Nassau, Bahamas, March 15, 2025 – On Friday, March 7, 2025, Nassau Cruise Port (NCP) and Arawak Port Development (APD) held an exclusive luncheon in honour of International Women’s Day.  The goal of this special event was to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Bahamian women in the maritime and cruise industries under the theme “A Sea of Change: Women Accelerating Action.”

The event brought influential women from Nassau Cruise Port, Arawak Port Development, Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Bahamas Maritime Authority, the Port Department, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Royal Caribbean Group Bahamas, LJM Maritime Academy, and other key stakeholder organizations together, providing an elevated platform for networking, collaboration, and empowerment.

“Women have been instrumental in the driving growth of the Bahamian maritime and cruise industries in many ways, and it is important that we recognize and celebrate their outstanding contributions.

“Women play a vital role in the success of Nassau Cruise Port with over 50% of our team being female maritime professionals,” stated Mike Maura, CEO & Director of Nassau Cruise Port.

“This event marks the beginning of an annual tradition to empower the women in our sector and to inspire future female leaders.  Congratulations to all the women who were honored today and attended this event, and to women everywhere. Your efforts are driving positive change in our industry, and we wholeheartedly support your success.”

Dion Bethell, President & CFO of Arawak Port Development, provided some additional perspective. “Women are making waves in the maritime sector, and their impact is undeniable. According to recent statistics, women now represent 20% of the global maritime workforce—an impressive increase that highlights the potential for growth, innovation, and leadership in this vital industry.  At Arawak Port Development, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where women are empowered to chart new courses and redefine the future of maritime.”

The keynote address was delivered by Senator Ja’Ann M. Major, a Director at the Bahamas Maritime Authority, who highlighted some of the major accomplishments of Bahamian women in the maritime industry. She also encouraged the audience to embrace leadership opportunities and to continue to advocate for a more inclusive industry.  “It is often said that when women gather with purpose and passion, the energy is palpable, and theimpact is transformative. Standing here today, I can’t help but feel inspired by the resilience and unwavering commitment of Bahamian women to making a difference in our maritime industry.”

She continued, “Women are increasingly taking on pivotal roles, steering the industry toward a more inclusive and dynamic future.  Events like this one are not only necessary to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women in this industry, but it underscores our collective commitment to fostering an environment where women continue to thrive and lead.

By ERIC ROSE

Bahamas Information Services

NASSAU, The Bahamas – During his Official Remarks at the National Museum Of The Bahamas ‘Open The Gates’ Reception on the grounds of Collins House, on January 31, 2025, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Philip Davis noted that, in 1929, a hurricane devastated the premises.

“The wooden structure which once stood proudly atop this gentle slope was wiped out entirely,” he said.  “A new building eventually took its place, which traded hands from the original owner Ralph Collins to St. Andrews School, before being acquired by the Government of The Bahamas, some time in the 1970s.”

He added:  “That fateful storm struck almost a century ago, and yet today we find ourselves facing similar circumstances.  As climate change increasingly threatens our island chain, safeguarding cultural heritage must continue to be an integral component of our adaptation and mitigation strategies.  In my eyes, the National Museum of The Bahamas will be a key part of this effort, as will the Antiquities Monuments, and Museums Corporation (AMMC) more broadly.”

Among the Parliamentarians present for the event were Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin; Minister of Housing and Urban Development the Hon. Keith Bell; Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources the Hon. Jomo Campbell; and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs Wayde Watson.

Hosting the ceremony was AMMC Chair, Rosel Moxey, AMMC officials and staff.

Prime Minister Davis stated that launching a National Museum in the midst of a climate crisis, which disproportionately impacted small island states, like The Bahamas, was “a powerful message to the world”.

“Tonight, we declare: We are here.  We declare that we are proud of who we are; and we declare that our children will know the legacy they stand on,” he said.

“Friends, as we celebrate a bold and joyous step forward for our people, our culture, and our country, let us also recognise the shoulders we stand on,” Prime Minister Davis added.

He noted that “we have come a long way indeed”.

“From transforming the Clifton Plantation into a heritage park, to rebuilding the Pompey Museum following multiple fires, to the maintenance and restoration of historic sites and buildings like Fort Charlotte and Balcony House, we have made impressive strides as a people in preserving and celebrating our heritage,” Prime Minister pointed out.

He added:  “Of course, these achievements are by no means confined to our nation’s capital.  The AMMC is to be commended for the management of two heritage museums in the Family Islands:  The Long Island Museum and the San Salvador Museum.

“This evening, in launching the National Museum of The Bahamas, we are not only taking a stand for cultural heritage on the island of New Providence, but throughout our entire archipelago.”

Prime Minister Davis asked those in attendance to imagine a future where each major Bahamian island benefited from a dedicated space to celebrate “their unique contributions to our shared heritage”.

“I know in my heart that we need a museum for heritage crafts in Andros, for Cat Island rake ‘n’ scrape, for Abaconian boat building, and much, much more,” he said.  “We have so much to preserve, celebrate, and take pride in as Bahamians.”

