Barbados’ annual national secondary school placement assessment has wrapped up, and St Gabriel’s Primary School has claimed an unprecedented milestone: producing both the highest-scoring male and female candidates in the 2026 Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination (BSSEE). The long-awaited results were officially unveiled Monday morning by Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman during a press briefing attended by senior ministry officials.
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Regional outage disrupts services in Dominica and St Lucia
On the evening of Sunday, June 21, 2026, two of the Caribbean’s leading telecommunications providers, Flow and Digicel, faced an unprecedented large-scale service outage that cut off connectivity for thousands of residential and commercial customers across Dominica and St. Lucia. The widespread disruption triggered immediate activation of emergency response protocols across both companies’ regional network operations centers.
Flow confirmed in an official press statement that the outage began at approximately 5:30 PM local time, and was quickly categorized as a crisis-level event. In response to the disruption, the provider activated its pre-established Regional Network Disaster Response & Recovery Center, alongside on-the-ground local Crisis Management Teams in both affected island nations. The company mobilized technical personnel from across the Caribbean region to support recovery efforts, with initial investigative work targeting a suspected core network fault that caused total service loss across most of St. Lucia and intermittent connectivity failures in Dominica. According to Flow, the outage has impacted a wide range of services, including residential broadband and business IP communications. Since many network-dependent customer update channels were also taken offline by the incident, the company has distributed status updates via SMS, partnered local media outlets, and its official social media accounts.
In a public post to its official Facebook page, Digicel also acknowledged the issue, referring to the event as a widespread “degradation” of service that affected its customer base. The company confirmed that its technical teams were already engaged in active investigation, and were prioritizing rapid full restoration of all services for affected users.
Sharon Jemmott, Country Manager for Flow Dominica, issued a formal apology to customers on Monday, noting that the company understands how critical consistent, reliable connectivity is for daily life across the islands. “Families rely on our networks to stay connected to loved ones, businesses depend on them to operate, and essential services count on our infrastructure to serve communities,” Jemmott said in the statement. “We sincerely apologize for the disruption and thank our customers for their patience and understanding as our teams continue to work diligently to resolve this issue.”
Flow has emphasized that full service restoration remains the company’s top operational priority, with technical teams working around the clock to identify the root cause of the fault and bring all affected networks back online safely and as quickly as possible. Customers in both nations are being advised to monitor the companies’ official social media channels and local media outlets for the latest real-time updates on restoration progress.
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Solidarity strengthens sovereignty, Friday tells OECS heads
Against the backdrop of escalating global geopolitical instability, outgoing chair of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Authority and Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Godwin Friday has issued a urgent call to regional leaders: treat deepened integration as a non-negotiable survival tool in an increasingly hostile international landscape. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 78th OECS Authority Meeting held in St. John’s, Antigua on Sunday, Friday framed his seven-month tenure leading the regional bloc around a core principle that advancing regional collective goals is fundamentally linked to delivering for domestic constituents.
“As a small island developing nation, the demands my people raise at home cannot be achieved by St. Vincent and the Grenadines acting alone. Only through coordinated collaboration with our neighboring states can these goals be realized,” Friday told attendees. “By serving the OECS effectively, I am directly advancing the interests of the people I represent at home.” During the meeting, Friday formally handed over the bloc’s rotating chairmanship to Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda, passing along a robust policy agenda that includes ongoing negotiations over air transport restructuring, energy security frameworks, development finance expansion, and a coordinated regional response to security and migration demands from major global powers.
Friday assumed the OECS chairmanship on the exact same day he took office as St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister seven months prior, a coincidence he described as “two inheritances on a single day” in alignment with remarks from OECS Director General Didicus Jules. Contrary to expectations that dual leadership roles would create competing priorities, Friday explained that the two positions have proven mutually reinforcing: core domestic priorities including accessible energy, reliable air connectivity, and climate change resilience can only be effectively addressed through collective regional action.
