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  • Antigua and Barbuda Holistic Coalition awarded Mill Reef Fund grant for youth mental health programme

    Antigua and Barbuda Holistic Coalition awarded Mill Reef Fund grant for youth mental health programme

    ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — A significant advancement in youth mental health support is underway in Antigua and Barbuda following a substantial grant allocation. The Mill Reef Fund has awarded financial backing to the Antigua and Barbuda Holistic Coalition (ABHC), empowering its Youth Mental Health and Holistic Wellness Access Programme scheduled for 2026.

    This infusion of capital is designated to broaden the availability of crucial mental health resources for the nation’s youth and their families. The initiative encompasses a multi-faceted strategy, including professional counselling services, psychological assessments, and specialized emotional-literacy development programmes. A core component also involves educational workshops designed for parents to better support their children’s mental wellbeing.

    The programme’s architecture focuses on a dual approach: enhancing early intervention mechanisms for children and adolescents while concurrently reinforcing family-centric methodologies for sustaining mental wellness. Beyond immediate services, the grant will underwrite mental health scholarships for young individuals, further amplifying long-term access to professional care.

    ABHC officials have publicly acknowledged the Mill Reef Fund for its strategic investment in the community’s future, highlighting the critical importance of prioritizing mental and emotional health from an early age. The Coalition indicated that further details and ancillary announcements regarding the programme’s rollout are anticipated in the upcoming months.

  • Youth Ambassador Launches Agriculture Initiative with Girl Guides

    Youth Ambassador Launches Agriculture Initiative with Girl Guides

    ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – A groundbreaking agricultural initiative targeting youth engagement has been inaugurated by National Youth Ambassador Shacia A. in collaboration with the 10th Antigua Girl Guides. The program, titled ‘Plant the Seed, Grow the Future,’ employs mentorship and experiential learning methodologies to reconnect young generations with agricultural practices.

    The innovative scheme positions agriculture as a dynamic field intersecting with science, technology, and innovation sectors. Beyond basic food production, the curriculum emphasizes agriculture’s critical role in sustainable development frameworks. Participants recently engaged in hands-on activities including succulent planting ceremonies, symbolizing youth’s capacity to cultivate sustainable community futures.

    Program architects have strategically designed the initiative to bridge traditional farming techniques with contemporary technological approaches. Core values being instilled include environmental stewardship, patience cultivation, and disciplined leadership development.

    The Ambassador confirmed the program’s alignment with Antigua and Barbuda’s National Youth Policy priorities on environmental sustainability. Additionally, it directly supports multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Life Below Water (SDG 14), and Life on Land (SDG 15).

    Organizers characterize ‘Plant the Seed, Grow the Future’ as a longitudinal commitment to youth empowerment through agricultural channels, anticipating measurable impacts on both personal development and national sustainability indices.

  • HAPI Expands to Working on Multiple Homes at Once

    HAPI Expands to Working on Multiple Homes at Once

    The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has significantly scaled up its Home Assistance Program for the Indigent (HAPI) with a strategic expansion into Briggs Village, transitioning from individual home repairs to multi-household projects. This operational shift aims to dramatically accelerate the pace of home restoration and repairs for vulnerable communities, enabling simultaneous assistance to numerous families rather than proceeding through a sequential, single-home approach.

    This scaled initiative has been made possible through an unprecedented inter-agency collaboration. Key government figures including Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Housing Minister Rawdon Turner, Cabinet Senator Michael N. Freeland, and officials from the Social Protection Board have provided foundational support. Notably, the program has also incorporated contributions from the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, coordinated by Chief of Defence Staff Telbert Benjamin, and Her Majesty’s Prison, where participating inmates are involved in rehabilitation-focused community service.

    HAPI’s core mission focuses on critical repairs and improvements to residences of indigent and at-risk citizens, transforming living conditions while serving as a national model for efficient social assistance. Government authorities emphasize that this coordinated partnership framework demonstrates how multi-sector cooperation can rapidly amplify the impact of welfare programs. With the successful Briggs Village rollout serving as a blueprint, officials confirm that similar multi-home projects are being planned for additional communities as HAPI continues its nationwide implementation across Antigua and Barbuda.

