Issuu

PAGE 2, Friday, July 9, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

The colours of The Bahamas on show in Rawson Square, as Parliament undergoes its traditional transformation for Bahamian Independence.

This year marks the 48th anniversary of Independence in The Bahamas - although celebrations this year are taking on a different tone from most other years.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to make its presence felt, with many events going virtual instead of in-person gatherings.

That doesn’t stop the spirit of pride in the nation, though, while giving an opportunity for Parliament and us all - to show our colours.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 9, 2021, PAGE 3

NDEPENDENCE Day gives a chance for people to reflect on the progress the Bahamas has made since British rule ended in 1973. Many Bahamians this weekend will undoubtedly find much to acknowledge as opportunities for residents have widened in the post-independence era across all relevant metrics. Successive governments have made the kinds of investments in education, healthcare and business development that have increased life opportunities for thousands, encouraged social mobility and expanded the size of the middle class - even if there is still much work to be done in these areas. For some, however, progress has been disappointingly slow. Social justice advocates in particular may survey the 48-year history of the independent Bahamas and see lost opportunities to increase equality or improve the lives of marginalised groups. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in the relations between men and women. Two failed referenda tell the story of BY RASHAD ROLLE | TRIBUNE SENIOR REPORTER | RROLLE@TRIBUNEMEDIA.NET a country not yet willing to equalise opportunities among the sexes. But for Alicia Wallace, director of Equality Bahamas, the failures go far deeper than just unequal citizenship rights. “We gained independence in 1973, ratified CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) in 1993 and appeared before the (United Nations) committee in 2012 and 2017,” she noted. “By now, the Bahamas should have addressed major concerns including reservations on Articles 2 and 9, both related to Highlights from necessary constitutional amendments for gender previous Bahamas equality and nationality Independence rights. By now, we should Celebrations. have made significant progress toward compliance with other articles. “We should have a political quota and other measures to create an enabling environment for women to ERIN Brown is participate in frontline a disability rights politics, as acknowledged advocate in The Bahamas. by CARICOM during the Commission on the Status of Women earlier this year. We should be engaged in gender-responsive budgeting, ensuring the issues of gender are consid- control how many children providers, law enforcement, have had their voices ampliered across ministries and they have and when, get STI religious bodies, NGOs, fied in that time and are departments and staffing at testing, and have access to and community members. included in conversations the Department of Gender safe abortion on demand. policy-makers “Independence mat- involving and Family Affairs with By now it should be clear ters very little when we are to an increasingly greater people who are committed degree. to equality for women and which clinics offer sexual stuck with systems and laws However, she had hoped and reproductive health serthat do not work for us and LGBTQ+ with the compethat by now the Persons vices and how women can the mindset that we are not tency to help us achieve it.” with Disabilities Equal Ms Wallace added: “The get injectables and implants all equal.” For disability rights advo- Opportunities Act, a major department should be for contraception. Domestic working with all other min- violence and sexual violence cate Erin Brown, it is worth law passed in 2014, would istries and departments have been known issues for celebrating the expanded have been fully enacted and to provide resources and many years and there has awareness of disability enforced. “By now, we’re about services to women and never been a comprehen- rights over the past 48 LGBTQ+ people. Women sive plan to address these years. She noted that allies seven years after the law should be able to plan and issues, including healthcare of people with disabilities was passed and we still

THE POP BANDS ENTER RAWSON SQUARE

CALL FOR INDEPENDENCE TIE UP ON EQUALITY

BAHAMIANS AT THE BEAT RETREAT

don’t have any adjustment orders. That is definitely one of the areas that we are very much disappointed in. We feel that could’ve been done many times over. We don’t have a really good handle or inclusive framework in place to really engage or push forward with the enactment. We are still hearing the conversation that it takes time and you need to be patient. In terms of specifics, the disability parking spots and

violations, there are still no fines, for instance. I absolutely agree that by this time there are a bunch of shoulda, woulda, coulda moments with respect to disability rights.” Noted LGBT advocate Erin Greene hoped that by now people would be comfortable enough with issues relating to her community to ensure that proper housing opportunities would be provided. “The LGBTI community has a huge housing crisis with young people being abandoned by their parents and having no space to turn to,” she said. “For the LGBTI community, we truly aren’t looking for special rights. We are just looking for state actors and society to acknowledge that the same rights regular people have LGBTI people should also have. It’s more about a social shift and getting people to acknowledge that they have the same duty to gay people that they do to straight people.”

