The National Democratic Congress (NDC), Minority in parliament has invited the Vice President and flagbearer of the ruling party New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia to participate in the debate on the Mid Year Budget Review read on Wednesday, 23rd July, 2024.
The move in an official release signed by the Deputy Minority Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim explained motive behind the call as the Vice President, Dr, Bawumia concurrently serve as the Chairman of the economic management team of the government.
Also his presence during the debate which will commence today, 25th July, 2024 in parliament, “Presents Alhaji Bawumia an excellent opportunity and forum to debate and account for his stewardship over the last seven and half years as the Chairman of the Economic Management Team.”
“The NDC Minority has lined up a crack team of highly knowledgeable and competent members on its side to debate Vice President Bawumia and further expose the abysmal economic performance of his government,” the Minority wrote.
Prior to this, the minority ridiculed the Vice President on his competence to having an intelligent presidential debate with the Flagbearer of the NDC towards the December Polls.
On Wednesday, July 24, the Majority caucus reiterated their calls for Mr. Mahama to accept a debate invitation from Dr. Bawumia.
They argue that such a debate would allow Ghanaians to compare the two parties and determine who is better equipped to manage the economy.
However, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, dismissed the idea, stating that a “driver’s mate” (Bawumia) did not qualify to debate an experienced driver (Mahama).
He suggested that the Vice President should first debate the caucus’ spokespersons on the economy and budget before considering a debate with the former president.
“Mr. Speaker, monkeys they say play by sizes. Mr. Speaker, how can a driver’s mate debate an experienced driver?” Dr. Forson queried.
He elaborated further, saying, “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.”
Dr. Forson continued, “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.”
