Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda reveals new Cabinet with significant changes

Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#AntiquaandBarbuda, January 24, 2023 – Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, on Friday, revealed his eight-member Cabinet that was sworn into office following the country’s general election on Wednesday, January 18, which saw the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) returning for a third consecutive term.

Though the ABLP won the general election, its majority was significantly reduced as the party won by a 9-8 margin, down from the 15-2 majority it had in the last Parliament.

In speaking with reporters at the swearing-in ceremony, Prime Minister Browne said the portfolios of those government ministers who lost their seats in the general election were consolidated among the eight new cabinet members.

‘What we tried to do is to ensure that there were synergies within the respective consolidation that took place. For example, housing and works, the obvious synergy is there, even agriculture and trade.

“So I think we have achieved that and I am confident that even though the team is smaller that we will have a far more responsive team and the people of Antigua and Barbuda, in essence, will get from less,” Browne said.

Brown noted that this was done because he did not support bringing individuals through the Senate to serve as ministers.

“I am not a fan of bringing individuals through the Senate to serve as ministers. I believe it is important to pay attention to the quality of the candidates who the people elect and who could also serve as ministers,” Browne explained to reporters at the swearing-in ceremony.

The list of the members of the new Cabinet is as follows:

1. Prime Minister, Gaston Browne will serve as Minister for Finance, Corporate Governance and Public Private Partnership.
2. Steadroy Benjamin will serve as Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs, Public Safety, Immigration and Labour.
3. Sir Molwyn Joseph – Minister of Health, Wellness, Social Transformation and the Environment.
4. Paul Chet Green – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Trade and Barbuda Affairs.
5. Henry Charles Fernandez –Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, and Investment.
6. Melford Nicholas – Minister for Information, Communication Technologies, Information (ICT), Utilities and Energy.
7. Maria Browne – Minister for Housing, Works, Land and Urban Renewal.
8. Daryll Mather- Minister for Education, Creative Industries and Sport.