A fiscal crisis made worse by COVID-19

As healthcare workers continued to battle on the frontline of the COVID-19 war, in 2021 the government and finance experts were forced to take up arms to strategize how The Bahamas would combat an economic problem of mammoth proportions, a national debt exceeding $10 billion and a 100 percent debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio.

The economic crisis had already been pummeling the country for seven months at the start of the year, when the government, faced with the increasing needs of unemployed citizens and businesses hanging on by a thread, said substantial borrowing would be needed in the year ahead.

It did not exaggerate.

While at the start of the year the fiscal deficit had grown by a staggering 279.4 percent to $736.1 million, by March, because of the continued need to borrow, the deficit ballooned again to $878.2 million and the national debt reached $9.5 billion, nearly 83 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

Despite the worrying escalation in the deficit, then-Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Hubert Minnis in his 2021/2022 budget communication in May vowed that his “responsible government” will return the nation to fiscal consolidation and reduced debts.

He said the government will stay the course and maintain the plan laid out in the Fiscal Strategy Report in December 2020 as he tabled a resolution for the government to borrow $1.3 billion to finance its obligations.

Minnis said his administration’s Accelerated Bahamas Recovery Plan would boost economic growth and continue to offer support for the most vulnerable.

Not everyone, however, was convinced of the fiscal strategy.

A few weeks later, Marla Dukharan, a noted and well regarded regional economist, charged that “The Bahamas is in the midst of the worst crisis in its history,” and at risk of defaulting.

CFAL President Anthony Ferguson, meanwhile, warned that “there is a Category 5 financial hurricane approaching this country and no one seems to have any concern.”

The grim outlook was not farfetched.

Scenarios

Days after the September 16 general election, the Central Bank of The Bahamas revealed that the national debt, at $10.4 billion, had surpassed the size of the economy at a destabilizing 100.4 percent debt to GDP ratio.

With an election came a new government, and a new fiscal strategy.

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in its “Blueprint for Change” promised economic reforms to “rescue the economy”, chief among them a plan to reduce value-added tax (VAT) from 12 percent to 10 percent, which the party said would streamline revenue collections and spur an uptick in consumer spending which it projected would result in an $80.6 million improvement in VAT receipts.

Immediately after its election win, the Philip Brave Davis-led PLP administration was faced with the first of two credit rating downgrades The Bahamas would endure in 2021.

Credit rating agency Moody’s downgraded The Bahamas to junk status from Ba3 to Ba2 with a negative outlook.

Moody’s said its negative outlook was reflective of the ongoing risks to the country’s credit profile based on the pace of fiscal consolidation, which it said would result in higher borrowing requirements and exacerbate funding risks if tourism did not recover quickly enough.

The new Davis administration got to work developing a supplementary budget that was tabled and passed in Parliament last month, touting it as a plan to stabilize the nation’s finances.

Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis assured as well that there is no plan for an increase in the level of borrowing this fiscal year, and because of the expected high cost of external borrowing, the Davis administration has said it will exhaust its local options for bond offerings.

The supplementary budget also laid out the government’s aim to increase the revenue base to 25 percent of GDP by 2025.

Moody’s was listening, and issued an analysis noting that while it believed an increase of that size would be credit positive, achieving it through improved tax compliance is unlikely.

Last month, global credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P Global) also downgraded The Bahamas’ sovereign credit rating to B+ from BB-, however this time with a stable outlook.

S&P Global said it gave a stable outlook because of the healthy rebound in tourism.

However, it gave the best and worst case scenarios for economic growth, noting that under a worse-case scenario, the government’s inability to close budget deficits over the next 12 months could mean a further downgrade; or on the upside, it could raise its rating by next year if the government “establishes a track record of enacting meaningful financial reform, demonstrating an ability to raise revenues and leading to sustained near-balanced financial results and improved economic prospects”.

If tourism trends continue as they are, the latter of those scenarios could prove true for The Bahamas.

The Ministry of Tourism has projected an estimated one million stopover visitors could be possible in 2021, following dismal numbers in 2020.

And, despite the surge of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron, interest in travel to The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean remains at higher levels compared to the rest of the world.

While The Bahamas may be ending the year 2021 with a surge of COVID-19 cases, it is also ending the year on a promising financial stance as thousands flock to the nation’s shores to escape the ongoing battlefield that is COVID.

Both major hotel properties, Atlantis and Baha Mar, have reported close to 100 percent in bookings for this final week of the year and Minister of Health Dr. Micheal Darville has stressed the need to balance health and safety measures with an open and robust economy.

It is uncertain what lies ahead in 2022 for The Bahamas and its fiscal position, but some things are certain; beginning January 1, VAT will be reduced from 12 percent to 10 percent on almost everything consumable, making the cost of living ever so slightly more bearable for tens of thousands of struggling Bahamian citizens and businesses.

Additionally, The Bahamas remains in the top 10 of desired destinations for travel for millions of Americans who, frustrated by endless lockdowns and travel restrictions, are ready to take to the skies again and bury their toes in this nation’s sandy shores.

Those tens of thousands of tourists would translate into millions in revenue uptake for the government.

And finally, The Bahamas has proven over and over again that it can withstand all that has been put up against it, not defaulting once on any of its obligations as predicted by economists, and maintains a level of political, economic and social stability that makes it the envy of its regional and global counterparts.

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The pandemic, the people and the economy: Where have we come from and where are we going?

There are three narratives on the Bahamian economy that have been written since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, nay since Hurricane Dorian wreaked havoc on two of The Bahamas’ most important islands (economically speaking).

A respected foreign economist has on more than one occasion prophesied this country’s decline into debt default. This idea has been shunned by local experts.

The Progressive Liberal Party-led (PLP) government, in power only since September, has declared the 

country is not at risk of default, has lowered the value-added tax (VAT) rate from 12 to 10 percent and adjusted the previous government’s budget to show improved revenue collection this fiscal year (2021/2022). This narrative will play itself out over the coming fiscal periods.

The third narrative is that of the people, and it remains a skewed view of the country’s economic plight.

On the ground, things do not appear to have changed drastically for the haves and have-nots of The Bahamas, whether home-grown, naturalized and economically planted.

While the tourism sector has rebounded, many hospitality sector workers remain unemployed, and unemployment remains elevated and is forecast to remain that way for the near future.

The shrinking middle-class continues to bob on a lower economic boundary given the country’s regressive tax system, and the wealthy of The Bahamas continue to enjoy the luxuries the economic structure of the country affords those with means.

Economists globally believe that 2022 will usher in high inflation.

For The Bahamas, nobody knows what that will look like, though former Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis continues to contend that an early election was necessary because the doom and gloom foreshadowed for 2022 required a new mandate for government.

Undoubtedly, the world and world economies are in flux because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, and while the Omicron variant threatens to sink countries back to where they were in March of 2020, there is absolutely no appetite for the rules and restrictions imposed on so many people for so long last year.

The PLP administration has taken the stance that humanity must learn to live with COVID-19 and thus has begun to let public health measures ebb and flow with the rise and fall in infections instead of keeping the country locked in a state of emergency.

For now, tourism, the lifeblood of the country, will continue to pour dollars into the economy, keeping external reserves boosted and Bahamians employed.

Economic expert and Managing Consultant of Next Level Solutions Hubert Edwards agreed that the government is likely to shun extreme lockdown measures in the face of increases in COVID-19 cases, which will ensure that tourism will continue to recover in lockstep with the current travel appetite of North Americans.

“I certainly don’t believe, just watching the behavior of the current administration that we are really going to rush back into any form of lockdowns, which is really our Achilles heel, so as long as there is some tourism activity, I think we’re going to be better off than we were in the last 18 months or so,” Edwards said.

“Obviously the new variant is an x-factor and we really have to keep an eye on the development and what impact it could effectively have on the economy going forward.”

Despite the new variant, economic indicators remain strong.

There is still extremely high interest from foreigners in luxury real estate in The Bahamas, which is also driving the all-important foreign currency increases this country desperately needs.

Foreign direct investor interest in The Bahamas remains high.

For Grand Bahama, Royal Caribbean International’s continued interest in the Grand Lucayan hotel and the redevelopment of Freeport’s cruise port is welcomed news.

The Central Bank of The Bahamas continues to tout the ongoing strength of the construction sector to produce employment.

The government also continues to lean on the hope that the Access Accelerator/Small Business Development Centre will continue to produce viable businesses that increase employment and expand the gross domestic product of the country.

On the tourism front, Airbnb users continue to increase in The Bahamas and new Bahamians continue to enter the market, widening the important stopover tourist segment where most of the tourist money in the country is earned.

