Debate impasse: We are not competing with IEA – NCCE

The National Commission for Civic Education has said it is unfazed by the IEA’s criticism of its decision to hold a debate for the presidential candidates ahead of the 2016 elections.

According to the NCCE, it is well placed and has the mandate to embark on such a national exercise.

The issue over who is well placed to organise this year’s presidential debate has become a matter of controversy following the IEA's announcement that it is considering a two-man debate between the two frontrunners in the presidential race.

The Executive Director of the IEA Jean Mensa has said the NCCE lacks the capacity to hold such a debate.

“I don’t believe the NCCE has the capacity and experience to engage in presidential debate. The NCCE’s focus is to educate citizens on their civic responsibilities and duties and I think is a big challenge and mandate before them, particularly this election year.

“If you do a little bit of background check and look at the US debates it is the presidential debate committee which is an independent body and nothing stops an independent body from organising debates,” Mrs Mensa noted.

However in response, the PRO of the NCCE Joyce Affutu told Starr News they believe they have the technical-know-how to run the debate.

“There is nothing like a competition between us and the IEA. Civic education is very broad and it is also a collective responsibility and you realise that in a democracy, there is also the need for a vibrant civil society so there are various groups who embark on civic education. And we work with them so I don’t think people will say we are mimicking the IEA.

“On the priority list in the past, the presidential aspirants debate has not been on top of the agenda but now it has come on the top of the agenda. I see the IEA as a partner, even the presidential debate that they do, we get our officers from the ground to assist them and sometimes we even go beyond human support,” she noted.