“Those who wish to govern must subject themselves to probing questions by the people to ensure that they understand their concerns and have the capacity to address them,” IEA. As part of The Institute of Economic Affair’s (IEA) efforts to consolidate multiparty democracy and promote issue based elections in Ghana, The IEA is pleased to announce the First President Debate for the 2012 Presidential Debates Series. Date: Tuesday the 30th of October, 2012 Venue: Radach Hotel, Tamale Time: 6:30pm -- 10:00pm The 2012 Presidential Debate is expected to provide a common platform for the presidential candidates to answer questions on various aspects of the nation’s development process. The Debates will take the form of a policy dialogue engagement at which the presidential candidates will be enabled not only to present their viewpoints, plans and programmes, but also to point out weaknesses in the policies of their co-contestants and present alternatives to those policies and programmes. The electorate on the other hand will receive first hand information on the programmes and plans of each candidate. The IEA believes that the Debates will enable the electorate make an informed choice on Election Day. Following balloting conducted by the Political Parties, the seating arrangement is as follows • His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana and Flagbearer, National Democratic Congress. • Dr. Michael Abu Sakara Forster, Flagbearer, Convention People’s Party (CPP) • Mr. Hassan Ayariga, Flagbearer, People’s National Convention (PNC) • Hon. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Flagbearer, New Patriotic Party (NPP) The First Presidential Debate will be based on questions received from the following thematic areas 1. ECONOMY • National Development Plan • Job Creation/Employment • Economic Growth • National Debt 2. SOCIAL SECTOR • Socio-Economic Infrastructure (including ICT) • Education • Health • Water/ Sanitation • Food Security • Housing • Electricity and Power 3. PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT/INDUSTRIALISATION 4. FOREIGN POLICY Questions are based on Questions received from the general public and from various interest groups. Please note that all programmes are STRICTLY BY INVITATION and Guests must be seated by 6:30pm. The debate will also be live on MultiTV and will be streamed live on www.myjoyonline.com at http://www.youtube.com/myjoyonlinetube.