Bahamas News
NATIONAL HONOURS 2022
#TheBahamas, July 11, 2022 – In accordance with the provisions of the National Honours Act, His Excellency, the Governor-General, The Most Honourable Sir Cornelius Smith, O.N., G.C.M.G., Chancellor of the Societies of Honour, is pleased to announce the 2022 conferral of awards under the National Honours Act to Citizens of The Bahamas.
In making the announcements, His Excellency stated “that these Citizens, some of whom are being awarded posthumously, are being recognized for their outstanding service in various areas of our National Development, and I extend congratulations to them”.
His Excellency continued, “Further, as Chancellor, I also extend sincere congratulations to the Families of those Honourees who have died, and whose dedicated service and memories will ever be with us”.
Order of The Bahamas
- Philip Bethel, Companion
- Gail Saunders. Companion
- Dr. Michael Symonette, Officer
- Rupert Roberts Jr., Officer
- George Myers, Member
- Judge Joseph Strachan, Member
- Henry Bowen, Companion (Posthumously)
- Cadwell Armbrister, Companion (Posthumously)
- Sir Clement Maynard, Companion (Posthumously)
- Carlton Francis, Companion (Posthumously)
- Anthony Roberts, Companion (Posthumously)
- Sir Kendal Isaacs, Companion (Posthumously)
- Norman Solomon, Companion (Posthumously)
- J. Oswald Ingraham, Companion (Posthumously)
- Robert Hanlon Symonette, Companion (Posthumously)
- Sir Durward Knowles,Companion (Posthumously)
- Emmanuel Osadebay, Officer (Posthumously)
- Judge Neville Smith, Member (Posthumously)
Order of Distinction
- Conville Brown, Companion
- George Weech, Companion
- Neko Grant, Companion
- Raleigh Butler II, Companion
- Obie Ferguson Jr., Companion
- Vylma Thompson Curling, Companion
- Paul A. O. Rolle, Companion
- Ellison Greenslade, Companion ❖ Anthony Ferguson, Companion ❖ Paul Farquharson, Companion
- Reginald Ferguson, Companion
- Michael Major, Officer
- Ishmael Lightbourne, Officer
- Gene Sands, Officer
- Dorcena Nixon Rolle, Officer
- Nelson Clarke, Officer
- Sybil Curtis, Officer
- Celeste Lockhart, Officer
- Barbara Cartwright, Officer
- Kenrick O. Murray, Officer
- Senior Commander Amos Rolle, Companion (Posthumously)
- Captain Simpson Penn, Companion (Posthumously)
- Persis Rodgers, Officer (Posthumously)
Order of Merit
- Pastor David Burrows, Companion
- Warren Rolle, Companion
- Cecil Thompson, Companion
- Frankie Hinzey, Companion
- Bishop Ellis Farrington, Companion
- Ansel Saunders, Companion
- Romeo Farrington, Companion
- Gregory Burrows, Companion
- Austin Knowles Sr., Companion
- Paul Smith, Companion
- Bishop Lawrence Rolle, Companion
- Wellington Miller, Companion
- Pastor Jeremiah Duncombe, Companion
- Anthony Robinson, Companion
- Maurice Tynes, Companion
- Mario Donato, Companion
- Louis Hanchell, Officer
- Khandi Gibson, Officer
- Alpheus “Hawk” Finlayson, Officer
- Philip Burrows, Officer
- Sonia Cox Hamilton, Officer
- Denise Mortimer, Officer
- Pearlene Cartwright, Officer
- Elder Cora McPhee, Officer
- Francina Horton, Officer
- Gloria Ferguson, Officer
- Nathe Russell, Officer
- Andrea Gibson, Officer
- Godfrey Eneas, Officer
- Lawrence Burnside, Officer
- Mark Knowles, Officer
- Della Thomas, Officer
- Mychal Thompson, Officer
- Norman Gay, Officer
- Winfred Russell, Officer
- Oswald Moore, Officer
- Churchhill Tener-Knowles, Officer
- Leo Rolle, Officer
- Ali Culmer, Officer
- Winton “Tappy” Davis, Officer
- Andy Knowles, Officer
- Rex Burnside, Officer
- Allan Ingraham, Officer
- Ed Smith, Officer
- Phil Antonio, Officer
- Florence “Flo” Rolle, Officer
- Captain Ekron Pratt, Officer
- Rev. Dr. Alonzo Hinsey, Officer
- Frances Le’de’e, Officer
- Yonell Justilien, Officer
- Marie Ferguson, Officer
- Sonja Knowles, Officer
- Pericles Maillis, Officer
- Vernal Sands, Officer
- Cynthia Wells, Officer
- Mario Simms, Officer
- Bobby “Baylor” Fernander, Officer
- Shelton Beneby, Officer
- William Munnings, Officer
- Dr. Charles Rolle, Officer
- Angela Pratt Rolle, Officer
- Tammy Ferguson Culmer, Officer
- Edward Penn, Member
