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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 11, 2018
For a new public service GIVEN the period of governance by the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic(PPP/C), in which every state and public institution suffered gradual decline in operating standards as to the quality of service that it delivered to the public, it was inevitable that the in-coming President David Granger administration was prepared to effect renewal processes to the general public service. For President David Granger, given his career as a former distinguished military officer and commander, in which order and discipline would have coloured his entire approach to getting things done; and in which precision and timeliness were prerequisites for successfully, timely outcomes, an efficient public service was mandatory for his government, if it were to function efficiently to deliver quality public services to the citizens of Guyana. Every state and its gov-
ernment must have a public service; but not just a body of senior administrative officials supported by an army of junior personnel which primary task is to execute the policies for and on behalf of the government of the day. But a dedicated body of personnel that must be responsible for the efficient turning of the wheels of government, since it is the interfacing element with citizens, for dispensing whatever function is required for satisfying their requests for services Therefore, for any government to be adjudged as successful in its mission of the delivery of quality services to citizens of any state, an efficient and quality public service is an absolute. The Public Service of Guyana has attracted much attention from the public which it serves, with regards to the manner of services that its component parts have delivered. As to be expected, especially with the period alluded to – the com-
ments were hardly expected to be favourable. We would have experienced a public service that had become heavily politicised, with a preponderant presence of political appointees; a situation that was a departure from the traditional norm. It is well-known that the latter does not often lend for efficiency and the presence of a pool of skilled and competent administrators, since appointments made are often done on the basis of political loyalty, rather than qualifications and expertise. Such can only lead to a continuous omission and absence of the necessary expertise, with which every administration of government must have for the proper formulation and execution of its many programmes, which must of course benefit the well-being of citizens. No states’ public service which is heavily politicised can ever deliver quality ser-
vice of the type that is impartial, professional and above all, freed of biases and other forms of prejudices such as what has been the experiences of the 23 years of PPP/C governance. Moreover, such a public service will undoubtedly descend to levels of gross maladministration, with unchecked levels of every type of corruption imaginable. President Granger, speaking at the recent swearing-in of the Public Service Commission (PSC), emphasised a, “Public Service Commission (PSC) that is to ensure the establishment and existence of an impartial Public Service by insulating public servants from political interference and influence.” He also stressed a public service that is free from political dictate and control, reiterating that not only should the Public Service be neutral, but that a public servant must also be appointed on merit. This does not suggest that the
public servant is not entitled to political affiliation, as Guyana is a democracy, with its constitution bestowing such a right on every citizen. But the public servant is expected to be professional in his/her day-to-day functions, serving whatever party is in government. Giving extension to this understanding should also include the seamless transfer of government, with a ready pool of professional public servants who are there to ensure continuity. As according to President Granger, “They should not be threatened by or interrupted for political reasons or upon a change of government”. This is the ideal and is accepted; however, it should not be expected, as in Guyana’s case, that those public servants who would have been found to commit all kinds of misdemeanors would be retained, as well as being made to face mandatory prosecutorial action. This seems to have escaped the understanding of the leaders of the former PPP/C government, who have been crying “witch hunt”, against the background of several of its for-
mer high-ranking officials of its administration being placed before the courts for offences committed against the state. It is a legitimate expectation of law-abiding citizens of any state that is predicated by law and order. The Bertram Collins School of the Public Service, a visionary initiative of President Granger and his coalition government, has already commenced this much needed and overdue re-orientation of the Guyana Public Service, with its first graduation of public service cadets who are already in place, and have begun to lead the charge for a better, efficient, and impartial public service. With commitment, and an abiding acceptance that the public must be adequately served by a public service which contributions are integral to the growth and development of Guyana, it is expected that the Public Service, heeding the President’s address, will with the Bertram Collins School of the Public Service, be ushering in the desired and necessary changes in its service to the public
We all must play a role in protecting children from sexual violence Dear Editor, IN the month of September there is a heightened awareness on the issues of children, on education and on their protection, and whilst families are most important to the protection of children there are many other systems and structures that support the prevention of abuse of children. The Supreme Court of Judicature launched the Sexual Offences Court on November 13, 2017. The overall aim included addressing the backlog of cases of child sexual violence. In Guyana there is an average of 650 reported cases of sexual violence against children. Since the Sexual Offences Court was established, a number of child sexual abuse cases were brought to trial. According to a local newspaper article published on April 14, 2018, after seven months, there has been a notable increase in the number of child sexual abuse cases tried as opposed to previous years and there have also been a noteworthy number of convictions thus far. The Guyana Human Rights Association
(GHRA) conducted a study: Without Conviction Sexual Violence Cases in The Guyana Justice Process. The study found that from 2000-2004 the average conviction rate of sexual abuse cases was 1.4 per cent. That is nine convictions out of 647 reports of sexual abuse. ChildLinK through the Child Advocacy Centre (CAC) provides court support to child sexual abuse victims who have cases of sexual violence before the court. Court support services provide pre and post-trial support to a victim. ChildLinK supported 16 clients from November 2017 to present. Of the 16 cases we supported, there were 14 convictions, one not guilty verdict and one ongoing case. Chancellor of the Judiciary (a.g.) Justice Yonnette Cummings-Edwards and all stakeholders involved in the establishment and operationalisation of the Sexual Offences Court, deserve commendation for their successful efforts to improve the efficiency of the judicial system and afford victims of sexual violence the opportunity to have their cases tried. ChildLinK believes that the Sex-
ual Offences Court sends a strong message to children and to the wider society, that justice served may directly influence an increase in the reporting of child sexual abuse and in the longer term, improves the protection of children from sexual abuse. In a newspaper article, Justice Cummings-Edwards stated that the specialist court was properly staffed and would see the rotation of criminal judges. The chancellor also noted that the courtroom was properly equipped and includes a victim support unit giving victims the opportunity to testify in a free environment and not subjecting them to victimisation or discrimination. The Sexual Offences Court allows child sexual abuse cases to be treated with sensitivity and child victims are emotionally supported to provide their sworn testimonies. Although the lives of the victims have changed forever, the fact that the perpetrators are held accountable for their heinous crime may give the victims and their families some solace. A ChildLinK Court Support Officer stated, “This system serves justice and brings closure to the victims and the families”. One
child victim related in her impact statement, “Now that the case is over, I feel a weight has been lifted off of my back. I deserve my innocence. At first I thought that I was the only child that experienced such a horrible thing but learnt that I am not, and that gave me the courage to speak out”. Sexual violence against children is a gross violation of children’s rights. Establishing a system where a perpetrator is prosecuted and victims are provided with a strong support system throughout the trial, plays a major role in the battle against sexual offences. This hopefully will encourage persons to report any known case of child sexual abuse and deter perpetrators from abusing children. We all have a role to play in protecting children from sexual violence and any other form of violence. Regards, Shaquita Thomas Communications Officer ChildLinK