In every democracy, political parties are very important. They do not just serve as alternative choice to the ruling government but also perform key roles in grooming leaders at national and sub-national levels and offering constructive criticisms against policies of government. Such debates among the candidates of the various parties before elections are very important as they make it possible for the electorate to know who has the best policy to be elected to the highest office of the land.
Debates also allow the electorate to know how well equipped their candidates are on social, economic, and other developments of the country and how they intend to address them when given the mandate. Above all, debates afford the electorate to know the candidates who can think quickly on his feet on critical national issues when confronted.
It is for these reasons that we commend the Institute of Economic Affairs for coming up with the Presidential debates. The hosting of the debates for both the Northern and Southern sectors is very significant since previous debates were held only once and in Accra thus denying many Ghanaians the opportunity to ask the candidates questions of concern to them.
By Felix Cofie, a Journalist
But what has generated the debate even before the big debates is the limited number of parties selected to take part. The smaller parties are complaining that giving the platform to only the four with representation in Parliament, the NPP, NDC, PNC and CPP is discriminatory. Their complaints can be justified in some way, because if they are not given the opportunity to let Ghanaians know what they are made up of, how will they make impact, let alone rise up to the level of the bigger parties. Just as our elders maintain that a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, they have taken the step.
Other stakeholders, especially state institutions that have the mandate to ensure that a level playing field is given to all the political parties must also do their work well so that at the end no one will cry foul. Having said that, the way some of these smaller parties held their congresses did not show that they are into any serious business, let alone to lead this country.
Traveling throughout the 230 constituencies, it is clear that these par ties have offices only in some few constituencies and in some cases has none except in Accra , but yet claim to be national. Again after their national delegate congresses, it is evident that they have all submerged into the deep waters of the political ocean while some have fallen unconscious even before the blow of the whistle for kick off.
In conclusion, the four major parties that have the opportunity to take part in the debates should make good use of the platform given them, because out of the lot, they have been recognized. They should not use the platform to trade accusations or insults but tell Ghanaians what they can do to improve the standard of living of Ghanaians.
The debate is to inform and involve the voters in the political process. Though all the aspirants mean well the difference is in the approach to achieving that objective. Previous debates were smooth sailing and there is no reason to doubt that this year’s will be no exception.
