Kwesi Amissah-Arthur

Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur
Born	William Edmund Davidson Amissah-Arthur Template:Birth date Cape Coast, Central Region, Ghana
Died	June 29, 2018(2018-06-29) (aged 67)
Occupation(s)	Economist, scholar, politician
Years active	1974–2018
Known for	Sixth Vice President of Ghana, Governor of the Bank of Ghana

Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur (originally named William Edmund Davidson Amissah-Arthur; born 29 April 1951 – died 29 June 2018) was a distinguished Ghanaian economist, scholar, and political figure who held the position of the sixth vice president of Ghana under President John Mahama from August 2012 until January 2017. Prior to this, he served as the 12th governor of the Bank of Ghana between 2009 and 2012.

Following the unexpected passing of John Atta Mills on 24 July 2012, President John Dramani Mahama nominated Amissah-Arthur as his vice-presidential candidate one week after assuming office. He officially took the oath on 6 August 2012 after receiving approval from the Parliament of Ghana.

Early life and education

Born on 29 April 1951 in Cape Coast, the administrative center of Ghana's Central Region, Amissah-Arthur hailed from notable families. His mother, Effie Amissah-Arthur, belonged to the Hutchful lineage, while his father, Jabesh Richmond P. Amissah-Arthur—an educator by profession—came from the Amissah-Arthur family and was recognized as the second and longest-serving headmaster of Oda Secondary School in the Eastern Region from 1961 to 1977. Both parental lines are rooted in the Fante ethnic group. He grew up alongside five siblings: one brother and four sisters.

His early education began at Aboom Methodist 'B' Primary School in Cape Coast, after which he passed the Common Entrance examination at Akim Oda Methodist School in 1964. He pursued secondary education at Mfantsipim School, where he attained his GCE Ordinary Level in 1969 and GCE Advanced Level in 1971, residing at Lockhart-Schweitzer House during this period. Subsequently, he enrolled at the University of Ghana located in Legon, earning a B.Sc. degree in Economics in 1974 followed by an M.Sc. in Economics in 1976.

Economics and consultancy

Amissah-Arthur's professional journey commenced as a research assistant at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research from 1974 to 1975. He then advanced to serve as an assistant lecturer within the Economics Department at the University of Ghana between 1977 and 1988. Additionally, he held a lecturing position at Anambra State College of Education in Nigeria from 1981 to 1983.

Shifting focus from academia to financial consultancy, he left public service in 1997 to dedicate himself fully to economic advisory roles. His consultancy work included assignments with the World Bank in The Gambia and involvement with a Dutch government-sponsored education initiative in Ghana. Between 1998 and 2000, he was employed as Senior Economist at Sigma One Corporation based in Ghana, followed by a consultancy engagement with Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs during 2001–2002.

Finance and Economic Planning Portfolio

During the period spanning 1983 to 1997, Amissah-Arthur occupied significant positions within Ghana’s finance sector under both the PNDC regime and Rawlings administration. His roles included special assistant to the Secretary of Finance and Economic Planning (1983–1986), Deputy Secretary for Finance (1986–1993), and subsequently Deputy Minister for Finance until 1997. He also contributed as a board member of the state-owned Bank for Housing and Construction (BHC).

Governor of the Bank of Ghana

In October 2009, President John Atta Mills appointed him as Governor of the Bank of Ghana, where he directed monetary policy initiatives focused on currency stabilization and fostering economic advancement until August 2012. His governorship concluded when he assumed office as vice president following Atta Mills’ demise. Throughout his tenure, he prioritized monetary strategies that supported national economic growth alongside maintaining currency stability.

Vice President of Ghana

After the passing of President John Atta Mills, John Dramani Mahama, then Vice President, was sworn in as president and subsequently nominated him as vice president on 6 August 2012, following approval by parliament. Mahama chose to keep him as his running mate for the 2012 presidential election, which Mahama won with 50.7% of the votes, thereby making him the Vice President-Elect. Both were inaugurated on 7 January 2013.

Personal life

Amissah-Arthur was married to Matilda Amissah-Arthur and they had two children: Kwesi, who is an ophthalmologist and academic, and Araba, a practicing lawyer. A devout Christian, he attended services at Calvary Methodist Church in Accra. He had a passion for football and tennis and was a significant shareholder as well as an avid supporter of the football club Accra Hearts of Oak S.C..

Death and state funeral

On 29 June 2018, Amissah-Arthur passed away at the 37 Military Hospital after collapsing during his usual morning exercise session at the Air Force Gym. His state funeral took place on 27 July 2018 at the Accra International Conference Centre, with many prominent figures in attendance. Following the ceremony, his remains were escorted by a military procession to the new Military Cemetery located at Burma Camp, where he was laid to rest accompanied by the playing of the Last Post and a 19-gun salute.

Legacy and memorial

In tribute to his contributions, the Ghanaian government renamed Moree Senior High School to Amissah-Arthur Senior High School. Additionally, a learning centre featuring a library and ICT facilities was established in Ohawu, Volta Region, bearing his name. On the anniversary marking one year since his passing, his family sponsored a doctoral fellowship and research chair within the University of Ghana’s Department of Economics to promote academic excellence and retention.

See also

• List of Mahama government ministers
• National Democratic Congress