By Ashiadey Dotse
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has said the government’s much-touted 24-hour economy policy has failed to create the jobs it promised Ghanaians, nearly one year after it was announced.
Speaking in an interview on GTV’s Breakfast Show on Friday January 30, 2026, Mr Afenyo-Markin said the policy was sold to the public as a major job-creation initiative, but there is no clear evidence that it has led to increased employment across key state institutions.
According to him, government promised that one job would benefit up to three people, but that promise “has not seen the light of day.”
“If the 24-hour economy was truly working, we should see a clear increase in staff strength at places like the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, ECG, Ghana Water and other state agencies,” he said. “Public records will show that this has not happened.”
The Minority Leader argued that instead of creating jobs, the government has dismissed public sector workers, including people who were already legally employed before the change of government.
“Does it make sense to say there were irregularities and then ask a Ghanaian to go and sit at home?” he questioned, adding that some of those affected were employed as far back as 2017 and 2018.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also criticised the government’s economic decisions, saying they have worsened the living conditions of ordinary Ghanaians. He cited the introduction of new fuel levies and an increase of over 27 percent in electricity tariffs, which he said has reduced people’s disposable income.
“If you were buying electricity for 10 cedis, you are now paying close to 13 cedis. That is almost a 30 percent increase, and it affects the ordinary Ghanaian,” he noted.
On Parliament’s work, the Minority Leader said nearly 90 percent of parliamentary business was passed by consensus, insisting that the Minority has been constructive and supportive of good governance.
However, he expressed concern about what he described as the government’s frequent use of certificates of urgency to rush bills through Parliament, weakening proper scrutiny.
He said the Minority had to resist attempts to rush major legislations, including amendments to the Bank of Ghana Act and the introduction of the Dumsor Levy, arguing that ECG’s challenges should be addressed through reforms rather than new taxes.
Mr Afenyo-Markin disclosed that the Minority has filed motions in Parliament to challenge some of these actions, insisting that government must be held accountable and policies must reflect the realities facing Ghanaians.
