I’m not fighting with Wampah – Amissah-Arthur

Ghana’s vice president Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has denied any frosty relationship between him and the outgoing governor of the Bank of Ghana Dr Henry Wampah.

The MP for Old Tafo is being reported by a section of the media to have said the two do not see eye to eye and could be part of the reasons why the governor exited earlier than scheduled.

Dr Wampah succeeded Amissah-Arthur, when he was promoted to become the second gentleman of the land.

A statement from the Office of the Vice President described Dr Akoto Osei’s assertion as “a figment of the fertile imagination of the person making the allegation and it should be treated with the contempt it deserves.”

“From his days as the Governor of the Central Bank till date, Mr Amissah–?Arthur has had very fruitful and cherished relations with Dr Wampah.

“The Vice President wishes to seize the opportunity to wish Dr Wampah well as he leaves the Bank of Ghana as Governor,” the statement added.

Wampah has struggled to curb inflation and stem the decline of the national currency – the Ghana Cedis.

Wampah told Reuters he had informed President John Mahama of his intention to leave by the end of this month, adding the decision was partly linked to presidential and parliamentary elections planned for November.

“I told him I wanted to leave office early and we have agreed that I will exit at the end of March,” Wampah said. “It is just fair to leave early in order to give enough room for my successor, whoever it might be, to settle down before we get to the elections.”

He said one of his two deputies, either Millison Narh or Abdul Nashiru Issahaku, was expected to serve as interim central bank governor until Mahama chooses a permanent successor.