Today at Government House, Dr. Daniel Johnson took the Oath of Office and received his Letter of Appointment. He now goes to London as our High Commissioner-Designate to the Court of St. James’s. On behalf of the Government and people of The Bahamas, I offer him my warmest congratulations.
Dr. Johnson knows Britain from his student years. He trained in podiatric medicine at the University of Westminster and pursued postgraduate study in London.
He brought that training home to Bahamian sport. He worked with the Bahamas Olympic Committee, served on our first Anti-Doping Commission and founded Sports Med Bahamas Group.
From 2012 to 2017, he sat in the House of Assembly as Member for Carmichael and served as Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture. In that office, he represented The Bahamas at the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting in London and at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. In 2022, he became Chairman of the Gaming Board.
Dr. Johnson takes up his post at a good moment for our relations with the United Kingdom. Last month, His Majesty King Charles III paid his first official visit to The Bahamas as King. He will build on the goodwill of that visit.
He carries a clear brief. Bahamian businesses should make fuller use of the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement to reach British buyers, and he will help them do so. He will also make the case for British investment in our islands.
Working with the Ministry of Tourism, he will promote The Bahamas to British and European travellers. On climate change, the first priority of our foreign policy, he will press for fair access to climate finance.
His own story shows what a British education can do for a young Bahamian. I want more of our young people to have that chance. Bahamians living, studying and working in the United Kingdom should also find prompt service and a warm welcome at our High Commission.
I thank High Commissioner Paul Andrew Gomez for his dedicated service to The Bahamas in London. I wish Dr. Johnson every success, and I am confident he will represent our country with energy and distinction.