Audio By Carbonatix
The choice of Mr. Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur as Vice President was in fulfillment of the departed President John Evans Atta Mills' last wishes, a close source at the Castle has revealed to The Finder newspaper.
In the aftermath of the economist cum banker's choice by President John Dramani Mahama, there have been a number of speculations about how the genial economist beat his former boss, Dr Kwesi Botchwey, to the post.
The Finder's investigation has, however, uncovered that before Mills' trip to the United States on health grounds he had indicated that he would want the Governor of the Bank of Ghana to deputise him- President John Evans Atta Mills- should he pass away.
Our sources confirmed reports that President Mahama had originally tended towards picking a female candidate for the position, but discarded that in order to fulfill his former mentor's wishes.
Mr. Amissah-Arthur is slated for vetting and approval by Parliament on Monday. He is generally expected to sail through the process smoothly.
His near anonymity in the rough and tumble of Ghanaian politics could both be an advantage and a disadvantage.
On one hand, he has not been associated with any malfeasance in his public service; on the other, his every action from now onwards will define him for the public.
With the country's macroeconomic stability shaken in the last several months by reduced export earnings and increased government expenditure, his economic background could certainly come in handy in helping to limit further damage and setting clear policies for a better and more sustainable growth.
By his long association with the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC-I) as Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, and as Governor of the Bank of Ghana under NDC-II, he certainly has a lot of experience with economic management.
The clearest endorsement of the new Veep so far has come from the think-tank IMANI, which described the governor as a fantastic choice.
"The governor impressed us with his conduct of the affairs of the Monetary Policy Committee in particular, though there is evidence that other aspects of the bank's work, such as banking inspection, have also improved," Vice President of IMANI, Kofi Bentil said in a statement shortly after news broke about the nomination of Mr. Amissah-Arthur.
The statement also indicated that the governor could bring more votes to the NDC, describing him as someone with "the potential to reach out to the middle-class and the intellectual community."
IMANI in 2010 voted Mr. Amissah-Arthur as the most inspirational public sector leader.
The group's citation stated that the governor has shown an ability to resist political pressures in setting bank policies.
"Despite pressure from the political forces to go beyond moral suasion in compelling the banks to reduce interest rates, the governor has been unwavering in going where the evidence leads".
It added, "Diplomatically, he has rebuked the government to pay the contractors and stop dithering since this has an effect on non-performing loans in the system, and by extension lending rates."
The group even saw the former governor as someone who had what "it takes to mend the broken bridges within the ruling party."
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Edem Agbana launches CPD workshop for over 1,200 teachers in Ketu North
1 minute -
Lawlessness exalts a nation, and demolishing buildings is a reproach to any nation
5 minutes -
Ghana’s identity system among world’s most integrated — Moses Baiden
9 minutes -
Muntaka receives Agogo chiefs over passing of former Interior Minister
9 minutes -
Alexander Ayim Ohene aka Kwame Alex
12 minutes -
GNFS rescues two crash victims, prevents fire spread in Volta Region
13 minutes -
Rising cases of chronic diseases among children worrying – Obuobia Darko-Opoku
16 minutes -
Ghana Medical Trust Fund to invest in cancer research, equipment and specialist training
21 minutes -
How the Ghana Medical Trust Fund digital platform will support chronic disease patients
26 minutes -
The silence of injustice as the truth fades – Part 2
26 minutes -
U17 AFCON: Ghana’s Black Starlets ready for Algeria test – Prosper Ogum
34 minutes -
Battle for the Soul of Sovereignty: Mass Protests and the Rise of PASAI 2026
39 minutes -
U-17 AFCON: Black Starlets wrap up preparations for Algeria clash in opener
55 minutes -
Debibi, FC AshantiGold 04 & Port City qualify for 2026/27 Ghana Premier League
1 hour -
Fibre cuts surge from 400 to 8,000 annually as telco industry hits breaking point
1 hour