Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 15^th, April 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Olimeisha Williams as Budget Analyst in the Budget Office within the Ministry of Finance, Trade, and Investment.

Ms Williams graduated Summa Cum Laude from Florida International University in 2024, earning her Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in International Business. Her exemplary academic performance led to her induction into the FIU Business Dean’s High Achievers Society, a recognition of her commitment and excellence in her field. Prior to her studies at FIU, Ms. Williams completed an Associate Degree in Business Administration from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College in 2021.

In terms of practical experience, Ms Williams served as a Finance Intern with the Turks and Caicos Islands National Insurance Board (NIB) during the summers of 2023 and 2024 through the Turks and Caicos Islands Internship and Apprenticeship Program, where she honed her skills in financial reporting, budgeting, and data analysis.

In reflecting on her new role, Ms Williams said, “Stepping into this role as Budget Analyst, I am incredibly excited and grateful to contribute to the Ministry’s efforts in fiscal planning, budget management, and economic sustainability. This appointment marks a significant milestone in my professional journey, and I look forward to applying my skills and knowledge to support effective budgetary policies and financial strategies that promote economic growth and stability in the Turks and Caicos Islands. As Nelson Mandela once said, ‘Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.’ This quote resonates deeply with me because dedication and passion have been the driving forces behind my academic and professional journey. I am truly honoured to have been entrusted with this responsibility and am committed to making a meaningful contribution to the financial governance of my country.

I embrace this new chapter with enthusiasm and determination, excited for the opportunities that lie ahead. I thank God for allowing me to apply myself in a role that aligns with my passions and aspirations. His guidance has been instrumental in my journey, and I am beyond grateful for His blessings. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my parents, family, and mentors, whose unwavering support, encouragement, and belief in me have helped me reach this milestone. Their guidance has played a crucial role in my personal and professional growth.”

In congratulatory remarks, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service H. E. Anya Williams said, “It is with great pleasure that I extend congratulations and well wishes to Ms Olimesha Williams on her appointment as a Budget Analyst in the Budget Office in the Ministry of Finance. I have known Olimesha since her childhood years as a student at the Eliza Simons Primary School and am very proud of her and her academic accomplishments. We welcome her and other returning students to the public service with open arms as the future generation of potential leaders in the public service.

Congratulations, Olimesha, I look forward to watching you grow and develop over the years into what I hope will be a most rewarding public service career.”

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 15^th, April 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor is thrilled to announce the appointment of Ke’Shana Missick as the Gender Officer in the Gender Affairs Department within the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Ms. Missick earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale in 2024 and is on track to begin her Master’s studies in January 2026. This academic pursuit aligns with her long-term goal of becoming a licensed Clinical Psychologist.

In 2022, Ms. Missick embarked on her professional journey with the Department of Social Development, where she interned through the Turks and Caicos Islands Government Internship Program. During this time, she gained invaluable hands-on experience working with vulnerable populations, deepening her understanding of pressing social issues and contributing to programmes aimed at community support and development.

After graduation, she continued her career as an apprentice with the Department of Behavioral Health Services. There, she cultivated her skills and knowledge, passionately advocating for mental health awareness and challenging societal stigmas surrounding issues often deemed taboo. Her dedication to engaging with individuals who have experienced trauma has made a significant impact on our community.

Now, as the Gender Affairs Officer, Ms. Missick said she is eager to address critical gender-related issues and support vulnerable populations, which is her passion.

Ms Missick elaborated, “I am honoured to be appointed Gender Affairs Officer. My passion for mental health, trauma care, and advocating for gender equality drives me to ensure that the voices of those often overlooked are heard. I look forward to challenging societal stigmas and working on policies that make a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals in our country.”

Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams, congratulates Ms. Missick on her appointment, saying, “We are proud to welcome Ms. Ke’Shana into the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service and into this essential role following the completion of her studies. Her commitment to excellence and gender equality aligns perfectly with our vision for social progress. I am confident she will bring valuable insights and strong advocacy to the Department of Gender Affairs.

I am pleased that so many returning students are joining the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service as their employer of choice and look forward to what the future holds for them.

Congratulations, Ke’Shana, on your new role, and we look forward to your impactful contributions to the Public Service and by wider extension the Turks and Caicos Islands!”

