By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

AS tensions between the government and the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) persist over the proposed Junkanoo Authority Bill, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is urging all parties to come together and resolve their differences—warning that the country’s culture is at risk.

He told The Tribune yesterday: “All parties need to sit down and resolve this because emancipation is something people have been looking for continuously. Things like emancipation, independence, those type events, has to be protected.”

“All the relevant parties has to sit down and resolve the issues and let’s work towards building a better future for Junkanoo and the entire cultural events.”

His comments come after a reported drop in attendance at this year’s Emancipation Day Rush-out in Fox Hill, with organisers blaming the ongoing tensions for the decline.

The JCNP suspended all Junkanoo-related activities—including Emancipation Day events—to protest the government’s proposed National Junkanoo Authority Bill.

The matter escalated after the Genesis Junkanoo group claimed it was threatened with suspension and loss of privileges for expressing interest in participating in the Fox Hill Rush.

Fox Hill Festival Committee chairman Warren Davis said that while members from some groups voluntarily came together for a combined rush-out, it was not the same as in previous years, with the event lasting fewer hours than usual.

In response to the controversy, Dr Minnis called for cooler heads to prevail, stressing that a compromise can be reached.

 “You can strike balances,” he added, “and there’s no reason why both entities, even with with other private sector involvement, can’t sit down and resolve the issue for the betterment of the country.”

“This is not personalities. You’re talking about the future of the country. You’re talking about making Junkanoo one day synonymous to The Bahamas.”

He said the country must avoid a situation where a foreign entity recognises Junkanoo and incorporates it into their musical performances and “we lose out”.

“No, no, no. We have to resolve and prepare.”

Under the proposed bill, the new National Junkanoo Authority would consist of 15 members appointed by the minister.

These include representatives from the JCNP, the National Junkanoo Committee, the Grand Bahama Junkanoo Corporation, the Family Island Junkanoo Corporation, various government agencies, cultural institutions, and one person deemed most representative of persons involved in Junkanoo music.

However, the JCNP has opposed the proposal, calling it an attempt to centralise control and roll back its self-governance.