Bahamas News
TCI Appoints Diaspora Liaison Officers in The Bahamas
#TurksandCaicos, February 20, 2023 – As a part of its efforts to strengthen the relationship between the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the TCI Government is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Andrea Vernay Mills and Canon Curtis Robinson as Diaspora Liaison Officers for the islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama, Bahamas, respectively.
TCI Liaison Officers in Bahamas
Ms. Mills is a direct descendent of South Caicos that has lived in Nassau, Bahamas for most of her life. She has over 30 years’ experience in formal education and currently serves in public relations and school administration roles as well as a research coordinator for a leading Bahamian publication. Ms. Mills is also a respected planner and property manager. Ms. Mills, given her family history, and extensive knowledge of descendants of the Turks and Caicos in the Bahamas will be a valued asset in providing non-consular liaison services to our diaspora.
Canon Curtis Robinson was born on the island of Grand Turk and received both his elementary and secondary education in the Turks and Caicos Islands. He and his family currently reside on the island of Grand Bahama in the city of Freeport. Canon Robinson was an educator in the Bahamas’ Ministry of Education for more than 41 years, and a member of the clergy in the Anglican Diocese of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands since 1979. Canon Robinson has vast knowledge and experience with descendants from the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas professional and religious community.
Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service Her Excellency Anya Williams in commenting on the appointments stated, “As the Turks and Caicos Islands works to attract talent in a number of areas, we are pleased to expand on our relationship with the Bahamas through the appointment of our new Representatives/Diaspora Liaison Officers.
The Turks and Caicos recently benefited from the Bahamas through support provided by the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) to assist in the fight against violent crime.
We currently have eighteen (18) Police recruits in Freeport, Bahamas undergoing training and recently recruited both the CEO of the TCI Airports Mr. Godfrey Smith and the Energy and Utility Commissioner Mr. Delano Arthur who are direct descendants of the Turks and Caicos Islands from Freeport, Bahamas.
As we work to continue our partnerships in National Security and Policing and with the appointment of official
representatives in the Bahamas, we are certain these will strengthen our ties Bahamas and create opportunities for greater partnerships that will be of great benefit to the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Commenting on the appointments the Premier Honourable Charles Washington Misick stated, “The Bahamas and TCI, throughout history has always had strong ties and the benefits of this relationship have been felt for many years. Members of our diaspora are spread far and wide however, a large contingent resides and hold prominent positions in the Bahamas.
It is with that knowledge, and in the interest of expanding our human capacity my government is progressing the establishment of a Diaspora of the Turks and Caicos Islands office in the Bahamas. This initiative will restore links to the diaspora and open a line of communication to gauge interest in returning home, to invest and to contribute to the development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Our diaspora liaison officers, Canon Robinson and Ms. Mills are no strangers to us, and I am confident that they will both will work closely with the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Attorney General’s Chambers, and Office to assist our diaspora with non-consular requests, recruitment, and investment opportunities.”
More details on the official opening of the Diaspora of the Turks and Caicos Islands office location in New Providence is expected before the end of the first quarter of 2023.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
