Bawumia challenges Mahama to a one-on-one debate over 5 ‘flimsy’ questions posed

The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has responded to five critical questions posed by former President John Mahama, describing them as “flimsy” and challenging Mahama to a public debate.

Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, had raised these questions while addressing supporters in the Northern Region’s Tatali-Sanguli constituency, seeking answers on key economic indicators under Bawumia’s tenure as Vice President.

He questioned the high inflation rate, the cedi’s depreciation to GH¢17 per dollar, Ghana’s soaring debt, and the government’s borrowing practices, concluding with a critique of Bawumia’s focus on digitalization instead of economic management.

“He can’t talk about the economy because he knows nothing about it,” Mahama remarked, emphasizing that the current administration should account for the country’s economic condition.

In response, Dr. Bawumia issued a challenge for a head-to-head debate, urging Mahama to go beyond what he called “flimsy” questions and discuss policies and achievements in a live, moderated format.

Bawumia questioned Mahama’s decision to avoid direct dialogue, implying that a public debate would allow Ghanaians to judge both candidates’ visions and records.

“I would have thought he would be man enough to face me in a one-on-one debate for the Ghanaian public to assess our respective policies, achievements, and visions,” Bawumia said, adding, “Come for a debate, and I can ask the moderators to ask me these five flimsy questions.”

Highlighting his own past interactions with Mahama’s administration, Bawumia referred to an extensive list of over 50 questions he had previously raised concerning Mahama’s policies on job creation, infrastructure, and economic stability, which he says were left unanswered.

He argued that Mahama should be willing to address a more comprehensive set of issues.