woman & health
The Tribune
Biggest And Best!
Where are the ambulances?
Darville denies claims of shortages - but crews say just 3 on the road
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
eMerGeNCy medical
staff and Health Minister
dr Michael darville are offering starkly different accounts of the state of the country’s ambulance fleet, with frontline workers warning that a critical shortage is endangering lives, while the minister blames staff shortages and downplays concerns about the vehicles themselves. emergency Medical Technicians (eMTs) speaking to The Tribune on condition of anonymity said only three ambulances — one of them a recently acquired model — are
Still no an S wer over who filed di S clo S ure S
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
NeArly a month after the March 1 deadline passed, there is still no new timeline for public officials to file their mandatory financial disclosures — and the Public disclosures Commission has yet to say how many officials have complied. Bishop Victor Cooper, chairman of the commission, told The Tribune yesterday that while officials have continued submitting disclosures, he could not provide an exact number. He noted that some public officers have requested extensions.
one of several ambulances, which were procured through an IDB loan agreement last year, seen at NEMS Headquarters as frontline workers claim only three ambulances are operational.
Teacher accused of having sex with underage student six times
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 57-yeAr-old
male teacher is accused of having sex with an underage student six times in the
past six months. John Campbell was arraigned on six counts of unlawful sexual intercourse before Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-evans. Prosecutors allege that
the defendant had unlawful sexual intercourse with a teenage girl, whose name is being withheld because she is a minor, on six occasions between october 1, 2024,
Petty says he will not seek re-election
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
NorTH eleuthera MP Sylvanus Petty says he will not seek re-election, citing a need to “refocus, reposition and recalibrate” to prioritise his family, who he says have made great sacrifices while he served his constituents. He is the second sitting
Progressive liberal Party MP to announce plans to leave frontline politics, following MICAl MP Basil McIntosh.
Mr Petty, the deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, was appointed executive chairman of the Water and Sewerage Corporation but resigned in 2023 after revelations that
By PAVEL BAILEY
A JeT ski operator was charged yesterday with raping an American tourist near Junkanoo Beach last week Tuesday, days after the United States had warned about sexual assaults involving watercraft vendors in The Bahamas.
The Tribune reported the allegation last Thursday. The matter was not reported in any of the daily police crime reports. on Sunday, police press liaison Chief
page three
north Eleuthera MP Sylvanus Petty.
Wreaths laid in memory of HMBS Flamingo
A wreAth laying ceremony in honour of the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation at the HMBS Flamingo Monument and Park at the Defence Force Coral Harbor base on Sunday.
Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Where are the ambulances?
inaccurate.
currently operational in New Providence. The rest, they claimed, are out of service, leaving the capital unable to meet the island’s emergency transport demands.
One EMT said at least eight ambulances are needed to cover New Providence adequately, noting that EMS handles not only 911 emergencies but also hospital transports for dialysis patients and bedridden individuals. They said the shortage, ongoing for about three months, has pushed response times well beyond acceptable limits. High-priority calls, which should be answered within five to eight minutes, are now reportedly taking as long as 45 minutes. For less urgent cases, wait times can stretch to two hours.
An EMT described the burden on the system,
pointing to shifts where responders have had to manage around 25 calls with only a few vehicles in operation. With fewer units and several colleagues on industrial leave, remaining staff are struggling to keep up, they said. Dr Darville acknowledged the staffing challenges but rejected claims that only three ambulances are operational, calling them exaggerated. He said seven to nine ambulances are currently in service in New Providence and explained that some vehicles appearing inactive are actually reserved for deployment to the Family Islands under the EMT training programme. He said maintenance issues are expected with such heavily used equipment but insisted that the claim of only three functioning ambulances was
“There’s always some elements of mild mechanical issues with all of these equipment but you’re going to have people nitpicking with everything,” Dr Darville said. “Ambulances are operational 24 hours a day, most of them, and then some are down for maintenance.”
EMTs, however, maintain that the ministry has not adequately addressed longstanding problems with the fleet — particularly the 14 new ambulances imported from Spain last year. One EMT said the vehicles are too small to fit essential equipment or accommodate larger patients, making them unsuitable for frontline emergency response.
They also reported persistent mechanical issues, including faulty emergency lights, electrical problems, and malfunctioning brakes. One large ambulance had from
to be pulled from service after its brakes failed while responding to a call. According to a staff member, responders narrowly avoided a collision.
Another EMT raised safety concerns about the stretchers in the new vehicles, which reportedly only lock in fully raised or fully
lowered positions and cannot adjust to a safe midlevel height. They said the design has led to injuries, including one case in which a responder now requires surgery after a stretcher’s wheels failed to retract during a lift.
Staff said EMS leadership is aware of the issues and has repeatedly flagged the need for additional units, but claimed the Public Hospitals Authority has been slow to respond.
One EMT said the lack of urgency in addressing the problems has led to growing fears that the entire system could collapse.
Jet ski operator charged with visitor’s rape
from page one
Superintendent Sheria King told this newspaper the matter was under investigation.
Nicklas Major, 25, was
arraigned before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley on one count of rape yesterday. Prosecutors allege he had non-consensual sexual intercourse with
a 23-year-old woman on April 1.
The alleged assault came shortly after the US Department of State updated its travel advisory, warning that jet ski operators are
poorly regulated and citing multiple reports of sexual assaults involving vendors.
The advisory prohibits US government personnel from renting jet skis or personal watercraft
Bostwick encourages alum to reesta Blish ghs as
By Keile CampBell Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
DAME Janet Bostwick urged alumni of Government High School to form a foundation aimed at restoring the institution to its former glory, calling it a beacon of excellence that once shaped generations of national leaders.
