Six Jamaicans to receive Order of Jamaica at National Honours ceremony
Key Points(5)
- Six Jamaicans will receive the Order of Jamaica (OJ), the nation’s fifth-highest honour, at the 2026 Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards on National Heroes Day, Monday, Oct.
- The recipients are former Bank of Jamaica Governor Richard Byles; Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz; Sagicor Group Jamaica CEO Christopher Zacca; philanthropist Donette Chin-Loy Chang; and former government ministers Maxine Henry-Wilson and Derrick Smith.
- They will be among 140 Jamaicans recognised for their contributions to nation-building at the ceremony, which is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
- on the lawns of King’s House.
- Twenty-five people will receive the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD), while 41 will receive the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer (OD).
Six Jamaicans will receive the Order of Jamaica (OJ), the nation’s fifth-highest honour, at the 2026 Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards on National Heroes Day, Monday, Oct. 19.
The recipients are former Bank of Jamaica Governor Richard Byles; Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz; Sagicor Group Jamaica CEO Christopher Zacca; philanthropist Donette Chin-Loy Chang; and former government ministers Maxine Henry-Wilson and Derrick Smith.
They will be among 140 Jamaicans recognised for their contributions to nation-building at the ceremony, which is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on the lawns of King’s House.
Twenty-five people will receive the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD), while 41 will receive the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer (OD).
Another 33 people will be awarded the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service, while 30 will receive the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service.
Three civilians will receive the Badge of Honour for Gallantry: Danielle Anna-Marie Barnswell, her husband, Councillor Scean Barnswell, and Susan Annmarie Higgins.
Members of the uniformed services will also be recognised with the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service. The recipients include 25 members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, 13 from the Department of Correctional Services, 15 from the Jamaica Fire Brigade and 12 from the Jamaica Defence Force.
Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen will preside over the ceremony, which will be streamed live on the Jamaica Information Service website at www.jis.gov.jm. Guests attending the event are expected to be seated by 8:30 a.m.
The National Honours and Awards Act, promulgated on July 18, 1969, provides for the conferment of national honours recognising outstanding contributions to Jamaica.
The national honours system includes the Order of National Hero, Order of the Nation, Order of Excellence, Order of Merit, Order of Jamaica and Order of Distinction. Medals and badges of honour are also awarded for gallantry and meritorious service.
