Photo: Public servants being awarded for years of service
by Kristen Ku
BELMOPAN, Mon. June 26, 2023
On Monday, June 19, Belize embarked on a week-long tribute to its public officers from all across the country. The Belmopan Subcommittee for Public Service Week commenced the week of activities under the theme “Belize public service: Selfless Service, Dedicated Hearts, Celebrating the Value and Virtue of Public Officers to Belize’s Progression,” on June 19 with a morning service.
Notable attendees included Cabinet Secretary, Ambassador Stuart Leslie; Minister of Public Service, Hon. Henry Charles Usher; and Ministry CEOs Rolando Zetina and Dian Mejia.
Then, on June 22, the annual Belize Public Service Award Ceremony was held at the prestigious San Ignacio Hotel, where the Ministry of Public Service recognized and celebrated the exceptional dedication of 104 public officers who have served the nation for more than 25 years.
Special honors were also bestowed upon nine public officers from the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), who dedicated significant portions of their lives to public service.
The awards ceremony, now in its 17th year, was a celebration of resilience, commitment, and dedication. The program included traditional Mayan dancing, playing of the marimbas, and flute playing.
Among those invited was Santa Elena/San Ignacio Town mayor, Earl Trapp, who was given a few minutes to address those present, and who acknowledged the efforts of all hard-working public officers.
The guest speaker for the night was attorney Glenfield Dennison, who currently serves as the Vice Chair of the People’s Constitution Commission (PCC). “Leaders, they don’t play politics; politicians are paid to play politics. If you refuse to engage in politics, then you are seen as honest and trustworthy. Unfortunately, some people are poor leaders,” he said.
Other special speakers at the ceremony included H.E. Dame Froyla T’zalam, Governor General of Belize, who toasted to the honourees, stating, “Selfless service should be the foundational attitude to our work every day. At the length of service, many of you have provided to this country, some exceeding 30 years plus, I can’t even begin to understand how long that is.”
As the ceremony drew to a close, honorees received the Distinguished Long-Service Award from Dame Tzalam and Hon. Henry Charles Usher, Minister of the Public Service.
“I have to salute the public officers who report to duty when called and go above and beyond what is asked of them. In September, we will unveil the new plaques at the Walk of Recognition and Inspiration… I think this is a great opportunity to further honor these women and men who have given so much of their lives to public service,” said Usher.