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In mid‐2023, revelations emerged that ten APNU/AFC Members of Parliament, including former Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon and ex‐Education Minister Dr Nicolette Henry, had failed to submit their mandatory asset declarations for the 2022 reporting period—a legal requirement covering July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. The Integrity Commission publicly flagged them in June, warning of serious consequences including fines up to GYD 25,000 and imprisonment for six to twelve months for non-compliance (News Room Guyana, June 24 2023; iNews Guyana, June 16 2023).
The MPs named in default were Harmon, Khemraj Ramjattan, Dawn Hastings‐Williams, Dr Nicolette Henry, Dr Karen Cummings, Sherod Duncan, Shurwayne Holder, Deonarine Ramsaroop, Vinceroy Jordan, and Devin Sears (News Room Guyana, June 24 2023; News Room Guyana, June 16 2023). The act of failing to declare assets not only violates the law under Section 19 of the Integrity Commission Act but raises concerns of potential undeclared interests and conflicts—particularly damaging for public trust in governance (iNews Guyana, June 16 2023).
The Integrity Commission issued stern warnings in early June and again in July, prompting broader discussion about accountability in public office. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo responded by calling for strict enforcement, suggesting that any official who continued to ignore the law should face job termination. He emphasized that while all government MPs had complied, the defaulters were exclusively from the APNU/AFC Opposition bloc (Stabroek News, June 24 2023; Guyana Times, date N/A; Guyana Standard, May 27 2023).
Despite the threat of sanctions, several MPs—including Deonarine Ramsaroop and Vinceroy Jordan—later claimed they had turned in their declarations before the July 31 deadline (Stabroek News, August 17 2023). Still, by September, many defaulting officials across government were still at risk of fines and possible imprisonment if they failed to comply (Demerara Waves, September 25 2023).
This incident reignited debate around the efficacy of Guyana’s asset declaration regime. Critics argue that earning public trust requires not only timely filing but also verification and disclosure aligned with public lifestyles and activities. Former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran recently called for the Commission to proactively investigate discrepancies between declarations and visible wealth (Stabroek News, September 30 2024).
Despite legislative reforms underway—including proposed electronic filing systems and alignment with the fiscal year—enforcement gaps remain. The Integrity Commission Act is under review, aiming to strengthen compliance via digital processes and name disclosures (NCN Guyana, December 5 2024). These reforms seek to close loopholes exposed by the APNU/AFC MPs’ failure to file and to restore confidence in oversight mechanisms.
Ultimately, the 2023 asset-declaration scandal highlights wider issues in Guyana’s institutional culture. Compliance must be paired with verification and consequences to ensure public office is held with integrity and in the public interest.
The Guyana Project is an independent media platform delivering fact-checked, ground-level reporting on politics, economy, and public life in Guyana. With a focus on transparency and development, we bring unfiltered news and thoughtful analysis to help shape a more informed, forward-looking nation.
APNU/AFC MPs Flagged for Failing to Declare Assets — A Breach of Integrity
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