04142026 BUSINESS

Ginn tax break-up won’t ‘deliver Bahamas’ goals’

BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE near-$10m tax dispute that is blocking an ambitious $6.5bn proposal for the former Ginn project has been pushed back until end-June, Tribune Business can reveal, amid assertions that selling of the property’s largest land parcel to recover this debt will not “deliver The Bahamas’ goals”.

Legal documents obtained by this newspaper reveal the Department of Inland Revenue was warned some 18 months ago that seizing the 1,143acre parcel, then auctioning it of in a bid to recover unpaid real property taxes, was unlikely to facilitate the West End development’s revival due to the complexity surrounding its “disrepair and abandonment”.

Daniel Baker, an executive with Reunion Cay Island Resort LLC, which is the managing agent for the landholding companies disputing the tax debt with the Department of Inland Revenue, argued that any investor seeking to redevelop the former Ginn project would need to acquire all land parcels - not just the 1,143-acre tract - because of how they are linked to each other.

And, pointing to further complexities that have inhibited the search for buyers and the development’s rebirth, Mr Baker told Antonio Maycock, an ofcial with the Department of Inland Revenue’s revenue enhancement unit, via an October 21, 2024, e-mail that the situation is made “exponentially more challenging” by

Development Plan Institute ‘needed more teeth’ in Bill

BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE National Development Plan’s chairman yesterday disclosed he opted not to rush legislation that would give it a legal footing through Parliament before the general election because it “needed more teeth” and was critical to “get right”.

Department of Inland Revenue warned over 1,143-acre sell-o

Hearing over $9.7m unpaid taxes dispute delayed till end-June West End project ‘brought to knees’ after ‘unparalleled success’

the fact 213 vacant lots have already been sold to individual purchasers.

He asserted that selling-of the 1,143-acre parcel would merely “further divide ownership” and “devalue” what remains of the former Ginn property, while sparking litigation that would again delay the revival of Grand Bahama’s West End. And Mr Baker further warned that any purchaser seeking to buy through the auction process without doing further investigation “should be a red fag to government that the bidder most probably doesn’t know what they are doing”.

His alerts emerged as LRA-OBB and Resorts Holdings, the two companies that hold the combined 1,931 acres that comprise the failed Ginn development, saw their Tax Appeal Commission challenge to the Department of Inland Revenue’s valuation,

and proposed seizure and auction, pushed back until end-June.

The latest delay does not favour Coakley International and its afliate, Bristol Pointe Ltd, which had previously agreed a deal with the Department of Inland Revenue to purchase the 1,143 acre tract, which accounts for 59 percent of the former Ginn property, for $26m after paying a $2.6m deposit. It has previously unveiled ambitions for a development that would create 2,800 construction jobs and 6,000 permanent posts for Bahamians, but these plans have had to be put on hold for now.

An April 12, 2026, Supreme Court Order has given LRA-OBB Ltd and Resorts Holding further protection, as both the Department of Inland Revenue and Treasurer have pledged “not to complete the sale of the property…. until after the completion of the appeal proceedings lodged”. They are alleging that a $21m valuation diference with the Bahamian tax authorities has resulted in them being over-charged real property tax by “more than 75 percent-plus”.

Mr Baker and Reunion Cay, in their capacity as managing agents for LRA-OBB Ltd and Resorts Holding, previously warned the Department of Inland Revenue that selling of the former Ginn project’s real estate piecemeal would undermine its value and only delay a potential revival by making a new investor’s work much more complicated.

“The Sur Mer property is complex,” Mr Baker warned Mr Maycock. “The

Business Licence for corporate income tax swap to ‘rev up’ GDP

BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Opposition’s chairman yesterday hailed the party’s pledge to replace Business Licence fees with a corporate income tax as “a more equitable and progressive approach” in a package of measures designed to “rev up” economic growth to 3-4 percent annually.

Dr Duane Sands told Tribune Business that switching from the turnover-based Business Licence fees to a tax levied on net profts will be fairer and “makes an awful lot of sense”. He added that it was but one factor “dampening economic growth” as the Free National Movement (FNM) also promised to do away with the practice of companies having to estimate and pay Business Licence fees for the upcoming year in advance.

“We will replace the current unfair Business Licence tax that requires businesses to pay a tax on gross turnover, even when they are losing money, with a fairer net earnings-based tax that will allow for targeted tax breaks for

FNM chair: It’s a ‘fairer approach to taxation’

Pledges ‘Taxpayer Charter’ for clear standard

Firms ‘held hostage’ by ‘heavy hand’ approach

productive capital expansion, charitable giving and social contribution,” the FNM’s just-released election campaign manifesto pledged.

“It will also end the unfair practice of Bahamian entrepreneurs being forced to pay next year’s licence fees in advance. This will help ensure that companies generating substantial profts pay their fair share, whilst making it easier to grow. The rate will be set after consultation to achieve the correct balance between domestic producers, importers and service-based businesses, and will ensure The ‘Careful

Felix Stubbs, who heads the Plan’s steering committee, told Tribune Business that he and other executives were given a “heads-up” by Prime Minister Philip Davis KC that he planned to call an early election. They were given the choice of proceeding to Parliament with the Bill in its current state, or waiting until after the general election to make necessary amendments, and they chose the latter.

While admitting to “personal disappointment” that the National Development Planning Institute Bill 2026 did not make the House of Assembly’s legislative agenda prior to the May 12, 2026, general election, he nevertheless added that he “has a great deal of confdence” that it will be among the top priorities for the new administration regardless of who wins at the polls.

While the Davis administration has provided the steering committee with assurances that it will be among “the frst pieces of legislation produced” when Parliament reconvenes, Mr Stubbs said Michael Pintard, the Opposition leader, has also signalled his support for the Bill.

This has been reinforced by the Free National Movement’s (FNM) general election campaign manifesto, which listed

BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Opposition’s chairman yesterday branded the party’s target of increasing stopover visitors by 35 percent over the next fve years, if re-elected to ofce, as “perfectly reasonable” while asserting it was “careful not to go crazy” with its election promises.

BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A BAHAMIAN property and casualty insurer yesterday asserted that the downgrade of its fnancial strength and creditworthiness by the industry’s top rating agency does not refect “any deterioration” in its balance sheet as it pledged to take swift corrective “action”.

Timothy Ingraham, chief executive of Summit Insurance Company, through which Insurance Management places much of its property and casualty business, told Tribune Business that the underwriter “remains as strong as ever” and stakeholders including policyholders should take “comfort” from that.

In a messaged response to Tribune Business inquiries, he signalled that AM Best’s decision to downgrade Summit’s fnancial strength rating from

Dr Duane Sands told Tribune Business that a Free National Movement (FNM) administration will lean on Airbnbs and other types of vacation rentals to help accommodate what would be a more than 591,000 increase in stopover visitors by 2031 to hit this goal - a mark he conceded was “ambitious but doable”.

The FNM campaign manifesto, released on Sunday night, commits the party to “target a 35 percent increase in stopover visitors” although it provides little to no detail about how this will be achieved. Dr Sands, though, argued that The Bahamas has “lost some ground” to Caribbean tourism rivals and needs to regain that by reversing recent stopover arrivals declines and then “eclipsing” their growth rates.

one-third in fve years also came despite the FNM manifesto, in the very same sentence, asserting that a Michael Pintard-led administration will focus more on visitor spending - and, in particular, tourism’s economic impact and whether this is impacting Bahamian businesses and workers - as opposed to arrivals fgures.

“Consistent with this strategy, we will seek to deliver more stopover visitors,

The goal of increasing stopover numbers by more than

‘A-’ (Excellent) to ‘B++’ “Good’, albeit with a stable outlook, was driven by events beyond the general insurer’s control. Besides increased reinsurance premium costs, following Hurricane Dorian’s 2019 payouts and other major storms that struck elsewhere in the Caribbean, AM Best also cited “the largest fre loss” in the company’s history that occurred during the 2025 second quarter. While the fre was not identifed by either Mr Ingraham or AM Best, it is more than likely the blaze which destroyed AML Foods’ Solomon’s Old Trail and Cost Right stores plus the building that the Department of Labour was due to move into.

AML Foods disclosed that it received more than $23m as a payout on its initial fre-related insurance claim. Mr Ingraham said yesterday of AM Best’s

MSC developing new Bahamas destination set for 2028 launch

MEDITERRANEAN

Shipping Company’s (MSC) cruise division yesterday announced it is developing another Bahamian private island destination located next to its existing Ocean Cay marine reserve that is scheduled to open in 2028.

The global shipping giant, in a statement, said Sandy Cay represents a further “signifcant investment” in The Bahamas alongside its recently-unveiled MSC Beach Club at the Grand Lucayan, plus its Freeport Harbour and Billy Cay project as well as its existing Ocean Cay destination.

MSC added that Sandy Cay will create new

opportunities for Bahamians across multiple sectors, although it did not specify how many permanent jobs will be created. It said, though, that the development will also open up possibilities for Bahamian entrepreneurs and vendors vendors.

Bahamian insurers see their nancial strength a rmed

TWO Bahamian insurers and all their Caribbean afliates have seen their fnancial strength and creditworthiness upheld by the industry’s top ratings agency.

Coralisle Group, in a statement, said AM Best has afrmed the fnancial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) for CG Atlantic Medical and Life Insurance and CG Atlantic General Insurance, respectively its Bahamian life and health and property and casualty insurance subsidiaries. And AM Best has also maintained a long-term

issuer credit rating of ‘a’ (excellent), together with a ‘stable’ outlook, for both companies along with their afliates in Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Barbados and British Virgin Islands.

“We are pleased to have our fnancial strength afrmed by AM Best,” said Coralisle Group’s chief executive, Naz Farrow.

“This recognition refects our continued focus on building and maintaining a strong fnancial foundation year on year. Through disciplined execution and a consistent approach across the group, we ensure we are

Chair ‘highly con dent’ passed after election

CREATE - from page B1

“backing to the National Development Plan and putting it on a statutory footing” as the frst goal in its ‘prosperity’ section.

“Vision 2040 is crucial if The Bahamas is to fulfll its true potential across all national sectors, including the economy. That’s why we will ensure there are sufcient resources to complete and update the Plan, and that a proposed National Development Plan Bill is passed through Parliament to put the initiative on a statutory basis,” the FNM promised.

Mr Stubbs, meanwhile, said that - besides crossparty political support - the National Development Planning Institute Bill 2026 has also gained “administrative support”

and buy-in from the Cabinet secretary, permanent secretary and other senior civil servants who will play vital roles in its implementation and co-ordination.

“The Bill is in the Attorney General’s Ofce,” he told Tribune Business. “We were advised that, based on the feedback we got from the public consultation and feedback from the Attorney General’s Ofce, that the Bill needed more teeth because it didn’t give us enough authority to go into government ministries and request the information we need to do our job properly.

“I’m a little disappointed myself personally because I wanted to get it on the agenda before the House was dissolved, but we were given the option of having it delayed to get it right. We chose to get it right rather than rush a Bill that was

well positioned to provide meaningful support to our clients when they need us most.”

Explaining its rating decision, AM Best said: “The ratings refect Coralisle Group’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profle and appropriate enterprise risk management.

“On a consolidated basis, Coralisle Group demonstrates the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by

half-way done… to try and get the changes we needed in so when it goes to Parliament it has all the authority we want in it.

“The Prime Minister gave us a heads up that we would not get it on the agenda because he was calling an early election, and he asked if we wanted to go ahead with it and proceed as is” or delay to get it right. Mr Stubbs said work on the National Development Plan is continuing, and added: “Both parties have indicated support for the Bill, so I have a great deal of confdence this delay is not going to cause us much of an issue.

“We’ve been given assurances by both of them that the Bill will be brought on to the agenda. We’re hoping that the Bill will be featured prominently in the Speech from the Throne regardless of which administration is elected. We’ve been given assurance it will be among the frst pieces of legislation produced.

“The project will support employment across a range of industries, including construction, hospitality, marine services, transportation and environmental

Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), supported by good liquidity, nominal fnancial leverage that was comprised of lease liabilities, and access to a revolving credit facility.

“Similar to its Caribbean peers, Coralisle Group maintains high reinsurance

“The Bill is very important because the reason we delayed it is that it didnt give us sufcient power to do the things we need to do. It’s important to get the Bill passed so we can go in and do the exploratory work in each ministry, give advice to each ministry so that we can assure that each ministry adheres to the National Development Plan.”

Mr Stubbs said the Plan’s steering committee has met with, and held workshops, with the Cabinet secretary and senior civil servants so that “we’ve not only got political support but administrative support”. He added: “Things are moving ahead very nicely. We haven’t stopped working. We are still getting the support we need. I’m very hopeful that after the election it will be business as usual.”

The initial Bill was crafted to give the Institute “some autonomy” and prevent the Government from being able to “dictate” to it. The Bahamas National Development Planning Institute will “initiate and co-ordinate” all national planning, and have oversight responsibility for its governance and implementation, while being held accountable by its own Board of Directors.

management. As development progresses, there will also be opportunities for Bahamian small businesses to participate in supply chains, cultural

dependence, particularly in its property business, given its exposure to catastrophe-prone geographic areas. Coralisle Group manages its exposure through a comprehensive reinsurance programme with high-quality reinsurance partners.”

AM Best added: “Coralisle Group’s fnancial performance remained favourable in 2024, with operating performance improving year-over-year, driven by a combination of premium growth, a minimal impact from catastrophe events and investment income being accretive to earnings.

“Earnings are also expected to remain favourable for the year-end 2025 results when reported, despite the impact from two catastrophe events

The proposed legislation, besides creating the Planning Institute, makes it responsible for advising the Government “on major issues relating to governance, the economy, social policy and the environment of The Bahamas”. And, if passed in its original form, the Planning Institute will also develop a plan “for the most efective use of The Bahamas’ resources by assessing existing and projected social, economic and manpower resources” plus “prepare governance, economic, social policy and environmental models for the guidance of policymakers, investors and other planners”.

The National Development Plan, which was conceived and put together during the last Christie administration, was intended to be a cross-party, non-partisan and non-political efort to develop a ‘road map’ that would guide the country’s direction and progress The Bahamas towards the kind of nation its citizens desire.

However, despite seeking to be non-partisan, the National Development Plan appeared to be shelved under the

programming and guest experiences that refect the authentic spirit of The Bahamas,” MSC said in a statement.

It added that Sandy Cay will complement the existing Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, with the two destinations combining to strengthen The Bahamas’ position as a premier cruise destination while driving sustained economic activity.

Besides Sandy Cay, MSC said upgrades are planned for the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, including expanded amenities and new experiences. It added that this is expected to create additional employment and business opportunities for Bahamians.

- Hurricanes Beryl in 2024 and Melissa in 2025.

“Coralisle Group maintains its neutral business profle through a strong market position in its core Bermuda market across the property/casualty, pension and health businesses. Furthermore, the organisation’s expanded footprint in the southern Caribbean, through CG United Insurance, provides geographic diversifcation and opportunities to cross-sell products.”

Coralisle Group said AM Best expects it to continue generating stable results in 2026, supported by steady premium growth and sustained performance across its core markets.

Minnis administration, with little to no progress made as frst Hurricane Dorian, and then the COVID-19 pandemic, dominated its four-and-a-half tenure in ofce.

The National Development Plan represented the frst ever co-ordinated efort to plan the Bahamas’ development in a systematic manner using empirical data and analyses, and input was sought and obtained from multiple stakeholders including the private sector, civil society groups, non-profts and the general public. Labelled ‘Vision 2040’, it aimed to break with The Bahamas’ past ad hoc approach to national growth by setting a clear path towards a more sustainable future. Its ‘road map’ was designed to feature measurable goals and objectives for the Bahamas to attain, so that its progress towards achieving its development targets can be judged according to set timelines.

Vision 2040 focused on four main policy pillarsthe economy, governance, social policy and the environment, both natural and built - in its frst 400-page draft.

PM slams Opposition’s national lottery plan as election ‘gimmick’

BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE Prime Minister yesterday branded the Opposition’s proposal for creating a national lottery as an election “gimmick” while warning that the plan could disrupt the existing web shop gaming industry and weaken a key source of government revenue.

Philip Davis KC described the proposal as ill-conceived and driven more by political optics than sound economic planning. He argued that introducing a state-backed lottery risks duplicating an already-established sector while raising questions about oversight and transparency.

“To talk about a national lottery seems to be a gimmick trying to grab headlines. It just speaks of desperation, and it’s really not thought out,” Mr Davis said.

He also took aim at the Opposition’s apparent

reference to international models, cautioning against adopting systems that have faced governance challenges elsewhere.

According to Mr Davis, such an approach raises broader concerns about accountability and the potential misuse of funds.

He specifcally criticised the use of the Dominican Republic as a benchmark, arguing that its experience should serve as a warning rather than a guide.

“And for him to use the Dominican Republic as the model for his national lottery, when the national lottery of the Dominican Republic was proven to be such a failure, with corruption and fraud and the like, that’s the model he’s going to use?” said Mr Davis of Michael Pintard.

More signifcantly, from a business perspective, Mr Davis pointed to the possible economic fall-out for the domestic gaming industry, which employs a substantial number of Bahamians and contributes

Family Island gas station fears self-service ‘chaos’

BY ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter

A FAMILY Island gas station operator has warned that partially switching to self-service at the fuel pump could lead to “chaos” as well as reduced working hours and incomes for afected staf.

Cliford Brian Strachan, operator of the Shell gas station in George Town, Exuma, said that if his station were to implement this system it would mean less work for his pump attendant. However, he warned that not many persons know how to operate a gas pump, which could lead to broken or damaged appliances and a back-up of customers.

“Right now we have four attendants and, if we switch to self-serve, I think it alleviates some of the burden on the guys. But the only problem is, some of these people can't serve themselves,” he added.

“Folks just can't pump their own fuel. I thought about the idea because usually we do the self-serve between 6am and seven in the morning so the attendants don’t come until about 7am in the morning. So those who come before 7am, then usually pump themselves.

“And then I was thinking about running the self-serve on a Sunday, where we only open for a few hours, but it creates a mess until people can get used to it, especially for those who can't pump themselves,” he added.

“For example, I go to the self-serve pump and I don't know how to work it, all I doing is backing up your line. We don't have as much pumps on the island like they have in Nassau... It will create a problem. It will create chaos at some point unless everybody is educated on how to pump them on their own.

“The scary part about that is you don't want some of these people pulling of with your nozzle. It's always happening. And it happens when you got [pump] attendants. What the vendors have been doing now is, when you pull with the hose, they charge you. Either you replace it, or they replace it. But these dealers nowadays, nobody wants to incorporate the loss. They’ll bill you for it so you got to bill the customer,” Mr Strachan continued.

“I wouldn’t say I’m against doing both [self and full service], because, like I say, if it could work smooth, if everybody can handle themselves. But it could create a problem... Here in Nassau, it could work, but on the Family Islands,

tax revenues to the Public Treasury.

He warned that introducing a national lottery could shift consumer spending away from existing operators, ultimately afecting jobs and reducing the Government’s current intake from gaming taxes.

“It seems to me it was not thought out; the amount of Bahamians now in the gaming industry, how their lives will be impacted, how it will impact revenues for the country, given that we collect a tremendous amount of taxes from the gaming industry,” he said.

In one of his strongest critiques, Mr Davis added: “It’s rather odd that you want to turn the Treasury into a gaming house.” The Opposition, however, has positioned the proposal as a structured fnancing mechanism aimed at supporting national development priorities.

Mr Pintard, outlining the plan over the weekend, said a national lottery would serve as a dedicated funding stream for education,

where we only got one or two pumps, I feel it'll create a problem, chaos. We just don't have pumps like they have. We only got one or two.”

