D Brent Hardt
Presidential Adviser on Governance Gail Teixeira said the Government of Guyana is awaiting the return of U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt to fix a date to commence talks on the stalled US$1.2 million Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) governance project.
Ambassador Hardt is currently out of Guyana on official duties. On February 13, Teixeira had said the Donald Ramotar Administration had agreed to meet with the U.S. during the week of February 17-21, but 18 days after that press conference at the Office of the President, the parties are yet to meet on the project.
Last year, the government rejected the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) project, claiming that it did not reflect its input. At the time, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon had explained that the proposal did not reflect the input of the Government of Guyana. Both the project and design were rejected.
“The project that habitually and conventionally is an engagement between Guyana and its development partner USAID, this one in 2012 departed from the convention. Firstly, we were presented with an agreement to sign, over which we had zero contribution. Secondly, when we officially got the design, there was considerable objection, as far as the administration was concerned,” Dr Luncheon explained at the time.
Civic engagement
The USAID LEAD project was being implemented by the International Republican Institute (IRI), with the primary objective of supporting Guyanese stakeholder efforts to promote effective and responsive democratic institutions. It was also designed to strengthen the political and consensus-building process and skills through programme components.
The project aimed to, firstly, in a non-partisan manner, work jointly with all political parties in enhancing the functioning of the National Assembly as an effective, representative deliberative body. Secondly, it aimed to strengthen the National Assembly and boost citizens engagement with and understanding of Parliament, while motivating youths and women to be more engaged in political and civic processes.
Finally, if implemented, the LEAD project will give much-needed support to civic and voter education efforts to support the implementation of local government reforms and local elections.
IRI is a nonprofit, non-partisan organisation that works to strengthen democratic political processes and institutions, support open elections, increase democratic governance, and increase the participation of marginalised groups in political and civic processes, including women and youth. It has conducted programmes in more than 100 countries and, along with its Women’s Democracy Network, is currently active in more than 80 countries.
