‘Stay on this course’: IDB hails Bahamas ‘remarkable’ progress
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas must “stay this course” to regain ‘investment grade’ status, a prominent businessman urged yesterday, after the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) hailed the country’s ”remarkable fiscal consolidation” and “fast growth” since emerging from COVID-19’s devastation.
• Sir Franklyn: Investment grade return ‘very achievable’
• Warns ‘partisan politics’ seeking to ‘distract’ from revival
• Bank warns on ‘fiscal fatigue’; debt $2bn above forecast
Bahamas’ post-COVID progress, he acknowledged that - while this nation is “not out of the woods” from either an economic or fiscal perspective - the collective message from the likes of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and credit rating agencies is that this country is “on the right path” and must “keep doing what you’re doing”.
The IDB, in a presentation dated November 19, 2025, said The Bahamas has enjoyed “a period of fast growth” since emerging from COVID-19 restrictions with tourism’s “momentum” - especially in the form of cruise passenger arrivals - continuing through this year after driving the post-pandemic revival.
Sir Franklyn Wilson, the Arawak Homes and Sunshine Holdings chairman, told Tribune Business that The Bahamas escaping its present ‘junk status with both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s is “very achievable” if the country maintains its present economic and fiscal policies that focus on sustaining higher growth and eliminating the Government’s annual Budget deficits.
Speaking after the IDB delivered an upbeat assessment of The
Long Island airport revamp too late for departing tour operator
By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
LONG Island’s multi-million dollar airport upgrade has come too late for one tour operator who is preparing to close his business and leave the island with his family due to limited tourism opportunities.
Chuck Fox, owner of 4K’s Adventure Tours in Long Island, yesterday told Tribune Business that - while he is cautiously optimistic about the recently-signed $10.9m contract for Deadman’s Cay ‘s new airport terminal - the slow pace of development has already inflicted a personal toll.
He added that Long Island’s tourism industry has struggled for multiple years due to limited visitor access to the island, and the long-standing delays in upgrading the airport have only worsened the problem. Describing the decision to leave as “heartbreaking”,
‘Full
Mr Fox said it is not a choice he wanted to make but one forced by the reality of slow economic activity and insufficient tourism infrastructure.
"I'm actually at a point, unfortunately, it's a very, very hard decision for me, but it's been extremely slow on the island. Last year was a slow season, it was the slowest season, and right now this season is starting out slow, too,” said Mr Fox. "So, unfortunately, with different factors, I have to be moving off the island again. Me and my family, we're actually moving in December, if everything goes as planned. If these things would have been already in place by now, and we had more people coming in, the economy would have been boosted and I wouldn't have had to do that, but unfortunately, right now…"
Mr Fox explained that the lack of adequate airlift,
steam ahead’: Realtor’s monthly closed sales record
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor
A BAHAMIAN realtor yesterday asserted it is “full steam ahead” for this nation’s property market after his company generated a monthly record with 49 sales completed in October 2025.
John Christie, HG Christie’s president, told Tribune Business that the firm will beat its traditional annual average of 400 real estate sales per year in 2025 as he described the 49 closings as a “wow” moment. He added that this exceeded its typical monthly completed sales average by between 32 and 63 percent.
“We usually do about between 30 to 37 a month; something like that, which is still really high, but being at 49… We sell around 400
listings a year, sales, every year, so that 49 it’s like ‘wow, look at that’,” Mr Christie confirmed.
“It’s good. It shows the market is still going and is full steam ahead, both international and domestic and across all the islands.
“It’s really nice to see that number come across in a month. It’s a record for
COMPLETED - See Page B6
Sir Franklyn, though, voiced misgivings that “partisan politics” is overshadowing The Bahamas’ recovery progress in the four years since the COVID-19 pandemic ended. He argued that the Opposition is seeking “to distract” from the “mounting evidence”, as supplied by the IMF and IDB, that the economy is performing because it has “no case” to suggest it will do better.
The presentation by Dr Jose Luis Saboin, which Tribune Business understands was given to a group of Bahamian business leaders and private sector executives, also praised this nation’s post-COVID fiscal consolidation as “remarkable” amid the Davis administration’s forecasts that it will generate a $75.5m Budget surplus, equal to 0.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), for the first time in Bahamian
history in the current 2025-2026 fiscal year. The Bahamas was shown as enjoying the “third highest reduction” in its debt-to-GDP ratio in the Caribbean post-COVID, having cut this from around 100 percent in June 2021 to 75.4 percent exactly four years later. A significant part of the improvement, though, was driven by the economy’s post-COVID reflation although smaller deficits, and thus
‘Game changer’: Loan facility paves way for $1bn blue carbon bond
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas blue carbon credits “game changer” yesterday received a significant boost from a $25m financing designed to pave the way for a potential $1bn capital raise within the next 12 months.
Anthony Ferguson, CFAL’s president, told Tribune Business that the credit facility arranged by ArtCap Strategies, a boutique investment house that focuses on capital-raising deals in Latin America and the Caribbean, will fund the mapping and scientific validation of The Bahamas’ ocean-based carbon ‘sinks’ such as seagrass meadows and mangrove forests.
• $25m raised to fund ‘blue’ asset validation
• And open door to new financing sources
• CFAL chief: Chance to form ‘new industry’
The investment banker, who has spearheaded the Government’s drive to “monetise” this nation’s ‘blue economy’ assets, explained that - once the amount of carbon removed from the atmosphere by these natural features is verified - The Bahamas will seek to place between a $500m to $1bn “blue
carbon bond” with international investors with the proceeds set to be drawn down over a five-year period.
Mr Ferguson told this newspaper that the funds generated “cannot be used for any political whim” but, rather, will be directed towards The Bahamas’ achieving multiple key United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals in areas such as climate change, economic growth and “decent work”, healthcare, resilient infrastructure, and environmental protection and remediation on both land and air.
Speaking after the transaction with ArtCap Strategies was formally unveiled, the CFAL chief confirmed a Bloomberg Business News report that the credit facility raised from investors is worth $25m and there are plans for The Bahamas to seek up to $1bn in blue carbon-based financing within the next year. Mr Ferguson, who is also a director of Carbon Management Ltd, the entity formed to manage the monetisation of The Bahamas’ blue economy assets, and in which the Government holds a 49 percent ownership interest, also affirmed that the $25m loan will fund the
Liquor vendors need ‘compelling reason’ to be near school, church
By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net
THE Department of Inland Revenue (DIR) has confirmed it will delay enforcement of new liquor licensing regulations until April 1, 2026, while warning bars and retailers to provide “compelling reasons” why they should be allowed to operate near schools and churches.
The Government’s tax collection agency, which will be responsible for administering and enforcing the new liquor regulatory regime, in messaged replies to Tribune Business inquiries said business owners whose premises were present in an area before a school or church was developed nearby will be allowed to plead their case.
“Unfortunately, there are far too many liquor establishments that are located in restricted areas,” the Department of
Inland Revenue said. “In fairness to those that have been in operation prior to the establishment of a neighbouring school or church, they will be given the opportunity to show compelling and satisfactory reasons as to why the Certificate of Registration should be granted. They will also have to show a proven track record of compliance with all relevant laws and regulations with no formal complaints relative to public disturbances.”
George Robinson Junior, owner of Base Road Wholesale Bar, said policies such as a liquor store’s proximity to a residential neighbourhood, school or place of worship are not new but were not being enforced, which has led to an over-saturation of alcohol vendors and sources. For this reason, he suggested the Government meet liquor establishments half-way
By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
AN EXUMA tour operator yesterday asserted that the Government’s decision to offer $10,000 vacation rental grants has worsened Exuma’s housing shortage and made it difficult for businesses to recruit workers from other islands.
Rebecca Lightbourn, manager at Exuma Water Sports, said: “The housing is a struggle here. We - even as business owners - struggle to find quality employees because we can’t look at other islands to bring people in, because people have a tough time getting here.
She criticised the Government’s approach to
providing grants for converting unused spaces into Airbnb rentals, saying the policy worsened the shortage of long-term affordable housing for workers. “I do think there was a mistake late last year, or early this year, when Sandals closed and the Government, they came in and said, ‘We are going to be providing grants for people to make up that room shortage by converting your unused places to Airbnb.’ At the time it should have been, ‘If you want, you know, $10,000 or whatever put toward longterm rentals, we will help you do that’,” she added. Ms Lightbourn said Exuma cannot compete with high-end vacation rentals when workers need
stable, family-friendly accommodations.
“We in Exuma cannot; we can’t compete with these luxury home rentals and hotels that people want. What we do need are really good employees that sometimes need to come from Abaco or Nassau or Long Island, and they need to bring families. And they need decent housing,” said Ms Lightbourn.
