We are not fronting for any party, candidate — IEA

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), a think tank, has stated that it has not engaged nor informed any political party or presidential aspirant to participate in its presidential and vice-presidential debates.

It has, therefore, dismissed claims that the IEA was fronting for the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) ahead of a potential presidential debate later this year.

A statement issued in Accra and signed by its Board Chairman, Dr Charles Mensa in response to the Mahama 2024 Campaign, the IEA stated that it had not engaged any political party or presidential candidate before its press release of July 17, 2024.

Context

The IEA, on July 17, 2024, issued a statement indicating its plans to organise presidential and vice-presidential debates to help voters make informed decisions. However, the Mahama 2024 Campaign criticised the IEA for failing to engage and invite the National Democratic Congress before the announcement.

“The Mahama 2024 Campaign strongly condemns the recent announcement by the IEA Ghana regarding a presidential debate for the 2024 election. It is completely unacceptable that the lEA would make such an announcement without engaging or informing the National Democratic Congress, one of the major political parties in Ghana,” it stated.

IEA response

But the IEA said it would have followed its announcement of a presidential debate for this year’s general election with an official invitation to individuals and parties involved.

“Respectfully, in our press release of July 17, 2024, the IEA did not indicate that it had engaged or informed any political party or presidential candidate to participate in the debates, indeed, the IEA had not engaged any political party or presidential candidate before its press release,” he said.

“The Institute intended to follow the release with individual letters to the candidates inviting them to the debates and other activities,” it stated.

The statement said the debates provided opportunities for the candidates to present their policies to the Ghanaian public and to counter the policies of their opponents so that the electorate would make informed choices at the election.

“In that regard, the IEA gives equal opportunity to all the candidates. Therefore, the IEA cannot be said to be fronting for any political party, in particular the NPP as is being alleged.

“The IEA respectfully encourages all presidential and vice-presidential candidates to participate in the debates which offer the platform to explain their policies and programmes to the electorate, to win their votes,” it noted

The statement explained that the debates contributed to enhancing Ghana’s growing democracy and should be seen as such. 

“As it always does, the IEA will be writing to the presidential candidates inviting them to participate in the debates and other activities. It is our sincere hope that all presidential and vice-presidential candidates will participate in the planned programme,” it stated.