Public Opinion – By Jeressa Jeremy
Public Opinion Needed Policy
Attorney-at-Law E Ann Henry says that civil society engagement needs to be stronger in Antigua and Barbuda, warning that the public has grown too quiet on issues that directly affect them.
Speaking on Observer Media’s The Big Issues program yesterday, Henry said civil society organizations — from professional associations to community groups — have a responsibility to speak out on policy and governance matters.
She said while social media has given everyone a platform, conversations often stay within small circles.
“When we communicate on WhatsApp, we’re only talking, me and you talking, so I can say the most outrageous things that I want to say, I can say the most important and insightful things that I want to say, but it doesn’t get any further than you and me,” she said.
The renowned attorney added the responsibility runs both ways.
“Any law that is passed, any policy that is implemented, any failure of the government impacts each and every one of us,” she said.
Henry added that one reason people stay silent is fear. “We’re afraid of being ragged up,” she said.
Further, Henry stated, individuals and organizations should engage publicly on issues affecting their communities.
“Send articles. Nice short articles to the Observer newspaper and any other newspaper. Any other publication,” she said.
Henry’s presentation on the Sunday program was a follow-up to her article in Saturday’s issue of The Daily Observer when she presented a historical over view of Antigua and Barbuda’s Constitution as an introductory piece as she delves into the topic of Constitutional Reform.
Henry wrote, “It is time for the people of Antigua and Barbuda, those who live and work in Antigua and Barbuda and the citizens in the diaspora to engage in public discussion and debate on these fundamental matters.”
In her article, she underscored the need for nation-wide consensus.
“There is a lot of work to be done because Constitutional Reform requires building of a Consensus of all the people in the Country – engagement and real consultation resulting in Consensus – in order for the end result to have legitimacy and value.”