Exuma tour operators believe the $100m redevelopment of Sandals Emerald Bay into a family-oriented Beaches resort will be a major boost for the island’s economy.
Ms Lightbourn said operators are eager to see Beaches Exuma open after more than a year without Sandals’ presence on the island.
She said the resort has long been the most powerful economic engine for local businesses, and the loss of its guests was felt across multiple sectors - from excursions to restaurants to transportation, even as Exuma continued to experience strong overall growth.
“We are very excited. We worked with Four Seasons back when they had families, and then we adjusted our business model when Sandals became couples-only. We were very fortunate that, being partnered with Sandals, our business did grow dramatically,” said Ms Lightbourn.
“And so, obviously, it was - I won’t say it was devastating, because overall the island itself has grown so much in the last 10 years,
particularly the last five. But, of course, we do miss Sandals’ presence on the island for sure.”
Ms Lightbourn said her company began preparing months ago once Sandals confirmed plans to rebrand Emerald Bay as a family-oriented Beaches resort.
She added that the shift back to a family market will require adjustments for many tour operators, who have spent more than a decade catering to a couples-only clientele. Still, she said the industry has long anticipated the return of a major family resort brand and has been quietly reshaping products and staff to meet that demand.
“Once Sandals made that announcement a while ago, that they were going to do the rebranding, we began
Exuma taxi drivers seeking new Sandals-type contract
By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter
SANDALS Emerald
Bay’s $100m transformation into a Beaches-branded resort may gave Exuma taxi drivers a much-needed boost through contracts for airport arrivals and guest departures, one argued yesterday.
Robin Thompson, who previously asserted that the growing number of rental cars has contributed to a significant decline in business for Exuma taxi operators, said negotiating firm contracts with Beaches management will create work for taxi drivers. He added that if taxi operators are contracted to conduct airport pick-ups and departures, they would “be successful in some ways”.
“Well, with the Beaches situation, it might be a little bit different,” Mr Thompson said. “According to the contract proposals, and if it is signed as we anticipate it will be, like it was at Sandals, the taxi drivers who are under the company's umbrella will be able to do the arrivals and departures.
“The guests will, if they want to rent a car, will rent it at the hotel and return it at the same spot. So it would not interfere with the departure and arrival activity, hopefully. So, we are hopeful that we would
have almost the same type of agreement, which we had with Sandals, in terms of arrivals and departures. It could be significantly different in terms of amounts of persons per party, but we will still be able to be successful in some ways.”
Mr Thompson adding that it’s “fair game for everybody”, as while some tourists choose to rent vehicles during their stay others prefer to be chauffeured.
“Some people will rent a car,” he said. “And then some guests, they prefer to be chauffeured, and then also for them to have a tour guide. Rental cars don't speak. So the information that is to be shared about our islands, you can get it live and direct from a cab driver.”
Prime Minister Philip Davis KC, during last week’s Heads of Agreement signing for the $100m first phase redevelopment of Sandals Emerald Bay into the Beaches brand, said the transformation will unfold over the next 24 months. Mr Thompson said taxi drivers will still have job opportunities through workers
brought in to help with the construction.
“We anticipate once the work begins, that we will not see any touristic arrivals like that within the 12 to 15-month period,” Mr Thompson said. “We will be prepared for that. That’s without question, because they certainly have to do some work at that resort. But there will be some work opportunities because Beaches will have to have workers come in to do the work. And those will also be opportunities for employment by our cab drivers. He added that taxi drivers are “hopeful” that, once given the opportunity to negotiate, Beaches will engage them because they’re “just ready to do some work”. Mr Thompson said the resort will bring a much-needed boost to Exuma’s economy and enhance the lives of workers on the island.
Robert Thompson, proprietor of Robert’s Island Adventures, a tour boat company based in Exuma, said taxi drivers are the biggest group of impacted
persons since Sandals’ closure in August last year.
“The problem where Exuma’s suffering is the taxi drivers,” Robert Thompson said. “It's hard on them because there's so much
rentals and a lot of these Airbnbs. So, the taxi drivers really depended on Sandals because they had contracts with Sandals, so they the ones really being affected by it.”
to position ourselves to be more ready for families,” said Ms Lightbourn.
She added that the island now attracts large family groups staying in expansive vacation homes, many of which “sleep 14, 16, even 20 people,” creating a strong existing base for family-focused excursions and activities.
“We’re excited and looking forward to it. We’ll have to work hard for the next year to make up for that extended period of time they were closed, but overall, we can’t wait until they’re here,” Ms Lightbourn said.
She added that the major concern for visitors and local operators remains the high cost and limited frequency of flights into Exuma.
“Airlift seems to be the number one issue that we regularly hear; how much it costs people to get here. And so, yes, we know that we are in dire need of more airlift, more frequent airlift, but also more affordable airlift,” Mr Lightbourn said.
While praising the number of tourists and job opportunities the resort will bring to Exuma, Robert Thompson said he is not looking to negotiate a contract with Beaches. He said he will not commit himself only to the resort, adding that he is “open all the way around.”
‘Drum beat of support’ that Bahamas ‘on the right path’
RECOVERY - from page B1
a reduced rate of national debt growth, played its part. Amid the positives, Dr Saboin noted that The Bahamas’ debt has continued to increase alongside the expansion of tax and other government revenue income. This means that increased taxes have been used to finance the Government’s and public sector’s continued growth, rather than necessarily paying down debt, while interest payments on these liabilities have increased at a faster pace than revenues.
The IDB presentation, which calculated that hurricanes damages/losses and COVID-19 caused primary Budget deficits and the national debt to exceed forecasts by the equivalent of 12.7 percent of GDP over the past decade, warned that The Bahamas “might be exposed to fiscal fatigue” - a condition where a country loses the ability and will
to maintain its fiscal consolidation strategy.
Based on current Budget figures, 12.7 percent of GDP is equal to $1.918bn or just shy of a $2bn blow that has been inflicted on The Bahamas and the Government’s finances by a succession of storms over the past ten years - Joaquin in 2015, Matthew in 2016, Irma in 2017 and Dorian in 2019 - plus COVID-19. Dr Saboin’s materials said that while the Government’s fiscal targets “look ambitious”, they are now at the point of “stabilising” its position.
“The fact of the matter is there is such strong independent validation that something good is happening in The Bahamas,” Sir Franklyn told Tribune Business of the IDB assessment. “This is independent validation. This is not just people talking stuff.
“What we have here, the IDB report is being supported by other people; the rating agencies and the IMF. One big Canadian bank
Blue carbon proceeds to fund sustainable development goals
CAPITAL - from page B1
company’s mapping and validation of this nation’s natural assets plus the amount of carbon they extract and recycle.
This a key step before The Bahamas can even think of structuring, and issuing, ‘blue carbon’ credits, and Mr Ferguson said Carbon Management Ltd now has all the necessary financing to complete this task. “We started the whole mapping exercise about a year to year-and-a-half ago,” he explained to Tribune Business.
“We have mapped a couple of [seagrass and mangrove] plots already. There are 30 plots to be mapped. We are going to go through and do all the plots and, hopefully, in 12 months we can go through how
many carbon sink areas there are and, after that, look to begin monetising those assets.
“This will also set the baseline from which to measure going forward,” said Mr Ferguson of the initiative that the $25m facility will fund. “We’ve seen a lot of degradation of the seagrass over the last ten years, so once we can map everything and set the baseline we can do remediation.
“This is like the final… this takes us to the level where we can begin monitoring, oversight and put in place legislation to protect certain areas where there is run-off and quantify the carbon available for verification. This is very significant for us.”
The size and value of The Bahamas’ blue carbon sinks, which remove carbon
NOTICE
GREEN BROTHERS CORP.
Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Registration number 212025 B (In Voluntary Liquidation)
Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 24th day of November A.D. 2025.
Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is Mr. Nei Scariot, whose address is Rua Chiquinho Afonso 210, LOTE 18, QDSD, CEP: 79420-000, Camapua, MS, Brazil. Any Persons having a Claim against the above-named Company are required on or before the 25th day of December A.D. 2025 to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they may be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such claim is proved.
Dated this 24th day of November A.D. 2025.
NEI SCARIOT LIQUIDATOR
N O T I C E
IN THE ESTATE OF JAMES LANG (a.k.a. JAMES DAVID LANG) late of West Mead Township, Crawford County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, one of the States in the United States of America, deceased.
NOTICE is hereby given that all persons having any claim or demand against the above Estate are required to send the same duly certified in writing to the Undersigned on or before 29 December 2025, after which date the Administrator will proceed to distribute the assets having regard only to the claims of which he shall then have had notice. AND NOTICE is hereby also given that all persons indebted to the said Estate are requested to make full settlement on or before the date hereinbefore mentioned.
