Farmer Browne defends his involvement in farming while serving as Prime Mnister

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PM Browne Stresses Importance of Transparency in Managing Conflicts of Interest

St. John’s, Antigua – Prime Minister Gaston Browne has emphasized the need for transparency and disclosure when dealing with potential conflicts of interest, asserting that proper governance requires public officials to declare any situations where their personal or family interests could intersect with their official duties.

Speaking on the matter, Browne acknowledged that conflicts of interest can arise for anyone, including public officials. However, he stressed that the real issue is not the conflict itself but how it is resolved. “That is why there’s always a need for disclosure,” he stated, adding that transparency is key to ensuring accountability and maintaining public trust.

Browne defended his own practices, stating that he makes declarations whenever necessary to uphold good governance. “People think that I am bragging when I say that maybe family members are investing in something because they are close to me as Prime Minister. I declare, because if you want to govern properly and ensure that you are fully transparent and accountable, you have to declare,” he explained.

He further illustrated the significance of managing conflicts in the public interest. Using an example, he noted that if he were to prioritize farm operations over government work, that would constitute a clear conflict. However, he assured that his governmental responsibilities remain his primary focus, emphasizing his commitment to consistent work and productivity.

The Prime Minister also dismissed any claims that he neglects his duties, pointing out that he continues to perform his responsibilities even when unwell. He recounted an instance where he sustained a knee injury while playing football but still ensured that essential government documents were signed.

“I am a consistent worker for the government. Even when I am home, I am still doing government work. You are getting full productivity out of me,” Browne stated, reinforcing his dedication to leading by example.

His remarks come amid ongoing discussions about ethical governance and the importance of public officials adhering to principles of transparency and accountability.

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14 COMMENTS

  1. Just a simple comment on this article. A Prime Minister being involved in agriculture is not a problem. When I was a student in Canada the biggest farmers in the Provinces were the Premiers. The farm of the Premier of Saskatchewan was perhaps bigger than Antigua. When I worked in Dominica for the OECS two of the biggest banana farmers were Edison James Prime Minister of Dominica and John Compton Prime Minister of St. Lucia. I guess conflicts of interest would arise if the lines between their private enterprise and public obligations intersect. Once that does not happen there are no problems.

  2. Well, I guess the good intention (PM) Farmer Browne, and his leeching cronies and cohort; never heard of divesting of personal interest in entities or, conglomerate that require their legislative input- to enhance transparency, such as, to enshrine accountability to the people thus governed. Instead of leveraging personal investment to pivot for financial gains; in direct conflicts and, competition with the private sector thus governed through legislative compliance. Which is separate and, has nothing to do with work ethics or, personal choices in preforming their fiduciary duties as Civil Servants under oath, and answerable to their employer: The People.

  3. All it is is just plain, unadulterated GREED. and he is doing it because he can.
    Everyday bucket go down inna well, one day…………….

  4. Just a quick comment on this matter as to whether a Prime Minister should engage in farming. As a student in Canada, I observe that many of the Premiers of the Provinces engaged in farming. In fact, the Premier of Saskatchewan’s farm was almost bigger than Antigua. Peter Lougheed the Premier of Alberta was also a big farmer. Closer to home, the former Prime Ministers of Dominica Edison James and John Compton of St. Lucia were the biggest banana farmers in their country. Once there is no conflict of interest in their private enterprise and government operations and the lines between both do not intersect then there is no problem.

  5. Does he pay full duties on fertilizer and farm equipment? If he gets full duty on fertilizer while the other farmers have to pay those taxes, then that is clearly abuse of his office and unfair competition.

  6. PM Browne’s dedication to farming alongside his political duties shows a strong commitment to agriculture, which is an important industry for national development. It sets a good example by promoting local food production. That said, the concern lies in whether his dual roles might create conflicts of interest. It’s important that government resources and policies support all farmers equally, and not just those with political influence. Clear guidelines and accountability measures should be in place to maintain public trust.

