IEA to organise Election 2008 presidential debates

Accra, Jan. 02, GNA - The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana on Wednesday named a team of political experts to prepare modalities for Election 2008 Presidential Debate slated for Accra and Tamale later in the year. The team had started consultative meetings with executives of the political parties contesting in the Presidential election, State Institutions such as the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the media and civil society organisations for the debate.

The IEA in a statement commended the flag bearers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor John Evans Atta Mills; People's National Convention (PNC), Dr Edward Mahama; the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for their preparedness to debate among themselves on policy issues prior to the conduct of Election 2008.

The statement, signed by Mrs. Jean Mensah, IEA Administrator said, apart from the Presidential Debate, the IEA, would organise about 50 nationwide Town Hall meetings for parliamentary aspirants.

The debate would provide a common platform for aspirants to dialogue with electorate, discuss issues that affect their socio-economic and political advancement and provide opportunity for the masses to analyse and criticise policies and programmes of the aspirants to make informed choices.

It would also ensure calm from political tension that was likely to be witnessed in the country during electioneering campaign. "The IEA counts on the support of all stakeholders in Ghana's democracy and the entire Ghanaian populace for the successful conduct of the debates, among the presidential hopefuls and aspirants", the statement added.