Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Dr. John Kwakye, has expressed hope that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will join the upcoming presidential debate set for October and November this year.
This follows sharp criticism from the Mahama 2024 Campaign, which rebuked the IEA for announcing the debate without first extending a formal invitation to the NDC.
Joyce Bawah Mogtari, the spokesperson for the Mahama 2024 Campaign, criticized the IEA, arguing that the organization does not have the legal mandate to organize election-related events.
She stressed that the IEA’s decision to proceed without consulting the NDC casts doubt on its motives.
“The Mahama 2024 Campaign strongly condemns the recent announcement by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana regarding a presidential debate for the 2024 elections. It is completely unacceptable that the IEA would make such an announcement without engaging or informing the National Democratic Congress, one of the major political parties in Ghana.
“The Constitution of Ghana does not grant the IEA any authority to organize election-related activities. The fact that the IEA has not shown the decency or respect to at least inform the NDC of its plans raises serious questions about its motives,” she said in a statement.
In response, Dr. Kwakye clarified that the IEA is currently in talks with the NDC following the debate announcement.
“Because our announcement of the presidential debate came after the NPP presidential candidate had made a 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 the same,” Dr. Kwakye said in an interview with TV3.
He explained that the timing of the announcement, which followed a similar request by the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidate, led to accusations from the NDC that the IEA was biased towards the NPP.
“We can’t say everything in the media, but we hope that the NDC will participate in the debate,” he concluded.