By Robert A Emmanuel
Antigua and Barbuda (Antigua Observer) – As the United Progressive Party (UPP) is expected to enter the third of its four-day protest, another Constitutional expert has been added to the list of persons stating that Governor General Sir Rodney Williams has no authority to call a Commission of Inquiry – at least not by himself.
Observer media yesterday emailed Professor Hamid Ghany, former Director of the Trinidad-based Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies and Professor of Constitutional Affairs and Parliamentary Studies for his opinion on the powers of the Governor General.
“The Constitution is very clear at section 80 (1) about the powers of the Governor General and section 2 of the Constitution is very clear about the supremacy of the Constitution over all other laws,” the professor wrote.
“The Governor-General cannot undertake to appoint a Commission of Inquiry on his own, he needs to be advised by the Cabinet or a Minister acting under the general authority of the Cabinet.”
