Government Appoints Diaspora Officer, Plans 2026 Diaspora Forum
The government has appointed Dr. Davery as a dedicated Diaspora Officer, a move Foreign Affairs Minister EP Chet Greene said is intended to strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s engagement with its overseas nationals.
Greene made the announcement during his 2026 Budget presentation in Parliament, saying the appointment reflects a renewed commitment to the diaspora community, particularly those based in New York and other major overseas hubs.
He said the role is aimed at building a stronger and more structured relationship with Antiguans and Barbudans living abroad, beyond traditional consular services.
Greene also announced plans for a Diaspora Business Forum to be held in St. John’s in 2026, with the timing expected to align with the Carnival season. He said the scheduling is intended to make it easier for members of the diaspora to participate without requiring multiple trips home.
The minister said the forum will focus on encouraging investment and knowledge transfer, noting that while remittances remain important, the government wants deeper economic engagement from overseas nationals.
“We can’t just be talking about remittances,” Greene told Parliament, adding that the forum is designed to create space for serious business discussions that support national development.
Greene said the initiative will be open to the Antigua and Barbuda diaspora worldwide and is part of a broader effort to convert overseas connections into long-term economic partnerships.
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Congratulations Dave!
What the heck is a diaspora officer? Waste tax payer money for Dave to travel on Antiguas money? Curious to see what the expected outcomes and what metrics he will be measured by. This government think people fooley
Davisha song for the position . All about the minions .
Dave Ray is one of their mouth piece on any news article on ANR . He been singing their songs and drinking the Red cool-aid in New York.So he will try to get some more Persons on the ABLP CHOIR . This is what you call singing for your supper. Trump is getting ready to deny them so from getting their medication.so why not get paid to sing for a little change
Congratulations to you Dr Dave Ray.
Here’s hoping that you’ll bring a sense of balance and fair play to this very important but undervalued role.
I’ve mentioned time and time again, that the diaspora has been well overlooked, and $ for $ they spend a lot more money locally than the average tourist whose money is tied to hotels and other financial packages, rather than on the locals.
Many of the diaspora are returning to these shores (especially after the racist undertones in the US, UK and Europe) to build, giving our local tradesmen and building contractors a much welcomed boost.
It’ll be interesting to witness if you change your ways drastically. I for one hope not. Stay you sir.
We support different political parties, but I’ve always respected your intellect and coherent views.
Well done again Dave 👏🏾
Waste of money! Waste of time! Period! Wasn’t this the same title he had, since, 2014?
The People in the Diaspora MUST push for…
A…the members of the Upper House MUST be elected by the People, rather than SELECTED by their masters to be rubber stamps and clones for their shenanigans and corruption.
B…the General Election Date MUST be set to a specific month and date every five (5) years, rather than being left up to the whims, schisms of anyone individual or group.
C…All Antiguans and Barbudans who were born in Antigua, Barbuda & REDONDA, regardless as to whether they become citizens of another Nation, MUST be able to sit in the Parliament without renouncing the citizenship of the other Nation. Certain requirements like residency can be worked out.
D…the Citizens in the Diaspora should be able to vote either at an Embassy, Consulate or by ABSENTEE BALLOTS. The registration process can be handled by an Embassy/Consulate or when they are in Antigua/Barbuda.
The question now begs, why is a separate Government Department outside of the Embassy’s or Consulate required to deal with the business and issues related to them.
It’s just the same #Paper_Pushing policies which stagnate businesses in the Nation.
A well designed and managed WEBSITE will probably be more effective and efficient.
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏾Garrat_Bastard
Vere Edwards
The COME RAIDS milking the poor treasury. Hope Faithful National #1 isn’t jealous.
Congrats Madame, you worked hard no hell for this
This man has been song for his supper a long time now.
In practice there has been no Consulate since Gaston Browne became Prime Minister, and the Dyaspora has continued to thrive until Donald Trump became President.
Strange title given he has been campaigning for a job of done sorts for over 15 years.
The Antigua and Barbuda Diplomatic Corps has generally been political operatives so he’ll fit right in.
Dave Ray excelled as a hairdresser, hopefully he will rise to given he has campaigned for a diplomatic related job of sorts for over 15 years.
Given this is an unconventional and made up title;I can see the need for a person dedicated to handling the situation with increased deportations.
Dyaspora what are the responsibilities of this new head count on the public payroll.
