AGP Executive Report

Roseau North By-Election: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit rallied Yampiece residents to back DLP candidate Ashma McDougall ahead of the Sept. 7 vote, arguing the opposition has been absent since 2019 and pointing to DLP achievements in housing, education and disaster response. Disability & Jobs: The UN launched its HireAbility campaign across the Caribbean, urging employers to break barriers and expand decent work for people with disabilities, with businesses signing a disability-inclusive employer pledge. Agriculture Land Access: OECS Director General Didacus Jules urged governments to provide crown lands to young farmers on transparent terms that banks can recognize as collateral, stressing inclusion must be structural. Road Safety Tragedy: Police are investigating a fatal Canefield crash on Aug. 31 that killed a 59-year-old scooter rider after a collision with a trailer truck. Justice Update: Another police officer, Patrick Bethelmie Jr., was arrested in the Jerbiah Paul murder probe, bringing more officers and suspects to remand. Education & Seniors: CXC exams wrapped after six weeks across 17 centres, and the Dominica Council on Ageing unveiled its Month of the Elderly programme for September.

Disability & Work: The UN launched its “HireAbility Campaign” across the Caribbean to push disability-inclusive employment, backed by governments and businesses through a Disability Inclusive Employer’s Pledge. Road Safety & Tragedy: Police are investigating a fatal Canefield collision on Aug. 31 that killed a 59-year-old scooter rider after a trailer truck turned onto the E.O. Leblanc Highway; Dominica is also still reeling from the June 8 Canefield Cliff crash death of graphic designer Travis Bannis. Crime Update (Jerbiah Paul): Another police officer, Patrick Bethelmie Jr., was arrested and charged in the Jerbiah Paul murder probe, bringing the number of officers charged to four, with multiple suspects still on remand. Local Governance & Services: DOWASCO invited Coulibistrie and Morne Rachette residents to a community consultation on the Water Sector Strategic Development Project. Community & Culture: Soufrière Dive Fest wrapped up with kayaking and other watersports, while St. Kitts marked Kalinago remembrance and talks on a Kalinago craft centre that could create livelihoods beyond Dominica. Health Policy: The Ministry of Finance says Dominica plans a dedicated National Disability Affairs Unit to centralize support and improve access for persons with disabilities. Sports & Education: Addison James takes up his Sports Ambassador role effective Sept. 1, and DOMLEC pledged five-year scholarships for four secondary students.

Roseau North By-Election: Dominica’s Roseau North seat heads to a Sept. 7 by-election with three candidates—DLP’s Ashma McDougall, UWP’s Danny Lugay, and independent Sherman Boston—while the electoral office continues voter confirmation and polling arrangements. Crime & Court: A 20-year-old Portsmouth woman, Ronalda Luke Pascal, was remanded in connection with the death of 16-year-old Jerbiah Paul, with charges including perverting the course of justice and possession of ammunition; police also charged Jolie-Ana Naomi James in the ongoing investigation. Water & Community Planning: DOWASCO invited residents of Coulibistrie and Morne Rachette to a community consultation on the Water Sector Strategic Development Project (WSSDP). Health & Nursing: The Dominica Nurses Association renewed its push for better training, mentorship, ethical standards, safer workplaces, and mental health support for nurses. Agriculture Threat: Farmers and residents in Grand Bay are being called to a meeting on lethal yellowing disease after confirmation of LYD in Dominica earlier this year. Sports: Javelin standout Addison James takes effect as Dominica’s new Sports Ambassador on Sept. 1. Education & Scholarships: DOMLEC pledged full five-year support for four secondary scholarship recipients, and Castle Bruce Secondary student Jeremie Rolle secured 14 grade ones at the June 2026 CSEC exams.

CSEC Results: Castle Bruce Secondary student Jeremie Rolle shines with 14 grade ones as Dominica’s CSEC pass rate rises 3.3% over 2025, announced by Acting Education Minister Chekeria Lockhart Hypolite. Water & Community: DOWASCO invites Coulibistrie and Morne Rachette residents to a WSSDP community consultation on Sept. 2 at the Morne Rachette Community Resource Centre. Roseau North By-Election: Roseau North heads to a Sept. 7 by-election with Ashma McDougall (DLP) backed by businessman Kenny Green, while the UWP’s Danny Lugay and independent Sherman Boston also contest. Crime Update: Portsmouth’s Jolie-Ana Naomi James is charged in the Jerbiah Paul investigation, with other suspects already facing murder and related charges. Health & Nursing: The Dominica Nurses Association renews its push for better training, mentorship, workplace safety and mental health support for nurses. Sports Appointment: Javelin standout Addison James takes up his Sports Ambassador role effective Sept. 1. Agriculture Alert: Grand Bay farmers are urged to attend an LYD awareness meeting on Aug. 31 as lethal yellowing disease threatens coconut and ornamental palms. Regional Health Tech: SVG becomes the first OECS member to adopt the CARPHA-backed regional digital health warning system, RIEWSS. Scholarships: DOMLEC pledges full five-year support for four secondary scholarship recipients. Weather: A tropical wave is expected to bring heavy rains and rough seas, with flood and high surf advisories possible.

