News
HAROLD CHARLES QUITS FRONTLINE POLITICS
AUGUST 15, 2013 – PROVIDENCIALES – The People Progressive Party may fall apart now that its leader, Harold Charles has announced he is resigned from the top post.
The PPP had promised its supporters, win or lose, that it would not disappear from the scene. Yet the Party has been almost completely silent since being unable to secure any of the 15 seats in the November 2012 General Elections.
Late Thursday August 15, 2013, Harold Charles revealed he is stepping down; he did so via letter.
I am deeply saddened that after much thoughtful consideration, I have made the decision to resign as the leader of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) effective 15th August 2013. I will hasten to say that this decision was not arrived at lightly but it is painfully necessary for me and the party to close this chapter in its short political history.
As you are all aware, I am one of the founding members of the PPP. In large part, because my encouragement most of you made the decision to join the party in its quest to bring about meaningful change to the people of the Turks & Caicos Islands. We made a valiant effort in the November 2012 elections campaign. During our contributions we brought the issues regarding inward investment and education to the forefront of the political debate. But as with other third parties that have preceded us, our message did indeed resonate but the electorate at the end gravitated to the more established political parties
It is extremely difficult for third political parties to survive. This is even more profound in this present political environment where it has become virtually impossible to secure the funding requirements that are necessary to meet the basic daily expenses for a political organization such as the PPP to function properly. Even as members who would naturally have the viability of our Party to heart, our personal contribution is restricted to $30,000 annually.
I am still very passionate about both investment and educational opportunities for our people. And given my vast international contacts, I still do believe that I can make an invaluable contribution to our beloved country regardless of my political affiliation. Regrettably, the nature of our local politics suggests that if I am going to have a realistic chance to make a meaningful impact in my personal capacity to the growth of our country it would be best that I do so as a private citizen. Otherwise, in some quarters, my efforts could mistakenly be seen as confrontational or adversarial to the prevailing political discourse. Whilst this would be the furthest from the truth as far as I am concerned, in reality it is completely a different story. I would not want to unnecessarily embroil the PPP in my personal dealings nor would I want for my legitimate efforts to help our country be looked upon suspiciously.
The time is long overdue for the blossoming of new ideas to put people back to work; to educate as many of our people to the tertiary level and beyond; and just as importantly, to open the channels for new investment to come to fruition in our country. Inflamed political discourse will not help at this time to achieve these objectives. Rather, a helping hand to bridge the divide and open lines of communication are essential in this journey. I believe that I can be of assistance in these areas and will be reaching out to all Turks & Caicos Islanders to join me in making the Turks & Caicos Islands the gem that it is capable of being. It is still my ultimate dream to see the Turks & Caicos Islands become the Singapore of the Caribbean. We have a shared history and many of their past experiences can be a teaching moment for us going forward.
My resignation would not be complete without my thanking the many supporters who voted for me in Five Cays and for the Party overall in Providenciales. These supporters took the risk of stepping out on faith and being true to their individual political convictions to defy the odds and render to us their support. We owe them at a minimum our heartfelt words of appreciation.
In closing, I have come to know all of you in a very personal way over the past months and I genuinely believe that my life experience has been enhanced because of you. I take away many pleasant memories of my tenure as leader of the PPP. In bidding farewell to all the Party’s members, I take this opportunity to say thank you and wish all of you the very best in your political and personal endeavors going forward.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey has been recognised for his contribution to national security and the tourism industry, receiving the Distinguished Civic Service Award at the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association’s Star Awards held on February 19, 2026 at Beaches Turks and Caicos.
The annual awards ceremony is the premier recognition event for the territory’s hospitality sector, bringing together industry leaders,
executives and frontline professionals to celebrate excellence and the individuals whose work strengthens the destination’s global reputation.
Commissioner Bailey was honoured for his strategic leadership in the fight against crime and the measurable reductions in major offences, efforts widely credited with improving public confidence and reinforcing the Turks and Caicos Islands’ standing as a safe and competitive tourism jurisdiction.
In accepting the award, the Commissioner dedicated the recognition to the officers and staff of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, praising their commitment and professionalism in what he described as a collective national effort to make the islands more secure.
