Governor-General of the Bahamas

The governor-general of The Bahamas is the representative of the Bahamian monarch, currently Template:Current Bahamian monarch, 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 residenceTemplate:MdashGovernment House in the capital, NassauTemplate:Mdashand 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".<ref name=chap/> Since 1 September 2023, the governor-general has been Dame Cynthia A. Pratt.

The office of the governor-general was created on 10 July 1973, when The Bahamas gained independence from the United Kingdom as a sovereign state and an independent constitutional monarchy. Since then, 12 individuals have served as governor-general.

Appointment

The governor-general is formally appointed by the monarch of the Bahamas. When a new governor-general is to be appointed, the prime minister recommends a name to the monarch, who by convention accepts that recommendation.<ref name=gbgf/> At the installation ceremony, the new governor-general takes oaths of allegiance and of office. These oaths are administered by the chief justice of the Bahamas.<ref name=chap>Template:Cite web</ref>

The oath for the due execution of the office of governor-general is:<ref>Template:Citation</ref>

Template:Quote

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 his or her behalf. As such, the governor-general carries out his or her 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.<ref name=chap/>

Constitutional role

The governor-general is responsible for dissolving parliament and issues writs for new elections. After an election, the governor-general formally requests the leader of the political party which gains the support of a majority in parliament to form a government. The governor-general commissions the prime minister and appoints other ministers after the election.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The governor-general, on the Sovereign's behalf, gives royal assent to laws passed by the Parliament of The Bahamas.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>

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.<ref name=gbgf/>

The governor-general is also responsible for issuing Royal Commissions of Inquiry, and other matters, as required by particular legislation; and authorises many other executive decisions by ministers such as approving treaties with foreign governments.

The governor-general may, in certain circumstances, exercise without—or contrary to—ministerial advice. These are known as the reserve powers, and include:

• appointing a prime minister if an election has resulted in a 'hung parliament'.
• dismissing the prime minister who has lost the confidence of the parliament.
• dismissing any minister acting unlawfully.
• refusing to dissolve the House of Representatives despite a request from the prime minister.

Ceremonial role

Governor-General Marguerite Pindling speaking at a US Embassy Memorial Day wreath laying ceremony in The Bahamas, 2017

The governor-general's ceremonial duties include opening new sessions of parliament by delivering the Speech from the Throne,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> welcoming visiting heads of state, and receiving the credentials of foreign diplomats.<ref name=gbgf/>

The governor-general also presents honours at investitures to Bahamians for notable service to the community, or for acts of bravery.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name=gbgf>Template:Cite web</ref>
• attends church services, religious observances, and charitable, social, and civic events across the country.<ref name=gbgf/>
• accepts patronage of many national, charitable, cultural, educational, sporting and professional organisations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• issues congratulatory messages to Bahamian organisations for special anniversaries and events, such as major national or international conferences, cultural festivals and sporting championships.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Salary

The governor-general receives an annual salary of 75,000 BSD.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Symbols

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

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.

SymbolsTemplate:Note labelTemplate:Refbegin

Template:Note Died in office.

Template:Abbr	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office			Monarch (Reign)
			Took office	Left office	Time in office
1		Sir John Paul Template:Small	10 July 1973	31 July 1973	Template:Ayd	Elizabeth II (1973–2022)
2		Sir Milo Butler Template:Small	1 August 1973	22 January 1979Template:Ref label	Template:Ayd
–	File:Doris Louise.jpg	Doris Sands Johnson Template:Small Template:Small	22 January 1979	22 January 1979	Template:Ayd
–		Sir Gerald Cash Template:Small Template:Small	22 January 1979	23 September 1979	Template:Ayd
3		Sir Gerald Cash Template:Small	23 September 1979	25 June 1988	Template:Ayd
–		Sir Henry Milton Taylor Template:Small Template:Small	26 June 1988	28 February 1991	Template:Ayd
4		Sir Henry Milton Taylor Template:Small	28 February 1991	1 January 1992	Template:Ayd
5		Sir Clifford Darling Template:Small	2 January 1992	2 January 1995	Template:Ayd
6	File:Orville Turnquest 1997 (cropped).jpg	Sir Orville Turnquest Template:Small	3 January 1995	13 November 2001	Template:Ayd
–		Dame Ivy Dumont Template:Small Template:Small	13 November 2001	1 January 2002	Template:Ayd
7		Dame Ivy Dumont Template:Small	1 January 2002	30 November 2005	Template:Ayd
–		Paul Adderley Template:Small Template:Small	1 December 2005	1 February 2006	Template:Ayd
8	File:Arthur D Hanna (cropped).jpg	Arthur Dion Hanna Template:Small	1 February 2006	14 April 2010	Template:Ayd
9	File:Arthur Foulkes (cropped).jpg	Sir Arthur Foulkes Template:Small	14 April 2010	8 July 2014	Template:Ayd
10	File:Marguerite Pindling (cropped).jpg	Dame Marguerite Pindling Template:Small	8 July 2014	28 June 2019	Template:Ayd
11	File:Cornelius A Smith (2008-01-22).jpg	Sir Cornelius A. Smith Template:Small	28 June 2019	31 August 2023	Template:Ayd
						File:King Charles III (July 2023).jpg Charles III Template:Small
12		Dame Cynthia A. Pratt Template:Small	1 September 2023	Incumbent	Template:Ayd

See also

• List of governors of The Bahamas
• List of prime ministers of The Bahamas

References

• Georgetown University