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  • Antigua and Barbuda Advances Passenger Name Record Framework to Strengthen Border Security

    Antigua and Barbuda Advances Passenger Name Record Framework to Strengthen Border Security

    In a recent update to the island nation’s Cabinet, E. Paul Chet Greene, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration of Antigua and Barbuda, outlined forward movement on the establishment of a national Passenger Name Record (PNR) Framework, a cross-border security initiative delivered with dedicated technical and operational backing from the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS).

    Minister Greene told Cabinet members that CARICOM IMPACS has formally recognized Antigua and Barbuda’s recent passage of PNR-related legislation, framing the legal milestone as a critical advancement for both national and regional capabilities to counter transnational organized crime. By standardizing and improving passenger risk screening, the framework directly addresses growing gaps in border security that criminal networks have exploited to move people and contraband across the Caribbean.

    Under the terms of the collaborative arrangement, Antigua and Barbuda will gain full access to CARICOM IMPACS’ existing regional PNR platform. This centralized system is built to enable the secure collection, processing, and analysis of commercial passenger travel data for targeted risk assessment. Unlike fragmented national systems, the regional network allows participating law enforcement and border management agencies to flag high-risk travelers more efficiently while mandating strict compliance with each member state’s national laws and global data protection standards, ensuring personal passenger information is not misused or improperly shared.

    A core component of the initiative is the launch and operationalization of Antigua and Barbuda’s first dedicated Passenger Information Unit (PIU), the national body that will manage PNR data locally. CARICOM IMPACS will support every stage of the unit’s development, from drafting internal policies and governance structures to establishing standard operational protocols that align with regional norms. Specialized hands-on training will also be provided to all officers assigned to the new unit, covering critical skill sets including passenger risk profiling, intelligence gathering, PNR data processing, and up-to-date data protection compliance. To guarantee the long-term functionality of the national system, ongoing technical support will be made available beyond the initial launch phase.

    One of the most significant practical benefits of the regional collaborative model highlighted by Minister Greene is cost efficiency. By leveraging CARICOM’s pre-existing security infrastructure and cumulative expertise, Antigua and Barbuda will capture major economies of scale that would be impossible with a standalone national system. This approach eliminates the enormous upfront and long-term costs associated with independently developing, deploying, and maintaining a proprietary PNR platform, making the initiative fiscally responsible for the small island nation.

    Following Minister Greene’s update, the Cabinet formally endorsed the initiative and approved moving forward with the proposed partnership with CARICOM IMPACS. Official written confirmation of the Cabinet’s decision will be sent to CARICOM IMPACS in the near term, clearing the way for all administrative, technical, and pre-implementation planning processes to begin. After the formal confirmation is received, technical teams from CARICOM IMPACS and Antigua and Barbuda’s relevant national agencies will convene to finalize all remaining details: full implementation blueprints, technical specifications, clear division of responsibilities between the regional body and national authorities, and a phased timeline for launching the operational system.

    Cabinet members emphasized that the rollout of the PNR Framework is a core part of the Antigua and Barbuda government’s ongoing commitment to modernizing border management infrastructure, shoring up national security capabilities, and expanding deepened security cooperation with CARICOM institutions and other regional partner states. The government reaffirmed its long-standing pledge to ensure that all of Antigua and Barbuda’s border management systems meet evolving international best practices, while maintaining robust legal and procedural safeguards to guarantee the protection and strictly lawful use of all passenger personal data.

  • Scotiabank marks 70 years in Barbados

    Scotiabank marks 70 years in Barbados

    Seventy years after first establishing its presence in Barbados, Scotiabank is marking this major corporate milestone with a full slate of cross-stakeholder celebrations, strategic policy discussions, and impactful community giving that honors its legacy and lays groundwork for future growth on the island.

    The commemorative events brought together top regional leadership from Scotiabank, local government officials, long-standing clients, employees, and non-profit community partners across multiple activities centered on the bank’s decades-long role in Barbados’ economic development. A senior executive delegation, led by Jabar Singh, President of Scotiabank Dominican Republic and the Caribbean, and Gayle Pazos, Senior Vice-President and Head of Caribbean South and East, traveled to the island to meet with key national leaders and strategic partners. During these meetings, the delegation held formal discussions with Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Minister of Finance Ryan Straughn, covering the Barbadian government’s core economic priorities, the evolving regional financial landscape, and pathways for expanded private investment that supports sustained national economic growth.

