The governor-general of The Bahamas is the representative of the Bahamian monarch, currently , in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister of The Bahamas. The functions of the governor-general include appointing ministers, judges, and ambassadors; giving royal assent to legislation passed by parliament; issuing writs for election.
In general, the governor-general observes the conventions of the Westminster system and responsible government, maintaining political neutrality, and has to always act only on the advice of the prime minister. The governor-general also has a ceremonial role: hosting events at the official residenceGovernment House in the capital, Nassauand bestowing honours to individuals and groups who are contributing to The Bahamas and to their communities. When travelling abroad, the governor-general is seen as the representative of The Bahamas and its monarch. The governor-general is supported by a staff headed by the official secretary to the governor-general.
Governors-general formally serve "at the monarch's pleasure".
The oath for the due execution of the office of governor-general is:
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Functions
The Bahamas shares the person of the sovereign equally with 14 other countries in the Commonwealth of Nations. As the sovereign works and resides predominantly outside of Bahamian borders, the governor-general's primary task is to perform the monarch's constitutional duties on their behalf. As such, the governor-general carries out their functions in the government of The Bahamas on behalf and in the name of the Sovereign.
The governor-general's powers and duties are derived from the Bahamian constitution's Section 32 to 37, which set out certain provisions relating to the governor-general.
The governor-general, on the Sovereign's behalf, gives royal assent to laws passed by the Parliament of The Bahamas.
The governor-general acts on the advice of the prime minister, to issue regulations, proclamations under existing laws, to appoint state judges, ambassadors and high commissioners to overseas countries, and other senior government officials. welcoming visiting heads of state, and receiving the credentials of foreign diplomats.
Community role
The governor-general provides non-partisan leadership in the community, acting as patron of many charitable, service, sporting and cultural organisations, and attending functions throughout the country.
The governor-general also encourages, articulates and represents those things that unite Bahamians together. In this role, the governor-general:
- frequently receives Bahamians on special occasions or celebrations, students of various schools, and visitors from other countries at Government House.
- attends church services, religious observances, and charitable, social, and civic events across the country.
- issues congratulatory messages to Bahamian organisations for special anniversaries and events, such as major national or international conferences, cultural festivals and sporting championships.
Privileges
Through the passage of the National Honours Act 2016, The Bahamas established seven national orders in 2016. The governor-general, serves as the Chancellor of all these orders.
Salary
The governor-general receives an annual salary of 75,000 BSD.
Symbols
thumb|Flag of the governor-general of The Bahamas
The governor-general uses a personal flag, which features a lion passant atop a St. Edward's royal crown with "Commonwealth of The Bahamas" written on a scroll underneath, all on a blue background. It is flown on buildings and other locations in The Bahamas to mark the governor-general's presence.
Residence
thumb|Government House, Nassau
Government House in Nassau is the official residence of the governor-general of The Bahamas.
It was built between 1803 and 1806 and has served as the official residence and office of all Bahamian governors-general since independence in 1973.
List of governors-general
Following is a list of people who have served as governor-general of The Bahamas since independence in 1973.
Symbols
: Died in office.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2" |
! rowspan="2" | Portrait
! rowspan="2" | Name<br><small>(Birth–Death)</small>
! colspan="3" | Term of office
! rowspan="2" |Monarch<br><small>(Reign)</small>
|-
!Took office
!Left office
!Time in office
|-
| 1
| 70px
| Sir John Paul<br />
| <small>10 July</small><br>1973
| <small>31 July</small><br>1973
|
| rowspan="14" style="background:#eaecf0; border-style: solid solid none solid ;" |70px<br>Elizabeth II<br>60px<br><small>(1973–2022)</small>
|-
| 2
| 70px
| Sir Milo Butler<br />
| <small>1 August</small><br>1973
| <small>22 January</small><br>1979
|
|- style="background:#e6e6aa;"
|–
| 70px
| Sir Gerald Cash<br /><br>
| <small>22 January</small><br>1979
| <small>23 September</small><br>1979
|
|-
| 3
| 70px
| Sir Gerald Cash<br />
| <small>23 September</small><br>1979
| <small>25 June</small><br>1988
|
|- style="background:#e6e6aa;"
| –
| 70px
| Sir Henry Milton Taylor<br /><br>
| <small>26 June</small><br>1988
| <small>28 February</small><br>1991
|
|-
| 4
| 70px
| Sir Henry Milton Taylor<br />
| <small>28 February</small><br>1991
| <small>1 January</small><br>1992
|
|-
| 5
| 70px
| Sir Clifford Darling<br />
| <small>2 January</small><br>1992
| <small>2 January</small><br>1995
|
|-
| 6
| 70px
| Sir Orville Turnquest<br />
| <small>3 January</small><br>1995
| <small>13 November</small><br>2001
|
|- style="background:#e6e6aa;"
| –
| 70px
| Dame Ivy Dumont<br /><br>
| <small>13 November</small><br>2001
| <small>1 January</small><br>2002
|
|-
| 7
| 70px
| Dame Ivy Dumont<br />
| <small>1 January</small><br>2002
| <small>30 November</small><br>2005
|
|- style="background:#e6e6aa;"
| –
| 70px
| Paul Adderley<br /><br>
| <small>1 December</small><br>2005
| <small>1 February</small><br>2006
|
|-
| 8
| 70px
| Arthur Dion Hanna<br />
| <small>1 February</small><br>2006
| <small>14 April</small><br>2010
|
|-
| 9
| 70px
| Sir Arthur Foulkes<br />
| <small>14 April</small><br>2010
| <small>8 July</small><br>2014
|
|-
| 10
| 70px
| Dame Marguerite Pindling<br />
| <small>8 July</small><br>2014
| <small>28 June</small><br>2019
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 11
| rowspan="2" | 70px
| rowspan="2" | Sir Cornelius A. Smith<br />
| rowspan="2" | <small>28 June</small><br>2019
| rowspan="2" | <small>31 August</small><br>2023
| rowspan="2" |
| style="background:#eaecf0 ; border-style: none solid solid solid ;" |
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#eaecf0" | 70px<br>Charles III<br>60px<br />
|-
| 12
| 70px
| Dame Cynthia A. Pratt<br />
| <small>1 September</small><br />2023
| Incumbent
|
|}
See also
- List of governors of The Bahamas
- List of prime ministers of The Bahamas
References
- Georgetown University