Persons Encouraged to Nominate Community Volunteers for GGAA

As the closing date of March 30 nears, the public is being invited to nominate community volunteers for the 2024 Governor-General Achievement Award (GGAA).

Persons nominated for the prestigious award must satisfy the following criteria – be a Jamaican citizen; fall in the following age categories – 18-24 years, 25-35 years, or over 35 years.

Individuals in the 35 and over age group must have an outstanding and verifiable record of community service, and candidates in the 18-35 years categories must demonstrate excellent academic performance.

Recipients will receive their awards from Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, and Parish Custodes, at a ceremony to be held at King’s House.

A GGAA pin is also given to each awardee, as they become members of a growing network of inspiring Jamaicans.

An individual from the diaspora will be recognised with the award at the upcoming 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, scheduled to take place from June 16 to 19, 2024, in Montego Bay, St. James.

Project Officer for the Governor General’s Programme for Excellence (GGPE), Patrina Stewart, told JIS News that nominations must be done via the King’s House website at www.kingshouse.gov.jm.

She said persons should ensure that they apply for the parish in which they work and not where they have their mailing address, as in many instances nominations get rejected because individuals tend to confuse their submissions with where they live, when it should be where they do community work.

“Take caution and ensure that the parish that you are applying for is the parish where you work. Your references are very important, and should speak to your work and character,” she noted.

The Project Officer said persons have been very grateful when they receive a GGAA recognition, as it is the “highest honour” that can be given outside of a national award, and community members should look out for deserving individuals who are making a difference and nominate them.

“If you see persons who are doing great work in your community, they deserve to be recognised. What you do when you nominate someone from your community, you inspire excellence, you inspire civic pride, and inspire other persons to want to continue the trajectory of nation-building,” Miss Stewart said.

Persons can also nominate themselves, and for 2023 recipient of the award, Alethia Peart, when the work of community volunteers are highlighted, it shows others that they have the “capacity to make an impact in their own community”.

“I encourage persons to apply, once you are a community person, and you are involved, make the application,” she urged.

The GGAA was established in 1991 to recognise and celebrate exceptional Jamaicans who are leading change within their communities and are excelling in areas of leadership and academics, despite the challenges they face.

To date, a total of 944 Jamaicans have received the award.

Three persons are recognised from each parish.