Belize's Government Ministries: A Comprehensive Overview

Belize has numerous government ministries, each with its own specific responsibilities and portfolio. The ministries cover a wide range of areas, including foreign affairs, foreign trade, immigration, finance, economic development, investment, natural resources, agriculture, food security, enterprise, transport, youth, sports, infrastructure, education, culture, science, technology, defence, border security, community development, labour, local government, human development, families, indigenous people's affairs, health, wellness, home affairs, new growth industries, sustainable development, climate change, disaster risk management, public utilities, tourism, diaspora relations, the blue economy, civil aviation, public service, constitutional and political reform, and religious affairs. The number of ministries can change over time as new ones are created or merged, and the responsibilities of each ministry can also evolve.

Ministries and departments

Belize's government is comprised of several ministries and departments, each responsible for specific areas of governance and policy implementation. The ministries are led by ministers, who are members of the Cabinet, and they oversee the respective departments and portfolios under their purview. Here is an overview of the ministries and their associated departments in Belize:

Office of the Prime Minister

The Prime Minister, Hon. John Briceño, leads the country's executive branch and holds the portfolio for Finance, Economic Development, Investment, Civil Aviation, and Immigration. The Prime Minister's office coordinates and supervises the work of various ministries and departments, ensuring the effective management of the country's resources.

Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise

This ministry is headed by Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai and focuses on agriculture and food-related policies. It includes departments such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Cooperatives, and Fisheries, Forestry, The Environment, and Sustainable Development.

Ministry of Transport, Youth, and Sport

Led by Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, this ministry oversees transportation, youth affairs, and sports-related matters. It includes departments like the Department of Transport and the Department of Youth Services.

Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing

The Hon. Julius Espat serves as the minister for this ministry, which is responsible for infrastructure development and housing policies. It includes departments related to planning, construction, and urban development.

Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, E-Governance, and Technology

Hon. Francis Fonseca is the minister in charge of this ministry, which oversees education, cultural preservation, scientific advancement, and technological development. It includes departments such as the Belize Archives and Records Service, the Department of Education, and the Department of Culture, Youth, and Sports.

Ministry of National Defence and Border Security

Led by Hon. Florencio Marin Jr., this ministry is responsible for the country's defence and border security. It includes the Belize Defence Force and various security departments.

Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour, and Local Government

This ministry, headed by Hon. Oscar Requena, focuses on rural development, community empowerment, labour relations, and local governance. It includes departments such as the Department of Local Government and the Department of Rural Community Development.

Ministry of Human Development, Families, and Indigenous People's Affairs

The Hon. Dolores Balderamos-Garcia leads this ministry, which is dedicated to human development, family affairs, and the well-being of indigenous peoples. It includes departments like the Community Rehabilitation Department and the Department of Women's Affairs.

Ministry of Health and Wellness

Hon. Kevin Bernard serves as the minister for this ministry, which is responsible for healthcare policies and the well-being of Belize's citizens. It includes the Department of Health Services and various healthcare-related departments.

Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries

This ministry, led by Hon. Kareem Musa, oversees home affairs and promotes new growth industries. It includes departments related to economic development and industry promotion.

Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management

The Hon. Orlando Habet leads this ministry, which focuses on environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation, and disaster preparedness. It includes departments such as the Meteorology Department and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO).

Ministry of Public Utilities and Logistics

Hon. Michel Chebat serves as the minister for this ministry, which is responsible for public utilities and logistics. It includes departments related to energy, water, and other essential services.

Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations

Led by Hon. Anthony Mahler, this ministry promotes tourism and maintains relations with the Belizean diaspora. It includes the Department of Tourism and various promotional departments.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration

This ministry, headed by Hon. Eamon Courtenay, is responsible for formulating and implementing Belize's foreign policies, trade relations, and immigration matters. It includes the Department of Immigration and departments dedicated to bilateral and multilateral relations.

Ministry of the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation

The Hon. Andre Perez leads this ministry, which focuses on the blue economy, encompassing marine-based industries and civil aviation. It includes the Department of Civil Aviation and the Fisheries Department.

Ministry of Public Service, Constitutional, Political Reform, and Religious Affairs

Hon. Henry Charles Usher serves as the minister for this ministry, which oversees public service matters, constitutional and political reform, and religious affairs. It includes the Human Resource Management Unit and various administrative departments.

The ministries and departments in Belize work together to govern the country effectively, each with its own specific responsibilities and portfolios. They collaborate to formulate and implement policies that aim to improve the lives of Belize's citizens and promote the nation's interests on a global scale.

Members of the Cabinet

The Cabinet of Belize is headed by the Prime Minister, who is also the Minister of Finance, Economic Development & Investment. The Deputy Prime Minister, who is second-in-command, is also the Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum & Mining.