PAGE 4, Friday, July 9, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

The Bahamas’ foreign service BY GEORGE A SMITH

S we embark on our 48th year as a sovereign state, it is important that we pause and reflect on our successes, failures and omissions as a nation. An essential area which has been sorely neglected is an established professional foreign service. Every serious nation state should have an intelligent and informed foreign service, which serves as that nation’s first line of external defence. The Bahamas should be no exception. It is imperative that The Bahamas have such a service. The foreign service should dovetail with the Bahamian public service. Staff entering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be hired to enter the professional foreign service, or the general public service of The Bahamas. The young foreign service officer entering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should enter as a third secretary, while the young candidate entering the administrative or public service side of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should enter as an executive officer. The highest level for one pursuing a career in a professional foreign service is that of an ambassador or high commissioner and the highest level in the public service is permanent secretary. Foreign service officers returning to the Foreign Ministry should be assigned to cover a particular region of the world, for example, the Caribbean Desk. A professional foreign service also staffs its embassies and consulates with a class of professionals designated as “attachés”. The attaché is a specialist or technical expert attached to an embassy or legation, especially in a technical capacity: ie commercial, cultural, security, trade, investments, and tourism, with appropriate responsibility for reporting to the head of mission. Senior experts, who are drafted into the foreign service, usually enter as ‘advisers’ to accord them a higher status than attachés. The purpose of The Bahamas having diplomatic relations is to promote the interests of the country, while maintaining effective, mutually beneficial relationships with other nations, especially those who share common interests with us, and whose world view aligns with ours. Ambassadorial and consular appointments are, therefore, key to securing our international and national interests, while promoting The Bahamas economically, socially, culturally and politically. It should be our aim to promote the high principles enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution of The Bahamas, and develop excellence in relationships with other countries. This is particularly important as we pursue our designated international policies, and our national and international goals for the benefit of Bahamians. While many ambassadorial or high commissioners positions in the Bahamian foreign service are political, regular appointments should be career based and

not political. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should cease the practice of appointing part-time diplomats who use the foreign service for other reasons. Our foreign service officers should enter the foreign service with the minimum of a first degree in international relations, economics, political science, history, international law, or any social science discipline. Too many political appointments tend to undermine a country’s longer-term interests, especially for small Island states like The Bahamas, and particularly when such appointments are made to multilateral organisations. Our emphasis should be on training diplomatic and consular staff to the fullest, so that their knowledge of diplomacy and their ability is consistent with global best practices. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should work in conjunction with the University of The Bahamas, to establish a Bahamian Foreign Service and Diplomatic Institute, to train future generations of Bahamian Foreign Service Officers. The following ideas are set out for consideration and study. GOOD NEIGHBOURS The immediate objective should be to deal properly with The Bahamas’ closest neighbours, and to sustain the climate of peace and stability in the Caribbean sub-region. This calls for a presence in those states where cordial relations can be continued and expanded as we make positive efforts toward addressing common goals and challenges. The policy should include states where a direct presence can enhance economic or other interests. For our purposes, this refers mainly to the United States of America, Canada, Cuba and Haiti. We should establish cordial relations with the Dominican Republic as well. We should also push for closer relations with Brazil, which can be our bridge to South America, in addition to facilitating our engagement with members of the Organization of American States (OAS). The historic connection between the United Kingdom and The Bahamas remains strong. The Bahamas, therefore, should expand its presence in the UK for mutually beneficial reasons. PROMOTING REGIONAL INTEGRATION The aim of promoting regional unity must be to give substance to CARICOM and the countries which comprise that body. It is therefore important to foster the principles which brought us to membership by fully engaging in its common objectives, provided they are consistent with the objectives of The Bahamas. A regional and common approach to global issues will bring better results for all, and so, we must not be half-hearted about our membership in CARICOM. The Bahamas must be seen as a serious state, in engaging fully in regional activities. We

must also seek to procure more direct benefits from our membership in the Organization of American States (OAS). We should seek to ensure that The Bahamas benefits from the tenets outlined in Article 2 of the Charter of the OAS. We should decouple our ambassador in Washington, DC, from also serving as ambassador to the OAS. Our Mission to the OAS should have a separate ambassador because of the importance of OAS as an international and multilateral organisation that can accrue great benefit for The Bahamas. The practice of regional cooperation also extends to diplomatic regions globally, where diplomats posted to the region cooperate in their relationships to the various states to which they are accredited. A reasonable but highprofile diplomatic presence regionally will enhance the reputation of and strengthen The Bahamas as a serious participant. MULTILATERAL ORGANISATIONS Effective participation in multilateral organisations should be a critical aspect of our foreign relationships. Through them, we collectively confront the challenges of international peace, stability and development. More importantly, participation gives us opportunities to articulate the views of The Bahamas in major international forums. It is essential to remember that postings to these organisations require longer term deployments than those of bilateral assignments, for less than three years will not allow officers to gain a full understanding of the systems and operations of the particular agencies and allow them to make meaningful contributions to the activities and deliberations in these organisations. Through these entities, they will be able to procure for The Bahamas valuable technical assistance in the areas of science, energy, technology, agriculture, fisheries, climate change, disaster recovery, territorial waters and airspace. These areas are all important to The Bahamas, as our nation continues to develop and evolve.

