IN the 61st year of Independence the Jamaican Government has recognised 125 people with national honours for service above and beyond the call of duty. They include five who received the Order of Jamaica, all to be presented with their awards during the National Heroes’ Day ceremony at King’s House on October 16, 2023. Here are some of the awardees:

Order of Jamaica (OJ): Bishop Howard Gregory, Anglican archbishop of the West Indies, for service in the field of religion; Audley Shaw for his sterling contribution to political administration; Marcia Griffiths, for her significant contribution to the reggae industry both locally and internationally; P B Scott, for exceptional contribution to Jamaica’s economic development and outstanding leadership in the business sector and Charles Johnston, past president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, for his contribution to Jamaica’s shipping and logistics industry.

Commander of the Order of Distinction (CD): Yoni Epstein, for contribution to the business processing outsourcing sector; Garth Gayle, president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association, for sports; Neville Garrick for entertainment; Andrew Mahfood, for contribution to the manufacturing and distribution sectors; Mark Myers for business; and Professor George Waller for his contribution to global tourism resilience and governance.

Officer of the Order of Distinction (OD): O’Neil Grant, for service to the trade union movement and the public service; Don Earl Smith, to the field of tourism; Arthur Hall, for service in the field of journalism; Justine Henzell, for contribution to the film and television industry and to the literary arts; Earl Moxam, for contribution in the fields of journalism and communications; Clifton George Reader, for contribution to the field of tourism; Omar “Tarrus” Riley and Wayne “Marshall” Mitchell for entertainment.