News
JAGS’ daughter, Yaa McCartney, commandingly reminds what her father the Hero would want from TCI Today
By Deandrea Hamilton & Dana Malcolm
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, June 6, 2022 – Yaa McCartney was only five-years-old when she stood across from her father’s empty casket. Surrounded by Turks and Caicos Islanders in the throes of grief, this 5-year-old had just begun the journey of understanding who her father was and what he represented for the emerging islands of the TCI.
“I didn’t cry because I understood the moment, but because I felt the hurt that surrounded me,” she explained.
Yaa’s perspective is the perspective of a great many Turks and Caicos Islanders today who have no firsthand
experience of what it meant to know J.A.G.S McCartney. They have heard the stories and perhaps in each recant and reflection, each year, they learn a bit more about the indomitable spirit of the man who is still one of the youngest elected leaders in modern history.
But with so many still around who had a front row seat to the spectacular showmanship of the Most Excellent JAGS, and with a legacy that speaks for itself even from his final resting place, Yaa would come to learn so much about the man who was both father and hero.
Still, there were times she remembers feeling resentful of the legacy, worried that the shadow her iconic father had cast was bound to make life more difficult and dim the sunshine for her own life and her family. Yaa, for a season, felt ‘disliked by people’ however as she learned more about James Alexander George Smith McCartney, that burdensome worry grew into pride.
Through firsthand accounts easily shared with her by those who knew him well, Yaa, now an attorney by profession and whose name is Ghanaian for ‘born on a Thursday’ is resting peacefully in the knowledge of what her father stood for and she was inadvertently schooled in the subject of ‘what it means to be a hero’.
“He was brave, He represented his people and saw beyond political affiliations…although being first at something is commendable, the bar set for a national hero is higher than that,” Yaa said.
Yaa was told of his determination to set the Turks and Caicos people up as first class citizens of their home via constitutional changes.
JAGS McCartney, she found, along with others of his time, had shaped the Turks and Caicos Islands into what we know it as today: a proud nation of resilient, culturally rich people.
The people who spoke to Yaa, JAGS’ eldest child, about her father had much to say about the things he did in order to set this future for TCI in motion, but two things always stood out, his abounding humility and his desire for unity.
“People would say to me your dad would dine with the rich and the poor…he would sit in a chair at your table or on a bucket and your outside stove.”
From the words of his compatriot, J.A.G.S McCartney did what he did for his people without caring about recognition.
In light of the powerful and pervasive legacy this Junkanoo Club legend left behind, Yaa found it commandingly reminded the Turks and Caicos that, “J.A.G.S wouldn’t want us to get bogged down with trivial differences. He would remind us there was still work to be done and it could only be achieved together. He believed that unity was our greatest asset to propel the Turks and Caicos to its greatest potential.”
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have
charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.
The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:
- One Count: Robbery
- One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
- One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear
Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.
The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.
The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05th, 2024.
Mr. SIMON faces the following charges:
- One Count: Robbery;
- One Count: Gang Membership
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.
The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.
Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition
- One Count: Unlawful Entry
Officers also charged a teenage minor who was in the company of Mr. Simon on May 02nd with One Count of UNLAWFUL ENTRY.
The accused, seventeen and from Kew Town, Providenciales, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 20th.
-
Health1 week agoAstraZeneca withdraws COVID vaccines after millions took their jabs
-
Caribbean News5 days agoBelize, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis
-
TCI News5 days agoEquity in Energy says Bahamas Energy & Transport Minister in legislative roll out
-
TCI News5 days agoFamily of 16 tourist claims negligence in Grand Turk jet ski death; Coroner’s Court hearing evidence
-
Caribbean News5 days agoMagnetic Media attends Caribbean Media Summit, in focus AI in Journalism
-
world news6 days agoElectricity Access for 600 Million a goal of UN Sustainability Week
-
TCI News3 days agoAMERICAN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER ALLEGEDLY ARRESTED FOR TWO BULLETS
-
Bahamas News5 days agoThe Bahamas Successfully Hosts Its Fourth World Athletics Relays