Banking & Innovation: Asprofin Bank (Dominica) is expanding its Banking-as-a-Service and embedded-finance push, partnering with Digital TRVST to support about US$5 billion in annualized transaction volume within 12 months. Disability Policy: Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre says Government plans a dedicated National Disability Affairs Unit to centralize support and give persons with disabilities a clearer path to assistance. Local Loss: Dominica is mourning graphic designer Travis Bannis, who died after injuries from a Canefield Cliff crash on June 8. Health & Care Culture: The Dominica Nurses Association marks 69 years of service, urging nurses to keep compassion and dignity at the centre of patient care. Elections Watch: Roseau North’s by-election is set for September 7, with polling centres mapped and three candidates in the race. Weather: A tropical wave is bringing locally heavy rains, gusty winds and thunderstorms, with small craft warnings and a high surf advisory in effect. Regional Development: IRENA is calling for renewable energy project proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, including Dominica.

Disability Policy Push: Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre says Government is moving to create a dedicated National Disability Affairs Unit to centralize support and give persons with disabilities a stronger voice in Dominica’s development. By-Election Watch: Roseau North is set for a September 7 by-election, with voters assigned to 10 polling centres and three candidates in the race. Health & Care Culture: The Dominica Nurses Association marks 69 years of service, renewing calls for compassion, dignity and kindness as part of everyday patient care. Weather Alert: A strong tropical wave is bringing locally heavy rains, gusty winds and thunderstorms, with small craft warnings and a high surf advisory in effect. Community & Culture: The Soufrière Dive Fest returns this weekend with hikes, water activities and family events, while the Waitukubuli Artist Association hosts a free stop-motion animation movie night in Trafalgar. Road Tragedy: Dominica mourns graphic designer Travis Bannis, who died after injuries from a Canefield Cliff accident.

Roseau North By-Election: The Electoral Office says the Roseau North parliamentary by-election is set for September 7, with polling centres mapped across the constituency and three candidates contesting the seat. Healthcare Compassion: The Dominica Nurses Association is urging nurses and ward aides to keep kindness, dignity and empathy at the centre of patient care. Education & Skills: UWI students in Nutrition and Dietetics received advanced food safety training through CARPHA, while Dominica’s Adult Education Division hosts its annual Skills Exhibition today in Roseau. Local Scholarships: DOMLEC marks 40 years of its scholarship programme, awarding four students support for secondary school. Agriculture Recognition: Capuchin farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste has been named among FAO’s 100 Women Heroes in agrifood systems. Sports Development: Pointe Ronde’s multi-purpose complex is progressing toward World Athletics Class One certification. Culture & Tourism: Soufrière Dive Fest returns this weekend, and Winair is offering a 65% fare reduction for World Creole Music Festival travel.

Roseau North By-Election: The Electoral Office says polling for the Sept. 7 by-election will run across 10 centres, with voters assigned by community, after nomination day on Aug. 21. Nurses’ Compassion Call: The Dominica Nurses Association marks its 69 years by urging nurses and ward aides to keep kindness, dignity and empathy at the centre of care. Dominica Politics: DLP candidate Ashma McDougall told Gutter residents she returns with a clearer plan ahead of the Roseau North vote. Kalinago Craft Centre Talks: Kalinago Chief Anette Sanford and council members are in St. Kitts pushing for a Kalinago craft centre to create jobs beyond Dominica. Renewables Push: IRENA is inviting renewable project proposals across the Caribbean, including Dominica, for possible financing support. Food Safety Training: UWI students in Trinidad received CARPHA ServSafe train-the-trainer advanced food safety certification. Agriculture Recognition: Capuchin farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste was named among FAO’s 100 Women Heroes in agrifood systems. Sports Facility Update: Pointe Ronde’s multi-purpose complex is expected to target World Athletics Class One certification after assessment. Community & Learning: Adult Education Division hosts its annual Skills Exhibition in Roseau today, showcasing trades from pastry and sewing to carpentry.

