Presidential debate: Mahama’s campaign rebukes IEA for not seeking their permission

Joyce Bawa Mogtari, spokesperson for NDC flagbearer John Mahama, has bashed the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) for announcing a presidential debate for the 2024 elections without consulting the NDC.

Bawa Mogtari said in a statement on July 19 that “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.”

She added that the organisation of presidential debates is not the preserve of the policy think tank, nor does the Constitution offer them the same.

“The Constitution does not grant the IEA any authority to organise election-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,” she said.

The spokesperson alleged that 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.”

According to her, over the past months, Mr. Mahama and his running mate, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, have been engaging the citizenry and other relevant stakeholders on several matters affecting the country, which has been beneficial to the Ghanaian people.

“It is important to remind the lEA 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.”

The Mahama further campaign warned IEA against the use of NDC’s name to promote their activities.

Background

In a statement on July 17, the IEA revealed plans to organise presidential and vice presidential debates ahead of the December elections.

“The Institute encourages all Candidates to take advantage of the Debates to to inform Ghanaians of their policies to address the country’s challenges”, the Institute noted in their July 17 statement.

The IEA’s announcement of a debate comes after the NDC flagbearer held a media encounter, following which sections of the public asked NPP presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to organise the same, with others requesting a debate between the two.

Spokeperson for Mr. Mahama, Bawa Mogtari, had submitted in an interview on Channel One TV that her flagbearer is not interested in a debate, adding that the current dire state of the economy does not make it worth debating over.