The challenge to debate on who has a better track record as a president has once again been offered by former President John Mahama to incumbent Akufo-Addo.
John Mahama’s challenge to debate Akufo-Addo on merit as they have both been privileged to be presidents has been considered a good call by the NDC torchbearer prior to elections.
According to him, Akufo-Addo has turned down his invitation as he has nothing to show for his days as a president.
“You say this election is about track records and I welcome that…yes it is about track record and we both have one as Presidents. What is wrong with us sitting down and talking about that? So I will invite him again…I think he should ignore Sammi Awuku and all the others and just come out boldly and let’s talk about our track records. It will be for the benefit of Ghanaians”.
Mahama believes this will give Ghanaian electorates a clearer picture of who they want to lead the country again from 2021.
Last month, Mr. Mahama said the NDC has a more superior record of providing an equitable distribution of development projects across the country than the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
His debate with President Akufo-Addo is premised on the records of their respective governments in the area of infrastructure.
Addressing residents of the Ketu-South District as part of a four-day tour of the Volta Region yesterday, Mr. Mahama said a debate would bring a conclusion to the matter.
“In 2016, when I was talking about the value of infrastructure, friends on the other side said we don’t eat infrastructure, we don’t eat roads; that was what they said.
“Today, I can see a scramble to grab even KVIPs and any infrastructure and tout it as an achievement. But it is easy to settle the issue of infrastructure. After all, the President says this election is going to be an election of track records, comparing his track record to my track record.
“We can settle it easily, let’s have a debate between two of us, the two Presidents. Let Nana Akufo-Addo come and sit down, let me sit down and let’s debate our records. I am willing to present myself for a debate, any day, anytime, anywhere and we will settle the matter once and for all”.
In an interview with Joy FM’s, Deputy Information Minister, Pius Enam Hadzide described the debate challenged as unnecessary since the citizens have witnessed immense development under the leadership of the incumbent government.
According to him, the NDC flagbearer is adopting a ‘desperate’ but ‘smart’ way to deceive Ghanaians.
Mr. Mahama explained that he never ran away from debating the then-NPP candidate.
“I was the first incumbent to do a debate in 2020 with all my contenders including then-candidate Nana Akufo-Addo. In 2016, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) wanted to conduct the debate and we had a problem with the Institute so we said we were not going to participate in an IEA debate.
“But we made it clear we were willing to debate in any debate organised by an independent or neutral body. And so in 2016, a debate was held with all the other contenders and it was only Nana Akufo-Addo who declined to debate”.
