In a direct response to NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has issued a list of 50 questions that challenge Mahama’s track record in governance.
Alongside these questions, Dr. Bawumia urged Mahama to participate in a public debate, offering the opportunity for both leaders to present their policies and achievements side-by-side for public evaluation.
“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,” Bawumia stated, emphasizing the value of such a debate for Ghanaian citizens.
Dr. Bawumia dismissed Mahama’s earlier questions as “flimsy,” questioning why the former president seems to be avoiding a direct discussion on issues that affect the people of Ghana. The Vice President’s counter-questions highlight topics like economic stability, social interventions, digital innovation, and infrastructure.
Some of the key areas Dr. Bawumia addressed included Mahama’s handling of the economy during the power crisis, also known as “dumsor,” the cancellation of allowances for nursing and teacher trainees, and efforts (or lack thereof) in addressing corruption and promoting financial inclusion. Bawumia also questioned Mahama’s stance on health initiatives, such as the provision of ambulances and other critical services, and sought clarity on the former administration’s efforts in digital transformation, specifically initiatives like the Ghanacard and the digital address system.
Dr. Bawumia contrasted Mahama’s record with initiatives he claims to have led, including the Free SHS program, One Constituency One Ambulance, the Ghanacard, mobile money interoperability, and other agenda-setting projects like Agenda 111 and the Zongo Development Fund. Through these comparisons, Bawumia called into question Mahama’s administration’s commitment to addressing critical issues like unemployment, healthcare accessibility, and educational support.
The Vice President further criticized Mahama’s perceived lack of progress on infrastructure and development projects, including roads, airports, and health facilities, which he believes the current NPP administration has advanced significantly. He specifically asked why the former government’s achievements in agriculture and industrial growth lagged behind, given the significant strides made by the NPP in these areas.
Bawumia’s challenge has intensified the electoral landscape, placing increased pressure on Mahama to agree to a head-to-head debate. This, he believes, will allow Ghanaians a direct look at each candidate’s vision and past performance, ensuring a more informed choice at the polls.
Here is the complete list of Bawumia’s questions directed at John Mahama:
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QUESTIONS FOR JOHN 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.” *
1. Can you name any broad-based social intervention policy you implemented as President?
2. Why did you run advertisements against free SHS?
3. If your economic management was effective, how come we experienced over four years of “dumsor”?
4. Why did the banking system nearly collapse under your government?
5. Why did you cancel teacher training allowances?
6. Why did you cancel nursing training allowances?
7. Why did the National Ambulance Service nearly collapse under your government?
8. Why was your government unable to create even a quarter of the jobs our government has created?
9. How many nurses, teachers, police officers, immigration officers, and service personnel did you recruit as President?
10. Why did you implement the three-month pay policy for teachers?
11. Why did you cancel the car import duty waiver for teachers and nurses?
12. Why was average agricultural growth under your government (2.9%) less than half of ours?
13. Why was industrial growth under your government lower than it is under ours?
14. Why was overall GDP growth under your government lower than under ours?
15. Why did your government lack an industrial policy for Ghana?
16. Why do you think our government has constructed four times more roads than yours?
17. Why do you think our government has constructed and is building more hospitals than yours?
18. Why do you think our government has constructed and is building more schools than yours?
19. Why do you think our government has constructed and is building more fish landing sites than yours?
20. Why do you think our government has built and is constructing more courts than yours?
21. Why do you think our government has built more public libraries than yours?
22. Why do you think our government has built more sports facilities than yours?
23. Why do you think our government has expanded more airports than yours?
24. Why do you think our government has equipped more TVET institutions than yours?
25. Why do you think our government has built more interchanges than yours?
26. Why has our government overseen more NCA-licensed fiber optic installation than yours?
27. Why has our government developed more sanitation facilities than yours?
28. Why has our government built more waste recycling plants than yours?
29. Why has our government awarded 70% more scholarships than yours?
30. Why has our government developed more infrastructure in Zongo communities than yours?
31. Why has our government provided more vehicles and equipment to security services than yours?
32. Why was your government unable to issue significant numbers of National Identity Cards?
33. Why did your government fail to address “ghost workers” on the payroll?
34. Why did only 4% of Ghanaians have Tax Identification Numbers during your tenure, compared to 85% now?
35. Why was your government unable to digitalize port operations to reduce corruption?
36. Why did your government not address the need for a national property address system?
37. Why was financial inclusion not prioritized as it has been under ours?
38. What assistance did your government provide to children with cancer, sickle cell patients, and dialysis patients?
39. Why did you fulfill only 28% of your 2012 manifesto promises?
40. What steps did you take to ease the burden of rent advance?
41. What measures did you implement for National Health Insurance renewals and registrations?
42. What did your government do to support creative arts and tourism?
43. How did your government address emergency drug and blood delivery needs in remote areas?
44. What steps did you take for students who couldn’t secure loan guarantors?
45. As Vice-President, I initiated or championed programs such as One Constituency One Ambulance, Agenda 111, Medical Drones, the Zongo Development Fund, and many more. What initiatives did you lead?
46. Why did you not implement Free Technical and Vocational Education?
47. Why didn’t you absorb BECE and WASSCE registration fees?
48. Can you explain your “24-hour economy” proposal coherently?
49. What anti-corruption measures did you implement during your presidency?
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Dr. Bawumia’s questions underline his assertion that the NPP has brought greater transformation to Ghana than the previous NDC administration. This bold call for a debate and the specific questions put forth are likely to shape the upcoming election dialogue, as Ghanaians look to each candidate’s record for guidance on the future.
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