Principles Of Democracy By Kweku Mc Donald
Guyana Chronicle
October 13, 2003

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MUCH has been reflected on over recent years on the achievements of Guyana since the assumption of democracy. However, what measures can we use to define and analyze this, in response to critics who engage in semantics to further their political movements?

It has been declared by academics that democracy is designed for accountability. Certainly, democratic instruments of the state relating to accountability have been reinvigorated after years of being poorly adhered to, or absolutely abandoned. The Auditor General's report has been more revealing of Public Accounting where state agencies are concerned, and the Auditor General enjoys independence from the state executive to publicly air his interpretations of the process.

Public confidence in the constitution has been enhanced with amendments to the document after countrywide consensus. This is unlike when the document was first amended in 1980. Guyanese should be proud of this particular achievement - as this being the organic document of a government, laying out the powers of different branches as well as the limits on Government authority - was successfully completed by us with out the necessity f external leadership in the process. A key feature of the constitution, is that the framework cannot be changed because of the wishes of a transient majority.

Officials who head Governments must be freely elected in a manner perceived to be free and fair to all. Though there has been controversy to every General Elections since the restoration of democracy, the mechanism and operation of all these polls were certified as being fair, as observed by international groups. Disenchantment with results has to more do with the sub-culture of intolerance and the irrational desires of accessing executive office.

The genuineness of Local and Municipal Governments has been realized with the holding of free polls. When these local officials were selected foisted upon constituencies, they were not trusted by the constituents. Visiting Neighborhood Democratic and Regional Democratic Council areas, there is a renewed sense of pride ad dignity about these constituencies. Where achievements are made, they are pleasantly reflected upon, and where deficiencies persist, there is a sense of anxiety to improve with comparisons.

Parliament has passed a lot of legislation that has been satisfactorily discussed and amended. Parliament represents the pinnacle of democratic administrative practice in the country. Effective decision making with an accurate representation of national constituency interest, has revitalized the prestige of this institution.

The independence of the Judiciary s been highlighted, with its more frequent ability to make judgments against, and criticize the Government. This was unheard of in the preceding period. Here executive officials won a succession of libel suits against political adversaries. Even present day Zimbabwe where President Robert Mugabe's rule resembles that of the state dictatorship one experienced here, the Judiciary still enjoys the freedom to make decisions against his Government.

The right of the people to be knowledgeable of current affairs, through the media, that is the newspapers, radio and television, is most evident in Guyana today. The workings of Government are not only reported on, but distorted and misconstrued to satisfy eggs at the facility. Some farmers prefer to do it themselves but NARI also provides this service.

The institute also breeds sheep, one of its outstanding successes. Approximately 80 breeding stock are sold annually. Presently the breeding stock consists of the Barbados Black Belly and Virgin Island whites.

For the first time in Guyana's history artificial insemination of sheep is being done.

Minister of Agriculture Mr. Satyadeow Sawh visited the facility on October 1, when he launched Agriculture Month and was given a demonstration.

NARI embarked on the rearing or tilapia and prawns. The tilapia is being bred in artificial ponds and has to be about six months old t market. The demand on international markets for fresh produce is rising and tilapia is exported through the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC).

The current batch of tilapia will be ready for harvest in November. As part of the activities for Agriculture Month 2003, NARI will be hosting training programmes to provide farmers with information on breeding and feeding practices of tilapia, hassars and prawns, since there is an increase in demand for these on local and international markets.

Another significant activity is the supporting of organic agriculture. With the successful production of organic cocoa beans in Region One (Barima/ Waini), which has an international market. Farmers are being encouraged and assisted to produce a wide variety of plantains, pineapples, limes pumpkins, watermelons, organs, passion fruits and tomatoes.

NARI was formerly known as the Central Agricultural Station and was located at Mon Repos. In 1955, government acquired the land and the following year work on the establishment of the station commenced. It was completed and formally opened in 1962. the station was built to provide offices, laboratory facilities and residential accommodations. The Guyana Rice Corporation and the Guyana School of Agriculture was also stationed there.

NARI was also created to rectify problems of inefficient and ineffective utilization of scientific research personnel. It was further aimed at the development of each region in Guyana to increase productivity in agriculture. This would support crops and livestock and sustain production efforts in agro-based industries.

The institution provides services, which allow almost parallel growth of the farmer, individually or co-operatively, with the development of technologies for production and maximization of returns.

In 1995, Government recognized the importance of the establishment of a research facility, equipped to conduct scientific research in the area of rice cultivation. During that year the Guyana Rice Development Board Act Number 16 was piloted in the National Assembly and given assent by Guyana's Former President Dr. Cheedi Jagan. With the enactment of the Guyana Rice Board Act Number 16, rice research was transferred to the Burma Station.