By Nordia Henry, Staff Reporter
PHILLIP PAULWELL, Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology, is known for his ambition, tenacity and exuberance. "From school days I was always attracted to leadership, and so I got involved in student government," says the 41-year-old Paulwell, who was born in Morant Bay, St. Thomas.
"I was the head boy (at Excelsior High in east Kingston) and the first student to be on the school board. Throughout my university life I was head of the Jamaica Students Association in Barbados. Then in my area (east Kingston), I was always a strong supporter of the PNP and I became a member of the party in 1983 and has been a part of the east Kingston executive since then."
Paulwell, who studied law, adds that "as a product of the '70s and seeing Mr. (Michael) Manley's role as MP in the constituency at that time, I was very attracted to the PNP. Norman Manley was himself a lawyer and he used the profession as a stepping-stone into politics and I thought that was the best route to go, thus my venture in politics."
Paulwell says his greatest challenge is to get Jamaicans to understand that if the country is to be a major player in the information age then everyone has to focus on education and training in science and technology.
The Minister says he enjoys jogging, watching sports, playing football, dancing and singing and practising on his karaoke machine (which he calls a great stress reliever).
WHAT HE WOULD GRAB IN A FIRE?
"My little (black) bag that I received as a souvenir (on Air Jamaica). It contains a number of significant documents and items, such as my:
Passport. For identification, I prefer that to a birth certificate.
Bank accounts. I need to be close to my money. I have developed this habit of saving from I was born. My father opened bank accounts for me from then and I still have both original accounts.
Cell phone and charger. I need my cell phone because I have all the important numbers in them and my charger because you need to have one when you are on the go.
Pocket calculator. For quick
additions and subtractions.
Pills, for my stomach problems.
Pen and timepiece. I hate to be late so I always have a timepiece; and Cash. A collection of coins from the United Kingdom.
