GG urges Jamaicans to pass batons of virtue and service to youth

Referencing Jamaica's 4x100 men's relay team at the just-concluded Olympic Games in Brazil, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen said Jamaicans should pass on the baton of virtue and service to successive generations so that the country can achieve success on and off the track.

Speaking at the recent Governor General's Achiev-ement Awards (GGAA) 25th Anniversary Presentation Ceremony for the County of Surrey, he said, "If we are going to be victorious, we must pass the baton of morals and values that guide us as a people."

The Governor General said that practical steps should be taken to build stronger communities, inspire others, as well as rescue the nation from the scourge of crime and

violence.

BOLD STRIDES

The event, which was held in St Thomas, saw 11 awardees receiving honours from the governor general who commended them for taking bold strides towards self-improvement and community upliftment. He noted that despite challenges of their own, each awardee remained focused on doing what would build and strengthen the country. He added that their successes represented the fulfilment of the vision of the GGAA, which was introduced in 1991 to recognise unsung heroes.

The 2016 GGAA Surrey awardees from Portland are Christina Williams, Rafike Miller and Vinnette Mitchell-Forrester. From Kingston, the awardees are Samantha Williams, Mark Smith and Howard Harvey. They are joined by Krystal Lofters, Danielle Stiebel and Joylene Griffiths-Irving from St Andrew, and Sardia McIndoe and Hubert Grant from the parish of St Thomas.