Antigua and Barbuda fully constitutes new Cabinet following landslide election victory

Antigua and Barbuda’s new Cabinet was fully constituted on Tuesday, with 14 ministers—including the Prime Minister and Attorney General—formally appointed and issued instruments of office following the April 30 general election.

The governing party secured 15 of the 17 seats in the poll, clearing the way for a streamlined formation of government.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Attorney General Sir Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin, who were sworn in over the weekend, received their instruments assigning ministerial portfolios during a ceremony held at the American University of Antigua.

The remaining ministers took their oaths of allegiance, office, and secrecy before Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, completing the constitutional process.

Under the Constitution, the Prime Minister holds all ministerial authority and assigns portfolios to members of Parliament. Officials also noted that the ceremony reflected the use of updated oaths approved earlier this year.

The newly appointed ministers will oversee a wide range of national responsibilities, including infrastructure, education, health, utilities, tourism, and social development.

Key sectors include the Antigua Public Utilities Authority and digital transformation under the ICT and Energy portfolio; infrastructure, housing, and roadworks under Housing and Works; and education institutions, including the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.

The Ministry of Health will oversee the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, public health services, environmental management, and civil service administration. The Ministry of Sports and the Creative Industries will manage national sports facilities, culture, carnival, and the wider creative sector.

Among the key appointments, Michael Joseph was named Minister for Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, while Dwayne George was appointed Minister for Sports and the Creative Industries.

Other cabinet members include E.P. Chet Greene (Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration), Charles “Max” Fernandez (Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment), Melford Nicholas (Information, Communication Technologies, Utilities and Energy), Maria Vanessa Browne (Housing and Works), Daryll Matthew (Education, Science and Technology), Anthony Smith Jr. (Agriculture, Lands and the Blue Economy), and Rawdon Turner (Social and Urban Transformation).

Three Ministers of State were also appointed: Randy St. Clair Baltimore (Agriculture), Michael Freeland (Tourism), and Kiz Johnson (Social and Urban Transformation).

A Deputy Speaker has yet to be appointed, though St. Mary’s North MP Dr. Philmore Benjamin is expected to be nominated for the role.

Senators are scheduled to be sworn in on Friday at Government House, completing the formation of Parliament.

Governor General Sir Rodney Williams urged the newly appointed ministers to serve with integrity and unity, describing public office as “a duty to be discharged” in the interest of all citizens.

A Cabinet meeting is expected to follow as the new administration begins its term.