Voters in the Toledo East constituency are scheduled to vote for their next area representative on July 17, a little over a month from today.
The People’s United Party (PUP) recently held a convention to select its standard bearer. Victorious was Dr. Osmond Martinez. He garnered 1762 votes, compared to Melhem Espat’s 1281 and Nicanor Requena’s 479.
There were 34 spoiled or rejected votes.
According to the Election and Boundaries Department, as of January 2024, the total number of electors in Toledo East is 7485.
The United Democratic Party’s (UDP) is Dennis “Desho” Williams.
The former area representative, Michael Espat, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2024. Espat was first elected in 1989 to the House of Representatives and was in his sixth parliamentary term, with his last election in November 2020.
A Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Government of Belize and the Public Service Union (PSU), the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers (APSSM) was signed today at the House of Culture in Belize City.
The signing comes after years of negotiations.
The last time we provided an update was in May, when the Joint Unions Negotiation Team met with representatives of the Government of Belize for the first time in seven months. Eight items were discussed, including the signing of the Collective Agreement, implementing tax reform, and establishing a UN Anti-Corruption Commission.
Back then, Cordel Hyde, Deputy Prime Minister, told reporters that there was a significant development regarding the long-pending Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which had been unresolved for sixteen years. The primary issue was proposal twenty-two, concerning secondary school teachers not employed by the government.
Twenty-five-year-old Tehje Vaughan was fined fifteen thousand dollars after she pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter by negligence in the shooting death of her friend and co-worker, thirty-year-old Charles Canton.
The incident occurred on April 28th, 2023, when Canton was accidentally shot by Vaughan. Vaughan, the daughter of Belize City Councillor Albert Vaughan, was arraigned and granted bail today under strict conditions.
Charles Canton, deceased.
Both worked at Holy Redeemer Credit Union and had just left work to buy drinks when the incident occurred. Police responded to the shooting at 5:17 p.m. in the King’s Park area and found Canton, who was later pronounced dead. Canton, a resident of Sand Hill Village, had parked his vehicle on 2nd Street and was with Vaughn and another individual, Jose Montero. Canton had placed his licensed firearm on the handrest inside the SUV. Vaughn allegedly reached for the weapon, which discharged, fatally injuring Canton.
The FAO’s One Country, One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative has launched its inception workshop to begin a project aimed at enhancing Belize’s coconut value chain. This global initiative will produce a comprehensive value chain analysis and a three-year development plan for Belize’s coconut sector.
The workshop included over 110 stakeholders, discussing project implementation and regional and national priorities for OCOP. To date, around USD 15 million has been mobilized to support 54 countries. In Belize, activities involve creating a national task force and a collaborative work plan with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise.
To get a better understanding of the project, News Five spoke with Hafiz Muminjanov, OCOP Global Coordinator, OCOP Secretariat, Plant Production and Protection Division, FAO.
1. What is the objective of the FAO One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative?
FAO has developed the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative to build more sustainable food value chains of Special Agricultural Products (SAPs), which was globally launched on 7 September 2021. Special Agricultural Products (SAPs) are agricultural products with unique qualities and special characteristics associated with geographical locations, farming practices and cultural heritages. Compared to staple food crops, SAPs have not yet fully benefited from agricultural and rural development programmes.
The FAO OCOP initiative aims to enhance food security, livelihoods, environmental sustainability, and income generation for rural populations through the sustainable development of SAP’s value chains, from sustainable production to storage, processing and marketing.
The initiative supports countries in the transition to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems. OCOP is not an initiative that promotes monocropping production systems but focuses on diversification, unlocking the untapped potential of agricultural products, and identifying and addressing gaps in the value chain.
2. How is the OCOP initiative funded, and what is its total budget?
The implementation of the OCOP initiative started with the formulation of the Global Action Plan and application guidance for the countries and the conducting of a series of training sessions.
The activities in the field began with the implementation of the global project funded by FAO Flexible Voluntary Contributions (FVC) in 2022, starting in five demonstration countries in five FAO regions – Bangladesh, Egypt, Malawi, Uzbekistan and Trinidad and Tobago. Further funding was received from various sources, including a trust fund project supported by JICA in Ghana, the FAO-China South-South Cooperation (SSC) Programme, FVC, and allocations from the FAO Regular Programme. Regional and national projects funded by the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) have also supported the initiative.
As of 1 June 2024, about USD 18 million has been received to support the implementation of OCOP in 60 countries.
National Coconut Stakeholders Seminar and Market Fair 2023
3. Can you name the countries participating in the global project and their selected Special Agricultural Products (SAPs)?
