Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Campbell wraps up weekend tour of southern-most islands
Matthew Town, Inagua – February 12, 2019 – Bahamas – Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie Campbell concluded a three-day visit to the islands of Mayaguana and Inagua over the weekend with a stop at the Inagua All-Age School.
The Minister joined school officials and students for a Special Assembly recognizing Third Grade teacher Mrs. Tara Burrows as Teacher of the Year for the MICAL District, before returning to New Providence in the afternoon.
Minister Campbell also used the opportunity to celebrate International Day of Girls and Women in Science (IDGWS) with female students and teachers. IDGWS is a United Nations event that is celebrated annually around the globe.
Minister Campbell began his visit to the country’s two most southern islands in Mayaguana (Friday, February 8) where he addressed students at the Abraham’s Bay High School, before moving on to address students at the Pirate’s Well Primary School.
Officials of the Ministry of Social Services joined residents of Mayaguana at the finale of a week-long Revival Service on Friday night at the Church of God of Prophecy in Abraham’s Bay before hosting a Community Meeting on Saturday morning (February 9).
Minister Campbell and his team departed Mayaguana Saturday afternoon for Matthew Town, Inagua, where they hosted another Community Meeting, this time at the St. Philip’s Anglican Church Community Centre. The team also attended morning Mass at St. Philip’s where they were able to have a number of additional conversations regarding the ministry’s role, following the service.
Minister Campbell said the purpose of the visits was to personally explain how the various Departments and Divisions that help to form the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development “come together to support the whole man/woman” so that the message can get to all Bahamians everywhere.
The Social Services Minister said the various on-island engagements also provided Social Services officials with an opportunity to address as many diverse groupings as possible – covering schools, church groupings, parents, guardians, business owners, non-governmental organizations and individual residents.
The team also performed a number of assessments where necessary, while also addressing the issue of developing greater public/private partnerships.
Officials explained that while the provision of assistance is an important part of the services they provide, the Ministry and its various Departments and Divisions are responsible for so much more.
The “coming together to support the whole man and woman” covers everything from child protection to gender equality; children and families services; rehabilitation and welfare programmes; rental, electricity, burial, food and appliances assistance programmes; community development; programmes for Senior Citizens; programmes for teen mothers; programmes to prevent violence against women and men, and ensuring equity for persons living with disabilities, among many others.
The Ministry also facilitates programmes for at-risk youth; sponsors After-School Programmes and facilitates Anger Management Programmes through the Urban Renewal Commission.
The Ministry is further responsible for reporting to the United Nations and its Committees, and several other regional and international bodies/conventions pertaining to all of the aforementioned.
Minister Campbell, who has been on the job for seven months, told the residents that it was “very important” to put “boots on the ground” and meet with them face-to-face, while also learning firsthand of any concerns they may have.
Minister Campbell took the opportunity to explain, step-by-step, the roles each Department and Division plays. He also outlined the programmes that exist for the benefit of Bahamians and detailed how both the services and programmes can be accessed.
“The Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development is one of those ministries that take responsibility for individuals who qualify for assistance from the womb to the tomb,” Minister Campbell said.
“Its mission, assignment, and goal, is to ensure that Bahamians everywhere know of all of the services/programmes that are available to them, and how they should go about accessing those services/programmes.
“I wanted to be here with you; my team wanted to be here with you to hold these discussions and advise you of all of the possibilities, face-to-face, where you live, in order for you to have a better understanding of all that we do.”
Minister Campbell outlined the “process” of accessing the various kinds of assistance available when needed, advising residents in both island-communities that the process was necessary to ensure that those persons most in need of the assistance, are able to benefit from that assistance.
Minister Campbell was accompanied by Mrs. Lillian Quant-Forbes, Director of Social Services; Dr. Jacintha Higgs, Director of the Department of Gender and Family Affairs; Ms. Maria Kelley, Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities; and Ms. Sheryl Knowles, Programmes and Special Projects Coordinator for the Urban Renewal Commission.
By: Matt Maura
Release: BIS
Photo Captions:
Header: Student participants in the Mayaguana Junior Councilors Programme greet Minister of Social Servces and Urban development, the Hon. FrankieCampbell upon his arrival at the Abraham’s Bay High School Friday, February 8. Minister Campbell kicked off his visit to Mayaguana and Inagua with a stop at the High School.
Insert: Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell uses the chalkboard to explain the functions of the ministry and its Departments and Divisions to students of the Pirates Well Primary School, Mayaguana, Friday, February 8, on the first leg of his weekend visit to Mayaguana and Inagua. Mr. Campbell concluded the visit with a stop at the Inagua All- Age School where he participated in a Special Assembly held at the school to honour Third Grade teacher Mrs. Tara Burrows as Teacher of the Year for the MICAL District.
(BIS Photo/Matt Maura)
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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