All about pharmacies
The Pharmacy Council has offered advice to consumers. Here it is: “Let’s start with the very basics- “1. What types of business premises are licensed to offer medicines for sale to the public? “There are two categories in Guyana – a pharmacy or a patent shop formerly known as a dispensary “2. What is a [...]
The Sexual Offences Act Child Sexual Offences (cont’d)
The Child Sex Offences section of the Sexual Offences Act 2009 continues as shown below: Meeting a child under 16 years following sexual grooming 13. (1) A person eighteen years of age or over (“the accused”) commits the offence of meeting a child following sexual grooming if – (a) Having met or communicated with another [...]
The Sexual Offences Act:Child Sex Offences
The Sexual Offences Act 2009, which came into effect on May 24 this year, creates many new offences. Consumers should become aware of these provisions as the penalties are quite severe. The Act sells for $4,000 a copy and can be purchased from Parliament Office, Georgetown. Today we deal with Child Sex Offences Rape of [...]
The Sexual Offences Act – presumptions about consent
We have been giving consumers information concerning the Sexual Offences Act 2009. This is a very important act and consumers need to be fully acquainted with some of the sections. We have already given information on Rape, Sexual Offences and Consent. We continue with Evidential Presumptions about Consent, Section 7:- “(e) the presence of more [...]
The Sexual Offences Act
Last week consumers were introduced to the Sexual Offences Act, 2009 which is now in force. We dealt with rape and sexual offences. We now give some of the sections dealing with ‘consent.’ Section 5 Consent not inferred Consent and belief in consent cannot be inferred by- a) reason of silence or physical resistance on [...]
Consumers should become acquainted with the new Sexual Offences Act
The Sexual Offences Act was signed by President Bharrat Jagdeo on May 24, 2010. This act replaces the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, certain sections of which have been repealed. The penalties for offences are quite severe. Consumers should become acquainted with the law as it now stands. Offences Rape: 3. (1) A person (the accused) [...]
Confronting high global food prices
On March 18, 2010 the Special Select Committee of the National Assembly submitted a report on the impact of global food price increases: The following table shows an outline of each of the recommendations proposed by the food committee that financial aid has been sought for. “Recommendations “1. To transform the GSA farm into a [...]
The difference between high-fibre and whole wheat flour
Some years ago the Government Analyst drew to the attention of bakers that they were describing loaves of bread as whole wheat bread, when in fact there was no whole wheat in the country. It was agreed that such bread should be described as ‘hi-fibre’ bread. Some bakers pointed out that the plastic bags in [...]
‘Healthy’ flour products now available
In August 2009 NAMILCO the National Milling Company issued a press release introducing Health Line of Products. The release stated:- “NAMILCO Introduce Health Line of Products “National Milling is pleased to announce the launch of three new products as part of their ‘Maid Marian Range’. These are Whole Wheat Flour, Multigrain Flour and Toasted Wheat [...]
The ISO’s draft standard for social responsibility
Mr Trummel Redmond of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards sent a detailed Scope of the Standard as it now stands. “International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)/ Committee Draft (CD) 26000 standard – Guidance on Social Responsibility “Scope of the proposed standard “Assist organisations in addressing their social responsibilities while respecting cultural, societal, environmental and legal [...]
The ISO has developed a draft standard for social responsibility
Guyanese can give their input Wednesday On February 2, 2009, a letter from Mr Lloyd David, Public Relations Officer of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, was published in the Stabroek News with the headline, ‘ISO has developed draft standard for social responsibility.’ He mentioned that the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a worldwide federation [...]
The Codex News of January 1, 2010
Better quality beef and more milk through nuclear research In April 2009, after six years of work by more than three hundred researchers from twenty-five countries, Scientists were finally able to reveal the genome cow – the first mapping of the genetic composition of a mammalian livestock animal. This provided crucial information about the evolution [...]
The Sexual Offences Bill
Explanatory Memorandum (Continued) This is the continuation of the Explanatory Memo-randum in The Sexual Offences Bill in 2009. The first part was carried in Consumer Concerns last week. “Other measures in clauses 58, 59 and 60 include allowing children to give evidence by video- link through an intermediary, use of anatomically correct dolls, allow written [...]
To whom does one complain? Where does one seek relief?
Gone are the days when Subryanville was managed by a committee and not by the Georgetown Mayor & City Council. Problems arise and one doesn’t know to whom to complain, save and except the Public Relations Officer at the M&CC. The big problem is the flooding that takes place when it rains continuously for long [...]
The Codex ensures food safety for consumers
You cannot be a consumer activist without knowing about Codex which is the body that ensures food safety for consumers. It has a publication The Codex News which is sent to the Guyana National Bureau of Standards at intervals. The issue of March 6, 2002 deals with ‘The role of Codex in consumer protection.’ It [...]