The Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Dr. John Kwakye, has expressed hope that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will participate in the presidential debate scheduled for October and November this year.

This comes after the Mahama 2024 Campaign strongly condemned the IEA for announcing the debate without first officially inviting the NDC.

Joyce Bawah Mogtari, the spokesperson for the Mahama 2024 Campaign, criticized the IEA, stating that the organization lacks the authority to organize election-related activities.

She emphasized that the IEA's failure to engage or inform the NDC before making the announcement raised serious concerns about its intentions.

"The Mahama 2024 Campaign strongly condemns the recent announcement by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana regarding a presidential debate for the 2024 elections. It is completely unacceptable that the IEA would make such an announcement without engaging or informing the National Democratic Congress, one of the major political parties in Ghana.

"The Constitution of Ghana does not grant the IEA any authority to organize election-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," she said in a statement.

In response, Dr. John Kwakye clarified that the IEA is actively engaging with the NDC following the announcement of the debate.

He explained that the IEA's announcement came after the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) presidential candidate had made a similar request, leading to accusations from the NDC that the IEA was doing the bidding of the NPP.

"Because our announcement of the presidential debate came after the NPP presidential candidate had made a similar request, the NDC accused us of doing the bidding of the NPP, but it was just a mere coincidence. We have issued a rejoinder to that effect, denying the same," Dr. Kwakye said in an interview with TV3.

He added that the IEA continues engaging with the NDC and remains hopeful that the party will participate in the debate.

 "We can’t say everything in the media, but we hope that the NDC will participate in the debate," he concluded.

NAY/OGB

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