Is Dave Ray intended to carry out the functions of an Assistant Council under the supervision of the UN Representative.
With regards to the Dyaspora Forum, Minister Chet Greene first needs to embark on the process of bring efficiency to Government operations.
The Dyaspora is use to efficient processes and service. Antigua and Barbuda is a long way from that.
I can incorporate a company in 24 hrs if it’s a C Corporation and an LLC or an S Corp at the cost of $100. plus the cost of ads in local newspapers another $100.
In Antigua and Barbuda the publish attorneys would make your head spin.
Message to Chet Greene and I’ll shout it from Minks Hill.
Only a fool and his money will be at your Dyaspora Forum.
In practice there has been no Consulate since Gaston Browne became Prime Minister, and the Dyaspora has continued to thrive until Donald Trump became President.
Strange title given he has been campaigning for a job of done sorts for over 15 years.
The Antigua and Barbuda Diplomatic Corps has generally been political operatives so he’ll fit right in.
Dave Ray excelled as a hairdresser, hopefully he will rise to given he has campaigned for a diplomatic related job of sorts for over 15 years.
Given this is an unconventional and made up title;I can see the need for a person dedicated to handling the situation with increased deportations.
Dyaspora what are the responsibilities of this new head count on the public payroll.
Is Dave Ray intended to carry out the functions of an Assistant Council under the supervision of the UN Representative.
With regards to the Dyaspora Forum, Minister Chet Greene first needs to embark on the process of bring efficiency to Government operations.
The Dyaspora is use to efficient processes and service. Antigua and Barbuda is a long way from that.
I can incorporate a company in 24 hrs if it’s a C Corporation and an LLC or an S Corp at the cost of $100. plus the cost of ads in local newspapers another $100.
In Antigua and Barbuda the publish attorneys would make your head spin.
Message to Chet Greene and I’ll shout it from Minks Hill.
Only a fool and his money will be at your Dyaspora Forum.
Well said @Ras Smood
I appreciate and respect all the opinions in either direction for as I mature, I fully accept the fact that not every person will support your appointment to any endeavour as our minds work quite uniquely with our own respective reason(s).
Feedback should not only praise or celebrate you but rather to act as a driving force to propel you to attain more and tangible and substantive outcomes, especially in the spirit of nation building.
I’m willing, open and clear headed to work with all transplanted Antiguans and Barbudans to build upon what is an ongoing effort to raise the bar of the linkages between our homeland and the diaspora community at large.
We can only be stronger together.
Cheers
@Dave Ray, congratulations. Forgive some of us for not getting exciting about the position. It is not that we are not happy you are selected, it is the feeling of the government setting up another position in which you may not get to do things that are of national interest, that is good, but just having the position and paying a salary without the position/person/you being able to do what is needed to make a substantial difference for Antiguans.
Also, I would love the position or at least the people who work in your office for the position you are in charge of to have some major experience in economics, finance and business. Who have turned nothing into something.
If that is you, congratulations. But don’t take things personal from most people, people are genuinely inquiring about the position and whether it is useful and not knocking you personally.
Congratulations and I pray in Jesus name your position makes a substantial difference for the people of the United Islands of Antigua and Barbuda (UIA&B).
Dave Ray, I’ve known you for a very long time, and I’ve watched you stay on the ground—consistently showing up for Antiguans wherever they are, for as long as I can remember.
When I was just a 21-year-old girl living in the Bronx, NY, and a newspaper ran a large headline that read “Antiguan Girl Opens Day Spa in the Bronx,” you stopped by. It felt like part of your duty—not for recognition, but simply to let me know I was seen, supported, and backed by a fellow Antiguan. For those who know, our diaspora is small, and those moments matter.
Though we don’t speak every day, we’ve always kept in touch. I’ll always hail you up when I see you, because respect doesn’t fade with time. And today, I believe in giving people their flowers while they are alive.
Fast forward—by God’s grace, I now stand in the hierarchy of the beauty and medical aesthetics industry: a medical spa with over 100,000 services performed ( Naomi Campbell being 1 of my celebrity client) a large-scale skincare formulation lab where I formulate and conduct clinical trials, and an online university where professional persons can learn everything from eyelash application to Botox.
Dave Ray, you have my full and public support for this appointment. You have been active in this role for over 20 years—quietly, consistently, and without fanfare. That kind of service speaks louder than words.
