Ryan Cummings

Release Date: May 30, 2020 The document criticizes the Guyana Gold & Diamond Miners Association’s (GGDMA) claim that mining is an essential service, arguing that it primarily benefits a small number of wealthy individuals rather than providing a critical service to all citizens. It highlights the poorly regulated mining industry’s lack of transparency and accountability, […]

Release Date: March 21, 2021 The document is a press release about the “Make Guyana A Racism Free Zone” campaign, launched by Guyanese youth on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 20211. The campaign encourages organizations to sign a Pledge Certificate committing to discourage racist behaviors and promote racial harmony2. The pledge

Release Date: June 1, 2019 The document discusses the conflict between Guyana’s climate commitments and its burgeoning oil and gas industry. It highlights how the country’s carbon footprint is set to increase dramatically due to oil production, despite its previous leadership in climate action. The text criticizes the government for prioritizing extractive industries over environmental

Release Date: March 29, 2018 The document is a press release calling for humanitarian procedures for Venezuelans in Guyana. It highlights the influx of Venezuelan migrants, including those of Guyanese origin, due to Venezuela’s economic crisis. The release urges Guyana to adopt policies similar to other South American countries, providing temporary residence and work rights

Release Date: June 5, 2018 The document discusses the serious health and environmental risks posed by mercury use in Guyana’s gold mining industry. It criticizes the lack of a systematic response to mercury-related health issues among Gold Board workers and the general complacency towards the dangers of mercury exposure. The text calls for comprehensive measures

Release Date: March 2, 2023 The document discusses the temporary suspension of Guyana from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) due to the government’s non-compliance with the EITI standard. It emphasizes the importance of the Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) and the need for democratic decision-making processes within the GYEITI. The document criticizes the Guyanese government for

Release Date: August 24, 2019 This press release from Policy Forum Guyana dated August 24, 2019, expressing concerns about environmental policies related to mining and river protection in Guyana. It highlights the technical capabilities of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission to monitor deforestation and river dredging, but criticizes

Release Date: August 3, 2019 This press release from Policy Forum Guyana (PFG) criticizing the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC) for its inadequate land restoration efforts and lack of transparency. PFG highlights the superficial approach to restoration by GGMC and calls for a fundamental restructuring of land restoration practices. It suggests reducing GGMC’s role

Release Date: September 3, 2018 The document discusses Policy Forum Guyana’s (PFG) initiative to engage citizens in a national dialogue on the optimal use of impending oil and gas revenues to shape Guyana’s future. The first public meeting used ‘Open Space’ methods to identify key priorities, with infrastructural development, nature protection, and tertiary education improvement

Release Date: September 1, 2019 The press release from Policy Forum Guyana (PFG) discusses the need for collective and inclusive governance in Guyana’s extractive sectors. It highlights the country’s recent candidacy for the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and criticizes the media’s fixation on oil and gas to the detriment of other important governance achievements.