Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has informed Vice President and NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia that the Minority’s finance spokesperson, Isaac Adongo, is available to debate him, rather than former President John Dramani Mahama.
Dr. Ato Forson added that Dr. Bawumia should first debate Adongo and former Deputy Finance Minister Kwaku Ricketts Hagan before considering a debate with former President Mahama.
“Mr Speaker, monkeys they say play by sizes. Mr Speaker, how can a driver’s mate debate an experienced driver? Mr Speaker in this house the spokesperson for the minority on the issues of finance is Honourable Adongo.
“The spokesperson for the minority for the issues of the economy is honourable Kwaku Ricketts Hagan and the spokesperson for the budget for the minority is honourable Ampem Darko.”
“Mr Speaker we all know that the Chairman of the Economic Management team is the Vice President so the Vice President can only debate honourable Adongo. He should debate honourable Adongo or debate honourable Ricketts Hagan.
“A driver’s mate cannot debate an experienced driver. Mr Speaker that is the fact. So, we throw the challenge, he should debate honourable Adongo first, honourable Ampem second, honourable Ricketts Hagan third before he considers debating former president John Mahama,” he stated.
His comments come in response to the NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, challenging former President and NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama to a live presidential debate to present their visions and policies to the people of Ghana.
Addressing thousands of supporters in Bunkpurugu, North East Region, Dr. Bawumia expressed his eagerness for a debate with Mahama but doubted it would happen, accusing Mahama of “running away.”
“I am looking forward to a debate with John Mahama on the economy, on the country on the 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 an opposition leader who doesn’t want to debate. But he knows I will expose the emptiness of his policies,” the NPP flagbearer added.
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.
