By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaican Education Minister Andrew Holness was sworn in today as the country’s new Prime Minister, taking over for Bruce Golding, who officially stepped down after more than four years in power.

“I have accepted the recommendation and congratulate Mr Holness on receiving the overwhelming endorsement of his colleagues,” said Jamaican Governor General Sir Patrick Allen. “I encourage you, Sir, to use the confidence expressed by them and the tremendous goodwill of the people of Jamaica to step forward boldly and respond to the needs of the country through the informed decisions that you will make.”

Holness, at 39, is the country’s youngest-ever Prime Minister. The swearing-in took place in a ceremony at Kingston’s King’s House.

Golding called for national unity in his farewell address yesterday.

“No government, whether led by me, Andrew [Holness] or anyone else, can do it alone,” Golding said. “Our chances of success lie in our ability to set aside our differences, to find unity despite our diversity and to coalesce behind a common set of objectives and the strategies to achieve them.”