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SIX SCHOOLS CLOSE AS UNIONS PROTEST

Teachers and public service workers march over pay adjustments

By EARYEL BOWLEG AND DEN ISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporters

MORE than a thousand teachers failed to report to work yesterday, forcing six public schools to close early after Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson called for nationwide industrial action in a fight with the government over pay adjustments.

Education Director Dominique

McCartney-Russell said 1,135 of the 3,186 teachers employed in the public system were absent — about 36 percent of the workforce. Most of the absentees were in New Providence, where 816 teachers did not report for duty. She described the figure as unusually high but could not say whether there would be repercussions. Government officials had

DAUGHTER FINDS NOTE LEFT BY MOM WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

EIGHTEEN-year-old

Emmanuela Polidor yesterday revealed that her mother left behind a note before taking her life inside a Rasta Camp off Fire Trail Road on October 9.

She said her mother, Ketlyne Ferdinand, 34, gave her a purse with the note inside. “When I saw the note I was really hurt,” she said. “Because ain’t nobody could be mentally prepared for a sudden death like that, especially someone you close with.” She said she visited her Rick Fox

‘would renounce Canadian citizenship’ for local political stage

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

FORMER NBA player

Rick Fox says he would have no hesitation giving up his Canadian citizenship

if he decided to enter frontline politics. Mr Fox, born in Canada to Bahamian father Ulrick Fox Sr and an Italian mother, sparked public interest about his eligibility after hinting on Facebook

that he could run for office. Asked by The Tribune if he would renounce his Canadian citizenship if he joined frontline politics, Mr Fox said: “I don’t have to

T RIBUNE PRESIDENT INTERVIEWS FOR MICAL SEAT

By LYNAIRE MUNN I N GS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

CHANTS of “We want Robert!” echoed outside the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) headquarters yesterday as dozens of residents from the MICAL constituency descended on New Providence to throw their support behind Robert Dupuch-Carron, founder of

the Bahamas Aviation Climate and Severe Weather Networks Ltd (BACSWN) and president of The Tribune Media Group, who was interviewed by the PLP’s candidates committee. Waving placards and dressed in PLP gold, supporters from Mayaguana, Acklins, Inagua, and Crooked Island gathered in

ISLAND Luck CEO Sebas Bastian has been selected by the Progressive Liberal Party’s Candidates Committee to run in the Fort Charlotte constituency in the next general election, according to Eyewitness News, the media company he controls. However, The Tribune’s sources had not confirmed this up to press time last night. Those chosen by the PLP’s candidates committee must be ratified by the party’s National General Council. Some are expected to be ratified tonight.

ROBERT Dupuch-Carron outside PLP headquarters yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

BUT president Belinda Wilson and BPSU president Kimsley Ferguson outside Parliament as Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis walks past appearing to not acknowledge them during a protest yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

Bahamas honours 500 citizens, including Pompey

Rolle who

THE Bahamas recently honoured over 500 citizens for their contributions to the nation during the three-part National H onours Ceremony 2025.

The ceremonies, held at Baha Mar on October 13 and 14, saw Governor General Dame Cynthia A. Pratt present medals across numerous categories, including the Order of National H ero. This

led 1830 slave revolt

highest honour was designated for Pompey Rolle, who led an 1830 slave revolt on E xuma.

Prime Minister Philip Davis said the common thread among all honourees was their commitment to service. H e stressed that success is measured not by wealth, but by how much people give and “how we lift others up along the way.”

Mr. Davis urged

citizens to protect and pass on the foundation of the country: “neighbourhood community caring and sharing.” H e stated the spirit of the honourees—who represented healthcare, sports, religion, and the armed forces—reminded everyone that being Bahamian is about kindness, generosity, and compassion.

Photo: Letisha Henderson/BIS

PEOPLE who received the Order of Disticntion pictured with Governor General Dame Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt nd Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis.

Dupuch-Carron called himself a ‘change candidate’ and emphasised free speech

the parking lot long before Mr Dupuch-Carron’s scheduled appearance. Some broke out in song, while others formed small clusters, sharing stories about life in the southern islands and their hopes for change.

In a rare move, several supporters were even allowed inside the party’s headquarters while the interviews were taking place.

The MICAL seat has drawn increased attention since incumbent MP Basil McIntosh announced he would not seek re-election, leaving a vacancy that has stirred strong interest within the governing party.

Mr Dupuch-Carron, who has said he would be “honoured” to serve, described his interview with the committee as straightforward.

He framed himself as a “change candidate” and stressed the importance of free speech, democratic choice, and tackling infrastructure gaps across the southern islands.

“I gave the strengths of what I was offering, and I

said that there is also the most important thing about our nation is we have things that many people dream of, and that is free speech, to be able to speak like you have today,” he said.

“And the other thing is to choose your own candidates, people die about that, but everybody deserves an opportunity. I went down and said, you can’t hope for change, you have to vote for change, and I’m the change candidate, and so I hope they’ll, no pun intended, see my point of view,” he said.

Mr Dupuch-Carron outlined plans to improve airports, transportation, food stores, banks, ATMs, pharmacies, and street lighting, services he said many islands still lack. He also underscored the need to create opportunities for young people, including encouraging trade with nearby territories like the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Dominican Republic.

He said he would not step down as president of Tribune Media Group if selected, saying the newspaper operates

independently under an editor-in-chief and that he no longer has day-to-day executive responsibilities. He said the press must continue to hold politicians accountable, including himself.

“I don’t operate in any executive roles at the moment, but, but let me just say. This is The Tribune and my mom has told me to tell everybody, if I mess up, she could blast me, and I hope you’ll blast me,” he said.

Mr Dupuch-Carron also pointed to his deep family ties to the constituency. His grandfather, Sir Etienne Dupuch, helped bring Mayaguana into The Bahamas, while other family members, including Bernard and Eugene Dupuch, previously represented the southern islands in Parliament. He said he hopes to continue that legacy as a sixth-generation representative.

Angela Michelle CoxLockhart and Laverne Bertrum “Dyie” Ingraham are also seeking the PLP’s nomination for MICAL. Mrs Cox-Lockhart, whose maternal roots are in the constituency, said she wants

to offer “strong, consistent representation” and believes the PLP has always put Bahamians first. She described her interview as going well and said she now awaits the committee’s decision.

Mr Ingraham, a businessman, pilot, and former

DJ, has cited longstanding political neglect as his reason for entering the race. Mrs Cox-Lockhart has also outlined a “7-Pillar Development Plan” focusing on infrastructure, healthcare, economic empowerment, education, culture, climate readiness, and inter-island connectivity. The Candidates Committee also interviewed Ronnell Ambrister for MICAL, Peter Cartwright for Long Island, McKell Bonaby for Mount Moriah, Jomo Campbell for Centerville, and Myles Laroda for Pinewood.

‘I own one passport and it’s a Bahamian passport and I’m proud of that status’

FOX from page one

renounce my dual citizenship to vote. If what you are asking me is if I were to get into frontline politics, am I prepared to follow the laws of the land, yes that goes without saying. That’s an easy decision. I am a Bahamian. I own one passport and it’s a Bahamian Passport and I’m proud of that status.”

In a Facebook post yesterday, he hit back at suggestions questioning his Bahamian identity because he was born abroad. “I will never apologise for my parents’ decision to fall in love, marry and bring me into this world regardless of where the hospital was,” he wrote.

He reflected on his parents’ journey — his Italian mother’s family immigrating to Canada in search of opportunity, and his father leaving The Bahamas at 15 to work in the cranberry fields of Massachusetts before moving to Toronto. There, he said, his father became a car salesman, later returning home to establish Nascan Auto Sales on Mackey Street, one of the country’s early used car lots.

Mr Fox said his family returned to The Bahamas in 1970 when he was nine months old, and he learned to crawl, walk, and run in Stapledon Gardens. Three years later, he sat on his father’s shoulders at Clifford Park for the 1973 Independence celebrations.

Sears endorses Bastian for Fort Charlotte

SEBAS from page one

An ad was also circulated on a social media platform late last night advertising his expected ratification during the PLP’s formal announcements tonight.

Mr Bastian was interviewed by the PLP’s candidates committee last week. He said he will step down from his gaming business as he seeks elected office, saying he is “ready to serve.” He said his business interests will not interfere with public service, noting he already planned to relinquish his gaming role. He outlined plans to focus on community development, affordable housing, and reducing living costs. Fort Charlotte MP Alfred Sears, who is not seeking re-election, has endorsed him. Many branch members have also expressed support, citing his philanthropy and leadership.

He recalled helping in his father’s business, Holiday Ice, serving customers at depots on Mackey Street, Nassau Street, and Soldier Road. Since moving back to The Bahamas in 2021, Mr Fox

said the first thing he did was register to vote, adding that every Bahamian should see voting as a civic duty. Known internationally for his career with the Los Angeles Lakers and later as an actor, producer, and

commentator, Mr Fox has recently shifted his focus to national development.

Now serving as the country’s sports ambassador, he is also the founder and CEO of Partanna, a climate technology company producing

carbon-negative building materials.

Mr Fox said that after returning home, he has listened to Bahamians’ frustrations but also sees opportunities for growth amid the challenges.

CARRON from page one

ROBERT Dupuch-Carron speaks with a supporter outside PLP headquarters after he interviewed with the party’s candidate committe for the MICAL constituency’s nomination.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

‘When am I going to be treated fairly’

privately warned that public servants who participated in the demonstration could face salary deductions and disciplinary measures.

Meanwhile, Labour and Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle said there were no issues with callins from the wider public service even though Bahamas Public Service Union (BPSU) president Kimsely Ferguson had also urged members to protest.

