Frustration over the lack of transparency and access to information in Guyana reached a boiling point yesterday as dozens of protesters from civil society and the media gathered outside the Office of the Commissioner of Information on East Street, Georgetown. The demonstration was organized to highlight the alleged failure of Commissioner Charles Ramson S.C. to fulfill his responsibilities under the Access to Information Act of 2011.

Protest Details

The protest, spearheaded by attorney-at-law Christopher Ram and other transparency advocates, aimed to draw attention to what they described as the non-functioning of the Commissioner’s office. Protesters held placards and chanted slogans demanding accountability and compliance with the Act, which was designed to promote transparency and public access to government-held information.

Ram accused the Commissioner of stalling requests for information with unreasonable demands, including insisting on being addressed with elaborate titles. He also criticized Ramson for interpreting the Act in ways that obstruct its intended purpose. “The Act has failed to achieve its goals due to deliberate obstruction,” Ram stated.

Calls for Action

The protesters demanded that the government take immediate steps to operationalize the Access to Information Act effectively. They also called for a review and amendment of the legislation, which has been in place for over a decade but has reportedly failed to deliver on its promises.

Ram highlighted that despite an annual budget allocation of $40 million for the Commissioner’s office, no reports have ever been tabled in Parliament, as required by law. He argued that this lack of accountability undermines democracy and fosters corruption.

Planned Picketing Campaign

The protest is set to continue every Friday for the next four weeks outside the Commissioner’s office. If no positive response is received from the government, organizers plan to escalate their efforts by demonstrating at the Office of the President, which holds portfolio responsibility for the Commissioner’s office.

Ram emphasized that access to information is a cornerstone of democracy and warned that secrecy breeds corruption. He urged Parliament to demand an accounting of the Commissioner’s budget and enforce compliance with reporting obligations under the Act.

Broader Implications

The protest underscores growing dissatisfaction among Guyanese citizens and civil society groups over transparency issues. Many view this as a critical moment for addressing systemic flaws in governance and ensuring that public institutions serve their intended purpose.

As calls for reform intensify, it remains to be seen whether these protests will prompt meaningful action from the government or further deepen public frustration over transparency and accountability in Guyana.