Mahama, Stop Jokes and Transform Ghana Economy

Spokesperson for the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mustapha Hamid has urged President John Mahama to ‘stop the jokes and plenty talk' and instead concentrate on transforming the economy.


Mustapha Hamid speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen Programme Thursday said the President has reduced the job of the presidency to just talking and the throwing of unnecessary challenges to competitors.

“The President jokes too much, and that is very terrible, he should be serious and work to move Ghana forward and stop the unnecessary talks and challenges…he is becoming a talkertive but governance is not about talking…,” he said.

Mustapha Hamid’s comments were in reaction to the President’s call on the flagbearer of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to square up with him for a one on one debate on the economy.

President Mahama during an interview on Volta Star Radio repeated his challenge to his main contender for a one-on-one debate after witnessing the US presidential debate.

"If we have a one-on-one debate, we will all have our figures and Ghanaians will be able to see who is telling the truth…they say the economy is in crisis. If we have a debate, you (NPP flagbearer) will show why you think the economy is in crisis. The documents are all there. The statistics are there," he said.

This call, Mustapha Hamid said is not necessary as debates would not solve the numerous problems facing the country.

“Mahama should walk the talk not talk the talk…debates won’t change the lives of Ghanaians, if he really wants to debate Nana Addo, why not formally invite Nana Addo instead of talking on radio…the invitation is not necessary, we don’t need the talk, we need him to work to change lives…,” he said.

He further expressed surprise at the recent invitation by the President as according to him, the President declined the invitation by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) for a similar debate.

Mustapha however called on the President to formally extend an invite to Nana Addo if he seeks to really debate him.

“If you want to box with Azumah Nelson, you just don’t sit on radio and call him for boxing, you write to his promoters and fix a date, you don’t just go around throwing challenges…,” he said.