Speaking at the third annual GHS Alumni Phoenix Awards during the school’s 100th anniversary celebrations, the former attorney general and acting prime minister said: “It would be much like the mythical phoenix and rise from the proverbial D average ashes by being the brightest beacon of educational excellence that the entire Caribbean region has ever seen.
She addressed alumni from across the decades, reflecting on the school’s transformation and expressing disappointment at what she called its decline into something unrecognisable.
The school once operated with admission based strictly on merit and academic ability to train Bahamians for the growing civil service and it maintained high academic standards under a semiindependent board of governors.
Dame Janet said alumni who experienced the school in its earlier years were part of a social experiment that prioritised equality at the expense of excellence. She argued that instead of lifting standards, the system lowered them — and the impact, she said, is now
painfully clear in the state of education and the capabilities of today’s workforce.
Following the political shift in 1967, the Progressive Liberal Party-led government introduced sweeping educational reforms that included abolishing entrance exams and expanding access to public schooling. While these reforms opened doors to more Bahamians, they also raised concerns about declining academic standards.
The late Dr Keva Bethel documented the school’s evolution in her influential work on Bahamian education. She described the pre-reform GHS as “selective”, producing leaders through “rigorous academic standards” and a “limited but elite” student body. While she supported the move to broaden access, she warned that these “noble efforts to democratise schooling” brought with them “persistent challenges in quality and relevance”.
Dame Janet noted that alums frequently reflect on the school’s past and urged them to act.
“I would love to see those of us who are at the foundation of GHS, those of us who have GHS as our foundation, come together and establish the Government High School Foundation in the name of providing the support towards the reestablishment of GHS as the charter school of academic excellence,” she said.
The awards ceremony, which honoured historical GHS alumni such as the late Dr Bernard Nottage, Dr Keva Bethel, Rev Dr
Hervis Bain and Dr Perry Gomez, featured Dame Janet as patron and keynote speaker.
She proudly highlighted Government High School’s contributions to the country, noting that it has produced two former prime ministers — Sir Lynden Pindling and Perry Christie.
“This institution has built over the years a legacy that has matured and nurtured generations of nation builders, students who have gone on to serve, lead, and innovate in all spheres of life,” she said, boasting that the school is also the alma mater of four governor
from independent operators on New Providence and Paradise Island. Major was not required to enter a plea. His case will proceed to the Supreme Court through a voluntary
bill of indictment scheduled for July 24. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Inspector Deon Barr was the prosecutor.
‘charter school of academic excellence’
generals, as well as several members of Parliament, and countless upper management members of government.
She recalled with pride how GHS once stood as a national exemplar — a place where academic achievement was the expected norm and where students were shaped not just for exams but for leadership.
“It was a place where values and character were built and honed,” she said.
“Where love of country was taught and lived, and where excellence wasn’t just encouraged — it was
demanded.”
Reflecting on the school’s ethos during her time, Dame Janet described GHS as more than just an educational institution.
It was, in her words, “the foundation upon which the future was built”, a nurturing ground for aspiration, discipline, and patriotic service.
Several ambulances sit in the National Emergency Medical Services (NEMS) parking lot on Thompson Blvd. Some workers suggest that as few as only three are operational.
Still no answer over who filed disclosures
from page one
Last month, he blamed delays on inaccessibility of the commission’s office and facility issues, including mould, which he said had affected processing. He confirmed yesterday that the commission is now temporarily operating from the Cabinet Office.
Under the law, senators, members of parliament, and senior public officials are required to declare their assets, income, and liabilities each year.
Non-compliance can carry penalties of up to $10,000 or a two-year prison sentence. Despite this, officials have not publicly named those who missed this year’s deadline.
Opposition Leader Michael Pintard criticised the commission’s handling of the disclosures yesterday, saying the chairman is duty-bound to explain the basis for what he called “ongoing non-compliance”.
He questioned why such lengthy extensions are being granted and
whether they are being given to the same individuals repeatedly. Mr Pintard also suggested the government may have philosophical objections to the law itself, citing informal reports to that effect. Last year, Bishop Cooper revealed that 90 percent of parliamentarians met the March 1 disclosure deadline, though several senators and senior public officials had not. Officials have never disclosed who failed to comply.
Passport Office sees 50% increase passports issued to Bahamians in US
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter
THE Passport Office has reported a 50 percent increase in passports issued at Bahamian consulates during the first three months of 2025 compared to the same period last year — a spike that coincides with Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency and renewed immigration crackdowns.
Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell, in a voicenote released yesterday, urged Bahamians being expelled from the United States to be patient, saying strict rules govern who qualifies for a Bahamian passport.
“Many Bahamians who have to leave the United States are complaining about the procedures to get a Bahamian passport,” he said. “But since 1973 our laws are very particular about who is a
Bahamian and how you prove your Bahamian, our officers are strictly enforcing these passport rules.”
Mr Mitchell’s comments came despite recent assurances from Bahamian and US officials that Bahamians have not faced heightened immigration enforcement in the US. Ambassador to the United States Wendell Jones previously told The Tribune he had received no reports of Bahamians being detained. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Jerusa Lea Ali also said there has been no uptick in deportations or detentions involving Bahamians.
Chief Passport Officer Nicholas Symonette Jr, responding to Mr Mitchell’s remarks, said many applications are more complex now because some people — though born in The Bahamas — do not qualify for citizenship under existing
law. Others are unaware of their Bahamian lineage but are still seeking documentation for themselves or relatives.
He said his office continues to meet its seven-to-ten business day processing timeframe and often delivers ahead of schedule.
“I think right now we’re meeting that expectation, if not beating it by about two days,” he said. “But we will maintain those days just in case. That gives us just the ability to pivot, in case there’s a power outage or anything, a glitch in the system, anything.”
