Government

Time to Level Up, Political Parties must let the Public in

Published

2 years ago

March 4, 2024

Shanieka

Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

Because the party leader could very well become the premier, the public should not be shunned in any political party’s process for leadership selections. Yet, for a second time in recent years, a political party has convened without adequately informing and involving the Turks and Caicos general public and while some may argue that it is party business, the 9000 members of the electorate can argue most resoundingly that we have a right to know because whomever you put forth, even though on a party ticket, ends up on our very generous public payroll.

This past weekend, E. Jay Saunders the deputy premier and minister of finance, investment and trade fell short of gaining enough delegate support to challenge Washington Misick for PNP party leader. His bid was not registered ahead of the National General Council meeting and so there had to be a vote on whether his late bid should be accepted by two thirds of the delegates or a small minority.

Delegates voted 88 in support of him needing a large push and so his name was not added to the leader ballot and with Jas Walkin withdrawing his quest due to concerns about losing his government job, it left Washington Misick, essentially unchallenged and therefore returned as leader of the PNP.

Once again, emerging from how things went down were a wide range of perspectives which boiled down to a few choice words and characterisations. Delegates were either intimidated or unimpressed or uninterested or confused by the process. It is yet another in party vote for a leadership change that failed on the floor.

It happened also in 2020 when Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson was challenged inside her PDM house while sitting as party leader and premier. In an awkward twist and with a pandemic dictating how we gathered and how we travelled, an attempt to employ an electronic style of voting for the delegates across the archipelago went splat. It left challengers in the dust and Sharlene continued as the leader of the People’s Democratic Movement.

The party’s rules were followed, there was a message of unity preached but eight months later, the PDM suffered an historic defeat; holding onto only one of 15 district seats; the party leader also rejected by the electorate.

Only a general election can convey if that is the fate of a Washington Misick-led PNP, however, the larger more weighty message is that public participation will demand better organization at party conventions, true transparency and equitable processes which encourage leaders to come forward. Another point for consideration, having better insight into the public’s temperature and taste for this individual or that helps the goal of presenting a pleasing slate of candidates.

As spectators of the political process of nations nearby, we see selections and elections play out for years in some cases, right on television. There is polling and town hall meetings and live media coverage. The process is elevated and given prominent focus, because these nations nearby recognize the magnitude of what is at stake.

The winners get to be the government!

From in party debates and campaigns to speeches and feedback on the party’s voting process, these are carried live or in reporting by media.

Media is not given a backseat or forced to peep through windows or guess about events unravelling due to second hand information or wait days for a political party to explain what went on behind those closed, locked doors.

No Media is allowed in because there is tremendous value in its role to offer objectivity as journalists not only observe but show in photographs and video what is happening. Media also gets key messages out so that political parties can be heard by the masses and in turn gauge and gain feedback from the public they are angling to serve. What the public wants, what it expects, what it needs and who the public believes can help your party to deliver that.

The 9,000 voters in the Turks and Caicos Islands are depending on the delegates to convey these district concerns in their caucuses and through their voting. And the media augments communications in and out.

Moving towards independence demands that good governance principles kick in from the party level. The voter wants to see accountability and transparency, fidelity and charity and succession planning.

Self-determination and self-governance needs an evolving democracy which is nurtured by native leaders, who should be able to demonstrate empathy, appreciation and respect for the Turks and Caicos population. It cannot be left to the impersonal regime of British rules set up in 2011 for this territory by the British government; those are only the skeleton. The local political leaders are expected to bring the meat and the heart to the process.

We see it happening already with the Constitution having undergone several meaningful transformations, with all sides of the political divide chiming in.

That innovation and boldness is needed at the party level now as we expect the Turks and Caicos’ political leaders to involve the people, properly.

Let us know in the same fanfare you bring at election campaign time, when, you are holding these critical sessions. Let us hear what elections there will be and who is offering. It is healthy for new people to want to ascend within any organization and it is only fitting that the party delegates and by extension the general public is able to hear, for ourselves who wants to enjoy this upward mobility or who wants to stay.

Equally interesting, is for whomever is chosen or who are already executives, to speak to the party base with the public looking on. Voters want a firsthand view of the energy in the camp and the mantra which is motivating your supporters.

While it is true, that the public will not be able to vote in the party process it is certainly also true that it is worth knowing what the public thinks of anyone being considered for the party ticket in a constituency long before general election day. It is also important to hear decisively, repeatedly what each party stands for and if your message is one that resonates with the viewing public, then maybe you will experience the gains of galvanization, conversion or persuasion.

It behooves me that any party would want to skip this valuable form of ratification because at the end of the day, it matters not if you are the leader of a major political party if you end up not being a member of the Parliament. And if you are a member of the parliament, it means you are on the public payroll.

The public is who does the hiring and the firing. So wisdom says, it makes good sense for the public to be more intimately involved in who makes up the leadership of your party, because they could very well be the next government of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

TCI voters have proven, they will reject what they do not want.

Government

Tamica Prospere Appointed Director of Learning and Development

Published

4 weeks ago

September 10, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

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.”

Government

Melissa Holland Appointed as Public Service Information Officer

Published

1 month ago

September 6, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

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!”

Government

Andy Missick Appointed Juvenile Manager

Published

1 month ago

September 6, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

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.”