    At Scotiabank’s flagship Bridgetown branch, executives, local management, and guests gathered to unveil a custom commemorative 70th anniversary wall, which features tributes to the clients, staff, and institutional partners that have supported the bank’s operations across its 70 years in the country. Branch Manager Rico Layne joined Country Head Suzette Armoogam-Shah, Singh, and Pazos for the official unveiling of the installation.

    A highlight of the anniversary celebrations came during a gala evening that brought together hundreds of stakeholders from across the public and private sectors. During the event, Scotiababad recognized long-standing “legacy clients” and retired and current employees who have been integral to the bank’s success in Barbados, and announced two landmark $70,000 charitable donations to local non-profits I Am A Girl and Walkers Reserve, a contribution that aligns with the anniversary theme of giving back to the Barbadian community that has supported the bank for seven decades. Tokens of appreciation were also presented to multi-generational legacy clients including Norman and Amy Barrow of A&B Music Supplies, to honor their decades-long partnership with the institution.

    In remarks during the celebrations, Singh emphasized that the 70-year milestone is first and foremost a testament to the deep, enduring relationships Scotiabank has built with the people and institutions of Barbados. “Seventy years in Barbados is a remarkable milestone and a testament to the enduring relationships we have built with our clients, communities and stakeholders. Barbados has been an important part of Scotiabank’s Caribbean journey, and we are proud of the role we have played in supporting the country’s growth and development over the decades,” Singh said.

    Looking ahead to the bank’s next chapter in the region, Singh reaffirmed Barbados’ central role in Scotiabank’s long-term regional strategy. “As we look ahead, Barbados remains central to our ambition to be our clients’ most trusted financial partner. Our focus is on deepening client relationships, enhancing the way we serve our clients, strengthening connectivity across the Caribbean while leveraging the reach and expertise of our global network, and continuing to invest in our people, whose talent and dedication are at the heart of everything we do,” he explained.

    Armoogam-Shah echoed this sentiment, extending gratitude to all stakeholders that have supported Scotiabank across its history in the country. “This anniversary is a celebration of the people and partnerships that have shaped Scotiabank’s journey in Barbados over the past 70 years. We are grateful to our clients, employees, community partners and generations of Barbadians for the trust they have placed in us,” she said. “As we honour our history, we remain committed to helping individuals, families and businesses achieve their ambitions and build a stronger future together.”

  • Cabinet Welcomes Strengthening of Emergency Response and Security Capabilities at V.C. Bird International Airport

    Cabinet Welcomes Strengthening of Emergency Response and Security Capabilities at V.C. Bird International Airport

    The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has formally received and welcomed a progress update on targeted upgrades to emergency response infrastructure, public safety protocols, and aviation security systems at the nation’s busiest international travel hub, V.C. Bird International Airport. The development package includes new specialized emergency response assets and an expanded commitment of long-term support from private sector partner Allen & Co.

    At the core of the current upgrades is the handover of two purpose-built emergency response vehicles to airport operations. These new assets will add critical capacity to existing teams, including airport firefighters, emergency medical responders, and other on-site emergency units, boosting their ability to deploy rapidly and execute effective interventions during critical incidents. This targeted investment underscores the national government’s priority of ensuring Antigua and Barbuda’s primary international gateway retains robust, reliable emergency resources that support uninterrupted safe airport operations and protect the well-being of passengers, on-site staff, and all facility users.

    During the official update presentation, representatives from Allen & Co. emphasized that the firm’s relationship with Antigua and Barbuda extends far beyond the simple procurement and delivery of capital equipment. The company recapped a prior instance when V.C. Bird International Airport faced an unmet gap in rescue capability: Allen & Co. moved quickly to donate a Jaws of Life hydraulic rescue tool, ensuring first responders had access to life-saving equipment exactly when it was needed. The firm stressed that effective public-private partnership demands adaptive responsiveness to emerging needs and a commitment to delivering equipment tailored to the unique operating context of the airport, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

    Cabinet members echoed this aligned perspective, noting that the acquisition of specialized emergency and security equipment must be paired with comprehensive staff training, proactive routine maintenance, ongoing technical support, and reliable access to replacement parts to deliver long-term value. For the small island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, these factors are especially critical: when investing in specialized capital equipment, national planners must account for unique challenges including extended shipping timelines, limited on-island technical infrastructure, and the non-negotiable need for long-term operational sustainability.

