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BAHAMAS: Remarks by Prime Minister Minnis at Opening of FOIA Workshop

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#Bahamas, April 25, 2018 – Nassau

  • Cabinet Colleagues
  • Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
  • Madam President and Senators
  • Secretary to the Cabinet
  • Commissioner of Police
  • Commodore of Defence Force
  • Senior Public Officials

 

Good morning:

I thank the Government of Jamaica for approving our request for Mr. Damian Cox, Chief Technical Officer in Office of the Prime Minister, to conduct workshops on the Freedom of Information Act, 2017, as we seek to fully implement the Act.

Mr. Cox: Welcome to the Bahamas.

Mr. Cox was involved in the implementation of Jamaica’s Access to Information Act, which is equivalent to our Freedom of Information Act.

We are pleased to have him with us to discuss the experience of Jamaica in implementing the Freedom of Information Act here in the Bahamas.

I recently signed the Appointed Day Notice, which brought into effect the whistleblower provision under section 47 of the Act.

The Freedom of Information Act will be brought into effect in phases, in order to ensure that all the preparatory work, and training, that is necessary to fully implement the regime is in place.

This will better ensure the effectiveness of the regime.

Freedom of information or the right to access information is considered an essential component of a modern democracy.

The Model Inter-American Law on Access to Public Information states in its preamble that:

“- the Inter-American Court of Human Rights … formally recognized the right of access to information as part of the fundamental right to freedom of expression;

– that access to information is a fundamental human right and an essential condition for all democratic societies; and

– that the right of access to information is based on the principle of maximum disclosure.”

The Act is intended to ensure general public access to government information.

There are a number of safeguards for the protection of an individual’s sensitive personal data.

The Act ensures the protection of national security matters, legal privilege and certain government communications.

With the exception of these carve outs or exemptions, the Act provides the public wide access to records.

It is crucial to take note of the objects of the Freedom of Information Act, 2017, which are outlined in section four.

The objects of the Act are to reinforce and give further effect to certain fundamental principles underlying the system of constitutional democracy, namely:

(a)       governmental accountability;

(b)       transparency; and

(c)       public participation in national decision making, by granting to the public a general right of access to records held by a public authority.

Access to records will be subject to exemptions which balance the right of access, and non-disclosure of governmental or commercial information in the public interest.

To properly implement the freedom of information regime, each public authority to which the Act relates, must have information managers to facilitate the requests for records and the granting of access to records.

These information managers will be required to undergo special training.

Each public authority, in consultation with the Information Commissioner, must ensure that training is provided for its officials regarding the right to information, and the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act, as provided in section 51.

The Act also provides for the appointment of an individual, whose independence and sterling character, are crucial to the working of this regime.

This person is the Information Commissioner, who pursuant to section 30 of the Act, shall be appointed by the Governor-General upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition.

It is crucial to note that the Information Commissioner will have the overall responsibility for the freedom of information regime.

The Commissioner will be required to monitor public authorities to ensure that they are complying with the Act.

The Information Commissioner will establish a Freedom of Information Unit with its own staff, which will include one or more Deputy Information Commissioners, and Assistant Information Commissioners.

The Information Commissioner will enjoy independence, and autonomy, in operating and administering the Freedom of Information Unit.

In order to ensure the Information Commissioner’s independence, the Act provides that the Commissioner will be a corporation sole and that he or she must—

(a) be a fit and proper person appropriately qualified for appointment;

(b)   be independent, impartial and accountable; and

(c)  have demonstrable knowledge in access to information … or public and corporate governance.

If an individual, group or entity is not satisfied with a decision of a public authority, the Act provides for various levels of appeal up to the Supreme Court. Does this mean: is not satisfied with the Information Commissioner and/or a government agency?

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am pleased that we are beginning the full training and implementation phase of the Freedom of Information regime.

We look forward to meaningful and productive workshops, with the public sector and civil society groups over the next several days.

Thank you for your kind attention.  Good morning.

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Bahamas News

Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Bahamas News

Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Bahamas News

Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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