Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis noted, on November 27, 2023, that the Golden Jubilee Independence Award of Supreme Honour was an award with a “grand title to reflect the grand achievements” of its recipients.

“Fifty years ago, the founders of our nation realized their dream of an Independent Bahamas,” Prime Minister Davis said, at the Awards Ceremony, held at the Baha Mar Convention Center.  “In doing so, they opened the door to an even bigger dream – a vision of a proud and prosperous people, defined not by their colonial past, but by the ingenuity and resilience used to craft their future.”

Prime Minister Davis stated that while citizens might take the present-day successes for granted, all must not forget that The Bahamas they knew at that time was not a guarantee.

“In fact, at the time some opposing voices warned that our embrace of Independence would lead to a drastic drop in our quality of life and prospects,” he noted.  “They did not think that we were sufficiently able to govern ourselves.”

Prime Minister Davis added that, over the 50 years since Independence, there had certainly been challenges; but there had also been great opportunities, and “a glorious national awakening”.

“Perfection in human societies is impossible; but even our imperfect progress has seen us rise, excel, and have the world mark the manner of our bearing,” he said.

Prime Minister Davis added: “Even so, none of it was inevitable. We should never take the rise of our country for granted. Imagine a small island nation with the third highest GDP per capita in the Western Hemisphere, with talent bursting at its seams, and a culture and quality of life that many other nations aspire to achieve.

The Prime Minister stated that the odds were stacked against The Bahamas; but, he noted, the nation had “proven time and time again that betting against The Bahamas is a losing proposition”.

He added: “But what exactly is it about us that is so exceptional that we have been able to accomplish as much as we have in just 50 years?

“It is you, the Bahamian people, who have led the way.”

Prime Minister Davis pointed out that The Bahamas’ journey over the past five decades had been one of remarkable achievement, spanning sports, science, business, education, politics, art, music, philanthropy, and media. In just about every field imaginable, nationally or internationally, Bahamians were excelling, he added.

“Bahamian men and women, young and old, from all walks of life, have shaped our national identity and propelled The Bahamas to its esteemed place on the world stage,” he said.

“So, while the year may be coming to an end, our Golden Jubilee is not yet done,” Prime Minister Davis added.  “And before it is done, we are recognizing and celebrating the contributions of our national heroes and heroines – our nation builders, our people – who made this nation what it is today.”

Prime Minister Davis offered a “special thank you” to the Independence Honours Advisory Committee Chair, Sean McWeeney, and the members of the committee.

“Thanks also to those who supported the work of the Committee: Head of the Secretariat Mr. Peter Deveaux Isaacs, and the many researchers and members of staff,” he said.  “All your efforts combined have made this ceremony possible.”

Prime Minister Davis added that they pay special tribute, that afternoon, to the late Ed Bethel, who was a member of the Honours Advisory Committee, and is now himself, an honouree.

“His legacy continues to shine.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that it was important to them not only to recognize those who were “blessed enough to be here in person”, but also to honour the contributions of those who were “no longer with us”.

“Today we remember and celebrate them all,” he noted.

“We applaud each of the honourees as national standard bearers, champions, and examples of what we should all aspire to be,” Prime Minister Davis added.

Prime Minister Davis pointed out that the awards presented that day were separate from those conferred by the National Honours Society, created in that “landmark year of the 50th anniversary of Independence, to mark the landmark achievements of those being recognized”.

“This is an award for the people, by the people,” he stated.  “It reflects our collective gratitude for the shoulders on which we all now stand.”

The Prime Minister Davis added:  ‘We are forever grateful for the contributions of our honourees. With the granting of this honour, your names and the names of your departed loved ones will forever be remembered and etched in our history, when we acknowledge the contributions of those who have defined Bahamian excellence.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that it was “now up to the rest of us to live up to their legacies, build on the foundation they left us, and take this nation forward for the next 50 years”.

“We should do so with the same courage, dedication, and passion that they embodied,” he stated.

“Congratulations to you – all of you – and thank you, once again, for giving so freely of yourselves to this nation,” Prime Minister Davis added.

“May God continue to bless you all and may He continue to bless our beloved Bahamaland.”