Minister Harmon is unconstitutionally occupying two posts

Oct 11, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
As far as I recall, the Constitution of Guyana expressly provides for the Secretary to the Cabinet to be appointed by the President, who shall be responsible in accordance with such instructions as given him/ or her by the President.
Section (1) 117 of the Constitution of Guyana states that: “There shall be a Secretary to the Cabinet whose office shall be a public office.”
In light of the disclosure by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, that he is the Secretary to the Cabinet, while at the same time holding office as a Minister of State, a member of Cabinet and a Member of Parliament, the President may be called upon to explain this apparent breach of the Constitution.
The Stabroek News article, on October 9, 2017, headlined ‘Edghill queries gov’t policy on medical aid for families in dire need’, states that: “Harmon emphasised that Cabinet documents are secret until they are disclosed by him, as he is the Secretary to the Cabinet.”
Incidentally, the Defense Act, Chapter 15 of the Laws of Guyana, also makes provision for the Secretary to the Defense Board to be a public officer. On June 1, 2015, Minister Harmon, was sworn in as the Secretary to the Defense Board by President Granger – an appointment that, I recall, was included in the Official Gazette on June 6, 2015. Perhaps, President Granger can also explain this breach.
I raise these two concerns because during my tenure as both the Secretary to the Cabinet and Secretary to the Defense Board, between 1992 and 2013, I, at no time, had reason to believe that as a Minister and Member of Parliament, I could still act in these two posts.
Regards,
Roger Luncheon

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