The mass absences from schools came as dozens of public servants marched to Parliament after talks between the government and union leaders failed to resolve a payment dispute.

Mrs Wilson and Mr Ferguson led the demonstration from the old City Market parking lot to the House of Assembly.

Among the demonstrators, janitress Geraldine Strachan fought back tears as she said she needed her pay urgently to see a doctor for congested lymph nodes and dental work. “My mortgage is $1,200. Tell me where do I go?” she said.

Ashanique Cash, a filing assistant at the Department of Lands and Surveys and a mother of three, said her office lacks air conditioning and workers are denied half days. “When am I gonna be treated fairly?” she said. “For me to have to come out here in the hot sun and ask for the bare minimum is crazy.”

air conditioning issues at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Teacher aide Sharon McKenzie grew emotional as she described the challenges teachers face. “We have students who don’t have food. We have students who don’t have money. I see these teachers go above and beyond for these kids,” she said. “When we had the protest against the former principal at Carlton Francis, the administration came from head office to go inside the classroom. They ain’t last 30 minutes in the classroom. You can’t do our job.”

In Grand Bahama, several demonstrators said they were fed up with years of being overlooked for promotions and better pay.

Taronya, a social worker and BPSU shop steward, said she has spent 12 years in the Department of Social Services without a promotion. She said there is no upward mobility in the department. Although she was hired with a related degree, she said she is now being told a social work degree is required to move up — a qualification that would cost thousands of dollars. She said she refuses to return to school at her age just to earn a decent salary.

toxic environments without proper resources or even air conditioning.

Veteran janitress Bethsheba Rigby, who joined the school system in 1997, said she feels misused and unappreciated. She said she was only confirmed in her position in 2013 after 16 years on probation and called the wages paid to janitors “a crying shame.” She said janitors are often the first to arrive and the last to leave, working to keep schools clean and safe while many remain neither permanent nor pensionable. She added that they often work under hazardous conditions without proper compensation or protective gear.

After nearly four hours of protesters waiting in Rawson Square, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis emerged from Parliament and was confronted by Mrs Wilson as he headed to his car, raising his hand as she tried to speak. It was a marked contrast to last week’s protest when he had stood with the union leaders, hand in hand, and addressed workers.

The renewed demonstration followed the Prime Minister’s cancellation of a scheduled Tuesday meeting with the BPSU and BUT, despite the parties having met the day before.

In a national address on Wednesday, Mr Davis accused some union leaders of “grandstanding and public drama,” saying one had publicly threatened industrial action before talks could resume. He emphasised that a salary PROTEST from page one

She said one of her children, who is autistic, has been unable to receive needed surgery because of

Alexandria Rolle, a teacher, said the government’s handling of the issue has been confusing since the prime minister announced the adjustments. She said it has been promises without delivery, questioning why upper management is being prioritised when those on the lower end have been struggling in

SEE PAGE FIVE

MEMBERS and supporters of the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) and the Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) lead by BUT president Belinda Wilson and BPSU president Kimsley Ferguson during a protest on Bay Street yesterday. Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

Wilson says Davis ‘lied’ about how compehensive workers review was

OCTOBER 9, 2025

review, the basis for the fight over pay, was initiated by him in his discretion, not by unions or any industrial agreement. The tensions came after the government

announced that workers previously excluded from pay adjustments would receive at least two increments in December, retroactive to September 1, 2025, with the amount varying by category. Officials said the adjustments

OCTOBER 15, 2025

were part of a broader effort to close the pay gap between the public service and the wider public sector, reflecting base pay increases of 8 to 31 percent over four years, including a 19 percent rise for college graduates such as nurses

and teachers.

Phase one of the plan, focused on middle management, took effect in June, with phase two covering the rest of the service. The May 2025 Salary Review for Middle Management and Technical Officers examined 85 priority roles in the public sector, excluding teachers, nurses, doctors, and most frontline workers. The review focused mostly on senior officers.

Mrs Wilson, without evidence, said Mr Davis “lied” about how comprehensive the review was, emphasising the categories of workers excluded from it. However, Mr Davis noted during his address that the salary review did not include every category and said

that the methodology underlying the report “will be applied to ensure increases are extended across the wider public service.” “That includes our teachers, whose hard work and dedication continue to shape the future of the nation,” he said.

Mrs Wilson said union leaders asked specific questions during talks that the Prime Minister and his team could not answer, including how much money workers would receive and which categories would get which percentage increases. She noted that middle managers already earn about $104,750 annually, with some receiving $20,000 responsibility allowances, $12,000 housing allowances, lifetime medical

coverage, pensions, and 15 percent gratuities, while many other workers “don’t take home $20,000 a year.”

“They are raping the Bahamian people and then they sit in their high towers and they try to send down edicts and threats,” she said. “We are here today to stand for the public service. There are approximately 17,000 that they said have not been paid yet.”

Mrs Wilson called the reported threats of discipline and salary deductions “very low,” saying: “Y’all are nasty toward the common man to send out some notice about salary cuts. It’s a threat of touching someone’s pocket that they know is what touches someone’s heart. And so you’re low, you’re nasty and you’re dirty.”

LAST week Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis smiles as he joins union leaders Belinda Wilson and Kimsley Ferguson after they marched to Parliament to demand better pay for public service workers and teachers.

TODAY Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis appears to not even look at Belinda Wilson and Kimsley Ferguson after they marched on Bay Street again after Tuesday’s meeting with the union leaders was cancelled.

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

LEON E. H. DUPUCH

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972

Contributing Editor 1972-1991

RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.

Publisher/Editor 1972-

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Don’t give Sebas the keys

EDITOR, The Tribune. BAHAMIANS ain’t stupid. We see what’s going on. The same man who’s taken billions from our people through gambling now wants to step into government, and we’re supposed to hand him the keys to the country? Not today. Not ever.

@tribune242 tribune news network

Peace in Gaza - beyond the ceasefire

THE agreement on the initial steps of a peace plan for Gaza, which includes the critical release of hostages and the withdrawal of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to an agreed-upon line, has ignited predictable—and muchneeded—hope. After two brutal years of conflict, the anticipation, particularly on the ground in Gaza and Israel, is palpable. Yet, we must temper this optimism with the grim reality that we have been here before. This new arrangement, presented as a roadmap, is fundamentally similar to previous ceasefires, and a ceasefire is not a peace deal. The devil, as always, lies in the specific, political details that remain frustratingly vague. The success of this pause in hostilities depends on three fundamental, and currently unresolved, factors.

First, the political pressures to refrain from resuming conflict must hold firm. Once Hamas releases all hostages, anticipated by Tuesday Australian time, it effectively loses its primary leverage. This will inevitably increase pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from his right flank to resume hostilities. For genuine peace to take root, the Israeli government must recognise that ending the war—and returning to sincere dialogue and compromise—is fundamental to its long-term security. The pre-October 2023 complacency simply cannot return.

Second, the question of governance must be answered locally. While the US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan proposes a foreign-led “body of peace” (headed by figures like former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair), this approach risks repeating the historical mistakes of excluding Palestinians from discussions about their own future. Furthermore, factions in Gaza have already signalled their refusal to accept foreign guardianship. Any authority that takes shape in the Strip must genuinely reflect local needs, ensuring that a political solution is driven by the national component of the Palestinian people.

Third, and most critically, the future of the Gaza blockade must be clarified. The land, sea, and air blockade, effectively in place since 2007, heavily restricts imports and the movement of Gazans. Its continuation, even with renewed humanitarian aid flows, risks

recreating the very conditions of food, medical, and financial insecurity that existed before the October 7 attacks. Prior to that date, unemployment sat at 46 per cent, and 62 per cent of Gazans required food assistance due to import limits. Security policy must align with global humanitarian principles; without relief from the blockade, Israel risks maintaining a system that international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) previously labelled “collective punishment.”

Ultimately, all parties must acknowledge that lasting peace in Gaza is intrinsically linked to broader peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Treating the Gaza conflict as a discrete, separate issue is a grave mistake. Discussions of Palestinian national self-determination and statehood—in both Gaza and the West Bank—must move beyond rhetoric and be central to the future plan. While the 20-point plan mentions a “credible pathway to Palestinian selfdetermination,” achieving this requires overcoming immense challenges, including the status of Jerusalem and the complex issues of Israeli settlement and annexation. A powerful demonstration of commitment from Washington would be to refrain from using its veto power at the UN Security Council (UNSC) against votes supporting Palestinian statehood—a step it has blocked repeatedly.

Any pause in the fighting is, without question, a positive outcome; it will undoubtedly save lives and allow essential aid to address the looming famine. However, history reminds us that peace deals are difficult to negotiate, requiring good faith and sustained commitment where mutual mistrust has long been institutionalised. While the situation is far worse than when the Oslo Accords were negotiated in the 1990s, an opportunity exists now to forge an accord. That opportunity must not be squandered by focusing solely on shortterm security gains at the expense of a long-term, self-determination-based solution.

Andrew Thomas Lecturer in Middle East Studies, Deakin University

Since the Christie PLP legalised web shop gaming, Sebas and Island Luck have made over $1 billion, maybe closer to $2 billion if you count the years before it became “legal.” Out of all that, he’s given back maybe $500-$600 million through winnings, staff pay, donations, and events. That means he’s kept roughly half a billion dollars for himself. Don’t believe us? Tell the government and Sebas to produce the financial reports to prove otherwise.