    In a major additional announcement, Allen & Co. confirmed it will donate an XRC 60-40 X-ray screening machine to the airport, expanding the facility’s aviation security capabilities as it enters a new phase of modernization. This additional screening technology will give airport security teams an upgraded technological tool to carry out their duties, boosting the overall screening capacity of the existing security infrastructure.

    Cabinet has emphasized that emergency preparedness and aviation security work hand in hand to sustain a safe, efficient international airport. As global aviation technology evolves and international safety and security standards continue to tighten, Antigua and Barbuda must maintain consistent investment in infrastructure, equipment, and human capital to meet these evolving global requirements.

    Allen & Co. has also issued a recommendation that all personnel assigned to operate the new emergency response equipment complete hands-on training, build comprehensive familiarity with system operations, and adhere to strict routine maintenance protocols to ensure the assets remain mission-ready at all times. The firm outlined its long-term partnership model, which begins with a deep assessment of an airport’s actual on-the-ground operational needs, identifies equipment tailored to those specific requirements, supports end-to-end acquisition and delivery, provides hands-on training for operating staff, and maintains ongoing engagement throughout the entire working lifespan of the equipment.

    Cabinet fully endorsed this focus on training and long-term sustainability, pointing out that equipment acquisition is only the first step in building national operational capacity. Equally critical is ensuring frontline personnel receive comprehensive, up-to-date training and that equipment remains serviceable and supported over decades of use.

    The Cabinet formally extended its gratitude to Allen & Co. for its sustained support and long-term partnership with Antigua and Barbuda, singling out the latest commitment to donate the advanced X-ray screening machine for particular recognition. Cabinet also commended the work of the V.C. Bird International Airport Authority (ABAA), on-site firefighters, emergency medical teams, security officers, and all frontline employees whose daily work sustains the safety, security, and efficient operation of the facility.

    Recognizing the airport’s outsized importance to Antigua and Barbuda’s core tourism industry, national economy, and global connectivity, the national government will continue to prioritize investments that strengthen emergency preparedness and aviation security at V.C. Bird International Airport. Cabinet noted that the ongoing development of the airport represents a significant source of national pride, but also acknowledged that safety and security capabilities must adapt continuously to meet changing demands. To that end, the government remains fully committed to ensuring the airport stays properly equipped, its workforce receives consistent high-quality training, and its emergency and security systems are regularly upgraded to meet both current and future operational requirements.

  • Murrell jailed after breaching bond

    Murrell jailed after breaching bond

    A 37-year-old Barbadian man has been sentenced to one year of incarceration at Dodds Prison, after pleading guilty to theft and violating a court-ordered peace bond he received just two months prior. Mario Michael Rommell Lamar Murrell, a resident of Beckles Road St Michael, entered guilty pleas before District ‘A’ No. 2 Magistrates Court Magistrate Manila Renee on two separate charges: stealing a $119 radio from the local retail outlet Prosales on August 24, and possession of drug paraphernalia linked to cocaine misuse, found in his possession on August 25.

    The conviction pushes Murrell’s total criminal convictions to 27, marking a decades-long pattern of run-ins with the legal system. Prosecuting Sergeant Kenmore Phillips laid out the sequence of events that led to the latest charges for the court. On August 23, Murrell visited the Prosales store to drop off a mobile phone for repair services. He returned the following day to check on the progress of his device; when the store employee stepped away to locate the phone, Murrell slipped an unsecured radio into his possession and exited the store without completing payment. Once the cashier alerted the employee that the radio had not been purchased, the theft was reported to local law enforcement. Officers took Murrell into custody the next day, and a routine search during processing turned up the cocaine-use paraphernalia.

    Court records show Murrell’s most recent court appearance came just two months earlier, in June 2024, when a magistrate granted him a six-month peace bond. The terms of the agreement were clear: if Murrell kept the peace, he would avoid jail time, but any violation would trigger an automatic three-month prison sentence. When asked about the breach of the bond, Murrell took responsibility, telling Magistrate Renee, “Yes ma’am, I know I broke the bond. I have a drug problem.”

