Latest update April 16th, 2025 7:21 AM
Latest News
- Oil production in Guyana to climb to 900K barrels per day… as 4th FPSO arrives
- Italian company secures contract for early works on Exxon’s 7th project yet to be approved
- Israel proposes Gaza ceasefire deal to release 10 hostages for hundreds of Palestinians, Hamas says
- Peru’s ex-president and first lady sentenced to 15 years in jail
- Brazil to auction 172 oil blocks in June
AG and Defence Board Secretary sworn-in
Attorney at Law, Basil Williams, who was formally appointed as Guyana’s Legal Affairs Minister, recently, under A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change Administration (APNU+AFC), was sworn in yesterday
Legal Affairs Minister, Mr. Basil Williams takes the oath as Attorney General.
as Attorney General by President David Granger at the Ministry of the Presidency.
The Attorney General is the main legal advisor to the Government. He is appointed by the Head of State.
Mr. Williams holds an LLB (Hons) Degree from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados, and a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School, Trinidad and Tobago.
He has served in several capacities in the public domain, and in the Tenth Parliament as the Shadow Minister of Legal Affairs.
Also yesterday Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, was sworn in as Secretary to the Defence Board. The board, a statutory body includes the President, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Commissioner of Police, Minister of Public Security and a few other members.
President Granger said that there are still challenges facing Guyana’s defence, particularly in the
Mr. Joseph Harmon, Minister of State, takes the oath of office as Secretary to the Defence Board
maritime area.
“We expect that the Defence Board will be making decisions in order to safeguard our maritime security.”
The first meeting of the Defence Board is scheduled for tomorrow at the Ministry of the Presidency.
Annual review of non- violent youth offenders
The President also spoke of plans, at least once per year, to review the custodial sentences of youths, especially women and young persons, in particular, for non-violent offences.
”I really feel that separating a woman from her children, for minor offences is not in the culture of APNU + AFC, and we should try as far as possible to keep families together.”
The Head of State opined that the time would be better spent in school rather than in jail, and “As far as possible, we should look at those cases. We know the law may have to be revised.”
He added that for misdemeanours, discretion can be applied and those culpable could be returned into the school system.
”I have asked the Minister of Public Security to investigate the emergence of some Non-Governmental Organisations to do rehabilitation (of youths).”
He is also of the opinion that for persons under age 25, it would be fruitful for the government to cooperate with NGOs, “which can encourage young people who have committed minor offences to get back into the world of work.”
The President is firm in his belief that unless young offenders are violent or dangerous, they should be rehabilitated, and be contributing members of society.
As part of observances for Guyana’s 49th Independence Anniversary celebrations, President Granger pardoned 60 non-violent youth offenders. (GINA)
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