Following her announcement that she will be leaving representational politics, People’s National Party (PNP) member of parliament for St Ann South Eastern, Lisa Hanna, has made it clear that she will use other means to serve her country.

Hanna, who is also the PNP’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, posted a one-minute question-and-answer video to her social media platforms on what she would do when she decided to leave politics entirely.

“The truth is there’s lots that I could do, but I would not want to betray my core principle and my core philosophy – which is really serving the people of Jamaica and my country. That is my moral compass because I want to see our country do better,” Hanna stated in the video.

She added that she would venture into an area that would help Jamaica build trade and improve the country’s value-added trade of products and exports.

“I would find areas that would help our humanitarian efforts, particularly in rural Jamaica, to help people with water, for example.”

Hanna highlighted that politics is not the only way that a person can serve their country.

There’s several other areas, and those opportunities exist,” she said.

She also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the public following her announcement.

In a letter to Opposition Leader and PNP President Mark Golding on Tuesday, Hanna indicated that she will not be offering herself as a candidate for the PNP when the next General Election is called.

“I have always been a champion of change and having the courage to do what’s right even when it’s not expedient or self-serving, as I believe courage has an obligation to pave new roads for the generation coming behind us. As such, I have recently decided to conclude my current journey in representational politics at the end of this term,” the statement read in part, adding that she will remain available to serve at Golding’s consideration in the Shadow Cabinet as Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

READ: Lisa Hanna leaving representational politics

Meanwhile, the party leader has expressed gratitude to Hanna for her service to her constituency and party following the news.

In a release on Tuesday, Golding said “Comrade Hanna’s commitment to Jamaica remains an inspiration to our youth and those looking to enter representational politics. I look forward to continue [to] working with Comrade Hanna on areas in which she is passionate and has achieved significant results.”

READ: PNP expresses gratitude to Lisa Hanna for service to party and country

Hanna first became a parliamentary representative in 2007, after being invited by former PNP President Portia Simpson Miller to join the party and be the standard bearer for St Ann South East in the general elections that year, a move she said: “changed my life immensely as it allowed me to serve my country in another capacity.”