As Ghana prepares to head to the polls on December 7, 2024, the call for a debate between the two major political parties has grown louder. But let's not be fooled – debates are a mere spectacle, a theatrical display of rehearsed rhetoric and empty promises. What Ghana needs is genuine accountability, and that can only be achieved through separate press encounters where each presidential candidate is scrutinized intensively.

Debates are a charade, a staged event where candidates regurgitate scripted answers and evade genuine scrutiny. They are a disservice to the electorate, reducing complex issues to sound bites and platitudes. We've seen it time and again – candidates dodging questions, making empty promises, and hiding behind a veneer of charm and charisma.

In contrast, separate press encounters offer a chance for real scrutiny, for candidates to be held accountable for their actions and policies. Journalists can probe and challenge them, seeking specific examples and details that reveal their true intentions and capabilities. No rehearsed responses, no scripted answers – just genuine engagement and accountability.

But that's not all. Debates often prioritise confrontation over substance, creating a divisive atmosphere that benefits no one.

Separate press encounters, on the other hand, foster a constructive dialogue, allowing candidates to articulate their vision and policies without interruption or aggression. This is what Ghana needs – a thoughtful and informed discussion, not a theatrical spectacle.

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