including opportunities for scholarships. At the same time our diplomats should encourage international exchange programmes between the University of The Bahamas and universities where they serve. ENGAGING THE BAHAMIAN DIASPORA Notwithstanding the Bahamian Diaspora is relatively small when compared to other countries; Bahamians have ascended to important and influential positions and circles in many countries abroad. Such Bahamians therefore represent valuable assets for engagement by our missions. It is not essential that they are still citizens of The Bahamas. It is, however, desirable that they retain loyalty to the land of their birth, even though they may have acquired citizenship of the countries in which they reside. Our policy should be geared to optimise the potential benefits of their involvement in promoting the interest of The Bahamas. PROMOTING RESIDENT DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN THE BAHAMAS

There are many benefits to be obtained from attracting countries to develop resident missions in The Bahamas. Aside from the capacity for direct and immediate consultations, the physical presence of such representatives can bring economic gains to The Bahamas. These include their need to invest locally in office and residential spaces, attain educational facilities for their children, employ Bahamian citizens in administrative and technical positions, and employ domestic staff. Tourism can receive a boost from citizens of these resident missions who are encouraged by their diplomats to visit The Bahamas. Notably, the presence of high-profile diplomats in The Bahamas will also enhance the communities in which they reside, and our communities will benefit from their presence and personal involvement in social and community activities. Adding up these benefits, our diplomatic thrust should include inviting the presence of foreign missions to be resident on New BILATERAL Providence. There are, REPRESENTATION however, certain aspects which must be taken The present reliance into consideraof The Bahamas tion, including on tourism and the responforeign direct George Smith sibility of investment The Bahaalongside Sir L. O. must be a mas to key compoPindling and other provide nent of our officials in London for representation in our the Constitutional diplomatic Conference missions in 1972. abroad. Naturally, the Ministries of Tourism and Financial Services are also critical to working in tandem with the Foreign Ministry to fulfill this goal. The full cooperation of the relevant ministries with our missions abroad will therefore be essential to promoting these areas of our economy. In these contexts, some staff appointed to our diplomatic missions abroad must be experts in tourism and investment issues. PROMOTING COOPERATION IN HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT Well-practised diplomacy can result in obtaining for Bahamians, economic opportunities as well as other opportunities for educational advancement at institutions within the countries where diplomats serve. Good diplomatic and consular relationships can open doors for Bahamian students to take advantage of such opportunities,

diplomatic and consular security to such missions, and facilitating their operations where necessary. The following countries and organisations are important to The Bahamas. They can facilitate the exchange of diplomatic representation through the physical presence in their respective capital cities. It should also be noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTFA), is a free trade area founded in 2018, with trade commencing on January 1, 2021, among 54 of the 55 African Union Nations. This is the largest trading bloc in the world, in terms of the sheer number of nations participating. Accra, the capital of Ghana, is the location of the Secretariat of AfCTFA. The Bahamas should seek to establish a Permanent Mission to AfCTFA, to promote diplomatic and economic goodwill with all AfCTFA States. Naturally, some of the other representations can be served by joint appointments, or honorary consular appointees as appropriate, considering the particular importance of our presence. It is time for The Bahamas to stand strong and be counted as an integral part of the historical unity of a people within CARICOM. The people of each member state are mostly descended from people from various nations of West Africa, captured over a period of hundreds of years, transported in slave ships against their will for centuries and generations of enslavement in all member states. Haiti fought for and achieved her freedom at the end of the 18th Century. The rest of our member states suffered from many decades of enslavement and more than a century following under the heel of colonialism. Our member states, other than Haiti, began the journey of negotiated independence from the late 1950’s and the march continues still for a number of CARICOM Associated States. We are in reality “one” people separated in political realms but joined by common waters, cultural identity and, for the most part, a common language. The Bahamas shares waters with the United States of America, Turks & Caicos Islands, Cuba and Haiti. Like good neighbours we should enhance and sustain our engagement with each other and deepen our ties. Canada is very much a neighbour, though physically distant. All of the other states identified on the schedule below have provided us with reasons to strengthen

