The Minority in Parliament has continued to oppose the Majority caucus’s call for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama, to debate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer, before the December elections.
Dr. Bawumia has challenged Mr. Mahama to a debate ahead of the December polls, but the 2024 Mahama Campaign Team has declined the offer.
They argue that there’s nothing left to debate about the economy and insist that Mahama does not need a debate to sell his message.
On Wednesday, July 24, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin in Parliament reiterated the call for Mr. Mahama to accept a debate invitation from Dr. Bawumia.
He argued that such a debate would give Ghanaians an opportunity to compare the two parties’ economic management capabilities.
However, Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson dismissed the idea, likening Dr Bawumia to a “driver’s mate” unqualified to debate an “experienced driver” like Mr Mahama.
“Mr. Speaker, as the saying goes, monkeys play by their sizes. Mr. Speaker, how can a driver’s mate debate an experienced driver? In this house, the spokesperson for the Minority on finance matters is Honorable Adongo.
“The spokesperson for the Minority on economic issues is Honorable Kwaku Ricketts-Hagan, and the spokesperson for the budget is Honorable Ampem Darko.
“Mr. Speaker, we all know that the Chairman of the Economic Management Team is the Vice President, so the Vice President should debate Honorable Adongo or Honorable Ricketts-Hagan.
“A driver’s mate cannot debate an experienced driver. That is a fact. We challenge him to debate Honorable Adongo first, then Honorable Ampem Darko, and finally Honorable Ricketts-Hagan before considering debating former President John Mahama,” he stated.
