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Former journalist Abka Fitz-Henley gets role as government senator

Dr Dana Morris Dixon also appointed to Upper House

Published:Friday | May 12, 2023 | 1:24 AM
File photo shows Prime Minister Andrew Holness making a presentation to former journalist Abka Fitz-Henley at the Annual Prime Minister’s Youth Awards for Excellence on Saturday, November 24, 2018, at Jamaica House. Fitz-Henley was yesterday named among
Kenyon Hemans
File photo shows Prime Minister Andrew Holness making a presentation to former journalist Abka Fitz-Henley at the Annual Prime Minister’s Youth Awards for Excellence on Saturday, November 24, 2018, at Jamaica House. Fitz-Henley was yesterday named among two new Senate appointments.

TWO NEW government senators are expected to be sworn in today at Gordon House, the seat of Jamaica’s Parliament.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has written to the governor general recommending the appointment of former journalist Abka Fitz-Henley and Dr Dana Morris Dixon to the Upper House.

This comes against the backdrop of the resignation of senators Natalie Campbell-Rodriques and Leslie Campbell.

In a statement yesterday, Holness said: “I want to specially thank Senators Campbell-Rodriques and Campbell for their impeccable service and look forward to welcoming Dr Dixon and Mr Fitz-Henley as new senators.”

The prime minister divulged that both outgoing senators would continue to give valuable service in other roles, which would be announced soon.

He said that the changes are part of a broader reorganisation, refresh, and revitalisation of the Government.

For some time there have been talks of a Cabinet shake-up, and the prime minister is expected to announce those changes today.

Morris Dixon is a 2004 Fulbright Scholar and an alum of the University of the West Indies, where she completed a BSs. Economics (First Class Honours) and MSc. Government (Distinction).

She is also a graduate of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, where she completed a PhD in International Studies, as well as the executive programme of the Harvard Business School.

Morris Dixon has served as a senior executive of the Jamaica National Group and also served as managing d of JN General Insurance Ltd., one of the key subsidiaries of the Group.

She has executed numerous large-scale strategic projects, including the launch of the first Caribbean bank to be authorised in the United Kingdom in 2020 as well as the reorganisation of the Jamaica National Group that created JN Bank and the new Group structure in 2017.

Fitz-Henley is a multiple award-winning media practitioner and communication consultant. His highly successful media career began when he was 20 years old and spanned 13 years. He was the host of a popular current affairs morning show until January 2022 when he left to pursue other interests.

During his first year in media, Fitz-Henley was recognised with the Young Journalist of the Year Award from The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ), and in 2016, went on to cop one of the country’s highest recognised journalism prizes, the Press Association of Jamaica National Journalist of the Year Award.

Meanwhile, the prime minister has appointed four new ambassadors/special investment envoys who will play a pivotal role in attracting investment and driving economic growth.

“This strategic move underlines the Government’s commitment to catalysing innovation, investment, and economic growth to create sustainable opportunities for the people of Jamaica,” a release from the Office of the Prime Minister stated.

The ambassadors/special investment envoys are Adam Stewart for tourism; Theresa Roberts for culture and arts; Lloyd Carney and Dushyant Savadia for technology.