Parliament to scrutinize Amissah-Arthur today

Parliament will today discuss and consider approving the Governor of Bank of Ghana Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur as Vice President to President John Mahama.

Spokesperson for the President, John Jinapor confirmed the nomination of Mr. Amissah Arthur and said Parliament has been served a letter to that effect.

Mr. Amissah Arthur served as a deputy Finance Minister in the PNDC regime under the Rawlings administration.

Mr. John Jinapor however in an interview with XYZ News said the decision to make Mr. Amissah Arthur the running mate of the President in the December polls will be taken at a later date.

Meanwhile, Pollster Ben Ephson says the nomination of the governor of the Bank of Ghana, as Vice Presidential nominee by President Mahama will fairly bridge the various power blocks within the NDC.

Mr. Ephson explained that Mr Arthur’s selection provides an effective balance between a typical politician and a technocrat.

Speaking to XYZ News, Mr. Ephson downplayed suggestions that the governor is not a well known political figure within the NDC and therefore unfit for the position.

"In terms of this ticket Mr. Amissah is a member of the party but in terms of politics, the President is a political animal and so that balances the ticket" Mr. Ephson said.

Meanwhile, an economist, Dr Joe Abbey says the selection Of Mr. Arthur is a positive signal for the fiscal policies of the country.

According to him, Mr. Arthur’s experience in managing the economy puts him ahead of all those who were lobbying for the position.**