National

Our People: Dr. Hubert Minnis

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis was sworn in on May 11, 2017, as the fourth prime minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Published

1 year ago

August 21, 2023

Kendeno Knowles

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis was sworn in on May 11, 2017, as the fourth prime minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, having been elected to office by an overwhelmingly majority.

35 of the 39 seats in the House of Assembly went to his Free National Movement party that year.

But Dr. Minnis’ political career began well before he ascended to the high office. Ten years to be exact.

He was first elected as a member of parliament for the Renmaed Kilarney constituency in 2007. He was re-elected in the 2012 and 2014 general elections and became leader of the Free National Movement and leader of her majesty’s loyal opposition in 2012.

Dr. Minnis, was born in Bain Town, Nassau, to Rosalie North and Randolph Minnis on April 16th, 1954.

He obtained his early education at Our Lady’s Primary School, Western Junior and his secondary education at St. Augustine’s College and graduated in 1971.

He continued his education at University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and the University of the West Indies in Jamaica.

Dr. Minnis completed his specialized studies in obstetrics and gynecology in London in 1985 and is a member and a fellow of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Minnis served as the minister of health from 2007 to 2012. He also served as president of the Medical Association of The Bahamas, member of the government-appointed medical council, chairman of the Hotel Corporation of The Bahamas, deputy chief of staff at Princess Margaret Hospital and a consultant and head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

During his term as leader, Dr. Minnis shouldered two of the countries most catastrophic disasters. First with Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and months later in 2020, the onset of the worst global health crisis in 100 years.

Dr. Minnis demitted office on September 17th, 2021 after a landslide victory for the Progressive Liberal Party. The final seat count was 32 to 7.