Edwards agrees that inflation next year will bring hardship for many Bahamians, but especially the poor, who, while they will enjoy the decrease in VAT to 10 percent, have lost the zero-rating on breadbasket items which will likely be hit by inflation due to ongoing shipping and labor issues globally.

“Because The Bahamas imports such a large proportion of its goods and in some instances services, we are effectively importing inflation and we can see from what’s happening, especially in the United States which is our largest trade partner, that goods are increasing, the supply chains are lengthening, and food has taken a big hit,” he said.

According to a recent Oxford Economics research briefing, household balance sheets continue to remain robust, with “savings and total financial assets well above pre-crisis level”.

While it may be said in jest, Bahamians seem to not be spending any more (than pre-crisis), but they sure seem to not be spending any less (while helping the recovery of the Bahamian economy).

Lockdowns left businesses in limbo. Some businesses closed. Now, money is being made once again.

Oxford Economics explains that on a global level while businesses are “tempering their optimism”, the melancholy caused by the pandemic seems to be waning.

“This is an encouraging sign, given the importance of business sentiment as a leading indicator for global investment,” Oxford Economics explains.

“Part of the buoyancy of business sentiment certainly comes from the strength in new orders, which have held up well in 2021.”

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Bahamas chartered the course for digital currencies in 2021

Despite plethora fiscal and economic challenges, The Bahamas still managed, in the midst of a pandemic, to make a name for itself as a small nation leading the way in digital currencies. 

While the Sand Dollar had already been launched nationally in 2020, it was not until 2021 that the rest of the world turned its eyes toward the innovation brewing within the nation’s shores. 

The Bahamas was pushed to the forefront of the global conversation around digital and cryptocurrencies, after becoming the first nation in the world to develop a central bank digital currency (CBDC).

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) lauded the achievement, noting that The Bahamas was leading the revolution and the future of money. 

In December, Central Bank Governor John Rolle was named to the Bloomberg 50 list of the people and ideas that defined global business in 2021.

It is an incredible feat for a small nation like The Bahamas to take the lead on an innovative finance offering that not even large nations like China, the United States and the United Kingdom have implemented and are still developing.

As off November 2021, there $302,785.04 worth of Sand Dollars in circulation, 28,003 digital wallets using them and about 845 merchants accepting them.

The Central Bank has said it intends to ramp up public educational campaigns and merchant training in the first half of 2022 to foster greater adoption of CBDC and its efforts to move away from cash transactions.

So, even in the midst of what could be described as the most jarring economic predicament The Bahamas has experienced in modern history, there has been moments of great pride in the financial sector that can be built upon in the new year.

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Govt willing to table Grand Lucayan deal

The Davis administration is willing to table the recently terminated Grand Lucayan deal in Parliament if the public wants it, Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said yesterday.

“It did not occur to us whether we should or not but if you think that’s a cry of the public, we could,” Davis said.

“I would just ask the minister of tourism and investment to lay it on the table. I think it does deserve a communication from him as to where we were, where we are and where we intend to go.

“That will perhaps include laying those documents on the table of the House.”

The Minnis administration purchased the resort from Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa in August 2018 for $65 million.

A agreement between the government and Bahamas Port Investments Limited was signed in March 2020, under the Minnis administration, and the final buying price was $50 million.

The redevelopment of the property was set to start this year but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed and changed the terms of the agreement.

The Davis administration announced last week that the sale agreement was canceled.

Minister of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation Chester Cooper said it was not in the best interest of Bahamians.

“The government was frankly not satisfied with what was proposed or that the project would be advanced in the short or medium term,” he said.

“We were not willing to continue on without a clear timeline for completion and were of the view that many of the terms were not in the best interest of the Bahamian people.

“For example, the Minnis administration via Lucayan Renewal Holdings Limited had agreed to lend money to Bahamas Port Investments Limited to renovate and develop the property. In summary, the deal was not a win-win for the Bahamian people.”

Royal Caribbean has said it is still interested in purchasing the Grand Lucayan.

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Despite ‘new normal’ there are many reasons to be proud

The pandemic has continued to upend and dominate people’s lives in 2021 as everyone had to adapt to the “new normal” – although what that “new normal” looks like is different for every person. And then there’s the fact that coronavirus has become one of the most frequently used nouns and with it came lots of new jargon, buzzwords and slang – words that continued to be pervasive. With COVID-19 rife, and despite a year fraught with disappointments and setbacks, there were still many reasons for people to be proud of which gave cause to celebrate.

From national spelling champion Roy Seligman’s amazing and historic run at the 93rd Scripps National Spelling Bee in July, to Miss Bahamas Universe Chantel O’Brian semifinals berth at Miss Universe, to Cherelle Cartwright’s Mama Sassy Gourmet Foods pepper marinade being distributed onboard Royal Caribbean International (RCI) vessels, para-triathlete Erin Brown given godmother status to a RCI vessel, and Bahamas-based Coral Vita’s innovative approach to coral farming awarded as one of the first ever five winners of the most prestigious environment prize in history, The Earthshot Prize – there were numerous historic achievements that turned out to be a reason for the nation to celebrate.

Roy, 13, a three-time national spelling champion as a 12-year-old romp through Scripps, ended with him tied for fourth with three other spellers; a field of 209 started the process to the finals.

Roy was the first Bahamian to advance to the finals of the prestigious competition since The Bahamas began competing at Scripps in 1988.

Even more significant in his finals showing, Roy was the lone international contestant.

Roy stepped down from the competition after he incorrectly spelled the word ambystoma in round 12 of the live televised finals at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World.

Not only did Bahamians celebrate Roy’s accomplishment, but so did the Spelling Bee which shared on Twitter afterwards that Roy represented The Bahamas wonderfully.

Miss Bahamas Universe Chantel O’Brian, 27, made history as the first Bahamian contestant to place in the semifinals in the 70 years of the Miss Universe competition, which was held in Eilat, Israel, on December 12.

Miss Bahamas Universe Chantel O’Brian made history as the first Bahamian contestant to place in the semifinals in the 70 years of the Miss Universe competition. O’Brian, pictured in evening gown, was named in the top 10 at the competition that was held in Eilat, Israel, on Sunday, December 12. GUY YECHIELY

O’Brian broke the Bahamas’ pageant drought when she was named in the top 16, then again when she made it through to the top 10, a little over two months after winning the national title.

She was also awarded the Carnival Spirit award from Carnival Cruise. The award is given to the delegate that embodies the company’s values of fun, friendship, diversity and inclusion, in honor of the work done by her charity, The Leading Ladies Project, and the positive energy she displayed while in Israel. She received the award after she competed in the pageant’s preliminary competition.

The historic moment for O’Brian cane eight years after she began competing in pageants. In 2013 she initially contested for the Miss Bahamas Universe title, that affords the winner the opportunity to compete at Miss Universe. She placed first runner-up to Lexi Wilson.

In 2015, O’Brian returned to compete for a national title in the year that saw three queens crowned from one competition. She was crowned Miss Bahamas World; Toria Penn was crowned Miss Bahamas Universe; and Darronique Young was crowned Miss Earth Bahamas.

Six years after competing for each title twice, O’Brian claimed the Miss Bahamas Universe title, which earned her the right to represent The Bahamas at Miss Universe in Israel, which culminated in her making history.

Prior to O’Brian’s historic semifinal showing, notable accomplishments by former national title holders on the Miss Universe stage included Ava Marilyn Burke-Thompson winning the Miss Photogenic Award at Miss Universe in 1982 in Lima, Peru; a year after Linda Smith-Scott won the Miss Amity award at the 1981 Miss Universe pageant in New York.

And then there is para-triathlete Erin Brown, who was named Royal Caribbean International’s (RCI) first Bahamian godmother. Brown, officially christened Royal Caribbean International’s new Odyssey of the Seas at a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 13.

In accordance with maritime tradition, Brown blessed Odyssey of the Seas and broke a bottle of champagne against her hull to bring good luck to all who sail on the vessel.

Brown is godmother to the new Odyssey of the Seas, the first Quantam Ultra-class ship in North America.

Brown, a life-long athlete had her leg amputated above the knee after receiving treatment for stage four osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in 2004-2005. She went to become the first-ever Bahamian para-triathlete to compete in a Paralympic Games qualifier.

Brown, a disability inclusion consultant, has said her experiences empowered her to reinvent herself and transform her life.

And then there’s Cherelle Cartwright who saw her hard work with her Mama Sassy’s Gourmet Foods pepper marinades receive international recognition after her Papaya Medley Pepper Sauce was chosen to be distributed throughout RCI’s cruise ships after a panel of judges decided that out of three pepper sauces put forward, Cartwright’s spicy concoction was the hands-down winner.

