Government remains committed to upholding Constitution -Ministry of the Presidency

On Monday evening, the Ministry of the Presidency raised questions over the motives of the statement by the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) yesterday, which warned of the consequences that could arise if the President were to appoint a Chancellor and Chief Justice on his own. 

Government remains committed to upholding Constitution   -Ministry of the Presidency

The Government of Guyana has indicated that it remains committed to upholding the Constitution of Guyana and has no plans to do otherwise when it comes to the appointment of the Chancellor and Chief Justice.

On Monday evening, the Ministry of the Presidency raised questions over the motives of the statement by the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) yesterday, which warned of the consequences that could arise if the President were to appoint a Chancellor and Chief Justice on his own.

According to the Ministry of the Presidency, “this perplexing statement, made without any indication from the administration of any intention to ever operate outside of the Constitution of Guyana, was described by the Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, as reckless”.

The President’s Office reminded that just last week, President Granger told the media that he will have to be advised by his legal team on the issue.

State Minister Joe Harmon expressed concern over the statement released by the Guyana Bar Association.

He said he is concerned at the dangerous path that the Association is treading with “its insinuations and strong assertions”.

“This is a rash statement from a Bar Association… more importantly having regard for the recent actions of the administration in ensuring that at all material times that the appointments to the Judiciary were made in good time and based on the advice of the Judicial Services Commission. The President has been at pains to respect the Constitution. Every action, which he takes is underpinned by the provisions of the Constitution and so it is quite surprising to me that the Bar Association having regard to what the President has actually said that he respects the Constitution and that he will act in accordance, that the Bar Association arrived at a conclusion that basically says that the current climate is repugnant and shakes the public confidence in the justice system”, Harmon said.

The Bar Association has issued a call for the President and Opposition Leader to work together to resolve the impasse over appointing a substantial Chancellor and Chief Justice.

The Constitution states that the Opposition Leader would have to offer his agreement to the President’s choices for the appointments to move forward.

The Opposition Leader recently announced that he could not support the President’s choices, offering no reason behind that decision.

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