    In handing down the sentence, Magistrate Renee called attention to Murrell’s extensive criminal record, noting that he had been in and out of prison almost every year for most of his adult life. “You are 37 years and have a long list of convictions. You must try and do better. Get help when you go up there,” the magistrate said. The 12-month sentence for the theft charge will run at the same time as the three-month sentence triggered by the bond violation. For the possession of drug apparatus charge, Murrell received a conviction, formal reprimand, and immediate discharge, with no additional prison time added to his sentence.

  • Cabinet Receives People’s Forum and Commonwealth Foundation Presentation on Advancing Antigua and Barbuda’s Creative Economy

    Cabinet Receives People’s Forum and Commonwealth Foundation Presentation on Advancing Antigua and Barbuda’s Creative Economy

    On a Wednesday working session, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda welcomed a high-level delegation representing the People’s Forum for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and the Commonwealth Foundation, who brought forward targeted proposals to boost the Caribbean nation’s creative economy and lay out a long-term strategic development blueprint for the sector.

    The visiting delegation brought together top leadership from both international and local bodies, including Razmi Farook, Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation; Carla Cole, the Foundation’s Deputy Director-General; Renee Robinson, an independent creative industries consultant; and local People’s Forum leaders Senator Abena St. Luce and Samantha Marshall.

    During the presentation to Cabinet, Robinson broke down the untapped economic potential of the creative sector for Antigua and Barbuda, especially as a driver of opportunity for the country’s large youth demographic. She emphasized that while the nation already boasts a dynamic, homegrown creative scene spanning music, arts, festivals and film, targeted upgrades — including formalizing informal activity, updating supportive legislation, rolling out industry incentives, improving national data tracking and expanding institutional backing — could supercharge the sector’s contributions to job creation, foreign direct investment and broad-based gross domestic product growth.

    To illustrate the impact of intentional policy action, the delegation shared successful case studies from peer Caribbean nations that have unlocked massive growth in their creative industries. The Dominican Republic’s booming film sector was held up as a key example: after the government introduced purpose-built legislation, tax incentives and streamlined production registration systems, the country saw a dramatic expansion in local and international film output that generated thousands of new jobs and millions in economic activity. The delegation also pointed to Jamaica, where mandatory formal registration for creative enterprises has correlated with improved revenue and business stability, with the sector now contributing an estimated 5% of the nation’s total GDP.

    A core focus of the discussion was exploring synergies between Antigua and Barbuda’s already world-renowned tourism sector and its emerging creative industries. Participants brainstormed innovative cross-sector projects, including the concept of luxury tourism experiences integrated with music residencies and creative retreats that would draw international A-list artists to the islands, create additional revenue streams for local businesses and boost the nation’s global cultural profile.

    Cabinet members were updated that a national White Paper and detailed implementation roadmap for the creative economy is already in development. The process builds on years of prior stakeholder consultations and industry analysis, and is designed to create a clear pathway for enacting the policy and legislative changes needed to support long-term sector growth.

    In response to the proposal, the Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet publicly welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the national government’s full commitment to investing in and expanding the country’s creative industries. Cabinet members specifically highlighted strong interest in accessing targeted technical assistance from the Commonwealth Foundation to refine national creative arts policy and strengthen the required enabling legislative framework.

    The Cabinet also noted that Antigua and Barbuda already holds an abundance of homegrown talent across music, film, festivals, visual arts, performing arts and other creative disciplines. With the right support, these sectors are positioned to become a core pillar of economic diversification, creating new formal employment opportunities and fostering youth entrepreneurship across the islands.

    Finally, the Cabinet expressed support for ongoing multi-party collaboration between the national government, the Commonwealth Foundation, the CHOGM 2026 People’s Forum and local creative stakeholders, as Antigua and Barbuda prepares to take on the high-profile responsibility of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

  • Estwick: DLP must prepare new generation of leaders after three 30-0 defeats

    Estwick: DLP must prepare new generation of leaders after three 30-0 defeats

    Barbados’ main opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is standing at a critical crossroads this weekend, as party delegates gather for a three-day annual general conference kicking off Friday to select a new president between two veteran former cabinet ministers, Dr David Estwick and Stephen Lashley. The race comes after the DLP suffered three straight 30-0 general election wipeouts dating back to 2018, leaving the once-dominant party mired in political wilderness and tasked with charting a path to recovery ahead of the next constitutionally mandated election in 2031.

