The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has set the month of October and November to host debates for selected presidential candidates and their running mates seeking to contest in the December 7 polls.
Former chief justice Sophia Akufo who is also a distinguished fellow at the IEA said the debate has been tailored to establish the credibility and competence of the candidates for electorates to make informed decisions at the poll.
Since 2000, the IEA has been organizing presidential debates for candidates of political parties seeking to lead the country.
The launch of this year’s debate targets the engagement of some selected presidential candidates to outline their vision for the country.
The debate which will be held separately for presidential candidates and running mates will focus on key sectors including economy, governance, infrastructure, education, health and energy.
A distinguished fellow at the IEA, Sophia Akufo is convinced that the debate will provide a unique platform and opportunity for the candidates to explain in detail their policies for the country while drawing out their credibility and competence.
She observed that, “While we tackle our challenges, we need vision, courage and wisdom to shape our common future. This highlights the importance of a debate in drawing out the vision, competence, credibility and capacity of candidates in addressing our national challenges.”
She further explained that the debate will enable the electorates make informed choices when they approach the ballot boxes.
Earlier, the National Democratic Congress has served notice not to partake in the debate by the IEA, but the Director of Research at the IEA, Dr John Kwakye said the party is being engaged in that regard.
He said, “because our announcement of the presidential debate came after the NPP presidential candidate had made similar request, the NDC accused us of doing the bidding of the NPP, but it was just a mere coincidence. We have issued a rejoinder to that effect denying same.”
“We have since been engaging the party. We can’t say everything in the media, but we hope that the NDC will participate in the debate”, he added.
In all, two presidential debates will be held for the presidential candidates in Kumasi and Accra in October and November while evening encounters for individual presidential candidates also been scheduled for September.
A presidential debate committee is being constituted to determine ground rules that will govern the debates and encounters.
