NASSAU, The Bahamas – Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Charles Maynard joined several others in his ministry in presenting accolades and recognition to 2011 Public Service Officer the Year Ian Bethel, who serves in the Department of Youth.
“I want to say a special congratulation to you, Ian,” Minister Maynard said at the recent recognition ceremony held at the ministry, where a Junkanoo group made up of ministry public servants ushered Mr. Bethel in, dressed in a Junkanoo cape and crown. “I think you are very deserving of this. You are the kind of person who has put that old myth to rest — you know, people used to say that good guys come last. Not in this case: the good guy won.”
“We now have the crown here in this ministry,” Minister Maynard added. “I say, let’s keep it. I say let’s back Ian up this year. He is the Public Service Officer of the Year, let us be the public Ministry of the Year.”
Mr. Bethel beat out 12 others for the title, representing some of the best of the more than 20,000 civil servants in The Bahamas.
“For the next 365 days, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture will have the best of those 20,000 –plus residing here, right in this ministry,” Minister Maynard said.
Director of Youth Darron Turnquest also commended Mr. Bethel for the recognition and pointed it out that above his work ethics and drive he had other qualities that made him the right choice for the honour,
“This in one person who you cannot say anything malicious about because he is just a good person,” Mr. Turnquest said. “I appreciate that so much.”
The ministry constructed a board for those to offer congratulations to Mr. Bethel and several staff members, including Permanent Secretary Nicole Campbell, First Assistant Secretary Phedra Rahming, Director of Culture Dr. Linda Moxey-Brown, and Assistant Director Eddie Dames, made vocal commendations at the events held in his honour, which also included a luncheon and presentation event.
“Anything is possible with Jesus,” Mr. Bethel said, as he thanked all those present at his celebrations, including family members, his pastor and Department of Youth staff. “All of you had something to do with me being here, from the janitress straight up the minister. I want to thank you with all my heart.”
Minister Maynard also made a challenge to others in his ministry because, he said, the rest of the public service will be watching their performance, as a whole to “see how serious they are.”
“There is nothing in the rule book to prevent one ministry from repeating again and again and again,” Minister Maynard said. “So, I am saying today, ‘two straight!’.”
“Let us execute everything we do with that special spirit,” Minister Maynard said. “Let us make sure that everything that we are called on to do or are asked to do this year in this ministry, for the development of this country … Let us make this country proud. Let us make Ian proud.
“As he represents the face of the public service, let us back him up, let us do our best and let this ministry shine along with our new ‘king’.”
By ERIC ROSE
Bahamas Information Services