Business & Tech: Jamaican entrepreneur Kingsley Jair Harrison’s AI business platform SnapTap is gaining traction across the Caribbean, with 500+ operators using it in 10 countries, including Dominica, to manage marketing, sales, payments and customers in one dashboard. Tourism & Community: Soufrière Dive Fest 2026 returns Aug. 29–30 with hikes, scuba and freediving, kayaking, coral presentations, family activities, seafood and a $2,500 corporate kayak race. Education & Skills: UWI St. Augustine interns in Nutrition and Dietetics get advanced food-safety training via CARPHA’s ServSafe programme, while Dominica’s Adult Education Division holds its annual Skills Exhibition today (10am–4pm) showcasing courses from massage and pastry to carpentry. Health & Service: The Dominica Nurses Association marks 69 years of service, highlighting nurses’ role in both physical care and emotional support. Sports Infrastructure: Pointe Ronde’s new multi-purpose complex in Portsmouth is on track for World Athletics Class One certification, boosting Dominica’s ability to host major meets. Local Agriculture: Capuchin farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste is named among FAO’s 100 Women Heroes in agrifood systems, and DOMLEC continues scholarships for secondary students.

Tourism & Community: Soufrière Dive Fest 2026 returns Aug. 29–30, with early hikes and “Soak” sessions, then Discover Scuba, freediving, kayaking and coral presentations, followed by bayfront family fun, fish lyme, boat rides and a $2,500 corporate kayak race. Education & Skills: The Adult Education Division holds its annual Skills Exhibition today (10am–4pm) at 22 Kennedy Avenue, showcasing hands-on courses like massage therapy, pastry, sewing, hair braiding and carpentry. Health & Service: The Dominica Nurses Association marks 69 years of service, highlighting nurses’ role in both care and emotional support. Higher Education: Dr. Gaile Gray-Phillip is appointed Deputy Director of UWI Global Campus sites, effective Aug. 1. Agriculture & Food Systems: Capuchin farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste earns FAO recognition as one of the “100 Women Heroes” in agrifood systems. Sports Infrastructure: Pointe Ronde’s new multi-purpose complex is on track for World Athletics Class One certification, boosting Dominica’s ability to host major meets. Elections Admin: Mahaut electors can pick up voter ID cards for the F01-Massacre polling district today and Saturday.

Education & Youth: DOMLEC marked 40 years of its scholarship programme by awarding four secondary-school scholarships to students from the wider community, covering books, fees and transport for up to five years. Agriculture & Food Security: Agriculture Minister Roland Royer congratulated Capuchin farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste after her selection as one of FAO’s inaugural “100 Women Heroes” in agrifood systems. Sports Infrastructure: Work at the new multi-purpose sporting complex in Pointe Ronde is progressing toward World Athletics Class One certification, a boost for hosting major meets and ratifying athletes’ performances. Community Development: Senator Oscar George announced a new Soufriere–Scotts Head village fish processing plant, with tendering underway and support via the Basic Needs Trust Fund. Culture & Tourism: Winair launched a 65% fare discount for Dominica’s 2026 World Creole Music Festival, running Aug 28–Oct 31 with festival dates Oct 23–25. Public Safety: Speed humps are set for Coulibistrie and Tarreau from Aug 31 to Sept 5 to improve road safety. Regional Health Capacity: PAHO/WHO supported critical-care simulation training for health professionals across seven Eastern Caribbean countries, including Dominica.

Sports Infrastructure: Pointe Ronde’s new multi-purpose sporting complex in Portsmouth is set to chase World Athletics Class One certification after an assessment, which would help Dominica host major meets and allow local performances to be officially ratified. Agriculture & Food Security: Agriculture Minister Roland Royer congratulated Capuchin farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste after her selection as one of FAO’s 100 Women Heroes in agrifood systems, highlighting her decades of farming and sustainable practices. Community Development: In Scotts Head, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit defended government social programmes and announced plans for a multi-purpose community centre for Gallion as part of Soufriere constituency priorities. Local Economy & Jobs: A fish processing plant is planned for the Soufriere–Scotts Head area, with tendering underway for a consultant to finalize designs and kick off works. Education & Youth: DOMLEC awarded scholarships to four secondary students, while 190 primary students completed ODM’s 2026 disaster preparedness summer programme. Aviation & Travel: Winair launched a 65% airfare cut to Dominica for the World Creole Music Festival, and Caribbean Airlines announced route discontinuations affecting regional connectivity. Arts & Culture: The Waitukubuli Artist Association hosts a free stop-motion animation movie night in Trafalgar on Aug. 30 as part of a Dominica–Venezuela exchange.

