02032026 BUSINESS

BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A FORMER Cabinet minister yesterday asserted that the imposition of corporate income tax on all Bahamian businesses is “inevitable” if the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) wins the upcoming general election.

Dionisio D’Aguilar, ex-minister of tourism and aviation in the former Minnis administration, told Tribune Business that such a move would have to be accompanied by the introduction of personal income tax - at least for company owners and top-level executives - as he argued that recent tax reporting reforms are almost certainly designed to pave the way for such changes.

Many Bahamian businesses welcomed the prospect of a corporate income tax when the concept was first introduced by the Ministry of Finance’s ‘green paper, which was released in mid2023, especially if it would replace the present Business Licence fee regime. However, Mr D’Aguilar

• D’Aguilar: Recent reforms mean ‘structure in place’

argued in favour of retaining the latter because of the “complexity” involved in implementing corporate income tax, including the mass of “rules and regulations” required. Companies have frequently argued that the Business Licence fee, which is calcuated based on top-line sales, is distortionary because it effectively penalises high turnover, low-margin businesses such as food stores and gas stations in the amount of tax levied. And, given that it is determined by topline sales as opposed to the profit-based corporate income tax, businesses frequently complain they are either taxed into a loss or pay more in taxes than net income earned. Mr D’Aguilar conceded that the Business Licence-related concerns

Governor: Tourism boost

to help match 25’s 3%

growth

BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE Central Bank’s governor yesterday predicted that flat-to-slightly increased tourism earnings, aided by improved US stopover visitor numbers, will enable The Bahamas to at least match lest year’s 3 percent economic growth in 2026.

John Rolle, presenting the regulator’s 2025 fourth quarter and full-year economic briefing, said Bahamian gross domestic product (GDP) expanded at a slightly slower rate compared to 2024’s 3.4 percent growth despite benefiting from higher pricing in the stopover visitor market and strong cruise activity.

He added that The Bahamas grew by close to 3 percent in 2025, slightly slower than 2024’s rate, but still above its medium-term potential of just under 2 percent per year.

“For 2025, the economy is projected to have grown at a rate close to 3 percent after an estimated 3.4 percent rise in 2024. This remains above the medium-term potential, which is still projected at just under 2 percent per annum,” said Mr Rolle.

He added that tourism faced some obstacles in 2025 due to limited hotel room capacity and weaker US travel, but higher prices, growth in vacation rentals and more non-US visitors - especially from Canada - boosted earnings.

“For tourism, although stopover performance was constrained by limited hotel sector capacity and softer US travel demand, earnings were bolstered by appreciated product pricing, sustained expansion in vacation rental sales,and tourist arrival gains from non-US visitors, notably from Canada,” said Mr Rolle. “The cruise market also

• Argues that personal income tax must accompany

of high turnover firms were “a legitimate complaint”. However, he argued that this was best-solved by defining what are ‘high turnover, low margin’ businesses and then creating a specific rate for this category, asserting that the difficulties associated with implementing and adjusting to a corporate income tax outweighed this particular challenge. “I am of the view that we are perparing ourselves for corporate income tax,” Mr D’Aguilar told this newspaper. “I am of the view that the Government is just waiting until, and I don’t want to sound political, but if the PLP is victorious in this election they are going to go to a corporate income tax.

BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Central Bank’s governor yesterday revealed that The Bahamas’ foreign currency reserves have expanded by almost $200m year-over-year to hit $2.9bn at end-February 2026 after forecast credit growth failed to occur.

• Calls for Business Licence retention on ‘complexity’

said the reserves - which protect the nation’s fixed exchange rate regime and one:one peg with the US dollar - grew by $170m during last year to outpace 2024’s expansion aided by the Central Bank’s “net purchase” of foreign currency from the Government or public sectors.

Bahamas ‘in far darker place’ in unregulated medicine sale

BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas is in “a far darker place than a decade ago” over the sale of unapproved and ‘grey market’ medicines, an ex-health minister asserted yesterday, adding: “The pirates are still here.”

Dr Duane Sands, also the Opposition’s chairman, told Tribune Business that the sale of prescription medicines without pre-approval from the purchaser’s doctor, plus the infiltration of so-called ‘grey and black market’ and counterfeit drugs, is “not an insignificant challenge” that has plagued The Bahamas for decades.

Disclosing that “some phamacies are worse than others” in dispensing medicines without a prescription, he added that price-controlled mark-ups at both the retail and wholesale level acted as an incentive for some to import and/or acquire drugs not authorised for sale in The Bahamas in a bid to increase profits.

Calling for regulatory oversight to be strengthened via Bahamas Customs and the Pharmacy Council,

the cost of The Bahamas’ fuel imports and associated payments. However, Mr Rolle said inflation, consumer prices and the cost of living likely experienced an “uptick” during the 2025 second half as the impact of Donald Trump’s tariff hikes fed through supply chains.

“Foreign exchange market activities strengthened in 2025, aligned with inflows from tourism, investments and other private sector activities,” the Central Bank governor said.

• Ex-health minister warns:

‘The pirates are still here’

• But improved regulation is ‘marathon, not a sprint’

• Bahamians must realise ‘not a victimless crime’

Dr Sands told this newspaper than when in Cabinet during the Minnis administration he had moved to enhance the latter’s staffing

“This was because the Central Bank also made a modest Foreign reserves up $200m amid muted growth in credit

John Rolle, addressing the regulator’s 2025 fourth quarter and full-year economic briefing,

He added that the external reserves also received an unexpected boost from the Government’s foreign currency borrowing activities plus a fall in global oil prices, which lowered

“In particular, commercial banks’ total purchases of foreign exchange from the private sector increased by 4.1 percent to $7.6bn in 2025.

BY ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net

THE HEAD of Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) two trade unions yesterday slammed assertions by New Providence’s electricity grid operator that it had been barred from the control centre as “a

disgrace”, and “absolute foolishness”, and demanded it apologise Kyle Wilson, president of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU), which represents BPL line staff, hit back at Bahamas Grid Company’s subsequently-deleted social media post by challenging why it had not contacted senior BPL executives to resolve any situation that led to it being denied access to the New Providence control centre.

Bahamas Grid Company, which is itself 40 percent owned by BPL on the Government’s behalf, alleged its workers had been barred “despite it being Bahamas Grid Company’s contractual right to jointly manage in the control centre”. Mr Wilson,

“This was accelerated from an estimated boost of 2.2 percent in 2024. In line with increased demand for foreign exchange for imports and other payments, commercial banks’ total sales of foreign exchange to the private sector also expanded by 5.1 percent to $7.5bn. While the residual net sale of proceeds to the Central Bank, which impacted the outcome for external reserves, was less than in 2024, external reserves grew by a larger amount, closer to $170m as compared to $115m in 2024.

Some 2,000 civil servants to get promotion notices

BY ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter

A CABINET minister yesterday said some 2,000 civil servants are due to receive imminent notice of their promotions.

Pia Glover-Rolle, minister of labour and the public service, said these notifications mark the second wave of civil-service wide promotions since the Davis administration took office. The first to be informed will be officials at

the Ministry of Labour and Public Service.

“We have completed our second round of service-wide promotions in my term,” Mrs Glover-Rolle said. “We're very proud of that. That means that we are on schedule for our service-wide promotions. These promotions have started to be rolledout. Those approximately 2,000 letters will be disseminated to the various ministries for distribution to the various recipients of those promotions.

“And I'm proud to say we started today with my

ministry, the Ministry of Labour and Public Service. Rightfully so. These are the public servants who are doing the work to ensure that the promotional exercise was complete. And they did a yeoman's work. And I want to congratulate every public servant across The Bahamas - every island, every ministry, that was successful in this service-wide promotion that is being rolled-out.

“And yes, they've already asked. There's another one that is imminent, but we want to make sure that this one is rolled-out properly

first. And then there will be another call that will come out for the next service-wide promotion.”

Mrs Glover-Rolle added that the Government is in the process of drafting reforms to the Employment Act and the Industrial Relations Act which, once all the processes and consultation are complete, will take “labour legislation in The Bahamas into the 21st century”.

“We're currently in the drafting phase of our Employment Act and our Industrial Relations Act,” she said. “As far as I'm

Ministry reviews progress at ex-New Providence landfill

THE Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources has made its annual visit to the former New Providence landfill to assess progress on waste disposal methods and eliminating the threat of fires.

Zane Lightbourne, minister of the environment and natural resources, led the January 29, 2026, visit alongside David Davis, the ministry’s permanent secretary, and other senior

officials including Launa Williams, director of the Department of Environmental Health Services. They were met by Felix Stubbs, chairman of the now-renamed New Providence Ecology Park, and other executives.

“Partnership with the ecology park is extremely important with our waste management system and governance,” Mr Lightbourne said. He

acknowledged New Providence Ecology Park’s “ability to reduce fires that have impacted residents” and its efforts “to engage practices that are sustainable”.