He said delays are mainly caused by the time applicants need to gather proper documents and receive accurate guidance.
As of November 2024, 426 Bahamian citizens were under final orders of removal in the US, according to an ICE report. None had been detained.
bishoP Victor cooPer
minister of foreign affairs freD mitchell
Petty says he will not seek re-election
his daughter had received a contract with the company.
The issue emerged during cross-examination in the ongoing corruption trial of Long Island MP Adrian Gibson.
He has frequently engaged on social media, offering updates on community issues and celebrating the achievements of his constituents.
In a statement sent to The Tribune yesterday, he thanked his constituents for their support, saying his election under a PLP administration — after years of opposition victories — was a personal mission accomplished.
He acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, but noted that there comes a time in life when seasons end.
“I truly believe that my season for frontline politics is coming to an end,” he said. “Nevertheless, I remain steadfast, resolute, and committed to completing the tasks before me successfully — with God’s and my government’s assistance — and dedicated to the mission of nation-building in whatever capacity.”
The North Eleuthera MP added that he was proud of
his efforts to inspire change and satisfied that he has done his best to leave a lasting impression and legacy for others to build on in the area.
The move comes as the Progressive Liberal Party ramps up its election focus ahead of what could be hotly contested nominations in both the MICAL and North Eleuthera constituencies.
Former Golden Gates MP and Cabinet Minister Shane Gibson has expressed interest in the MICAL seat, along with 58-year-old Inagua business owner Laverne Ingraham. However, it remains unclear who will vie for the PLP’s nomination in North Eleuthera.
Michelle Johnson, chairperson of the PLP’s mainland North Eleuthera branch, told The Tribune yesterday that the association has not yet been informed of any official nominees.
She said many residents were disappointed by Mr Petty’s decision not to run again, believing he was a committed representative.
“He’s had good intention,” he said. “He’s been a great MP and he did what he could with the little resources that he had.”
Thompson placed as acting Parliamentary Commissioner while poll workers claim they have not been paid yet
Denalee Penn Mackey seeking s outhern s hores noM ination unDer F nM banner
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
Tribune Staff Reporter
lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
FUNERAL director
Denalee Penn Mackey, who sought the Progressive Liberal Party’s nomination in North Abaco in the last general election, is seeking the Free National Movement’s nomination in the Southern Shores constituency, citing proximity to her family, business, and a desire to be more accessible to constituents as reasons for her decision.
Ms Mackey said the FNM’s executive approached her about running in Southern Shores after the seat became available.
She told The Tribune the constituency made sense for her because it is in Nassau, where her business is based and where her two daughters still attend school. She added that being physically close to the area would allow her to be more accessible to constituents and that, from
a financial standpoint, the decision was also practical. While she maintains strong ties to Abaco, where she played a role in postHurricane Dorian recovery efforts, she said the shift to Southern Shores allows her to remain active in national development while being present for her family and constituents.
Responding to critics who accuse her of switching political allegiances for convenience, she said her decision to align with the PLP during the last election was based on dissatisfaction with the former FNM administration’s handling of Hurricane Dorian. She emphasised that she has always considered herself an FNM supporter and that her decision at the time was guided by a commitment to serve the people, not party politics. She expressed confidence in the FNM’s current leadership under Michael Pintard and said she would continue to support the party regardless of
whether she receives the nomination. As election season brews, more candidates are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks. The FNM said it has completed candidate vetting in all but three constituencies, with more than 75 percent of applicants interviewed.
Mr Pintard has said the full slate is expected to be finalised by the end of this week, with public announcements to follow in May.
Mr Pintard also confirmed that former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis will not be renominated in Killarney. He said Dr Minnis had been asked to contribute to the FNM’s future as an elder statesman, helping to guide party strategy and provide policy insight.
He did not confirm reports that Long Island MP Adrian Gibson will not be renominated, saying only that decisions on a number of seats would be revealed at a later date.
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
HARRISON Thompson, a veteran civil servant, has been appointed acting Parliamentary Commissioner following the reassignment of Arthur Taylor — an internal shake-up that comes as poll workers complain they still haven’t been paid months after the local government elections.
Mr Thompson previously served as permanent secretary in several ministries, including those relating to tourism, local government and lands. In 2022, he was a consultant to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.
National Security Minister Wayne Munroe told The Tribune that Mr Taylor had requested Mr Thompson’s help at the Parliamentary Registration Department, citing Thompson’s past experience with elections.
Mr Taylor’s removal was somewhat controversial.
The Tribune was told last month that he had been reassigned following widespread criticism of how his department handled
the January local government elections. That process reportedly featured delays, ballot errors, and administrative missteps across several Family Islands.
While Mr Munroe had previously acknowledged dissatisfaction with Mr Taylor’s performance, he also said the outgoing commissioner requested a reassignment and was not removed by anyone in his ministry.
Still, the transition has drawn renewed scrutiny as some election workers say they have not been paid for their work. A presiding officer in West Grand Bahama told The Tribune that workers were frustrated and had been told the delays were related to Mr Thompson’s new appointment.
Similar complaints have reportedly surfaced in other Family Islands.
Mr Munroe said he could not confirm whether payments had been made but noted that the process is multi-layered. He said workers’ records must first be submitted to the Parliamentary Registration Department, which then triggers the release
of funds to local government administrators.
He said delays often stem from missing or incomplete documentation.
“I’ve had complaints about people not being paid for byelection because where some people don’t have accounts,” he said. “Some people don’t have accounts in their own name. Some people aren’t on the time sheets. Some people, there is no record of them being engaged to work.”
He stressed that the system is designed to ensure financial accountability and that payment depends on workers providing valid bank details and supervisors submitting proper records.
