Mahama Outdoors Amissah-Arthur

President Mahama introduces Vice President Amissah-Arthur as his running mate for December 2012 elections.

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Accra, Wednesday September 19, 2012.

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) yesterday officially unveiled Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur as the man to partner President John Dramani Mahama as the party’s presidential candidate in the December general elections.

The selection of the former Governor of the Bank of Ghana comes about one and half months after President Mahama selected him as the Vice President.

The two gentlemen ascended to the highest positions of the land by virtue of constitutional provisions following the untimely death of President John Evan Atta Mills on July 24.

Cheering sympathizers of the NDC thronged the National Theatre in the party’s paraphernalia to support the unveiling of Mr. Amissah-Arthur, who had earlier in the day endorsed by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

Interestingly, NDC founder, former President Jerry John Rawlings was conspicuously absent.

Sources said Mr Rawlings who was recently lobbied by former Nigerian leader, President Olusegun Obasanjo to be part of the NDC campaign and declined was said to have dodged the programme.

The former president made a last minute appearance at the NDC Kumasi emergency congress in Kumasi but without voting for President Mahama.

Mr Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings are said to be linked with the newly formed National Democratic Congress (NDP), a breakaway group.

Introducing his running mate, President Mahama said “This is an event to complete the ticket we have for the December general elections.”

“I met the Council of Elders yesterday and told them I wanted Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur as my running mate and the elders unanimously endorsed him. I met the National Executive Committee and put Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur’s name before them and I am happy to announce that the NEC overwhelmingly endorsed him as my running mate.”

He told the enthusiastic crowd that “Everything is on track for a gargantuan victory in December 2012.”

President Mahama said the late President Mills “Paid the ultimate price and sacrifice to rejuvenate the party” and added that he was convinced that the NDC would win another term.

He said Mr. Amissah-Arthur has what he called “solid grounding” in economics and added that “He is going to be a very critical anchor of out government.”

“He has already taken over as head of the government’s economic management team and has already given insights into what he is capable of doing.”

Accepting the position of running mate, Mr. Amissah-Arthur said he did not expect to be Vice President as the position came to him as surprise.

“I didn’t expect to be in this position and once I am in I am going to put in my best effort to ensure that NDC wins the elections.”

“I accept this position in all humility."

Mr. Amissah-Arthur who was incoherent at some points of his acceptance speech admitted he had been busy trying to learn on the job adding “I’ll have to do a lot more to secure our mandate.”

The party’s Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei aka Wayoo Wayo earlier said “We are totally rejuvenated. It is simply going to prepare us for the campaign.”

Hannah Tetteh, the Mahama Campaign Communications Director said when President Mills passed on, people thought it was going to affect the NDC negatively but events had shown that the ruling party was more united than ever.