In a spirited exchange that has captured national attention, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has issued a set of 50 pointed questions to former President and National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Dramani Mahama.
The questions, which span economic management, social interventions, infrastructure, and digital initiatives, were intended to scrutinize Mahama’s record in office and set the stage for a public debate on leadership and policy direction.
Dr. Bawumia, who framed his list as an invitation to Mahama for a one-on-one debate, described the opportunity as a means for Ghanaians to weigh the track records of the two presidential hopefuls. “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, responding to questions Mahama had earlier posed about his own policies and governance.
Characterizing Mahama’s initial questions as “flimsy,” Dr. Bawumia used his response to emphasize the pressing issues that he believes demand deeper examination. His set of 50 questions challenges Mahama’s legacy in areas like economic resilience, educational support, infrastructure projects, and digital transformation, and questions his reluctance to engage in a direct debate on these points. The areas touched on include Mahama’s handling of the energy crisis, known locally as “dumsor,” as well as policies related to healthcare, teacher training, agriculture, and public sector job creation.
Among Dr. Bawumia’s critical points was Mahama’s approach to managing the economy during the dumsor crisis, which left many Ghanaians frustrated due to frequent power outages and economic strain. Bawumia questioned Mahama on why the banking system faced a near-collapse under his administration, and why the allowances for teacher and nursing trainees were canceled, decisions that caused considerable public discontent. He also highlighted Mahama’s struggles in creating jobs, specifically for nurses, teachers, police officers, and other service personnel, during his tenure.
Highlighting the differences in their approaches to policy, Dr. Bawumia pointed to his role in driving several major initiatives, including the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program, the One Constituency One Ambulance initiative, and digital transformation efforts like the Ghanacard and digital property address system. He cited these programs as evidence of his commitment to advancing Ghana’s development, suggesting that these were areas where Mahama’s administration fell short. Dr. Bawumia’s questions also raised concerns about the lack of infrastructure development under Mahama, contrasting it with what he claims are significant strides made by the current administration.
Dr. Bawumia’s focus on healthcare and social services was another recurring theme in his questions. He questioned Mahama’s administration for what he perceived as a failure to prioritize essential services like the National Ambulance Service and healthcare provisions for chronic illness patients, including cancer and kidney dialysis treatments. Additionally, he questioned Mahama’s efforts in expanding Ghana’s digital landscape, which Dr. Bawumia has advocated strongly for in his role as Vice President, particularly through initiatives like mobile money interoperability and a national identity card program.
On the issue of infrastructure, Dr. Bawumia raised questions regarding Mahama’s approach to road construction, airport expansions, and hospital projects. According to Dr. Bawumia, the current administration has made more substantial investments in these areas, in addition to building more educational facilities and public libraries. He further questioned Mahama’s contributions to industrial growth, pointing to the NPP’s higher GDP and agricultural growth rates as benchmarks.
As part of his social policy critique, Dr. Bawumia questioned Mahama on his resistance to the Free SHS program and other educational interventions, including the cancellation of examination registration fees for students taking the BECE and WASSCE exams. He also inquired about Mahama’s reluctance to develop vocational education, an area Dr. Bawumia believes is crucial for Ghana’s economic progress. Citing his own government’s advancements, Dr. Bawumia pressed Mahama on the lack of support for initiatives to address Ghana’s housing challenges, like the payment of rent advances.
The tone of Dr. Bawumia’s post underscores his intent to spark a serious, issue-focused debate that would give voters a chance to directly compare the two candidates’ visions for Ghana’s future. In a country where the need for transparency and accountability remains a key voter concern, Dr. Bawumia’s list of questions has resonated with those who see a head-to-head debate as a vital opportunity for democratic engagement.
In summing up his position, Dr. Bawumia outlined numerous initiatives he claims to have spearheaded as Vice President, from the Zongo Development Fund and Agenda 111 hospital project to the Digital Property Address System and paperless ports. He used these examples to challenge Mahama’s contributions as Vice President and President, suggesting that Mahama’s achievements in office were lacking in comparison.
The proposed debate would cover key aspects of governance, from economic policies and social interventions to technological advancements and infrastructure development. If accepted, the event would be a platform for both leaders to defend their records, providing Ghanaians with a clear view of what each candidate offers. Dr. Bawumia’s detailed list of questions, while assertive, reflects the weight of the election year as each candidate seeks to make a compelling case to the Ghanaian electorate.
As the campaign season intensifies, Bawumia’s open call for a debate highlights a growing desire for direct accountability. His list ends with questions that demand concrete answers from Mahama, challenging him to address his administration’s failures and articulate a clear plan for moving Ghana forward. Whether Mahama will accept this call remains to be seen, but the impact of Dr. Bawumia’s 50 questions is undeniable, setting the stage for what could be one of the most pivotal debates in Ghana’s political history.
