The Leadership Crisis in Saint Lucia: A Post-Independence Reality Check
As part of our powerful ongoing series on Saint Lucia, Chief Explorer Rajan Nazran hosts a searing, no-holds-barred panel featuring some of the island’s most compelling voices: Dr. Stephen King, Dr. Adrian Augier, Bernard Fanis, and Dr. Xysta Edmund (public health expert and youth advocate).
Together, they take on a question that’s been simmering for decades: Has St. Lucia truly lived up to its post-independence promise? The answers are as sharp as they are sobering.
Dr. King laments the country’s “lost soul,” tracing the slide to the 1980s when visionary leadership gave way to transactional politics. Dr. Augier delivers a gut-punch critique of economic stagnation: “We’re wage-takers, not job creators.” Fanis warns of cultural erosion and media complacency, while Dr. Edmund exposes the education system’s failure to prepare youth for real independence or the future.
But this isn’t just a critique; it’s a call to action. From pushing for grassroots health programs and youth empowerment to demanding constitutional reform and economic ownership, the panel maps a path toward reclaiming St. Lucia’s destiny. Fanis demands a “people’s manifesto.” Augier questions inherited systems of power. Edmund sees communities awakening.
With elections on the horizon and global pressures mounting, the stakes have never been higher. As Bernard Fanis puts it, “Independence isn’t just a date, it’s a mindset.”
St. Lucia stands on the edge of reinvention or regression. Will it reclaim its soul or remain trapped in a cycle of dependency? This episode will compel every St. Lucian to rethink their ideas on national identity and national prosperity and dare them to ask: What are you voting for? And what future will you build?
Produced by Global Indian Series for the Global Indian Network.
Script by Rajan Nazran
original idea: Rajan Nazran
Introduction music: (https://freesound.org/people/Timbre)
About Stephen King
Dr. Stephen King is an anatomical pathologist and a driving force behind significant healthcare advancements in Saint Lucia. He is the co-founder and shareholder of both Laboratory Services and Consultations Ltd. and Medical Associates Ltd., where he continues to practice privately. A Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada and an international fellow of the College of American Pathologists, Dr. King has been instrumental in shaping the island’s healthcare landscape. His leadership was vital in the development of the Saint Lucia Health Sector Reform Proposals (2000), the Universal Health Care Proposal (2003), and the National Strategic Plan for Health (2006–2011). Formerly Saint Lucia’s chief medical officer, he also co-founded the AIDS Action Foundation and served as chair of RISE (St. Lucia) Inc., organizations focused on health and social empowerment. From 2011 to 2016, he served as an independent senator, advocating for health and social equity. Dr. Stephen King was appointed Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2008 and received the Saint Lucia Cross in 2018, recognizing his exceptional service to the nation.
About Adrian Augier
Dr. Adrian Augier is a development economist, entrepreneur, and cultural advocate with a rich portfolio spanning public policy, private enterprise, and international consultancy. Holding degrees in Economics, Political Science, and Development Finance and Planning, he has served in high-level roles in Saint Lucia, including Chief Economist, Economic Policy Advisor, and Secretary General of the National Economic Council.
Dr. Augier has advised global institutions such as the World Bank, EU, UNCTAD, USAID, OECS, and CARICOM, contributing to key policy frameworks and development strategies in Saint Lucia and Grenada. He has chaired several strategic bodies, including WINERA-St. Lucia and Trinidad, the National Vision Commission, and the Regional Task Force on Cultural Industries.
A creative force as well, Dr. Adrian Augier leads Landmark Events Ltd., a premier events and cultural management company in the Eastern Caribbean. His efforts have earned him accolades such as Entrepreneur of the Year and Service Exporter of the Year. In recognition of his profound impact on regional development and culture, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of the West Indies in 2012.
About Bernard Fanis
Bernard Fanis, a proud son of Saint Lucia, is a television producer and cultural advocate whose work reflects a deep commitment to community upliftment. As a leading force behind Calabash TV and ALL Biz Ltd, Bernard has built a platform that amplifies local voices, celebrates Saint Lucian heritage, and supports emerging talents across the island. His journalistic focus on environment and culture has not only informed audiences but also inspired civic engagement and pride.
Guided by the four pillars that drive his mission: Environment, Enlightenment, Empowerment, and Education, Bernard uses media as a tool for positive change. His efforts go beyond broadcasting, touching lives through mentorship, community outreach, and cultural preservation. Known for his humility and generosity, Bernard Fanis continues to be a catalyst for storytelling that honors Saint Lucia’s identity and spirit.
About Xysta Edmund
Dr. Xysta Edmund is a dynamic and results-driven public health professional with over 15 years of experience in health system development, public health policy, and the management of health sector reforms. She has played a pivotal role in shaping national health strategies in Saint Lucia, with expertise spanning health service organization, financing frameworks, human resource development, and health information systems.
Dr. Edmund has held several senior leadership roles, including Chief Health Planner, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, and Advisor in Health Systems Development at the PAHO/ECC Office. She has also coordinated major national initiatives, such as the Universal Health Care Programme and broader health sector reform efforts.
With more than 25 years in education and training, she has contributed significantly to capacity building, serving as a Sociology lecturer and leading team-based management training within the health sector across the Eastern Caribbean, including Barbados and UK Territories.
She is known for her strong communication and leadership skills, excels in team-based environments, and is proficient in Microsoft Office tools, with working knowledge of Excel, Microsoft Project, and SPSS. Dr. Edmund brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to improving public health systems in the Caribbean region.
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