We’re 99% ready to host debates – NCCE

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has said it has reached advance stages in preparation for its debate for presidential and parliamentary candidates ahead of the November polls.

According the commission, it has received broad support for the debate, adding it will soon announce the ground rules for the debates.

Some persons and institutions such as the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), have questioned the capacity of  the NCCE to effectively organize such debates, when it has a task to educate citizens on their civic responsibilities which includes voting.

But the Commission has downplayed the criticisms, saying it has the capacity, and that such an exercise will not be outside its mandate.

The acting Chairman of the NCCE, Samuel Akuamoah, told Citi News that they will soon make known their lined up programmes.

“With preparation we are about 99% ready. Key among the preparatory issues was consultation with the political parties and other key stakeholders. With the political parties, we have met with almost all of them; we have just about two political parties outstanding. We are ready,” he said.

Mr. Akuamoah also noted that, after consulting the remaining two parties, they would constitute a committee to finalize the processes.

“We are currently waiting to finish with the last two political parties then the planning committee will be put in place to start meetings to discuss the plan that we have put together for their inputs in terms of the host or moderators, venues, strategies and structure of the engagement. So after that, we will hit the ground running,” he added.

Don't allow CSOs to usurp your powers
The General Secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia earlier charged the NCCE to ensure that civil society organizations do not take over their roles.

“The NCCE should not create space to allow civil society organisations to usurp its function,” the NDC General Secretary said.

NDC officially boycotts IEA debates
The governing NDC  announced a total boycott of the IEA debates but assured to be on the NCCE platform.

A statement signed by the party's General Secretary, Johnson Aseidu Nketiah stated that the decision was taken by the NDC's Functional Executive Committee.

“The National Democratic Congress (NDC), has, at its Functional Executive Committee (FEC), Meeting on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, decided not to participate in any debate to be organized by the Institute Of Economic Affairs (IEA), as far as it is related to the 2016 General Election,” the statement added.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin