REPORT FROM THE CABINET OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA MEETING OF WEDNESDAY 11th JUNE 2025
Wednesday’s Cabinet Meeting, chaired by Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne, began with the universal song of protection and guidance found in Psalm 23 – The Shepherd’s Psalm, led by a member of the clergy, who also asked for God’s protection on the members of the Cabinet.
- Government Statement on Opposition Actions Over Whit Holiday Weekend
The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has been informed of documented incidents of vandalism, intimidation, and trespassing on private property by leaders of the Opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) during the recent Whit holiday weekend. These actions occurred during visits to several hotels and private properties, under the pretense of advocating for public access to beaches.
It is important to reiterate that, both as a matter of law and consistent with the policy of the Gaston Browne Administration, all beaches in Antigua and Barbuda are public and are free for access by citizens and residents.
The Cabinet views the Opposition’s conduct as a deliberate act of deception—an attempt to shift focus to a new issue following their unsuccessful efforts to gain public support through the dissemination of false and defamatory claims. These include baseless allegations against Prime Minister Browne, his family, public officials, and the nation, particularly relating to the already-resolved matter of the sale of the Alfa Nero yacht.
The Cabinet strongly condemns these acts of trespassing, property damage, and intimidation of workers. Such behavior not only threatens the country’s investment climate but also jeopardizes the fragile tourism sector, which is vital to the livelihoods of thousands of Antiguans and Barbudans and essential to the nation’s economic stability. One major investor has already indicated his intention to pursue legal action against individuals caught on video committing unlawful acts on his property.
While the Cabinet recognizes the Opposition’s continued display of disregard for national interests, it urges them to begin acting responsibly in an effort to restore some measure of credibility as a viable political alternative.
- Government to Support Social Security Scheme Through Strategic Investment in Jolly Beach Resort
In an effort to strengthen the long-term viability of the Social Security Scheme of Antigua and Barbuda, the Cabinet has approved a strategic investment in the redevelopment of the Jolly Beach Resort. As part of this initiative, the Government will inject $75 million into the Scheme, which will be directed toward transforming the Jolly Beach property into a 500-room resort. The development will also include the construction of a new section featuring condominiums, which will be sold under the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP).
This new policy is designed to diversify and enhance the investment portfolio of the Social Security Scheme, allowing it to generate sustainable revenue through both contributions and income-yielding investments. To facilitate this transformation, the Government will introduce amendments to the Social Security Act, enabling the Scheme to restructure and actively participate in commercial ventures.
The Cabinet has emphasized that the Jolly Beach Resort holds strategic significance for Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism sector. This policy will ensure the property’s full refurbishment, expansion, and long-term profitability, reinforcing its role as a key contributor to the national economy.
- Government Moves to Strengthen Cardiac and Primary Healthcare Services
The Minister of Health, the Hon. Molwyn Joseph, informed the Cabinet of a troubling trend identified by senior medical practitioners at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre—a growing and alarming rise in cases of heart disease and related conditions. According to the Minister, patients are now being admitted and treated for heart-related issues on a near-weekly basis, a situation described as reaching crisis proportions.
In response, the Cabinet immediately approved the Minister’s request to engage a Chinese cardiologist to help establish a fully operational Cardiology Unit at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre. This unit will be outfitted with a state-of-the-art catheterization laboratory (Cath Lab) and modern diagnostic equipment to treat and manage heart diseases effectively.
The Cabinet also directed the Minister to commission a comprehensive study to determine the root causes of the increase in cardiovascular complications. The findings will inform the Government’s development of targeted public health interventions aimed at addressing hypertension, obesity, and diabetes—key risk factors that must be tackled to reduce premature deaths and improve national health outcomes.
Further, the Cabinet approved funding for the immediate procurement of additional endoscopes and colonoscopes for the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre. The Minister was also instructed to initiate the hiring process for a dedicated consultant specializing in endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures.
