The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) calls on the Government of Guyana, including the incoming Parliamentary Opposition, to ensure the confirmation of Acting Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards as Chancellor of the Judiciary, dating back to her appointment in March 2017.
During the period she performed as Acting Chancellor, the Justice was never summoned or informed that she was not performing. The fact that there has been no complaint about her performance means she should be confirmed from the date of her appointment to the date of her retirement.
The same principle should apply to Justice Carl Singh, who preceded her, and to the late Justice Ian Chang, who served as Acting Chief Justice, which the GTUC is on record advocating for. This principle is consistent with established industrial relations practices within the public service.
In established industrial relations principle- which Guyana should be honouring- where an individual acts in a vacant position, their performance is subject to ongoing assessment. In the case of Justice Cummings-Edwards, no authority has ever stated that she was underperforming. For this reason, the GTUC insists she must be confirmed as Chancellor, after which any issue concerning her continued tenure could be addressed.
A worker cannot be acting in a position for years and, after eight years, be told they have not performed and should therefore step down from this position. This reflects a lack of good faith on the part of their functioning superior, who in this case is the President.
During the period she performed as Acting Chancellor, the Justice was never summoned or informed that she was not performing. The fact that there has been no complaint about her performance means she should be confirmed from the date of her appointment to the date of her retirement.
In the eight years Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards functioned as acting Chancellor she presided over the advancement of the Judiciary and is the recipient of two national awards for her contribution — the Order of Roraima (OR) and the Cacique’s Crown of Honour (CCH) — Guyana’s second and third-highest national awards, respectively.
On her surreptitious removal from office after her returned from leave GTUC holds firmly to the principle outlined in Article 127(2) of the Constitution of Guyana, which states:
“If the office of Chancellor or Chief Justice is vacant or if the person holding the office of Chancellor is performing the functions of office of President or is for any other reason unable to perform the functions of his or her office, or if the person holding the office of Chief Justice is for any reason unable to perform the functions of his or her office, then, until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of such office or until the person holding such office has resumed those functions, as the case may be, those functions shall be performed by such other of the Judges as shall be appointed by the President after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition.”
It is disappointing that the agreement between Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton and President Irfaan Ali, as referenced in the letter dated 10th July 2025, when Justice Cummings-Edwards proceeded on leave in August was breached when Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards returned in October 2025. Said article clearly states:
“…until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of such office or until the person holding such office has resumed those functions, as the case may be, those functions shall be performed by such other of the Judges as shall be appointed by the President after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition.”
When the Acting Chancellor returned to her duties, based on Article 127(2), the necessary process should have been activated to reinstate her to her acting appointment. However, it appears she was forced out by an untenable situation created by Justice Singh’s presence and the President’s breach of good faith.
At a time when the Judiciary is facing its most crucial test regarding ethics and decency, and the country is struggling against efforts to undermine the rule of law, both the Government and the Opposition should have upheld the Constitution and reminded the nation of the importance of adherence to Article 127(2). The failure to do so has eroded confidence and hope among citizens in the judicial system.
Some semblance of decency, respect for established industrial relations practice must be resorted to a situation that has gone awry and adversely impact the dignity of the worker and the working environment
The Irfaan Ali Government is therefore called upon to backdate Cummings-Edwards’ appointment as Chancellor so that she may receive the appropriate benefits and full recognition for the office she faithfully served — without complaint or disrepute — over the years. The Opposition, including A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), and the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), must also demand this corrective action.
PRESS STATEMENT
October 27, 2025
Georgetown, Guyana