    Both contenders hail from the DLP’s established old guard, but Dr Estwick has positioned his campaign around a platform called Renewal With Purpose, laying out a detailed roadmap for the party’s revival in his official presidential proposition ahead of the vote. In outlining his vision, Dr Estwick, a three-time election contender who represented the St Philip West constituency, pushed back on narratives that the party needs full reinvention, arguing instead that incremental, purpose-driven renewal is the correct path forward. He emphasized that the DLP’s repeated defeats stem from systemic shortcomings in leadership, policy development, public messaging and public confidence in the party’s governing readiness—not a lack of quality among its candidates, a trend he says is borne out by the party’s repeated attempts to field new candidate slates that still ended in total defeat.

    Notably, Dr Estwick rejected the urge to deflect blame for the DLP’s current struggles onto other members or later generations of leadership. Having served as a cabinet minister in the DLP’s 10-year administration that lost power in the 2018 wipeout, he acknowledged shared responsibility for the party’s trajectory. “I therefore cannot, and will not, stand before this party and pretend that responsibility for our present circumstances belongs only to those who came after me. We have all travelled this road together. We must now find the courage to rebuild together,” he said.

    He also stressed that the contest is about more than just filling a party office, telling delegates: “The larger question is: what kind of Democratic Labour Party does Barbados now need, and what must we do together to build it? That is the reason I offer myself for service as president of the Democratic Labour Party.” Dr Estwick added that the DLP must not reduce its purpose to simply defeating the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP), noting that defining itself solely by opposition to its rival would erase the party’s core mission to serve the Barbadian public. “If the sole purpose is to defeat the Barbados Labour Party, then we have defined ourselves by our opponents rather than by the people we exist to serve,” he argued.

    Dr Estwick opened his campaign with a pledge to run a constructive race, committing not to undermine his opponent to win votes and vowing to treat Lashley’s supporters as partners in the broader work of rebuilding the party founded by Errol Barrow, Barbados’ National Hero and Father of Independence. If elected president, he has committed to delivering five core outcomes: uniting the fractious party, restoring its founding purpose, rebuilding its grassroots organizational structure, reestablishing it as a credible alternative government, and nurturing the next generation of DLP leadership.

    On the first priority, party unity, Dr Estwick pledged to foster a new political culture where contribution, ability, commitment and integrity—rather than factional affiliation—determine opportunities for service, adding that internal disagreement should be respected while the party unites behind final decisions. For restoring purpose, he said the DLP must translate its decades-old core values into actionable solutions for modern Barbadian challenges, so that both members and the general public can clearly distinguish the DLP’s approach to national development from other parties.

    On organizational rebuilding, Dr Estwick argued that the DLP has become overly election-focused, noting that a party cannot gain strength on the campaign trail if it is inactive between votes. He pledged to rebuild the party from the grassroots up, empowering local branches, constituency groups and ordinary members, while embedding political education and accountability into the party’s daily operations across the island. To reestablish the DLP as a credible governing alternative, he said the opposition must move beyond merely criticizing the ruling BLP and develop concrete, alternative policy platforms across every major issue affecting Barbadians—from the economy and cost of living to health, education, housing and technology—ultimately positioning the DLP to lead national conversation rather than just react to it.

    Finally, on developing new leadership, Dr Estwick said the success of his presidency would not be measured by how much power he consolidates, but by how well he prepares a new generation of leaders to take the reins after he leaves office. He called on senior party members to act as mentors rather than gatekeepers, noting that experience and youth can complement each other rather than compete. “Younger members must receive genuine responsibility. They must have opportunities to develop political judgement, policy knowledge, organisational skills and constituency experience. Senior members must become mentors rather than gatekeepers. Experience and youth are not opposing forces. The strongest Democratic Labour Party will combine both,” he said.

  • Cabinet Calls for Increased Food Production and Expansion of Agricultural Water Infrastructure

    Cabinet Calls for Increased Food Production and Expansion of Agricultural Water Infrastructure

    Against a backdrop of growing global supply chain volatility and mounting climate-related risks, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has issued a renewed call to ramp up domestic food production, issuing formal instructions to the country’s Ministry of Agriculture to accelerate work on constructing and restoring critical water storage infrastructure including dams, ponds and other rain catchment facilities. The move is designed to address longstanding water access barriers that have limited agricultural output across the twin-island nation.

