Prove to Ghanaians Bawumia is a liar, disrespectful by debating him – Nana Akomea tells Mahama

Nana Akomea, a senior political advisor to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has claimed that former President John Dramani Mahama is afraid to engage in a debate with Bawumia.

Akomea’s comments were made during an appearance on Neat FM on August 23, 2024, where he addressed the ongoing tensions between the two leading figures in Ghana’s 2024 presidential race.

According to Akomea, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its supporters have consistently labeled Bawumia as a liar and accused him of lacking respect.

However, he argues that the best way to expose any alleged falsehoods or character flaws would be through a direct debate between the two candidates. He suggested that Mahama’s reluctance to engage in such a debate indicates fear.

“You have been discussing the person always, and now he is available for you to tell his side of the story, and you claim you won’t listen because he is a liar, he doesn’t respect, and all that. But if you keep saying the person is a liar and doesn’t respect, is it not the debate that would let you prove to Ghanaians that the character you are portraying is true or not?” Akomea challenged.

He further urged the NDC to seize the opportunity to debate Bawumia, arguing that it would allow them to question him directly on the issues they have raised, such as why he allegedly avoids press conferences or why he makes certain decisions. Akomea implied that Mahama’s refusal to engage in a debate is a sign of being “scared.”

“The person has brought himself, you claim he is a liar, he doesn’t speak the truth and all that, so debate him to prove it.

“So, you have to debate him to ask him, ‘Bawumia, why can’t you hold a press conference? Bawumia, you don’t respect, why do you make certain decisions?’ But they claim he should go and debate a parliamentarian and so on. He (Mahama) is scared.”