DELANEY PARTNERS
Attorneys for the Administrator
Chambers
P. O. Box CB-13007 5th Floor Lyford Cay House Western Road, Lyford Cay New Providence, The Bahamas
(Royal Bank of Canada)
had a roadshow with a few dozen business people recently. They said the same thing. Everyone is saying the same thing, which is that the economy of this country has had a remarkable turnaround in the last four years.
“The key point is we are not out of the woods, but if we stay this course the return to ‘investment’ grade standing is very achievable. That’s the simple message that basically all people are saying, and the evidence continues to mount from so many different sources.”
Sir Franklyn, though, argued that the Government has not received due credit for its economic and fiscal policies due to “partisan politics”. He asserted: “The country is so divided that those who see everything through a political lens; there’s too many positives not to see good news.
“When Hubert Ingraham was prime minister he said something which was so true: ‘Good news for the country is bad news for the Opposition.’ When you are in Opposition and the country is doing well, what is your case? When you have
dioxide from the world’s atmosphere, have to be verified by independent bodies such as Verra before they can be monetised and converted into carbon credits.
Prime Minister Philip Davis KC revealed in 2022 that Carbon Management Ltd would be charged with raising the $50m-$60m required to map all The Bahamas’ blue carbon assets such as seagrass.
Mr Ferguson, yesterday confirming that the figures cited by Bloomberg are accurate, said the “multiples” on the $25m credit facility would be between 10 times’ to 40 times’ once the “blue carbon bond” is launched and placed. “We hope within the many months, we hope to issue a blue carbon bond” based on the value of these verified assets,” he added.
“It [the bond proceeds] would be drawn down over a period of five years, so it would not all be drawn down at once. Between
no case, you have to find,
create a case, and that’s what’s happening in the country today. The Opposition has no case in terms of the performance of the economy.
“Let’s put it this way: The case is not favourable to them.. When you have a country where your basic thing is ‘we can do better’, you have a problem. You have to look for evidence that the current guys are doing bad and we can do better,” the Arawak Homes chairman said.
“But when all the these agencies, independent agencies, are unanimous in their view that the current guys are doing OK, it then puts a burden on those in Opposition. So what you do is that you’ve got to find something to distract. That’s just a function of the division in this country. That’s just the way it is.”
Prime Minister Philip Davis KC has previously acknowledged that not all Bahamians are feeling the benefits and enjoying an improved economy, especially given the postCOVID ‘cost of living’ crisis, and that the Government has more work to do
$500m to $1bn is the expectation. We have to continue to monitor, to make sure the carbon is still there and still good etc. We are basically going to have a new industry developed out of this.
“We’re going to need divers, we’re going to need scientists, we’re going to need boat captains, people who fly drones and create a massive new industry. And, in partnership hopefully with the University of The Bahamas, we will get young scientists interested in this field. There’s a huge opportunity here for us.”
As for how the proceeds generated by The Bahamas’ monetising its ‘blue economy’ assets will be used, Mr Ferguson told Tribune Business: “These will be earmarked for the 10-15 sustainable development goals that the Government has articulated. It will be healthcare, climate infrastructure, education. These funds will be earmarked.
PUBLIC NOTICE
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL
The public is hereby advised that I, SHARLENE BIEN-AIME of Prince Charles Drive, Pine Barren Road, P.O. Box CR-56501, Nassau, Bahamas intend to change my name to NEVAEH IRINA ISRAEL. If there are any objections to challenge the name by deed poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, The Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.
NOTICE
Move.O Ltd.
Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas registered in the Register of Companies under the registration number 210066 B. (In Voluntary Liquidation)
Notice is hereby given that the liquidation and the winding up of the Company is complete and the Company has been struck off the Register of Companies maintained by the Registrar General.
Dated this 24th day of November A.D. 2025.
OTÁVIO UMADA LIQUIDATOR
NOTICE
Gold Lion Corporation Ltd. In Voluntary Liquidation
Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, Gold Lion Corporation Ltd. is in dissolution as of November 17, 2025.
International Liquidator Services Ltd. situated at 3rd Floor Whitfield Tower, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator.
LIQUIDATOR
in this area. However, Sir Franklyn called on Bahamians to “differentiate between political jargon and economic analysis” on The Bahamas’ political and economic outlook.
“On the basis of economic analysis, the fact of the matter is there’s this wide consensus, this drum beat of support, for this notion that the Government is doing well in economic terms. That’s the result of analysis, it’s not the result of political jargon,” he added.
“We are not yet at the target of ‘investment’ grade. There’s one more step to go. The drum beat of support from international analysis is saying: ‘Stay this course, keep doing what you’re doing, you’re on the right path. That is the message for the country. Don’t conflate this with partisan politics. This is what independent people are saying.”
Sir Franklyn asserted that escaping ‘junk’ status, and returning to investment grade with Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s (S&P), is “critically, critically, critically, critically important” for The Bahamas as it will make interest payments
They cannot be used for any political whim or fancy at all.
“It’s significant. It’s a game changer for us. The Government spends its capital budget, several hundred million every year, because of damage due to climate change and remediating the environment. We have had a lot of economic development where the infrastructure put in place has impacted the environment.”
ArtCap Strategies, in announcing the $25m credit facility, said the proceeds will “capitalise” an entity called Carbon Credit (SWF) Ltd. This is a Bahamas-domiciled special purpose vehicle (SPV) that will “hold The Bahamas’ carbon certificates” and be managed/overseen by Carbon Management Ltd. It added that the SPV will “support the country’s strategy to develop, certify and monetise its vast blue carbon assets, positioning The Bahamas as a global leader in ocean-based climate finance”.
The Government has previously asserted that The Bahamas is home to the world’s largest seagrass meadow resource, and ArtCap Strategies said:
“The [SPV] will use proceeds from the facility to finance the initial stages of the Bahamas blue carbon programme, including ecosystem mapping, scientific validation and the establishment of carbon baselines…
“This initial investment serves as a catalyst for conservation and sustainable growth, protecting critical coastal ecosystems while unlocking a scalable, revenue-generating model that supports The Bahamas’ broader development agenda. Over the next five years, the country is expected to generate substantial revenues from
on the Government’s debt cheaper for taxpayers while also improving the country’s access to financing. And it will also make The Bahamas more attractive for domestic and foreign direct investment (FDI).
“It changes your world when you are investment grade because the process of evaluation changes,” the Arawak Homes chairman said. “Investment grade means people can invest in your instruments, debt instruments, with less process and they’re cheaper. The implications are tremendously favourable.
“So the key is to get back to investment grade, and this drum beat of support is saying you are on the way, you are on the way, so keep it up. That’s what the message is saying. That’s the way I interpret it.” Mr Davis has previously unveiled ambitions to restore The Bahamas’ ‘investment grade’ status by 2028-2029. However, The Bahamas still remains three notches away from escaping so-called ‘junk’ status with S&P and Moody’s.
the sale of high-integrity blue carbon credits derived from the conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows -ecosystems estimated to represent 41 percent of the world’s known seagrass coverage and sequester a substantial amount of carbon annually.
“The resulting revenues will not only reinforce The Bahamas’ climate resilience and biodiversity objectives, but will also fund investments in infrastructure, social development and community programmes, creating a lasting link between environmental stewardship and national prosperity.”
ArtCap Strategies described the initiative as “a defining milestone in the country’s effort to build a resilient, low-carbon economy” and for unlocking nature-based wealth.
“This transaction exemplifies how innovative financial structures can mobilise private capital toward high-impact climate initiatives,” said Antonio Navarro, managing partner of ArtCap Strategies. “The Bahamas’ blue carbon programme is setting a global precedent for how natural assets can be transformed into sustainable sources of national development financing. We are proud to have supported Carbon Management Ltd and the Government in bringing this visionary initiative to fruition.”
“Blue carbon development is not only a climate imperative - it is a generational opportunity for The Bahamas,” said Mr Ferguson. “Through this facility, we are turning our natural capital into a sustainable source of financing for national development, social programmes and climate resilience.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that JANICE ROSEMARIE CARPENTER of Lyford Cay, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 18th day of November, 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that DIONICIO DE JESUS DE JESUS FERMIN of Davis Street, 67 Oakes Field, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 25th day of November, 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.
CHAMBER ELECTS
NEW CHAIRMAN AND BOARD
THE Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers' Confederation (BCCEC) has elected a new Board and chairman to serve a two-year term.
The private sector advocacy group, in a statement, said Don Williams of Island Run Bahamas was elected chairman to succeed Summit Insurance chief, Timothy Ingraham. The vote took place at the Chamber’s annual general meeting (AGM) and Board of Directors election on November 20, 2025.
