The 2024 Campaign team for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has expressed strong disapproval of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) following its recent announcement of a presidential debate for the 2024 elections.

The IEA has revealed plans to organize both Presidential and Vice-Presidential Debates in the lead-up to Ghana’s 2024 General Elections.

However, in a statement issued on Friday, July 19, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, the spokesperson for the Mahama 2024 Campaign, criticized the IEA for not extending an official invitation to the NDC before making the announcement.

Madam Mogtari labeled this oversight as "completely unacceptable."

“The Mahama 2024 Campaign strongly condemns the recent announcement by the Institute of Economic Affairs (lEA) Ghana regarding a presidential debate for the 2024 elections. It is completely unacceptable that the lEA would make such an announcement without engaging or informing the National Democratic Congress, one of the major political parties in Ghana.”

The Mahama 2024 Campaign Team has asserted that the IEA lacks the authority to organize activities related to the elections.

“The Constitution of Ghana does not grant the IEA any authority to organise elections-related activities. The fact that the IEA has not shown the decency or respect to at least inform the NDC of its plans raises serious questions about its motives.”

The Mahama Campaign has accused the IEA of attempting to manipulate the electoral process in favor of the NPP.

They argued that Mr. Mahama and his running mate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, have been actively engaging with the public for many years.

“The IEA is clearly acting as a front for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and seeks to manipulate the electoral process in favour of the ruling party.

“It is important to remind the lEA and the Ghanaian public that the NDC, led by our presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama and running mate Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, has been engaging with the citizenry for many years. Mahama’s online and offline conversations have targeted a wide range of audiences and focused on addressing the needs and concerns of the people of Ghana.”