CABINET Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon has written United States Ambassador to Guyana, Mr D. Brent Hardt, seeking to clarify whether activities under a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) “disapproved” project are being implemented in the country, regardless of its status.Also Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Luncheon spoke on the Elections and Political Processes (EPP) Fund’s ‘Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Project’ when he addressed his usual post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President in Georgetown.

According to Dr Luncheon, the US Embassy, USAID, or the International Republican Institute (IRI) needs to provide some clarification.

“The context in which this clarification is sought is in the face of repetitive observations and claims that the American Embassy and/or USAID and/or IRI continue, and are implementing, activities under the disapproved project.

“I have written the Ambassador seeking that clarification, because there are no others to whom the Cabinet should turn to obtain that clarification,” Luncheon informed.

According to reports received, Dr Luncheon said, the activities in question are being executed in Regions 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) and 4 (Demerara/Mahaica). Such activities are also attending to political parties and their mobilisation, he disclosed.

According to a document from the US authorities, which was circulated following the press conference yesterday, USAID intended to develop a programme to strengthen democratic institutions in Guyana. Through that programme, USAID was seeking to strengthen the democratic functioning and characteristics of political parties, and the Guyanese National Assembly through the provision of technical assistance. The objectives were to enhance the technical capacity and functionality of the legislature through the regular use of consultative practices and mechanisms for legislative drafting, analysis, review, and passage.

The programme was intended to further reinforce democratic governance in Guyana by broadening political participation through more representative and competitive multi-party engagements. The programme also included a particular focus on women and youth.
Written By Telesha Ramnarine