The spokesperson for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has thrown down the gauntlet, challenging former President John Mahama to debate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia ahead of the December 7 elections.

Mr Mahama had earlier accused the Vice President, Dr Bawumia of being unable to answer questions about the government's economic policies.

But the spokesperson for the NPP Campaign said Dr Bawumia is more capable and ready to defend the government's record and is eager to take on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer in a presidential debate.

The Free SHS Graduates Association and the first-time voter's group led by some Ashanti Regional Party Executives, engaged traders at the Kejetia Market in Kumasi.

The engagement was to solidify to party’s base in the Ashanti Region as part of its campaign.

Speaking to JoyNews, Miracles Aboagye took time to respond to former President Mahama’s questions to the Vice President.

“We keep giving the answers to the five questions every day. The Vice President is engaging traders, Market women, and taxi drivers.

“What he is not going to do is give him the pleasure of responding to him [John Mahama] when he is running away from a debate.

“In the 2024 election, what you should do is stand behind your opponent….why are you running away from a debate,” he asked.

According to him, the NDC flagbearer’s return to power is to destroy the work done by the Akufo-Addo-led government, including the Free SHS policy.

“There is only one way to protect FREE SHS and that is to vote for Dr Bawumia. The former president has given an indication of cancelling the FREE SHS and we will work hard to make sure nobody cancels the policy,” he added.

Deputy CEO of Masloc and Patron for the Free SHS Graduates Association, Obidombie Kwabena Asamoah, highlighted the vision of the NPP to help transform the educational sector.

“Education is a great equaliser and that is what Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh are up to,” he said.