–VP Jagdeo says, emphasises importance of people participation in constitutional reform process

VICE-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, in schooling present and aspiring politicians, has emphasised that no political party should be pompous enough to think that they should determine what must be in Guyana’s Constitution.
In a recent interview on the programme, “Election Insights”, Dr. Jagdeo provided an in-depth analysis of how the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has followed through on its Manifesto promise of ensuring that the Guyanese people will be given opportunities to participate in the revision of Guyana’s laws.

He also highlighted that it was under the previous PPP/C administration that there were extensive changes that brought forth improvements that focussed on the inclusive governance model and the rights of Guyanese.
The Vice-President said, “Today, in this hemisphere and many parts of the world, we probably have one of the most forward-looking Constitutions in the world. When I was President, we substantially, in fact radically changed the Constitution because we wanted it to engage in a form of legislative power-sharing,” while highlighting that there was also the creation of four Standing Committees that can summon ministers on social and economic services, foreign affairs and natural resources.
“We decided to share the chairmanship of these bodies,” he said, while also pointing out that there was the enactment of five Rights Commissions.

Speaking more on the criticisms being peddled by critics surrounding the PPP/C’s approach to having a constitutional reform process that is driven by the people, the Vice-President firmly stated: “No political party must have the arrogance to think they can determine what should be in the Constitution.

“That is why we said in our Manifesto, we will use the same model that we used in the past, which is five from the opposition, five from the government, and ten from civil society.”
He also called attention to the fact that the PPP/C has delivered on a majority of its 2020-2025 Manifesto already, and the swearing-in of the Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC) was just one more added to the lengthy list.
The PPP/C Government’s model for constitutional reform was laid out in its 2020-2025 Manifesto, and promotes the inclusion of all Guyanese in the review process. “We are aware that issues concerning constitutional reform, particularly in relation to a national, inclusive governance model, management of elections, fiduciary accountability, enhancing rights of Guyanese and ensuring constitutional language is simple have been raised and discussed in the public domain,” Dr. Jagdeo said.
Nevertheless, he emphasised the necessity of including these matters, along with others, in a comprehensive process of extensive consultation with the citizens of Guyana prior to any implementation. The PPP/C Government stated in its 2020-2025 Manifesto that the significant modifications to our Constitution were implemented through a meticulous process.
Moreover, he added that the organisation is fully dedicated to ongoing amendments of the Constitution, and guarantees that the Committee on Constitutional Reform, which is responsible for this task, will conduct nationwide consultations in accordance with the previously employed approach, involving an equal number of representatives from civil society, the government, and the opposition.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM ESSENTIAL
The CRC is chaired by former Chancellor, Justice Carl Singh, and operates out of a building on Middle Street, Georgetown, that was previously used for various Commissions of Inquiry.
The Commission’s mandate, as previously outlined by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, encompasses a wide array of areas critical to potential reforms, reflecting the dynamic nature of the Guyanese society and the global landscape.
Members of the Commission are: Attorney-General Anil Nandlall, S.C.; Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira; Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony; Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai; and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy.

Representing the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Opposition on the Commission are Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner Vincent Alexander; economist Sherwood Lowe; Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Ganesh Mahipaul; and Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes.

The Commission also includes representatives from various sectors, including Aslim Iqubal Singh on behalf of the Labour Movement; Derrick Rowan John of The National Toshaos’ Council; Ramesh Anand Persaud from the Private Sector; Joycelin Kim Kyte-Thomas from Women’s Organisations; Daniel Josh Kanhai on behalf of Youth Organisations; Imran Ally on behalf of Muslim Organisations; Radha Krishna Sharma on behalf of Hindu Organisations; and Adrian V. Anamayah from among farmers.
ANUG’s General Secretary Timothy Jonas, S.C., from the Joinder Parties; Kamal Ramkarran, representing the Guyana Bar Association, and Keoma Griffith on behalf of Christian Organisations are also on the CRC.
The Constitution Reform Commission Act 2022, passed by the National Assembly, delineates key areas for potential reforms, including fundamental rights, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, electoral reforms, and bolstering integrity in public office.
The Commission, constituted with wide representation from various sectors, including the ruling party, Parliamentary Opposition, legal profession, labour movement, indigenous community, private sector, women, youth, religious community, and farmers, reflects Guyana’s commitment to inclusivity and democratic participation.