“Everyone for himself, God for us all”, is the description the Director of Conflict Resolution for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abraham Amaliba, has given to Ghana’s economy.
He says the Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia-led economy is so “shambolic” that he is surprised the Vice President is calling for an economic debate between himself and John Dramani Mahama, the flag bearer of the opposition NDC.
Mr. Amaliba has also said the call for debate on the economy by the Vice President is suicidal on his part.
The private legal practitioner, Amaliba, is indicating that indulging in such a debate will be a complete waste of time.
According to him, the state of the economy is in a mess, and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, being the Head of the Economic Management Team and flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party, will expose his incompetence, making him wonder why he is calling for a debate.
Speaking on New Day on TV3 Friday, July 12, 2024, Mr. Amaliba noted that the reaction of people on the markets upon hearing the prices of goods and services, is a clear indication that the economy under Vice President Bawumia has collapsed.
“The call for a debate is suicidal on the part of Dr. Bawumia and a complete waste of time. Suicidal because you don’t call for a debate on an economy that is so shambolic as we have.
“Go to the markets and shops, when prices are mentioned, people say ‘ei’ meaning prices are high. So if you have an economy which is called everyone for himself, God for us all economy, and you are calling for debate on that economy, aren’t you committing suicide?” he stated.
His comments come on the back of a call by Dr. Bawumia for live debate with the flag bearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama.
Bawumia has dared Mahama for a live presidential debate to explain their respective visions and policies to the people of Ghana.
Addressing thousands of his supporters Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at Bunkpurugu in the North East Region, Dr. Bawumia said he was eagerly waiting for a debate with Mahama, but was less optimistic of its possibility because Mahama is “running away.”
“I am looking forward to a debate with John Mahama on the economy, on the country on the governance,” Bawumia said.
“But I am afraid that he is running away from a debate. His people say he doesn’t want to debate. I have never heard an opposition leader who doesn’t want to debate. But he knows I will expose the emptiness of his policies,” the NPP flag bearer added.
Dr. Bawumia added that former President Mahama and his team are unable to explain their 24-hour economy to Ghanaians, adding that he is avoiding a debate because he will be exposed.
“He says he has a 24-hour economy which he cannot explain. It is as empty as an empty barrel. He cannot explain it and none of his people can explain it. They say they will be exporting lions and elephants,” he added.
According to the Vice President, “when we meet mano a mano, we can debate, and the country will see where our policies lie and that is where we should go. We should give the country an opportunity to listen to us. If he chooses not to debate, I’ll continue to sell my policies.”
Ghana has had both presidential and vice presidential debates in past years just as in other advanced democracies.
Many, including civil society groups, have called for a debate between the two leading candidates for the contest, for Ghanaians to listen to their policies and vision for the country.
The spokesperson for the Bawumia campaign, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, had earlier called for a debate between the two candidates. But persons in the NDC are telling the former President not to debate since it will be a waste of time.
