GGAA Programme Guidelines

The Governor-General's Achievement Awards (GGAA) recognize outstanding Jamaicans for their community service and achievements. There are three age group categories: 18-24, 25-35, and over 35. Nominees must be Jamaican citizens with strong academic performance (for students) and verifiable community service. A selection committee will review nominations and select award recipients to be approved by the Governor-General. The document provides eligibility criteria and guidelines for each age group category, emphasizing strengths like leadership, volunteerism, innovation, and family values. Nominations require a nomination form, personal information form from the nominee, and supporting documents.

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GGAA Programme Guidelines

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abby jackson

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An Arm of the Governor-General’s

Programme for Excellence

The Governor- General’s Achievement Awards

(GGAA) 2020
“Engaging, Empowering & Inspiring Jamaicans”

GGAA Programme Guidelines

GENERAL INFORMATION
The Selection Committee, comprised of members of the Parish Committee, will independently review all
nominations to ensure they meet the selection standards and eligibility criteria. Being nominated does NOT
guarantee that a candidate will receive an award. The committee will rank the nominees and decide on the
final award determinations. The names with credentials are submitted by the Custos to His Excellency the
Governor-General for approval.

To assist the Parish Committee, it is important that the Nominator give full details of the Nominee.

ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible, a candidate must:
1. Be a Jamaican Citizen
2. Be within one of three age group categories: 18 – 24 years, 25 – 35 years or over 35 years
3. Have an outstanding and verifiable record of community service. Students must also have attained
strong or excellent academic performance.

Persons who have been the recipient of a National Honour or Award ARE NOT eligible to be considered for a
Governor-General’s Achievement Award (GGAA).

NOMINATION
The Nominator must submit his/her nomination in writing to the Office of the Custos in the parish where the
Nominee resides. The nomination is complete when both the Nomination Form and the nominee’s Personal
Information Form (along with required documentation) have been submitted.
DEADLINE: Friday, March 16, 2020

SELECTION CRITERIA
The selection criteria focus on ‘Family’, ‘Youth’, ‘Education’ and ‘Community impact’. They also emphasize
‘Creativity’, ‘Innovation’, ‘Initiative’, and ‘Sustained Accomplishment’.
1. The person's achievement must have been made in the public interest.
2. Initiative or volunteer activities have had a positive effect on a significant number of persons in their
community.
1 - The Governor- General’s Achievement Award (GGAA) – Nomination Form
‘Creativity’, ‘Innovation’, ‘Initiative’, and ‘Sustained Accomplishment’.
1. The person's achievement must have been made in the public interest.
2. Initiative or
SELECTION volunteer (Cont’d)
CRITERIA activities have had a positive effect on a significant number of persons in their
community.
3. Contributions and achievement must have been made while the individual was acting as a private citizen,
not as an appointed or elected government official.
4. Contributions to the community must have been undertaken outside of the person's normal work
assignment.
5. Achievements and contributions must be of a not-for-profit nature.
6. Achievements and contributions must have taken place within the last five (5) years.
7. Active and significant service towards the betterment of community
8. Contribution to the community outside of the person’s normal work assignment.
9. The candidate’s initiative or volunteer activities (under the pillars of ‘Youth’, ‘Family’, ‘Education’) that
have had a positive effect on his/her community.

AWARD CATEGORY: Age Group 25 – 35 Years

Background
The Governor-General’s Achievement Award for the Age Group Category 25-35 years, also referred to as
“The GGAA Award for Excellence”, was introduced in 2006 by then Governor-General Professor Sir Kenneth
Hall, ON, GCMG, OJ, as an expansion of the awards scheme which started in 1991.
The Ideal Candidate for the Award
While volunteerism is a hallmark of the Governor-General’s Achievement Award, the specific award given in
the 25-35 years age group category has a strong focus on academics. The person selected must possess an
impressive history of academic excellence and community service, complemented by effective leadership
skills and an inclination for innovation.
‘Academic excellence’, expanded for the specific category, seeks to identify that individual with an
‘outstanding’ or ‘awe-inspiring’ accomplishment, particularly at the undergraduate and/or graduate level(s).
The selectee should possess an honours degree. His/her Grade Point Average (GPA) ideally ought to be 4.0,
or at a minimum, 3.89 GPA. Achievement is based on expertise, sustained effort and excellence, and not
other more ephemeral characteristics, such as professional connections.
NB: The nominee must be domiciled in the parish for at least five (5) years to be considered for the award. A
significant portion of his/her active service to community must be in the parish which they are domiciled.
Evaluation Points
The Award Recipient would have demonstrated exceptional merit without regard to financial need.
To be selected, emphasis is placed on:
1. Strong or excellent academic achievement:
 Nominee has excellent academic achievement. University Degree of outstanding quality. Honours
designation. Grade Point Average (GPA) 4.0, minimum 3.89 GPA.
 Nominee must have completed and/or is enrolled in a course of study.
2. An interest in / inclination for innovation.
3. Strong family values:
 Expressed and demonstrated ability to promote good family values.

