This was the view expressed by Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy during a public discussion on inclusive governance Wednesday hosted by the People's Progressive Party (PPP) at its Georgetown Freedom House headquarters.

"The debate over inclusive governance has gathered much intensity in recent months. But, the debate over inclusive governance in Guyana has been a meaningful debate for about a decade. Indeed it existed prior to 1964 and occasionally was discussed over the long 28 years of the PNC dictatorial regime.

"But no one would deny that the enthusiasm with which the discussions have been pursued since 1992, and especially since 1997, vastly overwhelms the lacklustre interest (given) to inclusive governance prior to 1992. Importantly, the debate prior to 1992 focused on power sharing at the executive level as the form of inclusive governance," Ramsammy said.

Contrary to the impression being created in some quarters, Guyana leads the Caribbean region in avenues for inclusiveness, he said. "Existing provisions and practice establish Guyana as a country with considerable room for inclusive governance. Contrary to the impression being created and the perception of many, Guyana leads the region in terms of avenues for inclusiveness.

"The major problem is that these avenues remain unexplored. We need to be honest and assess our progress in creating an inclusive society. One thing is certain - the creation of the ideally inclusive society is not an overnight project and would not result through a one-shot effort," he contended.

Reiterating the governing PPP/Civic's commitment to inclusive governance, Ramsammy emphasised, however, that it calls for painstaking efforts and said that it would not happen outside Parliament and in the streets. He said the willingness of the PPP/C to create an inclusive society is intimately linked to the willingness of the Opposition parties to do their part, and the prerequisite must be the willingness of all to accept free and fair elections as the basis for a democratic and inclusive society.

"It would be painstaking and would involve greater sensitivity, enormous amounts of patience, magnanimity, compromises and honesty. And for sure, it would not happen in the streets and it would not happen outside of the involvement of Parliament.

"The PPP/C is not only committed to inclusive governance in Guyana. At the outset, let me acknowledge that there is still room for greater intensity in the PPP/C's pursuit of creating an inclusive society. But the PPP/C's willingness, inclination or even ability to pursue the path intimately depends on the willingness of Opposition parties, mainly the PNC, and other stakeholders, to play their role.

"The burden of creating an inclusive society must be a shared one and must not be left only to the PPP/C and cannot be the exclusive purview of political parties. The prerequisite is the willingness of all to accept free and fair elections as a foundation for a free, democratic and inclusive society."

MAJORITY VIEWS MUST COUNT
He observed that importantly, in all the debate so far the views of the 54% of the people who voted for the PPP/C seem to be relegated into the background, adding that people seemingly forget that shared governance could never mean the relegation of the views of the majority.

"In all the debate thus far, one important point seems to be relegated to the dustbin: the views of 54% of the people who voted for the PPP/C. In all the discussion of inclusive governance, provision for the participation of the minority position has taken precedence and people seem to forget that shared governance could never mean the relegation of the views of the majority to some insignificant bother," he pointed out.

He added: "The irony is that as the debate over shared governance rages, important provisions for inclusive governance that society has already endorsed remain sadly languishing because of the political impasse and the dishonesty of commentators. Some say that the process of constitutional reform that we have gone through has left people disappointed. The disappointment has to be the fact that we have not allowed the full implementation of the provisions for shared governance. The provisions already provided for are not trivial."

The Health Minister observed that there are ideas for shared governance that enjoy consensus support, pointing out that many of them have been implemented while others have been provided for in the reformed Constitution. And even prior to 1992 some provisions existed for shared governance, but because of rigged elections and paramountcy of the party as practised by the then PNC Government, these provisions were not effected, he said.

He argued that the local government system permits a certain degree of shared governance and inclusiveness, noting that since the restoration of democracy, the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and the municipalities truly represent a form of shared governance. He observed that since the 2001 elections, the ruling party controls five Regions - 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, while the main Opposition party controls two Regions - 2 and 10, and three Regions - 7, 8, and 9 are controlled through coalitions between the PNC and GAP/WPA. The Opposition also control the two main municipalities, Georgetown and New Amsterdam, he pointed out.

Almost 16% of the total appropriations in this year's budget are controlled by the RDCs. In terms of employment costs, more than 33% for this year are controlled at the RDC level.

"When one adds the budgets of the NDCs and municipalities, one realises that already there is a considerable level of shared governance in Guyana. While local government systems exist in other Caribbean countries, none compares to the system presently existing in Guyana," Ramsammy argued.

He advocated the need to continue discussions on local government reforms so as to derive optimum benefits from improved local government, pointing out that strong local government provides the basis for community-led development and could promote community interest rather than political loyalty.

