John Dramani Mahama, the presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has restated his refusal to participate in a debate with Dr. John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Mahamudu Bawumia.
Speaking at a campaign rally on Thursday, October 17, 2024, Mahama expressed that the NPP’s proposal for a debate is an effort to boost Bawumia’s image to avoid his defeat in the upcoming election.
Mahama clarified that he has no plans to give Bawumia the opportunity to match his level, rejecting the debate requests outright.
“I received a message from Nana Akufo-Addo this morning questioning my refusal to engage in a debate with Bawumia.” Bawumia is not deserving of a debate.
“He is facing a decline in this election, and I will not engage in a debate with him to raise his status to mine.”
According to Mahama, the NPP’s campaign lacks a coherent message for voters, leading to the suggestion of a debate to improve their candidate’s reputation.
“Their campaign is not succeeding.” They lack communication and desire to ascend to my status. I am aware of my proficiency level. I was inaugurated as president in 2012 and sought re-election as the incumbent president. I was willing to participate in a debate with Akufo-Addo and made myself accessible when they requested it.
During my tenure as president in 2016, I participated in an IEA debate that Nana Akufo-Addo declined to join. In 2020, despite being the incumbent president, he again declined to participate in a debate.
The individual who did respond to my invitation for a debate is now the NPP’s current flagbearer, who is now requesting a debate with me, as stated by Mahama.
Bawumia requested a debate with President Akufo-Addo, to which Mahama responded by saying that Dr. Bawumia was instructed by Mahama to engage in debates with the citizens facing hardships, rather than insisting on debating President Akufo-Addo.
Mahama recalled Bawumia’s previous remarks about discussing pressing issues with various groups such as farmers, spare parts dealers, and taxi drivers.
Mahama suggested that Bawumia focus on debating Ghanaians like nurses, teachers awaiting posting, and unemployed youth instead of seeking to challenge him.
“He should engage in discussions with nurses who are currently at home awaiting placement, educators who have not yet been assigned to a post, and also with respect to their licensure examinations. Furthermore, he should address the concerns of fishermen who are unable to access premix unless it is obtained from a hairdressing salon.” He proposed a debate between unemployed youth struggling to find employment.
Background
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has issued a challenge to former President John Dramani Mahama regarding a debate with the NPP’s presidential candidate, Dr. Bawumia, during a campaign event in Tamale on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, President Akufo-Addo raised concerns about Mahama’s avoidance of the debate.
Bawumia, on the other hand, expressed willingness to participate in the debate on any given day. “Why is Mahama avoiding participation?” inquired the president.
He stressed the significance of a debate in enabling Ghanaians to assess the credibility of each presidential candidate. “We require a dependable individual, whose statements are trustworthy, consistent, and coherent.”
Akufo-Addo emphasized the importance of addressing the issues through a debate between Mahama and Bawumia, as many people are advocating for this approach.
