Source:tolonradio.com/Abdul Shakun Omae
n a heated exchange on social media, Ghana’s Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and former President John Dramani Mahama have challenged each other’s records in government, sparking a renewed debate on the country’s leadership and economic policies. This latest confrontation unfolded on Facebook, where Mahama initially posed five sharp questions to Bawumia, who responded with a counter-set of 50 questions aimed at Mahama’s tenure.
Mahama’s Five Questions for Bawumia.
Mahama’s questions focused on the economic challenges facing Ghana, specifically addressing issues that have emerged under the Economic Management Team (EMT), chaired by Bawumia. His questions were:
1. The Cedi’s Decline: Why has the Ghanaian cedi depreciated from GH₵4 to $1 in 2016 to nearly GH₵17 to $1 today?
2. Public Debt Surge: Why has Ghana’s public debt risen from GH₵120 billion in 2016 to GH₵763 billion in 2024?
3. Inflation Spike: What led to the rise of inflation to a Fourth Republic high of 54%?
4. Borrowing from the Bank of Ghana: Why did the government borrow over GH₵42 billion from the Bank of Ghana, resulting in a record loss of GH₵60 billion?
5. Economic Silence: Why has Bawumia avoided public lectures on the economy and refrained from discussing it in recent months?
These questions drew attention to economic difficulties under the current administration, and Mahama’s pointed critique suggested a perceived lack of transparency and accountability.
Bawumia’s 50 Questions for Mahama.
Responding swiftly, Bawumia issued a lengthy list of questions challenging Mahama’s own track record as president, calling for a one-on-one debate. His questions focused on a range of issues including infrastructure development, economic management, social services, and corruption. Bawumia criticized Mahama’s approach to policies and governance, suggesting that the former president’s legacy was one of failed promises and mismanagement. Some key questions included:
1. Social Interventions: What broad-based social interventions did Mahama implement as president?
2. Free SHS Opposition: Why did Mahama’s government run advertisements against the Free Senior High School (SHS) program?
3. Power Crisis: Why did Ghana experience over four years of “Dumsor” (power outages) during Mahama’s administration?
4. Banking System Collapse: Why did the banking system nearly collapse under Mahama’s leadership?
5. Corruption Measures: What specific measures did Mahama take to combat corruption?
Beyond these, Bawumia’s questions covered various sectors, including agriculture, education, infrastructure, and job creation, contending that the current administration had achieved more in these areas than Mahama’s government. He contrasted the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration’s accomplishments with what he characterized as Mahama’s shortcomings, citing the government’s Free SHS initiative, infrastructure projects, and efforts to improve digital services and financial inclusion.
Public Reactions and Calls for a Debate
The exchange has garnered significant public attention, with Ghanaians on social media calling for a live debate between the two leaders. This face-to-face showdown, supporters argue, would allow both leaders to substantiate their claims and address criticisms directly. The confrontation has highlighted the contrasting visions of the two political heavyweights, as both prepare for the 2024 elections.
In this intense back-and-forth, Bawumia’s insistence on a debate suggests his eagerness to publicly challenge Mahama on issues of governance and transparency, while Mahama’s pointed economic critique aims to underscore the financial burdens and challenges that Ghanaians are facing today. With both leaders rallying their bases and challenging each other’s credibility, the stage is set for a potentially defining moment in Ghana’s political landscape.
