EVEN though his government has been very accessible to the media, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali on Tuesday gave a commitment to return to the customary post-Cabinet briefing.

Dr. Ali made this pronouncement while delivering remarks at the inaugural World Press Freedom Day Conference held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. He was at the time responding to an earlier call by the President of the Guyana Press Association, Nazima Raghubir, for a return of the briefing.

“We hope that after two years there will be more than just the commitment to return to the post-Cabinet briefings but these could actually become a reality in the near future,” Raghubir said.

She added: “These have always been an engagement that allows both the media and government to share and flesh out information necessary for the public. Any government that cares about transparency and accountability would see this engagement as necessary.”

President Ali, in response, said the post-cabinet briefing will be returned.

“The Cabinet press briefing, yes, it must be done, yes, [there are] commitments to have it done. But I would equally say, that this government that I lead, and this President that sits has been the most accessible government and President to the media of anytime in the history. And that will continue that way,” Dr. Ali said.

Dr. Ali further said that he continues to welcome opportunities to speak not just to the media but the citizens as well and to answer any question even those that pertain to criticism of the government.

“This is a President that is very frank. I am open to criticism but I would tell you as it is. There has never been anytime I am called upon, anywhere. Not only to the media but to the people of this country because that is where I belong, on the ground, that is where I feel at home, that is where I am comfortable. I would not run away from that,” Dr. Ali declared.

The Cabinet constitutes the President, Prime Minister, Vice-President and the ministers.

The Cabinet is tasked with aiding and advising the President as it relates to the general control and direction of the government. It is at Cabinet that many important decisions and directions on projects for the country are made and ratified.