分类： society

On the morning of February 18, 2026, the Antigua Public Library served as the backdrop for a significant cultural and philanthropic event. Author William Henry successfully launched his literary work, ‘A Glimpse Into The Past,’ transforming the occasion into a charity initiative that resonated deeply with the local community.

The event, commencing at 10:00 AM, attracted an audience of approximately 40 individuals who engaged in a profound atmosphere of cultural reflection and communal dialogue. Central to the gathering was Henry’s discussion on the inspirations driving his publication, which emphasizes the critical need to preserve the historical narratives, challenges, and victories that have defined Antigua and Barbuda.

A highlight of the morning was the announcement that all proceeds from the event’s book sales, totaling $500.00 Eastern Caribbean Dollars, were dedicated to the Library’s After-School Enrichment Programme. This contribution underscores a tangible commitment to advancing educational opportunities and supporting youth development within the region.

Henry articulated during his presentation that history extends beyond written records, embodying a living legacy carried through generations. Attendees responded with enthusiastic feedback, praising both the substantive content of the book and the author’s compelling delivery.

Reflecting on the broader significance of the launch, Henry stated, ‘This was more than a book launch; it was an act of honoring our collective heritage and making a direct investment in our future by empowering young minds.’

The success of this event signals a rising community interest in local historical preservation and culturally-grounded philanthropy. Henry extended his gratitude to all participants and supporters, acknowledging the occasion as a pivotal step forward in fostering ongoing historical awareness and cultural appreciation.

The St. Philip’s North community will see the restoration of police services starting Monday following an official announcement by Minister of Works Maria Browne. The reopening comes as part of a comprehensive security enhancement plan that includes both immediate measures and long-term infrastructure development.

During a town hall meeting with constituents, Minister Browne directly addressed longstanding security concerns that have troubled the area. “The police station will reopen on Monday,” Browne declared to residents, whose applause demonstrated the community’s appreciation for the action.

This interim measure precedes the construction of a permanent, modernized police facility designed to accommodate the constituency’s expanding population. The new station will feature updated resources and capabilities to improve law enforcement effectiveness.

In a significant expansion of emergency services, Browne also revealed plans to integrate enhanced fire response capabilities into the constituency’s security infrastructure. This dual approach aims to create a more robust emergency response system for both law enforcement and fire safety needs.

The government’s decision follows sustained advocacy from residents who emphasized the critical need for consistent police visibility and rapid response capabilities. Browne acknowledged that community safety remains fundamental to public confidence and overall development, positioning it as a top administrative priority.

Officials anticipate that these security enhancements will substantially improve emergency response times and establish a stronger, more reliable protective presence for St. Philip’s North residents in the coming months.

The media launch for Antigua Carnival 2026 took an unexpected turn when questions emerged regarding outstanding payments to local vendors and service providers. Minister of Education, Sports and Creative Industries Daryll Matthew openly acknowledged the government’s financial obligations to numerous contractors from previous carnival events during the press conference’s question-and-answer segment.

Minister Matthew revealed that the payment issue represents more than just delayed individual invoices, indicating systemic challenges within the carnival’s funding structure. While confirming that settlement processes are currently underway, Matthew emphasized the necessity for a transparent dialogue about the economic framework supporting the annual festival.

The minister specifically challenged the hotel industry to increase their financial participation, highlighting that accommodation providers stand as primary beneficiaries of the substantial tourism influx during Carnival celebrations. Matthew pointed to the noticeable surge in summer arrivals that directly boosts hotel occupancy rates and revenue.

In strategic moves to address long-term financial sustainability, the government has invested in purchasing production equipment outright. This capital investment aims to reduce recurring rental costs and provide better value for taxpayers while maintaining the festival’s quality standards.

Despite these financial pressures, Minister Matthew reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fulfilling all outstanding obligations while ensuring the successful execution of Carnival 2026, scheduled to run from July 25 through August 4 next year.

In response to mounting constituent complaints, Antigua’s Utilities Minister Melford Nicholas has committed to restoring continuous water access to eastern communities, including St. Philip’s North, by Saturday evening. The pledge came during a Thursday town hall meeting where Nicholas acknowledged the justified frustrations of residents who have endured weeks without reliable running water.

Minister Nicholas revealed the commitment received formal Cabinet approval earlier that day following strategic resource reallocation to address distribution challenges. While national water production has tripled according to the minister, geographical obstacles continue to hinder efficient water movement to eastern districts due to persistent infrastructure limitations.

The urgency of the situation was emphasized by Nicholas’s disclosure of receiving what he characterized as “an angry” call from Prime Minister Gaston Browne, highlighting the issue’s elevated priority within the administration. As an immediate solution, Cabinet has authorized funding for an automated water switching system to replace manual valve operations at key locations including Cock Pond and Church Pond.

This technological upgrade will enable the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) to manage water redistribution more effectively and maintain consistent supply levels. Nicholas assured residents that once implemented, water would be available on demand regardless of time—whether for early morning showers or evening laundry needs.

The minister personally guaranteed accountability, providing his direct contact information and encouraging community members to report any persistent issues after Saturday’s deadline. Nicholas concluded by affirming that resolving the eastern communities’ water challenges has become the government’s foremost priority as part of broader efforts to stabilize island-wide water distribution.

Antigua and Barbuda is set to host its inaugural National Inter-School Warri Championship on February 28, 2026, marking a significant cultural revival initiative spearheaded by the Department of Culture and Ministry of Education. The event will transform the J. E. St. Luce Building in St. John’s into a vibrant arena where primary and secondary students from across the nation will compete in this traditional African board game, celebrated for its strategic depth and cultural significance.