And the insane thing about these web shop earnings is this — it’s not money created from producing anything valuable for our society. It’s simply a wealth redistributor. Web shops take money from ordinary Bahamians and funnel it straight into the pockets of the web shop owners. The only ones truly winning are Sebas and Co, while the rest of us keep chasing a dream that never comes. Web shop gaming has done real damage to this country. Families broken up. Parents gambling away school money. People living paycheck to paycheck, trapped in a cycle of addiction and false hope. It’s fueled crime, deepened poverty, and drained millions that could’ve gone

into food, rent, and education. And now, the man who’s profited most from this wants to enter politics and lead our beloved country supposedly to “serve”? Please. But wait, it gets worse. As if all that wasn’t enough, Sebas now wants the government to extend the moratorium that blocks new web shop licenses. That means no other Bahamian businessman or woman could ever compete. No free market. No fair chance. Just Sebas and a few others controlling the industry for another 25 years.

Remember, this is the same man who loves to talk about “empowering entrepreneurs.” Yet the same man is telling the government to keep the door closed so only he benefits. He’s saying, “This industry is mine. Only I deserve this wealth.”

But let’s be clear, Sebas isn’t doing this alone. The PLP is right there with him. Their hands are just as dirty. The PLP under Brave Davis is helping Sebas continue to wreck our society, just like the last PLP under Perry Christie did. They betrayed us before when we voted No in the 2013 gambling referendum and they legalised it anyway. Now they’re doing it again, putting the gambling boss himself into politics and locking out competition for another generation.

Ask any Bahamian businessman or woman. If the government insists on keeping the web shop industry alive, others should at least have a fair shot. If Sebas was truly a great businessman, he’d welcome competition. He’d support the moratorium being lifted so other Bahamians could share in the opportunity. But we all know that won’t happen. Don’t listen to what he and the PLP saywatch what they do.

Nothing the PLP is doing under Brave Davis shows leadership. It’s pure greed. Greed for money and greed for power.

Bahamians need to send a clear message. We can’t let the same people who ignored our vote once do it again. We can’t let the man who takes our money through gambling now control the government’s money and power too. Sebas wants it all - the money, the power, the control. And the PLP is helping him get it. But this time, we’re wide awake.

If Brave Davis and the PLP think Bahamians will fall for it again, they have another thing coming. Come election day, we need to send every last one of them home.

If we don’t stand up now and reject this open sellout of our country, the damage might be something we never recover from.

God bless The Commonwealth of The Bahamas. It’s called the “Commonwealth” for a reason.

SAVE THE BAHAMAS Nassau, October 15, 2025.

Praise for President Trump

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I MAKE no apologies for being the biggest fan and supporter of the Hon Donald J Trump, the 45th & 47th President of The United States of America. Trump, thanks be to God, survived not one but two assassination attempts on his life.

During the presidential election campaign, Trump (the citizen) was criminal prosecuted on multiple bogus charges, in my view. He was hauled before a judge up in New York on fraud related charges. That half-crazed judge, again in my opinion, ordered Trump; his adult children and related companies to pay almost a billion dollars in ‘fines’.

Even during the height of the campaign, Trump was obliged to attend vacuous court room sessions in person, thereby taking away precious time for his campaign.

Of course, during his first term in office he was impeached and his removal from office was a linchpin, seemingly, of the Democrats. All of the above, however, was in vain. I am satisfied that the literal hand of Good is in Trump’s life. He survived all that was thrown at him and more. He went on to Mash Up former President Biden during their single debate and, of course, he humiliated and vanquished former Vice President Kamala Harris Big Time. In seven short months in office, President Trump has revolutionised the USA and, indeed, the world. He’s ‘solved’ multiple wars and armed skirmishes all over the place. Now he’s secured the release of All living Israeli hostages previously held in Gaza by Hamas. There is a cease fire agreement in

place which seems to be holding.

Trump also signed off on what are referred to as ‘The Abraham Accords’ during his first term. Now, most of the Middle East nations are onboard with the USA. Over 25 world leaders gathered in Egypt recently to sing Trumps praises and to witness the execution of an historic ceasefire agreement between the combatants. Lastly, we Bahamians have been without a USA Ambassador for almost a decade. Now with President Trump in office, the USA Senate has approved the Hon Herschel Walker of Georgia as our USA Ambassador. Thank you, President Trump, for the work that you are doing on behalf of God’s Kingdom, in my view.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, October 14, 2025.

Pay review warns of ‘wealth destruction’ for civil servants

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

A SALARY review commissioned by the government found that hundreds of middle managers and technical officers across the public service are earning far less than what’s needed to keep up with rising prices, with the report warning of “wealth destruction” as inflation and living costs eat away at their income.

The May 2025 Salary Review for Middle Management and Technical Officers, prepared by consulting firm DCB Holding Ltd for the Ministry of Finance, covered 85 priority roles across the public sector. The analysis looked at senior administrators, members of the Royal Bahamas Police and Defence Forces, customs and immigration officers, correctional officers, and finance, audit,

statistical, executive, and administrative personnel.

The study did not include teachers, nurses, doctors, or most frontline and support workers, focusing instead on those within the Ministry of Finance’s defined “management and technical” classifications. Even within law enforcement agencies, the study focused on senior roles like police inspectors and above and chief inspection officers and above. The omissions and focus on senior roles are at the heart of the recent industrial strife led by Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has said the methodology underlying the report will be applied to ensure increases throughout the wider public service, though he was not clear when those will take effect.

According to the report, the government’s internal pay system is consistent but outdated, failing to

reflect economic reality. It found that public officers’ real earnings have fallen between 5 and 16 percent over the past few years, as salary increases have not matched the growth in inflation, consumer prices, or private sector wages. The consultants said this loss of purchasing power has left many government employees struggling to maintain their standard of living, calling the situation “wealth destruction.”

The study broke down the impact by function. Top management staff were found to have lost up to 15 percent of their real earnings. Police and Defence Force officers lost between 5 and 14 percent, while customs, immigration, and correctional officers recorded drops of up to 16 percent.

Administrative, finance, and audit officers experienced similar declines.

In each case, salaries were compared to what

employees should have been earning if pay had kept pace with inflation, market standards, and the Consumer Price Index.

The report also found that even though most employees appeared to be within their official salary ranges, a closer look revealed serious imbalances. Nearly one in three police officers were being paid below the minimum level for their rank. Among executive personnel — mostly administrative cadets — 22 percent were also below the minimum threshold. By contrast, uniformed personnel in customs, immigration, and the Defence Force were largely within range.

Analysts described the government’s pay structure as compressed, meaning there is little difference between ranks and grades. In some areas, the report found “negative progression,” where moving up in title brought almost no pay

increase. For most levels, the spread between the 10th and 90th percentile salaries was under 20 percent, which the authors said was “significantly lower than expected” and evidence of weak financial progression within the service.

When the consultants compared government salaries to the wider labour market, almost all categories, including senior managers and uniformed officers, were found to fall below the 10th percentile of market pay, placing the public sector far behind the private sector and regional peers.

The review also examined how middle-ranking public officers compare to their senior leaders. It found that officers in key positions such as under secretaries, budget directors, and deputy commissioners of police now earn 20 to 30 percent less than the amount needed to maintain the same proportional

relationship to their top supervisors as they had in 2023. While top posts like the Financial Secretary, Commodore, and Police Commissioner have seen stronger growth, middle managers have lagged behind.

The consultants said the combined effect of static increments and inflation has left employees trapped in an income squeeze. They illustrated the problem with a simple example: in 2020, an employee earning $100 could buy 100 cans of tuna; by 2024, the same items cost $130, but that employee’s pay only rose to $108, meaning they could now afford just 83 cans. The consultants recommended linking future pay reviews to key economic indicators such as GDP growth, inflation, and the Consumer Price Index, saying this would help restore balance and protect workers’ purchasing power.

JOHN INGRAHAM, BUT area vice president for Grand Bahama stands civil servants from various government departments assembled at the Office of the Prime Minister in Grand Bahama to voice their concerns, calling for fairness in pay and promotions. Photos: Denise Maycock/Freeport Reporter

The kingmakers want to be kings

ONE of the perennial strengths and challenges of liberal – small ‘l’ – democracy is the prevention and moderation of concentrated economic and political power in the hands of a few to the detriment of the majority.

We are witnessing globally the rise of illiberal democracy and the greater concentration of wealth and power by self-aggrandising politicians, political wannabees, and business, media, and technology moguls locked in an incestuous relationship of greed.

Around the world, politics is soiled and corrupted by large political donations, private deals, and contempt for the poor. Currently in Nepal, Madagascar, the Philippines, and Morocco, citizens, especially younger and Generation Z protestors, are sickened by political and economic elites indifferent to their daily struggles and survival.

They have gone to the streets to demand economic relief and advancement as “entrepreneurs” with monopolies and hands in numerous businesses, flaunt their wealth and power, as their children, known as nepo babies – a term combining nepotism and baby – show off their luxury lifestyles on social media.

Many are weary of the increasing concentration of economic and political power in the United States

and the shocking decline in democratic norms. Here at home, we are confronted by the avarice and moral indifference of many in the upper echelons of Bahamian society. The Bahamas is confronted by an inflection point as Island Luck CEO Sebas Bastian, launches his bid to amass more power by seeking a PLP nomination for the House of Assembly. Already gifted with a diplomatic passport, the super wealthy Bastian is seeking to combine his economic and media power with political power even as web shop operators brazenly want a further extension of their monopoly for a quarter of a century. Mr. Bastian is now seeking direct political power,

including the power to legislate and possibly sit in cabinet and decide laws and policies that will govern his economic empire, including a 25-year moratorium on

gaming licences.

How much more power does Mr Bastian want? Is his goal to be prime minister? Are we witnessing a growing megalomania? We are seeing how this lust for power and wealth is turning out in our powerful neighbour next door.

