By Deandrea Hamilton

GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands — Long before it became the Turks and Caicos Islands Statistics Authority, it was a small government unit quietly collecting information for policymakers. It existed largely in the background, producing figures on population, trade, employment and economic activity.

On Tuesday, May 26, that department entered a new era.

In a ceremony themed “Empowering Our Islands Through Data,” the Statistics Department officially became the Turks and Caicos Islands Statistics Authority, a milestone years in the making and one many in attendance attributed to the vision, persistence and leadership of longtime statistician Shirlen Forbes.
The launch itself reflected the values Forbes has championed throughout his career — inclusion, respect for institutional history and investment in the next generation.

Former and current staff were recognized. Tributes were paid to those who laid the foundation decades ago. Students from Enid Capron Primary School performed. Musicians including Robin Forbes, Dexter Landy, Vernal “Samsol” Lightbourn and Aleta “Apple” Astwood contributed cultural selections, while leaders from across government, CARICOM and the Opposition gathered under one roof.

The occasion also featured remarks from Pastor Bradley Handfield, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Turks and Caicos Islands Statistics Authority, who described the launch as more than the creation of a new institution.

In his welcome message, Handfield said the Authority represents a renewed national commitment to data integrity, independence and excellence. He noted that reliable statistics underpin effective governance, business confidence and informed public discourse, while helping the country track social and economic progress and make better decisions for the future.

What stood out most was the genuine affection in the room.

The event united generations of statisticians, administrators and public servants who had contributed to the evolution of statistical services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It was evident that Forbes had not forgotten those who came before him.

That commitment to people was highlighted by Acting Governor Anya Williams, who praised the department as one of the best-run entities in government and singled out Forbes for elevating both the institution and its staff.

“There are some departments that if they wrote today and said they wanted to become a statutory body, I would say, ‘Great, can I sign right now?’ But the Statistics Department was not one of those,” Williams said. She described it as a department with a long-standing record of excellence, crediting former leaders including Jones and Kathleen Forbes before noting that Shirlen Forbes had “taken it to another level.”

Her Excellency Williams spoke passionately about Forbes’ emphasis on training and higher education.

She recalled attending a University of the West Indies graduation where members of the department earned master’s degrees, achievements she directly linked to Forbes’ leadership.

“Sometimes they complain that they feel like they’re in school because Mr. Forbes always has them doing something,” she joked, before explaining that his focus extends beyond qualifications.

“For him it’s about empowerment.”

That philosophy has shaped a department that now stands at the centre of national planning.

The historical timeline presented at the launch traced the journey from a statistical unit operating under the Financial Secretary’s Office, through its disbandment in 1993, re-establishment in 1998-99 with support from the Caribbean Development Bank and CARTAC, modernization during the 2000s and 2010s, and ultimately the creation of the Statistics Authority. The Statistics Act of 2012 further strengthened the legal framework for the collection and protection of official data.

Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged that while politicians establish policy, professionals such as Forbes make implementation possible.

“My job is to set policy and direction, but it takes people like yourself to implement and deliver,” Misick said. “I’ll take my hat off to you.”

The Premier described statistics as critical to decision-making and national development, noting that modern governments cannot plan effectively without reliable data. He then formally declared the launch of the Statistics Authority.

Yet perhaps the most memorable aspect of the occasion was not the unveiling of a logo, mission statement or statutory framework.

It was the recognition that behind every census, survey, labour report and economic indicator are people dedicated to helping a country understand itself.

For decades, Shirlen Forbes has been one of those people.

Now, with the creation of the Turks and Caicos Islands Statistics Authority, his work stands as a reminder that nation-building is not only done in Parliament or Cabinet rooms. Sometimes it is done quietly, one dataset, one report and one trained professional at a time.

And on May 26, the Turks and Caicos Islands paused to say thank you.

MONTEGO BAY, May 11 (JIS):   A week of live radio remotes from Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in St. Ann has showcased Jamaica’s resilient rebound from Hurricane Melissa, with Canadian and British hosts praising the island’s hospitality sector as not just reopened for business but “top tier and second to none”.

A joint venture between Sandals Resorts International and the Ministry of Tourism connected 11 international radio stations and one local outlet, including ‘The Bim Show’ on Fyah 105, to deliver on‑the‑ground impressions to an audience of nearly three million listeners.

During a seven‑day stay at Sandals Ochi, the hosts conducted live broadcasts back to their home bases, toured the Ocho Rios area, and interviewed Sandals staff as well as students from the Exchange All-Age School in St. Ann.

The initiative also provided first‑hand observations of Jamaica’s ongoing tourism recovery and the enduring warmth of the island’s people.

