The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), commends the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) for the organization of the 2012 Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates debates for 4 of the contending candidates in the upcoming elections.
In a continent where electoral campaigns are often characterized by rancor and violence, the acceptance of the candidates of the four leading parties to partake in the debate once again enhanced our democratic image and showed how the democratic concept of contest of ideas have been embraced by the people of Ghana.
AFAG deeply shares in the view of the IEA that those who wish to govern must subject themselves for examination and also explain their policies and programs to aid the electorate to make an informed decision ahead of the impending elections.
In this regard, AFAG also commends all the parties for accordingly accepting the challenge to partake in this all important exercise. Indeed special commendation ought to go to President Mahama for his participation. President John Mahama by participating in the exercise becomes the first sitting President to partake in the quadrennial exercise. It is the hope of AFAG that like President Mahama all future Presidents will endeavor to attend.
It is however worthy of note, that commendable as the exercise is, we were appalled by the disruptive and distractive conduct of the PNC Presidential Candidate. It is obvious that right from the first debate from Tamale to the last in Accra, Mr. Hassan Ayariga had a premeditated agenda to deliberately provoke and frustrate the NPP�s Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo.
Throughout the night of the second debate Mr. Ayariga�s explosive coughs got the better part of him whenever the presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) took his turn to respond to questions from the moderators of the debate. AFAG wishes to place on record that we were highly impressed by the maturity and calm composure which was exhibited by Nana Akufo Addo in the face of the deliberate acts of provocation by the �rented� Presidential Candidate, Mr. Hassan Ayariga.
Indeed Mr. Ayariga on the night established himself not only as a man who suffers from some� personality disorder� but also as a complete disgrace and embarrassment to his fellow contenders and the Ghanaian people.
As flag bearer of a political tradition which has produced fine and brainy politicians like the late Dr. Hilla Limann (who became President in 1979) and Dr. Edward Mahama (who led the party from 1996 to 2008), the conduct of Hassan Ayariga to say the least is shameful and an affront to the delegates who elected him.
Unlike his immediate predecessor who is still remembered for his insightful perspectives on topical nation issues, Mr. Ayariga will go down as a blot on the intelligence of all who have strived to keep the PNC till date.
Ghana deserves better.
Thank you.
Signed;
Davis Opoku Ansah 0244861593
Callistus Agbaam 0269690405
Ohene Djan 0243372125
Dr Nana Ayew Afriye 0244780359
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