The Ministry of Youth and Sports, youth division, inducted 16 new National Youth Ambassadors to represent The Bahamas on the national, regional and international stages in ceremonies at Government House, September 28, 2026.
The nine-male, seven-female cohort were sworn in to their new role before the Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Hon. Jomo Campbell, who stood in proxy for the Minister of Youth and Sports, the Hon. Mario Bowleg. They received their Instrument of Appointment from the Governor General, HE the Most Hon. Dame Cynthia A. Pratt.
Sandena Neely, head of the Division of Youth, explained the role of the National Youth Ambassador, stating: “What this does is allow our young people to have a seat at the decision-making table, which is one of the most important places our young people would like to be.
“They have a voice. Their voices are not only heard but respected, and their opinions are incorporated into the decisions made on behalf of our country,” said the Head of Division of Youth.
A diverse group of candidates, including young people coming out of high school and from the private and public sectors, were interviewed by four interviewers from various professions.
Sherry Johnson-Deal, one of the four interviewers with a diplomatic background, said she was pleased to see the new ambassadors selected and noted the spaces in which the new cohort will represent The Bahamas.
“They are simply the best and brightest representation our country has to offer. They will be representing (The Bahamas) in several multilateral organizations and regional bodies, including the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Community — otherwise known as CARICOM — and the Commonwealth,” Mrs. Johnson-Deal said.
Ms. Johnson-Deal also said National Youth Ambassadors are expected to carry out and advance The Bahamas’ foreign policy on the international stage and will be trained to perform their new role effectively.
“They will undergo rigorous training. Some imminent training will involve drafting a statement to deliver before Parliament. I will have an instrumental role in that, as well as in shaping, mentoring, and coaching them in diplomatic protocol and etiquette.
“Protocol and ethics are extremely important in this space,” Mrs. Johnson-Deal said.
Since its independence, many young Bahamians have represented The Bahamas. Still, this particular national representation needed formalization. So, in the early 2000s, the process began, and a formal, standardized National Youth Ambassadors Corps was established. In 2024, post-COVID, the National Youth Ambassadors Corps was reinstituted, and ambassadors were installed to serve two-year terms. The 2026-2028 National Youth Ambassadors cohort is the second installment of inductees to serve a two-year term.
For persons interested in becoming a National Youth Ambassador, Head of Division of Youth, Ms. Neely encourages them to get involved with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Come to the Division of Youth, share your interests, and begin serving today.
The sixteen National Youth Ambassadors inducted were Youth Ambassador and Dean of the National Youth Ambassadors Corps, Ariannah Wells; Youth Ambassador and Vice-Dean of the National Youth Ambassadors Corps, Jervon Sands; Youth Ambassadors for CARICOM, Ariannah Wells and Tristen Hanna; Youth Ambassadors for Commonwealth, Chanae Barr and Ilan White; Youth Ambassadors for United Nations, Shappelle Marshall and Jervon Sands; High School Youth Ambassador, Kylah Taylor; Youth Ambassador for Organization of American States (OAS), Scharlee Thompson; and Youth Ambassadors at Large: Cateleen Wells, Daniel Gibson, Stermon Rolle, Braidon Campbell, Arthur Maycock, Hydie Knowles, Jayden Newbold, and Ryan Munnings.
National Youth Month, officially beginning in October, carries the theme, this year: ‘From Voice to Vision.’
