On Friday, March 29, 2025, citizens, media workers, civil society actors, trade unionists, and Members of Parliament gathered outside the Office of the Commissioner of Information at 330 East Street, between Middle and Quamina Streets, Georgetown. The protest centered on the office’s non-functioning state, its failure to comply with the Access to Information Act (2011), and its contribution to a culture of secrecy, unaccountability, and corruption.
Core Issues Raised:
- Failure of Duty: The Commissioner has consistently failed to meet citizens’ information requests, often offering evasive excuses. He has not supplied the Minister with the required information for reporting to Parliament and has not ensured that public bodies maintain easily accessible records, as required by the Act.
- No Public Reporting: Although the Office receives an annual budget of $40 million, there have been no public reports or evidence of processing legitimate information requests in over a decade.
- Closed Doors and Silent Office: The Commissioner’s office, housed in a private residence, remains inaccessible. Journalists who tried to speak with him during the protest were ignored.
- Need for Reform: Protesters called for immediate implementation of the Act and parallel steps to review, recommend, and amend the legislation – including decentralising the information process by placing responsibility with individual public bodies, in line with international best practice.
Support and Participation:
The protest drew broad support, including from Anand Goolsarran, former Auditor General and former TIGI President, Fred Collins, former head of TIGI, Anand Persaud Editor-in-Chief of Stabroek News, Glen Lall, publisher of Kaieteur News, Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary of the TUC and GHK Lall, political and governance commentator. Also present were members of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Red Thread, TIGI and Opposition MPs from the Alliance For Change (AFC).
Placards and Protest Messages:
Protesters carried pointed and creative placards, including:
- “Access to Information is a Right, Not a Favour”
- “$40M for What?”
- Open the Files — Not the Curtains!
- No Annual Reports, No Accountability
- Commissioner of NO Information
- Secrecy Breeds Corruption!
- Remove Ramson Now
- JUST-ICE Ramson, no substance
Join Us Again — Friday, April 5 at 12 Noon
📍 Same place: 330 East Street, between Middle and Quamina Streets
The protesters have committed to return every Friday for the next three weeks. If the situation remains unchanged, the protest will move to the Office of the President. All members of the public who care about good governance, transparency, and the rule of law are warmly invited to attend.
The protest is not simply about one office – it is about defending the public’s right to know.
Co-ordinator: Christopher Ram, Email: chrisram@ramandmcrae.com. Telephone: 227 – 6141
