Retired Judge Charles Ramson back as Commissioner of Information

Retired Court of Appeal Judge and former Attorney General Charles Ramson Snr. has been reappointed to the position of Commissioner of Information.

He was dismissed from the post in 2017 by the then APNU+AFC government.

Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Gail Teixeira made the revelation on Monday as Members of Parliament considered the 2022 budget estimates in the Committee of Supply.

“The Commissioner of Information has been re-ensconced into office last year,” the minister explained.

She said the $40 million allocated in the budget this year makes provisions for the salaries for the period he was appointed last year and payment of salaries this year totalling $23 million.

The remaining $17 million will go directly towards the office although Teixeira did not disclose the location of his office.

Prior to 2017, Ramson ran his office from his East Street, Georgetown home.

Texiera reminded that former President David Granger had appointed a person who acted as Commissioner of Information from 2018 and who was receiving salaries and benefits similar to the President; that person ceased to continue working in that position in November 2020.

The Commissioner of Information is catered for in the Access to Information Act and is appointed at the pleasure of the President.