“The smallest of them will become a thousand,
the weakest a mighty nation.
At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen quickly.”
— Isaiah 60:22
Respect always 🇦🇬✨
@Dave Ray…
…ah wah ah guarne?
U kno, de Ancients always say, no matter wah U cum innah kantak wid, greet Um, innah sum kinda wey, cause, #U_kno_No, ah who e 🐝, and, #wen_u_no_kno; U jus no know!
Ah wan ah, King Bowl Face, mos powerful lyrics!
Greetings, with that said, I don’t know you personally, however as with anything, [it] possess an energy which is a part, of the wider essence of nature, you respect [it], to a certain degree. I even respect a speck of dirt, even if for a fleeting moment.
Now, not knowing you personally does not translate, to not knowing you spiritually, and from my first encounter with you #spiritually…💧…wen de 👁️🗨️ met U, de Jumbee & dem, KLASH, lakkah #2_sevens!
This was back in 2014, after the ALP was returning to become, the Ruling Arm of the government; now, correct me, if I am wrong, this said title, position, which by the way, I agree with “Monks Hill”, and the vibz out forth to some degree, but back to the political title under which you now serve, liaison de [it] of the Diaspora, isn’t this the same title accorded you, some say, you sang for it, back in 2014? By the Gaston Browne government?
I recalled our encounter then, I thought it was irrelevant “then,” and I still think, it’s irrelevant now. I would personally like to debate my reasoning, as to why, I take this position, in a public forum with all of the added, #trimmings, such as social media, print via reporting etc, but I, Vere Cornwall Edwards, put this challenge to you, Dave Ray, publicly.
I can be reached, we already share email correspondence from, said 2014 encounter.
Moving forward @Monks Hill, de vibZ fram de name alone, well Irie! Famalee fram dem parts dey! Lib dey too!
@My Way Of Helping, being vibing with you, since the days, of CARIBEANA, and you’ve matured in many ways, keep your vibZ #jummin_N_jamming!
To both you and of course, @Dave Ray, BS, BA, MA, MD, PhD, to the A, B, C, D which I mentioned, in my first comment, I’d quickly add #TERM LIMITS, for ALL MEMBERS OF THE PARLIAMENT.
I just read where Gerald Watt, just died physically, his legacy lives on in the Sirs, QC’s, etc; and #condolences, to the bereaved. I don’t have a magic fork stick, but with TERM LIMITS IN PARLIAMENT, who knows, maybe, hmmmmnnn, Watts could have avoided some stress(es), by not being Speaker of The House, at his age, but come see, come say!
But, for accountability purposes, especially now, with the admittance(s), of corruption in the public sector – Hi, 👋👋👋👋🏻👋🏿👋🏾👋🏾👋🏾👋🏾👋🏾good morning Mrs. Broncogate, I know that, you may not be family to OJ Simpson, and his #BRONCO_FIASCO, but you’re familiar with his famous court case, Johnny Cochrane (allegedly had Antigua roots – BIG UP OLD ROAD! Dem Tallawah)… but, the infamous line used in his trial, “if the glove don’t fit, you must acquit!” My Way of Helping is now willing and able to play Johnny Cochrane’s Role, as a an Attorney. He’s being listening to, Maria! Maria! The Girl g from the East Side Story! Sprouted from St. Lucia’…
…we need a Court date
…and, it ain’t got!
…nothing, not one damn thing to do with hate!
,,.but, de pepperpot hot. Hott!
…and, before we cyan NYAM DAT!
…we want fu kno?
…wah? Ah wah dat, innah de pot?
…cause, wen U no kno!
…membah, Boldface say so’
…U, jus no kno!
…so? We want fu know
…how de subbed you!
…now dat, de donkey dun bolt!
…lakkah, de sprinter Bolt
,,,from, de starting gate!
…we can’t tun back!
…because a dem facts! That!
…cum outtah. Straight outtah!
,..BRONCOGATE’ de #BRONCO_GATE!
Jumbee Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg 🦶🏿 Garrat_Bastard
Vere Edwards
..
Since 2014 they promised him head of diaspora affairs and he finally getting his box hand after since and brown nosing,( no pun intended) all these years
Since 2014 they promised him head of diaspora affairs and he finally getting his box hand after singing and brown nosing, ( no pun intended) all these years
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