Mr Thompson did not return Tribune calls.
For his part, Free National Movement chairman Dr Duane Sands raised concerns about transparency in the department. He also criticised Mr Thompson’s appointment, suggesting that he is another retired civil servant receiving both a pension and a full salary.
Deputy Speaker Sylvanus Petty during a sitting of the House of Assembly on February 7, 2024.
The Tribune Limited
NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI
“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
LEON E. H. DUPUCH
Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .
Publisher/Editor 1919-1972
Contributing Editor 1972-1991
RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.
Publisher/Editor 1972-
Published daily Monday to Friday
Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207
TELEPHONES
News & General Information
(242) 502-2350
Advertising Manager (242) 502-2394
Circulation Department (242) 502-2386
Nassau fax (242) 328-2398
Freeport, Grand Bahama (242)-352-6608
Freeport fax (242) 352-9348
WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK
www.tribune242.com
A certain uncertainty and unknown unknowns
There is plenty of talk about the potential impact of US President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs – some forecasters are warning of a global depression, others are saying not to jump the gun on such predictions.
Over in the US, there are suggestions of a recession, while presidential advisors are saying to hold steady.
There are always differing predictions when it comes to the economy – some will be correct, some not so much.
What is certain is uncertainty. As the world tries to deal with the widespread tariffs imposed by Trump, and markets tumble, it is not an environment where people want to take a gamble.
That means businesses might put plans on hold – entertainment giant Nintendo has reacted to the tariffs by delaying pre-orders on its new console, British carmaker Jaguar Land rover has paused shipments.
It might mean that investment plans are delayed – French President emmanuel Macron said to business in his country that “investments to come or investments announced in recent weeks should be suspended until things are clarified with the United States”.
It might mean that homeowners hold off on buying that item they were planning to purchase, or, worryingly for our economy given our dependence on tourism, booking that holiday.
There is even uncertainty over how long these tariffs might be in place for – the White house yesterday denied reports that there would be a 90-day pause in the tariffs, while senior staff have been talking about how many nations are asking for a trade deal, as if forcing a push for resolving uncertainty you introduced was a badge of honour.
Back in 2002, then US Secretary of Defense received some considerable teasing when he said: “As we know, there are known knowns. There are things we know we know. We also know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns –the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”
There is so much right now that we do not know and that we cannot predict that we are deep in the territory of “unknown unknowns”.
We have said before in editorials that businesses thrive on certainty. It is not just businesses. It is homeowners. It is workers. It is everyone deciding whether they should spend some money or keep it in their pocket just in case.
There is little sign of this rollercoaster coming to an end. So hang in there.
Why such a delay in repairs?
recently, there has been a tangled mess of cables next to a pole on Shirley Street (see Picture of the Day below) Yesterday, a pedestrian unfortunately got tangled up in the wires all over the ground and had a tumble.
Passers-by came to the fallen woman’s assistance, and she got up and went on her way, though was certainly shaken.
But what possible reason could there be to have left such a tangle of cables all over the pavement and not dealing with it?
Another reader recently raised concerns over the numerous patches of broken ground on Bay Street where utility crews came and did their work, but the patch-up teams have not come to fix up the street. Instead, drivers are picking and choosing between veering around the bumpy road or rattling their teeth as they bounce over it. In each case, the issue is not finishing off the work properly, and in a timely fashion.
If you’re going to do a job, do it right – and absolutely do it in such a way that someone will not take a tumble.
We hope the crews will be out to fix these particular issues promptly. The particular pole in question is just across the road from radio house – so you can be sure we will be watching.
Questions on no-bid contracts
EDITOR, The Tribune.
LAST week, the Bahamian press reported a no-bid contract for roadwork in Grand Bahama for some $183m. We have heard nothing at all from Prime Minister Davis to explain what possible set of circumstances allowed them to consider and approve—what is among the largest single public infrastructure projects in the country—without the prudent and legally required competitive bidding.
While the Prime Minister is explaining that breach of the law, he should also explain why his published procurement reports from December 2023 to January 2025 reveal some 631 direct award/singlesourced projects totaling $396,790,382.79. Note in particular that this $397m sum includes 33 contracts totaling $386.9m, which is
over the $100,000 threshold and thus would not typically be eligible for a direct award no-bid contract.
The fact that almost $400m in Bahamian tax dollars could be doled out for no-bid is egregious and absolutely unacceptable!
This Davis administration demonstrates every day that they have never been about creating fair and transparent opportunities for all Bahamian businesses. Only a selected group need apply.
Of course, none of the 14 reports published to date by the Procurement Department include any contracts from the Ministry of Tourism. Our Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism clearly feels that he has no obligation to
follow the law and report the procurement activities of his Ministry.
These reports do not include the procurement activities of many of our State-owned enterprises, which according to Section 5 of the Public Procurement Act, are required to publish their major contracts on their websites. Imagine what these entities are hiding in their ongoing breach of the procurement laws.
Finally, these reports do not list the privatization of the public assets belonging to BPL, which also did not go through any sort of competitive bidding. This privatisation of BPL is valued in the hundreds of millions, and the Bahamian people have been kept in the dark on the details.
MICHAEL PINTARD Leader of the Free National Movement April 7, 2025.
The need for freedom and restoration
EDITOR, The Tribune.
AS I read your newspaper about the ongoings in this small country, the anger that arises has become unhealthy. As the Bahamas approaches its 52nd year of independence in 2025 we must confront a sacred yet unfulfilled mandate: the Year of Jubilee. rooted in ancient tradition, the Jubilee symbolises freedom, debt cancellation, and the return of stolen land. For Bahamians, this moment demands a reckoning with centuries of systemic betrayal—and a revolution to reclaim our future.