Cartwright has gone as far as to have some of her products tested by the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration for nutritional content. She has said she put her “blood, sweat, tears and resources” into dream-building Mama Sassy’s Gourmet Foods to be ready for the international market.

It’s her goal to have her product distributed worldwide to prove that Bahamians have the wherewithal to carry out large-scale manufacturing and mass market product distribution.

The Bahamas-based Coral Vita’s innovative approach to coral farming gave Bahamians another opportunity to celebrate this year, after they were awarded as one of the first ever five winners of the most prestigious environment prize in history, The Earthshot Prize.

Coral Vita, founded by Sam Teicher and Gator Halpern, was awarded the prize for the Revive our Oceans Earthshot for its innovative approach to coral farming. Their approach of growing coral on land then replanting it in the ocean can grow coral up to 50 times faster than traditional methods and improves resilience to the impact of climate change. As well as restoring reefs, Coral Vita works with local communities, public officials, and private companies to improve education and create new jobs in environmental protection.

Through winning the prize, the Grand Bahama-based Coral Vita received £1 million pounds ($1.4 million) prize money and a global network of professional and technical support to scale their innovative technology. The prize will enable Coral Vita to accelerate their goal to establish a global network of coral farms to grow a billion corals each year, including deploying the latest technology in coral farming as well as developing funding models to make coral restoration more financially viable for coastal communities. Winning would accelerate Coral Vita’s scaling plans, helping them to build new coral farms and working with other leading organizations to kick-start a restoration economy around the world that people everywhere can be part of – and it came out of The Bahamas.

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A year of crisis and change

The credits are rolling on another trying year in which the deadly coronavirus ravaged families, disrupted the education of children, continued to destablize the national economy and tested our collective and individual resolve.

Despite the acquisition of much-needed COVID-19 vaccines, lives were upended, the healthcare system overwhelmed and many faced an ongoing struggle to survive – some to stay alive, some to meet financial obligations, while others were confronted with both those challenges.

When 2020 ended, 171 COVID deaths had been confirmed in The Bahamas with 20 under investigation.

This year ends with 717 confirmed deaths and 37 under investigation.

This hellish outcome was triggered largely by the aggressive Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, first detected in India at the end of last year. It made a vicious rampage in many countries as it spread rapidly, crippling health systems, and undermining economic gains made since the initial wave of the virus.

While the tourism-reliant Bahamian economy has mostly reopened, after a dramatic and debilitating shutdown in March 2020, the emergence of the super-contagious Omicron variant – identified in South Africa last month – has brought a forceful fourth wave to The Bahamas, which had seen consistently low case numbers over many weeks.

In October, health authorities reported 1,217 COVID cases. In November, this fell to 387 cases, fueling hopes that Bahamians would be able to have a close to normal holiday season and all schools would be able to reopen to in-person learning come January.

Those low numbers compare to 2,738 cases in September and 3,540 cases in August, the same month then-Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis called an early general election, whose outcome was far from favorable for the governing Free National Movement (FNM).

Omicron led to an exponential increase in cases in many countries, created a fresh round of panic and sent scientists racing to better understand its level of seriousness and its likely impact in coming weeks.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the rapid growth rate in Omicron infections is believed to result from a combination of increased transmissibility and the ability to evade immunity conferred by past infection or vaccination (i.e., immune evasion).

In the last week or so, The Bahamas saw an explosion in COVID cases. While there has been no confirmation that Omicron is responsible, local officials suspect that with such robust travel to and from the country, the new variant is primarily responsible for the surge.

In the two-day period leading to Christmas Day, officials reported 580 new cases. That’s more than the total confirmed for the entire month of November.

On December 25, the highest daily record of COVID cases was confirmed – 330 new cases – though officials said this represented the outcome of samples taken over a couple days.

Another 85 cases were confirmed on December 26. On December 27 there were 159 cases. Sixty-five cases were confirmed on December 28 and 207 cases were confirmed on December 29. 

While early reports from several countries suggest that the new variant is milder than Delta, that has provided small comfort for a nation whose vaccination rate is around 40 percent, with vaccination hesitancy remaining high, nine months after the government rolled out its vaccination program.

Response

Notwithstanding our weariness of the pandemic, it continues to define the way most of us go about living. 

While the Davis administration followed through on a commitment to end the state of emergency that had remained in place for more than a year and a half, Bahamians remain subjected to COVID protocols, though they are less stringent than measures adopted by the Minnis administration in the opening months of the pandemic.

The nightly curfew put in place in March 2020 – and adjusted several times by the competent authority (Minnis) – fell away when the state of emergency ended on November 13, 2021.

While Omicron has renewed fears and heightened uncertainties, the new government has indicated it has no plans to institute draconian measures like lockdowns, border closures and curfews.

Caution is being urged and the protocols are being tweaked. The general posture is also emerging that we have to learn to coexist with COVID.

On Boxing Day, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville said in a statement, “There are no easy answers for dealing with the coming surge in cases and care must be taken to strike the right balance between our country’s health crisis and economic well-being. … We’re simply not going to shut down all economic activity.”

The government’s response to the crisis is likely to evolve further in coming days. We expect that response to be shaped by the impact of the case rise on the healthcare system.

Health officials say hospitalizations tend to lag rising cases by at least a couple of weeks. So far, hospitalizations have remained low when compared to the height of the third wave when officials at Princess Margaret, the Rand and Doctors hospitals all reported that their facilities had reached a breaking point.

In August, one PMH official admitted that they had been turning away some Family Island patients because there was no space to treat anyone else.

Many non-COVID patients were also finding it difficult, if not impossible, to access healthcare, due to the strain the pandemic was placing on the system.

Meanwhile, bodies were piling up in the PMH morgue — hospital officials made multiple pleas for families to collect their loved ones’ remains — and many funeral homes were struggling to meet demand for their services.

In September, hospitalizations were as high as 195. As of December 29, there were 23 people in hospital with COVID.

New government

It was amidst the deadly third wave that Prime Minister Minnis decided to pull the trigger, calling a general election eight months before one was constitutionally due, saying a new mandate was needed to make tough decisions moving forward.

Minnis faced stinging criticisms for taking the country to an election at the height of the COVID crisis.

It was clear to many observers that he and his party faced an uphill battle in their re-election bid; some opined that it was a long shot.

When the dust settled at the end of the evening on September 16, the FNM was barely standing after the pummelling at the polls.

The party – which won 35 of 39 seats in the House of Assembly in 2017 – secured just seven seats in 2021. The FNM suffered a dramatic loss of support in nearly all of the constituencies, including in most of the seven it won.

Minnis, the once-powerful competent authority, barely got more than 50 percent of the votes in his own constituency, Killarney.

The FNM blamed the twin crises of Hurricane Dorian in September 2019 and COVID-19 just six months later for creating an environment ripe for its crushing defeat.

The early election led to the rise of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), which had managed to sanitize its image to the point where it became a convincing option for Bahamian voters who had become disillusioned with Minnis and the FNM.

Many were drawn to the PLP’s pledge of “a new day” and viewed the party’s win as a fresh start, a reset, for a pandemic-battered country that wished nothing more than to move on from the Minnis administration.

In the days following the election loss, Minnis had refused to publicly confirm that he was relinquishing the FNM leadership. As pressure mounted, the former prime minister finally announced just over a month after the general election that he will not run for FNM leader.

Last month, the FNM elected one of Minnis’ former ministers, Michael Pintard, as leader. Pintard has pledged to rebuild and reunite the party.

There has not been a honeymoon period for the new PLP administration, though.

It came to office with the support of less than 50 percent of registered voters, and inherited grave challenges: Hurricane-ravaged communities, the COVID pandemic and a national economy in need of growth and revitalization.

It also has to contend with a dire fiscal position made worse by pandemic-induced borrowing to the tune of billions of dollars.

Not long after the new administration took office, Moody’s Investor Service downgraded the sovereign debt credit rating for The Bahamas from Ba2 to Ba3, due to the erosion of the country’s economic and fiscal positions.

In its budgetary performance report for the first quarter of 2021/2022 (released in October), the Ministry of Finance said despite improvements in the tourism sector, unemployment levels remained elevated with 17,154 beneficiaries relying on the government unemployment benefit program.

In the first quarter, revenue collections strengthened largely due to a resurgence in the travel and tourism sector.

Uncertainty

There are worries that Omicron could erode these gains.

On December 20, the CDC noted early data suggest Omicron infection may be less severe than infection with prior variants; however, reliable data on clinical severity remain limited.

It added, “Even if the proportion of infections associated with severe outcomes is lower than with previous variants, given the likely increase in number of infections, the absolute numbers of people with severe outcomes could be substantial.

“In addition, demand for ambulatory care, supportive care for treatment of mild cases, and infection control requirements, quarantining/isolation of exposed/infected workforce could also stress the healthcare system.”

