Dr Patrick Allen to be sworn in as Jamaica's New GG

President of the West Indies Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Pastor Dr Patrick Allen to be sworn in as new governor general on February 26. - Contributed

Published: Gleaner | Wednesday | January 14, 2009

Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter

The man selected to walk into the job as Jamaica's sixth governor general since Independence, Dr Patrick Linton Allen, has expressed confidence that he will have the support of both sides of the political divide.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced in Parliament yesterday that Allen, the president of West Indies Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, would replace Sir Kenneth Hall, who is to retire on February 26 because of health reasons.

"Sir Kenneth had advised me in July of last year of his desire, for health reasons, to demit office in October. He subsequently agreed to continue until February 2009," Golding said.

The prime minister further said Her Majesty the Queen had approved Sir Kenneth's request to retire.

He also thanked the outgoing governor general and Lady Hall for their contributions to Jamaica since Sir Kenneth's appointment as head of state on February 15, 2006.

"He has performed his duties with diligence, dignity, charm, impartiality and understanding and has been a credit to the highest office in our land," Golding said of Sir Kenneth.

While the prime minister was speaking in Parliament yesterday, Allen was in The Bahamas on business.

He told The Gleaner that he was looking forward to the job and there was no concern about support from the Government and the Opposition.

Church unity

"You will appreciate that where I now work I have been able to maintain the unity of the Church by relating to both Government and Opposition without partiality, since our members support both parties,"Allen said.

An activist pastor, Allen has repeatedly called for the Church to address issues such as HIV/AIDS,child and spousal abuse, teenage pregnancy
, crime and violence and unemployment.

He has expressed deep concern over the state of crime and violence in Jamaica while calling for church members and other persons of goodwill to use their influence to put an end to those "ungodly" acts.

The incoming head of state has also expressed confidence that his Adventist affiliation will not affect his ability to conduct the job as governor general.

"I know that everyone knows my religious persuasion. That will not hinder me from giving my best service. Fortunately for us, we live in a nation that respects religious liberty. No GG has ever been able to attend all social functions but the constitutional roles will be conducted to the satisfaction of the nation," Allen added.

Adventism is a conservative branch of Christianity known for its strict adherence to the Jewish Sabbath and rigid dietary stipulations.

Allen is just shy of his 58th birthday, which he will celebrate on February 7. He will be the second-youngest man to assume the governor generalship.

Patrick Linton Allen CD, PhD, JP

# Born Feb 7, 1951 in Fruitful Vale, Portland, to Ferdinand and Christiana Allen, farmer and housewife, respectively.

# Married to Denise Patricia Beckford, July 20, 1975; has three children - Kurt, Candice, David.

# Pastored 20 churches; board member of several companies, organisations, public bodies.

Education:

# Fruitful Vale All-Age School, Portland

# Moneague College, St Ann

# 1998: Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA - PhD - educational administration and supervision

# 1985: Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA BA - history and religion

# 1986: Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA - MA, systematic theology

Professional life

# Water Valley All-Age School, St Mary, 1972-76

# 1976 to 1983: principal, Robins Bay All-Age, Hillside Primary and Port Maria High School, St Mary

# 1986-91: Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

# 1990-93: Director of education and family life - West Indies Union of Seventh-day Adventists.

# 1991-93: Adjunct professor, West Indies College, now Northern Caribbean University (NCU)

# 1993-94: Substitute teacher (Benton Harbour, Michigan, USA).

# 1996-98: Assistant registrar, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA

# 2000-present: President, West Indies Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

# Chairman of the board, NCU

# Chairman of the board, Andrews Memorial Hospital

# Commander of the Order of Distinction, 2006


Prime Minister confirms GG’s resignation


from Go-Jamaica website
Prime Minister Bruce Golding this afternoon in parliament confirmed the resignation of Governor General Professor Sir Kenneth Hall from that post.

Addressing the House of Representatives, Mr. Golding said Sir Kenneth had advised in July last year of his desire to demit office in October because of health reasons.

He subsequently agreed to continue until February 2009.

President of the West Indies Union of Seventh Day Adventists, Dr. Patrick Allen has been confirmed to replace Sir Kenneth and he will be sworn in at Kings House on February 26.


NCU president reacts to GG replacement

President of the Northern Caribbean University (NCU), Dr. Herbert Thompson has welcomed reports that chairman of the board of governors, Dr. Patrick Allen, is being tipped to replace Sir Kenneth.

Dr. Thompson said the University and the Adventist Church are delighted at the fact that he’s being considered and stressed that his appointment will allow Dr. Allen an opportunity to give Jamaica a new moral vision.

Dr. Allen is also President of the West Indies Union of Seventh Day Adventists.

Dr. Thompson said he expects Dr. Allen to continue Professor Hall's efforts to highlight the positives of the nation and to insist on improving its human and natural resources.

He adds that Professor Hall achieved much in his short tenure as Governor General and did so at a time when the nation was facing a crisis.