The lies of “Freedom” surely can be classified as a historical betrayal. In 1834, the British e mpire promised emancipation but delivered fraud. e nslaved Bahamians were forced into four more years of unpaid “apprenticeship,” a continuation of slavery by another name. True liberation in 1838 came without reparations, land, or tools to build economic autonomy. This theft of labour and dignity entrenched generational poverty, a wound still unhealed.
Can one get Independence without justice? In 1973, Britain granted independence but denied justice. Several million acres of ancestral land— now valued at $300 billion in today’s market—were transferred to a political elite, not the people. Today, descendants of the
enslaved remain locked out of ownership, while corrupt leaders treat this land as a private slush fund. h ow can a nation prosper when its citizens cannot claim a single acre of their birthright?
Consecutive governing administrations have chosen corruption as policy. The government’s refusal to leverage this land for public good— affordable housing, small business loans, or climate resilience—is a moral crime. Meanwhile, backroom deals enrich politicians and foreign investors. This is not governance; it is gangsterism masquerading as leadership. Let us not forget the church’s silence. Once a beacon of resistance, the church now neglects its duty to ignite a spiritual and social awakening. Prosperity theology cannot mask its complicity in systemic injustice. Where are the cries for reparations? Where is the courage to confront power? Faith without action is dead.
I recommend my “Jubilee Blueprint for r evolution”. The Year of Jubilee is not a metaphor—it is our mandate. We demand land redistribution after an audit and ensure 50 percent of the remaining crown land is set aside for future Bahamian families, prioritising descendants of the enslaved.
We must develop internal reparations by leasing remaining land transparently and directing revenue toward housing, healthcare, and green energy. Accountability must play a pivotal and prominent role. There must be prosecutions of corrupt officials and the overhauling of governance to serve the people, not predators. And last but not least, there must be a spiritual awakening. Bahamians must reclaim our African identity and ancestral faith—a faith that fights for liberation, not one that borders on pacification and ignorance. We, the people, must learn when “ e nough is e nough.” In 1967, Bahamians marched for majority rule. In 2025, we must march for total liberation. Flood the streets. Occupy Parliament. Shut down Nassau until our demands are met. This is not radical—it is justice delayed for 189 years. The Year of Jubilee calls us to cancel debts, restore land, and free the oppressed. Let this 52nd year ignite a revolution: one that honors our ancestors empowers our children and finally builds a Bahamas by and for its people. A Very Angry Citizen.
RABBI COMMON ZENSE
Freeport, Grand Bahama April 5, 2025.
Picture of the day
Teacher accused of having sex with underage student six times
from page one
and March 31, 2025. The victim was 14 and 15 years old when the incidents occurred. The defendant is reportedly a family friend of the victim and would occasionally give her rides home from
LW Young High School. Campbell was informed that he was not required to enter a plea at that time and that his case would be transferred to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). He was also advised of
his right to apply for bail through the higher court. The accused will be held at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his VBI is served on June 30.
Assistant Superintendent of Police S Coakley served as the prosecutor.
Jury empanelled for man accused of killing 5-month-old daughter in 2013
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A JURY was empanelled yesterday to hear the long-delayed manslaughter trial of a father accused of causing the death of his five-monthold daughter in Eleuthera in 2013.
Justice Dale Fitzpatrick presided as a nine-member jury was selected in
the case of Blounand Vedrine, who is alleged to have accidentally caused the death of Berlindia Vedrine in Gregory Town on September 6, 2013. The infant was reportedly found with injuries to her body.
The case was postponed for several years, largely due to the suspension of trials during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent court delays.
The matter was initially scheduled before Justice Gregory Hilton, with a trial date set for December 4 2024, but was reassigned to Justice Fitzpatrick after Justice Hilton’s appointment to the Court of Appeal.
Vedrine is represented by Murrio Ducille KC and Bryan Bastian.
Tylah Murray and Timothy Bailey are prosecuting the case.
Man and two ColuMbian woMen Charged with soliCiting sex and vagranC y on talbot street
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN and two Colombian women have been accused of soliciting sex and vagrancy on Talbot Street last week.
Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans arraigned Raynard McDonald, 45, Lima Sanchez, 23, and Natalia Guluma, 22, on charges of soliciting for immoral purposes. All three were also charged with vagrancy. Prosecutors allege that McDonald attempted to solicit sex from a woman on Talbot Street around 12.52am on April 5. On the same date, Sanchez and Guluma allegedly engaged in prostitution and received financial gain from it.
May 2. K Melvin Munroe represented the accused.
All three pleaded not guilty to the charges. McDonald was granted $3,000 bail with one or two sureties. Sanchez and Guluma were each granted $7,000 cash bail. As part of their bail conditions, McDonald and Sanchez must sign in at the Rock Sound Police Station in Eleuthera every Monday by 7pm. Guluma must sign in at the Carmichael Road Police Station by the same time each Monday. The two women also will be fitted with electronic monitoring devices and are required to observe a 9pm to 9am curfew. The trial is to begin on
Motorcyclist dies in latest traffic fatality
A TRAFFIC accident claimed the life of a motorcyclist early yesterday morning, police said. The crash occurred shortly before 1am on Shirley Street near Highland Terrace.
Police said the victim was riding a green, white, and black Kawasaki
motorcycle when he ran into a lamp post. He was seriously injured and taken to hospital by Emergency Medical Services, where he later died.
This is the 19th traffic fatality for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.
Man shot and killed in GB
Assistant Superintendent of Police S Coakley prosecuted.
Governor General Dame Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt attended the 100th birthday celebration for Courtney Murray Forbes, and presented him with a congratulatory plaque, at his residence at Coral Harbour, New Providence, Bahamas, yesterday. Photo: Letisha Henderson/BIS
Governor General Dame Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt administered swearing-in ceremonies of Senior
Justice Deborah Fraser as acting Chief Justice, Saturday at Government House. Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS
A MAN has been shot dead in an incident in Grand Bahama.
