Carib Scope

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  • New Executive elected to lead Dominica’s National Youth Council

    New Executive elected to lead Dominica’s National Youth Council

    On May 30, 2026, the National Youth Council of Dominica (NYCD) concluded its quadrennial General Assembly held at the amphitheater of the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, resulting in the selection of a brand-new leadership team to steer the organization’s work over the coming term.

    The gathering brought together over 100 youth delegates from member organizations across the island, alongside key stakeholders from government and civil society, all gathered to oversee the democratic election of the NYCD’s new National Executive Committee. The body, which will serve as the leading voice for young Dominicans across all sectors, is tasked with amplifying youth priorities, driving targeted development initiatives, and advocating for policy changes that address the unique challenges facing the country’s youth population.

    Following the final vote count, the official results were confirmed in a public NYCD statement: Yannick Regis will take up the role of President, the top executive position leading the council’s daily operations and external engagement. Jemima Mills was elected Chairperson of the General Assembly, responsible for presiding over plenary sessions and ensuring procedural fairness for the representative body. Dylan Registe will serve as First Vice President, supporting the president in coordinating program delivery, while Keanu Winston fills the role of Second Vice President, focused on outreach to marginalized youth communities across rural and coastal Dominica.

    Completing the core executive team are Shervin Dominique, who will take on the role of Communications Lead to manage public outreach and digital engagement, and Nicole Eustache, who will serve as Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, overseeing the council’s budgetary and administrative operations. Rounding out the 9-member National Executive Committee are two additional members, Dezarie Burnette and Jeanique Hypolite, who will bring regional youth perspectives to the council’s decision-making processes.

    In a farewell address shared with delegates, the outgoing executive committee extended warm congratulations to the newly elected team, expressing full confidence in their capacity to advance the NYCD’s mission of expanding youth representation and driving inclusive youth development across Dominica. The outgoing leadership also emphasized that the transition of power has been completed smoothly, and thanked the Dominican youth community for the trust they placed in the council over the previous term.

    To uphold the principles of transparency and accountability that guide all NYCD electoral processes, this year’s vote was held under the continuous supervision and observation of neutral officials from the government’s Youth Development Division. This long-standing oversight practice has been in place for decades, designed to ensure public trust in the integrity of the NYCD’s leadership selection and prevent any irregularities during voting or vote counting.

    The outgoing leadership also used the occasion to extend formal gratitude to all partners that made the 2026 General Assembly possible. First among these was the Dominica Hospitals Authority, which granted permission to use the amphitheater of the Dominica China Friendship Hospital as the event venue. Additional thanks went to the Youth Development Division for its ongoing oversight and support, all member organizations that sent delegates to the assembly, the volunteer team that managed event logistics, participating delegates, institutional partners, and every other contributor whose collective effort ensured the event was conducted smoothly and successfully.

    As the NYCD enters a new term under fresh leadership, the outgoing executive has called on all stakeholders across Dominica — from government agencies to civil society groups and private sector partners — to extend their full support to the new executive committee as it begins its mandate to serve, empower, and advocate on behalf of the nation’s young people.

