Mahama-Akufo-Addo Debate Proposal ‘Absurd’ – NDC

A deputy General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress George Lawson has described as “absurd” moves by policy think-tank IEA to organise a presidential debate between President John Mahama and the NPP’s Nana Akufo-Addo ahead of the November 7 polls.

According to the Institute of Economic Affairs, its survey points to the fact that Ghanaians want to see an intellectual showdown between the two frontrunners of the presidential race.

However, the intent has been heavily criticised by some political parties.

Speaking on the Starr Midday News Wednesday, Mr. Lawson said even though the NDC is yet to meet over the proposal, he believes the move is discriminatory and undemocratic.

“It’s an absurd decision, we have not yet met to take a decision on that proposal. But how can one possibly engage in such a discriminatory democracy? Such a debate must not be encouraged.

“Are the two candidates more human than the others? All candidates must be given the same level playing field and this segregation attempts being advanced by the IEA must be stopped,” he fumed.

He however dismissed claims that the NDC is attacking the proposal because their candidate may not be able to match up with the opposition leader.

“Our candidate is robust and has beaten Akufo-Addo many times. We in the NDC are for an inclusive and not segregation democracy”.

Meanwhile, the national chairman of the PNC Bernard Monah has also kicked against the two-man debate idea.

“For the IEA to just jump, without the input of the political parties and go ahead to make this declaration... I insist the NCCE should takeover the presidential debates. The IEA does not respect that the political parties should make an input in the kind and format that the presidential debates should come up and yet they want to work with us,” he told Nii Arday Clegg on the Morning Starr Tuesday.