Governance Expert, Dr. Frederick Oduro has emphasized the need for presidential debates to focus on serious political parties with a proven track record, rather than providing a platform for lesser-known candidates to gain attention.
In an interview on Morning Starr with Lantam Papanko, Dr. Oduro stressed that debates should not be used as a forum for building coalitions or allowing newcomers to gain undue attention.
“Politics is not done over one round of elections. If you really want to be taken seriously, we need to see you building a political grouping over time”, the Governance Expert stated.
Dr. Oduro also pointed to the example of the United States, where a political party must garner at least 5% of the vote to be taken seriously in subsequent elections.
He noted that in Ghana, smaller parties such as the PNC and CPP have consistently failed to achieve even 1% of the vote, and have not been able to secure a single seat in Parliament.
“I don’t think until they can show that at the national level, they can garner, say, 5%, they can get a seat in Parliament. This is a serious platform that we want to build. We should never allow anybody to come and joke on such a platform.”
Background
The Flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has dared former President Mahama and Flagbearer of the NDC, John Mahama, for a live Presidential debate to explain their respective vision and policies to the people of Ghana.
Addressing thousands of his supporters last night in Bunkpurugu, North East Region, Dr. Bawumia said he was eagerly waiting for a debate with Mahama, but he was less optimistic that would happen because Mahama is “running away.”
“I am looking forward to a debate with John Mahama on the economy, on the country on the governance,’ Dr. Bawumia said.
“But I am afraid that he is running away from a debate. His people say he doesn’t want to debate. I have never heard of an opposition leader who doesn’t want to debate. But he knows I will expose the emptiness of his policies.”
Dr. Bawumia added that former President Mahama and his team are unable to explain their 24-hour economy to Ghanaians, adding that the former President is avoiding a debate because he will be exposed.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Deborah Annang Naa Momo