  • Antiguan Janae Martin Earns Medical Degree

    Antiguan Janae Martin Earns Medical Degree

    For countless first-generation and international students, the path to becoming a medical doctor is paved with years of sacrifice, relentless effort, and unwavering focus. For Dr. Janae Martin, a native of the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, that long, demanding journey has recently reached a landmark milestone: her official graduation from medical school, marking the start of her professional career as a physician.\n\nDr. Martin’s educational foundation was built close to home, where she completed her primary schooling at Sunnyside Tutorial before moving on to secondary education at Christ the King High School. Even in her early years, her drive to pursue a career in healing was clear; upon graduating high school, she made the decision to relocate to the United States to turn her lifelong dream of practicing medicine into reality.\n\nHer academic trajectory in the U.S. has been marked by consistent excellence. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from La Salle University, graduating magna cum laude in recognition of her outstanding academic performance. Building on that strong foundation, she went on to complete a Master of Biomedical Studies at Drexel University College of Medicine, where she gained advanced specialized training that prepared her for the rigors of medical school. She was ultimately accepted into the competitive Wayne State University School of Medicine, where she successfully completed all requirements for her medical degree in May 2026.\n\nBeyond excelling in her coursework and clinical rotations, Dr. Martin has long prioritized giving back to communities and lifting up the next generation of healthcare workers. Throughout her years of training, she maintained active involvement in public health research, peer mentorship, and community healthcare projects focused on closing gaps in health equity for underserved populations. She also dedicated countless volunteer hours to mentoring high school students with aspirations of entering healthcare and science careers, sharing her own experience to help young people navigate their own educational paths.\n\nGuided by a deep-seated passion for child health and a commitment to centering patient advocacy in her practice, Dr. Martin will begin her post-graduate clinical career as part of the pediatric care team at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.\n\nDr. Martin’s trailblazing journey from a small Caribbean nation to earning a medical degree in the United States is more than a personal achievement—it is a testament to the power of resilience, discipline, and a sustained commitment to serving others. Her success reflects not only top-tier academic achievement, but also a core dedication to compassionate, patient-centered care and community uplift that will shape her career for years to come. For young aspiring medical professionals across the Caribbean and beyond, her story stands as an inspiring example of what can be accomplished through dedication and purpose.

  • Nazzio John equals national 200m record

    Nazzio John equals national 200m record

    Grenadian sprint talent Nazzio John has secured an automatic qualification spot for the 2026 NCAA Division I National Track and Field Championships after a standout performance at the East Regional First Round qualifiers, while matching Grenada’s senior national record for the 200-meter event along the way.

    Representing Ohio State University in the competition, John kicked off his campaign with a solid win in his opening heat, clocking a seasonal best time of 20.30 seconds to advance to the quarterfinal round. On May 29, running from lane 6 in the quarterfinals, the rising sprinter crossed the finish line first in his section with a time of 20.27 seconds, a result that ties the long-standing Grenadian senior national record for the 200m. He finished comfortably ahead of second-place finisher Trelee Banks of Indiana (20.33 seconds) and third-place Jaleel Croal of South Florida (20.41 seconds).

    Per NCAA competition rules, the top three athletes from each quarterfinal heat earn automatic qualification to the national championships, pushing John through to the upcoming national event scheduled to run from June 10 to 13 at Eugene, Oregon’s iconic Hayward Field.

    The achievement cements John’s status as one of the top collegiate sprinters in the United States, where NCAA Division I track and field draws more than 24,000 competing student-athletes nationwide. To reach the national stage, athletes must navigate a rigorous selection process: only the top 48 declared athletes gain entry to regional first-round competitions per event, and just 12 athletes from each of the East and West regions ultimately advance to the national championships. This selective process makes John’s qualification and record-tying performance all the more notable.

    In a post-race interview, John expressed gratitude for the support that helped him reach the milestone: “I’m extremely thankful to my support team, both Coach Diego Flaquer and Joel Brown, for getting me prepared both physically and mentally.” Looking ahead to the national championships in Oregon, John laid out an ambitious goal: “My goal for Oregon is to cement my name as one of the fastest 200m runners in the NCAA and make it to the finals, even if that means being the first Grenadian to go sub-20.”

    Beyond collegiate competition, John is currently among the top Grenadian athletes shortlisted to represent his home country at upcoming high-profile regional and international competitions, including the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will take place between late July and early August 2026. Leadership from both the Grenada Athletic Association (GAA) and the Grenada Olympic Committee (GOC) have been closely tracking John’s consistent progress on the U.S. collegiate track circuit, and have shared that they are deeply impressed by his steady upward trajectory as a professional-caliber sprinter.

  • Health ministry: No school closure needed after illness investigation at St Thomas school

    Health ministry: No school closure needed after illness investigation at St Thomas school

    Public health authorities in Barbados have released the findings of an investigation into unexplained illness reports at Hillaby/Turners Hall School in the parish of St Thomas, confirming one active case of scarlet fever and three prior dengue infections among students, while ruling out the need for campus closure. Concerns were raised earlier after multiple children at the school developed two common contagious illness symptoms: widespread rash and persistent fever. To pinpoint the cause of the symptoms, the Ministry of Health and Wellness ordered full laboratory testing for all reporting students, with results now finalized and published in an official public statement.

