El nuevo primer ministro Andrew Holness juramenta a su gabinete
Few sights of green as new Gov’t ministers take oath
VERY few who attended yesterday’s swearing-in ceremony for the new Government ministers were seen wearing green, but the mood was still one of Jamaica Labour Party celebration as family, friends and well-wishers gathered to witness the revelation of the new Cabinet at King’s House in St Andrew.
The available seats in the King’s House ballroom were quickly filled, with attendees limiting even the available standing room as they crammed themselves into whatever standing space they could find. Nonetheless, this did not dampen the spirit of those who came out to witness the 17 ministers, four State ministers and the attorney general being sworn in — they all held their ground, even if that meant standing for the duration of the almost two-hour ceremony.
Scheduled for a 2:00 pm start, the ceremony got under way at about 2:05 pm when Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen joined the gathering.
A process that started with the 17th General Election on February 25, ministers of the new Government were now ready to take up the mantle and accept their various responsibilities. From there on it was a business-like atmosphere as each minister went forward to be sworn in by the governor general. Only camera flashes and cheers interrupted the process, which saw ministers taking their oath of office, signing instruments of appointment, smiling for pictures, then returning to their respective seats.
Interestingly, some of the ministers were apparent favourites as they received louder and longer applause than others, or the cheers could also have meant that they had a larger group of supporters in tow. Whatever the reason, heading that list was Minister of State in the Education, Youth and Information Ministry Floyd Green. His applause was closely rivalled by that which went up for Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte.
Obviously a proud moment for all, it was seemingly moreso for Pearnel Charles Sr, who watched as his son, Pearnel Charles Jr, being sworn in as senator then State minister in the Ministry of National Security. What a sight it was to see the Charles clan celebrate at the end of the ceremony!
Formalities out the window, and all the T’s crossed and I’s dotted, the new Government ministers gathered on the steps of King’s House, every face wearing a broad smile, for the official photo.
New Jamaica cabinet sworn in
Jamaica’s new Cabinet of Ministers was sworn in on Monday 7 March 2016. Prime Minister Mr. Andrew Holness named 18 Ministers and four Ministers of State to manage the country’s affairs.
The full cabinet:
The Most Hon. Andrew Holness, ON, MP Prime Minister
Minister of Defence
Minister of Economic Growth and Job Creation
2 Hon. Horace Chang, MP Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister
3 Hon. Derrick Smith, MP Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister
4 Hon. Daryl Vaz, MP Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister
5 Senator Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs
6 Hon. Audley Shaw, MP Minister of Finance and Public Service
Hon. Fayval Williams, MP Minister of State in Ministry of Finance and Public Service
Hon. Rudyard Spencer, MP Minister of State in Ministry of Finance and Public Service
7 Hon. Karl Samuda, MP Minister of Industry, Commerce & Agriculture
8 Hon. JC Hutchinson, MP Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Agriculture
9 Hon. Robert Montague, MP Minister of National Security
Senator Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security
10 Hon. Delroy Chuck, MP Minister of Justice
11 Senator, Hon. Ruel Reid Minister of Education, Youth and Information
Hon. Floyd Green, MP Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information
12 Hon. Andrew Wheatley, MP Minister of Energy, Science and Technology
13 Hon. Desmond McKenzie, MP Minister of Local Government
14 Hon. Mike Henry, MP Minister of Transport and Mining
15 Hon. Edmund Bartlett, MP Minister of Tourism
16 Dr. Hon. Christopher Tufton, MP Minister of Health
17 Hon. Shahine Robinson, MP Minister of Labour and Social Security
18 Hon. Olivia “Babsy” Grange, MP Minister of Entertainment, Sport, Culture and Gender
Mrs. Marlene Malahoo Forte, MP – Attorney General