MONTEGO BAY, St James — The Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon Sir Patrick Allen has presented 14 persons from the County of Cornwall with the Governor-General’s Achievement Awards for their outstanding contributions to community development.

The awards were presented at a ceremony at held the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa in St James recently, at which five adults and nine youths received the prestigious Governor- General’s Award of Excellence and the Governor General’s Youth Awards, respectively. They were presented with plaques and citations.

In his address to the participants, Sir Patrick said, despite challenges and setbacks, Jamaicans, especially the young people, continue to acquit themselves admirably, with their accomplishments in academia, cultural and sporting activities, leadership and community service.

“The recipients of the Governor-General’s Achievements Awards are individuals who are confident in themselves, and have developed their potentials in ways that can benefit others. In this way they, without even thinking about it, have become ‘I Believe’ Ambassadors,” the Governor General noted, in reference to his campaign to encourage Jamaicans to believe in themselves.

He said the lessons of their life’s challenges and successes must serve as inspirations to the nation. He also emphasised that, rather than flaying each other in frustration, they should dig deeper into their real selves, as a caring community, pull together and seek to achieve against the odds.

“This is the reason why, in May of this year, I launched the ‘I Believe’ initiative. Its mission is to inspire and motivate Jamaicans to believe in and develop their God-given potential, and to use that to the building of a prosperous and peaceful nation,” the Governor General said.

He noted that the ‘I Believe’ initiative is based on the premise, outlined in his inaugural address, that ‘there is nothing wrong with Jamaica that cannot be fixed by what is right with Jamaica”.

Sir Patrick also observed that, through strategic partnerships with service clubs, uniformed groups, individuals, other organisations and institutions, the ‘I Believe’ initiative would lead a campaign to address some of the fundamental challenges which must be fixed “to facilitate and appreciate our development and growth”.

“I believe that you have already begun to work right here in the County of Cornwall, and with partnership and support from the award recipients, sponsors and others, we can stir the people of Jamaica, especially our young people, and inspire them to think seriously and work towards building a preferred future,” the Governor General said.

In extending congratulations to the recipients, Custos of St James, Ewen Corrodus, noted that the ceremony represented a celebration and an outstanding reminder of what can be achieved when men and women, boys and girls, determine that they will not be defeated by circumstances, but will use their God-given talents to improve themselves and give back to society.

“You have worked hard, you have risen above circumstances, you have overcome challenges, you have defied failures, you have dismissed discouragements and you have pursued and are still pursuing your goals. You are giving back to society and you richly deserve the recognition that you are receiving this afternoon,” Custos Corrodus said.