    According to the ministry’s final analysis, laboratory results confirmed that one student meets the full diagnostic criteria for scarlet fever, a contagious condition caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria that is characterized by a distinct red rash alongside fever. Three additional students returned positive markers showing they had recovered from a past dengue infection, a mosquito-borne viral disease common in tropical regions. All other students who reported symptoms tested negative for both conditions.

    Health officials explained that Group A Streptococcus, the bacteria behind scarlet fever, spreads easily between people through close personal contact and respiratory droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A key point of reassurance provided by the ministry is that after just 24 hours of appropriate antibiotic treatment, infected children are no longer contagious and can safely return to in-person learning once medically cleared.

    After reviewing all case data and transmission patterns, investigators concluded there is no evidence of an unusual or uncontrolled outbreak spreading through the school campus. The ministry emphasized that educational settings are integrated into the broader community, so occasional introduction of common childhood illnesses is to be expected, and the current situation does not deviate from standard public health expectations.

    To limit further spread of illness, the ministry has reaffirmed that standard evidence-based public health precautionary measures are sufficient to keep the campus safe. These measures include consistent hand hygiene, covering coughs and sneezes to follow respiratory etiquette, regular disinfection of high-touch classroom surfaces, and continued community-wide efforts to control mosquito populations to prevent new dengue infections. The Ministry of Education Transformation has already fully implemented all recommended precautionary measures at the school.

    Health authorities have also issued guidance for parents, reminding caregivers that any child showing signs of illness should stay home from school, and should only return to campus after receiving a medical assessment and clearance from a healthcare provider.

    At this time, public health officials have stressed there is no justification for closing the school, and the facility will remain open for regular operations. The Ministry of Health and Wellness extended gratitude to the Ministry of Education Transformation, along with school administrators, teachers, and parent groups, for their cooperation and trust throughout the investigation process. Public health teams will remain in close contact with school leadership to continue monitoring the situation, and will provide additional guidance or support if any new cases develop.

  • ZHTF hands over seeds donated by charity

    ZHTF hands over seeds donated by charity

    A Canadian non-profit organization has delivered a targeted donation of specialty seeds to support community-led food security work across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, marking the latest chapter of a long-running partnership between international donors and local agricultural initiatives.

    Dwight “Bongo” Anderson, founder and executive director of Canada-based Still Kickin’ Charity, contributed three full barrels of mixed vegetable, herb, and flower seeds to the Zero Hunger Trust Fund (ZHTF), a local body working to reduce food vulnerability across the island nation. Fitz Huggins, the former consul general of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) to Toronto, formally presented the donation to ZHTF on Anderson’s behalf.

    Following the handover, the donation was distributed across three key stakeholders aligned with national food security goals. One barrel was allocated to SVG’s Ministry of Social Welfare and Community Empowerment, Ecclesiastical Affairs and National Heritage, while a second went to Seed Sisters, a local women in agriculture initiative founded with support from Still Kickin’ Charity. The third barrel remains under ZHTF stewardship to support its ongoing community and household gardening programs.

    Safiya Horne-Bique, chief executive officer of ZHTF, welcomed the contribution as perfectly timed and closely aligned with the fund’s core mission: delivering community-centered solutions to hunger, poor nutrition, and food insecurity across SVG. “This is a very timely donation, and I know our backyard gardeners and family farmers will appreciate receiving these seeds,” Horne-Bique said, adding that ZHTF looks forward to deepening its ongoing collaboration with Anderson and his team.

    SVG’s Minister of Social Welfare Shevern John emphasized that expanding domestic agricultural production is a central pillar of the government’s national development strategy, noting that agriculture holds a place as one of the four core pillars of the country’s economy. “These seeds will go towards farmers who will improve their production and help increase domestic food production. This is an important contribution to food security in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” John said, thanking Anderson and Still Kickin’ for their sustained support and praising ZHTF for ensuring the donation reaches the communities that need it most.