Scheduled to commence at 10:00 AM with an opening ceremony and preliminary rounds, the championship will progress through semi-finals at 12:30 PM, culminating in finals and an awards presentation by 1:30 PM. The tournament represents a deliberate effort to reconnect younger generations with ancestral heritage, particularly as Black History Month concludes, emphasizing the game’s role as both intellectual exercise and cultural artifact.

The championship transcends mere competition, serving as a dynamic celebration of identity, resilience, and traditional knowledge preservation. Educational officials and cultural experts will attend alongside traditional Warri masters, providing authentic context to this ‘thinking man’s game’ that has long symbolized African intellectual tradition in the Caribbean.

Open to all primary and secondary institutions, the event encourages nationwide participation, with organizers urging parents, educators, and cultural enthusiasts to witness this groundbreaking convergence of youth engagement and historical continuity. The initiative aims to ensure Warri’s legacy remains a living, thriving component of Antiguan and Barbudan culture rather than a relic of the past.

In a significant address to global Anglican leaders, Archbishop Philip Wright of the Church in the Province of the West Indies has issued a powerful challenge to the worldwide communion: move beyond symbolic apologies for historical ties to slavery and embrace tangible reparative justice. The Archbishop’s remarks came during the ‘Breaking the Chains of Injustice’ international consultation, organized by UK charity USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), which brought together 40 church leaders from 31 nations to examine colonialism’s enduring legacy.

Archbishop Wright positioned the Anglican Church at a ‘moral crossroads,’ acknowledging that while recognition of institutional complicity in the transatlantic slave trade opens doors to transformation, empty rhetoric could ultimately prove more damaging than the original offense. His comments arrive amid ongoing parliamentary scrutiny of the Church of England’s £100 million ‘Project Spire’ initiative, launched in 2023 by the Church Commissioners to address historical links to slavery.

The consultation highlighted how slavery’s abolition in 1834 through the Slavery Abolition Act failed to eliminate its profound consequences. Participants recognized the trade’s enduring impact as a primary driver of intergenerational economic disparity, environmental degradation, and social challenges throughout the Caribbean region.

Archbishop Wright clarified that reparatory justice ‘is not to seek retribution’ but rather represents a necessary recognition of centuries of harm that now ‘demands deliberate and intentional redress.’ He pointed to both Project Spire and USPG’s ‘Renewal and Reconciliation: The Codrington Project’ as promising initial steps toward meaningful reconciliation.

The Codrington Project, launched this year, represents a £7 million initiative to atone for USPG’s specific historical involvement in slavery. The project addresses the legacy of the Codrington Estates in Barbados, which operated as a slave plantation between 1712 and 1838 after being bequeathed to the society in 1710. Key initiatives include transferring property ownership to descendants of enslaved people, identifying burial sites, and ensuring proper memorialization.

USPG General Secretary Duncan Dormor emphasized the moral imperative for the Church of England to take Caribbean reparative justice claims seriously, noting the institution’s deep involvement in ‘brutal, inhumane, and shameful activities.’ He characterized reparative justice as central to contemporary Christian mission.

When questioned about practical support for Caribbean communities, Archbishop Wright emphasized that solutions extend beyond financial compensation. He called for assistance in building new schools and hospitals to help people ‘step out of the legacy of this horrendous period of history,’ while acknowledging the positive contributions the Church has made in the region over centuries.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Revd Sarah Mullally, sent encouraging words to the consultation, praising USPG’s ‘commitment to partnership, justice, and the flourishing of local churches’ that continues to bless the Anglican Communion in profound ways.

In honor of International Tourist Guide Day (February 21), the Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) has showcased veteran tourism professional Cleo Henry in the latest installment of its “Unveiling Hospitality Professionals” series. With over 24 years of dedicated service, Ms. Henry has been recognized for her exceptional contributions to tour guiding and destination excellence.

Hailing from Bolans, Cleo Henry was immersed in values of service and professionalism from a young age. Her mother, a kindergarten teacher for 37 years, emphasized education and articulate expression, while her father, a chauffeur in hospitality for five decades, modeled commitment and pride in service. Ms. Henry’s early exposure to tourism came through assisting her father with guest transportation at Jolly Beach, where she learned the importance of presentation and customer care.

After secondary school, she enrolled at the Hotel Training Centre under the mentorship of industry leader Muriel Omarde. She began her career in 2002 as a tour guide with Tropical Adventures and later expanded her expertise through regional and international training programs, including a Train-the-Trainer course in Dominica and accreditation in Cyprus.

As the only WFTGA-accredited trainer in Antigua and Barbuda, Ms. Henry has trained hundreds of tourism professionals in tour planning, guiding, and operations. She collaborated with the Ministry of Tourism to pilot a Certified On-Site Tourist Guide Training Programme in 2018 and recently earned a Global Executive Master’s in Hospitality Leadership in Paris.

Today, she leads the Service Ambassador Training programme in partnership with the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board and the Muriel O’Marde Campus, equipping taxi drivers, vendors, and frontline workers with essential customer service skills.

Committed to mentoring the next generation, Ms. Henry encourages young professionals to pursue continuous training and uphold excellence in representing the nation’s tourism industry. Her story embodies resilience, dedication, and a profound commitment to elevating Antigua and Barbuda’s global tourism standing.

The ABHTA continues to promote and advocate for the hospitality sector, supporting members and stakeholders in strengthening the islands’ tourism product.