News
GET UP! TURKS & CAICOS NEEDS WORK, NOT WORDS
By Deandrea Hamilton
GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands — One of the most stirring moments of the 2026 Right Excellent J.A.G.S. McCartney Memorial and Wreath Laying Ceremony came not from a veteran politician or government leader, but from a young Turks and Caicos Islander whose message landed with conviction, urgency and unmistakable patriotism.
National Youth Parliamentarian, Howard University scholar, CARIFTA medalist and Turks and Caicos Society of Young Leaders founder Antwon Walkin delivered a speech that challenged citizens to move beyond rhetoric and recommit themselves to the difficult work of nation-building. Walkin, one of the twin grandsons of former Deputy Chief Minister Hon. Hilly Ewing, was among the featured speakers at the J.A.G.S. McCartney Memorial observance.
Speaking under the theme, “Honouring Our Pioneers, Advancing the Nation,” Walkin reminded listeners that the two ideas cannot
be separated.
“To honour our pioneers is not to freeze them in history or reduce them to symbols,” he said. “It is to take responsibility for what they left behind.”
Walkin’s address formed a highlight of the ceremony held at the J.A.G.S. McCartney Memorial Site in Grand Turk and streamed live across the islands.
Drawing inspiration from the children’s choir’s rendition of We Are Out to Build the Turks and Caicos, Walkin focused on a warning contained within the song itself — that anger and selfishness can spoil the nation.
“The greatest threats to our nation are not always external,” he said. “We tend to look so far away for the enemy, but sometimes they are right beside us.”
The grandson of former Deputy Chief Minister Hon. Hilly Ewing, Walkin spoke passionately about the lessons handed down by his grandfather, who taught him that nothing was more important than God, family and country.
But family, he explained, extends beyond bloodlines.
“In the Turks and Caicos Islands, family is much broader than we sometimes realize,” he said, arguing that national progress depends on citizens seeing one another as partners in a shared future rather than rivals divided by politics, personal interests or island loyalties.
Repeatedly, Walkin returned to a central theme: the country’s future cannot be built through speeches, slogans or ceremonial observances alone.
“Today is not a day for despair. It is a day for decision,” he declared.
“The future cannot be built on symbolism alone. It must be built on action.”
The young leader challenged listeners to confront what he described as barriers that continue to slow national progress, including inefficiency, division and a culture that too often settles for less than its potential.
“I’ve seen so much potential delayed by process, so many dreams deferred by inefficiency and so many young people disconnected from systems that should inspire them,” Walkin said.
Then came one of the speech’s most memorable lines.
“I will not be part of the generation that watched decline. I will be part of the generation that interrupted it.”
The declaration drew visible reactions from the audience and underscored the energy that has helped make Walkin one of the country’s emerging young voices.
Throughout his remarks, he highlighted the achievements of Turks and Caicos Islanders who have excelled on regional and international
stages, arguing that excellence is already embedded in the nation’s DNA.
He pointed to citizens who have distinguished themselves in business, aviation, sports, public service and international leadership, saying their accomplishments prove that success is not foreign to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Walkin also challenged citizens to think differently about prayer and national development.
Referencing Jamaica’s National Anthem, he noted that the anthem is more than a song — it is a prayer for wisdom, justice, truth and vision.
“The Turks and Caicos Islands needs to reclaim vision,” he said.
He questioned whether citizens are merely praying for relief from challenges or actively working toward the future they hope to see.
“My mother always told me you can’t pray for something you’re not willing to work for,” Walkin said.
It was perhaps the clearest expression of the message woven throughout his address: faith must be matched by effort.
As the ceremony honoring National Hero J.A.G.S. McCartney drew to a close, Walkin urged citizens not to surrender the promise of the nation to mediocrity, doubt or selfishness.
“Nation-building has never been for the timid,” he said.
“It has always belonged to those bold enough to imagine more, brave enough to demand more and disciplined enough to build more.”
For many in attendance, it was a speech worthy of the occasion — one that honored the legacy of the country’s first Chief Minister while issuing a direct challenge to the generation now entrusted with carrying that legacy forward.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas’ Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, delivered an
electrifying address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) Conference and Exhibition, being held October 18–22, 2026, at the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, The Bahamas.
Under the theme “Empowering Progress: Strategic Policy and Planning for the Energy Transition,” the event draws more than 200 industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, and energy professionals committed to advancing practical strategies for sustainable and reliable Caribbean power systems through renewable energy and emerging technologies.
