By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 20, 2023 — Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, MP for Exuma and Ragged Island and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, posted a collection of photos on Facebook on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, that I absolutely had to share with readers of my online publication, BAHAMAS CHRONICLE, which has a huge following among the Bahamian diaspora across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom as well as in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean.
DPM Cooper posted the photos with the following narrative:
“Panther Power in effect! As a proud graduate of the legendary L.N. Coakley High School, I was especially proud to present awards to Olando Ferguson and Azaria Wilson, students of my alma mater, who came first and second in the Consumer Protection Commission Logo Competition.
They triumphed in a competition with over 120 students from throughout The Bahamas.
A job well done. Exuma continues to excel.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: In an effort to increase the public’s awareness of their rights as consumers in the country, the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC), in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Technical and Vocational Training, launched a logo competition for students ages 12 and up.
The Tribune reported in an article published on Tuesday, September 5, that students “throughout The Bahamas have the chance to win some $850 and other prizes by entering a competition to create a logo for the Consumer Protection Commission.”
“In conjunction with the Ministry of Education, the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) officially launched its Creative Minds Logo Competition at a press conference yesterday, for students ages 12-17,” the article noted. “The competition will run from August 15 to September 20. The prize for first place is $500 and other prizes; the second-place prize is $250 and other prizes; and third place will receive $100 and other prizes.”
Noting that the purpose of the competition “is to engage young people in knowing what the CPC does while also revamping the department’s logo, Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin said the competition would give students the chance to be stimulated artistically and educate them from a young age on what their rights are as a consumer.
“First of all, it gives our young people an opportunity to compete artistically and it will stimulate a great burst of competitive artwork across our high schools nationwide, which will be able to capture the messaging that the department requires to get the word out,” Minister Hanna Martin said, “Secondly, it will help to educate our young people on the fact that they do have rights as consumers, and that we all do. There are standards that are in play in our country.”
