A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Executive Director of the Institute for Energy Policies and Research, Kwadwo Poku, has criticised the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) 24-Hour Economy policy, arguing that it has failed to deliver the opportunities promised to Ghanaian youth.
His comments come in the wake of President John Mahama’s recent assertion that he has laid a solid foundation for national progress.
Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show on January 8, Mr Poku addressed the President’s claim, noting that while such assurances are difficult to dispute, they must eventually be measured against results.
“I have heard that in his address he said that he has laid the foundation for a better Ghana to go forward; that is fine. Somebody says they laid the foundation; I can’t argue with what he says,” he stated.
He added that although it is reasonable to give the benefit of the doubt to long-term plans, the government must also prioritise policies that produce immediate and visible outcomes for the economy and young people.
“If somebody says I have put a seedling on the ground and I am going to get a bumper harvest next year, I can’t argue because I wasn’t there when he did it or did not see the seedling. And even if I saw the seedling, I don’t know how that seedling would manifest a year from now. So we all would want to give him the benefit of the doubt if he has said that he has put those benefits and policies on the ground for a better year ahead,” Mr Poku said.
However, he stressed that Ghanaians must distinguish between long-term economic planning and the immediate realities facing citizens.
“One thing that I want Ghanaians to understand is that there are two parts of this country: there is the economy, and there is always the part whereby we always have to look at what we do today, which will now probably not show in three or four years, which is the economy of the country,” he explained.
Mr Poku also questioned claims of progress within a year, arguing that public discourse often centres narrowly on indicators such as inflation and exchange rates.
Turning to the 24-Hour Economy policy, he accused the NDC of inconsistency between its campaign promises and policy explanations.
“On page 22 of the manifesto, it says 24-Hour Economy Policy, same job, 3 shifts, 3 people. I have sat on this platform and said that Ghanaian youth have been done a 419, because what was promised was that under the 24-hour economy, there will be the same job, 3 shifts, and 3 people,” he said.
He pointed to apparent contradictions in the policy document, adding:
“On page 19 of the 24-Hour Economy document, it reads: ‘While the name 24-Hour Economy may invoke images of shift work or nighttime operations, the program goes beyond that.’
“In your manifesto, you told Ghanaians that there is going to be shift work, 8-hour jobs. This is what it says: ‘The 24-Hour Economy is a deliberate intervention by the incoming NDC administration to stimulate economic growth by creating the enabling environment and public institutions to operate 24/7 in 3 shifts of 8 hours.’”
Mr Poku concluded by stressing the need for policies that move beyond aspirational language and translate into concrete employment opportunities for young people.
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