WITHIN recent times, the word consultation has not only become part of the nation’s discourse as being important to decision-making, but has, to varying degrees, been the word used from different quarters of society as the desired means to an end. It should be said that the call for consultation, be it on the part of recipients of the decision made or the decision-maker, has not been without moments of sparks and dissatisfaction, moreso by those whom the decision would impact on.It is not unfair to say that, with regard to political discourse and decision-making — be it national, regional or local government — citizens see consultation as an important factor in arriving at decision-making. It will be recalled that when the public got wind of decision made by their elected governments that impact on theirs and the nation’s welfare without their input, it created angst in the society.

In instances where things went awry, as in the abuse of the forest by some foreign investors and the pharmaceutical scandals, the public used these matters as proof that when decisions are taken without due regard for consultation, they have to suffer the consequences.

On the allocation of forests to foreign investors, and contracts entered into with the Government of Guyana with commitments given, inclusive of timeline, where these have not be honoured and the public only got wind of such after the fact, outcries have been created.
The outcries happened primarily from the standpoint that were the public, their elected representatives, and stakeholders involved from the outset, input, feedback and oversight could have been had, along with aid in avoidance or minimisation of subsequent calamitous results.

In the matter of the pharmaceuticals scandals, which resulted in the loss of tens of millions through overpricing, single-sourcing and expired products, were the Public Procurement Commission established, such wastage could have been avoided through open public processes which allow for complaints to be lodged, investigations conducted, and corrective active — punitive or otherwise — taken

In an examination of consultation and accusations of the lack thereof by political parties, it is not untrue to say that, when in opposition, the claims of failure to do so and the clamour to ensure so are more pronounced. Similarly, it is not untrue to say that political parties in opposition would take the position of demanding consultation in sync with the people, and even campaigning to ensure so, once in office; and when office is achieved, there exists views dissimilar from those of the public as to what consultation constitutes.

Consultation, by its most simple definition, according to the online Merriman Webster dictionary, constitutes “a meeting in which someone talks to a person about a problem, question, etc; a discussion about something that is being decided.” An examination of this word, at its most basic, speaks to a process that is interactive, not one way. In an interactive process, where civility is held in esteem, it is not unfair to expect that those involved would be treated as equally important and vested in the matter at hand, and the decision flowing therefrom. When such is factored in, the notion of one side determining that its position will hold sway regardless undercuts the premise from which consultation starts.

Even if a patient visits (i.e. consults) a doctor, both will have to engage in an interactive process in order to diagnose if an ailment exists, and how to treat same. Moving from point A to B would entail discussions on, and clarification of, symptoms before treatment can be prescribed. And where treatment is prescribed, doctor and patient will have to discuss and agree on prescription and frequency in administration of treatment, after establishing whether there is any known drug allergy the patient suffers from.

A similar approach is expected at the political level, where decisions made impact the nation’s patrimony and the people. Those who will be impacted by the decisions expect to be consulted. Outside of the political representatives in the national assembly and regional and local government councils, stakeholders are also important in the consultative process. And where this country’s principal political objective requires inclusionary democracy, every effort must be made not to deviate from the spirit, intent and definition of consultation.