Final PCC Report Under Government Review

Belize’s push for constitutional reform is moving into a critical new phase. The government is now preparing to review the final report of the People’s Constitution Commission; a document packed with one hundred and sixty‑seven recommendations that could help reshape the nation’s highest law. While the report has not yet been formally handed to Prime Minister John Briceño, discussions are already underway. This week, Minister of Constitution and Religious Affairs Dr. Louis Zabaneh met with former PCC chairs for an in‑depth briefing on the commission’s work. The report comes after months of internal debate and lingering concerns over inclusivity and transparency raised by some former members. Today, we hear directly from former PCC Chair Anthony Chanona as he shares what’s inside the final report and what comes next.

 

On the Phone: Anthony Chanona, Former Chair, People’s Constitution Commission

“ Despite the fiery debate and the dissenting views, this commission never splintered. It ended in. What was recorded with the Prime Minister’s meeting was some opinions that they are completely entitled to express being presented to the Prime Minister. But just for the fact, the commission for thirty months held together twenty-three organizations, forty-six persons, fiery debate and otherwise, but never splintered. And I feel proud of that fact.”

 

Britney Gordon

“And I know that there was a meeting a presentation to Dr. Louis Ney. Can you give me some insight into how that meeting went?”

 

On the Phone: Anthony Chanona

“I don’t want to get ahead of the government, but as Dr. Assume the portfolio, the former portfolio for Constitutional affairs. Dr. Honorable Hend was Usher, and so Minister Banani invited myself as the former chairman of the PCC, along with other former commissioners who had acted as chairpersons of the sixth Technical Matic committees to meet with him and his ministerial team, so us to orient them and on the structure methodology and the work that, that we did. To produce the contents of the report. And so I feel that was fitting since he now assumes that portfolio and wants to be made knowledgeable as he plans his work going forward. My fervent hope is that the government of Belize would make the final report a public document once it goes through the legislative protocol of being laid to the National Assembly I feel that it is my sincere hope that we would be given an opportunity once that process is completed, to go back to the people and engage them in a second row of national consultations.”

 

Chanona says despite heated debate and dissenting views, the People’s Constitution Commission remained united throughout the process, and he hopes the final report will be made public and followed by another round of national consultations once it reaches the National Assembly.