President John Mahama should appoint an objective and competent person as a replacement for outgoing Bank of Ghana Governor Dr Henry Kofi Wampah, to drive the economy, an Economist at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research at the University of Ghana, Dr Robert Osei, has advised.

Dr Henry Wampah announced he would be resigning Thursday March 31, 2016, ahead of August 5, 2016, the date his tenure expires.

The decision, he said, was to enable his successor enough time to settle into his position ahead of the presidential and legislative elections on November 7, 2016.

Some economists and political commentators are suggesting the process to select his replacement be stalled until after the November 7 polls in order to boost public confidence in Dr Wampah’s successor.

But Dr Osei explained to Class News on Wednesday 30 March that the appointing authority should make sure the individual satisfies all the necessary requirements to remove doubt and mistrust by successive governments.

According to him, he would be expecting the new appointee to be an established economist because “not all people who study economics are economists”.

He argued that the country needed a professional who has in-depth knowledge of the different parts of the economy and how it impacts the country’s economy.

He also noted that the new Governor should be “someone who is apolitical, firm, and independent to pursue the mandate that the Bank of Ghana Act gives the person and not necessarily follow party political lines”.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Economics Department at the University of Ghana Business School, Legon, Prof Godfred Bokpin, told Emefa Apawu on Class News’ 505 programme Wednesday that Dr Wampah’s replacement must be announced as soon as possible. He said he did not mind whether the person was from within the bank or from outside, so far as he or she is competent and up to the task.