IS FORMER PRESIDENT MAHAMA RUNNING AWAY FROM A PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE?*
If there should ever be a political debate, this election should not pass without one.
The pairing of the NPP and NDC presidential and running mates speak volumes for itself. The two leaders are Northerners whiles their running mates are Southerners. That notwithstanding, both running mates have once become Ministers for Education before. This is enough grounds to generate debate amongst them.
Both Presidential aspirants have once become Vice Presidents of the republic before. If this is not a fertile ground enough to generate debate to test the intellectual acumen of these aspirants then l don’t know when.
Among the four aspirants , non of them is green. The foremen have become second gentlemen or Veeps of the nation. The two running mates have become ministers in their own rights. As such they should be quizzed and allow experts to test their capabilities for us to know what is in them and what they intend to offer this time.
Nevertheless, l was shocked to the bone when the Special Assistant to the Former President, John Mahama came out to tell the whole world that the former President is not ready to do any debate.
If indeed this is true, then it is very strange and shameful. He, the former President has once called for debate during his tenure when he contested with Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, I vividly remember when Dr. Ayariga had to cough to distract Nana Addo anytime he was on floor. With this in mind, why is he running away now?
Equally was l shocked, when l heard Dr. Amakye Boateng of KNUST who is an academia and should have known better, backing the former President’s PA, Mogtari.
For Dr. Amakye Boateng to say that a debate is not necessary, is unfortunate and ill conceived. In my view, l thought he, being an academia should be the one to encourage a debate. It was clear from the way he spoke on radio that he is being biased or have some ill motives about Dr. Mahmoud Bawumia. Dr. Amakye Boateng should know that the political discourse among these leaders is seriously needed to set the records straight.
Now that Dr. Bawumia has thrown a challenge to the former President, he should do well to meet him for the debate.
Former President Mahama has touted that he started the Free SHS policy. Is it true or not?. He has also stated categorically that the Akuffo Addo /Bawumia led government has borrowed more than any other government in the history of the country. That one also needs clarification.
The Vice President, Bawumia has mentioned that he has been the most effective and visible Veep in our current dispensation. Is this assertion true or false.
There is the need for the two aspirants to meet, affirm or deny these postulations.
The people of Ghana need this debate. The former president should therefore be bold enough to face the Vice President. He should not deny Ghanaians this opportunity.
Koku Anyidoho has stated clearly that the former President will have to debate the Vice president no matter what. He is if the view that should the former President run away from this debate, then he doesn’t deserve to be the flsgbearer of the NDC. The party needs bold and courageous personality to lead the party but not a coward.
The former president should note that, he who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day”.
By:
Hon Christian Adu-Poku a.k.a Dr. APC
(Afigya Kwabre South DCE)
(The voice from afar)
