Thursday 29 June 2023
Bahamas celebrates Independence, 10 July 2023
By Joy Osiagwu
The Bahamas is an island nation within the Lucayan Archipelago of the West Indies in the North Atlantic, occupying an area of 13,878 sq km with a population of 404,500. It is a tourist destination that attracts millions of tourists annually because of its beautiful festivals and cultural fiesta. Tourists love the climate, beaches, and beautiful forests.
Nassau is the capital city; the common languages are English, Bahamian, and Creole.
The Bahamas gained independence peacefully on July 10, 1973, from Britain after being colonized for three hundred years. The country is a lucrative centre for offshore finance with a sizeable open-registry shipping fleet and a high per capita income in the region.
Most residents of the fishing and farming communities have migrated to commercial centres such as Grand Bahama, Great Abaco, and New Providence Island to benefit from the economy’s service sector—however, the drug trafficking and illegal immigration challenges still hold sway.
Current Governance Structure
As an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Bahamas operates a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with King Charles III as the head of State and Phillip Davis as the current Prime Minister since September 17, 2021.
The Bahamas is a member of the Association of Caribbean States, the Organization of American States, and the Caribbean Community.
Trending News
The government of the Bahamas has begun the process of accelerating the growth and opportunities in Grand Bahama. During his budget debate wrap for 2023, Prime Minister Philip Davis explained that the process has commenced with issuing invoices to the Grand Bahama Ports Authority (GBPA) for reimbursable expenses.
Prime Minister Phillip Davis at the Budget wrap (Photo credit: Getty Images)
He recalled the advocacies made for many years for an overhaul of the management of the Freeport, which is the economic engine of the Grand Bahama region.
“As the government, we have done what we can to make important investments in Grand Bahama. We are investing in a new airport, a new hospital, and a multi-million-dollar jobs program. While these initiatives are much needed, they do not address the more fundamental need for change,” he noted.
He continued, “Our position is clear; the Port Authority under its present structure has not caught up with the Freeport’s enormous potential; the status quo is not working, and the people of Grand Bahama deserve better.”
The Bahamas Ottawa Connection.
The Bahamas is one of the key Canadian partners in the Caribbean region with solid people-to-people ties. Canada established diplomatic relations with the Bahamas shortly after the nation attained independence.
The Bahamas has a high Commission in Ottawa located at 99 Bank St, suite 415, Ottawa, ON K1P 6B9.
Phone: 613 232 172. The Canadian High Commission in Jamaica represents Canada in the Bahamas.