Bawumia, Mahama Debate In The Offing

…NPP Flagbearer Accepts Challenge; Set To Hold Series Of Media Encounters

The battle lines have been drawn, after a revelation by a Deputy Chairman of the Bawumia Campaign, Nana Akomea that, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, is ready to debate the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama.

The Managing Director (MD) of the State Transport Company (STC), who accepted the challenge said, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is more than prepared to share a stage with the opposition flagbearer and former President for the two to battle it out, so far as the development and progress of the country is concerned ahead of the December polls.

“I am very confident that when we are called upon, our flagbearer will be ready to debate”, Nana Akomea, said on TV3’s News Central programme yesterday, July 8.

When asked, if the Vice President, will indeed allow himself to be debated, Akomea responded, “absolutely”.

As the campaign for the 2024 election heats up, many Ghanaians have been calling for a national debate for the various candidates, especially between the two leading political parties.

It is argued that, the debate will help shape views and discussions for voters to make informed decision before the polls.

Former president Mahama, who in 2012 debated President Akufo-Addo, then opposition leader, is yet to come face to face with the now Vice President and flagbearer of the NPP.

Media engagements

Meanwhile, Nana Akomea, has also on the same show revealed that, the Vice President, will soon meet the press to defend the government’s achievements, challenges and project his vision for the country.

According to him, the NPP flagbearer’s yet to be held encounter with media, will not be a day’s programme like his main contender did on Sunday. He explained, Dr Bawumia’s will be a continuous and sustained arrangement that will be embarked upon in no time.

The Deputy Campaign Chairman, who said he is part of the team that planned the campaign programme for the presidential candidate, assured the meeting will be held very soon.

“Let me assure you straight away that very soon, you would have your encounter with the Vice President and flagbearer of the NPP. In his case it is not going to be an encounter but series of encounters, media encounters. Don’t worry you are going to get tired of him. So don’t worry at all. We’ve drawn up his movement plan so I know what I am talking about. Very soon, you will see him interacting with you and your audience.”

Nana Akomea, also refuted claims that the flagbearer of the NPP, has been evasive and running away from accountability by failing to meet the media to ask him questions like his opponent did.

The STC boss said, the Vice President, has never shied away from talking about the government he deputizes.

Solid Economy

He said in February this year, when Dr Bawumia, unveiled his vision for the country, the former Deputy Bank of Ghana governor, extensively tackled the economy and other challenges and successes of the administration under president Akufo-Addo.

Touching on former president Mahama’s conversation with the media on Sunday, July 7, Nana Akomea, claimed the former president, said nothing that has not been heard before.

According to him, the over 2-hour encounter programme, was just a rehash of things the NDC flagbearer has said in the past years and even when Mr Mahama, was president.

He said NPP, will measure all the words of the former president, especially when he was in government to their advantage.

In his view, Ghana’s economy under the NPP, was doing far better than Mr Mahama’s administration until COVID-19 struck in the early period of 2020.

“Between 2017 and 2019 the economy was doing well than the economy that John Mahama left.

He has been president before, all the things he said he will be measured against them, he has not said anything new, same issues he said in 2012 and 2016”, he said.

Wading into the selection of Energy Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, as NPP running mate, Nana Akomea, said the choice of the MP, was not chosen merely because of where he hails from.

Rather, he said, Dr Opoku Prempeh affectionately called ‘Napo’ was chosen because of the work he did at the Ministries of Education and Energy.

Although, he says NPP is not expecting anything less than 75 percent of votes in the Ashanti Region, due to Napo’s selection, the focus has been to get a person with the qualities of Napo, hence his selection.

“Napo was not chosen because he comes from a place, but it was based on known personal qualities.

“His performance as minister of state, education and energy, the hard work and his personal qualities are very good,” Nana Akomea clarified.

Source: Anchorghana.com