IEA’s Mahama-Akufo-Addo debate disrespect to parties - PNC

The National Chairman of the People’s National Convention Bernard Mornah has said moves by the Institute of Economic Affairs to hold a Presidential debate between President John Mahama and the NPP’s Nana Akufo-Addo is unfair to other political parties in the country.

According to him, the policy think-tank has disrespected the political parties by informing the media about their intentions for this year’s debate without seeking the input of the parties.

The IEA has hinted it is exploring the possibility of hosting the two leading candidates to a two-man debate ahead of the November polls. It says its internal survey suggests that Ghanaians want to see the President and the opposition leader meet exclusively in such a debate.

Speaking to Nii Arday Clegg on the Morning Starr Wednesday, Mr. Mornah said the PNC will meet over the matter and review its relationship with the IEA.

“The IEA has to do a lot more for us in the political parties to respect that they are doing an independent work and not tilting towards a particular political stands. We disagree with the position of the IEA on matters like this. We will be meeting with our party leadership to review our relationship because we are not kids to be directed anyhow.

“For the IEA to just jump, without the input of the political parties and go ahead to make this declaration... I insist the NCCE should takeover the presidential debates. The IEA does not respect that the political parties should make an input in the kind and format that the presidential debates should come up and yet they want to work with us,” he fumed.