[ 2012-08-06 ]

The man Amissah-Arthur...he has risen through the ranks
Monday, barring any unforeseen difficulties, Mr.
Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, the Governor of the Central
Bank, will be approved by Parliament and sworn in
as the fifth Vice President under the Fourth
Republican Constitution.

Even though, Mr Amissah Arthur, born in Cape
Coast, has been in politics over the years, the
perception is that very little is known about him
in terms of mainstream politics.

However, an influential part of the Mills-Mahama
“Better - Ghana Agenda,” Mr. Amissah-Arthur has
been with the NDC since 1992, contributing his
quota to the wellbeing of the party.

In view of the raging controversy that Mr
Amissah-Arthur is not a known grass-roots member
of the NDC, the Daily Graphic attempts to share
some insights of who is behind the personality –
Mr. Amissah-Arthur.

He is a 6 feet 2 inches tall gentleman who looks
unapproachable, but once you are able to break the
ice, he is warm-hearted and friendly. “His friends
tell me he is slow in opening up to strangers but
once he does that, he is a great guy; very
humorous, dependable, man of integrity and
communicates well,” a source told the Daily
Graphic.

His very close associates call him Peekay, and it
is difficult to tell whether he got this name at
Mfantsipim School, where he had his secondary
education.

He attended Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast and
obtained his GCE ‘Ordinary level’ in 1969 and
Advanced level in 1971.

Married with two children, and also has a
granddaughter, Mr Amissah Arthur is a serious
family person who loves music and parties and is a
good dancer.

He is selective in what he eats, because he is
allergic to some food. Because of that, he rarely
eats outside home. Otherwise give him fried
plantain, nuggets and Bambara beans and you will
not be far from right.

He is such an easy going person that it is very
difficult to fault him. He carries himself well,
and is witty and intelligent. He is open, friendly
and sociable. He is deemed to be very sincere and
honest and does not hide his feelings. These
constitute the summed-up impressions of Mr Paa
Kwesi Amissah-Arthur by family, colleagues at the
Bank of Ghana and close associates.

Always smartly dressed, even if it is casual, he
is noted for wearing his watch on his right wrist
and not wearing any other jewellery. He is very
much into electronics and loves photography.

He fellowships at the Calvary Methodist Church at
Adabraka. As an avid Arsenal fan, he is considered
to be down-to-earth and very realistic with a good
sense of humour.

He also has some interest in Accra Hearts of Oak.
He loves to exercise and visit the gym regularly.

From his close associates, he is a very
principled, firm and capable person with excellent
human relations.

He is also considered to be open to everybody he
comes into contact with and seeks the welfare of
people who work under him and their families.

His subordinates at the BOG told Daily Graphic
that he executes an open door policy in which one
could walk into his office to discuss issues with
him.

Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur is a Ghanaian citizen
born on April 29, 1951.

At University of Ghana, Legon, he obtained B. Sc.
(Economics) in 1974 and M. Sc. (Economics) in
1980. His thesis was on: “Public policy and
economic growth; A model of economic growth -
Ghana, 1956 ¬1974.”

He was a Research Assistant at the Institute of
Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER),
University of Ghana from 1974-75. He participated
in the design and conduct of a Socio-economic
survey of the Danfa Health Project Area of
South-Eastern Ghana.

He was a Teaching Assistant at the Department of
Economics, University of Ghana, Legon (1977-78),
Assistant Lecturer: Department of Economics,
University of Ghana, legon (1979.)
He was a lecturer at the Department of Economics,
University of Ghana, Legon (1980 - 1988), and the
Department of Economics, Anambra State College of
Education, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. (August,
1981 – July, 1983).

He was a Special Assistant to the PNDC Secretary
for Finance and Economic Planning (i.e. Minister)
from July 1983-January 1986. His main
responsibilities included management of
multilateral assistance in support of Ghana's
Economic Recovery Programme.

He was also a PNDC deputy secretary, Ministry of
Finance and Economic Planning, (Deputy Minister)
from Feb 1986-Mar 1993) His Main Responsibilities
included preparation of the annual 'Public
Investment Programme', Management of the budget of
the Government of Ghana ¬and Management of
bilateral and multilateral assistance to Ghana.

He became the Deputy Minister from April 1993 -
March -1997 with main responsibilities including
Policy formulation, and design and implementation
of the Budget. Management of revenue agencies and
supervision of Government expenditures; Monitoring
and management of bilateral and multilateral
assistance, Preparation of Board of Directors,
Golden Beach Hotels Ltd., 1999 - 2001, Chairman;
Board of Directors, MASAI Developers Ltd, 1997-
2005, Chairman; and Steering Committee, The Public
Financial Management Reform Programme (PUFMARP).
1995 – 1997.

Others are Chairman, Agricultural Policy
Co-ordinating Committee (Cabinet's Advisory
Committee on Agriculture), 1990-1995; Chairman,
Board of Directors, Ghana Supply Commission, 1986
- 1998; Member, Board of Directors, Bank of Ghana,
1988 - 1993; Member, Board of Directors, Ghana
Commercial Bank, 1986 - 1991, Member, Board of
Directors, Ghana National Procurement Agency
(GNPA), Member, Board of Directors, Ghana National
Petroleum Corporation (GNPC); Member, Finance
Committee, University of Ghana, Legon, 1984 -
1986; and Member, Academic Board, University of
Ghana, Legon 1984 - 1986.

He was the Governor, Bank of Ghana, from October
1, 2009, until he was nominated to the high office
of Vice President of the Ghana by President John
Dramani Mahama.

Source - Daily Graphic

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