  • Guyanese activist and co-founder of leading Black publishing houses in Britain dies

    Guyanese activist and co-founder of leading Black publishing houses in Britain dies

    Eric Huntley, the Guyanese-born co-founder of Britain’s seminal black publishing house Bogle L’Ouverture and a lifelong campaigner for racial equality, has passed away at age 96. Alongside his wife Jessica, Huntley established the radical publishing venture in 1968 from their West London living room, creating a crucial platform for underrepresented black authors and intellectuals.

    The publishing house, named after Jamaican national hero Paul Bogle and Haitian revolutionary Toussaint L’Ouverture, rapidly evolved from a makeshift printing operation into both a respected publishing imprint and community hub. The Huntleys’ Ealing-based bookshop became an informal advice center and gathering place for London’s black community, championing writers including Linton Kwesi Johnson, Valerie Bloom, and Beryl Gilroy.

    Beyond publishing, Huntley dedicated decades to racial justice activism. He played instrumental roles in the Caribbean Education and Community Workers Association and the Black Parents Movement, organizations formed to combat systemic racism in education and policing. His activism extended to organizing the 1981 Black People’s Day of Action following the New Cross fire tragedy that claimed 14 young black lives.

    Born in 1929 Georgetown, British Guiana, Huntley’s political consciousness developed early through his involvement with the People’s Progressive Party and Marxist leaders Cheddi and Janet Jagan. His activism led to imprisonment in 1954 for curfew violation during British colonial rule’s state of emergency.

    Seeking stability, Huntley migrated to Britain in 1957, working as a postal sorter while saving to bring his family from Guyana. The couple’s publishing venture began distributing speeches by influential Guyanese scholar Walter Rodney, growing into a respected imprint that published groundbreaking works despite repeated racist attacks during the National Front’s peak influence.

    The Huntleys’ archives now reside at London Metropolitan Archives, preserving their legacy of cultural activism. Eric Huntley continued community advocacy into his tenth decade, maintaining that ‘the struggle never ends.’ He is survived by two children, nine grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.

  • GECOM Commissioners refuse to discuss their future with Opposition Leader

    GECOM Commissioners refuse to discuss their future with Opposition Leader

    In a significant political development, three election commissioners aligned with the A Partnership for National Unity/People’s National Congress Reform (APNU/PNCR) have formally declined Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed’s request to discuss their potential resignation from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Commissioners Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin, and Desmond Trotman conveyed their position through a joint letter dated January 31, 2026, indicating their willingness to engage on other electoral matters while explicitly excluding discussions about their status from the agenda.

    The commissioners acknowledged Mohamed’s role as Opposition Leader but firmly stated that their positions remain “a sine qua non subject to legislative or judicial intervention,” effectively rejecting calls for their voluntary departure. This response comes amid public statements from Mohamed’s We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, which has argued that GECOM’s composition should reflect the current configuration of the National Assembly, where WIN holds 16 seats compared to APNU’s 12.

    The political standoff highlights deeper tensions within Guyana’s electoral governance framework. PNCR-APNU Leader Aubrey Norton criticized Mohamed’s approach, suggesting that proper protocol would involve consulting with his party first regarding any potential commissioner changes. Norton further asserted that GECOM appointments are permanent unless modified through legislative processes.

    Adding complexity to the situation, Norton and APNU parliamentary leader Dr. Terrence Campbell have accused Mohamed of overlooking what they perceive as biased voting patterns by GECOM Chairman Retired Justice Claudette Singh, who they claim consistently sides with ruling party-nominated commissioners. The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing debates about electoral reforms, particularly regarding the implementation of digitalized biometric systems for voter registration and verification—a measure that Chairman Singh has cautioned must balance technological advancement with constitutional compliance.

  • St Kitts tourism reports 6% growth in 2025, sets sights on 2026 – WIC News

    St Kitts tourism reports 6% growth in 2025, sets sights on 2026 – WIC News

    The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has announced a landmark achievement in its tourism sector, reporting a robust 6% increase in visitor arrivals for 2025. This growth solidifies the dual-island nation’s position as an emerging powerhouse within the competitive Caribbean tourism market.

    Official data reveals the destination welcomed 168,838 air arrivals throughout the year, with particularly strong performance recorded during the first quarter. This sustained interest is attributed to a multi-faceted strategy combining strategic marketing, global visibility campaigns, and significant public-private sector collaboration.

    Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson emphasized the transformative nature of this growth, stating, ‘Our success transcends mere statistics. We are fundamentally creating economic opportunities for our citizens, strengthening our entire tourism ecosystem, and establishing a foundation for long-term, sustainable development.’

    The St. Kitts Tourism Authority executed three highly targeted marketing campaigns designed to appeal to specific traveler demographics: ‘Adventure’ for thrill-seekers, ‘Summer Unscripted’ highlighting events and activities, and the ‘Do Not Disturb’ global romance initiative.

    International recognition followed these efforts, with the destination securing prestigious awards including ‘Sustainable Destination of the Year’ from Caribbean Journal and ‘Hidden Treasures Destination of the Year’ from PATWA. Minister Henderson was personally honored as ‘Woman Tourism Minister of the Year’ by both PATWA and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).

    The nation’s global media initiatives generated an extraordinary 5.7 billion impressions, significantly enhancing brand visibility. Key highlights included a dedicated ‘St. Kitts Week’ feature on NBC 6 and a strategic partnership with Chelsea footballer Cole Palmer, who visited his ancestral homeland, generating substantial positive publicity.

    Additional 2025 developments included the launch of a collaborative jewelry collection with Canadian brand bluboho, the implementation of a new digital eTA entry system, and the establishment of the nation’s first Travel Advisor Board.

    Looking forward, St. Kitts has set an ambitious target of achieving 10% growth in visitor arrivals for 2026. The strategy involves refining marketing approaches from broad geographic targeting to focused niche engagement and further strengthening regional partnerships with other Caribbean nations.

  • EMS: Ambulance Arrival Does Not Guarantee Immediate Hospital Treatment

    EMS: Ambulance Arrival Does Not Guarantee Immediate Hospital Treatment

    Emergency Medical Services authorities have issued a critical public clarification regarding hospital triage procedures, emphasizing that ambulance transport does not equate to immediate medical treatment upon arrival at healthcare facilities.

    Morvin Fiedtko, Public Relations Officer for Emergency Medical Services, explained that patient assessment and treatment prioritization are determined solely by medical urgency rather than mode of transportation. This statement addresses widespread misconceptions about emergency department protocols.

    “While emergency transport typically indicates serious conditions,” Fiedtko noted, “hospital medical teams consistently apply standardized triage assessments to evaluate all patients based on clinical severity.” This system ensures that critical cases receive immediate attention regardless of how they arrive at the facility.

    The clarification comes in response to observed misuse of ambulance resources by individuals attempting to circumvent standard waiting procedures. Fiedtko identified this as a significant concern, stating that some patients mistakenly believe emergency transport guarantees priority treatment over other patients.

    EMS officials emphasized that ambulances constitute a finite resource designed specifically for life-threatening emergencies. The service urged responsible usage to maintain availability for genuine critical cases, noting that inappropriate use potentially delays response times for patients experiencing actual medical crises.

    Healthcare professionals reinforce that emergency departments operate under evidence-based triage systems that objectively categorize patients according to medical necessity rather than arrival circumstances. This ensures equitable distribution of medical resources based on clinical need rather than perceived advantages of transportation method.

  • Less Pressure, Better Control: HEARTS sensitization and training workshop in Antigua and Barbuda

    Less Pressure, Better Control: HEARTS sensitization and training workshop in Antigua and Barbuda

    In a significant move to address the Caribbean’s most pressing health crisis, Antigua and Barbuda has launched an intensive training program in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The four-day HEARTS sensitization workshop brought together a diverse team of healthcare professionals—from dentists and physicians to domestic aids and security guards—from ten Phase 1 implementation clinics. This initiative forms a critical component of the broader Better Care for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Initiative, specifically targeting hypertension control through a unified, team-based care approach.

    Cardiovascular diseases represent the primary cause of mortality and disability throughout the Caribbean region, with Antigua and Barbuda being no exception. The HEARTS program aims to revolutionize hypertension management by training entire clinic teams in standardized protocols and best practices. Under the guidance of PAHO experts including Dr. Gloria Giraldo and Dr. Taraleen Malcolm, participants gained comprehensive understanding of the HEARTS framework and the crucial importance of measuring hypertension control drivers.

