Akufo-Addo Mocks Mahama for Saying Bawumia Isn’t His Class

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has made fun of the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama for refusing a Presidential debate against the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s frontrunner, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, over status.

Addressing some traditional authorities as part of his Thank You tour across the country, the eighty-year-old President mocked his predecessor for belonging to the one-time President class, of which he has no co-equal.

Such a class, Akufo-Addo noted, is nothing to write home about and not one intended for his Vice President.

“Mahama has refused a debate because Bawumia isn’t his class. Oh really? I don’t see any good class Mr Mahama belongs to say that.”

He furthered, “In our fourth republic, five persons have had the privilege as President. One of the five- the Late Prof Fiifi Atta Mills- couldn’t complete his tenure. Out of the remaining four, only one failed to please Ghanaians so they voted him out of power. So if Mr Mahama has a class then it’s that class of one term {in power}. He is the only one in that class and it’s not a class I would like Bawumia to be part of. No.

“By the grace of God, if Bawumia ascend Presidency, he will complete his eight-year tenure to join the class of Rawlings, Kufuor and I. We don’t want Mahama’s one-term Presidency for Bawumia. If that is what he means, we thank him and understand that the class of one is not a good thing. He has no classmates, just lonely.”

Debate
The Country’s first Presidential debate ahead of the 2024 Presidential election organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) was advertised to take place on October 22.

However, before the scheduling of the date, the NDC had constantly refused to honour the debate. Speaking at a party event in the Greater Accra Region on October 17, 2024, Mr Mahama affirmed their stance.

According to him, such a move will advance the Vice President who he indicated is nowhere close to his pedigree.

“I will not elevate Bawumia by debating him. He should find his level. I know my level.”

The conduct of Presidential debate since 2000 has been spearheaded by the IEA which provides a platform where candidates can directly convey their policies and visions to the electorates.

This also makes way for accountability of candidates, compelling them to elucidate their positions and rationalise their policies, consequently promoting transparency and ensuring that leaders are answerable to the populace.

This transparent exchange of ideas empowers voters to make well-informed decisions rooted in the candidates’ positions on critical matters.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini