Government
New Boundaries, More MPs and No Appointed Members expected in Constitutional Changes says Premier
Deandrea Hamilton and Dana Malcolm
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, December 21, 2023 – The next General Election in the Turks and Caicos Islands will likely feature more candidates, more constituencies, and an elimination of the appointed members to the House of Assembly; in anticipation of the UK-approved constitutional changes, the PNP Government administration has allocated an additional $100,000 for the TCI Electoral Boundaries Commission in its most recent Budget supplementary.
“We have had some advanced indication from the United Kingdom. It’s very clear what they will grant in terms of a constitutional amendment on four points. The rest of the proposals, we are waiting for at the moment, and I have just asked Her Excellency to put some urgency behind London so we will get that soon. Because there will be potentially– a number of amendments that will have to be made before the election, including the establishment of a boundaries commission, and the review of the boundaries; and those monies are there in anticipation of that happening,” Misick said.
David Rutley, Minister for the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, had agreed to fast-track three amendments to the constitution during the Joint Ministerial Council held in London in November. Namely, amendments that deal with the length of a parliamentary term, changing the name of the parliament and removing the appointed members. As Misick noted, it is anticipated that those changes will be made, but not certain. It is part of a raft of amendments the TCI Governing and Opposition parties presented to the UK after a country-wide constitutional consultation.
Currently, the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands appoints two members to the parliament, with the governing and opposition parties putting forth one person each for a total of four individuals.
There are still no definitive answers on whether the Turks and Caicos Islands will see the appointed members removed and the parliament renamed or if a longer parliamentary term will be approved before the next elections which are constitutionally due in 2025. But just in case, the government has furnished the process with $100,000 in order to fund the Boundaries Commission, which would undertake, the often arduous process of drawing up new constituency lines. Those constituencies will determine where votes will be cast for the new elected members of
parliament who would replace the appointed members. If not, Misick said the electoral boundaries will be addressed regardless.
“We can’t presume exactly what the final decision is going to be even though we are fairly clear that the boundaries issue will be addressed. Whether it is addressed or not– we would still have to deal with the Boundaries’ Review because the Ordinance speaks to the proportionality and numbers of people and the different peculiarities of the different islands and the constituency boundaries so those funds are placed here regardless.”
He was referring to a 2021 Commonwealth Parliamentary Association report following its observations in the February 2021 General Elections. The CPA’s report cited that boundaries demanded equal numbers of constituents in each district, and that the work on balancing the districts should be completed within four years.
A Budget Supplementary presented and passed in the House on December 13 included the new allocation, announced by E. Jay Saunders, the Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier; it prompted the question from Edwin Astwood, Leader of the Opposition, regarding the legislative changes.
“I see allocations to the Boundary Commission and I will be writing to the Honorable Premier and probably the Governor seeking clarification. Are we intending [to] do the boundaries exercise and getting those four additional seats in?”
Under Washington Misick, a special constitutional attorney, Jeffery Jowell, was hired to progress a long-standing suite of amendments which despite having been ratified in the public domain since 2014 and supported by a bi-partisan Review Committee, were under threat of dying on the vine.
It was clear that more tenacious action was required and with the support of the House of Assembly, the expert mediator and litigator, having had success in the Cayman Islands was brought in to navigate a restoration of some powers to the elected government.
It has helped that there is a distinctive shift in tone from the British, expressed through successive governors that there is an appetite to acquiesce and action some of the desires of the TCI people as revealed in the constitutional consultations. Additionally, an admirable demonstration by the elected officials spanning 2012 to now in conducting country affairs in line with UK-established good governance principles meant there was no need for Mother England to continue to hold on so tightly to the reins.
Now, an eighth Cabinet minister has been added, the Turks and Caicos elected government is part of Crown Land management and the UK is open to new boundaries which will increase the share of members of parliament who are hired by the electorate through a vote, versus appointed by the British governor or the two political parties.
The Premier said the UK had been clear on what they would grant; however, the country was still awaiting decisions on the remaining areas of interest. Misick, in an effort to follow through, has made a request of the Governor, to speed up the process.
“We are expecting to have a finalized position from the UK, certainly I am hoping early in the first quarter of next year.”
Premier Washington Misick was speaking in parliament during the recent Supplementary Appropriation Bill debate on Wednesday, Dec 13.
Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Tamica Prospere as the Director of the Department of Learning and Development within the Office of the Deputy Governor.
