The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture hosted scores of youth from various schools and civic organizations throughout Grand Bahama on Sunday, October 22, 2023 in a grand march and rally, climaxing a month of activities in commemoration of National Youth Month.

This year’s celebrations themed, “Youth: Excellence Is the Standard,” included a youth convention, appreciation breakfast, youth recognition awards ceremony and speech competition during the month of October.

The energetic rally was held on the grounds of the C.A. Smith Complex where Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey advised the youth that they are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but also the leaders of today.

“Your ideas, your voices, your excellence and your actions matter. Your vibrancy will be the force to ignite positive change in our country and beyond. The Government of The Bahamas acknowledges your value and has formulated an aggressive agenda to empower young Bahamians by providing access to educational and empowering opportunities,” she said.

Minister Moxey also told the youngsters, Government officials, parents, youth leaders and community leaders gathered that the Government has also made provisions for youth representatives to have a seat at the table with the aim of inclusion, creating an environment for our young people to be heard and to contribution to national development.

She pointed out that Youth Month is a call to action to nurture, empower and motivate young Bahamians.

Recognizing that young people in today’s world face unique challenges, Minister Moxey said she is inspired every day by the resiliency of the people of Grand Bahama and the steady progress being made through the Government’s efforts to recover and rebuild the island.

“As I look into the faces of the brilliant young people present today, I am certain that many of you have also been impacted and are recovering and rebuilding your lives,” she said.

“To those who have faced adversity and overcome obstacles, I can attest that it is in the face of adversity that you will build resilience and strength that will serve you for a lifetime.”

Minister Moxey congratulated Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Mario Bowleg and his team in the Youth Division for a successful month of youth initiatives.

“My ministry looks forward to continued collaborations to support the youth of Grand Bahama,” she said, while encouraging everyone present to continue to push boundaries, break stereotypes, dream big and reach for the stars.

Before the march got underway, the crowd was also given a spirited welcome by Junior Minister of Tourism Layla Leathen; a sneak peak into 2023 Junior High School Speech Competition Winner Corey Damianos, Jr.'s winning piece; brief remarks from Michelle Bowleg, Deputy Director in the Ministry of Education and a special performance by Bahamian Sensation Elkin360.

The various youth organizations — from the Girls Guide Sunflowers to the marching bands — took to the streets of Grand Bahama in an impressive display of colors, energy and pride and marched to  Independence Park.

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture hosted scores of youth from various schools and civic organizations throughout Grand Bahama on Sunday, October 22, 2023 in a grand march and rally, climaxing a month of activities in commemoration of National Youth Month. This year’s celebrations themed, “Youth: Excellence Is the Standard,” included a youth convention, appreciation breakfast, youth recognition awards ceremony and speech competition during the month of October. The energetic rally was held on the grounds of the C.A. Smith Complex where Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey advised the youth that they are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but also the leaders of today. “Your ideas, your voices, your excellence and your actions matter. Your vibrancy will be the force to ignite positive change in our country and beyond. The Government of The Bahamas acknowledges your value and has formulated an aggressive agenda to empower young Bahamians by providing access to educational and empowering opportunities,” she said. Minister Moxey also told the youngsters, Government officials, parents, youth leaders and community leaders gathered that the Government has also made provisions for youth representatives to have a seat at the table with the aim of inclusion, creating an environment for our young people to be heard and to contribution to national development. She pointed out that Youth Month is a call to action to nurture, empower and motivate young Bahamians. Recognizing that young people in today’s world face unique challenges, Minister Moxey said she is inspired every day by the resiliency of the people of Grand Bahama and the steady progress being made through the Government’s efforts to recover and rebuild the island. “As I look into the faces of the brilliant young people present today, I am certain that many of you have also been impacted and are recovering and rebuilding your lives,” she said. “To those who have faced adversity and overcome obstacles, I can attest that it is in the face of adversity that you will build resilience and strength that will serve you for a lifetime.” Minister Moxey congratulated Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Mario Bowleg and his team in the Youth Division for a successful month of youth initiatives. “My ministry looks forward to continued collaborations to support the youth of Grand Bahama,” she said, while encouraging everyone present to continue to push boundaries, break stereotypes, dream big and reach for the stars. Before the march got underway, the crowd was also given a spirited welcome by Junior Minister of Tourism Layla Leathen; a sneak peak into 2023 Junior High School Speech Competition Winner Corey Damianos, Jr.'s winning piece; brief remarks from Michelle Bowleg, Deputy Director in the Ministry of Education and a special performance by Bahamian Sensation Elkin360. The various youth organizations — from the Girls Guide Sunflowers to the marching bands — took to the streets of Grand Bahama in an impressive display of colors, energy and pride and marched to  Independence Park.