To date, 85 Members from all five FAO Regions – Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Near East and North Africa – have expressed strong interest in promoting the sustainable development of the value chains of 54 Special Agricultural Products (SAPs), including 28 horticultural and 15 field crops, 6 livestock products and 5 forest products.
From the Region of Latin America and the Caribbean, 14 countries are promoting 12 SAPS. The countries and SAPs include:
4. How does the OCOP initiative contribute to the development of smallholders and family farms?
OCOP promotes diverse and integrated food systems, creating sustainable development and market opportunities for small-scale farmers. It places smallholders and family farms at the center of its efforts, using their unique strengths.
OCOP provides tailored support to countries to strengthen the value chain of their SAPs opening doors to regional and international markets.
5. What are the activities planned for Belize under the regional OCOP, and who are the key partners involved?
The promotion of OCOP in Belize will be supported in the framework of the new project funded by the FAO Flexible Voluntary Contribution (FVC) mechanism.
The project with a total budget of USD 1 million will be implemented from 01 March 2024 to 31 December 2025. The project will cover 11 countries from all FAO regions located in the tropics, drylands, mountainous zones as well as the Small Island Developing States.
This global project aims to expand the implementation of the OCOP initiative on a global scale. .
In the project framework, Belize will promote coconut as the SAP. The key activities in Belize include establishing OCOP technical networks, capacity development of farmers and stakeholders, conducting the value chain analysis and upgrading national strategy on coconut sector. The project will also establishthe mechanism for coordination and communication – such as national task force and will raise awareness among a wide range of stakeholders.
The OCOP global partners include UNIDO, UNODC, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, etc.
The key National Taskforce Partners in Belize is likely to include the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Enterprise (MAFSE), Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI), University of Belize (UB), International Trade Center (ITC), Financial Institutions, Processors, Exporters, Cooperatives/Associations.
National Coconut Stakeholders Seminar and Market Fair 2023
6. What were some of the highlights discussed during the inception workshop held on April 3, 2024?
OCOP is inherently country-owned and country-led, tailoring strategies to each country’s specific needs, priorities, and comparative advantages.
Customizing approaches to fit unique contexts is paramount for effective implementation, focusing on establishing technical networks, enabling environments, and coordination mechanisms.
Project countries show great potential to promote the synergies between OCOP and other initiatives, programmes and projects at FAO and beyond.
Notably, six project countries are engaged in the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative and five in the Digital Village Initiative.
7. How many participants attended the inception workshop, and what was its main purpose?
Over 110 participants attended the virtual inception workshop of the project, where the project objectives and implementation modalities were discussed, challenges shared and priorities for the OCOP initiative at regional and national levels defined. The overall objective of the project is to improve food security, livelihoods, environmental sustainability, and income for rural populations through the sustainable development of special agricultural product value chains.
8. Can you list some of the challenges and priorities discussed during the workshop regarding the implementation of the OCOP initiative?
This included strengthening financial, technical, and human resources at the global, regional, and country levels; engaging a wide range of stakeholders to support activities at the country and field levels; and monitoring and facilitating OCOP projects.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is aiding Central American nations by sharing advanced techniques and technologies to bolster their agricultural, livestock, aquaculture, and fisheries sectors.
To facilitate the safe importation of cattle from Belize to Mexico for immediate slaughter and terminal fattening, thereby strengthening the domestic industry’s raw material supply, the agriculture ministries of both countries are developing a sanitary control mechanism. This mechanism aims to ensure the cattle are free from pests and diseases of quarantine significance.
Currently, Mexico imports around five thousand certified cattle annually from Orange Walk County, Belize, under an existing import protocol validated by the Central American health authority.
The updated protocol seeks to include more certified producers from Belize. These producers must demonstrate through clinical tests that their cattle are free from bovine tuberculosis (Tb), brucellosis (Br), and ticks and pass a sanitary inspection conducted by Mexican veterinarians.
In a meeting with Belize’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, José Abelardo Mai, and the Belizean ambassador to Mexico, Oscar Lorenzo Arnold, Javier Calderón Elizalde, head director of the National Agro-alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality Service, highlighted the shared cultural ties, friendship, and sanitary challenges between the two nations, noting that pests do not respect borders.
Elizalde emphasised that Senasica’s mission is to protect agri-food production and facilitate the trade of healthy and safe products for national supply, building bridges rather than closing borders.
Agriculture supports small and medium-scale producers in Central America by sharing techniques and technologies that enhance their agricultural, livestock, aquaculture, and fisheries development.
The meeting also addressed the cattle screwworm threat in Panama and Costa Rica, which poses a risk to regional livestock. Health authorities are urged to collaborate and allocate resources to prevent the insect’s northward spread. Mexico has proposed a pest eradication plan to the International Regional Organisation for Plant and Animal Health (OIRSA) to halt its advance before it reaches Nicaragua.
