Mahama summons Victor Smith over Amissah-Arthur comments

XYZ News can confirm that President Mahama has summoned the Eastern Regional Minister, Victor Smith to the Castle over his comments relating to the choice of Bank of Ghana Governor as Vice President.

The Minster in an interview with XYZ News stated that although he has no issues with the candidature of Mr. Amissah-Arthur as Vice President, he will kick against any attempt to make him the running mate for the December polls because he can’t win votes for the NDC.

He said inasmuch as he believes in the competency of Mr. Amissah-Arthur in partnering the President to serve the remaining term of late President Mills’ first tenure, he does not think he is the people’s man.

According to Ambassador Smith, Mr. Amissah-Arthur won’t improve the electoral fortunes of the NDC in any way.

According to sources, Ambassador Smith will meet the President Friday morning to explain why he decided to make such comments.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Smith prior to his meeting with the President has apologized for his comments about Mr. Amissah-Arthur.

In a statement on Friday, Ambassador Smith said he only meant to state that the President’s nominee wasn’t necessarily his running mate for the 2012 elections.

“I granted a number of press interviews intending to clarify that the President’s nominee wasn’t necessarily his running mate for the 2012 elections.

“The import of my comment has been misconstrued. I wish to render unqualified apologies to the President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, Vice President nominee, Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur and all others who may have been aggrieved by my comments.

“I don’t have any ill feelings against Mr. Amissah-Arthur. He is a loyal member of the NDC and I have no question about his credentials to occupy the office for which the President has nominated him” Ambassador Smith said in his statement.**