Ms Williams said the visit forms part of the ministry’s annual oversight exercise to review operational progress and ensure contractual commitments are being met. She added that the New Providence Ecology Park covers more than 300 acres.

“We visit the landfill every year… to ensure that the Government is getting value for its money,” she said, adding that the ministry was encouraged by what was seen during this year’s visit. It highlighted

aware, that has been completed. The next phase would be, once the drafters are complete, to take the draft legislation back to Cabinet. Once the Cabinet has approved, it will go back to final stakeholder consultation, which will be brief because the stakeholders have been a part of the process for the entire process.

“Then, of course, movement of the legislation to Parliament, which I am absolutely looking forward to. We will be able to officially say that we've moved our labour legislation in

continued progress at the facility, including improvements in waste disposal practices, ongoing operational initiatives and the park’s ability to reduce fires that have impacted residents.

During the tour, ministry officials also discussed forward planning in waste disposal and public awareness, including education about the proper handling of hazardous materials and the importance of health and safety. The ministry said the New Providence Ecology Park continues to support The Bahamas’ public health, environmental protection and sustainable development goals.

The Bahamas into the 21st century after over a generation of it not being modern and facilitating the needs of a modern day workforce.” Maternity and paternity leave laws are among the reforms that the Ministry of Labour has been eyeing. Maternity leave would increase from 12 weeks to at least 14 weeks, and paid paternity leave would be formally introduced. Mental health leave, overtime changes and remote work were a few other proposals discussed as part of the labour reform overhaul.

Marketing firm launches public relations division

A BAHAMIAN marketing company has announced the launch of its new public relations (PR) division.

“Launching our PR division allows us to further enhance our clients' narratives and engage their audiences authentically,” said Dyaria Knowles, founder and creative director of IC Marketing. “We are passionate about showcasing the unique stories of our clients and the beauty of The Bahamas, and with this new division we can weave those narratives more effectively.”

Lazar Delorenzo Charlton will lead the public relations division. “I'm thrilled to join the talented team at IC Marketing and

to help craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences both locally and internationally,” he said.

“Our goal is to position our clients at the forefront of their industries, ensuring their stories are told in the most uniquely impactful way possible. It’s more than just public relations for us; it's human relations.”

IC Marketing offers services including destination marketing, boutique hotels, brand and campaign development and content marketing. It has established partnerships with clients such as Baha Mar, Coca-Cola, Albany and the Ministry of Tourism.

Cheque elimination not imminent amid fast payment system move

BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE Central Bank governor yesterday reassured that the regulator is seeking to gradually and steadily reduce Bahamians’ reliance on paper-based cheques rather than eliminate them immediately as part of a wider strategy to boost payment efficiency.

John Rolle, speaking at the banking regulator’s 2025 fourth quarter and full-year economic briefing, said: “We've not said anything about elimination. We're focused on having a steady and orderly progress of reducing reliance on cheques.

“Insofar as the cheque reduction, we're more broadly concerned about the issues that are

impacting the efficiency within the system, including efficiencies around even the setting-up of accounts for businesses to conduct business transactions.”

Mr Rolle explained that the Central Bank is evaluating the payments system in a bid to make existing transaction methods work more

efficiently and smoothly, especially through fast payments that allow real-time transfers and settlements both at cash registers and online.

“As the end of 2026 is concerned, or the period ahead of us is concerned, there's ongoing evaluation in terms of what's happening in the payment space,” said Mr Rolle. “Fast payments focuses on allowing for more real-time transfers and settlements to the point where, at the cash register, we can have more real-time settlement as well as in the online space. And again, having all of that fully integrated with how the Sand Dollar operates within that space.”

The Governor said the Central Bank has received a number of responses to the request for proposal (RFP) seeking solutions for a Fast

Payment System (FPS), and it anticipates being able to make an announcement about the winning or preferred in the 2026 first quarter.

“We're very satisfied in terms of the number of responses and the quality of the responses. So, we expect that the evaluation committee will complete their assessment, and as we progress through February and into March, we should be able to make some announcement around the selection,” said Mr Rolle.

The regulator is also “making progress” with the Sand Dollar, the Bahamian Central Bank-backed digital currency, and has resumed work with the Government to ensure its systems can process such transactions efficiently.

Mr Rolle highlighted that the Government sector is

“very critical” to advancing to the next stage of a seamless, integrated digital payments system.

“We're making progress, but we are focused at present also on ensuring that some of the inroads we make with the fast payments system complements the Sand Dollar framework,” said Mr Rolle.

“We also restarted our engagement with the Government, and it's focused on preparing the Ggovernment to be more seamlessly able to process Sand Dollar transactions, and to ensure that the Government, from a digital, electronic payment perspective, is fully ready for whenever we get to the fast payment outcome. So the Government sector is very critical to our efforts in terms of getting to the next stage.”

Minister pledges to assist closed Blue Hill vendors

BY ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net

A CABINET minister yesterday pledged to assist vendors, who shut down prematurely in preparation for the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market demolition, to re-open as rapidly as possible as the project enters its second phase today.

Pia Glover-Rolle, minister of labour and the public service, and also the Golden Gates MP, speaking during a market walk-through said a letter had been issued informing vendors of what was to come.

This, though, resulted in some closing before it was required. Stephen Wilson, vice-president of a group of vendors operating under the Farmer’s Market Association name, told Tribune Business last December that at least two ceased operations due to the 18-month delay in demolishing the site.

However, Mrs Glover-Rolle added that she will work with the vendors on their re-opening until phase three, which involves the construction of stalls and restaurants.

“Some of those vendors took it and they moved without us actually starting the process,” she said.

“We're going to speak to them because, as you can see, all the vendors are still operating. It was the intention to advise them what was coming, and not necessarily for them to move right away.

“And that only affected, I think, about four vendors that I'm learning today. And

we will speak to them to find out how they can re-open until their phase is in play. But as you can see, all of the vendors are open and they remain operational. And that was the structure that we had engaged from day one or intended.”

The market has seen the construction of a garbage bin holding area, landscaping and general maintenance. Phase two will begin this morning with the demolition of derelict structures and the construction of restrooms.

Mrs Glover-Rolle, who launched the revitalisation project last year in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, said the goal is to modernise the market to bring it up to the standard of Arawak Cay’s Fish Fry as well as Fort Montague and the Montagu Foreshores.

With Arawak Cay having recently suffered a fire, Neil Campbell, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, said measures

will be put in place to lessen similar risks at Blue Hills.

“You’ll have the fire hydrants here,” he said.

“There's also going to be a water bowser station here as well. We'll have the various agents that you actually put in the water bowser, whether there's a grease fire, whether there's a regular fire. We'll have those things in there. We'll have the watchful eyes of the persons here who actually are going to manage the site.

“And there's some sort of fire retardant agent that we're going to spray along the walls on the inside, and on the outside, to make sure that everything's... and then there was a decision to be made whether it would be one uniform building. But now they're saying to separate it just to add that sort of safety net to fight against any fire.

“The main thing is to separate the sewer type disposal, where we put a bathroom in one particular area, where it'll go into one particular holding area. And then we'll have the grease

Lending to private sector slows down during 2025

BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE CENTRAL Bank

Governor’s yesterday revealed that private sector lending expansion slowed in 2025, with the growth rate reducing to 5.5 percent from 2024’s 6.1 percent as a mortgage tapering-off offset “accelerated” commercial borrowing.

John Rolle, speaking at the regulator’;s 2025 fiurth quarter and full-year economic briefing, said total private sector loan growth hit about $330m in 2025 as compared to $350m the year before. At the same time, lending risks decreased with the share of loan arrears falling from 5.5 percent to 5 percent as a percentage of the Bahamian commercial banking industry’s outstanding credit portfolio.

“Overall, lending conditions improved, with a high volume of credit applications processed and approved, but lenders still assessed that they are constrained from satisfying many applicants who did not qualify for credit for a range of reasons including under-employment, high existing levels of indebtedness and sometimes insufficient clarity around the permanence of the jobs they held,” said Mr Rolle.

He added that commercial banks are processing more applications than before, and would like to lend more, but are paying close attention to whether applicants already have high debt and whether their jobs are stable and permanent. If someone’s employment is temporary or uncertain, banks may limit lending because they are not sure the borrower can meet long-term payments.

“You had over $300m growth in total credit. It means that banks lent more than $300m, but when you net out the ongoing repayment, that's the top-up. So banks are seeing overall much more applications coming through, and they are processing more of them, and they would like to lend even more than they are lending,” said Mr Rolle.

“And that is where, when they start to look at where applicants are not as successful, they want to see the issues around people not having too much debt burden pre-existing, or they can see more clearly that they have jobs; where you can tell there's a permanent job, as opposed to perhaps temporary or contractual arrangements where the bank may not be certain that it can match the term.”

Mr Rolle said the credit bureau is assisting banks with lending decisions by

providing more complete credit information and, as more non-bank lenders and utility companies report data, the system will improve.