He added:  “A National Museum is a crucial means of recognising who we are, where we come from, and what we have achieved, together.  It is not simply a storage facility for artefacts.  It is a site for education, an opportunity for reckoning and reconciliation, and a crucible for cultural expression.  It will also be a springboard for [the] orange economy and its ventures, as well as a significant driver in our wider efforts to revitalise downtown Nassau.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that the AMMC marked its silver jubilee September 2024, and he could only imagine what the next 25 years will hold.

“I look forward to the innovations, breakthroughs, and most importantly, the fruitful partnerships that will take shape in the years and decades to come — be they with private donors who demonstrate a deep commitment to our cultural sector, or public institutions across the region keen on sharing resources, capacity, and cutting-edge insights,” he said.  “My friends, tonight we stand on the cusp of a new epoch in our national story.”

“As we move ahead with the establishment of the National Museum of The Bahamas, let us embrace a collaborative, climate-resilient, and culturally-alert approach to preserving our heritage,” he added.

“I salute the AMMC once again for taking the helm of heritage work in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.  I want to thank you, and may God bless all of you.”

PHOTO CAPTION

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Philip Davis speaks during his Official Remarks at the National Museum Of The Bahamas ‘Open The Gates’ Reception on the grounds of Collins House, on January 31, 2025.  AMMC Chair, Rosel Moxey, AMMC officials and staff hosted the ceremonies.  Parliamentarians present for the event included: Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin; Minister of Housing and Urban Development the Hon. Keith Bell; Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources the Hon. Jomo Campbell; and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs Wayde Watson.

(BIS Photos/Eric Rose.  Drone Photography Courtesy of Eric Rose)

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 19 January 2025: The vast majority of people who come into custodial settings have vulnerabilities and often complex mental health needs. In a recent global analysis, which reviewed major studies into prison health in more than 50 high, medium and low-income countries, findings indicated higher rates of depression (11.4%) and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) (9.8%) than in the general population. In addition, nearly one in four (23.8%) had an alcohol use disorder and 38.9 per cent had a drug use disorder on entry to prison. Findings such as these highlight the need to boost mental health support in prisons. As such, the Department of Behavioural Health Services in collaboration with the Rehabilitation Unit is pleased to announce the roll out of a number of key programs that will help prisoners cope better with life in the prison environment and to make positive changes to improve their mental well-being. The programs that will be rolled out this year include:

Life After Life: Reclaiming Purpose

The Life After Life programme is an 8-week therapeutic initiative designed for inmates serving life sentences. It is intended to help them reevaluate their identity, values, and self-worth. Through guided self-reflection, emotional resilience training, and value clarification exercises, participants will explore their past choices and find ways to create meaning and purpose within their circumstances. The program fosters accountability, empathy, and personal growth while equipping participants with tools to build positive relationships and leave a lasting, positive legacy. By the end, inmates will gain a renewed sense of self and a commitment to living with integrity and purpose despite their life sentence.

Pathways to Accountability: A Guide for Positive Change

This 8-week therapeutic program is designed to address sex-offending behaviour by fostering self-awareness, accountability, and empathy while equipping participants with the tools for rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The program combines psychoeducation, group discussions, and practical skill-building to explore offending cycles, emotional regulation, healthy relationships, and relapse prevention. Participants are guided to reflect on their actions’ impact, develop empathy for victims, and identify triggers and coping strategies to prevent reoffending. Emphasis is placed on building resilience, overcoming stigma, and creating personalised plans for sustained change. By the program’s conclusion, individuals are better prepared for reintegration and maintaining a safer, healthier lifestyle.

“I Can Recover”

I Can Recover is also an 8-week substance abuse program targeted at harmful or dependent drug or alcohol users whose misuse of substances places them at significant high risk of reoffending. The programme is designed to assist prisoners in understanding addiction and coping with the underlying issues surrounding their addiction.

These programmes will run alongside already existing mental health initiatives at HMP, such as the long-standing anger management programme and the individual psychotherapy services that are ongoing.

Commenting on the programs to be rolled out, Director of the Department of Behavioural Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm stated: “essentially, these new programmes aim to not only educate but to also support the treatment needs of some of the most common mental health issues seen in prisons. Some of the programmes will commence as early as February 2025 with at least two cycles per year.”

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, Mrs. Desiree Lewis, also commented on the new programs stating: “these initiatives speak to the ongoing collaboration between the health sector and the judiciary system which often sees persons who are challenged by mental health and substance use issues. The Ministry of Health is therefore committed to continuing its support of mental health needs in prison which can positively impact public health, safety, and society as a whole”.

For more information, please contact the Department of Behavioural Health Services on the following numbers; 338-3613 Grand Turk, 338-3616 Providenciales and be sure to visit our website www.gov.tc/dmhsd and follow our social media accounts www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS and @TCIDBHS on Instagram.

Alternatively, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.