Joyce Bawah Mogtari, a spokesperson for the National Democratic Congress flagbearer for the 2024 general elections, has dismissed calls for a debate between the opposition leader, former President John Dramani Mahama, and his main contender, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

In an interview on Monday, June 9, 2024, Joyce Mogtari emphasized that Mr. Mahama's opponent has failed to justify the merit of a debate.

"You know, I personally have no appetite for a debate. I think we debate when we know that our issues are probably parallel, or we can juxtapose the two in one way or another.

"When I look at what we have, when I look at the current trajectory, when I look at the failings of this particular administration, I ask myself why we need to engage in a debate. But of course, these are decisions that the higher-ups usually make; it's not my decision to make. As the conversations and debates progress, maybe eventually some discussions will come up, and perhaps that will happen," she stated.

However, the spokesperson for the NDC presidential candidate expressed her conviction that the former president would emerge superior in any debate against the vice president or any other candidate going into the December 7 election.

"But of course, we do know what happened between John Mahama and then-candidate Akufo-Addo, and we do know who won all those debates. So I believe that the fact that Mr. Mahama is a man whose energy is unparalleled is not in doubt, and I am sure that on any day, with whomever, he is going to win the debate. But I don't think that will happen immediately," she stated.

Joyce Bawah Mogtari's statement follows an engagement between John Mahama and journalists over the weekend, during which the candidate answered questions from the media on various issues.

GA/SEA

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