Mrs. Prospere holds a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development (RQF Level 5), a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and an Associate Degree in Education, also from UWI. She has further enhanced her credentials with certifications and coursework in content delivery, human resource management, talent management, and training and development from esteemed institutions, including Mico University College and CIPD.
With a strong foundation in public service and education in St. Lucia, Mrs. Prospere dedicated over a decade to classroom teaching at the secondary school level, beginning in 2002. During her tenure, she educated a diverse student body across various subjects, including Mathematics, Information Technology, and Life Skills, all aimed at fostering students’ personal and social well-being. She also facilitated community adult learning programs, showcasing her enduring commitment to promoting inclusive and varied educational opportunities.
Her career in public service in the Turks and Caicos Islands began in 2014 as a teacher at Marjorie Basden High School. From 2019, she served as the Learning and Development Manager for the legacy Customs Department and later for the TCI Border Force. In this role, she made significant contributions to improvements and championed a culture of professional growth.
Mrs. Prospere has been a strong advocate for leadership development through several key programmes. She conceptualised and introduced
the Leading Effectively through Accountability and Development (LEAD) programme for the management team, which has successfully run for three consecutive years, with its most recent leadership reinforcement event held in 2025. Additionally, she implemented several programmes in partnership with educational institutions, resulting in 27 Border Force officers earning continuing professional development (CPD) certifications in supervisory management from UWI and 10 managers completing the Dynamic Leadership course with the Caribbean Maritime University.
She played a pivotal role in developing operational strategic plans and frameworks for both the Customs Department and the TCI Border Force. Mrs. Prospere spearheaded the creation and delivery of professional programmes, such as the Customs Broker Certification Programme. She introduced a Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate scalable learning for aspiring Customs Brokers.
Moreover, she led the implementation of several significant projects, most notably the Regional Clearance System in the TCI and a comprehensive revamp of customs procedures at Howard Hamilton International Airport, which greatly enhanced operational efficiency. She also facilitated key engagements that strengthened partnerships with leading regional bodies, including the Caribbean Customs Legislation and Enforcement Council (CCLEC), the border security team within CARICOM IMPACS, and the customs advisory arm of CARTAC. These collaborations were instrumental in securing vital technical assistance for training.
Speaking on the appointment, Mrs. Prospere said, “I am honoured to step into this role and lead the Learning and Development Directorate. I believe that a world-class public service is built together. I’m dedicated to partnering with civil servants at all levels to foster a dynamic learning environment where we can collectively develop the skills needed to be adaptable, exceed standards, and deliver truly exceptional service to the public.”
In congratulating Mrs. Prospere, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams stated, “We are pleased to extend congratulations to Mrs. Tamica Prospere on her appointment as the new Director of the Department of Learning and Development within the Office of the Deputy Governor.
With over a decade of dedicated service in the field of training and development, Mrs. Prospere has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to building capacity and strengthening the public service workforce in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Her innovative and strategic approach to learning has transformed teams and empowered individuals, ensuring the public service is well-equipped to meet the demands of a constantly evolving landscape.
As the government continues its efforts to enhance service delivery through robust and comprehensive training initiatives, we are confident that Mrs. Prospere’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous growth across the public sector.
Congratulations Mrs. Prospere, on your well-deserved promotion. We look forward to working with you to shape the future of learning and development in the Public Service in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is proud to announce the appointment of Ms. Melissa Holland as the new Public Service Information Officer within the Office of the Deputy Governor.
Ms. Holland holds an Associate Degree in Business from Turks and Caicos Community College, a Creative Suite Certificate in Website Development from StackSkills, and an Administrative Professional Certification from the College of Administrative Professionals. She has also engaged in continuous learning through Coursera.
Over the course of her career, Ms. Holland has accumulated valuable experience in various roles. She began her journey as a Clerical Officer
at the Ministry of Education from June 2007 to May 2009 and was promoted to Secretary to the CEO from December 2009 to April 2010. Subsequently, she served as the Assistant to the Director of Sales, Marketing & Rentals at Apes Hill Club in Barbados from May 2011 to July 2014. Ms. Holland then took on the role of Office Assistant at Growing Soul Records in Miami, FL, from August 2014 to October 2015, followed by another position as an Office Assistant at Arrow Electronics in Denver, CO, from November 2015 to June 2018.
In June 2018, she became a Multimedia Specialist at Shop Genesis and later transitioned to the role of Creative Director at Black Sage Analytics from September 2020 to 2022. More recently, she served as an Administrative Officer at the Ministry of Health and Human Services from December 2022 to March 2023, before moving to the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services as an Administrative Officer from March 2023 to August 2025. She acted as the Communications Officer for Border Force in September 2023.