- Anita Doherty, Member (Posthumously)
- Gilbert Rolle, Officer
- Jason Albury, Member
- Randy Ferguson, Member
- Richard Manning, Member
- Jenson Burrows, Member ❖ Sean Smith, Member
- Brad Thompson, Member
- Ricky Martin, Member
- Bishop B. Wenith Davis, Companion (Posthumously)
- Edison Armbrister, Officer (Posthumously)
- Bertram “Cowboy” Musgrove, Officer (Posthumously)
- William “Yahama Bahama” Brennan, Officer (Posthumously)
- Elisha Obed, Officer (Posthumously)
- Carl Minns, Officer (Posthumously)
- Leon “Apache” Knowles, Officer (Posthumously)
- Leonard “Boston Blackie” Miller, Officer (Posthumously)
- Natasha Newbold, Officer (Posthumously)
- Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson, Officer (Posthumously)
- Sloan Farrington, Officer (Posthumously)
- Cecil Cooke, Officer Posthumously)
- Rolle Gray, Officer (Posthumously)
- Billy Lowe, Officer (Posthumously)
- Sir Durward Knowles, Officer (Posthumously)
- Osborne “Ank” Rahming, Officer (Posthumously)
- Hezron Moxey, Officer (Posthumously)
- Willard Cunningham, Officer (Posthumously)
- Bishop Albert Hepburn, Member (Posthumously)
- Rev. Fr. Addison Turnquest, Member (Posthumously)
- Billy Rolle, Member (Posthumously)
- Andre Rodgers,Companion(Posthumously)
Order of Lignum Vitae
- Marine Seaman Edward Williams (Posthumously)
- Marine Seaman Austin Smith (Posthumously)
- Marine Seaman David Tucker (Posthumously)
- Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup (Posthumously)
Medals for Acts of Bravery
- Able Seaman Trevor Sands
- Michelet Meronard
- Captain Anthony Allens
- Force Chief Petty Officer Denzil Clarke
- Captain Whitfield Neely
- Chief Petty Officer Anthony Russell
- Chief Petty Officer Eugene Thompson
- John Wallace
- Leading Seaman Willard Saunders
- Force Chief Petty Officer Peterson James
- Samuel Mackey
- Able Seaman Cladwell Farrington Sr.
- Force Chief Petty Officer Gregory Curry
- Petty Officer Leo Kirby (Posthumously)
- Marine Seaman Edward Williams (Posthumously)
- Marine Seaman Austin Smith (Posthumously)
- Marine Seaman David Tucker (Posthumously)
- Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup (Posthumously)
- Chief Petty Officer Oscar Miller (Posthumously)
- Sub Lieutenant Wilfred Sands (Posthumously)
Distinguished Service Medal
- Deslene Cumberbatch-Lowe
- Melford Clarke
- Aldeka Thompson
- Beverly Thomas Taylor
- Winifred Murphy
- Patricia Bethel
- Vanderson Ferguson
- Yvonne Moncur
- Sharon Rose-Hutchinson
- Alice Inniss
- William Saunders
- Olive Minnis
- Debra Strachan
- Jeffery Forbes ❖ William Swain
- Christine Lightbourne
- Mirley Conyers
- Wellington “Butch” Johnson
- Nizamuddin Bacchus
- Helen Stubbs
- Diana Thompson
- Joshua Culmer, Sr., JP
- Cheryl Lloyd-Pinder
- Fredrick Bonaby
- Margarette Thompson Bain
- Claudine Virgil
- Francina Thurston
- Christine Newbold Saunders
- James Pinder
- Inez Spence
- Daphne Sawyer
- Nurse Linda Stuart
- Ashley Saunders
- Fabian Stuart
- Barbara Checkley
- Mark Scott
- Henry Bain
- Luden Gibson
- Francita Neely
- Charlene Curry
- Irene Rolle (Posthumously)
Badge of Honour
- Nyoschi Brown
- Kennard Mackey
- Letita Campbell Parker
- Father Don Haynes
- Lofton Neely
- Levada Ingraham
- Diane Smith
- Stephen Hanna
- Valdamae Rahming
- Maryanne Colebrooke Marshall
- Robertha Edgecombe
- Pandora Evans
- Vyreen Bain
- Sheila Blatch
- Maxwell Roberts
- Mable Stubbs
- Veronica Saunders(Posthumously) ❖ Patrick Roberts Sr.
- Vera Chase(Posthumously)
- Jacqueline Estevez
Further, His Excellency, the Governor-General, acting in accordance with Section 4: 5(a) of the National Honours (Amendment) Act, 2022 is pleased to recognize the following persons for long and exceptional service to the Governor-General:
- Evardo Cox
- Albertha Nairn
- Sheila Andrews
- Sandra Curry-Gibson
- Michelle Ferguson
- Steve Pennerman
- Beverley Wallace-Whitfield
- Bernice Bowe
- Jacklyn Murray (Posthumously)
- June Maura (Posthumously)
- Juliette Barnwell (Posthumously)
July 10th,2022
Nassau,N.P.,
Bahamas
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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