CEPA Boss wants first deputy Dr Wampah to replace Amissah-Arthur as Ghana’s central bank governor

Economist and head of the Centre of Policy Analysis (CEPA), Dr Joe Abbey is tipping Dr Henry Akpenamawu Kofi Wampah to become governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) after the position became vacant following Kwesi Amissah-Arthur’s nomination for the Vice President position of the country.

Dr Wampah, who is the first deputy governor, is currently the acting governor of the central bank.

“I think the first deputy, Dr Wampah, will be the one to replace Amissah-Arthur. That will be on the basis of his solid expertise in the area of research and the need for continuity of monetary policies,” Dr Abbey told the Daily Graphic August 2, 2012 publication.

Dr Abbey explained to the newspaper that elevating Dr Wampah to the position of a governor will not only ensure continuity of regulatory and monetary policies in the economy but would also serve as an opportunity for the country to tap from his vast expertise in the economy and research.

“With all apologies to the second deputy and other competitors, I think that Dr Wampah has an upper hand and is better placed to take the governor position. He has the experience and he is somebody who will be able to hold his own against any person that may be interested in the job,” Daily Graphic quoted Dr Abbey as saying.

However, Dr Abbey said he would not be surprised of an outsider grabbing the post as it was in the case of Amissah-Arthur and his predecessor, Dr Paul Acquah.

Prior to becoming the first deputy governor of BoG in 2009, Dr Wampah was the Director of the Research and Statistics Department of the West African Monetary Institute (WAMI).

Dr Wampah, for five years, was the Head of BoG’s Research Department until 2001. He was also head of the Public Finance and Statistics Offices under BoG’s Research Department.

By Ekow Quandzie