Bahamas News
Joint UN & BDB Sustainable Development Goal Fund Programme Launched
By: Betty Vedrine
Bahamas Information Services
#TheBahamas, June 1, 2022 – The government is forging ahead with its objective to meet its mandate of gender equality and women’s empowerment. On Monday, 30th May, a ceremony was held at the Balmoral club to officially launch the Joint Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Fund Programme with a $1 million joint venture between the Bahamas Development Bank (BDB) and the United Nations.
In attendance and delivering remarks were the Minister of State for Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Lisa Rahming; Minister of State for the Public Service, the Hon. Pia Glover Rolle; and Chairman of the Bahamas Development Bank, Sen. the Hon. Quinton Lightbourne.
Delivering brief remarks were: Ms. Tonni Anne Broderick, Representative, UN Women Multi-Country Office, Caribbean; Ms. Saadia Sanchez-Vegas, Director and Representative, UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean. Virtual remarks were delivered by: Mr. Heewong Kim, Head of Reporting, UN Joint SDG Fund; Ms. Denise Antonio, UNDP Resident Representative, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands & Turks and Caicos Islands and Dr. Crispim Moreira, FAO Representative, Jamaica, The Bahamas and Belize.
UN Resident Coordinator to the Multi-Country office in Jamaica, Dr. Garry Conille gave opening remarks. He said he was excited that The Bahamas was undertaking this venture and expressed the United Nations full support in
assisting The Bahamas achieve its objectives.
Manager, Information Technology, Bahamas Development Bank, Mr. Alonzo Hinsey served as Chairperson for the event. Also in attendance was incoming Managing Director, Bahamas Development Bank, Mr. Nicholas Higgs.
State Minister for Social Services and Urban Development, Ms. Lisa Rahming in her keynote address said that this joint venture funding program is consistent with the Bahamas Development Bank’s vision and mission and is therefore a natural fit for their business model.
“It is strategic that the Bahamas Development Bank will serve on the National Steering Committee as this will accrue important benefits from technical capacity building in support of the development of the framework for the gender equitable funding mechanism.”
She said BDB has been at the forefront of the economic empowerment of Bahamians entrepreneurs and by extension — sustained development of The Bahamas — for many decades. While she admitted that the bank has had some challenges over the years, she said that the government remains committed to using this institution as an instrument or executing mechanism for the continued economic empowerment for the Bahamian people.
She welcomed the strategic partnerships BDB is pursuing with other local and international financial institutions including FinDev and The Portland Equity Group for fund development and management.
This joint proposal, she explained, recognizes that societies with higher levels of gender equality experience faster and more sustainable development outcomes.
It also recognizes that countries with higher GDP growth rates and other positive economic indicators have not always factored in the contributions that women and youth can make towards strengthening key economic sectors, and in many cases have not invested sufficiently in gender equality towards advancing human and social development.
“As we economically empower our people, no social or demographic grouping is to be left behind. Further, we are to remain sensitive to the customs, culture, way of life, the values and the integrity of the physical environment of the
communities and markets in which we conduct business and commercial trade.”
(BIS Photo/Kristaan Ingraham)
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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