Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey told graduates of the University of The Bahamas Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (CeLEARN) program, that completing certifications in their respective disciplines has prepared them to take advantage of the opportunities in Grand Bahama that close to four billion dollars of island investments will create.
“Grand Bahama is really on the move,” said Minister Moxey. “When you look at these major developments that are happening – some that have not yet been announced – there are so many opportunities. With preparing yourselves, you are opening up the possibilities for you to be able to benefit, not just from job opportunities, but entrepreneurial spin-off opportunities as well.”
Minister Moxey was the guest speaker at the CeLEARN graduation awards ceremony on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Teachers’ Union Hall. Fifty-one students graduated from the program in various disciplines, including Accounting Associates, Supervisory Management, Certified Professional Manager, Preschool Teachers certification, Project Management and Dental Assisting program.
Minister Moxey noted that while Grand Bahama continues on a definitive upward trajectory, her government is not merely interested in temporary fixes or aesthetic rebounds. Instead, she added that the Davis administration is focused on fundamental empowerment.
“We want the residents of this island to be exposed to the best ideas, connected to the best resources, and positioned to lead,” said Minister Moxey.
“Our island is the historic home of events and entertainment. We are the undisputed hub of maritime and logistics. Now, we are also the home of innovation. This is the precise moment where the vision of Innovate242 transitions from a policy document into a living reality.
“This initiative is not merely a government project; it is a declaration of our intent to transform the soil of Grand Bahama into the most fertile ground for technology and digital enterprise in the Caribbean. We are building an ecosystem of incubators, tech campuses, and digital sandboxes designed to magnetize global talent and local ingenuity alike.
“However, a ‘hub’ is not defined by its high-speed fiber optics or its modern architecture. A hub is only as resilient as the intellectual capital of the people within it. Infrastructure without a skilled workforce is just a hollow shell.”
By completing their respective certification courses, Minister Moxey told graduates that they have effectively plugged themselves into the national grid. She referred to them as “the human software” required to run the hardware of the island’s future economy.
“We need professionals who are not afraid of the ‘new.’ We need citizens who understand that innovation is a habit, not a destination. Your commitment to professional development ensures that when the world looks to the Caribbean for the next great digital breakthrough, they will find a workforce in Grand Bahama that is not only ready but is already leading the charge.
“To the graduates from Exuma, Andros, New Providence, Abaco, Acklins, Crooked Island, and right here in Grand Bahama, you are the engine of this vision. Whether your certificate is in management, technology, or the arts, you are now better equipped to contribute to the grand scheme of our island’s rebirth. You are the innovators we need to fuel the tech breakthroughs of tomorrow and the logistics experts who will keep our ports worldclass.
“This administration believes that when you are empowered, the nation is strengthened. When you are exposed to new disciplines, our collective horizon expands.”
By Andrew Coakley
