Vice President and Flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has explained why former President John Dramani Mahama is dodging a presidential debate with him ahead of December's elections.

Dr. Bawumia, who will lock horns with Mahama as the main candidate in December, has thrown an open challenge, which has been supported by many, for an open presidential debate, as is done in advanced democracies, but so far, the former President has declined the invitation.

Addressing thousands of supporters in Dansoman Monday evening, Dr. Bawumia revisited the issue, stressing that his opponent is running away from a debate with him because he fears his poor record when he was President, would be exposed.

"The former President knows he cannot compete because in every sector of the economy, the records show that we have performed far better than him," Dr. Bawumia told the crowd.

"That's why I challenged him that if he believes he performed better in any sector, he should come for an open debate. But he is afraid so he is running away from a debate."

"He won't come for the debate because he knows his bad record will be exposed. If he comes for the debate, I will show his something," Dr. Bawumia added, amidst loud cheers by the crowd."

Highlighting the 'bad records" of Mahama as President, Dr. Bawumia reminded the crowd how the nation suffered dumsor under Mahama for four years, and how Mahama, as President, was unable to provide "even chalk" to schools, how he opposed Free SHS and how he cancelled teacher and nursing trainee allowances, among many others.

"We have not forgotten all these bad records... We are moving forward. We are making progress with digitalisation. As President, he could not provide chalk to schools, but we have provided laptops to senior high students. This is the progress the country has made and we want to move forward and make it even better," Dr. Bawumia added.

Hassan Ayariga is our guest on the latest edition of Election Desk on GhanaWeb TV with host, Etsey Atisu. Catch the full interview below: