Changing Amissah Arthur May Trigger Confusion In NDC- Economic Lecturer

Economic Lecturer and Business Consultant, Mr. Kusi Boafo has predicted confusion in the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) any attempt to replace the Vice President, Amissah Arthur as the Running Mate for the 2016 elections.

According to him, the choice of Running Mate is very strategic and not necessarily someone who can win more votes for the party as it takes a team to win political power.

Speaking in defense of the Vice President on Okay Fm’s Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, he said Amissah Arthur as head of economic management team, has helped in maximizing internal revenue generation and in the decision to go to IMF for bailout as there was no option for the country.

He emphasized it is difficult to change the Vice President as everybody knows his pedigree in the first term; stressing the NDC may have to assign strong reasons for the decision especially when he comes from a constituency and a family who have come to associate with the government.

He feared the decision to change Amissah Arthur may trigger confusion more especially when some pressure group in the Volta Region is putting pressure on President Mahama to choose someone from the region; saying it may create negative reaction from the Vice President’s family.

Any excuse on Amissah Arthur’s incompetence, the Economist said may affect the entire Mahama administration negatively as the political opponent will insist on the NDC government engaging in incompetent leaders to run the economy.

It is difficult to change Running Mate and the reasons should be very good and if it is based on incompetence people might wonder why he was in that position in the first place and even conclude the entire administration is incompetent…this decision may trigger confusion; they have to be very careful”, he advised.

With those depending on a Running Mate to win more votes, Mr. Kusi Boafo stated NDC doesn’t need a Running Mate who can win votes as all ministers including Spio-Grabrah, Hannah Tetteh and Doe Adjaho in their respective outfit can win votes for the party.

He apparently stated that the Vice Presidential Candidature should be able to help the President in so many ways and Amissah Arthur as head of the Economic Management team has contributed in generating more revenue for the country.