By Dr John Osae-Kwapong
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has announced plans to hold presidential and vice-presidential debates as part of its election year activities.
Prior to the IEA’s announcement, Ghanaians were already having conversations about presidential debates in the proverbial public square.
Partisans of Ghana’s two main political parties (NDC and NPP) are at odds on the issue. NPP partisans argue a debate is needed and signal strongly the readiness of Dr Bawumia (party flag bearer) to participate. In fact, Dr Bawumia has publicly called for a “mano-a-mano” debate with NDC flag bearer John Mahama, going as far as to say his “opponent is running away from a debate”.
NDC partisans, judging from their public comments, have no appetite for a presidential debate. The spokesperson for the John Mahama Campaign, Madam Joyce Bawah Mogtari, tweeted “There is nothing left to debate.” Other known party voices have made references to a Dr Bawumia statement back in 2016 in which he appears to reject the idea of a presidential debate and questioning his enthusiasm for one in 2024.
The Utility of Presidential Debates
Presidential debates are important. They offer a platform for candidates to directly “confront” each other on the key issues voters care about in this election. Keep in mind that this “confrontation” occurs daily during campaign stops where flag bearers “throw punches” at their opponents on matters of policy and suitability for office. A presidential debate strips the “confrontation” of the temperaments associated with campaign stump speeches, social media banter between partisans, and shouting matches between party communicators as witnessed sometimes during media appearances.
On a debate stage, it is the candidate against each other, under the pressure of time, and in the full glare of millions of Ghanaian voters articulating reasons why they should be elected the next president of Ghana. On the debate stage, they must be able to explain a policy idea or proposal while dealing with counter arguments from their political opponent. How Ghanaians judge debate performance can go a long way to determine if they feel a particular candidate has what it takes to tackle the socio-economic and governance challenges facing the country if elected.
Here is the reality about the upcoming election. Millions already know how they will vote. For this group of voters, a presidential debate has no consequences for them. Their minds are already made up. However, there are two other groups of voters for whom a presidential debate can make a difference. First, there are “undecided” voters. For such voters, how they judge performance may be the last factor that tilts them towards a particular candidate and ultimately how they vote.
Second, there are voters who, although have made up their minds, are still amenable to rethinking their choice. Again, for such voters, a single moment in a presidential debate is all they need to change their minds.
Whichever way you look at it, I believe debates play a useful role in presidential elections and IEA’s decision to hold one this year must be applauded.
Will the NDC and NPP flag bearers participate in a debate?
The history of participation in presidential debates, especially by our two main political parties, has been interesting. In 2008 and 2012, flag bearers of both parties participated. In 2000, the NDC flag bearer was absent while in 2004 and 2016, the NPP flag bearer was absent. In 2020 while the NDC flag bearer indicated a readiness to debate, the same could not be said of his NPP counterpart.
With this history of participation in presidential debates by candidates of our two main parties, one cannot say with certainty whether both parties will participate once a formal invitation is extended. But judging from current public rhetoric I think it is fair to say we may not witness a “mano-a-mano” presidential debate. However, miracles do happen so let’s not write off the prospect yet.
Participating or not comes with political risks and rewards. What are the risks of participating? Remember the two groups of voters who are waiting to decide or change their minds? That is what a candidate risks- losing them if their debate performance is judged to be subpar.
What are the risks for not participating? Remember the two groups of voters who are waiting to decide or change their mind? A candidate risks losing them if non-participation is viewed negatively and as a snub of the Ghanaian voter.
What are the rewards? Again, remember the two groups of voters waiting to decide as well as confirm their decision? That is what they stand to gain if their debate performance is judged to be superb.
It will be great to have a presidential debate, but it is up to the two main political parties as they weigh the risks and rewards of participating or boycotting.
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The writer is the Project Director, Democracy Project.