"Genuine efforts to create an inclusive society must weigh heavily on reforms of the local government system so as to promote effective community participation." He also pointed out that considerable decision-making and control of employment and expenditure reside in other agencies not technically under the influence of central government, including the Auditor General's Office, the Elections Commission, the Police, Teachers and Judicial Service Commissions among others which comprise almost eight per cent of the total 2002 appropriations for employment costs. These agencies are financed from the Consolidated Fund and are accountable to the Public Accounts Committee and not the Ministry of Finance as in the past, and the Public Accounts Committee is chaired by a member from the parliamentary Opposition, Ramsammy pointed out.

In addition, he contended that the various Boards constitute an effective avenue for promoting inclusive governance, stating that prior to 1992, there was little chance of accomplishing this because the commissions and boards were put together within the concept of paramountcy of the party.

"Some of the efforts in this direction have been derived through political and civic advocacy and some have been institutionalised through constitutional reforms. As greater trust is built in Guyana, these Boards could truly represent vast avenues for inclusiveness," he added.

EFFECTIVE CONSULTATIONS
An inclusive society is more than just arrangements made for the participation of political parties; the key is effective consultations that provide a role for civic society, and provisions for consultations with the Opposition and civic society are enshrined in the reformed Constitution, which makes provision for the enactment of laws that define and provide guidelines for consultations. The guidelines can, however, only become law with a two-thirds majority, Ramsammy explained and called upon the PNC to return to Parliament to enable the passage of the necessary legislation that ensures this important aspect of an inclusive society.

He also urged a return to the dialogue between the President and Opposition Leader, which he said is another avenue for inclusiveness, alluding to the period of calm and optimism during the dialogue process.

"Perhaps, such dialogue could be extended to include leaders of other political parties and `shadow' ministers", he said. He also suggested independent monitoring of agreements reached out of the dialogue process, functioning of the ethnic relations commission before the end of the year, and the other commissions during the first quarter of next year.

Ramsammy observed that meaningful consultation with the Opposition Leader in the appointment of the members of the various service commissions and the better functioning of Parliament are also considerable avenues for shared governance.

He noted too that several pieces of important legislation which became a reality through constructive consultations represent shared governance in action.

"The Opposition and many commentators and advocates for shared governance have failed to acknowledge the existence of mechanisms and of constitutional provisions that constitute a strong foundation for inclusiveness. There is no point talking about further forms of shared governance when you show no proclivity for allowing those we already have to work and strengthen them.

"We must begin by having Parliament complete the work it was mandated to through the reformed Constitution. But this must not happen without the PNC playing their proper role in Parliament," he exhorted.

He added: "It is tragic that so many groups and individuals disregard the great strides we have made and, instead, seek to promote disharmony and strife in our country. The overt effort of the PNC to obtain power and their flirtations with criminal elements and dishonest political commentators stand in the way of shared inclusive governance. The cold, hard facts stare at us. Let each one of us step back and assess the truth."

Earlier, Speaker of the National Assembly and an Executive Member of the PPP, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran said that Article 13 of the Constitution elevates the main objective of inclusionary governance.

He said it emphasises the critical importance of inclusionary democracy and the need for increased participation in governance, noting that free and fair elections, freedom of the press and other basic human rights are not enough in ensuring inclusive governance.

He noted that the principles in Article 13 did not materialise suddenly but were born out of a process of sustained dialogue initiated by the Herdmanston Accord which was signed between the two major parties on January 17, 1998 following violent demonstrations after the 1997 general elections. The objective of the Accord was the implementation of measures for the restoration of harmony, improved race relations and equality and justice in the society.

Consequently, through a Constitutional Act provisions were made for the establishment of a Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC) to undertake the Constitutional reform process, and this saw wide participation, both from the political and civic sections of society, Ramkarran pointed out.

However, while a great deal was accomplished, he feels not enough was done to publicise and educate the public on the accomplishments of the Constitutional reform process.

Ramkarran, while reiterating the PPP's commitment to inclusive governance, identified several areas which need to be addressed, including the need for a change in the political culture which engenders divisive patterns of behaviour, so as to have greater cohesiveness and measures to ensure people do not feel excluded from the process of governance.

While acknowledging much more has to be done in ensuring inclusive governance, he noted some of the important Constitutional steps that have been taken in this direction, which include parliamentary approval of the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission which oversees the Commissions on Ethnic Relations, Indigenous People, Women's Rights and the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission. He also alluded to the financial independence of the Judiciary and the Auditor General's Office.

He noted too the agreement for the establishment of the five Standing Committees on Constitutional Reform, National Security, Natural Resources, Social Sector Development and Foreign Affairs, but said regrettably this has been stalled because of disagreement on Ministers serving on them.

Ramkarran said the political and constitutional systems did not keep pace with changes since Independence and that is one of the main reasons why the difficulties have arisen in relation to shared governance.