Peter Roker, owner and operator of Roker’s Gas Station, and Bernard “Porky” Dorsett, owner of Porky’s Rubis Service Centre, suggested on Sunday that gas stations be allowed to ofer both self and full service with the latter provided at an additional cost. This, they argued, would alleviate fnancial stress on gas dealers, especially with fuel costs rising and the newly implemented VAT elimination on unprepared food items sold in their convenience stores.

While Mr Roker explained that having selfserve pumps would mean employers would not need to hire and pay as many pump attendants, Mr Strachan said this move would only lead to more unemployed persons.

“If you're going to do self-serve, you really don't need the amount of people but, at the end of the day, that's somebody you’re putting on the unemployment line,” he said.

With Mr Strachan’s Shell station selling gas at $7.28 for gasoline and $6.05 for diesel, he said that while persons might complain about the soaring prices they pay them because they need the gas. He noted, however, the fxed proft margin imposed on gas retailers.

“The vendors here in New Providence, I always

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sports, youth development, social programmes and cultural initiatives - areas he argued have historically faced inconsistent fnancing.

“A national lottery for the beneft of the people of The Bahamas; a public initiative designed to generate dedicated funding for the advancement of education, sports, youth development, social intervention and culture,” said Mr Pintard.

He said proceeds would be separated from general government revenues and placed into a specially designed legal structure to ensure transparency and accountability.

“The proceeds of the national lottery will not be absorbed into the consolidated fund. Instead, they will be directed to a specially established legal structure,” he said.

Mr Pintard added that the proposed fund would be overseen by a board with strong private sector representation, alongside input from civil society and professional organisations in its composition.

laugh because their margin is more than ours” he said.

“…Their margin is always a little bit more than ours.

“It's always diferent. The prices in New Providence is always, I don't understand why, but their margin is a little more than ours.”

Mr Roker and Mr Dorsett, who are based in New Providence, have previously reported their fxed proft margins at 54 cents per gallon of diesel and 76 cents per gallon of gasoline. Yesterday, it was reported that fuel at Esso was being sold at $6.58 per gallon. Rubis was sold at $6.64 per gallon. Shell was set at $6.64 per gallon. Mr Strachan said his price of $7.28 also covers shipping costs.

“Even if they bill them a trucking fee to bring it to them, us, we still got to get it to Exuma. So it's a whole bunch of logistics incorporated in these prices that people don't think about, especially for you guys out of Nassau. When you come to the island and then you say, ‘Oh, things so expensive…” everything has to come by boat,” he added.

Skilled workforce is now ‘our economic strategy’

BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE Prime Minister yesterday said businesses in The Bahamas will increasingly depend on a better-trained local workforce as the Government pushes to align skills development more closely with industry needs and long-term economic growth.

Speaking at the Upskill Bahamas graduation ceremony, Philip Davis KC signalled a shift in policy thinking, placing human capital development at the centre of eforts to improve productivity, attract investment and expand into new industries.

He argued that the private sector’s future growth will depend heavily on the availability of skilled Bahamian labour, particularly as global economic changes reshape how companies operate and compete.

“If we have a skilled workforce, we will attract and build the kinds of investments and industries that will transform this country,” said Mr Davis said, describing workforce development as “our economic strategy”.

Mr Davis outlined a model in which training, certifcation and employment are more tightly connected, with government aiming to ensure that skills gained through programmes such as Upskill Bahamas translate directly into job opportunities and career advancement.

“We must connect them. We must make them part of an efcient and holistic ecosystem, so that training and certifcations and skills are connected, and certifcates are recognised by employers, where skills lead to jobs and jobs lead to careers and careers lead to Bahamian ownership of our economy,” he said.

Mr Davis identifed several sectors where a stronger domestic talent pool could support expansion and reduce reliance on expatriate labour. These include technology, fnancial services, construction, renewable energy and the blue and green economies.

He also pointed to the growing role of digital tools and artifcial intelligence (AI), noting that companies are already adjusting to a rapidly-evolving operating environment. “Some jobs will change, and some jobs

will disappear… not in the distant future, but in a few years,” he added.

Mr Davis warned that the pace of disruption presents real risks for workers and employers alike. At the same time, he said those changes could create “extraordinary opportunity” for businesses able to access a workforce with the right mix of technical and digital skills.

The Upskill Bahamas initiative, which has already produced more than 1,000 graduates, is expected to be expanded and more formally integrated into national development plans. Courses completed so far, including construction management, business fnance, digital marketing and artifcial intelligence, mirror areas of growing demand within the economy.

Mr Davis suggested that improving workforce capabilities will also strengthen the competitiveness of Bahamian businesses, particularly smaller frms seeking to expand beyond domestic markets. “Bahamian businesses can now reach the whole world, not just one community or one settlement or one island,” said Mr Davis.

He added that the gGovernment is also seeking to move away from a traditional model in which education is concentrated in early life, instead promoting continuous training throughout a worker’s career as industries evolve.

“We are building a Bahamas where learning is truly a lifelong pursuit - supported by your government, connected to real opportunities, and available to every Bahamian, at every stage of life,” said Mr Davis.

He said the broader policy push includes linking Upskill Bahamas with other training and workforce initiatives to create a more co-ordinated system that aligns education output with labour market demand.

For employers, the approach signals a greater emphasis on local talent development as a driver of growth, innovation and resilience in an increasingly competitive global economy.

“You are the proof of concept,” Mr Davis told graduates, adding that continued investment in human capital will be critical to shaping the country’s next phase of economic development.

Hitting target requires 591k increase within ve years

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including to the Family Islands and Grand Bahama, by refocusing eforts on total tourist expenditure instead of arrival numbers,” the FNM”s campaign manifesto pledged. “This will help ensure that we deliver more beneft to the Bahamian people.

“We will simultaneously continue to grow our cruise visitor business by providing new opportunities for passengers to disembark, and stay longer in port in Nassau and Freeport.” Total air arrivals to The Bahamas fell by 1.6 percent for the 2025 full-year, falling by just over 28,000 from 1.717m in 2024 to 1.689m, although there was a modest 1.1 percent increase for December.

That year-end 2025 trend, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism published by the Tourism Analytics website, has continued into 2026 with January and February posting air arrival increases of 2.2 percent and 7 percent, respectively. For the

two months combined, air arrivals to The Bahamas have increased by 4.7 percent to 299,601 compared to 286,145 during the same period in 2025, suggesting the revival sought by the Opposition may already be underway.

The Central Bank has repeatedly asserted in its monthly economic development reports that stopover visitor growth has been “constrained by the lack of available hotel room capacity” with Atlantis’ Beach Towers complex still closed and Baha Mar about to begin construction on the replacement for the long-demolished near-700 room Melia Nassau Beach Resort. The reduction in hotel room supply has also enabled Nassau resorts, in particular, to keep room rates and yields high. To overcome these restrictions, and achieve a more than half-a-million person increase in annual stopover visitors, Dr Sands said a Pintard-led administration will rely on expanding the vacation rental pool. It is also promising to “end

Sands promises to ‘get out way of private sector’

Bahamas remains competitive with peer jurisdictions.”

The Davis administration has previously signalled that it will after the upcoming general election assess whether to expand the existing Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax, which mandates that businesses in multinational groups generating in excess of 750m euros per annum pay a 15 percent corporate income tax based on their profts, as part of The Bahamas’ commitment to comply with the G-20/OECD minimum tax initiative.

However, a Pintard-led administration will now seemingly move in this direction, too, of expanding corporate income tax to the domestic Bahamian economy. “Business Licence fees are still a tax, and they are probably an unfair tax because a lot of it is based on gross turnover,” Dr Sands told this newspaper in justifying the FNM’s campaign pledge.

“The idea that it’s a more progressive form of taxation that is not as onerous makes an awful lot of sense. I don’t know why anybody would be looking at fees arising on basic net income as so abhorrent as opposed to charges based on gross turnover.”

Many in the Bahamian private sector have signalled that they would prefer to replace the Business Licence fee regime with a corporate income tax - a move that would switch the basis for taxation from the top-line to the bottom line. The Business Licence fee structure has long been viewed as distortionary because it penalises high turnover, low margin businesses such as food stores and gas stations by forcing them to pay more in taxes than more proftable, low-turnover frms in the services industries. Business executives have also complained that a turnover-based levy sees them pay more in taxes to the Government than the

the requirement for Bahamian-owned Airbnbs to register with the Government” in a bid to encourage local investment in the sector.

“Stopover visitors do not necessarily have to stay in hotels,” Dr Sands said, when asked by Tribune Business how the 35 percent target increase will be achieved and how realistic this goal is. “I think that, while we don’t have hotel inventory, we have Airbnbs or equivalent inventory to absorb that kind of increase. If the hotels are buzzing along on many of the islands as well as they are, we want to have a robust engagement with non-traditional accommodation.”

There is also room for stopover growth on most Family Islands, where annual average hotel occupancies are largely below 50 percent. The FNM, though, is pledging that “foreign-owned Airbnbs will remain subject to stricter rules and taxation to protect fairness in the sector and support Bahamian homeowners”.

Asked to justify the 35 percent fgure, and provide a

profts they earn, while also potentially taxing companies into a loss.

“That has a way of dampening the growth of your economy,” Dr Sands asserted. “Perhaps this is a more equitable and more progressive approach, and the proof of the pudding will be in the eating should it help the economy to grow.

“We’ve got to make an intervention that leads to better than 1.6 percent, 1.8 percent, 2 percent GDP growth. If we can get, conservatively, to 3 percent growth that would be an incredible accomplishment. If we can get to 4 percent, I don’t think that’s impossible. Fundamentally, it’s the economy, and if the economy is revved up and a lot of that growth is coming from the private sector, we will all beneft.

“If we can get out of the way of the private sector to make it easier to do business… the digitisation process for certifed record-keeping, that will be a game changer. We want to leverage technology to make it easier and more efcient for people to do business and help people augment their returns on doing business.”

timeline for when it will be hit, Dr Sands replied: “I do, I do”, when questioned over whether it would be attained during an FNM administration’s fve-year term in ofce. He told this newspaper: “It is perfectly reasonable to see that kind of increase. We’ve seen a fall of in our air arrivals and stopover visitors year-over-year.

“Part of this is getting back to where we were and then eclipsing that growth… A lot of these things go hand in hand. If we improve the perception of safety, if we lower the costs associated with food and other items, then this becomes a more attractive destination and not such an expensive destination. I think these things will work together.

“We have lost some ground relative to our competitors in the region, and regaining that lost ground is not impossible.” Other elements of the FNM’s tourism strategy, should it win the May 12 general election, involve “a 10-year strategy to diversify our tourism ofering” through “eco-tourism, health and

Dr Sands told Tribune Business that the Taxpayer Charter being promised under a Pintard-led administration will address the “heavy-handed” approach by government tax authorities that has resulted in “businesses being held hostage” when they need vital permits and approvals. This charter, although no details or specifcs were provided, will “ensure that the Government works in partnership with businesses, making it easier for them to thrive”.

“We will introduce a Taxpayer Charter that sets clear service standards,” the FNM election manifesto is promising. “This will include greater consultation with businesses, an end to heavyhanded practices such as raids involving armed guards, improvements to the VAT appeals process and amendments to the VAT Act to prevent government overreach. We will also explore automatic approvals for certain low-risk applications.”

Dr Sands said: “I think that [the Charter] is long overdue because Bahamian taxpayers feel like they are abused. We saw a very heavy-handed approach

wellness travel and cultural attractions” rather than simply focusing on resort investments.

Election campaign manifestos typically focus on headline-grabbing promises designed to catch voter attention but with precious little details and specifcssuch as costs, timelines and implementation strategiesaccompanying them. There is also no guarantee that any party will act on all, or many, of its campaign commitments when elected to ofce as they come to grips with the reality of governance.

Dr Sands, though, argued that the Opposition had deliberately sought to avoid making pledges that it would fnd impossible to deliver on or keep if elected to ofce.

Asserting that the campaign manifesto is the product of two-and-a-half years’ work, he told Tribune Business: “We honestly tried to take a thorough review and look at the National Development Plan.

“We then had focus groups meet. They met for many, many months. They put together ideas. We tried

in this term when armed ofcers went into business establishments to collect money. Clearly, that ought to be unacceptable, but then there’s also the issue of this policy of estimating next year’s Business Licence returns and having demands on you to pay that.

“Businesses are being held hostage by the Government which gets a frst pass with everything. The impact that has on the survival of businesses; there’s no concern. I may have a complaint about the National Insurance Board (NIB). NIB refuses to release whatever documents to the Department of Inland Revenue, such as a certifcate of good standing, and the Department of Inland Revenue says I can’t get a Business Licence. What am I supposed to do?

“The business person also bears the brunt of the cost in terms of the adjudication. Whether it’s adjudicated one way or another, the Department of Inland Revenue still gets the money. I think we’re talking about a fairer approach to taxation.”

The Opposition is also promising to improve transparency and disclosure surrounding the

to cost it out. We tore it up and started over. What you see there. is a real efort…. We look at it as a contract, and the goal is to accomplish as much of that; not to start it, but accomplish these commitments. We were careful not to go crazy.”

Dr Sands said the Opposition engaged persons with backgrounds in economics and fnance “to look at where we could repurpose” public spending to fnance its campaign initiatives and then “cost” the proposals “as accurately as possible”. He added: “I don’t think that there’s anything in there, while they [the goals] are ambitious, I don’t think that there’s anything in there that’s not not do-able.

“Perhaps people will say that building 5,000 homes in fve years is a lot. Yes, it’s a lot, but that 5,000 housing units, they are not necessarily free-standing structures.” To achieve that 5,000-unit goal, the Opposition is pledging to “leverage public-private partnerships” in a similar manner to what its Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) rival is proposing.

Government’s public-private partnership (PPP) projects while cutting “wasteful government spending. “We will end the current practice of the non-disclosure of debt obligations to the Bahamian public under so-called PPPs,” the FNM is pledging.

“We will amend and implement a law to require the Government to report in the Budget and fscal reports all ongoing liabilities related to projects where the Government will pay the vendor over an extended period for work already completed. We will also require the Government by law to publish all PPP agreements once agreed to by the related parties.

“Ever higher public spending means higher taxes on hard-working Bahamians, so we will actively contain the growth of public expenditure. We will introduce the concept of ‘shared corporate services’ to require government agencies and state-owned enterprises to share back ofce resources to gain efciencies and limit costs. We will create a special unit that will investigate and remedy wasteful spending practices by the Government.”

Title

manner in which it is divided, and how the properties are inter-related, would make it extremely difcult for any party to just own [the 1,143-acre tract] without also owning most of the other Sur Mer property.

This is, in part, the challenge that Resort Holdings has had trying to transact the property unsuccessfully for so long. The type of sophisticated investors that could take on development of such a property know this.”

Pointing out that the Ginn development was subject to a master declaration, and faces “many other encumbrances… that run with the title to the land”, Mr Baker noted that it has frequently been bedeviled by legal challenges to land title ownership. The latest, fled on March 3, 2026, by Anthony Cooper is seeking some $1bn in damages.

“This property is not a commercial building or ofce, a single family home or just raw land. It is a part of a signifcant master planned development that has gone into disrepair and abandonment, having failed previously as a resort (Jack Tar) and more recently within the last 15 years as a mixed use development, Ginn Sur Mer,” Mr Baker said.

“It is signifcantly more complicated than other property types. As we discussed, there are 213 vacant developed lot owners within Sur Mer whose properties are woven though the property owned by Resorts Holdings. This makes ownership and use exponentially more challenging.

“Due to all of the factors cited herein, which are only a few of the many that exist, it doesn’t seem that the POS [power-of-sale] process would deliver the short and/or long term goals of The Bahamas. Certainly there are certain properties that are good candidates for transacting through the POS process, but this particular property does not seem like one.”

He added: “The limited information about the property available to bidders through a POS process seems wholly inadequate for such a property. If anyone were to propose acquisition without going through proper due diligence, that should be a red fag to government that the bidder most probably doesn’t know what they are doing, as they don’t know what they are getting into, much less what it would take to use or develop the property.

“Having the fnancial capability to purchase the

land is the easy, and minor, part - a small fraction of the required investment. Notwithstanding this, the property is currently the subject of ongoing litigation regarding title, which makes new title insurance virtually impossible or economically infeasible….

“Transacting the property through taking, and further dividing ownership… would further devalue the property and the prospect of the property ever approaching its value potential. It would most likely result in years of litigation, causing further delay to the development of the property.”

Despite these pleadings, the Department of Inland Revenue ultimately ran out of patience over the valuation diferences and failure of both LRA-OBB and Resorts Holding to pay the $9.746m in outstanding real property taxes it was demanding. Mr Maycock, in a March 28, 2025, e-mail gave Mr Baker just three days - efectively a weekend - to either pay the sums due or agree a three-month payment plan by end-March last year.

“Following our meeting with Mrs Strachan and Mr Murphy on March 20, 2025, we confrm that your $12m appraisal of the 1,143 acres on Grand Bahama is not accepted,” Mr Maycock wrote. “Respectfully, we ask that you settle the outstanding property tax debt in full or agree to a payment plan with a term not exceeding three months.”

Mr Baker, in a March 31, 2025, reply asserted that “requiring a response in less than one business day is quite surprising”. However, he oferded to convey part of a diferent Ginn land parcel within 60 days in a bid to “settle the tax” and requested a waiver on any charges. This was seemingly not accepted, and both sides started on the path leading towards the Tax Appeal Commission.

Materials exhibited before the Tax Appeal Commission describe the Ginn sur mer project, for which a Heads of Agreement was signed with the frst Christie administration in December 2005, as “boasting unparalleled success in real estate pre-development sales” with 194 lots sold for an average price of $927,000 between September 2006 and March 2008. A further 19 lots were sold for an average $200,000 price in 2014. These sales were “followed by unprecedented investment of hundreds of millions of dollars, lot and amenity development”. This was pegged at $500m-plus between 2005 and 2010,

resulting in 830 developed lots; an 18-hole golf course; three beach clubs; 4.5 miles of water channels; a gatehouse and seven-plus miles of concrete roads.

However, the 2008-2009 fnancial crisis and subsequent global recession resulted in the former Ginn development sufering “a tumultuous history” ever since that “brought the project to its knees, completely stalling progress and eradicating value”. Several potential acquisitions ultimately failed to materialise and, among the ongoing challenges identifed, are “frivolous and vexatious title litigants”, a lack of security that has resulted in vandalism and theft, and poor airlift and utilities.

LRA-OBB stands for Lubert Adler-Old Bahama Bay. The Tax Appeals Commission challenge is spearheaded by Lubert Adler, the investment bank that was Ginn’s former fnancing partner, and Orlando-based Kingwood International Resorts, which is the entity behind Reunion Cay Island Resort LLC. Kingwood has been attempting to acquire the rights and title to the West End project from Lubert Adler.

Lubert Adler took over the Ginn development’s core property, and the neighbouring Old Bahama Bay resort, after the original developer defaulted on its debt some 14-15 years ago. It has been seeking a buyer, and exit route, for some time.

Tribune Business previously reported it had done an ofshore deal with Kingwood where the latter’s principals took control of LRA-OBB, the entity that owns the Old Bahama Bay resort, and other afliates, via a transaction that was concluded outside The Bahamas whereby they assumed Board and management control. However, Kingwood has struggled to obtain the necessary government approvals to cement the deal and, to this day, has been unsuccessful in at least two applications to acquire them. It does not posses an International Persons Landholding Act permit to authorise and legally secure its ownership of Bahamian real estate.

