Remarks by Minister the Hon. Fred Mitchell Remarks by Minister the Hon. Fredrick A. Mitchell: ‘The Significance of Service, Diplomatic Leadership, and the Protection of National Documents’

Remarks by Minister the Hon. Fredrick A. Mitchell: ‘The Significance of Service, Diplomatic Leadership, and the Protection of National Documents’ At the Foreign Service Awards Ceremony honoring distinguished Foreign Service Officers – 17 November 2025 at 10 A.M.

FOR IMMEDIATE REPLEASE
26^st November 2025

NASSAU, The Bahamas, 26th^th November 2025 — Thank you very much, Permanent Secretary.

Good morning, Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen.

It is a privilege to join you on this august occasion. I wish at the outset to extend apologies on behalf of the Honourable Prime Minister, who is unavoidably engaged elsewhere this morning. You would have seen his message in the programme booklet, please be assured of his full support. Had circumstances allowed, he would have been here in person to congratulate all honourees for their exemplary service.

Today we gather to recognize the distinguished men and women who are receiving medals of honour, and to commend the Ambassadors-designate who are about to receive their Instruments of Appointment. You are colleagues and friends who have served the Commonwealth of The Bahamas with credit and commitment. The country and the government are deeply grateful.

Ministrer Mitchell giving remarks at Government House on 17th November.

I wish to speak briefly to an important constitutional convention that is sometimes misunderstood. In our system, when an Administration changes, even when led by the same political party, it is customary for appointees to tender their resignation. This is not punitive; it is simply the practice that supports orderly governance. No one needs to ask whether an individual should continue to serve. Likewise, if confidence between an appointing authority and an appointee is lost, the convention prescribes the natural course that follows. I offer these remarks to address commentary that has been circulating, and to reaffirm the principles that guide our public life.

We are privileged today to serve under a Prime Minister who understands and values the pivotal role of foreign relations in safeguarding our nation. His support strengthens our efforts across the diplomatic sphere.

Allow me also to extend heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Terry Archer, who has reached the age of retirement after rendering exemplary service as Chief of Protocol for the Commonwealth. We wish him every success in this new chapter. As we say in The Bahamas, “not every goodbye is gone” and we know we will see him again. Today, we thank him for his outstanding contribution.

I also wish to reaffirm the critical importance of protecting the integrity of our national documents, particularly our passports. There has been an unfortunate amount of misinformation circulating in the public domain. The Chief Passport Officer, soon to assume the post of High Commissioner to India, has overseen significant modernization and security upgrades at the Passport Office. Our passports are more secure now than they have ever been. That is an undeniable fact.

There is nothing to be gained, especially by public officials, in undermining confidence in the security of our national documents. Such actions harm our country and jeopardize the freedom of movement enjoyed by Bahamian citizens. We must never create an environment where our own documents are called into question from border to border. I leave that message with you as a matter of national responsibility.

Ladies and gentlemen today is an auspicious occasion. It is a moment to say thank you, a moment to say well done, and a moment to charge you to go forward and continue defending the interests and honour of our country.

Congratulations to all award recipients and appointees. I look forward to working closely with you in the months, and indeed the years, ahead.

May God bless you and may God bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

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