Representatives of the ruling NDC and two opposition parties squared off in a debate over policy issues so far in the campaign. Appearing on Multi TV’s current affairs program pm:EXPRESS, Felix Ofosu –Kwakye of the NDC’s communications team, Bernard Mornah General Secretary of PNC and Nii Armah Akomfrah, communications director of the CPP faced one another in a lively discussion that was dominated by the issue of access to education. Nii Armah Akomfrah designated the CPP as the party which is “social conscious of the nation”, stating that no other party is campaigning for free education and social housing. Failing to give specifics, Mr. Armah Akomfrah said “Our whole education system needs re-tooling. What is the use of a JHS Certificate? What will you use it for? Do parties benefit from large numbers of illiteracy?” Mr. Ofosu-Kwaykye repeated the scepticism with which his NDC party regards the issue of free Secondary schools. “We must be more realistic. We must ensure that we expand access and improve quality”. Reacting to criticism that his party has been concentrating on attacking the free education policies of the opposition, rather than offer credible alternatives, Mr Ofosu-Kwakey Nii Armah Akomfrah said “Look at our record over the past three years”. He went on to claim that 250 new schools have been created by the NDC government and that several “schools under trees” have been eliminated, under the NDC government, which adds credence to NDC’s stance that the problem of Ghana’s Educational system is that of access and not affordability. The CPP’s Nii Armah Akohmfrah, was however eager to discuss solutions for the economy. His party, he claims when given the mandate to rule this country, would encourage productivity and concentrate on creating employment. Mr. Armah Akohmfrah strongly criticised the NDC government policy of import duties. ''Their only solution to the so-called problem of hunger is to ensure that there are no import duties on rice”, he said. All three parties represented promised that their campaigns are already off to successful starts , with Mr Kwakye-Ofosu acknowledging that the late start of the NDC’s campaign was due obviously to the ‘unprecedented tragedy’ of President Mills death. Though the party's manifesto has not been released, Kwakye-Ofosu stated on many occasions throughout the programme that the incumbent party is ready to run on its record, particularly on the economy. “We look forward to vigorously articulating our achievements. We have stabilised an unstable situation. The public will judge us on the basis of what we have done” The PNC was also not specific about the date of the release of its manifesto. However Bernard Mornah stated that employment will be a major plank, criticising the selling of state enterprises by successive governments- including the NDC and NPP. All the parties are confident of winning this year’s election on the strength of their messages. Nii Armah Akomfrah believes the CPP can win December's election, claiming that voters are looking for a credible alternative to the NDC and NPP, who have both had their turns under the 4th Republic. “7 out of 10 people we see on the doorstep say they are disengaged from the process. They are telling us that they are fed up”. PNC is confident that come December, both the NDC and NPP would wake up to the shocking reality of the PNC Candidate Hassan Ayariga winning the elections. The party’s campaign strategy would be to simply encourage the electorate to “accept the message and the messenger”. Mr. Monah is confident this will win them the December elections. The NDC surely is very confident that it will retain power based on its track record in the 4 years it would have been in office at the time of election. With such variations in policy direction, which is mainly what separates the parties with the level of debate on the issues so far, it is obvious the campaigns to win the December elections, are in full swing.