Upon her appointment, Ms. Holland shared her enthusiasm, stating, “My journey from capturing moments through lifestyle photography to creating designs that honor the vibrance of Caribbean culture has been shaped by both creativity and faith. Stepping into the role of Public Service Information Officer is a privilege and an exciting opportunity to unite my love for storytelling with service. Guided by Proverbs 3:5-6, I trust God to continue directing my path and using my gifts for a greater purpose”.
Her Excellency Anya Williams, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, congratulated Ms. Holland, stating, “We are delighted to congratulate Ms. Melissa Holland on her appointment as Public Service Information Officer and to welcome her to our team in the Office of the Deputy Governor.
In this important role, Ms. Holland will be responsible for the accurate and timely dissemination of both internal and external communications related to the operations of the public service, including circulars, notices, appointment announcements and other official updates.
We are confident that Ms. Holland’s diverse background and professional expertise will be invaluable in fulfilling these responsibilities and we look forward to the meaningful contributions she will undoubtedly bring to the team.
Congratulations, Ms. Holland, on your new appointment!”
Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Andy Missick as the Juvenile Manager within the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services in the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities.
Mr. Missick holds a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in Social Work from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College.
His professional experience includes serving as a Registration Officer at the Financial Services Commission for three years, a Social Worker for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government for one year and as a Probation Officer in the Department of Rehabilitation & Community Supervision from 2023 until his recent promotion.
Sharpening his skills in the area of rehabilitation, Mr. Missick has completed professional training in the following areas: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Case Management, Risk Assessment, Intake and Interviewing Techniques, Counseling, Report Writing, Conflict Resolution and Mediation, Reentry and Reintegration Planning, Community Resource Networking, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Behavior Modification, and Social Skills Training.
Known for his contributions to Youth Leadership and Representation in the Turks and Caicos Islands and elsewhere, Mr. Missick currently serves as the Male CARICOM Youth Ambassador since 2023 and is a currently a Youth Parliamentarian having representing the Turks and Caicos Islands at the 12th Annual Commonwealth Youth Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand; the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting in London, United Kingdom and the Caribbean Youth Summit 2023 in Kingston, Jamaica.
In addition to his professional roles, Mr. Missick is involved in community service and volunteerism through the Rotaract Club of Providenciales, where he has been an active member for seven years. He has held various leadership positions, including Sergeant-at-Arms, Foundation Chair, Youth Service Director, Wellness Chair, Fundraising Director, Vice President and currently serves as the President.
Speaking on his appointment, Mr. Missick stated, “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity. Growing up in the Turks and Caicos, I have
seen far too many young lives cut short. Some lost to violence, some to poor choices and some to the weight of circumstances they never asked for. Those experiences are etched into me and they are the reason I feel such deep gratitude and responsibility in being appointed Juvenile Manager. This is more than a role; it is a calling to stand in the gap for our youth, to remind them that they are not defined by their mistakes but by the greatness still inside of them. I believe in second chances, I believe in opportunity, and I believe that with guidance, accountability and hope, our young people can rise above their struggles and become the leaders of tomorrow.
I anchor myself in the words of Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” True leadership is service, and in serving our youth, I serve the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands. This appointment is not just about today. It is about building a legacy of hope, discipline and purpose for tomorrow”.
In congratulatory remarks, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams, said, “It gives me great pleasure to officially congratulate Mr. Andy Missick on his appointment as Juvenile Manager with the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services, within the Ministry of Public Safety.
The post of Juvenile Manager is a critical role, focused on shaping the future of our islands by supporting, guiding and rehabilitating at-risk youth. The Juvenile Manager plays a key part in ensuring that young individuals are given every opportunity to grow into productive, empowered citizens who contribute meaningfully to society.
Mr. Missick brings to this position a wealth of experience, a deep passion for youth empowerment and a proven track record of service and leadership. His longstanding commitment to the development of young people in the Turks and Caicos Islands is well known, having served with distinction as a CARICOM Youth Ambassador, Youth Parliamentarian and a dedicated member of the Rotaract. Through these platforms, he has consistently advocated for youth engagement, policy development and community service, earning the respect of peers and stakeholders alike.
We are confident that Mr. Missick will continue to inspire and implement innovative initiatives that uplift our youth and strengthen our communities.
Congratulations, Mr. Missick, on your well-deserved promotion. We look forward to the positive impact you will undoubtedly make in this vital role.”
