Bahamas News
Free National Movement Announces First Round of Ratified Candidates for Upcoming General Elections
The Bahamas, June 28, 2025 – The Free National Movement (FNM) this week announced its first round of 17 ratified candidates who will represent the party in the next General Election, reaffirming its commitment to proven leadership, integrity, and service to the Bahamian people. Together, the team represents the future of The Bahamas, united in their readiness to restore trust and transparency in government.
“The Bahamian people are tired of recycled promises and political pageantry. They deserve leadership that’s grounded in truth, driven by purpose, and ready to act. This is our first wave of candidates. These are the standard-bearers of the Free National Movement. They are community-rooted, credible, committed, and reflect the spirit and strength of the Bahamian people.”
“Together, they represent the next chapter of bold, people-centered leadership in The Bahamas.”
The first round of ratified FNM Candidates includes:
- Adrian R. White – St. Annes
Adrian White is an accomplished attorney and sitting Member of Parliament with a track record of principled leadership and legislative action. As Shadow Minister for Legal Affairs, Works, and Family Island Affairs, he has championed transparency, environmental safeguards, and better planning systems. A 14th-generation Bahamian and lifelong FNM member, Adrian is committed to restoring integrity in government and improving life for every Bahamian.
- Arinthia S. Komolafe – Carmichael
Arinthia Komolafe is a seasoned attorney, Chartered Banker, and former Managing Director of the Bahamas Development Bank, where she led groundbreaking reforms to modernize public finance. With a career spanning law, economic development, and global representation, she brings bold, visionary leadership to the national stage. Committed to empowering women, youth, and small businesses, Arinthia is running to deliver real opportunity and inclusive growth for all Bahamians.
- Brian Brown – Golden Isles
Brian Brown is a longtime community leader, mentor, and public servant with over 30 years of experience in youth development and the insurance industry. As the founder of Camp Golden Isles and a recipient of the British Empire Medal, he has been a tireless advocate for families and young people. As a trusted FNM leader in Golden Isles, Brian is running to deliver steady, accountable representation and real results for his community.
- Carlton Bowleg – North Andros and The Berry Islands
Carlton Bowleg is a veteran public servant and community leader with over 20 years of experience in government, business, and youth advocacy. As the sitting MP and former Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Marine Resources, he has championed Family Island development and educational support. Deeply rooted in North Andros, Carlton is running to continue delivering real results with honest, hardworking leadership.
- Darren Henfield – South Beach
Darren Henfield is a former Cabinet Minister, Defence Force officer, and seasoned attorney who brings decades of experience in national security, foreign affairs, and public service. Now serving as Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, he has represented The Bahamas on the world stage and helped lead critical reforms at home. With steady, principled leadership, Darren is committed to serving with strength, integrity, and purpose in these defining times.
- Debra Moxey-Rolle – The Exumas & Ragged Island
A lifelong servant of Exuma, Debra Moxey-Rolle brings over 30 years of leadership in local government, banking, and community development. As a former Family Island Administrator for Exuma, Ragged Island, and Mayaguana, she has delivered real results from new infrastructure to expanded economic opportunity. A proud FNM member and community advocate, she’s running to build a stronger, more united Exuma for the next generation.
- Elsworth N. Johnson – Yammacraw
Elsworth Johnson is a former Cabinet Minister, Bar Association President, and police officer with decades of experience in law, public service, and national advocacy. Known for his work defending workers’ rights and expanding access to justice, he has helped shape major reforms with integrity and impact. Elsworth is running to restore trust in government and lead with courage, fairness, and service to the Bahamian people.
- Kwasi Thompson – East Grand Bahama
Kwasi Thompson is a seasoned lawmaker, former Cabinet Minister, and current MP for East Grand Bahama with over 20 years of public service. From digital transformation to hurricane recovery and small business growth, he has delivered real results that impact lives. With a strong legal foundation and a deep commitment to fiscal responsibility, Kwasi is running to secure a stronger economic future for Grand Bahama and The Bahamas.
- Dr. Jacqueline Penn-Knowles – Marathon
Dr. Jaqueline Penn-Knowles is a respected physician and healthcare pioneer with over 30 years of experience serving Bahamian families. As a leader in women’s health and fertility care, she has broken barriers in medicine and expanded access to critical services. Her record reflects the FNM’s commitment to people-first leadership and real solutions for better healthcare.
- Jeremy Sweeting – Central & South Abaco
Born and raised in Man-O-War Cay, Abaco, Jeremy Sweeting has dedicated nearly 20 years to public service as Chief Councillor of the Hope Town District. A committed community advocate and proud family man, he brings proven grassroots leadership, deep faith, and a passion for serving the Bahamian people.
