Duo appointments took center stage at Government House yesterday as Senator Joel Anderson Rayne and Tiffany Anthea Lauren Strann-Peters officially took their oaths.

First, officials swore in Senator Joel Anderson Rayne as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Corporate Governance, and Public-Private Partnerships. His appointment came only days after he became a senator on May 8.

Governor General Sir Rodney Williams led the ceremony. Moreover, he praised Rayne’s dedication and readiness for public service.

Sir Rodney said the position requires discipline, commitment, and a willingness to serve. He also said the government’s confidence in Rayne showed a strong belief in his abilities.

Meanwhile, Rayne described the appointment as both surprising and humbling.

“The feeling is still the same, it’s a surreal feeling,” he said. “But in anything you do, you must give God thanks.”

In addition, Rayne thanked Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Cabinet members for trusting him with the role.

He also shared words of encouragement for young people across Antigua and Barbuda.

“When you have dreams and aspirations, don’t put any time frame on it,” Rayne said. “As long as you’re alive, you can achieve that goal.”

Meanwhile, Tiffany Anthea Lauren Strann-Peters also took the oath as senator during the ceremony.

Sir Rodney noted that her appointment increased female representation in Parliament. As a result, there are now six female senators on the government side.

Furthermore, he said the country now has eight female parliamentarians within the 34-member Parliament. He described the milestone as one of the highest levels of female parliamentary participation in Antigua and Barbuda’s history.

“This is an important and encouraging development for our democracy,” Sir Rodney stated.

Strann-Peters also spoke about the significance of the moment. She described the appointment as a dream she had worked toward for many years.

“I am extremely elated to have been given this opportunity,” she said.

Additionally, she encouraged young women to pursue their goals with determination and patience.

“You should dare to dream,” Strann-Peters said. “Delayed never means denied.”

Overall, the ceremony highlighted both new leadership appointments and growing female representation within Antigua and Barbuda’s Parliament.