News
A high-stakes upcoming election in TCI, who is better poised to bridge our divide?
#TurksandCaicos, March 09, 2024 – In a thriving democracy like Turks and Caicos Islands, we need more than just a few political parties; it demands that these parties truly connect with a wider electorate. This involves creating policies that mirror the collective ambitions and hurdles of our island nation, not just the interest of a select few.
The path to being an informed voter is riddled with challenges, particularly the allure of aligning with a party or ideology without deep analysis. In an era filled with misinformation, how do we base our beliefs on truth and politicians genuine concern for the people?
We must see beyond political divisions, recognizing our shared fate, because unity is our strength, though often hard to achieve.
Times like these have never been more critical. As Turks Islanders, we have to ask ourselves are we safer and better off now than 3 years ago?
On the heels of the pandemic among many other competing priorities this government had to face, most would agree a number of boxes have been checked. What the voters will have to decide is, whether or not the right boxes were checked and have made a difference in the lives of the ordinary citizens.
The country is facing a pivotal moment;
Turks Islanders must assess governance by the real improvements in everyday lives.
Case in point: With the rapid growth and development, are we advancing fast enough to keep up with the growing demands, from food security to adequate housing and transportation? Are we attracting and entertaining the right investors who can deliver on what is needed to strengthen our economy and create better employment opportunities for our people? Is national security front and center of our leaders discussions, and are we investing enough in this area in terms of improving in critical infrastructure and advancement in technology? These are some of the essentials concerns often get lost in political rhetoric.
Democracy works when you have two strong political parties working in concert to bring people together. This will ensure they are shaping policies together that impact the entire country in a positive way and not disenfranchise some.
Every candidate should have to answer a few simple questions; What have you personally done in your career that has directly impacted people? What have you done to uplift citizens in your communities and made a difference in the vast majority of us?
There is nothing wrong with being a strong supporter of a particular party, but at what point do we as concerned citizens become more educated voters? It’s important to understand that when people possess strong political identities they may be more vulnerable to false narratives or facts.
We have more in common than we have apart, and we will all rise and fall together if we don’t unit. What some candidates lack is the ability to stay engaged and focused on what it takes to execute on issues rather than just platitudes. So, how do we change that?
It is our voice and action that matters and this should include civil servants.
A voice that speaks out against injustice, calls out corruption and that wants to have a say in the values shaping our communities.
More and more of our people are feeling voiceless and stifled and feel that those in power are creating division and putting their interests before those of the people.
That is why I believe we need political leaders whose mission includes helping everyday people unlock their power to create real change, rather than implementing policies that in the end hurt the little guy and stifle local entrepreneurships.
We should be looking to elect candidates who are interested in growing the middle class, because the wealth gap is widening between the rich and the poor, helping our communities grow, improving our healthcare system, lowering inflation and making life for everyday Turks Islanders better.
Having honest, forthright and visionary leaders are all too rare in politics. Some of our inspiring leaders are on the outside or were on the inside at one point. They see the issues, they talk about the issues, but once on the inside they tend to lose focus and appear hesitant to challenge the status quo.
Use your voice to advocate for lasting change in TCI. We have to make our government better, more efficient and more responsive.
At a time when division among our people is more prevalent than unity, we must stick together. We must have a drive passion and purpose to get the attention needed.
We have to ask ourselves some serious questions like: What drives me? Where do I get my resolve and what am I made of?
Our country will head down a road of morale bankruptcy if politicians continue to put their own interests ahead of their principles and promises.
You can have all the intelligence in the world, but without shared terms it will not build collective understanding in our country.
We must create a society in which people can find and use their power to participate, influence and act and not just sit on the sidelines.
Despite the frequent leadership changes, politics appears to remain mired in division and toxicity, which means that it’s tempting for many to just disengage or tune out.
So how do we stay engaged without losing hope or falling into despair? With our changing demographics landscape, as Turks Islanders we must find ways to bridge our divides.
A politician must ask themselves, do their actions and decisions reflect the greater good? Does it really serve their constituents to have another term? Whilst years of experience in politics or lack thereof could be considered an advantage over an opponent, it is not always synonymous with forward thinking.
Many of us are biologically predisposed to certain political parties and leaders, but silence should not be an option for concerned citizens.
No governing body should be above constructive criticism. If this is allowed it derails true democracy.
I don’t believe we’re just “preaching to the choir, because our relentless efforts will eventually lead to some level of progress. The key to survival and thriving is to never lose hope in these beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.
In order to move the country forward we have to be equipped and empowered with the right mindset and become more educated and informed voters.
KINGSTON, October 8 (JIS): Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has invited Indian investors to explore business opportunities in Jamaica.
He cited prospects for innovative business investment in tourism, infrastructure development, renewable energy, animation, medical tourism and health.
He noted that, with the island’s extensive harbour and port systems, “We are the gateway for Indian innovation in the Americas. I think the time is right for a trade and business delegation from India to visit Jamaica. I mentioned this to Prime Minister [Shri Narendra] Modi and he welcomed the possibilities of such a trade delegation.”
The Prime Minister was addressing a dinner reception on Tuesday (October 1), during his working visit to India.
He said that his trip is intended to herald a new era of Jamaica-India friendship and partnership.
Dr. Holness said that Jamaica is looking forward to working with the Confederation of India Industry (CII) to explore areas of cooperation.
