The flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has once again thrown down the gauntlet, challenging former President John Mahama to a one-on-one debate ahead of December’s elections
This is not the first time Dr. Bawumia has called out Mahama for a debate, but the former President has consistently avoided the invitation.
Dr. Bawumia’s latest challenge comes on the heels of his campaign tour of some constituencies in Tema, where he highlighted the NPP’s development record in various sectors, which he described as superior to that of the previous administration.
He explains that, unlike Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), he backs his statements with irrefutable data, making him confident in any debate scenario.
The NPP flag bearer’s challenge to Mahama is not new. In fact, it has been a recurring theme in the lead-up to the December elections.
Dr. Bawumia has consistently called out Mahama for a debate, but the former President has refused to take up the challenge.
In May, Dr. Bawumia first challenged Mahama to a debate, saying it would provide an opportunity for the two to compare their records and policies.
However, Mahama and the NDC refused to accept the invitation, with Mahama saying he would only participate in a debate not organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).
Since then, Dr. Bawumia has repeated his challenge to John Mahama, but the former President has continued to avoid the invitation.
Dr. Bawumia’s latest challenge comes as the campaign season heats up, with both parties intensifying their efforts to win over voters.
Dr. Bawumia’s challenge to Mahama is seen by many as a strategic move to expose the former President’s lack of data-driven policies.
The NPP flag bearer has consistently emphasized the importance of data in policymaking, and his challenge to Mahama is seen as an opportunity to demonstrate his own commitment to data-driven governance.
However, John Mahama’s refusal to accept the challenge has raised questions about his confidence in his own policies.
Some have speculated that Mahama is avoiding the debate because he is unable to defend his record in office, while others have suggested that he is simply not confident in his ability to articulate his policies.
-BY Daniel Bampoe