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New Chairman Looks to Grow BAMSI

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#TheBahamas, January 15, 2022 – Critics of the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) might argue that the Institute had been left to languish in mediocrity after a stellar launch in 2014. Initially, the Institute soared, with laser-like focus, on an upward trajectory of success including; experts, both international and Bahamian from the field of agriculture and marine science, were brought in to equip students, staff and farmers with technical knowledge, the academic arm held the first of successive graduations in 2016, and international partnerships were formed that would benefit students and staff alike and bring a level of esteem to the Institute.

Woven amongst these triumphs however, cracks, setbacks, and seemingly insurmountable hurdles arose. Combine these inefficiencies with the impact in recent years of major hurricanes, a downturn in the economy and the loss of key personnel, BAMSI struggled with its identity and lost sight of its original mandate.

Under the leadership of newly appointed Chairman Tyrel Young, who assumed office November 1, 2021, the way forward for BAMSI is steadily and strategically being carved out and a return to the original objectives and mission statement seem assured.

“I want people to know that from day one, my priority was to understand the Government’s plan for BAMSI and to carry out that mandate to the best of my ability, and with the full support of the staff. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage across the globe, food security must remain at the top of our agenda. We must be able to provide at least the basic food items for ourselves on a consistent basis and we must be able to do that in a sustainable manner, so that future generations of Bahamians will be supported and have access to arable land, and delicacies like conch and lobster. “

Finding the farm in a disappointing level of disarray – this is one of the first areas Mr. Young turned his attention to. With almost 90 percent of the tractors down, Mr. Young moved to have the machines quickly repaired so that production on the farm could ramp up to an acceptable level and also so the Institute could better support its Associate Farmers.

The wellbeing of the farm itself was quickly reasserted as a critical objective, as was identifying the essential crops and increasing production, research and training of farm staff.

“As we head into 2022, my goal is to see a steady increase in the types of crops grown by BAMSI, our partners in the Associated Farmers program and all farmers across the Bahamas. Part of BAMSI’s job, as research Institute, is to provide critical information for the sector in terms of best practices, best variety for our environment, and healthiest options for our populace,” he said.

“We want to balance supporting the business of farming – that is seeing farmers maximize their earning potential – with making the healthiest produce available to the widest spectrum of our citizenry…and available at a cost they can afford,” Mr. Young said. “Persons living in the inner cities, the less fortunate, those living on the margins of society, they should all have access to healthy produce in their neighbourhoods and be able to actual include these items – fresh fruit and vegetables – in their grocery budget.”

The academic arm also required greater support. Unlike many government departments, agencies and ministries, there was an immediate need to increase the staff compliment with educated, motivated and focused individuals who would assist in the training of young and not so young future agriculturalist and marine scientists.

A key component of the new mandate is driving enrollment levels up by widening the recruitment net and making it easier for recent graduates and those interested in making a career change to choose BAMSI and work through the enrolment process quickly and smoothly, all while feeling supported by staff and administration.

“Just like UB and BTVI, the Government of the Bahamas is committed to providing free education to qualified candidates at BAMSI. We want students and parents to know that if you pass five BGCSE’s, math and English included, the BAMSI Government Tertiary Education Grant is available to you. It covers a range of things from tuition and fees to textbooks. We want senior high students, especially those in grades 10 and 11, to start planning now to enroll in BAMSI. A beautiful campus along with a talented team of educators awaits you,” Mr. Young said.

Other areas of BAMSI are also scheduled for revamping. The Distribution Centre, long a favourite amongst the Bahamian public, especially those who are focused on locally grown, healthy food items, will again showcase the best produce the nation has to offer. The $20 produce box continues to be a much sought-after item.

Pulling all of these areas together, Mr. Young noted, the Institute is set to launch an aggressive marketing campaign to ensure that BAMSI becomes a household name in the best possible way…a leader in sustainable farming, a world-class academic institute in agriculture and marine science, a top regional research Centre, and a partner and stakeholder along with every Bahamian farmer. “My goal is that every Bahamian is aware of the full range of services and goods the Nassau/Andros-based Institute has to offer.”

 

Press Release: BAMSI

Bahamas News

Drug Seizure Turns Deadly in Haiti: Bahamian and Jamaican Citizens Caught in Crossfire During Historic Bust

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By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

July 18, 2025 – A historic cocaine seizure by Haitian authorities has left at least three men dead and others critically injured, following a bloody and chaotic incident at sea on Sunday, July 13.  The event, which Haitian police say resulted in the recovery of nearly 100 kilograms of illicit drugs, has turned tragic and controversial, with Bahamian and Jamaican citizens at the center of the operation.

The scene, captured in disturbing video footage released by the Haitian National Police, showed two bloodied men aboard a speedboat. Their bodies were visibly torn by what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds — blood soaked parts of the vessel.  The Jamaican man appeared near death, weak from both the injuries and the sun.  In the footage, Haitian police officers are seen dousing him with cool water in an effort to stabilize him.  His condition remains unknown.

The Bahamian survivor, still alert, was seen speaking on camera, identifying himself and acknowledging involvement.  In a separate video obtained by Magnetic Media, the same man is seen later, lying barely conscious on a stretcher, appearing gravely wounded and struggling to breathe.

The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Sunday that it received unverified reports via its embassy in Port-au-Prince that three Bahamian males and one Jamaican male were on a boat when they were shot at by unknown individuals.  Two Bahamians were reportedly killed and one hospitalized.

