NGOs meet with Minister of the Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform, Henry Charles Usher, to discuss Constitutional Reform among other matters

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Belize Network of Non-Governmental Organizations (BNN) Steering Committee and NGO Senator Osmany Salas paid a courtesy call to the Minister of the Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform, Henry Charles Usher, on Thursday, August 19, 2021.

The BNN said the meetimg was productive as they discussed Constitutional Reform, NGO representation on Government Boards, Task Forces and Committees, and Good Governance Unit.

With regards to Constitutional and Political Reform, the BNN said they “were pleased to note that the Minister recognizes that Constitutional Reform is a very important part of the decolonization process, particularly because Belizeans inherited a Constitution which we did not have an opportunity to shape.”

“The BNN representatives agreed with the Minister that it would be a tremendous missed opportunity if we do not work together during the current Administration’s term of office to ensure that a broad-based Constitutional Assembly is set up to oversee and coordinate the reform process,” said the BNN.

The BNN said that they are interested and willing to support such constitutional reform and want to be involved in the process.

The BNN said that Minister Usher agreed in principle that NGO representatives on Government Boards, Task Forces and Committees should be selected using BNN’s process.

“He committed to discuss this matter with the Attorney General so that the NGO representative selection process via the BNN is a requirement and not a suggestion,” said the BNN.

The BNN also said Usher informed them that a Good Governance Unit will be installed in the very near future within the Ministry, along with a Good Governance Advisory Body and that these bodies will include civil society representatives.

Usher, said the BNN, “committed to invite the BNN to serve on this advisory body” and that he would facilitate the BNN with a copy of the Terms of Reference of the Good Governance Unit.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.

© 2021, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.