Former Secretary to Governor-General Gets OD

Professionalism and passion for the job were hallmarks of Dionne Annette Tracey Daniel’s service at the office of the Governor-General, where she excelled in her capacity as Secretary to Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen.

In her role, Mrs. Daniel provided direct support and advice to the Governor-General in the exercise of his constitutional and legislative functions of the office and providing administrative oversight of the office’s operations.

She tells JIS News that her duties also entailed preparations of the instruments that are needed for the various ceremonies and functions, as well as research on the candidates recommended for appointments.

“I have to do research and I have to guide. A person might be put forward for a certain position, but if I do the background check, I will know this person is assigned to this body and there is going to be a conflict of interest and I have to point these things out to the Governor-General so that mistakes are not made. It is a matter of scrutinising things that are sent for his attention or recommendations made. It is providing that level of support in carrying out his functions,” she explains.

During her tenure at the Office of the Governor-General from August 2009 until her retirement in April 2018, Mrs. Daniel fondly recalls several ceremonies, functions, as well as Royal and State visits, for which she played a vital role in the planning and successful execution.

These include the visit of Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne of Edinburgh, in 2015; His Royal Highness, Prince Harry of Wales, in 2012; His Royal Highness, Prince Michael of Kent, in 2013; His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex, in 2014 as well as the Governor-General’s Conference that was held in 2011, which saw the participation of nine CARICOM Heads of State.

“When you execute functions like these and it comes off well and you are commended at the highest level, it does something for you,” Mrs. Daniel tells JIS News.

In recognition of her dedicated service, Mrs. Daniels was awarded the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer (OD) for Outstanding Public Service, at the 2021 National Honours and Awards. The virtual ceremony was held on National Heroes Day, Monday, October 18.

She expresses a deep sense of gratitude and pride that she has been singled out for this recognition, which was at the recommendation of the Governor-General.

“My feeling of gratitude includes my gratitude, first to God from whom all good things flow, His Excellency for giving me the opportunity to serve and to the many talented and dedicated members of staff of the Office of the Governor-General, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and other public- and private-sector entities, who, through their hard work with the office, made this achievement possible,” she says.

Overall, Mrs. Daniel has contributed more than 33 years to public service.

In addition to her role at the Governor-General’s Office, she has served as Clerk to the Privy Council; at the Ministry of Justice in the area of Human Resource Management; and at the Ministry of Health and Wellness as Hospital Administrator at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, and Corporate Planner for the Ministry.