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National Chairman of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Bernard Monnah has described the decision of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) disappointing, as it considers engaging the ruling National Democratic Congress and the largest opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in a presidential debate.

According to him, the intention of the IEA to engage in a presidential debate between the NDC and NPP shows the institute has become an institute of duopoly, conflicting with the state constitution which guarantees multiparty democracy.

Speaking on Okay FM’s 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show, Bernard Monnah indicated it is surprising that the IEA has neglected the four founding political parties, PNC, CPP, NPP and NDC which started the IEA multiparty program due to their representation in Parliament.

“. .and so now if the IEA wants to do something on presidential debate which is part of the Ghana political parties programs, the parties that founded the program, the IEA doesn’t think it fits to sit down with us so that we can discuss?” he asked.

“If IEA wants to do debate between NPP and NDC then it shows that IEA has become an institute for bi-party or duopoly; this is in conflict with our constitution which guarantees multiparty democracy,” he asserted.

Delving into the activities of the IEA, Bernard Monnah highlighted that the institute has failed to involve the founding political parties in decisions concerning the Caucus of Chairmen and the platform for General Secretaries and Policy Advisors.

He was of the opinion that there is no guarantee that all the political parties are willing to do presidential debate this time despite the fact that they participated in the presidential debate in the past; thus the political parties also have their own programs to run.

“We are no going to allow this country to be hijacked by any group. . . Nobody can say that our democracy should be a duopoly; our democracy is anchored on the back of multiparty democracy,” he fumed.