The fight against the racist United Bahamian Party (UBP) was not solely about racial equality. It was also a fight against the monopolistic practices, greed, and concentration of wealth by an oligarchy. Recall that many white Bahamians were also locked out of various economic sectors.

The Nassau Guardian noted in an editorial yesterday: “Gaming house owners and their holding companies have substantial stakes in media, real estate, shipping, property development, construction, retail, and government leases and countless other enterprises.”

Is the PLP, the party that fought for equality on many fronts, about to become the vehicle for the concentration of power by Mr Sebas and the gaming operators? Scores of PLPs are alarmed that one of the kingmakers now appears to want to be king cum prime minister.

The PLP complained bitterly over the years about the economic and political influence of Brent Symonette, a scion of Sir Roland Symonette, who once led the UBP. Will Mr. Sebas’s many potential conflicts of interest be greater and more glaring than that of those the PLP once criticised?

The aforementioned is worse than hypocrisy. It is a potential spectacular betrayal of the progressive and liberal values upon which the party was originally built.

The entitlement mentality, already deeply seated in the PLP and in its gaming backers, seems to be growing. Yesterday’s Nassau Guardian editorial explained: “...What we have is a handful of powerful operators who feel bold enough to ask for a ban on competition that would continue to lock all others out of their space for another quarter century.

“It is the kind of entitlement that has come to define the web shop sector. From the

‘How much more power does Mr Bastian want? Is his goal to be prime minister? Are we witnessing a growing megalomania?

We are seeing how this lust for power and wealth is turning out in our powerful neighbour next door.’

beginning, this industry has thrived not because of broad public support, but because of political expediency and manipulation...

“This is more about entrenching a monopoly that has control over a multi-hundred-milliondollar market built on the back of Bahamian wage earners than anything else...

“These operators have already enjoyed nearly a decade of governmentlegitimied, uncontested dominance...”

To deflect from the potential massive conflicts of interest and concentration of power by Mr Sebas, we have been treated to various disingenuous deflections.

These bogus side arguments attempt to obscure the pernicious effects of gambling and how gaming operators are benefitting from gambling addiction and the effects of gaming on the poor and economically vulnerable.

Kudos to Mr Sebas and other gaming bosses for their business acumen and hard work, traits not limited to them. But if they are such able entrepreneurs, who also own considerable real estate and businesses fuelled by gaming money, surely, they are not afraid of competition.

We should also recall, that unlike other productive economic sectors, gaming produces no tangible goods or services. While some gamble for entertainment, gambling thrives on addiction, superstition, the desire to make quick money, and to deal with stress and other emotional problems.

We should celebrate black success and excellence. We can do so while being alarmed over the effects of gaming, whether owned by black or white Bahamians. It is deeply disappointing that those who should know better ethically and intellectually are making all manner of conflated excuses and empty arguments to justify arrangements that are doing grave harm and enriching a few at the expense of the many thousands of Bahamians who would benefit from a national lottery. A number of these justifiers are Roman Catholics, who might want to consult their own

church’s social teachings on ethical issues, including on gambling, the common good, economic justice, and solidarity with the poor.

Moreover, the nauseating fetishising of wealth, rabid consumerism, and gaudy materialism should not be celebrated and ballyhooed. Genuine role models should be those who contribute to the life of a nation in ways that are uplifting and of benefit to the greater good.

Mr Sebas says he wants to serve. Thus far, it seems that he has been less interested in serving the community than in his private interests and appetites being served and satiated.

Beyond handouts, marketing schemes to keep his business flowing, and the amassing of even greater wealth, why has he not used his super wealth to more significantly improve the lives of the Bahamian people?

He has kept in place a gaming model that has done great harm. Does he now propose to bring this same narrow mindset to politics and government?

While many are happy to take money from Mr Sebas and gaming operators, it appears that a majority of Bahamians, including many PLPs, are deeply uncomfortable with the prospect of a gaming baron being in cabinet and possibly becoming prime minister. Great political power and wealth are like drugs which anaesthetise the holders of the opioids. They too are poisoned by the addiction they help to fuel in others.

In Julius Caesar, Act II, Scene 1, Shakespeare warns us through Brutus: “Th’ abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power.” It is a warning to those with great power who lose their moral sense or conscience, seducing them to act without remorse or restraint. Those kingmakers who seek to become kings, should be so warned.

Will they be able to hear and heed such warnings, or have the roar of fickle crowds and sycophants, the gleam of more bling, the thrills of high office, and the opioids of power already deafened and deadened their moral senses!?

bipartisan panel: trump’s ‘wrecking

ball’ concerning for democracy

It’s a simple question to which there is no longer a trustworthy answer.

“What’s the truth?”

It’s not a new question.

Philosophers since ancient Greeks Plato and Aristotle have been debating this metaphysical issue, without any completely definitive answer so far.

And politicians have been part of the debate too, because successfully misrepresenting the truth on the campaign trail has long been a key element of getting elected in democracies around the world including the United States.

Now, though, we are roughly thirty years into the internet age, with its related explosion of information – both true and false – out there in cyberspace where anyone with a connection can access it. The effects of this information revolution are everywhere, and have been much discussed and analysed.

It’s in this context that we should consider an analytical piece that appeared this week in the New York Times.

The article essentially reports that according to a distinguished panel of experts, the current threat to America’s continued existence as a democracy is fundamental and possibly irreversible. The cutting edge of that threat to American democracy is to be found in the way US president Donald Trump has used the American Department of Justice.

‘Justice,’ as it’s commonly called in Washington, is led by the Attorney General, the top US law enforcement official. Most American civilian law enforcement agencies are under the AG’s authority, including the FBI. It is true that US law enforcement is also a significant responsibility of other cabinet-level departments including State, Treasury, Homeland Security and others.

But for most Americans, Justice is the central law enforcement agency. If it is true that Justice has been corrupted by the current president, the country is swirling toward lawlessness and away from democracy. Is this true? Let’s investigate.

STATESIDE

The Times’ panel of experts was drawn carefully from the ranks of distinguished lawyers who have served both Republican and Democratic presidents; judges appointed by both parties, and some widely esteemed legal minds. The Times clearly made every effort to be impartial, and tried to conduct their survey to insure its authenticity and veracity to the extent possible. Last year, in the months before the 2024 presidential election, the newspaper surveyed 50 members of what might be called the Washington legal establishment about their expectations for the Justice Department and the rule of law if Donald Trump were re-elected. The group was evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. They had worked as high-level officials for every president in the 40 years

that have passed since the presidency of Ronald Reagan.

The Times surveyed their distinguished group before the 2024 election and then returned to them very recently to see how their views might have changed now that Donald Trump has been in his second term as president for nine months. The Times found that attitudes during the past year have changed profoundly, and that the results are indeed very concerning.

Before last year’s election, “a majority of (the Times’) respondents told us they were alarmed about a potential second Trump term given the strain he

put on the legal system the first time around,” the newspaper reported. But several dissenters countered that those fears were overblown.

Now, this bipartisan panel believes, “Trump has taken a wrecking ball to those beliefs. ‘What’s happening is anathema to everything we’ve ever stood for in the Department of Justice,’ said a former official who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, including Trump’s first term.

“No one in the room (where decisions are made at the Justice Department) will now say no and contradict the president,’ said the former official.

The lesson Trump drew from his first term, the former official said, is that the lawyers who talked him out of ‘bad ideas’ were the wrong kind of lawyers.

‘The president has set it up so that the people who are there are predisposed to be loyalists who will help him do what he wants.’

Like so much with this president, almost nothing he has done in this second term should come as very much of a surprise, if you were paying attention in 2023 and 2024.

This president incited a mob to storm the US capitol after losing the 2020 election, spent the next four years out of office solidifying his support among a rabid group of supporters who dominate the primary elections in the Republican Party, and then pardoned the mob immediately after returning to office after triumphing in 2024 over perhaps the most disorganized and inept opposition the Democrats have mustered in a presidential election in 50 years.

Trump told us he would pardon his MAGA mob. He promised retribution against those he feels unfairly mobilised the federal justice system against him.

In a blueprint published over a year before last year’s general election, the course he would follow on militarising law enforcement, enacting punitive tariffs against friend and foe alike, and generally

tweaking or breaking the rules to ensure continuity of Republican dominance in a majority of American states, Trump’s guidelines were clear. And he has done all of those things.

The president claims that he got a resounding “mandate” in last year’s election, and a case can be made that he is correct. Numerical margins of victory are rarely dramatic in American presidential elections, but the fact that Trump won every state he was expected to win and swept all seven so-called “swing states” tells the story of a pretty comprehensive triumph.

The schedule of American elections is set in stone. As in athletic contests,

Successfully misrepresenting the truth on the campaign trail has long been a key element of getting elected in democracies around the world including the United States.

that schedule is what it is. The fact that his opponents fumbled around in nearly unprecedented fashion does not diminish the clear victory that Trump won. The American people are getting just what they voted for. And if they now express shock and dismay over what they got, maybe they should pay more attention in the future.

The distinguished bipartisan group of legal experts surveyed by the Times is paying attention now. Their deep level of concern is significant. But there is much more than indignation and dismay here. These legal titans, like many of their colleagues in the Republican caucus in both the US Senate and the House of Representatives, are fearful. The Times reporting team described it this way:

“But many of them — more so than last year — don’t want to speak on the record. These are people with stature in their world, custodians of the American Bar who have represented clients of all stripes, taught law students, served on professional committees. But now they’re worried about retribution, for their law firms or their family members, if they draw Trump’s ire.”