“First-class stuff… Jamaica is such an amazingly beautiful place. If you didn’t know, there is no way you could tell that six months ago, the island experienced a category-five hurricane, which caused so much damage. [It is] such an amazing place; amazing and beautiful people,” Brian West, a radio host from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada said.

Broadcaster from London, England, Jada Sachira, shared similar sentiments.

“It was such a wonderful experience; I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The people have been so friendly and hard-working… everyone doing their part to ensure that visitors are well taken care of and to enjoy the Jamaican tourism product. Just breathtakingly beautiful. I want to come back for a longer stay,” she stated.

Another Canadia radio host, Patty Brown, underscored Jamaica’s iconic worker‑driven hospitality.

“You just have to come and see… that’s what I told my listeners. The Jamaican experience is simply magical… my first time here but definitely won’t be my last,” she stated.

Regional Public Relations Manager for Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, Lyndsay Isaacs, noted that the radio remotes have historically been highly successful, offering a tangible window into Jamaica’s tourism product for listeners.

“It’s a case of reporting back to their listeners what they have experienced first-hand. Sandals, along with the Ministry of Tourism, have been doing this kind of radio remotes for years and we find it very successful. It’s different and more emotional this time, seeing that we have been in a recovery state following Hurricane Melissa, which badly affected the sector. But look at us now – fully open for business,” Ms. Isaacs stated.

Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Councillor Michael Belnavis, praised the event for highlighting community hospitality and economic resilience.

“This radio remote has highlighted Jamaica’s unity and endurance in rebuilding the tourism sector. The people of St. Ann, and Jamaica as a whole, have demonstrated that hospitality is in our DNA,’ Mr. Belnavis stated.

Poko Loko Floating Bar’s owner Anthony Warren, offered another insider’s view, noting that positive results should come from the on-the-ground visits and live broadcasts from the radio hosts.

Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, said the initiative is a strong signal of Jamaica’s competitive rebound in Caribbean travel.

“The radio remote’s reach is a testament to Jamaica’s continued relevance as a premier tourism destination. We have not only recovered but we have also elevated the Jamaican experience to a level that is unmatched in the region,” Mr. Bartlett said.

The collaborative event, which mobilised 11 international radio stations and one local outlet, demonstrates Jamaica’s aggressive post‑Melissa recovery strategy and reinforces the island’s reputation for warm hospitality and world‑class attractions.

Radio remotes have been popularly used as a vehicle by both the Ministry of Tourism and Sandals Resorts International as a means of reaching out directly to radio audiences in Jamaica’s biggest source markets: the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – March 26, 2026 – The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU) successfully hosted its Future Creators Challenge Prize Distribution Ceremony on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at its office in Providenciales, recognising outstanding student creativity and participation from across the Turks and Caicos Islands with winners hailing from Providenciales and North Caicos.

The Future Creators Challenge formed a central component of the ISU’s Youth Outreach Programme, an initiative designed to engage young people in understanding the challenges associated with informal settlements while encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and solution-oriented perspectives on national development. Through a combination of educational content, school engagement, and creative competitions, the programme provided students with an opportunity to explore issues of community development in accessible and meaningful ways.

Students competed across three categories: 2D Art, Essay Writing, and Jingle Creation, producing submissions that demonstrated both creativity and thoughtful engagement with the themes of the programme.

The following students were recognised for their outstanding performances:

2D Art Challenge
1st Place – Emily Joree – MILLS Institute
2nd Place – T’Sean Anthony – Thelma Lightbourne Primary School
3rd Place – Jagan Russell – MILLS Institute
4th Place – Eve Harvey – MILLS Institute

Essay Challenge
1st Place – Jordan Pierre – Louis Garland Thomas High School
2nd Place – Kavya Mirwani – British West Indies Collegiate
3rd Place – Mirsendy Obei – Raymond Gardiner High School

Jingle Challenge
1st Place – Naivan Smith – Raymond Gardiner High School

In addition to individual awards, MILLS Institute was presented with a special prize in recognition of submitting the highest number of entries to the ISU Future Creators Challenge, reflecting exceptional student participation and institutional support.

In remarks delivered during the session, ISU Strategic Lead Justice Carlos Simons KC underscored the importance of youth participation in shaping the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands, noting that “the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands depends on young people like you who are willing to engage, to imagine solutions, and to play a role in the development of your communities.” He further encouraged students to continue playing an active role in national development, expressing that he hoped “this is only the beginning of your journey as agents of change here in the TCI.”

The ISU extends its sincere appreciation to all participating schools, students, and teachers as well as the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, whose support contributed to the success of this inaugural Youth Outreach Programme initiative.

The Unit remains committed to expanding its engagement with young people across the Turks and Caicos Islands through innovative, inclusive engagement efforts that support awareness, education, and long-term national development.