Police last night reported a homicide on Ludford Avenue in Freeport.
Officers reported that the victin died at the scene. No further details were available at the time of going to press.
Britain’s pride restored in the South Atlantic
“Lest we forget”. How familiar those words are in the aftermath of war. the emphasis is always on remembrance in honouring and respecting the fallen. For it is said that to be recognised and appreciated by others in never-ending tribute for individual acts of achievement or sacrifice – however long ago that may be – fulfills a profound human need.
the Royal British Legion’s words of remembrance and exhortation, often recited at memorial services, are poignant.
“they shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. We will remember them.” such thoughts are uppermost in my mind at this time of year because of the anniversary of the Falkland Islands War that occurred as long ago as 1982.this is of particular interest personally because of working after the conflict in the then Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the reconstruction and redevelopment of the Islands. this included a familiarisation visit to the islands courtesy of the RAF.
In any country, an international conflict involving its armed forces and loss of life and equipment will, of course, be regarded as hugely significant and should be remembered officially as an important part of its history. Nonetheless, as the participants in war and their families fade away with the passage of time, public interest inevitably wanes even if those of today’s older generation still, for example, know details about the second World War since they were exposed to war stories during their childhood. But, in the face of society’s changing attitudes, all too often it seems that people forget about their
The Peter Young column
history as young people are encouraged to concentrate on keeping up with the times and modern developments during their own lives.
so it is invariably left to historians to remind people of the past and to encourage the honouring of those who lost their lives on a massive scale in recent wars, not least when veterans, and, for example, civilians who suffered from German bombing raids during the second World War, still survive. Many believe that people should know what happened in the past in their own country because history has a habit of repeating itself, directly or indirectly.
For the sake of history, therefore, the facts of the Falklands war are worth repeating.
On April 2, 1982, Argentina mounted a seaborne and aerial attack on the Falkland Islands, which it calls the Malvinas, some 200 miles east of the mainland. the invasion was all the more shocking because such action by the military junta in Buenos Aires was unexpected in Britain given that bilateral diplomatic negotiations about the future of the Islands were taking place at
the time. It had been the case, of course, that the UK’s sovereignty over the Falklands had been fundamentally contested by Argentina. But the British government had no doubts about the legitimacy of its sovereignty, both because of its long and continuing administration of the Islands (nearly 150 years) and in accordance with the basicl principle of democracy – the will of the people – as contained in the UN Charter.
In reaction to the invasion and occupation of this remote place with a population of less than 3,000 who had for years been vociferously opposed to any interference in their lives by Argentina, Britain quickly sent a naval task force. Predictably, this was attacked en route by Argentine aircraft, and six ships were lost. UK troops landed on the island of east Falkland on May 21 and, after fierce fighting, the Argentinians surrendered on June 14. the cost of the war was heavy. 649 Argentine, and 255 British, service personnel were killed and many wounded. Among numbers of Argentinian aircraft and ships lost, the cruiser called the “General Belgrano” was sunk by a British nuclear submarine. three islanders also lost their lives during the hostilities. Interestingly, historians now argue that Britain’s success in assembling a task force at short notice and sending it 8,000 miles to the south Atlantic, followed by a successful military campaign, surprised policymakers in Buenos Aires who had underestimated the political will and resolve in London to mount such a forceful response in an effort to retake the Islands. the Falklands remain a remote south Atlantic archipelago home to sheep farming and abundant
Germany starting to rearm
AMIdst all the current hullabaloo over the trump tariffs and the collapse of stock markets that it is claimed could lead to a global recession, it is hard to take in the extent of the economic turmoil around the world, including in the Us itself.
It seems that the Us has now rejected the globalisation process that it had championed and profited from. so much has been written about it already and the situation seems to be changing constantly. But a recent BBC report summed up the present situation by saying “trump has turned his back on the foundation of Us economic might –the fallout will be messy”. Yesterday, there was further turmoil in the markets which continued to drop sharply.
the publicity over all this has taken the spotlight away from the earlier controversy over NAtO and trump’s insistence that europe should now be contributing more to its own defence; and, specifically, that each member state should increase its own defence spending.
One aspect of this that has attracted limited media scrutiny, but which, to my eye, is significant relates to Germany’s plans under a new coalition government now being formed following February’s election in the country.
the conservative centreright Christian democratic Union party under Friedrich Merz, won that election, having gained the largest share of the vote, and he is expected - when a coalition is formed by easter - to become the next Chancellor of Germany.
According to reports, a government led by Merz is likely to be more stable and effective than its predecessor, as he takes a
more active role in european politics. He is already staking out foreign policy positions in response to trump embarking on sweeping changes to the Us’s own foreign and trade policy. since Germany is the european Union’s biggest economy and most populous member stateand considered to be one of the main power players in europe - this is significant in itself.
But one noteworthy aspect that seems to have escaped much media scrutiny so far is Germany’s new acceptance that it must now spend more on defence. For decades, given the country’s history as an aggressor in europe, the general view in post-war Germany was that it should keep out of any future conflict, partly as atonement for the past, with pacifists feeling that one way of attempting to make up in some way for atrocities committed during the last war was to ensure such conflict would never happen again. so over the years there has been a general wariness of militarism. It is clear, however, that europe can now no longer rely on Us protection, so the security of individual countries has taken on a fresh importance. It is said
birdlife. Its current population is still only about 3,500. during the reconstruction period, a new airport was built and a fisheries licensing regime was imposed to try to make the Islands economically independent. this soon became profitable and in due course the export of fish products was begun. Now, reportedly, the Islanders are surprised to be on trump’s “worst offenders” tariff list and have been slapped with a 42 per cent tariff on their fish exports to the Us. It will be interesting to see how the
British government reacts to that.
