2024 Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has re-affirmed his optimism that his 24-hour economy policy proposal, will be a game-changer for Ghana.
According to the former President, the initiative which is expected to attract major businesses in the industry and the manufacturing sector through incentives, will not only create jobs especially for the youth, but boost growth massive infrastructure development and improve revenue generation.
Mr Mahama was speaking at the the Ninth Ghana CEO Network Business Cocktail in Accra, on the theme: “The CEO Imperative: How are CEOs Responding to the New Economic Reality?”
He noted that a future NDC Government would vigorously pursue the policy, amongst many other initiatives, as part of its broader vision and determination to increase economic growth, create jobs, and improve the quality of life of Ghanaians.
“We shall work with you to build the Ghana we want together” Mr Mahama said adding that this will focus on projects and programmes to transform by optimising available resources.
“I acknowledge the massive support for the initiative by the Trades Union Congress, civil society organisations, journalists, lecturers, labour consultants, CEOs and captains of industry, personnel from the creative arts industry, drivers, traders, and the teeming unemployed youth of Ghana. “
“To build the Ghana we want together with the people will be premised on building an industrialised, inclusive, and resilient economy that creates well-paying jobs and creating an equitable, healthy, and prosperous nation.”
He mentioned developing well-planned, safe communities while protecting the natural environment; building effective, efficient, and dynamic institutions for national development; and strengthening Ghana’s role in African and international affairs as part of the proposal.
“This might be classified as an idea whose time has come due to Ghana’s self-inflicted economic crisis today because the 24-hour economy initaitive was well-thought-through and captured on page 105 of the NDC’s 2020 People’s Manifesto.”
Its roots emanated from the 40-year National Development Plan of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) put together when he was President, Mr Mahama said.
“Unfortunately, the present government discarded the 40-year plan and replaced it with a Ghana Beyond Aid plan that has turned « Ghana into a beggar nation ».
He said stripped to the essentials, the 24-hour policy would be a three-shift work schedule in many sectors with an intent to transform Ghana into a self-sufficient and export-led economy.
