Bahamian politician
Keith Ricardo Bell is a Bahamian Progressive Liberal Party politician as the Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal since 2023. He is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Carmichael constituency since 2021.
Bell also served as the MP for Bamboo Town constituency from 2012 to 2017.
Career
Education and Early Career
Bell holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Law and Criminal Justice from the College of the Bahamas, and a Law degree from the University of the West Indies.[1] Before entering politics, Bell served as a police officer for over 22 years, earning the Baton of Honour as the top graduate from the Police College in 1986. He also lectured at the College of the Bahamas and served as a Member of the Catholic Board of Education and the Bahamas National Trust.[2]
Parliament
1st Term (2012-2017)
Keith Bell was first elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Carmichael constituency in 2012, defeated FNM incumbent Desmond Bannister. He was appointed as the Minister of State for National Security by Prime Minister Perry Christie, serving in the position from 2012 to 2017.[3]
Minister of State for National Security
During his tenure as Minister of State for National Security, Bell was responsible for leading the implementation of several key initiatives, including the Bahamas National Crime Prevention Strategy and the Police Recruitment and Training Program.[4][5]
As Minister, Bell was accused of mismanagement of funds.[6] He lost his bid for re-election in 2017 to Thomas Desmond Bannister.[7]
2nd Term (2021-present)
Keith Bell was re-elected as the MP for Carmichael in 2021, defeating incumbent Thomas Desmond Bannister.[8] During his tenure, he has served in Prime Minister Philip Davis' Cabinet as the Minister of Labour and Immigration and as the Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal.
References
