The National Democratic Congress (NDC) may rescind its decision to boycott the Presidential debate organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) ahead of the December 7 polls, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a deputy minister of education has revealed.


“If the IEA will give assurances and will try to explain some of the concerns that the party has, who knows. Maybe the NDC will take a second look,” said Mr. Ablakwa Tuesday on Joy FM.

“Let’s see,” he added.

The NDC, following the IEA’s intention to pitch its presidential candidate, President John Mahama in a one-on-one encounter with the candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo announced that none of its candidates would be participating in any debates organized by the IEA.

A statement signed and issued by John Asiedu Nketia, the General Secretary of the NDC on Tuesday, 21 June 2016 said the party at its Functional Executive Committee (FEC), meeting “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 Elections.”

“All party structures (especially the youth and women wings of) are to take note and comply accordingly,” the statement added.

Nonetheless, Mr. Ablakwa said that the president, will want to grace the IEA platform to debate. But, he said that can only happen if the IEA addresses the misgivings the NDC raised over the former conducts.

“Mahama would love to debate,” Mr. Ablakwa said adding “We believe that is really his strength.”

But the IEA amidst the NDC’s boycott said it would go ahead with the debate organization without Mr. Mahama


Source:StarrFMonline