Bahamas News
GB Minister” – ‘This is not the time to panic’
#Bahamas, September 6, 2017 – Grand Bahama – “This is not the time to panic, but to prepare… and to pray.”
That was the admonishment from Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson, during an emergency press briefing in regards to the threat of Hurricane Irma to The Bahamas, and Grand Bahama in particular.
The press briefing, which was held in the Board Room in the Office of The Prime Minister, gave the opportunity for all relevant authorities to outline their respective ministry’s preparedness and most importantly, to urge Grand Bahamians to prepare for the arrival of the massive Category Five Hurricane.
“This is a very serious storm, so we are asking all residents to take the necessary precautions,” added Minister Thompson. “While we do all that we can to prepare our homes and our families for an event like this, we also want to acknowledge that there is someone who has even more power than we do, and so we are encouraging all Bahamians to pray.
“As you go about your preparations, we advise you to closely monitor reports from the local Met Office, as these forecasts may change,” added Minister Thompson. “It may get better, as well as it may get worse.”
The GB Minister urged residents in the flood zones – those living on the coastline — to begin making plans now to evacuate their homes and to move further inland. This, he said, is important because of the potential storm surge and flooding that can arise during the passage of Hurricane Irma.
“I want to appeal especially to those residents in West End, Hunters, Pinder’s Point and the surrounding areas, that you should begin now to evacuate those areas,” said Minister Thompson. “There are a number of shelters on the island, which will be made available as early as Friday.
“We are advising residents that if you are going to evacuate, this should be done by as early morning, because we believe that the weather is going to go downhill from Friday evening. It should be noted that we have increased the number of shelters here on the island.”
Ms. Paula Marshall of the Department of Social Services said that they are in the process of identifying even more shelters for residents, but noted that some have already been prepared.
“As you prepare for the hurricane, we ask that you follow certain protocols,” noted Ms. Marshall. “You must secure important documents in a sealed bag or packet and you must take those documents with you if you evacuate to a shelter.
“If you must go to a shelter, ensure that you take along, blankets, toiletries, medications, food and water.”
The shelters that will be available to Grand Bahamians include the Foster B. Pestaina Centre (which will be for special medical needs), First Baptist Church, The Central Church of God, Jack Hayward High School, Maurice Moore Primary School, St. Georges High School, Cancer Association, Eight Mile Rock High School, Church of God of Prophesy in Seagrape, A Social Affair, Grace Bible Church and the Freeport Adventist Church.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour said that the police force is in a state of readiness for Hurricane Irma, but also advised residents not to wait for the last minute to complete their hurricane preparations.
“Some of us may have seen, or heard about some of the devastation which this storm caused in the Leeward Islands, so we have an idea of just how serious this monstrous storm can be,” said ACP Seymour.
“All of the policing protocols have been activated in Grand Bahama, Abaco and Bimini. These protocols will be systematically implemented before, during and after the storm. We expect to open our police command center very shortly and that Center will work hand-in-hand with NEMA and the Emergency Operation Center.”
Deputy Commissioner Seymour noted that while the police force will be on hand to render aid as it becomes necessary, he stressed that police officers would not put their lives in danger to try and rescue residents during the storm.
“That’s why we ask those who live near the coast to evacuate those homes before the storm and we advise residents to make preparations in advance,” added ACP Seymour. “Police officers will be out and about as long as the weather permits, to ensure that law and order is kept and maintained. We cannot put officers and other emergency personnels’ lives at risk to go out in the middle of a hurricane to make rescues.”
Story by: Andrew Coakley
PHOTO CAPTIONS
GIVING AN UPDATE – Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson gives an update on preparations by Grand Bahamians for the pending threat of Hurricane Irma, which is expected to pass Grand Bahama by weekend.
ALL HANDS ON DECK – Government Ministers, Police Officers, Defence Force Personnel, Officials from NEMA, the Red Cross and other emergency agencies were on hand for a press conference to update the media on preparations for the passing of Hurricane Irma in the Northern Bahamas sometime this weekend. (BIS Photos/Lisa Davis)
Bahamas News
Next U.S. Ambassador? Walker Pledges Business-Driven Approach as U.S. Looks to Counter China in The Bahamas
Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
The Bahamas, September 16, 2025 – For the first time since 2011, the United States is on the cusp of sending an ambassador to The Bahamas — and the nominee, former football star turned entrepreneur Herschel Walker, is promising to bring his business instincts to the diplomatic table.
Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week, Walker underscored that his background in food-service companies and small business leadership has prepared him to think practically about investment. “I know how to run a business, how to create jobs, how to make payroll. Those lessons translate into building relationships and building trust,” Walker said.
Walker, who was nominated by President Trump in December 2024, faced the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on September 11. As of now, he has not yet been confirmed; his nomination remains under review, pending a committee vote before it can move to the full Senate. If approved, he would become the first U.S. ambassador to The Bahamas since 2011.