Three Grand Bahama entrepreneurs  paid it forward by donating $300 worth of stationery, notebooks, crayons, and folders to Maurice Moore Primary School to start the school year.

S'Bomb Body Jewels and Piercings' Lashaunna "Shay" Williams explained that the donation, made with Raw Platinum Conch Stand's Kelly Wilson and Lashletics's Lashayne Thomas, was her way of supporting her alma mater.

"Maurice Moore opened so many doors for me. I was thinking about the past, and how grateful I still am for the guidance and the different scholarships I received, so I thought, why not give back to the school that built me."

She said they also wanted to assist parents who struggle with buying school supplies.

Maurice Moore Primary School Principal Rodney Bethel expressed gratitude, stating, "These supplies will go a long way in ensuring that the students get their assignments completed. The financial situation in Grand Bahama right now is not where it needs to be. So, we greatly appreciate their help."

For us at Grand Bahama News, it's truly heart-warming to see the spirit of community still moving about in Grand Bahama.

AML Foods today announced the successful conclusion of its Back-to-School Snackathon promotion, a collaborative effort with the Guardian Media Group. The goal of the campaign, which ran for three weeks from August 8th to August 31st, was to raise funds to provide snacks for children in need as they headed back to school. More than 150 families benefited from the initiative.

The partnership reflects both organizations' unwavering commitment to making a positive difference inthe community by addressing the issue of food insecurity, similar to AML Foods' Feed5000 initiative duringthe holiday season. Food insecurity is a critical concern in The Bahamas, impacting the learning experienceof countless young students. Hunger can significantly hinder their ability to concentrate, focus, andactively participate in classroom activities. Adequate nutrition is fundamental to cognitive developmentand academic success. Without proper nourishment, these children may struggle to unlock their fullpotential in their educational journey.

AML Foods expresses its heartfelt gratitude to its dedicated customers who generously contributed tothis important cause. The company is looking forward to collaborating with Guardian Media Group in thefuture to continue serving the communities. All proceeds from the Back-to-School Snackathon weredonated to the Bahamas Feeding Network and Hands for Hunger for distribution.

Photo Caption Left to Right: Naomi Grant, Events Marketing Manager, AML Foods Limited, Janet Lees,Guardian Media Group, Precious Thompson, Outreach Manager, Hands for Hunger Organization, FatherJames Palacios, President, Bahamas Feeding Network, Nicolette Fountain Archer, Executive Assistant,Bahamas Feeding Network, J.J. Turnquest, Communications Manager, Hands for Hunger Organization,Monalisa Sweeting, Media Marketing Manager, AML Foods Limited.

About AML Foods Limited: AML Foods Limited was incorporated in 1989 in The Bahamas and is listed on theBahamas International Securities Exchange. The Company and its subsidiaries are primarily engaged in theoperations of retail and club stores offering dry and perishable food items and other consumer products and theprocess of a food franchise business. AML Foods Limited’s Food Distribution includes its retail division - Solomon’sSuper Center, Solomon’s Yamacraw, Solomon’s Fresh Market, Solomon’s Lucaya, and Exuma Markets – and its clubdivision - Cost Right Nassau and Cost Right Freeport; the Company’s Franchise Division consists of ten Domino’sPizza locations in Nassau and Freeport. The Company’s registered office is at One Millars Court, off Shirley Street,Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, and the corporate office is at #20 University Drive, Nassau, New Providence,Bahamas, Tel: 242.677.7200.

About this report: This report may include “forward-looking statements.” While AML Foods Limited believes thatthe expectations reflected in such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations willprove correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from AML Foods’ expectationsinclude external economic conditions, changes in the marketplace, changes in interest rates and operating costs, andother unforeseen events or conditions that affect the Group’s performance.

