The governing National Democratic Congress has thrashed an intended Presidential debate yet to be held by the Institute of Economic Affairs in September.
The IEA on Tuesday disclosed at the launch of its Presidential debates and Evening encounters that it is considering organizing a presidential debate for the flagbearers of the two main political parties, President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Nana Akufo-Addo of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
This move however has been met with discontent from the ruling party which says it has reservations with the modus operandi of organizing the program.
National organizer of the NDC Kofi Adams told Accra-based Joy FM the party was not engaged prior to the announcement by IEA on the intended presidential debate.
“The IEA cannot just announce a program that it has not engaged the political parties on. After all they have platforms with our General Secretaries, they have platforms of Chairmen that do various activities and discussions with them. We are surprised that you don’t even give any signal and you would just get out there and go and announce it. So if the parties have their own program how are you going to organize it?” He asked.
Mr. Adams questioned the audacity of the IEA to organize presidential debates and stated that it is not the political party’s responsibility to beg the civil society organization over the debate.
“Who says that it’s the IEA that should organize the debate for us? They are a civil society group that wants to do something so they are the ones who are supposed to engage the parties. Why should we go and beg the IEA that organize a debate for us?”
He further stated that the NDC has not been engaged in any discussion on the matter and would therefore only focus on its programs.
He added “we are a serious political party and we have our programs.”
According to him, though president Mahama had earlier indicated his desire to debate Nana Akuffo Addo, the NDC as a party would decide on whether to participate or not and would not be the first political party to boycott the presidential debate if it decides to do so making reference to a similar boycott by former president J.A. Kufuor in 2004.
By: Azongo Albert | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA
