The former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Tsatsu Tsikata has endorsed the nomination of Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur as Vice President describing it as a right choice.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata described some dissenting voices within the NDC slamming his nomination as sad and unfortunate.

Some members of the NDC have openly condemned President Mahama’s decision to nominate Amissah-Arthur describing it as a wrong choice.

But Mr. Tsikata stated that President Mahama and the Amissah-Arthur are conscious of the enormous responsibility on their shoulders and would rise to the occasion.

According to him, members of the NDC and most Ghanaians are today hailing the wisdom of the late President Mills even though he was also described as unknown and not political enough when he was selected in 1996 to partner then President Rawlings.

“It makes one recall, painfully, that some similar comments were made when John Evans Atta Mills was chosen in 1996 as running mate to President Mills.

“In the end, the country today bears testimony to the wisdom of that choice. The huge benefit the nation has gained through the historic contributions of President Mills as Vice-President, as President and, indeed, when he led the NDC in opposition, underlines our deep sense of loss and our grief as a nation.”

“No doubt President Mahama and his Vice-President –to-be, Amissah-Arthur, are conscious of the historic responsibilities on their shoulders at this time and will rise to the occasion for the sake of mother Ghana.”

Mr. Tsikata stated that Mr. Amissah-Arthur has contributed a lot to Ghana’s economy since 1982 and must be supported by all members to succeed.

“Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur played an important role in the development of Ghana’s Economic Recovery Programme in 1982.

“He was one of the young economists who were actively involved in undertaking the economic analyses that culminated in the formulation of the Economic Recovery Programme and its implementation."**