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The running mates of the four political parties with representation in Parliament will this evening battle it out in a contest of ideas on the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) debate platform at the Akroma Plaza Hotel in Takoradi. The running mates who are due to speak at the debate this evening include Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Cherita Sarpong-Kumankuma of the Convention People�s Party (CPP), Helen Sanorita Dzatugbe Matervi of the People�s National Convention (PNC) and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Officials of the IEA have indicated that this evening�s debate will be based on questions from the public in the areas of the economy, good governance, social sector, private sector development and natural resource management. A visit by Daily Guide to the Akroma Plaza hotel at about 12:30 p.m. yesterday revealed that all was set for the debate as officials had completed stage designs and decorations at the auditorium for the programme. The main hall for the event was also decorated in the national colours of red, gold and green. It was also revealed that most of the main streets of Takoradi had been adorned with the party flags of the NDC, CPP, NPP and PNC with that of the NPP and NDC dominating. Almost all electricity poles in Takoradi, particularly those on the road leading to the Takoradi Airport and Akroma Plaza Hotel had NPP and NDC flags flying. Scores of some police personnel were also seen busily putting measures in place to ensure total security before, during and after the debate. It is believed that thousands of Ghanaians nationwide will be glued to their television and radio sets to listen to the four running mates in the debate. Speaking to Daily Guide in an interview, Papa Kow Acquaye, Senior Research Consultant of IEA revealed that as at about 11:00 a.m., the NPP�s Dr. Bawumia and the NDC�s Amisah-Arthur were already in Takoradi waiting for the rehearsals on Monday evening and the main event today. �As I speak to you now the running mates of the CPP and PNC are yet to arrive in Takoradi,� he told Daily Guide. Some NPP supporters who were around the venue for the debate at the time of the Daily Guide�s visit, remarked that they expected Dr. Bawumiah to stand tall and perform better than the other running mates. According to them, they expected the NPP running mate who is a former governor of the Bank of Ghana, to deliver and explain the party�s policy on the economy well to Ghanaians. This would enable Ghanaians to consider voting the NPP to power to exert good governance for the people. Mohammed Ganiyu, Western Regional Youth Organizer of the NPP alleged that Ghanaians were interested in someone who had their interest at heart and was prepared to transform the country, which other politicians had been paying lip service to. He claimed the NDC had collapsed the country�s economy and still the party�s activists had the guts to go round asking Ghanaians to vote for the NDC. He appealed to the electorate to reject the NDC and vote the NPP into power come December 7, if they wanted improved living standards.