When National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Mahama proposed a 24-hour economy policy, Agriculture Minister, Bryan Acheampong discredited it and was heckled.
Speaking over the weekend at an event in the Central Region, Bryan Acheampong stated that while the proposal was commendable, it was obvious that the former president was not the appropriate person to make the proposal.
The Agriculture Minister used Mahama’s electrical difficulties as president to support his argument, even though some audience members found his posture uncomfortable.
“The 24-hour economy is good news, but even in the 8-hour economy, he (Mahama) was unable to keep the lights on… the 8-hour economy he failed at and bequeathed to us, is it 24 hours that he can manage?” Acheampong asked.
Then there were boos from some parts of the crowd, and some people started chanting “away, away.”
Despite the jeers, the Agriculture Minister —who also happens to be the Abetifi Member of Parliament—maintained his position.
Dubbed the “24-hour economy,” Mahama has suggested changing the structure of the nation’s economy.
Politicians, business people, and representatives of other interest groups have voiced varying degrees of optimism and interest in the proposal’s specifics.
A 24-hour economy guarantees that goods and services are accessible to customers around-the-clock; however, the smooth operation of this kind of economy depends on the availability of capital and human resources for its development and expansion.
One of the main tenets of Mahama’s 2024 presidential campaign platform, he stated during the Building Ghana Tour, is the 24-hour economy.
He maintained that this kind of policy would support employment creation and economic growth.
Relatedly, Beatrice Annan, a member of the NDC communication team, has taken issue with Stephen Yakubu, the Upper East Regional Minister, for allegedly undermining John Mahama’s 24-hour economy policy.
Annan highlighted that while young people are coping with the difficulties of unemployment, their basic needs extend beyond sexual cravings.