Haitian police accounts offered a different version, stating they intercepted a rowboat heavily laden with drugs.  That report claims two Jamaican citizens drowned, one of whom was taken to the morgue, and that a Bahamian is in police custody.

The discrepancy between the reports has generated significant confusion, with details still emerging.  Both Haitian and Bahamian officials have not confirmed who fired the shots, or what precisely led to the violent confrontation.

Adding another layer to the investigation, regional sources suspect the drugs were being trafficked either from Jamaica to Haiti or vice versa — making the Jamaican citizens potentially key figures in the suspected inter-island smuggling route.

The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated:

“We still await the formal notification from the Haitian government as to what transpired on Sunday, July 13.  We are in touch with the authorities and are pressing them to respond.”

The Ministry added that it is providing support to the affected families in The Bahamas.

Meanwhile, both The Bahamas and the United States have reissued “Do Not Travel” advisories for Haiti, as the security situation continues to decline.  Armed gangs remain in control of major areas, and the United Nations reports that over 5.2 million Haitians are facing food insecurity amid ongoing civil collapse.

While Haitian authorities call the operation a milestone in counter-narcotics enforcement, the lack of clear answers — and the evident human toll — has cast a long shadow over the bust.

This is a developing story.

 

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MSC Cruises Hosts NexGen Young Men for Tour Aboard MSC Seascape

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Senator Ronald C Duncombe, founder of the NexGen Young Men Mentorship Program with mentorees on board MSC Seascape

Nassau, The Bahamas – July 15, 2025 – On Monday, June 16, MSC Cruises welcomed a group of young men from the NexGen Mentorship Program aboard  MSC Seascape while in port at Nassau Cruise Port. The visit provided the young Bahamian men with a firsthand look at the maritime industry, focusing on excellence in operations, global hospitality, and career pathways.

The initiative was made possible through the leadership of Mr. Rick Sasso, Chairman of MSC Cruises (USA), whose longstanding connection to The Bahamas and deep commitment to youth development made this experience especially meaningful. “The Bahamas holds a special place in my heart,” he shared. “Investing in young people, particularly those from a region so vital to our operations, is not only a responsibility but a privilege. We want these young men to see that a future in this industry is within reach.”

Senator Ronald C Duncombe, founder of the NexGen Young Men Mentorship Program, expressed gratitude for the experience, noting its impact on the participants. “This was more than a ship tour; it was a vision-setting moment,” said Senator Duncombe. “These young men left MSC Seascape inspired, motivated, and with a broader sense of what’s possible. Our mission is to build disciplined, purpose-driven leaders and this opportunity aligns perfectly with that goal.”

Hosted by Captain Francesco di Palma, the group was given a guided tour of MSC Seascape, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the vessel’s operations and world-class amenities. The visit served as a powerful reminder of the global opportunities available through hard work, discipline, and vision, and underscored the importance of investing in young minds for a better future.

With such initiatives, MSC Cruises continues to reaffirm its role as a committed partner in the country’s maritime and tourism sector.

Captain Francesco di Palma tours NextGen onboard MSC Seascape

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Health Survey Revealed that One in Five Bahamian Students Between the Ages of 13 and 18 Has Attempted Suicide

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By Llonella Gilbert
Bahamas Information Services

 

 

NASSAU, Bahamas, July 14, 2025 – Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Phillip Davis said the 2025 Global School Health Survey revealed that one in five Bahamian students between the ages of 13 and 18 has attempted suicide.

“One in five. That number is staggering and heartbreaking,” the Prime Minister said during the signing of the Framework Agreement between Governments of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China for the New Providence Specialty Hospital held at the Office of The Prime Minister on Friday, July 11, 2025.

He said, “There is no single cause, but we know the pressures are real: the expectations, the silence, the bullying, the economic strain at home, and the ever-growing influence of social media.”

The Prime Minister explained that the images, the comparisons, the pressure to be perfect is too much. “Our children are carrying burdens many of us cannot see, and in some cases, cannot even begin to understand.”

He said, “This is not just a health issue. This is a moral issue. This is a national issue. It is a call to action for the government, for parents, for teachers, for churches, for communities.”

The Prime Minister said the Government took a major step forward in 2022 with the passage of the new Mental Health Act, the first meaningful reform to the nation’s mental health legislation in nearly 60 years. “We did not just pass a law; we laid the foundation for a new era in how we support those who are struggling.”

He added, “We have begun training more professionals — doctors, nurses, and community health workers — and we are training our guidance counsellors and educational officers to recognize the signs, to intervene early, and provide support that works.

“But legislation alone is not enough. Training alone is not enough.

“We also have to change how we show up in the lives of our children.”

The Prime Minister explained that a tablet cannot take the place of a conversation. An iPad cannot substitute for quality time, and the pressure children face from the constant pull of social media — the comparisons, the online cruelty, the need to be liked, followed, validated — is harming them. “And we have to do more to shield them.”

He said, “As a country, we cannot afford to lose our children to silence. We cannot allow pain to hide in plain sight. Every life matters. Every voice deserves to be heard. Every young person deserves to know they are not alone.”

The Prime Minister said that in addition to building up the physical infrastructure, he wants the nation to commit to building an emotional and social infrastructure, strengthening the systems of care and compassion that will help every Bahamian, especially the youth, to live with dignity, purpose, and hope.

He added, “To our partners in the People’s Republic of China, I thank you for standing with us in our pursuit of a healthier Bahamas.  To the Bahamian people, I want you to know that we see the need, we feel the urgency, and we are acting.

“The work continues. And we will see it through together.”

(BIS Photo/Mark Ford)

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