NASSAU, The Bahamas – As public servants gathered for a Service of Thanksgiving the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training, extended thanks to them for the work they do to keep the wheels of government turning.

She dubbed the week a time of “pure celebration” of public servants to celebrate their dedication and to remind them of the important role they play in advancing the nation.

“It is a time to show gratitude to our public servants for their outstanding service and invaluable contributions throughout the years. It is a time for recognition of their importance to our nation. It is a time to say thank you,” she said.

“I wish to begin by thanking all public servants at every level in this country for the work you do in keeping the wheels of government turning.  Government not in the sense of a political administration, but those collective offerings of services and essential undertakings for the Bahamian people.

“These offering and undertakings are a myriad of critical services at various levels and through various agencies from health care to education, to finance to agriculture and on and on.  It is mandatory that the qualitative state of these offerings to our people is at a high standard and associated with consistent levels of efficiency.”

Minister Hanna-Martin informed that work is “aggressively” underway to ensure clear career pathways are implemented and that all resources and inputs are in place to help employees plan successful and rewarding careers within the public service.

Additionally, the Government has committed to and achieved timely conclusion of industrial agreements and meaningful efforts are underway to address longstanding issues in the public service.

The Service at Mt. Tabor Church, Willow Tree Avenue, Sunday, October 30, set the stage for National Public Service Week 2022 and was marked with prayers, music and the spoken Word.

In addition to public officers representing various departments and agencies, also attending the service were the Hon. Keith Bell, Minister of Labour and Immigration; the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, Minister of State for the Public Service; Nicole Campbell, Secretary to the Cabinet; Simon Wilson, Financial Secretary; permanent secretaries, directors; Bishop Neil Ellis, Senior Pastor, Mt. Tabor Church and Rickeno Moncur, Pastor Designate.

Minister Glover-Rolle described the week as a time for “great camaraderie, networking, honor, recognition and celebration in the public service”.

She also expressed gratitude to public servants in every government department and agency.

“While we appreciate the efforts public servants make on a daily basis, National Public Service Week is a time when we give special acknowledgement to our public servants in recognition of their contributions. Many of our most dedicated people make countless sacrifices throughout their careers in the name of serving the public. They are worthy of commendation and congratulations,” she said.

Bishop Ellis applauded public officers for their work.

“You don’t get it right all of the time but I am not one of your critics,” he said.

“I applaud you for the work you do. I believe because we are a developing nation and a great people, with great intentions and great minds, it looks like we’re not doing what we’re supposed to do all the time -- that’s because the expectation and the anticipation of the public you serve is high. It’s only high and great because they know we have great people in the public service. Don’t be discouraged or dismayed by criticisms, just allow them to help to shape you into becoming all that you need to be and all that you were anointed to be,” he said.

From October 30 through November 5 public officers throughout the archipelago will be engaged in activities to highlight the public service and inform the general public about the work they perform.

The theme for Public Service Week is “Honoring the past, enhancing the present, shaping the future.”

Scenes from the Service of Thanksgiving at Mt. Tabor Church Sunday, October 30^th at the start of National Public Service Week 2022.

 
Acting Prime Minister Hanna-Martin

State Minister Glover- Rolle

 
BIS with Bishop Ellis

 
Permanent Secretaries

 
Celebrating Public Service Week

 (Photo credit: Indira Rankine)