On Friday night, the Belize Bank celebrated its 25th Anniversary – and the man who owned the bank for much of those 25 years, Michael Ashcroft jetted in for the event. It’s noteworthy because his acolytes say that Ashcroft has not visited Belize for three [...]]]> posted (May 14, 2012) on 7NewsBelize

On Friday night, the Belize Bank celebrated its 25th Anniversary – and the man who owned the bank for much of those 25 years, Michael Ashcroft jetted in for the event. It’s noteworthy because his acolytes say that Ashcroft has not visited Belize for three years, since BTL was nationalized.

And he kept his distance because of a very cold, bitter and protracted war between the Ashcroft Alliance and the Barrow Administration. But on Friday night – relations seemed to be thawing.

Not only was Ashcroft in town, but the featured speaker at the Belize Bank gala was Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dean Barrow. They didn’t quite hold hands and sing Kumbaya, but the Prime Minister made it clear that – as regards the Belize Bank – which has been kept on a very tight leash by its regulator, the Central Bank – it’s time to – as he put it – replace confrontation with cooperation.

Here are portions of his remarks from the event at the Radisson:…

Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
“The state would want to see an ordered and mutually supportive relationship between the financial system players and the financial system regulators.”

“It is no secret though that in this regard confrontation rather than cooperation has been too much the norm in recent times. This is discomforting all round and a large dose of shared goodwill is now required to address the problem.”

“Though nobody is naive enough to expect that the regulatory relationship will ever turned adversarial. But the occasions when this happens must be the exception rather than the rule and a financial system cannot function properly in climate of unceasing litigation. A way must therefore be found out of this thick at this briar patch.”

“Ladies and gentlemen it must be clear by now that I am asking for some sort of middle ground between commercial banks and the regulator.”

“Striking the right balance is not nearly as “jesuitical” an exercise as might first appear. If the ultimate authority of the central bank is respected and the central bank is return is realistic and flexible a via media can indeed can be found.”

“Government as the ultimate custodian of the public welfare is needless to say ready to help. So I declare to the Belize Bank tonight that we fully expected to partner with us to use its leadership role, its ingenuity and its resources to help find a way out of the ompass.”

Lyndon Guiseppi, CEO – BBC Holdings

“Honorable Prime Minister I thought I heard the extension of an olive branch and I am one of those who believe that people should never stop speaking. I think a lot of the problems in the world occur when people stop talking and what I heard this evening is extremely encouraging to me.”

After the speeches, Barrow and Ashcroft greeted each other cordially – and then Barrow posed for pictures with the Bank’s executive team. The Belize bank is the largest Bank in Belize – and though – recently its balance sheet has failed to impress – the Bank is hoping that a new logo and motto can indicate, or spur a change of direction.

Notably, while Barrow indicated some easing of regulatory pressures at the banking level – according to our reports – neither the Governor of the Central Bank, the Chairman of the Board, nor any of the deputies were in attendance.

Notably, Barrow was also the only minister of Government in attendance, accompanied by his Minister of State, Santino Castillo and CEO for Trade and Investment Mike Singh.

The thing that I don’t get is that if these guys are so bad for Belize, why work with them, why be their right hand or want to be? Lets see how this story play out.
All I will say to this is:

Pa la plata baila el mono.

John McAfee, the inventor of the McAfee AntiVirus Scan demands an apology from the Government of Belize after members of the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) stormed into his estate located on the outskirts [...]]]> Thanks to San Pedro Sun for the interview.

John McAfee, the inventor of the McAfee AntiVirus Scan demands an apology from the Government of Belize after members of the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) stormed into his estate located on the outskirts of Orange Walk Town. The 66 year old expatriate was the subject of an aggressive search and 14-hour long detention by police that eventually required US Embassy intervention to secure his release.

According to Police, present at the time of the search were John McAfee, his 17-year-old Belizean girlfriend, four security guards, 33 year old Emerson Michael who claimed to be the Chief of Security, 23 year old Emerson Dominguez, 46 year old Austin Allen and 23 year old Tyron Morales who are all Belizean nationals. Also present was Michael’s common-law wife Princesa Ericson. McAfee explained however, that he was handcuffed with 14 other people for over 14 hours.

