Minister Usher Says People Will Be Candid on Reform

Anthony Chanona

Another topic that has attracted a lot of attention is the nomination of former Belmopan Mayor, Anthony Chanona to serve as Chairman of the People’s Constitutional Commission. Today, Minister Usher said while there’s been candid statements made over the selection of persons and groups to contribute on the Commission, there have not been any kind of backlash. And, Chanona, who is his father-in-law, was not his pick but the prime minister’s.

Henry Charles Usher

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of the Public Service

“You have to remember I didn’t choose the Chair of the commission it was done by the Prime Minister. We actually passed legislation this time around in ninety nine there was no legislation supporting the political reform commission. This time around we passed legislation and two very important points in that legislation is that the commission is independent, they will act independently of the executive and the legislative arm of this country. We made it very clear that you can’t be a sitting representative; you can’t be a member of parliament and be on this commission. The chairman of the commission is being appointed by the prime minister after he consults with the leader of the opposition and they will also have immunity and why we wanted that is because we want them to be able to speak freely. We want them to be able to make recommendations without worrying about any legal backlash, so that is why we put that in the legislation as well so as to the appointment that Mr. Chanona … he can defend himself.”