The General Coordination of International Affairs of the Ministry of Agriculture reaffirmed the priority of its relationship with Belize, committing ongoing support from the ministry’s technical and scientific institutions to their Central American counterparts.
Minister José Abelardo Mai highlighted that Belize, with over 5,400 livestock producers, primarily small-scale, sees livestock exports as a key opportunity for community development. He noted improvements in Belize’s livestock sector through the acquisition of Mexican stallions, better grass varieties, and infrastructure investments.
Mai also acknowledged the significant contributions of the National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural, and Livestock Research (INIFAP) in boosting the production of soybeans, soursop, coconut, and pitahaya in Belize.
On the topic of cattle screwworm, Mai, a veteran of eradication efforts 30 years ago, announced plans for an awareness campaign and a fund to support regional health initiatives.
The meeting was attended by key officials, including Senasica’s general director of Animal Health, Juan Gay Gutiérrez, and of Plant and Animal Health Inspection, Jorge Luis Leyva Vázquez, as well as Belizean representatives such as the director of the Citrus Revitalization and Diversification Programme, Hugh O’Brien, the general director of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), Zoe Zetina, and BAHA’s director of Animal Health, Roxanna Álvarez.
This year’s World Day will focus on celebrating the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (1999, No. 182). It also presents an opportunity to remind all stakeholders to improve their implementation of the two fundamental Conventions on child labour – Convention No. 182 and Convention No. 138 concerning the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment or Work (1973).
Although significant strides have been taken in reducing child labour over time, recent years have seen global trends reverse, underscoring the pressing need to unite efforts in expediting actions to eradicate child labour in all its manifestations.
With the adoption of Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7, the international community made a commitment to the elimination of child labour in all its forms by 2025.
Now is the time to make the elimination of child labour a reality!
This World Day Against Child Labour, June 12, 2024, we are calling for:
The effective implementation of the ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour;
Reinvigorated national, regional and international action to end child labour in all of its forms, including worst forms, through adopting national policies and addressing root causes as called upon in the 2022 Durban Call to Action;
Universal ratification and effective implementation of ILO Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age, which, together with the universal ratification of ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour achieved in 2020, would provide all children with legal protection against all forms of child labour.
In his message on World Day Against Child Labour, Labour Minister Oscar Requena said, “Our children deserve a childhood free from exploration with access to education and opportunities to realize their full potential. it is our duty as a nation to protect and provide the necessary support to achieve these fundamental rights.”
Full video message can be viewed here:
A report from the U.S. Bureau of International Labor Affairs says, “In 2022, Belize made moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The government approved the National Child Labor Policy and Strategy 2022–2025, which aims to eliminate the worst forms of child labor by 2025 and prioritizes addressing legislative and information gaps, increasing child labor law compliance, and reducing barriers to education. The Ministry of Human Development also introduced new standard operating procedures on human trafficking and trained 85 percent of social workers, 80 percent of labor officers, and 78 percent of immigration officers on using the procedures to refer victims to care. However, children in Belize are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking. Children also engage in dangerous tasks in agriculture and construction. Belize does not meet the international standard for prohibitions of hazardous work because children over age14 are permitted to work in dangerous activities like mining and construction. In addition, Belize has not adequately prohibited the use of children in illicit activities, including the production and trafficking of drugs.”
June marks a significant period dedicated to a crucial but often overlooked aspect of health: Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. This observance aims to shed light on the mental health challenges faced by men, promote open discussions, and encourage seeking help without stigma. Mental health is a universal issue, yet men often face unique pressures and barriers that can impede their well-being.
Understanding Men’s Mental Health
Men’s mental health encompasses a range of issues, from depression and anxiety to substance abuse and suicidal thoughts. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 264 million people globally suffer from depression, with men less likely to seek help than women. This reluctance often stems from societal expectations and cultural norms that emphasise stoicism and self-reliance in men, discouraging vulnerability and emotional openness.
The Stigma Surrounding Men’s Mental Health
Stigma plays a significant role in preventing men from addressing their mental health needs. Traditional gender roles often dictate that men should be strong, unemotional, and self-sufficient. As a result, admitting to mental health struggles can be seen as a sign of weakness, leading many men to suffer in silence. This can exacerbate mental health issues, potentially leading to severe consequences such as addiction, self-harm, or suicide.
Statistics and the Reality
The statistics surrounding men’s mental health are stark and alarming. In many countries, men are significantly more likely to die by suicide than women. In the past few years, there has been an increase in men dying by suicide. Additionally, men are more likely to engage in risky behaviours and less likely to seek mental health treatment.
