Bawumia: Mahama avoiding debate because he can't support claims with facts and data

The flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has once again criticized former President John Mahama for his refusal to participate in a one-on-one debate ahead of December's elections.

There have been calls for a presidential debate between the two leading candidates, with Dr. Bawumia himself publicly challenging Mahama to a live debate to compare records and policies. 

However, both Mr. Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have not accepted the invitation.

During his campaign tour of some constituencies in Tema on Thursday, Dr. Bawumia revisited the issue, asserting that Mahama is avoiding the debate because he cannot substantiate his campaign claims with data. 

Dr. Bawumia highlighted the NPP's development record in various sectors, which he described as superior. He claimed that, unlike Mahama and the NDC, he backs his statements with irrefutable data, making him confident in any debate scenario.

"There is not a single area you can point to where this government has not performed better than the previous one," Dr. Bawumia said. "And I challenge them because I am a man of data. I speak only with data."

He added, "When I say we have done better, I have the data to support it. And this is why the former president doesn't want to debate me—he knows he doesn't have the data."

Dr. Bawumia concluded by saying, "He can make statements on political platforms where nobody will challenge him, but he cannot make them in front of me. He cannot."