2024-10-24 - Channel 5 Belize

Belize Launches New Good Governance Program

The Government of Belize has launched a new initiative titled “Strengthening Governance for Transparency and Accountability in Belize.” Developed through collaboration with the Ministry of Public Service, the US Embassy, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the program aims to improve good governance and strengthen the fight against corruption. News Five’s Britney Gordon looks at the pros and cons.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

On Monday, the Ministry of Public Service kicked off its annual Anti-Corruption Month, emphasising the importance of government transparency and strengthening the fight against corruption. Today, the launch of the Good Governance Program further reinforced this mission. Minister of Public Service Henry Charles Usher outlined the goals of the new initiative.

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Servoce

“There are many objectives, but the key core objectives are one, to build capacity in the public service when it comes to good governance issues, two, to build capacity as well and to do administrative law training for the Public Service Commission, for admin officers, CEOs. And three, the ultimate objective is to build and develop the good governance agenda. So this project funds coming from CARSI, is hoping to achieve those over the next twenty-four months.”

Earlier this year, the government received a two hundred fifty-thousand dollar grant to adapt solutions to address anti-corruption through the passage of legislation and capacity building of government entities. It focuses on building the capacity of public servants, civil society, academia, and media while strengthening the Public Service Commission’s ability to handle regulatory violations. The Good Governance Unit in Belize worked closely with the United Nations Development Program to create the project. Michael Lund, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, told us that the launch of the project aligned with the celebration of International United Nations Day.

Michael Lund, Dep. Resident Rep., UNDP

“On this UN day, the twenty-fourth of October that we are celebrating United Nations development program is present in the one hundred seventy countriesand territories. And we have been in Belize for over thirty years. Where we support mainly now the beliefs in good governance and inclusive growth as one area and climate change as the other area. Those are our big focus areas. So this project or this project that we are launching today really fits in with the good governance portfolio that we’re having where we are trying to support the government in strengthening its good governance institutions and anti corruption efforts.”

By promoting behavioural change and accountability, the initiative seeks to enhance transparency, reduce corruption, and build public trust in government institutions. A monitoring and evaluation process will be set up to assess the progress of the project.

Michael Lund

“So this has a twenty-four month timeline and what we’re trying to do is strengthen the capacities through training and institution building on twofold. One is the internal institutions and government that keeps a check on on good processes and ethics in the civil service. the other part is to train and be part of the civil society and the media. So you as watchdogs can keep an eye on the government, can keep an eye on the public service so we can help make sure that it’s clean, not corrupt, and as efficient as possible.”

The final phase of the project will be to create a National Good Governance Agenda to guide the next five years of governing to ensure that good governance remains consistent. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Belizean Women Prepare to Climb Kilimanjaro

Yesterday, two adventurous women from Dangriga, Belize, made headlines by completing the first leg of their climb up Mount Meru in Tanzania, reaching an impressive altitude of 4,566 meters (14,990 feet). Stacy Webber and Judie Zab proudly left Belize’s flag at the summit of Africa’s fifth-highest mountain.

The climb typically takes 3 to 4 days via the Momela Route and requires proper acclimatization. It is also a sacred site for the local Waarusha people.

In an interview today with News 5, Webber said, “It was recommended to do at least 8 weeks of training. But honestly, no amount of training could fully prepare you for this. That’s from experience.” She described the challenges faced during the hike, stating, “I vomited more than I ate. My friends said I left a part of me all along the way.”

Webber said that the climb took about 14 to 15 hours, with only 2 hours of sleep. The team first hiked to Little Meru, which took 5 hours. After a short rest, they set off at midnight for Big Meru, reaching the summit by sunrise.

The women are now preparing for a 10-day hike up Kilimanjaro. Webber said, “Wish us luck and let Belize know we are going to make every woman, man, and child proud as we carry our flags as we climb.”

The Pastor From Hell, Woman Remains Hospitalised

Police in Belmopan have detained three people following a report from a 23-year-old woman who was held captive and abused for eight days by her husband and his parents. The investigation began after officers responded to an incident on John Saldivar Boulevard, where they found the woman with injuries to her hands and feet. She reported being physically and sexually abused, tied up, and held against her will by the three family members until October 23.

