Hilson Baptiste
Former
Cabinet Minister, Antigua and Barbuda
Hilson Baptiste is an Antiguan and Barbudan politican and former parliamentarian and Cabinet Minister.
Early life and education
Affectionately known across Antigua & Barbuda as 'Brother B,' Hilson Baptiste is a product of St. Mary's. His mother was a farmer and housewife. He was one of eleven children. He lost his mother just a year ago. He was the first elected member born in the constituency to represent the constituency.
He attended the Bolans Primary and Secondary schools prior to relocating to the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) where he attended St. Thomas High School.
He received culinary training and previously worked as a chef. Becaus eof his interestin the art of cooking, he was chosen to attend a training programme in Washington, DC at the prestigious Culinary Arts School. Upon returning to St. Thomas, he worked hard to put himself through school and make a better life for him and his family.
Career
Baptiste returned to Antigua in 1970 and worked at several restaurants. In 1972, he opened his own restaurant, Brother B's, which he operated for many years prior to entering service to his community as an elected official. Brother B's was a community spot where the food was good, there was plenty of community and everyone was welcome.
In Government, Minister Baptiste has held several portfolios. He worked in the Ministry of Tourism, Economics & Civil Aviation, and, went on to be apppointed to head the Ministry of Housing & Social Transformation. In the second term, Baptiste served as the head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment, a portfolio he currently holds.
Baptiste is passionate for food and agriculture. During his tenure, he implemented a comprehensive food sustainability programmes which include: Backyard Garden Day, Zero Hunger Initiative, and Pares Youth Program. These are just a few programmes that teach Antiguans & Barbudans different techniques in farming.
Baptiste pushed a half dozen pieces of legislation dealing with issues including environmental management, fisheries exports to the EU, plant protection, pesticide & toxic chemicals, and the National Physical Development Plan. He's helped facilitate grants from China for agriculture stations equipment and solar powered tools that help reduce energy cost for farmersWhile serving as Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment, Baptiste was Chairman on the Technical Management Advisory Committee for the Disaster Risk Management Committee under the Jagdeo Initiative. This was set up to look at mitigation measures to reduce the impact of disasters on the agriculture sector of the Caribbean.
In 2012 he was also the Chairman of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, an organization in Caricom with the mandate to harmonize fishery regulations in order to manage the Caribbean fisheries in a wholelistic way.
Minister Baptiste was charged on two occasions to act as Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda by the Hon. Dr. Winston Baldwin Spencer while he was away on Government Business.
Baptiste lost his seat in the 12 June 2014 general election to Samantha Marshall of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party.
Personal life
Baptiste is married to Mrs. Ithlane Baptiste, Principal of the Ottos Comprehensive School.
|
| Post |
Chamber |
Party |
Date |
| MP for St. Mary's South |
House of Representatives |
UPP |
8 March 1994 - 12 June 2014 |
|
| Post |
Date |
| Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment |
16 March 2009 - 12 June 2014 |
| Minister of Housing, Culture, and Social Transformation |
5 January 2005 - 15 March 2009 |
|
|
