NDC's boycott of IEA debate 'sad' – Rev. Asante

The Chairman of the National Peace Council, Most Rev. Professor Emmanuel Asante has slammed the governing National Democratic Congress for boycotting the presidential debate organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).

The NDC, following the IEA’s intention to pitch its presidential candidate, President John Mahama in a one-on-one showdown with the opposition New Patriotic Party's (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced that none of its candidates would be participating in any debates organized by the IEA.

But deputy Education Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on Monday intimated that the NDC may rescind its decision to boycott the presidential debate if the IEA will give assurances and will try to explain some of the concerns that the party has.

However, speaking on Starr Chat Wednesday, the former Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana described the boycott as “sad” adding that it would have provided an opportunity to advance Ghana's democracy.

“For me it is very sad, it is very, very sad because in our burgeoning democracy, it is one of the things that was quite interesting at least for people to come and jaw-jaw and debate in any mature democracy.

“Our democracy is maturing, we are not there yet but I will hope that this will not be the end of it...if there are calls for one I will support that,” Rev. Asante told host Bola Ray.