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BAHAMAS: PM Minnis: Role of the Church perhaps more critical “in our lifetime”

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#Bahamas, April 26, 2018 – Nassau – The role of the Church is perhaps more critical “in our lifetime” than at any other point. As a result, the Church must uphold holiness at all times, Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis said Monday.

“Today we live in a world where so many standards are compromised. Many persons prefer shortcuts or the easy way out,” Prime Minister Minnis said. “There is no substitute or compromise.”

Addressing the Opening Session of the 36th Annual General Assembly of the Voice of Deliverance Ministries held at Voice of Deliverance, Deliverance Way, Malcolm Allotment, Prime Minister Minnis said the General Assembly’s Theme of “Upholding the Legacy of Holiness, Building on a Solid Foundation,” was both appropriate and timely.

“We must find the formula to return to those practices which made us Christians in our homes and neighbourhoods,” Prime Minister Minnis said.

“We somehow seemed closer before we built neighbourhood walls and fences. We just seemed closer when we sat on the porch and knew our neighbours.  I recall when it was possible to ask the neighbour for a piece of onion or some tomato paste. We were closer. We cared and shared.

“Today, we are challenged by social media which sometimes tends to separate us in many ways.  Somehow it seems that everyone has a cell phone and rather than family gatherings around the table, everyone is on the phone in his or her own agenda.

“We may have more gadgets; we may have more tools; we may have modernization; we may have more ideas and programmes, but we still need God.

“I want to encourage you to uphold those Godly standards and principles (as) we are reminded in Holy Scriptures: Hebrews 12:14: “Holiness, without which, no man shall see the Lord.”

Prime Minister Minnis said some of those principles and teachings include: honesty is the best policy; work hard for whatever you want in life; honour thy Father and Mother; remember good manners at all times; never place your basket higher than you can reach; always attire yourself properly; embrace opportunities for personal development and growth; abstain from profanity, and the body is a Temple of the Lord.

“God’s people are a unique and peculiar people,” Prime Minister Minnis added.

The Prime Minister said the Over-the-Hill Community Development Partnership Initiative, launched December 4 (2017) with the distribution of tablets at the Willard Patton Pre-School, is part of the Minnis Administration’s strategy of returning Over-the-Hill communities to those practices “which made us Christians in our homes and neighbourhoods.”

Another key component of the Initiative focuses on Community Development such as the restoration of the Southern Recreation Grounds.

“My friends, because of my past experiences, I know of the potential that lies within us.  I am determined to make a difference in our Over-the-Hill Communities.  Hence, the Over-the-Hill Rejuvenation Programme, which is being operated out of the Office of the Prime Minister.  This programme strikes at the heart of our problems and issues,” Prime Minister Minnis added.

Facilitated by officials of the Economic Development and Planning Unit, Office of the Prime Minister, the Programme is built on six pillars which include: Social Empowerment (through the implementation of anti-poverty policies and practices); Economic Empowerment (through the creation of jobs and ownership opportunities for Bahamians), and Rejuvenation, improving the physical surroundings, including upgrades to historical and cultural assets.

Other initiatives include the Use of Smart Technology; the Empowerment of the Youth and Elderly by investing in social interventions; and the use of Green Technology.

“I recall what life used to be Over-the-Hill, filled with love and promise,” Prime Minister Minnis said.  “Together, we can and will make a difference.  Better days are ahead of us.”

Prime Minister Minnis also applauded Chief Apostle Leon Wallace, Presiding Prelate and Founder of Voice of Deliverance Ministries for his “exemplary” leadership and vision. Prime Minister Minnis also thanked Minister Leona Wallace, the Chief Apostle’s wife, for “faithfully standing by” the Chief Apostle’s side.

“I should like to take this opportunity to commend Chief Apostle Wallace, Mar Abraham (Apostolic title), Presiding Prelate and Founder for his great work.

“Apostle Wallace, I imagine when you started this work 36 years ago, many thought you would never see this day, but with God, all things are possible.  Indeed, God is good. Sir I salute you for your exemplary leadership and vision.