Reflecting on the unique challenges small island states face amid today’s global shifts, Friday emphasized that his tenure coincided with a period of “profound geopolitical uncertainty” that is reshaping the region’s security dynamics, energy pricing, migration patterns, and diplomatic positioning. “What register as minor tremors for large, economically powerful nations hit small island developing states as catastrophic earthquakes,” he warned. “We bear the worst of these consequences, and we feel them for far longer than larger powers.”
One of the most sensitive policy issues addressed during Friday’s chairmanship was a formal request from the United States asking OECS member states to accept third-country nationals deported from US territory. Friday characterized the request as a “delicate and serious matter” that carries far-reaching implications for regional national security, already strained public budgets, and sovereign autonomy. Instead of pursuing individual negotiations that would put small member states at a disadvantage, OECS leaders intentionally opted for a unified collective approach, agreeing to launch joint negotiations and establish a shared technical working group to manage the issue. Friday framed this coordinated response as clear proof that national sovereignty and regional solidarity do not have to conflict – instead, they can strengthen one another.
To match the rapid pace of unfolding global events, the OECS Authority adjusted its traditional working rhythm during Friday’s tenure, moving beyond the two annual meetings required by the bloc’s founding treaty. Since the start of 2024, the authority has convened a regular session in Saint Lucia in January, a special emergency session in March, and held a continuous series of virtual coordination meetings. “We operate with the understanding that a small region cannot afford to move slowly when the rest of the world is accelerating,” Friday said. “We have committed to acting quickly, coordinating closely, and keeping our populations informed, assuring them that every decision we make centers their best interests.”
A central strategic priority during Friday’s term was leveraging the bloc’s collective sovereignty and negotiating power to unlock larger development gains than any single OECS member could secure independently. A key example of this work is ongoing engagement with a European Union proposal for a regional energy and digital connectivity initiative, which would create a unified Eastern Caribbean energy grid and lay submarine telecommunication cables to connect the region’s abundant geothermal, solar, and wind energy resources. Friday noted that the initiative could dramatically cut the region’s cripplingly high fuel import bills and, over the long term, open opportunities for the bloc to export excess clean energy to neighboring markets – while also stressing the need for careful fiscal management to avoid unsustainable debt. The bloc also made progress developing “integrated finance-ready portfolios” and innovative financing instruments that classify natural capital and climate resilience investments as viable economic assets, expanding access to concessionary development funding from global institutions.
On the long-running crisis of regional air connectivity that followed the collapse of regional carrier LIAT, Friday reported that the OECS Authority has moved past discussion to formal planning for a new jointly owned regional airline, though he acknowledged that critical final decisions remain to be finalized. Friday tied reliable, affordable air travel directly to the success of political and economic integration, reinforcing his argument for redoubled collective regional effort.
Friday’s tenure also included work to modernize and deepen the OECS’s long-standing partnership with Canada, with a focus on climate resilience financing, sustainable energy development, food security, and cross-border cooperation to counter transnational organized crime. He added that steady progress has been made on expanding regional labour mobility arrangements and strengthening regulation of the bloc’s popular citizenship by investment (CBI) programs, stressing that an independent regional regulatory body for CBI is critical to upholding program standards, echoing concerns shared across the Caribbean and in partner government capitals. “While we still face significant challenges, progress is undeniable – but there is still much more work to do,” he noted.
Friday openly acknowledged that the OECS Economic Union has substantial unfinished business, pointing out that while the region has guaranteed free movement of people for more than 15 years, regulatory frameworks for the free movement of goods and the full implementation of contingent citizens’ rights remain incomplete. High transportation costs and inconsistent service, he added, have created measurable damage to both political and economic integration efforts across the bloc.
Even with these acknowledged gaps, Friday reaffirmed the enduring relevance and value of the OECS regional integration project. “While the enthusiasm of the early years may have faded a little, we must never question the enduring relevance and appeal of this organization. External actors recognize its value, and many neighboring jurisdictions are seeking membership or deeper ties with the bloc,” he said. “It is not only necessary, but deeply desirable that we redouble our efforts to make this project succeed. We do this because of the tangible benefits it delivers to our people today, and the even greater benefits it will bring in the years ahead.”
