Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
Former Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke (right) signals the audience to stand in recognition of new Governor-General, His Excellency Kenneth Hall. The occasion was the installation ceremony of the Governor-General, held at King's House, St. Andrew, yesterday. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
PROFESSOR KENNETH Hall, former Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona, was last night installed as the fifth Governor-General of Jamaica, during a lavish ceremony held at King's House, St. Andrew.
His Excellency Kenneth Hall succeeds Sir Howard Cooke, who served as Governor-General for almost 15 years.
The new Governor-General will be joined at King's House by his wife, Her Excellency Mrs. Hall, former Senior Research Fellow at the Allister McIntyre Centre, UWI.
"This is both humbling and an uplifting experience," he said.
In a well-crafted inaugural speech, the newly-installed Governor-General, who hails from the parish of Hanover, confessed that he never dreamed that he could become Governor-General, noting that such a thing was outside of the range of persons from his social background.
"I feel that what is conferred upon me today is an honour and recognition of the contribution of the generation of which I am a part," he said.
ENGAGE THE YOUTH
He pointed to the need for the society to find meaningful ways of engaging the youth.
"It is the youth that possess many of the special attributes that will form part of our transformational agenda." He said today's youth are the most educated and conscious youth cohort in Jamaica's history.
"They are energetic, enthusiastic and full of innovative ideas, which means that they are the foundation of the future Jamaica," the 64-year-old Governor-General added.
He said he intends to be Governor-General of all Jamaica regardless of social status or political affiliation.
As part of his agenda, he said his office would be an "active participant in forging national consensus, in building social capital and projecting a self- reliant, self-confident Jamaica."
In his address, Sir Howard, described his successor as an "able and astute younger man."
"I welcome the Governor-General and his First Lady ... The Most Honourable Mrs. Hall to King's House."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson said the new Governor-General comes to the office at a time of constitutional reform. "And I am certain that his skills and experience will serve him well in the execution of his duties."
Mr. Patterson also told the gathering of government officials, a contingent from the UWI and other dignitaries, that the Governor-General will bring something special to the office.
"I believe that in this age of globalisation, our Governor-General will bring to bear on the affairs of the state the perspective of one who has seen our country both from within and from without," he said.
HIGHLIGHTS OF HALL'S CAREER
2004
Conferral of Order of Jamaica
2003
Appointed Chairman of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC)
1996
Pro-Vice Chancellor/Principal of the University of the West Indies, Mona
1994
Deputy Secretary General CARICOM.
1984
History Professor, State University of New York at Oswego.
FORMER GOVERNORS-GENERAL
Sir Kenneth Blackburne - Aug. 6-Nov. 30, 1962
Sir Clifford Campbell - Dec. 1, 1962-Mar. 2, 1973
Sir Florizel Glasspole - June 27, 1973-Mar. 31, 1991
Sir Howard Cooke - Aug. 1, 1991-Feb. 15, 2006
