149 outstanding Jamaicans to be honoured today

Six Jamaicans will receive the nation’s fifth highest honour, the Order of Jamaica (OJ), at the 2026 Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards today at King’s House. They are the former Bank of Jamaica Governor Richard Byles; Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz; Chief Executive Officer of Sagicor Group Jamaica Christopher Zacca; philanthropist Donette Chin-Loy Chang; former Government minister Maxine Henry-Wilson; and former Government minister Derrick Smith. They will be among the 140 Jamaicans who will be recognised for their sterling contribution to nation-building. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on the lawns of King’s House, starting at 9:00 am. Twenty-five people will be conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander; 41 with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer; 33 with the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service; and 30 with the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service. Three civilians will receive the Badge of Honour for Gallantry. They are Danielle Anna-Marie Barnswell and her husband, Councillor Scean Barnswell, as well as Susan Annmarie Higgins. As customary, several members of the unformed groups will be awarded with the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service — 25 from the Jamaica Constabulary Force; 13 from the Department of Correctional Service; 15 from the Jamaica Fire Brigade; and 12 from the Jamaica Defence Force. The ceremony will be presided over by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen. Under the National Honours and Awards Act, promulgated on July 18, 1969, provision is made for those outstanding Jamaicans to be conferred with one of the honours of the Orders of the six Societies of Honour. The six honours by rank are Order of National Hero, Order of the Nation, Order of Excellence, Order of Merit, Order of Jamaica, and the Order of Distinction. There is also the Medal of Honour and Badge of Honour, which recognises gallantry and meritorious service.