Mahama reposes confidence in Amissah-Arthur

President John Dramani Mahama, has reposed confidence in his Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur for his leadership acumen as the head of government economic management team, contrary to months of speculation that President Mahama is not impressed with him.

President Mahama said this when he closed the National Economic Forum at Senchi in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region.

“I wish to take this opportunity to thank my Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur for all the hard work, time, dedication that he has invested in this forum The leadership and other contributions that he has made to ensure the success of this forum is not short of exemplary.” President Mahama stated.

President, John Mahama also commended all participants in the just ended National Economic Forum and has promised that his government will attach the same urgency exhibited by the participants in the quest to solve the nation’s economic challenges.

He also expressed his satisfaction at the outcome of the Forum and gave the assurance that government will be committed to taking the next steps, however, pointing out that the solutions “are breath-taking and very far reaching.”

“I am satisfied with the outcome of this forum and I am impressed at the zeal and enthusiasm you have shown over these last three days.”

According to him, some of the proposed solutions proffered by the stakeholders are “far reaching” and his government will take the necessary steps to implement the agreement immediately.

President Mahama who was addressing the closing ceremony of the National Economic Forum thanked the participants who were tasked to deliberate and prescribe effective ways through which government can improve and sustain the economy which will positively impact the lives of citizens.

President Mahama said some of the issues raised are currently being dealt with by government “and this forum inspires us to quicken our steps in achieving these goals.”

He cited the issue of improving tax collection, the broadening of the tax net, dealing with the energy crisis and halting the freefall of the cedi “but there are others too, admittedly, we haven’t quite gotten round to implementing yet but have been flagged by the Forum as urgent.”

The President noted that even though the forum has ended, “what lies ahead of us in a beginning of a new day for Ghana; one that we are together shaping as a nation.”

He promised his government will carefully consider the consensus and will timely implement “all the viable solutions that you have proposed here in Senchi” adding that, “there will be no delays or distractions.”

The government’s economic management team, he said, has been re-invigorated and “we will use your sense of urgency and optimism to fuel our actions as we move in the direction of change.”

Speaking to some of the participants at the forum, most of them were impressed with Kwesi Amissah Arthur as the head of government's economic management team and believes that leading government development strategy, emphasizing transparency, accountability and a strong civil society with the public and private sector participation, he is the one who has what it is per the Senchi consensus for the kind of reform that can help bring transformational change for Ghana’s future to be for Ghanaians.