Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia must stop begging former President John Mahama for a debate because he is a failure seeking to ride on the National Democratic Congress flagbearer's "high stock" through a debate to revive his tumbling political fortunes, Bolgatanga Central MP Isaac Adongo has said.

Addressing his supporters on 10 July 2024 in Bunkpurugu, North East Region, Dr. Bawumia, who is the flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party, said that despite his readiness, the debate he has been asking for may not happen because Mr. Mahama, who is the flagbearer of the main opposition party, "is running away" because the former president cannot explain his own policies during a debate.

"I am looking forward to a debate with John Mahama on the economy, on the country, on governance," Dr. Bawumia said. "But I am afraid that he is running away from a debate. His people say he doesn’t want to debate. I have never heard of an opposition leader who doesn’t want to debate. But he knows I will expose the emptiness of his policies."

"He says he has a 24-hour economy, which he cannot explain. It is as empty as an empty barrel. He cannot explain it, and none of his people can explain it. They say they will be exporting lions and elephants."

"When we meet, we can debate, and the country will see where our policies lie. That is where we should go. We should give the country an opportunity to listen to us. If he chooses not to debate, I'll continue to sell my policies," Dr. Bawumia added.

Responding to Dr. Bawumia's comments, Mr. Adongo, who is an NDC MP, wrote: "JM is not in the business of turning around the failed careers of visionless and uncaring political leaders, empty braggarts, and lying champions. If you believe in your leadership mettle, go and account to the good people of Ghana extempore through the press."