Politically, the population has stuck to its anti-Argentina stance. In a referendum in 2013, it voted overwhelmingly to remain as a British Overseas territory. specifically, in a turnout of 92 percent, 99.8 percent voted to remain British. this was aimed at settling tensions as Argentina was beginning to step up its claim to the islands again. A familiarisation visit during the redevelopment period soon after the conflict generated for me a certain pride that my own
country was prepared to stand up to international aggression and send a task force to the far-off south Atlantic to protect such a small number of its own citizens.
Although the Falklands conflict was top of the world’s news agenda at the time, memories have now, of course, faded. But not for those directly affected by the conflict – most importantly, those still suffering from wounds sustained during the fighting and the families left behind to grieve the loss of those who died.
Denmark reassures GreenlanDers
HAvING written in this column last week about the controversial visit of the Us vice president to Greenland in connection with the White House aim of annexing the country, it was interesting to note that the danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, has also just made a trip there shortly after Jd vance. surprisingly, there seems to have been relatively little publicity about her trip last week. But, during it she confirmed that denmark will not give up Greenland to the Us, saying publicly to President trump “You can’t annex other countries.” she added that denmark was fortifying its military presence in the Arctic and
offered closer collaboration with the Us in defending the region. It was also reported separately that at a high-level NAtO meeting in Brussels last week the Us secretary of state, Marco Rubio, reaffirmed to the danish foreign minister the strong relationship between their two countries. It surely cannot be clearer to the White House that Greenland is “not for sale” and that the Greenlanders themselves do not want to be under the aegis of the Us. But both they and the danes are willing to talk about closer cooperation in all spheres, including military requirements. their reaction may or may not
be having any effect on the White House. But in the midst of the global concern about the new trump tariffs it looks as though the president may have at least backed off temporarily, though he is surely likely to return to the charge at some point. According to reports in the UK press, it appears to many that of all the world’s current problems this is one that can be solved swiftly. trump ought simply to agree to negotiate with denmark and Greenland instead of continuing to indulge in his hallmark bullying method of getting what he wants by riding roughshod over everyone else.
that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has changed attitudes in Germany which now sees Putin as a wider threat, with the country’s military top brass apparently believing that Putin will not stop at Ukraine. they have highlighted Russia’s so-called hybrid warfare including cyberattacks and sabotage as well as unidentified drones over German military sites. thus, they argue the nation’s armed forces need greater funding so that the country can be better prepared militarily. Merz has made plain that investment in defence has been increased following agreement by parliament shortly before it was disbanded following the February elections. this is claimed to be in line with the growing momentum of public concern that Putin is already a serious threat to european peace and security. As caution about all things military seems to be fading, there appears to be a growing realisation in Germany that it is up to them alone to protect –and, if necessary, fight for – their own values and freedoms as a country. In light of europe’s history, the sad reality is that some regard that as a mixed blessing.
Last vestiges of the Falkland War.
Friedrich Merz, CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa/AP
Students of the Year
By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Education Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
TOP sixth-grade students have been selected as finalists for the 2025 Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Programme.
The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation, in partnership with the Executive Board of the Nassau, Bahamas Pan-Hellenic Council, has announced this year’s finalists, recognising students who excel in academics, leadership, and service. Each primary school in The Bahamas was invited to nominate one outstanding student, who was required to submit a comprehensive portfolio showcasing achievements in academics, school life, extracurricular activities, and community service. An independent panel of judges meticulously reviewed each submission, with final decisions based on a holistic
evaluation of each candidate.
Since its inception in 1997, the awards program has recognised over 3,200 exceptional students and awarded more than $3m in scholarships and prizes. The 2025 ceremony, scheduled for May 31, will honour 118 nominees, including 65 girls and 53 boys, and will distribute nearly $300,000 in scholarships and prizes, with a goal that each nominee will receive at least a $1,000 scholarship.
The candidates represent various islands across The Bahamas, including Abaco,
The foundation is continuing to seek support from individuals, organisations, and corporate sponsors to invest in the future of these exceptional students. For more information on how to support the 2025 Awards Programme, visit www.bahamaspsoyty.org or contact the foundation directly.
