The 2024 Campaign Team of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC’s) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama has called out the Institute for Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana for announcing its plans to organize presidential and vice-presidential debates ahead of the 2024 elections.
According to the team, the IEA made the announcement without engaging the NDC, which is one of the major political parties in the country.
This, it said, is unacceptable and an indication that the policy think tank is fronting for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP)and seeking to manipulate the electoral process in the NPP’s favour.
It stated, “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”.
“The IEA is clearly acting as a front for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and seeks to manipulate the electoral process in favour of the ruling party”.
The IEA, on July 17, 2024, announced plans to organize debates for the various candidates vying for the presidential and vice-presidential positions in the 2024 general elections.
The debates, it says, form part of its efforts to promote issue-based elections in the country and will give candidates an opportunity to present their policy ideas as well as punch holes into the proposals of their counterparts while proffering alternatives.
But in a statement signed by Spokesperson for Mr. Mahama and dated July 19, 2024, Mr. Mahama’s Campaign Team condemned the policy think tank for making such announcement without engaging the NDC.
It reminded the IEA of Mr. Mahama and his running-mate’s engagements with the populace which, it said, are beneficial to the people.
While assuring of the NCD’s unwavering commitment to “meaningful and respectful engagement with the people of Ghana”, it cautions the IEA against “using the NDC’s name to promote their activities, as this is a blatant attempt to misrepresent our party deliberately”.
