View source for Governor-General of Jamaica

{{Short description|Representative of the Jamaican monarch}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = Governor-General
| body = Jamaica
| native_name = ''Gobna-Jinaral a Jumieka''
| flag = Flag of the Governor-General of Jamaica.svg
| flagsize = 175px
| flagcaption = [[Flag of Jamaica|Flag of the governor-general]]
| flagborder = 
| insignia = Coat of arms of Jamaica.svg
| insigniasize = 100px
| insigniacaption = [[Coat of arms of Jamaica]]
| image = Patrick Allen Coronation 2023.jpg
| imagesize = 
| alt = 
| incumbent = [[Patrick Allen (governor-general)|Patrick Allen]]
| incumbentsince = 26 February 2009
| department = Viceroy
| style = {{plainlist|
* [[Excellency|His Excellency]]
* [[The Most Honourable]]
}}
| member_of = 
| reports_to = {{Current Jamaican monarch |King |Charles III}}
| residence = [[King's House, Jamaica|King's House]], [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]]
| seat = 
| nominator = 
| appointer = [[Monarchy of Jamaica|Monarch of Jamaica]]
| appointer_qualified = on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Jamaica|prime minister]]
| termlength = [[At His Majesty's pleasure]]
| termlength_qualified = 
| constituting_instrument = Constitution of Jamaica
| formation = 6 August 1962
| first = [[Kenneth Blackburne]]
| last = 
| abolished = 
| succession = 
| deputy = 
| salary = JMD $10,850,512.65 annually
| website = [http://kingshouse.gov.jm/ www.kingshouse.gov.jm]
}}
{{Monarchy of Jamaica}}
{{Politics of Jamaica}}

The '''governor-general of Jamaica'''  ({{langx|jam|Gobna-Jinaral a Jumieka}})<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chang |first=Larry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q3-3DwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Gobna-Jinaral%22&pg=PA184 |title=Biesik Jumiekan: Introduction to Jamaican Language |date=2014-05-28 |publisher=Gnosophia Publishers |isbn=978-0-9773391-8-1 |language=en}}</ref> is the representative of the [[monarchy of Jamaica|Jamaican monarch]], currently {{Current Jamaican monarch |King |Charles III}}, in [[Jamaica]]. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the [[Prime Minister of Jamaica|prime minister of Jamaica]]. The functions of the governor-general include appointing [[Cabinet of Jamaica|ministers]], judges, and ambassadors; giving [[royal assent]] to [[legislation]] passed by [[Parliament of Jamaica|parliament]]; issuing [[writs for election]].

In general, the governor-general observes the conventions of the [[Westminster system]] and [[responsible government]], maintaining political neutrality, and acting solely on the advice of the prime minister. The role also includes ceremonial duties, such as hosting events at the official residence—King's House in the capital, Kingston—and presenting honors to individuals and groups who contribute to Jamaica and their communities. When travelling internationally, the governor-general serves as the official representative of Jamaica and its monarch.

Governors-general formally serve "[[At His Majesty's pleasure|at the monarch's pleasure]]". Since 26 February 2009, the governor-general has been [[Patrick Allen (governor-general)|Patrick Allen]].

The office of the governor-general was created on 6 August 1962, when Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom as a sovereign state and an independent constitutional monarchy. Since then, six individuals have served as governor-general.

==Appointment==
The governor-general is formally appointed by the [[monarch of Jamaica]]. based on the recommendation of the prime minister, which is accepted by convention. During the installation ceremony, the incoming governor-general takes an oath of allegiance and an oath for the proper execution of the duties of the office.<ref>{{citation| url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Jamaica_2015.pdf?lang=en| author=Elizabeth II| title=Jamaica Constitution of 1962| page=17| year=1962| access-date=17 October 2022}}</ref> Upon the installation, the new governor-general is invested with the insignia of the [[Order of the Nation]] by the [[Chief Justice of Jamaica]].<ref>{{cite news|title=GG swearing ceremony buzz|url=https://jamaica-gleaner.com/power/6757|date=26 February 2009|work=The Gleaner}}</ref>