On Tuesday, PMH announced new protocols in response to the rapid increase in cases – including once again suspending elective surgeries.

Just when many were starting to feel hopeful that they were moving closer to a post-COVID existence, there appears to be no end in sight to the pandemic.

And so, 2021 ends with a great deal of uncertainty and uneasiness about what’s to come.

For The Bahamas, this has been a year of crisis, and a year of change; the new administration is navigating a treacherous course.

The challenges and opportunities ahead will unfold in a heightened climate of COVID fatigue and an even more pressing need to balance the protection of lives against the safeguarding of livelihoods.

The pre-pandemic norm, it appears, is unlikely to return.

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MS. GEORGIANIQUE EULAH BAPTISTE

Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Limited

DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT

MS. GEORGIANIQUE   EULAH  BAPTISTE,  age 23 years of Holmes Rock, Grand Bahama died at the Rand Memorial Hospital Freeport, Grand Bahama on Saturday, December 11, 2021.

She is survived by her Father: George Baptiste; Mother: Patrice Baptiste; Sisters: Georgia Baptiste , Megan Outten and Tatiana Campbell; Brother: George Baptiste; Nieces: Georgianae Baptiste and Khandi Outten; Nephews: King Outten and Khazi Outten and a host of other relatives and friends. 

Arrangements for the funeral service are being finalized and details will be announced at a future date.

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MR. DANIEL THEOPHILUS RUDOLPH CLARKE

Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Limited

DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT

MR. DANIEL THEOPHILUS RUDOLPH CLARKE , age 82 years of #120 Date Corner North, Pioneers Loop, Freeport, Grand Bahama and formerly of Moss Town, Exuma died at the Rand Memorial Hospital Freeport, Grand Bahama on Sunday, December 26, 2021.

He is predeceased by his Wife: Ruby Deveaux-Clarke.

He is survived by his Children: Rochelle Clarke, Marsha Clarke-Smith, Corine Rahming, Enderlyn Gains, Blossum Williams, Betty Francis, Wesley Munroe, Wilson Toussaint, Portia Arthur and Erica Clarke-Jean; Sisters: Barbara Dorsette and Ismae Culmer; numerous Grandchildren including Kendrid Shawn Smith and a host of other relatives and friends. 

Arrangements for the funeral service are being finalized and details will be announced at a future date.

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George Rickford Albury

George Rickford Albury aged 80 years, of Harbour Island, died at his residence on Saturday, December 18^th, 2021.

He is survived by his Daughters: Nadene Charlton (Stan) and Tanya Glinton (Ricardo); Sons: Quentin Albury (Anna-Marie), Shane Albury (Kenris) and Rick Albury (Sherolyn); Son-in-law: Phillip Laramore; Sister: Theresa Fairweather; Grand Aunt: Barbara Woods; 17 Grand Children; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

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Adopt the mindset of Jesus

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus – Philippians 2:5

We are almost hours away from the dawning of a New Year and what a year thus far 2021 has been; not only change and decay in all around we see, but high praise to a great God from whom all blessings flow!

It is time for resolutions as to what to do and what not to do in 2022, to be or not to be, to quit or not to quit, to climb higher or be satisfied on the low rung of the ladder of success. How are you with your resolve? Are you being spiritually saturated with the love that comes from the father above?

It is amazing how many who have been fortunate to achieve wealth, fame and fortune, forget from whence they have come and take no thought about the plight of the poor. The reason for the season of Christmas is that God gave the best he had, his only begotten son, as a ransom for man’s redemption.

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippian Christians was to thank them for the gift which they had sent to help him in his time of need, and also encourage them to be bold and confident despite him being in prison.

In the words of our text today, he pleads with the Philippians to have the humble attitude of Jesus and not to let selfish ambition enter into their thoughts.

If we are going to be a nation where righteousness will take us to heights of excellence in words, work, thoughts, deeds and actions, then we will have to adopt the mindset of Jesus. Jesus was not about hoarding wealth and ignoring the needs of the underprivileged, nor was he about speaking ill of others, standing in the way of their progress and upward mobility, mingling in unsavory and unscrupulous actions, defying the law and abusing positions of trust and responsibilities.

One of the songs we sang as children at morning devotions was, “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, Look upon a little child; Pity my simplicity, Suffer me to come to Thee.”

Forgetting deeds and actions of the past, it is time for us to change our lifestyle if it is not Christ-like. Our lives are so structured by divine design on a day-by-day allowance. After each day we become dormant until awakened for the next new day. So why are many of us living our lives as if we are given unlimited years at a time? Each new day is a gift to be used wisely and prudently.

It is time for a complete renewal and acquisition – for many of us to adopt a mind that is filled with love, justice, peace and harmony, not for the few but the many. Can you imagine our nation having a complete turnaround from our errant and rebellious ways? The murder rate will drastically decline; stealing from our neighbors and our employers would be a no-no; family life will not be assaulted; children would honor their father and their mother; the brothers would become the brotherhood; sinners would become saints and saints will confess that they have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Dear faithful readers, I join with the Apostle Paul as he prays. I thank my God for you every time I think of you, and I pray for you all who helped me in the work of the gospel. This New Year I am sure that God, who began his good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished. Continue to let Christ Jesus be your guiding light.

 
• E-mail haystreet241@gmail.com or rubyanndarling@yahoo.com. Write to P.O. Box, 19725 SS Nassau, Bahamas, with your prayer requests, concerns and comments. God’s blessings.

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The Nassau Guardian’s Senior Female Athlete of the Year

For just the second time in the last seven years, Shaunae Miller-Uibo is not the Nassau Guardian’s Senior Female Athlete of the Year, and it came after she produced one of the all-time great years by a Bahamian athlete in sports.

Miller-Uibo was edged by Jonquel Jones in the voting process, and really and truly, a judgement couldn’t have gone wrong for either one of them. Jones garnered two first-place votes among the three-member panel and finished with 29 points while Miller-Uibo got the other first-place vote and finished with 28 points.

Joanna Evans and Devynne Charlton, who both made global finals this year, were tied for third with 22 points apiece, and collegiate track star Brianne Bethel and women’s professional basketball player Lashann Higgs finished tied for fifth with 13 points apiece.

Jones established herself as one of the best female basketball players in the world, particularly in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in the United States, as she became the first Bahamian to be named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of a major professional sports league. The Grand Bahamian star earned 48 of 49 first-place votes, finishing as a near-unanimous selection as the WNBA MVP.

Jones was also named as the 2021 Associated Press’ WNBA Player of the Year after leading the Connecticut Sun to the best win/loss record in the 2021 WNBA season. They finished with a 26-6 record and earned the number one seed in the playoffs before being ousted by the Chicago Sky three games to one in the WNBA semifinals. The Sky eventually went on to win the WNBA title.

Jones won the WNBA Peak Performer Award for rebounding for the third time in her career during the 2021 season, leading the league in that category at 11.2 boards per game. It was the second time in her career she averaged more than 11 rebounds per game.

Jones finished tied for third in voting for the 2021 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, was an All-WNBA First Team member, and an All-WNBA Defensive First Team member.

In addition to the league-leading 11.2 rebounds per game, she averaged a career-high 19.4 points and 2.8 assists per game. She matched a career-high 1.3 steals per game. 

Jones finished fourth in the league in scoring and top 10 in blocks, steals and field goal percentage. She finished second in the 2021 WNBA MTN Dew Three-Point Contest and was named an all-star for the third time in her career.

Also, Jones won WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month three times and was the player of the week four times.

Miller-Uibo was fantastic as well.

The Bahamian athletics superstar repeated as Olympic Champion in the women’s 400 meters (m), becoming the first Bahamian to win two individual Olympic gold medals, and the second woman ever to repeat as Olympic Champion in the women’s 400m, following Marie-José Pérec, of France, who accomplished the feat in 1992 and again in 1996.

Miller-Uibo solidified herself as the sixth-fastest woman of all-time in the women’s 400m, running a new area record of 48.36 seconds in the Olympic final in Tokyo, Japan. She became the first Bahamian to compete in two event finals in a single Olympics, climaxing the effort with her golden run in the women’s 400m.

Miller-Uibo finished as the world leader in the women’s 400m for the fourth time in the last six years. She produced the two fastest times in the women’s 400m in 2021 and was the only athlete to run under 49 seconds in that event.

The Bahamian track goddess took part in six races over five days and five races over three days at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, running in the final of both the 200 and 400m.

She ran national records in both the 200 and 400m indoors, 20.40 and 50.21 seconds, the latter of which was also a new area record in the 400m indoors.