the ties that bind whether it is cultural, trade or security. This process of engagement and relationships falls under the purview of diplomats. We must enhance the quality of our representatives in these jurisdictions. The most effective way to do this is to develop a strong cadre of talented and dedicated Foreign Service Officers to represent The Bahamas in other countries and within those international organisations to which we choose to belong. Each of the states listed below are important. However, those highlighted should be given priority in expanding our foreign service. COUNTRIES OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE TO THE BAHAMAS: •The United States of America •Canada •Cuba •Jamaica •Haiti •Dominican Republic •Trinidad and Tobago •Guyana •The United Kingdom •Ireland •France •Brazil •Spain •Mexico •Morocco •China •India •Japan •Singapore •South Korea •Germany •Indonesia •Ghana •Nigeria •South Africa •Botswana •Israel •Saudi Arabia •Chile •Peru •Argentina •The Vatican City •Central American States •Other Middle East Countries ORGANISATIONS OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE TO THE BAHAMAS: •The United Nations and its Agencies •CARICOM •The Organization of American States •The European Union In the preparation of this paper, I benefited from the opinions of a number of highly respected individuals. I am most grateful for their assistance. • George Smith is a former member of Parliament and Cabinet minister.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 9, 2021, PAGE 5

Pride in their products BY KHRISNA RUSSELL | TRIBUNE CHIEF REPORTER | KRUSSELL@TRIBUNEMEDIA.NET

IN honour of the Bahamas’ 48th year of independence, local entrepreneurs are showcasing their love for the country with unique products designed to embody Bahamian culture. As one roadside t-shirt vendor aptly put it, “We sweet mouth. We like (to) look good and we like (to) dress up!” The Tribune tracked down three small business owners who shared a commitment to show the world what it means to be Bahamian through the products they create and sell. SWEET MOUTH Shandi King, owner of Sugar Box Confections, said her company’s launch coincided with this year’s Independence Day celebrations. The sugary sweet lollipops Ms King creates are designed to capture all things Bahamian. They either display various Bahamian symbols from the majestic aquamarine, gold and black flag; the coat of arms or the Yellow Elder - the national flower. While Sugar Box PRESS Confections is a new on nails by company, she said the Versace Doll. reception for the tasty treat on a stick has been good. “The flavours, I have some of them are Bahamian inspired,” Ms King said of her product. “So I have pineapple, piña colada, peach-mango (among others) to try to keep it tropical.” The candy is just one of the many ways that Ms King has shown her love of country. “For me I am always representing The Bahamas. I usually have on some type of band or a pin or anything like that and

with the lollipops I have an opportunity to actually put Bahamian images on them and so they can represent the Bahamas as well, even for tourists and maybe I can get into shipping them abroad and the Bahamian inspired lollipops will be represented, and the Bahamas will be represented with these sweet sweet lollipops.” LOOKING GOOD Bahamians, women in particular, take great ANTHONY pride in how they COAKLEY, crea- look. tor of Allegiance For some of us, a sneakers look is not complete without well-manicured nails and toes. Alexandria Lord, also known as Versace Doll, was adamant that this independence season she wanted her clients to not only be proud of their country at heart but show that love for country on their nails. She’s designed a line of press on nails that feature sandy beaches, the sea at sunset and flag colours. “I wanted to express my talent,” Mrs Lord said of the made-to-order press on nails. “I am a proud Bahamian, that’s why I say let me do nails to show my talent and put it out there because most nail techs, they don’t really do independence styles. So, I said let me try my hand and see how it goes and it really popped off.” Her business was birthed during the second COVID19 wave last year. The reception to her product has exceeded expectations. “I was bored one day, and I asked my husband ‘you think I should do nails?’ and he encouraged me to

try my hand. “So, I tried it with the acrylic, and it wasn’t working for me and I couldn’t take the scent and all the filing, and it was just too much sitting down. “I said let me try to do the press ons. With those it’s easier, that’s where people wouldn’t have to stay long and sit down, and they could just press on and go. It would be easier. “I was surprised with the feedback I got.” DRESSING UP

prototypes were sitting in my cupboard from around last October/November, but I said I’m not going to bother with it. “I said I will wear my sneakers myself and call it a day, but I realised that it didn’t make sense to have gone through all of this and not share my vision with the world and I had to step out on faith and put the shoes out there and if it sold one or 100 that was fine. “The fact that I had the idea and I delivered on it, and I pushed through on it.” And Allegiance, the sneaker, was born. To date around 120 pairs have been bought with local customers as well as those living abroad in the United States and Canada. “There is Bahamian pride in every pair of these sneakers. I want people to know that when they purchase a pair of these sneakers, they are purchasing Bahamian pride,” Mr Coakley said.

