NASSAU, BAHAMAS - A 42-year-old mother is behind bars after prosecutors allege that she sexually abused her teenage daughter along with her 45-year-old preacher husband.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - Minister of Public Service and Labour, Pia Glover-Rolle, has announced a significant increase in the national budget allocation for both the public service and labour sectors.

To the Editor,

The data shows that, despite government claims about the state of the economy, we are not in a good economic position. We cannot ignore the realities of the global economy or assume that we are insulated from its impacts. The Bahamas is facing significant economic challenges that will ultimately affect our overall well-being. Continuing with the same methods and expecting different results is simply unreasonable.

Today, I want to focus on two things that I see as extremely important. We are grappling with overstretched education and healthcare systems while facing the complex realities of immigration and limited public resources. We are a compassionate people, committed to upholding the dignity and rights of all. Yet, compassion must be matched with sustainable policy. Our current model, where universal access too often becomes an unfunded mandate, is no longer tenable.

International agreements rightly affirm that countries must provide access to education and healthcare. However, contrary to popular belief, these treaties do not require such services to be free of charge, particularly for non-citizens. The time has come for The Bahamas to modernize its public service framework through a comprehensive "pay-as-you-go" model for non-citizens, while ensuring equity and protecting the vulnerable.

Issue 1: Public Healthcare - Financial Unsustainability and Overutilization

Our public healthcare system is under immense strain. Hospitals are overcrowded. Clinics are under-resourced. Staff morale is low. A significant contributor to this pressure is the rising demand from non-citizen residents, many of whom access care without contributing financially to its provision.

~ Proposed Solution: Mandatory Health Insurance for Non-Citizens

We should implement a mandatory policy requiring all non-citizen residents to maintain local or internationally approved health insurance. This would:

Shift the burden of routine and emergency care away from the public purse

Encourage responsible health planning among non-citizens

Ensure that hospitals are compensated for services rendered

Carved-out exceptions should be made for those born in The Bahamas who are minors (under 18) and not yet of legal age to apply for citizenship, preserving our moral and legal duty to care for children within our borders.

Issue 2: Public Education - Burdened Infrastructure and Resource Deficiency

The same imbalance exists in education. Classrooms are overcrowded, especially in New Providence and Grand Bahama. Resources are thin. Teachers are overstretched. Bahamian students suffer from a system that has not scaled to accommodate the changing population.

~ Proposed Solution: Tuition-Based Access for Non-Citizen Students

We should establish a tuition-based enrollment system for non-citizen students in public schools, with the following conditions:

Bahamian citizens and exempt minors (those born here and under 18) continue to receive free education

Tuition from non-citizens is allocated directly toward improving infrastructure, learning materials, and teacher salaries

A needs-based scholarship fund is created for high-achieving or economically disadvantaged non-citizen students to prevent exclusion and promote integration

Additionally, the digitization of enrollment would allow the government to track and monitor all individuals under 18, ensuring their attendance, educational progress, and social welfare.

Urgent Requirement: National Identification System

To make these reforms effective and equitable, we must establish a modern National Identification System that assigns each resident a unique ID linked to their access to public services. I will leave the more advanced technical aspects of how a National Identification System works to Bahamian digital experts in the field, such as C. Allen Johnson. He has promised to write a follow-up regarding its complete implementation, which includes immigration considerations and expanded benefits.

Benefits include:

Accurate service tracking and planning

Improved monitoring of vulnerable populations, especially women and children at risk of abuse or exploitation

Streamlined access and eligibility checks for health, education, and social protection

Enhanced immigration oversight and accountability

This ID system must be built with data privacy safeguards and used to empower—not marginalize—residents by promoting transparency, order, and opportunity.

Conclusion: Sustainable Compassion Through Smart Policy

The challenges facing our public services are real, but so are the solutions. Through a balanced model that requires non-citizens to contribute toward the services they access, while protecting the rights of children and the vulnerable, The Bahamas can uphold both its international obligations and its national interests.

By embracing a digitally integrated, economically sustainable, and human-centered policy framework, we will not only ease the financial burden on our systems, but also uplift the quality of life for all who call these islands home.

Let us move forward not with fear or division, but with courage and clarity, toward a Bahamas that is fair, functional, and prepared for the future.

Toward a Fairer and Stronger Bahamas,
Eden Merry Johnson

ROCK SOUND, ELEUTHERA, BAHAMAS — One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF), in partnership with
U.S. Embassy Nassau, will officially launch the 2025 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs
(AWE) Program on Eleuthera on July 1st. This highly anticipated business development
program aims to welcome between thirty and forty-two women currently operating
businesses or preparing to launch new ventures on Eleuthera. U.S. Chargé d'Affaires
Kimberly Furnish visited Eleuthera and was the keynote speaker at a pre-launch registration
reception and information session hosted by OEF at its Rock Sound campus on May 22nd.

Under the theme "Growing Businesses, Brewing Opportunities," the Bahamian bush tea-
themed reception created a relaxed and culturally grounded space for aspiring women
entrepreneurs to connect, learn more about the AWE program, and meet facilitators.

Chargé Furnish delivered an inspiring keynote message highlighting the U.S. Embassy's
commitment to fostering economic growth through women's entrepreneurship.

"The U.S. Embassy is proud to bring the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) to
women across The Bahamas. Since launching in 2019, over 350 Bahamian women have
joined this impactful program. Many have gone on to open businesses, create jobs, and give
back to their communities," cited Chargé Furnish. "The AWE program is part of the United
States' global commitment to women's economic empowerment. Research shows that
closing the economic gap between women and men could boost the global economy by $12
trillion. That is why we invest in women, and that is also why we are pleased to partner with
the One Eleuthera Foundation on this initiative."

Over the course of thirteen weeks, the DreamBuilder program will provide women on
Eleuthera with access to expert guidance, business education, networking opportunities,
and the tools to build a sustainable and resilient business. The curriculum is designed to
help participants develop strong business models, improve operational and marketing
strategies, and foster innovation. It will include small group and online learning, guest
lectures, and mentoring opportunities, all tailored to meet the unique needs of local women
entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the AWE reception, Keyron Smith, President and CEO of OEF, highlighted the
significance of this collaborative initiative:

"Women are the backbone of our homes, communities, and organizations. In every sector,
on every island, and in every country, when women are given access to the right tools and
opportunities, entire societies shift upward. Building capacity among women entrepreneurs
closely aligns with OEF's mission to strengthen communities and foster economic growth.
We are proud to partner with the U.S. Embassy to bring this opportunity to Eleuthera and to
help create a platform where women can lead, innovate, and thrive."

Anshena Johnson, OEF's Chief Program Officer, expressed her enthusiasm for this
transformative opportunity: "As a daughter of Eleuthera, I've seen firsthand how women's
entrepreneurship can transform families and fuel local economies. I often say, empower
her, and you empower the island."

The program will be facilitated by OEF and delivered by local entrepreneurs including,
Denise Worrell, a successful business owner who brings expertise in entrepreneurship,
educational leadership, herbalism, and health coaching; Riccara Dean, who has a
background in tourism, entrepreneurship education, business management, and project
management; and Lerenda Johnson, a successful entrepreneur and State Department
exchange alumna with experience in small business operations. The program will culminate
in a business pitch competition where participants will compete for a share of $10,000 in
seed funding to advance their ventures.