To bolster primary healthcare services, the Cabinet approved the appointment of Dr. Philmore Benjamin as a consultant to improve the effectiveness of community clinics. As the first point of contact for individuals accessing healthcare, primary care is essential—it must be accessible, affordable, and community-centered, with an emphasis on prevention, wellness, and the treatment of common illnesses. Strengthening primary care is crucial to promoting health equity and achieving universal health coverage.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved several infrastructure projects: the construction of a new polyclinic in Jennings, the expansion of the Clare Hall Clinic into a polyclinic, and the upgrade of the Old Road Clinic—all aimed at improving healthcare delivery across Antigua and Barbuda.
- Cabinet Receives Update on National Road Rehabilitation Programme
The Cabinet received an update from the Hon. Maria Browne on the ongoing road rehabilitation and construction efforts being carried out by the Ministry of Works across various communities in Antigua and Barbuda. The Minister reported that progress is steady and is expected to accelerate with the resumption of operations at the hot mix plant.
The Cabinet has given the green light for the paving of the access road to the Cooks Landfill using concrete, ensuring greater durability and long-term usability.
- Cabinet Welcomes Slowdown in Inflation Growth
The Cabinet has noted that the inflation rate in Antigua and Barbuda rose by approximately 4.0% over the twelve-month period ending February 2025. This marks the smallest year-over-year increase in the all-items index since December 2023.
The Cabinet welcomed this positive development, attributing it to the effective leadership and sound economic policies of the Gaston Browne Administration. These efforts have helped cushion the nation against exogenous shocks, including ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as global trade tensions and tariff disputes involving the United States.
- Cabinet Approves Scholarships for Advanced AI and Dolby Atmos Music Production Training
In recognition of the transformative role of emerging technologies in the global music industry, the Cabinet has approved scholarships for six promising young musicians to participate in a prestigious nine-month Advanced AI and Dolby Atmos Production Certification Programme at the Garnish Music Production School in New York.
This initiative is part of the Government’s broader commitment to fostering innovation and empowering the creative arts sector in Antigua and Barbuda. With artificial intelligence and immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos revolutionizing how music is created, produced, and experienced, it is vital that Antiguan and Barbudan artists are equipped with the tools and knowledge to stay competitive on the international stage.
The six individuals selected for this first phase will be drawn from a diverse pool of local talent, including members of the Harrison Centre, Kaution Band, NeWgen Band, and other prominent bands and music collectives across the island. These recipients will receive world-class training in cutting-edge music production techniques, sound design, and AI-assisted composition and mixing.
The Cabinet views this investment not only as an opportunity to uplift individual artists but also as a strategic move to strengthen the cultural and economic potential of the music industry in Antigua and Barbuda. Upon completion of the programme, the scholarship recipients are expected to return with new skills that can be shared within the local music community, further enhancing the country’s creative landscape and positioning it as a hub for modern music production in the Caribbean.
- Cabinet Commends APUA and Minister for Utilities on Historic Water Production Milestone
The Cabinet has extended its commendations to the Minister for Utilities and the team at the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) for achieving a significant milestone in national water production. APUA has reached a daily output of 9 million imperial gallons of water, with projections indicating that production will increase to 12 million imperial gallons per day by mid-October. This represents an unprecedented achievement in Antigua and Barbuda’s history, exceeding the performance of all previous administrations.
This remarkable progress reflects the Government’s continued investment in and commitment to modernizing the country’s water infrastructure. It is a critical step toward addressing long-standing water challenges and ensuring a more reliable supply for households, businesses, and key sectors such as agriculture.
To further support APUA’s progress, the Cabinet reaffirmed its full commitment to the utility’s ongoing expansion programme. This includes increasing production and distribution capacity, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the resilience of the water supply network to meet growing national demand.
The Cabinet emphasized that the goal is to achieve maximum capacity in water provision, ensuring that the people of Antigua and Barbuda have consistent, safe, and sustainable access to water—an essential resource for health, economic development, and quality of life.
