Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture Mario Bowleg is defending Prime Minister Philip Davis following allegations of nepotism related to the upcoming Boxing Day Junkanoo parade.
Critics had raised concerns that the government tried to pressure the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) to allow the Way Forward Valley Boys to compete as an A Division group, because their chairman, Trevor Davis, is the brother of Prime Minister Davis.
Following a split within the renowned Valley Boys Junkanoo group, the corporation ruled that only the original World Famous Valley Boys would be permitted to compete as an A Division group in the highly anticipated Boxing Day parade, a decision that sparked backlash from members of the breakaway faction, the Way Forward Valley Boys.
This week, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture issued a statement supporting the notion that both Valley Boys factions — the original group and the new Way Forward faction — should be permitted to compete in the A Division.
Critics immediately accused the government of using its influence to favor Davis’s group, given his familial ties to the prime minister.
However, Minister Bowleg was quick to dismiss claims that the government’s stance was driven by nepotism. Bowleg emphasized that Prime Minister Davis had opted not to interfere in the matter and allowed cultural and Junkanoo officials to make the final decision.
Despite the controversy and a threat by the JCNP to cancel or postpone the parade, Bowleg and the JCNP announced on Thursday that the Boxing Day Junkanoo parade will proceed as scheduled.
However, the Way Forward Valley Boys will not compete in the A Division as they had hoped.
The Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture is calling for the continued support and unity of the Junkanoo community, urging all factions to focus on the cultural significance of the event.
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