Antigua and Barbuda's new Cabinet was fully constituted on Tuesday, with 14 ministers formally appointed and issued instruments of office following the governing party's commanding performance in the April 30 general election, in which it secured 15 of the 17 parliamentary seats.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Attorney General Sir Steadroy "Cutie" Benjamin, who were sworn in over the weekend, received their portfolio assignments during a ceremony held at the American University of Antigua. The remaining ministers took their oaths of allegiance, office and secrecy before Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, completing the constitutional process. Notably, the ceremony marked the first use of updated oaths approved earlier this year.
Under the Constitution, the Prime Minister holds all ministerial authority and assigns portfolios to members of Parliament.
The new Cabinet covers a broad range of national responsibilities. The ICT and Energy portfolio will oversee the Antigua Public Utilities Authority and digital transformation initiatives, while the Housing and Works ministry takes charge of infrastructure, housing and roadworks. The Education ministry will have oversight of the country's education systems, including the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.
The Ministry of Health will cover the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, public health services, environmental management and civil service administration. The Ministry of Sports and the Creative Industries will be responsible for national sports facilities, culture, carnival and the wider creative sector.
Among the key appointments, Michael Joseph was named Minister for Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, and Dwayne George was appointed Minister for Sports and the Creative Industries — both portfolios expected to have a direct impact on public services and national development.
Other ministers appointed include E.P. Chet Greene (Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration), Charles "Max" Fernandez (Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment), Melford Nicholas (Information, Communication Technologies, Utilities and Energy), Maria Vanessa Browne (Housing and Works), Daryll Matthew (Education, Science and Technology), Anthony Smith Jr. (Agriculture, Lands and the Blue Economy), and Rawdon Turner (Social and Urban Transformation).
Three Ministers of State were also appointed to support key portfolios: Randy St. Clair Baltimore (Agriculture), Michael Freeland (Tourism), and Kiz Johnson (Social and Urban Transformation).
A Deputy Speaker has yet to be named, with Dr. Philmore Benjamin, MP for St. Mary's North, expected to be nominated for the role. Senators are scheduled to be sworn in on Friday at 10 a.m. at Government House as the full parliamentary structure is finalised.
Governor General Williams urged the newly appointed ministers to serve with integrity and unity, reminding them that public office is "a duty to be discharged" in the interest of all citizens. A Cabinet meeting is expected to follow as the administration formally begins its new term.
