The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has emphasized the necessity of holding a debate before the 2024 elections, involving key political parties planning to participate.

IEA argues that such debates are essential for voters to evaluate both presidential and vice-presidential candidates, thereby making informed choices.

This position by IEA comes amid evident disagreements between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the importance of debates.

A senior fellow at IEA, Professor Alexander Bilson Darku, revealed in an interview with Citi News that discussions have begun with various political parties to arrange a debate before December 7.

“Let me make this very clear from the beginning. The need for debate is the right of the people. The people of Ghana ought to know what their presidential candidate, and for that matter, the party they represent, have in stock for them and so we are at a very early stage now talking to them [the political parties].

“We have our timetable and very soon it will be known to the public as to the programme that the IEA has outlined to make this all-important presidential debate come on. I don’t think we should go into the specifics, but I am telling you we will have it at a very good time that would be beneficial to the parties involved and the timing that would be beneficial for the nation.”

Professor Alexander Bilson Darku further mentioned that the participating parties and their candidates will be carefully selected and streamlined.

“We are using the Afrobarometer criteria. It has established a threshold, and we will use that threshold to invite the parties that meet the threshold to participate in the debate.

“This might be four or five parties, and their presidential candidates and vice presidential candidates will be invited to participate in the debate.”