Bahamian women love a good heel, but the men? They want stylish sneakers. Anthony Coakley, known as AC, a radio personality with Y98.7FM, found his inspiration when he couldn’t find sneakers that told the story of the Bahamas. He wanted all of the colours of the Bahamian flag in one shoe while preparing for an event three years ago. He didn’t find what he was looking for back then and has fantasised about seeing that kind of shoe on people’s feet ever since. Launching the shoe was a “step out on faith”, he said. “I really contemplated not debuting them anymore because I didn’t want to be rejected,” Mr Coakley said. “I felt like people may not have liked it because the sad part about it is Bahamians don’t accept things Bahamian and so the SWEET Bahamian lollipops by Sugar Box Confections.

PAGE 6, Friday, July 9, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

‘A Celebration of Life – Revive Us Again’

‘Scaled-down’ activities on Grand Bahama to mark 48 years of Independence BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE Grand Bahama Independence Committee announced scaled-down island-wide activities for this year’s 48th Bahamas Independence Anniversary Celebrations, under the theme – ‘A Celebration of Life – Revive Us Again.’ Senator Jasmine Darius, committee chairman, urged Bahamians and the business community to show their national colours and to demonstrate national pride and unity. “When we speak about revival it speaks of a refreshing and restoration of energy, strength, a restoration of the economy; and restoration to us as a people, she said. We want to encourage the public, the business community, and everybody to show their Bahamian flags, wear their shirts, and pins.” “I believe this is time for us to acknowledge and appreciate where we are as

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE BAHAMAS: Grand Bahama Independence Committee has announced scaled-down island-wide activities for this year’s 48th Bahamas Independence Anniversary Celebrations. The events will kick off today with a National Pride and Flag-raising Day. Shown here are events from 2019 in Grand Bahama. a people. Our resilience to still stand strong after the many attacks and setbacks PHOTOS: Vandyke Hepburn

we have had. Put on your Bahamian colours and let’s celebrate who we are and how far we have come and still standing strong as a people.” The events will kick off today with a National Pride and Flag-raising Day. A flag-raising ceremony will take place at 9am in West Grand Bahama at the Administrator’s Office. The event will get underway at 10am in Freeport at the Harold DeGregory Complex, and in East Grand Bahama at the Freetown School, simultaneously. On Saturday, July 10, the Sweeting’s Cay Recognition

and Awards ceremony will be held to honour persons who have assisted with the recovery and restoration efforts of the community. On Sunday, July 11, there will be an ecumenical church service at Community at Heart Tabernacle Church at 3pm. Senator Darius said that they are enforcing social distancing protocols at all events. Even though events will be significantly scaleddown, Minister of State for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson said Independence Celebrations are always very important.

“It is a time when we should promote unity, and pride in our country. But, it is also a time, especially now, when we should promote brotherhood,” he said. He commended Senator Darius, the administrators, and the committee for putting together the events. “It is a scaled-down version of what we are used to, but given we are still amid COVID-19, we want to do our best to adhere to health protocols and we have scaled-down significantly these events. Nevertheless, we encourage Bahamians and residents to wear

our national colours with pride…” he added. Minister Thompson believes it is time for Bahamians to put aside all their differences. “There is more that unites us than divides us. It is a special time when we call upon all those things that give us national pride and strength, and those things that make us Bahamian,” he stated. Administrator Cristian Palacious of East Grand Bahama and administrator Cathy Smith for the City of Freeport are also encouraging residents in their areas to support the events by displaying national colours.

BARRATERRE Development Association (BDA) executive board members visited Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd.’s (CWCO) Baillou Hill Road plant as the long-time corporate sponsor made a donation towards its community building efforts. Shown, left to right, CWCO General Manager Bryan Russell; BDA President Annie Llyod; CWCO Operations Supervisor Jeffery Burrows; CWCO Accounts Manager Welliya Cargill; BDA Treasurer Patrice McKenzie-Darling.

