The boycott of this year's IEA debates by the ruling National Democratic Congress will take some shine out of the program, a political strategist with the University of Ghana has stated.

The NDC in a statement on Tuesday noted that its candidates will not participate in the debates and also urged its members not to engage in activities relating to the debates.

The party had earlier raised red flags over the IEA’s decision to hold a separate debate for flagbearers of the NPP and NDC.

The Institute of Economic Affairs had previously claimed that the event will not be affected should the ruling party opt out.

Commenting on the decision by the NDC, Dr. Kobby Mensah told Starr News the NDC should have participated in the debate regardless of their reservations about the IEA.

“The debate and the engagement has a lot more to give to the party in terms of the visibility to the party and visibility to their policy position. It gives voters the chance to compare ideas and temperament of candidates.

“I think that the boycott is very unfortunate. I cannot say that it will affect the party’s chances going into the elections. But I think that it takes some visibility out of the party and their position and, it takes some shine out of the debating process,” he argued.