    During a regularly scheduled cabinet meeting held Wednesday, members held in-depth deliberations centered on advancing national food security goals. Discussions highlighted an urgent need to boost both the volume and diversity of locally grown food products, while steadily cutting the country’s heavy reliance on imported food staples that leave the nation exposed to global market shocks.

    Honourable Anthony Smith Jr., Minister for Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, updated attendees on the ministry’s ongoing work. He reported that the agency has already been active in constructing new dams, clearing overgrown sites, and restoring existing ponds and other natural water sources in preparation for upcoming seasonal rainfall, aligning with pre-existing national food security frameworks.

    Cabinet members emphasized that maximizing rainwater capture and storage is a foundational step toward building a far more resilient agricultural sector. This urgency stems from Antigua and Barbuda’s well-documented susceptibility to extended dry spells and unpredictable rainfall patterns tied to shifting global climate conditions, which have repeatedly disrupted small-scale and commercial farming operations in recent years.

    Following these discussions, the Cabinet directed Minister Smith and his team of agricultural technical experts to dramatically scale up the ongoing program of dam and pond construction, while continuing proactive maintenance and restoration work on existing water catchment infrastructure. Beyond water infrastructure, the Ministry has also been ordered to strengthen outreach and support programs designed to empower farmers to bring more idle acreage into active production, and to expand the government’s own targeted food production initiatives.

    The latest directives build on a suite of existing policy measures already being rolled out as part of the government’s overarching national food security strategy. One core long-term goal of this strategy is the development of a interconnected national network that can capture and store far larger volumes of rainwater exclusively for agricultural use. Once completed, the network will deliver a more reliable, low-cost water supply for farmers, and cut the agricultural sector’s reliance on expensive desalinated drinking water for crop irrigation.

    The government’s broader food security agenda also addresses systemic barriers to access for productive agricultural land. Earlier in 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture announced that roughly 150 acres of underutilized farmland had been repossessed for redistribution. Cabinet subsequently approved the allocation of 75 of those acres specifically to new young and women farmers, a targeted initiative designed to put productive land in the hands of producers committed to growing output and boosting local food supplies.

    Additional complementary initiatives already in motion include the development of a state-of-the-art Tissue Culture Laboratory in Bethesda, which will supply local farmers with disease-free, high-yield planting material to improve crop quality and yields. The government is also partnering with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) on a range of projects, including developing improved sweet potato varieties, delivering hands-on farmer training, strengthening national seed security systems, and scaling up climate-resilient agricultural practices across the country.

    Cabinet members stressed that all these policy initiatives must ultimately deliver tangible results for consumers across Antigua and Barbuda, with the end goal of getting larger volumes of fresh, local food into households, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and other consumer outlets. To that end, the government is actively encouraging all local producers to take full advantage of the expanded access to land, upgraded water infrastructure, improved planting materials, technical assistance and other support offered through the Ministry of Agriculture to expand their production operations.

    In closing, the Cabinet reaffirmed that national food security remains one of the government’s top national priorities. Officials noted that expanding domestic agricultural production delivers multiple core benefits: it not only cuts the country’s costly food import bill, which frees up public funds for other critical development priorities, but also strengthens Antigua and Barbuda’s overall resilience against external supply disruptions, extreme climate events, and other interconnected global challenges that have strained food systems across small island developing states in recent years.

    In line with this priority, the Cabinet has formally tasked the Ministry of Agriculture with moving forward aggressively on four core priorities: expanding national agricultural water storage capacity, supporting both existing and new entering farmers, bringing additional underutilized agricultural land into active productive use, and ultimately growing more food to meet the needs of all people across Antigua and Barbuda.

  • Ministry pushes ‘Healthy, Active, Smart’ approach for new school year

    Ministry pushes ‘Healthy, Active, Smart’ approach for new school year

    As the 2024 academic year kicks off across Saint Lucia, the nation’s Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition has launched a public awareness campaign centered on student well-being, calling on parents, teachers, and students themselves to make physical and mental health a non-negotiable top priority. Under the campaign theme “Be Healthy, Active, Smart”, ministry officials outline three interconnected pillars that directly underpin stronger academic performance: balanced nutrition, consistent daily physical activity, and intentional mental health care.

    The ministry emphasizes that academic achievement cannot be separated from student wellness: “Academic success is impossible if a child is carrying unmanaged stress or anxiety.” To build a supportive foundation for learning, the campaign stresses that shared responsibility between families and school communities is critical.

