The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THERE’S no denying it: Latrae Rahming is one of the most effective political communicators this country has seen in recent years.

As director of communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, Rahming has built a messaging machine that’s fast, calculated, and highly disciplined. When things go wrong — and they often do in government — Rahming’s response isn’t silence or confusion. It’s spin. And it’s usually delivered with sharp timing, clean language, and a clear objective: take control of the narrative.

Whether it’s a power outage, a delay in infrastructure, or a spike in the cost of living, Rahming finds a way to reframe the story. Challenges are positioned as opportunities. Blame is redirected. Even in the most difficult moments, the government rarely appears unprepared — because Rahming knows how to soften the blow.

His strength is in the spin. And in political communications, that’s a powerful tool. But the concern is what that level of message control means for transparency and public trust.

When every issue is reworked into a positive headline, the public starts to wonder: are we getting the full picture, or just a polished version of it? Rahming’s communication style, while undeniably sharp, often feels like it prioritizes optics over openness. Real problems are wrapped in reassurance. Press statements feel more like campaign ads than clear updates. And increasingly, the press has limited access to the Prime Minister himself — making Rahming’s voice not just influential, but dominant.

This is not to say Rahming isn’t doing his job. On the contrary, he’s doing it well. His ability to stay on message, even in the most challenging political moments, is remarkable. But when spin becomes the default response, the line between strategy and deflection starts to blur.

Good governance isn’t just about message management — it’s about substance. It’s about facing the hard questions without dressing them up. And it’s about letting the people see their leaders speak plainly, not only through tightly crafted statements.

Rahming’s gift is clear. He can spin just about anything.

Some say he’s so good, he could talk Satan out of hell. And the way things are going, I’m starting to believe it.

JANICE KEMP

Nassau,

April 10, 2025.