(A peaceful, healthy and successful 2014 to all citizens from this soon–to–be twenty–one year–old column.)
I have temporarily misplaced it, but I’m sure I did a piece titled “Sovereignty Belongs To The People” a few weeks ago. Government spokesman Dr. Roger Luncheon who, like Prime Minister Hinds, must hold some political–longevity record in these parts, influenced me to recall this issue of national sovereignty, when he (Luncheon) exasperated me once again.
The constitution we still abide by states that: “Sovereignty Belongs To The People, who exercise it through their representatives and the democratic organs established by or under this Constitution”. (Incidentally, this same constitution still claims that “Guyana is an indivisible, secular democratic sovereign state in the course of transition from capitalism to socialism …” (Huh?)
Now Dr. Luncheon would, most likely, define our sovereign state and its sovereignty to include “supreme in the power or authority” and “power to govern without external control” – and other closely–related “political” meanings.
Within the context of Luncheon’s government’s non–acceptance of a recent American Democracy/LEAD Project, the Doctor reflected the administration’s view that the USAID/IRI approach was, in effect, an affront to Guyana’s “sovereignty”. He listed his government’s detailed “reasons”. Frankly Speaking, I and those more “conscious” citizens do not buy Luncheon’s reasons. Opposition representatives, through which a majority of the sovereign Guyanese people repose their confidence, would also welcome this $300M Project designed to reform or improve our Parliament, the Elections Commission and Youth Development, among other objectives.
So I leave you with simple questions, the answers to which should enrich this sovereignty debate: if sovereignty belongs to the people, why must Dr Luncheon decide that those people and their representatives would reject the American project and assistance? Is Luncheon’s PPP/C government the sole arbiter of our sovereignty?
Civil society’s place in the space
In between national elections non–political representatives of society must educate and mobilise Guyanese to monitor public programmes, policies and, indeed, their human and civil rights.
I’m attracted to one such NGO, the policy–oriented GNCPP. This Council on Public Policy and Constitutional Rights has begun to educate and to agitate, even through the Courts, with respect to correcting Executive wrong–doing. Civil society must manifest its paramountcy on “the Demand Side of the Sovereign system”. Keep your eye on the GNCPP in 2014. Non– confrontational, it is bound to be branded “political” but its activities might actually assist and complement official programmes.
The role of independent courts
This think–tank GNCPP contends that “in a Constitutional Democracy, it is the Courts which stand between the power of the State Government to formulate and execute legislation and policy and the citizen’s right to the exercise of his Fundamental Rights. The Courts regulate social tension by holding the scale of balance and determining how far Government’s policy can be allowed to go and infringe upon the citizen’s rights. Such is the role of our Courts today. Public confidence in the judiciary will be measured by the extent to which the courts have successfully made the transition from the old traditional common– law culture of Sovereign dependence to Constitutional challenges demanded by their new leadership role.
It is up to an informed, empowered and motivated Civil Society to hold all branches of Government – Executive, Legislative and Judicial – accountable to the Guyanese people they serve”.
Fear is really there?
There is another in the GNCPP series of televised Panel Discussions now showing. (Catch “Human security and insecurity in Guyana” on Sunday on both CNS TV6 and NCN TV 11 at three in the P.M. (3:00 P.M.)
Arising out of this forum, panellists and audience highlighted the issue of fear in the Guyanese society as I have never suspected this element of national life exists. Imagine that such a gap existed in naive me! Contributors agreed that there is both personal, localized and almost “institutionalised” fear among Guyanese workers and organisations. Fear of government/ministerial victimisation; fear of racist reactions from employers or police; the fear of a single–parent not being able to feed a family and the fear of an NGO or opposition friendly professional that knows no contract could be won.
Mind you I knew of some of these fears under my erstwhile Party and government, the PNC, some 25 years ago. But I never suspected the level of fear engendered under this lot. Future discussions on this issue must surround what both electorate and Civil Society could do to eliminate this cancer. It is either collective will, or continuous cowardice!
Fenty’s 2014 wish list.
Okay friends, I’ll understand if you decide that my 2014 hopes, proposals and wishes will remain in the realm of wishful thinking. Given our realities. But here goes!
● True Civil Society must empower itself in Guyana. Let’s show Minister Ashni that he is right! ● The TUC and FITUG must find common causes to embrace – for workers’ sake.
● Five Ministers of government should be replaced.
● Dr Luncheon and the Prime Minister should take less–visible, backroom jobs.
● The 2014 Budget will increase salaries and pensions and other conditions of employment.
● Buying Clubs at workplaces must bring down consumer prices.
● The American DEA must be welcomed by the Home Affairs Ministry.
● Unique strategies in communities will assist the good cops to find illegal weapons.
● Magistrates and Judges will get electronic recorders in their Courts.
● Local government elections will result in true decentralized management.
● Poverty will be decreased when government trusts local NGO’s to assists.
Did you know…?
● That civil society was the driving force in fashioning a National Development Strategy (2001-2010), a 348–page Policy Framework that Dr Cheddi Jagan was not unhappy with?
● That more should be done to be educate “the masses” about policies and governance?
● That 2014 will see a stronger, effective Parliamentary Opposition not descending to gutter politics?
Til next week!
(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
