The New Patriotic Party says it is already preoccupied with lot of equally important things that it would not sacrifice any for Tuesday’s debate by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).
Nana Obiri Boahene, Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, told 3FM News the party would not “put much premium” on the debate.
“Do you think it is a crucial debate?” he shot back at the anchor, Kwakye Afreh Nuamah when he tried to know why the party refused to participate. Many people have wondered why the presidential candidate of the largest opposition party, Nana Akufo-Addo is not taking part in a debate being organized by a state institution.
President John Mahama and the remaining five candidates would be at the event, but many have been longing to see Akufo-Addo and Mahama on the same platform.
The NCCE said several discussions were held with Akufo-Addo’s handlers but they would not move.
“Why do you insist Nana Akufo-Addo should be part of the debate?” Obiri Boahene retorted “We have our own progammes and activities for the year and we decided not to attend, what is wrong about that?”
The Deputy General Secretary was emphatic, “we are not interested. We have a lot of things to do”.
Nana Akufo-Addo is currently in Banda in the Brong Ahafo region.
He further pointed out that the debate is “much ado about nothing”, adding, “if the NCCE is doing a debate those who think they can afford to attend, so be it…why do you make noise over such things. I appall some of these things.”
But a senior lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Jonathan Asante Okyere believes the NPP shot itself in the foot when it declined the invitation. “It is quite unfortunate for the NPP to assume such a position…I want to be charitable…it smacks of arrogance on their part,” he assessed.
He suspects political strategists advising Nana Akufo-Addo may be thinking the candidate has already won the 2016 election, which makes the debate unbeneficial.
In his analysis, some elites in society would want to have Akufo-Addo and Mahama debate each other on key issues on the same platform to enable them assess the two, because the December 7 presidential election would largely be a two-horse race.
Source: 3news
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@Good Citizen NPP shot its self in the foot says the lecturer but he saw NOTHING WRONG WHEN THE PRESIDENT AND NDC REFUSED TO APPEAR BEFORE IEA DEBATE. Hypocrisy is killing our Intellectuals. NCCE CANNOT ORGANIZE Elections Education for the masses. Our President was fed (leaked docu8ment) during 2012 IEA debate and that after the Election the Moderator was made Minister of State. He declined this year one because he would NOT be served before he attends the Debate Hence his (NDC) boycott.
Dont mind Mr Jonathan Asante. dude thought me classical philosophy in level 100 way back. all he knows is women and selling illegal handout to students for marks. He drives an ash Jeep Cherokee. come on we all know this man to be an ardent supporter of the NDC. he was a one time patron for tein. So mr senior lecturer pls respect yourself before we release more info about you.
What is the mandate and core business of the NCCE? What civic education has it done in the whole election year? Who mandated them to organise a debate? Debates are for good courses not to buy questions and cheat to look good when in reality you are not. Mr. Okyere, hold your breath, no one will shoot themselves. Debate or no debate change will come.
The IEA in 2012 Presidential debate used the current Education Minister to do the bid of the NDC and discredit the NPP's candidate. She was rewarded with a juicy ministerial portfolio when she did exactly what her pay masters wanted her to achieve. Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman has always been opportunist hence her divorced by her husband. Now young guys have been enjoying her tonga. ***barred word*** woman
If by now, as a senior lecturer you don't know what message Akufo Addo has and what message Mahama has and would want a debate before you know then sorry. With all the good ideas he has for this country, it took a certain Hassan Ayariga to cough all that message away at a debate.Presidential candidates have had time to go round the country to share their messages on different platforms. They have used hours to outline their policies and visions for this country. At least i know of Dr Nduom and Nana Addo. We have heard much more than any debate could ever afford us. This your hypocrisy is so disgusting. You can go on ahead and vote for Mahama.
we have a big problem as a country if we have the so called Jonathan Asante as a university lecturer? In the first place what is the sole duty of NCCE when it comes to elections? instead of educating people about why and how to vote, you are now organizing presidential debate? since when did the NCCE organize such a debate? mr lecturer Asante, tell your incompetent and out going president to attend the IEA presidential debate which every Ghanaian knows, if he wants to meet the incoming president Akufo Addo.
Good job NPP! We all know episode Ayaricough etc...no need to entertain nansense...
Npp shot its self in the foot says the lecturer but he saw nothing wrong when Maham and NDC refused IEA debate. Hypocrisy is killing our intellectuals. NCCE can not even organise credible elections education for the masses. NCCE biased organisation. Fed Mahama all the questions.
We know the president already if we will be sincere the man can talk without performing so talk is cheap he has fail and we are changing him to bring a different person to manage the country for us.
indeed this is what i have been yearning for.....i dont want nana to be involved in any debate, and i thank God for this decision.....i will vote for NANA. change indeed i pray should come fast. last four years it was ayeriga who deliberately provoked NANA now that he is not among who knows who will be tasked to do it....would it have been ivor ???? NDC PROPAGANDIST go away....OUR NANA WILL NOT COME U TOO CAN DECIDE NOT TO GO. PERIOD...... CHANGE IS LANDING......