“The credit bureau, to our understanding, is also helping banks in terms of completing their assessment. So that's positive, and it's going to further strengthen that framework that they use as we get more of the non-bank lenders to become consistent reporters to the bureau, and as we get the utility companies to get fully enrolled in reporting data,” said Mr Rolle.

He added that as the credit bureau is still developing, errors may appear in credit records, so it is important for Bahamians to manage their credit history.

“The credit bureau is a learning process, has some bumps to the extent that people need to also occasionally go through the process of correcting any misinformation or inaccuracies that may be in their credit records. That's normal,” said Mr Rolle.

“That's part of any credit bureau system. So it means, though, that us, or the subjects who are in those credit reports, we are now learning how to look after our own interests and troubleshoot any issues that may be in our credit record. So that's a positive.”

traps and just the normal washing dishes or other things that are sewerage in another area, slow run-off and everything else.”

Mr Campbell said many Government agencies and ministries were involved in the project, including the Department of Environmental Health, Department of Physical Planning and the Ministry of Works. He estimated it cost more than $300,000 to $400,000.

“Because it's involving many other persons, for example, the entertainment part of it. We have somebody who's really doing the recreational area for us, along with the car wash,” he said. “Then you have the ministry that is undertaking the restaurant portions of it. And then the funding that was provided by the Nassau Cruise Port, that's what we're doing for the fish vendors and everything else. The overall costing we have individualised it... So far, we estimate it will not

cost more than $300,000 to $400,000.”

Phase four of the market revitalisation will include parking lay-out and paving, as well as signage and the layout and redesign of landscaping. Mrs Glover-Rolle said that, when completed, the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market will look similar to other markets sporting “properly constructed fish and conch vendor stalls, properly constructed restaurants” and an aesthetically-pleasing landscape. Working in partnership with the Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation (BAIC), Mrs Glover-Rolle said help will be provided for artisans focusing on Bahamian-grown fruits and vegetables, the manufacturing of by-products and backyard farming.

“The Royal Bahamas Police Force has also played a role, and they were in our first meeting, who will be providing us with the CCTVs and follow

For agency banking, Mr Rolle said the Central Bank has completed most of the preparatory work and is now reviewing existing arrangements to ensure they align.  He warned that not every financial institution will implement agency banking immediately, but some may move forward in the near term.

“Most of the heavy lifting has been completed, and we are now at the stage where we begin to see, in a more structured way, what’s out there,” said Mr Rolle.

“But I just wanted to caution that there's no expectation in the nearterm that every financial institution is suddenly going to have agency arrangements. However, there are some that might come forward in the near-term and advance some of those agency arrangements.”

up of security measures for the market, because this is not only going to be a community area but a safe community area; somewhere that there is enterprise, an industry that's happening seven days a week.,” she added. “And therefore we, of course, have the partnership of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

“Outside of that, we are happy to also partner with the Ministry of Environment. I know a number of constituents have complained, especially in our Golden Sun Street, which is parallel to the market, about years and years of an odour emanating from the market. Phase one sought to resolve that, and we're still putting in more mechanisms in place in the market because obviously we're dealing with seafood by-products that emanate every day, and we want to ensure that there's daily safety. But there's also daily clean-up and cleanliness so as to not affect the surrounding residents of the market.”

“They have kind of built the structure in place. They have everybody reporting their income and expenditure. Right now, I think they are waiting to get over the election and then are going to switch to a corporate income tax. I think that’s inevitable.”

The Davis administration has made no secret of the fact corporate income tax is in its thinking as a reform option. Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, following the ‘green paper’s’ release in mid-2023, estimated that the economy-wide implementattion of a corporate income tax is some four years away if this nation elects to go that route. That would place its introduction on a post-election timeline of around 2027.

He also hinted that Business Licence fee reporting reforms, which require companies with annual turnovers exceeding $5m to produce audited financial statements, and those with top-lines between $250,000 and $5m to have their annual sales certified by a qualified accountant, were not just about tax compliance and collection but preparing the ground for future reform although corporate income tax was not mentioned by name.

Mr D’Aguilar, though, argued against the switch to a corporate income tax

while asserting that it was hard to believe it will not be accompanied by the personal variety. “First of all, there’s the complexity of it,” he told Tribune Business. “Right now, you pay tax strictly on your sales. That lends itself to a very simple process but even that, when you base it on sales and turnover, can be quite complex.

“Is it a sale when you collect the cash, write it up in the system, pay a deposit? Is that a sale? Just looking at that one line can be fairly complex: What constitutes a sale? When you get into income tax, it will be based on sales, the cost of sales, overhead expenses, depreciation. What constitutes expenses, and what method will you use? It can be extremely complex.”

As for the Bahamian private sector’s concerns that the existing Business Licence regime can tax them into a loss, and/ or results in them paying more in taxes than profits, Mr D’Aguilar conceded that this was “a legitimate complaint”. But he added: “I revert back to the complexity of the issue.

“Countries that have income tax presently have had it for centuries, and even then it’s still very complex. The rules and regulations that you have to roll-out to make that work properly are huge. For low margin, high volume businesses carve out a rate for

them,” the Superwash chief argued. “You have your food stores, you have your gas stations, to a certain degree your construction companies.

“If you can find a certain model for high volume, low margin businesses adjust their [Business Licence] rates accordingly. That means you don’t throw the whole system out. Basing it on sales is a simple, easier model to digest and use. You can make adjustments for those high volume businesses, define what they are and adjust the rate accordingly.”

Mr D’Aguilar also told Tribune Business that he “finds it diffcult to conceptualise corporate income tax without personal income tax. I don’t think you can have one without the other. You cannot have corporate income tax without personal income tax”.

This echoes arguments by the likes of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has for years been calling on The Bahamas to implement both corporate and personal income taxes. In particular, it has argued that if this nation elects to impose a corporate income tax across its economy, such a levy also needs to be imposed on company owners and top executives to prevent them evading the former by switching profits to salaries.

Mark A Turnquest, founder of the 242 Small Business Association and Resource Centre, and a well-known consultant to the sector, yesterday agreed with Mr D’Aguilar that the idea of a Bahamian

corporate income tax will likely be revived if the Davis administration is returned to office at the upcoming general election. However, he backed such a move, explaining that many businesses view it as preferable to Business Licence distortions.

“It all depends on who the Government is and if they want to continue that policy,” Mr Turnquest said. “I know the PLP will bring it up again. I don’t know about the FNM. I have no knowledge of what their posture is, but I think it’s a possibility for the PLP. I don’t know much about the posture of a Pintard-led government. We’ve had almost five years of the PLP and can see where they are heading. I think they will pursue it.”

He added that the 2023 corporate income tax ‘green paper’ will need to be studied yet again given the likelihood that many Bahamians and companies will have forgotten about the proposal. “It has to be revisited again - out of sight equals out of mind,” Mr Turnquest said. “There are many complaints about taxing gross income. If they lose money they still have to pay the Business Licence fee on their gross sales.

“That ‘green paper’ needs to be dusted off. The corporate income tax is attractive because it’s more progressive. The Business Licence fee on gross sales is not progressive. Once you line that up with personal income tax for high earners you should have a structure that is more refined and progressive and

gains more revenue for the Government.

“Let’s put businesses on a better footing not to take heavy losses when things get negative. Sometimes you lose money in business. There’s got to be a balance and well thought-out plan.”

The Bahamas’ taxation system has long been considered regressive, given that it is largely based on consumption, as opposed to being progessive and linked to a person’s ability to pay with higher earners contributing more.

Gowon Bowe, who headed the private sector’s Coalition for Responsible Taxation when VAT was introduced in 2015, has argued that The Bahamas should not shy away from progressive tax reforms simply because they appear difficult to implement and administer - the opposite of Mr D’Aguilar. Under VAT and Customs duties, lower income persons pay disproportionately more of their income in taxes than wealthy persons.

The Bahamas has already implemented the minimum 15 percent global corporate tax on companies that are part of multinational corporate groups that have a minimum annual turnover in excess of 750m euros. This complies with its obligations as one of 140 countries that have signed on to the G-20/ Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) initiative.

However, the 2023 ‘green paper’ set out three options for extending corporate income tax to most of the Bahamian economy. The first two, described as

“more nuanced” because of the better balance they strike between tax revenue and economic impact, were those the Government indicates it is giving more serious consideration to.

One, labelled as “a soft introduction”, would introduce the same 15 percent rate for all those caught in the G-20/OECD net and also levy a 10 percent corporate income tax on all other businesses “to maintain regional tax competitiveness”.

The next option, branded as “simplicity driven”, would exempt or carve-out small businesses earning less than a $500,000 annual turnover to leave them still paying the existing Business Licence fee. Bahamas-based entities in groups that meet the G-20/OECD threshold would pay a 15 percent corporate income tax, and all other companies generating more than $500,000 would pay a 12 percent rate.