AML Foods today announced the successful conclusion of its Back-to-School Snackathon promotion, a collaborative effort with the Guardian Media Group. The goal of the campaign, which ran for three weeks from August 8th to August 31st, was to raise funds to provide snacks for children in need as they headed back to school. More than 150 families benefited from the initiative. The partnership reflects both organizations' unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the community by addressing the issue of food insecurity, similar to AML Foods' Feed5000 initiative during the holiday season. Food insecurity is a critical concern in The Bahamas, impacting the learning experience of countless young students. Hunger can significantly hinder their ability to concentrate, focus, and actively participate in classroom activities. Adequate nutrition is fundamental to cognitive development and academic success. Without proper nourishment, these children may struggle to unlock their full potential in their educational journey. AML Foods expresses its heartfelt gratitude to its dedicated customers who generously contributed to this important cause. The company is looking forward to collaborating with Guardian Media Group in the future to continue serving the communities. All proceeds from the Back-to-School Snackathon were donated to the Bahamas Feeding Network and Hands for Hunger for distribution. Photo Caption Left to Right: Naomi Grant, Events Marketing Manager, AML Foods Limited, Janet Lees, Guardian Media Group, Precious Thompson, Outreach Manager, Hands for Hunger Organization, Father James Palacios, President, Bahamas Feeding Network, Nicolette Fountain Archer, Executive Assistant, Bahamas Feeding Network, J.J. Turnquest, Communications Manager, Hands for Hunger Organization, Monalisa Sweeting, Media Marketing Manager, AML Foods Limited. About AML Foods Limited: AML Foods Limited was incorporated in 1989 in The Bahamas and is listed on the Bahamas International Securities Exchange. The Company and its subsidiaries are primarily engaged in the operations of retail and club stores offering dry and perishable food items and other consumer products and the process of a food franchise business. AML Foods Limited’s Food Distribution includes its retail division - Solomon’s Super Center, Solomon’s Yamacraw, Solomon’s Fresh Market, Solomon’s Lucaya, and Exuma Markets – and its club division - Cost Right Nassau and Cost Right Freeport; the Company’s Franchise Division consists of ten Domino’s Pizza locations in Nassau and Freeport. The Company’s registered office is at One Millars Court, off Shirley Street, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, and the corporate office is at #20 University Drive, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, Tel: 242.677.7200. About this report: This report may include “forward-looking statements.” While AML Foods Limited believes that the expectations reflected in such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from AML Foods’ expectations include external economic conditions, changes in the marketplace, changes in interest rates and operating costs, and other unforeseen events or conditions that affect the Group’s performance.

Dear Pastor Lyall Bethel,

We hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. We understand that your perspective on the proposed amendments to the Sexual Offences Act is rooted in your beliefs and values, and we respect your right to hold them. However, we believe it is important to engage in a thoughtful dialogue about the concerns raised by the women of our community who are advocating for this law.

The stance you and some of your fellow church pastors have taken to reject the law has left many saddened, particularly those women who have been passionately advocating for its implementation. It is vital to recognize that this law is not about weaponizing sex in marriage or undermining the sanctity of marriage. Instead, it is about safeguarding the fundamental human rights of individuals within a marriage and promoting a culture of respect, love, and equality.

Our community has been grappling with the distressing reality of sexual assaults, including rapes and child molestation. These deeply disturbing incidents underscore the urgent need for legal measures that protect vulnerable individuals within their own homes. It is within families and communities that the moral fabric of our society is woven, and we must ensure that our sons and daughters are brought up to understand the importance of consent, respect, and empathy.

You aptly mention the beauty of the teachings within the Bible, which encourage us to respect and honour one another. These teachings should never be distorted to justify heinous acts of abuse, whether they occurbetween spouses or anyone else. Instead, they should serve as a moral compass guiding us towards compassion, understanding, and kindness.

You have expressed a concern that enacting the proposed bill will result in less marriages. We draw to your attention the recent UB study, “In The Bahamas She Must Give It Up”, which publicly revealed that married women are more likely than single women to have experienced non-consensual intercourse; and, where this occurs those women are more likely to have suffered physical harm at that hands of their partners. This study, and its publication makes it patently clear to all women that in the current state of affairs we are safer if we do not wed. After all, to restate your question, who wants to get married when it is so dicey and dangerous as your husband can force himself upon you without your consent? It is therefore clear that the failure to amend the law, and not its amendment, will result in less marriages with the resulting societal impact that you fear.

The incidence of adultery is already a plague upon this nation and we welcome the church consistently dealing with the matter and not just as a tool in this discussion. It also ought to be accepted that with respect to all laws on the books there is the potential for misuse of the law. The truth is that if a wife wishes to make false allegations against her husband she can do so now. So, while there may be concerns about potential misuse of the law, it is crucial to remember that reporting instances of rape or abuse is not an easy task for victims nor is it one which the authorities would just issue charges on. Before there can be “wrongful convictions” there must first be a charge; and, just as there may be “wrongful convictions” there may also be just ones.

The legal process exists to carefully evaluate and determine the truth, and it is our responsibility to ensure that victims are heard and supported throughout this process. By acknowledging the hardships they face and offering our empathy, we can help pave the way for change that is both just and compassionate.