The woman’s ordeal started when she attempted to leave her husband on October 15. After seeking refuge at her parents’ home and finding no one there, she was forced to return to her in-laws’ house. There, her father-in-law, a Guatemalan pastor based in Belmopan, allegedly tied her up and locked her in a small space under the stairs. Over the next few days, she was reportedly assaulted and sexually harassed by the pastor. She was also deprived of food, surviving on chips given to her by children, and was left in her own excrement with no access to a shower.

News Five visited the residence on John Saldivar Boulevard. We spoke to a shocked neighbour who told us her entire family is surprised by the unfortunate news. “He is not a pastor. He can see it in his face. He is not a pastor,” the neighbour added. “He is a bad neighbor. He is a bad, bad neighbor. He used to like to kill our animals. He was bad with the animals. Poor little animals.” The neighbour says the pastor killed their dog and chickens.

Another neighbour told News Five that the pastor is not “really friendly to anybody.” They added that they haven’t seen the young mother for quite some time. “Long time I haven’t seen that young lady. I thought they had left or they had separated, but for a long time I have not seen them.”

The Belize Police Department told the press that the victim was given a police medical legal form and transported to the Western Regional Hospital, where she remains in stable condition. The investigation is ongoing.

Trapped in Hell: Pregnant Woman Kidnapped, Tortured by Pastor

GOB Proposes KHMHA Act Amendment, KHMH Workers Union Says No

The Government of Belize issued a statement earlier today explaining that the Minister of Health, Kevin Bernard, had proposed an amendment to the KHMHA Act to include the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) on the Board of Governors. According to the statement, this change aims to improve representation and decision-making for all employees. It said that the NTUCB includes various member organisations, including the KHMHA Workers Union (KHMHAWU), to ensure diverse employee interests are considered.

However, the KHMHAWU rejected this amendment. In their own statement yesterday, they expressed that the amendment “removes the union’s right to representation on the Board of Governors,” replacing it with a representative from the NTUCB who cannot be a KHMHAWU member. The union stated, “At no point during the drafting or consideration of this amendment were we, the KHMHAWU, informed of any such changes, reasoning, or justification for removing our seat from the Board.”

The KHMHAWU emphasised the importance of their representation, asserting they “have a direct and intimate understanding of the needs, challenges, and issues faced by employees.” They are calling for a “full retraction of this amendment and the restoration of KHMHAWU’s right to have representation on the Board.”

BZD $450,000 Pledged for Shark Conservation in Belize

A new commitment of BZD $450,000 from surfwear brand Matuse, the Andy Sabin Foundation, and the Global FinPrint Project aims to support shark conservation efforts in Belize’s renowned Glover’s Reef, Lighthouse Reef, and Turneffe Atolls. A study by Global FinPrint in 2023 highlighted these atolls as top locations for coral reef sharks, which have seen a global decline of 63%.

In response to this decline, the Government of Belize banned shark fishing in these areas and within two miles around them in 2021. The newly committed funding to be distributed over four years will help employ local shark fishers affected by this ban. “This will provide important information to help the Government of Belize ensure these protections are working,” said Beverly Wade in a statement, Director of the Blue Bond and Finance Permanence Unit.

The funding will enable fishers to monitor shark populations using underwater video stations instead of fishing.

Shark species like the nurse shark and Caribbean reef shark are significant attractions for tourists in Belize. Wade noted, “Tourists come to Belize to experience our beautiful coral reefs, and sharks are one of the main reef animals that they love to see.”

Trapped in Hell: Pregnant Woman Kidnapped, Tortured by Pastor

Police in Belmopan are investigating a report of kidnapping. The victim is said to be a 23-year-old woman who was held captive for about 8 days by her husband and is his parents. According to reports, the victim was held against her will after she had decided to leave her husband.

When she sought refuge at her parents’ home on October 15, she found no one there and was forced to return. That is where things took a turn for the worst. Her father-in-law, a Guatemalan pastor based in Belmopan, reportedly tied her hands and feet and locked her in a confined space under the stairs. The report states that the woman was assaulted and sexually harassed by the pastor for days.