Mr. Williams has served on the Chamber Board since 2021, holding the post of treasurer for two years before being elected
vice-chairman in 2023. The executive committee now features Mr Williams; vice-chairman Keith Roye (Plato Alpha), who also joined the Board in 2021; secretary Charnette Thompson (Cable Bahamas), who was re-elected from the previous executive committee; treasurer Kendra Culmer (Commonwealth Bank), who was also re-elected; and Mr Ingraham as immediate past chairman. Chamber directors also elected ten directors, including eight new member. They are Carlyle Bethel (Doctor’s Hospital); Derwin Higgs (Dilly Tree Consulting); Jamaal Davis (SMB Network Consultants);
NEW PROVIDENCE DEVELOPMENT TO HOST FIRST-EVER HOME EXPO
A REAL estate brokerage has announced The Bahamas Home Expo’s launch this coming Saturday at the Windsor Lakes development in south-western New Providence.
Organisers, in a statement, said the event is designed to showcase the best in Bahamian living, homebuilding, design and lifestyle. They added that 400 persons have already confirmed their attendance along with nearly 30 exhibitors from multiple industries.
Ryan Knowles, chief executive at MAISON Bahamas, came up with the idea for the Expo as an allin-one platform that brings together home buyers, builders, suppliers, service providers and community partners.
MAISON Bahamas serves as the exclusive brokerage for Windsor Lakes, the venue for the Expo. It will be held on Saturday, November 29, from 10am
to 4pm at the development under construction on Adelaide Road.
Organisers said the nearly 30 exhibitors come from the real estate, construction, finance, design, technology, lifestyle and home services industries.
“The Bahamas Home Expo was created to bring people togetherbuyers, builders, businesses and innovators - all in one place,” said Mr Knowles.
“Our goal is to elevate the conversation around home ownership, showcase the incredible talent within our local industries, and provide a meaningful, inspiring experience for anyone looking to build, buy or enhance their home.
The community tours will give people their very first look at what’s taking shape at Windsor Lakes.”
The Expo will feature interactive displays, consultations, design inspirations, technology showcases and live demonstrations.
NOTICE is hereby given that QUERBIN ANTONIO DOMINGUEZ DIAZ of Davis Street, 67 Oakes Field, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 25th day of November, 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.
Ethan Quant (Lifestyles Digital Media Group); Nadene Charlton (Nassau Cruise Port); Patrice Adderley (We Buy U-Sell Group Company); Terez Simmons (Baker Tilly Bahamas); and Tristen Hanna (Safe Point Specialists). Two returning and experienced directors, Peter Goudie (PGHR Consulting) and Joan Dilworth (Joan Dilworth Counsel and attorney-at-Law) complete the Board.
Chamber members also ratified a permanent seat on the Board for the Small Business Development
Centre (SBDC), which will be filled by Samantha Rolle in her capacity as executive director.
Mr Williams said:
“The work continues. We stand on a strong legacy of leaders past that has set a great foundation. During my tenure, we will focus on community initiatives, business engagement, strengthening corporate partnerships and sustainability to enhance the services we provide. I have every confidence in our dynamic team to get the job done.”
WINDSOR LAKES NAMES EXCLUSIVE SALES BROKER
A BAHAMIAN real estate firm says it has been appointed as the exclusive sales brokerage for the Windsor Lakes development in south-western New Providence.
“We are thrilled to take the helm as the exclusive brokerage for Windsor Lakes,” said Ryan Knowles, founder and chief executive of MAISON Bahamas. “This community represents the new standard for contemporary island living, and our team is energised to showcase its value to local and international buyers. We look forward to delivering a world class sales experience that matches the quality of this exceptional development.”
As exclusive broker, MAISON will lead the sales strategy, marketing, promotional campaigns, on-site engagement and client relations for the Windsor Lakes project.
“MAISON brings an elevated level of strategy, service and market insight that aligns perfectly with what we’re building at Windsor Lakes,” said Ryan Winters, project sales manager. “Buyers are looking for communities that deliver long-term value and a lifestyle they can be proud of. With MAISON steering the sales programme, we’re confident Windsor Lakes will exceed expectations.”
The offering includes a collection of home sites
Mr Roye added: “I am pleased to continue offering my expertise and time to advance the mission and vision of the BCCEC. This role allows me to focus on institutional capacity building and promoting commerce across The Bahamas.”
Mr Ingraham said:
“This year’s overwhelming nominations reflect the Chamber’s growing visibility and community engagement. Some of my proudest achievements include re-establishing the National Conclave of
and customisable residences designed to appeal to investors, first-time home owners and families seeking modern community living in a secure, amenity-rich environment.
Chambers of Commerce and launching the Young Professionals Society. I leave the Chamber in capable hands to continue the great work we’ve started.”
Dr Leo Rolle, the Chamber’s chief executive, added: “We have led trade missions, shaped national conversations, influenced policy and advocated on behalf of our members. I look forward to continuing this work with the same vigour and commitment under the new Board to support the ease of doing business in The Bahamas.”
“Windsor Lakes will be one of the most exciting communities to watch in 2026,” Mr Knowles added. “We’re committed to helping buyers see the longterm value and lifestyle opportunity here.”
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Established technology company based in Nassau is seeking candidates for the position of Network Administrator.
Ability to work effectively within a team, along with good oral and written communication skills are important. Minimum of five years’ experience with ability to deploy, configure, maintain and monitor all active network equipment in order to ensure smooth network operation. 2-5 years of working with Windows Server 2008 and up, supporting Exchange Server 2013 and up and O365/Hosted Exchange, strong Windows 7 & 10 desktop support. Knowledge of VMware ESXi and Cisco routing and switching a plus.
Must have your own transportation. Please send responses to resourcesit2@gmail.com
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that DARIO REYEZ DOMINGUEZ of Davis Street, 67 Oakes Field, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 25th day of November, 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that GUINSON SANON of Windsor Lane, off East Street, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 18th day of November, 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.
NOTICE is hereby given that HERIBERT ALEXANDRE of #181 Sappodilla Road, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that JOSE VERDALINE BEAUCHAMPS of South Beach, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 18th day of November 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that DIEUNIDE ST. FLEUR NICOLAS of P.O. Box GT 2183, Cowpen Road, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 25th day of November, 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.
NOTICE
of P.O. Box SB 51520 #3 Cedar Street, Pinewood Gardens, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 18th day of November 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
DON WILLIAMS Chamber Chairman KEITH ROYE Vice-Chairman
Lack of opportunity drives Long Island depopulation
PROGRESS - from page B1
limited flights and logistical challenges have made it difficult for businesses like his to attract visitors and maintain a sustainable operation, ultimately affecting both his income and his family’s ability to stay on Long Island. He added that this is part of a broader trend on Long Island, where residents and returning locals are leaving due to a lack of progress and economic opportunities. For many, the situation has worsened
over time, prompting them to relocate once again in search of better possibilities elsewhere.
"There's a lot of people on the island moving away, people who came back home just like me. They've been here for a couple years, and it really wasn't nothing changing on the island. It's just getting worse and worse. So they had to leave again. That's what we dealing with up here," said Mr Fox.
"I've been doing the taxi and tour stuff for about three years now. When
HG Christie chief says October ‘wow’ moment
COMPLETED - from page B1
us.” Mr Christie was quick to affirm that the number did not mean HG Christie and its agents had sealed 49 separate real estate deals during October, as it represented completed - and not contracted - sales.
The time typically required to complete real estate deals in The Bahamas can often extend well beyond 90 days to six months or even longer, and Mr Christie said the 49 completed transactions would have included sales contracts/agreements signed two, five or many more months prior.
“It just happened that they all came together,” he added. “We will definitely be above that [400 completed sales] this year
for sure. The volumes are already higher than last year today. Things are looking good. It’s been a good year. “I think the Bahamian market is strong, everyone seems to have enough money to buy what they can afford. People are buying where they can, and we’re getting a lot of people out of Europe for high-end luxury.
“Our only problem in certain markets will be a lack of inventory. There’s a lot less inventory than there was, but that is helping people to buy because if they don’t buy they will miss out. We expect a good year next year.”
Morley Realty’s market report for the three months to end-September 2025, drawing on data provided by the Bahamas Real Estate
Inland Revenue won’t enforce new regime until April 1, 2026
OPERATE - from page B1
but warned “if you do it for one you have to do it for everybody”.
“A lot of them have to make changes and they’re upset because it’s going to cost them,” Mr Robinson
said. “I told them: ‘That’s the way it was’. They’re not really bringing any new laws. All they are doing is enforcing a lot of the old laws. That’s basically what is happening. And I, for one, don’t have a problem with it.
