Senator Chanona: ‘Public Consultation Strengthens Democracy’

Amid the growing pushback against BTL’s proposed acquisition of Speednet/SMART, Senator for the NGOs Janelle Chanona is pointing at the delicate balance of meaningful public consultation and national decision-making.

Though not directly addressing BTL’s proposed acquisition, Chanona said consultation must be a “two-way conversation” where decision-makers “actively listen to and seriously consider” the views and concerns of affected groups “before making irreversible decisions… not just token engagement.”

Chanona also addressed the role of journalists. She said that when formal consultation mechanisms fall short, the media often becomes the primary avenue through which public concerns surface and are scrutinised.

“We must all reject the approach that it is only when there is a ‘scandal’ that we seek to consult,” Chanona said, adding that by then “the public is already frustrated” and “trust is already lost.”

She pushed back against claims that consultation slows governance or undermines authority, stating, “We must all reject anyone’s argument that consultation is costly, time-consuming or somehow a personal attack on elected officials.”

She aligned her position with Dr Louis Zabaneh’s recent statement that “Consultation is the heart of our modern democracy,” to which she added, “Putting meaningful consultation with the Belizean people as the heart and soul of our nation strengthens our democracy.”

Senator Chanona’s remarks come as the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) demand a “halt” to any binding decision until full consultations are completed. Both the BCCI and NTUCB have warned against rushed decisions and called for transparency. BTL’s acquisition of Speednet/SMART would significantly reshape Belize’s telecommunications sector.