Evans competed in two global meets in 2021, finishing seventh and eighth in the women’s 400 and 200m free, respectively, at the FINA Short Course (25 meters) World Championships and just coming up short of advancing past the opening rounds in those events at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

In the 200 and 400m free at the short course worlds, Evans swam times of 1:54.93 and 4:01.09 in the women’s 200 and 400m free, respectively, her third-best times in both of those events. She set new national records of 1:54.36 and 4:00.14 during the International Swimming League (ISL) Playoffs in 2021.

Long course, Evans was 18th overall in the women’s 200m free at the Olympics, swimming a new national record of 1:58.40 and just missing out on the top 16. In the 400m free, she finished 13th overall in 4:07.50, about two tenths of a second short of her national record of 4:07.33 that she swam at the Longhorn Aquatics Elite Invite and Time Trials in Austin, Texas, in May.

Evans has the top 17 times in the women’s 200m free among Bahamians in 2021, and the top nine times in the 400m free.

Charlton was also spectacular this year, advancing to the final of the women’s 100m hurdles at the Olympics and finishing sixth. It was the second straight Olympics in which The Bahamas had a finalist in the women’s 100m hurdles, and for the second straight Olympics, that athlete finished sixth.

Charlton ran 12.74 seconds in the Olympic final after running 12.84 seconds and 12.66 seconds in the rounds.

Charlton ran a new national record of 12.61 seconds at the USA Track & Field Golden Games in Walnut, California, in May, listing her as tied for 13th in the World Athletics rankings for 2021, and putting her just outside of the top 75 all-time. The Bahamian short hurdles specialist had 12 sub-13 second races in the women’s 100m hurdles this year – the most for any Bahamian female in a calendar year.

She also competed in the Diamond League in 2021, finishing second in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Golden Gala Diamond League Meet in Florence, Italy, in June. Charlton ran 12.80 seconds in that race.

Brianne Bethel, who qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in the women’s 200m this year, and was a part of the Bahamian quartet that ran the women’s 4x400m relay at the Olympics, and women’s professional basketball player Lashann Higgs, who continues to make headlines in basketball overseas, finished tied for fifth for the Nassau Guardian’s Senior Female Athlete of the Year for 2021, with 13 points apiece.

The Nassau Guardian’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year for 2021 will be revealed tomorrow. 

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Hield drops in 21 points; Kings snap three-game skid

A couple nights after missing all three of his attempts from the field, finishing with just two points, Bahamian professional basketball player Chavano “Buddy’” Hield made seven field goals in his next game and finished with 21 points. That performance occurred on Tuesday night, and it helped the Sacramento Kings (14-21) take down the Oklahoma City Thunder (12-21), 117-111, at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.

The win ended the Kings’ three-game losing skid that started against the Golden State Warriors back on December 20. The Kings also lost to the Los Angeles Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies during that stretch. The game on Tuesday was their third in a six-game homestand that wraps up on Sunday January 2, 2022.

On Tuesday night, the Grand Bahamian shot 7-for-14 from the field and 3-for-7 from three-point territory. He also had two rebounds and one block in 25 productive minutes on the floor.

Leading the way for the Kings was guard Tyrese Haliburton with a double-double scoring 24 points and dishing out 10 assists.

Hield dropped in eight points in the final quarter to help his team keep the Thunder at a distance. The guard was hot from the field in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter. He knocked down a 19-foot pull up jump shot to give his team a 92-81 lead with 10:47 left in the game. The sharpshooter returned two possessions later and connected on a four-foot jump shot to put his team up 94-81 with just over 10 minutes left in regulation. That shot forced Thunder Head Coach Mark Daigneault to call a timeout.

The timeout did not cease the Kings’ offensive 

momentum. Hield stepped up to the free throw line with 8:04 remaining and sank two free throws to put the Kings up 98-81. It was their biggest lead of the night as they were in full control of the game.

The lead was reduced to single digits on a made three-point shot from the Thunder with just over two minutes remaining in the game. The Kings led 110-101 at that point. The Thunder got into an offensive groove late in the game but the Kings kept finding an answer. The two teams scored 30 points apiece in the fourth quarter with the Kings coming away with the victory.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder with 33 points.

After the Thunder went up 34-32 at the end of the first quarter, the Kings stormed back and outscored them, 29-23, in the second quarter. They led 61-57 at the half.

The teams had identical shooting nights with the Kings connecting on 42 percent of their shots and the Thunder at 39 percent. The Kings were hot from deep, connecting on 17 of their 39 shot attempts, shooting 43.6 percent as a team. They also moved the ball well with 25 assists on their 40 made shots from the field.

It has been a tough start to the month for the Bahamian as he had scored no more than 15 points in his first four games. He picked it up as the month went on with a big night on Sunday December 19 in which he had a season-high 29 points against the San Antonio Spurs.

There are two more games left in the year for Hield and the Kings and they are looking to end the year on a strong note. A first half of a back-to-back home matchup against the Dallas Mavericks happened last night. No score was available up to press time. The second half of the back-to-back matchup is set for New Year’s Eve, starting at 6 p.m.

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Higgins sails in youth sailing world championships

Bahamian Joshua Higgins took part in one of the most prestigious events on the World Sailing (formerly International Sailing Federation) calendar this year – the 2021 Youth Sailing World Championships. That event took place on the waters of Mussanah, Oman, earlier this month.

Higgins took part in the male laser radial competition, among 49 other competitors, from December 13-17. Overall, there were 433 of the world’s best young sailors from 56 nations competing at the meet. Winners were crowned in windsurfing, one-person dinghy, two-person dinghy, skiff, two-person multi-hull and kiteboarding, along with laser radial.

Higgins finished 48th overall with 350 net points but had 401 total points as sailors had a choice to discard one of the nine rounds. He started off with a 40th place finish and was disqualified in the second and the seventh rounds. It hurt his chances of finishing higher up the table. His best round was the ninth round in which he finished 38th.

Winning that division was Bermuda’s Sebastian Kempe as he had three first-place finishes, scoring a net of 39.

The 20-year-old spent several weeks training hard in Portugal in preparation for the youth sailing worlds. He was one of just 23 competitors invited from the “Emerging Nations Program” which is designed to coach, support and assist in closing the gap in performance sailing in worldwide competition.

The Harbour Island native also competed in the International Laser Class Association (ILCA) Under-21 World Championships in Gydnia, Poland, earlier this year, along with the Laser Radial Youth World Championships in Lake Garda, Italy, and the U.S. Laser Nationals in Norfolk, Virginia.

He said his long-term goal is to represent The Bahamas in sailing at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France.

The Bahamas Sailing Association (BSA) congratulates Higgins for his commitment and dedication and turning in an incredible year of world class sailing.

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Not all businesses fully prepared for VAT change, says Chamber CEO

Chief Executive Officer of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation (BCCEC) Waldon Russell said he does not think some businesses are completely ready for the value-added tax (VAT) reduction from 12 to ten percent, that comes into effect on Saturday.

Russell, who made the remarks yesterday during an appearance on Morning Blend Business on Guardian Radio 96.9 FM, said some in the business community do not have a full understanding of the VAT changes. He said the business community has also not seen a gazetted copy of the VAT changes.

“People are uncertain of whether or not the bill had been passed,” said Russell.

“There were also questions about the rate changes and what they relate to. The business community requested the Department of Inland Revenue (DIR) to publish a fact sheet so people can understand the answers to these questions. So I think the business community is still getting ready for this change at this late hour.”

Russell said there has not been a lot of information disseminated by the government on the VAT changes, adding that the DIR has committed to publishing a fact sheet on the changes.

He explained that the BCCEC recently held a webinar with the DIR on the VAT changes and a video which has some answers to questions businesses may have is available on the Chamber’s website.

He said some of the most pressing questions were related to VAT payments on vacation rental properties, as there was no clarity on how the tax would be collected.

“If the renter is acting in the capacity of a marketplace, he is receiving funds for the rental of that place, he is responsible for paying the VAT,” said Russell.

“But if it’s just a connection arrangement where you’re kind of presenting the property and no cash is exchanged, that person is not the person responsible for collecting the VAT.”

According to Russell, businesses will be prepared to comply with the law when it comes into effect this weekend, but will certainly need a three-month grace period to change prices to reflect the VAT reduction.

“I believe the implementation of the law itself by businesses is not going to be a problem come January 1,” he said. “But it is going to take some time to get the prices on those goods changed. Hopefully businesses will be able to achieve that in the time allocated.” 

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Revenue Enhancement Unit to roll out collection programs early in 2022

The Revenue Enhancement Unit, which has now been operating for six weeks, will roll out programs early next year that it hopes will increase government revenue given that the value-added tax (VAT) rate drops from 12 to ten percent on January 1, Financial Secretary Simon Wilson said yesterday.

