Accra, May 27, GNA - The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has fixed June 11 and 26 as the tentative dates for the flag bearers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor John Evans Atta Mills, and ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo respectively to meet the public to share their vision for the nation. The event dubbed: "Evening Encounters with Presidential Aspirants," seeks to offer a non-partisan platform for the presidential aspirants to engage the public, mainly academics, media practitioners, economists and a cross-section of Ghanaians.

Unlike a political rally where the candidates most often made promises without saying how to fulfil them, the IEA platforms offer the grounds for issue based dialogue.

"They are 'cross-examined' on their intended programme for the nation," Ms Victoria Lamptey, IEA Programmes Officer, told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday.

She said IEA believed that "those who wish to govern must allow themselves to be subjected to probing questions by the people, to ensure that they understand their concerns and have the capacity to address them."

Ms Lamptey said the Evening Encounter forms part of IEA's efforts to meaningfully contribute to multiparty democracy in Ghana. Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, flag bearer of the Convention People's Party, appeared at the first encounter on May 14.

The Institute has also written to the People's National Convention (PNC) to clear its position on the alliance with the CPP for a possible date to be fixed for its flag bearer, Dr Edward Mahama.