==Functions==

[[File:Arrival TMHGG IMG-1264.jpg|thumb|left|The official state car for the [[governor-general of Jamaica]] is a [[BMW 7 Series (G11)|BMW 740Li]], featuring a license plate bearing the Crown]]

Jamaica [[Personal union|shares the person of the sovereign]] equally with [[Commonwealth realm|14 other countries]] in the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. As the sovereign works and resides predominantly outside of Jamaican borders, the governor-general's primary task is to perform the monarch's constitutional duties on his or her behalf. As such, the governor-general carries out his or her functions in the government of Jamaica on behalf and in the name of the Sovereign.

The governor-general's powers and duties are derived from Section 27 to 33 of the constitution, which set out certain provisions relating to the governor-general.<ref>{{harvnb| Elizabeth II| 1962| pp=17–19}}</ref>

===Constitutional role===

The constitution gives the governor-general the authority to name the date of a general election, to appoint Ministers and assign them responsibilities to appoint Parliamentary Secretaries, the Attorney General, senators, privy councilors, the Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal, the Director of Public Prosecutions and members of the Services Commissions. In most cases the governor-general acts in accordance with the advice of the prime minister, in some cases also after consultation with the leader of the opposition and in other cases in the recommendation of such authorities as the Services Commissions and the Privy Council.<ref>{{cite web|work=jis.gov.jm|title=In a Nutshell: The Jamaica Constitution, 1962|url=https://jis.gov.jm/media/constit.pdf|access-date=13 February 2024}}</ref>

The constitutional responsibilities of the governor-general also include exercising executive authority, granting the prerogative of mercy, giving royal assent to bills, and appointing members of Service Commissions issuing Proclamations for the proroguing and summoning of Parliament, and declaring States of Emergency.<ref name=rrggjm>{{cite web|url=https://kingshouse.gov.jm/roles-and-responsibilities-of-the-governor-general/|work=King's House|title=Roles and Responsibilities of The Governor-General|access-date=13 February 2024}}</ref>

After an election, it is the governor-general who formally requests the leader of the political party which gains the support of a majority in parliament to form a government. The governor-general commissions the prime minister and appoints other ministers after the election.<ref>{{harvnb| Elizabeth II| 1962| p=37}}</ref>

The governor-general holds regular meetings with the prime minister, and where necessary with members of the Cabinet and the leader of the opposition.<ref name=ggroles/>

The governor-general may, in certain circumstances, exercise without—or contrary to—ministerial advice. These are known as the reserve powers.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://jamaicanconsulateghana.com/governance.php|title=Governance & Politics|work=Jamaican Consulate in Ghana}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sir Cuthbert Sebastian attends swearing-in of new GG in Jamaica|url=https://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/8712|date=27 February 2009|work=SKNVibes}}</ref>

===Ceremonial role===

[[File:Kovind meets Allen.jpeg|thumb|Governor-General [[Sir Patrick Allen]] meeting President [[Ram Nath Kovind]] of India at King's House, May 2022]]

The governor-general's ceremonial duties include opening new sessions of parliament by delivering the [[Speech from the Throne]], welcoming visiting heads of state, and receiving the credentials of foreign diplomats.<ref name=ggroles>{{cite web|url=https://kingshouse.gov.jm/the-constitutional-status-and-role-of-the-governor-general/|title=The Constitutional Status and Role of the Governor-General|work=King's House|access-date=17 October 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Sir Patrick Allen with Donald R. Tapia.jpg|thumb|U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica Donald R. Tapia presenting his credentials to Governor-General [[Sir Patrick Allen]], 2019]]

The governor-general also confers honours and awards to Jamaicans for notable service to the community, or for acts of bravery in a specially convened ceremony at King's House on National Heroes Day.<ref name=ggroles/>

The governor-general also attends Independence Day celebrations and the Annual Armed Forces Day Parade, and participates in wreath-laying ceremonies on National Heroes Day and Remembrance Day.<ref name=rrggjm/>