The final option, which will generate the greatest revenue increase for the Government but also inflict the harshest economic impact, is to simply impose the 15 percent corporate income tax rate on all businesses with a turnover greater than $500,000 per annum and a 10 percent rate on small and medium-sized enterprises earning less than that.

The first two options, according to the ‘green paper’, would see government revenues rise by 36 percent and 62 percent, respectively, compared to 2019 Business Licence revenues.

and resources in a bid to combat these problems, but warned that they will not be solved overnight.

Describing the cure as “a marathon, not a sprint”, he argued that it also requires a cultural and mindshift change where Bahamians no longer perceive the sale and consumption of non-prescribed, unregulated and counterfeit medicines as “a victimless crime”. The ex-health minister reaffirmed that the situation poses a danger to life and health given that someone can die, or be poisoned, from taking the wrong drug or a combination of medicines that react violently with each other.

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“Unfortunately there is truth to the story,” Dr Sands said. “There are pharmacies that are in the business of prescribing and dispensing medicine without physician involvement. There are some worse than others. I believe it’s not an insignificant challenge. One of the problems is that you will have a whole lot of justification for not only that prescription but the distribution of grey market and/or black market medications.”

Pointing to economic motivations stemming from The Bahamas’ price control regime, he explained: “Let’s say I need to access a particular medication from a particular wholesaler, and the law says the mark-up can only be a certain dollar amount or percentage. There’s a maximum mark-up for wholesalers and a maximum mark-up for retailers.

“Suppose someone says they have a trailer load of drugs from Indonesia, Turkey, the Philippines, and all they have to do is change the packaging and re-seal the box. It’s from a recognised medicine brand, and you are now selling this product as if it is intended for this market. You don’t know about the supply

chain, if it has been kept cold or been in someone’s back yard for six months, a year, but your profit margin - if you sell at the same price as if you bought from a legitimate wholesaler - these lower-cost ‘grey market’ drugs can generate potentially big profits. This is happening. It’s not insignificant.”

Dr Sands argued that the solution lies with increased enforcement and regulatory oversight of the entire Bahamian pharmaceutical industry, including its supply chains and imported medicine shipments. “It’s going to require a deep dive and real solution because someone is going to get hurt,” he told Tribune Business. “We have to strengthen the pharmical vigilance mechanism at the Ministry of Health and Wellness through the Pharmacy Council and Customs.

“There has to be an understanding that this is not a victimless crime. When you look at it with that perception, these [grey and black market suppliers] are Good Samaritans, these are Robin Hoods trying to help the poor people. I don’t know if that is necessarily the case. It’s primarily about profit. Sometimes the argument is the monopoly over pharmaceuticals in this country is challenging, and some of these private pharmacies cannot survuve because of competition.

“Whatever the argument, this is not a victimless crime,” Dr Sands added. “‘It’s OK, there’s a wink and a nod’, until something horrible happens and someone dies or gets poisoned through a drug-to-drug

interaction. Without that level of physician involvement and pharmacy oversight, if that’s not followed somebody will take a drug that interacts with another drug and you have complications.

“We like to say we changed our motto from ‘Expulsis Piratis – Restituta Commercia’ (Pirates Expelled – Commerce Restored), which was our original pre-Independence national motto. Well, the pirates are still here.” Dr Sands said he had sought to boost enforcement when in government, adding: “We had been moving. We were moving to strengthen pharmical oversight and ensure the Pharmacy Council is appropriately staffed.

“This is not sprint. This is a marathon. We cannot take our eye off the ball. It also requires the public to participate in the discussion.”

Dr Sands, though, said that too many Bahamians - struggling to afford healthcare costs and access the necessary care and medicines - are all too-willing to take a chance on acquiring non-prescribed drugs from pliant pharmacies and dispensaries.

“Occasionally that action may be reasonable,” he added, “but at other times it can actually be deadly. When you see someone who has not seen a doctor for five years, but they are getting their prescriptions filled every month, you have to ask how this is happening. This is not an issue about maintaining physician revenue; it’s about oversight.

“We have work to do. It demands that the level of

vigilance be increased and we take a jaundiced view of anybody that contravenes the law. Not only the law, but also ethics and practice. The Pharmacy Act is pretty clear on what the rules are every step of the way.” Dr Sands said the growing use of generic or non-branded drugs is making the problem more difficult to police, while reassuring that he holds “no brief” for the large pharmaceutical manufacturers.

“We have to make sure the actions required to keep Bahamians safe with pharmaceuticals are happening because it needs to happen. It’s not happening as often as it needs to happen, and where we are now is a far darker place than a decade ago,” he told Tribune Business. “I’m sure the criticism would be ‘what did you do’ and so on and so forth. Well, it’s one of the reasons I’m involved in this sordid business called politics, but we have to get it sorted out.” Ralph Munroe, Comptroller of Customs, told The Tribune that when large quantities of medications are imported to The Bahamas, the importer must present proper documentation showing their Business Licence and Tax Compliance Certificate. In the case of medication, the importer must also show evidence that they are an authorised importer of these products. While all “registered” pharmacies are licensed to dispense medications, only a handful of companies are authorised to import these products.

net purchase of foreign exchange from the public sector as opposed to a small overall net sale the previous year. As at the beginning of February 2026, external reserves were estimated at $2.9bn - about $200m higher than a year ago.”

Mr Rolle said the regulator’s forecast of lower external reserves levels did not happen because the seasonal drawdown on foreign currency to pay for credit-financed imports in the run-up to Christmas was less than anticipated.

“The Central Bank had forecasted potentially lower end-of-year levels for the external reserves in 2025, which did not materialise,” he added.

“This was based on projections for faster credit

growth than was realised during 2025. In addition, there was an unanticipated, though modest, net retention of proceeds from the public sector’s net borrowing, and relief from a reduction in the average imported cost of fuel.

“The earnings on the invested external balances provided some further uplift. The external reserves, therefore, continue to be healthy overall, and able to tolerate an increased pace of private sector credit lending, which the Central Bank is also accommodating… Steadied to accelerated credit growth is expected to maintain elevated domestic demand, spending on imports and limit any potential for a boost to either external reserves or bank liquidity,” Mr Rolle added.

“Again, the Central Bank is fully accommodative of this outcome given the existing healthy levels of external reserves. The domestic financial environment is also expected to sustain an expanded share of the public sector’s total borrowing needs in the context of continued overall fiscal consolidation.”

Turning to inflation, Mr Rolle said: “The most recent data for The Bahamas was only available up to the middle of 2025. On a 12-month basis, average prices fell marginally, signalling a negative inflation rate as opposed to an increase in average prices - or positive inflation - over the same period in 2024. This reflected savings in energy costs and reduced pressures in import prices up through the middle of the year.

“But the domestic inflation rate is expected to have experienced some uptick over the remainder of 2025 as more of the US tariff policy effects passed

BPL moves to dampen friction as union chiefs seek ‘apology’

though, demanded that Bahamas Grid Company issue an apology to BPL workers.

“The fact that they had to delete it, it tells you a lot,” he said. “That’s a disgrace. Who would write such a thing? I think an apology needs to be sent to the workers and, as union president, I am very insulted.

“I’m very insulted that they would make such a claim that BPL workers are denying them access to the control room. I mean, as union president, from time to time, I myself go and visit the control room and I have access... No one has ever been rude to me or told me I can’t come in there or whatever. And they welcome the persons.

“The purpose of them coming there is to upskill and bring new ideas. I don’t think no one is going to reject that. It just perplexes me. Why was such a statement made? Because if they were not given access, then I need to know why didn’t they contact the chief executive? Why didn’t they contact security? Why didn’t they contact the chief operating officer? Why didn’t they contact the chair lady? Right?” Mr Wilson added.

“Just to put that statement out there, and make such a blanket statement, is unacceptable. And I don’t want no one to stain the reputation of BPL, or the workers or the Bahamian people, unfairly like that. Not because you have access to social media, you just go and you just write anything. That’s not acceptable.”

Christopher Hanna, president of the Bahamas Electrical Utility Managerial Union, which represents BPL’s middle managers,

said he was off-island when he read the post issued by Bahamas Grid Company and thought it was “absolutely foolishness”.

“I know many days that I’m in the control room. Bahamas Grid Company fellas come in there to write programs and other stuff. So, I don’t want to speak to that,” he added. “I haven’t experienced where their team has been denied. This might be above me, which is why I don’t want to speak to that.

“I have very limited knowledge about what happened. But, according to my knowledge, if you have an experienced system controller on duty that is all that is needed in the control room. And I am sure we had somebody.” Bahamas Grid Company, which is 60 percent majority-owned by private investors such as BISX-listed Arawak Port Development Company, is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that was formed to take ownership, management and control of New Providence’s energy grid in a public-private partnership (PPP) with BPL and the Government.

It is managed by Island Grid, an entity headed by Eric Pike, chief of North Carolina-based Pike Electric, which has provided manpower, technology, equipment and other resources during Bahamas Grid Company’s initial $130m upgrade of New Providence’s transmission and distribution grid. That is due to be completed by April 2026.

