By Zuko Komisa
Kwasi Kwarteng, a long-time friend and political ally of the new UK Prime Minister, has been named as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
This makes him the first Black person to occupy the top treasury job.
Prior to his appointment, he served as the first Black business secretary.
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Kwarteng (47), has the difficult job of trying to rescue the UK from a severe cost of living issue without destroying the nation’s public finances.
The honour of a lifetime to be appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer by our new Prime Minister, @trussliz
— Kwasi Kwarteng (@KwasiKwarteng) September 6, 2022
This evening, we’ve been finalising our package of urgent support to help with energy bills, with an announcement this week. pic.twitter.com/srLWIqnw5P
He succeeds Kurdish-American Nadhim Zahawi, who in turn succeeded Rishi Sunak, an Indian, and Sajid Javid, a Pakistani, representing a more diverse side of the Conservative party.
The previous minister for business, industry, and energy is also a Ghanaian immigrant who arrived in the United Kingdom in the 1960s.
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