标签： Antigua and Barbuda

安提瓜和巴布达

Cricket West Indies Announces Limited Overs Squads For The Tour Of India

Cricket West Indies has officially revealed its national squads for an upcoming high-profile international tour against India, which will run from September 27 through October 18 across eight host cities. The tour, comprising three One Day Internationals and five T20 International matches, will see the Caribbean side, led by captain Shai Hope, face off against the top-ranked team in the world in both formats of the sport.

For the ODI leg of the tour, the selection panel has opted to retain the core group of players that competed in recent home series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, bringing continuity to the side. One key change sees opener John Campbell return to the roster, having been forced to miss the final two ODIs of the New Zealand series with a hamstring injury. Young batter Ackeem Auguste, who underwent surgery in August, has been ruled out of the tour to continue his post-operative rehabilitation, and his spot has been filled by Jewel Andrew, who provides the side with a flexible batting option capable of featuring in both the top and middle order.

Fan-favorite Shimron Hetmyer, who featured in the closing two matches of the New Zealand ODI series, has been granted an extended recovery break following his participation in the recent Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He will remain available for selection and join the squad ahead of the start of the T20I segment of the tour.

The opening two ODIs of the series mark the final matches of the current automatic qualification cycle for the 2025 ICC Men’s 50-Over World Cup. However, Cricket West Indies has already confirmed that regardless of the results against India, the side cannot climb past its competitors in the qualification standings, meaning the Caribbean team will compete in the ICC secondary qualifying tournament early next year to secure a spot in the main event.

Despite this setback, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has emphasized the critical value of the series for the team’s ongoing development. “Playing against the top team in the world presents us with a chance to fine tune and improve our performances as an ODI team which has seen quality performances across the cycle,” Sammy explained. “The series also creates a valuable platform to assess players who are stepping into important roles for this series with a long-term target of competing in the World Cup in 2027.”

Turning to the T20I squad, the selection has been heavily focused on nurturing emerging talent for the 2028 T20 World Cup, with exciting young opening batter Kamil Pooran earning his first ever international call-up. The right-handed batter put in an impressive domestic performance ahead of his selection, scoring 273 runs across eight innings at a striking average of 39 and a blistering strike rate of 159.64. Quentin Sampson, who was part of West Indies’ squad at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup held in India earlier this year, has also been retained in the squad, while experienced all-rounder Jason Holder has been given a rest for this tour to manage his workload.

Sammy noted that the T20I squad has been constructed with an explicit long-term vision to build a competitive core for the next T20 World Cup cycle. “We are looking to build on the momentum from our series win against Sri Lanka, with the long-term goal of developing a strong core of players ahead of the next T20 World Cup,” he said. “The challenge of playing against the World Champions will provide valuable preparation, allowing us to continue improving and developing both individually and as a collective unit.”

The full West Indies traveling party will depart the Caribbean on September 21, and is scheduled to arrive in the Indian city of Trivandrum on September 23, two days ahead of the opening match of the tour.

19 9 月, 2026
Caribbean Airlines Named Best Airline Staff in Central America and Caribbean

Trinidad and Tobago-based regional carrier Caribbean Airlines has earned top honors at the 2026 World Airline Awards, taking home the distinction of Best Airline Staff in Central America and the Caribbean. The award, presented by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization, is determined annually through a global passenger satisfaction survey that gathers input from millions of travelers across the world.

The carrier publicly celebrated the achievement this Friday, emphasizing that the recognition stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication, genuine warmth, and consistent professionalism of every member of its team. It also highlighted that the award would not have been possible without the trust and long-standing loyalty of its customers. In a heartfelt message to passengers, Caribbean Airlines stated, “This award belongs to you. Thank you for flying with us and for making this recognition possible.”

Unlike broader airline awards that evaluate overall operational performance, this specific honor focuses exclusively on frontline employees, encompassing cabin crew, ground personnel, and airport staff. It assesses the quality of service delivered to passengers at every touchpoint of their travel journey, from check-in through to disembarkation.

