The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) says the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) cannot boycott this year’s debate slated for September.

She says the debate is for the good of the political parties and so it will not be in their best interest to boycott it.

This follow comments made by the National Organiser of the ruling NDC, Kofi Adams. According to him, the NDC does not need the IEA debate to win the 2016 elections; suggesting that the NDC might not allow their presidential candidate to take part.

Speaking to Kwami Sefa Kayi on Thursday’s edition of PEACE FM, Mrs. Jean Mensah, Executive Director of the IEA, said ‘even’ if the NDC decides to boycott the debate, they ‘will still go ahead’.

“If they boycott the debate, we will continue with the debate but I don’t think they will boycott the debate because it is a platform to make their plans known. Nobody can question the independence of the platform. The platform is to showcase everyone in the best light. There is no reason for NDC to say the platform is not credible and so they will boycott it” she said.

Engagement with political parties

Mrs. Jean Mensah also denied the allegation that they consulted only the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP); leaving the other political parties.

According to, the IEA is an independent body and does not need to consult with any political party before it comes out with its decisions.

“For the record, we did not engage the NPP; or any other political party. IEA is an independent body and so we have our own schedule... after our plans, we give them (the parties) the details…it is not our procedure to engage the political parties; conduct extensive consultations before we conduct the debate”.