Wilson, who made the remarks during an appearance on Morning Blend Business on Guardian Radio 96.9 FM, explained that the revenue enhancement measures will be designed to ensure that revenue collection by the government remains at positive levels as VAT is reduced.

“We will do some other things in terms of revenue to increase the yield and that involves stronger revenue administration,” said Wilson.

“The impact of that unit will be fully felt early in the new year. In terms of compliance we have some compliance programs we plan on launching in the new year, in terms of certain industries that have traditionally had low levels of compliance in terms of VAT and business license. So we have some programs there. Overall, we think yield is going to improve. If we do nothing, we’ll be neutral in terms of revenue yield.”

According to Wilson, by the time the government is ready to present the next annual budget, or even by the mid-year budget presentation, the government will know how well the VAT decrease and revenue enhancement programs are operating. This data, he said, will inform the government on the way forward for the VAT rate.

“We’ll have five months of data on the performance of this rate reduction and that will give a signal whether this is something the government would consider to be permanent, or whether they would make a further adjustment,” Wilson said.

He contended that the change in the VAT rate from 12 to 10 percent will reduce Bahamians’ tax burden across the board.

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Keep public schools closed during COVID surge

Dear Editor,

As the proud parent of a University of The Bahamas student, like other parents, students and teachers, we are all anxious that in-person instruction becomes the norm again in the shortest time possible.

Many students unfortunately do not have access to electricity or computers. This greatly curtails their ability to be taught online. There is little doubt that this will negatively impact their grade averages and results of examinations if and when they are held.

The Davis administration and the Ministry of Education are no doubt very anxious to reopen public schools. To do so in January 2022 would not be a wise decision.

In fact. it would be foolhardy and a gross display of mismanagement.

We are now in the fourth wave of the pandemic with Omicron, yet another highly infectious mutation of COVID-19. No one here at home or even worldwide seems to have a clue as to combatting and eliminating these variants. Uncertainty is everywhere and we are all like headless chickens.

It is my position that unless and until we see a drastic decrease in cases of the virus, public schools should/must remain closed to the general public.

What might be a solution is to stagger school days and hours where classes could be held in large auditoriums or even outdoor spaces so as to ensure observations of all recommended health protocols.

For instance, we have huge auditoriums at most of the high schools here in New Providence. In alphabetical order, students could attend in-person classes twice or three times per week, inclusive of Saturdays where necessary.

The enlightened Davis administration should urgently seek to source lap tops and tablets from the United States Agency for International Development and the People’s Republic of China etc.

Bahamas Power & Light should be ordered by the Minister with responsibility, the Hon. Alfred Sears, not to disconnect services for the next month or so. The same should be applicable to the Water & Sewerage Corporation. These are both necessities and as we are all in this together.

The prime minister and his team must also rise to the challenges.

In short, I suggest that in the abundance of caution public schools should not be reopened anytime soon.

In this same vein, I also recommend that large public gatherings should/must be curtailed. In my daily trek across New Providence, especially within the inner-city areas, I have noticed scores of people hanging around bars and liquor stores, most unmasked, enjoying their libations.

Where I would have dared to stop, I have asked numerous proprietors why they are allowing theses flagrant breaches of the law.

Their responses, almost universally, is that they themselves are not vaccinated and that they do not believe in vaccinations seeing that even fully vaccinated people who have also received booster shots are still prone to contracting and spreading the virus. This is a dangerous and deadly way of thinking.

Once upon a time you’d see COVID patrol vehicles all over New Providence. For months now, long before the general election if you were to see just one of them that would be a phenomenon of the highest order. These vehicles must return to 24 x 7 patrols.

In addition, I suggest that a 2 a.m. curfew be introduced.

For the life of me, I fail to see or understand why any sensible and prudent individual needs to be out that late if at all. Ordinary gatherings such as church services, limited funerals and weddings should be allowed to continue with strict protocols.

Beaches and parks should also remain opened but with strict enforcement by the beach police officers.

At the end of the day, we Bahamians will be quite fine but right now we are faced with challenges.

— Ortland H. Bodie, Jr.

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Why Bahamian Anglicans should not canonize Bishop Desmond Tutu

Dear Editor,

South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu died on Boxing Day in Cape Town at the ripe age of 90. The recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984,Tutu, along with Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk, was instrumental in dismantling the apartheid system implemented by the White South African National Party, after its ascent to high office in 1948.

In 1991, de Klerk, who died in November of this year, repealed many of the apartheid laws enacted by the late Prime Minister Henrik Verwoerd in 1959, or thereabouts. Verwoerd’s infamous Promotion of Bantu Self-Government Act of 1959 underscored the heinous nature of state-sanctioned white supremacy in South Africa. It was built on the racist foundation of the 1913 Land Act that Verwoerd’s racist political ancestors had enacted.

Over three million South Africans were forcibly relocated from their homes and dumped in the 10 Bustustan ghettos between 1961 and 1994, due to this apartheid policy. While Verwoerd was busy legislating segregation laws in 1959, Tutu was studying theology at St. Peter’s Theological College in Rosettenville, South Africa.

Three years later in 1961, Tutu was ordained to the Anglican priesthood. He would serve as chaplain of the University of Fort Hare, a post he was appointed to in 1967. He also served as Anglican bishop of Lesotho and chairman of the South African Council of Churches.

In 1985, Tutu was appointed the first black bishop of Johannesburg and the first black archbishop of Cape Town in 1986.

Subsequent to news of his passing, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that Tutu was one of several “outstanding South Africans who bequeathed to us a liberated South Africa”.

The Dalai Lama described Tutu as a “true humanitarian”.

According to former US President Barack Obama, the late South African Anglican clergyman was a “moral compass” to him. And current Cape Town Archbishop Thabo Makagoba said that Tutu’s legacy was his moral strength.

Born in October 1931 in Klerksdorp, Tutu was appointed as chairman of the African National Congress (ANC) government of then President Nelson Mandela’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1994, which was tasked with investigating the atrocities committed by the apartheid government and anti-apartheid organizations.

While Tutu used his massive religious platform to fight apartheid throughout the 1980s, groups such as the Pan-African Congress, the ANC, the Congress of the People and the South Indian National Congress all engaged the white South African administration from a political standpoint, and in some instances, from a violent standpoint.

One case in point is the ANC’s Umkhanto we Sizwe, a militia group founded by Mandela. This group was the HAMAS and Hezbollah of South Africa. Mandela’s involvement with this terrorist organization was one of the reasons he spent 27 years in prison, between 1963 and 1990.

Tutu found himself caught between the violent white South African administration and these black revolutionary groups.

In 1980, Tutu was arrested for his anti-Apartheid activism, which is a testament of his unwavering opposition to the racist system. The Anglican Church of South Africa will hold a requiem mass at St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town.

An interfaith service will also be held in his honor. All in all, Tutu lived a very productive life.

Bahamian Anglicans can applaud his willingness to boldly confront an overtly racist system which was demeaning to Black South Africans and other ethnic groups.

In this regard, remembering his anti-apartheid activism is a fitting eulogy. Having said that, however, Bahamian Anglicans must resist the temptation to canonize the famed South African cleric.

In 2013, Tutu was quoted as saying that he “would not worship a God who is homophobic”.

Calling South Africa a “rainbow nation,” Tutu would go to launch his LGBTQ campaign, going as far as advocating for same-sex marriage. His acceptance of homosexuality tells me that he outright rejected the biblical injunction against sodomy.

Not only was Tutu at odds with the Christian Bible, but he was also at odds with the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion — the essential doctrinal beliefs of the Anglican communion, which appear to be Calvinistic in tone.

In Article 7, which concerns the Old Testament, it is stated that “no Christian man is free from obedience of the Commandments which are called Moral.”

Article 9, titled “Of Original or Birth Sin,” rightly stated that humanity is “inclined to evil”.

This was especially evident with Tutu’s LGBTQ activism and his willingness to appoint and promote gay priests. Decrying opposition to homosexuality, Tutu conflated mere opposition rooted in love to hatred of gay people. In reality, however, not every form of discrimination is bad.

For instance, no right-thinking parent would entrust their children to a known pedophile; nor would a sane woman feel comfortable sleeping in the same room with a known serial rapist.

Evangelical Anglicans know that God loves sinners. That is why He made provision for their salvation by sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us. After salvation, the process of sanctification begins.

This includes purity in the area of human sexuality. God will never compromise His infinite moral standards for anyone; and that includes the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

— Kevin Evans

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The Nassau Guardian’s Junior Male Athlete of the Year

The sporting landscape of The Bahamas is well represented, and the competitive nature of sports is on full display, as The Nassau Guardian recognizes its junior male athlete of the year for 2021.

