Reacting to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s challenge for a debate with the NDC flagbearer, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa argued that issuing a debate challenge is no guarantee of success.
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu asserted that former President John Dramani Mahama is a formidable debater, citing his impressive track record in presidential debates, both as an incumbent and as an opposition leader, as evidence of his exceptional debating skills.
Hon. Ablakwa observed that as an incumbent, John Mahama broke with tradition by debating the opposition, unlike many presidents in the country’s history who have been reluctant to engage in such debates.
“In fact, if you recall, in 2016 and 2020, we called for a debate and we were rebuffed. They [the NPP] said they were not going to debate us. Mahamudu Bawumia himself refused to debate us so what has changed that suddenly, the people who refused every opportunity to have a debate with former President Mahama [decided to call for one]?”
“Is it because of the nature of this campaign? How nobody is listening to them, they’ve become the butt of all jokes and they are being ridiculed all over the place. I mean everywhere he [Bawumia] goes, the statements he makes, the promises, he’s been such a huge joke. The latest one is this GH₵ 1, GH₵ 2 per month for mobile phones”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
He noted that members of Gen Zs are going wild on social media, mocking the NPP flagbearer’s mobile phone policy.
Hon. Ablakwa wondered who would bother engaging in a debate with Dr. Bawumia, given the frivolous nature of his behavior.
He stated that strategists and advisors within the NDC have opined that the NPP flagbearer is merely hoping for an opportunity to salvage his tarnished image and dwindling credibility on the political stage through the debate.
Ablakwa Slams Gov’t Over Lack Of Transparency
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa criticized the government for being opaque and inaccessible to the media and the public, emphasizing that many Ghanaians are utterly dismayed by the government’s blatant disregard for accountability.
He noted that Dr. Bawumia appears to be taking a cue from his leader, President Akufo-Addo, who made history by being the only flagbearer candidate to have run an entire campaign without holding a press conference.
“I mean people are sharing their views on the matter. Even him [Bawumia], why is he trying to even narrow the debate? Why does he think that the debate should be only on the economy? And you see the approach, there ought to be mutual respect. I have an issue”.
“The surest way to have your opponent avoid you and treat your request with contempt is when you are so condescending, you are so belligerent in your approach. That whole ‘patapaa’ approach hasn’t helped. But as I have said, we haven’t heard from the former President himself”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Hon. Ablakwa further emphasized that the Institute of Economic Affairs’ call for a debate was a blatant show of disrespect towards the former President’s office, as it had not been consulted or involved in the process.
He pointed out that internationally, it is customary for debate organizers to consult with presidential candidates and their teams to agree on a schedule before making it public, a step that the IEA omitted in this case.
The MP pointed out that the debate conversation has been mishandled from the start, marked by a tone that is more interested in ridiculing, demeaning, and undermining than in fostering a constructive exchange.
He emphasized that, given such a confrontational approach, it is unlikely any opponent would accept the invitation, highlighting that the problem lies not with the invitation itself, but with how Dr. Bawumia has chosen to extend it.
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