IEA Announces Presidential Debates for October and November

- The debates will cover crucial areas
- here will be distinct debate sessions for presidential candidates and their running mates
- The IEA is actively working to include all major parties in the debates
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has scheduled presidential debates for October and November, featuring selected candidates and their running mates for the December 7 elections.
Former Chief Justice Sophia Akufo, a distinguished fellow at the IEA, emphasized that these debates are designed to assess the candidates’ credibility and competence, helping voters make well-informed choices.
Since 2000, the IEA has organized debates for presidential contenders from various political parties. This year’s debates aim to engage candidates in discussions about their visions for the country, focusing on critical sectors such as the economy, governance, infrastructure, education, health, and energy.
Sophia Akufo highlighted that the debates offer a unique opportunity for candidates to present their policies in detail and demonstrate their qualifications. She noted, “To address our national challenges, we need vision, courage, and wisdom. These debates are crucial for revealing the candidates’ vision, competence, credibility, and ability to tackle our issues.”
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has previously expressed reluctance to participate in the IEA debates.
However, Dr. John Kwakye, Director of Research at the IEA, assured that efforts are underway to involve the party.
He explained that the timing of the IEA’s announcement, which followed a similar request by the NPP presidential candidate, led to accusations of bias, which the IEA has formally denied.
The debates will consist of two main events for presidential candidates in Kumasi and Accra, with additional evening sessions scheduled for September.
A debate committee is being established to set the rules for these discussions.