    Huggins echoed this sentiment, noting that the seed contribution fits seamlessly into the ongoing food security programming ZHTF runs for local communities every year.

    For Anderson, the donation is rooted in deep personal connection to SVG. Anderson, who has Jamaican-Canadian heritage, lived in the country with his family from 2021 to 2024, where he built close ties with local farming communities and gained firsthand understanding of how critical local food production is to Vincentian livelihoods. This experience motivated him to expand his charity’s support for the country’s food security efforts. Still Kickin’ first began sending seed donations to SVG immediately after the 2021 eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano, which disrupted local agriculture and left many communities facing acute food shortages, and has continued supporting related initiatives ever since.

    “We are well aware of the food security issues in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the natural disasters that farmers and the wider population have faced,” Anderson said. He explained that Seed Sisters, the SVG-based group that received one barrel of the donation, was established through his charity to support female smallholder farmers, boost local food output, and lay the groundwork for a national sustainable seed bank.

    “The aim is not only to grow seeds for selling or personal use, but also to develop a strategic seed bank in St. Vincent that can help to reinvigorate the agricultural sector if it is affected by storms, volcanic activity or other challenges,” he said. Anderson also encouraged Vincentian households to embrace small-scale seed saving and home seed banking as a strategy to build greater national resilience, particularly at a time when global economic volatility and supply chain disruptions disproportionately threaten small island developing states.

    Anderson extended special thanks to Westcoast Seeds and its donations coordinator Erika Simms for their ongoing support that made this latest contribution possible. In a closing statement, a press release from ZHTF reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to partnering with local, regional, and international stakeholders to advance sustainable, nutrition-focused food security initiatives across SVG, ranging from supporting backyard gardening and youth engagement in agriculture to expanding community food production and improving access to nutrient-dense foods for all residents.

  • PM Browne Says Second Batch of Building Materials Now Being Distributed

    PM Browne Says Second Batch of Building Materials Now Being Distributed

    Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed that his administration has kicked off the second wave of free building material distribution as part of a national social assistance initiative designed to support low-income and vulnerable households across the country. The announcement was made during an appearance on the local *Browne and Browne* radio talk show, where the leader detailed the logistics of the ongoing rollout of the support program. “I’m also pleased to announce that we have the second set of our building material here, and we are now distributing those,” Browne told listeners during the on-air address. While distribution operations are already active across most communities, rollout has not yet begun in the two districts of Point and Villa. Browne confirmed that delivery of materials to these two areas will officially commence next week, giving local officials time to complete pre-distribution registration and logistics preparations. To streamline access for eligible residents, Browne urged community members who meet the vulnerability criteria and have not yet applied for support to reach out directly to government representatives to register for assistance. He noted that Housing Minister Rawdon Turner will lead on-the-ground coordination, processing applications and overseeing the final delivery of materials to individual residential properties. “Several of you will approach me and I will send your names to Mr. Turner, Minister Turner, [who will] assist me in delivering the material to your respective homes,” Browne explained. This targeted building material program is just one component of a broader suite of social safety net initiatives that the current administration has rolled out to address persistent socioeconomic hardship across the nation. Browne emphasized that the construction material initiative works in tandem with other existing social programs, including a widely used food voucher scheme for low-income families and a recently launched program that provides free prescription eyeglasses to eligible residents. According to the prime minister, the overarching goal of all connected programs is to directly address unmet needs of residents grappling with financial hardship, and to guarantee that no vulnerable individual or family falls through the gaps of the country’s social support system. “We’re a caring administration and we have these little pockets of poverty and need. We’re trying to fill them,” Browne said. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to inclusive support, adding, “He added: “We don’t want anyone to be left behind.” As of the latest announcement, government officials have not released public data on the total number of households expected to receive support through this second round of building material distribution.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Delegation Concludes Regional Climate Finance Workshop in Barbados

    Antigua and Barbuda Delegation Concludes Regional Climate Finance Workshop in Barbados

