The Government of The Bahamas will begin public consultation on the National Junkanoo
Authority this coming Monday, August 11, 2025. A dedicated website will also be launched,
where every Bahamian can read the draft legislation, offer comments, and contribute ideas.
We believe the future of Junkanoo should not be shaped in silence or behind closed doors.
It should be shaped by the people who carry it forward, from every island and every
generation.
This is about protecting and uplifting one of the most important expressions of Bahamian
identity. It is about giving structure to our culture, economic opportunity to our artists, and
respect to a tradition that has always deserved more than just seasonal attention.
This is a time to come together. But instead of unity, Michael Pintard has chosen confusion.
He is now campaigning against the very thing he once called for. When he was Minister of
Youth, Sports and Culture, he said the country needed a Junkanoo Commission. He
organized consultations. He told the media that a national governing body was essential. He
began the process. Today, he wants to pretend that never happened.
That is not leadership. That is a man hoping the public will forget what he said just a few
months ago. He is not fighting for Junkanoo. He is fighting for political survival.
His now, public opposition is opposed to giving Junkanoo groups in Freeport a formal role in
the new Authority. That alone should concern every Bahamian. It tells us exactly what his
approach is. Exclude, divide, then complain. While this government is trying to bring
everyone to the table, he is trying to decide who deserves a seat.
Worse yet, he is now hinting at political interference in Junkanoo groups without offering a
shred of evidence. If he is accusing me of wrongdoing, let him say it clearly. If he knows
something, let him come forward. But if all he has are whispers and gossip, then he should
stop trying to damage public trust in this process. This is not the time for petty politics. This
is a time for nation building.
The Authority does not give more power to the Minister. It transfers that power to an
independent body made up of Junkanooers, educators, cultural leaders, and stakeholders
from every island. It creates permanent, professional governance for a national institution
that has outgrown its current structure.
And this is not just about managing parades. It is about giving Junkanoo the ability to grow as
an industry. The Authority will help develop markets for Junkanoo products. It will promote
our culture abroad. It will attract funding, create jobs, and support the next generation of
musicians, artists, and designers. It will ensure that the people who make Junkanoo possible
can earn a living from their talent.
This is what progress looks like. It is deliberate. It is inclusive. And it is long overdue.
Let the record show that this government is not running from hard decisions. We are facing
them head on. While Michael Pintard folds under political pressure, we are building
something that will outlast all of us.
The public consultation begins Monday. We invite every Bahamian to read the bill, visit the
website, and help shape the future of Junkanoo. This is not a government project. This is a
national mission. We are building on it. And every Bahamian deserves to be part of that future.
August 6, 2025
Ministry of Youth Sports & Culture
Commonwealth of The Bahamas