I move to Nassau now I can't even transfer that to Nassau, so I basically have to start from scratch if I want to do taxis and tours in Nassau. So, as you can see, this is a very, very hard decision for me."
Despite his frustration over years of slow progress, Mr Fox voiced cautious optimism about the Government’s new airport project. "It's good to see they started these projects,” he added. “I'm hoping it's not the usual political ploy to actually start stuff and then kind of dangle it in front of you, but to actually finish it. But, I mean, they started. That's a good sign. You know, they already started the road works on the island - that's
Association’s (BREA) Multiple Listing System (MLS), which is thought to capture at least 60 percent of transaction activity, said the period was highlighted by reduced inventory and “more uneven sales activity” across the five major island markets.
“In the 2025 third quarter, the Bahamian real estate market showed signs of slowing with fewer properties being listed and sales activity becoming more uneven across the islands,” Morley Realty said of real estate sales activity. “Many sellers held back this quarter, creating tighter supply overall.
“Abaco homes saw the steepest decline in new listings, down nearly 70 percent compared to last quarter, while Exuma homes also slipped. Land supply fell in most regions as well, particularly in New Providence and Grand Bahama, though Eleuthera was a rare exception, with slightly more
“I think the Government has to meet some of them half-way. But if you do it for one you have to do it for everybody. You can’t be selective with that. And it should not have happened in the first place...”
Lamont Ferguson, of Bargain Wholesale Liquor, said that earlier this year a rival had opened less than 700 feet away from his own establishment on Balfour
pretty much going on every day. So that's a good sign. "I hope they finish everything they are supposed to do, and probably the next couple years, I would revisit coming back on the island. But right now the economy is too slow, and the biggest factor for that is we don't have enough people coming in."
Mr Fox said that while the economic impact from the redeveloped Deadman’s Cay airport will not be felt immediately, the expansion will allow more flights and airlift options, which are essential for bringing visitors to the island.
"If they actually come through and finish everything, even if they don't finish the terminal
new land listings hitting the market.”
Assessing the market’s outlook for the year’s last few months and heading into 2026, Morley Realty added: “Overall, the 2025 third quarter highlighted a market with fewer options for buyers and growing selectivity in purchasing decisions.
“Eleuthera and Abaco homes led the way with strong performance, while land markets were far more volatile, swinging between strong pricing power and sharp slowdowns. As the year closes, both buyers and sellers will need to navigate a market where limited supply, longer selling times in certain areas, and shifting price trends are all key factors.”
Morley Realty, in its 2025 third quarter report, said MLS data showed listings of New Providence homes were down 10.2 percent compared to the same period in 2024 and by 23.8
Avenue and Washington Street.
“Respectfully, they’re [Department of Inland Revenue] talking nonsense,” he said. “They were not in place. This is a totally new establishment. I’ve been there from 2014. They open in 2025.” Mr Robinson said most complaints about the new reforms stem from the Chinese community. He said
right when they finish the runway, at least we'll be able to get more airliftmaybe some of the local airlines like Western Air - and some of the other people who have private jets,” said Mr Fox.
"The reality is, it's going to take a little while for things to start picking up but, at the end of the day, we’ll be able to accommodate more airlift, more flights, and then eventually it'll start to really pick up. It's not going to happen instantly. But if it isn't in place, it's never going to happen."
Mr Fox added that tourism is the backbone of the Bahamian economy, and its effects ripple through all sectors.
percent when measured against the 2025 second quarter.
Contracted home sales, where purchase agreements have been reached but the deal has yet to close, were down 1 percent and 5.7 percent when benchmarked against the year-before third quarter and 2025’s second quarter, respectively.
Completed New Providence home sales, while up 9.1 percent on 2025 second quarter figures, fell by 14.3 percent year-over-year.
As for vacant New Providence land, new listings dropped by 38.3 percent year-over-year and by 12 percent compared to the 2025 second quarter. Contracted sales for the three months to end-September 2025 were flat year-overyear, but off by 27 percent against the 2025 second quarter, while completed land sales fell by 32.5 percent year-over-year. They were also down 20.6 percent on the 2025 second quarter.
while consulting with others within the liquor industry, he has heard some say the registration process is difficult.
However, after registering himself, Mr Robinson asserted that the issue is not with the application for the Certificate of Registration but, rather, the requirements that need to be met in order to be approved.
“Everybody consulting with another,” he said. “They be calling me, asking me certain things, because they’re not sure. When the lady [Shunda Strachan, Department of Inland Revenue’s acting controller] did the consultation with us, when we had the Zoom, a lot of them didn’t Zoom into it.
“So they didn’t get the do’s and the don’ts. We had a nice Zoom meeting where a lot of us signed on to it, and we were able to ask questions. And they’re [Department of Inland Revenue] coming around to the establishments. If you don’t understand, they tell you what to do.
“They said they’re confused. And they’re saying that it’s not an easy process…But I think with a lot of them it’s the requirements’; what they’re asking them to do before they could get approved. I think that’s where the problem comes in,” Mr Robinson added
“That’s the problem they’re having because, you know, they said if you have the cage they want to remove your cage. They want an open floor and that’s the problem a lot
"The thing is, at the end of the day, tourism is the number one industry in The Bahamas. And people don't think it, but it affects everything on the island. It's a trickle-down effect. So if this stuff would have been in place, the economy would have been better, you know. Everybody would have been in a better position right now,” he said. Earlier this year, Mr Fox and other Long Island business owners applied to stage a peaceful protest over the condition of the island’s economy, saying conditions at Deadman’s Cay Airport are “holding the island back”.
“Sales activity told a mixed story,” Morley Realty said of the 2025 third quarter. “Eleuthera homes were the standout, attracting stronger buyer demand. Contracts jumped 80 percent compared to last year, and completed sales rose more than 60 percent.
“Abaco homes also performed well, with closings rising by a third. In contrast, Grand Bahama homes saw a sharp decline in completed sales, and most land markets slowed noticeably. Eleuthera and Exuma land, in particular, both posted significant quarterly declines in sales.
“Prices moved in different directions depending on the island. Abaco and Eleuthera homes rebounded strongly, with average prices up 57 percent and 36 percent quarter-over-quarter, while Exuma homes gave back much of their earlier gains, falling more than 35 percent.”
of the people are havingmaking that adjustment. A lot of them, don’t even have the space.
“And if you’re close to a school or close to the church, they’re not even probably entertaining you. So a lot of them see where their business is going to have to close because they’re not going to get approved. And they already made their investment…”
According to the Department of Inland Revenue, which said it has not received much industry push back, no liquor establishments have been closed since the introduction of the new registration process. A grace period has been given which will end on March 31, 2026 “in conjunction with the end of the grace period for the 2026 Business Licence”. Enforcement will begin April 1, 2026.
“The applications are coming in slowly due to the fact that it is a new process, and the fact that the liquor businesses will have to provide all agency approvals,” it said. “This is one of the reasons why we have delayed enforcement activity to April 1, 2026.”
All businesses selling liquor must now apply for a Certificate of Registration. Without it, they cannot renew or obtain a Business Licence. To receive approval, liquor establishments must meet a number of requirements including a long-standing policy that they must not be less than 700 feet away from schools, residential neighbourhoods, places of worship and pre-existing rivals.
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JUDGE PARKER
CARPE DIEM BLONDIE MARVIN TIGER
HAGAR THE HORRIBLE
CALVIN & HOBBES
Dance for Diabetes Brings Movement, Awareness and Community Spirit
By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net
THIS year’s Dance for Diabetes event proved that wellness can be joyful, energetic and community driven.
Hosted by BAF Global, the initiative brought nearly one hundred participants together for a vibrant day of fitness, free health screenings and meaningful awareness around a disease that touches countless Bahamian families.
According to BAF Marketing Coordinator Alliyah Austin, the purpose of the event has always been personal. “Dance for Diabetes was created because diabetes touches nearly every Bahamian family, including our own families. We see the daily realities of the disease made this initiative deeply personal. When we talk about awareness, we are not speaking in theory. We are speaking about the lives of people we love,” she said. Since its inception, the event has grown far beyond a simple fitness gathering. “From the first staging, the goal has always been to bring awareness through movement, empowerment, and joy,” said Ms Austin. Over the years, she said, the event has grown into a true community experience blending dance, wellness education, and cross-sector partnerships with the Bahamas Diabetes Association and the Public Hospitals Authority. And what began as an awareness event has evolved into a movement that helps families feel supported, seen, and connected. Ms Austin told Tribune Health this year’s crowd was especially enthusiastic. “The energy this year was unmatched. People loved the Zumba experience. It was really fun. Our vendors
came out, there were free massages, smoothies and health checks,” she said. She noted that participants stayed long after the workout ended, simply enjoying the camaraderie and atmosphere. Next year, Ms Austin said the BAF team will be bringing the big energy yet again. From the camaraderie to the
The faces you do not see: 40 years of HIV response in The Bahamas
Inside the science, stigma and the quiet victories that continue to shape the national HIV response.