The top three finishers are separated by just two points and each are from different sporting disciplines.

Keyshawn Strachan from athletics prevailed with 26 points, Charlotte Hornets rookie forward Kai Jones finished second with 25 points and Izaak Bastian rounded out the top three with 24 points.

Strachan might just be the only Bahamian in history to set a senior national record in athletics as a 17-year-old, and he did it twice.

The Bahamian throwing phenom had massive throws in the men’s javelin all season long, and capped off his year by accepting a four-year scholarship from Auburn University, joining the alma mater of a number of Bahamian sporting legends including national record holder in the men’s triple jump ‘Superman’ Leevan Sands, national record holder in the men’s 110 meters (m) hurdles Shamar Sands, former World Champion Donald Thomas, Timicka Clarke, multi national record holder and Olympic finalist in swimming Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, Sheniqua Ferguson and Teray Smith just to name a few.

Strachan initially broke the senior national record in the javelin throw at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) National Junior and Senior Track and Field Championship in June, when he threw the javelin 71.62m (234’ 11”). He then went on to break his own national record at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Under-18 (U18), Under-20 (U20) and Under-23 (U23) Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica, in July. He heaved the javelin 72.13m (236’ 8”) at that event.

Strachan wasn’t done yet, turning in massive throws of 68.85m (225’ 10”) and 70.30m (230’ 7”) at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya – the latter for a seventh place in the final. His 68.85m throw allowed him to qualify for the final in eighth.

Strachan just turned 18 a little over a week ago and still has another year of eligibility as a junior athlete. He is looking to have a strong debut for the Auburn University Tigers and is attempting to qualify for the 2022 World Championships which is set for July 15-24, 2022, in Eugene, Oregon, United States.

Jones became the fifth Bahamian to be drafted into the National Basketball Association (NBA), the third since 2016, joining Sacramento Kings’ sharp shooter Chavano “Buddy” Hield and Phoenix Suns’ starting center DeAndre Ayton. All three are active.

Jones was taken with the 19th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks in July and traded to the Hornets for a future first-round pick on draft night. He has played sparingly for the Hornets this season, and was sent down to the NBA G League for a short period, but is back with the team and looking to make a significant contribution.

Receiving a limited number of playing time in 10 games this season, Jones is averaging 0.7 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game.

Jones had an impressive summer session with the Hornets as he turned in a number of highlight reel dunks in the NBA Summer League, including the number two play of the summer according to ‘NBA: The Jump’ television show and the number three play according to ESPN SportsCenter’s top plays of the summer.

In his final season at the University of Texas, Jones averaged 8.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.92 blocks while shooting 58 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from three-point territory in 22.8 minutes per game. He had numerous accolades in college and was the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year in his final season. Jones got the attention of a number of professional scouts, leading to him being considered as a lottery pick in the draft. He was eventually taken 19th and is looking to flourish as a professional.

Swimmer Izaak Bastian stood out in the breaststroke events again in 2021, qualifying for and representing The Bahamas at the FINA (International Swimming Federation) Short Course (25 meters) World Championships and the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Bastian was remarkable, setting long course national records in all three breaststroke events at the Bahamas National Swimming Championships in June, and short course national records in the 50 and 100m breaststroke events at the FINA Short Course World Championships earlier this month.

In the 50m breast, he had the six best swims for Bahamian athletes in 2021, climaxed by his 27.60 national record swim at the nationals. In the 100m breast, he again had the six best times, climaxed with the 1:00.87 at the nationals, and in the 200m breast, he had the five best swims, topped by the 2:15.14 national record at the nationals.

At the Olympics, Bastian was 40th overall in the 100m breast in 1:01.87 and 36th overall in the 200m breast in 2:17.40.

At the FINA Short Course World Championships, he was 24th overall in the 50m breast in a new national record of 27.24 seconds and 30th overall in the 100m breast with a new national record time of 59.61 seconds. He became the first Bahamian to go under a minute in that event.

Wendell Miller who set a new junior national record in the boys 400m this year, running 45.81 seconds, finished fourth in voting for The Nassau Guardian’s Junior Male Athlete of the Year for 2021 with 22 points. Young track phenom Carlos Brown Jr. who ran blazing times in the short sprints this year at just 15-years-old, and baseball standout Ian Lewis who was voted as the Miami Marlins’ Minor League Player of the Year in 2021 were tied for fifth in the voting process with 12 points apiece.

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Ayton enters NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols

On the heels of confirming a multiyear footwear and apparel endorsement extension to continue his partnership with athletic giant Puma, Bahamian professional basketball player with the Phoenix Suns DeAndre Ayton finds himself in the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols.

The Bahamian big man, who is averaging a double-double for a fourth consecutive season, was placed in the precautionary program on Monday, thereby missing the Suns game later that evening against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies went on to win that game, 114-113, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, as Grizzlies’ star Ja Morant hit a driving layup with just 0.5 seconds remaining on the clock.

As for Ayton, he is missing time for the third time this season but the first as a part of the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols for COVID-19. He missed six games in November for a right leg contusion and two games earlier this month for a non-COVID illness. Ayton joins starting forward Jae Crowder and Head Coach Monty Williams under the protocols. Suns guard Elfrid Payton was cleared and made available just before game time on Monday and went on to score two points and added two rebounds and a steal in nine minutes of play.

Under adjusted isolation rules, protocols require players to be sidelined at least six days or record two negative COVID-19 tests in a 24-hour period before they can resume basketball activities.

The fourth-year center is averaging 17 points and 11.1 rebounds per game this season while matching a career-high at 62.6 percent from the field in 30.7 minutes per game. He is shooting a career-low 66.2 percent from the free throw line.

Without Ayton in the line-up, the Suns have a 7-2 win/loss record, and are 26-7 on the season – one game behind the Golden State Warriors for the best overall record in the league. They host the Oklahoma City Thunder at 9 p.m. this Wednesday before going on the road for three games.

Ayton is eligible to return on Sunday, January 2 against the Charlotte Hornets or produce two negative COVID-19 tests in a 24-hour period prior to that time.

The Suns is off to a blazing start this season, enjoying a franchise record 18-game winning streak at one point, and even claiming the league’s best record for a short period before being recently passed by the Warriors. Ayton has led the Suns in rebounding in 19 of the 24 games he has played in this season, and is just 1.2 points and 0.4 rebounds off his career-high numbers.

Ayton has started all 24 games at the center position he has played in this year. With his restructured Puma deal, he is expected to be among the league’s top-three highest paid athletic brand endorsers at the center position. In his three years in the league, Ayton has made strides with the Puma brand on and off the court, after initially helping to headline a marketing splash in the week leading up to the draft that had five first-round picks sign with Puma.

A key area of Ayton’s new Puma extension will be designating a sizable budget allotment for community activations and giveback events in Phoenix, The Bahamas, and additional regions of the Caribbean and Africa. 

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A successful 2021 BLTA Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals

The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) is congratulating the champions of the 2021 Giorgio Baldacci Open National Championships – Sydney Clarke for the ladies and Spencer Newman among the men.

For both athletes, this is the second time that they are capturing the coveted titles. They both won in straight sets.

Clarke defeated Elana Mackey, 6-2 and 6-0, and Newman won over Marvin Rolle, 6-3 and 6-3.

Clarke did not drop a set on her journey to the national title while Newman stayed focused during his journey and was able to triumph to the top once again.

The BLTA also congratulates Mackey and Rolle on their strong tournament performances and runner-up placements.

“They displayed great talent in the tournament,” stated a BLTA press release. “This was Elana’s first BLTA Nationals Finals. Marvin Rolle is a veteran player and has represented the country on numerous occasions as a player and coach.”

Clarke and Donte Armbrister took home the sportsmanship awards.

“We congratulate them both on achieving this award,” stated the release.

Armbrister finished fourth in the men’s tournament, falling short to Baker Newman in the third place match.

“Congratulations to Baker and Donte on their semifinal performances. The BLTA also extends congratulations to Sierra Donaldson on receiving the Pennie Baldacci Award for participating in seven consecutive open nationals and representing the country in the Billie Jean King Cup tournament for six years.”

Pennie Baldacci, the wife of the late Giorgio Baldacci, continues to be a sponsor of the BLTA nationals.

“We are thankful, naming this award in her honor,” stated the release. “The BLTA also congratulates Sierra on a strong showing and her third-place finish in the tournament. We congratulate Saphirre Ferguson as she competed well, ending in the fourth position in the tournament. This was Saphirre’s first open nationals appearance. Congratulations to all the winners, finalists and participants.”

Donaldson knocked off Ferguson in the women’s third-place match.

