‘I am ready to debate Akufo-Addo on infrastructure projects’ – Mahama

Flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Mahama has thrown a challenge to his successor for a debate on the performance record of their respective governments, especially on infrastructural development.

“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 on Wednesday.

It comes after Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia’s data-driven presentation on August 18 where he argued that the Akufo-Addo administration had undertaken infrastructural projects in excess of 17,000.

According to him, the current level of development in the sector is better than what was provided by the opposition NDC during its eight years in office.

But addressing residents in the Ketu South constituency on Wednesday as part of his tour of the Volta Region, the former president expressed his readiness to face off against Akufo-Addo on the achievement in the sector.

Government during its Townhall meeting said it had initiated the 17,334 infrastructural projects since 2017, in line with the NPP’s pledge to improve the infrastructural prowess of the country as stipulated in the party’s manifesto in the lead-up to the 2016 election.

But 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 2016, when I was talking of the value of infrastructure my people on the other saying we don’t eat infrastructure nor roads.

“Today I can see a scramble for even KVIPs and any infrastructure and tout it as an achievement,” he added.