The Institute of Economic Affairs, IEA, says it will organise two Presidential Debates for selected flagbearers later in October and November this year. The debates, to be held in Kumasi and Accra, will be preceded by 'Presidential Evening Encounters' scheduled for September. At a press briefing on Wednesday, the Institute said the 'Pre-Election Debate Series' would also include one Vice-Presidential Debate in Accra for selected candidates. The exact dates, times and venues for the events, it said, would be made public, after 'conducting engagements with candidates and their political parties.' Justice Sophia Akuffo (rtd), Distinguished Fellow of the IEA, said the debate would 'provide a platform for Presidential candidates to outline their policies and vision of governance for the country.' 'It will help citizens make informed decisions at the election, promote an issue-based campaign devoid of personal attacks and rancor, and promote peace before, during and after the elections,' she noted. 'While ans wering questions pooled from the entire country, the Presidential Candidates will have the opportunity to point out the weakness in the policies and programmes of their opponents. 'The Vice-Presidential Debates are important because, as our Constitution mandates, the Vice-President assumes the role of the President when the latter is unable to perform the functions of that office. Vice Presidential aspirants, therefore, have to demonstrate adequate Presidential qualities, skills and competence,' the Institute added. Commending Ghana's 32-year fourth republican democracy, Mrs Akufo emphasised that the debate would help elicit 'the vision, competence, credibility, and capacity of candidates in addressing national challenges. 'Ghana's development challenges are well-known but while we tackle our challenges, we need vision, wisdom to shape our common future. It'll require difficult decisions and a collective effort but all these will be influenced by the quality of leadership and policy direction of this count ry,' she noted. The Presidential Debates, according to the IEA, would require candidates to 'respond to anonymous questions from anonymous Ghanaians.' The Evening Encounters, on the other hand, would take a 'Town Hall' format, and require candidates to 'respond directly to questions fielded in-person by representatives of key stakeholder groups.' The IEA said a Presidential Debates Committee was being constituted 'to determine the ground rules to govern the debates and evening encounters, and also solicit questions from Ghanaians.' The Institute debunked the notion that it was doing the bidding of any political party, stressing that it 'will continue to provide a neutral platform for healthy contest of ideas.' Eligible candidates have been encouraged to participate in the debate and Evening encounters. Source: Ghana News Agency