This latest accolade builds on a growing list of international honors for Caribbean Airlines, which has expanded its operational footprint to become a critical connector across the region. Today, the carrier operates an extensive route network linking popular destinations throughout the Caribbean to major markets in North America and South America. Headquartered in Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean Airlines has solidified its position as the leading regional carrier, bridging dozens of Caribbean island communities with key global travel hubs and supporting both regional tourism and economic connectivity.

19 9 月, 2026
Antigua and Barbuda PM Browne Holds CHOGM Talks With UK Caribbean Minister

As final-stage preparations ramp up for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne has held high-stakes diplomatic discussions with the United Kingdom’s top official for Caribbean affairs, moving the landmark event one step closer to its planned 2026 launch.

The closed-door talks, held September 15 during Browne’s official visit to the UK, paired the Antiguan leader with Uma Kumaran, the UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with oversight for Caribbean relations. This meeting marked the second key diplomatic engagement of Browne’s trip, coming on the heels of separate bilateral discussions with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband earlier in the visit.

At the core of the conversation between Browne and Kumaran was operational planning for the upcoming 2026 summit, which is set to be hosted by Antigua and Barbuda for the first time. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to delivering a well-organized, productive summit that addresses the pressing priorities of the Commonwealth bloc.

Scheduled to run from November 1 to 4, 2026, the summit will bring together heads of state, government leaders, and senior policymakers from all 56 member nations of the Commonwealth. The gathering will center on the official theme “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth”, with discussions expected to focus on boosting cross-bloc economic collaboration, expanding sustainable investment, and tackling shared challenges ranging from climate adaptation to inclusive economic growth.

This latest round of coordination underscores the ongoing collaborative relationship between host nation Antigua and Barbuda and the United Kingdom, a founding Commonwealth member, as planning efforts enter their final phase ahead of the high-profile global gathering.

19 9 月, 2026
Police Interview Several People as Search Continues for Missing 36-Year-Old Keisha Conrell

In St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, law enforcement agencies are working around the clock to trace a 36-year-old local woman who has vanished without a trace for seven days. Keisha Conrell, a resident of the Briggins community, has not been in contact with friends or family since mid-September, prompting an official missing person investigation launched by the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.

So far, investigative teams have conducted a series of targeted canvassing and search operations. Searches have covered Conrell’s home neighborhood of Briggins, adjacent residential communities, and multiple other unconfirmed locations across the area that could potentially hold clues to her whereabouts. As of the latest update, these efforts have not yielded any breakthrough leads to locate the missing woman.

According to official timelines released by police, Conrell was last documented to be seen by members of the public on Saturday, September 12. Five days later, on Thursday, September 17, concerned parties filed a formal missing person report with the force’s Criminal Investigations Department, which opened an official case into her disappearance.

As part of ongoing procedural steps, investigators have already interviewed multiple people connected to the case to gather statements and potential evidence. However, law enforcement has declined to release any details about the identities of these interviewees, and has not clarified whether any of the individuals interviewed are considered formal suspects or persons of interest in the investigation.

With the search effort still active, police are issuing a public appeal for community assistance to help bring Conrell home safely. Any person who spotted Conrell after September 12, or holds any information—even minor details that seem unimportant related to her current location is urged to contact investigators. Tips can be submitted via phone at 462-3913, 462-3914, or by visiting the closest local police station. Authorities emphasize that even seemingly insignificant information can prove critical to advancing the investigation and locating the missing woman.

19 9 月, 2026
Antigua and Barbuda equips justice officials to fight human trafficking

From September 14 to 18, 2026, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) partnered with Antigua and Barbuda’s national Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Unit to host a groundbreaking Advanced Multi-Disciplinary Trafficking in Persons (TIP) training programme for the country’s justice sector officials. The initiative, tailored specifically for experienced legal and law enforcement practitioners, aims to close coordination gaps across the justice system and strengthen the Caribbean nation’s ability to tackle modern slavery through more effective investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of trafficking cases.

