Presidential debate will go on with or without NDC – IEA

The Executive Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Mrs Jean Mensah has said this year’s presidential and vice presidential debates would go on despite the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) opposition.

According to her, it is not mandatory for the Institute to consult the political parties in its plans to organise the debate.

She was responding to accusations by the National Organiser of the NDC, Kofi Adams that the IEA was in bed with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and that the Institute had failed to consult with them [NDC] in its plans to organise the debate.

Kofi Adams also noted that the party was likely to boycott the debates saying, “IEA cannot just announce a programme, it has not engaged the party on. We are surprised… So if the party has their own programme how are you going to organize it? You don’t go and engage one side and leave the other. We are a serious political party.”

But in a response on Accra-based Peace FM Thursday, Mrs Mensah said the IEA would go ahead to organise the debate with or without the NDC.

She further explained that the Institute always launched its election activities before engaging the parties.

Mrs Mensah also suggested that Kofi Adams has not been part of the IEA’s engagement with the NDC otherwise he would have known that announcing proposals often precede the engagement with the parties.

The IEA has slated this year’s presidential and vice presidential debates for September and October for political parties with representation in Parliament.

The debate is the fifth to be consecutively organised by the IEA and is meant to provide candidates a platform to outline their vision and policies for the governance of the country.