Cabinet of Jamaica

The Cabinet of Jamaica is the ultimate decision-making body of the executive within the Westminster system of government in traditional constitutional theory. The Cabinet of Jamaica is the principal instrument of government policy. It consists of the Prime Minister, and a minimum of thirteen other Ministers of Government, who must be members of one of the two Houses of Parliament. Not more than four members of the Cabinet may be members of the Senate. The Minister of Finance must be an elected member of the House of Representatives.[1] The Shadow Cabinet of Jamaica is seen as the alternative to the Cabinet of Jamaica, led by the Leader of the Opposition (Jamaica), and is charged with fairly criticizing and providing alternative policy to that proposed by the Government.[2]

The Cabinet of Jamaica is currently composed of The Jamaica Labour Party members because the party won the 2020 General elections.[3]

The following are the members of the Government Cabinet led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness.[4]

Composition

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Ministers, Ministers of State, Ministers without Portfolio, and Parliamentary Secretary

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Each minister is responsible for the general administration of at least one government portfolio, and heads a corresponding ministry or ministries. The most important minister, following the prime minister, is the Minister of Finance, while other high-profile ministries include foreign affairs, national security, industry and health.

Further, the prime minister may recommend the governor general appoint to Cabinet some ministers of state and ministers without portfolio. Ministers of state often assume one responsibility of a ministry and are not considered as a part of the Cabinet. In the Jamaican press, Ministers of State of often referred to as Junior Ministers. Ministers without portfolio, often working within the Office of the prime minister, assuming one of the prime minister's subsidiary roles (excluding that of Minister of Defence). One exception exists within the current Cabinet.

Ministers of Second Administration

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Ministry or Department Minister Ministerial title Since
Office of the Prime Minister Andrew Holness, MP Prime Minister
Minister of Defence, Economic Growth and Job Creation (re-incorporates the Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change Portfolio formerly under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal)
January 11, 2022
Ministry of National Security Dr. Horace Chang, MP Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of National Security January 11, 2022
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Sen. Kamina Johnson-Smith Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade January 11, 2022
Ministry of Finance and the Public Service Fayval Williams, MP Minister of Finance and the Public Service October 30, 2024
Ministry of Health and Wellness Dr. Christopher Tufton, MP Minister of Health and Wellness January 11, 2022
Ministry of Justice Delroy Chuck, KC, MP Minister of Justice January 11, 2022
Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Dana Dixon, CD, MP Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Oct 30, 2024
Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunication and Transport Daryl Vaz, MP Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport May 22, 2023
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Floyd Green., MP Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining 2023
Ministry of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie, MP Minister of Local Government and Community Development January 11, 2022
Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Sen. Aubyn Hill Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce January 11, 2022
Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports Olivia Grange, MP Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports January 11, 2022
Ministry of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, MP Minister of Tourism January 11, 2022
Ministry of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles, JR., MP Minister of Labour and Social Security January 11, 2022
Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte, KC, MP Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs January 11, 2022
Attorney General Department Derrick McKoy Attorney General January 11, 2022

Ministers without Portfolio

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Ministry or department Minister Ministerial title Since
Ministry of Economic Growth & Job Creation Robert Nesta Morgan, MP Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth & Job Creation with responsibility for Works May 22, 2023
Office of the Prime Minister Homer Davis, MP Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister (formerly Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development) assigned to Office of the Prime Minister in Western Jamaica (OPM West) to oversee and coordinate special projects and major developments (eg. Montego Bay Perimeter Road) in western parishes. January 11, 2022
Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Sen. Matthew Samuda Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for Water, Environment & Climate Change January 11, 2022

Ministers of State

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Nine ministers of state have been appointed but are not a part of the cabinet although they will help in the operations of their various sectors.

Ministry or department Minister Ministerial title Since
Ministry of Labour and Social Security Dr. Norman Alexander Dunn, MP Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security May 22, 2023
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Alando Terrelonge, MP Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade May 22, 2023
Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Technology William J.C. Hutchinson, MP Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Technology May 22, 2023
Ministry of National Security Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, MP Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security May 22, 2023
Office of the Prime Minister Homer Davis, MP Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister January 11, 2022
Ministry of Finance and the Public Service Zavia Mayne, MP Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Public Service May 22, 2023
Ministry of Agriculture and Fishries Franklyn Witter, MP Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishries January 11, 2022

Parliamentary Secretary

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Ministry of Department Minister Ministerial title Since
Office of the Prime Minister Sen. Abka Fitz-Henley Parliamentary Secretary May 21, 2024

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Government of Jamaica - Cabinet Office". Cabinet.gov.jm. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
  2. ^ "The Opposition – Jamaica Information Service".
  3. ^ "JGREENLAND - Holness' JLP Sweeps Away PNP 49-14 - Lead Stories - Jamaica Gleaner - Friday | September 4, 2020". Jamaica Gleaner. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  4. ^ "Cabinet of Jamaica" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-28. Retrieved 2016-03-07.