Sir Frederick Nathaniel Ballantyne, this country’s longest serving Governor General, spent his last day on the job on Wednesday, July 31 having served in that capacity for the last 17 years.

This country’s fifth Governor General, Sir Frederick’s resignation came as a result of ill health, the Prime Minister announced at an event on July 20.

A distinguished cardiologist and former chief medical officer, Sir Frederick, now 83, succeeded Dame Monica Dacon, who had been acting in the position after the death of the fourth Governor General Sir Charles Antrobus.

Governor General Susan Dougan succeeds Sir Frederick Nathaniel Ballantyne

Sir Frederick was sworn in as Governor General on September 2, 2002 and later that year, in connection with his new appointment, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. In June 2009, he was also awarded a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree by the University of the West Indies (UWI), as one of 16 regional figures being recognised for their contributions with honorary degrees.

Sir Frederick is succeeded by Susan Dougan, who was sworn in yesterday at Government House. She is first female to be appointed Governor General, although Dame Monica Dacon acted in that position for a few months in 2002 after the death of Sir Charles Antrobus.

Dougan, a former educator, began her service to the nation in 1975. She taught at the Girls’ High School, first as an undergraduate, and then as a graduate teacher, imparting her knowledge in the sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Integrated Science. Her promotion to Deputy Headmistress came in 1997, and was soon followed by her appointment as Headmistress in 2001.

Dougan was transferred to the Ministry of Education in 2004 where she was promoted to the post of Chief Education Officer until 2009. In 2009, she became Cabinet Secretary, and she retired in 2013.
Dougan, who is not yet 65 years old, was sworn in as the Governor General’s Deputy in 2014.

In a recent interview with SEARCHLIGHT she said her appointment was an honour and a privilege to serve the nation at that level, and vowed to try at all times to execute her duties to the best of her ability.

SVG’s first Governor General after Independence was Sir Sydney Gun-Munro (1979 – 1985). He was followed by Joseph L Eustace (1985 – 1988), Sir David Jack (1889 – 1996) and Sir Charles Antrobus (1996 – 2002).

Lawyer Henry Williams acted from 1988 to 1989 and Dame Monica Dacon acted for three months in 2002.