By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer
jgibson@tribunemedia.net
THE first time Dr Norad Morgan saw it, he had to look twice.
When Tribune Health met with him to reflect on four decades of The Bahamas’ HIV response, he returned to that moment immediately.
A woman sat across from him with ten million viral particles circulating in her bloodstream - a number so dangerously high it told him she had been fighting the virus for years without knowing. She was frail, gaunt, almost unrecognisable.
Six months later, her viral load was 107.
“It is an odd number to remember.” Dr Morgan said.
workouts, it is just going to get bigger and better. Prevention, early action and education were major themes of the morning. “Preventative care is at the core of Dance for Diabetes. The event is about empowerment, reminding our communities that small steps, small changes, and even small movement can make a
meaningful difference,”
Ms Austin explained. Free glucose checks, nutrition guidance, massages and wellness information allowed attendees to understand their health more clearly.
“BAF Global is big on health and preventative care; getting people into a healthy lifestyle. A lot of persons do not talk about
But the number told the story of the power medication and rigid adherence to the regimen.
“I didn’t even recognise her when she walked back into my office. She looked healthy, vibrant. When I saw that number -107 - I will never forget it.
To understand why her turnaround was so dramatic, Dr Morgan said it must be understood how HIV works inside the body. The virus does not kill people directly. It targets one specific cell - the CD4 T-cell, the command centre of the immune system. These cells coordinate the body’s defence network: they send signals, activate responses, and fight everything from colds to pneumonia.
“When HIV enters the blood, it attaches to the CD4 cell, enters it, and uses it like a photocopier,” added Dr Morgan. “It copies itself, destroys the cell, and moves to the next one. Over time, the immune system weakens because the very cells meant to protect you are being wiped out.”
As CD4 counts fall, the viral load rises sharply. In her case, it had climbed to 10 million.
“That level tells me the virus was in full control,” the doctor continues.
“When viral load is that high, the immune system cannot fight even ordinary infections. That’s when people start losing weight, battling diarrhoea, fungal problems, pneumonias - everything.” Modern antiretroviral therapy, Dr Morgan said,
interrupts the process. The one-pill regimen stops HIV from copying itself. When the virus cannot replicate, CD4 cells stop dying, the immune system rebounds, viral load plummets, and the person becomes undetectable. And when someone is undetectable, the virus is so low it cannot be measuredand cannot be passed on.
Dr Morgan has spent a decade in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, as the Clinical Medical Officer, approximatley ten years inside a national response now marking its 40th anniversary. Long enough to see extraordinary medical progress… and long enough to know that medicine is no longer the hardest part of the fight.
Even now, people talk about HIV as though it still looks the way it did in 1985. And few examples reveal that better than the world’s most recognisable case.
“People tell me all the time, ‘Magic Johnson had HIV; look how good he looks,’” Dr Morgan said. “But HIV doesn’t have a face. You can walk past someone on Bay Street, sit next to them in church, stand behind them in a food store queue - and never know.”
People assume Johnson, a former NBA basketball player and American businessman, looks healthy and lived so long after coming out as HIV- positive because he was “never positive to begin with”. But what they are seeing, Dr Morgan said, is the power of
Dr
treatment and the strength of an individual's immune system. The same thing happens here at home. Several Bahamians diagnosed in the late 1980s - long before The Bahamas had HIV medication - are still alive today because once treatment became available in 1995, their bodies recovered and stabilised.
“That’s why I tell people: what you see on the outside rarely tells the real story,” added Dr Morgan.
But that single misunderstanding opens the door to many others. Some people still believe HIV is a death sentence. Others believe they can identify someone with HIV simply by looking. Some imagine it spreads through touch or casual contact. Many continue to think it affects only certain groups, or that women and older adults have little to worry about. Others assume treatment must be overwhelming, or that someone living with HIV cannot have a partner, raise children, or build a full, ordinary life.
“None of it is true. But those ideas shape
diabetes, so we decided to partner with the local association to get it out there to our community,” she said.
A highlight of the morning was the cheque presentation to the Bahamas Diabetes Association (BDA), with all proceeds going directly to support its programmes. Ms Austin confirmed that $1,640was raised and shared how the funds will be used according to BDA President Lyndianna Rahming. The Association hosts a nine-week wellness programme designed for newly diagnosed individuals, covering education, guided support, monitoring, meals and more. The programme costs between four and five thousand dollars to host and aims to help participants understand their diagnosis and manage their health confidently. Ms Rahming emphasised: “Education is key. With the funds, we hope to put on more and more educational classes,” she said.
As Ms Austin looks to the future, she sees the initiative growing into an even bigger movement. “The vision is expansion in both scale and impact. Next year will be bigger and better, with more families participating, stronger cross-sector partnerships, greater access to wellness education, and a growing national movement that normalises conversations about diabetes,” she said.
BAF is also extending the initiative beyond a single event through its upcoming free Let’s Talk Diabetes webinar on Wednesday evening, 26 November. “The initiative is now expanding beyond a single event into a sustained public-education platform. We look forward to seeing everyone ready to move, ready to support, and ready to Dance for Diabetes,” said Ms Austin.
That’s why mental-health support is part of our care.”
behaviour. They shape relationships. They shape whether someone ever comes in for testing. That’s where stigma begins - not in the diagnosis, but in the myths surrounding it.”
Stigma Stigma has changed shape over 40 years, but it has not disappeared. In the early epidemic, it was loud and brutal: relatives were isolated in spare rooms or back houses, hidden from neighbours out of fear. Today, stigma is quieter and more private, yet often more psychologically devastating.
“People hide their medication in cupboards or behind books,” said Dr Morgan. “Some wait until everyone is asleep to take their pill. Others sleep next to their partners for years and have never disclosed.
“Some fear violence. Some fear being put out of the home. Some fear being gossiped about or pitied. Others simply fear losing the person they love.”
And then there is the internal struggle - the emotional weight that shows up in ways Dr Morgan has never forgotten. There was the woman who silently picked up a broom and swept the clinic floor without being asked. He later learnt she was expressing a feeling of being “unclean”.
Another patient scrubbed her skin in the shower until it peeled.
“These are the parts of HIV people don’t see,” Dr Morgan said. “It affects the mind as much as the body.
But the story is not only about difficulty. For every painful experience, he recalls another filled with hope - moments where family support became as powerful as medicine. He recalled travelling to a Family Island to see a man so sick he had to be lifted onto a bed. “He was close to death,” he said. “His immune system had collapsed.”
But that man’s family refused to leave him alone. They monitored his medication, cooked his food, and encouraged him daily. Three months later, he was running up a hill. Back on his boat. Fully living again.
“Today, HIV is a chronic, manageable illness. But no one can face it alone. Stigma kills more than the virus ever could.”
If the first two decades of The Bahamas’ HIV programme were about survival, the last two have been about transformation. In the 1990s, patients took seven to twelve tablets every day. Today, most take one pill once a day - a single combination therapy that can bring the virus to undetectable levels in a matter of weeks.
As The Bahamas marks 40 years of its HIV response, he believes the country has entered a new chapter - one defined less by biology and more by humanity.
“The virus is not our biggest enemy anymore,” he said. “Silence is.” For all the medical breakthroughs, it is the human stories - the recoveries, the regressions, the secrets, the survivors - that shape his decade on the front line.
“The medication is free. The care is here. The progress is real. But stigma still keeps people from being tested, from taking their medicine openly, from telling their partners, from living without fear,” Dr Morgan said.
Norad Morgan
Photo Credit: Jeffarah Gibson
Diabetes and your feet
By DR MONIQUE
DIABETES is becoming the most common, expensive and devastating chronic disease locally and globally. Worldwide, over 489 million people are living with Diabetes.
With the increasing numbers of obesity and poor lifestyle choices, the World Health Organisation estimates that these numbers are projected to increase greatly and that deaths due to diabetes and its complications will double by 2030.
During the entire month of November, we will highlight diabetes and bring awareness to World Diabetes Day, which was observed on November 14.
This year, the theme is diabetes and well-being with a focus on the workplace. Seven out of 10 of these adults are of working age. Further, 3 in 4 people with diabetes experienced anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions because of diabetes, and 4 out of 5 people living with diabetes have experienced diabetes distress and burnout.
