The Hon. Dr. Daniel Johnson, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture at a press conference, December 16, expressed joy in being able to distribute seed funding to the various Junkanoo groups and members as promised by the government during a conclave earlier in the year. During the conference at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Minister Johnson congratulated sponsors of Junkanoo such as Coca Cola and BTC, and urged other corporate entities to get involved, stating that the government is the biggest sponsor and investor in the cultural art form. Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) Chairman Silbert Ferguson said thank you to the government as he announced that seed monies were increased from $8,000 and $4,000 for A and B groups, to $30,000 and $15,000.

Dr. Johnson addresses the press conference.

Junkanoo members in second photo with Minister Johnson, seated centre, and JCNP Chairman Silbert Ferguson seated right. (BIS Photos/Derek Smith)