===Community role===

The governor-general provides non-partisan leadership in the community, and attends various cultural, educational and charitable events of national and local importance.<ref name=ggroles/><ref name=rrggjm/>

The governor-general serves as patron of the St. John Ambulance in Jamaica. He is also patron of several other organizations such as the Jamaica Agricultural Society, the Jamaica Cancer Society and the National Road Safety Council. He is also an honorary member of the principal service clubs and is the Chief Scout of Jamaica. The governor-general is also the visitor for the University of Technology.<ref name=ggroles/>

The governor-general also conducts annual parish tours, to interact with the people, and understand the issues of interest to the Jamaican people.<ref name=ggroles/>

==Privy Council==

The Privy Council of Jamaica consists of six members who are appointed by the governor-general, after consultation with the prime minister.<ref>{{harvnb| Elizabeth II| 1962| pp=40–42}}</ref> The governor-general chairs meetings of the Privy Council which advises him on the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy and the discipline of the civil service, local government officers, and the police, in cases where appeals are made.<ref name=ggroles/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://jis.gov.jm/government/the-monarch/work=jis.gov.jm|title=The Monarch|access-date=13 February 2024}}</ref>

==Role in the parishes==

The Governor-General is represented in each parish by a ''Custos Rotulorum''.<ref name=ggroles/> The Custos is appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister and is a resident of the parish to which he/she is appointed, except in the case of the Corporate Area.<ref name=custos/>

The roles of the Custodes include receiving officials and dignitaries on an official visit in the absence of the governor-general, and receiving the governor-general when he pays official visits to the parish. The Custos also acts as the Chief Magistrate of the parish, and meets the Judge of the Circuit Court at the Court House at the opening session.<ref name=custos>{{cite web|title=The Custodes|work=King's House|url=https://kingshouse.gov.jm/the-custodes/|access-date=13 February 2024}}</ref>

{{further|Custos rotulorum#Jamaica}}

==Privileges==

===Salary===

The governor-general receives an annual salary of JMD $10,850,512.65.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170620/judges-be-paid-increased-salaries-month-end|title=Judges to be paid increased salaries month end|date=20 June 2017|website=jamaica-gleaner.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamaicalawonline.com/alphabetical-list-of-statutes/governor-general-expenditure-personal-staff-tax-exemptions-and-pensions-act|title=GOVERNOR-GENERAL (EXPENDITURE,PERSONAL STAFF, TAX EXEMPTIONS AND PENSIONS) ACT – Alphabetical List of Statutes – temp|website=jamaicalawonline.com|access-date=1 December 2019|archive-date=17 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417065443/http://www.jamaicalawonline.com/alphabetical-list-of-statutes/governor-general-expenditure-personal-staff-tax-exemptions-and-pensions-act|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Symbols===

[[File:Flag of the Governor-General of Jamaica.svg|thumb|Flag of the governor-general of Jamaica]]

The governor-general uses a personal flag, which features a [[Lions passant|lion passant]] atop a [[St. Edward's Crown|St. Edward's]] [[Crown (heraldry)#Commonwealth usage|royal crown]] with "Jamaica" written on a scroll underneath, all on a blue background. It is flown on buildings and other locations in Jamaica to mark the governor-general's presence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kingshouse.gov.jm/official-protocol-relating-to-the-governor-general/|title=Protocol|access-date=13 February 2024|work=King's House}}</ref>

===Residence===

[[King's House, Jamaica|King's House]] in [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]] is the official residence of the governor-general of Jamaica. Built in the early 20th century, it has served as the official residence and workplace of all Jamaican governors-general since independence in 1962.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kingshouse.gov.jm/house/|access-date=13 February 2024|title=King's House}}</ref>

==List of governors-general of Jamaica==
Following is a list of people who have served as Governor-General of Jamaica since independence in 1962.