Addressing the Issue: Breaking the Silence
Efforts to improve men’s mental health must begin with breaking the silence and challenging the stigma. Public health campaigns, community initiatives, and workplace programmes can all play a part in normalising conversations about mental health. By creating safe spaces for men to express their feelings and seek support, we can start to dismantle the barriers that prevent men from accessing the help they need.
Encouraging Help-Seeking Behaviour
Encouraging men to seek help is a critical component of addressing mental health issues. This can be facilitated through various means:
Education and awareness: increasing awareness about mental health and the specific challenges faced by men can help normalise the conversation. Educational programmes can be implemented in schools, workplaces, and community centres.
Support networks: building robust support networks is essential. Friends, family, and community groups can provide a lifeline for men struggling with mental health issues.
Accessible services: ensuring that mental health services are accessible, affordable, and tailored to the needs of men is crucial. This includes offering services that respect men’s experiences and cultural backgrounds.
Role models: prominent figures and celebrities speaking openly about their mental health struggles can have a powerful impact. These role models can inspire other men to seek help and show that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.
The Role of Society
Society plays a pivotal role in shaping attitudes towards mental health. By promoting a culture of empathy, understanding, and support, we can create an environment where men feel safe to seek help. Workplaces, schools, and communities must actively engage in fostering mental wellness and providing resources for those in need.
On Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Belize handed over essential equipment to the Government of Belize as part of its commitment to enhancing security cooperation throughout the region.
This donation includes IT equipment, vehicle maintenance equipment, boat engines, and a bomb disposal suit, benefiting the Belize Joint Intelligence Operations Center (JOIC), Belize Coast Guard, and Belize Defence Force. It is valued at US $616,000.
It is expected that the equipment will help address transnational criminal threats, enhance border security, and promote national security. The support aims to bolster Belize’s joint intelligence, interagency collaboration, and intelligence-driven operations, thereby enhancing maritime interdiction capabilities and the safety of Explosive Ordnance Detachment technicians.
US Ambassador to Belize, Michelle Kwan
In her keynote address, Ambassador Michelle Kwan praised the success of Belize’s joint law enforcement agencies in tackling transnational criminal threats through collaborative operations coordinated by the JIOC. She emphasised the importance of a coordinated, multi-agency approach, highlighting the involvement of various U.S. government agencies in the donation event.
JIOC Director Freddie Ku remarked, “The JIOC is a testament that when we pool resources and expertise through joint efforts, a whole lot more can be achieved.”
U.S. Government Donates Essential Equipment to Support Belize Military Operations
The role of an Attorney-at-Law in representing those who are incarcerated at the Belize Central Prison is pivotal to upholding the constitutional rights of those being represented and is crucial to ensuring the rule of law.
It is recognized that prisons, including the Belize Central Prison, uphold a visitors’ dress code primarily for security reasons and it is recognized that attorneys are not excluded from abiding by the dress code.
The Bar Association acknowledges the recent complaint of Attorney Ms. Leslie Mendez that she was disallowed access to the Belize Central Prison to meet with her incarcerated clients on account of her attire, which she says was in line with the prison’s dress code. While the Bar Association cannot take a position regarding the details of the complaint, it is important for us to state that it would be gravely concerning if the Belize Central Prison, or any of its employees, used underhanded and veiled tactics to undermine the legal rights of incarcerated prisoners, especially their right to speak with their legal representatives.
The rules of the Belize Central Prison are not to be used to humiliate legal representatives or to detract from meaningful representation of those incarcerated. The Bar Association hopes that the Belize Central Prison will properly address the complaint of Ms. Mendez so that there is no recurrence of this or any similar incidents.
The entire Cabinet shares the outrage of the Belizean people at the incident which occurred at the San Ignacio Community Hospital on June 1. Cabinet is grateful that medical practitioners, staff and patients were not harmed by those criminal elements who stormed the facility. Decisive action has been taken.
Instructions have been issued, firstly, for the escalation of the operation to round up not only those persons who participated in the attack on our medical facility and staff, but ALL gang elements operating in San Ignacio and Santa Elena.
Secondly, Cabinet has offered its full support to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Belize Police Department as they launch an intensive operation to address the security concerns of businesses in Santa Elena and San Ignacio. Instructions have been given for an internal assessment of the Police Command and structure in that jurisdiction, with a view to making any changes necessary.
Finally, Cabinet has directed that teams from the Ministry of Health & Wellness, and the Ministry of Home Affairs, conduct an immediate assessment of security protocols at the San Ignacio Community Hospital and all public health facilities. The safety of medical practitioners, staff and patients MUST be always assured.
