Latest update January 19th, 2025 12:01 AM
Due process must be a necessity for govt. – watchdog group
As accusations of witch-hunting continue to be directed against the APNU+AFC administration, President of Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI) Calvin Bernard has opined that Due Process is necessary when the new government deals with various agencies.
During an interview with Kaieteur News, Bernard said that Due Process allows for transparency and enables the new coalition government to show that it was serious in its fight against corruption.
According to Bernard, Due Process is a necessity when making shifts in the hierarchy of any institution. Bernard noted that in many cases, there were persons who were clearly “politicking” and making their affiliations with the previous People’s Progressive Party administration known. Although this sort of open campaign was not ideal, Bernard emphasised that Due Process must nonetheless be enforced.
TIGI President, Calvin Bernard
However, he said, the process should be appropriately based on the institution’s policies and will differ in each organisation.
“Due Process will differ for the positions that the persons held and may differ on the contractual arrangements and the sector they are in. Essentially, whatever is appropriate – whatever is articulated, based on the norms or practices – that’s what must be followed,” the TIGI Head emphasised.
For example, he said, the University of Guyana requires a number of steps before a person could be terminated. “Every single step will be critical. We have not yet heard specific cases stating that Due Process was not followed; all we’ve been hearing is that they [the government] have removed this person or that person.”
He further said, “Inevitably you’re going to have people with political affiliations being knocked off in any change of government. In the best examples of democracy throughout the world, when governments change, people who would have been affiliated with the previous administration are removed.”
He added, “So that’s one thing that shouldn’t be exaggerated and deemed as ‘witch hunts’. Some of it will happen.”
Meanwhile, Bernard emphasised that political affiliations did not negate persons from being in top positions in different organisations. However, he said, competency must be paramount, regardless of political affiliations.
“Political affiliations do not mean that you ought not to be at the head; I wouldn’t say that. Competency is important though,” Bernard stressed. “We should be able to view those persons’ records; we should be able to look at their CVs and know that they’re suited for that technical position.”
He stated that while Ministers do not have to have any sort of competencies, technical persons who become heads of agencies should be technically competent, even if they are politically affiliated.
“There are too many people who are politically affiliated. It can’t mean that if you’re politically affiliated you can’t get a job or the party can’t put you up for a job. That should be perfectly fine. But those persons should be acting in the interest of the people as opposed to the interest of the party. Where it gets twisted is when the heads begin acting in the interest of the party,” Bernard stressed.
Accusations of witch hunting have been leveled against the new administration following a number of sackings and shifting in numerous state agencies. Most of these accusations were leveled by the People’s Progressive Party, which was ousted out of power in May following a 23-year rule.
During his address to the National Assembly last week, Finance Minister Winston Jordan stated that the government will not be sidetracked by cries of witch hunt but will instead do everything in its power to better Guyana.
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