  7. There must be transparency to ensure that his personal farming activities do not conflict with his responsibilities as Prime Minister. The focus should remain on creating opportunities for all farmers, not just benefiting individual interests.

  8. Mr Tabor, all those PMs and high govt officials you mention in Canada and the OECS were farmers BEFORE they became heads of govt, etc. No one expected them to abandon their farming enterprises because they became govt leaders. In this case, Gaston Browne used his govt privilege to grab the best agricultural land, and govt network to grab unfair advantages relative to other ordinary farmers. Same way he and family are using the people’s state offices to grab and flip public lands, use insider information to buy property (eg, oil refinery buildings on Friars Hill road) then repair them with tax payers’ money’s and rent to same govt he heads. Fact is, Gaston is so greedy and bent on using public office to enrich himself and family, he cares nothing for ethics in public office, conflict of interest and all the other inconvenient (for him) protocols of good governance. He’s a crook who finds himself in an ideal position to feather his nest thru improper and illegal exploitation of state power. Sad thing is people like you who should know better will come out to defend his indefensible corruption in public office. Shame on you, Charles Tabor!

  9. Eldridge you certainly gave me a laugh. My simple point is that being a Prime Minister or other government official does not mean that you cannot engage in agriculture. However, the point is almost self-evident that for such government officials who get into agriculture or any other enterprise, there should not be any conflict of interest and they should not use their positions to benefit unfairly from State resources. The issue is whether a Prime Minister can engage in agriculture while holding the office of Prime Minister. My position is both activities are not mutually exclusive. I am sure when Jimmy Carter was President of the United States his peanut farming continued. It is a business and you employ people to run the business. There are so many examples that can be cited. The bottom line is a public official should not use his office unfairly or illegally to benefit himself. Once that can be monitored and kept in check I do not see a problem. In fact, the demonstration effect of seeing public officials and others (who normally would look down on agriculture) engaged in such pursuits could have positive impacts on the society. Some will begin to see agriculture as a serious business enterprise and not an activity (as hitherto felt) for school drop outs and the uneducated.

  10. Thank you Mr Tabor for you well reasoned piece.

    Incidentally, our farm has not benefited from any free fertilizer or land clearance or other development costs funded by tax payers.

    Just like all other farmers, we benefit from duty free concessions on farming inputs and capital equipment.

    The land that we were invited to farm was abandoned by another farmer and was not farmed for over 35 years, because of a lack water.

    We had to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to establish two dams, even before we planted a single seed.

    The sums and the risks undertaken in pursuing this challenging farming venture is not one of greed, but is representative of a commitment to contribute to our nation’s food security.

    If the motive was to generate quick millions in profits; these funds would have been employed in less risky, lucrative sectors, including housing, in which I have generated millions of dollars of profits in the past.

    Eldridge, since you know me to be a crook, why don’t you put your real name to the article, so that I could provide the opportunity for you to prove it in court ?

    I maintain that I have a constitutional right to invest in any business or sector provided any conflict that may arise is resolved in the public interest.

    Farming is every body’s responsibility and food security is a must.

    Eldridge and the other critics, instead of hating on me; grow some good to reduce imports and make our country more food secured.

    Blessings,

  11. @Gaston Browne…

    A…agriculture and aquaculture has to be a CARICOM initiative. As you mention, lack of water which Dominica has in abundance, it means Antigua, and other islands with limited water supply are the locations for the processing plants which are necessary, to make the industry a viable one, in the long term.

    B…processing plants are needed to process from fertilizers to packaging! U cyan even find #dumz bottled in jars!
    Many of the [wild]/natural fruits which grow in abundance, in the Caribbean are #trending in the health field – papaya to gynip to seaside grapes to soursop, tamarind, etc, fetch premium prices in any organic aisle, at the grocery stores.

    C…education! Education! Education! Education is paramount; this means, from pre-school to University, subject matters pertaining to both Agriculture and aquaculture MUST be given the same priority, as Math and English.

