Newly appointed Ambassador-at-Large Joanne Massiah says she is humbled by the opportunity to continue serving Antigua and Barbuda and has pledged to represent the country with excellence, integrity and patriotism as she prepares to undertake her first assignment on behalf of the state.
Massiah made the remarks Monday shortly after being sworn in at Government House, where she took the Oath of Allegiance, Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy before Governor General’s Deputy Sir Clare Roberts.
Speaking moments after receiving her instrument of appointment, Massiah described the new role as an opportunity to continue contributing to national development at a time of growing 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 expressed gratitude to those who have supported her throughout her public life.
She thanked God, her parents, immediate family, friends, colleagues and the people of Antigua and Barbuda for their encouragement over the years.
“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 by the government to undertake special assignments and represent Antigua and Barbuda at regional and international engagements.
During the ceremony, Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene announced that Massiah’s first assignment will be to join Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation attending meetings of the Organization of American States and the Association of Caribbean States in Panama.
Asked about the immediate responsibility, Massiah said representing Antigua and Barbuda at the regional and international levels was familiar territory.
“Representing the country on the global stage and the regional stage is not new to me,” she said.
She added that she intends to quickly familiarize herself with the matters to be discussed at the meetings and prepare accordingly.
“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.
Massiah also expressed confidence in her ability to carry out her new responsibilities and said the public could expect a high standard of service 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.
She pledged to represent the country’s interests with professionalism and dedication while maintaining the values that have guided her public service career.
“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 said.
Massiah and fellow Ambassador-at-Large Samantha Marshall were sworn in during a ceremony 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.