In a move aimed at enhancing democratic engagement and informed voting in Ghana’s upcoming December 2024 general elections, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has announced its plans to host a presidential debate.

Professor Alexander Bilson Darku, a senior fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs, in a statement, pointed out that the debate is set to provide a platform for presidential candidates to present their policies and visions for the country.

Professor Darku highlighted that the Institute of Economic Affairs is currently in the preliminary stages of coordinating with political parties.

“We have our timetable and very soon it will be known to the public as to the program that the IEA has outlined to make this all-important presidential debate come on. I don’t think we should go into the specifics, but I am telling you we will have it at a very good time that would be beneficial to the parties involved and the timing that would be beneficial for the nation”.
Professor Alexander Bilson Darku, a senior fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs

He emphasized that the people of Ghana deserve to be well-informed about the policies and intentions of their presidential candidates and the parties they represent.

According to him, the debate is seen as a crucial opportunity for the electorate to scrutinize the candidates and make informed decisions.

Selection Criteria and Participation

Furthermore, the senior Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs, Professor Alexander Bilson Darku indicated that the Institute’s approach to selecting participants for the debate will be guided by the Afrobarometer criteria.

This framework, he noted has established a threshold that parties must meet to be eligible for participation in a presidential debate.

He mentioned that based on the Afrobarometer criteria, it is anticipated that four or five parties will be invited, including their presidential and vice-presidential candidates to participate in its scheduled presidential debate.

This method according to Professor Bilson Darku will ensure that only parties with substantial public support and relevance will take part in the debate, thereby making the discourse more meaningful and representative of the current political landscape in the country.

Highlighting the significance of presidential debate to the country’s democracy, Professor Bilson Darku underscored the institution’s commitment to fostering a democratic environment where informed dialogue and transparency are paramount.

The debate, he stressed will provide a platform for candidates to articulate their policies on critical issues such as the economy, education, healthcare, and governance.

According to him, by facilitating this debate, the Institute of Economics Affairs will reinforce the democratic process, allowing voters to critically assess the competence and plans of those aspiring to lead the country in such a critical moment.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), had earlier challenged, the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), former President John Dramani Mahama to a live presidential debate.

The Vice President emphasized that a debate would reveal the strengths and weaknesses of both candidates’ policies, allowing Ghanaians to make an informed decision.

Meanwhile, Professor Ransford Van Gyampo, a Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, contended that given Ghana’s current political and economic circumstances, holding or participating in Presidential debates is not a viable or practical option at this time.

The Political Scientist revealed that, during his fourteen-year stint at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Governance Unit (2004-2018), he was instrumental in orchestrating several public forums, including Presidential Debates, Evening Encounters, and Town Hall Meetings.

However, Prof. Gyampo declared that at this critical juncture in Ghana’s political and governance landscape, the public’s primary focus should be on revitalizing the Fourth Republic to its founding principles and ideals and not the opposite.