NPP Confirms Participation in IEA’s 2024 Presidential Debates, NDC Remains Reluctant

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially announced its readiness to participate in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary debates organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).

The party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, confirmed the decision, highlighting the importance of these debates in allowing political parties to present their visions and policies to the electorate ahead of the 2024 general elections.

On Thursday, August 22, the IEA inaugurated a nine-member Presidential Debate Committee, chaired by Justice Sophia Akuffo, to coordinate engagements with political parties. The committee is committed to fostering a debate process that encourages participation and focuses on issue-based, people-centred discussions.

In an interview on Eyewitness News, Justin Kodua Frimpong expressed the NPP's enthusiasm for the debates, noting that while the party had opted out of similar events in 2014 and 2016, it is now eager to showcase its achievements and provide voters with a clear comparison of what each party offers.

“The reason why we are interested in this debate is for us to be able to espouse what our flagbearer has been going around the country and talking about in terms of his vision for the country in the next four years,” Kodua Frimpong stated. He added that the NPP's participation is crucial for demonstrating the progress the nation has made under their leadership and for allowing Ghanaians to evaluate the credibility of the party's manifesto compared to others.

Meanwhile, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed reluctance to participate in the debates, citing dissatisfaction with the IEA’s approach. The Mahama 2024 campaign team criticized the IEA for not consulting the NDC before announcing the debates, calling the move unacceptable.

Despite the NDC's stance, the IEA remains committed to proceeding with the debate process, even if the NDC opts out. Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke, a member of the Presidential Debate Committee, emphasized the IEA’s history of successfully organizing debates regardless of non-participation by some parties. He reiterated the importance of engaging with the electorate and reaffirmed the IEA’s openness to further dialogue with all political parties.

As the 2024 elections draw closer, the debates are expected to play a crucial role in informing voters and shaping the electoral landscape.