The intention by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to hold a presidential debate for political parties according to a political scientist and lecturer could be corrupted since it is a state institution.

Dr. Richard Amoako Baah who lecturers at the Kwame Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in an interview with Nyankonton Mu Nsem said, although the NCCE may have the capacity to organise the presidential dialogue, they will not be neutral and can easily be influenced.

He argues that ''it is not proper for the NCCE to hold a presidential debate because they can easily be corrupted.

Anytime a state institution embarks on a national interest programme, they are influenced by the government in power since the head of these institutions are appointed by the ruling party.'' On May 11, NCCE disclosed on Joy News that it intends to organise a presidential dialogue between political parties.

This, the acting NCCE boss, Samuel Akuamoah argued will afford political parties the opportunity to market their messages to the electorate and in turn take questions from them.

However, Dr. Amoako Baah says the NCCE should rather focus on their core mandate of educating Ghanaians on their rights and responsibilities as voters.

In his view, the NCCE organising a presidential debate will easily be politicised and not be fairly represented.

''There will be conflict of interest should the NCCE hold a presidential dialogue...They [NCCE} can easily leak information to government.

That is is highly possible.'' Dr. Richard Amoako Baah suggested to the NCCE to rather plan of holding parliamentary debates instead of planning to hold a presidential dialogue.

The lecturer opined that the presidential debate can best be organised by the various tertiary institutions in the country rather than the IEA and NCCE who have both expressed interest in the programme.

According to him, the various tertiary institution are capable of holding a transparent, fair and balanced debate for all the presidential candidates. He also explained, some of questions are leaked to the candidates prior to the debate making them prepare before coming.
He noted the debate should impromptu so the candidates are caught spot on so they answer the questions with all fairness.