The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has said the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) lacks the capacity to hold presidential debates.

The IEA said the “government agency” does not have the credibility to organise such sensitive exercise because they have not been “tried and tested” in that area.

“We have been tried and tested since 2000 and I’m not sure anybody at all will doubt our credibility and the independence of the platform that we offer,” the Executive Director of the IEA Mrs. Jean Mensa told Accra-based Joy FM, Thursday.

According to her, as pertains in the US, the IEA as “an independent body” has the right to hold presidential debates.

Some political parties have raised issues over the IEA’s intention to hold a special two-man debate between President John Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo of the NPP. The NCCE has waded into the controversy, hinting it will organise similar debate for all presidential and parliamentary candidates.

However, Mrs Mensa believes the NCCE must focus on its core mandate of educating the citizens on “their civic responsibilities and duties” since that is “a big challenge and a mandate” in a crucial election year.

She said: “I don’t believe the NCCE has the capacity and experience to engage in presidential debate. The NCCE’s focus is to educate citizens on their civic responsibilities and duties and I think is a big challenge and mandate before them, particularly this election year.

“If you do a little bit of background check and look at the US debates it is the presidential debate committee which is an independent body and nothing stops an independent body from organising debates.

“The NCCE is an agency of government. It is not an independent body and the IEA has worked on debates since 2000. We have built our credibility and have our independent and objective platforms. I don’t believe anybody can question that and we try over the years to improve on what we do.”