Constitutional Reform Commission members sworn in
Yesterday, 18 of 21 members of the Constitutional Reform Commission took the oath of office which was administered by President Irfaan Ali at the Office of the President.
At the swearing-in ceremony, former Chancellor of the Judiciary, retired Justice Carl Singh was named as Chairman.
Others sworn in were People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Members: Anil Nandlall, SC, Gail Teixeira, Dr Frank Anthony, Pauline Campbell-Sukhai and Kwame McCoy and APNU+AFC Members: Vincent Alexander, Sherwood Lowe, Ganesh Mahipaul and attorney at law Nigel Hughes.
Additionally, Aslim Singh of the Labour Movement; Chairman of The National Toshaos’ Council Derrick Rowan John; Private Sector Representative Ramesh Persaud; Representative of Women organizations, Dr Kim Kyte-Thomas; Chairman of the Youth Advisory Council, Dr Josh Kanhai; Imran Ally of the Muslim Youth Organization; Farmers Representative Adrian Anamayah and Representative of the Hindu Community Radha Krishna Sharma were also appointed commissioners.
A New and United Guyana Member, Timothy Jonas SC, Keoma Griffith Representative of the Christian Community and Member of the Guyana Bar Association Kamal Ramkarran will be appointed at a later date as they all were out of the jurisdiction.
President Ali during his address said “The nation’s constitution is its foundational law, which outlines the framework for governance, and defines the structure of government, allocates power, specifies the functions of the arms of the state and guarantees the rights of citizens”.
He was adamant that constitutional reform should be premised on several key issues against the backdrop of changes occurring.
“Political, societal and technological changes may present new challenges and opportunities that were not envisioned by the framers of the original Constitution or by its subsequent reforms,” he told those gathered after their oaths were administered.
The Guyanese leader is also hopeful that the newly formed body can work together in the best interest of citizens and uphold the core principles enshrined in the constitution.
He also admonished the newly formed commission to