21/10/2026
GOVERNMENT MUST CHANGE COURSE AS GUYANA’S RULE OF LAW AND FREEDOMS COME UNDER SCRUTINY.
Government must stop dismissing the warning signs and begin rebuilding public confidence in our institutions.
The latest report by the World Justice Project (WJP), reported by Kaieteur News on October 21, 2026, must serve as a wake-up call for the Government of Guyana. The country cannot continue to boast about economic growth and oil wealth while concerns about the rule of law, fundamental freedoms, accountability and the exercise of state power demand serious attention.
As a Member of Parliament, I call on the Government to change course and commit to meaningful reforms that strengthen democratic institutions, protect the rights of citizens and ensure that those entrusted with public power are held accountable.
Economic growth must never become a substitute for democratic progress. A country’s development must be measured not only by the money it earns, the buildings it constructs or the roads it lays, but also by whether its citizens can speak freely, access justice, question those in authority and expect the law to be applied fairly, regardless of political affiliation, social standing or economic influence.
The World Justice Project’s assessment is particularly important because the rule of law is the foundation upon which public trust, responsible government and investor confidence are built. Guyana must take these assessments seriously and address any shortcomings with urgency, transparency and a willingness to reform.
WHERE THE PROBLEM LIES?
1. Freedom of expression and the treatment of critics.
A democracy cannot flourish when citizens, journalists, civil society organisations and opposition representatives feel that speaking out against the Government could expose them to intimidation, retaliation or the misuse of public authority.
Guyana must guarantee that criticism of the President, ministers or public officials is treated as a legitimate part of democratic life, not as an act of disloyalty. The Government must ensure that state institutions are never used to intimidate critics or silence uncomfortable questions.
The country needs a clear commitment to protecting journalists, whistleblowers and citizens who expose wrongdoing. Public officials must answer criticism with facts, transparency and accountability not hostility or attempts to discredit those raising legitimate concerns.
2. The concentration and misuse of state power.
The rule of law requires meaningful checks and balances. No administration should be permitted to treat its electoral mandate as a licence to exercise power without adequate scrutiny.
Parliament must be allowed to perform its oversight responsibilities effectively. Opposition members must have a meaningful opportunity to scrutinise public expenditure, question ministers, examine government contracts and investigate allegations of wrongdoing.
The Government must also respect the independence of the judiciary and other constitutional bodies. Their credibility depends on their ability to discharge their duties without political pressure, interference or the perception that powerful interests receive preferential treatment.
3. Public procurement and accountability for public funds.
Guyana’s rapidly expanding oil revenues make transparency in public procurement more important than ever. Every contract awarded, every dollar spent and every project undertaken must withstand public scrutiny.
Persistent concerns about procurement practices, contract awards, project costs and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms demonstrate why stronger safeguards are necessary. These concerns must be investigated through credible evidence and independent processes rather than dismissed as political rhetoric.
The National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee and other oversight institutions must be adequately supported to scrutinise expenditure, examine audit findings and ensure that recommendations are acted upon. Delays in addressing audit concerns undermine public confidence and weaken accountability.
Government must strengthen transparent, accessible electronic procurement, publish contract awards and variations, disclose beneficial ownership where legally appropriate, and ensure that allegations of favouritism or corruption are investigated impartially.
4. Equal treatment before the law.
The rule of law means that the same standards must apply to ordinary citizens, government officials, political supporters and influential business interests.
Citizens must have confidence that complaints are investigated fairly, that prosecutions are not politically selective and that public officials are not shielded from accountability because of their positions or connections.
The Government must demonstrate, through its conduct and institutional reforms, that nobody is above the law and nobody should be placed below it because of their political views or lack of influence.
5. Access to justice and effective public institutions.
Justice delayed, inaccessible legal assistance and inadequate public confidence in law enforcement can weaken the practical protection that citizens receive under the law.
The Government should strengthen the capacity of the justice system, improve access to legal aid, reduce unnecessary delays, support appropriate alternative dispute resolution and ensure that complaints against law enforcement officers are investigated by credible, independent mechanisms.
The objective must be a justice system that works fairly and efficiently for ordinary Guyanese, not merely one that exists on paper.
WHAT GOVERNMENT MUST DO NOW?
I call on the Government to move beyond statements defending its record and undertake the following reforms:
1. Protect fundamental freedoms: Establish and enforce clear safeguards against the intimidation of journalists, whistleblowers, peaceful protesters and citizens who criticise public officials.
2. Strengthen parliamentary oversight: Respect the authority of parliamentary committees, facilitate access to information required for their work and ensure that audit and accountability recommendations receive timely attention.
3. Make procurement more transparent: Expand the publication of tender information, contract awards, variations and project implementation data, while strengthening independent scrutiny and enforcement against proven wrongdoing.
4. Protect institutional independence: Respect the constitutional independence of the judiciary and oversight bodies, and strengthen transparent appointment, reporting and accountability arrangements wherever necessary.
5. Improve police accountability: Ensure that allegations of misconduct are investigated impartially, that complaints mechanisms are accessible and that disciplinary or criminal consequences follow where wrongdoing is established.
6. Improve access to justice: Invest in court capacity, legal assistance, timely dispute resolution and public legal education so that rights are meaningful in practice.
7. Establish a national rule-of-law reform programme: Publish measurable targets, assign responsibility to the relevant institutions and report regularly to Parliament and the public on progress.
8. Engage constructively with independent assessments: Examine the WJP’s underlying indicators, identify the areas in which Guyana has deteriorated and develop a public action plan to address verified deficiencies.
GOVERNMENT MUST CHANGE COURSE!
The Government may question aspects of an international ranking’s methodology, and any legitimate methodological concerns should be examined carefully. However, disagreement with a report must never become an excuse to avoid the substantive issues it raises.
In October 2025, the Government publicly questioned aspects of the WJP’s assessment, arguing that some of the underlying surveys were drawn from earlier years. That argument makes it even more important for the Government to demonstrate measurable improvements through current, transparent and independently verifiable evidence.
The appropriate response to criticism is not simply to challenge the messenger. It is to examine the evidence, correct weaknesses and demonstrate that the country is moving in the right direction.
Guyana is blessed with enormous economic opportunities. But oil wealth alone cannot guarantee a just society, protect our democracy or secure the rights of future generations. Those outcomes require strong institutions, independent oversight, transparent government and respect for the freedoms of every citizen.
As APNU continues to advocate for good governance, accountability and transparency, we will insist that the Government be judged not merely by its promises or expenditure, but by the strength of our democratic institutions and the confidence that ordinary Guyanese can place in them.
The time has come for the Government to change course. Protect our freedoms, strengthen our institutions and restore public confidence in the rule of law. Guyana belongs to all of us, and its democratic safeguards must serve all of us equally.
Ganesh Mahipaul, M.P.
