G-G Awards Outstanding Achievers in Surrey

Twelve outstanding Jamaicans from the county of Surrey have been bestowed with the 2014 Governor-General’s Achievement Award (GGAA) in recognition of their selfless contributions to the upliftment of their communities.

The recipients, drawn from the parishes of St. Thomas, Portland, St. Andrew and Kingston, were presented with plaques by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, during a ceremony on Sept. 25,2014 held at the Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa in Kingston.

The recipients are: Shanese Watson, Tameka Hue-Hamilton, Pansy Murphy from St. Thomas; Shanique Rogers, Kemoy Phillips, Novlet Chambers, from Portland; Joel Nomdarkham, Lauren Marsh, Rev. Dr. Venice Guntley-Mckenzie, from St. Andrew; and Anthony Stephens, Kerry-Ann Barrett, Alfred Grant, from Kingston.

The Governor-General urged the recipients to continue making a meaningful impact towards the development of the nation, while embodying a culture of excellence.

He praised them for voluntarily using their skills, abilities and resources, to make a difference in their spheres of influence.

“I ask that you bask in this moment, feel special and proud as you are deserving of this recognition and I encourage you to use this acknowledgment of your selfless contribution as a propellant for even greater accomplishments, which will motivate others in and around your communities, to voluntarily give of themselves,” he said.

The Governor-General noted that despite the challenges in the society, the country has the key elements for positive change. “We have our people, who are what is right with Jamaica and they possess the skills, the talents and abilities to fix what is wrong with our island,” he said.

He noted that while the country is on a path to becoming a better nation, Jamaicans must play an active role in the measures that will transform the country.

“One such way is to not only embody the ‘I Believe’ messages but to become part of the I Believe Initiative. Our youth involvement is also critical to the building of a great society. We must engage the youth and adapt to a changing world and maturing consciousness of our young people. We must believe in them, we must train them, and have the faith that they will not betray the values of fairness, morality and justice that we have instilled in them,” he said.

The ‘I Believe Initiative’ (IBI), was launched in 2011 by Sir Patrick to motivate and inspire young people to believe in themselves and to also give service to their country.

The GGAA began in 1991 under the leadership of then Governor-General, the late Sir Howard Cooke, to recognise Jamaicans 35 years and older, who had achieved greatly despite difficult and challenging socio-economic circumstances, and are making substantial contribution to the nation, but were not recipients of National Honours and Awards.

This programme was expanded by Governor-General Sir Kenneth Hall in 2006 to recognise youth, ages 18 to 35, for excellence in academia and voluntary service, as well as individuals in the Diaspora, who were making significant contribution to Jamaica and in their host country.

In February 2014, the GGAA and the ‘I Believe Initiative’ were merged to create the Governor-General’s Programme for Excellence (GGPE).

The ‘I Believe Initiative’ (IBI), was launched in 2011 by Sir Patrick to motivate and inspire young people to believe in themselves and to also give service to their country.