-ERC dismisses false claims by Commissioner Ras Khafra, says he attempted to mislead public

THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has strongly rejected recent claims made by one of its commissioners, Deon Dick, also known as Ras Khafra, calling them “grossly inaccurate” and an attempt to mislead the public on key decisions taken by the Commission.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, the ERC addressed several issues raised by Commissioner Ras Khafra in a public statement dated March 19, 2025.

The Commission refuted allegations that its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Yvonne Camacho, acted unilaterally in releasing a press statement on March 11, 2025.

According to the ERC, that statement had the full approval of most commissioners, as is procedurally required.

Commissioners who supported the March 11 statement included Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack, Deputy Chairman Charles Ogle, and Commissioners Neaz Subhan, Ashton Simon, Dwayne Adams, Chandrowtie Sarran and Krishn Sharma.

“The claim that the CEO acted on her own is simply false…At all times, Ms. Camacho acted on the instructions of the Commission,” the statement read.

The ERC also provided clarification regarding its attendance at the 3rd United Nations International Decade for People of
African Descent (UN IDPAD) held in 2024.

The Commission noted that a unanimous decision was made on January 26, 2024, during its 8th Statutory Meeting, approving the participation of Commissioners Subhan, Ras Khafra and Simon at the conference.

To back up this claim, a photo of Commissioners Ras Khafra and Subhan at the event was referenced by the ERC as further proof that the decision was supported at the time and no objections were raised either prior to or during the conference.

“It was only after objections were raised by the African group that Commissioner Khafra felt pressured to change his stance and issue a statement to the contrary,” the ERC said.

Commissioner Ras Khafra also alleged that the Commission had failed to follow through with plans to consult African groups about the use of the term “negro.”

The ERC in response said that while such consultations were discussed, no final decision was taken by the full Commission, particularly in light of a Cabinet-issued memo directing the removal of the term across all agencies.

Instead, the Commission opted to hold broader national consultations on a soon-to-be-finalised “Glossary of Derogatory Terms.”

The document, according to the ERC, includes offensive language directed at all ethnic groups in Guyana and seeks to encourage the removal of such terms from public discourse.

“It would be a piecemeal approach to address only a single term,” the Commission said, highlighting its decision to take a more inclusive and comprehensive path forward.

Also, in response to Commissioner Ras Khafra’s assertion that a former staff member cited widespread racial discrimination against African Guyanese in an exit interview, the ERC strongly denied the same.
The Commission stated that the interview, conducted by the Human Resource Sub-Committee and attended by Commissioners Adams, Witter and Simon contained no such allegations.

“There was no mention whatsoever of racial discrimination—either directed at the departing staff member or others,” the statement said.

As such, the ERC reaffirmed that all actions taken by the CEO were based on the instructions of the full Commission and urged all stakeholders to work collectively to foster unity.

“Commissioner Ras Khafra’s attempt to defend his role as a representative of the African constituency was unfortunate, as it was done by spreading misinformation.

“The Commission remains committed to promoting harmony and good relations among all Guyanese,” the ERC said.