Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flag bearer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has mocked his colleague flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, stating that Mahama cannot explain his own 24-hour economy policy to Ghanaians.
John Mahama, a former President of Ghana, proposes a 24-hour economy initiative aimed at enabling businesses to operate three shifts per day.
According to Mahama, the objective behind this initiative is to create new employment opportunities, particularly for young people, address unemployment, and enhance living standards in Ghana. He envisions a collaborative effort between the government and the private sector to achieve this goal.
Mahama’s plan includes enacting new laws to support businesses operating a 24/7 system, including labor laws and tax incentives. He mentions that there will be favorable tax policies, stimulus packages, and financial assistance available for specific industries, such as agro-processing and manufacturing. Additionally, he emphasizes that the government will prioritize buying local products and services and will implement measures to ensure the smooth operation of the 24-hour economy.
However, speaking at a Youth Connect program in Bunkpurugu in the North East Region, Dr. Bawumia criticized the 24-hour economy policy, calling it empty.
He stated, “He says he has a 24-hour economy that he cannot explain; it is as empty as an empty barrel. He cannot explain it, none of his people can explain it. They say we will be exporting lions and elephants, but when we meet mano a mano, we can debate, and the country will see where our policies lie.”
Dr. Bawumia emphasized the importance of debating policies publicly, saying, “That is where we should go; we should give the country an opportunity to listen to us. But if he chooses not to debate, I will sell my policies to the people of Ghana, and you will take the decision.”