The Tribune

Some observers refer to The Bahamas as the “greatest little country in the world”. Others have used variations on this theme. An objective and honest assessment, taking into account all the circumstances facing The Bahamas, should readily lead to a conclusion that this is largely an aspirational statement. However, I believe there is no reason why this need remain so. From an economic and social development perspective, I am convinced The Bahamas has had, and continues to have, the potential to more significantly outpace others in the Caribbean and match much larger countries around the world stride for stride.

I have always argued that the use of the word “little” in the above expression should be excluded. As an aspirational outlook, focusing on size is, in my view, limiting. The Bahamas has the potential to be truly one of the “greatest countries in the world”. Despite the current challenges, its standard of living and economic performance are far ahead of much of the Caribbean, but the country is underperforming its potential.

This reality is part of the challenge faced in being recognised as one of the great countries of the world. As a country with full self-determination, The Bahamas has been “good” and, in many instances, “very good”. Yet as a collective, having regard for actual actions, or lack thereof; actual decisions or lack thereof; actual outcomes tolerated; and actual state of affairs – primarily economic and social – we have seemingly not yet made the collective commitment to transition to “great”.

In other words, The Bahamas’ good fortune over the years may have acted as a brake on the momentum necessary to achieving its economic potential. By way of example and contrast, when Singapore began its journey to become one of the greatest countries on the planet, it could not have been described as even a ‘near average’ country. With its unique challenges of racial tensions and, at the time, serious underdevelopment by the British, its future prospects of being anything better were beyond negligible. Singapore has proven that, with an intentional strategy, a national consensus and leadership at all levels of society committed to that strategy, it is possible.

I am convinced that The Bahamas has the ingredients necessary to create a similar trajectory, but this requires a serious transformation in its approach to national development. As we reflect on the country’s last 50 years, it is reasonable to conclude that the largely piecemeal approach to development thus far is not sustainable. There is a need for bolder, more enthusiastic, challenging and inspiring declarations as to where The Bahamas expects to be in the future. This should be coupled with disciplined management to secure the essence of such declarations. The tendency for plans, programmes and strategies to yield to the tensions of other objectives, which produce results that are less than optimal, must be actively curtailed.

The Bahamas at 50 years-old is a time for great celebration. Much has been achieved in transitioning from colonial rule to internal self-governance; from minority to majority rule; from being “managed” to full self-determination and independence. The development of social institutions, building of an independent government machinery, fostering vibrant commerce and nurturing a substantially stable and growing economy are all factors worthy of serious celebration. The country’s achievements in the areas of sport, education, culture, a stand-out tourism destination and, despite recent curtailment, a financial jurisdiction of international repute, are outstanding. These achievements must not be taken lightly and should be consistently celebrated. Those who fought for social advancement, laboured to address inequity and inequality, and who stood on the front lines of uncomfortable moments and circumstances, should be heralded and singled out as examples of what it means to be a nation builder or to contribute to nation building.

But this should also be a time for deep reflection. A time to look back and ask serious questions with a view to executing the next 50 years better than has been done up to now. It is a time to measure performance against potential with a commitment to remedy the gaps, the failings, and the stumbles for the greater good of all. Fifty years of independence is certainly a moment for celebration, but we should make space for deep analysis. The renewed effort to build on the National Development Plan is positive, but this time it cannot be allowed to suffer the fate of past initiatives. On the occasion of turning 50, the prospects of moving from good to great, shifting from perpetual failure to advancing beyond planning, and charting a national path empowered by broad consensus across all critical facets of society, must become real and indelible.

When one considers The Bahamas’ current economic circumstances, the state of national infrastructure and the condition of education and health care, there is much work to be done. The experience during COVID-19 has shown how vulnerable the country is economically and otherwise. The upside of this experience is that we are now better informed as to where efforts must be brought to bear, and the level of attention needed, across the board. The Bahamas at fifty, less than two years removed from the most significant global financial and health crisis in recent history, must now ready itself to take the next big steps in nation building.

I submit that the focus must be on ‘big ticket’ matters such as greater “economic emancipation”, curtailing and remedying areas of decline in the national social fabric, amassing a world class healthcare network, and improving the effectiveness and productivity of public services. The country must become attuned to the task of creating viable strategies and systems for improvement in education, taking us from the often-mentioned “D- average” to levels of competence that will fuel - and be relevant to - future economic developments. Education is the catalyst for fundamental national growth and development, and an important equalizer of individual circumstances, and therefore its outcomes must become more effective as we chart the next 50 years.

The ‘Bahamas at 50’ must take seriously the Prime Minister’s mission to achieve economic dignity for the majority of the population. This does not call for hand-outs but, instead, facilitative approaches that allow those who are able and willing to maximise their potential as citizens and contribute productively to The Bahamas’ development and benefit from second chances. The Bahamas must also grapple with social cohesion, and the future destabilising effects from the lack of decision-making around Immigration. There should be a shift in the outlook. While applying the rule of law without fear or favour, the time has come to approach Immigration as a strategic national asset while guarding against the negatives that have persisted to-date.

The tasks ahead are by no means easy but I am convinced that, as a country, The Bahamas can achieve whatever “loftier goals” it sets for itself. As stated by the Prime Minster in his swearing-in speech: “There is much work to be done, but I know that by working together we can succeed and build the kind of prosperous, independent Bahamas that our founding fathers dreamed for us.” At 50, it’s time to truly shackle ourselves to the essence of this message when it comes to advancing the country together. At the same event, Chester Cooper, the deputy prime minister, underlined this when he said: “I know what can be achieved in our country. We must work with all Bahamians to build a better future. We must make these things our commitment to the Bahamian people. This is a great country, a resilient country of faithful, hardworking people. There is nothing we cannot achievetogether.”

Therefore, as we approach the anniversary of independence and celebrate 50 years, I believe is in the best interests of the country to acknowledge the calling of the motto and move ‘forward, upward, onward, together’. The primary task rests not in just achieving the visions of the past, but expanding them to truly become one of “the greatest countries” in the world. Happy Independence Bahamas!

NB: Hubert Edwards is the principal of Next Level Solutions (NLS), a management consultancy firm. He is currently a student at the Eugene Dupuch Law School. He can be reached at info@nlsolustionsbahamas.com. Hubert specialises in governance, risk and compliance (GRC), accounting and finance. NLS provides services in the areas of enterprise risk management, internal audit and policy and procedures development, regulatory consulting, anti-money laundering, accounting and strategic planning. He also chairs the Organisation for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) Economic Development Committee. This and other articles are available at www.nlsolutionsbahamas.com