The National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, has reiterated his decision to ignore calls for a debate with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

Speaking at a campaign rally on Thursday, October 17, 2024, Mahama stated that the NPP's push for a debate is an attempt to elevate Bawumia's standing to prevent his defeat in the upcoming election.

Mahama made it clear that he has no intention of granting Bawumia the chance to rise to his level, dismissing calls for the debate outright.

“I woke up this morning and saw a message from Nana Akufo-Addo asking why I'm refusing to debate Bawumia. Bawumia doesn’t deserve a debate. He is losing this election, and I will not elevate him to my level by sitting to debate him.”

According to Mahama, the NPP’s campaign is faltering, with no clear message to the electorate, hence the desire to engage in a debate to boost their candidate’s image.

“Their campaign is failing. They have no message, and so he wants to be elevated to my level. No, I know my level. In 2012, I was sworn in as president and I went into that election as a sitting president. I made myself available when they called for a debate and debated Akufo-Addo. As a sitting president in 2016, I made myself available for an IEA debate which Nana Akufo-Addo refused to take part in.”

“In 2020, he refused to take part in a debate as a sitting president, but the one who responded to me when I made the call for a debate is the current flagbearer of the NPP who is asking me for a debate,” Mahama added.

Recounting the response he received from Dr. Bawumia when he proposed a debate between himself and President Akufo-Addo, Mahama stated that Dr. Bawumia directed him to debate the citizens who were suffering at the time instead of asking to debate President Akufo-Addo.

“Has he forgotten what he said, ‘that I should go to Sangma and debate farmers who don’t have fertiliser, go to Abossey Okai to debate spare parts dealers who can’t afford dollars due to the rate? He said I should debate taxi drivers who can’t buy petrol.’ But this is the same Bawumia asking me for a debate today.”

Mahama advised Bawumia to debate Ghanaians, including nurses and teachers who have not been posted, and the unemployed youth, rather than trying to challenge him.

“As for him, the people he will debate are many. He should debate nurses who are sitting at home and haven’t been posted, debate teachers who haven’t been posted and also debate them on their licensure exams.”

“He should debate fishermen who can’t get premix unless they get it from a hairdressing salon. He should debate unemployed youth who can’t find work,” he suggested.

Background

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently challenged former President John Dramani Mahama to debate the NPP's presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

During a campaign event in Tamale on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Akufo-Addo questioned Mahama’s refusal to engage in the debate.

“Why is Mahama running away from the debate? Bawumia says he is ready for the debate any day. So, why is Mahama running away?” the president asked.

He emphasized that a debate would help Ghanaians determine which presidential candidate is more trustworthy.

“We need someone who is reliable, whose words can be trusted, who is consistent and clear-minded. That is why the majority of us are calling for Mahama and Bawumia to debate the issues,” Akufo-Addo stated.

MAG/OGB

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