Barbados Ministries and their Ministers

A full list of ministries in Barbados along with the current minister (or responsible office-holder) for each.

Ministries and their Current Ministers

Office of the Prime Minister (including Finance, Economic Affairs, Culture, Security, Public Service, Water Resources)Mia Amor Mottley — Prime Minister
Ministry of Transport and Works / Transport, Works & Water ResourcesSantia J. O. Bradshaw — Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Transport and Works
Ministry of Legal Affairs / Attorney‑GeneralDale D. Marshall — Attorney‑General & Minister of Legal Affairs
Ministry of Health and WellnessJerome X. Walcott — Senior Minister, Health and Wellness & Social/Environmental Policy
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign TradeKerrie D. Symmonds — Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade
Ministry of Planning and Development (Prime Minister’s Office) / Infrastructural Projects & Town PlanningWilliam F. Duguid — Senior Minister in PMO responsible for Infrastructural Projects & Planning
Ministry of Home Affairs and InformationWilfred A. Abrahams — Minister of Home Affairs & Information
Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Nutritional SecurityIndar A. Weir — Minister of Agriculture, Food & Nutritional Security
Ministry of Tourism and International TransportIan Gooding-Edghill — Minister of Tourism & International Transport
Ministry of Energy and Business Development (International Business & Business Dev.)Lisa R. Cummins — Minister of Energy & Business Development; Leader of Government Business in the Senate
Ministry of Economic Affairs and InvestmentKay S. McConney — Minister of Economic Affairs & Investment
Ministry of Housing, Lands and MaintenanceChristopher D. L. Gibbs — Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance
Ministry of Environment and National Beautification / Green & Blue EconomyAdrian R. Forde — Minister of Environment, National Beautification, Green & Blue Economy
Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder AffairsKirk D. M. Humphrey — Minister of People Empowerment & Elder Affairs
Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third SectorColin E. Jordan — Minister of Labour, Social Security & Third Sector
Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and TechnologyJonathan W. D. Reid — Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science & Technology
Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community EmpowermentCharles McD. Griffith — Minister of Youth, Sports & Community Empowerment
Ministry of Training and Tertiary EducationSandra V. Husbands — Minister of Training and Tertiary Education
(Additional / Supporting Portfolios)
Minister in the Ministry of Finance		Ryan R. Straughn — Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs & Investment
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Sustainable Development / Culture / Other PMO responsibilities)Shantal M. Munro-Knight — Minister in the PM Office (Sustainable Development, Results & Culture)
Minister of State, Ministry of Health and WellnessDavidson I. Ishmael — Minister of State, Health & Wellness

1. Executive Leadership

  • Office of the Prime Minister (PMO): Headed by the Prime Minister, the PMO coordinates national policies, security, civil service management, infrastructural development, and economic planning. It also oversees related portfolios such as culture, sustainable development, and national security.
  • Cabinet Office: Supports the Cabinet in policy coordination, legislative planning, and administrative oversight.

2. Economic and Financial Ministries

  • Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment (MFEI): Manages government budgets, fiscal policy, investment planning, taxation, and economic development initiatives.
  • Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment: Oversees national economic planning and investment promotion.
  • Ministry of Energy and Business Development: Responsible for energy policy, business development, international business promotion, and entrepreneurship support.
  • Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology: Encourages industrial growth, technological innovation, scientific research, and technological entrepreneurship.

3. Social and Community Ministries

  • Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training: Provides oversight of primary, secondary, and tertiary education, vocational training, and technological skill development.
  • Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs: Focuses on social welfare programs, elderly care, and community empowerment initiatives.
  • Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector: Manages labor relations, social security programs, and partnerships with civil society organizations.
  • Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment: Promotes youth development, sports, community engagement, and related social programs.

4. Infrastructure and Environmental Ministries

  • Ministry of Transport, Works and Maintenance: Manages national transportation infrastructure, roads, public works, and maintenance programs.
  • Ministry of Housing, Lands and Rural Development: Oversees public housing, land management, rural development, and property-related policies.
  • Ministry of Environment and National Beautification / Green & Blue Economy: Responsible for environmental conservation, national beautification projects, and sustainable development initiatives, including climate change adaptation.

5. Health and Wellness

  • Ministry of Health and Wellness: Manages public health services, medical facilities, wellness initiatives, disease prevention, and health policy planning.

6. External Relations and Legal Affairs

  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade: Handles international diplomacy, foreign policy, trade negotiations, and Barbados’ relations with global organizations.
  • Office of the Attorney General / Ministry of Legal Affairs: Provides legal services, policy guidance, legislative drafting, and oversight of legal affairs in government.
  • Ministry of Home Affairs and Information: Manages internal security, policing, civil registry services, and information dissemination.

7. Tourism and Cultural Development

  • Ministry of Tourism and International Transport: Promotes tourism, manages transportation related to travel and trade, and develops tourism-related infrastructure.
  • Ministry of Creative Economy, Culture and Sports: Encourages cultural development, creative industries, and national arts programs.

8. Specialized Ministries

  • Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Nutritional Security: Ensures food security, sustainable agricultural development, and rural economic support.
  • Ministry of Training and Tertiary Education: Focuses on workforce development, tertiary education policy, and professional training.
  • Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy: Oversees maritime industries, fisheries, and sustainable ocean resource management.
  • Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Public Affairs: Handles media relations, public communications, and national information services.
Ministries and their Current Ministers

Key Observations

  1. Barbados has around 30 ministries and specialized portfolios, reflecting a focus on economic diversification, social development, and sustainable management of natural resources.
  2. Several ministries have overlapping responsibilities (e.g., energy, business development, innovation), which allows for flexibility in reshuffles and administrative efficiency.
  3. Social empowerment, youth development, and elder care are prioritized, alongside economic planning and foreign trade.
  4. Environmental sustainability and the “Blue Economy” are increasingly integrated into policy due to Barbados’ vulnerability to climate change and reliance on marine resources.

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