1 - The Governor- General’s Achievement Award (GGAA) – Nomination Form

 Nominee must have completed and/or is enrolled in a course of study.
2. An interest in / inclination for innovation.
3. Strong family values:
AWARD CATEGORY: Age Group 25 – 35 Years (Cont’d)
 Expressed and demonstrated ability to promote good family values.
4. Leadership and the ability to motivate others:
 Demonstrated capacity for leadership and the ability to motivate others.
 Demonstrated commitment to and capacity for accomplishment that requires drive and sustained
effort.
5. Volunteerism:
 Active and significant service in his/her community towards an enhanced quality of life for its
people and the betterment of Jamaica. (Must be verifiable.)
6. Social Issues Awareness:
 Ability to articulate issue(s) involving current affairs including a perspective on how to tackle
them.

AWARD CATEGORY: Age Group Over 35 Years

Background
The Governor-General’s Achievement Award for the Age Group Category ‘Over 35 years’, also referred to as
“The Achievement Award”, has been in existence since the inception of the programme in 1991. It recognizes
those ‘Unsung Heroes’ who from very humble beginnings, have gained significant personal achievement and
have been actively involved in their community enhancing the quality of life of its people.
The Ideal Candidate for the Award
Volunteerism is at the core of this award category. There is no emphasis on academics but it is acknowledged
where it exists. Central to this is that the person has ‘pulled themselves up by the bootstraps’. NB: The
nominee must be domiciled in the parish for at least ten (10) years to be considered for the award. A
significant portion of his/her active service to community must be in the parish which they are domiciled.
Evaluation Points
The Award Recipient would have demonstrated exceptional merit without regard to financial need.
To be selected, emphasis is placed on:
1. Volunteerism:
 Demonstrated active and significant service in his/her community towards an enhanced quality of
life for its people and for the betterment of Jamaica. (Must be verifiable)
 Voluntary activities have had a positive effect on a significant number of persons in his/her
community.
2. Family Values:
 Expressed and demonstrated ability to promote good family values.
3. Leadership & Drive
 Has demonstrated the capacity for leadership and the ability to motivate others.
 Demonstrated a commitment to and capacity for accomplishment that requires drive and
sustained effort. Also has an inclination for innovation.
4. Social Issues Awareness
 Ability to articulate issue(s) involving current affairs including a perspective on how to tackle
them.

1 - The Governor- General’s Achievement Award (GGAA) – Nomination Form

FORMS TO BE COMPLETED
The information submitted below should be about the person that is being nominated for consideration for
the award.

1. The Nomination Form: To be completed by the Nominator / person nominating a candidate.

2. The Personal Information Form: To be completed by the Nominee.

A candidate’s Personal Information Form MUST include the following:

a) Personal and Contact Information
b) Confirmation of eligibility
c) Education history
d) Community service that has been given.
e) A description of extra-curricular involvement.
f) Two (2) photographs* – (Passport size, colour) *Should be taken in Business Suit (Men: Jacket &/or Shirt & Tie)

Additional requirements:
a) Two (2) Letters of Recommendation*
b) Response to discussion question
c) Resume
d) School Transcript(s) or Original Certificates (As applicable)

NOTE: Letters of Recommendation must attest to the personal character and achievement of the nominee. Letters
may be from: Clergy Member, School Administrator, Justice of the Peace, Police Officer (Rank: Inspector or above.)