- Marvin Dames – Mt. Moriah
Marvin Dames is a seasoned public servant with more than two decades of leadership in law enforcement and national security. A former Deputy Commissioner of Police and recipient of the Queen’s Police Medal, he brings unmatched experience in public safety, international policing, and crisis management. Dames has also served as Vice President of Security at Baha Mar and as Minister of National Security, where he championed reforms to modernize and professionalize The Bahamas’ security forces. With academic credentials from The Ohio State University, University of Leicester, and leadership programs at Yale and the University of Chicago, Dames is equipped to deliver strong, results-driven leadership for the Bahamian people.
- Michael A. Foulkes – Golden Gates
Michael A. Foulkes is a former Member of Parliament, legal and financial professional, and public servant with more than 20 years of experience in law, policy, and economic development. As Chairman of the BAIC, he led national upgrades with a focus on transparency and community benefit. Michael is running to expand opportunity, empower youth, and bring principled leadership back to public service.
- Dr. Nicholas Fox – Fox Hill
Dr. Nicholas Fox is a veteran medical professional, cancer survivor, and co-owner of The Medi-Center Group Clinics. With decades of service in healthcare and deep roots in the Fox Hill community, he brings a strong record of compassion, resilience, and public advocacy. As a candidate for the Free National Movement, Dr. Fox is committed to delivering better healthcare access and stronger community support for all Bahamians.
- Omar A. Isaacs – West Grand Bahama & Bimini
Omar A. Isaacs is a public servant, entrepreneur, and policy professional with deep roots in West Grand Bahama and Bimini and a vision for sustainable, community-driven growth. With experience at the Ministry of Tourism, Bahamas Investment Authority, and the Office of the Prime Minister, he has helped modernize investment processes and empower local businesses. A proud FNM legacy-bearer, Omar is running to deliver forward-looking leadership that creates real opportunities for families and the next generation of leaders.
- Philippa Kelly – Central & South Eleuthera
Philippa Kelly is a civic leader, business manager, and former Local Government Chairperson with over 15 years of experience serving the people of Eleuthera. From hospitality to development, she has championed local growth, empowered youth, and earned the trust of her community. Philippa is running to bring strong, compassionate leadership and real results to Central and South Eleuthera.
- Rickey Mackey – North Eleuthera
A lifelong resident of Harbour Island, Rickey Mackey has built a strong record of community service, serving as a District Council Member, Justice of the Peace, and Chair of key local committees including the Licensing Authority, Junkanoo, and North Eleuthera Regatta. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to culture, governance, and public trust.
- Terrece Bootle – North Abaco
Terrece Bootle is an educator, an award-winning public servant, and the first woman from Abaco appointed as a Family Island
Administrator, with decades of experience across local governance and national recovery. From leading classrooms to coordinating hurricane response in North Abaco, San Salvador, and Long Island, she has earned a reputation for resilience, service, and results. Terrece is running to bring strong, informed, and compassionate leadership home to North Abaco.
“This unveiling marks the beginning of a national campaign focused on the real issues affecting Bahamian families, including rising costs and inflation, youth unemployment, stalled healthcare and housing systems, threats to public safety, economic exclusion, and the erosion of public trust and accountability.”
“The FNM is inviting Bahamians to build and believe – to join a movement grounded in courage, competence and a commitment to deliver real progress, not empty promises.”
ABACO, BAHAMAS — Nearly two months after American sailor Lynette Hooker vanished in waters off Abaco, investigators are preparing
to conduct a new search based on GPS and navigation data that reportedly challenges the account originally provided by her husband.
The case, which first drew international attention in early April, began when Brian Hooker told authorities that his wife was swept away after falling from an inflatable dinghy during rough conditions in waters near Elbow Cay.
Initial search efforts involving Bahamian and U.S. authorities covered extensive areas of the Sea of Abaco but failed to locate the missing Michigan woman.
Now, according to multiple U.S. media reports, investigators have obtained electronic navigation and GPS data that appears to place the couple’s dinghy in a different location from where searchers initially concentrated their efforts.
The new information has prompted authorities to reopen search operations and seek permission for divers to examine a more targeted area of the Sea of Abaco.
Unlike the broad search that followed Hooker’s disappearance, the renewed effort is expected to focus on a relatively shallow section of water, reportedly about 25 feet deep. Investigators believe the location may offer a better opportunity to recover evidence and potentially answer lingering questions surrounding the disappearance.
The latest development marks a significant shift in the investigation.
What began as a maritime search-and-rescue operation has evolved into a complex multinational investigation involving Bahamian authorities, the United States Coast Guard and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Brian Hooker was detained and questioned by Bahamian authorities following his wife’s disappearance but was later released without
charges. While investigators have never publicly accused him of a crime, reports indicate he remains a person of interest as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the case.
Hooker has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has maintained that his wife accidentally fell overboard.
The investigation has intensified in recent weeks. U.S. authorities have reportedly seized the couple’s sailboat, Soulmate, transporting the vessel to Florida for forensic examination. Investigators are said to be reviewing onboard electronics, digital records and other potential evidence as part of the ongoing inquiry.