“Our new survey channelled their collectively grim state of mind. All but one of the respondents rated Trump’s second term as a greater or much greater threat to the rule of law than his first term. They consistently characterized the president’s abuses of power — wielding the law to justify his wishes — as being far worse than they imagined before his re-election.

“And every single one of the 50 respondents believe that Trump and his attorney general, Pam Bondi, have used the Justice Department to go after the president’s political and personal enemies and provide favours to his allies.”

The New York Times has over many years established and maintained a distinguished record of thorough, accurate and balanced reporting, notwithstanding a pronounced liberal bias in their editorial views. Some of their most renowned reporters and columnists have given Trump full credit for the things he has done well, such as slamming the door closed on the American southern border and brokering what appears to be a significant peace agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East.

The Times’ reporting in no way resembles the single-tracked blather that pollutes cable television news and commentary.

It is therefore reasonable to take this alarming new survey as authentic.

It is true.

And if it is true, the implications for our neighbouring colossus are profound. America could be lurching toward a government that overtly aims to be less representative and responsive to the diverse elements of its electorate.

It almost feels like a movie plot: Bullies take over a town and dare the frightened citizenry to oppose them. America needs its next hero. Who will it be?

President Donald Trump listens as FBI director Kash Patel speaks during an event at the White House yesterday.

Photo: John McDonnell/AP

with Charlie Harper

Damian Gomez reflects on the life of his father

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER State Min-

ister for Legal Affairs

Damian Gomez yesterday reflected on the life and legacy of his father, retired Anglican Archbishop Drexel Gomez, describing him as “everything” to his family and one of the region’s most influential church leaders.

“We are just recovering from yesterday,” Mr Gomez said. “I’ve started the plans for the funeral, and in due course, we will make a statement concerning the funeral and arrangements that will follow from that.”

He said his father, who died on Tuesday at 88, “lived a full life” and left an indelible mark on generations of clergy across the Caribbean.

“Almost 60 percent of the clergy in the region would have been tutored by him when he was Bishop of Barbados because he also taught at Codrington College, which was the main seminary for most of the Caribbean,” he said. “It was his alma mater, and he spent a lot of time making sure that that was a success.” Mr Gomez noted that his father’s work in parish ministry and theological education shaped the region’s church leadership. After studying at the University of Durham, Archbishop Gomez returned to Codrington

MCollege as vice principal, following years of parish service in The Bahamas. “His contribution to parochial worship is possibly the most significant

contribution in his legacy,” Mr Gomez said. He described his father’s final days as difficult, noting that he suffered from stomach

cancer. “He was everything to me,” he said. “In his last days, he was very weak, and it was difficult for all of us. Talking was energy expensive, and

he didn’t say very much. He would nod. We would ask him if he was in pain, and he’d shake his head no. He slept most of the time.”

y fellow Credit Union leaders, members, and friends across our 17 proud Caribbean nations, today we celebrate a whole week of activities across the region as we observe International Credit Union Day on October 16. We are joining hearts, voices, and values with a global family of over 74,000 credit unions serving over 400 million people worldwide.

AndreaMessamJP,FCCA,

Under this year’s inspiring theme, “Co-operation for a Prosperous World,” we are reminded that prosperity is not merely measured in wealth, but in the wellbeing and the empowerment of the people we serve. We are further reminded today that we belong to an extraordinary movement, one that transcends borders, cultures, and economies, and that together, we have built and will continue to build a living testimony of the unity, service, and cooperation that remain the strongest tools for building better societies.

The Caribbean credit union movement, through our 197 member credit unions and 23 non-affiliated credit unions, stands tall within this global network. Collectively, we represent 2.9 million members, hold US $10.7 billion in assets, and employ approximately 4,700 dedicated professionals who continue to serve with excellence and commitment. Ours is not merely a financial network—it is a movement of purpose, people, and power, improving lives from the smallest rural community to the widest regional market.

We in the Caribbean embrace this theme as both a reason to celebrate the impact that credit unions have already left on this world and a strong call to action that affirms the same spirit of solidarity that gave birth to our movement.

Let us continue to hold fast to our seven foundational principles: voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, member economic participation, autonomy and independence, education, training, and information, cooperation among cooperatives, and concern for community. These timeless principles are not mere words; they are our compass and are at the heart of who we are—reminding us that people come before profit, that community matters, and that integrity in governance is non-negotiable.

As we strengthen the movement, the harmonization of policies and shared services across our credit unions cannot be a distant goal but is a progressive necessity.

By aligning our systems, sharing learnings, and pooling our resources, we will expand our capacity to serve members more efficiently and deliver the full benefits of cooperative finance. Additionally, harmonization allows us to scale impact, reduce duplication, and develop regional solutions to shared challenges such as compliance, financial management, technology, and

his death.

International Credit Union Day Message

product innovation. It is together, rather than separate, that we can unleash the full potential of the Caribbean credit union movement and strengthen the financial wellbeing of every member we serve.

As we embrace the digital future, growth means adapting. Digitization and technology are no longer optional; they are essential tools for survival and success. By embracing secure digital platforms, credit unions can improve accessibility, lower operational costs, and deliver faster, safer, and more personalized service. Yet as we move forward, we must also protect what we build, ensuring our systems are fortified against the rising risks of cybercrime and digital threats.

The CCCU remains committed to guiding and supporting member organizations in building cyber resilience, adopting fintech innovations, and crafting future-ready cooperative financial models that serve all—especially the underserved.

Our movement thrives because of the dedication of our volunteers, the diligence of our management and staff, and the oversight of our regulators. Together, they form the backbone of sustainability. To each of you—those who give tirelessly at board tables, in offices, and in communities—I express profound gratitude.

Our charge is clear. We must leave the credit union movement stronger, more innovative, and more inclusive than we found it. We must protect its values, practice good governance, invest in youth leadership, and ensure that our cooperative legacy remains a beacon of hope and ethical finance in the Caribbean and beyond.

As we celebrate this International Credit Union Day, let us renew our commitment to “people helping people.” Let us stand shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, as stewards of a vision bigger than ourselves. Let us move forward—confidently, cooperatively, and courageously—knowing that the seeds we plant today will become trees of empowerment for tomorrow. The future of Caribbean credit unions is bright, not because it is easy, but because it is ours to shape. Together, with faith in God, trust in each other, and loyalty to our members, we will continue to build not just a prosperous movement, but a prosperous world.

Happy International Credit Union Day to the entire Caribbean family. May our cooperation always lead to shared prosperity and sustained progress.

Mr Gomez said the cancer eventually prevented food from reaching his father’s lower stomach, which ultimately caused

ARCHBISHOP Drexel Gomez speaking during a funeral in 2018.

North Eleuthera MP seeks re-nomination, leaving some aspirants feeling ‘disrespected’

By. LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

NORTH Eleuthera

MP Sylvanus Petty yesterday confirmed he will seek re-nomination, telling reporters he has the full support of Prime Minister Philip Davis — a move that has left some Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) aspirants feeling “disrespected.”

Mr Petty’s decision to re-enter the race comes months after he announced plans to step away from frontline politics, citing a need to refocus on family.

At the time, he vowed to remain a PLP supporter.

Mr Petty declined to say what prompted his change of heart but expressed confidence he would secure the party’s nomination.

“I just spoke to the Prime Minister about 20 minutes ago, so I’m good to go,” he told reporters yesterday.

His re-entry into the race has frustrated some hopefuls, including aspiring PLP candidate Oscar McPhee, who criticised Mr Petty’s performance and said the decision has made other

aspirants feel undervalued.

“You have aspirants that push themselves all the way out to the limb, for the ride, for the party and to do things, and it makes us now feel like we are disrespected,” Mr McPhee said. Mr McPhee accused Mr Petty of neglecting constituents after announcing his initial departure from politics, saying he showed no remorse and left the community divided.

He added that while he remains a strong PLP supporter, Mr Petty’s poor performance and lack of support make him an unfavourable candidate.

“The numbers for him does not correspond, and I feel that the Prime Minister has to take consideration for that, because the numbers are not with him. People are revolting against him,” he said.

Several voters who spoke to The Tribune recently have also expressed frustration about representation, with some saying they don’t want to see Mr Petty back. Residents cited ongoing water, electricity, and internet disruptions in recent

years, describing the situation as the worst they have experienced in decades.

Mr Petty acknowledged their concerns but said the government is working to improve living conditions. He noted a recent

agreement with Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) to enhance electricity supply and ongoing renovations at the North Eleuthera Airport, adding that he believes the party remains “in good standing.”

“We’re gonna have the same support as we did in the last election,” he said. “So I’m confident that we’re gonna win it. I mean, it’s a lot of work to do so we’re gonna push and we’re gonna fight

for the people of North Eleuthera. They know they have a fighter.” The Tribune understands that Prime Minister Davis is set to meet with other hopefuls for the constituency soon.

GOVERNMENT TABLES BILL AIMED AT CRACKIN G DOWN ON MI G RANT SMU GGLIN G

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe yesterday tabled legislation in the House of Assembly aimed at cracking down on migrant smuggling, introducing new provisions to target traffickers who move people into or out of The

Bahamas whenever Bahamian nationals or interests are involved. The Smuggling of Migrants Bill, 2025, expands The Bahamas’ authority to prosecute to cases committed inside or outside of the country, particularly where The Bahamas is the point of origin, transit, or destination for smuggled migrants.

Mr Munroe said the broadened scope ensures local authorities can take action against offenders regardless of where the offence occurs so long as it involves Bahamian interests.

