Alphaeus Frederick Stephenson is a politician and current Cabinet Minister in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Early life and education

Frederick Stephenson was born on 19 November 1970 at Cedars to Sylvia Stephenson and Horace Andrews. The last of seven children, he attended the Biabou Methodist School and the St.Vincent Grammar School.

Career

Frederick Stephenson began his career in the Magistrate Court where he served for a period of 12 years before moving to the ministry of Health where he worked as a Senior Accounts Clerk. He also served as a Customs Officer at the Customs and Excise Department and in the office of the Prime Minister before being elected on 13 December 2010, to represent in Parliament, the constituency of South Windward. He served as Minister of National Mobilization, Social Development, The Family, Persons with Disabilities and Youth in the third Ralph Gonsalves Admnistration (2010-2015).

Stephenson successfully retained his seat in the 9 December 2015 election and was appointed Minister of National Mobilisaiton, Social Development, Family, Gender Affairs, Persons with Disabilities, and Youth in the current Ralph Gonsalves Admnistration.

Personal life

A committed Christian, he served as President of the St. Matthew Anglican Youth Movement and as President of the Anglican Youth Council of St.Vincent and the Grenadines. He is an active member of the Anglican Church in the Parish of St Matthew with St Marks and St. Sylvan, as an Anglican Lay Minister.

In addition to serving in the Lay Ministry, Stephenson actively participated in a number of Community groups. In 2000 he formed the Bridgetown Community Development Organisation and was involved in community beautification and Christmas lighting up competition.