KINGSTON, Jamaica – Opposition Spokesperson on information, sports, culture and gender affairs Olivia “Babsy” Grange has expressed deep sadness at yesterday’s passing of veteran journalist and author, Kenneth “Ken” Jones.

In a release yesterday, Grange recalled Jones as an experienced and talented journalist, one who has contributed immensely to his profession, as well as to the documentation of Jamaica’s political and social history.

“He was such a pleasant and charming person that it would be extremely difficult for anyone to find anything other than positives to say about his life. His death is really a great loss to his profession and his country,” Grange said.

She also recalled that as Minister of Information in 2009, she supported his appointment as spokesman for jamaica house and director of communications in the Office of the Prime (OPM). 

“In that role, Ken had the responsibility for promoting and enhancing the public image of then Prime Minister, Bruce Golding and his office, working in close collaboration with my ministry,” Grange added.

She noted that along with his role as official spokesperson for the government and the point man for the media and the public, Jones developed strategies to disseminate information on the activities of the prime minister, as well as government policies, both nationally and internationally.

He was awarded the national honour of Order of Distinction (Commander) in 1988 and in 2007 was honoured by the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ), along with fellow veteran journalists, Hartley Neita and Ken Chaplin, for faithful service in the field of journalism.

Grange on behalf of the Jamaica Labour Party extends sincere condolences to all family members and friends at this time.