Bahamas News

BAHAMAS: RBDF Conducts Trafficking in Persons Seminar

Published

5 years ago

November 28, 2018

#Coral Harbour Base, November 28, 2018 – Bahamas – The Royal Bahamas Defence Force continues to raise awareness, as well as sensitize its personnel to illicit activities associated with Trafficking in Persons (TIPS) through training seminars coordinated by the RBDF Training Department at the Coral Harbour Base.

The Defence Force is a multi-faceted, multi-purpose agency, and Commander Defence Force, Commodore Tellis Bethel, is adamant that partnerships with local law enforcement agencies be strengthened in keeping with the strategic agenda of the Minister of National Security, the Honourable Marvin Dames. As a result, the Force must be adequately prepared to confront a multiplicity of challenges, which includes the prevention, protection and suppression of Trafficking in Persons.

As the Royal Bahamas Defence Force is responsible for protecting the borders and natural resources of The Bahamas from external threats and the harmful consequences of drugs, arms, human smuggling and poaching, the aim of the TIPS seminars is to share with participants how human traffickers exploit the vulnerabilities of people for personal gain.

The training will therefore assist greatly with improving and sustaining the overall objectives of the United Nations Convention on Human Rights, in particular, Trafficking in Persons, as well as The Bahamas’ Trafficking in Persons Act 2008 and its objective to remain a Tier 1 country.

Over the years, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force has contributed significantly to the development of the TIPS Task Force from its inception in the areas of training and initial victim identification. The year 2011 marked the introduction of Defence Force personnel to Trafficking in Persons training programs.

In 2013, the Defence Force training programme was expanded to include all Defence Force personnel who sit the Force’s Advancement, Leadership, Supervisory and Managements Courses. This has resulted in over 1300 out of approximately 1500 members receiving initial identity skills and techniques training. The Defence Force’s role as first responder is therefore critical and the training has enabled it to better perform its duties over the past 5 years.

On Friday 16th November, 97 participants graduated from another one-day TIPS Seminar. Senior Lieutenant Origin Deleveaux, RBDF Training Officer and the TIPS Liaison Officer, spearheaded multiple one-day training sessions held from May to November of this year. He was joined by the TIP Task Force of volunteers, led by Ms. Susan Knowles, Trafficking in Persons Interagency Chairperson, Ministry of National Security.

This year, the TIP Task Force was invited to expand the scope of the TIP Training to include presentations from: the Ministry of National Security, Immigration, Civic Society, Social Services, The Office of the Department Public Prosecution, Royal Bahamas Police Force, Faith Based Organizations, Public Hospital Authority, Foreign Affairs, University Of the Bahamas and The Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

It is the sixth Training Seminar for this year and over 700 Defence Force personnel including Social and Hotline workers from the Department of Social Services, Doctors and Nurses, and other front line personnel from Public Hospital Authority have participated thus far.

The comprehensive one-day session included presentations and panel discussions to raise awareness of inter-agency roles and responsibilities in combating this transnational crime. Applicable International Law on Trafficking in Persons (UN Protocol) Topics covered were: The Bahamas Legislative Framework, National Bodies on TIPs, Victim Identification/Assistance/Protection, Medical Care for Victims, Victim Interviews, Investigations, Prosecution and Punishment, Training, National Coordination and Trafficking in Persons Indicators.

RBDF Photo shows: Participants who graduated from the one-day TIPS Seminar on November 16 at the Coral Harbour Base. Also shown are Captain Adrian Chriswell, Captain Coral Harbour (Acting); Senior Lieutenant Origin Deleveaux, RBDF Training Officer and the TIPS Liaison Officer, and the TIP Task Force of volunteers, led by Ms. Susan Knowles, Trafficking in Persons Interagency Chairperson, Ministry of National Security.

Press Release: RBDF

(RBDF Photo by Marine Seaman Michael Turner)

(For further information please contact the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our website: www.rbdf.gov.bs, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and view our Youtube channel)

-rbdf-

#GuardOurHeritage

Bahamas News

Bahamas economic growth

Published

4 days ago

May 4, 2024

Shanieka

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

The Bahamas’ economy is in good standing according to reports from the Bahamas National Statistical Institute which released the Quarterly Gross Domestic Product Series. They indicate that quarterly GDP trends for 2023 saw increases compared to 2022, a sign of recovery from the Covid 19 pandemic.

The most significant increase was 9.9 percent in the first quarter of 2023, and the industries responsible for the growth include Accommodations and food, construction and Arts.

Bahamas News

RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos

Published

4 days ago

May 4, 2024

Shanieka

RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

Bahamas News

Get your laugh on, March On show coming to Turks and Caicos with box office at IGA Friday and Saturday

Published

5 days ago

May 3, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

After resounding success in the Bahamas, hit play ‘March On, The Story of Us’ has been inundated with requests to take their show on the road, and the first location they’ll be hitting is Providenciales Turks and Caicos with tickets on sale this weekend from May 3 to 5.

Magnetic Media spoke to Gea Pierre, playwright, who told us the TCI was a natural first choice for the cast and crew.

“We started ‘March On’ in November 2023 and it was really an opportunity for us to tell a story, the story of the Bahamas and to encompass the nations that we have an amazing relationship with like the Turks and Caicos,” she continued “We really got a lot of people calling [for the play] from [the TCI], so much so we really had to pay attention.”

The response to ‘March On’ at home and abroad was overwhelming.

“To say it went well is an understatement, even before we opened we got calls from Canada, from all over the US with people wanting us to come and perform.”

And take the show on the road they did! Gea and her team have launched “March On: The Tour” and will be in Providenciales to perform on May 10th and 11th. It’s the first of a number of stops which include Nassau and several US locations.

A ticket booth will be set up from today, Friday May 3 in the foyer of IGA grocery store beginning at 1 p.m. Friday and then again all day on Saturday, allowing residents to purchase with cash.

Online tickets are available for purchase with credit cards. Then the full team returns on Friday, May 11 for the actual showing at 8 pm and their two showings on Saturday at 4pm and 8 pm. The venue is Brayton Hall, Providenciales under the patronage of Washington Misick, TCI Premier and First Lady Delthia Misick.

Describing the close familial relationships between the TCI and the Bahamas, for many on the crew it will be like coming home Gea told us, for others it will be a treat to visit for the first time, the places that their grandparents described.

Tickets are only $60 for general seating and $75 for VIP seating.

Gea maintained that the team wanted to keep the show as accessible to residents as possible.

As for why you should come out and see the play, other than the great price point:

“The way that people have responded to it is non stoplaughter, people have been moved to tears because there’s some emotion. It does not only lend to Bahamians. It’s a family drama, and anyone who’s ever been a part of a family is going to get something out of it, and something moving.”