Bahamas News
Bahamas Minister of Environment Invited C.I. Gibson Students to Support the Forestry Unit
#Bahamas, November 8, 2017 – Nassau – Minister of the Environment, the Hon. Romauld Ferreira addressed hundreds of students during the morning assembly at C.I. Gibson Senior High School, Marathon Road, on Monday to talk to them about the importance of forestry, which supports life on the planet.
“Youth, like you, enjoying adolescence and teenage years should capitalize on every opportunity to become a part of nature. When we speak about nature here, we are essentially talking about forests and trees,” said Minister Ferreira.
“We have mangrove, coppice and pine forests. Forests and trees are the lungs of the Earth. They help us balance the amount of vital oxygen and remove harmful carbon dioxide from the air. Trees also regulate humidity in the air and cool down the planet.”
Minister Ferreira explained to the assembly that trees provide us with everyday support we take for granted, such as food, shelter, shade and jobs to help support us and our families. He also added we use the wood from trees to make products, such as furniture and more importantly homes.
“Our trees in The Bahamas, particularly our pine trees are high quality wood, resistant to termites and very durable. We cannot forget the importance of forests to climate change mitigation and how carbon is stored in the ground,” said Minister Ferreira.
“Forests are home to 80 percent of the world’s terrestrial plants, animals and insects. They provide us with water that is also vital to life on the Earth because without water we could not survive. Underneath the pine trees on islands like Abaco, Andros, Grand Bahama, and New Providence, you will find fresh water.”
Minister Ferreira also pointed out to the students that the straw they see in the Straw Market comes from the palms within our forests, which is key to generating our local economy. He urged the importance of protecting mangroves, as they are our first line of defense on our coastlines against erosion and storms, such as hurricanes, as well as serving as nurseries for baby fish.
“Mangroves even filter and clean our water. You will remember that my Ministry is on a mission to promote the protection of trees and forests. Each year in March, we celebrate ‘Forestry Awareness Week’ and the 21st of March is celebrated globally as ‘World Forestry Day/International Day of Forests.’ This day is designed to educate the public and raise awareness of the significant benefits provided by trees,” said Minister Ferreira.
“We have a new initiative called ‘School 365 Program’; we will be visiting schools on the Pine Islands and speaking to young people like you to help you better understand why trees are so special and why they deserve our protection. I also want you to encourage your family and friends to help my Forestry unit in its pledge to plant 10,000 trees before the end of 2017.”
Minister Ferreira believes in encouraging the next generation of environmentalists and land stewards to remind everyone around them, including their parents, to not cut down all the trees in the yard. He said the ones close to the house should be removed to not cause damage to the house during the storm, but some trees should left to keep the house cool to reduce the need for using air conditioning during the summer, or even freshening the air.
The Forestry unit has two special competitions they are promoting to schools each March.
The first: “You can snap a photo of yourself posing with a native or traditional tree and then tell us why you selected that tree. The final step is that you will post the photo and brief explanation to our Bahamas Forestry Facebook Page to win a prize,” said Minister Ferreira.
“Secondly, we want you to participate in our Junior Minister of the Environment Competition, which starts now. My Ministry has left a flyer with instructions with your principal to distribute to you. I am anxiously looking forward to receiving your submissions.”
Minister Ferreira concluded his address by leading the students in reciting the Forestry pledge.
By: Gena Gibbs (BIS)
Photo caption: Minister Ferreira addressed students at C.I. Gibson Senior High School, November 6, 2017 on the importance of forests and trees.
(BIS Photo/Gena Gibbs)
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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