National

Youth and Sports Minister: Culture Needed It’s Own Platform, That’s Always Been the Thought

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Before the 2026 General Election, culture was paired with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, led by Mario Bowleg, who is now just Minister of Youth and Sports. So why the sudden change?

Published

3 weeks ago

May 22, 2026

Denielle Miller

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – With a “super-sized candidate” as many have called it, comes the appointment of new ministries, with one of them being the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage.

Before this election cycle, culture was paired with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, led by Mario Bowleg. So why the sudden change?

We all remember the drama that ripped the Junkanoo community – a division within the Valley Boys, that saw the group fractured into two sides in 2024.

The public rift saw both sides show up to national and community parades, and is still before the courts to this day.

Bowleg was criticized for choosing one side over the other during the height of the drama, as many saw this as a possible reason culture was removed from him this term, but he tells Our News he sees it differently.

Another point of contention during Bowleg’s time as Culture Minister was the formation of the National Junkanoo Authority last year, which replaced the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence.

Government says it was necessary to have a central body to manage and promote Junkanoo across the country, removing the entire focus away from New Providence.

Then when it comes to the new Minister for Culture, Leslie Miller-Brice, he’s confident she can continue the work started under him.