Unlike basic introductory anti-trafficking workshops, this five-day advanced programme deep dives into the complex practical challenges that arise in high-stakes trafficking investigations and court proceedings, prioritizing skill-building in critical analysis and strategic, real-time decision-making. More than 30 participants were drawn from across Antigua and Barbuda’s public safety and justice ecosystem, including officers from the Royal Police Force, Forensic Services, Immigration Department, Customs and Excise, the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy, senior prosecutors from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and sitting members of the national judiciary.

What sets this training apart from standard capacity-building courses is its immersive end-to-end simulation structure, which follows a single hypothetical trafficking case from the initial report of a victim through to final courtroom adjudication. Over the first two days, participating investigators worked in teams to build their case, conduct cross-border inquiry drills, analyze complex financial and digital evidence, and adapt their strategies to evolving, high-pressure scenario developments that test on-the-job decision-making. On the third day, prosecutors took over the investigative case files, honing their skills in evidence assessment, charging strategy, and compliance with legal disclosure requirements. The fourth day focused exclusively on judicial capacity, with a peer-led working session exploring best practices for managing trafficking proceedings, including tailored protections for vulnerable victims and child witnesses. The programme concluded with a full integrated simulation that brought investigators, prosecutors, and judges together to test the entire case process from start to finish.

Roughly 60 percent of the programme’s content was hands-on practical training, with all curricula aligned to Antigua and Barbuda’s 2010 Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Act (including its subsequent amendments) and the country’s national anti-trafficking action plan. Throughout the week, facilitators emphasized three core pillars of effective anti-trafficking work: a victim-centered approach to all cases, the principle of non-punishment for victims who are forced to commit offenses as part of their exploitation, and the critical importance of cross-border cooperation to disrupt transnational trafficking networks.

Lt. Col. Michael Jones, Executive Director of CARICOM IMPACS, explained that successful anti-trafficking work requires far more than strong individual investigations—it demands seamless coordinated action across all parts of the justice system, from the moment a victim is first identified to the final resolution of the case. “Investigators, prosecutors, the judiciary, and victim-support services each have distinct roles to play, but unaddressed gaps between these groups can undermine both victim protection and access to justice,” Jones noted. “For CARICOM IMPACS, a whole-of-justice-system approach means strengthening those connections, both at the national level and across our region, while upholding core principles of judicial independence and due process. Our collective success should not be measured only by how many cases we bring to court, but by whether we deliver actual justice, hold traffickers accountable, and give survivors the support they need to rebuild their lives,” he added.

Mrs. Phillisha Pardo, Acting Director of Antigua and Barbuda’s Trafficking In Persons (Prevention) Unit, reaffirmed the national government’s unwavering commitment to combating human trafficking in all its forms. “We will continue to advance public education, raise awareness, and build strategic partnerships to prevent this crime from occurring in our communities and strengthen our national response. When trafficking is identified, we will conduct thorough, rigorous investigations, prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law, and ensure that survivors receive the protection, support, and justice they are entitled to,” Pardo assured stakeholders.

The programme was facilitated by a team of seasoned anti-trafficking practitioners from across the CARICOM region, drawn from Guyana and Jamaica. It forms part of a broader regional initiative led by CARICOM IMPACS to build coordinated national and regional capacity to counter human trafficking across all 15 CARICOM member states.

Established in July 2006 during the 27th Meeting of the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government held in Bird Rock, St Kitts and Nevis, CARICOM IMPACS serves as the operational implementation arm of the regional body’s crime and security action agenda. Its Training and Development Centre is the primary regional body delivering capacity-building programmes for border security, law enforcement, and justice sector agencies across all CARICOM member states.

19 9 月, 2026
Young Innovators Share Their Journey with EducationMinister Ahead of Global Robotics Challenge

Five young female innovators from Antigua and Barbuda are putting the final touches on their competition robot, gearing up to make history as the nation’s first all-girls robotics team at the 2026 FIRST Global Challenge in Incheon, South Korea. Ahead of their international debut, the team sat down for a working meeting with Daryll Matthew, the country’s Minister of Education, Science and Technology, to walk through their months of preparation and discuss their journey into STEM.

