On his return to New Providence on May 21, Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government Alfred Gray gave a report of his participation in the Commonwealth Local Government Forum in Kampala, Uganda.

He led a delegation of 17 persons, inclusive of 14 local government practitioners from 13 local government districts.

Speaking in the Diplomatic Lounge at the Lynden Pindling International Airport, Minister Gray said a number of issues were discussed, including women and young people’s involvement in local government, and for the first time in history, a Bahamian woman presented a paper at such a conference. North Andros chief councillor Vanda Rahming’s presentation during the Working Group Session on Engaging Women and Young People in the Democratic Process documented the status of women and youth and the Local Government Junior Council Programme in The Bahamas.

Held under the theme Developmental Local Government: Putting Local Government at the Heart of Development, the conference was designed to equip local government practitioners with international problem solving techniques.

The Bahamas has qualified for at least two positions on the Commonwealth Local Government Forum’s Board and its Executive Committee.