Historic Installation of New Governor-General

Among the changes in 2006, which marked a new era, was the installation of His Excellency the Most Hon. Kenneth Octavius Hall, as Jamaica’s fifth Governor-General on February15.

            In his inaugural speech, Professor Hall declared his intent to work to build social capital and to project a self reliant, self-confident Jamaica.

            He pointed out that as one of the symbols of national unity, the office of the Governor-General would be an active participant in forging national consensus.

            “In this connection, I shall meet with a wide range of political, social, professional, religious, private sector, public sector, educational, cultural and of course youth organizations, to gain a better insight into their views, their hopes and aspirations as well as their plan for a better Jamaica,” His Excellency stated shortly after being sworn in by former Governor-General, His Excellency The Most Hon. Sir Howard Cooke.

            The investiture ceremony, held at King’s House, was historic in scope, as it represented the first time that the incoming head of state was being sworn in by the outgoing Governor-General.

            Moments after he was invested with the insignia of the Order of the Nation by Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe, an apparently humbled Governor-General Hall confessed to the mass audience in attendance, that growing up in the hills of Hanover, he never dreamed that he would one day be elevated to the nation’s highest office.

            “Such a thing was completely outside the range of social condition but in the course of my generation, times have changed, making such opportunities possible for all Jamaicans,” he said.

            He further expressed his optimism for the future of Jamaica, noting that, “we have the will, the expertise and the imagination to find solutions that will enable us to continue on the path of national prosperity and social well-being”.

            The Governor-General also expressed his belief in the Jamaican youth, whom he said, could assist in “promoting a vision of prospects and progress for our country”.

            Meanwhile, in his farewell, Sir Howard Cooke, who has served as Governor-General since 1991 thanked Jamaicans for the support shown to him, during his 15 years of service as Head of State.

            Sir Howard said that Jamaica had much for which to be thankful. “We have a fruitful and beautiful land and our people have a resourcefulness, vitality and warmth that cannot be matched anywhere in the world,” he stated.

            He pointed out that the country was about to enter a new dimension, one in which, there would be new leadership, more economic growth, social and environmental development and certainly, a new dimension in innovativeness and creative expression.

First Throne Speech

            The Governor-General, said that the government, over the last three years, has delivered on it promises, with the passage of a number of significant legislations and fulfilling policy objectives.

            These, he said, include the Child Care and Protection Act; the Conversion of the Child Development Agency into an Executive Agency; the appointment of a Children’s Advocate following the recommendations of the review panel on Children’s Homes and Places of Safety.

            Professor Hall, in his first Throne Speech in Gordon House (April 12), further pointed to the operation of the Early Childhood Commission and the appointment of an Executive Director; the enactment of the National Health Fund Act and the coming into being of the Fund in August 2004; as well as the passage of the Municipalities Act and the advent of the Portmore municipality in 2003.

            Turning to the fight against crime, Professor Hall noted that several pieces of legislation were enacted to include: Terrorism Prevention Act; Criminal Justice (Plea Negotiations and Agreement) Act; Firearms (Amendment) Act and the Finger Prints (Amendment) Act.

            “In terms of the efficiency of the courts, case management software was installed in 11 resident magistrates courts fulfilling a commitment made in the 2005/06 Throne Speech,” he said.