Members of Public Service Commission sworn-in as Opposition objects to two nominees with close ties to PPP

Defyingobjectionsfrom the opposition, President Irfaan Ali on Thursday swore in the new members of the Public Service Commission.

The six members of the commission include:

ManniramPrashad,Maurice Rudranauth Gajadhar, Melcita Agatha Bovell, Chandrawati Leila Ramson, Mohandatt Goolsarran, and JaniceIsabellaBowen.They all took their oaths before PresidentAliattheOfficeof the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.

L e a d e r o f t h e Opposition, Aubrey Norton had questioned the independence and politicalneutrality of Ramson and Bovell. Ramson is the wife of former Legal Affairs Minister,CharlesRamsonas wellasthemotherofCulture Youth and Sports Minister, Charles Ramson Jr Bovell for her part, a former assistant chief education is said to have cozy relationship with a sitting government minister and this the opposition says render these two candidates ineligible for the posts PresidentAlihaddispatched a letter with the names of Bovell, Ramson and Maurice Rudranauth Gajadhar to Norton back in June for his approval and consultations.

Norton however, while supporting Gajadhar’s nomination objected to Bovell and Ramson. In his response to Ali, Norton shared: “In the case of Ms. Melcita Bovell and Mrs. Leila Ramson, they have a history of involvement in partisan politics or close linkstoapoliticalpartyand or political party senior operatives.” In responding to Norton, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira said both Ramson and Bovell had served the country with distinction

“Mrs. Leila Ramson served onthe the

Constitution as a member thereof for 12 consecutive years commencing in the year 1994, and then served as Chairperson of the said Commission for another 10 years – all without legal challenge,” Teixeira stated. Speaking about Bovell, Teixeira said although an allegation of political association was made against her no details were provided that would permit either an interrogation or a consideredresponse.

“Pleasebeinformedthat His Excellency maintains that the three candidates proposed have provided distinguished public service to our nation as reflected in their curriculum vitae, and are persons of good s t a n d i n g . I n H i s Excellency’s opinion, they are qualified to serve as members of the Public Service Commission,” Teixeira said in the letter dated June 27. Despite this the Opposition maintained itsobjectionstoRamsonand Bovell pointing out: “It is noted, particularly, in the instance of Mrs Leila Ramson, that you have failed to offer any comment or position on the indisputable fact that Mrs. LeilaRamsonisthewifeofa former Attorney General

Minister of Legal Affairs under a PPP/C government and mother of the current MinisterofYouth,Sportand Culture of the Current

PPP/C Government, ”

APNU MP Roysdale Forde SC writing on behalf of Norton had said, while adding that Bovell is “known to be a close associateofaseniorpolitical partyoperativewhichbrings into question her ability to beindependent.”

T h e P S C i s a constitutionalbodyoutlined inArticles200to205ofthe Constitution of Guyana. Its primary responsibility is to oversee Guyana’s public service.Inhisaddresstothe newly appointed members, President Ali emphasised the crucial role of the constitutional body, stating thatthePSCassumesitsrole during a significant period oftransformativechangefor Guyana The president s t a t e d t h a t t h e transformation necessitates a shift in the cultural composition, specifically emphasisingtheimportance o f t r a n s p a r e n c y, accountability, efficiency, reliability, and credibility within the public sector “It is our benefit as a country andasapeoplethatwenot

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