Two more Government Ministers have officially been sworn-in Satyakama Maharaj, a renowned entrepreneur, and Philip Edward Alexander, Political Leader of the Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP).
Phillip Edward Alexander has officially been sworn-into the post as Minister in the Ministry of Housing. Speaking to reporters, he assured that , besides being known in the public sphere as a Political Leader of a party, he has the experience.
“Well, a lot of people don’t know, but when I’m not in politics, what I am is a property developer. And so I have working knowledge of how the thing is done. So we could fast track dealing with contractors and finance and other stuff. So I think that more than anything, I bring working knowledge of how it works.”
And Mr Alexander is promising to evaluate the housing list that currently exists at the Housing Development Corporation, or the HDC.
“Well, I think the list needs evaluating because it’s a long list and it’s an old list. There have been people who have spoken to me over the years that have their number and their name on that list 25 years. So at some point we have to make it make sense.”
He also highlighted the importance of identifying and addressing the housing needs of the population.
“First, we have to identify what stock we have. I know that there are people in different, some in mortgages, some in rentals. I know that the Prime Minister has a plan where those are concerned. We were asked earlier about the sizing list, without duplications. Those who already got homes and stuff like that, those who migrated. So we want to get a working list that’s functional and has job one. We need to know how many unfinished properties exist, and that’ll guide us as to where to go from there.”
And Satyakama Maharaj, founder of Sacha Cosmetics, now the Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism, emphasized the importance of diversifying the economy and leveraging tourism as a key pillar.
“And you want to diversify the economy in the manufacturing sector, investment, and make tourism a major pillar of diversification. So it’s in the right place in my humble view. Have you met with the Prime Minister just yet? I have met, been meeting with her occasionally, sharing ideas, right? Not politically, but it ended up that way.”
He also discussed the importance of international trade, particularly with Africa.
“They want to do business with us, and we should be focused there. West Africa is 470 million people. Republic Bank has 42 branches in Ghana. I have a base over there. But it takes two days to get to Ghana. But a big airbus can go in eight hours. Straight across. If you cannot visit, you cannot do business. So we have to open that market and negotiate.”
Meanwhile, Mr Alexander also shed some light on why his appointment came a bit later than expected.
“Well, I’m wearing multiple hats in this coalition. And the Prime Minister, she is extremely busy dealing with all of the pieces on the board. And with all of the conversations that we were having, there were other positions and posts she was looking at. She finally decided on this one. And here we are.”