Fitz-Henley aiming to leverage digital age to communicate gov’t policies
Published:Thursday | May 23, 2024 | 12:11 AM
Newly appointed parliamentary secretary Senator Abka Fitz-Henley says he intends to leverage the emerging digital age to effectively communicate to Jamaicans policies of the Andrew Holness administration, noting that access to “accurate” information at this time is important.
Fitz-Henley was on Wednesday sworn in at King’s House in St Andrew following an announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister last week about the promotion.
“No doubt having received the instrument of appointment, the prime minister will have a conversation with me about tasks and specific assignments,” Fitz-Henley told The Gleaner at the end of the brief ceremony.
“Generally speaking, there are a number of areas that I’m 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,” he added.
The senator said that within Europe and the Caribbean, governments are having to adjust and adapt 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”.
He said it is a time as well when administrations also have to devise policies to mitigate against initiatives that seek to exploit new technologies for adverse purposes and to the detriment of society as a whole.
“I intend to contribute 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,” he said.
A parliamentary secretary under the Westminster model is a member of the government party named to assist a senior minister.
As of April 1, 2024, the annual salary for a parliamentary secretary is $17.2 million.
A minister’s salary is $22.9 million yearly.
Role model
Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, who presented the instrument of appointment, said Fitz-Henley has been trained, educated, and equipped to give his best to the position and the service of the nation.
“Remember that we have a number of young people looking at you, following, and would want to pattern you. Individuals who are called into any form of leadership in the nation they are expected to be models – models, especially for our youth,” Allen urged Fitz-Henley.
“We don’t seem to have as many role models as we really need for our youth, but I’m sure you will be among the few who will stand in a way, position yourself in a way, speak in a way, do your work in a way that they can say, ‘I would like to be a leader like Senator Fitz-Henley’,” Allen added.
In response, Fitz-Henley indicated that he takes his new responsibilities seriously and recognises that his new role is not one of self-aggrandizement.
“It requires a deep and serious commitment to advancing the interest of the people of Jamaica,” Fitz-Henley said, adding that he would be guided by the governor general’s counsel.