NDC Slams IEA for Announcing Presidential Debate Without Consent

The Campaign team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2024 flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has taken a swipe at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana for announcing a national debate for the Presidential candidates of the two major political parties without their consent.

The team characterized the action as “unacceptable” in a press statement issued on July 19, 2024.

“The Mahama 2024 Campaign strongly condemns the recent announcement by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana regarding a presidential debate for the 2024 elections. It is completely unacceptable that the IEA would make such an announcement without engaging or informing the National Democratic Congress, one of the major political parties in Ghana.”

According to them, the mode used by the Institute raises suspicions about their collusion with the ruling party.

“The Constitution of Ghana does not grant the IEA any authority to organise elections-related activities. The fact that the IEA has not shown the decency or respect to at least inform the NDC of its plans raises serious questions about its motives. The IEA is clearly acting as a front for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and seeks to manipulate the electoral process in favour of the ruling party.”

It used the occasion to charge the IEA to desist from using the name of the NDC to promote their interest.

“It is important to remind the IEA and the Ghanaian public that the NDC, led by our presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama and running mate Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang has been engaging with the citizenry for many years. Mahama’s online and offline conversations have targeted a wide range of audiences and focused on addressing the needs and concerns of the people of Ghana.

“Our well-planned engagements with various sectors of society across the country have been and continue to be extremely beneficial to the people of Ghana. This being the case, we caution the IEA against using the NDC’s name to promote their activities, as this is a blatant attempt to misrepresent our party deliberately.”

Meanwhile, IMANI Africa has formally written to the two parties for a national debate.