For years, U.S. officials have stressed security and counternarcotics cooperation with The Bahamas, including through “Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos.” But in areas like infrastructure, medical care, and long-term investment, Washington has often been absent.
Hospitals and clinics remain under-resourced, and hurricane recovery has been slow in many islands. Chinese state-backed firms, by contrast, have shown up with financing packages and construction deals — a presence that has raised alarms on Capitol Hill.
“Only 50 miles off our shore, The Bahamas is too important for us to ignore,” warned Senate Foreign Relations Committee leaders during Walker’s hearing. They called China’s inroads “strategic, not charitable,” suggesting Beijing’s long game is about ports, proximity, and political leverage.
Walker positioned himself as a nontraditional but pragmatic envoy. He argued that his business career, rooted in private sector success, equips him to champion American investment in The Bahamas.
He pledged to:
- Promote U.S. companies interested in medical and infrastructure projects.
- Support an environment that encourages American investors to see The Bahamas as more than just a beach destination.
- Highlight opportunities for partnerships that improve public services, healthcare, and resilience against hurricanes.
“I’ve built businesses. I know what it takes to attract investors and create opportunity. That is exactly what I intend to bring to our relationship with The Bahamas,” Walker said.
The Bahamas is not just a tourist paradise. It’s a frontline state in migration, drug interdiction, and hurricane response. More than six
million U.S. visitors travel there annually, making stability and safety a U.S. domestic concern as much as a foreign policy one.
And yet, with the ambassador post vacant for 14 years, the U.S. has often looked detached — opening space for China’s ambitious Belt and Road agenda. The fear is that infrastructure deals signed today could give Beijing leverage in the region tomorrow. Walker’s confirmation would symbolize a course correction, signaling Washington’s intent to re-engage not only in security but in the economic future of The Bahamas. Not everyone is convinced Herschel Walker is the right man for the job. His nomination revived controversies from his 2022 Senate run, including past allegations, public gaffes, and doubts about whether he has the diplomatic polish the post demands. Some senators and analysts questioned whether celebrity and business experience were enough for a role requiring nuance in foreign policy and geopolitics.
Critics argued that The Bahamas, sitting just 50 miles from Florida and facing intense Chinese interest, deserves a seasoned diplomat rather than a political ally.
Walker confronted those doubts head-on. “People have underestimated me all my life — in academics, athletics, and business,” he told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “And I have always proven them wrong, through discipline, determination, and by outworking everyone.”
He admitted he had never served as an ambassador but countered that his career prepared him in other ways: building businesses, managing payrolls, and connecting with people from all walks of life. He framed his business background as a strength, promising to use it to encourage U.S. investment in healthcare, infrastructure, and hurricane resilience projects in The Bahamas.
Rather than sparring with critics, Walker leaned on confidence and persistence: “I know how to build trust and find common ground. That’s what this relationship needs.”
If confirmed, Walker would have to balance his role as diplomat with expectations of being a commercial cheerleader for U.S. firms. His emphasis on entrepreneurship suggests a willingness to push U.S. businesses toward opportunities in healthcare, ports, and post-storm reconstruction — areas where Bahamians say they need the most support.
For Bahamian officials, the question will be whether Washington is prepared to back words with financing. U.S. private sector dollars, paired with aid and development partnerships, could help shift the tide against Chinese influence.
For Walker, the test will be whether his business acumen can translate into diplomatic wins — giving Bahamians alternatives to Beijing, while deepening the U.S. role in the Caribbean.
Analysis: If Walker delivers, this appointment could mark a turning point: a U.S. strategy that recognizes that in the Caribbean, investment is diplomacy.
The Bahamas, September 10, 2025 – Rescue swimmers from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Aviation Training Center in
Mobile, Alabama visited Nassau to train Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) and Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) members in water survival skills as part of Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) earlier this week.
“Training alongside our USCG partners ensures our personnel are best prepared for the unique challenges of joint operations” said Superintendent Wendy Pearson, Commander Drug Enforcement Unit.
The multi-day exercise, centered on the USCG’s Shallow Water Egress Training (SWET), enhanced the safety and preparedness of Bahamian partners who routinely operate aboard USCG helicopters during OPBAT missions. The exercise provided hands-on instruction for 31 participants and strengthened interoperability between U.S. and Bahamian agencies engaged in counter-drug, search and rescue, and maritime security operations throughout the region.
“We were excited and proud to have the opportunity to share our expertise with our Bahamian partners. Not only did RBDF and RBPF
perform exceptionally well, they exceeded the standards we set for the event,” said Petty Officer Second Class Cole Johnson, USCG.
OPBAT is a cooperative multi-agency international operation supporting The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands to stop illicit drug smuggling through the region. U.S. Embassy Nassau Chargé d’affaires Kimberly Furnish stated, “Since 1982, OPBAT has worked to stop the flow of illicit narcotics through the Caribbean, destined for the United States or other jurisdictions. This is international cooperation at its best.”
