Roles & Functions
Role of the Governor General
The Governor General carries out her work as outlined in the Constitution of Belize.
Constitutional Duties
The Governor-General appoints the Prime Minister, Ministers, and Ministers of State on the advice of the Prime Minister. As well as members of the Cabinet, the Leader of the Opposition must be sworn in by the Governor-General.
The Governor General summons the National Assembly and prorogues it at the end of a session (Section 83 of the Constitution of Belize). She also dissolves the National Assembly on the advice of the Prime Minister before a General Election (Section 84 (1) and Section 4 of the Belize Constitution).
The Governor General appoints persons to key positions, such as the Public Services Commission, Security Services Commission, Judicial and Legal Services Commission, Public Utilities Commission, Members of the Belize Advisory Council, Senators, Clerk and Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, Chief Justice, Justices of the High Court, Justices of the Appeals Court, Governor of the Central Bank and Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (on the advice of the Prime Minister), Chief Executive Officers, Cabinet Secretary, Commander of Belize Defence Force and Commandant of the Belize National Coast Guard.
The Governor General gives formal assent to bills that have been passed by the National Assembly.
She approves the retirement of public officers and approves the granting of pensions and gratuities in accordance with the Pension Act (Chapter 30).
The Governor General exercises what is termed “the prerogative of mercy”, meaning that he or she can, among other things, “grant a pardon”, or “remit the whole or any part of any punishment imposed on any person for any offence” (Belize Constitution, Chapter V, Section 52.)
The Governor General is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, namely the Belize Police Department and the Belize Coast Guard. The Governor-General inspects Guards of Honour and Passing-out Parades and encourages good discipline and high morale through her presence and support.