The newly appointed Senator Kiz Johnson, who is also the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s caretaker in the St. Phillip’s South constituency, says her focus for the constituency will be education, youth development, women’s empowerment and infrastructural development.
Senator Johnson was sworn in as the newest government senator at a ceremony held at Government House on Friday afternoon. This happened just hours after she won the primary held in the constituency to select a candidate for the ABLP for the next general elections.
“I am thrilled to be back in the Senate where I served for over two years as the Independent Senator appointed by the Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams. Now that I am back, and sitting on the government’s side, the people of Antigua and Barbuda can expect the same level of discourse that I presented during my tenure as the Independent Candidate. My presentations will be well-researched as I join my team of government senators in contributing to a high level of debate in the Upper House,” she declared.
Turning to her plans for the constituency, Senator Johnson said she is a strong believer in the power of education and that she is happy to see that in the People-Centred National Budget for 2026, the prime minister laid out a comprehensive plan to take education to the next level.
“I certainly support the prime minister’s push for education, including a waiver of fees for CXC starting from the next academic year and tuition free studies at tertiary level studies for some students.
“Additionally, I want to ensure that I pursue youth-centred initiatives in the constituency to advance to development of our youth population. These include among other things, supporting sporting clubs and the rehabilitation of sporting facilities in the constituency,” she indicated.
As a young woman entering elective politics, Senator Johnson said she has to be a role model for young girls and women and her plans include pursuing opportunities to empower women not only in the St. Phillip South constituency, but throughout Antigua and Barbuda.
Another area of concern for the senator is the notion of fostering a stronger community spirit in the area. She stated that she is proud to be from the Freetown community and that it is her desire to see a return or strengthening of that spirit of camaraderie among the people of Freetown, St. Phillips, Bethesda, Lion Hill and the other areas comprising the constituency.
She noted that two of the defeated candidates in Thursday’s primary have already signaled their support for her candidacy and they have pledged to rally their supporters behind her.
