President John Mahama and the NDC anchored their 2024 electioneering campaign on a promise to introduce a 24-hour economic model that would not only lead to an economic boom of the country but would also offer employment to the teeming Ghanaian youth.
The policy was touted as the Messiah to liberate Ghanaians from the scourge of unemployment. The idea found expression in the campaign so much so that it influenced thousands of people, especially the youth, to vote for President John Mahama.
Before the elections, many a Ghanaian sought to understand what the 24-hour economic model entailed. Several attempted but uncoordinated definitions were offered, most of which left so much to be desired.
During the State of the Nation’s Address, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama was expected to detail to us when the 24-hour economy would start. Much to our disappointment, he deflected it to the finance minister, assuring us that the fine details would be made known to Ghanaians during the reading of the budget.
Since hope springs eternal in the human breast, Ghanaians looked forward to hearing much more about this game-changer of a policy promised during the 2024 electioneering campaign.
The minister of finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, delivering the 2025 budgetary statement, also failed to give us the comprehensive information about the 24-hour economy as the President had promised he would.
Instead, the finance minister postponed the coming into effect of the 24-hour economy. In his words, the minister stated that the policy is still in its embryonic stage and that when it is finalized, same would be presented to Ghanaians.
This could clearly be interpreted to mean that there is no document being worked on by the Mahama administration.
The President lied to Ghanaians with what he said in the SONA about the 24-hour economy because the finance minister could not give us the comprehensive policy document President Mahama promised.
For a policy promulgated some two years or so ago, it is shocking that nothing in terms of a workable document is available now. This nice and soothing idea sold to Ghanaians is turning out to be a wishful thinking.
The much touted 24-hour economy would take forever to be with Ghanaians. The policy exists only in the minds of President John Mahama and his party’s leadership.
It is safer concluding that Ghanaians were promised a policy so surrealistic it would never materialize if the NDC is even given 20 years to lead the country.
WMN