The Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has challenged former President John Mahama, National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate to accept his invitation for a presidential debate on Ghana’s economy, governance and other related matters.
“I am looking forward to a debate with John Mahama on the economy, on the country, on governance. 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 an opposition leader who doesn’t want to debate. But he knows I will expose the emptiness of his policies,” he said.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who is currently on a campaign tour in the North East Region, told party supporters at Bunkpurugu on Wednesday, this week, that the debate would have afforded himself and Mr Mahama the opportunity to defend policies they intend to implement when elected president.
Dr Bawumia added that former President Mahama and his team are unable to explain their 24 hour economy to Ghanaians, adding that the former President is avoiding a debate because he will be exposed.
“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 ‘mano a mano’, we can debate and the country will see where our policies lie and 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,” he said.
The Vice President also made a compelling case as to why the people in the Northern region should give him the nod to be President of Ghana, over his main competitor, John Dramani Mahama.
“As you know, per the constitution of Ghana, all the powers are vested in the president. I am Vice President. I have not been President before, unlike John Mahama, but I have assisted to bring more development to Chereponi and the North than Mahama. It is, therefore, in the interest of the region to elect me as the president and not Mahama,” he argued.
Vice President Bawumia pledged his commitment to the development of the people in the North, adding that he will do his best to deliver on the requests made to him. He particularly mentioned the fact that the programme for the extension of rural electrification projects has been approved, with work to commence very soon, while modalities for the establishment of a Nursing Training school are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
According to him, the development of the North and the country as a whole remains his topmost priority, and with the support of all Ghanaians, he is poised to deliver accelerated, holistic and transformational leadership.
