Mahama’s campaign team criticizes IEA for announcing presidential debate without prior notice to the NDC

The Mahama 2024 Campaign has condemned the recent announcement by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana regarding a presidential debate for the 2024 elections.

Mr Mahama’s team says it is completely unacceptable that the IEA would make such an announcement without engaging or informing the National Democratic Congress, one of the major political parties in Ghana.

The IEA has unveiled its plans to organise Presidential and Vice-Presidential Debates in the lead-up to Ghana’s 2024 General Elections.

The think tank in a statement said “As part of The IEA’s efforts to promote issues-based elections in Ghana, the Institute will once again organize its flagship Presidential and Vice-Presidential Debates before the 2024.

“The Debates will provide a common platform for the Presidential Candidates and Vice- Presidential Candidates to discuss various aspects of the nation’s development process. It will be a form of policy dialogue engagement during which the Candidates will have the opportunity to present their viewpoints, plans and programmes, and also point out weaknesses in the policies of their co-contestants and present alternatives to those policies and programmes.

“The Electorate on the other hand, will receive firsthand information on the programmes and plans of each candidate. Our moderators will pose questions to the Candidates based on submissions received from the public on various thematic areas including the Economy, Governance, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Education, Health, Labour, Gender, Children, Youth, and other Social Issues. The timelines for the Debates will be announced at the launch of IEA’s Election Activities. The Institute encourages all Candidates to take advantage of the Debates to inform Ghanaians of their policies to address the country’s challenges.”

But John Mahama’s team said “The Constitution of Ghana does not grant the IEA any authority to organise elections-related activities. The fact that the IEA has not shown the decency or respect to at least inform the NDC of its plans raises serious questions about its motives,” a statement issued by spokesperson of Mr Mahama, Joyce Bawah Mogari said.

They further accused the IEA of acting as a front for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and seeking to manipulate the electoral process in favour of the ruling party.

“It is important to remind the IEA and the Ghanaian public that the NDC, led by our presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama and running mate Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, has been engaging with the citizenry for many years. Mahama’s online and offline conversations have targeted a wide range of audiences and focused on addressing the needs and concerns of the people of Ghana.

“Our well-planned engagements with various sectors of society across the country have been and continue to be extremely beneficial to the people of Ghana. This being the case, we caution the IEA against using the NDC’s name to promote their activities, as this is a blatant attempt to misrepresent our party deliberately.

“Ghanaians should remain assured that the NDC’s commitment to meaningful and respectful engagement with the people of Ghana is unwavering. We will continue to ensure that all Ghanaians’ voices are heard and their needs are addressed.”