Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has told critics that the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy promise cannot happen overnight.
The NDC General Secretary detailed that the 24-Hour Economy initiative is a long-term structural programme.
According to Fifi Kwetey, the 24-Hour Economy initiative was a key campaign promise for the NDC, and steps are being taken for its implementation.
He revealed that Goosie Tanoh, the 24-Hour Economy secretariat, has completed important preparatory work with a proposal submitted to parliament for consideration.
Speaking in an interview on TV3, Fifi Kwetey explained, “The process has been on. Goosie Tanoh, who is in charge of that [the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat], who is a member of the cabinet, has presented what you call the step that needs to be taken.
And at the moment, as you know, the bill is in parliament. It came through the cabinet. It is now in Parliament. Parliament will look at it. Then, after that, the implementation can begin”.
He added, “Other things that need to be put in place regarding especially tax exemptions. That’s very important because all the people who need to come along need to have guarantees, especially about taxes.
“So it is not something that you can simply just do overnight. You need to make sure the foundations are in place in order to be able to bring all the people who need to come on board and do it properly.”
Fifi Kwetey further highlighted that the success of the 24-Hour Economy initiative goes beyond the legislative process before the Parliament, adding that economic incentives, particularly tax-related guarantees, are needed to encourage the private sector to get on board.
Meanwhile, 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, Dr Stephen Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, has criticised the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) proposed 24-Hour Economy initiative.
According to Stephen Amoah, the NDC 24-Hour Economy is just a fallacy, arguing that the NDC do not know what they mean by 24-Hour Economy.