Accra: IEA considers debate for Mahama, Akufo-Addo

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) says it is considering holding a separate presidential debate for candidates of the two major political parties. The Public Policy Institute says the consideration is based on a survey it conducted in Ghana. Participants of the survey indicated they would want to witness a separate debate between the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama and that of New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The IEA debate is organised for presidential candidates to come together on a single platform to discuss their policies and programmes and answer questions from the electorate, is gradually becoming institutionalized on Ghana's political calender.

Four years ago flagbearers of all registered political parties including PNC's Hassan Ayariga, NPP's Akuffo-Addo, John Dramani Mahama and the then Presidential Candidate for the CPP, Dr Abu Sakara were featured in the debate.

 In an incident that later went viral, the then Presidential Candidate of People's National Convention, Hassan Ayariga was criticized for coughing throughout the debate.