industry. “We did promise the Guyanese people a good life and we are underway, by implementing certain systems and focusing on other sectors in the economy. A lot of our people (Guyanese) are in North America and in the Caribbean region itself, but we are on a very good trajectory.” Williams also highlighted the focus on educating Guyanese about environmental law and green energy law which is very minimal at the moment but it is a major focus by the government and has even attracted the attention of the World Bank who has invited President Granger to present Guyana’s Green State Strategy at the World Bank headquarters in Washington DC, later in 2018. The Green State Development Strategy is focused on the economic and socio-cultural development of the county in the long term.

With all these changes and developments happening in Guyana, Williams and many other ministers in the Guyana government make it a duty to interact with the diaspora. As this was Williams’ first trip to Canada since taking office in 2015, he had a list of scheduled events including speaking with the Canadian- Guyanese diaspora through the help of the Guyana Consul General, An Yin Choo, and others. Williams also mentioned the key support from the diaspora and many international NGO’s in Guyana. There have been several assessments and training by international groups to help lawyers, non-lawyers, judges, and magistrates. For instance, focusing on other areas of law such as mediation can help with the backlog of cases but presently there are not enough trained mediators after all these years.

Despite the daily changes, struggles and success Guyana faces in the next few years, Minister Williams and many citizens in Guyana hope to develop a clean economy for oil and gas, ensuring Guyana becomes an attractive place for tourists and many in the diaspora to return.

Related Topics:challenges corruption government Guyana issues

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The cost of convenience: how much does delivery really cost?

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2024

TOCaribNews

BY AMARI SUKHDEO

Have you ever been excited to camp-in and order your favourite meal for delivery, only to be taken aback by that bill? That $18 ramen suddenly balloons to $32. Why the hefty price tag? Here’s what’s happening:

Markup mayhem:

When opposed to ordering straight from the restaurant, ordering through delivery apps frequently entails a surreptitious price increase. The menu items found on these platforms are typically more expensive than those found inside. Remarkably, a recent survey found that the cost of things ordered through delivery apps may be up to 26% more than that of items ordered straight from the restaurant. A lot of customers are caught by surprise by this markup, which turns what could have been a relatively inexpensive dinner into a costly affair.

Fee fiasco:

Not only is there a markup, but there are also significant service costs added to the bill. For instance, Uber Eats determines prices based on the quantity of your order, while DoorDash charges a $3 minimum service fee in addition to a 15% service charge. These extra fees have the potential to significantly raise the overall cost of your meal, giving customers the impression that they have been taken advantage of.

Restaurant shares:

It’s not just diners who are experiencing financial hardship. Restaurants face a big competition from delivery apps, which can take up to 30% of their earnings. This is especially true for smaller businesses that depend significantly on delivery services. Restaurants may find it extremely challenging to generate a profit due to the weight of high commissions, given their already extremely narrow profit margins.

A troubling tendency is shown through data: the cost of using delivery apps is progressively going up. Fees have increased to previously unheard-of heights in recent years, leaving many customers unable to pay more for their favourite dishes. For a few, the price hike has caused them to reconsider their dining options.

At home diners, keep in mind that you have to account for the hidden expenses the next time the convenience of a takeaway menu entices you. It’s a story about: delivery workers’ financial struggles, increased rates, and outrageous surcharges. Bon appétit, with caution.

https://www.vox.com/money/24118201/food-delivery-cost-expensive-doordash-ubereats-grubhub

https://www.foodandwine.com/news/delivery-app-prices-higher-fees-2021-pandemic

Junior Contributors

Beneath the waves: Unveiling the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade in the Bahamas

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2024

TOCaribNews

BY KAHA G. – 15 YEARS OLD

What is archaeology? Archaeology is the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation: of artifacts, structures, and other physical remains. It helps us understand past cultures, societies, and lifestyles by analyzing material culture left behind by ancient civilizations. In this case, archaeologists in the Bahamas have found underwater wrecks of 14 sailing ships involved in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade between Africa and the Americans.

The Bahamas Lost Ships Project, led by Allen Exploration and the Bahamas Maritime Museum, aims to catalog shipwrecks in the Bahamas. They’ve found 596 wrecks so far, dating back to 1657. Also, these findings were published around Black History Month, emphasizing the importance of preserving the experiences of marginalized communities.

The Bahamas’ history is deeply connected to the transatlantic slave trade, with events like the arrival of the first slaving vessels shaping the islands’ population. The wrecks of ships like the Nancy and the General Oglethorpe remind us of the individuals who suffered and resisted enslavement. This research also highlights the Bahamas’ role in the transatlantic slave trade, connecting: Africa, the American Southeast, Cuba, and the Gulf of Mexico. Making it an important trade route for these places.

According to Livescience, the wrecks included the “Peter Mowell which is an American schooner (sailing vessel) that sank off Lynyard Cay near Great Abaco Island in 1860 with about 400 enslaved Africans on board; as well as smaller vessels that carried slaves to plantations for sugar, coffee, cotton and tobacco in North America and around the Caribbean.”

Alongside that, the team of archaeologists, and Allen Exploration have found three wrecks, but their locations are currently undisclosed. The CEO, emphasized the historical significance of these wrecks, noting their importance in understanding the conditions aboard slave ships and the broader history of the slave trade.

Additionally, the type of living conditions of enslaved Black people were atrocious. They lived in miserable huts, which were said to be “Unfit for the habitation of wild beasts.” They wore iron slave collars and worked seven days a week, with just four hours a day of rest in cane-cutting season. Unfortunately, about 10% of enslaved Africans died on the plantations in Cuba each year during the slave trade, and some were even flogged to death.

In conclusion, the discovery of these shipwrecks in the Bahamas sheds light on a significant, yet often overlooked aspect of human history: the transatlantic slave trade. These findings provide valuable insights into the conditions endured by enslaved individuals and the intricate networks that facilitated this cruel trade. As we continue to explore and preserve these historical sites, we honor the resilience and bravery of those who resisted oppression and strive to ensure that their stories are remembered for generations to come.