New financial secretary takes up position

Rasona Davis-Crump has taken up her position of Financial Secretary within the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Governance with Prime Minister Gaston Browne saying that women will continue to be recognized and advanced by his Administration.

Prime Minister Browne said that the appointment of the seasoned professional and career public servant with over 25 years’ experience in the areas of development economics, fiscal management, and public policy is a demonstration that his government is serious about taking the country to the Next Level.

“Next Level development is respectful of the crucial and equal role that women play in all aspects of our nation’s development,” he said.

Davis-Crump began her career as a public servant in 1996 at the Ministry of Trade.  She was recruited in 1997 by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Secretariat in St. Lucia where she initially worked in the Office of the Director General and then the Economic Affairs Division before returning home in August 2004 to work with the Ministry of Finance. 

She was subsequently appointed to the position of Deputy Financial Secretary with responsibility for policy execution and management. 

As Deputy Financial Secretary she negotiated technical and financial support from bilateral, regional, and international donors and creditors; developed and implemented strategies for improved fiscal oversight and management; and served as the Ministry’s focal point on various projects and programmes funded by institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and Caribbean Development Bank.

Davis-Crump played a significant role in crafting several government policies. Among her most gratifying achievements is being a team leader in the creation of the National Student Loan Fund, which has supported the educational aspirations of citizens for many years.

Prime Minister Browne stated that Mrs. Davis-Crump has served on and/or chaired several committees and boards including PDV Caribe Antigua Barbuda Ltd., the Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank, the National Student Loan Fund Committee, the Financial Services Regulatory Commission, the Depositor Protection Trust, and the Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation. 

“I committed to the economic and social advancement of Antigua and Barbuda and will, in my new role as Financial Secretary, continue to champion initiatives that improve Government’s ability to serve the population,” she said.

She credits her success to God’s providential care and grace; the sacrifice, determination, love, and support of her parents; and encouragement from many mentors and teachers including the late George Goodwin, Denise Gardiner, Sharon Peters, and Mrs. Glendina McKay, Ms. Cynthia Quallis, and Ms. Parker from the Greenbay Primary School. “I am grounded by my faith in Christ and strengthened by the loving support of my husband, family, and friends,” she said.

Rasona Davis-Crump holds a Master’s degree in Development Economics from the Centre for Development Economics, Williams College, Massachusetts, USA and a Bachelor’s degree with honours in Economics from the University of the West Indies. In 2014, she successfully completed the requirements for the designation of Accredited Director from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (now Corporate Governance Institute of Canada).

She also acquired audit committee and risk committee certification from the Caribbean Governance Training Institute.