“The bill extends jurisdiction and cooperation at sea as offenses committed on vessels outside the territorial waters, especially stateless vessels or those

flying a foreign flag but the suspected involvement in smuggling and vessels registered under protocol states other than The Bahamas,” he said.

“The Bahamas enforcement powers will include search, seizure, and arrest at sea with safeguards to protect migrant safety and human rights.”

The proposed legislation outlines a range of human smuggling offences, including the use or possession of fraudulent travel or identity documents, arranging or attempting to arrange the illegal entry of migrants into or out of The Bahamas, concealing migrants in vehicles or vessels, creating hidden compartments to transport them, and coordinating with others to plan or carry out smuggling operations.

It also sets out strict penalties for offenders, including fines of up to $100,000 or imprisonment of up to seven years on summary conviction, and fines of up to $200,000 or imprisonment of up to ten years on conviction on information.

Harsher penalties apply in cases where smugglers endanger, exploit, or abuse migrants; smuggle children, pregnant women, or persons with disabilities; use violence, weapons, or drugs; abuse public office; or cause injury or death.

Those convicted of aggravated smuggling face fines of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to seven years on summary conviction, and up to $300,000 or fifteen years on conviction on information.

The bill also penalises vehicle, vessel, or aircraft owners if their property is used in smuggling operations.

Offenders face fines of up to $3,000 per migrant, and the property used in the offence may be seized and forfeited under the Customs Management Act.

The bill also makes it an offence to intentionally harbour, or attempt to harbour, a smuggled migrant for financial gain or to prevent their capture.

Convicted persons face a fine of up to $100,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.

The legislation protects smuggled migrants, guaranteeing their right to privacy, confidentiality, and basic amenities such as food, clothing, shelter, documentation, and interpretation or translation services. It also provides access to consular services.

Migrants seeking asylum or international protection must be quickly referred to the appropriate authorities, with access granted to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

At the request of another country or relevant authority, the minister must verify the legitimacy and validity of travel or identity documents issued in the name of The Bahamas. He is also responsible for confirming a migrant’s nationality or residence status and facilitating their travel, transit, or return to another country.

The minister is empowered to develop policies, guidelines, and procedures to implement the Act, conduct periodic reviews, facilitate inter-agency cooperation among government departments, international organisations, and NGOs, provide training to law enforcement to prevent smuggling and protect migrant rights, and promote national development programmes to address the socio-economic causes of migrant smuggling.

“Currently, The Bahamas lacks comprehensive and explicit national legislation to deter migrant smuggling,” Mr Munroe told Parliament yesterday. “This key piece of legislation will serve to strengthen border security, protect migrants, deter smuggling activities and promote international cooperation while aligning with international treaties and protocols to combat migrant smuggling effectively.”

NORTH ELEUTHERA MP SYLVANUS PETTY

‘Mom was my best friend’

mother the day before she died. “I give her a hug and, you know, I could just see she was down,” she said.

Police found Ms Ferdinand’s body in an outdoor shed. She left behind her daughter and a 12-year-old son.

Rastafarian leader Priest Richmond McKinney told reporters Ferdinand was a long-time member of the community who had been “unstable” in recent years following a trip to Haiti, a claim the woman’s daughter dismissed.

Ms Polidor said her mother was her “best friend,” a cheerful person who liked taking care of people. She said her mother did not suffer from mental illness, though there were days when she seemed sad.

That morning, Ms Polidor said she had planned to visit her mother but noticed her father acting strange while she got ready for work. “I could see something was wrong,” she said. Moments later, a message came through: “my condolences.” When she learned it was her mother, she screamed and broke down crying. She said she went to her mother’s home soon after. The yellow caution tape around the house made her stomach turn.

Ms Polidor said she will miss spending time with her mother while she fixed her locs. Now working as a beautician like her mother, she said she never imagined she would be planning her funeral at 18, but the experience has shown her the importance of reaching out for emotional support when she feels down.

New bill proposes to overhaul Justice of the Peace appointments

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE government is moving to overhaul how Justices of the Peace (JPs) are appointed and regulated, introducing tighter rules, mandatory training, and a three-year review that could remove unqualified or inactive officers, according to the Justices of the Peace Bill, 2025.

For decades, JPs have operated across The Bahamas as community officers with limited judicial powers, often certifying documents, witnessing statements, and issuing warrants. But their role has long been criticised for lax oversight and inconsistent standards.

Under the new bill, the Attorney General will become the central authority over all JPs, responsible for handling affidavits, witness statements, and other legal documents, as well as overseeing disciplinary measures, complaints, and performance evaluations.

The Attorney General will also have the power to issue new regulations to modernise the system, including rules for electronic document verification and ethical conduct.

The bill seeks to professionalise the role through stricter eligibility requirements and mandatory training. Applicants must be Bahamian citizens aged between 30 and 70, of good character, fluent in English,

and free of criminal convictions. They must be nominated by at least three people and provide police certificates and references.

Once an application is received, the Attorney General must conduct due diligence, obtain a written “no objection” from the Chief Justice, and secure Cabinet approval before any appointment is made.

Before taking office, applicants must complete a training course approved by the Chief Justice and accredited by the National Accreditation and Equivalency Council of The Bahamas, then pledge to abide by a Code of Conduct. Appointments will last up to five years and may be renewed only after review

and reapplication.

Existing JPs will not be automatically grandfathered in. The bill says: “A person who, immediately before the commencement of this Act, was appointed as a Justice of the Peace, shall continue to be so appointed under this Act for a period of three years from the date of commencement of this Act.” It adds: “A person who, at the expiration of the period referred to in subsection (1), is desirous of being reappointed as a Justice of the Peace, shall make application in accordance with the provisions of this Act.” JPs will face tougher accountability measures. Complaints about their conduct can be filed with the Attorney General, who

may demand documents or records during investigations. They must also keep written logs of all official duties performed and face fines of up to $5,000 for failing to do so.

The bill explicitly limits JPs’ powers, making clear they cannot try cases, conduct preliminary inquiries, or perform marriage ceremonies unless separately registered as marriage officers. They are also forbidden from giving legal advice in their official capacity.

JPs will still have core duties such as issuing search warrants and summonses, taking recognisances for bail, administering oaths, witnessing affidavits, and attesting to voluntary written statements.

Appointments will be made by the Governor General, acting on the advice of the Attorney General. However, any JP charged with a serious offence or accused of conduct that brings the office into disrepute may be suspended pending the outcome of proceedings.

The Governor General may also remove a JP from the roll for misconduct, bankruptcy, providing services while suspended, or breaching the Code of Conduct.

The proposed legislation represents the most comprehensive reform of the office in years, aiming to restore public trust in a system that has long operated with little scrutiny or structure.

SWEETING TABLE S BILL EXPECTED TO BEGIN OVERHAUL OF BUILDING CODE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Davis administration has begun the first phase of a long-promised overhaul of The Bahamas Building Code, starting with new standards for public infrastructure and coastal defences designed to make the country more resilient to hurricanes and climate change.

Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs

Clay Sweeting yesterday tabled in the House of Assembly the Cabinet minute authorising the partial code update, along with the Mott MacDonald report that lays out detailed recommendations for modernising the nation’s construction standards.

The Cabinet decision, made on September 30, approved only those portions of the draft building code that apply to public works, while ordering

the consolidation of all amendments to the existing 2003 Building Code into a single reprint. The move marks the first step toward a full rewrite of national construction standards, a process supported by funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

According to the minute tabled by Mr Sweeting, Cabinet accepted the new Coastal Infrastructure Design Guidance Notes and Energy Guidance Notes produced under the project and directed that both be tabled in Parliament. Both were tabled yesterday. The minute also instructed the Office of the Attorney General to take immediate action to make the approved amendments legally effective.

Mr MacDonald’s 125page report outlines best practices for planning, designing, and maintaining coastal infrastructure, aiming to close gaps in the existing code.

It emphasises risk management, data reliability, and climate resilience across the full project lifecycle.

The document

projects by their potential consequences of

setting

Police testify in inquest that one of two guns found belonged to one of the victims in fatal boating crash

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

Pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A POLICE officer testi-

fied yesterday that one of two guns recovered from the scene of a fatal boating accident off Rose Island belonged to one of the deceased. Meanwhile, as a coroner’s inquest into the June 2024 tragedy continued, a pathologist told the court that both victims died from complications of drowning caused by head injuries.

Inspector Nikira Robinson gave evidence before Coroner Kara TurnquestDeveaux on the deaths of Adriel Rolle, 56, and Sean Laing, 51, who were killed on June 7, 2024, when their vessel struck a reef.

According to police reports, the 32-foot Concept boat had departed a marina bound for South Andros when it hit a reef near Rose Island, ejecting all three people on board. Officers were alerted to the crash around 9.30am.

The victims were later found by a passing vessel. The lone survivor, Julian Butler, a retired police reservist, was treated for head injuries. The boat reportedly sank while being towed back to New Providence.

Inspector Robinson said that the day after the crash, she logged two pistols, cash, and other personal belongings of the victims into police custody.

She said the weapons included a black 9mm Glock with ten rounds and a black Smith & Wesson 9mm with six rounds. Both firearms were privately licensed, one belonging to Butler and the other to Laing.

Inspector Robinson said she handed the weapons over to the Scenes of Crime Unit for further investigation.

Pathologist Dr Kiko Bridgewater testified that he conducted autopsies on both men on June 12, 2024, after they were identified

by their sister and daughter, respectively. He concluded that both died from head injuries complicating drowning.

