An aide to former President Dramani Mahama, Joyce Bawah Mogtari has said the 24-hour economy that has been proposed by Mahama should be supported to ensure the needed economic development under a National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.
She said Mr Mahama is aware that some private sector companies are already doing this but wants more private sector companies and key state enterprises to work 24 hours.
Some critics have said Mr Mahama’s proposal is not new. For instance, the Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Mr Richard Ahiagbah said “The NDC should stop posturing as though the concept of a 24-hour economy is an original idea coughed up by H.E John Mahama. It is not a new idea, at all. When John Mahama was Vice President in 2009, Kenya constituted a National 24-hour Economy Steering Committee to explore the idea. JM became President in 2012-2016, why did he not implement the 24-hour economy because the idea was available to him to copy? Was it because of Dumsor? Or the 24-hour economy does not require stable electricity?
“The truth is that the 24-hour economy is not a standalone idea or policy. It requires enabling factors like industrialization or manufacturing, energy, tourism, and associated policies or factors to drive it. In other words, a 24-hour economy cannot happen in a vacuum. So, it is not the first thing to say that, I will introduce a 24-hour economy, and boom it becomes a game changer! First, JM must start by discussing his enabling factors plan that will give impetus to the 24-hour economy.
“Until we see JM’s enabling policy plan, his 24-hour economy idea remains a populist stunt akin to a student who vows to score straight A’s but is known to be such a student or does not have a study plan that demonstrates how he/she would arrive at the desired result of straight A’s. It is just talk at this point. Populism as always.
“The NDC cannot be an alternative for Ghana, because their policy bag is empty…there is nothing in there to offer Ghanaians. My plea is for Ghanaians to keep faith with the NPP because we have the answers, and we will deliver. The economy is coming back…Dr. Bawumia is the man to continue the economic recovery.”
Also, a Financial Analyst Joe Jackson said that a 24-hour economy would require markets that encourage entrepreneurs to invest.
He also indicated that it would require competitive prices for inputs, removal of arcane regulations and taxes, and access to competitive finance.
Reacting to these concerns, Joyce Bawah Mogtari said in a tweet that “The Leader of the NDC , HE John Mahama, has proposed a policy which will stimulate economic growth and employment through a deliberate policy of a future NDC government to ensure that Ghana develops and sustains a 24 hour economy.
“He is aware that some private sector companies are already doing this, but believes that with the right incentives, regulations,taxation, safety and security, infrastructure and intentional investment, government can stimulate an effective strategy to increase productivity and reduce unemployment if more private sector companies and key state enterprises can work 24 hours. For example, the ports, transportation industry, manufacturing and many others.
“What we will require is your knowledge, expertise and support to enable government implement this policy strategically and efficiently!”
Source: 3News on