Rethink for support as regattas put on hold WITH festivities put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many organisations are having to rethink their approach. Among those is the Barraterre Development Association (BDA). At this time of the year, Bahamians, local residents, and tourists alike are usually preparing to gather for annual regattas across the country. Non-profit organisations, such as the BDA are also normally arranging which activities will be scheduled to make the Barraterre Annual Homecoming & Regatta in Exuma a success. However, this year the COVID-19 pandemic again caused the cancellation of the Homecoming celebrations and Regatta and the BDA is now planning an alternative approach. Long-time sponsor Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Limited (CWCO) has

continued its annual financial sponsorship. Last year, with safety at the forefront, CWCO’s donation went from covering costs for various performers and sailors at the homecoming festival, to directly feeding the approximately 200-member Barraterre community. Each household received grocery vouchers and certificates to two of the island’s major food stores. As the Barraterre Development Association Executive Board plans how this year’s donation from the reverse osmosis water supplier will be used, what is certain is that it will go toward carrying out the community’s philosophy of being “thy brother’s keeper”. “CWCO has been making contributions to the Barraterre Development Association for over ten years and is one of the

Association’s longest standing supporters,” said BDA President Annie Lloyd. “Despite the pandemic, they have again come through for us. “We truly appreciate it and pray many more blessings upon this company,” he said. CWCO Operations Manager Jeff Burrows, who is a Barraterre native, handed the cheque to BDA President Annie Llyod and praised the BDA for its continued efforts. “Even with a pause on the annual homecoming and regatta, the Barraterre Development Association made sure that members of the community received some form of support. “Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Limited admires your efforts and looks forward to the new ways you will continue to advance the well-loved Barraterre community,” he said.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 9, 2021, PAGE 7

The making of an independent Bahamas BY TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT | TSMITH-CARTWRIGHT@TRIBUNEMEDIA.NET

ORMER Cabinet minister Loftus Roker, one of the framers of the Constitution, has given insight into how a remark from Britain’s Lord Malcolm Newton Shepherd sparked a resolve for lawmakers to push for the Bahamas to become an independent nation. As the country celebrates 48 years of independence, Mr Roker told The Tribune how the idea of an independent Bahamas came to be and the struggle to get Bahamians on board with the idea. Henry Milton Taylor, Cyril Stevenson, William Cartwright founded the Progressive Liberal Party in November 1953. This fairly new party was led to its first victory in 1967 by Lynden Pindling, the country’s first prime minister. In a bid to get governance right, a contingent from the new government went to Britain for documents and training. Mr Roker, who served on every committee dealing with independence, tells the story. “First of all we were not on one accord on independence,” he said. “The opposition didn’t want independence. That’s the first thing, but eventually half of the opposition went with us and agreed on the independence Constitution. “In 1968 we went to a Constitutional Conference in London where we got internal self-government from and the premier became prime minister. “I was at that conference and I went to the conference in 1972 as well. “When we went to the first conference in 1968, in an informal discussion we had with Lord Malcolm

BAHAMIANS celebrate in an independent Bahamas.

Newton Shepherd who was then the secretary of state for foreign affairs and commonwealth affairs, he said to us, ‘Fellows! You all are a bunch of cowards! Instead of coming here for internal self-government, you should be coming here for independence.’ This was at an informal talk we had with him.” Mr Roker said they were shocked at first when Lord Shepherd made the remark, but soon realised he was right. “He was right! We were a bunch of cowards because we didn’t believe we were going to get away with independence,” he continued. “It was Lord Shepherd who led us in that direction because once he told us that we knew from that point on we had to start working towards that. “Something happened after the 1972 conference. The British sent us a draft bill to deal with the independence so we could approve that. We went over it and there were things that we didn’t agree with. Before we went back, the opposition also sent us their views on it and what they disagreed with. We went back to London, but the British were not as easy as people thought they were. “In Britain, the Labour Party was in power in 1968. In 1972 the Conservatives were in power. So Lord David Lindsay Balniel was the secretary of state at the time for foreign and Commonwealth affairs. When we went back we were dealing with him and at one point he disagreed with us so much that he told us he is not discussing that anymore and that we should tell Mr Pindling to call him.” Mr Roker, always known as a “no-nonsense” person,