Dr Bridgewater said Rolle had a history of coronary artery disease and suffered a contusion to the top of his head, an eightinch laceration on the right side of his scalp, and abrasions to his forehead, chest, shoulder, hands, wrists, thigh, and left foot. He also noted haemorrhaging in the neck and hyperinflated lungs, consistent with drowning, and said Rolle’s left thumb was nearly amputated.

He said Laing had a twoinch laceration to the back of his scalp from blunt force trauma, a fractured skull, brain haemorrhaging, and a contusion to the frontal lobe. His lungs were heavier than normal. Dr Bridgewater added that Laing had abrasions on his left cheek and shoulder, multiple broken ribs, a fractured sternum, and lung contusions.

Photographs of the deceased taken at the morgue showed bloodshot eyes, which Dr Bridgewater said were signs of drowning. He noted that the glazing of the eyes was due to the time elapsed between death and the photograph.

Dr Bridgewater told the court that both men were likely rendered unconscious before they drowned. He said it was possible they could have survived their injuries had they been out of the water, explaining that while the wounds were not fatal on their own, immersion made them deadly.

He confirmed that no debris was found on the victims’ bodies and that neither had leg injuries.

In response to a question from the coroner about Rolle’s health, Dr Bridgewater said it was possible Rolle suffered a heart event that contributed to the accident. Angelo Whitfield served as the evidence marshal.

protection standards for critical infrastructure such as energy facilities and population centres. It

also calls for stronger data collection and sharing to improve design reliability and urges developers and planners to balance safety, environmental sustainability, and cost.

The move to amend the country’s building code, long considered one of the strongest in the world, followed Hurricane Dorian in 2019, which caused an estimated $.487 billion impact on the housing sector in Abaco and Grand Bahama.

The building code was first introduced in 1971 and updated several time since, most recently in 2003. Experts have highlighted inconsistent enforcement and compliance with the building code.

Last year, Mr Sweeting said proposed Building Regulation Act amendments will introduce independent inspectors, registered architects, and engineers to assist with inspections.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter Pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to breaking into a church on Rupert Dean Lane last week. Prosecutors said 37-yearold Anwar Fernander broke into the One Way Holiness Church between October 7 and 8, damaging a steel door valued at $732.77. He pleaded guilty to shop-breaking and damage before Magistrate Abigail Farrington, who sternly admonished him for the offence. Fernander was sentenced to two years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Assistant Superintendent of Police K. Bould prosecuted the case.

MEN GET S TWO YEAR S PRI S ON FOR BREAKING INTO A CHURCH P OSSESSION OF LOADED GUN GET S M AN TWO YEARS JAIL SENTENCE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter Pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 26-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting to having a loaded gun inside a business on East Bay Street early Sunday morning. Police said Kyle Brown was found with a grey and black Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol and six rounds of ammunition around 3am on October 12. He pleaded guilty to possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley. Brown was sentenced to two years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Inspector Deon Barr prosecuted the case.

EMMANUELA POLIDOR AND HER MOTHER KETLYNE FERDINAND

classifies coastal

failure,

stricter

MINISTER of Works and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting speaks in the House of Assembly on yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

Journalists return access badges and exit Pentagon over new reporting rules

NEW YORK Associated Press

DOZENS of reporters turned in access badges and exited the Pentagon on Wednesday rather than agree to governmentimposed restrictions on their work, pushing journalists who cover the American military further from the seat of its power. The nation’s leadership called the new rules “common sense” to help regulate a “very disruptive” press.

News outlets were nearly unanimous in rejecting new rules imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that would leave journalists vulnerable to expulsion if they sought to report on information — classified or otherwise — that had not been approved by Hegseth for release.

Many of the reporters waited to leave together at a 4 pm deadline set by the Defense Department to get out of the building. As the hour approached, boxes of documents lined a Pentagon corridor and reporters carried chairs, a copying machine, books and old photos to the parking lot from suddenly abandoned workspaces. Shortly after 4, about 40 to 50 journalists left together after handing in badges.

“It’s sad, but I’m also really proud of the press corps that we stuck together,” said Nancy Youssef, a reporter for The Atlantic who has had a desk at the Pentagon since 2007. She took a map of the Middle East out to her car.

It is unclear what practical impact the new rules will have, though news organizations vowed they’d continue robust coverage of the military no matter the vantage point.

Images of reporters effectively demonstrating against barriers to their work are unlikely to move supporters of President Donald Trump, many of whom resent journalists and cheer his efforts to make their jobs harder. Trump has been involved in court fights against The New York Times, CBS News, ABC News, the Wall Street Journal and The Associated

Press in the past year. Trump supports the new rules

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump backed his defence secretary’s new rules. “I think he finds the press to be very disruptive in terms of world peace,” Trump said. “The press is very dishonest.” Even before issuing his new press policy, Hegseth, a former Fox News Channel host, has systematically choked off the flow of information. He’s held only two formal press briefings, banned reporters from accessing many parts of the sprawling Pentagon without an escort and launched investigations into leaks to the media. He has called his new rules “common sense” and said the requirement that journalists sign a document

outlining the rules means they acknowledge the new rules, not necessarily agree to them. Journalists see that as a distinction without a difference.

“What they’re really doing, they want to spoonfeed information to the journalist, and that would be their story. That’s not journalism,” said Jack Keane, a retired US Army general and Fox News analyst, said on Hegseth’s former network.

When he served, Keane said he required new brigadier generals to take a class on the role of the media in a democracy so they wouldn’t be intimidated and also see reporters as a conduit to the American public. “There were times when stories were done that made me flinch a little bit,” he said. “But that’s usually because we had done something that wasn’t as good as we

should have done it.”

Youssef said it made no sense to sign on to rules that said reporters should not solicit military officials for information. “To agree to not solicit information is to agree to not be a journalist,” she said. “Our whole goal is soliciting information.”

Reporting on US military affairs will continue — from a greater distance

Several reporters posted on social media when they turned in their press badges.

“It’s such a tiny thing, but I was really proud to see my picture up on the wall of Pentagon correspondents,” wrote Heather Mongilio, a reporter for USNINews, which covers the Navy. “Today, I’ll hand in my badge. The reporting will continue.”

Mongilio, Youssef and others emphasized that

they’ll continue to do their jobs no matter where their desks are. Some sources will continue to speak with them, although they say some in the military have been chilled by threats from Pentagon leadership.

In an essay, NPR reporter Tom Bowman noted the many times he’d been tipped off by people he knew from the Pentagon and while embedded in the military about what was happening, even if it contradicted official lines put out by leadership. Many understand the media’s role.

“They knew the American public deserved to know what’s going on,” Bowman wrote. “With no reporters able to ask questions, it seems the Pentagon leadership will continue to rely on slick social media posts, carefully orchestrated short videos and interviews with partisan commentators and

podcasters. No one should think that’s good enough.” The Pentagon Press Association, whose 101 members represent 56 news outlets, has spoken out against the rules. Organizations from across the media spectrum, from legacy organizations like The Associated Press and The New York Times to outlets like Fox and the conservative Newsmax, told their reporters to leave instead of signing the new rules. Only the conservative One America News Network signed on. Its management likely believes it will have greater access to Trump administration officials by showing its support, Gabrielle Cuccia, a former Pentagon reporter who was fired by OANN earlier this year for writing an online column criticizing Hegseth’s media policies, told the AP in an interview.

Leader of Madagascar’s MiL itary coup teLL s ap he is ‘taking the position of president’

ANTANANARIVO

Associated Press

THE leader of Madagascar’s military coup told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he is “taking the position of president” and that the armed forces would be in charge of the African island nation for up to two years before any elections are held.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who led the rebellion that ousted President Andry Rajoelina on Tuesday following weeks of youth-led protests, said in his first interview with a global news outlet since taking power that he expects to be sworn in as the country’s new leader in the next few days.

“There must be an oath-taking” to make his position official, Randrianirina said at his unit’s barracks while flanked by fellow officers. “We are staying here for at least 18 months, at most two years.” Randrianirina announced Tuesday that the armed forces were taking power in Madagascar, a sprawling country of about 30 million people off of Africa’s east coast that is the world’s leading vanilla producer and is known for its unique biodiversity. Since gaining independence from France in 1960, it also has a history of coups and political crises.

The latest military takeover capped weeks of protests against Rajoelina and his government

led by youth groups calling themselves “Gen Z Madagascar.” The protesters, who also included labour unions and civic groups, have demanded better government and job opportunities, echoing youth-led protests elsewhere in the world. Among other things, the Madagascar protesters have railed against chronic water and electricity outages, limited access to higher education, government corruption and poverty, which affects roughly three out of every four Madagascans, according to the World Bank. Although some suggest the military seized power on the backs of the civilian protesters, demonstrators

cheered Randrianirina and other soldiers from his elite CAPSAT unit as they triumphantly rode through the streets of the capital, Antananarivo, on Tuesday, with one protest leader telling the AP “the military is listening to us.”

The takeover was “an awakening of the people. It was launched by the youth. And the military supported us,” said the protest leader, Safika, who only gave one name as has been typical with the demonstrators. “We must always be wary, but the current state of affairs gives us reason to be confident.”

The protests reached a turning point Saturday when Randrianirina and

soldiers from his unit sided with the demonstrators calling for the president to resign. Rajoelina said he fled to an undisclosed country because he feared for his life.

Randrianirina explained that he is taking over as Madagascar’s head of state because the country’s High Constitutional Court invited him to do so in the absence of Rajoelina. He previously said the military had acted on behalf of the people and cast the coup as a move to “restore” the country.

“We had to take responsibility yesterday because there is nothing left in the country, no president, no president in the senate, no government,”

Randrianirina said. The colonel said the military leadership was “accelerating” the appointment of a new prime minister “so that the crisis in the country does not last forever.” He didn’t give an exact time frame for that to happen.

