We have been engaging the NDC – IEA’s Kwakye on presidential debate

The Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Dr John Kwakye, has said that they are engaging the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to take part in the presidential debate this year.

The largest opposition party earlier served notice to stay from the debate by the IEA. The Mahama 2024 campaign team said it was completely unacceptable that the IEA would make such an announcement without engaging or informing the National Democratic Congress, one of the major political parties in Ghana.

“The Constitution of Ghana does not grant the IEA any authority to organise elections-related activities. The fact that the IEA has not shown the decency or respect to at least inform the NDC of its plans raises serious questions about its motives,” a statement issued by the spokesperson of Mr Mahama, Joyce Bawah Mogtari said.

The statement further accused the IEA of acting as a front for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and seeking to manipulate the electoral process in favour of the ruling party.

“It is important to remind the IEA and the Ghanaian public that the NDC, led by our presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama and running mate Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, has been engaging with the citizenry for many years. Mahama’s online and offline conversations have targeted a wide range of audiences and focused on addressing the needs and concerns of the people of Ghana.

But the Director of Research at the IEA, Dr John Kwakye said when the think announced dates for the debate, on Wednesday, August 7 that the party is being engaged in that regard.

He said, “because our announcement of the presidential debate came after the NPP presidential candidate had made similar request, the NDC accused us of doing the bidding of the NPP, but it was just a mere coincidence. We have issued a rejoinder to that effect denying same.”

“We have since been engaging the party. We can’t say everything in the media, but we hope that the NDC will participate in the debate”, he added.

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The post We have been engaging the NDC – IEA’s Kwakye on presidential debate first appeared on 3News.

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