said he was quite insulted by Lord Balniel’s remarks and walked away from the discussion. “I got up from the table and I told the other fellows, ‘I’m not going to let anybody insult me. The government of the Bahamas sent us here to deal with this matter and this gentleman is telling us now to let Mr Pindling call him. I’m gone!’” he said. “After that Arthur Hanna and Paul Adderley also got up and we walked out and left him right there. “It all worked out in the end and we invited him to the independence celebrations here and we also invited Lord Shepherd. They both were here for it. We invited Shepherd because he encouraged us, really.” According to Mr Roker, that was the easier part of it all. The hardest part was convincing the populace that independence was the route to take. “So there was a lot of excitement from Bahamians, but you had some people who were not all that excited,” he continued. “I think it was due to propaganda. For instance, if we got independence, we would be able to take away property from the white Bahamians and from the foreigners. “They also said that the Bahamian judges would take their belongings away from them. They felt they would not get justice from Bahamian judges. This is why we agreed to leave the Privy Council as the final Court of Appeal. In other words if you don’t like what the Bahamian judges are giving you, you could then go to the Privy Council. “Some of the same people who wanted us to leave that there, are now saying that we shouldn’t have the Privy Council. That’s also the reason why we left the Queen as head of The Bahamas, too. We wanted to show that we were not leaving Britain that much. Again, I have no problem with the Queen being there because that is only a figurehead. The Queen makes no decision on The Bahamas.” So the struggle continued to get Bahamians on board with the idea of independence and the messengers grew weary until one night during a meeting the tables turned and confidence was regained. “Mind you, you had to get people with you,” Mr Roker said. “You had to get the Bahamian people ready for that. That wasn’t an easy job! We used to have meetings all over the place. One of the times, I remember Carl (Carlton) Francis was at a meeting and things changed. “Carl Francis was an interesting character because he went to war in World War II. He went to war with the American Army and had American citizenship and in 1966 he had to give it up to run for the House (of Assembly). He was one of the few Bahamians with a Master’s Degree from a Scottish University. He was an educated man. “When we were at this meeting, Carl Francis said that we should be striving for independence and the crowd went wild. After that we said it’s time for us to start moving. We wanted to make sure the majority of Bahamians were with us on it.” Finally, the majority was in agreement and members of the committee could forge on with plans for independence. Mr Roker said there is one memory that stood out for him on the night of July 10, 1973 while on Fort Charlotte witnessing the birth of a new nation. “The strange thing that I remember that night when we were celebrating,” he said. “When I looked, walking across the park was this short looking, white fellow coming across to where we

were sitting in the stands. This was H G (Harold) Christie. He came up to the stand and shook our hands and congratulated us on that (independence). “I thought it was strange because he was a UBP and LOFTUS ROKER he was out after 12 that night and congratulated us on independence. I thought that was very good. It was after 12 that night and he was an old man at the time. It was a Britain is thousands of good thing.” Looking back at it all, miles away from us and Mr Roker has no regrets we were prepared to have of being a forerunner in them control us because achieving independence for we didn’t think we were this country. He, however, capable of controlling ourcannot help but think about selves,” he said. “If you those who were satisfied to think about it, it’s a strange continue under British rule. kind of thing. “We were prepared to “When you look back,

sing, ‘Britain never will be slaves! Rule Britannia! Britannia rule the waves! Britain, never, never will be slaves.’ We didn’t mind being slaves but we were singing that Britain never, never will be slaves. We were singing their song. We used to sing that in school.”

SIR Lynden O Pindling, first prime minister of The Bahamas.

PAGE 8, Friday, July 9, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Faces of the future AS THE Bahamas celebrates its 48th anniversary, a new project is celebrating 48 of its up-and-coming leaders. Project Bahamas: Road to 48, organised by Grace Management Group, chose 48 millennials out of a total of 300 submitted to highlight their achievements and celebrate these emerging leaders. “I was inspired seeing the accomplishments and achievements of so many talented and intelligent millennial Bahamians. Despite their trials and tribulations, they still triumphed through

LINCOLN DEAL opy, ilanthr Executive’s cut, ph dership lea p, hi rs eu en pr tre en

IFFIN BARRISE GR ronment, vi en , er ak Changem business

R JAYDIAN MILLE trepreen , on ati uc Changemaker, ed rship, service, de neurship, sports, lea

NS NAVADO DAWKIdesign, d an on hi fas Education, business

RE MICHAEL CLA nology, ch te , ia ed Education, m pment, finance lo economic deve

ACHAN JAMAHL STR adership, le , Changemaker service innovation,

it all.” said Stefphen Sands, Fellow honoree Ernesto CEO of Grace Management Williams said his favourite thing is: “The people! Group. He also explained the impor- The 242 is rich with brewing tance of revealing the talent, stellar voices, unsung heroes who great minds, loving may not get the hearts, and proud media spotlight. countrymen and “There are many countrywomen.” Rakel Dean millennials who said: “One of have been making the things I love a change in their about The Bahacommunities, but mas is that we they are not seen S or heard about. STEFPHEN SANDt Group live on a gold en Project Bahamas mine. Every O, Grace Managem wants to change CE natural resource that through that surrounds us is unique and can sustain us honour programs, magazine and documentary in any way.” series, campaign awareness, Beijing Rodgers said: “We educational forums and out- are ultimately, one big family, reach initiatives.” said Mr Sands. who looks after each other and The honorees had plenty to I love that I meet a new cousin every month.” say about their country. To be eligible, individuals Navado Dawkins said his favourite thing about The Baha- had to be aged between 20 and mas was: “Believe it or not, It 40 and have made valuable conwould be the “Fresh Bahamian tributions to their communities Air”. I’ve traveled to places like and the country. A group of six mentors China that suffered from major air pollution and didn’t appre- Ricardo Miller, Sandena Neely, ciate clean air as much until Monique Hinsey, William Simcoming back home to the Moth- mons, Rev Laquez Williams erland... So honestly, the air in and Ghandi Thompson also The Bahamas is IT!” took part.

