Bawumia Agrees to Media Meeting Following Mahama’s Debate Refusal

The presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has yielded to pressure to engage with the Ghanaian media in a question-and-answer session.

The session, scheduled for Sunday, August 25 in Accra, will involve the vice president addressing inquiries regarding the current Akufo-Addo administration, in which he plays a key role, as well as outlining his own vision as a candidate for the upcoming December 7 general election.

It remains uncertain which media personnel will be granted access to the event, but inquiries, particularly concerning the economy, which was Dr. Bawumia’s area of expertise during his time in opposition, are anticipated to be prominent.

This development comes in the aftermath of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, declining to engage in a presidential debate with Dr. Bawumia.

Just weeks ago, Dr. Bawumia had expressed interest in a debate with the former president to discuss their respective visions for the country, as the frontrunners for the upcoming general election.

During a rally in July in Bunkpurugu, in the North East Region, Dr. Bawumia voiced his eagerness for a debate with Mahama, expressing doubt about the likelihood of it occurring due to Mahama’s alleged hesitance.

“I am looking forward to a debate with John Mahama on the economy, on the country, on governance,” Dr. Bawumia remarked. “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 is aware that I will expose the hollowness of his policies.” Dr. Bawumia raised concerns that Mahama and his team have not been able to elucidate their purported 24-hour economy policy to the Ghanaian public, alleging that Mahama is avoiding a debate to prevent being exposed.

“He talks about having a 24-hour economy which he cannot explain. It is as hollow as an empty barrel. He cannot explain it, and none of his people can explain it.

They claim they will be exporting lions and elephants.” Following the NPP’s endorsement of the debate proposal, the NDC and Mr. Mahama’s campaign vehemently opposed it, citing various reasons, including their refusal to bolster the vice president’s image by affording him the opportunity to share a platform with the former president.

The NDC directed Dr. Bawumia to engage with traders, forex bureau operators, importers, spare parts dealers, drivers, teachers, and other groups, mirroring the approach he had suggested to Mr. Mahama leading up to the 2016 general election.

Interestingly, some critics have viewed this planned media engagement as an afterthought, particularly since Mr. Mahama had conducted a similar session last month at the Kempinski Gold Coast hotel, where journalists from across the country were invited to ask him any questions.

In a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Bawumia Campaign, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the media engagement on Sunday is deemed essential for enabling the Ghanaian public to gain a comprehensive understanding of the vice president’s vision for the country.

“The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, will host a media engagement on Sunday, August 25, 2024.

This engagement follows the successful launch of the 2024 Manifesto of the New Patriotic Party. Dr. Bawumia is firmly of the belief that the Ghanaian people deserve a thorough insight and proper comprehension of the vision of their leaders ahead of the December 2024 polls, and the manifesto adequately sets the context for the conversation,” Mr. Aboagye