Koku Anyidoho, a former deputy general secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has challenged John Dramani Mahama, the party’s flagbearer, to accept Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for a presidential debate in early 2024.
If Mr. Mahama declines to accept the challenge, Koku threatens to call a “no debate, no presidency” demonstration.
According to cult followers and John Mahama’s assistants, he will not take part in any debates for the time being.
“I am waiting for JM himself to be bold and say to the hearing of Ghanaians that he would not participate in a debate & I will lead a massive ‘No Debate, No Presidency’ demonstration,” he wrote on his X platform.
His comments come at a time when the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr Mahamudu Bawumia had dared former President and flagbearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, for a live presidential debate to explain their respective visions and policies to the people of Ghana.
Addressing thousands of his supporters last night in Bunkpurugu, North East Region, Dr. Bawumia said he was eagerly waiting for a debate with Mahama, but he was less optimistic that would happen because Mahama is “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 of 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 allow the country to listen to us. If he chooses not to debate, I’ll continue to sell my policies,” he said.
With Vice President Bawumia throwing the challenge, the ball is now in the court of former President Mahama.
