The Paramount Chief of Dormaa Traditional Council, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu II, has joined calls for a debate between President Nana Akufo-Addo and Former President John Dramani Mahama who are both flagbearers of the NPP and the NDC respectively ahead of the December 7, 2020 general elections.
Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu II, said it is important that political leaders engage in a national debate ahead of the elections to provide electorates with information and deepen Ghana’s democracy.
The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, (NDC) Mr John Dramani Mahama in the recent past extended invitations for a presidential debate to president Akufo-Addo but the president has declined.
President Akufo-Addo has also turned down other invitations for a presidential debate including that of IMANI Africa.
Spokespersons for the NDC 2020 campaign James Agyenim-Boateng in a statement said Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu, who is also the newly elected President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, made the call when Mr. Mahama paid a courtesy call on him at his palace in Dormaa Ahenkro.
He said “I strongly support this debate between the two presidential candidates to enable Ghanaians to know the party with the better track record and therefore decide who to vote for”.
Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu II therefore urged the parties to reach an agreement on the need for a presidential debate for the benefit of electorates and in the interest of the country’s democracy.
He said it is important for political parties to compare their record of achievements in government to challenge and encourage succeeding governments to do more for the country.
Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu II, also used the opportunity to call on the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the upcoming December 7, 2020 general elections.
He noted that the EC’s just ended exhibition of provisional voter register had many challenges.
“I will therefore plead with the EC to do the right thing, because we love peace in Ghana and with all borders closed, where do we go when something untoward happens?”, he asked.
Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu also expressed concern about the reported training of thugs by some political parties to cause mayhem on election day and urged the various security services to ensure that the peace and stability of the country is not put in jeopardy.
While advising supporters of the various political parties to be committed to promoting peaceful elections, he said it is imperative for security personnel to be fair in the discharge of their duties before, during and after the elections.
For his part, Mr Mahama congratulated Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu II on his election as the first president of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs and promised to work together to promote the development of the Bono region when he is elected as president in the December 7, 2020 general elections.
The Former President also assured Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu II that the NDC will at all times engage in a peaceful campaign ahead of the December 7, general elections.
Story By: Edward Ken-Zorre
