Justice Ministry Wins 2024 Public Sector Debate Competition
By: , August 9, 2024
Photo: Adrian Walker
Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke [third left) and Executive Director, Transformation Implementation Unit (TIU), Maria Thompson Walters (right), share a moment with members of the Ministry of Justice’s winning debate team, during the finals of the 2024 Public Sector Debate Competition held on August 7 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston. The Ministry defeated the Administrator-General’s Department (AGD). The team members (from left) are Demoy Whitely, Joanalee Robertson, Claudia Powell, Payton Patterson and Oschain Haynes.
Photo: Adrian Walker
Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke [left) presents a cheque valued at $500,000 to members of the Ministry of Justice's debate team (from left), Claudia Powell, Oschain Haynes, Joanalee Robertson, Demoy Whitely and Payton Patterson. The Ministry defeated the Administrator-General’s Department (AGD) in the finals of the 2024 Public Sector Debate Competition held on Wednesday (August 7) at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.
Photo: Adrian Walker
Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon Nigel Clarke [left), presents a trophy to Joanalee Robertson of the Ministry of Justice’s winning debate team, during the finals of the 2024 Public Sector Debate Competition held on August 7 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston. Ms. Robertson was named Best Speaker. Sharing the moment is Executive Director, Transformation Implementation Unit (TIU), Maria Thompson Walters.The Full Story
The Ministry of Justice is the winner of the 2024 Public Sector Debate Competition.
The five-member team defeated the Administrator-General’s Department (AGD) at the finals held on Wednesday (August 7) at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, walking away with the champion’s trophy and prizes valued at more than $800,000, including a $500,000 cash prize and individual trophies.
Each member of the AGD team received trophies for their second-place finish and a $567,500 prize package, which included a $375,000 cash prize.
The third-place playoff, which also took place on the same day, saw the Teaching Service team getting the better of the Ministry of Education and Youth (MOEY).
The Teaching Service’s team members received trophies and a $250,000 cash prize while the MOEY received a $170,000 prize package for fourth place.
Several sectional prizes were also awarded.
The award for Most Valuable Debater went to the Ministry of Justice’s Payton Patterson who was named Best Speaker three times throughout the competition. In addition to a cash prize, Mr. Patterson will be a member of the Jamaican Delegation to the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Best Speaker Award for the finale was presented to Joanalee Robertson of the Ministry of Justice while Tevin Cameron from the Teaching Service was named Best Speaker for the third-place playoff.
The AGD received the ‘Most Improved Team’ and the’ Best Display of Teamwork’ awards; the Teaching Service was named ‘Most Engaged Team’; MOEY won the online ‘Fan Favourite’ competition while the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) won the ‘Early Bird Prize’ for being the first team to register for the competition.
This year’s competition saw a surge in interest, with a record number of 26 teams participating, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for the initiative.
Each participating team received gifts and certificates while the eight teams that participated in the competition since its inaugural staging in 2019 were specially recognised.
The competition, which is in its third year, is spearheaded by the Transformation Implementation Unit (TIU) in partnership with the Jamaican Association for Debating and Empowerment Limited (JADE).
It aims to provide a platform for government officers to share their views and ignite a spirit of engagement to make public-sector transformation more inclusive.
Persons may visit the TIU’s YouTube channel to rewatch the finale and the third-place playoff.