The Economic Society of The College of The Bahamas (ESOCOB) has conducted a study which the society and Assistant Professor Randy Forbes, who heads COB's Banking, Economics and Finance Department, shows that the overwhelming majority of Bahamians believe in the concept of universal healthcare such as the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, and are willing to be taxed to pay for it. Forbes also noted -- as a baseline understanding -- that the average Bahamian's tax burden is 18 percent to 21 percent, versus countries in the region (33 percent) and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries (34 percent).

"There's room for another tax," he said.

ESOCOB President Keyshawn Bonamy, a second year economics major at COB, and Treasurer Tanecia Porter, a second year accounting major, shared their findings with Guardian Business, pulled from National Healthcare Survey conducted on October 28, 2015. Among the discoveries the students made is that of the hundreds of students, faculty and staff surveyed, more than 80 percent said they favored some sort of taxation to pay for NHI. Over 78 percent said they thought NHI should be implemented.

Of those approving the program, more than half said it was because healthcare will be more affordable for households, with other significant percentages approving the program because more people will have access to health care, and that they had family members needing healthcare. Just over 21 percent said they did not approve the implementation of the program, almost all of that because of a distrust of government. Other factors were the feeling that healthcare would be too costly for taxpayers and that the current healthcare available is adequate.

On the matter of financing NHI, 51.7 percent of those surveyed said they felt the money raised through the value-added tax (VAT) should be used to pay for NHI. Taxes (income, payroll and other) were the financing of choice for another significant percentages as well. The ESOCOB survey included students, faculty and staff of the College of The Bahamas, and Forbes said his own testing suggested that the findings of the COB survey are indeed reflective of the wider community.

Two of the top officials in the world of football met with Acting Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture Dr. Daniel Johnson and Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Harrison Thompson today, and scored their first goal – assurance that government would provide “the highest level of cooperation” as the country prepares to host the FIFA 2017 Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas.

“We appreciate the fact that The Bahamas has been selected to host the Beach Soccer World Cup in 2017 and we want to assure you that you will receive the highest level of support and cooperation from this Government,” said Davis during a meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister attended by local and international officials including Jaime Yarza, FIFA Director of Events Worldwide and Juan Cusco, President FIFA Beach Soccer Worldwide. “We are 100% behind the program.”

Still 17 months out, the Beach Soccer World Cup scheduled for April 2017 is expected to be one of the largest draws sports tourism has ever enjoyed. Participation is being compared to the IAAF World Relays and the Battle for Atlantis, events that pack hotels, flood restaurants, fill taxis, drive shopping and attract an active lifestyle tourist who wants the best of The Bahamas.

According to officials, 16 countries will qualify to field full teams for matches that take place over an extended 10-day period with each team bringing a complement of 25 persons or more. Because of the length of the competition, economic benefits are being touted as in the multi-millions of dollars.

“Beach soccer is one of the quickest-growing sports worldwide,” said Cusco. “Not long ago there were 50 countries with beach soccer teams. That has grown to over 150 countries in the last few years and that is fantastic for islands like The Bahamas because it is a sport that is attracting young, healthy players.”

Noting the rapid progress the country has made in catapulting to world status as a venue for major sports events and what it takes to pull off those events seamlessly, especially those televised live, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture reinforced the offer of assurance. “This is an example of the branding of Sports in Paradise,” Johnson said, “and an opportunity for us to say beach soccer is better in The Bahamas. We welcome you and look forward to your event and your social responsibility.”

FIFA is known for the positive imprint it leaves on communities and its top officials hinted The Bahamas would continue to benefit as it has with contributions that include the Beach Soccer field on the harbourfront near the Paradise Island Bridge, the only one of its kind worldwide.

Sun, Sea, Sand & Soccer – Acting Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, 4th from left, meets with top international FIFA officials and local Bahamas Football Association leaders ahead of the FIFA 2017 Beach Soccer World Cup scheduled for The Bahamas in April 2017. Pictured l-r, Frederick Lunn, BFA; Jeffrey Beckles, local organizing committee, Joan Cusco, President Beach Soccer Worldwide; Acting PM Davis, BFA President Anton Sealey, Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture Dr. Daniel Johnson, Lionel Haven, local organizing committee, Jaime Yarza, FIFA Director of Events Worldwide and Jason McDowell, BFA.

Acting PM Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, centre, meets with FIFA officials Joan Cusco and Jaime Yarza at the PM’s office November 24, 2015. The Bahamas has been selected to host the 2017 Beach Soccer World Cup

 

A JURY heard testimony yesterday from a person who said they saw businessman Kurt McCartney being shot in the face and then rolled over by a Hummer in Gambier Village following an argument that turned physical. The witness “AB”, who is under an anonymity order, spoke of seeing McCartney walking with two women, one of whom he appeared to be arguing. The arguing female signalled to a man who approached and shoved McCartney...

A JURY heard testimony yesterday from a person who said they saw businessman Kurt McCartney being shot in the face and then rolled over by a Hummer in Gambier Village following an argument that turned physical.

The witness “AB”, who is under an anonymity order, spoke of seeing McCartney walking with two women, one of whom he appeared to be arguing. The arguing female signalled to a man who approached and shoved McCartney...

 

The combination of a strong high pressure system which is generating gusty winds to near gale force across the Bahamas along with a Full Moon will cause abnormally high seas, battering and overtopping waves along the north and eastern coastlines especially during high tide.

Therefore motorist along these roadways are asked to exercise extreme caution due to blinding sea sprays and overtopping waves. Beachgoers are further asked to remain out of the waters and Small Craft should remain in port until conditions subside over the weekend.