NDC absence won’t affect presidential debate - IEA

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) says the absence of the National Democratic Congress from this year’s presidential debate will not affect the debate in any way.

According to IEA the National Democratic Congress is yet to officially notify it that it is pulling out of this year’s presidential debate.

The NDC raised red flags over the IEA’s decision to hold a separate debate for flag bearers of the two leading political parties, NPP and NDC.

But the IEA insists although it is yet to receive an official communication from the ruling party, its absence wouldn't take anything away from the debate.

Justice Professor Akua Kunyehia, chairman of the 10 member presidential debate committee told Starr FM’s Ibrahim Alhassan on the sidelines of the launch of this year’s IEA debate that the debate would help Ghanaians decide on which flagbearer to vote for in the November polls.

“I hope that at the end of the debate, people who would listen should be able to form their own opinion what each flagbearer represents.”

A Senior Fellow at the IEA Professcor Atsu Aryee expressed optimism their engagements with the NDC will yield fruitful results and to make them participate in this year’s debate.

“We are still very optimistic particularly as we are still engaging the NDC, Prof. Atsu said.