The control centre access row, though, indicates that there is friction and simmering tensions between the different parts of the Government’s energy reform strategy over who has responsibility for which elements. BPL was supposed

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that CHRISTINA UTILE of Podeleo Street, Robinson 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 twentyeight days from the 3rd day of February, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that YORLINE JOSEPH-ROLLE of Rolle Town, Exuma, 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 27th day of January, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship,P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

through in the cost of goods and services imported from the US. That said, with global inflation threats more diminished, the negative consequences for The Bahamas’ economic outlook also subsided.”

This, he added, meant “easing the strain on foreign exchange needed to pay for imports; increasing the upside potential for foreign investment as international interest rates have more room to decrease in the near term; and improving the prospects for the public sector to contract lower interest rates on foreign currency borrowing”.

The Central Bank, in its monthly report for December 2025, also suggested that the higher pricing and average daily room rates (ADRs) resulting from the limited available supply of land-based accommodations could offset flat stopover numbers by driving highe yields.

“Steadied to improved growth prospects for

valued consumers in New Providence”.

to be left as the customer-facing entity responsible for billing and collections, but the ultimate losers from any row with Bahamas Grid Company will only be Bahamian business and household customers.

BPL linesmen and transmission and distribution staff were supposed to transition over, or be seconded, to Bahamas Grid Company but few have chosen to do so for fear they will lose the rights and benefits bestowed by their industrial agreement. Mr Hanna said that, to his knowledge, a few have made the move, but Mr Wilson said he is not aware of any switching to Bahamas Grid Company.

BPL, in a statement released yesterday, sought to reassure that all was well and smooth over any differences as it said “it remains committed to a seamless working relationship with Bahamas Grid Company (BGC) to ensure that all Bahamians have access to a reliable power supply. We will continue to facilitate all  necessary steps required to ensure that our collaborative efforts prioritise efficiency and progress while servicing our

BPL acknowledged the social media post published by Bahamas Grid Company on February 1, adding that a meeting was held yesterday to discuss the situation. It said the meeting was productive and clarified the matter.

“We have chosen not to engage in a public discourse regarding this issue, and wish only to clarify that BPL enforces strict protocols for accessing our secured areas,” BPL said.

“We are committed to upholding these standards to ensure that all procedures are properly followed when entering restricted spaces. Compliance with these policies is mandatory for all employees and visitors. The management and staff at BPL are committed to ensuring secure access for Bahamas Grid Company personnel as we continue to foster ongoing collaboration.

“BPL affirms that its partnership with Bahamas Grid Company remains strong, with both organisations dedicated to launching a new energy era for Bahamians, bringing enhanced reliability and resilience to power generation in New Providence.”

NOTICE is hereby given that MICHELLE ANN-MARIE MOXEY of Spring Street, Bluff, Eleuthera, 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 27th day of January, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that ANNE MITCHAELLA GABRIEL of Dignity Gardens, Carmicheal 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 27th day of January, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

the US economy are expected to bolster stopover performance. Within otherwise constrained accommodation environment, the sector’s pricing could experience appreciation that support earnings gains,” the regulator added.

“Preliminary data showed that the growth in tourism output continued to be paced by tempered activity in the high value-added stopover segment, owing to accommodation capacity constraints. Nevertheless, performance in the cruise sector remained strong.

“According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, total arrivals grew by 20.5 percent to 1.4m in December 2025 compared to the same period last year. Contributing to this development, sea passengers expanded by 23.7 percent to 1.2m and air traffic by 1.1 percent to 200,000.

“Diaggregated by major port of entry, total arrivals to Grand Bahama accelerated to 210,303 visitors

from 70,522 in the prior year as sea traffic expanded to 203,633 passengers from 64,609 in the corresponding 2024 period, while air traffic rose by 12.8 percent to 6,670. Further, total arrivals to the Family Islands increased by 14.5 percent to 649,489 visitors supported by a 15.8 percent growth in sea passengers to 617,739,” the Central Bank continued.

“However, air arrivals reduced by 6.1 percent to 31,750. Meanwhile, overall visitors to New Providence grew by 2.9 percent to 527,881 reflective of a 2.9 percent gain in sea arrivals to 401,658 and a 2.6 percent uptick in air arrivals to 126,223.

“On an annual basis, total arrivals rose by 11.4 percent to 12.5m visitors vis-a-vis 2024. Leading this outcome, sea arrivals expanded by 13.8% percent to 10.8m. In contrast, air arrivals fell by 1.6 percent to 1.7m.”

Improved US visitor performance forecast

ARRIVALS - from page B1

continued to experience robust growth, buttressed by steady investments in private destination facilities.”

Mr Rolle said that, in 2026, the economy is set to stay above potential,with stronger US stopover arrivals and continued cruise activity helping to maintain or slightly improve tourism earnings, keeping overall growth at least at 2025 levels.

“Turning more directly to the outlook, in 2026 the growth rate of the Bahamian economy is expected to remain above its medium-term potential. On the upside, with the US contribution to stopovers projected to strengthen, stopover earnings growth could stabilise or improve incrementally, and - along with vibrancy in cruise activity - help to at least maintain the same rate of gain as was experienced in 2025,” said Mr Rolle.

He added that he expects the tourism sector to perform at least as well as last year, and possibly even better as conditions improve for growth in the US stopover market.

“Insofar as the forecast is concerned, the conditions are more favourable for growth in the US component of the stopover market, and if you add that to the other parts of the market, where we saw collectively growth this year in terms of visitor volumes, collectively it presents the industry in a strengthened position. Or, the outlook is that the industry will be at least as strong as it was last year, and potentially stronger,” said Mr Rolle.

He said that although US stopover arrivals fell last year, this decline is not expected to continue and, since that market makes up the vast majority of total visitor arrivals, any improvement will have a significant impact on overall tourism.

“In the US case, we have a reduction in total estimated US visit arrivals last year in the stopover segment. We do not expect that to continue this year. And so that in itself makes a difference, because the US market is the super-majority insofar as total visit arrivals are concerned. And that super-majority really overshadowed a considerable amount of the absolute non-US visitors in the stopover segment,” said Mr Rolle.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that NESLIN DESTILHOMME of Queens Road, 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 3rd day of February, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that RONALD CHARLES of Wood Street off Robinson Road, 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 27th day of January, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that ASSELUS PIERRE of Newbold Street off Market Street, New Providence, 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 27th day of January, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

Yet another judge rejects Trump effort to block offshore wind, saying NY project can resume

By JENNIFER McDERMOTT and ALEXA ST. JOHN Associated Press

A FEDERAL judge on Monday ruled that an offshore wind project aimed at powering 600,000 New York homes can resume construction, the fifth such project put back on track after the Trump administration halted them in December.

In clearing the way for Sunrise Wind to proceed, Judge Royce Lamberth found that the government had not shown that offshore wind is such an imminent

national security risk that it must halt in the United States.

President Donald Trump has said his goal is to not let any "windmills" be built, and often talks about his hatred of wind power. His administration froze five big offshore wind projects on the East Coast days before Christmas, citing national security concerns. Developers and states sued to block the order. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers has repeatedly said during the legal battle over the pause that Trump has been clear that "wind energy is the scam of the century"

and the pause is meant to protect the national security of the American people.

Danish company Orsted sued the administration over halting both Sunrise Wind and its Revolution Wind for Rhode Island and Connecticut. In a preliminary injunction hearing on Sunrise Wind at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Monday, Lamberth cited many of the same reasons that he used when he ruled in January that construction could continue on Revolution Wind.

Sunrise Wind said it would resume work as soon as possible. The project is roughly 45% complete and is expected to be operational next year.

It wasn't clear whether the administration would appeal. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management declined to comment on the litigation.

Though all five projects have been cleared

to resume, the construction pause has cost developers millions of dollars and, along with Trump's sustained attacks on renewable energies of all kinds, injected uncertainty and additional risk into future projects. Such delays also mean additional costs for ratepayers, said Hillary Bright, executive director of offshore wind advocacy group Turn Forward.

"At a time when electricity demand is rising rapidly and grid reliability is under increasing strain," Bright said, "these projects represent critically needed utility-scale power sources that are making progress toward completion."

Other federal judges allowed construction to restart in January on the Empire Wind project for New York by Norwegian

France's budget clears the way for Macron's military spending boost

By SYLVIE CORBET Associated Press

FRANCE has adopted its delayed 2026 budget Monday, clearing the way for higher military spending promised by President Emmanuel Macron to confront threats linked to Russia's war in Ukraine and Mideast conflicts.

The adoption of the budget marks the final step of a monthslong, chaotic process that exposed deep divisions in the fractured Parliament, which proved unable to reach a compromise.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ultimately opted

to use his special constitutional power to pass the bill without a vote, surviving two no-confidence votes on Monday evening.

