A profound national conversation is unfolding in Antigua and Barbuda, challenging the very definition of progress. Drawing parallels to the biblical narrative of Cain—whose sincere offering was rejected not for its lack of effort but for its misalignment with divine standards—commentator Yves Ephraim critiques the current government’s trajectory. The central argument posits that while the administration may showcase a list of accomplishments, these achievements hold little relevance if they fail to prioritize the economic empowerment and ownership opportunities for Antiguans and Barbudans themselves.
The core issue is identified as a fundamental misalignment between government priorities and the people’s interests. Citizens are increasingly relegated to the role of perpetual low-wage workers and mendicants, with little prospect of owning homes, building substantive careers, or securing their economic future. This model, where citizens “own nothing but be happy,” is deemed unacceptable for a nation aspiring to become a sustainable ‘Economic Powerhouse’.
Historical and contemporary evidence is marshaled to support the thesis that national wealth is intrinsically linked to citizen ownership. China’s remarkable transformation from poverty to global powerhouse is cited as a prime example, achieved by empowering its citizens to build and own export-oriented industries. Conversely, the author finds no historical precedent for a nation achieving wealth by selling prime assets to foreign interests or ceding economic control.
The collapse of the nation’s Gaming Industry serves as a cautionary tale. When the U.S. government threatened its citizens involved in offshore gaming, the entire sector in Antigua and Barbuda crumbled. The author speculates that a different outcome might have emerged had local citizens held a 50% ownership stake, underscoring the vulnerability of foreign-dominated sectors.
Specific policy barriers are highlighted, particularly in the telecommunications sector, where licensing regimes allegedly prevent private Antiguan and Barbudan entrepreneurs from profiting. The article argues that liberalizing this sector could unleash a wave of young, intelligent, and entrepreneurial talent to launch international ventures, earn foreign exchange, and reverse the crippling brain drain, especially in the high-demand IT field.
Finally, the nation’s investment in education is called into question. Without a parallel focus on cultivating an entrepreneurial class, the author contends that expensive education, like that provided at the University of the West Indies campus, merely prepares young people to flee to first-world countries for meaningful employment. The article concludes that the ‘good’ achieved by the government is ultimately irrelevant without a significant advance in Antiguan and Barbudan ownership of their land and economy.