Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Workshop held for Determining National Strategy for the Development of Statistics
#Bahamas, February 23, 2018 – Nassau – The Ministry of Finance held a workshop designed to engage and seek the input of all key stakeholders before drafting the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS, which would benefit national planning and evidence-based decision making. The workshop was held at SuperClubs Breezes, Monday, February 19, 2018.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Peter Turnquest said, “This strategy, we fully expect, will serve as the strategic plan that will provide the roadmap to establishing strategic governance, planning and monitoring of the Bahamas National Statistical System: including the Department of Statistics and the other data producing agencies across government.”
Attendees at the workshop included data producers from various government ministries, users of this information, and other stakeholders such as the business community, academia, media, civil society, and other non-government organizations, and will help to:
- Prioritize the results and recommendations from the National Statistics System (NSS) assessment; and
- Discuss and come to a consensus on matters pertaining to the NSDS strategic framework such as the vision, mission, goals, and strategic objectives.
DPM Turnquest explained that having a plan is not enough, by itself. He said there are a number of other necessary activities that must be completed if the project is to be done properly, and it is going to be done properly.
The DPM said along with the plan, this year the Government will also conduct a NSS-wide Business Processes Review focused on detailed analysis of current (as-is) processes, identification of gaps, benchmarking with existing standards and best practice, and design of future (to-be) processes to enable a seamless, integrated, effective, and efficient National Statistics System.
This will also include an assessment of the information technology functional and technical capacity to deliver the kind of National Statistics System that you will all help to shape.
He said additionally, recognizing the human resource challenges faced, the government will also conduct a Human Resource (HR) audit that is expected to identify those areas of the Department of Statistics and the National Statistics System in need of improvement, as well as their strengths, while taking into consideration the proposed new structure for the Department of Statistics and the National Statistics System.
“It will include the review of various HR policies, systems, documentations, and rules and regulations and will assess the efficiency and productivity of employees. Additionally, various aspects of the HR department in the Department of Statistics, such as employee compensation, recruitment and training, employee perks, job descriptions, performance evaluation procedures, termination procedures, etc. will also be reviewed.”
DPM Turnquest told the participants that they were all chosen for a very specific reason.
“Your unique knowledge of the underlying issues that have us in the state that we are currently in with respect to official statistics is going to be vital for identifying the short, medium and long-term goals of this project; and, for its implementation in the very near future.
“Based on the findings of the assessment, it was determined that there is limited analysis and report writing that takes place using the data produced. This has contributed to a limited use of the data that is available for planning and evidence-based decision-making.”
He said, “Moving forward, you may determine that we must have, as a goal, greater use of statistics for policy, planning and decision-making. But you must also tell us whether, in order to achieve this, we must have short term objectives such as increasing awareness about the benefits of statistics to society, increasing user satisfaction, or other effective strategies.”
By: Llonella Gilbert (BIS)
Photo Captions:
Header: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Peter Turnquest opens the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics Validation and Strategic Planning workshop at SuperClubs Breezes, Monday, February 19, 2018. (BIS Photo/Kristaan Ingraham)
Insert: Key Stakeholders attend the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics Validation and Strategic Planning workshop, Monday, February 19, 2018. (BIS Photo/Kristaan Ingraham)
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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