Bahamas News
Time for Truth: We know 1,300+ people are not missing; something more unspeakable has happened
#TheBahamas – September 25, 2019 — Are we expected to believe that there are over one thousand, three hundred people wandering around in remote parts of Abaco and Grand Bahama or that there are over one thousand, three hundred people swimming in the open Atlantic Ocean or that there are over one thousand, three hundred people trapped under some fallen structure alive and well?
It is the question I toss to the wind when I view what the Bahamas Government continues to put forth, not when it comes to the death toll but as it relates to the individuals recorded as still missing.
It has been 24 days since Hurricane Dorian pulverised the heart of Abaco. It has been 23 days since Hurricane Dorian submerged Grand Bahama in unrelenting surge waters.
As a Christian nation, Bahamians do believe and hope for miracles of all sorts on a daily basis. This day in my nation’s history would be no exception.
It would inspire a national day of rejoicing if the over 1,300 who are registered as still missing since the hurricane were to turn up, be found alive or located among the 1,600 who are living in shelters. Truth be told, we would rejoice over even one who is found at this stage.
The official death toll report of Hurricane Dorian is a contention in The Bahamas.
Just over 50 people killed in the historic, catastrophic hurricane conveys the Government, despite the rebuke from residents and citizens and those in the international community over the low figure.
To those who were there, it is a ridiculous sham to hide the truth. What’s the point they wonder? And so do I?
I think the extreme protectiveness being exercised about this detail is prohibitive to the grieving and healing process.
I also think the aim of government to protect our hearts from the burden of the truth has run its course.
Three weeks on, The Bahamas is ready to know the truth, ready to prove that Bahamas strong is more than a trending hashtag; it is what and who we are. The hashtag mantra is especially noticeable in moments like these and with our global friends lending a hand, a bounce back for The Bahamas is inevitable. The peculiar cocktail to be prepared first requires that the truth to be known, that there is acceptance of that truth, allowance for the range of emotions as we cope with the truth and then the hardest part: letting go and moving ahead.
We will be crushed for a while and yes, some of us for a good long while, when we finally hear the count of the lives lost in the hurricane from hell, as it was appropriately dubbed. But we will do what we have proven we do best.
We will surround and shelter and support the broken-hearted. We will listen to their agonizing accounts of the day they lost so much and we will let their tears fall until or if they run dry. We will ensure there is dignity and empathy and help, lots and lots of good old fashioned, help.
We will pray for and with them and they, through the mercies of God will find that their hearts are healing. We will ensure they also eat, play, school, work and we will be there when they are ready to rebuild their lives.
It is clear and admitted, even by the country leaders who will not say it precisely, that the lives we have lost in the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama are far more than 53 people.
Three weeks later over one thousand, three hundred people are still missing and we do not need to be a Minister of Health, Director of NEMA, Police Commissioner or Prime Minister to know what has happened here…
My plea is simple and shared. Let the truth come forth and let the healing and rebuilding begin.
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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