In a significant political development, Wilfred Abrahams has been formally inaugurated as Barbados’s new Attorney General, immediately pledging to address urgent national priorities including legislative modernization and escalating firearm-related offenses. His appointment follows a historic electoral victory where the Barbados Labour Party secured all 30 parliamentary seats for an unprecedented third consecutive term.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who personally selected Abrahams, emphasized that the decision was rooted in proven competence and established trust rather than public speculation. She explicitly dismissed preceding media debates that had identified other legal professionals as potential candidates, stating that her choice was based on Abrahams’ extensive experience as the longstanding acting Attorney General for his predecessor, Dale Marshall.
Signaling a strategic shift in governance structure, Mottley confirmed that Abrahams will hold no additional ministerial portfolios. This deliberate narrowing of responsibilities is designed to enable a concentrated focus on two primary objectives: expediting government contract finalizations to accelerate public projects, and driving an aggressive agenda of legislative reform. Mottley highlighted that despite previous advancements in child protection, anti-corruption, and judicial reform, much of Barbados’s legal framework remains anchored in its colonial past and requires comprehensive modernization for the 21st century.
Addressing pressing public safety concerns, Abrahams acknowledged the challenges of his new role while striking a cautiously optimistic tone regarding crime prevention. He refuted claims that Barbados has reached an irreversible crisis point regarding violent crime, instead characterizing the situation as containing ‘pockets of crime’ rather than widespread lawlessness. Abrahams praised the Royal Barbados Police Force’s effectiveness in post-crime investigations and emphasized growing public cooperation with law enforcement as a critical deterrent. He committed to continuing his predecessor’s initiative to fill all vacant positions within the police service to maximize operational capacity.
The new Attorney General framed the government’s third term as a pivotal moment of responsibility rather than celebration, noting that Barbados stands at a decisive turning point in its development trajectory. Abrahams expressed eagerness to immediately engage with ministry staff and commence work, stating that the administration must continually justify public trust through concrete achievements in their legislative and security priorities.