Bahamas News
#NASSAU, The Bahamas – February 24, 2020 — Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell, told a group of fifty young males that love and respect are two key factors on the road to peaceful co-existence – a co-existence, he said, that must be extended to the female population.
“Love is the foundation upon which respect is built,” Minister Campbell said. “Love is the springboard for the sexes to co-exist in harmony and to partner with each other to continue to develop and take our nation to the next level. The Bahamas I see you leading is a Bahamas that will evolve on partnerships between the sexes; good, productive co-existence between the sexes. It is even more beneficial if we can continue along this line with the same mindset, with the same kind of philosophy of peaceful, respectful co-existence, based on love. You have a major role to play in that process beginning now,” Minister Campbell added.
Addressing the L.W. Young Boys Empowerment Club’s inaugural Boys’ Empowerment Seminar, Minister Campbell told the group of fifty boys that while it is important that they show respect to and for one another, that it was equally important that they extend the same courtesy to young girls and women.
“You need to protect them, you need to ensure that no harm comes to them, you need to ensure that you love them with your words and kind and gentle actions. Ensure that you take advantage of every opportunity to get a great education because our females deserve boyfriends and husbands who are smart and intelligent. They deserve boyfriends and husbands who wear their trousers properly. They deserve boyfriends and husbands who are well groomed and properly attired. They deserve boyfriends and husbands who are hardworking, focused and steadfast, and who will open doors for them.
“I believe the potential and the capacity is right here in this room. I want to let you know that I am proud of you, that I am proud to see a group of young men doing something positive,” Minister Campbell added.
The seminar was a collaboration between officials from the Male Desk, the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, and those from the L.W. Young Secondary School and the L.W. Young Boys Empowerment Club and featured presentations on topics such as The Man Box, Relationships and I am My Brother’s Keeper, Motivational Speaker, Gang Prevention and Cyber Crime. Fifty boys participated in the seminar.
Launched October 2018, with 20 young men, the Club is the brainchild of Mrs. Anita Wilmott, who saw the need for a Boys’ Mentorship Programme as a “necessary tool to combat the masculinity crisis within The Bahamas.” Mrs. Wilmott was joined in her quest by: Shiann Ellis, Juan Moss, Sherard Jones, Glen King, Dr. Antoine Clarke, Amadeus Burns, Peter Rutherford, and Diego Major. The club’s enrollment has since grown to 50.
Minister Campbell also took the opportunity to inform the group on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (also known as the CRC and the UNCRC). The Social Services Minister told the group that he has been traveling throughout The Bahamas informing young persons of their Rights under the UN Convention. Minister Campbell warned the group that with Rights, come responsibility.
“The responsibility that comes along with having rights is knowing that other persons have their rights too,” Minister Campbell said. “For example there are 50 of you in this space today. Now imagine 50 persons trying to exercise their individual rights in this small space, it is not going to work unless all 50 of you respect the other person’s rights. That is the only way you will co-exist. So if you like to listen some bombastic music, while another wants to listen to Jazz, if you respect each other enough, if you wish to co-exist, you will turn the volume down or you will wear earplugs so that you do not disturb the other person’s peace and quiet. That way, everybody is able to co-exist. Respect has to be a part of your daily living, you give it, and you get it,” Minister Campbell added.
The Social Services Minister advised the group that they are in control of their futures. He said their participation in the Boys Empowerment Club was a great start in a positive direction.
“There is no need for your future to be unpredictable, to be uncertain. You have an opportunity right now, right where you are sitting to decide the kind of positive future you want for yourselves. I challenge you boys to decide positively your future, work hard at it, take advantage of all of the opportunities that are available and make sure that you have the kind of positive future you want, the one you deserve.”
BIS STORY BY MATT MAURA
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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