IEA inaugurates 9-member presidential debate committee
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has inaugurated a nine-member committee to organise debates for presidential and vice-presidential candidates of political parties ahead of the 2024 general election.
Advertisement
Inaugurated at the Head Office of IEA in Accra on Thursday [August 22, 2024], it is chaired by former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, and includes some well-respected religious leaders and technocrats.
The other members include the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Most Rev. Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo; President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi; Personal Assistant to the National Chief Imam, Dr Abubakar Mohammed Marzuq Azindoo; Founding President of the Worldwide Miracle Outreach, Dr Lawrence Tetteh and the Diocesan Bishop of the Accra Diocese of the Anglican Church, Rt Rev. Dr Samuel Sylvanus Mensah Torto.
The rest are the President of Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Dr Humphrey Ayim Darke; Director of Research and Policy at the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, and the Managing Director of Japan Motors, Mr Salem Kifah Kalmoni.
As part of its mandate, the committee is expected to "select presidential candidates to participate in the debate; set modalities, process and approve questions; select and approve questions; select moderators for selection and approval by campaign teams of political parties; review and approve format and guidelines for the presidential and vice-presidential debates, and evening encounters".
It will also be responsible for "reviewing and approving guidelines for moderators; issuing press statements relating to the debates and encounters as needed and undertaking other duties relevant to the successful conduct of the 2024 presidential debates and encounters".
The presidential debates are expected to be held in Accra and Kumasi in November 2024, while the vice-presidential debate will be held once in Accra.
However, the evening encounters, which will see registered presidential candidates answer a series of questions from the public, media and IEA, will be held in October 2024.
Rationale
Addressing the media, Justice Sophia Akuffo underscored the rationale for setting up the committee and importance of holding presidential debates.
“The rationale for setting up the presidential debate committee is to enhance the credibility of the debate process by making it more people-centered and issue-based.
“Specifically, the debates aim to achieve the following core objectives — to provide a unique platform for presidential candidates to outline their policies and vision of governance for the country; to inform and empower citizens to make informed decisions; to promote issue-based electioneering campaigns devoid of personal attacks and rancour, and to promote peace before, during and after the elections,” she explained.
She indicated that while a free and fair election is at the heart of every democracy, political engagement and debates that enabled the electorate to make informed choices were essential; adding that, “democracy is truly exercised when the electorate is knowledgeable and well informed”.
Answering questions from the media, the former Chief Justice explained further that the committee was not set up due to the call made by the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, challenging the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), former President John Mahama.
She said the committee had no power to compel any political party to take part in the debate as it was not the first time that a political party had opted out of a presidential debate.
She noted that although all registered presidential candidates would be given the chance at the evening encounters, the presidential candidates for the debates would be selected based on statistics from Afrobarometer.
“As to who will be participating in the presidential and vice-presidential debates, we will be looking to the Afrobarometer. We hope the people will not be necessarily everybody who has registered as a candidate, but for the encounter, every person who has registered will have the opportunity to face the people, so to say,” the Chairperson said.
She urged the public to maintain confidence in the committee to deliver on its mandate and organise a successful debate to help the electorate to make informed decisions in the December polls.