    There is a stigma attached to these industries which has to be exorcised from the mentality, of the people.
    Dirt is not dirty! Dirty is earthy, as it applies to the basic staples of life, food, shelter and clothing. All three have their [roots], in the dirt or the elements which comes from the dirt, of the earth.

    Cotton should be placed back in the equation, as well. By now, there are ways to deal with the pests which causes issues with the plants.

    Again AGRICULTURE and AQUACULTURE can become viable industries which CARICOM must begin using, to diversify and sustain itself.
    Trinidad, Guyana and Jamaica MUST step up and offer their expertise. Trinidad in particular!

    Ras Smood aka Jumbee_Picknee
    De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏾Garrat_Bastard

    Vere C. Edwards

  12. Ras Smood whoever you are well said. You are absolutely correct in your analysis. However, leaving it up to CARICOM it will never happen. All that you have said have been proposed already in the great theoretical work called THE DYNAMICS OF WEST INDIAN INTEGRATION by two of our noted scholars and academic Havelock Brewster and Clive Thomas since 1967. Did anything happen? If they (CARICOM) had followed that outline the agricultural and industrial development of the region would be on a different trajectory. Part II of the work of Brewster and Thomas looked at the integration of agriculture and industry in a regional economy. They compared the minimal resources of a country like Japan with the immense resources of the countries of the Caribbean and the potential benefits that would be derived if we would only organize and harmonize production on a regional basis. We failed to do that hence our individual, national strategies which are bearing less fruit. Anyway, a beautiful and profound analysis on your part.

  13. @Charles Tabor…marning! Gud marning! Ah wah, ah guarne?

    Thank you, and appreciating your feedback, on some of my thought processes!

    PM Browne, marning! Gud marning to U, and the rest of Nation.

    Mr. Tabor, in a nutshell Ras Smood is simply a kid at heart, who realizes…

    a…there’s nothing new under the suns!
    b…the more I share, the more I receive.

    My analysis, as you have stated is nothing new. Thank you for the info, on those who have had, the same thoughts, pertaining to the most vital industries, as they pertain to HUEmanity living, existence and longevity.

    As a youth, I coined a phrase “individually big, yet collectively small;” meaning, most if not all Caribbean Nations which gain their Independence from Britain, thought, that they could go it alone and let the rest, scramble for themselves, rather than realizing that it’s easy to break one stick. You put three to six together it takes more force to break them. Ten to fifty, even harder still. It’s the symbolism of the Facia. The one and same, which is a representation, of FACISM when the sticks are banned together, by a single reed with the Ax, as the head, it’s one of the symbols of the great USA.

    Personally, I don’t agree with the PM on all issues which pertains, to our Nation, and outside of the [transparency] issue, of which there are government agencies in place to address such, and if they’re not being honest in the performance of their duties, I’ll let them exorcise their own demons.

    Again personally, from a three(3) year old, riding on a donkey at 3 am with my grandparents to either the grung (farm) or cow paddock to being in my mid sixties, about to marry, two of my favourite loves because in this world polygamy is acceptable 😂😂😂just kidding Mr. Tabor (big up RAWLSTON POMPEY when U see him); nah the Polygamy reference comes into play, as my love for letters, symbolism, words, phrases to fluid thoughts and, that of growing things have collided at this cross❌Road, and I’m thrilled.

    From converting vacant lots to green spaces to roof top gardening is my hobby. This is why, I’m so passionate about the Agriculture and Aquaculture Industry.

    I also come from a family in Point and Villa, that were fisherfolk’s from #Pulling_Seine to #Chammil_Net to Fish Pot.

    By the way, your good friend Cornell Hughes deserves a good tongue lash ing from the PM, for been so vehemently opposed to advancing these industries decades ago. The COVID 19 pandemic brought him to his senses, and I hoping, that he Cornell Hughes is doing everything in his power to support the AGRICULTURE and AQUACULTURE INDUSTRIES today!

    RASpect,

    Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
    De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏾Garrat_Bastard

    Vere C. Edwards

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