By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
The Minister in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has revealed the government’s plans to operationalise the 24-hour economy initiative, confirming that a dedicated secretariat has been formed and preparatory work is underway.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show, Kwakye Ofosu said the initiative is designed to expand Ghana’s economy and create additional employment opportunities. He noted that once Parliament resumes and grants the required legal backing, full implementation will begin.
“The 24-hour economy secretariat has been set up, and work will begin in earnest,” he said on Thursday, May 8, stressing that the policy aims to ensure sustainable, round-the-clock economic activity.
He further explained that extending the country’s productive base is central to the policy’s intent, which in turn will lead to job creation and economic growth.
“We have committed ourselves to begin implementation of the policy. It is not an event, as the opposition likes to term it—it is a process that will ensure sustainable, round-the-clock economic activity,” he added.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu also criticised the previous government for poor planning and implementation of their flagship programs, including NABCO and the One-Village-One-Dam initiative, asking rhetorically, “Where are the dams?”
Responding to a question on why the 24-hour policy was not implemented while in opposition, he said, “You cannot make policies in opposition; what you can have is a plan or intent.”
He stressed that it is only upon assuming office and understanding the actual state of affairs that meaningful policies can be designed and implemented. “If you make a policy in opposition, how will you implement it?” he asked.