The Cabinet of Belize consists of the following ministries:

• Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, & Enterprise
• Ministry of Transport, Youth & Sport
• Ministry of Infrastructure Development & Housing
• Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, E-Governance & Technology
• Ministry of National Defence & Border Security
• Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour & Local Government
• Ministry of Human Development, Families & Indigenous People's Affairs
• Ministry of Health & Wellness
• Ministry of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries
• Ministry of Sustainable Developments, Climate Change & Disaster Risk Management
• Ministry of Public Utilities and Logistics
• Ministry of Tourism & Diaspora Relations
• Ministry of The Blue Economy & Civil Aviation
• Ministry of Public Service, Constitutional, Political Reform & Religious Affairs
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade & Immigration

The Cabinet of Belize also includes several Ministers of State, who are responsible for specific portfolios within their respective ministries.

The members of the Cabinet of Belize work together to manage the country's civil and military resources and make decisions on a daily basis that impact the lives of Belizeans. They are responsible for formulating, coordinating, and implementing policies and initiatives that aim to enhance the quality of life of citizens and protect the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

National Assembly

The National Assembly is the Legislature of Belize and is made up of three bodies: the Governor-General, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. There are currently 31 elected Members of the House of Representatives, who are elected in a general election under the Representation of the People Act. The party that holds the majority of seats in the House of Representatives forms the Government, which is the Executive branch. The Executive is led by the Prime Minister and their Cabinet, and they are responsible for the day-to-day decisions regarding the management of civil and military state resources.

The House of Representatives plays a crucial role in law-making within the National Assembly. When a Bill is passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is sent to the Governor-General's Office for their Assent. Once the Governor-General assents, the Bill becomes an Act, forming part of Belize's laws.

Members of the House of Representatives represent the voters of Belize and are responsible for approving an annual budget that outlines the Government's policies. During debates on the budget, each elected Member considers and discusses the budget's impact on their constituencies.

The House of Representatives also holds the Government accountable in several ways. During sittings, there is a designated question time for Backbenchers and Opposition Members to ask questions of Ministers. There are provisions for general and urgent debates, and a Select Committee of Members can be formed to investigate Government matters. Furthermore, when a motion to adjourn the House is made, any Member, typically from the Opposition, may raise issues of public concern, and a Minister may respond.

Governor-General

Belize has 14 government ministries, which are listed below:

• Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, The Environment and Sustainable Development
• Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce
• Ministry of Finance, Labour, Local Government, Rural Development, Public Service, Energy and Public Utilities
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
• Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation
• Ministry of National Security
• Ministry of Natural Resources
• Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation
• Ministry of Transport and National Emergency Management
• Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture
• Ministry of Public Service
• Attorney General's Ministry
• Ministry of Health Services
• Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation

The governor-general of Belize is the representative of the Belizean monarch, currently King Charles III, in the country. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister of Belize for a seven-year term. The incumbent governor-general is Dame Froyla Tzalam, who has held the office since 27 May 2021. She is the first indigenous person of Maya descent to serve as governor-general of any country in the history of the Commonwealth.

The functions of the governor-general include appointing ministers, judges, and ambassadors; giving royal assent to legislation passed by the National Assembly; and issuing writs for election. The governor-general also has ceremonial duties, including hosting events at the official residence—Belize House in the capital, Belmopan—and bestowing honours to individuals and groups contributing to their communities.

The office of the governor-general was created on 21 September 1981, when Belize gained independence from the United Kingdom as a sovereign state and an independent constitutional monarchy. The governor-general's powers and roles are derived from the Constitution of Belize's Part IV, sections 30 to 35, which set out provisions relating to the governor-general.

Dame Froyla Tzalam holds a master's degree in Rural Development from the University of Sussex, England, and a bachelor's degree in Anthropology from Trinity University, Texas. She is a Mopan Maya leader and has dedicated her work to culture, history, and indigenous rights. She has authored numerous articles and books on these subjects and has worked with various organisations to promote the rights of indigenous people and preserve Belize's natural resources and cultural history.

House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the National Assembly of Belize, the other being the Senate. It was created under the 1981 constitution, which descended from the British Honduras Legislative Assembly created in 1954 with nine elected members. The number of members has been expanded several times: to 18 in 1961, 28 in 1984, 29 in 1993 and finally to 31 in 2008.

The House of Representatives plays a crucial role in law-making, which is one of the major parliamentary functions of the National Assembly. The House of Representatives drafts new laws and amends old ones for peace, order and good governance of Belize. Once a bill has been passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is sent to the Governor-General for assent. The bill then becomes an act, forming part of the laws of Belize.

The House of Representatives is composed of elected members who represent the voters of Belize. Each year, the House approves a budget outlining the government's policies. During debates on the budget, each elected member discusses the budget in terms of its impact on their respective constituencies. They also represent the actions of the House and the Government to the people.

The House has several mechanisms to hold the government accountable. During sittings, there is a designated question time for Backbenchers and Opposition Members to ask questions to Ministers. There is also a provision for general and urgent debates, and a Select Committee of Members can be formed to investigate matters related to the government. Additionally, upon the motion "That this House do now adjourn", any member, typically from the Opposition, can raise matters of public concern, and a Minister may respond.

The party that holds the majority of seats in the House of Representatives forms the government. The leader of the majority party typically becomes the Prime Minister of Belize. The current Prime Minister is Hon. John Briceño, who also holds the portfolios of Finance, Economic Development, Investment, Civil Aviation and Immigration.

Frequently asked questions