Dear Editor,
Minister Gail Teixeira recently came under intense scrutiny as her government’s spokesperson during the hearings of the UN Human Rights Committee on the third periodic report of Guyana. Many would have noted the sheer volume of actions and decisions a government must get right to qualify as having an acceptable human rights and good governance record. In the end, the general consensus is that the minister and the PPP government flopped most of the tests.
Which raises the matter that there exists in Guyana a cabinet portfolio for governance, within the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance. As its minister, Ms Teixeira is accordingly charged with implementing and protecting principles of good governance in Guyana and with matters related to the country’s obligations under international treaties on human rights and anti-corruption (see https://mpag.gov.gy/)
Ms Teixeira is known for her unprogressive and uncompromising approach to politics. In assigning her these potentially far-reaching responsibilities, the PPP is obviously signaling its own unwillingness and disregard for advancing Guyana’s democracy and political relations.
Since 2020, what has Minister Teixeira done with the several hundreds of millions of dollars from the National Treasury to promote good governance? Has she taken any measure to promote such tenets as transparency, accountability, the rule of law, inclusivity, consensus-building, and financial efficiency and effectiveness? Does her Ministry hold training workshops for government officials, propose legislative changes, hire experts and technical staff, circulate administrative guidelines, champion causes and, generally, create much fuss – all in the name of good governance?
No one believes that Ms Teixeira is so inclined or motivated. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance is ruled, like the rest of the government, to ensure the government always gets its way. Its disposition is to block, put down, or reverse any progressive idea that stands in that way. Ms Teixeira’s attempt to miniaturize the Public Accounts Commit-tee is one of her best works in this dishonorable mission.
The country needs a wide-ranging and high-flying governance portfolio, one headed by a change agent and an advocate for democracy and political reform. That wouldn’t happen under the PPP.
Yours respectfully,
Sherwood Lowe