The TCHTA Star Awards spotlight the link between public safety and tourism performance, acknowledging that a stable and safe environment is essential to visitor confidence, investment and the continued growth of the sector.
This year’s ceremony featured high-energy hosting by Super P the Entertainer, with Omega serving as awards announcer, as the industry gathered to honour the people and partnerships that continue to elevate the Turks and Caicos brand.
(Providenciales – Monday, March 2, 2026) TCI Hospital proudly announces the successful achievement of its Heart Strong TCI initiative, a comprehensive Heart Month campaign focused on raising awareness and strengthening cardiovascular disease prevention efforts across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the Turks and Caicos Islands, highlighting the critical need for sustained public education, risk-factor reduction, and early intervention. The Heart Strong TCI initiative was designed to actively engage the community through education, outreach, and physical activity.
Key Activities Included:
Educational Training Sessions
Healthcare professionals conducted structured sessions addressing hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol management, nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, and the early warning signs of heart disease.
House Call Talk Show Feature
A dedicated Heart Month episode of the hospital’s House Call program provided expert discussion on cardiovascular risk factors and prevention strategies, empowering viewers with practical, evidence-based guidance.
Red Fridays Awareness Campaign
Throughout the month, staff wore red every Friday to increase visibility around heart disease awareness and reinforce the campaign’s message within the community.
Heart Strong 5K Walk/Run
In collaboration with the Rotary Club, TCI Hospital hosted a community-wide 5K walk/run to promote physical activity as a cornerstone of
heart health. The walk/run also provided an opportunity for community screening.
Digital Health Education Campaign
To expand its reach, TCI Hospital also shared ongoing heart health education tips and prevention messages across its social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. These posts provided actionable guidance on diet, exercise, blood pressure control, and lifestyle modification, and encouraging community members to learn CPR.
Heart Strong TCI: A Continuous Commitment
While Heart Month has officially ended, Heart Strong TCI represents an ongoing institutional commitment to cardiovascular disease prevention and awareness. TCI Hospital will continue to prioritize:
- Community-based education initiatives
- Preventative screening and early detection programs
- Lifestyle and wellness promotion
- Strategic partnerships that advance public health outcomes
“Heart Strong TCI is not limited to a single month,” CEO, Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant. “Cardiovascular disease prevention requires sustained effort. We remain committed to promoting healthy hearts across the Turks and Caicos Islands year-round.”
For more information about cardiovascular health services or upcoming screening initiatives, please contact TCI Hospital at 649-941-2800 in Providenciales, 649-941-2900 in Grand Turk or email us at info@interhealthcanada.tc
About TCI Hospital
TCI Hospital is dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare services to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, with a strong emphasis on prevention, education, and community wellness.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 27 February 2026: Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, today announced the appointment of Mr. Darius E. Ferguson as a Member of the Integrity Commission Board, serving as the Chartered Accountant Member in accordance with Section 3(2)(a) of the Integrity Commission Ordinance. His appointment is for a period of three (3) years and follows consultation with the President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Society of Professional Accountants.
Mr. Ferguson, with family ties to Providenciales and South Caicos, is a Chartered Accountant with over twenty years of senior leadership
experience across aviation, finance, technology and consultancy, he brings a strong and diverse background in financial governance, regulatory compliance and strategic planning.
A former Chief Financial Officer of Sky Bahamas Airlines for a decade, Mr. Ferguson managed all financial reporting, regulatory engagement, capital projects and commercial development initiatives. He previously served in senior audit roles at both Ernst & Young LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, leading high‑risk audit engagements and ensuring adherence to international financial and accounting standards.
Throughout his career, Mr. Ferguson has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional ethics, community leadership and organisational accountability. His experience across corporate governance, financial oversight, and operational risk management will bring valuable strategic insight to the Integrity Commission.
Her Excellency the Governor welcomed the appointment, stating:
“Mr. Ferguson’s extensive background in financial management, auditing and governance, together with his leadership experience across both corporate and community sectors, make him well‑suited to serve on the Integrity Commission. His appointment strengthens our ongoing commitment to integrity, transparency and accountability in public life. I am confident that he will make a meaningful contribution to the Commission’s important work.”
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