During the session, the student team guided Matthew through every detail of their robot’s core functionalities, from collecting and storing game pieces to climbing structures and scoring points. The students explained how their design has transformed through dozens of rounds of building, testing, and adjusting, highlighting how every failed prototype helped them refine their approach. They also emphasized a key rule of the FIRST competition: to advance to the final rounds, teams must build robots that can collaborate seamlessly with international competitors, reinforcing the event’s focus on global partnership.

The conversation naturally centered on a core lesson the team has already learned through the process: groundbreaking innovation almost never comes together perfectly on the first try. Minister Matthew expanded on this idea, sharing that persistence through early failure is one of the most valuable skills young people can develop.

“One of the things that we take for granted is critical thinking,” Matthew told the students. “Just because your first version doesn’t work, doesn’t mean you should give up, you should always keep innovating.” Drawing from his own personal experience, he encouraged the young engineers to reframe unsuccessful attempts not as defeats, but as critical stepping stones toward stronger, more robust solutions. He added that this problem-solving mindset extends far beyond robotics, helping students excel in all areas of academics and future careers.

Every step of the team’s iterative design process is carefully documented in their shared engineering notebook, where each student takes a daily turn logging challenges, adjustments, and key insights as the robot evolves. Beyond technical preparations, Matthew took time to connect with each team member individually, learning about what first sparked their interest in STEM fields and what career paths they hope to pursue after their competition. He congratulated the team on their groundbreaking progress and urged them to keep chasing the ideas that inspire them.

Matthew also encouraged the students to look beyond the competition itself, and embrace the full experience of representing their nation on a global stage. Meeting young innovators from different cultural backgrounds, exchanging ideas, and building long-term cross-cultural friendships will help them expand their worldviews and grow as professionals, he noted.

Now, the team is in the final stretch of refining their robot ahead of the Olympic-styled international event, which carries the theme “Igniting Innovation.” The 2026 FIRST Global Challenge will bring more than 190 national student teams together to apply STEM principles to real-world inspired challenges, while fostering global collaboration and cultural exchange. For these five young women preparing to carry Antigua and Barbuda’s flag, the competition is more than a technical contest: it is a chance to show the world what the next generation of Caribbean innovators can accomplish on the global stage.

19 9 月, 2026
OPEN LETTER: To The Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority

A frustrated regional traveller has penned an open letter to the Director General of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA), demanding urgent regulatory intervention to address persistent poor service from regional carrier InterCaribbean Airways — including a high-profile recent incident that left dozens of passengers stranded in Barbados without their checked luggage.

The most recent disruption unfolded last Friday, when passengers traveling from Dominica to Barbados arrived at their connecting hub only to discover that airline staff had offloaded nearly all checked bags from their flight, citing mandatory aircraft weight-and-balance requirements. Among the affected passengers were travelers connecting to international destinations including Manchester, the U.S. Midwest, and Panama, along with others heading to other Caribbean points of arrival. Many passengers, especially those traveling to cooler climates, were forced to pay out of pocket for emergency clothing, toiletries, and other daily necessities. What made the situation even more unacceptable was that the airline offered no clear timeline for when the abandoned luggage would depart Dominica or how it would be delivered to passengers’ final destinations.

The letter acknowledges that weight-and-balance protocols are non-negotiable for aviation safety, so the criticism does not question that core safety rule. Instead, the core grievance centers on whether InterCaribbean is intentionally overbooking seats and accepting more checked baggage than its assigned aircraft can legally and safely carry. The author argues that if an airline operates aircraft with fixed load limits, its booking and baggage acceptance systems must be updated to reflect those constraints. It is completely unacceptable, the letter argues, for the airline to collect full ticket fares and baggage fees only to leave passengers’ belongings behind with no advance warning, no adequate on-the-ground support, and no clear plan to reunite passengers with their property.

