In previous articles, this column has examined the specific characteristics of good governance, and explained exactly how the APNU+AFC coalition intends to make each of those attributes-of-democracy, a reality in Guyana. Today, we will begin to examine the question of, why. Why is open government a good thing? How will our lives change for the better if Guyana is served by an accountable government, as opposed to a secretive, closed, exclusive clique of elite rulers, such as the Jagdeo/Ramotar regime? The coalition believes that open governance is directly linked to real development. The partnership knows that transparency and accountability lead to a better life for all citizens. And a happy life is what real development is all about. Development is not more vehicles on the roads or bigger buildings – all of which can be purchased with ill-gotten wealth. Development is simply, better living for all Guyanese.
Open government is the doctrine, that citizens have the absolute right to access the documents and proceedings of government, so that ordinary Guyanese can exercise oversight. Open government includes transparency and accountability. It allows for public scrutiny. It opposes all forms of secrecy. It is the hallmark of democratic governance. Open government encourages freedom of speech and expression, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, and most importantly, freedom of the press. Open government empowers groups, clubs, political parties, faith based organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations, so that those bodies can oversee government’s actions. So, how can the coalition form an open government?
Transparent and accountable governance can only be effected if leaders possess a culture of openness. The APNU+AFC has made a solemn commitment to this form of governance. In many developed countries, legislation has been passed which mandates government transparency. The United States passed the Freedom of Information Act, in 1966. Other countries – in which the United Nations has determined that citizens are happiest – also have similar laws. Denmark, Norway, France, The Netherlands, Australia and Canada, have all passed such laws in the 1970s and 1980s. Clearly, we can see a direct cause-and-effect relationship between freedom-of-information legislation, and the happiness of citizens – real development. The coalition will – within one year of being elected – pass such enabling-legislation, including whistleblower-protection laws and witness-protection legislation.
Freedom of the press is also an integral part of open governance. In fact, respected American activist Daniel Ellsberg has said that, “An independent and inquiring press is often a stronger guarantor of transparency, than legislation alone.” Noted Dutch freedom-of-speech activist, Paul van Buitenen, has also expressed this view. Unfortunately, in Guyana, the oppressive ruling clique does everything it can to control, stifle and muzzle the press. They have hijacked the state-owned, taxpayer-funded media, and converted it into the propaganda arm of the ruling party. Bharrat Jagdeo, during his final days as President, illegally gave away much of the country’s broadcast spectrum to his relatives, friends and cronies. The APNU+AFC will – when elected – undo all of those arrangements. The state-owned media will operate independently of government. Privately operated media houses will no longer be subject to harassment, intimidation and threats of violence. Freedom of the press will be made a reality in Guyana. And the coalition will undertake to review and repeal existing laws which suppress and oppress the media. The Defamation Act, the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, and other laws will be revisited with a view to removing provisions which subject media houses to legal sanction for “offences” such as defamatory libel. Guyana’s new government will work to change our country’s culture from one of secrecy, oppression, intimidation and threats, to one of openness, transparency, and freedom.
The coalition believes that open government will lead to better lives for all and real, personal development. The partnership notes that countries with transparent governments are the ones which have the happiest citizens. Open governments are subject to citizen-oversight, and governments which are accountable cannot be corrupt. The lack of systemic corruption in those countries, ensures that the country’s money is spent to benefit the citizens, instead of being siphoned off into the pockets of officials.
The APNU+AFC coalition is saddened by the fact that Guyana had scored a deplorable twenty-seven points out of one hundred, in the last Corruption Perception Index, compiled by Transparency International. The coalition is appalled that after almost half a century of independence, Guyana is ranked by the United Nations at 118th out of 187 countries, on the United Nations Development Index. The partnership is convinced – through ample evidence – that citizen unhappiness and lack of development, are the direct results of widespread government corruption, which is itself caused by the PPP regime’s lack of transparency and accountability.
On May 11, when the APNU+AFC are elected to serve the people of Guyana, the coalition will – from the first day in office – work to dismantle the PPP’s structure of secrecy and opaque decision-making, and usher into being a new era of open government.