{{legend|#E6E6AA|Denotes acting governors-general}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2" | {{Abbr|No.|Number}}
! rowspan="2" | Portrait
! rowspan="2" | Name<br><small>(Birth–Death)</small>
! colspan="3" | Term of office
! rowspan="2" | Monarch<br><small>(Reign)</small>
|-
!Took office
!Left office
!Time in office
|-
| 1
| [[File:Insigne Iamaicae.svg|70px]]
| [[Kenneth Blackburne|Sir Kenneth Blackburne]]<br>{{small|(1907–1980)}}
| <small>6 August</small><br>1962
| <small>30 November</small><br>1962
| {{ayd|1962|8|6|1962|11|30}}
| rowspan="7" style="background:#eaecf0; border-style: solid solid none solid ;"  | [[File:Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1959).jpg|70px]]<br>'''[[Elizabeth II]]'''<br>[[File:Coat of arms of Jamaica.svg|60px]]<br><small>(1962–2022)</small>
|-
| 2
| [[File:Clifford Campbell.jpg|70px]]
| [[Clifford Campbell|Sir Clifford Campbell]]<br>{{small|(1892–1991)}}
| <small>1 December</small><br>1962
| <small>28 February</small><br>1973
| {{ayd|1962|12|1|1973|2|28}}
|-style="background:#e6e6aa;"
| –
| [[File:Insigne Iamaicae.svg|70px]]
| [[Herbert Duffus|Sir Herbert Duffus]]<br>{{small|(1908–2002)}}<br>{{small|Acting Governor-General}}
| <small>28 February</small><br>1973
| <small>27 June</small><br>1973
| {{ayd|1973|2|28|1973|6|27}}
|-
| 3
| [[File:Sir Florizel Glasspole (cropped).jpg|70px]]
| [[Florizel Glasspole|Sir Florizel Glasspole]]<br>{{small|(1909–2000)}}
| <small>27 June</small><br>1973
| <small>31 March</small><br>1991
| {{ayd|1973|6|27|1991|3|31}}
|- style="background:#e6e6aa;"
| –
|
| [[Edward Zacca]]<br>{{small|(1931–2019)}}<br>{{small|Acting Governor-General}}
| <small>31 March</small><br>1991
| <small>1 August</small><br>1991
| {{ayd|1991|3|31|1991|8|1}}
|-
| 4
| [[File:Howard-cooke.jpg|70px]]
| [[Howard Cooke|Sir Howard Cooke]]<br>{{small|(1915–2014)}}
| <small>1 August</small><br>1991
| <small>15 February</small><br>2006
| {{ayd|1991|8|1|2006|2|15}}
|-
| 5
| [[File:Insigne Iamaicae.svg|70px]]
| [[Kenneth O. Hall|Sir Kenneth O. Hall]]<br>{{small|(b. 1941)}}
| <small>15 February</small><br>2006
| <small>26 February</small><br>2009
| {{ayd|2006|2|15|2009|2|26}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |6
| rowspan="2" |[[File:Sir Patrick Allen.jpg|70px]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Patrick Allen (governor-general)|Sir Patrick Allen]]<br>{{small|(b. 1951)}}
| rowspan="2" |<small>26 February</small><br>2009
| rowspan="2" |''Incumbent''
| rowspan="2" |{{ayd|2009|2|26}}
| style="background:#eaecf0 ; border-style: none solid solid solid ;" |
|-
| style="background:#eaecf0" | [[File:King Charles III (July 2023).jpg|70px]]<br>'''[[Charles III]]'''<br>[[File:Coat of arms of Jamaica.svg|60px]]<br><small>(2022–present)</small>
|}

==See also==

* [[List of governors of Jamaica]]
* [[Monarchy of Jamaica]]
* [[Politics of Jamaica]]
* [[Prime Minister of Jamaica]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://kingshouse.gov.jm/ Governor-General of Jamaica] – ''Official website''

{{Jamaica topics}}
{{Representatives of the monarch in Commonwealth realms and Dominions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Governor-General of Jamaica}}
[[Category:Lists of governors-general|Jamaica, List of Governors-General of]]
[[Category:Governors-general of Jamaica| ]]
[[Category:Lists of Jamaican politicians|Governors-General]]
[[Category:1962 establishments in Jamaica]]