After a “mad German” set up a website labelling The Bahamas as poverty-stricken, boring, corrupted and with a high crime rate, a government official is investigating the matter and demanding that the site be discontinued.
A reliable government source confirmed that German national Harald Fuhrmann once lived in The Bahamas, and after he had a bad experience here went on an Internet campaign to dissuade foreigners from investing and vacationing here.
“He cannot disrespect us like that. What he is saying is only to highlight his gripes with this country. We cannot go to Germany and do the same thing; that’s disrespect,” said the source.
The Guardian first came upon the website www.bahamas-consult.us.tc a few days ago.
While other sites highlight the water and scenery of Nassau, the badly translated website showcases pictures of the inner streets, garbage piles, construction sites, homeless people, and Guardian newspaper articles.
One article, written by a Guardian reporter, entitled “Bahamians are frustrated – Gomez,” used the story, which reported an interview with Archbishop Drexel Gomez, to suggest that Bahamians were frustrated with their living conditions, and the country. A caption below the picture asked: “Could you imagine Bahamians stealing from their parents, sisters and brothers?”
Another article is entitled “Seventy-two murders top last year’s 65.”
The caption following claimed that The Bahamas’ murder rate was higher than that of New York. This, the website suggested, is why many Bahamians prefer to live abroad.
Another picture showed graffiti on a dilapidated house near Baillou Hill Road with the spray-painted words “Gun Dogs” and “Talaban”.
Under the picture, a caption reads, “Nassau: White Bahamians hardly go on the road in the darkness.”
Another picture, captioned, “Don’t forget, in The Bahamas you’ll find poverty and slums,” depicts a young boy playing in his yard with a pile of garbage stashed in a corner.
The website also describes The Bahamas as a place where customs duties and living costs are very high, the latter not related only to imported products.
The website also contends that drug trafficking has soured relations between The Bahamas and the United States.
The Nassau Guardian, along with Bahamas Home Rental and Tours and Bahamian Weather are conveniently posted as links to the ‘Bahamas Consult’ website.
And, ‘astonishingly’, the Bahamas Home Rentals and Tours link, with Mr. Fuhrmann’s name on the top, promotes The Bahamas as a place in which to invest, and relax.
Several pictures of homes on the “Paradise Link” show a boy holding up a fish, and a woman relaxing in a hammock. The website also provides prices to stay at the homes.
The website also provides daily newsletters in English and German.
Up to press time, The Guardian was unable to contact Mr. Fuhrmann or his lawyer for comment.
By Khashan Poitier, The Nassau Guardian