While McAfee said they showed him a search warrant, he did not get a chance to read it. Police claim that during the search ten firearms were found. The firearms were seven 12 gauge pump action shotguns (one of which had a scope), one 12 gauge single action shotgun, one Taurus 9mm pistol and one 9mm CZ pistol. Five air rifles with scopes resembling sniper rifles that use 6.26 mm slugs were also found along with two hundred and seventy 12 gauge cartridges, thirty 9mm rounds and twenty .38 rounds. According to McAfee, the firearms belong to the security company his business owns.

The GSU reports that all the firearms and rounds of ammunition were scattered over the premises including inside the vehicles and houses that were unoccupied. According to the GSU, McAfee produced a company firearm license for all the weapons and ammunition with the exception of one firearm that is licensed to Tyron Morales and a 9mm CZ pistol with serial number A796245.

The lawsuits are merely to call the “attention,” of the authorities said McAfee. “If we don’t get any satisfaction in terms of disciplinary action or an apology then we will file a very major lawsuit,” said McAfee, who was left to sit in handcuffs in view of the public including his business partners, residents of the area and tourists. As a direct result of the incident, over 29,000 articles have been written and posted on the internet about McAfee’s ordeal with the GSU. “I am not asking for much. Give me an apology. You have stormed into my residence; I should be pissed off and I am pissed off. I was doing nothing wrong. It was a bunch of rumors that was unsubstantiated which the government should have checked out before all of this… that made me look ridiculous so of course I am pissed off,” explained McAfee.

The GSU says that as part of the search, they also found a laboratory where it appears that antibiotics are being produced. A GSU press release states that “Analysts at the Forensic Laboratory, and personnel from the Ministry of Health were taken to inspect the facility and samples of an alleged antibiotic apparently being manufactured at the laboratory were taken for analysis. The Ministry of Health has already confirmed that no license has been granted to McAfee or any of his agents to manufacture antibiotics in Belize.” McAfee explained that when the laboratory was operational (now closed for over 18 months) it had been used to produce antiseptics, and not antibiotics. The Director of Health Services, Dr. Michael Pitts, indicated that neither the Ministry nor the Chief Pharmacist in Belize had knowledge of such operation conducted by McAfee in Belize. Dr. Pitts has stated that both terms “antibiotics” or “antiseptics” are a matter of “technicality”, but McAfee says, “If they can prove in court that they are the same I will eat my shoe!” In Belize producing antibiotics without a license is an offence under the Antibiotics Act in Belize. A decision as to whether or not charges against McAfee will be issued will be taken by the Ministry within the next few days when the report from the Forensic Analyst becomes available.

The raid on McAfee’s property was conducted jointly by a total of 42 GSU officers, BDF and Belize Special Assignment Group (BSAG). According to the GSU, before entering McAfee’s premises they announced their presence and purpose of search stating it was for “drugs and illegal firearms”. They further stated that the operation was based solely on information received about suspected illegal activities being conducted on McAfee’s property. However, McAfee believes that the raid was solely based on “rumors” by past “disgruntled employees” and to settle a vendetta by a “local politician” whom he would not give a donation to during recent elections.

McAfee has donated several times to the Ministry of National Security. In 2009 McAfee made a donation of a vessel worth over $1 million to the Belize National Coast Guard. He has also donated to local police departments on different instances. In 2008 McAfee donated two All Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s) totaling $40,000 in value to the San Pedro Police Department. In addition, more recently in 2011, he donated a number of equipment to the SP Police valued at over $3,500.

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Robert “Bob” Nesta Marley was and still is an international superstar. His death in 1981 cut his life and monumental career short but his music lives on and his popularity has grown exponentially. Not only did he leave 11 confirmed children behind, he left the legacy of bringing reggae music into the international spotlight. [...]]]>

Robert “Bob” Nesta Marley was and still is an international superstar. His death in 1981 cut his life and monumental career short but his music lives on and his popularity has grown exponentially. Not only did he leave 11 confirmed children behind, he left the legacy of bringing reggae music into the international spotlight. Bob Marley promoted the growth of the Rastafarian religion, that was before the 70′s, only known on his tiny island of Jamaica. His spirit has resonated through many cultures, generations and even armed conflict. All who love his music have their own reasons for identifying with the man; some feel his music is a universal truth and to others his music incites a sense of self-determination. Up until this point, the most detailed account of Bob Marley’s life has been chronicled through the eyes of Rita (his wife) in her book: No Woman No Cry and other attempts have been made in the past to document portions of Marley’s career as well.

