Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has firmly rejected the idea of a presidential debate between the NDC’s flagbearer, John Mahama, and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

Speaking on CTV’s ‘Dwabo’ on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, Asiedu Nketia asserted that former President Mahama should not engage in any form of debate with Dr. Bawumia.

“We say President Mahama should not engage Bawumia in any debate in any shape or form,” Mr. Asiedu Nketia emphasised.

He expressed skepticism about the value of debating Dr. Bawumia, whom he described as an “intelligent liar.”

“When you’re arguing with a liar, whatever comes to mind, he’ll say it. An intelligent liar is very dangerous because he will lie and polish it for all to believe and he believes in his own lies. There is no fact that you will say that he will believe; he will still be of the opinion because he’s believing in his own lies,” Mr. Asiedu Nketia stated.

The NDC chairman further criticised Dr. Bawumia’s record, suggesting that the NPP flagbearer faces a significant credibility crisis.

“People have seen the nature of the NPP flagbearer and the record he has created over the past, which has created a credibility crisis among the population. He has a huge job to do debating his own record,” Mr. Asiedu Nketia said.

He also referred to social media videos as evidence of Dr. Bawumia’s dishonesty, asserting that these videos serve as enough proof of his “lies.”

“So, he should go and answer his own questions,” Mr. Asiedu Nketia urged.

Recalling a past situation where the NDC had called for a debate, Mr. Asiedu Nketia pointed out that Dr. Bawumia had previously suggested that Mr. Mahama should debate those most affected by the economy, such as workers and market women.

“He had said the impact of the economy we were running was most felt by workers, market women, kayayoo traders, GPRTU members, and so on. So Mahama should go debate those people. And have these categories of people left our economy? No,” Mr. Asiedu Nketia stressed.

He also reiterated his challenge for Dr. Bawumia to engage with the affected groups instead, stating: “So he should go and call all those people and hold a debate with them. So we’re judging you by your own bible, why are you worried?”