标签： Antigua and Barbuda

Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has unveiled a significant reform to enhance financial oversight within the government. The new Cabinet oversight mechanism mandates that all major government payments undergo Cabinet review before authorization. This initiative aims to tighten financial controls and prevent unauthorized expenditures, addressing concerns over misuse of public funds.

During his weekly ‘Browne and Browne Show,’ the Prime Minister revealed that the reform was prompted by evidence of Treasury officers and private sector partners circumventing existing safeguards to expedite large payments. Browne emphasized that Cabinet will now directly scrutinize all high-value disbursements to ensure transparency and accountability.

The Prime Minister highlighted instances where influential business players allegedly cultivated ‘captured public servants’ within the Treasury, prioritizing their payments over smaller local suppliers. ‘Sometimes a little man can’t get paid for the bread he supplies to the prison,’ Browne remarked. ‘But the big players go every week and collect their checks.’ He explained that the system allowed a select few to exploit oversight gaps, bypassing necessary approvals.

To address this, Browne announced that all significant Treasury payments will require clearance from both the Ministry of Finance and Cabinet. ‘I called the Accountant General and said, ‘You have no authority to make any large payments. They will now come to Cabinet before you make any payments,’’ he stated. ‘We’re putting down our foot.’

This reform is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign within the government, particularly following the vehicle procurement controversy that exposed weaknesses in oversight. Browne emphasized that the new process will prioritize payments to smaller local businesses that have historically struggled to receive timely payments. ‘The little man that I refused to pay for years—pay them,’ he declared.

While analysts suggest the reform could slow routine financial operations, Browne insists the added scrutiny is essential to restore public trust. ‘We’re not here to make anyone uncomfortable,’ he said. ‘We’re here to make sure every dollar of the people’s money is properly spent.’

The initiative complements other measures announced by Browne, including the rotation of key public officers and the hiring of external validation officers to conduct random audits of Customs and procurement transactions. Together, these steps form part of what he calls a ‘national reset’—a comprehensive effort to rebuild transparency and confidence in public administration.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has vehemently defended his wife, Maria Browne, the Housing and Works Minister, against opposition allegations connecting her to a recent vehicle procurement scandal. Speaking on his radio program, the Browne and Browne Show, he dismissed the claims as politically motivated and aimed at diverting attention from other influential figures. ‘Just imagine the person who is helping to solve these problems—the person being vindicated—is the one they’re trying to frame,’ Browne stated. ‘What they’re doing to her is totally inappropriate.’

Browne highlighted Maria Browne’s pivotal role in reforming the government’s vehicle procurement process. Over two years ago, she identified inefficiencies in the system and advocated for centralizing vehicle purchases under Cabinet oversight. Her recommendations led to the establishment of a procurement committee at Public Works, chaired by the Financial Secretary, to ensure transparency and exclude ministerial involvement. ‘It is Minister Browne who strengthened the governance framework within Public Works to ensure that there would not be any such violation,’ the Prime Minister emphasized.

Describing his wife as composed yet resilient, Browne praised her ability to withstand political attacks. ‘She appears very soft on the outside, but she has this inner strength in which she’s been able to hold it together,’ he remarked. ‘She has my full support.’

By intertwining his personal defense with the government’s anti-corruption narrative, Browne framed the controversy as both a political smear and a testament to Maria Browne’s integrity. He argued that her advocacy for centralization exemplifies her commitment to good governance. ‘She sits in the Cabinet, she knows the process, and she has worked to strengthen it,’ Browne said. ‘So when people try to smear her name, they’re really attacking the very reforms that protect public accountability.’

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has publicly conceded that his administration’s anti-corruption initiatives disproportionately targeted Cabinet ministers, while systemic corruption persisted unchecked within the civil service. During an episode of his *Browne and Browne Show*, Browne highlighted that excessive focus on politicians allowed entrenched civil servants to engage in long-standing abuses and collusion with private entities. He revealed that key departments, including the Treasury, Customs, and Public Works, had been effectively “captured” by influential business operators who manipulated public officers to bypass regulations and secure unfair advantages. Browne cited instances where large businesses received preferential treatment, while smaller suppliers faced delays in payments. He acknowledged that existing laws and safeguards were being circumvented by insiders exploiting oversight weaknesses. To address these issues, Browne outlined a series of reforms, including centralizing financial control, rotating staff in critical positions, and allocating $1 million in the upcoming budget to hire private citizens as validation officers for random spot checks on imported goods and Customs transactions. These measures aim to disrupt entrenched relationships and restore public trust in government operations. Browne framed these efforts as part of a broader “national reset” to rebuild integrity and transparency following recent controversies.

The vast ocean separating the United States and the Caribbean is not a divide but a potential bridge, waiting to be crossed through visionary leadership and decisive action. The future, as the waves suggest, belongs to those who invest in people, innovation, and trust. The Caribbean does not seek charity; it seeks genuine partnership. Similarly, the United States must move beyond mere influence to establish credibility. Together, these regions can forge a relationship rooted in tangible impact, shared prosperity, and enduring stability.

Economic collaboration must be both bold and practical. In Antigua and Barbuda, U.S. investments in solar-powered microgrids can reduce energy costs and enhance resilience against natural disasters. In St. Kitts and Nevis, joint ventures in sustainable tourism can generate employment while preserving the region’s natural heritage. Barbados, Guyana, and St. Martin could become hubs for technology incubators, supported by U.S. partners, fostering local entrepreneurship and connecting regional talent to global markets. These initiatives demonstrate that economic cooperation is not about aid but about creating a shared pathway to prosperity.

Security and stability must prioritize prevention over reaction. In St. Lucia, community-based programs offering training and employment for youth can diminish the allure of illicit activities. Joint maritime surveillance across the Eastern Caribbean can strengthen disaster response while safeguarding fisheries and trade routes. Supporting environmental and social resilience ensures that security is sustainable and grounded in opportunity rather than force. When safety stems from empowerment, it becomes both durable and credible.

Diplomacy must be rooted in partnership and respect. The United States should engage Caribbean leaders as equal voices in regional initiatives, co-designing projects in renewable energy, digital innovation, and climate adaptation. Recognizing the leadership and sovereignty of nations like St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago fosters trust. Policies aligned with Caribbean priorities build credibility while advancing mutual interests. True partnership emerges when dialogue transforms into action and shared vision translates into shared impact.

The ocean between the United States and the Caribbean is not a barrier but a bridge. By focusing on economic opportunity, education, security, and respectful diplomacy, both regions can rise together, anchored in trust, propelled by collaboration, and united by the belief that shared prosperity secures a safer, stronger, and more vibrant hemisphere.

Actionable Suggestions:
– Launch solar microgrid projects in Antigua and Barbuda and renewable energy hubs in Barbados.
– Develop sustainable tourism and entrepreneurship partnerships in St. Kitts and Nevis.
– Expand scholarships, student exchanges, and summer internships with practical learning in Jamaica, Guyana, St. Lucia, Dominica, and Barbados.
– Implement joint maritime surveillance and disaster preparedness programs across the Eastern Caribbean.
– Engage in co-designed initiatives and regional leadership support to build mutual trust and credibility.

About the Author:
Dr. Isaac Newton is a strategist and scholar trained at Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia. He advises governments and international institutions on governance, public transformation, and global justice. His work blends visionary thinking with practical insight, helping Global South nations address historical injustice, advance human dignity, and engage global issues of peace, sovereignty, and shared prosperity. Dr. Newton envisions societies where innovation and responsibility evolve together to promote human flourishing and where partnerships between nations create enduring opportunity, stability, and trust.