Dennis Miracles Aboagye, spokesperson for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s 2024 campaign team, has stated that it would be a waste of time for the Vice President to debate other candidates contesting the upcoming presidential election. According to Aboagye, the December 2024 election is a two-horse race between Dr. Bawumia and former President John Dramani Mahama, dismissing other contenders as irrelevant to the national discourse.
Citing the example of the U.S. elections, Aboagye argued that just as Donald Trump and Kamala Harris were prioritized in debates, only the top two candidates, Mahama and Bawumia, should be the focus in Ghana’s context. He added that Dr. Bawumia would only participate in the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) presidential debates if Mahama was also present, implying that any debate without Mahama would lack significance.
The IEA recently announced plans for two presidential debates, scheduled for October 22 and November 19, 2024. In addition to these, a vice-presidential debate is slated for November 5, with five evening encounters between candidates to precede the December 7 polls. The first encounter is set for September 18, and the final one on October 15.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Aboagye emphasized that Dr. Bawumia is eager to engage in debates on national issues but sees Mahama’s participation as essential for a meaningful and balanced discussion. “There is no need for a debate if Bawumia’s main contender is not present,” he stressed.
