The National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has described the 24-hour economy policy championed by President John Mahama’s administration as a failed promise.
According to him, the policy, which is set to be officially launched today, July 1, lacks clarity and feasibility and has become a burden on Presidential Advisor Goosie Tanoh to “seek a soft landing” for what he termed a deception.
“Today, the 24-hour economy stands as a failed promise that has been dumped on the respected Goosie Tanoh to seek a soft landing on the back of a staggering $4 billion price tag. What will the $4 billion be spent on?” Mr. Ahiagbah posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.
The 24-hour economy, first promised during Mr. Mahama’s 2024 campaign, is expected to cost around $4 billion.
Mr. Tanoh has disclosed that the government will provide between $300 million and $400 million as seed capital to attract private investment into the initiative.
But Mr. Ahiagbah believes the policy was never thoroughly scrutinised by stakeholders.
He accused the media of allowing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to promote the idea without serious questioning.
“Instead of critically interrogating the promise, the media provided the platform for the NDC to romance the scam into the hearts of Ghanaians,” he said.
He further urged the government to abandon the 24-hour economy policy and focus on the NPP’s One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative, which he claimed offers a more practical solution to Ghana’s production and job creation needs.
“The NPP’s 1D1F is a practicable solution to Ghana’s production and jobs (import and export) challenge. I pray the government will continue with the 1D1F initiative and discontinue the 24-hour economy deceit,” he stated.
