Antigua and Barbuda’s new cabinet has been sworn-in following the Gaston Browne administration’s historic fourth consecutive election victory, with most ministers retaining their portfolios in a show of continuity.

Governor General Sir Rodney Williams administered the oaths of office to Cabinet members on May 5.

Among those returning are E. P. Chet Greene as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration; Charles Fernandez as Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment; and Melford Nicholas as Minister of Information Communication Technologies, Utilities and Energy.

Also retaining their posts are Maria Vanessa Browne as Minister of Housing and Works; Daryll Matthew as Minister of Education, Science and Technology; Anthony Smith as Minister of Agriculture, Land and the Blue Economy; and Rawdon Turner as Minister of Social and Urban Transformation.

The new cabinet also includes a number of changes and first-time appointments.

Dwayne George has been appointed Minister of Sports and the Creative Industries after defeating incumbent Kelvin Simon in the April 30 General Election for the St Mary’s South constituency.

New Member of Parliament Michael Joseph has been named Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, replacing Molwyn Joseph, who retired from elective politics.

Randy Baltimore has been appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and the Blue Economy, marking his first ministerial role after previously serving as Deputy Speaker.

Kiz Johnson was appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation.

Meanwhile, Philmore Benjamin is to be nominated as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Browne was sworn in on May 1 for a fourth consecutive term as Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Corporate Governance and Public-Private Partnerships, while Steadroy Benjamin also took the oath of office on the same day, continuing as Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Public Safety, Immigration and Labour.

At yesterday’s swearing in ceremony, the prime minister called on the new ministers to understand the decisive mandate they were given by the people. 

He said they should never “betray” the trust that people have place on them.