By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
MEMBERS of Parliament yesterday began debating a National Honours Bill that would create a Bahamian system that honours contributions to cultural and political development.
In introducing the legislation, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell stressed that recognising the nation’s pioneers through a process that exudes authenticity is important for national development.
He noted that to ensure the integrity of the process, a bipartisan advisory committee would be responsible for making recommendations to the prime minister concerning who should be honoured.
He said efforts would be made to ensure the system doesn’t become politicised, as he and Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe named people of different political persuasions who deserve to be honoured.
Once the National Honours Bill becomes law, it would allow for up to seven categories of honours, including the Order of National Hero, the Order of the Nation, the Order of the Bahamas, the Order of Excellence, the Order of Distinction, the Order of Merit and the Order of the Lignum Vitae.
Of these, the Order of National Hero is intended to be the “rarest of rare” honours, conferred to only a small group of people.
Comments
GrassRoot 8 years, 4 months ago
read this: http://goodmenproject.com/featured-co...">http://goodmenproject.com/featured-co... people that do good, don't know any different. They don't seek recognition by the public. don't want to be the show horses of the elites. Who needs a medal if what he/she does makes him/her happy. Spare us from more of the same political theater. We already have a Cesar, don t need more of them.
DillyTree 8 years, 4 months ago
Surely this country has more pressing matters to deal with than creating a homegrown honours system. Let's see -- out of control crime, failing economy, rising unemployment, the DOA national health insurance debacle, a slipping tourism product, and rampant corruption -- just for starters.
themessenger 8 years, 4 months ago
And they will be doled out in the usual fashion as praise and honours for the sycophants and rewards for the party faithful. Mitchell and wilchcombe have "named people of different political persuasions who deserve to be honored". Should read more like; Order of National Zero, Order of the Nation Destroyed, Disorder of Bahamas, the Order of Negligence,the Order of Dysfunction, the Order of little Merit and last but not least, a branch of Lignum Vitae across their corrupt asses would certainly be in order.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 4 months ago
Why are we so cynical???? ......... do you know what a GCVO, KCMG, CBE, OBE means??? At least we can now inspire our teens to earn an OLV by the time he/she turns 25 ........... BOL
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID