CREATIVE VISION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

BAHAMIAN GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

The Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Supplementary guide and lesson plan to the Bahamian History syllabus for high school
students in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Prepared and comprised by Mrs.
Cecilia Askew, teacher at Creative Vision Christian Academy, Nassau, New Providence,
The Bahamas

copyright@2009
The Constitution of The Bahamas is based on the Westminster Model; Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II, The Executive Branch, The Legislative Branch, and Judicial Branch.

As a member of the Commonwealth of Nations The Bahamas recognizes Her Majesty

Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State. The Governor-General is Her Majesty’s
representative in The Bahamas and constitutes a symbol of the nation’s unity.

The Cabinet constitutes the executive branch and has general direction and control of
the Government of The Bahamas. It is necessary for the Cabinet to comprise at least
nine Ministers inclusive of the Prime Minister and Attorney General.

Parliament constitutes the Legislative branch of The Bahamas, which consist of a

Senate and a House of Assembly. Subject to the provisions of the Constitution,
Parliament may make laws for the peace, order and good government of The Bahamas.

Judicial Authority is vested in the Judicature, which comprises the Supreme Court and
the Court of Appeal with such jurisdiction; the Constitution or any other law may confer
powers and authority as on these Courts respectively.

Structure of the Government of The Bahamas

Governor- General His Excellency Arthur D. Hanna

Executive Branch

Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

The Cabinet

Hon. T. Brent Symonette Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Hon. Lawrence S. Cartwright
Hon. Charles T. Maynard
Hon. Carl W. Bethel
Hon. Earl D. Deveaux
Hon. Phenton O. Neymour
Hon. Hubert A. Minnis
Hon. A. Kenneth Russell
Hon. W. A. Branville McCartney
Sen. Hon. Dion Foulkes
Hon. Bryan S. Woodside
Hon. O. A. T. [Tommy] Turnquest
Hon. Zhivargo S. Laing
Hon. Neko C. Grant
Hon. Loretta R. Butler-Turner
Sen. Hon. Johnley Ferguson
And Attorney General
Minister of Agriculture & Marine Resources
Minister of State - Culture
Minister of Education
Minister of Environment
Minister of State - Environment
Minister of Health
Minister of Housing
Minister of State - Immigration
Minister of Labour & Social Development
Minister of State - Lands & Local Government
Minister of National Security
Minister of State - Finance
Minister of Public Works & Transport
Minister of State – Social Development
Vice President of the Senate
Sen. Hon. Vincent Vanderpool-
Wallace Minister of Tourism & Aviation
Hon. T. Desmond Bannister Minister of Youth & Culture

The Senate

Government Members
Sen. Hon. Lynn Holowesko President of the Senate
Sen. Hon. Anthony Musgrove
Sen. Hon. Johnley Ferguson Vice President of the Senate
Sen. Hon. Anthony Musgrove
Sen. Hon. Dion Foulkes Minister of Labour & Social Development
Sen. Hon. Jacinta Higgs
Sen. Hon. Frederick McAlpine
Sen. Hon. David Thompson
Sen. Hon. Vincent Vanderpool-
Wallace Minister of Tourism & Aviation
Sen. Hon. Tanya Wright

Opposition Members

Sen. Hon. Dr. Michael Darville

Sen. Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald
Sen. Hon. Michael Halkitis
Sen. Hon. Allyson Maynard Opposition Leader in the Senate
Sen. Hon. Hope Strachan

House of Assembly – Elected Members of Parliament

Adderley, Malcolm Elizabeth Estates

Bannister, Desmond Carmichael
Bethel, Carl Seabreeze
Butler-Turner, Loretta Montagu
Cartwright, Lawrence Long Island & Ragged Island
Christie, Perry G. Centreville & Farm Road
Collie, Sidney Blue Hills
Davis, Philip Cat Island
Deveaux, Earl Marathon
Forbes, Pricewell South Andros
Gibson, Kenyatta Kennedy Sub.
Gibson, Shane Golden Gates
Grant, Neko Lucaya
Grant, Verna Eight Mile Rock
Gray, Alfred V. MICAL
Griffin, Melanie Yamacraw
Hanna-Martin, Glenys Engleston
Ingraham, Hubert A. North Abaco
Ingraham, Oswald South Eleuthera
Key, Edison South Abaco
Laing, Zhivargo Marco City
Maynard, Charles Golden Isles
McCarney, Branville Bamboo Town
Minnis, Hubert, Killarney
Mitchell, Frederick Fox Hill
Moss, Anthony Exuma
Neymour, Phenton South Beach
Nottage, Bernard Bain & Grants Town
Peet, Vincent North Andros & Berry Islands
Pratt, Cynthia St. Cecilia
Rolle, Brensil Garden Hills
Russell, Kenneth High Rock
Sears, Alfred Ft. Charlotte
Smith, Alvin North Eleuthera
Smith, Frank St. Thomas More
Symonette, Brent St. Anne’s
Thompson, Kwasi Pineridge
Turnquest, Tommy Mt. Moriah
Wilchcombe, Obediah West End & Bimini
Woodside, Bryan Pinewood
Wright, Kendal Clifton

Project Exercises

You must choose at least two [2] questions to answer. All assignments are worth 100
points.

1. Find out which constituency each elected Member of Parliament is representing and
whether they are government ministers or members of the opposition. Additionally, find
out as much about them as you can about them before they became MP’s: include their
profession, religious affiliation, family life and whatever boards and /or committees they
may sit on.

2. Find out the duties and functions of the Governor-General. Include official state
functions and international gatherings that have to be attended by the Governor-General
on behalf of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. This exercise is worth 20 points.

3. Explain the structure of the Judiciary. Include the names and relevant information of
all the Chief Justices in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

4. Research and find out the role and functions of the following posts. Include the
names of the past and current persons holding the positions.

Chief Justice
Parliamentary Secretary
Registrar of the Department of Labour
Head of the Department of Archives
House of Assembly Clerk
Head of Missions to Foreign Countries
Ambassador to: USA, UK, Canada,