Permanent Secretaries Shifted — Now All Eyes on Directors
Amid growing public scrutiny of the public service, calls are intensifying for increased accountability not just among Permanent Secretaries, but also within the ranks of government directors. Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness, transparency, and leadership at the director level across various government ministries and departments.
While recent shifts in Permanent Secretary appointments have made headlines, some stakeholders argue that such changes only scratch the surface. They contend that a deeper, more systemic overhaul is needed — one that includes a critical review of directors who hold significant influence over the daily operations and implementation of government policies.
“There’s a glaring need to look beyond the top layer,” a source close to the matter stated. “Directors are just as pivotal in shaping how departments function. If we’re serious about public sector reform, we can’t ignore that.”
Critics argue that without this level of introspection and action, issues such as bureaucratic bottlenecks, inefficiency, and lack of innovation will persist. They are calling for performance audits, leadership evaluations, and a merit-based approach to promotions and reappointments.
As public demand grows for a more agile and responsive government, many are watching closely to see whether the necessary attention will be paid not just to the figureheads but to the leadership framework within. The conversation has clearly shifted — and so, they say, must the system.
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Amidst the shifting and moving of Permanent Secretaries, let’s not loose sight of the fact that an organization is only as good as its leadership. And this spirit of leadership should be imbibed in the culture of the company. It begins at the top – in the government case from the Minister downwards. Leadership is really the art of inspiring and motivating people to achieve common goal. Effective leaders set clear goals, providing direction for their teams. It is all about promoting a positive culture and less about blaming and finger pointing.
Ministers ? What Ministers? What training or background do they have in leadership?
They are execellent at making empty promises, and nominating for scholarships and turkey. Otherwise they are useless.
The real incompetence in government lies squarely in the Office of Prime Minister Gaston Browne. No amount of reshuffling permanent secretaries or shifting directors like pawns in a desperate game of musical chairs will fix the rot at the top. The truth is, Gaston is out of ideas, out of vision, and out of time. His government is stumbling from one failure to the next, and instead of taking responsibility, he’s scapegoating hardworking public servants to deflect from his own shortcomings. This is not leadership, it’s desperation. Antigua and Barbuda cannot afford to be held hostage by a moribund Prime Minister who blames everyone but himself. The nation urgently needs a new leader with fresh ideas, real solutions, and the courage to lead from the front, not one hiding behind the bureaucracy he keeps rearranging.
If a Permanent Secretary isn’t functioning effectively and you move him/her to another ministry not certain anything will change, that individual will just go to another ministry and f up the same way, why not reshuffle the Ministers and give them a wake up call or are you afraid you might be beheaded
Well, while the government is at it, do not just shift permanent secretaries and directors but principals, executive officers, inspectors, etc. around every 3-5 years. Some of these people are too comfortable and laid back.
@Audley Phillip May 23, 2025 At 5:52 pm
I see you’ve got the PM’s attention with your un-educated remark on his comment on the banks making space to lend more money to the agriculture sector. I have warned you many times not to comment on things you have no knowledge about. I hope you have learned a bit about how banks operate. What I do find is that banks in the region are not addressing the need of the economies of the currency union. And since governments of each island cannot set financial policies or monitary policies they all do their own thing. Perhaps they need more goevrnment back guarantees when they are facing risks. Like tax credits for bad loans in the agriculture sector.
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