Senior Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana (UG), Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, has stated that presidential debates cannot be mandated in Ghana’s electoral process since they are not yet institutionalized.
Dr. Asah-Asante explained that in countries where presidential debates are a standard part of the electoral process, they are formally incorporated into the system.
His comments come in response to calls from the majority in Parliament for NDC flagbearer John Mahama to accept a debate invitation from the NPP’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in the lead-up to the December elections.
In an interview with Citi News, Dr. Asah-Asante emphasized that without formal institutionalization, no presidential candidate can be compelled to participate in debates.
“Unfortunately, we have not institutionalised it, though it’s a good programme, since you have not institutionalised it, you can’t call anybody. You can make the call but if the person says no, there’s nothing you can do, it will just fall completely from your hand.
“What the vice president is asking for, if NDC wants to, fine, yes they can, but if they don’t want, and that’s it. You recall the NDC when they were in office they also called and the NPP also didn’t accept that,” he said.
Dr. Asah-Asante also emphasized that Ghanaians should actively interrogate presidential candidates about their policies during campaign events.
“Let us see the campaign itself, that one, the two parties and all the parties have no choice but to give us their manifestos, give us the ideas. And we will ask them the questions, that they will answer.
“But this one [debate], you realise that one party will be ready and another will not, and that will not support the whole exercise. I think the least said about it the better,” the Senior Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana said.