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Election 2024: IEA Schedules First Presidential Debate For October 22
Politics

Election 2024: IEA Schedules First Presidential Debate For October 22

by  Delali Adogla-Bessa 2 min read
  • The Institute of Economic Affairs has announced October 22 and November 19 as the dates for presidential debates
  • Presidential aspirants have yet to be cleared by the Electoral Commission to contest Ghana's 2024 general election
  • The National Democratic Congress had earlier kicked back against the debate due to an alleged lack of consultation

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The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has announced October 22 and November 19, 2024, as the dates for its presidential debates.

A vice-presidential debate will also be held on November 5. In addition to the debates, the IEA has scheduled five evening encounters.

IEA Schedules Presidential Debate For October 22, 2024
John Mahama and Mahamudu Bawumia are the leading candidates in the election race ahead of the presidential debates.
Source: Getty Images

The statement from the institute said the media encounters would start from September 18. The final encounter is on Tuesday, October 15.

Distinguished fellow of the institute and former Supreme Court Justice Sophia Akuffo said the debates would provide a clear understanding of the candidates’ policies.

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has already expressed concerns about the institute's credibility after claiming it was not consulted.

The Mahama campaign further accused the IEA of attempting to manipulate the electoral process in favour of the incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP).

How many presidential aspirants are there?

The Electoral Commission earlier said 39 aspirants had picked up nomination forms for the elections.

The aspirants comprised the flagbearers of 12 political parties and 27 independent candidates.

It remains to be seen how many candidates will be cleared to contest the election after aspirants begin filing their nomination forms.

Criticism of the IEA debate

The office of the National Democratic Congress flagbearer, John Mahama, criticised the IEA for the debate plans.

The office said the opposition party had expected to have been consulted on any debate plans.

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In a statement, it also said the IEA did not have the authority to organise election-related activities.

Bawumia attacks Mahama's record in northern Ghana

YEN.com.gh also reported that NPP flagbearer Mahamudu Bawumia criticised former president Mahama's track record in the north.

The vice president claimed that he had succeeded in generating more development despite never having been a president.

The 2024 general election will be the first time the frontrunners in the presidential race will both be from northern Ghana.

Proofread by Bruce Douglas, senior copy editor at YEN.com.gh

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Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Delali Adogla-Bessa avatar

Delali Adogla-Bessa (Current Affairs Editor) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.

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