Insurer pledges swift ‘action’ to regain top strength rating

action: “The rating agency has maintained Summits balance sheet rating as ‘strongest’ and commented that the company continues to have the ‘strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalisation as measured by Best Capital Adequacy Ratio’.

“This should give stakeholders comfort that the rating is not due to any fnancial strength deterioration as the company remains as strong as ever. This strength was demonstrated after Hurricane Dorian when Summit and its reinsurers paid over $220m in claims,” he added.

“AM Best has indicated that the rating downgrade comes as a result of a trend

of lower operating and net income in the last few years. This has been driven by increased reinsurance costs due to Hurricane Dorian, then a dramatic hardening of the reinsurance market in 2023 and 2024, which saw the company’s reinsurance costs increase substantially.

“While reinsurance costs declined in 2025, the company’s largest ever fre loss in April 2025 had a signifcant negative impact on its 2025 operating results. AM Best also commented that Summit’s geographical concentration as a Bahamas-only insurer was a consideration, though they recognise Summit’s Enterprise Risk Management as appropriate for the company,” Mr Ingraham continued.

“Summit’s Board takes this downgrade very seriously and, though the company remains fnancially very strong and secure, have already begun the process to regain the company’s A- Excellent rating through appropriate action.” AM Best also lowered Summit’s longterm issuer credit rating to ‘bbb+’ (Good) from ‘a-’ (Excellent).

“The ratings refect Summit’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profle and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM),” the rating agency said.

Summit continues to have the strongest level

US stocks rally and return to where they were before

By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer

U.S. STOCKS rallied Monday and recovered the last of their losses caused so far by the U.S.-Iran war, as Wall Street remains hopeful that the global economy can still avoid a worst-case scenario. The S&P 500 rose 1% and is back to where it was before the United States and Israel attacked Iran in late February, just 1.3%

the US-Iran war

below its all-time high set early this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 301 points, or 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.2%.

Even in the oil market, where prices jumped above $100 per barrel after ceasefre talks over the weekend failed to end the war, prices pared their leaps as Monday progressed. The moves for fnancial markets overall were much more modest than the extreme swings

NOTICE

CORDERO JUAN

of, Sir Lynden Pindling Estate,

that have hit since the war began. Markets have been pinballing between worries that the war will last a long time and hopes for a resolution because all the parties would beneft from a freer fow of crude oil.

After the weekend’s talks failed, President Donald Trump announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which raises the pressure on Iran by trying to prevent it from making money by selling oil. A blockade would

14th day of April, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

of risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The company’s BCAR on a catastrophe-stressed basis is considered to be at the strongest level, and has historically protected the capital base in years during which it has experienced a catastrophic event.

“Like most Caribbean-domiciled insurance companies, Summit has a high dependence on reinsurance to manage capital exposure from catastrophe events. While Summit’s reinsurance dependence is high, coverage is appropriate as it uses high quality reinsurance partners and has enhanced liquidity metrics through cash call provisions.”

keep even more oil of the global market, after prices already jumped for everyone worldwide because of Iran’s restrictions on trafc in the important strait. The narrow waterway is how much of the oil produced in the Persian Gulf area reaches customers worldwide. Iran responded by threatening all ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Afterward, the price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, rose 4.4% to settle at $99.36 and is well above its roughly $70 level from before the war. But it remains below the $119 peak it’s touched at times, when worries about

is hereby given that DILANDE OSCALVA of Carmichael Raod, East Avenue, 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 14th day of April, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

AM Best added: “The ratings downgrade refects a sustained trend of lower operating and net earnings. Results have been impacted by increased reinsurance costs following the hardened market that was largely due to Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and a dramatic hardening of the reinsurance market in 2023. Reinsurance costs have declined materially in 2025 and 2026.

“However, during the second quarter of 2025, Summit experienced the largest fre loss in the company’s history, which deteriorated in the fourth quarter and had a negative impact on the underwriting results for the year. Projections indicate improvement in the near term but return

the U.S.-Iran war have been at their heights. It also pulled back from its nearly $104 price reached earlier Monday morning.

“Markets are taking some encouragement from the fact that the two sides are talking and that the broader ceasefre seems to be holding, for now,” according to Sameer Samana, head of global equities and real assets at Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

Speaking outside the Oval Ofce, Trump suggested on Monday the United States is still willing to engage with Iran.

“I can tell you that we’ve been called by the other side,” Trump said.

metrics will remain lower than pre-2019 results.

”Summit has a high geographic concentration in a competitive market that is refected in its limited business profle assessment. The company’s limited geographic reach, operating solely in The Bahamas, exposes it to high economic and fnancial system risk, as well as The Bahamas’ moderate political risk.

”The ERM programme for Summit is assessed as appropriate given its size and scope. While a formalised framework has not yet been fnalised, the company practices risk management throughout the organisation, which is further supported by the good reinsurance programme.”

In the meantime, big U.S. companies are beginning to tell investors how much money they made during the frst three months of the year. Strong reports could help make up for Wall Street’s worries about the Strait of Hormuz because stock prices tend to follow the trend of corporate profits over the long term. Goldman Sachs, the investment bank, said it made $5.63 billion in proft during the quarter, more than investors expected. But fnancial analysts pointed to some

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL

The public is hereby advised that I, PAMELA JOHNSON AKA PAMELA BURNSIDE, PAMELA JOHNSON-MCPHEE of Lovely Bay Acklins, intend to change my name to PAMELA JOHNSON If there are any objections to challenge the name by deed poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Offcer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, The Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that I LOUIS-KENDY CEIDE of Essex Street, Shirley Street, New Providence, Bahamas, 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 7th day of April, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that I JUNIOR STANDFORD ELLIS of 3rd Terrace Collins Avenue, P.O.Box N8919, New Providence, Bahamas, 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 7th day of April, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

Arruda Fraga Investments Ltd. Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Registration number 210733 B (In Voluntary Liquidation) Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 13th day of April A.D. 2026.

Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is Mr. Wallace Arruda Fraga, whose address is TV. Dom Romualdo Coelho 321, AP. 2701, ED. Village Prime, CEP: 66055-190 Belem, PA, Brazil. Any Persons having a Claim against the abovenamed Company are required on or before the 13th day of May A.D. 2026 to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they may be excluded from the beneft of any distribution made before such claim is proved. Dated this 13th day of April A.D. 2026. WALLACE ARRUDA FRAGA

THE HORRIBLE

GRAND N A T IONAL W INNERS

CRYPTOQUOTE

DENNIS THE MENACE Yesterday’s Answers MICRO CROSSWORD CHALLENGER

One letter stands for another. In this example, A is used for the three L’s, X for the 2 O’s, etc. Single letters, apostrophes, the length and formation of words are all hints. Each day the code letters are different.

Fertility conference pushes conversation from just awareness to action

By Jeffarah Gibson Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

THE conversation around fertility isno longerhappeningin whispers.Itis steadilymoving intoboardrooms, doctor ’s offices and everydaylife, andthe 3rdAnnual Fertility Empowerment International Conference is reflecting that shift in real time.

The conference kicks off tomorrowand runsthrough Thursday, bringingtogether voices from healthcare, government, corporateorganisations,education andfaithbasedcommunities. Nowin its third year, the event has grown beyond itsearly focus on awareness into what organisers describe as a space for action and alignment across multiple sectors. The conference is being held Atlantis Resort.

“The conference has evolved from a communitycentred awarenessinitiative into a multi-sector platform for dialogue,strategy, andaction, said Dr Latazia Dr Tazz” Stuart globalfertility coach and conference founder.

Inits firstyear, thefocus wasprimarily oneducation and storytelling. By the second year,we sawstronger integration ofclinical expertise alongsidepatient experiences. Now, in its third year, the conference reflects a broader movement.”

Atthe heartof thediscussionsis infertility,anissue that continues to affect a significantnumber ofpeople globally.According tothe World Health Organization, one insix individualsexperi-

ence challengeswith conceiving, whilethe American College ofObstetricians and Gynecologistsreports thatup to one in four pregnancies end in loss. Whencombined with conditions suchas fibroids, PCOS and endometriosis, Dr Tazz said theimpact extends farbeyondthe homeandinto the workplace.

“Historically, fertilityand women s health have been addressed onlyafter challenges arise, she said.

“Thisconference isintentionallyshifting thatnarrative toward preparedness.We are positioning this not simply as a medical issue, but as a workforce sustainabilityissue. Many individualsare present at work,but notoperating at theirfull capacitydue tounderlying health challenges thatare oftenunaddressedor unsupported.

Sheadded thattheserealities are ofteninvisible in professional environments,despite theirwidespread impact. Asa result,manyorganisations continue to absorb the effects through absenteeism, disengagement and inconsistent responses from leadership without fullyunderstanding the root causes.

This year s theme, For Our Future Awareness. Action. Access.Powered byEvery Voice,” reflectsa broaderapproachto women s health across the lifespan. Topics will rangefrom reproductive health educationand family buildingpathways topolicy considerations, workplace readiness and therole of men in fertility conversations. Real patient experiences will also beshared alongsideclinical insight, offering attendees

both perspective and practical information.

The intention,Dr Tazztold Tribune Healthis tocreate a comprehensive conversation that connects individual experienceswith widersystems, ensuring thatawareness is matched withaction andaccess to care.

Dr Tazz emphasised that creatingspace foropendialogue is a key part of the experience, particularlythrough initiativeslike theMeetthe DoctorsMixer. Theinformal setting isdesigned tomake medical professionalsmore accessibleand toencourage earlier conversations about health concerns.

“For manyindividuals, there is a gap between needing informationand feelingcomfortable accessing it. When individualscan interactdirectly with physicians outsideof a clinical setting,it buildstrust, reduces fear,and encourages earlier conversations. That early engagementoften leads to more informed decisions and better long term outcomes.”

