Call to President Ali to Remove Commissioner Ramson Over Alleged Defiance of Law

According to a letter published in Kaieteur News on October 20, 2026, Jonathan Subrian expressed significant concern regarding the ongoing and increasing defiance displayed by Mr. Charles Ramson Snr., the Commissioner of Information. Subrian asserted that Mr. Ramson's actions have progressed beyond simple administrative delays into what the author describes as open contempt for the law, the courts, and the citizens of Guyana.

Subrian stated that Mr. Ramson is constitutionally and statutorily obligated to provide public information when a lawful request is made. However, he has consistently declined to do so, citing unspecified procedural issues, and more recently, he reportedly dismissed a High Court ruling against him with language that the author characterized as bordering on disdain. This occurred in October 2026, following a September 28 ruling by Justice Nicola Pierre, which found that Mr. Ramson had violated the Access to Information Act 2011 by failing to determine three requests submitted by Attorney Christopher Ram. In response to the ruling, Mr. Ramson reportedly advised an applicant to wait for "final judicial directions," while referring to the presiding judge as a "puisne Judge" inferior to judges of "exceptional, superior vintage."

Subrian highlighted the financial implications of this conduct, noting that the 2026 national budget allocated $40 million GYD to the Office of the Commissioner of Information. Of this amount, $33.5 million GYD is designated for Mr. Ramson’s personal compensation—including salary, vacation allowance, gratuity, chauffeur allowance, and NIS contributions—with only $6.4 million set aside for the secretariat, which reportedly has one staff member. This allocation means the Commissioner reportedly accounts for over 83% of his office's total budget. The author pointed out that a public official receiving over 2 million Guyana dollars monthly, whose primary constitutional duty is to facilitate information access, has overseen an office described by critics as "dormant," having produced no annual reports and routinely ignoring requests.

Given the documented history of obstruction, open disregard for a High Court order, and the expenditure of tens of millions of public dollars without apparent output, Subrian argued that questioning Mr. Ramson's suitability for the role is reasonable. While not raising the issue of mental competency lightly, the author suggested that when a former Justice of Appeal exhibits such persistent and deliberate disregard for the Act he is sworn to uphold, the public deserves to question his judgment and willingness to perform his duties. Subrian concluded that if Mr. Ramson cannot or will not comply with the law, he should resign.

Subrian specifically called upon President Irfaan Ali to take action, noting that the Commissioner is a presidential appointee and that the power to remove him rests with the President. The author stated that if Mr. Ramson fails to meet his constitutional responsibilities, the President must remove him and appoint a replacement, as the people of Guyana deserve transparency rather than a "$40 million shield for secrecy."