The cry of “rape within a marriage” is not just a signal that the marriage is in trouble and is headed to the divorce court. It is a signal of the commission of a crime against her person. We note that you have indicated that the marriage contract is for “consent to cohabitate”. Sexual intercourse without consent is not cohabitation. It is rape.

As leaders, it is our duty to put ourselves in the shoes of those who are suffering and marginalized. We must reflect on the impact our decisions have on our daughters, sisters, and mothers. God's protection is meant to shield us from harm, not to enable the abuse of our fellow human beings.

We commend all women who have spoken out and championed this cause, and we implore other women to join their ranks and ours. The call for equality and justice is a call that resonates with many women, and it is only by standing together that we can create lasting change. Let us remember that progress often requires difficult conversations and introspection, but it is through these efforts that we can build a stronger, more compassionate society for all.

In closing, we want to express our gratitude to those leaders who have shown support for these necessary changes. Let us move forward together, guided by a shared commitment to protecting the dignity and rights of every individual in our beloved archipelago.

Dear Pastor Lyall Bethel, We hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. We understand that your perspective on the proposed amendments to the Sexual Offences Act is rooted in your beliefs and values, and we respect your right to hold them. However, we believe it is important to engage in a thoughtful dialogue about the concerns raised by the women of our community who are advocating for this law. The stance you and some of your fellow church pastors have taken to reject the law has left many saddened, particularly those women who have been passionately advocating for its implementation. It is vital to recognize that this law is not about weaponizing sex in marriage or undermining the sanctity of marriage. Instead, it is about safeguarding the fundamental human rights of individuals within a marriage and promoting a culture of respect, love, and equality. Our community has been grappling with the distressing reality of sexual assaults, including rapes and child molestation. These deeply disturbing incidents underscore the urgent need for legal measures that protect vulnerable individuals within their own homes. It is within families and communities that the moral fabric of our society is woven, and we must ensure that our sons and daughters are brought up to understand the importance of consent, respect, and empathy. You aptly mention the beauty of the teachings within the Bible, which encourage us to respect and honour one another. These teachings should never be distorted to justify heinous acts of abuse, whether they occurbetween spouses or anyone else. Instead, they should serve as a moral compass guiding us towards compassion, understanding, and kindness. You have expressed a concern that enacting the proposed bill will result in less marriages. We draw to your attention the recent UB study, “In The Bahamas She Must Give It Up”, which publicly revealed that married women are more likely than single women to have experienced non-consensual intercourse; and, where this occurs those women are more likely to have suffered physical harm at that hands of their partners. This study, and its publication makes it patently clear to all women that in the current state of affairs we are safer if we do not wed. After all, to restate your question, who wants to get married when it is so dicey and dangerous as your husband can force himself upon you without your consent? It is therefore clear that the failure to amend the law, and not its amendment, will result in less marriages with the resulting societal impact that you fear. The incidence of adultery is already a plague upon this nation and we welcome the church consistently dealing with the matter and not just as a tool in this discussion. It also ought to be accepted that with respect to all laws on the books there is the potential for misuse of the law. The truth is that if a wife wishes to make false allegations against her husband she can do so now. So, while there may be concerns about potential misuse of the law, it is crucial to remember that reporting instances of rape or abuse is not an easy task for victims nor is it one which the authorities would just issue charges on. Before there can be “wrongful convictions” there must first be a charge; and, just as there may be “wrongful convictions” there may also be just ones. The legal process exists to carefully evaluate and determine the truth, and it is our responsibility to ensure that victims are heard and supported throughout this process. By acknowledging the hardships they face and offering our empathy, we can help pave the way for change that is both just and compassionate. The cry of “rape within a marriage” is not just a signal that the marriage is in trouble and is headed to the divorce court. It is a signal of the commission of a crime against her person. We note that you have indicated that the marriage contract is for “consent to cohabitate”. Sexual intercourse without consent is not cohabitation. It is rape. As leaders, it is our duty to put ourselves in the shoes of those who are suffering and marginalized. We must reflect on the impact our decisions have on our daughters, sisters, and mothers. God's protection is meant to shield us from harm, not to enable the abuse of our fellow human beings. We commend all women who have spoken out and championed this cause, and we implore other women to join their ranks and ours. The call for equality and justice is a call that resonates with many women, and it is only by standing together that we can create lasting change. Let us remember that progress often requires difficult conversations and introspection, but it is through these efforts that we can build a stronger, more compassionate society for all. In closing, we want to express our gratitude to those leaders who have shown support for these necessary changes. Let us move forward together, guided by a shared commitment to protecting the dignity and rights of every individual in our beloved archipelago.