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PM Browne Hopes Strait of Hormuz Reopens as Antigua Seeks Relief From High Fuel Costs
As a small island nation heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels to power its transportation networks, electricity grids and entire economy, Antigua and Barbuda is currently facing the strain of sky-high global energy prices. To ease the burden on local households and businesses, Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed the government has stepped in with financial support, including backing for the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) to cap spikes in electricity fuel surcharges, absorbing a share of rising international costs through sustained subsidies. These intervention measures have kept local costs stable for months despite extreme volatility in global oil markets, but long-term relief depends entirely on shifting global conditions.
Speaking during an interview on the *Brown and Brown Show* this past Saturday, Browne laid out the connection between global energy infrastructure and Antigua and Barbuda’s domestic financial outlook, centered on the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The narrow waterway, sandwiched between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most consequential maritime chokepoints, handling a large share of daily global oil exports. Any disruption to shipping through the strait sends immediate shockwaves through international energy markets, driving prices upward for net fuel importers like the Caribbean nation.
Browne shared that he initially felt encouraged by recent reports confirming the strait remained open to traffic, a development that had already pushed global crude prices down significantly from recent peaks. When he addressed the country’s executive leadership the previous evening, he noted prices had fallen to roughly $79 per barrel, down from a recent high of $120, at one point dipping as low as $77 before a modest uptick. This downward trend had raised cautious optimism that the government would soon be able to roll back emergency subsidy measures and pass lower costs directly to consumers, bringing much-needed relief to strained household and public budgets.
That optimistic outlook was quickly tempered, however, when Browne confirmed he had received new reports that the strait had been closed again to shipping, throwing the recent downward price trend into uncertainty. With the route’s future still in question amid ongoing regional tensions, the prime minister stressed that a swift return to normal operations is critical for Antigua and Barbuda’s economic stability. Browne emphasized that reopening the strait would allow global oil prices to continue their downward trajectory, easing pressure on government finances and delivering immediate, tangible benefits to consumers across the country. Sustained higher prices, by contrast, would drive up operating costs across every sector of the nation’s economy, hitting both businesses and households with new financial strain. Looking ahead, Browne said he remains hopeful that regional tensions will de-escalate quickly, the strait will reopen, and Antigua and Barbuda’s residents will see lower energy costs in the coming months.
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Antigua and Barbuda reaffirms commitment to United Nations charter at symbolic signing
Eight decades after the United Nations Charter was first signed by 50 allied nations in San Francisco at the close of World War II, the foundational treaty continues to shape global cooperation, and small island nations remain vocal in their steadfast support for its guiding principles. Last Thursday, Antigua and Barbuda stood alongside other member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) at United Nations Headquarters in New York for a symbolic ceremony marking this milestone anniversary, reaffirming its unwavering dedication to the values enshrined in the document that forms the bedrock of the modern rules-based international order.
The event was organized to highlight the enduring importance of the UN Charter in advancing inclusive multilateralism and coordinated collective action — two frameworks widely recognized as essential to tackling interconnected 21st century global challenges, from climate change to public health crises and cross-border security threats. At the ceremony, Antigua and Barbuda was represented by its Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Walton Webson, who joined fellow permanent representatives from across the globe in adding his signature to a symbolic replica of the original 1945 charter.
Historical context underpins the nation’s long-standing alignment with the UN mission: 51 original founding nations finalized and signed the charter in 1945, created in the wake of the devastation of the Second World War as a promise to prevent large-scale future conflict and prioritize collaborative diplomacy over unilateral aggression. Antigua and Barbuda, which gained full sovereignty in 1981, moved swiftly to join the UN and become an official signatory to the charter shortly after independence, embedding the document’s principles into its foreign policy from the earliest days of nationhood.
