Bahamas News
Spouse of Prime Minister: Family is to serve as an oasis
#NASSAU, The Bahamas, January 24, 2023 – The family is the bedrock of society and is to serve as an oasis for all families, spouse of the Prime Minister, Mrs. Ann-Marie Davis, said recently. An oasis symbolizes life, love and domesticity.
Mrs. Davis was addressing the “Embracing the Family; It’s a Family Affair” Red Carpet Dinner hosted by the Urban Renewal Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force in partnership with the Urban Renewal Commission, Global 99.5FM, and churches from across communities. The event was held at the All Saints Parish Hall, East Street South.
Families from across various urban communities packed the Hall to enjoy a sumptuous meal while hearing from a cross-section of speakers on topics ranging from how to encourage young persons to stay focused; the importance of attending Sunday School; challenges facing teens, youth involvement and embracing the family. Speakers included Dr. E. Corey Rolle, Youth Pastor, Bahamas Harvest Ministries Int’l; Pastor John Ferguson, Director, Big Harvest Community Sunday School; Dr. Eric Fox, Anger Management Consultant; Reverend Dr. Ronald Campbell, Pastor, Highway Church of God, Windsor Place, and Pastor Mario Moxey, Pastor, Bahamas Harvest Church.
The event was held as a component of Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander’s Policy Vision, “which involves undergirding families as a means of nation-building and crime prevention.”
Mrs. Davis applauded the collaboration as a step in the right direction.
“The family is the bedrock of society! Many life lessons are learned or fostered by being in a good family structure,” Mrs. Davis said. “If there is no love and support in the family, there may be loneliness, depression, and one may experience hopelessness. In life, many challenges cause us to need someone to lean on, whether for social or economic reasons. The family serves as the oasis to run to when the going get rough. Today, I applaud the Urban Renewal Division for stepping in the gap and being the leaders of many of our families – as father, mother, even grandparents and role models.”
Mrs. Davis said the Urban Renewal Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force – through their Family Support Programme (headed by Superintendent of Police Theodore Campbell) — and in collaboration with the Church and
community police, reach out daily to young persons across communities: “who need direction, encouragement and leadership.”
“Most countries thrive because of strong families, which are the steel in the foundation,” Mrs. Davis said. “It is easy to conclude that people accustomed to the great experiences of the family would contribute to helping to create beautiful neighbourhoods and eventually, beautiful countries. So we must strengthen the Family Structure.
“In many households where a father or mother figure is missing, ‘Embracing the Family’ and strengthening the family structure is essential. Giving hope and spiritual guidance to our young people has to be continued. Urban Renewal’s Police Division plays this role. Relations are an essential part of life. The family also teaches how to interact in future relationships, whether at school or in adult life. Urban Renewal does that. So we can say that Urban Renewal is the mother, father, counsellor, grandparents, big brother, big sister and friend. They reach out to our nation’s youth maintaining positive engagement and fostering meaningful relationships with community youth.”
While applauding the work of numerous government and non-government groups to strengthen families in-country as essential, Mrs. Davis said the best model for a family is in having mother and father “working in harmony to provide their child/children with the tools to shape their character and preparing them for the world ahead.”
“Friends, concepts of a family are diverse. However, a family in our society, consists of a mother or a mother figure, a father or father figure, and even grandparents. Anyhow you cut it, the family model is to have both mother and father working in harmony toward the molding of the children, giving them the tools to shape their character and preparing them for the world ahead.”
Mrs. Davis said in cases where that is not happening: “the family could be the community – this concept goes back to the saying: ‘It takes a village to raise a child’”.
“Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we don’t need a real mother and father raising their children, supplying their needs, disciplining them when necessary, ensuring they do their chores and homework etcetera. We need to see families being built, because we all know the value of when we can all get together with family, be it on vacation, holidays, or just plain old weekend visits.“Family reunions are priceless, but when spirits are down, a visit to the homestead could remedy the problem. It’s a safe place. It’s a familiar place. So we welcome the traditional family.
“The stark reality is that a healthy family has nothing to do with finances but more about principle, respect, love, and honor. Families boost our confidence and make us feel loved. They are the pillars of our strength who never fall, instead keep us strong so we become better people. We learn the values of love, respect, faith, hope, caring, cultures, ethics, traditions, and everything else that concerns us through our families.
“Tonight, ‘It’s A Family Affair Here’ with all of us. Let us continue to build the family unit. You can do it. Parents, I say to you tonight, enhance your family life and save the children, especially our boys. Start with your children, training them in the right way from when they are very young. Our children must be saved, now.”
(BIS Photos/Anthon Thompson)
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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