Assistant Secretary in the Division of Community Development, Youth Development, and Sport and representative for Lambeau/Lowlands, Wane Clarke, has taken the oath of office, promoting him to Secretary.
In the presence of Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, the brief ceremony was held at President’s House, officially making Mr. Clarke a Secretary within the Tobago House of Assembly.
The Chief Secretary gave a strong endorsement for Assemblyman Clarke in his elevation to Secretary.
“It will be a delight for me on Monday to assign Secretary Clarke to the Division of Community Development, Youth Development, and Sport. Additionally, I am reassigning Ms. Megan Morrison, Assemblyman Megan Morrison, who is currently at the Division of Health, Wellness, and Family Protection, or Social Protection, across to the Division of Community Development as well. So Mr. Clarke will get additional help. COMDEV is that division that we have to drive initiatives to create a much more cohesive community and help us in the fight against crime.”
Mr. Augustine credited Mr. Clarke’s strong work ethic and commitment to youth development and said he is confident in his success in driving Tobago forward.
“The job is also, one, protecting communities. Two, ensuring that we develop pathways for young people to self-actualise. Three, we have a strong mandate where sport tourism is concerned, and I think Mr. Clark is the ideal person to do that for us.”
With an extensive background in community and youth development and sport in his community, the newly appointed Secretary said he is ready to take up the challenge to continue the mandate for the Division.
“We have a lot of things in train now. We are currently on an island-wide campaign to get these sporting facilities, some that were dormant, up and running. Do some more interaction with youth development. We have a lot of youth programmes. Basically, just improving on those things. Keep continuing.”
Mr. Clarke’s appointment comes after former Secretary Joel Sampson stepped down following his success at the polls in April 2025.