Former finance minister Harold Lovell has taken aim at what he described as serious lapses in governance and transparency in Antigua and Barbuda, accusing officials of ignoring the “spirit” of laws meant to promote accountability.
Speaking on Observer A.M. with Dr. Jacqui Quinn, Lovell said the country continues to operate with a “small-island mentality” that tolerates mediocrity and rewards political favoritism. He argued that effective governance depends on transparency and participation in decision-making — values that have eroded over time.
“When decisions are made by a few people at the top, the result is a society where a few do very well while the vast majority struggle,” Lovell said. “It’s what I call hustling at the top and hardship at the bottom.”
Lovell, who is also a visiting professor at the University of Toronto, gave a detailed explanation of Antigua’s corporate governance framework, referencing legislation his United Progressive Party (UPP) administration introduced in 2004 — including the Freedom of Information Act, Integrity in Public Life Act, and Prevention of Corruption Act. He said these laws were designed to foster openness but have since been undermined by poor implementation.
“The philosophy behind the Freedom of Information Act is that people have a right to know,” he said. “But the way it’s been observed is as though government has a right to hide.”
He also questioned the handling of the Social Security Fund, arguing that financial and actuarial reports are being withheld from the public. “Where are the financial statements of Social Security?” Lovell asked. “How can you make decisions about Social Security when the reports that were paid for with public money cannot be seen by the public?”
Lovell described the situation as a textbook case of “bad governance,” saying it violates both the letter and spirit of the Social Security Act of 1972, which was designed to include civil society in fund management through a balanced board structure.
The interview blended political critique with academic commentary, reflecting Lovell’s dual role as a politician and professor. Dr. Quinn concluded the segment by praising his “thoughtful and very informative analysis on corporate governance.”
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