Newly appointed Ambassador-at-Large Joanne Massiah has pledged to represent Antigua and Barbuda with excellence, integrity and patriotism following her swearing-in ceremony at Government House on Monday.
According to Antigua News Room, Massiah took the Oath of Allegiance, Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy before Governor General's Deputy Sir Clare Roberts, after which she received her instrument of appointment.
Speaking moments after the ceremony, Massiah described the role as an opportunity to contribute further to national development during a period of significant global challenges.
"I am just incredibly humbled, thankful, and appreciative of this opportunity to continue to play a very meaningful role in nation building as we seek to reposition Antigua on the global stage and indeed to assist the government to work through the very challenging global times in which we find ourselves," she said.
Massiah, an attorney-at-law, former government minister and former opposition senator, said she accepted the appointment "with humility and grace" and extended gratitude to those who have supported her throughout her public life.
"I am just thankful to God, to my parents, my immediate family, my friends, my colleagues, and to the people of Antigua and Barbuda who have supported me through all my endeavors, all throughout my life," she said.
The appointment places Massiah among a cadre of ambassadors-at-large who may be called upon to undertake special assignments and represent Antigua and Barbuda at regional and international engagements.
Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene announced during the ceremony that Massiah's first assignment will be to join Antigua and Barbuda's delegation at meetings of the Organization of American States and the Association of Caribbean States in Panama.
Massiah said the regional and international stage was familiar ground. "Representing the country on the global stage and the regional stage is not new to me," she said, adding that she intends to familiarise herself quickly with the issues to be addressed at the upcoming meetings.
"I suspect it will just be a matter of me just revving up myself, dusting off my boots, certainly becoming familiar with the issues that this meeting will address," Massiah said.
She also gave a firm commitment to the standard of service the public should expect from her. "I can promise the people of Antigua and Barbuda that they can expect nothing but excellence from me, which is my minimum standard," she said.
"I will represent the nation and its people with integrity, with honor, with responsibility, with a lot of verve, a lot of gusto, and with all the patriotism that is filled in me," Massiah added.
Massiah and fellow Ambassador-at-Large Samantha Marshall were both sworn in during the ceremony, which was attended by government officials, diplomats, family members and supporters. The appointments were made under Section 101 of the Constitution and form part of Antigua and Barbuda's broader diplomatic engagement strategy.
