Jamaican honours system

The Jamaican honours system has developed as a unique entity since the passage of the National Honours and Awards Act by the Parliament of Jamaica in 1969 (Act No. 21 of 1969). The system is modelled largely on the British honours system. The Governor-General is the Chancellor of each order, membership of which is conferred by the Governor-General upon the advice of the Prime Minister of Jamaica. The sovereign is not, however, the sovereign of these orders, as in the case of the Order of Canada and the Order of Australia. In a sense, therefore, they are somewhat analogous to those distinctions awarded by certain of the Canadian provinces. Most Jamaican honours entitle recipients to attach postnominal abbreviations to their names, and some include prenominal titles.

Honours

The honours in this Jamaican system, from highest to lowest in rank:

Description	Ribbon	Comment
The Order of National Hero is conferred upon any citizen of Jamaica who has rendered service of the most distinguished nature to Jamaica. Membership in the order entitles the recipient to the pre-nominal style of 'The Right Excellent' and to the post-nominal title 'National Hero of Jamaica'.		Neck Badge Ribbon
		Medal Ribbon
The Order of the Nation is the second highest Jamaican order, was instituted in 1973 by Regulations made under the National Honours and Awards Act. It is often awarded to Governors-General and to persons who have held the office of Prime Minister.		Neck Badge Ribbon
		Medal Ribbon
The Order of Excellence, introduced in 2003, is the newest addition to the Jamaican honours system. It was created to be bestowed upon foreign heads of state or government. Prior to this, foreign heads or state or government received the Order of Merit [1]
The Order of Merit is the third highest Jamaican order and is meant for any citizen of Jamaica who has achieved eminent international distinction in the fields of science, the arts, literature or any other endeavour. Honorary membership in this order is available to distinguished citizens of other nations. Membership in the order entitles the recipient to the pre-nominal style of 'The Right Honourable' and to the post-nominal title 'Order of Merit' or 'O.M.' .
The Order of Jamaica is the fourth order in precedence in Jamaica. It is awarded to any Jamaican citizen of outstanding distinction. Like the Order of Merit, there is also a class of honorary members for foreign nationals. Membership in this order is considered the equivalent of a British knighthood.		Sash Ribbon (3 inches wide)
		Neck Ribbon (1½ inches wide)
The Order of Distinction is the fifth order in precedence in Jamaica. It was intended to be the equivalent of the British Order of the British Empire. It has two ranks, Commander and Officer. In this order, as well, honorary memberships may be made to foreign nationals either at the rank of Commander or Officer.

Awards

Description

Ribbon

The Jamaican Prime Ministers Medal of Appreciation is an award presented by the Prime Minister of Jamaica to those individuals whom he feels are worthy to be recognized for services to Jamaica or to those Jamaicans who have excelled in personal achievements outside of Jamaica. It is not part of the Jamaican National Honours system. Most recipients will not advance into the Honour system, but a few have been appointed into the Honours system.