EDITOR, The Tribune

In order for good governance, transparency, accountability and goodwill to be the order of the day in The Bahamas it is a moral imperative that this constitutional democracy have a fitting constitution which is not the present situation. A governing document must be true and continuous reflecting the will, the dreams and aspirations of the people it serves. The current dichotomous constitution is not purely a decree by the Collective-the democratic and sovereign citizens.

As a document the current constitution lends itself to obtuseness. The Office of the Governor General, an unelected post, is afforded broad powers and can, unhindered, interfere directly with the People’s affairs. The Office of the Prime Minister is vested with almost unrestrained powers and controls directly or indirectly: the Senate (and hence in the future to avoid all appearances of impropriety Senators must be elected by the electorate whom it serves and by right hold to account); the Ministry of Finance and the consolidated fund (which remains in obscurity from its creators – the people); the Judiciary and other societal attributers simply by the ability to appoint and disappoint. Many Parliamentary practices are a stumbling block to the people’s voice and progress impeding elected officials and the free press. For about five years the elected become more like overlords with little input by the masses resulting in unaligned decisions that are both below expectation and create wide spread apathy – truly the people’s voice stops at the ballot box.

An appropriate constitution provides a curative measure allowing for deliberate and binding debate, judicial review and other oversight measures. Constitutional change requires a referendum. Previous appalling experiences with referendums are in fact lessons not lost. Indeed, Bahamians know what to do to ensure a wilful outcome. Armed with almost fifty years of relative independence, a wealth of experience, extensive knowledge (in all areas including civil, religious, financial, legal, academic, etc) desire and purpose, it is time to set the country on a better path for succeeding generations establishing a better system of checks and balances through a more befitting constitution.

WYNTON SMITH

Nassau

March 21, 2019