Roles and Responsibilities

The Constitutional Status and Role of The Governor-General

The Governor-General of The Bahamas is appointed by His Majesty the King on the advice of the Prime Minister, within the constitutional monarchical system of Government provided by the Constitution of The Bahamas. He/She is therefore, “His Majesty’s representative in The Bahamas”.

The Governor-General personifies the State by powers and functions limited to those provided for, by, or under, the Constitution or any other law. He exercises, on His Majesty’s behalf, the executive authority of The Bahamas either directly or through officers subordinate to him. He appoints members of Commissions, for example, the Judicial Service Commission, the Public Service Commission and the Police Service Commission, acting on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. He acts on the advice of the Commissions when making appointments to public offices, and when removing or exercising disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in any such office.

The Governor-General also performs the important Constitutional duties of appointing the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition, Cabinet Ministers, Members of the Senate, the Chief Justice and other members of the Judiciary.