He subsequently charged the NCCE to focus on its core mandate of educating the citizens on their civic responsibilities, considering what he calls the low level of patriotism among Ghanaians lately.

"The NCCE has a huge responsibility. I would have wished that perhaps this presidential debate would be owned by the nation and that perhaps if we have a constitutionally mandated institution spearheading that particular programme, why not. It will give it a national character.

"So for me, the tussle is needless. The NCCE must also create a niche for itself...I will expect that the NCCE will concentrate on its core mandate of making sure that they would build democratic citizenship for the average Ghanaian. This is critical. That is huge, so we need more resources in that area," Dr. Aggrey Darko told Radio Ghana.

RELATED: NCCE planning to organise Presidential, Parliamentary debates

Since 2000, the Institute of Economic Affairs, (IEA) has organised the Presidential Debate prior to Ghana’s general elections.

However, the IEA has recently come under criticism after it announced that it intended organising a separate debate for the presidential candidates of the two biggest political parties.

Some political parties including the NDC and the PNC have accused the IEA of failing to consult them before announcing plans for their presidential debate.

RELATED: IEA doubts capacity of NCCE to organise presidential debates

The NCCE has subsequently revealed plans of organising a "presidential dialogue" for aspirants as part of its activities for this year's election.

But, theExecutive Director of the IEA Mrs. Jean Mensa has said that the NCCE is a government agency which is yet to be "tried and tested" in the area of organising debates.