Civil Society Demands Action on Non-Performing Commissioner of Information
By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News
Despite months of public pressure and formal correspondence, there has been no action from President Irfaan Ali regarding the failure of the Commissioner of Information, retired Justice Charles Ramson Sr., to uphold his constitutional duties.
According to Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram, the President was officially written to since April 14, 2025, about the Commissioner’s failure to respond to information queries and submit mandatory reports to Parliament. However, there has been no response or corrective action.
In response, civil society members have renewed protest action outside the Office of the President, calling for transparency, accountability, and the proper functioning of the office mandated under the Access to Information Act of 2011.
“We’re hoping the president would take note of citizens asking for information, which is their constitutional right,” said Ram. “He holds portfolio responsibility for this Act. It’s disdainful and disrespectful to ignore this.”
Columnist Gabriel Lall also criticized President Ali for reportedly brushing aside the issue as politically motivated.
“The law says citizens are entitled to information for transparency and accountability,” said Lall. “There comes a time the President must intervene and say ‘you’ve gone too far.’”
The Transparency Institute of Guyana echoed these sentiments. Its representative, Frederick Collins, argued that successive governments have failed to prioritize transparency until after elections.
“This government must show it is not the same as the one it criticized in 2020,” Collins said. “We expected urgency.”
Protesters are also calling for legislative reform to decentralize the access to information process, allowing individual ministries to handle requests instead of a single commissioner operating from a private residence.
Despite repeated calls, Justice Ramson continues to operate from his East Street home, and no reports have been submitted to Parliament since his appointment.