    To help families implement healthy habits on any budget, the ministry encourages parents to prioritize affordable, nutrient-dense options for home meals and student lunchboxes, with a specific recommendation to incorporate local, seasonal produce. For school staff, the ministry outlines simple actionable changes to integrate wellness into daily class routines, starting with short scheduled movement breaks and regular check-ins to track student emotional needs.

    The campaign breaks its guidance into three clear, actionable categories for different members of the school community:

    ### Nutrition Guidelines
    – Pack fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole food items to sustain consistent energy levels throughout the school day, avoiding processed snacks that cause energy crashes
    – Replace sugary sodas and sweetened carbonated drinks with plain water to support long-term physical health and steady focus
    – Leverage local, seasonal produce to keep meals both affordable and nutritionally dense

    ### Physical Activity Recommendations
    – Implement 3-minute “Desk-Buster Brain Breaks” between class periods, giving students space to stand, stretch, and move their bodies to reset focus
    – Encourage all students to join school sports teams or recreational activity clubs, ensuring they get at least some daily movement to counteract long hours of sitting at desks

    ### Mental Well-Being Strategies
    – Ask teachers to use regular homeroom periods to conduct quick, informal wellness check-ins with students to identify emerging stress or anxiety early
    – Advise parents to reduce evening screen time, as excessive blue light exposure disrupts sleep quality, a key factor in emotional regulation and academic focus
    – Encourage students to normalize open communication, urging them to share feelings of stress or overwhelm with trusted teachers, school counselors, or family members

    Ministry leaders reaffirmed that educational institutions play a central role in shaping lifelong healthy habits for young people, through consistent promotion of good nutrition, daily movement, and accessible emotional support. The organization closed by extending warm wishes to all teachers, parents, and students for a safe, productive new school year, and calling on every member of the Saint Lucian school community to work together to ensure the nation’s children grow up healthy, active, and fully prepared to thrive in their learning.

  • $625,200 Investment for Bella Vista’s New Market

    $625,200 Investment for Bella Vista’s New Market

    Groundwork is officially set to begin on a transformative $625,200 community market project in Bella Vista, a community located in Belize’s Toledo District, after stakeholders gathered for a launch workshop to align on project goals and next steps. The initiative, which brings together national government leaders, representatives from the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF), and local community members, addresses longstanding gaps in local commercial infrastructure that have held back small-scale producers and vendors for years.

    Currently, the vast majority of informal commercial activity in Bella Vista and its surrounding neighborhoods operates out of unregulated roadside stalls, with no access to basic amenities such as weather shelter, clean sanitation facilities, or on-site security. This setup creates disproportionate hardships for local food producers, who often travel dozens of miles to reach existing formal markets. Spoilage of fresh produce during transit and unprotected on-site storage cuts into already thin profit margins, costing farmers time, revenue, and critical product each growing season.

    CDF representative Kyron Barker highlighted that the project carries unique social importance because of the outsized role women play in the local vending economy. Women make up a large share of Bella Vista’s informal vendors, many of whom are the sole breadwinners for their households and currently work full time in exposed, unprotected roadside conditions with no safety net.

    To address these challenges, the new climate-resilient market will be outfitted with a full suite of functional amenities: purpose-built vendor stalls, off-grid solar power for lighting and small equipment access, a steady supply of potable water, enclosed sanitation facilities, and a structured waste management system. Beyond physical construction, the project also allocates resources for business skills training for local vendors, and will develop a formal community-led management framework to ensure the facility remains operational and accessible for decades after construction wraps.

    Carlos Pol, Chief Executive Officer of Belize’s Ministry of Economic Transformation, emphasized that the project extends far beyond building a new physical structure. The market is intentionally designed to open up new income-generating pathways for a diverse cross-section of local residents, including small-scale farmers, single mother households, young emerging entrepreneurs, and other community members looking to grow their small businesses. Pol noted that the facility is expected to act as a catalyst for broader economic growth across the entire region, not just Bella Vista itself.

    The formal project agreement between the CDF and Belize Prime Minister John Briceño was signed just one week before the launch workshop, on August 20, during a ceremony held in Punta Gorda. The launch workshop, held to kick off implementation, focused specifically on clarifying roles and responsibilities for all participating stakeholders, and locking in the requirements needed to release the first round of project funding without delays. Barker explained that the project leadership’s top priority is establishing clear organizational structures from day one to avoid unnecessary hold-ups during the construction phase.

