The National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, says the National Democratic Congress government’s much-talked-about 24-hour economy policy is yet to see the light of the day.
This comes despite President John Dramani Mahama’s claim that his administration has hit the ground running with the implementation of the initiative.
Addressing the nation on Wednesday, May 7, as part of his 120-day performance report, President Mahama stated that key legal reforms and institutional alignments have begun to lay the foundation for a fully operational, round-the-clock economic system.
He highlighted further progress, noting that the Ghana Publishing Company Limited has also begun 24-hour printing operations, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs now runs a 24-hour passport service.
However, speaking on Accra-based Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana show on Thursday, May 22, Mr Ahiagbah argued that the NDC government appears to be shifting the original focus of the 24-hour economy from production to mere service delivery.
“His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, you promised to implement a 24-hour economy, which must be production-led. If we think about it carefully, these skirmishes about the Passport Office operating three or four shifts are not what you promised.
“If all these young people must get jobs, they must be productive. The enterprise must add value. You must create value and wealth. So you cannot say that DVLA is doing 24-hour economy. That’s a non-starter. What we are looking for is a 24-hour economy that is production-led. Where is that one?” he asked.
Reacting further to the recent appreciation of the Cedi, Ahiagbah argued that if the 24-hour economy is implemented as proposed, it would transform Ghana into an export-driven economy.
In that context, he said, a weaker currency would be more beneficial than a strong one.
“If, as a government, your idea is a 24-hour economy, a weak currency is actually better for you, so you can drive exports,” he said.
