TWO hundred and thirty-two Jamaicans will be officially recognised for their contribution to nation-building during the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards 2024 this morning.

This will take place at National Indoor Sports Centre, on account of expected inclement weather that forced the pomp and ceremony to be shifted from the traditional venue on the lawns of King’s House. It starts at 9:00 am.

Professor Wendel Dwight Abel, who will receive the Order of Jamaica (OJ) for his contribution to psychiatry, particularly in mental and community health, leads the list of awardees.

Other OJ honorees es are Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett; Minister of National Security and Deputy Prime Minister Dr Horace Anthony Chang; businessman Gary Craig “Butch” Hendrickson; Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Audrey Patrice Marks; former Custos of Clarendon William Leon “Billy” Shagoury; Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ) Chairman Lyttleton Ovel “Tanny” Shirley; and chief executive officer of GraceKennedy Group Senator Donald George Wehby.

Thirty individuals will be conferred with the Order of Distinction (in the rank of Commander (CD); 38 the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer (OD); two civilians are to receive the Badge of Honour for Gallantry (BHG); 35, the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service (BHM); and 35, the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service.

The Badge of Honour for Gallantry will be awarded to two civilians — the Right Reverend Professor Randolph Alphanso Henry and Jermaine Ricardo Hurst. Both individuals demonstrated remarkable courage by helping those in life-threatening situations.

The Medal of Honour is awarded to members of the uniformed services for acts of gallantry, heroism, or extraordinary courage in perilous situations.

The late Constable Ricardo Nicolas Fairclough of Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will posthumously receive the Medal of Honour for Gallantry. Constable Fairclough lost his life after bravely confronting an armed gunman during a shoot-out, selflessly working to save the life of a vendor in St Ann.

Several members of the uniformed groups will be awarded the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service — six from Jamaica Defence Force, 26 members of JCF, 27 from the Department of Correctional Services, and 24 from Jamaica Fire Brigade.

The ceremony, to be presided over by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, will be streamed live on the
JIS website at
www.jis.gov.jm. Guests attending the function should be seated by 8:30 am.

Under the National Honours and Awards Act, promulgated on July 18, 1969, provision is made for outstanding Jamaicans to be conferred with one of the honours of the Orders of the six Societies of Honour.

The six honours are Order of National Hero, Order of the Nation, Order of Excellence, Order of Merit, Order of Jamaica, and the Order of Distinction.

There is also the Medal or Badge of Honour, which recognises gallantry and meritorious service.

— JIS