Four new faces in Cabinet

The Cabinet of the returning Gaston Browne administration was yesterday sworn in by Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, following the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party’s (ABLP) comprehensive victory in Wednesday’s general election.
There are four new faces in this iteration, namely Dean Jonas, Maria Browne, Daryll Mathew, and Lennox Weston, who served as a senator in the previous ABLP government.
Jonas is the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Barbuda Affairs, while Browne is the minister for Housing, Lands, and Urban Renewal and Minister of State in the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Public Safety and Labour.
Meanwhile, Matthew is the Minister for Sports, Culture, National Festivals and the Arts. Weston retains his position as Minister of State within the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Governance and now assumes the portfolio of Works.
Asot Michael, who was stripped of his tourism, investment and trade portfolios by Prime Minister Gaston Browne after being embroiled in a UK bribery investigation last year, is back as Minister of Investment and Trade.
Tourism remains with Charles “Max” Fernandez along with Economic Development. The Foreign Affairs and Immigration portfolios have gone to E.P. Chet Greene who is also responsible for International Trade.
Ministers returning with their portfolios are Sir Robin Yearwood, Public Utilities, Civil Aviation, and Energy; Molwyn Joseph, Health, Wellness, and Environment; and Samantha Marshall, Social Transformation, Human Resource Development, Youth, and Gender Affairs.
The others are Melford Nicholas, Information, Broadcasting, Telecommunications, and Information Technology; and Michael Browne, Education, Science and Technology
Prime Minister Browne and Attorney General Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin were sworn in earlier in the day.