Georgetown, Guyana – (August 21, 2015) Minister of State, Joseph Harmon has declared that the A Partnership for National Unity- Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government welcomes the scrutiny and criticisms of the Guyanese people in the interest and practice of good governance.
Speaking at the post Cabinet press briefing today, Minister Harmon said that the government is conscious that it governs a democratic society and must be held accountable for its actions. He expressed that Guyanese should let their voices be heard when they are not in agreement with a decision taken by Government, since all decisions made must be made in the interest of the nation at large.
“We believe that in an open society. It is good and it is refreshing and we have to take into account the views of Guyanese because you cannot have good governance without that,” the Minister related.
He was at the time responding to questions posed on the status of State Boards, given the public commentary on the composition of those Boards.
Minister Harmon said that the Government has heeded the calls by the citizens; as should be practiced by any government serious about accountability and is in the process of reviewing and finalising the composition of the Boards.
“There are boards which have a natural life and you cannot change them until it comes to an end. Of course I understand the firestorm, which came about when there was the feeling that there would not be gender balance on the Boards and so on and we have taken all of these things into consideration. Minister Trotman did indicate that we will review these things and what I can say to you is that we welcome this intervention, we welcome this interest by the citizens, by civil society in these matters because that is what we believe will bring good governance to this country,” he said.
He related that the Government had chosen to release the names and the composition of the State Boards to ensure transparency and accountability; something which was never done under the previous administration.
“We are publicising these things because we believe that scrutiny keeps you in check and allows you to govern in a more even and a balanced way so we welcome the criticisms and I want to make this very clear that we are not angry that people will criticise us and make these statements,” Minister Harmon told media operatives.