She starved—surviving only on chips handed to her by the children. She left in her own excrement and was not allowed to shower during her captivity.

Her nightmare came to an end when police rescued her just before 7 p.m. last night. The twisted trio—her husband, mother-in-law, and pastor, father-in-law—are now in custody, facing charges.

The incident happened on John Saldivar Boulevard in the Maya Mopan area of Belmopan.

KHMHA Workers Union Says NO to Authority Act Amendment

The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (KHMHAWU) is strongly opposing a recent amendment to the KHMH Authority Act. In a statement, the union explained that the amendment read in the House of Representatives on October 18, 2024, removes the union’s right to representation on the Board of Governors, replacing it with a representative from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), who cannot be a member of KHMHAWU.

The union stated, “At no point during the drafting or consideration of this amendment were we, the KHMHAWU, informed of any such changes, reasoning, or justification for removing our seat from the Board.” The union stressed that their presence on the Board is vital for addressing staff needs, as they “have a direct and intimate understanding of the needs, challenges, and issues faced by employees.”

While they respect the NTUCB, the union believes only a KHMHA member can truly represent staff interests. They demand a “full retraction of this amendment and the restoration of KHMHAWU’s right to have representation on the Board.”

The KHMHAWU called an urgent meeting with Prime Minister John Briceno to discuss issues affecting KHMHA employees.

New Entrance Fees for Belize’s Archaeological Reserves Delayed

The Institute of Archaeology has announced that the new entrance fees for Belize’s Archaeological Reserves will take effect on January 1, 2025. This decision responds to stakeholder feedback requesting additional time to prepare for the upcoming changes, which were originally slated to begin on November 1, 2024.

The new fee structure for residents includes a standard charge for visitors aged 12 and older, while children aged 11 and under can enter free of charge. Residents will also enjoy free access on Sundays and public and bank holidays, with the exception of cave sites.

Non-residents will be subject to a standard fee applicable to visitors aged 6 and older, with free entry for children aged 5 and under.

In its statement, the Institute said that revenues generated from the new fees will support key projects, including the consolidation and protection of archaeological structures, upgrades to visitor facilities, and expanded conservation and educational outreach efforts. The institute also stated that these fees will also support NICH’s initiatives in “safeguarding and promoting community, cultural, historical, artistic, and museum initiatives.”

With 12 Days to Go, Who Will Be the Next U.S. President?

With just 12 days until the U.S. presidential election, a new Wall Street Journal poll shows Donald Trump leading Kamala Harris by 2 percentage points nationally, 47% to 45%. This marks a shift from Harris’s previous 2-point lead in August. Despite the change, both figures are within the margins of error, indicating a neck-and-neck race.

The polls show that Harris holds a slim lead in Nevada and Wisconsin, while Trump leads in Arizona and Georgia. The competitive states include Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Michigan, where results are still very close.

Harris has been facing rising criticism for not clearly differentiating her policies from President Biden’s.

Meanwhile, Trump has focused on immigration and declared to supporters at a rally in Georgia, “We will stop illegal immigration once and for all.”

Both candidates are making aggressive efforts to sway voters in these crucial states as Election Day approaches.

Ministry Unveils 2024 Review on SDG Progress

The Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change (MSDCC) launched Belize’s 2024 Voluntary National Review (VNR) at an event organised in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) in Belize. The VNR highlights the country’s progress in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and was presented earlier this year at the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York.

The 2024 VNR assessed Belize’s achievements and challenges in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, emphasising the importance of accelerating progress in this critical decade of action. The report reviews past and current development strategies and outlines adjustments needed to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient nation. It also offers a preliminary evaluation of the Public Sector Investment Programme’s (PSIP) contribution to the SDGs.

UN Resident Coordinator Raul Salazar highlighted key achievements, including a significant reduction in Belize’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) from 36% in 2021 to 26.4% in 2023, despite the country’s vulnerability to climate change.

In his keynote address, Minister Orlando Habet reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving the SDGs.