In a bid to bolster democratic engagement, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) will host a series of debates and encounters with presidential and vice-presidential candidates between September and November this year.
The IEA will organize two Presidential debates in Kumasi and Accra, as well as one Vice-Presidential debate and one Presidential Evening Encounter, all in Accra.
The Evening Encounters are scheduled for September, while the Presidential debates will take place in October and November.
Sophia Akuffo, a Fellow of the IEA and former Chief Justice, announced these plans at the launch of the Institute’s 2024 Election Activities in Accra. She noted that the exact dates, times, and venues for the debates would be confirmed later, following consultations with the candidates and their respective political parties.
Accompanied by Dr. John Kwakye, Director of Research at the IEA, and Dr. Alberta Hagan, Senior Fellow, Justice Akuffo revealed that a Presidential Debates Committee (PDC) would be inaugurated next week. This committee will establish the rules for the debates, organize the encounters, and gather questions from the public.
“The IEA will hold two Presidential Debates, one in Kumasi and one in Accra, featuring candidates selected based on criteria to be announced by the Institute,” Ms. Akuffo said. “These debates will offer candidates a platform to present their policies and vision for the nation.”
The Evening Encounters will feature selected Presidential candidates in a Town-Hall-like format, where they will respond to questions posed in person by representatives from key stakeholder groups, in contrast to the debates where questions come from the general public.
The IEA aims for these debates to provide a unique opportunity for candidates to outline their policies and governance vision, helping citizens make informed electoral choices. The debates are also intended to encourage issue-based campaigns, free from personal attacks, and to foster peace throughout the election process.
While acknowledging the significance of Vice-Presidential debates, Ms. Akuffo emphasized that vice-presidential candidates must demonstrate presidential qualities, given their role in assuming the presidency if needed.
“These debates will help ease political tension and contribute to the success of the 2024 elections, marking 32 years of uninterrupted constitutional rule in Ghana,” she added.
The IEA remains committed to providing a neutral platform for candidates to present their ideas, believing that those seeking to govern should be prepared to face rigorous questioning from the electorate.
Since 2000, the IEA has organized presidential debates for every election year, except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.