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Independent parliamentary candidate for Nkoranza North, Charles Owusu has challenged Ex-President and NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama to hold a public lecture on his 24-hour economy policy and give detailed clarifications on it.

According to him, the policy explanations given by his communicators are least convincing and more confusing to grasp as they are unable to clearly tell what the policy entails.

The former President says, if elected President, he will ensure Ghana’s economy run a 24-hour service.

“A new NDC administration will work urgently to equip our youth with the entrepreneurial knowledge and skills needed for a sustainable future. We will introduce a 24-hour economy with incentives and tax breaks for manufacturers who will run extra shifts to create more room for employment.

“We will work to ease the burden of taxes imposed by this NPP administration on Ghanaian businesses and investors, which has robbed Ghana of its envious position as one of Africa’s leading destinations for investment”, he promised.

Weeks ago, Mr. Mahama also took to his Facebook page to make further additions to the policy.

24-Hour Economy

“My objective is to create a 24-hour economy in Ghana by enabling businesses to operate in three shifts. This will help Ghana become self-sufficient and focus on export-oriented growth.

To achieve this goal, the government and private sector will collaborate. The 24-hour economy is designed to create new employment opportunities, particularly for young people, address unemployment, and enhance living standards in Ghana.

My government will enact new laws to support businesses operating 24/7, including labour laws and tax incentives. To assist companies, there will be favourable tax policies, stimulus packages and financial assistance available for specific industries including agro-processing and manufacturing.

Buying local products and services will be government’s top priority, and measures will be implemented to ensure the smooth operation of the 24-hour economy.

Security, sanitation, cleaning, and environmental protection will be critical components of the 24-hour economy. Financial services at the ports will be operational 24/7, reducing delays and congestion.

The initiative aims to benefit various sectors, create jobs, improve living standards, increase productivity, and provide convenience for citizens”, John Mahama stated.



Charles Owusu's Call

But Charles Owusu is calling on the former President to mount the stage like the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, did at the UPSA on Wednesday, February 7, outlining his vision and making clear the policies he intends to implement if elected into power in 2025.

"As it stands now, we are all very confused about this 24-hour economy policy because the things the NDC communicators are saying clearly shows they, themselves, don't understand the policy...Mahama should mount the stage and tell us what his 24-hour economy is about", Charles Owusu demanded.

He further explained a 24-hour economy works better when demand outweighs supply, hence encouraging industries and individuals to stretch beyond their normal durations; but he wondered how Mr. Mahama intends to roll out this policy when companies are already running 24-hour services and those that are not don't need it.

"If I run a business and demand for my products are not overwhelmingly high, what is the wisdom in running a 24-hour service?...Again, let's say I am traveling and what I'm going for is to be done in the morning, are you saying because you have given transport companies incentives and reduced transport fares, I should postpone my task in the morning to join the night bus?", the Nkoranza parliamentary aspirant quizzed during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show on Friday, February 23, 2024.