IEA must stop the 'lies' if it wants us to participate - NDC

Europa 11:21 - 11 May 2016

According to Mr. Adams, the think tank has over the years allowed themselves to be used in making derogatory remarks against the NDC.

The National Organiser of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kofi Adams, has charged the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) to work on building a positive image for itself before the party will consider a one-on-one debate between its flagbearer, President John Mahama and main opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo.

A Senior Research Fellow at IEA, Dr. Michael Ofori-Mensah told the media on Tuesday, May 10 about the debate during the launch of the IEA’s Presidential Debates and Evening Encounters in Accra.

But, Kofi Adams has indicated the NDC is yet to be informed of any debate.

"The IEA has not engaged us in any discussion. So I'm surprised that they will put such information out there. They need to first engage us and we will set the rule as to whether we will do it or not. And we have very serious reservations about the IEA and its staff. It has heavily packed persons who are opposed to the NDC in the IEA," he told Radio Ghana.

Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party has expressed its readiness for the debate.

Sammy Awuku, youth organiser of the NPP said his party will willingly engage in the debate if the welfare of the Ghanaian people are at the centre of the debate.

"We will not encourage the debate where somebody will be contracted to cough throughout the debate," he added.

Since 2000, IEA has organised the Presidential Debate prior to Ghana’s general elections.

The platform has seen aspiring presidential candidates answer questions on job creation, agriculture, healthcare, private sector development, energy sector, taxation, retail trading and education.