A driver’s mate cannot debate an experienced driver – Minority replies Bawumia
A driver’s mate cannot debate an experienced driver – Minority replies Bawumia
The Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has told the Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr Mahamudu Bawumia that the Minority spokesperson on finance Isaac Adongo is available to debate him, not former President John Dramani Mahama.
Dr Ato Forson said it is after Dr Bawumia has finished debating with Adongo and a former Deputy Finance Minister Kwaku Ricketts Hagan, that he can consider debating former president John 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 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 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.”
In advanced democracies, presidential debates are firmly rooted as part of the electoral process. Many, including civil society groups, have called for a debate between the two leading candidates of the election, for Ghanaians to listen to them on their policies and vision for the country.
With Vice President Bawumia throwing the challenge, the ball is now in the court of former President Mahama.
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