NOMINEES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARDS
THE nominees are as follows:
Kennedy Adderley, Genesis Academy; Kiara Adderley, Lower Deadman’s Cay Primary School; Sherea Albury, Fox Town Primary School; Ivoree Andrews, Emma E Cooper Primary School; Kale Antonio, Bahamas Academy SDA; Kymiah Bain, Crossing Rock Primary School; Greg Barr Jr, Bertram A Newton Primary School; Kristen Bean, Rev Euthal Rodger Primary School; Gabriel Bethel, Summit Heights Preparatory; Tranaz Bowe, Stuart Manor Primary School; Kaylee Bowe, Stephen Dillet Primary School; Shunnareh Bowe, Albury Sayle Primary School; Nathan Brooks, CW Sawyer Primary School; Sarai Brown, New Providence Classical School; Malachi Bullard, Freeport Primary School; Michael Butler, United Estates Primary School;
Na’eem Butler, Grand Bahama Academy SDA; TaKaryi Butler, First Step Academy; Kyrie Campbell, Queen’s College; Sean Cargill Jr, St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School; Kennedi Christie, West End Primary School; Denyshio Clarke, San Pedro International School; Rubecca Coakley, Simms Primary School; Logan Comarcho, Lucaya International School; Derrick Cornish Jr, Cooper’s Town Primary School; Dawn-ya Cox, TG Glover Primary School; Abigail Davis, St Anne’s School; Tassiya Diallo, Baywest Learning Centre; Denard Dorsett, Grace Christian Academy; Ranaj Dorsett, Gateway Christian Academy; Katelynn Duncombe, Bishop Michael Eldon School; Caden Edgecombe, Rozelda M Woodside Primary School; Joede Farquharson, Nassau Christian Schools; Allan Fawkes, Thelma Gibson Primary School; Chenai Ferguson, Inagua All Age School; Jennah Forde, Garvin Tynes Primary School; Blair Fox, Sunland Baptist Academy; Gabriel Fox, Emily G Petty
Primary School; Leo Frank, Windsor School; Shamyiah Frazier, Staniard Creek Primary School; Luc Oliver Frendo, International School of Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology (ISBET); Nahomi Gervais, Hope Town Primary School; Elizabeth Gibson, Temple Christian Primary School; Talyia Glinton, Trinity Christian School; Antonio Hernandez Jr, Eva Hilton Primary School; Danari Higgs, Mayaguana Comprehensive School; Khaynan Higgs, St Francis de Sales Catholic School; Erin Hunter, Old Bight Primary School; Jada Hutchinson, EP Roberts Primary School; Victoria Huyler, Xavier’s Lower School; Maya Hylton, Carlton E Francis Primary School; Canaan Johnson, Bowen Sound Primary School; Ethan Johnson, Sts Francis and Joseph Catholic Primary School; Keara Jones, Kingsway Academy - Elementary; Kyrie Jones, Excelsior Elementary School; Ka’mya Josaphat,Sandilands Primary School; J’Mari Kemp, Wemyss Bight Primary School; Emari Knowles, Hugh W Campbell Primary School; Jerome Lafleur, Hillcrest Academy; Seanna
Lafrance, Rock Sound Primary School; Khonsu Lockhart, Judith P Thompson Primary School; Deonte Mackey, Columbus Primary School; Reese Mackey, Gerald Cash Primary School; Theodore Mackey Jr, Tabernacle Baptist Christian Academy; Eden Maycock, Wilbur S Outten Christian Academy; Romanta Miller, Gambier Primary School; Evin Mills, Central Abaco Primary School; Telela Minnis, The Promise Institute; Timothy Morley, Tarpum Bay Primary School; Gabiella Morley, St Thomas More Catholic Primary; Aaron Morley, George Town Primary School; Kyle Moss, Ginosko Centre for Academic Excellence; Aiden Moxey, James Cistern Primary School; Caitlyn Moxey, Remnant Academy; S Reagan Moxey, Summit Academy; Tae’lyn Munnings, Faithway Christian Academy; Carter Munnings, Cleveland Eneas Primary School; Eleanor Nash, Lyford Cay International School; Sha’kayla Nesbitt, Fresh Creek Primary School; Noah North, RN Gomez Comprehensive School; Malia Outten, Sybil Strachan Primary
School; Roman Paul, St John’s College - Primary; Janoah Penn, PA Gibson Primary School; Sadie Grace Pinder, Samuel Guy Pinder All Age School; Kalei Pinder, Walter Parker Primary School; Ail’lanie Poitier, Claridge Primary School; Illysa Pratt, Maurice Moore Primary School; Caylee Reckley, Long Bay School; Alani Roberts, Charles W Saunders Baptist School; Elia Roberts, LifeWay Academy; Sherique Robinson, Burnt Rock Primary School; Rhodaea Robinson, Palmdale Primary School; Omari Rolle, Ulric H Ferguson Primary School; Catianna Rolle, Martin Town Primary School; Tajhanai Russell, Grand Cay All Age School; Hannah Russell, James A Pinder Primary School; Surdanio Sands, Gregory Town Primary School; Kaylee Sands, Bimini Primary School; Jacquetto Saunders Jr, Akhepran International Academy; Jade Sawyer, Agape Christian School; Alexis Sherman, Uriah McPhee Primary School; Kylee Smith, St Andrew’s Anglican School; Tyler Smith, The Meridian School; Harleequinn Smith, High Rock Primary School; Lincoln Smith, Moss Town Primary School; Pauljamah Smith Jr, Clara E Evans Primary School; Cadence Storr, Forest Primary School; Hailey Stovel, Ridgeland Primary School; Xavier Thompson, Freeport Gospel Chapel School; Aleya Thompson, Mary Star of The Sean Academy; Ta’Kai Thompson, Harbour All Age School; De’Nario Thurston, Achievers Christian Academy; De’Mari Tinker, Adelaide Primary School; Zyana Turner, Arthur’s Town Comprehensive School; Isla Whylly, St Andrew’s International School; Charnay Whyms, Sadie Curtis Primary School; Garion Williams, Bartlett Hill Primary School; Kalvin Williams, Yellow Elder Primary School.
10; Andros, 10; Berry Islands, 1; Cat Island, 2; Crooked Island, 1; Eleuthera, 10; Exuma, 5; Grand Bahama, 18; Inagua, 1; Long Island, 2; Mayaguana, 1; New Providence, 54; San Salvador, 1.
FROM left, top, Kennedy Adderley, Gabriel Bethel, second row, Reece Mackey, Jennah Forde, third row, Illysa Pratt, Tyler Smith, fourth row, Demari Tinker, Garion Williams.
Students put on a show for E Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Exuma adjudications
Several schools from throughout Great Exuma Island recently gathered at the St Andrew’s Parish Community Centre in George Town for one of the largest combined E Clement National Arts Festival Exuma adjudications ever held on the island. Students showcased their dancing, acting, and singing skills, while the audience cheered for them, on March 19, 2025. Among the many highlights were the Junkanoo performances that day.
Photos: eric rose/BIS