    A four-person official delegation from the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has wrapped up its participation in a high-profile two-day regional climate policy workshop, held from May 28 to 29, 2026 at the Hilton Barbados Resort in Bridgetown. Titled “Prosperity on Our Terms: A Caribbean Agenda for Climate Finance Access and Addressing Loss and Damage,” the event was organized by the Climate Vulnerable Forum and the Vulnerable Twenty Group (CVF-V20), operating under the current presidency of Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley. The gathering drew policy representatives from nine Caribbean V20 member states, alongside stakeholders from across the wider CARICOM bloc, with a shared core goal of advancing the region’s ability to secure accessible, adequate climate and disaster risk financing. The Antigua and Barbuda delegation brought together cross-government expertise: Gita Nicholas and Arry Simon from the nation’s Department of Environment, and Carlon Knight and Sheneé Cornelius from the Ministry of Finance, Corporate Governance and Public-Private Partnerships. Over the two days of intensive discussion, delegation members took part in deep-dive technical sessions focused on the major climate finance frameworks currently being advanced by CVF-V20. The opening session delivered a complete breakdown of the evolving post-2025 global climate finance landscape and the CVF-V20 Climate Prosperity Agenda, framing the deep-seated structural financing barriers that disproportionately impact Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Antigua and Barbuda. Following the opening overview, attendees walked through the details of two flagship CVF-V20 initiatives. The first is the Vulnerability to Viability (V2V) Compact, a four-pillar structural financing program built to tackle the long-term economic vulnerabilities of nations on the frontlines of climate impacts. The second is the CVF-V20 Lifeline Fund, presented by Jwala Rambarran, former Central Bank Governor of Trinidad and Tobago. This fund is designed to deliver fast, trigger-activated liquidity support to member states in the immediate aftermath of a major climate disaster. The workshop also featured a dedicated session on Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI), led by Isaac Anthony, Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF SPC). Attendees explored current coverage trends, the challenge of basis risk, and tailored insurance solutions designed to serve micro and small enterprises across the region. Additional technical sessions covered critical topics including dedicated finance for addressing climate-related Loss and Damage, with introductions to the Global Shield against Climate Risks and the formal UN-backed Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. Delegates also examined strategies to mobilize private sector investment through blended finance structures and expanded access to global carbon markets. Beyond technical discussions, the workshop advanced plans for a new Regional Adaptation Training Hub for the Caribbean, a core component of the $5.3 million USD GEF-UNIDO-V20 Adaptation Support Program. The hub will work to expand Caribbean nations’ access to low-cost climate adaptation technologies and specialized support services. On the afternoon of May 29, the Antigua and Barbuda delegation joined a site visit across Barbados’ coastal and fisheries projects under the ambitious Roofs to Reefs Programme. Stops on the tour included the Barbados Fisheries Division in Bridgetown, the Paynes Bay and Folkstone marine reserves in St. James, and the historic fishing village of Six Men’s in Saint Peter. The on-the-ground visit gave delegates direct insight into community-led fisheries management practices, coastal biodiversity conservation strategies, and marine ecosystem protection efforts—all priorities that align directly with Antigua and Barbuda’s own goals for advancing its coastal and blue economy. On completion of the workshop, the delegation returned with a sharper, more comprehensive understanding of the financing tools and multilateral frameworks available to support Antigua and Barbuda as it continues building out its national climate resilience infrastructure. As one of the nine Caribbean nations represented at the event, Antigua and Barbuda’s participation underscores the region’s unified commitment to advancing a collective voice in the global climate finance negotiation process.

  • West Indies Academy Squad Embarks on Development Tour of Sri Lanka

    West Indies Academy Squad Embarks on Development Tour of Sri Lanka

    ST JOHN’S, Antigua – A new chapter in Caribbean cricket development kicked off this week as a 16-player West Indies Academy squad departed for a three-week reciprocal developmental tour of Sri Lanka, set to run from June 3 to 27, 2026. The trip will see the next generation of West Indian cricket talent face off against Sri Lanka Emerging Players in a five-match, multi-format series crafted to strengthen the region’s pipeline of elite senior players.