This latest baggage fiasco is far from an isolated unavoidable error, the author emphasizes. InterCaribbean charges premium ticket prices for short regional routes, enforces strict baseline baggage limits, and charges steep additional fees for extra checked luggage. In exchange for these costs, passengers have a reasonable right to expect competent operational planning, transparent communication, and delivery of all baggage the airline agrees to carry.

Friday’s incident is also just the latest in a long string of complaints from passengers across the Eastern Caribbean. For months, travelers have publicly reported repeated issues including widespread delayed and canceled flights, chronic lost or delayed baggage, missed international connecting itineraries, abysmal communication from airline staff, and near-impossible access to meaningful customer assistance. Most recently, in August 2024, the government of the British Virgin Islands was forced to hold emergency talks with senior InterCaribbean leadership after a surge in passenger complaints about poor service, delays, and cancellations. At that time, airline representatives attributed the widespread service failures to ongoing aircraft technical issues and industry-wide staffing shortages.

Against this backdrop, the open letter calls on ECCAA to launch a full formal inquiry to answer several critical questions: First, are InterCaribbean’s passenger and baggage loading plans properly aligned with the capacity of the aircraft assigned to each route? Second, is the airline consistently meeting all mandatory operational and consumer protection standards? Third, does the airline properly notify passengers before departure if their checked baggage cannot be accommodated on their scheduled flight? Fourth, what formal protocols are in place to track and speedily deliver baggage that is intentionally offloaded for operational reasons? Fifth, are passengers affected by these disruptions receiving adequate support and reimbursement for their out-of-pocket costs? And finally, do the repeated delays, cancellations, and baggage issues point to broader systemic operational or capacity problems that require formal regulatory intervention?

The author stresses that this call is not an attempt to pressure ECCAA to override legitimate, safety-focused aviation decisions. Instead, it is a request for the regulator to investigate whether persistent poor operational planning is repeatedly creating scenarios where the airline cannot deliver on its promise to transport passengers and their baggage as booked.

A key point highlighted in the letter is the limited competition for regional air travel in the Eastern Caribbean, leaving most travelers with few alternative carriers. The author argues that this lack of consumer choice must not become a free pass for an airline to deliver consistently substandard service without regulatory scrutiny or meaningful consequences.

The letter outlines clear next steps for ECCAA: the authority should publicly outline its regulatory remit in this matter, launch a full investigation into any potential violations of aviation rules falling within its mandate, and coordinate with national consumer protection agencies and national aviation authorities across the region as needed. If operational deficiencies are confirmed, InterCaribbean should be ordered to implement binding corrective actions within a fixed, public timeline. Persistent noncompliance should result in appropriate sanctions under regional and national aviation laws, up to and including a formal review of the airline’s operating approvals if necessary.

Beyond regulatory action, the letter demands that InterCaribbean immediately provide all passengers affected by Friday’s baggage disruption with updated information about their luggage, arrange expedited delivery to their final destinations, and compensate passengers for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses caused by the incident.

“Caribbean passengers deserve more than expensive tickets, unexplained disruptions and silence when things go wrong,” the author concludes. “They deserve an airline industry that is safe, reliable, accountable and properly regulated. ECCAA must act.”

19 9 月, 2026
Halo Foundation Donates Scholarship Funds to Support UWI Education for Local Student

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda — A local community leader and committed volunteer has received a vital financial boost to advance his higher education, thanks to a targeted scholarship donation from the Halo Foundation. The grant will cover Kamalie Mannix’s tuition costs as he works toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Studies at the University of the West Indies Global Campus.

Mannix is far from an ordinary scholarship recipient: he has built a decades-long record of public service across Antigua and Barbuda, and has volunteered with the Halo Foundation for multiple years. A former educator, he regularly steps forward to share his skills, professional expertise, and free time to support the foundation’s community-focused work. He also previously served as President of the National Youth Parliament, where he advocated for young people across the country. Beyond his professional and volunteer commitments, Mannix is an avid amateur historian, currently deep in research exploring the lives and legacies of prominent historical figures from Antigua and Barbuda. His consistent dedication to community service and youth empowerment has made him a beloved and respected member of the Halo Foundation network.

