2024 Elections: IEA maintains decision to hold debates; considers October and November

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) says it will pursue its tradition of holding presidential debates ahead of every general election.

In a press statement on Wednesday, 7 August, the Institute disclosed that it plans on announcing the exact dates for the debates after holding engagements with the presidential and vice presidential candidates and their political parties a few months before the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

Further, it has added a Presidential Encounter session for presidential candidates, which is scheduled to be held in September 2024.

The debates would be coordinated and supervised by a Presidential Debates Committee, which will also establish the rules for the event, according to the IEA.

“The IEA envisages holding the encounters in September and the debates in October and November. The IEA will announce the exact dates, times, and venues for these events after conducting engagements with candidates and their political parties.”

“A Presidential Debates Committee is being constituted to determine the ground rules that will govern the debates and encounters and to solicit questions from Ghanaians,” read parts of the statement.

“On the whole, the debates will help focus our elections on issues rather than personalities. This will help diffuse political tensions,” the statement added, calling on political parties and candidates to participate.

Last month, the campaign team of NDC flagbearer John Mahama sharply criticised the Institute for not consulting with them before announcing earlier the organisation of the debates, stating that the NDC is a major political stakeholder in the country.

However, NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has expressed his readiness for the debate, especially against Mr. Mahama.