In the Bahamas, there are approximately 46,400 or 11.6 per cent of the population living with diabetes and an additional 27,200 or 6.8 per cent with pre-diabetes. The 2019 STEPS survey also tells us that most, or 55.3 per cent of persons diagnosed with diabetes, do not take their medication regularly.
This is of grave concern, because we know uncontrolled diabetes often results in devastating complications such as blindness, kidney failure, amputations and early death. In the past year, 32.7 per cent of diabetics had eye exams, and 23.9 per cent had their feet examined.
Diabetes remains one of the top leading causes of death and disability in the Bahamas. It is estimated that more than 1,000 amputations are performed annually, and countless patients have non-healing ulcers that steal their time, joy and quality of life.
How does Diabetes affect your Feet?
Uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes leads to high blood sugar levels over time, which can have detrimental effects on the
If you’ve ever rolled your ankle stepping off a curb you swear wasn’t that high, or twisted it during a weekend pick-up game, you absolutely weren’t warmed up for, you know the drill: a sharp flash of pain, a dramatic hobble, and the hope that “walking it off” will somehow fix everything. For many people, the story ends there—ankle wrapped, ice in rotation, and a confident belief that “it’ll heal on its own.”
But here’s the plot twist: while ankles can heal on their own, they rarely heal well without proper rehabilitation. And skipping rehab might just be why so many people re-injure the same ankle again and again.
Let’s break down why rehabbing that injury is more essential than most people (and, let’s be honest, most of us are people who skip rehab) tend to realise.
First, your ankle isn’t just one joint—it’s an entire support system.
Ankles are like the unsung heroes of the body. They’re small, yet they manage the full weight of your body with every step, jump, and poorly planned sprint for the bus. Inside that compact space are bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles working together like an orchestra that never takes a day off.
When you injure your ankle—whether it’s a mild sprain or something more serious—the soft tissues responsible for stability get stretched or torn. This doesn’t just cause pain; it disrupts the finely tuned coordination between all the structures that keep you upright and moving smoothly.
Sure, rest helps the healing, but rest alone doesn’t restore anything. Once the pain fades, you’re left
feet and many other organs in the body, including the heart, eyes, and kidneys.
All diabetics are at high risk for foot ulcers that take a long time or never heal, possibly leading to infections, amputations and even death. In five years, more people die after having diabetic foot ulcers or lower limb amputation than persons dying from prostate cancer, breast cancer or Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Diabetes affects all aspects of the foot – the skin, its structure (shape) and how it works. These changes put all diabetics at high risk for foot complications such as ulcers that take a long time or never heal, leading to infections and even amputations. That’s why we always say diabetic foot = high-risk foot.
Damage to the blood vessels can lead to Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) or poor blood flow to the feet. This decreased blood flow to the leg and foot will
cause poor healing if there is a cut or sore on the foot. If there is an infection, it will take a long time to treat because there is not enough blood to take the medicine down to the foot to kill the bacteria. Low blood flow can also lead to gangrene and result in an amputation. Chronic high sugar levels can cause nerve damage that interferes with its ability to sense pain and temperature. This damage to the nerves can lead to Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (diabetic nerve pain), loss of feeling and numbness, tingling and burning in the feet. Loss of feeling in the foot puts them at high risk for injury to the feet, and persons may not feel their foot was injured, allowing the wound time to progress and get infected. There is also decreased ability to feel temperature changes with neuropathy. This is the reason why diabetics should never walk barefoot or soak their feet
in hot water to prevent burns and other injuries.
High sugar also gets into the tendons and ligaments, making them tight, joints stiff and not move as freely. The shape of the foot can also change, leading to deformities such as hammer toes and bunions.
A more serious change is when the middle part of the foot (arch) collapses, and the bone can push under the foot; this is called Charcot Foot. All these changes increase pressure on the foot and the risk of developing foot ulcers.
The temperature control on the feet does not work well either, causing decreased sweating, leading to very dry, cracked skin that can become deeper and develop into ulcers and get infected. Other skin changes may include calluses, ulcers and fungus on the nail and skin.
Diabetic foot complications are one of the most common causes of hospitalisations and deaths in
Rehabilitation After an Ankle Injury
with tissues that may have healed, but healed loosely, stiffly, or out of sync. And that’s when the real trouble starts. Without rehab, your ankle becomes an unreliable narrator. One of the most common lingering issues after an ankle injury is something called “proprioception”— your body’s ability to sense position and movement. Think of it as your ankle’s internal GPS. After an injury, that GPS gets glitchy.
persons with diabetes. Neuropathy (loss of feeling) and PAD (loss of blood flow) are the most common reasons why persons with diabetes develop ulcers and get an amputation. Most times, people will have some small injury to the foot that begins the downhill spiral toward ulcers and amputation. It is estimated that 45 - 85 per cent of all these amputations can be prevented. An important first step in doing that is understanding how uncontrolled diabetes affects the feet and making a commitment to getting your diabetes under control.
Persons with controlled diabetes with an HbA1c below 7 per cent have a very low risk of these and other complications. Recognising that diabetes puts the feet at high risk for injury, infection and amputation is sobering, but knowing that they can all be prevented should encourage diabetics and their families to take control of their diabetes and special care of their feet.
Podiatrists play a vital role in preventing all foot complications, including ulcers and amputations. Research has shown that seeing a podiatrist for preventive and routine foot care prevents hospitalisations, ulcers and amputations in persons with diabetes, preventing early death and saving health care dollars. They can be effective only if persons with diabetes come and see the podiatrist, preferably before they develop foot complaints. If you have diabetes and you have not had your feet checked for a year or for a long time, it's time to see the podiatrist. Call and make an appointment today.
For more information, email us at foothealth242@ gmail.com or visit www. apma.org. To see a Podiatrist, Call 605-3668 or 341-3668 for an appointment or visit Family Foot Centre on 45 Daffodil Avenue on Independence Highway or call 603-1814/5/6 for an appointment or visit Bahamas Surgical Associates Centre at Hilltop Medical Centre on East Terrace Centreville. In Grand Bahama, call Lucayan Medical Centre at 373-7400 for an appointment today.
muscle less to protect it. But those muscles are your ankle’s bodyguards. If they stay weak, the injured joint becomes more vulnerable, not just during sports, but during everyday life.
Rehabilitation strengthens the supporting muscles—your calf, the small stabilising muscles around the ankle, even the ones in your foot. This creates a solid foundation so the joint doesn’t have to carry the load alone.
Rehab isn’t just about avoiding the next injury— it’s about preventing a domino effect.
An unstable or weak ankle doesn’t just affect your ankle. Your body is one big connected machine, and when one part is out of alignment, everything else starts compensating. An untreated ankle injury can quietly contribute to knee pain, hip discomfort, and even back tightness.
Suddenly, what started as a “minor” sprain becomes a full-body saga. By restoring your ankle’s proper movement and strength, rehab helps keep the rest of your body functioning the way it’s supposed to. Think of it as fixing a wobbly wheel
FACTS ABOUT DIABETES
By American Diabetes Association
Diabetes can be confusing, but we are committed to helping you understand the facts about diabetes. The following questions will help clear up diabetes myths you may have heard.
Q: IF YOU’RE OVERWEIGHT, WILL YOU ALWAYS DEVELOP TYPE 2 DIABETES?
A: Being overweight is a risk factor for developing diabetes, but other risk factors such as how much physical activity you get, family history, ethnicity, and age also play a role. Unfortunately, many people think that weight is the only risk factor for type 2 diabetes, but many people with type 2 diabetes are at a normal weight or only moderately overweight.
Q: DO SUGARY DRINKS CAUSE DIABETES?
A: Research has also shown that drinking sugary drinks is linked to type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people avoid drinking sugar-sweetened beverages and switch to water whenever possible to help prevent type 2 diabetes.
Sugary drinks also raise blood glucose (blood sugar) and can provide several hundred calories in just one serving. Just one 12-ounce can of regular soda has about 150 calories and 40 grams of sugar, a type of carbohydrate (carb). This is the same as 10 teaspoons of sugar.
Sugar-sweetened beverages include beverages like:
Regular soda
Fruit punch
Fruit drinks
Energy drinks
Sports drinks
Sweet tea
Sweetened coffee drinks
Other sugary drinks
Q: IS DIABETES A SERIOUS DISEASE?
A: Yes. Diabetes causes more deaths per year than breast cancer and AIDS combined and having diabetes nearly doubles your chance of having a heart attack. The good news is that managing your diabetes can reduce your risk for diabetes complications.
before the whole cart goes off course.
So what does good rehab actually look like?