By LINDSAY THOMPSON
Bahamas Information Services
 

NASSAU, The Bahamas –Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis, as he officially opened the Royal Bahamas Police Force Domestic Violence Unit, declared that it is part of a broader strategy in the fight against such incidents.  He made the statement in his Keynote Address delivered during the Official Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the facility on Infant View Road, in the Chippingham area.

The unit is outfitted with office spaces for administrative and counseling services, living quarters, kitchen, and children’s playroom, among other amenities.

“This unit is part of a broader strategy. It links to legislative reform, to increased support for shelters and safe housing, and to education that helps us prevent violence before it starts,” said the prime minister.

Also participating in the ceremony were: Mrs. Ann Marie Davis, wife of the Prime Minister; the Hon. Wayne Munroe, Minister of National Security; Commissioner of Police, Shanta Knowles; Charge d’Affaires Kimberly Furnish, United States Embassy, Nassau; and Canon Stephen Davies, who performed the Blessing of the Building prior to the Unveiling of the Plaque. Partners in the initiative attended.

The prime minister spoke to the reality of domestic violence in the country.  The prime minister pointed out that domestic violence lives in the homes and in communities, and in quiet places where people feel afraid, alone and unsure they would get help.

“Today, we take a step forward—not a fix, not a finish line, but a real step—in saying to the people who are hurting: we’re here, and we’re doing something about it,” assured the prime minister.

In this vein, he noted that the Domestic Violence Unit of the Royal Bahamas Police Force is part of a commitment to respond differently.  To do better, and to care more.

“This unit wasn’t created for statistics or for press releases.  It was created for that woman who has packed and unpacked her bag a dozen times, trying to find the right moment to leave.

“It was created for the child who flinches at raised voices, because they’ve learned what comes next. It was created for the neighbour who’s heard the yelling through the wall and wondered whether to knock or stay quiet,” he said.

The prime minister however acknowledged that the government is not pretending the unit is the solution to everything.

“But we are saying that this is a country where your safety matters, your voice matters, and your pain will no longer be ignored,” he said. “This unit will be staffed by officers who have received specialist training—training not only in handling sensitive cases, but in how to respond with empathy, urgency, and care.”

He further explained that the officers would work hand-in-hand with social workers, shelters, and other partners such as The Bahamas Crisis Centre, so that survivors don’t have to repeat their stories, or feel like they’re navigating the system alone.

“And they will be held to a high standard—because the trust of survivors is something we must earn, and never take for granted,” the prime minister said.

He noted that the event was not about systems alone but about people.

“I’ve spoken to survivors. I’ve sat with women who’ve told me about the years they spent trying to smile through their pain—who stayed, not because they didn’t want to leave, but because they didn’t know if anyone would help them when they did,” he said. “And I’ve heard from officers—good officers—who said they wanted to help but weren’t always sure what steps to take, or whether the support system was in place for them to act.

“So we’re fixing that. Quietly. Carefully. Deliberately. Because we owe it to the people who trusted us once—and were let down—to make sure that never happens again.”

Speaking directly to those living with abuse, the prime minister assured them that they are not invisible, or alone. And, that there is help with the establishment of the unit facilitated with systems, and a team to make it easier and safer for them to reach out

“To those who say nothing can really change—I understand the skepticism.
But let this Unit be a reminder: people are listening. The culture is shifting. And the institutions are catching up.

“To the officers who will staff this unit: you carry the hopes of many. You will meet people at their most vulnerable. You may be their first encounter with justice, or their last chance at hope. Treat them with care. Serve with pride. And know that you are doing something profoundly important,” the prime minister said.

He recognized his wife, whose advocacy sparked the flame for the unit, and the advocates and organizations “who’ve carried this burden for years—without recognition, without adequate funding, and often without sleep—thank you.”

The prime minister said this is about all, as he urged Bahamians to show up and make it known through words, systems, and culture that abuse has no home here.

“Let us be brave enough to talk about it, wise enough to prevent it, and strong enough to stop it. Because in the end, the mark of a good society is not how it treats the powerful—but how it protects the vulnerable,” the prime minister said.

(BIS Photos/Patrice Johnson)