Of special interest, he noted, is working with Indian companies on joint research projects and technology transfer “to enhance Jamaica’s research and development landscape, particularly in the areas of biotechnology, as well as products and drug development, using Jamaica’s natural resources”.
“We also want to welcome Indian companies providing software development and maintenance, cybersecurity, back-office, finance and accounting services,” he added.
Based in New Delhi, CII is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group that represents the interests of Indian businesses in various sectors, chiefly engineering, manufacturing, consulting, and services.
The organisation works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India.
CONTACT: SIMONE HYLTON
KINGSTON, October 8 (JIS): Some students at Old Harbour High School in St. Catherine, now have reliable transport after the institution received a 29-seater bus, donated by the Japanese Government.
The vehicle, valued at more than $11 million, will cater mostly to students who travel long distances, filling a gap for safe, reliable, and efficient transportation.
It will also be used to transport students on field trips, sporting events and other activities.
Speaking at the handover of the bus at the school on October 4, Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, lauded the Government of Japan for providing the funds through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security project (GGP), to purchase the bus.
Mrs. Williams said that special thanks must be given to the people of the donor country as “we continue to deepen the partnership with
Japan”, adding that the GGP project “has played a vital role in the development of our schools”.
Meanwhile, Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica, His Excellency Yasuhiro Atsumi said his country “stands together with Jamaica to strengthen the education system, so that all students can pursue their education and lifelong skills training opportunities”.
For her part, Custos of St. Catherine, Hon. Icylin M. Golding, who is also Chairman of the school, told her audience that the bus will enable the students to reach school much easier, and to “participate in more sporting events”.
Principal of the institution, Lynton Weir, said the students will reach school and return to their homes on time, with the acquisition of the bus.
He added that this will also result in reduced cost for parents who used to pay the public transport operators.
For Executive Director of the National Education Trust (NET), Latoya Harris Ghartey, getting the Japanese to fund the acquisition of the vehicle shows the strength of partnerships.
“It also stands as a testament to the deep-rooted commitment we have in providing our children with the tools they need to excel,” she said.
Student at the school, Ashanti Jones, said the “life-changing donation and invaluable gift will aid in students not missing classes due to unreliable transportation”.
Another student, Dormel Hamilton, said the students will have a safe and reliable vehicle in which to travel to school, and appealed to motorists to take care on the roads.
CONTACT: GARFIELD L. ANGUS
RELEASE: JIS
Caribbean News
Sanovnik Destang Elected New President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA)
Bay Gardens Resorts Executive Director to Lead Organization for Next Two Years
Sanovnik Destang, a respected hotelier from St. Lucia and Executive Director of Bay Gardens Resorts, has been elected as the new President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). His appointment was confirmed at CHTA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) last week, succeeding outgoing President Nicola Madden-Greig. Destang will serve a two-year term, leading alongside a newly elected slate of executive officers.
Destang brings extensive leadership and hospitality experience to his new role, having served as a key figure in the growth of Bay Gardens Resorts in St. Lucia. His commitment to CHTA began in 2012, and he is ready to lead the organization into a new chapter, focusing on people and technology as well as creating stronger linkages with other sectors of the Caribbean economy.
Destang expressed gratitude to his predecessors and emphasized the importance of collaborative leadership: “Thank you all once again for putting your faith in me and my generation. Being CHTA’s first president born in the 1980s, I fully understand the responsibility ahead of me. I’m ready to lead, but, more importantly, I’m ready to serve. My focus areas will be people, technology and linkages to other sectors of our economies and communities. This strengthened advocacy is aimed at attracting more members to our association, bolstering our
collective voice and impact.”
Reflecting on her tenure, Madden-Greig highlighted CHTA’s achievements during a challenging period. She praised the resilience of the Caribbean region as it emerged as the fastest-recovering tourism market in the world post-COVID-19. Under her leadership, CHTA along with regional and international stakeholders helped implement and promote recovery measures and initiatives, including Caribbean entry portals and the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) Healthier Safer Tourism program.
“The past three years, taking over at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, were both challenging and very rewarding,” said Madden-Greig. “Nothing has given me more joy than having headed the hard-working team that led the Caribbean to be the fastest recovering region in the world, coming out of a once-in-a-century pandemic,” she added.
The newly elected CHTA Officers will work closely with Destang over the next two years, along with CHTA Regional VPs, Committee Chairs, and other Executive Committee Members, who will be announced shortly.
The officers include:
- 1st Vice President: Karen Whitt, The Hartling Group, Turks & Caicos
- 2nd Vice President: Craig Marshall, Blue Diamond Resorts, Antigua & Barbuda
- 3rd Vice President: Clifton Reader, Palace Resorts, Jamaica
- 4th Vice President: Kendra Hopkin Stewart, Blue Horizons Garden Resort, Grenada
- 5th Vice President: Bill Clegg, BW Hotels, At-Large
- Treasurer: Jim Hepple, Tourism Analytics, Aruba
CHTA, as the voice of Caribbean hospitality and tourism, will build on the strong foundation laid by Madden-Greig. Destang’s leadership will advance growth through innovation, people-centered initiatives, and stronger linkages with key sectors, keeping the Caribbean at the forefront of global tourism.
Supported by a team of regional leaders, Destang will drive new initiatives that propel the industry and CHTA members to greater heights.
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