NPP rejected Mahama's debate before, why now; you can't pick and choose — Prof. Kobby Mensah

Political marketing expert Prof. Kobby Mensah has asserted that there is no need for a presidential debate between Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and former President John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2024 election.

Speaking in an interview on Radio Gold on Monday, July 15, 2024, Prof. Mensah, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, indicated that the NPP, which is now calling for a debate, rejected similar calls when it was in opposition in 2016.

He noted that the NPP's previous stance was based on their perceived strong support from Ghanaians at the time. He indicates that now that the NPP is facing less favorable conditions, they are advocating for a debate.

"For me, I have been clear in my mind that in this country, and as far as I can remember in 2016, there were calls for a debate that the opposition then rejected, and they insisted that the actual debate must be between the government and the people of Ghana.

“Now, I think that position has to be constant. You couldn't actually call for a debate when you're on the bad foot because the country is not behind you, you think that debate is good for you, but then when you were actually absolutely in line with the country, you didn't think the debate was good," Prof. Mensah stated.

He expressed concern that this inconsistency sends a bad message to younger generations, suggesting that political figures can pick and choose what benefits them based on their current standing. This, he argued, is not a good example for the youth.

"I think it sends a bad signal to the young people when people can actually demonstrate that they pick and choose what favors them. I think it is a very bad signal to send to young people. So, for me, I have said that the issue of debate should actually be consigned to oblivion because the political parties haven't been consistent," the professor explained.

Prof. Mensah also questioned the credibility of the institutions that conduct debates, noting that media bias can play a significant role.

According to him, wealthier political parties can dominate media coverage, changing public perception.

"Let me give you a typical example. Currently, as we speak, the entire media plane, most of the media houses, the most significant and major ones, you have a political party that has a lot of money, that has enough budget to actually buy a front page. All right. Now what is going to happen is that immediately after the debate, you're going to see certain slogans, certain soundbites being populated on the front pages of the media houses. Just because someone has money to actually buy the front pages and use that propaganda to obscure the views of the people, I think that's not the best," he said.

He suggested that the best way for political parties to communicate their policies and achievements is through direct engagement with the media, allowing for thorough interrogation of their records and proposals.

"I think that the best way is to meet the media. If the government, for example, is very serious about explaining what they have done and going for what they will do to the people, I think the best agency to meet is the critical media. You call the media, you let them interrogate your positions. If you go for a debate, debate only allows a two-minute answer period.

"It is not a good ground for people to really appreciate what you want to do. Yes, a lot of people can talk about your debate. You will be given the opportunity to answer. But that's a very small window, two minutes for you to actually answer. It does not allow for interrogation. And more so, too, as I said, the moderators cannot be trusted," Prof. Mensah concluded.

Background
The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) mounted a defence on why it refused to accept the challenge of former President John Mahama to a debate on the performance record of their respective governments in 2020.

Former President Mahama threw a challenge to Akufo-Addo for a debate on the performance record of their respective governments, especially in the infrastructural development sector.

“I am willing to present myself for a debate with President Akufo-Addo any day, anytime, anywhere. And we will settle the matter once and for all,” he said.

Mr Mahama said he is poised to compare records of both administrations to clearly assess who had done more for the country even though the incumbent government had earlier described infrastructural development as unnecessary, ahead of the 2016 elections.

In an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on August 28, 2020, Deputy Information Minister, Pius Enam Hadzide described the debate challenge as unnecessary since the citizens have witnessed immense development under the leadership of the incumbent government.

According to him, the NDC flagbearer is adopting a ‘desperate’ but ‘smart’ way to deceive Ghanaians.

He added that the debate between the President and Mr Mahama will make no difference, but rather, disrupt government from providing the needs of the citizens.

“The President is not afraid to have a debate with Mr Mahama but the issue is that the invitation is pointless because the president will only repeat what [Vice President] Dr Mahamudu Bawumia already said on Tuesday,” he stated.

He then quizzed: “So why must the President be the one Mr Mahama will want to debate with when all he [President Akufo-Addo] will do is rehash the achievements everybody knows?”