The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned its party structures and functionaries to desist from participating in any programme organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).

Deputy General Secretary, Koku Anyidoho, said at the party's Functional Executive Committee (FEC) meeting held on Tuesday, June 21, the NDC has chosen not to be part of any IEA programme.

“The NDC is not and shall not participate in any debate organised by the IEA with specific reference to the 2016 general election,” he said.

At least this is not the first time the NDC is turning away from IEA-related platforms. During the heat up to the 2012 general election, the then President John Evans Atta-Mills decided to stay off IEA programmes, but after his demise, then Vice-President John Dramani Mahama joined the debate when he became the party’s Presidential Candidate.

Explaining the party’s position to Joynews, Koku Anyidoho said the party will be unable to participate in any forum or platform that the IEA will provide due to the party's activities ahead of the November polls.

“Politically we think that in this year 2016, we are not, and unable to participate,” he said.

Meanwhile, IEA insists its platform is independent and credible.

Delivering her closing remark after the first Evening Encounter with Dr Edward Mahama, the presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Executing Director of IEA, Jean Mensah entreated all the presidential candidates to make use of its platform.

“I think this is an independent, credible platform and the nation and the electorate are eager to hear from all the presidential candidates and would like to encourage all of them to mount this platform to present their vision,” she said.