GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—The remaining Law Reform Commission and Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC) members were sworn in on Tuesday with a mandate to take a ‘forward-thinking’ approach to their work.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali delivered the charge during the simple but significant ceremony at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.
Everton Singh-Lammy and Dr. Marie Correia are the newly sworn-in members of the Law Reform Commission, while Timothy Jonas, Kamal Ramkarran, and Keoma Griffith are the final three commissioners to complete the 21-member CRC.
While acknowledging the lasting power of law and constitution as guidelines for governance, the head of state emphasized the need for them to adapt to a changing society.
He urged the new commissioners to embrace this challenge by evaluating transformative societal changes that would promote Guyana’s competitiveness while allowing citizens greater freedom.
Recognizing the complexity of constitutional reform, Ali stressed the importance of forward-thinking commissioners who can assess these changes within the context of Guyana’s evolving socioeconomic landscape.
“Members of these commissions…must be very open, must be able to understand the environment in which the country is operating in, the development trajectory of the country, the advancement of the judicial system, the changes [in] policymaking,” President Ali emphasized.
Given the nature of both commissions, the Law Reform Commission and the Constitutional Reform Commission, it is not only about laws and the legal framework in which things are drafted. The work in both commissions represents the dynamics in our society.”
The president also commended the diverse makeup of both entities and expressed confidence that these groups will offer fresh and innovative perspectives on age-old issues.
“We expect these young faces will bring the energy and that view that is sometimes missing… I think the type of representation we see also shows that our country is bringing the next generation of important human assets into the decision-making frame at a very high level,” he added.
Justice Carl Singh chairs the CRC. The government’s representatives are the Attorney General, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, and Ministers Gail Teixeira, Dr Frank Anthony, Pauline Sukhai, and Kwame McCoy.
The CRC is mandated to review the constitution and provide for the Guyanese people’s current and future rights, duties, liabilities, and obligations.
Meanwhile, the Law Reform Commission ensures that the country’s laws are updated to keep up with global legislative trends.
Earlier this year, Emily Dodson, the new Chair of the Law Reform Commission, took her oath of office, while Lenox Shuman, a former Member of Parliament, was also sworn in.
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