Dear Editor,
As a veteran of Guyana’s politics and, I believe, well-intentioned, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran has earned a position of respect in his analyses of Guyana’s political situation. However, his call in his September 14 Conversation Tree blog post for the present Constitution Reform Commission (CRC) to be scrapped is surprising and disappointing. Mr. Ramkarran’s main argument is that the Commission Reform Commis-sion Act of 2022 is virtually a carbon copy of the Commission Reform Commission Act of 1999. ‘Is the current CRC going to merely revise and/or second guess the work of the CRC of 1999?’ he asks. The work of the CRC 2022 having already been done by CRC 1999, he suggests that the current reform process should be scrapped or amended ‘to deal with the real issues that have troubled Guyanese since at least 1980’.
Does the fact that the CRC Act 2022 replicate the agenda of the 1999 Act justify scrapping the reform process? I think not, especially considering that by his own admission, the outcome of the 1999 process fell short of its goals with some recommended bodies not being established, others not functioning, and many recommendations not being implemented. To recommend scrapping the current reform process on these grounds seems like the proverbial case of ‘throwing the baby out with the bath water’. Mr. Ramkarran suggests the need for an inquiry into the adequacy and efficacy of the 1999 reforms, and I would agree that there should be room for that in the present process. But to suggest scrapping the process altogether does not follow.
What are those ‘real issues’ that he refers to? He gets to them in his final paragraph. He suggests that the two fundamental issues that the reform process should address are (i) the powers of the President and (ii) the creation of a national, inclusive, governance model.
Let me be clear that I agree with these priorities for Constitution reform. While the agenda for overhauling Guyana’s institutions is large, the leading priority for immediate reform is the governance system. The need for reform of the dysfunctional Election Commission and other governance mechanisms in Guyana is urgent to strengthen political accountability and inclusiveness, and foster a political environment more suitable for our multi-ethnic, multi-faceted society. Readers of these columns would be familiar with my views where I have advocated this position as a member of the Electoral Reform Group (ERG). Indeed, in my letter to the Stabroek News editor of 7 April 2024 entitled `I believe that electoral reform should be the Commission’s primary focus from the outset even as there are other pressing issues that needs addressing’, I stated that “the main initial thrust of the Commission must be electoral reform”. Acknowledging a large long-term reform agenda, it is necessary to decide what is the most pressing need in order to strengthen social and political stability. It is clear that governance reform is a first priority for forward movement in this country, and for the population to reap the benefits of our mineral and other gifts. The major political parties have acknowledged this in their manifestos but, whether through self-interest or lack of vision, they are evidently not enthusiastic about the urgently needed reform.
In this light, I would urge Mr. Ramkarran to throw his considerable weight behind ensuring the Constitution Reform Commission gets going, prioritizes the governance issues as he suggests and has an effective national consultation process.
Sincerely,
Desmond Thomas