分类： Politics

Prime Minister Browne has issued a stern warning to young violent offenders, emphasizing the dangers of pursuing a life of crime. In a recent address, Browne highlighted the consequences of seeking “easy money,” stating that such a path often leads to a short life. The Prime Minister’s message underscores the government’s commitment to addressing youth violence and encouraging positive life choices.

**ABS** – It’s official! Senator Clement Marley Mandela Antonio is now Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Works.

The promotion was sealed during a standing-room-only ceremony at Government House this morning.

Senator Antonio is expected to bring increased energy to housing and infrastructure projects.

The Governor General’s Deputy, Sir Clare Roberts, says the public has high hopes.

**REMARKS BY THE GOVERNOR GENERAL’S DEPUTY**

**SIR CLARE ROBERTS KCN, KC**

**On the Occasion of the Swearing-in of Senator the Honourable Clement Antonio**

**as Minister of State in the Ministry of Works**

**Government House**

**Monday, July 28, 2025 | 9:00 a.m.**

Honourable Members of CabinetHonourable Members of the Senate and in particular, Senator the Honourable Clement AntonioDistinguished Guests,

It is my honour and privilege to preside over this brief but meaningful ceremony, which marks the swearing-in of Senator the Honourable Clement Antonio as Minister of State in the Ministry of Works.

On behalf of Their Excellencies, Sir Rodney Williams, Governor General and Lady Williams, I extend congratulations and best wishes as you take up this important responsibility in service to the people of **[Antigua and Barbuda.](https://antiguanewsroom.com/antigua-and-barbuda-forecasters-bianca-bless-and-charissa-humphreys-complete-studies-at-cimh/?swcfpc=1)**

The Ministry of Works plays a pivotal role in advancing our nation’s efforts toward a sustainable development framework.

It is through this ministry that the lifeblood of our nation’s infrastructure flows, our roads, bridges, drainage systems, public buildings, and countless other facilities that define the everyday experience of our citizens and visitors alike.

The Ministry is also central to our resilience, how we respond to and recover from disasters, how we maintain critical infrastructure, and how we adapt to climate change.

As Minister of State, you assume your portfolio at a time marked by a surge in public expectations. Having witnessed notable progress and positive changes in service delivery, particularly in road repair, maintenance, and housing, the public now recognises that even greater achievements are within reach.

This momentum has naturally led to heightened aspirations and growing demands. I therefore encourage the Ministry to continue research into the use of environmentally responsible materials, cost-saving technologies, and design methods that respect both our climate goals and fiscal realities.

The Ministry of Works directly impacts the daily lives of every citizen, through good roads, safe bridges, adequate drainage during rainfall, and public infrastructure that enables learning, healthcare, security, and more.

As such, I commend the Ministry on its strategy of communicating clearly with the public, educating citizens on the proper use of infrastructure, soliciting feedback, and encouraging a shared sense of ownership.

I note that the Ministry’s use of the media, traditional and digital, is a powerful ally in this regard.

Permit me, Minister, to slip in one specific request. Let each and every centenarian have a road named for her/him soonest!! Help me push this mission.Senator Antonio, your record of public service, including your tenure at the Development Control Authority coupled with your training in business management and community development, positions you well for this post. Your collegial leadership style, proven skills in data management, and community-centred approach will undoubtedly serve you and the Ministry with distinction.I take this opportunity to commend the Honourable Maria Browne, the substantive Minister for Housing and Works, for her continuing work in shaping the Ministry’s direction and effectiveness. I am confident that under her leadership and with your support, the Ministry will continue to deliver results that truly enhance the quality of life for our people.Let this new appointment serve as a reminder that leadership is both a privilege and a duty. Be ever cognizant of the fact that public trust, once given, must be earned daily, through transparency, responsiveness, and integrity.Congratulations once again, Honourable Minister. I am confident that your tenure will be marked by vision, diligence, and tangible impact.

July 28, 2025

Senator Clement Antonio is set to be sworn in as Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Works, marking a notable advancement from his current role as Parliamentary Secretary.

The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Monday at Government House.

Antonio’s promotion comes as part of a broader governmental effort to strengthen leadership within key ministries. His new role will involve oversight of housing and infrastructure projects aimed at improving living standards across Antigua and Barbuda.

A longtime public servant, Antonio is expected to bring renewed focus and energy to the ministry’s initiatives.

The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Honourable Gaston A. Browne, traveled to Grenada to participate in the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) 2025, held from July 28–29, 2025, under the theme _“Resilience and Transformation: Enhancing Africa-Caribbean Economic Cooperation in an Era of Global Uncertainty.”_

The high-level event, hosted at the Radisson Conference Centre in St. George’s, brings together more than 800 delegates from 70 countries, including Heads of State and Government, business leaders, and regional development partners, to explore new opportunities in trade, investment, and cultural cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean.

Prime Minister Browne is a featured panelist in the Presidential Session titled “New World Order as an Opportunity for Strengthening Africa-Caribbean Trade, Investment, and Cultural Relations”, alongside fellow Caribbean leaders including Prime Ministers Mia Amor Mottley (Barbados), Dr. Terrance Drew (St. Kitts and Nevis), Philip J. Pierre (St. Lucia), Roosevelt Skerritt (Dominica), and President Mohamed Irfaan Ali (Guyana). Leaders from Africa, including high-level representatives from Rwanda, Zambia, Chad, and Tanzania, will also join the session on Monday.

The session to be moderated by CNN Anchor Zain Asher, will address how the global geopolitical realignment presents strategic opportunities for Africa and the Caribbean to forge deeper partnerships, enhance regional supply chains, and reduce dependency on traditional markets.

Prime Minister Browne is expected to emphasize the need for a unified Global Africa Coalition to ensure the prosperity and resilience of both regions. He will highlight the critical role of south-south cooperation, shared historical and cultural ties, and the importance of leveraging the diaspora, digital innovation, and institutional frameworks to secure lasting economic transformation.

“We must not only deepen our diplomatic ties but also institutionalize our trade and investment platforms to sustain this momentum. ACTIF2025 is proof that we are moving from vision to action,” Prime Minister Browne stated before his departure from Antigua on Sunday.

ACTIF2025 builds upon the successes of prior forums and the landmark Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2024 between the African Union Commission and the CARICOM Secretariat, as well as recent investments by Afreximbank, which has committed over USD 3.5 billion in transactions across the Caribbean, including a regional trade office established in Barbados.

The Prime Minister’s participation reinforces Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to being at the forefront of the Africa-Caribbean trade integration agenda, promoting economic diversification, diaspora engagement, and cultural connectivity.

In addition to participating in the Presidential Panel, Prime Minister Browne will also engage in bilateral discussions with leaders and investors on the margins of the forum, aimed at expanding trade, securing climate finance, and identifying joint venture opportunities across priority sectors.

Prime Minister Browne said that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda thanks the Government of Grenada and Afreximbank for hosting this critical engagement and looks forward to implementing concrete outcomes from ACTIF2025 in partnership with African counterparts.