While declaring that he is serious about service that results in tangible improvement in the lives of the Jamaican people, newly appointed parliamentary secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Senator Abka Fitz-Henley says he’s looking forward to providing key support to the Andrew Holness-led Administration as it strives to implement additional measures which positively impact Jamaicans.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer shortly after he took the Oath of Office and was handed his instrument of appointment by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen on Wednesday at King’s House, Fitz-Henley said he is committed to helping the Government in its quest to improve lives.

Fitz-Henley
— who, since his appointment to the Senate in May last year, has emerged as one of the vocal voices of the Holness Administration and the governing Jamaica Labour Party
— said he has no doubt that he will have further dialogue shortly with the prime minister about assigned duties as the latest addition to the executive.

Under the Westminster system of Government, which is practised in Jamaica, a parliamentary secretary is a member of the executive who provides key support to the portfolio minister in a range of areas.

“Often, where appointments are made they are celebrated but where my mind is at, I have forgone that celebration phase. I am focused on contributing to the team because I know that as a Government we are ready to further execute in a number of key areas which will bring significant benefits to Jamaicans, and it’s important that we continue to implement and do so well,” Fitz-Henley told the Observer.

He underscored that as a legislator, who is positioned in the lead ministry in the Government, there are several key areas of interest which he has and intends to lend his expertise towards striking the right chord as it implements policy.

“There are a number of areas that I am passionate about, including the right of the Jamaican people to access accurate information, in particular in this digital age, that they may be in a position to make educated choices in various areas of their lives,” said Fitz-Henley.

He argued that the global village is experiencing a climate of rapidly changing modalities in terms of how information is communicated, utilised and digested and, “as we look across Europe and the region, various governments are having to adjust and adopt by deliberating upon, and in some cases implementing, policies to take full advantage of positive opportunities afforded by the dynamic and perennially changing digital information era.

“It is a time, as well, where administrations are also having to devise policies to mitigate against initiatives which seek to exploit new technologies for adverse purposes and to the detriment of society as a whole,” he argued.

The Government senator said during his career as a legislator he is intent on contributing to the team effort in developing policies as Jamaica shapes its response to the changing face of the digital information era, which presents many challenges and even greater opportunities.

Fitz-Henley emerged as leading media practitioner several years ago, winning the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) Young Journalist of the Year Award in 2011, his first year in media. He went on to win the PAJ’s Journalist of the Year prize in 2016 and copped the Jamaica Broilers Fair Play Award in that year.

He surprised many in January 2021 when he walked away from the profession at a time when he was anchoring a popular morning show on Nationwide News Network.

Asked about the career switch and how that has been going, Fitz-Henley said he had initially intended on giving seven years to media then move on, but ended up giving approximately 10 years.

“I am not preoccupied with titles, positions, maintaining a personal high profile or the trappings of office, and I am determined to never be afflicted by that mindset. Where my mind is at is that I am fully committed to, if necessary, expending every ounce of my energy in service of our people and I will remain committed to seeking to influence policies which improve their lives,” said Fitz-Henley.

He told the Observer that he is grateful for the opportunity to serve in the political arena and is confident that his mindset aligns with Prime Minister Holness’ vision for Jamaica.

“Since I entered politics, I have not regretted the decision for a moment and a large part of that is because I’ve had the privilege of observing a prime minister at work. A leader of the executive who is often up at 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 in the mornings working and brainstorming on how best our talented team will be able to improve on the speed and quality of delivery, in order to bring joy to more Jamaicans,” said Fitz-Henley.