Prime News Ghana

Announcing presidential debate without engaging NDC 'unacceptable' – Mahama campaign to IEA

By Vincent Ashitey
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The Mahama 2024 Campaign has issued a strong condemnation of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana over its recent announcement.

Earlier this week, the institute announced a vice presidential debate ahead of the December polls.

The campaign criticised the IEA for not engaging or informing the National Democratic Congress (NDC), one of Ghana's major political parties, before making the announcement.

In a press statement, the Mahama 2024 Campaign emphasised that the Constitution does not grant the IEA any authority to organize elections-related activities.

"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 release signed by Mr Mahama's spokesperson Joyce Mogtari indicated.

The campaign, on Friday, accused the IEA of lacking the decency and respect to inform the NDC of its plans, raising questions about the institute's motives.

The campaign further alleged that the IEA is "acting as a front for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and seeks to manipulate the electoral process in favour of the ruling party."

The statement said Mr Mahama's conversations have targeted a wide range of audiences and focused on addressing the needs and concerns of the people of Ghana.

The Mahama 2024 Campaign cautioned the IEA against using the NDC's name to promote its activities, describing it as a blatant attempt to misrepresent the party.

The statement concluded by assuring Ghanaians that the NDC remains committed to meaningful and respectful engagement with the people of Ghana, ensuring that all voices are heard and their needs addressed.

 Full statement

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

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 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 IEA 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.

Our well-planned engagements with various sectors of society across the country have been and continue to be extremely beneficial to the people of Ghana. This being the case, we caution the IEA against using the NDC's name to promote their activities, as this is a blatant attempt to misrepresent our party deliberately.

Ghanaians should remain assured that the NDC's commitment to meaningful and respectful engagement with the people of Ghana is unwavering. We will continue to ensure that all Ghanaians' voices are heard and their needs are addressed.