Turks and Caicos, April 06, 2026 – Technical excellence early in their jumps became the defining factor for two Turks and Caicos athletes, as David Hall soared to gold in a nail-biting Under-20 high jump final at the 53rd CARIFTA Games in Grenada. Herwens Guerrier added to the country’s success with a 1.90 metre clearance to secure silver in the Under-17 division, finishing in a tightly contested field where all three medalists cleared the same height.

Both events were decided on countback — meaning the medals were determined not just by height cleared, but by which athlete did so with fewer failed attempts, highlighting the importance of precision and composure under pressure.

A wave of national pride followed the results, with congratulatory messages pouring in for the athletes who delivered under pressure on the regional stage. In a statement, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam praised both competitors, saying their “hard work, discipline and determination have made the entire nation proud,” while encouraging the wider team to continue striving as competition unfolded at the Kirani James National Stadium in Grenada.

Team Turks and Caicos finished just outside of the top ten among 28 competing nations, and anticipation is already building for what is expected to be a spirited homecoming for the standout athletes, whose performances have ignited pride across the islands.

The 53rd staging of the CARIFTA Games, held at the Kirani James National Stadium in Grenada, unfolded under warm, at times testing conditions, with intermittent showers and shifting winds challenging athletes across disciplines.

Jamaica once again asserted its dominance, capturing its 40th consecutive CARIFTA title, continuing an unmatched run in regional athletics. Among the standout performers was Shanoya Douglas, whose electrifying run in the Under-20 200 metres earned her the prestigious Austin Sealy Award — the Games’ highest individual honour — after she shattered the long-standing record of Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who went on to become an Olympic gold medalist in the 400 metres. Douglas clocked an impressive 22.11 seconds to rewrite the CARIFTA record books.

For Turks and Caicos, however, the spotlight remained firmly on the field, where two high jumpers delivered performances defined by discipline and growth. Hall’s gold medal-winning clearance of 2.00 metres marked a significant step forward in his development, improving on his 1.89 metre silver medal performance at the 2025 Inter-High Championships. Guerrier’s 1.90 metre effort in the Under-17 division similarly places him among the country’s top emerging talents, signalling a strong future for the event locally.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — It’s that time again — a period of compliance, accountability and transparency for those entrusted with public office and captured under the category of “Specified Persons in Public Life.”

The Integrity Commission is reminding all individuals who fall within this category that they are legally required to file their Declarations of Income, Assets and Liabilities, in accordance with Section 39 of the Integrity Commission Ordinance.

The declaration window is now officially open, running from April 1 to June 30, 2026, and applies to a wide cross-section of senior public officials, statutory board members and others operating within the machinery of government.

This is not a routine administrative exercise. It is a cornerstone of good governance — designed to ensure that those in positions of power are transparent about their financial interests, and to guard against corruption, conflicts of interest and illicit enrichment.

Who Must File

The Commission outlines several categories of individuals required to submit declarations this cycle.

They include:

• Persons who last filed on or before June 30, 2024
• Individuals newly appointed to statutory boards or government positions from April 1, 2026 onward
• Those who have demitted office, resigned or whose contracts have ended — who must file within 90 days of leaving their post
• Individuals who may not have previously realized they fall under the legal requirement

The net is wide — and intentionally so.

“Specified Persons in Public Life” includes elected officials, senior civil servants, financial officers, law enforcement leadership, members of statutory bodies, and other key decision-makers whose roles carry influence over public resources and policy.

Among them are Members of the House of Assembly, Cabinet Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Department, senior police officers, and individuals serving on public boards and commissions.

The Commission notes that the full schedule of designated roles is extensive, and persons are encouraged to consult the official list available through its office or website to confirm whether they are captured under the law.

How to File

Unlike many modern reporting systems, this process remains deliberately controlled.

All declarations must be:

• Submitted in person
• Delivered by appointment only
• Accompanied by supporting documentation

Declarants will be contacted directly with their assigned appointment details, including date, time and location. The Commission has made it clear — submissions through third parties, email or mail will not be accepted.

This approach reinforces the seriousness of the process and ensures the integrity of submissions.

Declaration forms are available via the Commission’s website, and assistance is accessible through its Providenciales office for those needing clarification.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The warning from the Commission is unambiguous.

Failure to file a declaration without reasonable cause is a criminal offence.

Penalties include:

• Up to one year imprisonment
• A fine of up to $15,000
• Or both

Additionally, the Commission is mandated to publish the names of non-compliant individuals in the official Gazette — a move that carries both legal and reputational consequences.

Confidential but Critical

While the process is strict, the Commission emphasizes that all declarations are confidential documents, handled with discretion.

Still, the purpose is clear: transparency does not always mean public disclosure — but it does mean accountability to an independent oversight body.

In a region where public trust can be fragile, these filings serve as a quiet but powerful mechanism to reinforce confidence in governance.

For Turks and Caicos, this annual exercise is more than paperwork — it is a test of integrity at the highest levels.

And for those required to file, the message is simple: comply, disclose, and do it on time.

For more information or to confirm filing obligations, individuals are encouraged to contact the Integrity Commission directly.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

06PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands, a small British Overseas Territory though it is, is grappling with an unsettling truth: levels of physical and psychological violence against children remain alarmingly high.

Recent regional findings place the country among the most concerning in the Caribbean, with data showing that eight to nine out of every ten children experience some form of violent discipline — whether physical punishment or emotional harm.

It is a reality the Department of Family and Children Services is not taking lightly.

As the country marks Child Abuse Prevention Month 2026 under the theme “Positive Childhoods Start with Us,” officials are pushing beyond awareness and into action.

Director of DFCS, Ashley Adams Forbes, said changing that reality requires action from the entire community.

“Positive childhoods are not guaranteed—they are built when communities choose to show up for families and protect their children. When we listen, when we care, and when we speak up for a child in need, we may be changing the course of a life.”

Minister with responsibility for DFCS, Shaun D. Malcolm, warned that the consequences of inaction extend beyond individual families.

“Protecting our children is the most urgent duty we share as a nation. When any child is unsafe, our entire society is at risk.”

But beyond the messaging and observances, the Department is making it clear: residents have a role to play — and the tools to act.

Contact lines are open for those who suspect abuse, neglect or risk:

• Providenciales: 649-338-4008
• Grand Turk: 649-338-2684

Officials say even uncertainty should not silence action — reporting concerns can be the first step in protecting a child.

Across the islands, the call is for stronger families, more attentive communities and a willingness to intervene when something is not right. Because while policies and programmes matter, it is often the decisions made in homes, schools and neighbourhoods that determine whether a child feels safe — or suffers in silence.

The message this April is clear.

Positive childhoods do not happen by chance.
They are built — or broken — by the choices adults make every day.

And in Turks and Caicos, the moment to choose differently is now.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.