Ahead of a potential presidential debate later this year, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has refuted suggestions that it is standing in for the New Patriotic Party flagbearer.
The IEA confirmed that it would have followed its announcement of a presidential debate for this year’s general elections with an official invitation to the individuals and parties involved in response to the Mahama 2024 Campaign’s criticism of its announcement.
The Mahama 2024 Campaign Spokesperson, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, denounced the IEA in a statement dated Friday, July 19, calling it “completely unacceptable” that the organization had not extended an official invitation to the NDC prior to the announcement.
“The Mahama 2024 Campaign strongly condemns the recent announcement by the IEA Ghana regarding a presidential debate for the 2024 elections. It is completely unacceptable that the lEA would make such an announcement without engaging or informing the National Democratic Congress, one of the major political parties in Ghana.”
In contrast, the IEA stated in a statement released on Monday that “the IEA had not engaged any Political Party or Presidential Candidate prior to its Press Release. Respectfully, in our Press Release of July 17, 2024, the IEA did not indicate that it had engaged or informed any Political Party or Presidential Candidate to participate in the Debates.”
“The Institute intended to follow the Release with individual letters to the Candidates inviting them to the Debates and other activities.”
According to the Institute, the debates give the candidates a chance to explain their platforms to the Ghanaian people and refute those of their rivals, enabling voters to cast well-informed ballots.
“In that regard, the IEA gives equal opportunity to all the Candidates Therefore, the IEA cannot be said to be fronting for any political party, in particular the NPP as is being alleged. The IEA respectfully encourages all Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidates to participate in the Debates which offers the platform to explain their policies and programmes to the electorate, to win their votes.”
“The Debates contribute to enhancing Ghana’s growing democracy and should be seen as such. As it always does, the IEA will be writing to the Presidential Candidates inviting them to participate in the Debates and the other activities. It is our sincere hope that all Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidates will participate in the planned programme,” it stated.
