The Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has reiterated that former President John Dramani Mahama is afraid of debating him and has run away.

This follows calls from a number of Ghanaians for a debate between the two, and Dr Bawumia's personal challenge to his opponent for a live debate on national issues.

However, Mahama has repeatedly insisted that he would not debate the Vice President, claiming Bawumia is "not at his level" for a debate.

In response, Dr Bawumia emphatically stated that Mahama is afraid and has fled like "nkoko nketenkete" (chicks).

"Mahama is saying that during his time, he did better than us. I told him, if he truly believes he has a superior record, he should come for a debate—mano a mano, man to man. He should not be afraid," Dr Bawumia said while addressing a large crowd at Nkawkaw.

"But he is really afraid. He’s afraid, so he’s running away like nkoko nketenkete."

The term "nkoko nketenkete" refers to the former president's promise to support the youth in small-scale poultry farming by providing them with chicks.

The crowd at Nkawkaw erupted in cheers when Dr Bawumia used the phrase to taunt Mahama during his address.