The best part is, it doesn’t require fancy equipment or hours in the gym. Good ankle rehab usually includes:
· Mobility exercises to reduce stiffness
· Strength work for the foot and lower leg
· Balance and proprioception training to rebuild stability
· Gradual return-to-activity steps so you’re not jumping back into full intensity too soon
It’s simple, consistent, and generally takes just minutes a day. The hardest part is committing to do it—especially once the ankle stops hurting and the temptation to declare yourself “healed” kicks in. The bottom line? Pain is only part of the story. Many people underestimate their ankle injuries because once the swelling goes down, they can walk again. But healing isn’t the same as rehabilitating. If you want an ankle that doesn’t hold you back, doesn’t give out, and doesn’t complain every time you hit a trail or try a new workout, rehab is essential—not optional.
You may feel “fine,” but your ankle isn’t responding as quickly or as accurately as it used to. This is why people who skip rehab often say things like, “My ankle just gives out sometimes.” That “giving out” isn’t bad luck—it’s bad communication between your brain and your ankle.
Rehabilitation fixes this. Through targeted exercises, you retrain your ankle to respond to uneven ground, sudden shifts, and everyday movements. Without that retraining, even a healed
ankle may act like it’s still injured.
Strength matters more than you think. A lot of people assume ankle rehab is basically stretching and balancing on one foot like a flamingo. And while there is a lot of balancing (minus the glamorous flamingo posture), strength is just as important. After an injury, the muscles around your ankle weaken. This isn’t laziness—it’s biology. When something hurts, your body automatically recruits the
So the next time you twist, roll, or strain that hardworking joint at the bottom of your leg, don’t shrug it off. Give it the recovery it deserves. A little rehab today can save you from a lifetime of “mystery ankle issues” tomorrow. And hey, your future self—still chasing buses or dominating weekend sports—will thank you. A physiotherapist is the perfect professional to assist with this process. So don’t delay, get rehab today.
Bahamas queen shines in Miss Universe chaos
By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net
MISS Universe 2025 came to a dramatic and emotional close last Friday, leaving the global pageant community buzzing with celebration, shock, and more than a few unanswered questions. For The Bahamas, the moment was especially poignant as Miss Bahamas Universe 2025, Maliqué Maranda Bowe, stepped forward with grace, gratitude, and a reflective message to her supporters at home.
“This has been one of the most beautiful, challenging, and transformative journeys of my life,” she shared. “While I did not place, I walked that stage with pride, purpose, and a full heart, knowing I gave my very best for The Bahamas.”
Her words landed softly but powerfully among Bahamians who had watched her journey unfold from the moment she was crowned. Maliqué competed in a year that will likely be remembered as one of the most turbulent editions of Miss Universe in recent memory. What began as an exciting international celebration quickly shifted into a swirl of controversy, protests, with resignations and an incident that left one contestant hospitalised.
During the pre pageant ceremony several contestants have walked out of a Miss Universe event after an official from host nation Thailand publicly berated Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch in a tense confrontation. She was later crowned winner.
“While I did not place, I walked that stage with pride, purpose, and a full heart, knowing I gave my very best for The Bahamas.”
Throughout it all, Maliqué said she remained focused on representing her country well. “To my country… I hope I made you proud,” she wrote. “Representing The Bahamas on the Universe stage was one of the greatest blessings of my life, and I will carry that honour with me forever.”
The sentiment offered a calm centre in a week where the wider atmosphere surrounding the competition was anything but calm. Tensions began to escalate when two judges resigned in the middle of the pageant week, alleging irregularities and calling certain aspects of the competition unfair. Their complaints spread quickly across pageant blogs and social media, fuelling speculation about backstage politics and questioning the transparency of the judging process. Several contestants reportedly voiced concerns as well, with a few staging peaceful protests within the host venue in Thailand.
Amid the swirl of criticism, another unexpected moment shocked audiences both in the arena and watching around the world. Miss Jamaica suffered a serious fall while walking on stage and had to be transported to a local hospital for treatment. Videos circulated online showing the moment she slipped, sparking instant concern and an outpouring of well wishes from fans and fellow delegates. Many contestants later posted that the fall only highlighted the intense pressure and physical demands they face behind the scenes. It was one of the most unfortunate incidents of the night and cast a sombre shadow over an already tense atmosphere.
Yet, despite the drama, Maliqué spoke warmly about the women she shared the experience with. “To my fellow queens, congratulations on your incredible performances,” she said. “Each of you inspired me in more ways
than you will ever know. Being surrounded by such brilliance, strength, and sisterhood has been a true honour.”
Her comments reflected the spirit many fans hope still exists at the heart of Miss Universe. For all the glitz and spectacle, the pageant continues to be a platform for cultural exchange, personal growth, and global representation. Even in a year marked by controversy, contestants like Maliqué showed that resilience and purpose can rise above noise. If there was any disappointment felt by supporters who hoped to see her place, Maliqué’s reflection suggested that her own sense of achievement came from something much deeper than a scorecard. “The journey is not over,” she said. “It is simply evolving. I trust that God’s plan is greater than I could ever imagine, and I am stepping into what is next with an open heart, ready for the even bigger opportunities He has prepared for me.”
Miss Bahamas Universe Malique Bowe
You Go Girl: Chef Poka Serves Heart, Heritage and Holiday Magic
By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net
HOLIDAY cooking may be stressful for some, but for Bahamian Chef Pirosska “Poka” Higgs, it is a love language. With her signature blend of island warmth and effortless charm, she is inviting home cooks to slow down, savour the season, and rediscover the joy of creating something beautiful from scratch. Her Thanksgiving Cooking Class, held at her private Chef Poka’s Kitchen studio at 9 am this coming Thursday, blends comfort, confidence, and creativity in a way that feels both festive and deeply personal. The session is now fully booked; however, she remains available for future classes upon request.
For Chef Poka, the inspiration behind the class comes from the way food has always connected people, especially during the holidays. “Growing up in a Bahamian home, our meals were always filled with warmth, laughter, and that unmistakable island comfort. I wanted to blend that same feeling with classic Thanksgiving flavours so people could enjoy the best of both worlds,” she said.
What she hopes participants carry away goes far beyond techniques. “I want them to feel
“The holidays are when people come together, and I wanted to offer something that builds connection and joy. Even though busy, this felt like the perfect time to help families elevate their meals and create new traditions.”
confident, connected, and cared for. Whether they are seasoned cooks or first-timers, I want them to leave thinking, I can do this, and I enjoyed every minute of it,” said Chef Poka. Her journey as a chef is anchored in childhood memories, especially one sweet favourite.
“For me, it has always been my aunty’s pumpkin pie, the kind
with the perfect flaky crust and a soft, rich centre. That dish taught me early on that food is more than flavour; it is love, creativity, and patience all baked together,” she said.
Those memories shape her classes today. “Every time I teach, I carry the voices, the scents, and the traditions of home with me. I want people to feel that same
sense of comfort and belonging when they cook, because those childhood dishes are what shaped the chef I am today,” said Chef Poka.
Her cooking style reflects a fusion of island soul and modern flair. She describes her plates as an artistic presentation, and soulful comfort.
“I love taking familiar ingredients and giving them new life, whether that is through fresh herbs, unexpected pairings, or a little Bahamian flair,” she said. For her, intention matters. She went on to say a ‘Chef Poka Masterpiece’ is unique because it is always prepared with intention and love. “I do not just cook for taste; I cook for experience. Every dish has a story, a touch of home, and a moment that makes people stop and say, now this, is different,” said the Bahamian woman. Although she is known for creating memorable dishes, teaching others has become one of the most fulfilling parts of her craft. It is in the moments when her students realises, ‘Wait, I really made this!’, that brings her great joy in this field of work.
Chef Poka enjoys the storytelling and the laughter, as well as the transformation that keeps her inspired. “Teaching gives me the chance to pour into people, to make them feel proud, capable, and excited about food in a whole new way. Food is life,” she said.
Launching a cooking class during the holidays may seem ambitious, but the timing felt perfect to her. “The holidays are when people come together, and I wanted to offer something that builds connection and joy. Even though busy, this felt like the perfect time to help families elevate their meals and create new tradi-
tions,” she said. She noted that her culinary services are also expanding, with her team extending offerings on the island of Eleuthera and remaining flexible to travel abroad to meet clients wherever they are.
At this week’s cooking class, she is hoping each participant leaves with a kitchen philosophy worth holding onto. “It is simple: cook with heart. Anyone can cook up a meal but when you slow down, taste as you go, and pour love into it the outcome is so much better. That is the ingredient I hope everyone carries with them, not just for Thanksgiving, but every time they step into the kitchen. The food will share a love story from the person that prepared the dish,” said Chef Poka. In true You Go Girl fashion, she is embracing her moment, pouring love into her craft, and helping others discover just how powerful a home-cooked dish can be.
For information on private bookings or upcoming sessions, interested persons may contact Chef Poka at 559-3764.
