The Majority Caucus in Parliament, under the leadership of Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has issued a press statement insisting John Dramani Mahama, the former President of Ghana and the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to engage in public debates with the Vice President, Dr. Muhamadu Bawumia.

This call comes amidst growing political tensions ahead of the 2024 general elections, with the Majority Caucus emphasizing their readiness to defend their governance record and economic policies through open dialogue. The Majority Caucus has made it clear that they are not deterred by the prospect of engaging in debates, stating confidently that they are unafraid of the facts and figures that may emerge during such discussions.

“We are calling on John Dramani Mahama, former President of Ghana and flag bearer of the NDC, not to run away from the debates, not to stay away from debating the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.”
Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, Majority Leader

Hon. Afenyo-Markin acknowledged that while the ruling party has not achieved perfect success, they believe they have made significant strides in governance.

“We concede that there are challenges. But we are far better in terms of governance,” he admitted. This admission indicates a level of humility and realism within the Majority Caucus, recognizing that there is always room for improvement.

Dr. Muhamadu Bawumia, the flagbearer for the ruling party, has outlined a comprehensive vision for a digitalized economy, which aligns with the objectives of the Majority Caucus in Parliament.

According to Hon. Afenyo-Markin, Dr. Bawumia’s vision emphasizes leveraging technology, data, and systems for inclusive economic growth, aiming to transform various sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing, fintech, and public service delivery.

“It is a reason why our flag bearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is ready to debate on the issues. We don’t believe in politics of name-calling, politics of insult, politics of insinuation, and all. We believe that the facts can speak for themselves.”
Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, Majority Leader

The Majority Caucus in Parliament supports this vision, highlighting the importance of engaging in debates and discussions on critical issues affecting the nation. They challenge the opposition to a “big debate” on governance and policy matters, emphasizing the need for informed discourse to shape the future of Ghana.

Hon. Afenyo-Markin emphasized that the caucus believes in the power of ideas and arguments to sway public opinion and influence electoral outcomes.

No Excuses for Avoiding Debate

The caucus called on the NDC not to shy away from debates, asserting that there should be no excuses for avoiding such engagements.

“Debate is the only means of determining who is best suited to run the country from 2025,” Hon. Afenyo-Markin emphasized. This approach reflects a commitment to democratic principles, where ideas are contested, and the best solutions are chosen based on merit.

Hon. Afenyo-Markin also highlighted Dr. Bawumia’s vision for the country, which includes creating an economy anchored on digitalization. He challenged the NDC to contest this vision through ethical debate rather than avoiding it.

This call for debate comes at a critical time as Ghana approaches its next general elections. The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition NDC have been gearing up for what promises to be a highly competitive electoral season.

The NPP, under the leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Bawumia, has been pushing forward with various reforms and development projects, many of which focus on economic growth and digital transformation.

Conversely, the NDC, led by John Mahama, has been critical of the current administration’s handling of certain economic and social issues. Mahama, who served as President from 2012 to 2016, has been campaigning on a platform of rectifying what he sees as the shortcomings of the NPP government.