There was a tremendous amount of talent on display at the 2021 tournament, a good mixture of veteran players and new talent.

There were four former Davis Cup players and three former Billie Jean King Cup players participating.

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Ministry of Tourism data tells tale of tourism rebound

Preliminary Ministry of Tourism (MOT) data in The Central Bank of The Bahamas’ (CBOB) Monthly Economic Financial Developments (MEFD) report for November 2021 shows that visitor arrivals to the island by air and sea in October reached 260,942 compared to 265,799 in 2019.

The report notes that with those visitor numbers near pre-pandemic levels, the tourism sector remains in a “gradual pace of recovery”.

The MEFD report further notes that the tourism sector continues to face headwinds as the COVID-19 pandemic, with its new variants, continues to wreak havoc on global travel.

The increase in arrivals was drastic when matched against 2020 arrival numbers for October, which was recorded at 7,666.

“Disaggregated by major market, total arrivals to New Providence grew to 140,581 from just 2,359 a year earlier,” the MEFD report states.

“Underlying this development, the air and sea segments measured 44,083 and 96,498, respectively. Foreign arrivals to Grand Bahama increased to 13,996, compared to only 476 in the preceding year, as air and sea arrivals amounted to 1,407 and 12,589, respectively.

“Further, total traffic to the Family Islands strengthened to 106,365, vis-à-vis 4,831 in the prior year, owing to gains in the air and sea components to 11,385 and 94,980, respectively.”

The report states that given the cruise sector restart in the second half of this year, cruise travel to The Bahamas was still 30.9 percent down compared to 2019 levels. It adds that 2020 showed a 70.5 percent reduction over the same review period.

The report also notes that air arrivals to date grew by 79.8 percent compared to the 73.4 percent contraction in 2020.

“The most recent data provided by the Nassau Airport Development Company Limited (NAD) revealed that total departures – net of domestic passengers – advanced to 79,055 in November, from 9,777 in the corresponding month of 2020,” the report states.

“Specifically, US departures increased to 68,425 from 7,800 in the preceding year; while non-US departures rose to 10,630 from 1,977 in 2020. On a year-to-date basis, outward bound traffic grew by 64.9 percent, contrasting with a 73.1 percent reduction last year.

“Underpinning this outcome, US departures moved higher by 83.8 percent, after a 74.1 percent falloff in the previous year. In contrast, the decline in non-US departures moderated to 30 percent, relative to 66.9 percent in the prior period.”

The MEFD report reveals that in the vacation rental market, room nights sold more than doubled in November to 95,440, from 39,917 year-on-year.

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Central Bank seeking to eliminate all check cashing activities by Dec. 2024

Noting the rise in digital payments preferences in The Bahamas and the rest of the world, the Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBOB) yesterday announced that is moving toward the strategic elimination of Bahamian dollar checks by December 2024.

In a strategy paper published yesterday, the Central Bank stated that a universal cutoff date to eliminate all check cashing activities is slated for sometime at the end of 2022, at which time only check deposits would be allowed until the complete elimination.

“Intermediate dates will be established for end-2022 and end-2023 to terminate acceptance or issuance of instruments of decreasing intermediate face values, leaving lower-value payments as the last to be eliminated. In this regard, it is expected that there would be universal preparations for these values to be settled through wire transfers, including flexibility around the existing limits maintained in internet banking platforms,” stated the paper entitled “Cheque Elimination – Benchmarking and Proposed Strategy”.

“A firm universal date should also be set to eliminate all check cashing activities, with payments only accepted for deposits after such cutoff. This universal cutoff is anticipated to be end-2022. Financial institutions will be allowed flexibility within their 

operations to set firm dates no later than the beginning of 2024, the final year of transition, to cease reordering of printed checks.”

The CBOB noted that consultations with banks, credit unions and other payment services providers has already begun.

Acknowledging that the move toward eliminating checks raising issues of financial inclusion, the Central Bank stated that it intends to develop regulations to require financial institutions to establish a basic savings account product for low-value, low-transactions customers, attached to a threshold number or value of cost-free incoming and outgoing transfers.

“While existing no-fee accounts are commonly offered for pensioners and students, the Central Bank proposes that this eligibility against an annual or monthly number and value of transactions, also be tied to a uniformed and researched position around economic means in The Bahamas,” the Bank stated.

As for enterprises that still make payroll transfers by checks, the bank stated, “On the consumer side, indications are that a fraction of individuals still receive wages in checks or in cash. In this subset, the access to bank accounts to receive the electronic transfer format is not universal.

“Interventions must therefore provide accessible alternatives for remaining enterprises to transition away from checks and provide the access for all recipients of payments to receive funds through electronic channels.”

The move toward eliminating checks comes as the Central Bank has pushed a digital transformation agenda in recent years, beginning with the creation of the country’s first central bank digital currency, the Sand Dollar.

The Central Bank noted that already the clearing of checks by the Bahamas Automated Clearing House had been steadily declining over the past decade, with 2020 showing the most notable shift away from paper.

“Taking 2020 into account, both cleared volumes and values contracted notably, due to the pandemic. More specifically, the number and value of checks cleared fell visà-vis 2011 at an annual average rate of 7.5 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively, with the pandemic year drop-off at 35.9 percent and 36.3 percent to 1.4 million and $4.6 billion, respectively. Conversely, over the decade period, electronic transfers (direct debits and credits) in the NACHA format rose steadily in number and value, by an average annual 12.5 percent and 24.9 percent respectively, reaching 3.1 million instructions valued at $4.2 billion in 2020.”

The CBOB noted that the move away from checks for consumers, while for the most part is based on convenience and speed, it also stems from concerns about security.

“Alternatives to checks have increased in attractiveness, due to factors such as efficiency, speed and reduced risk of fraud. For example, the length of time it takes to settle transactions can create challenges for both business and consumers, particularly in instances where transactions are time sensitive. Check fraud is also a challenge,” the bank states in its strategy paper.

“These relate partly to criminal forgeries, publicly disclosed at $3.2 million in 2020 – more than double in value and representing 52 disclosed cases – but likely significantly underreported. Check acceptance risks also surface due to instances of insufficient funds that leave commercial payees in the involuntary position of creditors. Such risks have helped propel businesses and the Bahamian public sector to reduce or eliminate the privately drawn categories of checks accepted for payments.”

The Central Bank noted that its next step includes the creation of a working group with sector stakeholders to identify legal issues around further transformation of the payments and settlements system, particularly for direct debits and credits. The bank is also planning to establish a working group for a public education campaign.

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Central Bank on target to integrate Sand Dollar platform with RTGS, ACH systems

The Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBOB) has revealed it is on target to complete the integration of its digital currency platform with the real-time gross settlement system (RTGS) and automated clearing house (ACH) system by the end of 2021.

The bank made the update as a part of its strategy paper on the elimination of checks, which also revealed that roughly more than $20 million in transactions take place via electronic payment service providers.

“As of 2021, three entities were licensed under the Payments Instruments (Oversight) Regulations, 2017. Along with four MTBs (money transfer businesses), these characterize active participants in the mobile wallet space. However, activity in the space is still at an infancy stage, with 10 entities having completed the technical assessments to participate in the Sand Dollar space. During 2020, most entities were still actively developing their mobile wallet platforms, with some providing stored value products still not fully integrated to the digital currency platform. Some providers were nevertheless active in distributing government assistance payments to the public,” the Central Bank stated.

“By end-July 2021, these entities distributed their services through 231 agents. As at end 2020, payment providers enrolled 38,101 personal accounts and 168 business customers. The services however, largely accommodated withdrawals of personal funds deposited into the accounts. In 2020, top ups, or predominantly third party transfers into these accounts, were registered at 88,601 transactions valued at $10.7 million per month. Person-to-person transactions averaged 2,951 monthly, for an average value of $0.9 million; and person-to-business transactions averaged 14,792 monthly, with a corresponding value of $3.4 million. Conversely, withdrawal transactions averaged 19,549 monthly, valued at $7.2 million.”

Central Bank Governor John Rolle revealed last month that the bank would begin training companies on the use of Sand Dollar during the first quarter of 2022.

“Through the Sand Dollar infrastructure, mobile money services providers are also scheduled to be integrated into the rest of the banking system for payments and transfers. In particular, the Central Bank is on target to complete the integration of the digital currency platform with the ACH and RTGS systems by the end of 2021,” the Central Bank noted in its strategy paper, released yesterday.

“This will provide interface for transfers between the banking system and for peer-to-peer payments as a substitute for personal checks. The commercial bank presence in the mobile money space is also being actively targeted for 2022.”

As of November 2021, there were $302,785.04 worth of Sand Dollars in circulation, 28,003 digital wallets using them and about 845 merchants accepting them.

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