In a statement following the donation, a spokesperson for the Halo Foundation emphasized that the scholarship reflects the organization’s core belief in education as a transformative force for individual and national growth. “We are proud to invest in deserving young people like Mr. Mannix, who demonstrate commitment, discipline, and a genuine desire to grow and give back to their communities,” the spokesperson said.

This contribution is part of the Halo Foundation’s longstanding institutional mission to expand educational opportunity and personal growth for young people across Antigua and Barbuda. By investing in emerging leaders like Mannix, the foundation works to empower the next generation of national decision-makers, laying the groundwork for sustained long-term development and progress across the country. The foundation closed its announcement by extending warm wishes to Mannix for his academic studies and future professional career.

Founded and led by Her Excellency Lady Williams, the Halo Foundation is a broad-based philanthropic organization that supports a wide range of public initiatives across Antigua and Barbuda and beyond. Its core focus areas extend beyond youth development and education to include support for elderly communities, people with disabilities, uniformed service groups, public health, sports, gender equity for women and girls, environmental protection, global peace, historical heritage preservation, arts and culture, and community infrastructure growth.

19 9 月, 2026
Chaneil Imhoff Begins First GOHETD Assignment at CARICOM Reparations Conference

A new chapter in global advocacy for reparatory justice has opened in Barbados, where Antiguan and Barbudan advocate Chaneil C. Imhoff is carrying out her inaugural appointment as GOHETD’s Ambassador to the Caribbean at the Third CARICOM Regional Conference on Reparations. Running from September 17 to 19, 2026, at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle Resort, the conference gathers policymakers, activists and community leaders under the unifying theme: “Reparatory Justice as the Coming Enlightenment.”

Hosted by the Government of Barbados and the Barbados Reparations Task Force, the event is coordinated jointly by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the CARICOM Reparations Commission, marking the third regional gathering of its kind following earlier conferences in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (2013) and Antigua and Barbuda (2014). The high-profile opening dialogue on the global reparatory justice movement, held September 18, was moderated by CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett, and featured a lineup of prominent contributors ranging from Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and CARICOM Reparations Commission chair Professor Sir Hilary Beckles to St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez, and UK Member of Parliament Bell Ribeiro-Addy.

In reflections on the opening proceedings, Imhoff highlighted two core messages that anchored the conference discussions: the centrality of development that transforms the lived circumstances of marginalized communities affected by colonialism and chattel slavery, and the urgent need to turn broad moral consensus around reparations into coordinated, tangible action. Among her key takeaways from early conversations were the critical need for deeper collaboration between Caribbean nations, African governments and the global African diaspora, long-overdue recognition of the decades-long advocacy work carried out by the Rastafari community in the reparations movement, and the inherent intersection between reparatory justice for historical harm and modern demands for climate justice.

Imhoff’s session notes captured several practical, actionable proposals put forward during conference discussions. These include the establishment of national technical teams composed of historians and economists to document the specific harms inflicted by colonialism and slavery, and to develop clear, evidence-based reparation demands. Participants also discussed launching a global public petition to mobilize widespread grassroots support for the movement. Imhoff emphasized that both national governments and major global institutions, including Christian churches, carry unique responsibilities to advance meaningful repair, while noting that Caribbean communities must lead their own work toward self-reparation.

“Reparatory justice must translate into changes that people can see and experience in their daily lives,” Imhoff stated in an interview following the opening sessions. “That includes expanded access to quality education, the protection of our shared cultural heritage, and giving communities an meaningful seat at the table when decisions about regional development are made. These priorities align directly with the mission and work I advance through GOHETD.”

The conference’s opening day featured a diverse slate of thematic sessions beyond the opening plenary. A keynote plenary on Pan-African reparations jurisprudence delivered by Dr. Panashe Chigumadzi was moderated by Professor Verene Shepherd, with Ulele Burnham serving as official respondent. The first breakout roundtable centered on Indigenous rights, formal recognition, and resettlement, moderated by Dr. Damien Dublin with presentations from Chief Richard Currie, Steve Reid, Danelle James, and Nelcia Robinson. A separate session focused on the role of international institutions in advancing reparatory justice was moderated by Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador Dorbrene O’Marde, and included panelists Professor Verene Shepherd, Gaynel Curry, Dr. Barbara Reynolds, Ambassador Amr Aljowaily, and Dr. Hilary Brown.

