- IEA to host presidential debates in October.
- Debates will clarify candidates' policies for voters.
- IEA engages with political parties after criticism.
- Debates follow Bawumia's challenge to Mahama.
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has announced its plans to host presidential and vice-presidential debates in October 2024, aimed at providing voters with a clearer understanding of each candidate’s policies. The IEA’s decision comes after earlier criticism from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over a lack of engagement in the planning process.
However, the IEA has since initiated discussions with various political parties to ensure their participation in the debates. According to distinguished fellow of the IEA, Justice Sophia Akuffo, the debates will offer a platform for candidates to be evaluated by voters.
The IEA envisages holding preliminary encounters in September, followed by the debates in October and November. The precise dates, times, and venues for the debates will be announced after conducting further engagements with candidates and their political parties.
Justice Akuffo urged all stakeholders to keep themselves updated on the IEA website at (link unavailable) for the latest information on the debates. The announcement of the debates comes amidst calls from the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for a debate on the economy and other issues of national interest with his counterpart, John Dramani Mahama of the NDC.
However, the NDC has rejected such calls, accusing Dr. Bawumia of attempting to revive his “dead political career”. The IEA’s debates are expected to provide a platform for meaningful engagement between candidates and voters, and could potentially play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