“As a committed member of the United Nations, Antigua and Barbuda recognizes that the principles enshrined in the Charter remain as relevant today as they were when the Organization was founded in 1945,” Webson stated following the symbolic signing. Beyond the CARICOM collective ceremony, the 2025 milestone marks the 80th anniversary of both the UN Charter and the founding of the United Nations itself, sparking a series of commemorative and advocacy initiatives across UN offices. The Antigua and Barbuda Permanent Mission in New York has maintained active, full participation in all these related activities, underscoring the nation’s consistent support for multilateral solutions to shared global problems. The symbolic re-signing served not just as a commemoration of history, but as a public demonstration of the Caribbean nation’s ongoing, wholehearted backing for the United Nations and its core mission of maintaining global peace and collective progress.
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Flow outage knocks out services across Saint Lucia
A widespread telecommunications outage operated by Flow has cut off connectivity for thousands of users across Saint Lucia, leaving customers without service since Sunday evening and triggering the provider’s most urgent emergency response protocols.
According to official statements from the company, the service breakdown began around 5:30 p.m. local time on Sunday. The disruption has hit every commercial and business customer in Saint Lucia, with additional connectivity issues reported among a subset of Flow users in neighboring Dominica.
Flow has labeled the incident a “crisis-level event”, prompting the immediate activation of two dedicated response bodies: its cross-regional Network Disaster Response & Recovery Center and a local Saint Lucian Crisis Management Team. Both teams have ramped up restoration efforts to resolve the outage as quickly as possible.
As of Monday morning, the root cause of the disruption remains unconfirmed. Technical investigation teams are currently focused on a suspected critical infrastructure fault that is believed to have cascaded across the entire Saint Lucian network before spilling over to affect some users in Dominica.
A key complication of the outage is that it has disabled all network-dependent communication channels. Flow customers have been unable to receive real-time service updates via text message or email, the company’s standard notification methods. To work around this gap, Flow is partnering with local and regional media outlets and pushing regular updates through its public social media platforms to keep affected users informed.
In an official statement, Flow recognized the severity of the disruption and the significant inconvenience it has caused to its customer base. “Our top priority is restoring full connectivity, and we have mobilised all necessary regional resources to address the issue as swiftly as possible. We appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding during this challenging time,” the company said.
Restoration of service remains the provider’s number one priority, and Flow has reiterated its gratitude for customer patience as technical crews work to bring all networks back online. The company is urging all affected users to follow its verified social media channels and local media reports for the latest progress updates.
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PM Browne Says Attorneys Urging Him to Sue Malaka Parker Over Pedophile Claim
A growing political conflict between Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Senator Malaka Parker has taken a sharp legal turn, with Browne confirming that his legal team is pushing him to launch a defamation lawsuit after Parker allegedly labeled him a paedophile during a public verbal exchange.
Browne made the revelation during an appearance on his own program, the Browne and Browne Show, this past Saturday. He detailed that his legal counsel has formally advised him to preserve all digital and public records of the incendiary comment, and has repeatedly pressed him to move forward with formal legal proceedings.
“My attorneys have insisted that I sue Malaka. They’ve asked me to screenshot everything and to save everything,” Browne told listeners of the program.
Though the prime minister has not yet signed off on a final decision to file the suit, he made clear that the allegation crossed a line that separates acceptable political critique from harmful, legally actionable speech. Browne argued that Parker, who holds a professional law degree, should have been fully aware of the serious legal ramifications of making such a false public claim. He described the comment as a deliberate, reckless overstep rather than an unplanned remark amid political tension.
Browne acknowledged that harsh criticism, mockery, and banter are inherent parts of competitive political life across every nation, and that politicians must accept ridicule as a standard part of public service. But he stressed that public figures engaging in heated debate must maintain a baseline of responsibility to avoid making false, reputation-damaging statements that meet the legal definition of defamation.
“Not convinced I should. But I mean, I’m under some pressure from my attorneys to sue her because I feel that she ought to have known better and it is deliberate,” Browne said. “You can’t escape ridicule in politics. It is part of the game. It happens in every country. But you have to mature enough to know that when you respond, that you don’t respond with statements that are defamatory.”
Calling out Parker’s particular professional background, Browne added: “For somebody who did a law degree, she also knows better.”
The prime minister also referenced a prior legal conflict centered on identical allegations, recalling that he previously brought a defamation suit against another public figure who made the same false claim about him on a public radio broadcast. “The last person who called me a pedophile on radio, I took him to court,” he said.
