The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) thinks it’s important to have a debate before the 2024 elections. They believe this debate can help voters make informed decisions about presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) disagree about whether these debates are needed. Professor Alexander Bilson Darku, a senior fellow at IEA, said they have started talking to political parties about organizing a debate before December 7.
“We think debates are important because voters need to know what the presidential candidates and their parties have planned for them. We are talking to political parties about our plan for the presidential debate. We will hold the debate at a time that is good for the parties and for the country.”
Professor Alexander Bilson Darku said they will use the Afrobarometer criteria to select the parties and candidates to take part in the debate. This might be four or five parties, and their presidential and vice-presidential candidates will be invited to participate.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia from the NPP has challenged John Dramani Mahama from the NDC to a debate before the election. However, the NDC thinks the debate is not necessary, and they believe the real issues are the tough economic conditions that Ghanaians are experiencing.
