Cape Coast residents say Dr. Sakara won the debate

A cross-section of people in the Cape Coast Metropolis have commended Dr. Abu Sakara of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) for his excellent performance during the presidential debate organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) on Tuesday night in Tamale.

Almost all the people interviewed by the GNA on Wednesday morning to sample the views of residents on the debate complimented Mr. Sakara with one Mr. Kwamena Samson, a Civil Servant, saying he was very impressed by Dr. Sakara’s performance with his “wits and well-calculated answers.”

Dr. Sakara was among the four presidential candidates, President John Dramani Mahama for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Mr. Mahama Ayariga for the People’s National Convention (PNC) who took part in the debate.

The debate was organized by the Institute for Economic Affairs (IEA) for presidential candidates of political parties with representation in parliament.

He said he did not expect President Mahama to perform well since most of the attacks by the candidates were against his party, the NDC, and he had to defend them, adding that he did well and was composed throughout the debate.

Mr. Emmanuel NII-Noi Tettey, a Public Servant, praised Dr. Abu Sakara for being the best, saying the tact and zeal with which he answered his questions were very commendable and added that “Abu Sakara was my man” because he has a “bright political future”.

On the President, he said he expected more from him and that Mr. Ayariga was not cut out for a Presidential debate but “probably for an MP’s debate”.

He said he was disappointed about the poor time-keeping at the start of the programme and the audience not obeying simple rules and expressed the hope that behavior would not be repeated during subsequent debates.

Even though a few expressed mixed feelings about which of the four candidates won the debate, they commended the organizers for a good job done but said the debate would not change the decision they have made on whom to vote for.

Madam Victoria Annan, a seamstress, said the overall performance of all the aspirants was good but was of the view that they might not implement their policies and fulfill their promises to Ghanaians.

Mr. Ishmael Owusu, Public Servant said, all the aspirants did well and indicated that as a floating voter, he will make his decision on the one who impressed him most.

Mr. Paul Okore, a businessman said President Mahama was his man and that his performance was good but added that Dr. Sakara’s policies particularly on education was not convincing and Nana Akufo-Addo launched many attacks on his opponents.

He said Mr. Ayariga had good intentions for the Party and his intentions were clear that he was not power drunk.

Mr. Ernest Hamilton and Mr Kodwo Danso both, staff of Cape Coast Melcom, said Dr. Sakara has new things to offer on Agriculture, the economy and the overall development of the country but expressed disappointment that President Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo were attacking each other.

Eunice Prah, an employee of Nestle’ Ghana Limited, also vouched for Dr. Sakara, Mr. Ayariga was confused and the NPP and NDC candidates were not impressive.