New Ministers of State Charged to Advance National Agenda with Urgency and Integrity
Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has charged the newly sworn-in Ministers of State and the Parliamentary Secretary with the critical responsibility of advancing the government’s national agenda with urgency, discipline, and integrity.
Speaking on Friday (September 19) at the Swearing-In Ceremony held at King’s House, Prime Minister Holness underscored that the role of State Ministers, though often behind the scenes, is vital to ensuring the effective performance of government.
“The government’s agenda is vast. No single Cabinet Minister can execute it alone. Your work will often be behind the scenes: chairing working groups, pushing projects across the finish line, meeting with stakeholders, and resolving bottlenecks. The public may not always see you on the nightly news, but they must be able to see your impact and value in the improved performance of government,” the Prime Minister explained.
Emphasizing that the impact of their work must be visible in outcomes that improve the lives of Jamaicans, Prime Minister Holness urged the appointees to embrace diligence, discipline, and discretion.
Importantly, Dr. Holness reminded them that their responsibilities extend beyond their ministries into parliamentary committees and legislative affairs, given the current formation of the parliamentary majority.
In the meantime, the Prime Minister emphasized that Ministers of State must not allow bureaucracy to stifle progress but must instead embody problem-solving leadership.
“I want you to be problem-solvers and not be trapped by red tape. Bring urgency. Where there is bureaucratic inertia, be the spark that gets things moving. Where there is fragmentation, I want you to be the link that pulls agencies together. Where there is delay, be the hand that drives execution forward,” he said.
Prime Minister Holness made sure to remind the new Ministers that their authority comes from the people and must be exercised with the highest ethical standards.
“Never forget that you are custodians of public trust. The authority you exercise is not yours; it belongs to the people of Jamaica. Every decision you make, every document you sign, and every programme you launch must be guided by the highest standard of integrity,” Dr. Holness said.
He continued: “Do not be seduced by the trappings of office. Power is fleeting. Reputation endures, so guard yours fiercely, because it is the foundation upon which leadership is built. The focus should be on what we can achieve for the people.”
Prime Minister Holness called on the Ministers of State and the Parliamentary Secretary to focus on results and to ensure that their actions consistently reflect integrity, accountability, and commitment to advancing the lives of Jamaicans.