The conference is drawing a wide cross section of participants,from individualsnavigatingfertility andwomen’s health journeysto organisationsseeking tobetterunderstand how these issues affect their workforce. Representatives fromhealthcare, insurance, government, aviation, education andlaw enforcement areamong thoseexpected to attend, alongside HR leaders,corporate executives and policymakers.

“It brings together individuals navigating fertility and women’s healthjourneys, alongwith theorganisations

managing andsupporting these realities, Dr Tazz said.

“For individuals,this often means aclearer pathforward, greater confidence in decision making, and reassurance that they are notnavigating these experiences alone.For organisations,it providesinsight into how these realities are already affecting their workforce, often in ways that are not immediately visible.”

She noted that without that awareness, organisations may continue to experience preventable challenges, including disengagement and turnover, without fully recognisingthe underlyingfactors contributingto thoseoutcomes.

Beyond awareness, the focus is alsoon closing gaps inaccess andinformation across communitiesin The Bahamas. Dr Tazzsaid initiatives likethis arecritical in ensuring that supportis not limited by geography, income or network.

Access and awareness shouldnot bedeterminedby geography, income, or network.By creatingacentralizedspace foreducation,dialogue, and access, this conference helpsbridge thosegaps while encouraging leaders

and institutions tobetter understand and respondto the needs of those they serve. Addressing thesechallenges earlierensures moreindividuals are supportedeffectively and reduces thelong termimpact ofdelayed awarenessandaction.”

As the conferenceenters its third year, the message is clear. Fertilityand women’s healthare nolongerisolated conversations. They are part of a wider discussion about wellbeing, productivityand the future of families and the workforce alike.

The heartbeat of the health care system

By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer

HEALTH minister Dr Michael Darville recently told graduates of the Clinical Nursing Program PHA Training Clinical Nursing Program and Introduction to Medical Billing and Coding Program that healthcare proffessionals are the foundation of future of health care services in the Bahamas.

“We gather at a pivotal moment in our nation’shistory.As welookacrossour archipelago, we see a country in the midst of ahealthcare reform.From thegroundbreaking of new clinics to the upgrades of ourexistinghospitals, ouradministrationis notjusttalking aboutthefuture we are building it.” However, theminister said, we donot just buildwith bricks and mortarwe build with people.The state-of-the-arthospitals we are constructing in Freeport and New Providence wouldbe nothingmore than emptyshells withouttheheartbeat ofdedicated healthcare professionals. Today, you the graduatesof thePHA Academy becomethatheartbeat ofmy ministry’s strategic plan.”

Dr Darville,said that thetwo programs are vital paths of service.

First, to ourTrained Clinical Nurses: You have successfullynavigated 18 months ofrigorous instructionand supervisedclinical rotations.As theflagship offeringof this Academy,your programis aNEACOB approved gold standard for clinical readiness. You are nowequipped with the ethics and evidence-based skills required to step onto the front linesof our hospitals and community clinics and make a positive contribution in the lives of the patients who come toour hospitalsand clinicsseeking care.”

He also addressed the graduates of the Medical Billing and Coding Program telling them that their role willbe essential to the sustainability of the health care system. You arethe architects ofour administrative efficiency. By mastering the complexities of medicalterminology andcodingsystems, you ensure that our health information managementis robustandaccurate.Your roleis essential tothe sustainabilityof ourhealthcare system,ensuring thatour recordsand financial claims reflect thehighest level of careweprovide acrossthepublichealth system.” He notedthat theDavis administrationis

delivering onit’s promise totransform the deliveryof healthcare servicesto theBahamian people.

“Atthesametime thatwearemaking generational investments in the construction of newhealth facilitieslike theFreeport Health Campus and will break ground on the SpecialtyHospitalin NewProvidencebeforethe endofthis month,weare alsoinvesting inthe upgrading ofexisting hospital infrastructure and equipment at Princess Margaret Hospital,The RandMemorial Hospitaland SandilandsRehabilitation Centre.” Furtherhenoted thatthegovernmentis also rampingup therecruitment ofdoctors, nurses, and allied health professionals.

“Our continued investmentin the PHA Academy is a testament to our belief that Bahamiansdeservethe bestcarefromthe best-trained minds particularlyin allied health professions. By providing these pathways for career development, we are ensuringthatas ourinfrastructuregrows,our human capacity grows with it.” He challenged thegraduates to approach their careers with professionalism.

“Professionalismis expected.Excellence is required. But compassion is the true measure ofyour success. In ourpublic health system, you will meetpeople who are vulnerable.Youwill encounterfamiliesindistress and patients in pain.As much as they needyour professionalsskills, theywill need your love and compassion. He said, I challenge you today, treat every single person who you are privilege to serve as if they were your own mother, your own father,or yourown child.Skill will heal a body, butcompassion heals a spirit. Let it never be said that a patient sought care in ourfacilities and founda coldheart. Instead, let them find in you a reflection of the excellence andthe love that definesour nation.” Inhiskeynote address,thePrimeMinister,PhilipDavis, emphasisedtheimportance of investing in human capital to match the government s commitmenttohealthcare infrastructure modernisation.He notedthat whilethe governmentis makinghistoric strides including the groundbreaking for the new 200-bed Bahamas Hospital the trueheart ofhealthcareremains theprofessionals who provide it.

“Today isabout thehuman spirit,” Prime MinisterDavissaid. Our healthcare heroes deservea workplaceasexcellentas thecare theygive. Thisgraduation isa promisekept to the Bahamian people to provide quality care delivered by highly trained professionals”

Celebration meets purpose in fight for kidney health

By Alesha Cadet Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net

ASOLD-OUT ballroom,a seaof emeraldhues, anda shared sense of purpose set thetonefor whatmanydescribed as adefining moment inthe nationalconversation on kidney health.

According toinformation providedby OrthnellDames, senior account manager at Fusion IMC, the Bahamas Kidney Association s inaugural EmeraldSoirée brought together more than200 guests atMargaritaville BeachResort on Saturday,March 28, closingout KidneyMonth withan eveningthatbalanced elegance with advocacy. While the atmosphere carried all thehallmarks ofa refined gala, the deeper focus remained firmly on raising awareness aroundkidney disease, earlydetection, andthe life-savingimpact oforgan donation.

The event’sstrong turnout andearly sell-out,achieved three weeksin advance,signalleda growingpublicengagement withan issuethat continues to affect families across the country. Held under thepatronage ofHerExcellency Cynthia A. Pratt, GovernorGeneral ofTheBahamas, and attendedby First Lady AnnMarie Davis,the evening reflected both highlevel supportand grassroots commitment to the cause.

At its core, the soirée served as a unifying space, drawing together medicalprofessionals,corporate leaders,patients,caregivers andadvocates,all connectedbya common goal:to strengthen awareness andsupport for kidneyhealth inTheBahamas.

Mr Dames noted that the Founder ofthe Bahamas Kidney Association,Tamika Roberts,who isalso aliving kidney donor, underscored the significance ofthe moment, pointing to the collective effort behind the evening s success andthe widermission it represents.

“This evening represents far morethana beautifulevent,it

Hanna Foster-Middleton

Move to Improve

is areflection ofwhat ispossible when a community comes together around a lifesaving cause, she said. To see this level of support at our inaugural EmeraldSoirée, particularly aswe closedout Kidney Month, was deeply meaningful. Itsends aclear message thatkidney health, patient support, and organ donation awareness matter in thiscountry, andthattogether we canbuild somethingimpactful and lasting, said Ms Roberts.

The programme itself

The soiree served as a unifying space, drawing together medical professionals, corporate leaders, patients, caregivers and advocates

blended celebration with recognition. Liveentertainment bythe EssenceBand added to the ambience, but the most poignant moments came through the acknowledgement ofindividuals whosework and personaljourneys have shapedkidney advocacyin the country. Among thosehonoured were DrAda Thompson,who receivedthe LegacyAward, and DrRobin Roberts,who was presentedwith theAda Thompson EmeraldAward. Jamila Carroll-Thompson was recognised withthe Emerald

How Physiotherapy Can Help Turn the Tide on Type 2 Diabetes

TYPE 2 diabeteshas become one ofthe most common chronicconditions worldwide and for many people,it feelslikea lifesentence. Medications, dietary changes, regularcheck-ups it can be overwhelming.

But here s the encouraging part: for many individuals, type 2 diabetescan be significantly improved and in somecases evenreversed with the right lifestylechanges. Andoneof the most powerful, often overlooked toolsin thatprocess? Physiotherapy.

Let s break down why movement,guided theright way, canmake sucha bigdifference.

Understanding theRoot of the Problem

Type2 diabetesisn’t just about sugar it s about how your bodyhandles it.The key issue is somethingcalled insulin resistance,where your cells don t respond properly to insulin, leadingto higher blood sugar levels.

Amajor contributortothis is physicalinactivity. When muscles aren’t usedregularly, they becomeless effectiveat absorbing glucose from the bloodstream. This is where physiotherapy steps in not just as rehab, but asa strategyto addressthe root cause.

Muscle: Your Secret Weapon Muscle tissueplays ahuge role in regulatingblood sugar. When youmove especially during resistance or strengthbased exercise your muscles activelypull glucoseoutof your bloodstream and use it for energy.

The more muscle you have, and themore youuse it,the better yourbody becomesat managing blood sugar levels.

Voice for Change Award, while MildredJohnson and Agnes Carey received the EmeraldPillar ofStrength Award. Randolph Missick and KeishlerJohnson werehonoured with the Emerald Inspirationin ActionAward,and Viola Beckford received the Emerald Gift of Life Award.

The Association also recognisedColina InsuranceLimited for itslongstanding corporatesupport, notingitscontributionssince theorganisation’sfounding in2021,from financialassistance tohosting monthly patient meetings.

Whilethe eveningcarrieda celebratorytone, itspurpose extendedwell beyondthe ballroom. Proceeds from the event will supportthe Association s ongoingwork in public education, patient assistance, andadvocacy initiatives aimed at reducing the incidence of kidney failure and improving quality of life for those affected.

