Following a decisive landslide win in the April 30 general election that gave the ruling party 15 out of 17 parliamentary seats, Antigua and Barbuda has formally completed the formation of its new government, with 14 cabinet ministers — including Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Attorney General Sir Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin — receiving their official instruments of office during a ceremony held Tuesday.
Prime Minister Browne and Attorney General Benjamin, who completed their initial swearing-in over the weekend, formally accepted their portfolio assignments at the event hosted at the American University of Antigua. The remaining 12 ministerial appointees took the required oaths of allegiance, office, and secrecy directly before Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, bringing the full constitutional formation process to a successful close. This ceremony also marked the first official use of newly updated oaths that were approved by legislative bodies earlier this year, aligning the process with modernized governance guidelines.
Under the country’s constitutional framework, the Prime Minister holds full authority to allocate ministerial portfolios and oversee the distribution of government responsibilities. Each newly appointed ministry has been assigned broad, clearly defined oversight of critical national institutions and priority development programs. For example, the Information, Communication Technologies, Utilities and Energy portfolio will supervise the Antigua Public Utilities Authority and lead the country’s ongoing digital transformation agenda. The Ministry of Housing and Works takes charge of national infrastructure development, public housing initiatives, and road maintenance projects, while the Education, Science and Technology ministry oversees the nationwide education system, including the regional University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, one of the public-facing portfolios highlighted during the formation process, will govern the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, all national public health services, national environmental management, and civil service administrative operations. The newly structured Ministry of Sports and the Creative Industries holds responsibility for national sports infrastructure, cultural programming, the annual Antigua Carnival, and growth support for the broader creative economy, a fast-growing sector for the island nation.
Two key appointments that will shape core public services and national growth drew particular focus: Michael Joseph takes the helm of the health, environment, and civil service portfolio, while Dwayne George assumes leadership of the sports and creative industries ministry. Other full cabinet appointments include E.P. Chet Greene as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration; Charles “Max” Fernandez leading Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment; Melford Nicholas heading Information, Communication Technologies, Utilities and Energy; Maria Vanessa Browne taking responsibility for Housing and Works; Daryll Matthew leading Education, Science and Technology; Anthony Smith Jr. overseeing Agriculture, Lands and the Blue Economy; and Rawdon Turner heading Social and Urban Transformation.
To bolster operational capacity across high-priority departments, three additional Ministers of State were appointed to assist senior cabinet ministers: Randy St. Clair Baltimore will support the agriculture portfolio, Michael Freeland will back the tourism team, and Kiz Johnson will assist with social and urban transformation initiatives.
As the country finalizes its full parliamentary structure, one key position remains unfilled: a Deputy Speaker for the new parliament has not yet been appointed, though Dr. Philmore Benjamin, the newly elected Member of Parliament for St. Mary’s North, is widely expected to be nominated for the role. Upcoming parliamentary proceedings will also see all appointed Senators officially sworn in at 10 a.m. Friday at Government House, marking the final step in establishing the new legislative term.
In closing remarks at Tuesday’s cabinet ceremony, Governor General Sir Rodney Williams delivered a charge to the newly appointed ministers, urging them to carry out their public duties with unwavering integrity and collective unity. He reminded appointees that holding public office is not a privilege, but a core duty that must be discharged exclusively for the benefit of all citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.