Parliament swears in Mr. Amissah-Arthur as Vice President

Mr. Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur was on Monday evening sworn-in as Vice President of the Republic of Ghana in accordance with Article 60 (10) of the 1992 Constitution.

Parliament had earlier unanimously approved his nomination after a vetting process by the Appointments Committee of the House, where the nominee was asked questions ranging from the falling value of the Cedi, his political clout, his sexuality and macroeconomics.

Mr. Amissah-Arthur took the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of the Vice President administered by the Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood, affirming to uphold the sovereignty and the constitution of the Ghana.

He expressed appreciation to the President, John Mahama, for his nomination and to Parliament for demonstrating unity in approving him as Vice President.

"I thank the House for doing something unprecedented in the history of Ghana…..The show of unanimity and unity by Parliament as a result of the sad event that occurred is commendable", he said.

The Vice President extended a hand of friendship to "the many people across the countries, who have sent messages of goodwill" adding that, "I hope I would continue to receive your prayers".

Speaker Joyce Bamford-Addo congratulated Mr. Amissah-Arthur on his assumption of the office, saying, "on this momentous occasion, we wish you well in your service to mother Ghana".

She adjourned the House to tomorrow, August 7, 2012.

Before the swearing-in, Chairman of the Appointments Committee and First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Doe Adjaho, who presented the report of the Committee before the House, said the committee, was satisfied that the Vice President Designate had met all the conditions set out by the Constitution.

He said the Committee had carried out its duty diligently according to the dictates of the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament and thus proposed that the House approved Mr Amissah-Arthurs nomination, a statement that drew loud cheers of consensus from both sides of the House.

 Minority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu in seconding the motion by the Committee Chairman said the resource of Parliament committed to the unprecedented process would be a useful platform to launch future process should such happenstance occur in the history of the country.

Mr. Amissah-Arthur, an economist, was appointed by the late President John Evans Atta Mills as Governor of the Bank of Ghana on the October 1, 2009 to replace Dr Paul Acquah, who had retired.

He was nominated Vice President per Constitutional requirements by President John Mahama.

 

GNA