There were 20 participants in all, from all across the developing world - 18 countries -from as far as Thailand, Indonesia, the Maldives, Pakistan, Bulgaria and, closer to home, from Haiti and Colom-bia. The participants were all prominent professionals and/or senior officials from their various countries. I particularly enjoyed the company of the “man” from Gaza, and the “man” from Serbia. They were fiery individuals, born and bred in harsh political circumstances. They expressed their feelings about their history and struggles in very passionate terms, at times lashing out critically at the policies of their sponsors, the Government of the USA, towards their countries.

During this period of time, I attended lectures and seminars, with members who are regarded as experts and are experienced with the topic of accountability in Government and Business. Further, a variety of visits to corporate entities like Lockheed-Martin, the Denver Post, and Government institutions like the Supreme Court of the U.S.A. and City Hall of Kalamazoo, Michigan were attended to see first-hand how these entities and institutions worked.

Additionally, getting to meet ordinary American people through home visits and a beach party was arranged. Site visits to places of interest like the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, San Diego Zoo, and going to theatres, among other places, were also arranged. The most dramatic, even traumatic, was looking through the window of my room on the 47th floor of the Millenium Hilton Hotel situate on Church Street Manhattan and seeing the gouged Ground Zero just below. All those harrowing images I saw on CNN rushed back to me as I stood transfixed for a full five minutes or so.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The core of the programme, however, was getting to understand what accountability in Government and Business, as it relates to American institutions and corporate entities, is all about. I was most impressed with the vastness of the learning that exists on the subject, and the constant search for better methods of accountability by America’s intellectuals and practitioners. These intellectuals from America’s best universities, and the practitioners within Government and Business all seem at one that there can be no perfect system. No matter what the system of accountability some devious minds at some stage will seek to subvert it for filthy lucre. Since leaders are men and men are not angels, it is always, therefore, necessary to invent and re-invent more foolproof systems of accountability for the good of the country.

The lessons learned were many and varied. Government accountability has to do with public officials, especially those who make up the Executive branch of Government, having to be proper, legitimate, lawful and honest in the conduct of their duties and obligations. They must be ready to explain and clarify why they did what they did to members of the public and the press. These public officials - who include Customs officers, policemen, officers and officials within State agencies, Ministers of Government - being paid by taxpayers’ money must account to these taxpayers as to how they are performing their duties and responsibilities. This accounting to the taxpaying public is necessary so as to ensure that there is no graft, bribery, corruption and violations of the law. It also ensures good governance and ethical behaviour. Accountability in Government also helps the public and ordinary citizens to feel confident about the running of their affairs, as it makes the system open and transparent. Wild, unjustified suspicions do not find a breeding ground in such openness.

Like in Government, accountability in Business has to do with Company officials who are in leadership and senior positions - positions of formulating policies and overseeing their implementation - ensuring that their conduct and actions are honest, proper, lawful and not a breach of the various laws and best practices e.g. labour laws, environmental laws, financial and accounting best practices. This accountability to the shareholders is necessary so as to let the shareholders know the state of affairs of the Company at any specific time. Since Company business may directly affect the larger public e.g. through taxation, or through environmental hazards in the production process, this accountability is necessary also to the public. In the U.S.A., accountability plays a principal role in ensuring Government and Business behave in accordance with the rule of law; and it enforces penalties against those in Government and Business who violate the rules.

CODES OF CONDUCT

There can be no accountability, however, without a certain institutional and structural substratum. In America one such primary institutional substratum includes the three separate branches of Government namely, the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary. The three branches have distinct and different roles, and each watches the others so that they do not step outside their respective parameters. The role of the Legislature, which at the federal level comprises of the House of Representatives and the Senate, is to make the laws, formulate policies and to agree on the Budget. The role of the Executive is to implement and enforce the laws and policies and spend the monies allocated under the Budget. The role of the Judiciary is to interpret the laws, and to rule or decide when there are violations; these rulings must be adhered to by all those who they affect, and to all those they are directed at - even the President of U.S.A.

Within each of these branches, there are Codes of Conduct to which the members of these branches must adhere in their daily actions and activities, and even utterances. If there are breaches by these officials who are from these branches, these officials can be given a bad name and this can result in them not being elected or nominated. More serious breaches can result in removal from office (and the shame that is associated with that), along with fines and imprisonment.

The press which comprises the newspaper, radio and television is another powerful institutional foundation for accountability also. Journalists and reporters working in the media, report all manner of matters to their listeners, readers and viewers who then voice their opinions through surveys and even by speaking directly to the press as to how they feel. This voice of the people causes politicians and other decision-makers, whether in Government or in Business, to act in a proper and lawful manner. It forces them not to do wrong things, although a few will still do. An important feature of the press is that almost all of it in America is privately owned and controlled. The Government therefore cannot control what news is given out. Moreover, the right of the press to publish is constitutionally protected. The press can publish almost anything - once it is the truth, or it is fair comment. Yet it is not an irresponsible press. There is a huge dose of self-regulation with very high standards set.

Local Government structures which allow the ordinary citizen to voice his or her opinion at public hearings at City Hall meetings or at County meetings is another institution which helps in keeping Government, albeit at the local level, accountable. Citizens can ask any question at these meetings and hearings, if they wish to do so. They are given 4 (four) minutes to speak. Although the time seems short, a citizen can be very effective if he or she puts the points together properly. I actually witnessed this in the City Hall meeting in Kalamazoo, Michigan, when from all appearances a law student made telling points against the Patriot Act recently passed in the Federal legislature, and which he argued will erode the liberties and freedoms the Founding Fathers fought so hard to enshrine and entrench in the Bill of Rights. Adorning the evening’s proceeding was when a bright youthful policeman immediately rebutted on grounds of security. I gave the edge to the law student. But it was a wonderful debate - others began speaking on this topic - courteously presided over by the Mayor.

FEARLESSNESS

What sank in very deep in my mind and what was so clearly discerned was that accountability in Government and Business, and the good governance and transparent decision-making which are its results, will happen only when leaderships within Government and Business want to be open and frank in the way they conduct the affairs of State and Business, and when Government and Business abide by the rule of law and code of ethics.

Additionally, such accountability will only happen when members of the public - ordinary workers, professionals, intellectuals, housewives, students - firstly, become more aware of the many issues which affect them, through educating themselves, and secondly, then speak out fearlessly against the wrongdoings of Government and Business, even though it may be a Government they may have voted for at the last elections.

The project was enlightening and educational as it was enjoyable and entertaining. I have now learnt that the USA is not New York. It is a vast country, with a magnificent landscape, a warm people who are very confident and fearless, and leaders (those within business and the governmental institutions I was fortunate to meet) who are by and large tolerant, courteous and willing listeners. Of course, I did meet the arrogant all-righteous type, but these were extremely few. Its political institutions are tremendously advanced, heavily reliant on up-to-date technologies, and progressively expanding democracy to wider and deeper frontiers. This is not to say that it is a society without significant problems. Oh yes, America though “god-blessed” has her fair share. But from the short experience I had, I realize that her people and Government creatively tackle them head-on, rather than deny their existence or hide them under the carpet.

But with all that said of great America, Guyana remains and will forever remain the loveliest place to be! I am so happy to be back home!