“I wish also to congratulate his best friend and partner in Ministry, Minister Leona Wallace.  She has faithfully stood by his side.  Leadership is never easy.  It requires patience, sacrifice, and above all, Godly wisdom. Once again Sir, thank you for all you do for so many through your ministry. Thank you for allowing God to use you as a vessel to assist his people,” Prime Minister Minnis added.

 

By: Matt Maura (BIS)

 

 

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RTCIPF Observes World Down Syndrome Day

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On March 21st, 2024, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force joined the international, regional and local communities in observing World Down Syndrome Day. 

Officers showed their support by wearing brightly coloured and mismatched socks to raise awareness. 

The head of the Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police Grantley Williams, Training Manager Mrs Odessa Forbes and Media Relations Officer Denyse Renne visited the SNAP Centre and interacted with the students.

In a message to the TCI community, the RTCIPF noted that stereotypes perpetuate stigma and hinder inclusion, preventing individuals from reaching their full potential. 

Instead, the RTCIPF calls for individuals to foster an environment of acceptance and support where everyone is valued for who they are. 

By breaking down barriers and challenging misconceptions, we can create a more inclusive society where individuals with Down Syndrome are empowered to live fulfilling lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities and, by extension, the TCI. 

As law enforcement officers, we must protect and serve all members of society, regardless of their abilities. 

Let’s work together to ensure that individuals with Down Syndrome are treated with dignity and respect and that their rights are upheld.

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CARICOM speaks out on Climate Change, looking to May meeting to amplify call for Climate Funding

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March 3, 2024

 

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) remains on the frontlines of global climate crisis, an issue the Region has been aggressively advocating on for the past thirty years. Despite the many commitments and promises of international partners, the window of opportunity to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is rapidly closing.

Heads of Government are concerned that while COP 28 was widely regarded as a historic event, with the completion of the first global stocktake (GST), on progress in achievement of the Paris Agreement goals, the outcomes of GST show that emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise and the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) of Parties will not keep global temperatures below the 1.5 degree goal enshrined in the Paris Agreement.

Heads of Government also expressed concern to be heading to COP 29 where a New Finance Goal will be articulated to replace the 100bn goal, which has not yet been met, even as developing countries require trillions to deal with the escalating impacts of climate change. Developed country parties have not provided enough finance at scale, technology and capacity building support required to help developing countries tackle their pressing needs to build their resilience, especially in adapting to the adverse and increasingly catastrophic impacts of climate change. The clear absence of definitive timelines for action and quantitative commitments for scaling up of investments, and particularly adaptation finance emerging out of COP 28, cause great concern to our Region.

The Conference noted that Small Island Developing States (SIDS), recognized as the most vulnerable group of countries and a special case for sustainable development, have been facing strong push back against the recognition of their special circumstances especially in the context of climate finance. There is limited international support for special allocations for SIDS within financing arrangements and available climate finance from international and private sources is limited, expensive and too onerous to access.

In light of the preceding, Heads of Government called for CARICOM to take a strategic, unified and coordinated approach to ensure that the Region remains influential in the climate and development arena through engagements with key partners and advocacy groups.

They called for renewed focus by the Region to advocate for inclusion of forests, nature-based solutions and blue carbon into market mechanisms with the aim of articulating clear regional positions and strategies.

Heads of Government reiterated the call for improved readiness programmes, simplified approval procedures, a change to the criteria for determining access to low-cost finance, and for the adoption of programmatic approaches to address the bottlenecks in accessing finance.

The Region reiterates its support for the Bridgetown Initiative’s call to expand capital adequacy of international financial institutions.

Heads recognized that the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, scheduled to be held in Antigua and Barbuda, 27 – 30 May 2024, will be an inflection point for many of these discussions to be articulated. As such, the Region remains committed to participating in the Conference at the highest level.

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South Caicos Development Plans shared with Washington-Misick led Administration

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On Monday, 12 February 2024, the Premier led a delegation to tour the island of South Caicos to view the ongoing public and private sector projects, involving the remodelling and rebranding of the airport terminals, historical districts, and the East Bay Hotel.

The tour of the various developments reinforced the Government’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to boost the island’s activity and economy.

Photos courtesy of the TCI Office of the Premier

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