During her address, titled “The New Energy Era: Transforming Policy into Progress,” Minister Coleby-Davis reminded attendees that The Bahamas’ national motto, “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together,” aptly describes what the region’s energy transition demands.
“Empowering Progress speaks directly to our national motto. Not waiting for progress, but creating the conditions that allow progress to
happen. Meaningful progress, however, does not occur by accident. It requires vision, sound policy, strategic planning, strong institutions, and the determination to turn decisions into results,” said Minister Coleby-Davis.
Participants acknowledged that small island developing states share similar pressures, compounded by geographical challenges, small electricity markets, ageing infrastructure, geopolitical influences, and the growing threat of severe weather.
Tasked with ushering in a new energy era across the islands while addressing the challenges posed by The Bahamas’ unique archipelagic composition, Minister Coleby-Davis said, “Every island needs a different answer, but the same logic. As an archipelagic nation, we must provide electricity across many islands, each with its own demand and infrastructure needs. Our strategy, therefore, must be national in direction, but responsive to individual communities.”
Restating her Ministry’s three core messages—that energy is an economic and security priority, technology must be viewed as a tool to
support strong institutional leadership, and natural gas should be considered a bridge, not a destination—Minister Coleby-Davis reiterated that “progress must now be reflected in functioning infrastructure, effective institutions, and better electricity services: from policy commitments to coordinated implementation, and from fragmented investment decisions to long-term planning.”
Organised by CARILEC and co-hosted by Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), the annual Conference and Exhibition brings together the Caribbean energy community to advance practical solutions to the region’s most pressing energy challenges and accelerate progress towards more resilient, reliable, and sustainable power systems.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ leading wine and spirits distributor, proudly supported Paradise
Plates, Hands for Hunger annual fundraiser with a flavorful offering of its newest product, Monument Beverage Co.
Monument, which launched this July and is available across six major islands, made its Paradise Plates debut. Guests enjoyed three bold flavors: Peach Passion, Ginger-Lime and Melon Fizz as they socialized throughout the evening.
Monument brand ambassadors engaged guests with knowledge on the ready-to-drink beverage’s unique taste and look. Many attendees were delighted to learn that Monument is 100% Bahamian-made and owned and enjoyed seeing the various national landmarks on the packaging.
The booth was adorned with vibrant brand colors, striped arches, tropical florals and a photo worthy backdrop featuring Monument cans filled with florals cascading down the wall.
At the end of the event, the entire Monument inventory had finished, making Monument’s Paradise Plates debut a huge success.
For more details on Caribbean Wines & Spirits, new products and specials, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Schweppes, in collaboration with Nemiroff Vodka dazzled guests with handcrafted cocktails during Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger’s annual fundraiser held at Atlantis’ Imperial Ballroom.
The evenings’ theme, 70’s: Paradise Disco, inspired bold and delicious sips from Schweppes and Nemiroff. The beautiful disco themed Schweppes booth, adorned with LED signs, lush greenery and hanging black and gold metallic orbs shined throughout the room.
Schweppes’ brand representatives and mixologists dressed in chic 70’s speakeasy attire engaged attendees throughout the night. Guests enjoyed receiving knowledge of each product and experiencing the vibrant energy of brand representatives.
Nemiroff Vodka, which is locally distributed by Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor; offered a unique variety of vodkas which made the perfect blend with Schweppes. Guests enjoyed, Nemiroff’s Honey Pepper, De Luxe, Burning Pear, Wild Cranberry, and Bold Orange vodkas throughout the night.
Fan favorite cocktails of the night were: the Wild Cranberry Tonic and the Bold Orange Fizz.
Following a positive response at Paradise Plates, CWS is offering Nemiroff and Schweppes specials at local liquor stores for the entire
month. With the purchase of any 1-liter Nemiroff vodka, enjoy a complimentary three-pack of Schweppes mixers, to recreate the magic of Schweppes and Nemiroff.
Cara Douglas-Adderley, Senior Marketing Director for Caribbean Bottling (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products and CWS shared the inspiration behind the Schweppes and Nemiroff promotion.
“We are thrilled to have paired Schweppes and Nemiroff for Paradise Plates this year, creating a premium cocktail experience for guests. After receiving such positive feedback, we wanted to extend that experience to consumers at home. Throughout October, consumers can visit their favorite watering hole, buy any 1-liter Nemiroff bottle and receive a free three-pack of Schweppes.”
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to offer Schweppes, Coca-Cola’s premier mixer in collaboration with Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Nemiroff Vodka at Paradise Plates in support of Hands for Hunger’s mission.
For more information on CBC’s philanthropic work, new products and specials, visits www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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