By Betty Vedrine
New senators were sworn in during a brief ceremony held before the Official Opening of the New Parliament at Baha Mar on Wednesday, 6th October 2021. The Senate ceremony was held in the New Providence Ballroom of the resort. Representing the Government in the Senate are: Minister of Economic Affairs and Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Senator the Hon. Michael Halkitis; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Senator the Hon. Ryan Pinder; Senator Lashell Adderley, Senator Barry Griffin, Senator Tyrell Young, Senator James Turner-Rolle, Senator Kirkland Russell, Senator Ronald Duncombe, Senator Quinton Lightbourne, Senator Randy Rolle, Senator Darron Pickstock, and Senator Dr. Erecia Hepburn. Representing the Opposition in the Senate: Senator Darren Henfield, Senator Reuben Rahming, Senator Viana Gardiner, and Senator Maxine Seymour.
Senator Lashell Adderley was nominated and appointed President of the Senate. President Adderley addressed the Senate floor with an inaugural speech highlighting the efforts of her predecessors and pledging to continue to follow in their footsteps.
She also paid homage to the nomination and appointment of another female – the new Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Hon. Patricia Deveaux — a first in Bahamian history where two females preside over both the Upper and Lower Chambers. She also congratulated the new senators for their achievement and urged them to always act with respect, decorum and humility while carrying out their duties.
Senator Barry Griffin was elected Vice-President of the Senate. He addressed the Senate forum and said that he was extremely humbled by the nomination and election as the youngest person ever to hold the post in that Chamber. He said he looked forward to working with his colleagues and committed to work with all to ensure the objectives of the country are met.
More photo highlights below:
New senators representing both the Government and the Official Opposition were sworn into the Senate during a brief ceremony just prior to the Reading of the Speech from the Throne opening the 2021 Parliamentary Session. The Senate ceremony was held in the New Providence Room, Baha Mar.
Both the Senate and House of Assembly held ceremonies at the resort as a result of the demolition exercise currently taking place in Rawson Square, where the Opening of the New Parliament historically takes place. Ceremonies were held on Wednesday, 6th October 2021.
Pictured are: Minister of Economic Affairs and Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Senator the Hon. Michael Halkitis; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Senator the Hon. Ryan Pinder – of the Governing Party; and Senator the Hon. Darren Henfield of her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.