“Followingthe successof its inaugural staging, the Emerald Soirée is expected to become asignature annual eventfor theorganisationand an important platform for continued nationalengagement around kidneydisease, said Mr Dames.

Foundedin 2021,theBahamas Kidney Association has steadily expanded its reach through community screenings, awarenesscampaigns,and partnershipswith healthcare professionals.Its work emphasisesprevention and early detection,key factors inaddressing kidneydiseasebefore itprogressesto more severe stages.

In asetting definedby elegance, theevening ultimately delivered something far more lasting:a renewedsenseof collective responsibility, and a clear indication thatthe conversation aroundkidney health in The Bahamas is gainingboth momentumand meaning.

Mr Dames notedthat The Bahamas KidneyAssociation expressed sincere gratitude to the many sponsors whose support helpedmake theinaugural event possible.

createa caloriedeficit,improvemetabolism, andpreserve lean muscle mass.

It s not about quick fixes it’sabout steady,realistic progress that lasts.

Breaking the Cycleof Inactivity

Many people with type 2 diabetes also experience fatigue, jointpain,or otherhealthissuesthat makeexercisefeel difficult. This often leads to a cycle of inactivity, which only worsens the condition.

Physiotherapists aretrained to work around these barriers. Whether it’s modifyingexercises for jointpain, starting with low-impact movements, or gradually building endurance, they help people get moving ina waythat feels achievable.

Once thatcycle isbroken, everything elsebecomes easier.

Reducing theRisk of Complications

Type 2 diabetes can affect multiplesystems inthebody, increasing the riskof complications such asnerve damage, poorcirculation, andcardiovascular disease.

Regular, guidedexercise helps improve circulation, support hearthealth, and maintain joint mobility. It also playsa rolein preventingor managing complicationslike diabetic neuropathy.

In other words, physiotherapy doesn t justhelp manage diabetes it helps protect your overall health.

agementcan bringblood sugarlevelsback intoanondiabetic rangewithout the need for medication. Physiotherapy plays a key role in that process by providing structure, guidance, and accountabilitywhen it comes to movement. That said, “reversal” doesn t mean thecondition is goneforever. Itmeansit’s beingmanaged soeffectively that it’s nolongercausing problems but maintaining those lifestyle changesis essential.

Confidence ChangesEverything Beyond thephysical benefits, physiotherapy also helps rebuild confidence. Starting an exercise routine can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve beeninactive fora while orare worriedabout your health.

Having a professional guide you adjusting exercises, tracking progress,and celebratingsmall wins makes a huge difference. And once people start to feel stronger, more energetic, and more in control, that motivation tends to grow.

The Takeaway Type2 diabetesdoesn’t havetobe aone-waystreet. With the rightsupport, it’s possible to take back control and physiotherapycan bea powerfulpart ofthat journey.

Physiotherapists design safe, progressive strength programsthat helpbuildmuscle andimprove howyourbody responds to insulin. And the best part?You don’tneed to become a gym enthusiast overnight. Small, consistent steps can create real change.

meaning yourbody becomes more efficient atusing insulin over time. This canlead tolower blood sugar levels, reduced relianceon medication,and betteroverall controlofdiabetes.

Improving Insulin Sensitivity Exercise doesn t just help in the moment it creates lasting effects. Regular movement improves insulinsensitivity,

Physiotherapy ensuresthat exercise is donecorrectly and consistently, whichis keyto achieving these long-term benefits.

Weight Management Without Extremes

Weight loss is often recommended for managing type 2 diabetes, but crashdiets and extreme routinesaren’t sustainable and often don t work in thelong run. Physiotherapy focuses on building sustainable habits.By increasing physicalactivity ina manageable way, it helps

Can It ReallyBe Reversed?

Here s the big question: can physiotherapy actuallyhelp reverse type 2 diabetes?

The answer is sometimes, yes. For someindividuals, especially in the earlier stages, significant lifestylechanges including regular exercise, improveddiet, andweightman-

It s notabout perfectionor drastic changes. It’s about moving more, moving better, and buildinghabits thatsupport your health over time. Because sometimes, the mostpowerful medicineisn t foundin abottle it’s found in movement.

*For questionsand comments, callHannah Foster-Middleton at 356-4806,or visit www.physiotherapybahamas.com.

Does the silly season divide your household?

By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer

cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

The country will take to the polls in less than a month in the general electionand sillyseasonis infull effect as supporters of all sides express their political views

But what happens when the political divide is infact in the home when the two partiesin the relationship disagree on where to place their X.

“I am a diehard PLP,” says Tammy, IbornPLP andIwilldie PLP,but myhusbandis adiehard FNM. Despite this Istill love him, butyeapolitics isamessysubject in our home.It is one ofthe few things thatwe reallyhave strong argumentsabout.And trustmewe canreallygo atitsometimes.But those arguments aren’t aboutusa couple we are solid. We have been married for 19 years,so that is a few elections wehave lived through andwe fightthrough each

of them,but then theelection ends and we make back up. And then for thenextfive yearsyouhearus saying thingslike ‘yea that’s why ya party lost,’ or ‘yeah if you didn’t vote for them people we coulda have nice things.

She says that whileit gets tense it has never been a deal breaker.

“I know that wouldn’t work for somepeople, buthonestly itwas never a deal breaker for me. He has his reasonsfor why hevotes for them. Likeme, hisfamily hasa strong FNM connection,like my family has a strong PLP. I still love andrespecthim enoughthatwho he votesfor doesn’treally change myopinionof him.Honestlyits likepeople whohavedifferent taste inmusic. Idon’t getit, butI love him enough to deal with it.”

Bianca, says that agreeing to disagreeand notdiscussingit ishow sheand herhusband handletheir political divide.

“So yeamy husbandand Idon’t

vote the same and ain no use really making itan issue,because basicallyour voteswill canceleach otherout. Heknows hewon’t changemybeliefand IknowthatI can’t change his and so we just don’t getinto thatmuch. Wego vote together sometimes in our differentshirtsand thenwegohome and liveour lives. Whenwe need totalk politicswe justgo talkto otherpeople. Butwehave learntit don’t make sense to be fighting about it. If you look at all the prime ministers especiallyIngraham, Christieand Daviswas allbosom buddiessowhy shouldmeandmy man be at war.”

Alanasays thatsheisa lotless passionate aboutpolitics thanher diehard PLP husband.

“I wouldn't say Iam PLP or FNN. Ivote for whoever.I have voted for both depending on where Ithink thecountryis going.Trust meif Iainhappy Igavote yaout. Myhusband don’tbelieve inthat.

Sororit y members pay courtesy call on Governor General

He believes that the party is aboutidealsand visionandhe says thatyou haveto votefor theparty despitewhat theydo. He volunteers at headquarters, he the party biggest defender and supporter.It don t matter

what they do, it s good for him. It likehe blind andcould only see blue and gold. My thing is I ain giving you no vote on slack andIain loyal.Youhaveto earn my vote.So that s where we disagree.

Hearing aids can seem like a big step. But this NYC Ballet principal dancer

By ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN and SHELBY LUM AP Science Writer

NEWYORK (AP)

Sara Mearns was missing her cues.

She couldn'thear what her dancepartner was saying fromacross the studio. She waslate for her entrances because the music sounded too soft.

Without tellinganyone, she finally made an appointmentto get her hearing checked Mearnslearned thatshe had hearing loss. After yearsof isolation, she got the toolsto make sense of a worldthat hadgottenmuffled. Now, she'sone ofthe first dancers withthe New York City Ballet to wear hearing aidsduring performances.

“I feel likeit's a whole new chapter of my life,” Mearns,40, saidin aninterview with the AP.

While hearingloss is common in older adults, it canhappenat anyageand can be caused by things like nervedamage, infection orhead trauma.For Mearns, it may have been a blend of factors including genetics, medical conditions and exposureto loud noise.

Signsand symptomsof hearing loss

According to the National Institutes of Health, lessthan afifth ofAmericanadultsaged 20to69 who could benefit from wearing hearingaids have ever used them. That's due to lackof access,shame or embarrassment and just not knowing the symptoms.

“Hearing loss is often not detectedby thepersonbecause what they can't hear, they don't know,” said Dr. Anil Lalwani, a hearing expert withColumbia Uni-

doesn't regret taking it

versity IrvingMedical Center. Still, thereare alot of symptomsof hearingloss thatare nothearingless,” said Dr. Maura Cosetti with Mount Sinai’s New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. Onething tolook outfor issaying “what” more often, and notbeing able to hear friends andfamily in noisy settings like restaurants. Other symptoms include ringing,a sensation like something isstuck in the earsor conversations sounding muffled.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mearnscouldn't hear conversations when people were wearing masks.

“I realized thatI was reading everybody’slips to understand what they were saying,” she said.

If experiencing hearing loss, you have options Experts say tolet a doctorknow ifyouthink youmay beexperiencing symptomsof hearingloss. They canhelp youconnect with anaudiologist oran ear, noseand throatspecialist to get a hearing test. Cosetti with Mount Sinai said the Mimi Hearing Test

app can beusefulresource to geta senseof your hearing. Seeing a professionalisthe bestwayto figure out what's actually

going on like whether your ears arejust plugged up with wax or fluid.

Hearing aidsfine-tune the sound signalthat enters the brain, enhancing speech while lowering background noise. They can be expensive, but many arenow available over the counter. SomeApple AirPods also can be used as hearing aids.

For more severe forms of hearingloss, doctorsmay recommend adevice called a cochlearimplant, which converts sounds into electrical signals that are sent to the brain.These includea surgically inserted component and can take months to get used to.

Hearing aids arean adjustment, butcan be worth it

Mearnsinitially feltembarrassedto stepintothe boothfor herhearingtest, knowing shewouldn't be able tohear allthe words. Her audiologist, Marta Gielarowiec, helpedher understandwhat shewas missing andguided herto appropriate hearing aids.