Macron has vowed to increase defense spending to counter what he describes as a widening range of threats, from Russia and nuclear proliferation to terrorism and cyberattacks. France in December passed an emergency law to avoid a U.S.-style government shutdown, but only the full 2026 budget provides the military with the needed funding to build up forces.

The Defense Ministry will get this year an additional

6.7 billion euros ($7.9 billion) compared to 2025 — a notable exception as the state seeks to curb spending across most other sectors.

This year, the armed forces are set to receive a new nuclear-powered attack submarine, 362 armored vehicles to modernize the army, and new Aster surface-to-air missiles.

France is also launching its new voluntary military service this year aiming at training thousands of volunteers, mostly ages 18 and 19.

The government is targeting a budget deficit of 5% of gross domestic product, down from 5.4% in 2025. Public spending is expected

Bright estimated the projects combined would generate 6 gigawatts of electricity, powering 2.5 million American homes and businesses.

to edge down slightly, from 56.8% to 56.6% of GDP as authorities try to rein in debt in the European Union's second-largest economy. France has come under pressure from the EU and credit rating agencies to reduce its debt, prompting the center-right government to seek spending cuts. However, with no majority in Parliament, Lecornu also granted costly concessions to Socialists to keep them from backing efforts to topple his government. The most symbolic is the suspension of Macron's unpopular pension changes to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.

The state deficit is projected at 131.9 billion euros ($156.5 billion), almost stable compared with the previous year.

Surgeon sounds alarm on popular GLP-1 drugs, citing side effects, cost—and stronger outcomes with surgery

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Digital Editor aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

A MAYO Clinic surgeon is warning that popular GLP-1 weight-loss drugs must not be used casually or without medical supervision, while arguing that bariatric surgery remains the most durable treatment for severe obesity.

During a media briefing, Dr Omar Ghanem of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said bariatric surgery can also reduce long-term healthcare costs as he underscored obesity is increasingly being treated like other chronic diseases, using multiple tools like lifestyle changes, medication, surgery, or a combination depending on severity.

“There is no one size fits all,” he said.

Dr Ghanem noted the growing use of pharmacological treatments such as GLP-1 medications, including those widely known by brand names such as

Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. However, he said these drugs come with limitations that are often overlooked in public discussion.

He said around 40 percent of patients cannot tolerate GLP-1 drugs due to gastrointestinal side effects, including abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

While some studies have reported weight loss of up to 20 percent of total body weight, Dr Ghanem said real-world outcomes are often lower.

“Realistically, in the real world, the percentage is way less. It’s about 10 percent,” he said, using an example of a 200-pound patient losing about 20 pounds.

He added that patients who discontinue the drugs typically regain weight, noting the medications may need to be taken lifelong and raise affordability concerns for many. By contrast, he said bariatric surgery typically results in sustained weight

Fitfinity and the power of moving together

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net

WHAT began as a simple desire to make fitness feel less intimidating has grown into something far more layered, rooted, and community-driven. In Exuma, Fitfinity has quietly evolved from a small group workout into a holistic wellness brand, one that places just as much emphasis on connection and balance as it does on movement.

For founder Demi Darville, the motivation was never about aesthetics or trends. Her entry point into wellness was shaped early, influenced by an upbringing where physical activity was routine and discipline was modelled daily. Fitness, in that environment, was not seasonal or performative; it was embedded into everyday life. That grounding became the blueprint for what she would later build.

“Fitfinity was born from a very personal place,” said Demi. “It was inspired by a need I saw in my community and a lifelong passion for movement and wellness. I have always loved being active, but I noticed that many people viewed fitness as intimidating or hard to stay consistent with. I wanted to create something that felt welcoming, fun, and community driven. Something that made people feel supported while they worked on themselves.”

That sense of accessibility became central to the brand’s early identity. Fitfinity started modestly, gathering coworkers and friends with a shared commitment to movement and consistency. Yet even then, Demi was intentional about rejecting rigid fitness narratives, especially within a small island context where wellness resources can be limited and one-size-fits-all models rarely work.

As attendance grew, so did the purpose. The sessions became an anchor,

wellness journey rather than pushing a single definition of progress.

“From fresh juices and wellness shots to pop-up events, community initiatives, collaborations, givebacks, and educational wellness content, the brand now supports overall wellbeing, not just physical fitness,” said Demi.

At the heart of Fitfinity’s philosophy is a simple but layered idea: look good, feel good, do good.

offering encouragement, structure, and a sense of belonging that many participants did not realise they were missing.

“Over time, I began to realise that people were coming for more than just a workout,” she adds. “They were coming for community, encouragement, accountability, and balance. That is when my vision

evolved. I started to see fitness not just as exercise, but as a gateway to overall wellness.” Today, that broader understanding shapes every aspect of Fitfinity’s programming. The brand now blends physical training with nutrition, mindset, and lifestyle offerings, meeting participants at different stages of their

In practice, this framework serves as a guiding principle, shaping how the brand interacts with its community and how wellness is presented within the Exuma landscape.

“‘Feel good’ goes beyond physical fitness. At Fitfinity, wellness includes mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Through intentional workouts, mindfulness, encouragement, and access to nourishing options like fresh juices and wellness shots, my goal is for people to leave feeling lighter, energised, and supported, not just physically tired,” said Demi.

The final element, ‘do good’, she said, grounds the brand firmly within its local context. Fitfinity is positioned not just as a service provider, but as a contributor

loss of about 28 to 30 percent, with a lower chance of regain.

Dr Ghanem cited a large US study he described as comparing around 30,000 patients who underwent bariatric surgery with those treated with medication alone. He said that at two years, those treated with medication alone lost about 10 percent of body weight and had more emergency room visits related to weight issues, while the surgery group lost roughly 28 percent and had fewer emergency visits.

He said the study found patients who underwent surgery saved about $11,000 in healthcare costs at two years.

The surgeon also raised concerns about the misuse of weight-loss drugs by people without clear medical indications, such as those taking the medication to “look better” for events.

“If we’re taking the medications because we want to look better and want to go

to the beach or we have a wedding coming up, that is the wrong indication,” he said.

Dr Ghanem said all medications carry risks and should only be taken with appropriate counselling and follow-up. He cited rare but severe complications associated with GLP-1 drugs, including pancreatitis and, in uncommon cases, loss of eyesight.

He also warned that rapid weight loss from GLP-1 drugs can be accompanied by loss of muscle mass, and said patients may require nutritional monitoring, including protein intake and vitamin supplementation.

In closing, Dr Ghanem stressed that obesity care should be guided by experts and that surgery and medication should not be framed as competing options.

“It’s not obesity versus medication,” he said. “There are multiple ways to treat obesity.”

to community wellbeing, with a particular focus on uplifting women and creating safe, positive spaces. This sense of responsibility also informs how new offerings are introduced. Rather than chasing trends, Demi allows expansion to unfold organically, guided by lived experience, client feedback, and cultural relevance. Even the Fitfinity wellness products carry personal meaning, shaped by family wisdom and generational influence.

“One of the most meaningful blends, and my personal favourite, is the grapefruit wellness shot. It was inspired by my Grammy, who often spoke about the benefits of starting the morning with grapefruit and the importance of caring for your body naturally,” said Demi. That approach has helped build trust within the Fitfinity community, where participants describe the space as supportive rather than intimidating. The collective energy has proven just as transformative for Demi herself, reinforcing the reciprocal nature of leadership within wellness spaces.

“Personally, as an entrepreneur, the community has kept me disciplined, accountable, and consistent. There are days when I am

tired or overwhelmed, but knowing that people are counting on me pushes me to show up anyway,” said Demi. In moving forward, Fitfinity’s quarterly initiatives signal continued growth, both geographically and conceptually. Plans include expanded workouts, popups across The Bahamas, educational wellness programmes, collaborations, and community givebacks, all while maintaining the brand’s core ethos.

“Long term, the legacy I hope Fitfinity leaves behind is one of impact, empowerment, and wellness throughout The Bahamas. I want Fitfinity to be remembered as more than a fitness brand,” said Demi. For Her, the ultimate measure of success is cultural rather than commercial. It is about shifting how people relate to their health, to each other, and to the idea of wellness as a lifelong commitment rather than a quick fix.

“It is about proving that when people are given the right environment, encouragement, and support, they can grow beyond what they once believed was possible,” said Demi.

In Exuma, that vision is already taking shape, one class, one connection, and one shared moment of movement at a time.

“Don’t Fear the Smear”

By SHAKARA TROTT Bahamas Information Services

THE OFFICE of the Spouse of the Prime Minister, in partnership with the Cancer Society of The Bahamas (Grand Bahama), Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Grand Bahama Power Company and the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), hosted the third annual “Don’t Fear the Smear” cervical cancer awareness campaign at Pearce Plaza on Coral Road.

Held during Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the initiative focused on education, prevention and early detection, providing free Pap smears and HPV vaccinations to women in the Grand Bahama community. Attendees also had access to free rapid testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), offering a comprehensive approach to women’s sexual and reproductive health.

