By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 4, 2022 — Continuing to assure that The Bahamas is well represented diplomatically around the world, Prime Minister Philip E. Davis and the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government has appointed seven additional diplomats, who formally took their oaths on Wednesday, August 3.
The new ambassadors include Joseph Curry, President of Frandor Investments Ltd., who previously served in The Bahamas foreign service at The Bahamas Embassy in Washington, D.C. from 1990 to 1994. A devout Roman Catholic, he has been appointed Ambassador to The Holy See in Rome.
In keeping with the strong commitment and emphasis the Davis Administration has placed on sports and the development of young Bahamians, the cadre of new ambassadors include former National Basketball Association (NBA) player Rick Fox and five-time Olympian Chris “Fireman” Brown. Both were appointed Ambassadors-at-Large for Sports.
Although he was born in Canada, Fox is a Canadian-Bahamian, whose father Ulrick William Fox was a Bahamian businessman. He played in the NBA for the Boston Celtics from 1991 to 1997 and with the Los Angeles Lakers 1997 to 2004, helping the team win three straight NBA championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
After retiring from the NBA, Fox launched a successful acting career.
“His acting credits have included roles in Oz, He Got Game, One Tree Hill, Ugly Betty, The Game, Meet the Browns, Melrose Place, Mr. Box Office, Sin City Saints, Krystal, Sharknado, Greenleaf, Morning Show Mysteries and All Rise,” according to Wilipedia.
Chris “Fireman” Brown, competing mainly in the 400 metres, won four World Championships medals in the relay. He also won a gold medal in the relay at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
“In 2007, his most successful year, Brown won gold medals in both the individual 400 metres and the 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2007 Pan American Games,” according to Wikipedia. “In the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Brown tied the Bahamian national record, when finishing fourth in the 400 metres final. Brown (together with Avard Moncur, Andrae Williams and Michael Mathieu) also won silver in the 4 × 400 meres relay at the 2007 World Championships.”
The new ambassadors also include Sebastian Bastian, a prominent businessman, who is the CEO of Island Luck, a highly successful gaming operation. He was appointed Ambassador for Central America.
William Wong, the founder of Chelsea’s Choice, who previously served as President of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation, is Ambassador to Morocco.
Dr. Dexter Johnson, an oral surgeon, is Ambassador to Brazil.
Taran Mackey, Managing Director of The Bahamas office for IPG Family Office Ltd., a multi-family office that specializes in trust and estate planning with over $2 billion is assets, is Ambassador to Kuwait.
The Nassau Guardian reported that Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell said the commissioning ceremony for the new ambassadors was “an important occasion.”
“I want to welcome all of you – and some of you back – to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Mr. Mitchell said.
“My point is more generally that our society, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, must find a way to cut through delay, procrastination and bureaucratic inertia,” Mr. Mitchell was quoted as saying.
“One year later, the list of things to do is not complete. We have miles, as the poet says, to go before we sleep,” he added. “Each of you have been specifically chosen by the Prime minister to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to work, to share your skills and, I emphasize, to work, to share your connections, your energy, to build the project Bahamas.”
Mr. Mitchell told the new diplomats that this was not the job for them if the money is too small and the hours are too long, noting that while the job is a political one, it is not a partisan one, according to The Guardian.
“The bottom line then in welcoming you is to say to you that you are serving the Bahamian people and you serve them until it is time to go,” Mitchell said. “Remember that we must work and work while it is day because night comes and no man can work.”
According to The Guardian, Prime Minister Davis said the appointments attest to the range, breadth and depth of The Bahamas’ international relationships.
He said it is also evidence of The Bahamas’ intention and ability to promote areas of special interest and relevance to its national development.
“Our ambassadors have key roles to play in ensuring that our voices are heard and our interests promoted,” the Prime Miniter said. Said. “When they speak for us, they will show the world what we are made of. I am proud that our cadre of ambassadors is drawn from the best amongst us.”
