The presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Dr Edward Mahama, has claimed victory in Wednesday’s presidential debate. He told Joy News that although he was not at his best, he was the best performer after assessing himself and his colleagues. “At my personal level it was not up to my best but I think considering the other contestants I won the debate.” Dr. Edward Mahama said he used empirical situations on the ground to prove his points at the debate. It is just unfortunate, he noted, that winning debates in Ghana does not necessarily translate into votes and winning an election. “If debates won election, I should have won the elections in 2000 and 2004, so the debates don’t seem to win the elections,” he said. Dr. Mahama however noted that the platform provided by the Institute of Economic Affairs with the support of Joy FM has spurred him on to do a lot more to win the December general elections. He is also asking the Institute of Economic Affairs to inform candidates who take part in such debates the effect of the debate on the outcome of elections. Dr. Edward Mahama debated with three other presidential candidates with representation in parliament. They are: Nana Akufo-Addo representing the New Patriotic Party, Prof John Evans Atta Mills for the National Democratic Congress and Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, Convention People’s Party. They answered varied questions on governance, the economy, energy, health, security, education, women and children, Ghana’s oil find, regional integration, pension and a host of other subjects. Story by Isaac Essel