US Visa Shock: The Trump administration has suspended new immigrant visa processing worldwide, with cancelled appointments tied to a consular training initiative, while a judge recently struck down parts of the visa ban for some countries—leaving applicants in limbo. Caribbean Court Credibility: The CCJ’s appeals court is moving quickly to address credibility concerns after leaked emails alleged panel-fixing by court President Winston Anderson. Dominica Politics & Taxes: PM Roosevelt Skerrit says his government could eliminate personal income tax by 2028, arguing working people should keep more of their pay. Community & Safety: Police visited Chances emergency shelter to talk to children about safe choices, peer pressure, and responsible decision-making. Local Development: Skerrit announced a new multi-purpose community centre for Gallion, while speed humps are set for Coulibistrie and Tarreau to improve road safety. Agriculture & Skills: Dominica’s Tissue Culture Laboratory is boosting plant supply for farmers, and NCCU is running a “Sea to Soil” uniform day to spotlight farmers and fisherfolk. Health & Education: ACSOM plans more community health outreach, and 190 students completed ODM’s disaster preparedness summer programme. International: China-Nepal floods have killed 150+ with hundreds missing.

Public Safety: Florida authorities say “Operation Statewide Shield” recovered 163 missing children across five days, with victims as young as two months old, and warned predators they will be hunted down and prosecuted. Local Development: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced a new multi-purpose community centre for Gallion during a town hall in Scottshead. Tax Policy: Skerrit hinted Dominica could eliminate personal income tax by 2028, while also saying firearm licence fees will be reviewed after concerns over a budget increase. Road Safety: Speed humps are set for Coulibistrie and Tarreau from August 31 to September 5, with drivers urged to expect temporary disruptions. Agriculture & Food Security: Portsmouth’s Tissue Culture Laboratory is boosting plant production capacity and will also support disaster recovery by storing seeds. Creative Economy: Dominica signed with Stage 32 to expand training and certification opportunities for local audio-visual professionals. Health: ACSOM plans more community health fairs and screenings, focusing on conditions like hypertension and diabetes. Elections: The Electoral Office is pushing voter confirmation and clarified that the candidate deposit is now EC$1,000.

Income Tax Shake-Up: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit hinted Dominica could abolish personal income tax by 2028, saying he’s “not an income tax person” and prefers consumption taxes. Electoral Office Push: With the voter confirmation deadline nearing, the Electoral Office says it has approved 20,455 confirmation applications and received 22,245, urging electors to reconfirm seriously. Roseau North By-Election: DLP candidate Ashma McDougall has officially filed her nomination for the Roseau North seat. Diplomatic Row: The Electoral Reform Coalition is calling for the revocation of Ambassador Ian Douglas’ Cuba appointment, alleging partisan campaigning involvement. Health Update: A consultant gynaecologist reports cervical cancer cases are declining, while warning breast cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in younger people. Cancer Care Partnership: CARPHA and CAOH signed a five-year MoU to strengthen cancer prevention, treatment, training and access to medicines across the Caribbean. Tourism/Travel: Disney Cruise Line announced Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 itineraries, including a return to New York City and a Dominica stop on a Southern Caribbean voyage. Local Culture & Community: Dominica Calypso Association leadership was renewed, and the calypso season is reported to have generated over EC$434,000 in revenue. Road Safety: Police reported a fatal Canefield Cliff crash involving two pickups, with one driver pronounced dead.

Electoral Office Update: Dominica’s Electoral Office is pushing harder on voter confirmation, with Chief Elections Officer Anthea Joseph saying more electors are coming forward as the Oct 14 deadline nears, and clarifying the EC$1,000 candidate deposit after an earlier form error. Health & Families: Consultant gynaecologist Dr. Curvin Ferreira says cervical cancer cases are declining, crediting Pap testing and HPV vaccines in schools, while warning breast cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in younger people; another proposal calls for higher maternity leave to counter falling birth rates. Public Safety: A Florida-led multi-agency operation recovered 163 missing children and made arrests, underscoring the wider fight against child exploitation. Regional Cancer Care: CARPHA and CAOH signed a five-year partnership to strengthen cancer prevention, treatment, training and access to medicines across the Caribbean. Politics & Governance: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says firearm license fees will be reviewed after concerns over the budgeted jump to EC$1,000 monthly. Local Life: The Dominica Calypso Association reports 2026 season revenue of over EC$434,000, while the Sisserou Parrot cable car project is set to feature a world-tall parrot statue.