During the program, Browne drew a clear distinction between factual political criticism and false, harmful allegations that irreparably damage a person’s personal and professional reputation. He warned that when political tensions push individuals to make reckless, defamatory claims, they open themselves up to serious legal consequences. “When you become so reckless because somebody criticizes you or they roast you to the extent that your statement is defamatory, then you’re getting yourself in trouble,” he said.
Browne firmly maintained that the allegation Parker made against him is both false and defamatory by any legal standard. His comments on Saturday came during a broader conversation about responsible political discourse, where he urged all politicians, activists, and members of the public to approach heated public exchanges with greater care and accountability.
This latest public exchange marks a new escalation in a long-running war of words between Browne and Parker, who have clashed repeatedly in public over government policy and broader political issues.
As of Saturday afternoon, Browne had not issued a final confirmation on whether he will follow his legal team’s recommendation to file the defamation suit. Parker has also not yet issued any public response to Browne’s latest remarks.
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DHTA closes successful Hike Fest 2026, sets sights on expanded experiences next year
After six packed weeks of guided outdoor exploration that drew the largest crowd in its event history, Hike Fest 2026 has officially drawn to a close, organized by the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association (DHTA). The annual event, designed to encourage both local residents and international visitors to uncover the hidden, underpromoted corners of Dominica—widely known as the Nature Island—blended rugged natural adventure with immersive cultural and historical education this year, delivering a standout experience that left participants raving.
The festival’s closing chapter, a special themed hike titled “Echoes of the Maroons” held at Jaco Flats, took place on June 13, 2026, after organizers rescheduled it from its original May 23 date. This final route guided attendees through one of Dominica’s most culturally significant landscapes, a site deeply tied to the island’s historic Maroon communities of formerly enslaved people who fought for and won their freedom. Beyond the scenic tropical vistas that line the trail, the hike invited participants to reflect on the legacy of resistance, resilience, and self-determination that defines the area. Following the walk, attendees wrapped up the day with a refreshing river dip and a shared traditional one-pot meal, creating space for casual connection, story-swapping, and celebration of the festival’s success.
Over the six-week run, the festival offered a diverse lineup of hikes across the island, catering to a range of skill levels and interests. Featured routes included iconic treks like the world-famous Boiling Lake trail, as well as less traveled paths to Boeri Lake, Trinity Lakes, Segment 11, the Charles Warner trail, and the popular Sylvania-to-Middleham Night Hike. Each excursion was curated to highlight a different facet of Dominica’s extraordinary natural biodiversity, while also advancing core DHTA goals: encouraging active, healthy lifestyles, boosting public environmental awareness, advancing sustainable tourism practices, and fostering deep, meaningful connections between visitors and the natural world.
Hubert Winston, a member of both the DHTA Board and the Hike Fest organizing committee, called the 2026 edition a resounding success, noting that this year marked a historic turnout for the event. “This year’s Hike Fest saw our largest turnout ever. Several hikes, including Jaco Flats, offered participants a unique opportunity to connect with Dominica’s rich history through newly discovered sites, ruins, and relics. It was a meaningful experience to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors. We’re excited for next year and look forward to delivering even bigger, better-promoted events with enhanced experiences for participants to enjoy,” Winston shared in DHTA’s post-festival press release.
DHTA President Kitwani Ferreira echoed this enthusiasm, emphasizing that Hike Fest’s impact extends far beyond recreational hiking. “What makes Hike Fest special is that it goes beyond hiking. It creates opportunities for people to discover hidden corners of Dominica, learn about our history and culture, and develop a deeper appreciation for the island’s unique assets. The response from participants this year confirms that experiential tourism continues to resonate strongly with both locals and visitors,” Ferreira said.
Participant feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees highlighting the event’s strong organization and unique blend of nature and culture. Mervin Wallace, a Dominican expatriate taking part in the festival for the first time, described checking the iconic Boiling Lake hike off his personal bucket list as an unforgettable milestone. “I did the Boiling Lake Hike and it was overall a great experience. I convinced my son to do it with me as it was something off my bucket list. The hike itself was challenging, but the event was well organized. I will be back next year with some of my colleagues who wish to take part in Hike Fest,” Wallace said.