    This tour is a return fixture following the Sri Lanka Emerging Team’s 2025 visit to Antigua, where the two sides played a tightly contested split series: the two four-day matches ended with one win apiece, while the West Indies Academy claimed a 2-1 victory in the three-match 50-over leg. The 2026 tour will mirror that 2025 structure, with two four-day red-ball matches followed by three 50-over white-ball contests, offering young prospects an unmatched opportunity to gain high-quality overseas match experience and adapt to Sri Lanka’s challenging subcontinental pitch and weather conditions against a similarly motivated peer opposition.

    The squad has been assembled to balance proven potential and fresh opportunity, blending 13 long-time Academy participants with three newly called-up emerging talents. Three current squad members – fast bowlers Johann Layne, Jediah Blades and spinner Zishan Motara – already boast senior international caps for the West Indies, bringing valuable top-level experience to the young group. Two regular Academy players were unable to join the tour: Ackeem Auguste earned a call-up to the full West Indies senior squad, while Carlon Bowen-Tuckett withdrew for personal reasons. Their spots have been awarded to up-and-coming talents Kevlon Anderson, Shaqkere Parris and Johann Jeremiah, who will now get their first taste of international developmental competition.

    To bolster the tour’s coaching staff, Guyana Harpy Eagles head coach Ryan Hercules has joined the Academy management team as an assistant coach, adding additional first-class experience to support the development of the young players throughout the trip.

    Speaking ahead of the squad’s departure, West Indies Academy head coach Ramesh Subasinghe outlined the core mission of the tour, noting that high-stakes exposure to unfamiliar conditions is one of the most valuable tools for grooming future senior stars. “Our Academy objective is simple: to develop players into the next level of their careers, and tours like this play a key part in that journey,” Subasinghe said. “Sri Lanka has historically been one of the toughest places for West Indian teams to compete. This tour represents the perfect platform to immerse our brightest emerging talent in conditions that will truly test and shape them.”

    Subasinghe highlighted the proven impact of these exchange series, pointing to the 2025 home tie against Sri Lanka Emerging that already produced four players who have since graduated to the full West Indies senior men’s squad, with many other participants earning contracts in regional franchise competitions and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

    Dwain Gill, High-Performance Manager at Cricket West Indies (CWI), emphasized that the tour forms a core part of CWI’s long-term strategy to rebuild and strengthen West Indies cricket by investing in youth. “This tour is an extremely important component of our long-term development pathway programme as we continue to invest in the future of West Indies cricket,” Gill said. “Opportunities like these allow our emerging players to experience competitive international environments, adapt to unfamiliar conditions and further develop the technical, tactical and mental skills required at the highest level of the game.”

    The squad will begin their tour in Hambantota, where both four-day matches will be hosted at the Mahindra Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, with the first fixture running from June 8 to 11 and the second from June 15 to 18. The team will then travel to Colombo for the white-ball leg of the tour, with the first two 50-over matches set to take place at the Sinhalese Cricket Club on June 22 and 24, and the final series match scheduled for June 26 at the Nondescripts Cricket Club. All fixtures will be played under official International Cricket Council (ICC) playing regulations.

    Full West Indies Academy Squad: Rivaldo Clarke (Captain), Kevlon Anderson, Ryan Bandoo, Jediah Blades, Giovonte Depeiza, Mavendra Dindyal, Nathan Edward, Damel Evelyn, Amari Goodridge, Johann Jeremiah, Shaqkere Parris, Mbeki Joseph, Johann Layne, Zishan Motara, Kelvin Pitman, Raneico Smith.

    Full Tour Management Unit: Don Ramesh Subasinghe (Head Coach), Rohan Nurse (Assistant Coach), Ryan Hercules (Assistant Coach), Shanique Peters (Physiotherapist), Hance Richards (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Clint St. Hill (Manager)

  • LISTEN: Unsworn MPs May Not Be Entitled to Salary

    LISTEN: Unsworn MPs May Not Be Entitled to Salary

    A fresh political controversy is unfolding in Antigua and Barbuda, centered on the status of Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle, who remains unsworn in following the April general election. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has broken his silence on the debate over whether Pringle is eligible to receive his parliamentary salary, drawing a clear line between longstanding legal rules and his government’s pragmatic approach to the standoff.