Healthcare professionals at the event emphasised that stigma and misinformation remain significant barriers to screening. Many women delay or avoid Pap smears due to fear, misconceptions about the procedure, or stigma associated with HPV. Medical experts reiterated that HPV infection is common, often asymptomatic and not an indicator of promiscuity.

Minister for Grand Bahama, Ginger Moxey, underscored the Government’s commitment to collaboration, prevention and early intervention.

“It is so important that we continue to educate and provide opportunities for our women to be tested, to recognise their position and to know that it is preventable,” said Ms Moxey. “I am so encouraged to know that the Public Hospitals Authority PHA, Grand Bahama Health Services, the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister and others are working collaboratively to address this issue.”

She added, “It is critically important for us to collaborate in order for our people to be well-educated and to take advantage of all of the opportunities that are presented.”

DURING Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, January, the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister, in collaboration with the Cancer Society of The Bahamas and a wide network of medical and community partners, hosted the “Don’t Fear the Smear” campaign on January 24 at the Pearce Plaza. The initiative provided free pap smears, STI screenings and HPV vaccinations. Anne Marie Davis, of the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister, was in attendance, along with key partners and sponsors including Grand Bahama Power Company, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Public Hospitals Authority.

(BIS Photos/Andrew Miller)

Spouse of the Prime Minister, Anne Marie Davis, emphasised that cervical cancer is both preventable and treatable, yet continues to affect women across The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean.

“Regionally, cervical cancer is becoming a major concern,” said Mrs Davis. “This is something we can prevent through Pap smears, early detection and early treatment. With access and education, we can eliminate

one of the cancers causing unnecessary suffering and loss among our women.”

The event was spearheaded by Dr Saida Bowe, Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Rand Memorial Hospital, who noted that the campaign continues to grow in reach and impact.

“In our first year, we screened nearly 200 women and vaccinated about 45,” said Dr Bowe. “The second

year produced similar results and this year we are aiming to reach 300 women. The momentum is building.”

Cervical cancer is among the most common cancers in The Bahamas, most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 25 and 44. It is caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), transmitted through sexual activity and skin-to-skin contact. Health officials

Do you need to control your cortisol? Probably not, doctors say

CORTISOL, what is known as the stress hormone, is the talk of the internet.

Wellness influencers warn about the various symptoms of chronically high cortisol: waking up at 3am , swollen “cortisol face” and accumulating belly fat. And many offer diet and exercise routines that they claim will help. But do you really need supplements and advice from influencers to control your cortisol? Doctors say it's very unlikely. Don't be so quick to label this hormone as a villain, they say. And if you suspect

something is off, talk to a professional.

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW.

Cortisol keeps you alive and disorders are relatively rare.

Cortisol is a hormone and you need it to survive. It comes from the adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, and is one of many hormones at play in times of stress. It can influence inflammation, the immune system, metabolism, blood pressure and many other bodily functions.

Cortisol is incredibly attuned to your body and

environment. It fluctuates throughout the day, rising in the morning when you wake up and falling at night before you go to sleep. It also rises when you're sick or in other times of stress, doctors say.

“Our cortisol level is regulated by the minute,” said Dr Roberto Salvatori, a Johns Hopkins University endocrinologist. “It is very sensitive.”

It’s rare that people have a disorder where cortisol on its own is the cause. If a person’s cortisol level is chronically low, doctors would diagnose them with adrenal insufficiency. This

includes an autoimmune condition called Addison’s disease, in which the immune system attacks the adrenal gland.

People with Cushing's syndrome have cortisol levels that are too high. Among its causes are tumors, which are usually benign, in the adrenal or pituitary glands. It is treated with medication, surgery or both.

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE ORDERING A CORTISOL TEST

The symptoms of either high or low cortisol are

recommend HPV vaccination beginning at age 12, and annual Pap smears for women aged 21 and older, or earlier if sexually active.

Dr Bowe stressed that early detection leads to better outcomes, noting that cost, fear, and discomfort often prevent women from being screened — challenges the “Don’t Fear the Smear” campaign seeks to eliminate by offering services free of charge.

wide-ranging and can overlap with signs of other health issues.

Adrenal insufficiency can manifest as fatigue, unintentional weight loss, low blood pressure and loss of appetite. Cushing's syndrome comes with weight gain, high blood pressure, brittle bones, weight gain around the face and belly, abnormal hair growth in women, sleep issues and more.

Diagnoses take time, multiple tests and an understanding of a patient's overall health, doctors said. Cortisol can be measured through the patient's saliva, blood or urine.

“There’s a lot of nuance to interpreting cortisol and that’s what makes me a little bit nervous about patients getting cortisol testing for themselves without having some kind of physician oversight,” said Dr Katie Guttenberg, an endocrinologist at UTHealth Houston.

A one-off cortisol blood test won't provide useful information for most people, she said, and could lead to unnecessary stress and medical follow-ups. For example, women who are on birth control will have falsely high cortisol blood results, because of how the medicine works in the body.

BE CAUTIOUS OF SUPPLEMENTS THAT CLAIM TO LOWER CORTISOL

Endocrinologists say there are no proven overthe-counter treatments for high or low cortisol, despite claims that supplements like ashwagandha and magnesium are helpful in “lowering cortisol.”

Beyond Cushing's syndrome, chronically high cortisol is a concern, said Dr James Findling, an endocrinologist with the Medical College of Wisconsin, but

Cervical cancer survivor Stacey Sands, 39, attended the event to offer encouragement and moral support.

“Whenever these events are held, I encourage women to come out,” she said. “Everything is confidential and early detection truly saves lives.”

Organisers and attendees alike echoed a shared message: Prevention is possible and early detection saves lives.

more research into treatments is needed.

He worries about people taking unregulated supplements when it's not always clear what's in them.

“They're not innocuous,” Findling warned.

Even in patients who have Cushing's syndrome, the medications have to be carefully dosed, Salvatori said, because an overcorrection could drive cortisol levels too low and cause other health issues.

Managing stress is good for you, regardless of cortisol.

Salvatori notes there is a condition called “pseudo Cushing's syndrome,” which is often milder but causes some of the same physical effects despite the patient not having a tumor. It can be caused by alcoholism and other chronic issues.

It is generally treated by addressing the underlying cause, doctors said, like getting the patient to stop drinking.

Endocrinologists are learning new potential benefits for treating high cortisol, said Findling, who studies the condition. For example, it could potentially help diabetics who are on multiple drugs better control their blood sugar. The doctors also acknowledged that stress is highly subjective and Cushing's syndrome patients can go unheard and undiagnosed.

But their advice for the vast majority of people: Talk to a doctor if you are concerned.

For healthy people, rather than focusing in on one elusive hormone, the doctors recommended going back to the basics of stress management: Eat well, get enough sleep, move your body or go to therapy.

“Nothing new about any of that,” Findling said.

WHETHER she is walking a fashion runway, amping herself up at the top of a mountain, or digging into one of those physics lessons she takes “for fun,” Olympic champion Eileen Gu can probably boil down her main goals to these: Do her best and bring as many people along for the ride as possible.

The world’s best overall freestyle skier has made reaching those goals look remarkably easy over her first four years in the spotlight. So easy, in fact, that it can sometimes also be easy to overlook how hard it really is.

“You know, we're all risking our lives out here," she said with a laugh, while contemplating a more in-depth answer about a question that everything eventually seems to come back to with her: How much weight does she put into all the opinions about her choice to compete for her mother's home country, China, despite being born and raised in California?

The 22-year-old multitasker will, in fact, put her life on the line somewhere between 10 and 15 times at the Milan Cortina Games, trying to duplicate her feat from four years ago when she won medals in all three of freeskiing's inherently dangerous disciplines, halfpipe, slopestyle and big air.

She will do it inside a cauldron of Olympic pressure, magnified by the geopolitical forces that typically come with the Games and, when the Winter Games roll around, often focus on her.

Lots of folks have takes on Gu. Some of it, she says, descends into “vitriol.” It ranges from “people who thought I wasn't Chinese enough” when she dyed her hair blonde to those who find fault in her choosing China over the United States, especially with the two major powers increasingly in conflict.

“I can focus my attention on the places where I personally have the most interest and impact, and work as hard as possible to make as much good in the world as I can,” Gu said in an interview with The Associated Press. “And to wish the people who disagree with me to use that energy and make the world better in their own way instead of directing it at me. That’s all I can hope.”

As for her bigger goals — they remain on track.

She told of recently visiting a rural part of northern China and checking out a small ski hill they built for kids, where they offer free ski rentals and lift tickets. It was a strong indicator, she said, of the way snow and action sports are growing in China. Late in 2024, the Chinese government released a study that said 313 million people had engaged in snow sports since the Beijing Games in 2022. That's about 30 million less than the entire population of the US.

“Everybody from a 3-year-old and a family, to a professional athlete to a fashionista can enjoy this sport,” she said. “That's super special to me, and it has far surpassed any expectation I ever had for it.”

