Alfred Sears

The Hon. Alfred Sears M.P.
Minister of Immigration and National Insurance
Incumbent
Assumed office 4 September 2023
Prime Minister	Philip Davis
Preceded by	Keith Bell (Labour and Immigration)
Minister of Public Works and Utilities
In office 23 September 2021 – 4 September 2023
Preceded by	Desmond Bannister
Succeeded by	Pia Glover-Rolle (Labour and Public Service)
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs
In office 2002–2006
Preceded by	Carl Bethel
Succeeded by	Allyson Maynard Gibson
Minister of Education, Science and Technology
In office 2002–2007
Preceded by	Dion Foulkes (Education, Youth, and Sports)
Succeeded by	Carl Bethel (Education, Youth, Sports and Culture)
Member of Parliament for Fort Charlotte
Incumbent
Assumed office 23 September 2021
Preceded by	Mark Humes
In office 2000–2012
Preceded by	Zhivargo Laing
Succeeded by	Andre Rollins
Personal details
Political party	Progressive Liberal Party
Spouse	Marion Bethel
Children	3 (Adelaja, Ifedayo, Nia)
Alma mater	Norman Manley Law School New York Law School Columbia University

Alfred Michael Sears is a Bahamian Progressive Liberal Party politician, lawyer, and educator serving as the Minister of Immigration and National Insurance since 2023. He also serves as the Member of Parliament for Fort Charlotte, a position he has held since 2021.

Previously, Sears served as a MP for Fort Charlotte from 2000 to 2012, the Attorney-General from 2002 to 2006,[1] the Minister of Education, Science and Technology from 2002 to 2007, and the Minister of Public Works and Utilities from 2021 to 2023.

Education

Sears holds a Certificate of Legal Education from Norman Manley Law School, a Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School, a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master of Philosophy in international relations both from Columbia University.[2]

Career

Prior to being elected to parliament in 2002, Sears was an educator and lecturer for Caribbean Politics and International Relations at Hunter College, City University of New York from 1976 to 1992. He also taught Labour Law, Business Law and Hospitality Law as an adjunct lecturer in Nassau for the University of the West Indies, Florida International University and Nova Southeastern University from 1992 to 2002.[2] Sears was also a lawyer who was experience in commercial, criminal, corporate, and civil litigation.[3]

Parliamentary Career (2002-2012)

Sears was first elected to Parliament in 2002, defeating FNM Incumbent Zhivargo Laing.[4]

He was appointed Minister of Education, Science and Technology by Prime Minister Perry Christie. As Minister, he was responsible for improvements in literacy education, the creation of the Fort Charlotte Community Development Center, and the construction of the T.G. Glover Primary School.[5]

As a Member of Parliament Sears was also Chairman of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force from 2003 to 2004.[6]

Sears was also appointed the Attorney General of the Bahamas, serving from 2002 to 2006.[3]

Sears did not stand for re-election in 2012 and was replaced by Dr. Andre Rollins on the election ballot.[7][8]

Chairman of the College of the Bahamas

In 2012, Sears was appointed the Chairman of the College of the Bahamas. While there, he was responsible for the college's transitions into the University of the Bahamas. He resigned from his chairmanship in 2016.[8][9]

2017 Parliament Candidacy

Sears ran for leadership of the PLP; he lost to Perry Christie.[10] Sears ran for his old Fort Charlotte seat in 2017. He lost to FNM candidate Mark Humes.[11]

Parliamentary Career (2021-present)

Sears was re-elected to parliament in a rematch against Mark Humes in 2021.

As a member of Parliament, he was appointed Minister of Public Works and Utilities by Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis. As minister, Sears oversaw infrastructure and roadwork development.[12]

In a 2023 cabinet reshuffle, Sears was appointed Minister of Intelligence and National Insurance.[13]

Personal life

Sears is married to Marion Bethel, a lawyer and poet. They have 3 children: Adelaja, Ifedayo, and Nia.[2]

References

1. "Attorneys-General Post Independence". www.bahamas.gov.bs. Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs of the Bahamas.
2. "Alfred M. Sears, QC (Inactive) | SEARS & CO LAW FIRM". Retrieved 2024-07-07.
3. Brown, Oswald; Editor (2021-03-20). "ALFRED SEARS IS ONCE AGAIN SEEKING TO REPRESENT FORT CHARLOTTE". BAHAMAS CHRONICLE. Retrieved 2024-07-07. {{cite web}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
4. "Bahamas 2002 Official Election Results Detail". www.fredmitchelluncensored.com. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
5. "Fort Charlotte Constituency Office" (PDF).
6. "CFATF Chairmanship Changes Hands | Bahamas Financial Services Board". Retrieved 2024-07-07.
7. "thebahamasweekly.com - Progressive Liberal Party Ratifies Three Candidates". www.thebahamasweekly.com. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
8. "Alfred Sears resigns as COB Council Chairman". www.tribune242.com. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
9. "University of the Bahamas History".
10. "Christie wins leadership vote, 1,264 votes to 169 | The Tribune". m.tribune242.com. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
11. "Parliamentary Registration Department Results of the 2017 General Elections Polling Division Data" (PDF).
12. "Works Minister inspects $60m Exuma infrastructure project". www.tribune242.com. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
13. "Bell shuffled in Davis Cabinet shake-up". www.tribune242.com. Retrieved 2024-07-07.