Bahamas News
C&W Communications Reaffirms Commitment to The Bahamas
#Miami, FL, September 4, 2019 – USA) – C&W Communications (C&W), a Liberty Latin America company, through its Cable & Wireless Charitable Foundation (Foundation), today announced that it has earmarked US$500,000 toward immediate and longer-term relief and restoration efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 hurricane that devastated parts of The Bahamas. The Foundation has also put out an appeal to help raise additional funds to support the recovery efforts given the significant damage reported on the islands.
This past weekend, the north-western Bahamian islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama were ravaged by the strongest hurricane to ever make landfall in The Bahamas. Hurricane Dorian brought catastrophic damage leaving many homeless and without basic supplies of food, water and shelter.
As the government and people of The Bahamas come to terms with the devastating news of the loss of life and widespread destruction to homes and property, C&W Communications CEO, Inge Smidts, expressed sympathies to the Government and people of The Bahamas, who have been directly and indirectly affected by this natural disaster.
Smidts, who is the Chair of the Foundation is appealing to the public to join the efforts by supporting a fundraising campaign. “We are urging our customers, employees and business partners to help us support the people of The Bahamas in this very challenging time. The donations will go towards the immediate relief effort and long-term rebuilding programs.”
Anyone wishing to donate can visit : https://www.cwc.com/live/corporate-responsibility/cable-wireless-foundation/support-hurricane-dorian-relief.html to make a contribution.
Regarding the impact of the hurricane on C&W’s operations, Smidts said, “We are following up with our teams in Abaco and Grand Bahama to ensure their safety as well as the safety of everyone on the islands. There are island-wide power outages on both islands and as such, communications are slow to come in.” Giving an update on the company’s preparations to provide support, Smidts shared, “We already have a team in place supported by our parent company, Liberty Latin America, who has been mobilizing efforts to provide relief to Abaco and Grand Bahama immediately following the “all-clear”. Members of our team will fly out to Abaco and Grand Bahama to personally check on our team members in those islands, provide care packages, conduct assessments and determine what further assistance is required.”
Smidts further stated, “We are certainly not out of the woods yet, as Hurricane Dorian is slowly trekking towards Florida. Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our employees and customers is always our top priority.” She urged everyone in the path of the hurricane to “stay safe, keep in touch with friends, family and neighbors and most of all, heed the warnings issued by the Disaster Management Authorities.”
Notwithstanding the extensive damage on the islands, BTC’s mobile services in some areas of Abaco, Grand Bahama, Berry Islands and Bimini have been compromised. However, some fixed landlines services are available on those islands. In New Providence, mobile and landline services are challenged. Due to the loss of commercial power and excessive flooding, BTC customers in the company’s Fiber-to-the-Home and recently upgraded MSAN areas may be experiencing landline and internet outages if their home is not equipped with backup power.
Smidts ended by saying, “Our teams are working around the clock to restore services as quickly as possible as we know how important it is for families and friends to connect with each other especially during these trying times. Together we will recover and rebuild. We stand with the people and Government of The Bahamas.”
Release: CWC
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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