**REPORT FROM THE CABINET OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDAMEETING OF WEDNESDAY 16th JULY 2025
**Wednesday’s Cabinet Meeting was chaired by Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne**. The Prayers before Cabinet was led by a Pentecostal Pastor who read from Exodus 14:13-16, which calls on God’s people to be still, hold their peace and then go forward. It reminds God’s people that deliverance often begins with surrender, is sustained by silence, and is fulfilled in obedience. The pastor prayed that God will guide the deliberations of the Cabinet and for their decisions to reflect justice, compassion and a commitment to the common good.
1. **The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda recently held discussions regarding the possible relaxation of the curfew law that came into effect on October 1, 2024, following amendments to the Small Charges Act. This legislation prohibits minors from being outdoors unaccompanied between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, unless special permission has been granted.
After comprehensive consultations—including input from senior officials of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda—the Cabinet resolved that the law will remain in force and that its provisions are to be strictly enforced.
Under the legislation, parents or guardians of minors found in breach of the curfew may face the following penalties:
* A fine of up to EC $5,000 for a third offense
* For earlier offenses, warnings or escalating fines starting at EC $2,000, increasing to EC $3,000, and ultimately EC $5,000, with the possibility of six months’ imprisonment or community service
* Establishments such as bars, nightclubs, or events that permit unaccompanied minors during curfew hours may also be fined EC $5,000 per violation
The Government views the curfew as part of a broader strategy to curb youth-related crime, reduce unsupervised nighttime activity, and reinforce the responsibility of parents and guardians in safeguarding the well-being of minors.
1. **The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda welcomed a delegation comprising Professors and Researchers from the University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago, along with senior government officials including the Chairman and CEO of the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS), the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, the Chairman and Medical Director of the Mount St. John Medical Centre Board, and two representatives from the Legal Department.
The purpose of the engagement was to provide an update on the national strategy to establish a National Health Insurance (NHI) system by transitioning the current MBS into a universal, legislated health financing model that ensures lifetime healthcare coverage for all residents.
The Cabinet was reminded that the NHI will be a mandatory, pooled health financing system, offering a defined package of health services to all individuals—regardless of age, income, or pre-existing medical conditions. The system is intended to enhance efficiency, equity, and responsiveness while promoting sustainable and high-quality care.
One of the critical findings presented was that Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Antigua and Barbuda currently stands between 69% and 76%, indicating a coverage gap of approximately 24% to 31%.
Among the anticipated benefits of implementing the NHI are:
* Broader access to healthcare across both public and private sectors
* Enhanced financial protection for families
* Improved coordination and efficiency within the healthcare system
* A strengthened national framework aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.8, which aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage
The Cabinet was informed that significant progress has been made toward implementation. A National Health Insurance Policy Framework and a Responsibility Matrix have been developed. A completion schedule has also been outlined, detailing steps for institutional reforms, stakeholder engagement—including the Ministry of Finance, MBS, and MSJMC—and a phased implementation approach. Additionally, comparative benchmarks with other OECS countries have been analyzed to gauge national readiness.
The following actions were presented as priorities for the next phase:
* Enactment of supporting legislation and continued stakeholder consultations
* A national public education campaign and resident registration process
* A pilot phase, to be followed by full-scale implementation
The team was directed to continue its work and to provide regular progress updates to Cabinet. The Government reaffirmed its strong commitment to achieving universal, high-quality healthcare through the successful implementation of the National Health Insurance—ensuring no resident is left behind.
1. The Cabinet has appointed a committee to conduct research and provide recommendations on the renaming of three streets in St. John’s, as an initial phase of a broader initiative. The objective is to commemorate and honour the legacy of **Marcus Mosiah Garvey** , **George A. Weston** , and **George Alexander McGuire** —distinguished figures associated with the **Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)** and the **African Orthodox Church** , both in the United States and in Antigua and Barbuda.
* Marcus Garvey visited Antigua in the **late 1930s** , likely around **1937 or 1938** , during a tour of the British West Indies. Several historical sources reference his presence and impactful public addresses during that time as leaving _an indelible mark on the consciousness of the Antiguan and Barbudan people_.”
* **George Alexander McGuire** (born **March****26,****1866** in Sweets, Antigua – died November 10, 1924 in New York City) was a prominent Antiguan-born church leader, physician, and advocate for Black religious autonomy and empowerment.
* Involved with Marcus Garvey’s UNIA from 1919; appointed **Chaplain-General** at its first international convention in 1920 .
* On Sept 2, 1921, he established the **African Orthodox Church** in NYC—a denomination led by and for Black Christians; consecrated a bishop later that month .
* The church emphasized spiritual and racial autonomy and a return to Black-rooted religious expression: “You must forget the white gods… go back to … your own true God.” .
* **George A. Weston** (1885–1973), originally from Green Bay, Antigua, was a pivotal figure in Black nationalism, religious leadership, and social empowerment, both in the Caribbean and North America ().
* Became a recognized leader in the UNIA by 1924. After internal splits following Garvey’s imprisonment, he led a major NYC UNIA faction .
* Later ordained in the African Orthodox Church (AOC) and, after WWII, returned to Antigua to conduct missionary work under the AOC, officially forming the African Orthodox Evangelical Mission .
* In Antigua, he promoted Garvey’s philosophy of racial pride and economic independence. He founded a Negro History Week, aimed at instilling African-Caribbean awareness in youth, and launched local industrial ventures including the Pro-Lad Paint Company tailored to tropical climates .
* He and his wife Maudelle also established a nursery school teaching African-Caribbean history and dance .
The team comprises Chairman of the Reparations Commission, Ambassador Dorbrene O’Marde, Historian Ambassador Lionel Max Hurst, Director of the National Archives, Gavin Emmanuel and Antiguan Author Cortwright Davis and a member of the Antigua and Barbuda Progressive Society in New York.
The team will also be responsible for identifying other Antiguan and Barbudan unsung heroes who were never honoured or celebrated.
1. **The Cabinet was informed by the Honourable Attorney General that a sitting of Parliament will be convened on Friday 25 th July, ahead of the official commencement of the Carnival festivities. The upcoming session will address several significant matters, including the following:
a. A resolution to expunge the criminal records of individuals convicted for the possession of small quantities of cannabis (under 15 grams), and to grant official pardons to those affected.
b. A resolution aimed at clearing the records of individuals convicted under the Public Health Amendment Act during the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of a broader effort to promote fairness and restorative justice.
c. A debate on the government’s decision to support the Social Security Scheme’s investment in the redevelopment of the Jolly Beach Resort, with a formal resolution expected to affirm the administration’s commitment to economic revitalization and pension sustainability.