Marley, the new documentary by Academy award winning director Kevin Macdonald is of course based on the late reggae superstar Bob Marley and displays in genuinely perfect balance the singer/songwriter and musicians life from the cradle to the grave. The goal of this documentary was to find out as the director put it: “Why does he still speak to people around the world (because he clearly does) and why does he speak to people so much more profoundly than any other rock artist or popular music artist?” This question has not been answered by or even asked in any Bob Marley movies this reviewer has seen. This film goes above and beyond that scope. Not only does this movie show the motivation behind Bob’s sound, as an audience we are allowed intimate views into the reasons behind Bob’s lyric writing, relationships, sports, religion, politics, family, his role to his community and so many other areas of his life. Interviews from people that knew Bob best are included; whether it be band mates, room mates, lovers or family; a new perspective is laid out on Robert Nesta Marley as the world has never seen before. Many of the people interviewed had their own individual view of Bob as a man; this created a process of evaluation towards the interviews to create a linear story that was substantiated by correlation rather than face value.

Vivid imagery, footage never seen before, audio that has been cleaned up and given new life; all elements of Marley are on full display and left me without a single complaint the two plus hours the movie lasts. Songs that have been heard countless numbers of times sound sonically enhanced; something that pushed the music to a new level and gave Bob’s music an even new light. The opening track from the film, ‘Exodus’ is exposed for the driving beat of the bass drum more so than ever. With a stroke of pure genius, advanced editing techniques were used during the montages; the photos were presented in a manner that almost animated still images to fill in for the periods that little to no footage existed of Marley.  3-d photo imaging is bringing photos to life in a new way and this is one of the first films on Bob to extensively use this technology. Even BBC recordings that are relatively common and the most wide spread are given new light not to mention the rare recordings that receive a superb clean up and put in context with the reason the songs were created. New, current footage of Jamaica is shot very well and shows the island in its many states. The flyer over of the mountain side village that Bob grew up at really presents his upbringing potently is another reason why this film is so unique. There is an element with the focus on the mist in the mountains that Bob’s soul is ever present in the spirit of Jamaica. Interviews are done in a manner that make the viewer feel as if they are with the person speaking and engaging in the conversation and not just being spoken to. Also, the interviews are not the typical standard backdrop and stool environments; these are given the treatment of putting the subjects in their own environment. This allows the director to evoke pure interviews due to the comfort level. The overall treatment of the documentary is above and beyond visually appealing as I had no choice but to maintain attention through the duration of this extended length documentary.

Marley opens up with a beautiful shot of fisherman off the coast of Western Africa. The establishing shot that follows reveals that the beach is directly in front of a colonial slave post in Ghana. From this point most Africans were sent abroad for the purpose of slavery. There is a stark reminder of the finality; the interior of the fortress’s door stated: “Door of no return”. From this doorway it is estimated that 60 million Africans were relocated against their will and forced to work as a slave for the rest of their existence.

Robert Nesta Marley breathed his last breathe May 11^th 1981 and I thought the inclusion of Neville Garrick speaking about the lack of a will being purposely planned by Bob to expose the true personality of those closest to him was the most honest thing that could have been placed in that section. The footage of his funeral, the general feeling of wake and the joy the people in thousands had during the service brought this film to a stunning apex. You get a true reality check that Bob was a man who really knew that as much love as he gave into the world, he knew not everyone in his circles would feel the same once it was time to get money for the estate and Bob’s legacy, something that is universal to all dealings of money and family.