“It's definitely nota one size fits all. There is a lot of adjustment, tuningand calibration involved, said Gielarowiec,who runsa practice in New York. “Overall, thegoal isto maximize the hearing that s left.”

Addressing hearing loss can helpboost mental health, improve communication and slow cognitive decline for peopleathigh risk of dementia.

When Mearns walked out of heraudiologist's office wearing her aids for thefirsttime, shefeltover-

whelmed. She could hear the patteringof shoeson theground, thechirpingof birds across the street and thebillowingof aflaga block behindher. Returning toher dressing room, she cried. She can now hear the full might ofthe orchestra when she performs and take phonecalls inher ears.

The life she was living before, shesaid, wasexhausting. At theend of every dayshe wasspent from thestrain ofasking people to repeat themselves andmissing outonconversations and the punch lines of jokes.

“I don’t wantpeople to feel what I felt, where I was embarrassedand Iwas quietabout it,” she said. Because now thatI m on the other side, I’m so happy.

"Unstuck and unstoppable" conference set to ignite and motivate Bahamian women

By Alesha Cadet Tribune Features Repor ter acadet@tribunemedia.net

APOWERFUL callto purpose, passion and possibility is setto take centre stagein Nassauaswomen from across industries prepare to gatherfor the Global Women’s Conference2026. Hostedby Cyprianna Bethel under the banner ofMaximising Excellence, thethree-day event,set forApril 30to May 2,at theBritish ColonialHotel, aimstoshift mindsets, sparkconnections and ignite transformation.

Attheheart oftheconference isits boldtheme, Unstuck, Unleashed, Unstoppable, whichreflects botha personalconviction anda broadermissionto empower womento lead with intention. For Ms Bethel, thevision isrooted in a deepdesire to see women stepfully intotheir potential and influence.

A vision to empower thenext generationof women to liveas transformational leaders, equipped, confidant,and drivento impact andinfluence the world they arecalled to lead in. Desiringthat they embrace themindset of being unstoppable in pursuitof fulfillingtheir dreams. Also helping women tounderstand that they are stuckby choice andthat theyhavethe ability andstamina to achieve and to influence others positively,” said Ms Bethel.

The conferencewas born out ofa recogniseddisconnect betweenemerging leadersand thosealready navigating the demands of leadership.Ms Bethelsaw an opportunityto bridge that gap by creating a space where lived experiences, real challenges and hardearned lessons could be shared openly.

“Isawthe needforthem to share their story, to discussreal lifesituations, sacrifices made, risk taken, leapsthey madeto leadin the diverse arenas they participated in. To share what ittookto bearespected leader and how they dealt with disappointment and rejectionbut remainedfocused,” said Ms Bethel.

From finance and STEM to tourismand nationalsecurity, theconference draws together a diverse cross-section ofwomen, each bringing unique perspectivesshaped bytheir

respectivefields. Thatdiversity, Ms Bethel explained, is intentional: it reflects the sharedthreads of leadership while creating opportunities for meaningful collaborationand growth.

“Forme personallyit was very important for me to bringthese diverse leaders to one platform. To demonstrate thecommon threads in leadersfrom differentworlds. Toshowthe need and benefits of networking, and to help participantsform newandsustainable professional relationships,” she said.

She is also confident believes that attendees will glean a supernatural impartation of knowledge, revelation and acceptance that absolutely nothing is impossiblefor themto achieve if they trust God.

That theyleave witha desire tocreate changeand positively influencethe community theyare apart of. They will learn from each other overthe twoday period but it s the value of establishing relationships overtimeto bringout thebest ineach womanattending, said Ms Bethel. Beyond inspiration,the conference is positioned as a practicalexperience, offeringattendees toolsto navigatepersonal andprofessional challengeswhile building lasting legacies.

The focus,Ms Bethel noted, is on continuous growth andthe understanding that excellence is but a journey shaped by discipline, collaboration and purpose.

“Theconference isa movement dedicated to women becomingunstuck, unleashed and unstoppable as they master excellence inevery sphereoftheir lives. Theywill havean impactful experience that will influenceall areasof their lives.They willleave with understanding that empowered womencontribute tonational andregional economicdevelopment and growth,” she said.

For her, hosting an event such asthis isdeeply personal. Her own career path, which spans education, hospitality, technical training,banking andsocialsecurity, alongsideher role in ministry,has been shaped by a consistent commitment todeveloping people and nurturing potential.

“As the Host I encourage women to letgo and let Goddoa newworkin them. Iencourage women

to seek God,listen to his instructions anddirection and then execute.I encourage them to become passionate about fulfilling their heart’s desire, stay focused andconsistently practice excellence until excellence becomestheir brand signature,” she said. She also hopes attendees willembrace thecallto lead with intention, influenceothers positivelyand pursue excellence without fear.Drawing fromher own professional journey, she reflected on the path that shaped her outlook and purpose.

“For mepersonally, over my careeras arecognized, respected Human Resource professionalI made several leaps. I began as an Educator,and movedto Hospitality, Technical Education, Bankingand Social Security, in addition to serving as aPastor at BahamasFaith MinistriesInternational.

There was one common thread in each of those worlds, I sought the training anddevelopment of people. This journey has been fascinatingand inspiring as I have seen those without hopeinitially

Teen beauties meet with Grand Bahama Minister

Miss Teen UniverseBahamas contestantspaid acourtesy callon Ministerfor Grand Bahama, GingerMoxey, ahead of the pageant preliminary competition at the Regency Theatre.

Minister Moxey congratulated the young ladies, who hail from a number of the islands throughout The Bahamas, and encouraged them to stay focused and confident.

BIS Photos/Lededra Marche

C.H.A.M.P.S celebrates 16 years

By Jeffarah Gibson Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

WOMEN acrossthe capitalare beinginvited topause, reflectand recharge asC.H.A.M.P.S. (Chosen, Honored, Appointed, Motivated, PositiveSisters)prepares tohostitsNight of Empowermentunder thetheme “SHE Rise.”

The event, set for April 17, at the ChurchofGod ofProphecyLove Center on Ernestand York Streets, marks a milestonefor the organisation as itcelebrates 16years ofoutreach, mentorship and transformation.

Founder SamitaFerguson saidthe anniversary isnot justabout longevity, butaboutthe livesthathavebeen shaped along the way.

Themost meaningfulpart ofthis journey hasbeen witnessingyoung womenblossom intoconfident leaders,” she said. “It hasalso beenincredibly rewarding to hear individuals share that, becauseof C.H.A.M.P.S., they wereinspired to starttheir own mentorship programsfor young women. Knowingthat theimpact is being multiplied is truly fulfilling.”

Over the years, C.H.A.M.P.S. has workedto createsafespaces forgirls andwomen togrowin confidenceand purpose, witha focusthat extendsbeyondsurface levelencouragement. The organisation’sapproach hascentred on holistic empowerment, addressing the mind, body and soul.

This year ’stheme, “SHE Rise,” re-

with Rise Rise ””

““ She She night of

flects that deeper intention. SHERisemeans,to me,achild,a young lady, or a woman who can rise again, dusting off the garments of life s challenges andovercoming theobstaclesshehas faced, Mrs Ferguson explained. “Sheis resilientand ableto pivot despite the hurdles placed along her path.”

She understandsher selfworth, not from a place ofconceit, but from a deep awareness of the value she brings. SHE Rise represents a woman who choosesnotto dwellonyesterday’s pain but looks ahead with faith, knowing that with God, all things will work together for her good.”

The upcomingevent willbring together a diverse group of speakers, each offering aunique perspective on growth,leadership andpersonaldevelopment.Among themareTamika Roberts, president of the Kidney Association, formersenator MaxineSeymour, young advocateBailee Miller, communication specialistDaniella Dorsette Pratt, andcontent brand manager Shaynae Smith.

Whilethe speakerscome fromdifferentprofessional backgrounds,the common thread is their commitment to purpose driven impact.

Attendees can expectmore than just inspiration, according toMrs Fer-

empowerment

guson. The evening isdesigned to delivertangible takeawaysthatwomen can apply to their everyday lives.

“Attendees can expect to walk away with powerful, practical insights, ‘golden nuggets’ that can be applied to their personal,entrepreneurial, and spiritual journeys, she said. Each storysharedwill serveasareminder thatyourvalueis real,likeadiamond, meant to shine brightly.”

Thestructureof theeventalsoreflects C.H.A.M.P.S.’ long standing emphasis on collaboration and community building.

Istronglybelieve inthepowerof networking and collaboration, bringing individuals together whocan offer holistic training and support,” Mrs Ferguson said. This notonlystrengthens their platformbut alsocreates lasting impact.

She noted thatthe organisation has consistently worked withat risk girls, helpingthem torecognise theirworth while developingtheir talents.At the sametime,women ofallageshave beensupported throughsessionsfocused on self care, self awareness and personal growth.

“At the coreof it all isthe reminder thatevery womanwasintentionally designed by the Master Creator to make an impact in every sphere of

life, she said.

As the organisation reflects on 16 yearsofservice, themessagefor womenwhomay feeluncertainabout their direction remainsclear and groundedin faithand personaldevelopment.

“First, develop a relationship with God.He willguideand directyour path,” Mrs Fergusonsaid. “Second, surroundyourself withacommunity thatuplifts,empowers, andbuildsyou up rather than tears you down.

“Third,invest inyourself.Sharpen yourskillsand nurtureyourgifts,because yourgift will makeroom for you. Finally, cultivatehabits that supportyourgrowth. Meditateonpositive truths and practice journaling. These simple yet powerful tools can help you process your emotions,clear your mind, and think more positively and creatively.

With its blend of personal testimony, practical adviceand spiritualencouragement, “SHE Rise” isexpected to offer more than anevening out. For many, it may serve as a reset.

AsC.H.A.M.P.S. continuesitsmission, thegoal remains the sameto ensurethatevery womanwhowalks throughitsdoors leavesremindedof hervalue, hervoice andher abilityto rise.