Vice Presidential candidates exhibit wit and grasp

Cape Coast (C/R), Nov. 29, GNA - Vice Presidential Candidates of four Political parties with representation in Parliament, on Friday exhibited wits and grasp on national issues confirming their readiness to ascend the second highest political office.

The potential Veeps at the first-ever Vice-Presidential Debate organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) at the Centre for National Culture in Cape Coast showed their understanding of the economy, governance and social issues considered key to the development of the country.

The four were Dr Mahamadu Bawumia of New Patriotic Party (NPP); Dr Forster Abu Sakara, of Convention People's Party (CPP), Mr John Dramani Mahama of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Ms Petra Maria Amegashie of People's National Convention (PNC). The debate lived up to its billing as the candidates treated the audience to witty understanding and grasp of issues.

They were resplendently dressed in traditional attires and were majestically ushered into the hall amidst horn blowing by five beautiful ladies adorned in rich Kente cloth. With majestic steps and dramatic traditional gestures of paying homage to dignitaries, the stage was set for a lively encounter among the three gentlemen and the lady.

The background of the stage was decorated with the mosaic of some critical Ghanaian landmarks including the Akosombo Dam; Independence Arch; Castles and the Wa Naa's Palace. The main hall was decorated in the national colours of red, gold and green. As the master of ceremony announced the ground rules for the debate, candidates adjusted their seating positions and projected postures that exuded confidence.

The moderators, Professor Ivan Addae Mensah, Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, and Mr Israel Laryea, a Broadcast Journalist, took charge of proceedings with the first question visibly unsettling some of them.

The question was: "Tell us something about yourself - kind of myself," which was immediately followed by, "What is your biggest accomplishment?"

The three-round debate was characterized by sense of humour, tension and cross firing among the candidates, whiles the observers occasionally breeched the ground rules by either laughing of applauding a candidate's response to a question.

At the end of the programme scores of observers Ghana News Agency spoke to commended the potential the Candidates for their resilience and show of comradeship on stage.