Duties of The Governor-General

The functions of the Governor-General are statutory, ceremonial, traditional and social; authority for which lies within the Constitution, and various laws enacted by Parliament.  As the personal Representative of His Majesty the King, due respect and regard must be paid to the Office.

In the performance of the duties of the Office, with some exceptions included in the Constitution, the Governor-General acts only on the advice of the Prime Minister. Among other duties, these include the appointment of Cabinet Ministers, the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court, the President of the Court of Appeal and Justices of Appeal, Service Commissions, Public Boards and Committees, and all Public Officers.

It would therefore be improper for individual Cabinet Ministers to submit matters to the Governor-General for action, inasmuch as such matters must come from the Prime Minister as Advice.

The Governor-General also receives Credentials from Ambassadors accredited to The Bahamas, conferral of National Honours on Bahamians, and presentation of Instruments of Appointment to Ambassadors-designate of The Bahamas being assigned to foreign countries.

Socially, the Governor-General frequently receives Bahamians and other Nationals in courtesy calls on special occasions or celebrations, students of various schools, and visitors from other countries.