Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has advised Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to consider debating with Minority spokesperson on finance, Isaac Adongo rather than former President John Dramani Mahama.
Dr. Ato Forson clarified that after Dr. Bawumia has completed debates with Isaac Adongo and former Deputy Finance Minister Kwaku Ricketts Hagan, he may then engage in a debate with former President Mahama.
“Mr Speaker, monkeys they say play by sizes. Mr Speaker, how can a driver’s mate debate an experienced driver? Mr Speaker in this house the spokesperson for the minority on the issues of finance is Honourable Adongo.
“The spokesperson for the minority for the issues of the economy is honourable Kwaku Ricketts Hagan and the spokesperson for the budget for the minority is honourable Ampem Darko.”
“Mr Speaker we all know that the Chairman of the Economic Management team is the Vice President so the Vice President can only debate honourable Adongo. He should debate honourable Adongo or debate honourable Ricketts Hagan.
“A driver’s mate cannot debate an experienced driver. Mr Speaker that is the fact. So, we throw the challenge, he should debate honourable Adongo first, honourable Ampem second, honourable Ricketts Hagan third before he considers debating former president John Mahama,” he stated.
His remarks come as Dr Bawumia, challenged former President and NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama to a live presidential debate to present their respective visions and policies to the people of Ghana.
Speaking to thousands of supporters in Bunkpurugu, North East Region, Dr. Bawumia expressed his eagerness for a debate with Mahama.
However, he remained skeptical about its likelihood, suggesting that Mahama might be avoiding the opportunity.
“I am looking forward to a debate with John Mahama on the economy, on the country on the governance,” Dr. Bawumia said.
“But I am afraid that he is running away from a debate. His people say he doesn’t want to debate. I have never heard an opposition leader who doesn’t want to debate. But he knows I will expose the emptiness of his policies,” the NPP flagbearer added.
Dr. Bawumia further criticized former President Mahama, stating that Mahama and his team are unable to clarify their concept of a 24-hour economy. He accused Mahama of avoiding a debate to prevent being exposed, saying, “He says he has a 24-hour economy which he cannot explain. It is as empty as an empty barrel. He cannot explain it and none of his people can explain it. They say they will be exporting lions and elephants.”
In advanced democracies, presidential debates are a staple of the electoral process. Many, including civil society groups, have advocated for a debate between the two leading candidates to allow Ghanaians to hear their policies and vision for the country.
With Vice President Bawumia having issued the challenge, the onus is now on former President Mahama to respond.