Adrian Ellis, a 13-year-old student from Gregory Park, St Catherine, has been awarded the Badge of Honour for Gallantry for his quick thinking and bravery in saving the life of a fellow student. On April 30, Adrian rushed to assist a classmate who was seriously injured after being tripped and suffering a head injury.

141 make Honours list

(The National Honours and Awards Act — 1969)

BUSINESSMAN KEITH Duncan, a leading voice in the monitoring and management of both the economic and social development of Jamaica, is among three persons to be conferred membership in the Order of Jamaica (OJ), the highest of the 141 national honours and awards to be bestowed this year.

Duncan, JMMB Group CEO, is also one of the creators of social development initiative Project STAR and until its end last year, chaired the Economic Programme Oversight Committee. He will be joined in the OJ, the nation’s fourth highest honour, by Local Government and Community Development Minister Desmond Mckenzie and Marlene Street-Forrest, managing director of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.

Duncan is being awarded for exceptional service in the field of finance, business, and social development. Mckenzie, the veteran parliamentarian, receives his honour for exceptional contribution in the public service in the area of local government and community development and representational politics while Street-forrest is being honoured for exceptional service in the field of capital market development.

Among the 35 people who will receive membership in the Order of Distinction in the rank of commander (CD) are Jamaicanamerican businesswoman Dr Trisha Bailey, who is being recognised for her contributions to entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and community service.

CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Consul General to New York Alsion Roach-wilson joins the CD for contribution to national development in the social and economic sectors, particularly in the areas of education, technology, and healthcare capacity building.

Also receiving membership in the CD are Jamaican World Champion sprinter Yohan Blake, radio personality Emily Shields, the late retired Gleaner journalist Barbara Gayle, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton, head of Wynsco William Mahfood, Elias Abraham Issa, and celebrated writer Olive Senior.

Another 43 individuals will also be conferred with membership in the Order of Distinction in the rank of officer (OD). Among them is retired footballer Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner, singer Shauna ‘Etana’ Mckenzie, Dr Lenora Antonette ‘L’antoinette’’ Stines, musician Cleveland ‘Clevie’ Brown, noted diaspora physician Dr Trevor Dixon, diaspora businessman Dennis Hawthorne, Sharon Hay Webster, and musician Garnet Silk, who receives the award posthumously.

Twenty-nine persons will receive the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service, and another 30 persons will receive the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service.

Only one person receives the Badge of Honour for Gallantry this year. He is 13-year-old Adrian Ellis, from Gregory Park in St Catherine, whose quick action on April 30 saved the life of a fellow student who was seriously injured after she was tripped by another child and suffered a blow to her head when she fell.

The National Honours and Awards will be presented on National Heroes Day in October.

On the occasion of the 63rd Anniversary of Independence, His Excellency The Governor-general, The Most Honourable Sir Patrick Linton Allen, ON, GCMG, CD, KST.J, acting in accordance with the Regulations made under Section 7 of the National Honours and Awards Act, and on the advice of the Prime Minister, Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP, is pleased to make the following appointments to the Orders of the Societies of Honour and to award the Badge of Honour, with effect from Independence Day, Wednesday, the 6th August 2025.

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