In a sudden political development that has drawn local attention, former chairman of Antigua and Barbuda’s Social Security Board Kem Tonge has turned down a top government appointment, just two days after Prime Minister Gaston Browne delivered a scathing public rebuke of his leadership.
The controversy first erupted on Saturday, when Browne made his criticism of Tonge public during a public appearance. The prime minister confirmed he had personally ordered Tonge’s immediate removal from the Social Security Board, citing what he called unacceptable inaction during a heated public meeting focused on a proposed Social Security investment in the Jolly Beach development project.
Browne claimed that during the tense debate over the investment proposal, Tonge remained completely silent, offering no defense of the project even as the board’s top leader. “He didn’t utter a single word,” Browne told reporters, before confirming he had issued a direct order: “Take him off the board.”
Beyond the failure to speak up in the public meeting, Browne levied a second accusation against Tonge and other sitting Social Security Board members: he claimed the group skipped an officially organized government site visit to the Jolly Beach location, a breach of responsibility that preceded the public meeting clash.
As of this report, Tonge has not offered any public statement clarifying his reasoning for turning down the chairmanship of the Entrepreneurial Development Programme Board. He has also not confirmed whether the harsh public criticism from Browne played any role in his decision to decline the new government role. Political observers note the incident highlights growing tensions between the ruling administration and independent members of key state boards, amid ongoing debates over major public investment projects.