FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW BOOK

I Say What I Mean and I Mean What I Say: Hubert A. Ingraham in His Own Words

Volume 1

Published by Guanima Press Ltd, I Say What I Mean and I Mean What I Say: Hubert A. Ingraham in His Own Words  (Vol. 1) is the first of a three-volume collection of significant speeches and statements by the Rt Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham, three-time Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the man who shattered the power of a 25-year political dynasty. An attorney by profession, Ingraham stands out in the history of his homeland as a man who engendered a new era in Bahamian politics, national leadership and human rights. Of humble origins, he was born in 1947 at Pine Ridge, Grand Bahama, the northernmost island of The Bahamas archipelago and raised by his grandparents in Cooper’s Town on the island of Abaco.

Reflecting his years in frontline politics, this 1000-page book encapsulates Ingraham’s remarks on the primary subjects that coloured and energized his political life: Politics, Democracy and Good Government, Public Sector Reform, Local Government, Human Rights, Labour, and International Affairs. 

Readers will be afforded a novel and tantalising insight into the inner workings of a small but dynamic nation. There is much awaiting those who simply enjoy a good read. The book gives a fascinating account of the means by which Hubert Ingraham rose above an entrenched political hierarchy to impact Bahamian life and international events and relations.

Evident early on in its pages is Ingraham’s sense of a national destiny and his love and respect for the people of the North Abaco Constituency, which he served for 35 years from 1977 to 2012. As visible is his relish of politics, government and a good gloves-off fight. His remarks centre on the institutions of government—parliament, cabinet, the public service and struggles to win key general elections, which changed the course of the history of The Bahamas and international standing. 

A firm believer in transparency in government and a strong supporter of a free press, Ingraham was committed throughout his public life to accounting for his actions in office to the people. As a result, he spoke often, not only in Parliament but also at a myriad of public events and meetings and engaged with the media regularly. He did it all while gaining global respect for his mastery in a highly contested arena.

Ingraham’s remarks demonstrate not only the consistency of his message over the years but also his understanding of the importance of language, spoken and written, in shaping political debate and national dialogue on matters important to the development of public policy.

The masterful Ingraham book was edited by Maria-Teresa Butler who is widely noted for her distinguished career in the Public Service as Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister and as Senior Policy Advisor. She was assisted by locally and internationally published author, Patricia Glinton-Meicholas who was recently awarded the Order of Merit by the Governor General of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas for her contributions to Literature, History and Culture.

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