For Imhoff, these diverse thematic tracks reinforce a core truth: the movement for reparatory justice must center the distinct histories, needs and priorities of Indigenous communities, and ensure that Rastafari and other grassroots groups are empowered to shape cultural heritage and development initiatives across the region. Beyond her representation role at the conference, this first assignment as GOHETD’s Caribbean Ambassador carries a broader mandate: Imhoff will assess potential collaborative partnerships and gather stakeholder input to develop actionable recommendations that will guide GOHETD’s future programming and engagement across the Caribbean.

A respected communications specialist and longtime mental health advocate based in Antigua and Barbuda, Imhoff founded the Wadadli Initiative for Self-care and Healing (WISH), and her professional portfolio spans strategic communications, media production, community organizing and mental health advocacy across the Eastern Caribbean. The Global Organization for Heritage, Environment and Tourism Development (GOHETD), the body that appointed Imhoff, works globally to advance cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and responsible tourism through cross-border partnerships, grassroots community development and targeted youth engagement initiatives.

18 9 月, 2026
ABCAS Teacher Trainees Affirm Commitment At Annual Pledge Signing

On the Eustace Hill Campus of the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS), a cohort of aspiring educators gathered this year for the institution’s long-running Annual Pledge Signing Ceremony, an event organized by ABCAS’ Department of Research, Education and Professional Development. Centered on the guiding theme “Inclusive by Purpose, Exceptional by Practice, Leaders by Choice,” the gathering was designed to reinforce the core commitments that define the teaching profession and underscore the profound responsibility upcoming teachers carry in nurturing the next generation of citizens.

The ceremony drew a diverse cross-section of education stakeholders, from the trainee teachers themselves and ABCAS faculty to senior government education officials and top college leadership. Attending dignitaries included Hon. Daryll Matthew, the island nation’s Minister of Education and Science & Technology; Dr. Vernon Solomon, Chairman of the ABCAS Board of Trustees; Dr. E. Jonah Greene, President of ABCAS; and Dr. Na-Ajele Williams-Buffonge, ABCAS Vice President.

Opening the formal proceedings, Mrs. Terry-Ann Marsh-Gayle, Head of the hosting Department of Research, Education and Professional Development, extended warm welcomes to all gathered guests and participants. Following her introductory remarks, Minister Matthew delivered an address to the trainees, and Mr. Phillip Lloyd presented the event’s featured keynote speech.

In his remarks, Minister Matthew emphasized that teaching forms the foundational backbone of national progress across Antigua and Barbuda. “We have recognized that if our country is to achieve the aspirations that we have, if we are to get to the levels of development that we want here in Antigua and Barbuda, we must do as much as we can for teachers. There can be no national development without teachers,” he stated to the assembled group.

The most anticipated centerpiece of the event came when second-year teacher trainee cohorts took to the stage to recite the official Teachers’ Pledge in unison. Through the oath, each trainee made a formal public commitment to uphold rigorous professional preparation, deliver accessible, effective instruction to all students, embrace their role in fostering civic responsibility, and dedicate themselves to helping every learner unlock their full personal and academic potential.

Beyond the pledge ceremony, the event also celebrated excellence in educator training, with nine standout second-year trainees receiving special recognition for their outstanding academic performance. The group earned high honors for grade point averages spanning from 3.6 to a perfect 4.1 across their training programs.

For ABCAS, this annual ceremony has become a core tradition that reinforces the institution’s core priorities: building a new generation of educators grounded in professionalism, a spirit of community service, and intentional educational leadership. As these trainees advance through their programs, the event prepares them to step into classrooms and serve communities across Antigua and Barbuda in the coming years.

18 9 月, 2026