Ibrahim Brohim, a representative of the Dwivayez Hiking Club, echoed praise for the festival’s planning, adding that the event reinforced why Dominica has earned its nickname as the Nature Island. “The organization was excellent from start to finish. Hike Fest reminded me why Dominica is known as the Nature Island. The final hike felt like a celebration of everything the festival represents—adventure, history, community, and appreciation for our natural environment,” Brohim noted.
DHTA closed its announcement by extending gratitude to all partners and contributors who made the 2026 festival possible, including certified trail guides, volunteer groups such as Next Level Hikers, event sponsors, community partners, emergency response teams, and every participant who joined the six-week series. The association reaffirmed its long-term commitment to developing sustainable tourism offerings that showcase Dominica’s unique natural beauty, while also protecting the island’s irreplaceable cultural and environmental heritage.
Looking ahead, DHTA has already announced plans for a new series of guided hikes to be held during Dominica’s Independence season in November 2026, and early preparations for Hike Fest 2027 are already underway. Organizers are aiming to expand the event further next year, welcoming more attendees while continuing to introduce new trails, hidden historical and natural gems, and elevated immersive experiences across the island.
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Verenigd Koninkrijk krijgt zevende premier in tien jaar na aftreden Starmer
In a move that deepens a decade-long streak of political turbulence in the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party and current British prime minister, announced his resignation on Monday amid mounting internal pressure from within his own party, just 20 months after taking office. His departure triggers a contest to name the UK’s seventh prime minister in 10 years, a milestone that has amplified global questions about the nation’s long-term political stability.
In an emotional public address, Starmer confirmed he will remain in office as prime minister and party leader until a new Labour leader is selected, who will automatically assume the role of prime minister. The formal leadership contest will launch on July 9, with a deadline to finalize the result before the UK Parliament enters its summer recess.
Starmer’s position began to unravel in recent weeks following deeply underwhelming performance by Labour in local elections across the country. The final blow came last week, when Labour suffered a decisive by-election defeat in the Makerfield constituency, where challenger Andy Burnham – the popular incumbent mayor of Greater Manchester – secured a victory that stripped the party of what had long been considered a safe seat.
This latest resignation caps a period of unprecedented turnover in Downing Street that dates back to the 2016 Brexit referendum. Since that pivotal vote, the UK has seen six prime ministers hold office, for an average tenure of just 18 to 24 months. This marks a stark departure from the second half of the 20th century and early 2000s, when long-serving leaders such as Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair held power for more than a decade each.
The string of departures started with David Cameron, who resigned in 2016 after campaigning to remain in the EU and losing the Brexit referendum. Theresa May stepped down in 2019 after three years of failed attempts to pass her negotiated Brexit withdrawal agreement through Parliament. Boris Johnson resigned in 2022, forced out after a cascade of ministerial resignations tied to multiple ethics scandals. Later that same year, Liz Truss resigned after just 49 days in office – the shortest premiership in UK history – after her radical economic proposal triggered market chaos. Rishi Sunak departed in 2024 after the Conservative Party suffered a landslide general election defeat that brought Starmer’s Labour to power. Now, just two years later, Starmer follows his predecessors out of Downing Street.
The repeated turnover at the top of UK government has sparked growing international concern, given the country’s status as a major global power and a core member of key international alliances including NATO. The rapid succession of prime ministers has raised urgent questions about the consistency and effectiveness of UK leadership on the global stage.
Policy analysts warn that constant leadership changes could erode investor confidence in the UK economy, while also weakening the country’s negotiating position in critical international trade and diplomatic talks. Domestically, ongoing political turbulence risks delaying progress on key policy priorities, from post-Brexit economic growth and infrastructure investment to international relations and national security planning.