    The training featured innovative hands-on learning methodologies, with role-playing exercises emerging as particularly impactful. These sessions demonstrated proper blood pressure measurement techniques—a skill especially valuable for staff who don’t routinely perform this task. Through humorous yet instructive scenarios, trainers highlighted how easily poor habits can infiltrate patient interactions, leading to moments of revelation among participants. One nurse acknowledged: ‘Thank you for this, because I usually forget to ask the patient to empty their bladder before taking their blood pressure.’

    Moving forward, the next several months will focus on establishing robust monitoring systems across all participating healthcare centers. Staff will engage in continuous education through PAHO’s Virtual Campus of Public Health, while patient progress will be systematically tracked using hypertension control metrics. Dr. Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, praised this initiative as ‘a critical step’ that empowers healthcare teams through practical skills development while advancing quality improvement in primary healthcare delivery.

  • PM says young architects and designers should be given public works contracts on St. John’s City project

    PM says young architects and designers should be given public works contracts on St. John’s City project

    In a significant policy shift for urban development, the Prime Minister has formally advocated for prioritizing young architects and designers in awarding contracts for the St. John’s City project. This directive calls for a deliberate inclusion of emerging professionals in public works, marking a strategic move to infuse fresh perspectives and innovative design philosophies into national infrastructure.

    The announcement underscores a commitment to generational change within the construction and design sectors. By creating pathways for younger talent to lead major government-funded projects, the initiative aims to address longstanding industry barriers that often favor established firms. The St. John’s redevelopment, a flagship urban renewal program, is positioned to become a model for this new approach, potentially setting a precedent for future public works contracts nationwide.

    Government sources indicate this policy is part of a broader strategy to stimulate economic innovation and job creation for young professionals. The move has been framed not merely as an economic stimulus but as an investment in the nation’s creative capital, ensuring that public spaces reflect contemporary design thinking and sustainable practices championed by the newer generation of architects.

    While specific implementation details remain under development, the Prime Minister’s office confirmed that relevant ministries are drafting guidelines to operationalize this vision. The criteria are expected to balance experience with innovation, ensuring project viability while providing unprecedented opportunities for young firms to demonstrate their capabilities on a public stage.

  • Vincy history book strengthens case for reparation — UWI professors

    Vincy history book strengthens case for reparation — UWI professors

    A groundbreaking historical publication examining St. Vincent and the Grenadines has emerged as a pivotal academic contribution to the Caribbean reparations movement. The comprehensive volume, titled “St. Vincent and the Grenadines – A General History to the Year 2025, Volume One,” presents meticulously researched evidence of African enslavement and indigenous genocide during European colonization.

    Authored by distinguished Vincentian scholars Dr. Adrian Fraser, Dr. Cleve Scott, and Dr. Garrey Dennie, the work adopts an indigenous perspective that challenges traditional colonial narratives. The publication meticulously documents the systematic displacement and suffering of the Kalinago and Garifuna peoples, whose resistance against European land appropriation forms a central theme throughout the historical account.

    During the official launch at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, academic leaders emphasized the work’s significance. Dr. Rodney Worrell, Head of the Department of History, Philosophy and Psychology, highlighted the publication’s timely contribution to reparations advocacy, noting that it provides crucial evidence precisely when global attention focuses on historical justice.

    Dr. Henderson Carter, Senior History Lecturer, detailed the work’s compelling findings, including the forced relocation of approximately 5,000 indigenous people to the barren island of Balliceaux in the 1790s—an act described as deliberate genocide due to the lethal conditions imposed. The publication further reveals how sugar production expansion directly correlated with the importation of approximately 16,000 enslaved Africans between 1791-1795.

    The historical text incorporates primary source accounts, including testimony from enslaved individuals like Ashton Warner, who documented the brutal working conditions that caused numerous deaths during crop seasons. These firsthand narratives provide unprecedented insight into plantation operations from the perspective of the enslaved.

    Academic authorities assert that this research strengthens the reparatory justice framework advanced by both the African Union, which has declared 2026-2036 as the Decade of Reparations, and the CARICOM Reparations Commission’s 10-point action plan. The work represents a significant advancement in historical scholarship that supports legal and moral claims for reparations through documented evidence of historical atrocities.