Fred Mitchell

I first came to Grand Bahama in 1974. I've seen what this island is capable of, and I've seen the difficult years its people have endured. I've never stopped believing in its future. Tonight, I set out a new direction for Grand Bahama. We're already moving forward with major investments in the airport, harbour and Grand Lucayan. But to unlock this island's full potential, we also have to change a system that has been in place for more than 70 years. We are going to change how decisions about Grand Bahama's future are made, so that they answer to its people, investment creates real opportunities for Bahamians, and growth reaches every community. Whether we change is settled. How we change is yours to shape.

Our mission has always been clear: to introduce and continue to expand the National School Breakfast Program throughout The Bahamas.

It’s been a busy day at UNGA81

Every conversation this week brought me back to the people I came here to represent. The work may happen on the world stage, but its impact must be felt at home, in our families, our communities, and across our islands. I’m proud to have carried the voices of Bahamians into these rooms and made sure our country was heard. 🇧🇸

A few final touches before I address the United Nations General Assembly later today. I’ll be carrying the voice of The Bahamas with me and speaking to the issues that have a real impact on our people and our future. 🇧🇸 Tune in and join me at 1:30pm.

Democracy, sustainable development, and protecting our environment are values The Bahamas shares with our Commonwealth family. Protecting them takes partnership and a commitment to keep working together. It was a pleasure to welcome H.E. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, and to talk about how we can continue strengthening those shared values and deepening the ties between us. I’m grateful for the conversation and look forward to building on it.

Wishing my friend and colleague, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, a full and speedy recovery. My thoughts are with him, his family, and the people of St. Kitts and Nevis during this time. I look forward to seeing him restored to good health and continuing his service to his country and our region.

Seven years later, my heart is still with the families who lost so much during Hurricane Dorian. Today, I’m thinking of those we lost, those who are still rebuilding, and the people of Abaco and Grand Bahama whose strength has carried them through some of the hardest days imaginable. We will never forget the lives changed by Dorian, and we will continue to honour them by standing with one another and moving forward together. Their memory remains with us. 🇧🇸

The United States is one of our closest neighbours and partners, and our relationship matters deeply to The Bahamas and to the opportunities we can create for our people. It was good to catch up with U.S. Ambassador Herschel Walker this morning to talk about how we can continue strengthening that partnership, and, of course, to talk a little sports. Ambassador Walker even brought me a football with a message I think fits our conversation pretty well: Better Together. I couldn’t agree more. 🇧🇸🇺🇸

Earlier today, I went to the Blue Hills Power Station to see the situation firsthand and speak directly with the teams working to restore power. I know how frustrating these outages are, especially in this heat. I also want to recognize the men and women working around aging equipment and in difficult conditions to safely bring relief to Bahamians. We are grateful for their skill, courage, and commitment. This morning’s incident once again showed why The Bahamas urgently needs a modern and reliable energy system. We came into office facing an aging grid weakened by years of underinvestment. That is why my Administration is making the biggest investments in energy reform in a generation, including LNG at Clifton Pier, more solar energy, battery storage, and a modernized grid. Bahamian families should be able to count on the lights being on, and businesses should be able to operate with confidence. That is what we are working toward, and we will keep working until we get there.

Too many men wait until something is wrong before they go to the doctor. We tell ourselves we are fine. We push through. We take care of everybody else and put our own health last. But strength is not ignoring your health. Strength is taking care of yourself so you can be there for your family, your work, and the people who depend on you. So to the men across The Bahamas: Get the check-up. Pay attention when something does not feel right. And take your mental health seriously too. Your family needs you healthy. Your country needs you strong.

I believe in this country and the amazing talented Bahamians in it! We have faced storms before and we will continue to progress together.

Today, we marched for every Bahamian whose hard work keeps this country moving forward. I was proud to join in celebrating Labour Day and paying tribute to the enduring legacy of Sir Randol Fawkes, whose fight for workers’ rights helped shape a stronger and fairer Bahamas. His legacy still challenges us to keep building a country where opportunity, dignity, and respect for workers remain at the centre of our progress. Happy Labour Day, Bahamas.

When I visited Stapledon School, Principal Amanda Moncur shared with me the need for better transportation for students who use wheelchairs. Yesterday, alongside Minister Sebas Bastian, we helped answer that need with the donation of a new wheelchair-accessible bus. Every child deserves dignity, access, and the chance to take part fully in school life. This bus will help make that possible for more students and families.