Luncheon’s death highlights the crisis in the governance structure

Aug 03, 2023 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

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Kaieteur News – The death of the former Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, has served as a reminder that ever since the PPP/C government returned to office, the positions of HPS and Cabinet Secretary which at one time was held by Roger Luncheon remain unfilled.

Furthermore, the absence of post-Cabinet press conferences has added to the growing perception that these non-appointments are indicative of a government veering towards micromanagement and control, and at best, a lack of confidence in other competent individuals to assume crucial roles within the administration.

The Head of Projects within the Office of the President has been appointed as Head of Presidential Affairs. But this post is not akin to the Head of the Presidential Secretariat. Luncheon himself was  forced to resign as Cabinet Secretary, following the appearance of his name on the list of candidates for the PPPC for the 2015 elections. The PPP/C lost those elections and Luncheon did not return to the post following the 2020 elections.

The media have complained about the absence of post Cabinet Press Briefings. These weekly Briefings were hosted in the past by Dr. Luncheon. The absence of crucial appointments such as the Head of the Presidential Secretariat and the Cabinet Secretary raises concerns about a potential over-concentration of power within the executive branch.

The Head of the Presidential Secretariat is a position of paramount importance, responsible for coordinating and facilitating the efficient operation of the President’s office. This role acts as a bridge between the President and other government ministries, playing a vital role in disseminating policies and ensuring the President’s directives are carried out effectively. The prolonged vacancy in this position suggests a lack of strategic direction and could lead to a disjointed communication and coordination processes, potentially hampering the government’s ability to address pressing issues.

Similarly, the Cabinet Secretary, a position within the public service, serves as a linchpin between the political leadership and the civil service. As this newspaper pointed out last year, Secretary to the Cabinet has the responsibility to communicate decisions of Cabinet to authorised persons; presumably the President can also instruct that decisions of Cabinet be relayed to the media via the post-Cabinet press briefing.

The Cabinet Secretary is crucial for the government’s policy implementation, communication, and coordination efforts. The absence of a Cabinet Secretary not only creates a void in the administrative structure but also sends a signal that the government may be unwilling to engage with the wider civil service in a transparent and collaborative manner.

It was therefore ironic to hear the President say that he has a good team around him. If he did a thorough examination, he would find that there are significant holes within the Office of the President that contradicts any notions about effective and coordinated team work. The discontinuation of post-Cabinet press conferences compounds these problems. These conferences were a means of open communication between the government and the public, allowing for the dissemination of information, clarifications on policies, and a platform for journalists to hold the government accountable. The absence of these conferences raises questions about the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, potentially eroding public trust in the decision-making processes.

Micromanagement and control are not conducive to effective governance. The key to avoiding micromanagement and the concentration of power is to have delegated authority. By not appointing individuals to key positions, the government inadvertently reinforces the perception that it seeks to control every facet of governance, potentially deterring qualified individuals from taking up important roles.  It therefore is difficult to reconcile the President’s assertion that he has a good team with the glaring failures concerning appointments. Not only are key appointments within the Office of the President outstanding but more than two months after the Mahdia fire, the COI has not been named or appointed. Also, the swearing in of the elected Mayors have not taken place within the first month following local government elections. Key diplomatic appointments have been languishing for three long years, suggesting a crisis in the governance structure.

The failure to appoint the HPS and Cabinet Secretary suggests a lack of confidence in the abilities of others to fill the void left by Dr. Luncheon. Dr. Luncheon’s role was undoubtedly significant – he may have even been seen as indispensable – but a healthy democratic system thrives on diversity of thought and expertise. Filling these positions with qualified and capable individuals not only honours Dr. Luncheon’s legacy but also showcases the government’s belief in a wider pool of talented individuals to contribute effectively.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)

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• Cabinet Press Briefings, communication, Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), implementation, Peeping Tom, Roger Luncheon

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