Evidence is emerging of an attempt by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNRE) to displace Policy Forum Guyana (PFG) from its long-standing responsibility for coordinating the selection of civil society representatives to the Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) of the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI).
PFG became aware of this development in August 2025 through the EITI International Secretariat. According to the MNRE website, the task of managing the civic selection process was entrusted to Komal Singh, President of the Private Sector Commission, and the Ministry’s release claims this process commenced on January 29, 2025. However, a Google search of the same announcement shows a publication date of August 2, 2025 – strongly suggesting that the material was uploaded much later than claimed. To date, the names of those supposedly selected have not been made public.
The reconstitution of the MSG – required every three years – was due since November 2024, but was delayed because the 2024 GYEITI Report was not finalized until mid-December 2024. On January 21, 2025, Policy Forum Guyana publicly advertised the application process for civic representatives to the MSG in the press and later on social media. Applications were reviewed and finalized, and the list of nominees was submitted to Permanent Secretary Joslyn McKenzie on March 14, 2025, and to the Minister on April 9, 2025.
Months of silence ended only on August 13, 2025, when PFG received a letter dated July 28, 2025, from Minister Bharrat, belatedly justifying his action by citing the 2022 Validation Report conducted by the International Secretariat on GYEITI. In particular, his letter stated: “It is also within the Champion’s authority to appoint members of the MSG following nomination or selection from their respective constituencies…Furthermore, Guyana’s last validation, conducted in 2021, highlighted several opportunities to strengthen governance and oversight of implementation and disclosure practices. Expanding on the civil society’s representation on the MSG was one such recommendation in the validation findings.”
However, the Minister’s justification is legally groundless. Both the EITI Standard and the GYEITI Policy Handbook are clear on this point:
- “The MSG must remain independent and free from political or other interference.” (Standard 4.1)
- “Civil society representatives must be selected through an open and transparent process agreed by civil society stakeholders.” (Standard 5.4)
- “The Minister may appoint nominees only on the basis of sector nominations.” (Standard 5.5)
The 2022 Validation Report itself, in fact, praised civil society’s role:
Civil society engagement (Requirement #1.3)
The civil society constituency appears to be fully, actively and effectively engaged in the EITI implementation process in Guyana in the period under review. The constituency’s representation in the MSG was selected in an open process, publicly advertised in advance. Assessment: Fully met
Government engagement (Requirement #1.1)
While civil society has been a driving force in implementation, there have been weaknesses in government and industry engagement in the EITI process, including in disclosures of required data. Assessment: Mostly met
Additional note:
Evidence suggests that civil society has actively contributed to all aspects of EITI implementation, including by driving the transition committee pending the reconstitution of the MSG in 2021. Civil society has also contributed to public debate drawing on EITI findings in the period under review, including through media outreach. While there is scope for further strengthening the constituency’s coordination and outreach to new members, most stakeholders considered that civil society had been fully, actively, and effectively engaged in EITI throughout Guyana’s membership. The Secretariat’s assessment is that Requirement 1.3 is fully met.
Further, the Minister’s unilateral appointment of Mr. Sam Tokpah as “mediator” over the alleged “two lists” only compounds the issue. While PFG respects Mr. Tokpah’s professional experience, this appointment distracts from the core reality: the Ministry is attempting to remove PFG and, by extension, silence independent civil society voices from GYEITI.
Since 2016, PFG – a coalition of NGOs and civic bodies – has voluntarily and without compensation coordinated civil society’s participation in the MSG. This arrangement was established under the previous government and has ensured broad, transparent, and independent representation.
PFG therefore demands:
- Immediate withdrawal of MNRE’s appointment of Mr. Komal Singh and any associated “list” of civic candidates.
- Full respect for the EITI Standard and the GYEITI Policy Handbook regarding the election of the civic component.
- That the EITI International Secretariat remain the arbiter of this matter to safeguard independence.
- That civil society organizations in Guyana take note of this latest attempt to suppress independent voices.
This manoeuver by the Ministry of Natural Resources undermines both Guyana’s commitment to transparency and its international credibility under the EITI framework.
