H.E. James Kwasi Thompson
Thompson became a Barrister and called to the English Bar in 1997 at the age of 21years and called to the Bahamas Bar later that same year. In his 15 year career as an attorney at the Law Firm James Roosevelt Thompson and Company he has appeared before the Magistrates Court, Industrial Tribunal, Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeal. His practice areas include Criminal Law, Commercial Law, Conveyancing and Mortgages for all major banks) Civil Litigation (personal injuries ,contract disputes) Family Matters (Adoption, and Divorce) and Employment Law.
Thompson began his political career as the President of the Free National Movement Torcherbearers Association in Grand Bahama and organized political Conclaves, Campaign Luncheons, Political Marches, and youth political Speech Contests. He later served as a political advisor, campaign attorney in Grand Bahama and youth speaker at the major FNM National Conventions.
In 2007 at the age of 32 years Thompson was elected to the House of Assembly as the Member of Parliament for the Pineridge Constituency. He was elected by his Parliamentary Colleagues to serve as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, one of the youngest persons ever elected to that position in the Bahamas, a position he held until May of 2012.
Thompson served as the Member of Parliament for Pineridge from 2007 to 2012. During that period he sought to empower residents through positive activities and programs. Some of these included commissioning the Pineridge Computer Center which provided free computer classes, adult reading, and sign language classes for residents. He sponsored Basketball Tournaments, free Tennis Camps and a special awards ceremony for the youth. Thompson held Community Health Initiatives which provided free medical examinations and community clean-ups. He also started the Pineridge Small Business Workshop which provided free assistance and classes to Small Businesses owners.
In May of 2012 Thompson was appointed to the Senate as an Opposition Senator where he served as Shadow Minister for the Ministry of Housing and the Environment.
In 2013 Senator Thompson was awarded by Jones Communication Ltd. to the 40 Bahamians under 40 for making significant contributions to the nation.
In May 2017 Thompson was re-appointed to the Senate once again and appointed Minister of State for Grand Bahama. Soon after he was given responsibility for Electronic Communication and oversees the Department of Transformation and Digitization and has recently been appointed Minister of State for Finance.
Thompson has led the charge on revitalizing Grand Bahama by overseeing critical infrastructure improvements such as the Rand Hospital, Public Schools, Fishing Hole Road Bridge, Supreme Court, and other critical Government buildings. His office has been focused on new investment for Grand Bahama has also overseen the approval and execution of Heads of Agreement for numerous developments including Grand Lucayan, Carnival Cruise Port. In addition to managing the Tech Initiative which has seen hundreds of Bahamians trained for this industry, his office was also responsible for providing Small Business Grants, Technology Grants and providing over 30,000 food vouchers in the Governments Feed Grand Bahama Program.
