The Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Mustapha Gbande, has announced that the party will not participate in the Institute of Economic Affairs' (IEA) upcoming Presidential Debate ahead of the December 7 general elections.

Speaking in an interview on Accra 100.5 FM’s mid-day news on Thursday, August 8, 2024, Mr Gbande firmly stated that the NDC sees no value in such debates, arguing that they do not influence voting decisions in Ghana.

Mr Gbande explained that the NDC's decision to stay away from the debate is based on the belief that it will not alleviate the economic hardships currently faced by Ghanaians under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration.

He emphasised that voters are already suffering due to harsh economic policies and do not need a debate between former President John Mahama and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to decide whom to vote for in the upcoming elections.

"The IEA can go ahead with their debate, but it won't bring any relief to the people," Mr Gbande remarked.

He also dismissed the relevance of the debate, stating that it "will not bring anything to the table."

 He further warned that Mahama would never engage Bawumia in a debate, suggesting that if Bawumia had anything meaningful to contribute, he should focus on reducing the cost of fuel and food to ease the burden on Ghanaians.

The IEA had announced plans to hold two presidential debates, one in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, and the other in the Greater Accra Region.

However, the NDC's decision to abstain signals a clear rejection of the platform as a means of influencing the electoral process.