Read the entire article here

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We have over the years at the Belize Development Trust and long before it existed, received complaints of cases, of both political and civil service bribery in Belize. Probably the most common has been complaints with the national political police. It is not that common, but periodically [...]]]> Produced by the Belize Development Trust

We have over the years at the Belize Development Trust and long before it existed, received complaints of cases, of both political and civil service bribery in Belize. Probably the most common has been complaints with the national political police. It is not that common, but periodically in certain locations from Dangriga, to Corozal to Caye Caulker we do get these complaints.

More common are the complaints by foreigners, who are immigrating to Belize, or starting a business in Belize and that sort of thing, on a relatively small scale. Usually under a million dollar investment. They seem to get hussled by the occasional Cabinet Minister and also senior civil servants of departments, who want bribes to do their job. Mostly, these sort of complaints come from Belize City, and the Orange Walk and Corozal District. Some up in the northern part of the country seem to be very blatant about it, with senior civil servants alleging they represent Cabinet Minister’s as bag men and want a bribe to carry a bribe also.

There is no way to investigate these things, or find out if such allegations are true, or not. You only have the word of the victim. Cold cash demanded and received is hardly traceable.

Locals rarely have to pay bribes, though it has happened, but more often is more subtle as in free drinks, or meals sometimes. Or a barter for services, such as sex. It does not seem to matter which political party is in power. Bribery complaints keep coming.

There are also many allegations of corruption in politics and mismanagement of the treasury funds of Belize. But under the current system, which is a British system, this is a built in purpose of exploitation of parliamentary “winner take all” government. There are currently no checks and balances to the corrupting influences and temptations of ‘absolute power’.

There are many people, including the NGO Spear, as well as the Belize Development Trust debating and submitting BILLS for the changing of the parliamentary system to something better. A political framework in which the corroding effects of bribery, intrigue and ambitions are confined, controlled and limited in scope. Of course, there will never ever be an end to scandals of corruption and bribery. It is just not in human nature. We do hope that eventually, Belize will evolve to a more Federalized form of governing, so that bribery and corruption is isolated to individuals and small pockets, more easily caught and identified.

At the moment in Belize, there is no recourse to such things by law. For one, the difficulty of getting evidence. Though with SPY cameras and small tape recorders it could be done, but the National Police Force is a political party directed force and would never be able to operate such STING operations. Nor if they did, would such things ever be allowed to be prosecuted.

Such JUSTICE that occurs in Belize is warped and biased by a political angle. Fair justice is unlikely to be done and most of the scapegoats are the poor. Though this is a two edged sword and often investors, or well connected people can get out of non-threatening criminal charges by paying fines for lesser offenses.

Generally speaking, you are much less likely to be asked for a bribe in Belize than any of our neighbors, such as; Guatemala, Mexico, or Honduras. Most of the time, most government locally is fair and open. Though every transaction has a political price as the country is usually polarized into those who are known controlling political party supporters and those that are known to be political opposition supporters. Amazingly enough, for being a Banana Republic; the small country of Belize has a very large number of both politicians and bureaucratic civil servants that do very good honest jobs. So, if you are asked for a bribe, or tip. Please refuse! Stand up and be counted. It may cost you some inconvenience in government service, but is worthwhile for the future of Belize. Bribery and corruption is not the common standard in Belize. Though it occurs more often than many would like. But one could say this of anywhere, including the USA.

An Entrepreneur is able to simulate the environment mentally and [...]]]> An Entrepreneur can be made. Entrepreneurship can be taught.
Entrepreneurial success depends on the individual’s capacities and abilities to control the environment within a mental spatial framework. The person is able to simulate the environment mentally and perform complex mental manipulation, reorganization, and reconfiguration.

An Entrepreneur is able to simulate the environment mentally and make complex mental configurations, reconfigurations, and reorganization of the cues. Entrepreneurship is a critical element in understanding the basic foundation of business. Entrepreneurial concepts translate beautifully into understanding the basics of success in any profession.

The number of entrepreneurship programs at colleges and universities has grown exponentially over the past decade. But the success has not seemed to match our aspiration and goals. This is because the main approach has been the consideration that learning, copying or mimicking the physical activities of those who have succeeded amounts to entrepreneurship. This new approach is to step into entrepreneurship from the angle of mental processing and reconfiguration of physical and abstract cues. We can teach young Belizeans to be entrepreneurs. And we can accomplish that within a short time span.

