The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FLAG raising ceremonies were held in the three districts in Grand Bahama on Friday as part of the country’s celebrations for Independence Day.

At 9am, all the local radio stations played the national anthem simultaneously.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Michael Pintard and Minister of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson spoke at the Harold DeGregory Government Complex in Freeport.

Mr Pintard saluted those Bahamians who had the courage 44 years ago to obtain independence and “to govern their own affairs and sit at the international table of the world as equal partners.”

“The achievement of independence in 1973 was an acknowledgment that we were to be the main architects designing our own future and managing the growth and development of our country. We accepted the challenge undergirded by the faith in God and confidence in our collective ability as a people,” he said.

Mr Pintard indicated the country had accomplished a great deal, despite many challenges.

He also said the Bahamas had made incredible contributions to the world by continuing to produce many Rhodes scholars in the field of science, technology and medicine.

“Many of our scholars have sat international standard exams and have done better than others who hail from around the globe; we are as good as anyone else, anywhere else in the world,” he said.

He also noted that Bahamians have also made significant achievements in sports.

“Our athletes have made a difference and made us proud and have made the world take note,” he said.

“As we raise the flag, we salute all nation builders on whose shoulders we stand. But we also acknowledge there are many unrealised dreams that we have set and some issues that threaten the gains we have made thus far.”

Meanwhile. Mr Thompson said that the Bahamas is “the best country in the world.”

“We are privileged to live in the best country in the world, but even more so, we are privileged to live on the best island in the Bahamas – Grand Bahama,” he said.

“We have been challenged, but we are not giving up; we may have difficult times, but will not lose; We will continue to fight until the island is fully recovered,” he said.