Opinion by Ramesh Persaud
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission of Guyana Limited
The political construct we currently have in Guyana with a Minority Government and Majority Opposition in the National Assembly is being interpreted by some stakeholders as a mere accident caused by voter apathy on the side of the ruling party and on the other side seen as the will of the people in rejecting the policiesand actions of a Government in power for 20 years.
Whatever the reason for the political dispensation delivered to us as a country in the free and fair General Elections of November 2011, the 10th parliament has revealed the many limitations and loopholes in the governance architecture of Guyana and the Constitution of Guyana.
The construct of the 10th parliament can be argued by some as resulting in the most un-productive parliament we have had since our independence in 1966 while others will argue that the 10th parliament was the most revealing and participative parliament we had in our recent history as the opposition benches were given some relevance after 45 years of being in minority as just spectators to the events that unfold.
The legacy of the 10th parliament can go down as one that caused the greatest disruption to Guyana’s modern development or as one that triggered the greatest reformation that will guarantee the protection of the rights of all Guyanese and the sustainable development of our country for the next 200 years and beyond.
The 10th parliament has caused our constitution to be tested in many unchartered areas and have been found wanting, lacking and insufficient to protect all stakeholders. For example, while the prorogation of parliament is the Constitutional right of the President, its appropriateness and use in the context where the Head of State and Head of Government is the same is a cause for concern and its object questionable. Similar arguments can be put forward with regards to the use and object of the No Confidence Motion.
The Constitution of Guyana which is the supreme law of the land is not perfect and may never be, but without significant reforms to what currently exist, it can be dangerous in the hands of any improper leadership either present or elected in the future. As such, any solution arrived at in the short term cannot be deemed acceptable unless it involves significant reformation of our Governance Systems and Processes through Constitutional Reform. This is why it is important for a national dialogue to commence and be supported by independent local and international facilitators. The agreements from the dialogue must result in actions for development of all the people of Guyana.
Such a dialogue and reformation is called for as it is uncertain at this time whether elections alone will solve the major governance problems we face as a country. Election is only one of many pillars in a democratic society.
Considerations should be given by all stakeholders as to what Guyana will be like if another Minority or Majority Government is elected with the same powers under the current constitution.
I call on all our leaders for us to start the process of reformation however painful it will be.
andrew u have no shame no morals no scruples. u eat too much bunom horse shit to have any decency about you u pnc crab dog.
I new this crab was living in the United states,,,go look at the new more poor ppl dying,,go join the force and help your ppp COP,,guyana need your help
Emile how you all still ent overcome?
Since that time what has changed?
Hands up dont shoot?
I cant breath?
Black youth waving toy gun in public.
Now give your followers an insight to this.
In Toronto Canada a 12 year black girl and a 14 year old black boy robbed a citizen and kidnapped her 21 month old baby.
At their tender age who is discriminating against them?
Why dont we walk to stop that?
Bill Cosby the good Dr.Hukstable cussed out blacks and look at him today.
Role model huh
He wants constitutional reform – I want it right after elections. We can chart a new course ….
There comes a time when talk has to give way to walk. Martin Luther King was a man who aptly fitted that profile, as he went from talking his message to walking his message. He went from advocate of change to agent of change. He was led by a supernatural vision, never driven by a natural passion. His death brought life to countless hundreds of millions, not only Blacks in America, but so-called minority races in America and everywhere else.
In Guyana, we have some of the most intellectual analysts and opinion shapers and sharers, but there seems to an obstacle course to navigate seeking to use analyses and opinions to influence the change needed. Here, Ramesh Persaud is echoing the sentiments of thousands of Guyanese, some of whom have actually been saying the same thing.
When do we move from talking the message to walking the message; from being advocates of change to being agents of change? Someone has to be willing to bell the cat!