As Ghana approaches its 2024 general elections, the discourse surrounding presidential debates has become increasingly pertinent.
In a recent interview with the Vaultz News, Dr. ET Amanor Lartey, Senior Political Science Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba, offered a nuanced perspective on the role and necessity of these debates in the electoral process.
According to Dr. Amanor Lartey, the fundamental value of presidential debates lies in their ability to provide voters with clarity on critical issues.
He pointed out that debates serve as a platform for candidates to articulate their positions on complex and sometimes contentious topics, allowing voters to make informed decisions.
For instance, Dr Amanor Lartey indicated that debates become crucial when discussing significant policy issues like LGBTQ+ rights or educational reforms such as the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.
“If we think that these issues, we need to hear the candidates speak on them so that we get to know their stance to making a decision, then, yes, we need to have a forum where these two leading parties will express their candid opinions and the policy that seeks to, implement should they be elected. Other issues will be on education, and issues of free SHS.
“NDC is telling us that they are not saying that we should abolish free SHS. And NPP also tells us that they are not abolishing free SHS. So when it comes to this, then it becomes necessary for us to have a forum where these two parties and their leading candidates will meet us and explain to us exactly what they want to do when they are elected”.
Dr ET Amanor Lartey, senior Political Science Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba
In his view, presidential debates are particularly useful when there are unclear, unresolved questions about major policies or when the electorate requires further clarification on candidates’ positions.
He emphasized that debate offers a structured setting for candidates to showcase their plans and engage with pressing national issues.
Current Relevance and Critique
Despite the general benefits of debates, Dr. Amanor Lartey expressed skepticism about their immediate necessity for the 2024 elections.
He argued that, at this juncture, there is no pressing issue that is obscured by ambiguity, which would necessitate a presidential debate.
“So with this, I will say that now, I agree with Professor Ransford Gyampo in the sense that we don’t need presidential debates. I agree with him to the extent that I don’t see for now, I don’t see any policy that we are not very clear on that we need candidates to come and explain to the people of Ghana, until such an issue pops up where we would need the 2 leading candidates and their parties or if the 3 parties if we want to add up a front door.
“If there is a need for us, then fine. Then we will have to meet them, and they should explain a few things. So for me, for now, I think that we still need a bit of time. Whenever there are issues that demand clarity, then we can have them, come to clarify through a debate”.
Dr ET Amanor Lartey, senior Political Science Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba
Dr. Amanor Lartey further pointed out that both the two major political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have not yet provided comprehensive details on their proposed policies.
He contended that the lack of clear, distinct policy proposals from the leading candidates diminishes the urgency for a presidential debate.
He stressed that if, as the election approaches, specific issues emerge that require clarification, then a debate could become more relevant.
Furthermore, Dr Amanor Lartey questioned the overall impact of debates on the general populace, particularly in Ghana where political engagement varies widely across different socioeconomic groups.
He suggested that many voters, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, may not prioritize or engage deeply in debates. Instead, they are more focused on tangible, immediate policy impacts on their daily lives.
Influence of Presidential Debates in Advanced Democracies
Dr. Amanor Lartey highlighted that in advanced democracies like the United States, presidential debates have a significant impact on electoral outcomes.
He pointed to the recent debates between Donald Trump and Joe Biden as a case in point, arguing that the debates played a crucial role in shaping public perception of the two candidates.
He further indicated that in the U.S., debates can lead to immediate shifts in public opinion and are closely followed by changes in approval ratings, stressing that the American political landscape shows how debates can significantly alter voter perceptions and drive electoral outcomes.
Lessons for Ghana
Drawing lessons from these advanced democracies, Dr. Amanor Lartey believes that Ghana could benefit from a similar approach.
However, he also noted that the impact of debates in Ghana has been more limited. Referring to the 2000 and 2012 elections in Ghana, he recounted that while debates had some influence, their effect was not as pronounced as in the U.S.
“So in advanced democracies, yes, the presidential debates are able to largely affect the way people think, especially on issues that they are not very clear on. And in Ghana, you know, when you bring it to Ghana, i think that when you look at 2000 debates where Professor Mills, the then candidates of the NDC, did not attend that debate, that was a big issue, and I believe that it worked against him.
“But, apart from that one, in 2012 when another major debate was held, in that debate those who are objective would tell you that the one who was on top of issues was Dr Abu Sakara Foster, the CPP Candidate then. Not the NPP, not the NDC. But it was the candidate of the CPP, Abu Sakara Foster, the agronomist who had command over the issues of the economy, command over what he would do should he be elected president. But what happened at the polls? At the polls, he performed poorly. It tells you that in our part of the world, the debates do not really affect the way people think of the candidates”.
Dr ET Amanor Lartey, senior Political Science Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba
Dr. Amanor Lartey explained that in Ghana, many voters make their decisions long before debates occur, with only a small segment of the electorate using debates to finalize their choices.
He stated that for most voters, especially in rural areas, debates do not significantly impact their voting decisions, instead, debates tend to be more influential among the middle class who seek clarity on issues.
Improving Debate Effectiveness in Ghana
To enhance the effectiveness of presidential debates in Ghana, Dr. Amanor Lartey proposed several reforms.
He suggested that debates should involve specific, identifiable groups such as labor unions and sector-specific organizations.
The renowned political scientist suggested that debates, which focused on education could feature questions from teacher unions, while discussions on trade could include questions from industry representatives.
Dr. Amanor Lartey emphasized the need for debates to move beyond general discussions and address specific policy issues.
He proposed that candidates should commit to concrete promises and be held accountable for their delivery.
For example, if a candidate pledges to stabilize the dollar, their performance should be evaluated based on whether they fulfill this promise.
Such accountability, he noted could make debates more impactful and ensure that candidates address pressing national issues effectively.
Additionally, Dr. Lartey questioned the necessity of including vice-presidential candidates in debates.
He argued that in Ghana’s political structure, the vice president’s role is largely defined by the President’s vision, making their debates less critical compared to presidential debates.
The Impact on the 2024 Elections
Looking ahead to the 2024 elections, Dr. ET Amanor Lartey acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the outcome.
He contended that while current research indicates a slight lead for the NDC over the NPP, the final results remain uncertain.
Dr. Amanor Lartey noted that the debates could play a crucial role for middle-class voters who are disillusioned with both major parties.
He argued that debates could help clarify the candidates’ positions on key issues like the economy, unemployment, and corruption, potentially influencing the middle class’s voting decisions.
However, he cautioned that for the broader electorate, debates may not have a significant impact on their voting choices.
“The debates’ effectiveness will largely depend on how well the candidates address issues and how these discussions resonate with the electorates”. Dr Amanor stated.
Future Prospects
Dr. Amanor Lartey remains open to the idea of debates if the political climate changes or if significant issues arise that demand a clearer exposition from candidates.
He proposed that debates should be convened as needed, based on the evolving political landscape and the clarity of candidates’ platforms.
He emphasized that debates should not be a routine feature but should occur when they can meaningfully contribute to the electoral process.
As the 2024 elections draw nearer, it will be crucial to assess whether the political discourse necessitates such forums for candidates to present their visions and engage with the electorate.
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