PRIME MINISTER URGES JUNKANOOERS TO TAKE CULTURAL FESTIVAL “BEYOND BAY STREET”

Pictured from left front row: Fred Callender, One Family; Mark Humes, MP for Fort Charlotte; Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis; Lanisha Rolle, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture; Percy “Vola” Francis, leader of the Saxons Superstars; Brian Adderley, Chairman of the Valley Boys, and seated, Gary Russell, Leader of the Music Makers. Also pictured are Eric Knowles, Leader of the Prodigal Sons; Raschard Martín, Chairman of Roots; Jemico “Air” Dean of Genesis; Christine “Muffin” Fernander, Chairman One Family; Dion ” Onnie” Miller, Chairman of the JCNP Junkanoo Corporation; and various other representatives of groups.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis met with Junkanoo A Group leaders at the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday, 24 January 2020.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister invited junkanooers to collaborate on a national plan aimed at moving the cultural event “beyond Bay Street.”

Prime Minister Minnis encouraged the leaders to make the most of their upcoming conclave scheduled for March and pledged the Government’s support to advance the festival on the international stage.

“The Government will do all that it can to assist. Just as reggae is synonymous with Jamaica around the world, we want to see the same for Junkanoo and The Bahamas,” said the Prime Minister.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Lanisha Rolle, and the Hon. Mark Humes, Fort Charlotte MP, attended the meeting along with Junkanoo leaders, including Mr. Brian Adderley, Valley Boys; Mr. Percy ‘Vola’ Francis, Saxons Superstars; Mr. Raschard Martain, Roots; Ms. Christina Fernander, One Family; Mr. Jameko Dean, Genesis; Mr. Gary Russell, Music Makers; and Mr. Eric Knowles, Prodigal Sons.