Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the Hon. Chester Cooper was recognized by Jones Communications as the Person of the Year at a ceremony held on Friday.

Cooper expressed humility and gratitude during his acceptance speech. He said, “when you stand at a podium like this your realize quickly that no recognition ever belongs to one person. It belongs to the people who prayed for you, who pushed you, who corrected you, who opened doors for you and sometimes simply refused to let you quit. It belongs to the people who saw something in you before you fully saw it in yourself.”

Governor General, Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Cynthia Pratt was present at the ceremon. Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis as well and other cabinet ministers and government officials including Bahamas Ambassador to the United States and JCN Proprietor, His Excellency Wendall Jones.

Mr. Davis told attendees, “people see the Deputy Prime Minister, they see the minister, they see the meetings, the ceremonies and the announcements, what they do not always see is the heart behind the work. They do not see the phone calls that he makes when he hears somebody is struggling. They do not see how he carries the weight of decisions that affect people’s livelihoods. They do not see how often he pushes, how often he pushes, how often he worries, how often he asks, “are we doing right by the people.” Chester is intense. He is driven. He is demanding. And sometimes that can be misunderstood. But I’ve served alongside him, close enough to know the truth. His intensity comes from love. He loves this country. He loves Exuma.”

This is the second time Cooper has received the award. He was first recognized in 2011. The Deputy Prime Minister was also elected Vice President of the United Nations World Tourism Organization General Assembly representing the Americas in 2025.