    Co-financed through a $200,000 grant from the CDF, the project is projected to deliver tangible benefits to more than 10,000 residents across Bella Vista and its neighboring communities once completed, replacing precarious informal roadside commerce with a safe, formal, and sustainable commercial hub for the region.

  • Beckles links Arday’s death to anti-Black racism

    Beckles links Arday’s death to anti-Black racism

    The tragic death of pioneering Black academic Professor Jason Arday has sparked a searing indictment of systemic anti-Black racism in British universities, led by leading higher education leader and racial justice advocate Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI).

    Arday made history in 2023 when he became the youngest Black scholar appointed to a full professorship at the University of Cambridge, taking up the role of Professor of Sociology of Education. The groundbreaking appointment drew global attention, but just a year later, on August 14, the 40-something scholar was found unresponsive at his south London home and pronounced dead at the scene. Police have ruled out suspicious circumstances, and an initial coroner’s inquest held this week was adjourned to allow for further investigation into the death.

    Arday’s death came just nine days after he resigned from his post at Jesus College, Cambridge, facing public accusations of plagiarism and intense scrutiny of gaps in his academic record and career trajectory. Before his death, Arday had forcefully denied all claims of academic misconduct and plagiarism. In the wake of the scholar’s passing, Beckles — a prominent historian and chair of the CARICOM Reparations Commission — has issued a blistering statement tying Arday’s treatment and untimely death to deep-rooted, institutional anti-Black racism that persists across the United Kingdom’s higher education sector.

    “The public destruction of the living and life of this young, accomplished scholar has resonated globally as a gruesome, networked catastrophe,” Beckles wrote, arguing that Arday’s experience cannot be disentangled from the centuries-long history of anti-Black racism embedded in British public institutions. “It is impossible to separate the loss of Professor Jason Arday’s life from the truth embedded in the resolution. Anti-black racism at its most inhumane and life-destroying intensity has always been implemented by the minds and mostly invisible hands within public institutions.”

    Beckles drew a direct historical parallel to another trailblazing Black Caribbean scholar, Sir Arthur Lewis, the Saint Lucian economist who would go on to win the Nobel Prize in Economics. When Lewis was tapped for a professorship in economics at the University of Liverpool in 1947, Beckles recalled, widespread white resistance blocked the appointment — at the time, no British university had ever hired a Black professor, and Liverpool refused to become the first. Lewis ultimately moved to the University of Manchester, where he built his legendary career, but the incident, Beckles argues, is proof that the systemic racial barriers that blocked Lewis a generation ago remain unaddressed in 21st-century British academia.

    Beckles also challenged the core narrative of academic excellence that leading British institutions promote, noting that most historic UK universities are still grappling with their deep financial and ideological ties to chattel slavery, colonialism, and apartheid. He questioned whether a university can truly claim to deliver world-class excellence when it maintains an unspoken “race ceiling” that limits the advancement and well-being of Black scholars at its core.

    “Excellence is no longer seen as confined to curriculum, teaching, research ranking, and student satisfaction,” Beckles argued. “It is equally about the ethical values of pedagogy and genuine commitment to the enlightenment of humanity.”

    Beyond structural analysis, Beckles placed direct blame on institutional failure, saying Arday was failed by a total lack of formal and public support when he faced public attacks. “The ending of Arday’s life resonates everywhere as evidence of the lack of institutional and public support for a human who deserved a right to public help,” he said. “This is not a ‘who done it’ mystery. Collective ownership is the place to begin looking for the weapon.”

    Beckles added that the crisis triggered by Arday’s death is not unique to Cambridge, warning that similar failures will play out at other institutions unless widespread change is implemented. “The university cannot easily set aside the tangled web of warfare unleashed upon its member. The gauntlet has befallen Cambridge University today, but it will fall elsewhere tomorrow,” he said. He called on all British universities to launch urgent reviews of the institutional support systems available to Black academics facing public scrutiny, and to confront the ongoing racial inequities that shape campus culture. In framing Arday’s experience as part of a broader centuries-long struggle against colonial racism, Beckles said his death must serve as a catalyst for long-overdue institutional reckoning and change.