Akuf-Addo, Mahama debate just a proposal - IEA

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has said its idea of organising a one-on-one debate between President John Mahama and opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo is just a proposal under consideration and not a definite decision.

The National Organiser of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kofi Adams, on the Executive Breakfast Show (EBS) on Class 91.3fm Wednesday May 11, accused the IEA of acting as a ‘headmaster’ with its call for a debate. Mr Adams said the IEA should have properly consulted with the parties before making the announcement.

But speaking on the same show, a senior research fellow at the IEA, Dr Michael Ofori Mensah, expressed surprise at the posture of the NDC and insisted parties were always engaged in such issues.

“I am a bit surprised about the posturing. We have always worked quite closely with all the parties since 2003. The IEA coordinated a programme called the Ghana Political Parties Programme whereby we engaged the four political parties in parliament – NDC, NPP, PNC, and CPP – meeting regularly to discuss issues of concern to Ghanaians,” he told host Prince Minkah.

“So, first of all, we have a good working relationship with the parties.

“What I said yesterday, it wasn’t about the timeline. We never spoke about firm dates. We said the exact date, time and venues for these events would be discussed with the presidential aspirants and we would provide the general public with confirmation shortly.

“I didn’t announce that we were going to have a two-way debate. I said based on the feedback at the end of every debate, we basically have come to a conclusion that there is a great need or a great interest...for the two frontrunners to engage in one-on-one debate, and, secondly, there is a strong body of evidence pointing to the fact that people also want to see all presidential candidates, irrespective of representation in parliament, and independent presidential candidates, also engaging altogether in a debate.

“So, these two new initiatives that I outlined yesterday are under consideration and I emphasised the word that we are exploring these things and we always engage the presidential aspirants and or their representatives in this. So, it is not as if one has declared that this was going to be done. We consult, we engage them on a periodic basis, so, I just don’t know where this is coming from.”