In the aftermath of what many Junkanooers and residents have described as one of the most poorly managed parade seasons in recent memory, it is deeply concerning to see this government once again fall short in its responsibility to protect and support our national culture.
The state of affairs in the cultural arena has reached an unacceptable low. Junkanoo is a defining expression of who we are as Bahamians, and it deserves competent planning, timely support, and genuine respect.
Nowhere is this failure more evident than in the handling of Junior Junkanoo. With the Junior Junkanoo Parade scheduled for January 29, 2026, schools have been left with less than three weeks to prepare, and many are still without seed funding, equipment, or essential supplies. Some have received nothing at all. I am advised that this delay is being blamed on issues with a single non-compliant vendor, which raises a serious question: if one vendor is unable to deliver, why has the Ministry failed to identify alternative suppliers to ensure that our children are not the ones paying the price?
If we cannot prioritize our young people and give them the tools to participate meaningfully in Junkanoo, then we must ask ourselves what future this government truly envisions for the craft.
As someone who is actively involved in Junkanoo, I know firsthand the discipline, planning, and resources required to prepare our young people. Junkanoo requires structure, support, and respect for the people who carry it forward. That is why the Free National Movement has consistently spoken about the need to preserve Junkanoo not just as entertainment, but as cultural heritage that must be properly funded, organized, and protected for future generations.
Adding insult to injury, this government is now planning an entirely new parade while winners from last year’s competitions are still waiting for their official celebrations and awards ceremonies. All of this sends a troubling
message to participants who gave their time, talent, and energy, only to be left in limbo long after the music stopped.
The frustration among schools and Junkanoo leaders is real, and in some cases it has grown so serious that calls for postponement of the Junior Junkanoo Parade are being openly discussed. That should alarm every Bahamian who understands what this cultural institution represents.
Junkanoo deserves better than last-minute decisions, poor coordination, and broken promises. Our young people deserve better than being treated as an afterthought, and our culture deserves leadership that understands that preservation requires planning, investment, and respect.
The future of Junkanoo, and the future of our children, is too important to be mishandled. We must do better, and we must demand better.