The case has also attracted attention from Lynette Hooker’s family, who have continued to press for answers and support efforts to locate her.
The renewed search comes after Brian Hooker returned to the United States following the disappearance. Reports indicate he cited family reasons, including concerns about his mother’s health, for leaving The Bahamas.
For investigators, however, the focus now appears fixed on the newly identified search area and the electronic evidence that led them there.
Whether the latest operation produces answers remains to be seen. But nearly eight weeks after Lynette Hooker disappeared in the waters of Abaco, authorities believe new technology and new information may finally provide a clearer picture of what happened that night.
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Regional policymakers, development financiers, economists and international partners are converging on Nassau this week as the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) stages its 56th Annual Meeting at the Baha Mar Resort from June 1-5, 2026.
Held under the theme, “Forging the Caribbean’s Future: Strategic Solutions for Uncertain Times,” the gathering is expected to
place The Bahamas at the center of discussions on some of the region’s most pressing challenges, from climate resilience and energy security to debt sustainability and economic growth.
At the launch of the annual meeting on March 19, CDB President Daniel Best underscored the importance of bringing together leaders from across the Caribbean and beyond at a time of global uncertainty.
“The Annual Meeting provides a strategic moment for the Caribbean, an opportunity for our leaders, governments, development institutions, private sector, youth, and international partners to come together to identify practical solutions that can help the Region navigate uncertainty while unlocking the opportunities that lie ahead,” Best said.
The conference host, newly named Bahamas Minister of Finance and Chairman of the CDB Board of Governors, Michael Halkitis, also emphasized the significance of the event during the March 19 launch ceremony.
“Today’s gathering marks more than the start of preparations for an important meeting. It represents the beginning of a renewed conversation about the future of the Caribbean, about our shared aspirations, our common challenges, and the partnerships that will shape the path forward for our region,” Halkitis said.
He added: “Hosting the 56th Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Development Bank here in Nassau provides an important opportunity to strengthen partnerships and advance meaningful dialogue on the future of the Caribbean.”
Over the five-day meeting, delegates will tackle major issues including energy transition and resilience, innovative debt solutions for Caribbean economies, and the impact of global economic shocks on regional development.
The programme features a number of high-level events including the Youth FIRE Forum, the William G. Demas Memorial Lecture, the
President’s Chat titled Financing the Future: MDB Strategies for Uncertain Times, and a series of policy seminars examining climate finance, infrastructure, economic resilience and development lending.
Among the featured participants are CDB President Daniel Best, Finance Minister Michael Halkitis, senior officials from multilateral development banks, regional finance ministers, central bank governors, economists, development specialists and private-sector leaders. The President’s Chat is expected to bring together leaders of major multilateral development banks to discuss financing strategies for developing states facing mounting economic pressures.
The annual meeting also includes sessions branded “EDGE X by CDB: Analytics Unlocked,” which will explore the economic costs of traffic congestion in the Caribbean and how global crises continue to affect regional economies.
The CDB Annual Meeting traditionally attracts representatives from the Bank’s 28 member countries, including government ministers, senior public officials, development agencies, international financial institutions, youth delegates, academics and private-sector stakeholders. Hundreds of delegates are expected to participate in discussions that will help shape development priorities and financing strategies across the Caribbean in the years ahead.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
May 29, 2026 – Two years after The Bahamas made history as the first Caribbean nation to host the African Export-Import Bank’s Annual
Meetings, thousands of delegates are expected to gather in Egypt next month for AAM2026.
The 33rd Afreximbank Annual Meetings will be held from June 21-24 in El Alamein, Egypt, under the theme: “Intra-African Trade and Industrialisation: Pathway to Economic Sovereignty.”
The event is regarded as one of Africa’s most important gatherings on trade, investment, finance and economic development, bringing together heads of state, policymakers, business leaders, development finance institutions and international partners.
For Caribbean nations, the meetings hold special significance.
In 2024, The Bahamas welcomed thousands of delegates to Nassau for the landmark event, marking the first time the annual meetings were staged outside the African continent and placing the Caribbean at the center of growing discussions on Africa-Caribbean trade and investment.
Since then, Afreximbank has continued to expand its engagement in the region, promoting stronger commercial ties between Africa and Caribbean countries and exploring opportunities in trade finance, infrastructure development, logistics, investment and private sector growth.
Organizers say this year’s discussions will focus on strengthening intra-African trade, advancing industrialization, building regional value chains and increasing economic resilience amid global uncertainty.
The meetings are also expected to provide a platform for new partnerships, investment opportunities and development initiatives that could have implications beyond Africa, including for Caribbean nations seeking to deepen economic cooperation with the continent.
As leaders prepare to convene in Egypt, the Caribbean’s growing relationship with Afreximbank remains a key part of the institution’s broader vision of expanding trade and investment connections across the Global South.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
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