By Mark DaCosta- The Alliance for Change (AFC) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as a potential cover-up within the upper ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) concerning a major fraud investigation. The party is calling for transparency and accountability from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government regarding the ongoing probe into allegations of financial misconduct by senior officers in the force.
At the centre of the controversy is the alleged discovery of over $52 million in the personal account of a high-ranking officer, with a further $600 million reportedly found in the account of a close relative. The AFC has publicly questioned how such substantial sums could have been accumulated, calling for a thorough investigation to determine the source of these funds.
Attorney-at-law Khemraj Ramjattan, a Member of Parliament (MP) and a leading figure within the AFC, has been vocal in his demands for answers. In a press statement, he emphasised the need for an independent investigation into the matter, preferably led by a forensic team with an international reputation. According to Ramjattan, the absence of such an inquiry suggests a deliberate attempt to shield those involved from scrutiny.
“It appears that a massive cover-up is being orchestrated,” Ramjattan stated. “The people of this country deserve to know the truth about how these funds were amassed, and whether any laws were broken in the process.”
The AFC has also urged the PPP government to take immediate steps to address the issue through the appropriate parliamentary channels. Specifically, the party has called on Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn to convene the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Public Security. This committee, established to monitor and review the activities of law enforcement agencies, has yet to take up the matter, despite the seriousness of the allegations.
Ramjattan highlighted the importance of the committee’s role in ensuring that public officials are held accountable. He insisted that the committee’s first order of business should be to summon the Commissioner of Police and the officer implicated in the alleged fraudulent scheme. “This is exactly why the committee exists,” Ramjattan said. “It must be used to bring transparency and accountability to the forefront of this investigation.”
The broader implications of the case have also been a focal point for the AFC. The party has warned that institutional corruption, if left unchecked, could have far-reaching consequences for the nation. “When corruption is allowed to flourish, it undermines the very fabric of our society,” Ramjattan remarked. “It creates an environment where unethical behaviour is tolerated, and in some cases, even encouraged.”
The AFC’s concerns are not without precedent. In recent years, there have been numerous reports of corruption within the GPF, leading to growing distrust among the public. The lack of transparency in investigations involving senior officers has only served to fuel these suspicions.
Ramjattan’s call for an independent probe underscores the need for a transparent process that can restore public confidence in the GPF. The AFC believes that only through a rigorous and impartial investigation can the truth be uncovered, and those responsible held to account.
The PPP government has yet to respond to the AFC’s demands. However, with public pressure mounting, it remains to be seen how the administration will address these serious allegations. For many Guyanese, the outcome of this investigation will be a litmus test for the government’s commitment to fighting corruption within the ranks of the police force.
As the situation unfolds, the people of Guyana will be watching closely, demanding nothing less than full transparency and accountability. In a country where institutional corruption has long been a concern, the resolution of this case could have lasting implications for the future of law enforcement and governance.
