Rodney Williams (governor-general)

Sir Rodney Errey Lawrence Williams, KGN, GCMG (born 2 November 1947), is the current and 4th Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda.

His Excellency

Sir Rodney Williams

KGN GCMG
Williams in 2017
Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda
Assumed office
14 August 2014
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterGaston Browne
Preceded byLouise Lake-Tack
Personal details
Born (1947-11-02) 2 November 1947
Swetes, Antigua and Barbuda
Political partyLabour Party
Alma materUniversity of the West Indies

Background and earlier career

Rodney is the son of Ernest Emmanuel Williams, the former Antigua Labour Party (ALP) parliamentary representative for the St Paul constituency and Irene B. Williams, a professional educator in Antigua and Barbuda.

Williams attended the Antigua Grammar School in St. John's, upon graduating he taught at his alma mater for a year. He then studied medicine at the University of the West Indies Mona Campus.

He is a medical doctor by profession.[1] He received his MBBS Degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of the West Indies in 1976. From 1978, after completing his Internship at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados, he pursued his private medical practice in Antigua & Barbuda.

Rodney entered politics in 1984 as the Member of Parliament for the St Paul constituency, that had been previously represented by his father. Between 1992 and 2004, he served in the cabinet as a minister, holding variously or jointly the portfolios of education, culture, technology, economic development, tourism, and environment. He represented St Paul up to 2004 when he lost his seat in the 2004 general election, when his Antigua Labour Party lost to the United Progressive Party.[2]

Minister of Education, Culture and Technology

After the Antigua Labour Party's victory at the 1994 General Elections, Prime Minister Lester Bird appointed Williams as Minister of Education, Culture and Technology. He would retain this post until the end of his political career in 2004.

William's most controversial decision while being Minister of Education was his decision to introduce to Parliament the Board of Education Act, which introduced the Education Levy. The role of this statutory body was to provide finances for the stationery and physical supplies needed by public schools across the country. When the Bill was first tabled in the House of Representatives opposition forces marched in the high streets of St. John's, the capital city.

Governor-General
Viceregal styles of
Sir Rodney Williams
(2014–Present)
Reference styleHis Excellency
Spoken styleYour Excellency

Rodney was sworn into office on 14 August 2014 as the 4th Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda.[3][2]

Rodney was knighted as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) by Queen Elizabeth II on 17 October 2014.[4] In November 2014 Williams was invested as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I by Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro.

References
  1. Joseph, Sharine (15 May 2019). "Antigua Governor General Sir Rodney Williams receives honorary doctorate from St. Mary's College". St. Lucia News Online. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  2. "Sir Rodney sworn in as new Governor General". Antiguaobserver.com. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  3. "Hail and Farewell". caribtimes.com. 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2017.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. "No. 2218472". The London Gazette. 17 October 2014. p. 1108.
Government offices
Preceded by
Louise Lake-Tack		 Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda
2014–present		 Incumbent


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