Percival Kofi Akpaloo, the founder and leader of the Liberal Party of Ghana, has expressed disappointment in former President John Dramani Mahama for not participating in the 2024 Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Debate.
This follows after the Mahama 2024 Campaign Team condemned the IEA for announcing the debate without officially inviting the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Joyce Bawah Mogtari, spokesperson for the Mahama 2024 Campaign, in a statement release, described the IEA’s actions as “completely unacceptable.”
She stated that the IEA lacked the authority to organize election-related activities and accused it of attempting to manipulate the electoral process in favor of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Speaking on Hot 93.9 FM’s Dwene Ho Biom show with Agya Wusu, Akpaloo said, “It’s clear to me that Mahama is avoiding the explanation of his 24-hour economy policy. He’s struggled to clarify it since its announcement.”
Akpaloo assumes that the former president’s reluctance to participate in the debate is a sign of weakness in his policy proposals.
He added, “No serious candidate for the incoming elections will fail to go for the debate if indeed there is a better policy as an alternative.”
He emphasized that Mahama seems to be avoiding the debate to escape explaining his 24-hour economy policy.
Akpaloo further cautioned Ghanaians to vote against candidates who avoid public debates. He stressed the importance of these forums for understanding and evaluating the promises made by presidential hopefuls.
“Any candidate who cannot stand up and defend their policies in a debate should not be considered for the presidency,” Akpaloo argued.
