Chris Ram, Joe Singh resignations seen as massive blow to Granger Administration

Attorney-at-Law, eminent Chartered Accountant and vocal social activist Christopher Ram has resigned from his position on Government’s negotiating team for the establishment of a Law School in Guyana. The move by Ram comes a day after another distinguished Guyanese, Major General (rtd) Joseph Singh also resigned from all of his Government posts.

Both resignations are being viewed as a massive blow to the Granger Administration as pressure continues to mount over the President’s unilateral appointment of Justice (rtd) James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
Major General (rtd) Singh confirmed his resignation on Wednesday and on Thursday, Ram in a public missive said his resignation was “in support of the heroic and exemplary decision by Major General (Ret’d) Joe Singh to resign from all Government-related posts.”
According to Ram, “I am today (Thursday) informing the Attorney General, Mr Basil Williams of my withdrawal from membership of the Planning Committee and de facto leader of the Guyana negotiating team for the establishment of the JOF Haynes Law School.
The outspoken activist – critical of both the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and now the coalition Government – Ram in his strongly worded statement said, “While I remain committed to serving my country, I make the clear distinction between Guyana and the Government.”
He is of the conviction “the blatant disregard by the Granger Administration for the Constitution, the courts, the principles of good governance and for social cohesion, is a matter which should be of grave concern to all of us who claim respect and love of country.”
According to Ram, “Given that the Constitution deems me a fit and proper person makes President Granger’s assessment of me is of no import… Indeed, I am fortified in my conviction that his decision is entirely wrong and unconstitutional.”
He used the occasion to quip also, “If the truth be told, Mr Williams has been so impressed with my contribution that he asked for my CV to recommend me for a national award… I declined, saying my service was for country, for neither award nor reward.”
Ram’s resignation from his Government position is seen as another crippling blow to the David Granger Administration as the fallout continues over the unilateral appointment of Patterson on Thursday last, by the Head of State – in the process ignoring the 18 nominees that were submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.
Singh, a former Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), at the time of tendering his resignation was serving as a Special Adviser to President David Granger.
Singh, when contacted by Guyana Times International, declined to detail the exact reasons behind his resignation, but noted that he did not wish to continue in the position.
“I submitted my request to the Ministry of the Presidency. I told them that I do not wish to continue my contract beyond the one-month mandatory notice that I have to give,” he related, when contacted.
“So I’ve given that notice, that one-month notice, during which time I will ensure my portfolio responsibilities are properly handed over,” Singh, also a former Chairman of GECOM and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, said.
Since the resignation of Dr Steve Surujbally last year, there has been an intense search for the next GECOM Chairman. As per the Constitution, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had submitted three lists of six nominees each to the President.
Major General Singh, who has held several positions over the years, including Guyana Telephone Telegraph Chief Executive Officer (CEO), was included on the third list of nominees submitted on August 25. The other nominees were Attorneys Teni Housty and Sanjeev Datadin, vocal conservationist Annette Arjune-Martins, Onesi La Fleur and Krishnadatt Persaud.
But that list was ultimately rejected by President Granger and on Thursday, October 19, retired Justice James Patterson was sworn in as GECOM Chairman. Patterson was not nominated on any of the three lists and since his unilateral appointment; there has been a crescendo of criticism.
A number of individuals and organisations spanning a wide cross-section of society have soundly criticised and condemned the President’s unilateral decision, including the Guyana Bar Association; the Berbice Bar Association; the Private Sector Commission; the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Criticism has also come from the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) and members of the Diaspora. In addition, the political Opposition filed a legal challenge in the courts on Monday, seeking to revoke Patterson’s appointment.