Rajoelina, who first came to power as a transitional leader in a 2009 military coup, was elected president in 2018 and reelected in 2023. He fired his government last month in an attempt to appease the protesters after a crackdown by security forces left 22 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to the United Nations. Rajoelina’s government disputed those figures.

The exiled Rajoelina, 51, has rejected the military takeover’s legitimacy.

But Randrianirina pushed back on that, telling the AP: “What is he saying is illegal? We have an order from the High Constitutional Court. We did not force the HCC or point a gun at it to issue this.”

Randrianirina’s claim that his authority to take over as president came from the country’s highest court seemed to contradict his announcement Tuesday that the military council that was taking power had suspended that court’s powers.

UN Secretary General António Guterres, meanwhile, is “deeply concerned by the unconstitutional change of power in Madagascar” and hopes all stakeholders there can “work together to reach a peaceful settlement to the ongoing crisis and its root causes,” his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said in a statement, noting that the UN will continue to work to “restore peace and stability in the country.”

Some analysts have described Madagascar’s youth movement as an expression of understandable grievances over government failures, and condemned the military takeover.

“Gen-Zers in Madagascar have been on the streets of the country protesting the lack of essential services, especially water and electricity, and the negative impact on their lives for almost a month,” said Olufemi Taiwo, professor of Africana studies at Cornell University. “This is a civil society uprising and its resolution should not involve the military.”

In a statement, Rajoelina’s office claimed that some of the high court’s judges had been threatened so they would sign off on the colonel’s ascendency. The African Union announced Wednesday that it had suspended Madagascar from its bodies with immediate effect “until constitutional order is restored in the country.” The group previously suspended several other member states after military coups, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.

MEMBERS of the Pentagon press corp carry their belongings out of the Pentagon after turning in their press credentials, yesterday in Washington.

Photo: Kevin Wolf/AP

CAPSAT military unit commander Colonel Michael Randrianirina during an interview with The Associated Press in Antananarivo, Madagascar, yesterday.

Photo: Brian Inganga

Bahamians receive recognition at National Honours award ceremony

THE GOVERNOR GENERAL Dame Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt presents Charity Armbrister-Mckenzie with the Distinguished Service Medal at National Honours Awards Ceremony on Tuesday.

Photos: Nikia Charlton

CHERYL Ann Laing receiving the Distinguished Service Medal.

BISHOP Clifton Alexander Cooper receiving the Distinguished Service Medal.

CORDELL Salathial Thompson receiving the Distinguished Service Medal.

DIEN Laurie Margaret Fountain-Bailey receiving the Distinguished Service Medal

DWAYNE Marty Fox receiving the Distinguished Service Medal.

Urban Renewal and Sister Sister hit the streets for cancer awareness

HUNDREDS of morning commuters along JFK Drive were met with a flurry of pink and a message of hope as Sister Sister joined forces with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

With pink ribbons, shirts, and good cheer, from 7-10am volunteers handed out hot breakfasts and fruit bags full of healthy snacks and materials promoting early detection as critical in the fight against breast cancer. Each bag included bottled water, fruit, a granola bar, breast cancer pins, and information on where to find help and screening services.

The event, coordinated by

Keith Bell, Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal, and Lisa Rahming, Minister of State, brought together Urban Renewal officers and community partners.

Senior Commissioner Stephen Dean of the Royal Bahamas Police Force invited Sister Sister to take part in the effort, recognising their work in providing assistance to women and families affected by breast cancer. From food assistance, to counseling, and the ports needed to administer chemotherapy, for 25 years Sister Sister has been a critical link for women diagnosed with the disease. For them the message is clear - diagnosis isn’t a death sentence. Through education on

self-examination, timely mammograms, and knowing when to seek medical advice and assistance, Sister Sister aims to lower both the rate of diagnosis and the number of women lost to the disease.

Urban Renewal and the Department of Housing unveiled a Memory Wall as part of the morning’s event. Featuring an open-frame butterfly, ministers and department heads pinned ribbons on the wings in remembrance of those who lost their battle. Members of the public will continue to add ribbons throughout October.

For more information, to volunteer, or to donate, visit www.sistersisterbahamas.

LISA Rahming with representatives from Bamboo Town Urban Renewal decked out in pink to raise awareness.

SISTER Sister representatives at the breast cancer memory wall set in tribute to those who lost the battle.

TEN YEARS OF CHARACTER DAY

CHARACTER Day

marks its tenth anniversary this year - with the theme “Joy is contagious - catch it, share it”.

The day was launched in 2015 by the PACE Foundation, which supports a programme for teen mothers.

Since then, it has empowered thousands of teachers, students, and employers, shaping a movement dedicated to nation-building.

Foundation president Claudette Rolle said: “Our objective is to nurture children who embody love and fairness. We are committed to ensuring that new mothers instill these vital values in their children.”

She also thanked the Templeton Foundation, noting, “Without their vital support, this programme simply would not exist.”

Over the years, Character

Day has expanded into schools nationwide, and four years ago, corporate Bahamas joined the movement.

This year’s activities included educators’ workshops in New Providence, Grand Bahama, and online for Family Island participants. A lively corporate luncheon workshop was also held at the Balmoral Club on October 1, with over 40 attendees.

Officially recognised on October 15, Character Day invites individuals, schools, businesses, and non-profits to host events promoting character development. The Hidden Heroes initiative spotlights unsung community members who exemplify outstanding character.

Kaylisa Kemp, the Family Islands representative for Grand Bahama, Bimini,

and the Berry Islands, reflected on the impact: “When we launched a decade ago, introducing character education was a challenge. But over the years, it has transformed students and colleagues alike. Many proudly wear their Character Day shirts and remember the lessons and songs they’ve learned.”

A teacher at St Thomas More School shared her

first workshop experience: “It was extraordinary! I learned so many creative ways to strengthen my students’ character — and my own. Simple actions like praying for others and sharing compliments can make a huge difference.”

At the Corporate Character Day (CCD) HR Professionals’ Luncheon session, titled “Called to Joy: Shaping Emotional

Culture as an HR Professional,” Verneca Ferguson, HR director at Dolphin Encounters, said: “Joy and resilience are essential to building strong teams. Small acts — recognition, gratitude, and genuine connection — create workplaces where people feel safe, valued, and motivated to give their best.”

The luncheon also featured Karen McCartney,

founder of Lord & George Consulting, who discussed how joy strengthens workplace trust and productivity. To support educators, Character Day Bahamas has introduced a new digital instructional resource available at www.characterdaybahamas.org. The site also provides downloadable resources and recordings from past Character Day events up to 2025.

ATTENDEES at the fourth annual Corporate Character Day HR Professionals’ Luncheon on October 1. Character Day Bahamas team members at the front wearing ‘Joy is Contagious’ T-shirts, from left, are Jemina Pratt-Rahming, CD Family Island Representative, Sonia Brown, Past President of the PACE Foundation with current president Claudette Rolle, and facilitator Sherrel Charlton, CCD lead. Photos: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry

TWO workshops were held in New Providence and one in Grand Bahama. Pictured are attendees with some of the CDB team. Front row, from left, Jemina Pratt-Rahming, CD Family Island Representative, and educator; seated are Dr Niambi Hall Campbell Dean, Dezree Taylor, Kaylisa Kemp, PACE Foundation president Claudette Rolle, Keffie Ann Ferguson, CD Family Island Representative, and Jewel Horton.

ANGOSTURA SHINES AT PARADISE PLATES

CARIBBEAN Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor welcomed guests at Paradise Plates with The House of Angostura.

The House of Angostura’s premium rum and bitters were available for attendees.

The Spiced Desire cocktail, crafted with Tamboo, featured a blend of all three Angostura bitters (Aromatic, Orange, and Cocoa)

while the Bananza mocktail offered a mix of banana purée and cocoa bitters. Desserts infused with Bitters were showcased. Citrus Kiss cake pops, made with orange bitters, and the Velvet Coco brownies, featuring cocoa bitters, were also available to taste.

For more updates on Caribbean Wines & Spirits’ new products, events and promotions, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today.

HONOURING THE HEROES OF OUR NATION AT CEREMONY

MORE than 500 people were celebrated for their achievements during the National Heroes Day Investiture of National Honours Ceremony 2025.

Due to the large number of honorees, three separate award ceremonies were held on Monday (observed as National Heroes Day)

at 10am and 4pm; and on Tuesday, at 4pm, at Baha

Mar Convention Centre. Pompey Rolle, who led a slave revolt in the fight for human rights and fair treatment on Exuma in 1830, was designated a “National Hero”.

Pompey headed the list of persons recognised for

their courage, hard work, determination, patriotism, heroism, and sacrifice in developing The Bahamas.

Prime Minister Philip Davis pointed out the common thread that wove the honourees together -that is, love of country and serving others.

“You all have one thing

in common. You chose service over self. You chose to give instead of take. You chose to make this country stronger, kinder, and more hopeful,” the Prime Minister said in his address at all three ceremonies.

Dame Cynthia Pratt, Governor General and Chancellor of the Societies of Honour, beamed with pride and enthusiasm as she presented each honouree a medal, during the ceremonies.

The National Honours categories are: Order of National Hero; Order of The Bahamas, Companion; Order of Excellence; Order of Distinction, Companion;

Order of Distinction, Officer; Order of Distinction, Member; Order of Lignum Vitae; Medals for Acts of Bravery; Order of Merit, Companion; Order of Merit, Officer; Order of Merit, Member; Governor General’s Award – Gold, Silver, and Bronze; and Distinguished Service Medal.