Georgetown, Guyana—(April 3, 2024) His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali told members of the Constitution Reform Commission that they need to work together in executing their mandates and advancing the objectives of a modern constitution.
During Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony of members of the commission, the Head of State said that a constitution serves as a timeless blueprint for governance and reflects the enduring principles and values and the dynamic and evolving nature of societies.
He added that there should be necessary periodic updates, refinements, and reforms to ensure the Constitution’s continued relevance and effectiveness.
To achieve these objectives, the President called for greater cohesion among the members, who represent the political sphere and civil society. He said that “consensus will not only advance the cause of constitution reform but also serve as an encouragement for greater political and social inclusion”.
Constitutional reforms, he underscored, must possess the capacity for adaptation to be relevant and to effectively address new challenges, societal changes, and emerging issues while still upholding its core principles and protecting the rights of citizens.
“Consequently, the Constitution must be drafted in clear and accessible language, comprehensible to the average individual. This ensures that all citizens can understand their rights and obligations, thereby facilitating active participation in the democratic process and reinforcing the mutual understanding between the government and the governed,” President Ali asserted.
Under the Constitution Reform Commission Act of 2022, the body is tasked with looking at specific areas for reform.
The act delineates some key areas which should be considered for potential reforms. These encompass fundamental rights of citizens, indigenous peoples’ rights, rights of children, the eradication of discrimination, enhancement of race relations, promotion of ethnic security and equal opportunity, safeguarding minority rights, electoral reforms, economic, political, and cultural rights, fiduciary responsibility, bolstering integrity in public office, as well as the functioning of the National Assembly and local government.
The President made the remarks at the Office of the President after administering the oath of office to 18 of the 21-member commission including its chair, Retired Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh.
The political representatives are PPP officials and current Government Ministers: Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC; Gail Teixeira; Dr Frank Anthony; Pauline Campbell-Sukhai and Kwame Warren McCoy; APNU/AFC Members: Vincent Alexander; Sherwood Lowe; Ganesh Mahipaul and Nigel Hughes and A New and United Guyana, the Liberty and Justice Party and the New Movement member Timothy Munro Jonas, SC.
There is also a representative each from the Labour Movement: Aslim Iqubal Singh; The National Toshao’s Council: Derrick Rowan John; The Private Sector: Ramesh Anand Persaud; the Guyana Bar Association, Kamal Shiromani Ramkarran; Women Organisations: Joycelin Kim Kyte-Thomas; Youth Organisations: Daniel Josh Kanhai; Christian Organisations: Keoma Denzil Griffith; Hindu Organisations: Radha Krishna Sharma; Muslim Organisations: Imran Ally and Farmers: Adrian V. Anamayah.
Due to their unavailability, Mr Jonas, Mr Ramkarran and Mr Griffith will be sworn in at a later date.
