Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has urged Jamaicans to commit to improving the lives of children, the elderly and the disabled as the country marks its 50th anniversary of Independence.

In her address during the Jamaica 50 Independence Church Service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston this morning, Mrs Simpson Miller said the nation was on a mission to build a new Jamaica.

Reflecting on her attendance at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London on Friday, the prime minister said Jamaica has made amazing strides over the past 50 years and has contributed much to the world.