KINGSTON, Jamaica —Thirteen newly appointed ministers of state and one parliamentary secretary were sworn in by the Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen, on Friday.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, during his address at the swearing-in ceremony, charged the newly appointed ministers of state to learn the machinery of government and participate in parliamentary proceedings.

“Learn the machinery of government. It’s laws, regulation, financial systems and oversight framework. Not because you have now been appointed as ministers means that you will not have parliamentary duties. Indeed, in this peculiar formation of the parliamentary majority, ministers of state must participate even more intensely in parliamentary committee affairs and other activities of the parliament,” Holness urged.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness speaking at the swearing in ceremony for ministers of state and parliamentary secretary (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Further, Holness reminded the ministers of state that they are custodians of public trust, and as such, they should exercise their duties with integrity.

“Never forget that you are custodians of public trust. The authority you exercise is not yours innately; it belongs to the public, and you have the privilege of exercising it on behalf of the public. Every decision you make, every document you sign, and every programme you launch must be guided by the highest standard of integrity. Do not be seduced by the trappings of office… Not just for the ministers of state but for the entire executive. Sometimes we get seduced by titles and vehicles, and by now the novelty of those things should have worn off, and the focus should really be on what we can achieve for the people,” Holness said, urging the ministers of state to guard their reputation, upon which their leadership will be built.

Senator Marlon Morgan was sworn in as parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Holness also charged the ministers of state to stay close to the people they serve and exercise their duties with compassion and empathy.

“When you sit in office and review reports, remember that behind every statistic is a human story, so let compassion and empathy be your compass, and this is also not just for the ministers of state; it is especially for the ministers’ cabinet. Let those be your compass,” he said.

Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn was sworn in as minister of state in the Ministry National Security and Peace (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

The newly sworn in ministers of state are Kerensia Morrison – Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport; Krystal Lee – Health and Wellness; Delroy Williams – Local Government and Community Development; Rhoda Moy Crawford – Education, Skills, Youth and Information; Donovan Williams – Labour and Social Security; Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn – National Security and Peace; Delano Seiveright – Industry, Investment and Commerce; Alando Terrelonge – Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Zavia Mayne – Finance and the Public Service; Frank Witter – Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining; Tova Hamilton – Tourism; Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert – Justice and Constitutional Affairs; and Senator Abka Fitz-Henley – Office of the Prime Minister.

Senator Marlon Morgan was sworn in as parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information.

READ: 13 appointed ministers of state, Morgan named parliamentary secretary