OPINIONS: Minister Rodrigues vs GHK Lall over her assets saga

Last Updated on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, 22:37 by Writer

Letter to the Editor by Minister of Tourism, Susan Rodrigues about GHK Lall’s opinions

Over the past weeks, I have cooperated fully and transparently in response to false and malicious allegations made by Azruddin Mohamed, a political party leader who has been indicted in the United States on charges including money laundering, mail fraud, and wire fraud, and whose name has been linked in international reporting to organised crime, including allegations of ties to the Russian mafia, Hezbollah, and Colombian cocaine trafficking, as published by Reuters.

In response, I provided personal financial information, including documentary evidence of a mortgage, which clearly demonstrates that the acquisition of my assets was lawful, transparent, and above board. Like GHK Lall, I too, am a devout Catholic and therefore, I went above and beyond what was required of me in the interest of accountability. Despite this, Demerara Waves Online News continues to offer an unrestrained platform to GHK Lall, who relentlessly repeats these and other unsubstantiated allegations against me and other government officials.

If Demerara Waves Online News believes in scrutiny, transparency, and accountability, then the same standards should apply equally. In that spirit, I believe the following public allegations and unanswered questions surrounding GHK Lall also deserve similar attention and investigation, so that he too may have the opportunity to clear his name:

– GHK Lall has long been dogged by allegations of paedophilia, which he has repeatedly refused to publicly address.

– His tenure at the Guyana Gold Board was clouded by allegations of corruption and questionable practices, including the granting of a gold export license to a dubious company, of which Travis Chase was a director at the time.

– GHK Lall publicly claimed that a dossier on gold smuggling in Guyana provided by the United States did not contain the names of Azruddin Mohamed or his father. This claim was publicly repudiated by former Minister Raphael Trotman, who stated that the document did in fact include both names.

– It has been alleged that GHK Lall is a part-owner of Demerara Waves’ News Talk Radio, having paid a substantial sum to acquire an ownership stake. Can he state the source of his financing?

– GHK Lall presented himself to officials at GECOM as an attorney-at-law while registering for an ID card. He has never publicly stated the year he graduated from law school or the year he was admitted to the Bar. Can he provide this information?

– He has also presented himself publicly as a “Wall Street analyst”, yet there is no verifiable public record of a Gabriel Hillary Kincaid Lall having held employment of note at any Wall Street firm. The public deserves clarity on where and when such employment allegedly occurred.

I welcome scrutiny. I have provided evidence. I stand by my record. What I do not accept is selective outrage, one-sided commentary, and the recycling of defamatory claims while serious questions surrounding the commentator himself are ignored.

If Demerara Waves Online News is committed to truth and accountability, then let it apply those principles fairly, consistently, and without fear or favour.

I trust Demerara Waves Online News will carry this letter in its entirety and with the same prominence as it extends to GHK Lall.

GHK Lall answers Minister Susan Rodrigues

Reference is made to the SN article titled, “GHK Lall should answer these questions” penned by Susan Rodrigues (SN January 14, 2026). I make exception, respond.

First, I reject that I have repeated any allegations, unsubstantiated or otherwise, against Ms. Rodrigues. My writings have focused on a) giving her the benefit of the doubt, and b) the president’s acceptance of the minister’s explanations. I challenge Minister Susan Rodrigues to prove how and when I attacked her in any form in any forum. Unless, in her haste to defend more the president and less herself, she has awarded herself license to use “asset accumulation” (she has, hasn’t she?), or a “political solution to an alleged unethical condition” (the president did accept, didn’t he?) as the basis for her own attack on me, which is definitely a recycling of the smears and slanders that the PPP has peddled over the years. I completely reject Minister Rodrigues’ assertions that I have done her wrong in any form or fashion. What I did is question the president’s intervention and ruling on the minister’s matter(s). And that it is better for an independent body to probe and pronounce.

Second, re the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), respected auditors have reviewed the annual records of the GGB and their reports are available for scrutiny. There were no allegations, insinuations of “corruption and questionable practices.” Six other board members, including people close to the PPP leadership, and they condoned corruption then, have not said a word since. The fact is a PPP Govt witch hunt was instigated in the hope of turning up dirt, and having unearthed none, second-guessed and distorted decisions to diminish someone who induces fear and dread in the government and its leaders.

Third, re the Travis Chase gold license award (“dubious company”), every procedure was followed, no exception was made, and the applicant fully qualified. All related records were shared with the venerable and respected Cameron and Shepherd law firm, which noted in its review that all standing procedures were followed, and that there was no breach or exception for this so-called “dubious company.” The files are there and the minister should know that, just like government’s hunting parties that were and still are bent on attaching anything to me to intimidate and weaken.

Fourth, a US Embassy official showed a file that had approx. 40 names in it around 2018. I repeat it didn’t have a single licensed gold dealer name in it. What former Minister Trotman likely had was a separate file provided by other US agencies that shared specifically names from the gold dealer community as early as 2016. I was not privy to those details, which I think was fair, so as not to give preset ideas against any in the dealer community.

Fifth, I have never been a “part owner of Demerara Waves News Talk Radio.” I am a small shareholder in News-Talk Radio as distinct from Demerara Waves Online News, along with about half dozen others, including a PPP Govt expert. I have no financial or decision-making interest in Demerara Waves Online News. Regarding a “substantial sum to acquire an ownership stake” I enlighten Minister Rodrigues and whoever is spurring her on, that no such money was involved, no such wealth exists. It should be embarrassing to Minister Rodrigues that she has nothing left, but to resort to the defamations of Live in Guyana and other illustrious PPP Govt organs. Before Nandlall, Jagdeo, and Ali (and the world) I reassert what is known. I have one house, one car, one bank account here of originally 30 years vintage, and a couple of dogs. Perhaps, in their world, and that of Minister Rodrigues, those count as substantial wealth, unexplained wealth, criminal wealth accumulation.

Sixth, there are documents that show that the GECOM records have been addressed and should have been.

Seventh, re to “Wall Street Analyst” there is certification to that effect, and something called a CRD (Central Registration Depositary) record formerly under the auspices of the NASD. I suggest that Minister Rodrigues acquaint herself accordingly.

Eight, it is revealing how desperate Minister Rodrigues is, that she even ventures into other media into allegations about Live in Guyana generated allegations of “pedophilia.” This is low, but Minister Rodrigues went lower. What else will the PPP Govt do to silence a citizen? Previous public sharing of the reaction of the police’s cybercrime unit should reinforce how criminal the PPP Govt is, how far it will go to blast a conscientious citizen.

Conclusion, Minister Susan Rodrigues rightly calls herself a devout Roman Catholic. I can claim a practicing Catholic only. Yet, it is appalling that someone so devout could baptize herself in the scurrilous and venomous. Minister Rodrigues pretended at defending herself. She wasn’t. She has joined the pack, through renewed efforts to distort and damage. No hard feelings, Minister Rodrigues. Only utter disgust at the despicable mantle that she now wears.