Dancia Penn-Sallah Appointed Acting Governor
The Office of the Deputy Governor has announced that Mrs. Dancia Penn-Sallah OBE, KC, a former Deputy Governor, is serving as Acting Governor of the Virgin Islands while Governor Daniel Pruce and Deputy Governor David D. Archer, Jr. are both out of the Territory. Her appointment, made under section 37 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, will remain in effect until Friday, 14 August 2026, and the Office has provided contact details for public and media enquiries (BVI Government).
The Office of the Deputy Governor has advised the public that Mrs. Dancia Penn-Sallah OBE, KC, is serving as Acting Governor of the Virgin Islands while Governor Daniel Pruce and Deputy Governor David D. Archer, Jr. are both out of the Territory. The Office confirmed the temporary appointment is made in accordance with section 37 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, and will remain in effect until Friday, 14 August 2026 (BVI Government).
Penn-Sallah, who previously served as Deputy Governor, brings legal and administrative experience to the role, holding the honours OBE and KC. According to the Office of the Deputy Governor, as Acting Governor she will carry out the full range of gubernatorial duties and responsibilities during the absence of the Governor and Deputy Governor.
These duties can include signing official instruments, representing the Territory at formal events, and exercising constitutional powers where required (BVI Government). The Office emphasised that the appointment follows the Territory’s constitutional procedures to ensure continuity of governance and the uninterrupted performance of executive functions while both senior officers are outside the Territory.
Residents are being reassured that routine government business and public services will continue as usual under Mrs. Penn-Sallah’s authority (BVI Government). The Office has provided contact points for members of the public and the media. Communications Officer II (Ag.), Jaimeson Hazel, can be reached by telephone at 1-284-468-2350 or by email at jhazel@gov.vg for local enquiries.
International media should direct enquiries to BVIGovernment@dgagroup.com, the Office noted (BVI Government). For general government services, the Government of the Virgin Islands one-stop shop remains available: call 1 (284) 468-3701 for inquiries, office connections, or to book appointments with various departments.
A WhatsApp line is also available at 1 (284) 468-9760, and the virtual booking system continues to be offered for scheduling services. The Office’s notice also points to its headquarters at 33 Admin Drive, Wickhams Cay 1, Tortola. The Government message includes a brief note that more services are coming soon (BVI Government).
This notice represents an update from the Office of the Deputy Governor confirming the dates and formal basis for Mrs. Penn-Sallah’s acting appointment and restating contact information for public and media use. The Office’s communication aims to provide clarity and to reassure residents that constitutional arrangements are in place to maintain stable leadership and service delivery during the Governor’s absence.
Members of the public who require services or further information are encouraged to use the provided contact points or the Government’s virtual booking system to avoid disruption in accessing departmental services, while Mrs. Penn-Sallah performs the constitutional functions of Acting Governor through 14 August 2026 (BVI Government).
Primary source: BVI Government