Entrepreneurship is not just about small business. In fact it should not be. It should be about developing the intellectual infrastructure and mental competence to imagery and innovative manipulation of circumstances and opportunities. Once individuals have been introduced to the art of entrepreneurial creative thinking, the foundation would have been laid for inventive, innovative, and creative performance in the different careers they may choose.

The emphasis is in laying the foundation to inventiveness, creativity and innovation. It is in learning this skill as an art as well as a science. While everyone may not be able to beat the masters of the art, everyone can learn the handles enough to make a reasonable living with their skills. In today’s competitive business world, entrepreneurial merchants do better than blank merchants. The same thing applies to professions and trades.

Whether individuals eventually choose fixed career paths in employment, they will have those skills available to become fruitful “Intra-preneurs.” Where others decide to explore the open world of enterprise, they may use those skills as well to be dynamic business people, infor-preneurs, Eco-preneurs, Mom-preneurs, Social Entrepreneurs, and all other –preneurs they might explore.

Included in this package of training is that those who have already decided to get involved with business will be tutored on how to use entrepreneurial innovative approaches to solve business problems. These include the problems of finding and landing profitable investment ideas.

It borders me every day to see others come from everywhere and different parts of the world to be involved in business and enterprise in Belize and make money while the traditional Belizean seems kept out of the whole activity.

I have tried different methods towards changing the dynamics with different results. But am convinced that this method of teaching entrepreneurship has the greatest potential to level the business playing field extensively. Much of the social pressures today in our Belizean communities are as a result of this sense of isolation and exclusion from the economic process. It is like folks can see a lot of money being made, but they feel ostracized from the dynamic process.

When I get the opportunity to meet with the Minister of Education and Youth next week, I look forward to tabling this innovative approach to getting more Belizeans involved in the dynamic economic process through acquiring entrepreneurial competence. I will propose to him to include this package as a curricular, or extra-curricular element in schools, especially ITEVETS. It can also be attached to school programs as an intervention. This means it can be started at any point in the school year or semester. This program has the potential to turn around the economic fortune of a broad spectrum of Belizeans, and by extension our communal and national economic outlook.

I have researched, written on, tested and seen these entrepreneurial approaches work. I bring to this learning experience enormous experiential background as a businessperson, and a serial entrepreneur with a proven track record.

I do intend to start offering these materials to other countries in the Caribbean. This is because I have completed most of the research I needed to do in this innovative approach to teaching and learning the handle to success in Entre- and Intra-preneurship. I will also be pleased to work with your private school or organization.

I welcome your opinion, suggestion, validation, endorsement, and most importantly, recommendation. Recommend to the Minister of education and youth. Recommend to the government of Belize or to NGOs that may help finance this project. Recommend to your school or organization. Help us make it work for all of us.

Stephen Okeke
BELIZE SMALL BUSINESS AND CAREER ADVISING SERVICES
501-662-1678; 625-1070

GAS HOLE is an eye-opening documentary about the history of oil prices and sheds light on a secret that the big [...]]]> What caused America to go from being a leading exporter of oil to the world’s largest importer? What are the economic and sociological forces that have contributed to that change and impede its solution?

GAS HOLE is an eye-opening documentary about the history of oil prices and sheds light on a secret that the big oil companies don’t want you to know – that there are viable and affordable alternatives to petroleum fuel! It also provides a detailed examination of our continued dependence on foreign oil and examines various potential solutions — starting with claims of buried technology that dramatically improves gas mileage, to navigating bureaucratic governmental roadblocks, to evaluating different alternative fuels that are technologically available now, to questioning the American Consumers’ reluctance to embrace alternatives.

Narrated by Peter Gallagher, hear from a wide range of opinions from representatives of the US Department of Energy Representatives, Congressional leaders both Democrat and Republican, Alternative Fuel Producers, Alternative Fuel Consumers (including actor Joshua Jackson), Professors of Economics and Psychology and more. Anyone who buys gas should see this film!

 The Movie Site

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