    Speaking during his weekly *Browne and Browne* radio broadcast on Saturday, Browne addressed the growing discussion sparked by Pringle’s absence from the first post-election parliamentary sitting and subsequent barring from last week’s special joint parliamentary session. Under Section 48(1) of Antigua and Barbuda’s Constitution, no elected member of parliament may participate in any parliamentary proceedings before they take and formally subscribe to the required oath of allegiance. Pringle, who won his seat in the April general election, has not completed this mandatory step, and the government has stated he must wait until the next scheduled ordinary sitting of parliament to be sworn in.

    During the radio segment, the host referenced a landmark Privy Council ruling from a past case in Trinidad and Tobago, a fellow Caribbean jurisdiction, that establishes a clear legal precedent on this issue. According to that ruling, barring extraordinary extenuating circumstances, elected representatives who have not completed the oath of allegiance are not legally entitled to collect parliamentary remuneration for the period before they are sworn in.

    Browne confirmed that this precedent aligns with established parliamentary rules, and confirmed that technically, no salary can accrue to Pringle until he fulfills the constitutional requirement of taking the oath. “It has been held that if a member fails to take the oath, that period during which the oath is not taken, that that member of parliament should not be paid,” Browne explained during the broadcast.

    But despite affirming this clear legal position, the prime minister stressed that his administration has no intention of taking a hardline petty stance on the issue. “In fact, as far as I’m concerned, you should be paid. But technically speaking, he should not be paid [under the rules],” Browne said. Reaffirming his government’s position, he added, “But again, we’re not being petty. And if they pay him a month’s salary, we will not object to it.”

    Browne’s remarks come after he previously defended the decision to block Pringle from participating in last week’s joint parliamentary sitting, a move that stemmed directly from Pringle’s failure to complete the oath requirement. The prime minister’s comments this weekend clarify the government’s stance on both participation and salary, separating the strict constitutional and legal requirements for parliamentary access from the government’s willingness to avoid a petty dispute over salary payment.

  • Ezekiel Francois Elected President of National Youth Parliament Association

    Ezekiel Francois Elected President of National Youth Parliament Association

    The National Youth Parliament Association of Antigua and Barbuda (NYPAAB) has wrapped up a robust, participatory electoral process to select its new Executive Committee, marking a fresh transition of leadership for the island nation’s leading youth governance advocacy body.

    After a transparent voting process, Ezekiel Francois secured the position of President, bringing a forward-looking agenda focused on amplifying youth voices and strengthening parliamentary-style practice for young people across the country. He will lead alongside three newly seated executive members: Jordyn Roberts, who takes on the role of Recruitment and Mobilization Officer, tasked with expanding youth outreach and growing the organization’s membership; Lorianna Richards, who will serve as Projects and Events Officer, overseeing programming that connects young people to civic processes; and Janiyah Winston, who steps into the role of Financial Secretary to manage the association’s resources and fiscal operations.

    In the announcement of the new leadership lineup, the association issued a public statement of gratitude to the outgoing executive team, whose years of commitment laid the groundwork for the organization’s current momentum. Special commendation was reserved for outgoing Immediate Past President Jessica Zouetr, whose strategic leadership and long-term vision significantly expanded NYPAAB’s reach and influence, setting the stage for sustained growth in the years ahead. The association also highlighted the key contributions of two other departing leaders: former Financial Secretary Amelia Williams and former External Affairs Officer Celine Edwards, both of whom advanced NYPAAB’s core mission of youth civic engagement over their terms.

    With this leadership transition complete for initial positions, the organization noted that three additional executive roles—Vice President, General Secretary, and External Affairs Officer—will be filled via separate elections scheduled for a later date. Once those results are finalized, the full leadership team will take office to steer the association through its upcoming term, continuing its work to empower young people and foster meaningful civic participation in Antigua and Barbuda.

    Across the transition, association representatives emphasized that every past and current member has played a critical role in building a dynamic, impactful youth parliament, and the organization remains committed to expanding its work as it enters this new chapter.