OSS LEONARDIS M , service ss ne si bu , Culinary arts

TBOURNE ANTONIA LIGH leadership er, ak m Media, change

SON TREVOR JOHN , service, ip sh er ad Changemaker, le ent environm

ERS BEIJING RODG service, , ip sh er ad le , ss Busine education

R II KEITH O MAJO rvice se w, la er, ak m ge Chan

NTON TYRHONDA GLI innovation, p, hi rs de lea er, Changemak service, education

GREGORY CASH, innovaal triumph Education, person maker tion, change

E KRISTOFF ROLL eneur, pr tre en ale m ia, Digital med technology

ONALD HEATHER MCD ic developom Changemaker, econ l entrepreneur socia ment, leadership,

P BRANDON KEM maker, ge an ch p, hi rs Entrepreneu leadership, service

IS KESHELLE DAV trepreen , on ati uc ed er, Changemak p neurship, leadershi

RGUSON D’ANGELO FE changemaker, ent, Youth developm , service business

OMPSON PRECIOUS TH technology, ice, Business, serv gemaker media, chan

BBS LAVADO STU business, e, ic rv se g, Film makin leadership

BOLD ZHANEO NEW logy, media no ch te Entertainment, siness and bu

KEY JR WILLIS MAC y, service, op hr nt ila ph , Business sports

TTAGE ONASSIS NO eneurship, pr tre en , er Changemak pment, technology lo economic deve

SSELL DOMINIC RU Arts, Male y ar in Business, Cul Pageantry Entrepreneur,

RKE BRUNAY CLA gemaker, an ch hip, Entrepreneurs , service leadership

GARY WONG arts, , visual te , Media chnology ss ne si bu

PAIGE HANNA maker, Business, change ns tio ica un m com

WLES ANDREW KNO Media, business, t en economic developm

PAGE 8, Friday, July 9, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

LINCOLN DEAL opy, ilanthr Executive’s cut, ph dership lea p, hi rs eu en pr tre en

IFFIN BARRISE GR ronment, vi en , er ak Changem business

R JAYDIAN MILLE trepreen , on ati uc Changemaker, ed rship, service, de neurship, sports, lea

NS NAVADO DAWKIdesign, d an on hi fas Education, business

RE MICHAEL CLA nology, ch te , ia ed Education, m pment, finance lo economic deve

ACHAN JAMAHL STR adership, le , Changemaker service innovation,

Sands, CEO of Grace Manage- Williams said his favourite ment Group. thing is: “The people! The 242 He also explained the impor- is rich with brewing talent, tance of revealing the unsung stellar voices, great minds, heroes who may not get loving hearts, and proud countrymen and the media spotlight. countrywomen.” “There are many millennials who Rakel Dean have been making said: “One of a change in their the things I love about The Bahacommunities, but mas is that we live they are not seen on a gold mine. or heard about. Every natural Project Bahamas S that wants to change STEFPHEN SANDt Group resource en that through surrounds us is em ag an M e O, Grac honour programs, CE unique and can sustain us in any magazine and docway.” umentary series, campaign awareness, educaBeijing Rodgers said: “We tional forums and outreach are ultimately, one big family, initiatives.” said Mr Sands. who looks after each other and The honorees had plenty to I love that I meet a new cousin say about their country. every month.” To be eligible for Project Navado Dawkins said his favourite thing about The Baha- Bahamas, individuals had to mas was: “Believe it or not, It be aged between 20 and 40 and would be the “Fresh Bahamian have made valuable contribuAir”. I’ve traveled to places like tions to their communities and China that suffered from major the country. A group of six mentors air pollution and didn’t appreciate clean air as much until Ricardo Miller, Sandena Neely, coming back home to the Moth- Monique Hinsey, William Simerland... So honestly, the air in mons, Rev Laquez Williams The Bahamas is IT!” and Ghandi Thompson also Fellow honoree Ernesto took part.