Still, some political experts emphasize that the UK’s long-standing parliamentary institutions and established democratic framework are robust enough to weather this period of unrest. Whether the country can move past this cycle of turnover and restore long-term stability, they note, will depend entirely on how quickly and effectively the Labour Party can select a new leader capable of rebuilding public and parliamentary trust.
As the contest gets underway, Andy Burnham – who has just returned to the House of Commons via the Makerfield by-election victory – is widely seen as the early frontrunner to replace Starmer. Other high-profile Labour figures, including former health secretary Wes Streeting, are also reportedly considering launching bids for the party leadership.
To qualify for the leadership ballot, any candidate must first secure the backing of at least 81 sitting Labour members of Parliament. Depending on how many candidates meet this threshold and whether any behind-the-scenes deals are struck before the contest formally launches, the process could either stretch into a full summer-long campaigning period or conclude quickly with an uncontested transition.
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Girl Guides Association of Dominica elects new executive team, names youngest-ever chief commissioner
ROSEAU, Dominica – In a landmark gathering for youth empowerment in the Caribbean nation, the Girl Guides Association of Dominica (GGAD) has confirmed a refreshed executive leadership lineup following its 2026 Annual General Meeting and Business Session, held June 19. The newly elected board members will serve three-year terms, joining existing sitting officers to advance the organization’s decades-long mission of building confidence, leadership skills, and community engagement among girls and young women across the country.
At the top of the new leadership slate is Abigail Christmas, who will step into the role of Chief Commissioner – marking a historic milestone for GGAD, as Christmas becomes the youngest person to hold the position in the association’s history. The full roster of newly elected leaders also includes Valencia Webb, who takes on dual roles as Deputy Chief Commissioner and Treasurer; Cecilia Christmas as International Commissioner; and Keziah Darwton as Assistant Secretary/Treasurer.
Webb, who served 10 years in the top post of Chief Commissioner before this leadership transition, will bring her decades of institutional knowledge and experience to the new deputy role, and has publicly expressed full confidence in Christmas and the broader incoming team. The mixed lineup of returning and new officials is framed by GGAD leadership as a deliberate balance of organizational continuity and fresh perspective, designed to steady the movement while opening space for new ideas.
In her first public address after the election result was confirmed, Christmas spoke to her long-rooted connection to the Guiding movement, which has spanned local, regional, and international levels of the organization. “Girl Guiding teaches that no dream is too big or too far away,” she said. “I am honored to serve in this capacity and to continue building opportunities for girls and young women in Dominica… The Guiding movement has shaped my leadership journey, and I remain committed to ensuring that every girl sees herself as capable, powerful, and prepared to lead.”
Christmas added that her cross-scale experience within the movement has deepened her personal commitment to expanding youth empowerment and advancing gender equity across Dominica. The other newly elected officials also echoed this commitment: Cecilia Christmas and Keziah Darwton both shared public remarks thanking GGAD members for the trust placed in them, and pledged to uphold the core mission and values of the Guiding movement in their new roles.
Existing executive members who will continue their tenure through the next term include President Josette Seraphine-Hedrington, Vice President Marcia Dublin, Secretary Nailah Hurtault, Public Relations Officer Merkwan Pacquette, Training Commissioner AnnMarie Graneau, Brownie Commissioner Alicia Griffith, Deputy Brownie Commissioner Rose Caprice, Roseau District Commissioner (Cecilia Christmas, who also retains this post alongside her new international role), Rainbow Leader Agnes Laguerre, and Youth Representative Keziah Darwton, who also holds her new assistant secretary/treasurer position.
GGAD remains fully aligned with the guiding principles of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, and the organization reaffirmed its core commitment to nurturing growth among young women through hands-on leadership opportunities, community service projects, advocacy for equity, and targeted personal development programming. In a formal press release announcing the election results, the association extended official congratulations to all newly elected leaders, noting it anticipates a productive, transformative three-year term that will expand reach and impact for girls across the island.
The release closed with gratitude to local media for their ongoing coverage and support of the movement, as well as recognition for the hundreds of members, unit captains, volunteers, and community supporters whose consistent work continues to strengthen the Guiding movement across every district of Dominica.