National Honours & Awards 2024
The Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards is a presentation ceremony in which Jamaicans are bestowed honours and awards for their remarkable service.
The Chancery of the Orders of the Societies of Honour in the Office of the Prime Minister is the administrative arm responsible for coordinating this presentation ceremony. The National Honours and Awards Act, promulgated on July 18, 1969, established a framework for recognizing individuals whose exceptional service and contributions have significantly impacted the nation.
Citizens will be conferred with the Honour of one of the Orders of the six Societies of Honour established under the provisions of the Act, namely:
- The Order of National Hero
- The Order of the Nation (ON)
- The Order of Excellence (OE)
- The Order of Merit (OM)
- The Order of Jamaica (OJ) and
- The Order of Distinction
- and by the award of the Badge of Honour or the Medal of Honour.
Jamaica's National Awards
Order Of National Hero
The Order of National Hero is the most senior order. The honour of the Order of National Hero may be conferred upon any person who was born in Jamaica or is, or at the time of his or her death was, a citizen of Jamaica and rendered to Jamaica service of a most distinguished nature.
Order Of The Nation (ON)
Order Of Excellence (OE)
Order Of Merit (OM)
Order Of Jamaica (OJ)
The honour of the Order of Jamaica (OJ) may be conferred upon any Jamaican citizen of outstanding distinction or upon any distinguished citizen of a country other than Jamaica (honorary member). A member of the Order is styled “Honourable” and the motto of the Order is “For a covenant of the People”.
Order Of Distinction
The honour of the Order of Distinction may be conferred upon any citizen of Jamaica who renders outstanding and important services to Jamaica and upon any distinguished citizen of a country other than Jamaica (an honorary member). The motto of the Order is “Distinction through Service”.
Badge Of Honour
The Badge of Honour may be awarded to civilian residents of Jamaica and to foreign nationals who are employed in Jamaica’s Diplomatic and Consular Missions overseas in the following three categories.
Medal Of Honour
The Medal of Honour for Gallantry may be awarded to officers and other members of the uniformed services who have performed acts of gallantry or acts of heroism or have shown great courage in circumstances of extreme danger.
The Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service may be awarded to officers and other members of the uniformed services who have performed distinguished service or have displayed distinguished conduct or bravery.
Jamaica's National Awards
Order Of National Hero
The Order of National Hero is the most senior order. The honour of the Order of National Hero may be conferred upon any person who was born in Jamaica or is, or at the time of his or her death was, a citizen of Jamaica and rendered to Jamaica service of a most distinguished nature.
Order Of The Nation (ON)
Order Of Excellence (OE)
Order Of Merit (OM)
Order Of Jamaica (OJ)
The honour of the Order of Jamaica (OJ) may be conferred upon any Jamaican citizen of outstanding distinction or upon any distinguished citizen of a country other than Jamaica (honorary member). A member of the Order is styled “Honourable” and the motto of the Order is “For a covenant of the People”.
Order Of Distinction
The honour of the Order of Distinction may be conferred upon any citizen of Jamaica who renders outstanding and important services to Jamaica and upon any distinguished citizen of a country other than Jamaica (an honorary member). The motto of the Order is “Distinction through Service”.
Badge Of Honour
The Badge of Honour may be awarded to civilian residents of Jamaica and to foreign nationals who are employed in Jamaica’s Diplomatic and Consular Missions overseas in the following three categories.
Medal Of Honour
The Medal of Honour for Gallantry may be awarded to officers and other members of the uniformed services who have performed acts of gallantry or acts of heroism or have shown great courage in circumstances of extreme danger.
The Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service may be awarded to officers and other members of the uniformed services who have performed distinguished service or have displayed distinguished conduct or bravery.
JIS Recipients
Featured Recipients
Mr. Moses Anthony Davis
Mr. Rodney Basil Price
Mr. Dave Reid