I'll Incite Small Political Parties To Boycott IEA Debate � Ayariga

All People’s Congress (APC) founder, Hassan Ayariga has sworn to incite the leadership of ‘smaller’ political parties in the country to boycott the planned Presidential debate to be organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).

The IEA announced it was considering holding separate presidential debates for the political parties based on a number of factors including size and representation in Parliament, with one restricted to candidates of the two major political parties.

The Public Policy Institute said the consideration was based on a survey it conducted in Ghana in which participants 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 Executive Director of the IEA, Jean Mensah confirmed on Adom FM’s Morning Show, ‘Dwaso Nsem’ Wednesday that the body would later organize a separate debate for other Presidential contenders especially parties without Parliamentary representation.

But Hassan Ayariga - who broke away from the People’s National Convention (PNC) after he lost the presidential primary, to form the APC - said it would be an affront to democracy for the IEA to do so.

“It is unfair to Ghanaians and unfair to other Presidential candidates, democracy should give fair representations to every political party…what is the essence, what criteria are they using for that selection…,” Hassan Ayariga protested.

The man referred to as ‘Ayaricoff’ said Ghana is still under-developed due to the lack of a level platform for various persons and parties.

And this, he said served as the basis for the formation of his party, the APC.

“Ghana is suffering because the good people of Ghana are quiet and that is why we the APC want everyone on board to come and serve…I am highly disappointed in the IEA because we would not be practicing democracy when we do that segregation…,” he said.

He vowed not to participate in the debate should he not be allowed to debate with President Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo.

“If you give the platform to only NDC and NPP, then you are by that saying that it is only the NDC and NPP which can win the elections but that won’t happen this time because Ghanaians want to be given hope and they see that in the APC.

“I won’t participate if there is this segregation and I would incite other parties not to do partake. We would demonstrate against the IEA and make their platform useless…,” he said further.