At the heels of Retired Major General, Joseph Singh’s resignation from all Government related posts on Tuesday, Chartered Accountant and Attorney at Law, Christopher Ram on Wednesday followed suit.
“In support of the heroic and exemplary decision by Major General (Ret’d) Joe Singh to resign from all government-related posts, I am today informing the Attorney General Mr. Basil Williams of my withdrawal from membership of the planning committee and de facto leader of the Guyana negotiating team for the establishment of the JOF Haynes Law School,” Ram said in a statement.
Ram was one of the six nominees, for the post of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOm) Chairman, provided by Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.
He was on the first list submitted to the President during the latter part of 2016 which included former Army Chief, Norman Mc Lean, former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Ramesh Dookhoo, Peace and Governance Consultant, Lawrence Lachmansingh, Businesswoman, Rhyaan Shah and Professor Dr James Rose.
However, President David Granger had deemed the entire list and the two others that followed to be “unacceptable.”
In his statement, Ram maintained that the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana deems him “fit and proper” and as such, the President’s assessment of him is of “no import.”
“ If the truth be told, Mr. Williams has been so impressed with my contribution that he asked for my CV to recommend me for a National Award. I declined, saying my service was for country, for neither award nor reward.”
He asserted that his decision to resign from the Government related posts is strengthened by the realization that President Granger’s unilateral appointment of the new GECOM Chairman, 84-year-old Justice James Patterson is “entirely wrong and unconstitutional.”
Nevertheless, he noted that he remains committed to the country.
“While I remain committed to serving my country, I make the clear distinction between Guyana and the Government. The blatant disregard by the Granger Administration for the Constitution, the courts, the principles of good governance and for social cohesion, is a matter which should be of grave concern to all of us who claim respect and love of country” said Ram.
