NDC ‘Chickens Out’ From IEA Presidential Debate

…Says ‘Me Yɛ Biom’ After Bawumia Dares Mahama For ‘Show Down’

Snippets of information picked up by The Anchor, suggests the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will not honour any invitation from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) to pitch its flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, against Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on any platform, for a debate.

Sources within the national executives, have hinted that, leadership of the party, has resolved to turn down an invitation from any think tank to its flagbearer, calling for presidential debate.

This decision, was said to have been taken long before the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer and Vice President, threw the challenge to Mr Mahama, for a show down on the economy.

The party’s hierarchy, is expected to release an official statement on the matter in the coming days, after the IEA, extends its invitation to the NDC.

This, follows a hint by the IEA that, it will organize a presidential and vice-presidential debate for flagbearers and vice-presidential candidates of the various political parties and groups interested in contesting the 2024 December election.

The Director of Research at the IEA, Dr John Kwakye, who disclosed this on Saturday, July 13, asked the candidates to take advantage of the opportunity and make themselves available to explain their programmes and policies to Ghanaians.

“The IEA is far advanced in its preparations to reorganize its flagship Presidential and Vice-presidential Debates. The Institute encourages the candidates to take advantage of the debates to inform Ghanaians of their policies to address the country’s challenges,” the Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Dr Kwakye disclosed in a tweet.

But even before any announcement on the subject, several activists of the party on various platforms, have started kicking against the move, stating the flagbearer, will not partake in any presidential debate.

They warned that, if the party and Mr Mahama, obliged the call, they will vote against him in the December poll.

Spokesperson for John Mahama Campaign, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, also strongly rejected calls for a pre-election debate between the two flagbearers.

During an interview on Channel One TV on Monday, July 8, Bawah Mogtari, lauded Mahama’s exceptional and extensive knowledge on general issues.

She, however, hesitated to accept an invitation for a debate, citing the current state of the government’s performance as rendering such a debate unnecessary.

The former Deputy Transport Minister, emphasised that the key issues for the 2024 general election are well-known to Ghanaians, suggesting that there is little appetite among voters for a formal debate.

Madam Bawah Mogtari, underscored the campaign team’s strategic focus on other forms of engagement and communication with the electorate.

“I personally have no appetite for a debate…When I look at what we have, when I look at the current trajectory, when I look at the failings of this particular administration, I ask myself ‘why do we need to put up with a debate’? But of course, this is a decision that the upper people usually will make.

“It’s not my decision to make, as the debates and conversations go along, maybe eventually some conversations will happen around it, who knows?

“We do know all about the debates between John Mahama and then candidate Akufo-Addo and we know who won those debates. So, I believe that the fact that Mr Mahama is a man whose energy and knowledge is unparalleled is not in doubt. And I am sure on any day, whomever, I know he is going to win the debate. But I don’t think that immediately I will want to see that,” she maintained.

Bawumia Dares

Dr Bawumia, has dared Mr Mahama for a live Presidential debate, for them to explain their respective vision and policies to the people of Ghana.

Addressing thousands of party supporters last night in Bunkpurugu, North East Region, Dr Bawumia, said he was eagerly waiting for a debate with Mahama, but he was less optimistic that would happen, because Mahama is “running away.”

“I am looking forward to a debate with John Mahama on the economy, on the country on the governance,’ Dr. Bawumia said.

Adding “But I am afraid that he is running away from a debate. His people say he doesn’t want to debate. I have never heard of an opposition leader who doesn’t want to debate. But he knows I will expose the emptiness of his policies.”

The NPP party flagbearer, added that former President Mahama and his team, are unable to explain their 24-hour economy to Ghanaians, adding that the former President is avoiding a debate because he will be exposed.

The IEA known for organizing these debates, has over the years been unsuccessful in getting the two parties on their stage for this ‘show down’.

The last time the Institute managed to get the candidates was in 20212, between now President Nana Akufo-Addo, Mr Mahama of NDC, Dr Michael Abu Sakara Foster from the Convention People Party (CPP) and Dr Hassan Ayariga, then 2012 Presidential Candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC).

Subsequently in 2016, Mr Mahama, threw a similar challenge calling for debate, but then NPP flagbearer, did not accept.

They were convinced, there was no need and the vice president candidate at the time, Dr Bawumia asked Mr Mahama to go and debate with the many Ghanaians who were suffering under his watch due to worsening economic crisis.

Now it looks like the tables have turned, and the NDC, is using the opportunity not to participate in the much-anticipated debate.

Source: Anchorghana.com