Giving herself a ‘break’ to focus on skiing

Gu did something unusual for herself this school year. The young woman who graduated high school a year early and was aiming for something similar in

Freeskier

Eileen Gu takes another wild ride to the Olympics, invites the world to tag along

college gave herself a break at Stanford so she could focus on skiing.

She also heeded the advice of friends (maybe professors and college counselors, too) and decided to major in international relations and simply take quantum physics classes "for fun."

“It's wonderful to see how the world works on a granular level,” she said.

Along with her classes at Stanford, she joined the chess club, a book club, a sorority and formed a basketball league.

A highlight from a recent trip to Saas-Fee in Switzerland, where Olympic daredevils go to train, was rounding up a physio trainer from the Chinese team, a Brazilian athlete and some members of

the US team for a pickup hoops game at a local school.

“The idea of sports being able to bring people together really is somehting I subscribe to wholeheartedly," she said. "I've implemented it pretty naturally throughout my life, in different ways. I just believe in it.”

From hoops to fashion and back to skiing, Gu chooses ‘all of the above’

The same woman playing hoops in Saas-Fee was the one you've seen on dozens of maga zine covers, or modeling in Paris, Shanghai, Barcelona and on run ways in Milan, the global fashion

and possibilities well beyond the mountain.

“It's exciting to see her take — you hate to say her 'brand,’ — but it's her brand and go where she's going with it,” said Shaun White, maybe the only action-sports star whose glow radiates far enough beyond the halfpipe to relate to the journey Gu is on. “She has a competitive side. She has modeling. She goes to Stanford. She's one of those once-in-a-generation athletes who has the whole package.”

Taking care of her ‘day job,’ skiing The fame, of course, all goes back to Gu's first love — skiing, taking chances and pushing the boundaries of human performance.

A few weeks ago, she won a slopestyle contest in Laax, Switzerland, the record 20th World Cup freeski victory of her stillyoung career. She has not been beaten on a halfpipe since February 2024. She is fully healthy for the first time in at least a year. A concussion in training last January induced seizures in the direct aftermath. It was one of the rare times, she said, that skiing truly left her scared.

“That was really personal

center that is also co-host of the upcoming Olympics.

Some athletes feel suffocated by the obligations that fame brings. Gu says she embraces it. She posts handwritten journals on her social media feeds on topics like mental health, communication through sport and overcoming obstacles.

“My hope is that people can read these things and feel actually affected vs. ‘Oh, here’s a picture of Eileen smiling,'" she said.

and emotional in a way a lot of people did not expect," she said.

“A big reason for that is because I define so much of who I am by my brain.”

But she insists she is fine putting her life on the line to do what she loves. If she does her best, odds are the judges will award her three more Olympic medals in the next few weeks.

It's not the only way Gu will be judged once the games begin. She's at peace with

“I take it with a grain of salt,” Gu said. there’s no way I can be perfect for every person

Zahra Smith Bryan advances literacy mission in Ghana

AS THE FOUNDER of the non-profit organisation

Book Magic Org, Zahra Smith Bryan is passionate about literacy.

And now Zahra, who is also a youth leader and bestselling is continuing her mission to combat illiteracy and empower vulnerable children through international service and education advocacy.

Book Magic Org. was founded to address literacy gaps and to uplift children who need opportunity and encouragement the most.

And so it was just a natural fit that when her family recently travelled to Ghana they intentionally sought a school where their service would directly align with this mission.

That search led them to an Islamic School serving approximately 260 students, many of whom are orphaned.

“This is where we knew we were meant to be,” said Zahra.

During their visit, Zahra spent time mentoring and engaging with the girls of the school — offering not only practical strategies for learning, but also something equally powerful: permission to dream boldly.

“I am still in awe of their brilliance, curiosity, resilience, and hope,” she said.

“But there is so much more work to be done.”

“We need you. These children need you. And together, we can make a lasting impact.”

education, and strengthening the cultural and economic bridges that connect both nations.

Community members who wish to support this initiative through donations of books or laptops are encouraged to message directly to contribute.

“We need you. These children need you. And

Book Magic Org.’s next goal is to equip the school with a computer lab and a library, resources that will expand access to knowledge, open doors to opportunity, and help shape future leaders.

together, we can make a lasting impact.”

During the visit, Zahra also had the honor of meeting Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament, Mavis Bissue Kuukua, and Queen Mother Asafoakyereba. Discussions centered on trade between Ghana and The Bahamas, youth

NGOs receive support from Social Service Ministry ahead of UN Commission on status of women

THE Department of Gender and Family Affairs within the Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, held its first meeting with Non Governmental Organisations for the year over the weekend, providing information and training that will benefit their agencies and the people they seek to assist in communities throughout The Bahamas.

Topics included funding provided by the ministry, and international exposure, including at the upcoming United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) taking place this March. Seated, center is DGFA Director Sharmie Fernander pictured with representatives of a myriad of NGOS throughout the country as well as the Family Island Coordination Council.

Planning peace when it matters most

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

WHEN grief arrives, it rarely comes with instructions. For Lakeitha McSweeney, that absence of guidance is exactly where she steps in. As the founder of The Farewell Planner, she helps families navigate loss with organisation, dignity, and a sense of calm during moments that often feel overwhelming.

Rather than operating as a traditional funeral director, Lakeitha positions herself as an advocate for families, stepping in at a time when grief often collides with urgency. Her business emerged from recognising that while funeral homes handle essential arrangements, families are still left to make dozens of emotionally charged decisions under pressure.

“The Farewell Planner was born from a realisation that while the funeral home manages the physical transition of a loved one, there was no dedicated advocate solely focused on the family’s peace of mind and the long-term legacy of the deceased,” she explained.

Lakeitha said she identified a ‘logistical gap’, where families often face over 20 complex decisions in the first 48 hours of a loss, leading to decision fatigue and rushed choices.

At the heart of her work is the belief that a farewell should reflect a life lived, not simply follow a template. By separating personal vision from standard mortuary services, Lakeitha is able to help families create something meaningful rather than procedural.

Supporting families through grief requires more than organisation alone.

Lakeitha describes her role as both practical and deeply human, stepping in to manage logistics while allowing families the space to process loss without constant interruption.

“Grief is a heavy fog, and my mission is to be the steady lighthouse for families navigating it. I act as the primary liaison between families and the myriad of vendors, from morticians and florists to legal advisors, so the family can focus on their emotional needs,” said Lakeitha.

Beyond coordination, she also challenges families to rethink long-standing expectations around funerals, encouraging approaches that prioritise healing and reflection over tradition for tradition’s sake.

“I help families move past ‘the way things have always been done’ by introducing elements of grief care and support that prioritise their healing over mere checklists,” she added. Lakeitha often likens her approach to that of a

“Stepping into this space as a woman entrepreneur, I’ve found that people were actually waiting for a voice that combines empathy with high-level organisation.”

wedding planner, not to trivialise loss, but to emphasise the same level of care, dignity, and attention to detail that society readily applies to celebrations.

“We celebrate beginnings with meticulous detail; I believe we must honour endings with the same reverence. Approaching a funeral like a wedding planner ensures aesthetic excellence, from bespoke programs to themed memorial experiences, and dignified execution that prevents cookie-cutter services that can feel impersonal during such a sacred time,” said Lakeitha.

This philosophy is rooted in her upbringing. Growing up in Nassau, surrounded by her family’s funeral homes, Lakeitha witnessed firsthand the delicate balance between service, compassion, and responsibility.

“Growing up in my family’s funeral homes in Nassau gave me a front-row seat to the delicate balance of business and ministry. Watching my grandmother, father and uncle, I learned that death is not a finality to be feared, but a transition to be honoured. This upbringing taught me the value of exceptional and empathetic care,” said Lakeitha.

Building The Farewell Planner allowed her to take that foundation and reinterpret it for a new generation, blending tradition with a modern, thoughtful approach to legacy and remembrance.

“For me, success is the peace of mind a client feels when they realise the heavy lifting is done. Success means that farewell moments in our community are no longer synonymous with stress and financial strain, but are instead cherished, uniquely designed memorials,” said Lakeitha. She is also passionate about encouraging pre-planning, reframing it not as a morbid task, but as an act of care for loved ones left behind. As a female entrepreneur operating in a space many shy away from, Lakeitha said the response since

her official launch has been both affirming and energising.

“Stepping into this space as a woman entrepreneur, I’ve found that people were actually waiting for a voice that combines empathy with high-level organisation,” she said. That resonance has translated into tangible engagement, particularly online, where conversations around death and legacy are becoming more open.

“We are not just getting likes; we are getting action. We have received numerous requests for pre-planning package quotes from individuals ready to take control of their future narrative,” said Lakeitha. For her, that shift signals something larger than business success. It reflects a cultural readiness to approach farewell moments with intention, care, and peace.

“It confirms that Bahamians are ready to move past the taboo of death and embrace the peace that comes with a well-ordered farewell,” said Lakeitha.