A.D. Hanna dies

Arthur Dion Hanna, former deputy prime minister and governor general who was instrumental in the attainment of majority rule and independence, died at home yesterday.

He was 93.  

Hanna served as a member of Parliament for 32 years, having first been elected in 1960 in the Ann’s Town constituency.

He was re-elected in 1962, 1967, 1968, 1972, 1982 and 1987. 

His daughter, Glenys Hanna-Martin, is today one of five Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) MPs.

Hanna was appointed deputy premier following the attainment of majority rule in 1967, and later, deputy prime minister.

He held that position until his resignation in 1984.

He held several Cabinet posts, including minister of education, minister of trade and industry, minister of home affairs and minister of finance. 

Born in 1928 in Pompey Bay, Acklins, Hanna studied at Government High School, where he met Lynden Pindling, who became prime minister after independence.

Hanna later studied law in England before moving back to The Bahamas and joining the PLP. 

Hanna and Pindling, along with the other freedom fighters of the 1960s, helped shape the modern Bahamas.

Best known for his fight for Bahamianization, Hanna fought to ensure that Bahamians were trained for and placed in more jobs in the country. 

A real Bahamian

Following news of his death, tributes poured in from all sectors of the country. 

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis described Hanna as a fierce patriot. 

“He loved his Bahamas with unrelenting devotion, courage and passion,” he said in a statement last night.

“He gave his life to the Bahamian people in the struggle for majority rule and independence.”

Minnis said, “As a boy and then as a young man growing up, I well remember A.D. Hanna, especially his belief in the talents and gifts of Bahamians. He possessed a progressive soul and spirit.

“I remember him constantly fighting for opportunities for all Bahamians in every sector of society.

“This fight for opportunity continues. We are grateful for his service and for his enduring example.”

Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis said the “lion of the Progressive Liberal Party has left us”.

“I am deeply moved on this occasion, saddened yet empowered because I know of the legacy which he left us,” Davis said.

“He dedicated his life to The Bahamas. The political instrument was the Progressive Liberal Party. We will miss you Arthur D. Hanna.”

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said Hanna was a nationalist who “committed his whole life to the upliftment of ordinary Bahamians and to our national development”.

“As the first minister of education in the first majority government that came to office in 1967, he guided the government’s plans to make high school and university training available to growing numbers of young Bahamians,” he said in a statement.

“His fingerprints can be found on most significant policies that continue to be observed in government even today; indeed, his name is synonymous with the Bahamianization policies that successive Bahamian governments have pursued since 1967.

“Small in stature, A.D. was a giant of a man. A former minister of finance and deputy prime minister, he will figure prominently in the annals of our history.”

Former Minister of Immigration Loftus Roker said Hanna was one of his closest allies.

“He supported me as a member of the House and as a minister,” Roker said.

“One thing about him was he loved The Bahamas. 

“I regarded him as a real Bahamian.”

George Smith, a former Cabinet minister, said Hanna was “one of my heroes” whose policies in government helped thousands of Bahamians with opportunities for employment and scholarships.

“It was largely by Arthur Hanna’s efforts that the thriving middle class which developed in this country was created,” he said. 

“He was always mindful of the importance of uplifting the poor, the marginalized and those people who needed to be uplifted.”

He added, “A true hero of The Bahamas has fallen. There are now, of those of us who went to the United Kingdom, only five of us now remain.”

Smith was referring to the 1972 constitutional conference in England. 

The other remaining members are Philip Bethel, Sir Orville Turnquest, Roker and Sir Arthur Foulkes. 

Sir Arthur said last night that he was saddened to hear of Hanna’s passing and will issue a full statement today. 

Leslie Miller, a former PLP Cabinet minister, said he was blessed to have known A.D. Hanna.

“He was one of the greatest Bahamians God ever put breath in,” he said.

“The history of Arthur Dion Hanna is the history of progress for Bahamians.

“His contribution is immeasurable.”

Hanna is survived by his two daughters Glenys and Dawn Hanna and son Arthur Dion Hanna Jr., and numerous other relatives.

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