WENDALL JONES, pictured yesterday at the announcement of his appointment as ambassador to the United States by Prime Minister Philip Davis. Photo: Donavan McIntosh/ Tribune Staff
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Senior Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis officially announced the appointment of Wendall Jones as the new ambassador to the United States yesterday.
Mr Jones, who began his career as a journalist at The Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas and later founded Jones Communications, a news and media network, will lead the effort to strengthen ties with the country’s largest trading partner.
Mr Davis said: “Mr Jones is amply able to promote our objectives in the relationship as follows: The further cementing of commercial, economic, political and cultural ties; expanding our range of contacts with all branches of the United States government; working with our Consuls General to utilise the diaspora of Bahamians to promote the political and economic interests of our country; and work with the United States government on a range of geopolitical issues toward our mutual benefit.”
Mr Jones said his family will run Jones Communication in his absence.
“This is a long way from Delectable Bay, Acklins, and it is a long way from Poodle Street,” Mr Jones said. “I started in journalism, this year would make the 50th year and never thought that I would serve the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in this capacity.
“I have been asked by previous leaders of The Bahamas to serve politically and I declined on every approach made. But our Prime Minister Davis, coming from humble beginnings like myself, when he asked me to serve, I thought of his trajectory in politics and tremendous influence that he had on my life and thought that I should give him all the assistance that I could possibly muster to make his administration successful. While I did not seek to serve The Bahamas in this capacity, I must confess that it is a single honour for me to be appointed as the Ambassador to the United States of America.”
Meanwhile, Mr Davis said his administration will expand the professional foreign service. This, he said, would facilitate a greater Bahamian footprint in the areas of trade and investment and a more responsive and engaging presence to the needs of the Bahamian diaspora resident in the United States and other foreign countries.
“Their full engagement and participation will be essential to our national developmental thrust,” he said.
Mr Davis said the government will ensure embassies have a trade and investment attaché to attract investments to the country and expand its international trade portfolio. He said the government is committed to establishing a Foreign Service Institute at the University of The Bahamas “to support the training, education and preparatory needs of the foreign service.”
He said: “Our active participation in the various organs of the United Nations must be well supported as we seek memberships on influential councils to cause for greater integration in global affairs, which is just one of the hallmarks of responsible global citizenship.”
Comments
themessenger 2 years, 4 months ago
Must have made a major contribution to NIB 😂
hrysippus 2 years, 4 months ago
Now there you have a coincidence; Mr. Jones chooses PM Brave Phil Davis as his publication's Man of the year and then PM Phil Davis chooses Mr. Jones to this prestigious well paid political appointed.
sheeprunner12 2 years, 4 months ago
It shows the moral compass of the PLP.
This man has owed every Govt corporation and other agencies taxes, fees and bills for the past 30 years and has been cleared. ..... Then he gets rewarded as an ambassador?????
Ridiculous
Emilio26 2 years, 4 months ago
Sheeprunner12 I guess the PLP will soon give Darold Miller a ambassador post.😆😆😆😆
bahamianson 2 years, 4 months ago
Like The College of The Bahamas students say, the Bahamas is not a real place.
sheeprunner12 2 years, 4 months ago
And it's run by "not real" people ..... Minnis appointed tycoon Sebas, now Gravy appointed empty coat Jones
tribanon 2 years, 4 months ago
If the U.S. State Department allows the Jones appointment, that would certainly tell our region of the world that the U.S. itself is now very much a banana republic. LOL
BONEFISH 2 years, 4 months ago
In a more advanced society, there would be an outcry about this appointment. This however is how things are done here in the Bahamas. Sad.
birdiestrachan 2 years, 4 months ago
Mr: Jones will do an outstanding job. He will represent the Bahamas well. This is what our Country needs good Bahamian men and women from all walks of life and every hue. to serve our Bahamas.
tribanon 2 years, 4 months ago
ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz.........
moncurcool 2 years, 4 months ago
If you think this is what are country needs you are seriously blinded by political persuasion. Hopefully one day your eyes will open and you will put country before blinded political nonsense.
John 2 years, 4 months ago
Do you know who set up the entire industry of bank secrecy and offshore banking? Do you the Federal Reserve is not owned and operated by the US government, but by a group of private bankers ? Do you know that when the US government ‘prints’ money, it is not really the US government, but a private company and the US taxpayers must pay interest on that ‘new’ money? Do you know that the US also had its offshore tax havens and bank secrecies that allows corporations and individuals to hold billions ‘offshore ‘ in the US and avoid disclosing ownership or paying taxes on same? Do you know the same countries that blacklist smaller countries like The Bahamad are the biggest violators of their own laws and regulations and never had any intentions f compliance? Do you know the Cayman Islands is the jewel in the UK’s crown and hold billions and billions in secret and tax evading bank accounts for the British rich and famous? Do you know that it was the Bahamas becoming independent and followed later by then PM Hubert Ingraham opening and willingness to open all the bank secrecy books that caused The Bahamad to lose it’s status as a leading offshore banking haven.. whilst all the countries that attempted to tighten the screws on this country (superfluous ) are still in operation as tax havens and offshore banking jurisdictions? Orr
Topdude 2 years, 4 months ago
Please do not overlook this man’s personal intimate relationship with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Public Service Mr. Mitchell.
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