Two columns ago I had indicated a more robust personal interest in the Constitution of our Co-operative Republic.
Part of my renewed motivation in the intricacies of the 1980/2003 Constitution resides in my association with the burgeoning “Think-Tank” Non-Government Organisation, the GNCPP – the Guyana National Council on Public Policy. The GNCPP is committed to empowering Civil Society as is provided for in the very Constitution. Trouble is, we struggling working-class have little time to explore and understand our Constitution – and just how its provisions are utilized to suit various interests. (Not unlike how desperate groups quote and use the Christian Bible. The Courts, are now being asked to interpret the Constitution’s framers’ intent.
Consequent upon my participation in a television panel featuring Senior Counsel Brynmor Pollard and GNCPP Head, International Attorney, Dr Philip Thomas, I decided to visit the now much-quoted Article 13 which speaks about the effective inclusion of a-political citizens – “Civil Society” – in the active governance of this country. So however disinterested you might be with respect to these issues, come explore Article Thirteen with me.
Thirteen? inclusion? deceptive!
The original 1980 Article 13 read thus: “The principal objective of the political system of the state is to extend socialist democracy, by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens in the management and decision-making processes of the state”.
The Reformers amended/altered Thirteen to read like this now: “The Principal objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens and their organizations in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being”.
I’m sure you’ve observed, easily, the not-so-subtle changes. Like the mention of socialist democracy being deleted for an inclusionary version. And citizens and their own chosen representative organizations – whether trade union, religious group, service organization or human-rights/watchdog institution – are now ostensibly, guaranteed an activist role in official decision-making with regard to their own daily well-being. They call it inclusionary democracy. Well, they could have and are really fooling me!
How involved can you or I get, in the really-significant decisions made on our behalf? How serious are we, the citizens, taken by even an emaciated City Council? A Ministry? A Tax Department? A Public Utility? Or a Parliament? Inclusion my big foot!
Part of the problem of non-inclusiveness has to do with the political nature of our present-day civil society. Too many well-intentioned civil and civic groups are compromised by the politics and affiliations of their leaders. Objective, effective representation and advocacy are often then compromised in favour of political expediency. I’ll return to this issue of empowerment from time to time.
Democracy Local?
I realize that this is another dose of negativity. But it is also an unfortunate Reality. What? Well even the talk of Local Democracy – the management and governance of our Regions, Districts and Local Communities by local authorities – is really just that – talk!
The reformers of the Constitution, by 2003, did away with Burnham’s National Congress of Local Democratic Organs as well as his Supreme Congress of the People, two tiers of his version of Local Democracy and Governance. His “Socialist” intentions were perhaps good but the two “Congresses” were essentially just window-dressing, instead of functional local government representative “tiers” which could really influence actual control from the “centre”.
To this day President Desmond Hoyte’s Regional system was never allowed to empower residents of the ten respective Regions to really administer and manage their affairs. Today the Regions lack comprehensive, necessary personnel and skills and funding to execute real “power”. We all know the sad state of affairs of each Region right now. Compliments of an autocratic Central Government.” Consultations” my eye!
Civil Society? The Budget Beckons
Constitutional “activist” Senior Counsel Bryn Pollard is quite uncertain as to how the empowerment – Article 13 of the Constitution could be given any effect if the very concept of Civil Society, in terms of who comprises it, and just who will choose its genuine representatives, is clouded, sometimes on purpose.
Sure we all are aware of dozens of local NGO’s . From the Red Cross Society to the Jaycees to Red Thread and TIGI to Environmental Groups and the TUC they abound. But being not cohesively organized they are routinely ignored in the Corridors of Real Power. Remedy? Some influential, well-resourced civilian–based entity must demonstrate the ability to organize and mobilize these organizations, within the guarantees of the various Civil Society Charters and Conventions agreed to by even our own administration.
it’s tough and challenging not to be influenced and compromised by the politicians but that liberty is possible. Stay tuned.
Monday is Budget 2013 Day. The Government folks have hinted that the following are already included: Revamping of the NIS, relaunching the CR and MA, on-line courses for UG, lighting for Albion night cricket, farmers’ fertilizer/plant material scheme, sugar industry renewal, Amerindian Youth Apprentice Programme, Police, Prison, Fire Service Reforms, Diaspora Project, training for GPL technicians.
Consultation before inclusion, huh? The (poor) Opposition “list” included NIS reform the internal/.external debt, public sector salaries, VAT reduction, unemployment, pollution, corruption, tax-reform etc. etc. Good luck on Monday Guyana.
Consider…
*1) Saw it? China is providing $2 Billion (US) to the IDB for the Caribbean and Latin America. Ignore China?
*2) At a recent West Indies Team Party in Barbados, the report was that “Delectable Caribbean cuisine, beautiful women, waistline moving music, the friendliest people were all on Display…”
Semi-retired Rights Activist Ryhaan is upset at the editorial inclusion of “Beautiful women” as part of the Display”. I agree. What about the beautiful men?
*3) Whatever has become of the very vocal Ramon Gaskin? Retired Chris?
‘Til next week!
(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
