Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the NPP, has publicly challenged John Mahama, the NDC candidate, to a direct debate.
Bawumia criticized Mahama for what he described as five “flimsy” questions that he believes Mahama is using as a pretext to avoid the debate.
To counter this, Bawumia stated he is willing to encourage the moderators to incorporate Mahama’s questions into the debate agenda, highlighting his openness to address them directly.
“I have just read questions posed to me by former President Mahama. I would have thought he would be man enough to face me in a one-on-one debate for the Ghanaian public to assess our respective policies, achievements, and visions.
“But I have many more substantive questions for him: Can you name any broad-based social intervention policy that you implemented in Ghana as President? Why did you run advertisements against free SHS?”
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
The NPP flagbearer questioned, how the nation faced over four years of “Dumsor” and a near-collapse of the banking sector if John Mahama’s economic management was so effective.
He also asked why the former President chose to cancel allowances for teachers and nursing trainees. ‘Why did the National Ambulance Service virtually collapse under your government?”
Dr. Bawumia further questioned why the Mahama government created fewer than a quarter of the jobs the current government has, noting how few nurses, teachers, police, and service personnel were recruited during his presidency.
He also criticized the NDC flagbearer for implementing the three-month pay policy and canceling the car import duty waiver for teachers and nurses.
Additionally, he highlighted that the average agricultural and industrial growth under Mahama’s government, at 2.9%, was less than half of what it is now.“Why was overall GDP growth under your government lower than under our government?”
Dr. Bawumia questioned the absence of an industrial policy under the Mahama government and noted that the current administration has built four times more roads.
Bawumia Questions NDC’s Infrastructure Record Compared to NPP
Furthermore, Dr. Bawumia questioned why the NPP government has built and is building more hospitals, schools, fish landing sites, courts, libraries, and sports facilities than Mahama’s government did.
He questioned why the current government has built, equipped more TVET institutions, and constructed more interchanges than Mahama’s government did.
“Why do you think our government has overseen the provision of more NCA-licensed fiber optic cable than your government did? Why do you think our government has constructed and is constructing more sanitation facilities than your government did?
“Why do you think our government has constructed and is constructing more waste recycling plants than your government did? Why do you think our government has provided 70% more scholarships to students than your government?”
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
Dr. Bawumia further highlighted several achievements under the current government, contrasting them with areas where the Mahama administration fell short.
He pointed out that the NPP has built more infrastructure in Zongo communities, provided more vehicles and equipment for security services, and constructed more hospitals than Mahama’s government.
The NPP also issued the National Identity Card (Ghanacard), addressed ghost workers on the payroll, expanded Tax Identification Number coverage from 4% to 85%, and digitized port operations to combat corruption—areas the NDC left unaddressed.
According to Dr. Bawumia, the NPP implemented a nationwide property address system, improved financial inclusion, and introduced support programs for children with cancer, sickle cell patients, and kidney dialysis.
The NPP flagbearer also questioned why Mahama’s administration fulfilled only 28% of its 2012 manifesto promises, and how it failed to address rent advance issues, simplify National Health Insurance enrollments, and support the creative arts and tourism.
He highlighted the NPP’s solutions for emergency drug and blood delivery, such as medical drones, and the launch of a no-guarantor student loan scheme to aid tertiary students.
Bawumia listed policies he has championed, including One Constituency One Ambulance, Agenda 111, E-Pharmacy, Ghanacard, the Digital Property Address System, Mobile Money Interoperability, Paperless Ports, Citizens App, Go-Ride, and the Gold for Oil initiative, questioning what similar policies Mahama had introduced as Vice President.
He also noted the implementation of free technical and vocational education and asked why the NDC didn’t absorb BECE and WASSCE exam fees.
Finally, he requested clarity on Mahama’s “24-hour economy” proposal.“What specific measures did you implement to combat corruption during your tenure as president?”
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