AAG President’s statement must be taken in context

Dear Editor,
Please permit me the opportunity to respond in your publication to Mr. Aubrey Hutson, President of the Athletics Association of Guyana, who, on 16 August 2022, declared that the AAG is “actively looking at dealing with the Treasurer who would have signed that letter. The letter is a manifestation of people not doing what they (are supposed to) do in the Association, and looking to cast blame at people who are working in the organisation.”
The letter to which he is referring is one which was written and signed by the forcefully-removed General Secretary of the AAG, as well as by me, the Treasurer. That letter detailed breaches of the Association’s Constitution; instances of financial irregularities; lack of transparency and accountability for funds received and spent by the AAG; as well as the inability of the Association to host its Annual General Meeting, as required by the regulations governing the body. It was dispatched to the World Athletics Association and copied to the Minister of Sport and the Guyana Olympic Association.
In apparent retaliation, the leadership of the AAG immediately called a meeting, blindsided the Secretary, and voted him out of the Council. It must be noted that nowhere in the Constitution of the Association does it state that this can be done. However, in his interview with Mr. Sean Devers, he has made it clear that I am the next victim.
I wish to place on the public record that even though I am the Treasurer of the AAG, I do not have access to the Association’s accounts, nor do I handle or have knowledge of its financial transactions. Mr. Hutson has not submitted any financial information or updates to the Executive Council for monies received from the World Athletics Association or from sponsors. The AAG’s Constitution requires the submission of Statements of Income and Expenditure, and yet he has repeatedly failed to provide these to the Council.
It is widely known that the President incurs expenses without the approval of Council, and reimburses himself on a continuous basis; again, without the approval of the Council. He has refused to allow an internal audit of the finances of the AAG, and has also refused to include the Treasurer as a signatory to accounts belonging to the AAG.
To circumvent oversight, he has established Local Organising Committees to plan and run activities, so that financial reports and any other documentation do not have to be submitted to the Council. These are all actions that are outside of his remit, and are in blatant breach of the Constitution of the AAG.
The setup of the Finance Committee, comprising upstanding citizens of this country, was put forward. To date, this Committee has not been endorsed, and it is clear why this is so. By requirements of the Constitution, the Finance Committee oversees all finances and sponsorships of the AAG. It must be noted that, more than a year later, neither the Treasurer nor the Council is aware of how many accounts the AAG holds, nor what are the incoming transactions or what is the current balance of each.
Simply put, there is no accountability or transparency at this organisation. Selfish interests are being pursued instead of the development of sports and the creation of opportunities for young people. Mr Hutson knows quite well why he wishes to replace those on the Council who dare to go against him. His statement must be taken in this context.

Sincerely,
Dwayne Carter
(Treasurer,
Athletics Association
of Guyana)