Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has responded to comments made by his main contender, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, asserting that Ghana needs a "licensed driver" to steer the country's future. 

Mr Mahama’s remarks come as both candidates intensify their campaigns ahead of the upcoming elections.

Dr. Bawumia, during a recent media engagement, highlighted that he has never served as President before, unlike his opponent, and urged the electorate to vote for him to bring fresh leadership to the country. He positioned himself as the better choice for voters seeking change.

In response, Mr Mahama, while engaging with communities in the Greater Accra Region as part of his campaign tour, criticised Bawumia and the NPP for what he termed a "failed attempt" to distract Ghanaians from the NDC’s manifesto launch. 

He accused the NPP of strategically scheduling Bawumia’s media engagement just a day after the NDC's event to shift public focus.

Mr Mahama further accused Dr. Bawumia of being dishonest in his media encounter, suggesting that the NPP flagbearer’s statements were misleading and not reflective of the true state of affairs in the country. 

He used the opportunity to reinforce his message of experienced leadership, implying that he is better equipped to guide the nation through its challenges.

“Our youth do not have the luxury of time. Because our youth are the future and they are also present. They don’t have the luxury of trial and error, this one will come and try, dump us in the ditch and the driver’s mate will come and take it and try again and crash us even further into the ditch."

“We need experience, we need someone who has done it before. We need a licensed driver to take over the vehicle and move the vehicle to where God has destined,” Mr Mahama stated.