PLEDGES TO UPHOLD INTEGRITY OF JUSTICE SYSTEM
ST ANN’S BAY, St Ann; Nov. 29, 2024
Joseph Issa has been officially installed as Custos of St Ann.
A huge crowd led by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, and civic, political, and business leaders attended the ceremony
on Thursday, November 28, at the historic Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann’s Bay, St Ann.
The Governor General presented Mr. Issa with the Grand Commission and the Magistrates’ Roll signifying the formal appointment. Mr Issa has been carrying out duties as the Governor General’s representative since October. Mr Issa was sworn in at a ceremony at Kings House, on September 16.
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(Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left) greets the new Custos for the parish of St. Ann, Joseph Issa, during the installation ceremony at Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann’s Bay, St. Ann, on Thursday, November 28. Sharing the moment is Mr. Issa’s wife, Asha.)
At Thursday’s public ceremony, Prime Minister Holness said the appointment was a well-deserved recognition for Mr. Issa’s lifetime of service to Jamaica, especially to the people of St. Ann.
According to JIS, Mr Holness highlighted Mr. Issa’s significant contributions to the garden parish, including in business, his support for vulnerable students and his promotion of environmental initiatives.
“His engagements in St. Ann, whether through sports programmes or hosting the internationally renowned Jamaica International Backgammon Championship, highlights his passion for fostering local development and enhancing Jamaica’s global appeal,” Mr. Holness said.
“St. Ann is fortunate to have a leader of your calibre to guide its people towards greater unity, opportunity, progress, prosperity and peace. We look forward to seeing the transformative impact that you will have as Custos of the parish,” he added.
The Governor-General said that Mr. Issa’s extensive leadership, experience and commitment to the well-being of others positions him to guide St. Ann into a new era of growth and progress.
As Custos Rotulorum, Mr. Issa will oversee the parish’s 548 justices of the peace (JPs), the Governor-General said, noting that this responsibility emphasises his crucial role in maintaining the integrity of justice and governance.
(Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen, left,, presents Custos of St. Ann, Joseph Issa, with the Grand Commission to formally recognise his appointment as the Custos Rotulorum for the parish of St. Ann, on Thursday).
The Governor-General expressed his gratitude to the outgoing Custos, Norma Walters and her husband, Radcliffe Walters, who collectively served the parish for more than two decades.
Mr. Issa, in his response, expressed deep appreciation for the trust placed in him and vowed to work alongside the parish’s dedicated team of JPs to enhance the linkages between government and communities.
He also underscored the significance of promoting greater civic pride, particularly in schools, noting that this is the most essential ingredient to develop “better and more productive youth in our society”.
He promised to ensure that no compromises will be made in upholding the integrity of the justice system.
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Yhomo Hutchinson/JIS Photos
