Samuel Abu Jinapor, a member of Parliament for Damongo, has slammed the John Mahama government over its failure to implement the proposed three-shift, eight-hour system under the government’s 24-hour economy policy.
According to Abu Jinapor, nearly one year into its tenure Mahama’s tenure, the only job with people working three shifts is the Office of the Speaker, with the Speaker, the First Deputy and the 2nd Deputy rotating.
He, however, added that the Office of the Speaker does not even practice the 24-hour economy.
Abu Jinapor further noted that Ghanaians are frustrated by what he described as repeated promises without action, as the NDC flagship policy has not translated into tangible jobs for the unemployed youth.
Speaking during the debate on the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill in Parliament on Thursday, February 5 stated, “Eleven months into the NDC administration, their flagship programme of a 24-hour economy, with the three-shift system for unemployed Ghanaian youth, the only place working some form of shifts today is the Office of the Speaker of Parliament—and even that is not a full 24-hour operation.
“You do not need another authority to promote exports and thereby create a 24-hour economy. We already have the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, whose sole mandate is to promote exports,” he asserted.
The Damongo MP added, “Mr. Speaker, this is another gimmick. This is another deception. It is meant to buy time and give false hope to the unemployed youth. This authority will only create jobs for a few—another CEO, deputy CEOs, and managers. It will not affect the suffering unemployed youth from Bolgatanga to Keta, Bosome Freho, and across the length and breadth of this country”.
“Ghanaians are tired of hope; they want action. Young men and women in this country cannot find jobs. One year down the line, instead of implementing the 24-hour economy, they are asking us to create another bureaucracy,” he added.
Also, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, some months ago labelled the John Mahama-led NDC government as a promise and fail government.
The minority slammed the NDC government over its failure to cater for its Members of Parliament.
He stressed that the NDC government, which cannot take care of its 189 MPs, cannot provide jobs for the youth.
He criticised the Majority Caucus leadership for failing to improve members’ welfare.
According to Afenyo-Markin, the NDC promised to create a three-shift system but has failed to deliver.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, December 18, 2025, he stated, “They also said they were going to create one job with three shifts. Mr Speaker, a government that cannot take care of its 189, cannot take care of the many jobless youth that are seeking jobs. A government that cannot take care of its 189 in this chamber cannot take care of the many youths… Mr Speaker, this government is a promise and fail government”, he remarked.
“The backbenchers in this House are suffering, and you say you are going to create jobs. When your members have been rendered redundant and cannot go back to their constituencies, you say you are going to create jobs,” he stated.
He added, “The Majority should take care of its own backbenchers; they are your MPs. It is not enough to come here with 189 MPs, and you cannot take care of them”.
“The minister for public sector reforms has been rendered redundant and jobless. She is just at the Jubilee House. The minister in charge of special initiatives is also just there doing nothing, and he is being paid salaries doing nothing.
“…They said they were only going to appoint 60 ministers, but there are many other government appointees,” he added.
Afenyo-Markin added, “Some (NDC MPs) are coming to back bench in Uber and in a taxi. Mr Speaker, your Majority should take care of your back bench,” he noted.
“What Adongo needs is a job. He is always on the floor attacking the Minority, yet he is jobless,” he added.
Watch the video below:
'I want to submit forcefully that the only job that has people working three shifts is the Office of the Speaker. The Speaker, the First Deputy and the 2nd Deputy, but even that is not 24 hours …' – Samuel Jinapor, MP for Damongo#3NewsGH #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/urldpv8iUo
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) February 5, 2026