President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has responded to John Dramani Mahama’s choice to abstain from a debate with Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as part of the 2024 presidential election campaign.
According to President Akufo-Addo, Mr. Mahama, who is running as the presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress, is in a diminished position, being the only one-term president in Ghana’s history, and thus lacks the standing to assert superiority over the New Patriotic Party’s candidate.
The President made these remarks during a campaign tour in the Ahafo Region on Tuesday, October 29. He expressed skepticism regarding Mr. Mahama’s decision to decline a proposed policy debate with Dr. Bawumia.
Mr. Mahama had rejected the invitation, asserting that participating in a debate with Bawumia would inappropriately elevate him to the status of a former president.
He contended that he is not obligated to engage in policy discussions with a sitting Vice President, stating that he would only debate with someone of his presidential stature.
In a pointed rebuttal, President Akufo-Addo refuted Mr. Mahama’s assertion of political seniority, emphasizing that Mahama’s unique status as the only one-term head of state in Ghana does not provide him with grounds to consider himself superior to Dr. Bawumia in any matter.
He reminded the audience that Mahama’s tenure ended following his defeat in the 2016 election, which, according to Akufo-Addo, reflected the people’s discontent with Mahama’s leadership and performance.
Mahama says he won’t debate Bawumia because Bawumia isn’t in his class. But let’s be clear: what class does Mahama claim to?
If there is any class Mahama can claim, it is the unfortunate distinction of being Ghana’s only one-term president since the Fourth Republic.He is the only president who was denied a second term by the people for poor performance.
President Akufo-Addo asserted that Mahama’s claims were unfounded, particularly regarding Dr. Bawumia’s contributions and leadership qualities.
He highlighted that Bawumia had served diligently as Vice President of Ghana and that it was now his opportunity to run for the presidency, a role to which he is dedicated, unlike the progress Mahama was unable to achieve.
Furthermore, President Akufo-Addo reiterated the need to support Dr. Bawumia, emphasizing that his vice president possesses the requisite skills, vision, and integrity essential for effectively governing Ghana in the future.
It is not about empty titles or claiming a status. It is, quite simply, about work; commitment to Ghana’s future and what Bawumia can offer this nation.
