Governor-General of Jamaica
Encyclopedia
The Governor-General of Jamaica represents the Jamaican monarch, and head of state
, who holds the title of King or Queen of Jamaica (as of 1962, Queen Elizabeth II).
The Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoints a Governor-General to be her representative in Jamaica. Neither the Queen nor the Governor-General has any real authority in conducting the administration of the country (however, both possess reserve powers under the constitution which would allow them full control of the nation's governance whenever in their opinion a case of emergency requiring such action arises). Real legislative and executive responsibilities rest with the elected representatives of the people.
The Governor-General represents the Queen on ceremonial occasions such as the opening of Parliament, the presentation of honours and military parades. Under the Constitution, he is given authority to act in some matters, for example in appointing and disciplining officers of the civil service, in proroguing Parliament and so on, but only in a few cases is he empowered to act entirely on his own discretion.
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
, who holds the title of King or Queen of Jamaica (as of 1962, Queen Elizabeth II).
The Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoints a Governor-General to be her representative in Jamaica. Neither the Queen nor the Governor-General has any real authority in conducting the administration of the country (however, both possess reserve powers under the constitution which would allow them full control of the nation's governance whenever in their opinion a case of emergency requiring such action arises). Real legislative and executive responsibilities rest with the elected representatives of the people.
The Governor-General represents the Queen on ceremonial occasions such as the opening of Parliament, the presentation of honours and military parades. Under the Constitution, he is given authority to act in some matters, for example in appointing and disciplining officers of the civil service, in proroguing Parliament and so on, but only in a few cases is he empowered to act entirely on his own discretion.
Governors-General of Jamaica, 1962-present
- Sir Kenneth BlackburneKenneth BlackburneSir Kenneth William Blackburne, GCMG, GBE was a British colonial official, best known as the first governor-general of Jamaica. He was knighted in 1952....
(6 August–30 November 1962) - Sir Clifford CampbellClifford CampbellSir Clifford Clarence Campbell ON, GCMG, GCVO, K.St.J was the first Jamaican-born Governor-General of Jamaica. He served in that position from December 1, 1962, until March 2, 1973....
(1 December 1962–2 March 1973) - Sir Herbert DuffusHerbert DuffusSir Herbert George Holwell Duffus was acting Governor-General of Jamaica from 2 March to 27 June 1973. He was born in St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica. He was knighted in 1966, and became Chief Justice of Jamaica in 1968, serving until taking office as Governor-General....
(2 March–27 June 1973) (acting) - Sir Florizel GlasspoleFlorizel GlasspoleSir Florizel Augustus Glasspole, ON, GCMG, GCVO, K.St.J was the third Governor General of Jamaica....
(27 June 1973–31 March 1991) - Edward ZaccaEdward ZaccaEdward Zacca was Chief Justice of the Jamaican Supreme Court from 1985 to 1996. Under the constitution of Jamaica, the Chief Justice serves as Acting Governor General when that office is vacant, and Chief Justice Zacca served in that capacity from March to August 1991. Zacca was succeeded as Chief...
(31 March–1 August 1991) (acting) - Sir Howard CookeHoward CookeSir Howard Felix Hanlan Cooke, ON, GCMG, GCVO, CD, K.St.J was the Governor-General of Jamaica from August 1, 1991 until February 15, 2006 when he became the first governor-general to invest his own successor, Professor Kenneth Octavius Hall...
(1 August 1991–15 February 2006) - Sir Kenneth O. HallKenneth O. HallSir Kenneth Octavius Hall ON, GCMG, OJ was Governor-General of Jamaica from 16 February 2006 to 26 February 2009. He was Jamaica's fifth Governor-General since independence in 1962....
(15 February 2006–26 February 2009) - Sir Patrick AllenPatrick Allen (Jamaican)Sir Patrick Linton Allen, ON, GCMG, CD is the Governor General of Jamaica.- Biography :Allen was appointed Governor-General of Jamaica on February 26, 2009...
(26 February 2009–present)
See also
- Governors of JamaicaGovernors of JamaicaThis is a list of viceroys in Jamaica from its initial occupation by Spain in 1509, to its independence from the United Kingdom in 1962. For a list of viceroys in Jamaica after independence, see Governor-General of Jamaica....
- Monarchy in Jamaica
- Politics of JamaicaPolitics of JamaicaThe Politics of Jamaica takes place in a framework of a representative parliamentary democratic monarchy. The 1962 Constitution established a parliamentary system based on the United Kingdom model. As chief of state, Queen Elizabeth II appoints a governor general, on the advice of the prime...
- Prime Minister of JamaicaPrime Minister of JamaicaThe Prime Minister of Jamaica is Jamaica's head of government, currently Andrew Holness. Andrew Holness was elected as the new leader of the governing Jamaica Labour Party and succeeded Bruce Golding to become Jamaica's ninth Prime Minister on 23 October 2011...
External links
- Governor General of Jamaica - Official website