Ghana's 24-Hour Economy policy overhaul sparks backlash from opposition leaders
The government's 24-Hour Economy policy has undergone major changes since the 2024 elections, sparking criticism from opposition leaders. Michael Okyere Baafi, MP for New Juaben South, claims the revised plan breaks promises made to Ghanaians during John Mahama's campaign. He argues that the shift risks undermining public trust unless officials explain the alterations clearly.
The original policy, announced before the 2024 vote, followed a 1-3-3 structure. It aimed to generate 1 million decent jobs through three economic drivers—agriculture, manufacturing, and digitalisation—backed by three pillars: infrastructure, skills training, and incentives. Yet by March 2026, results remained limited. Only pilot agro-processing schemes, launched in 2025, created around 50,000 jobs, mostly in rural areas like the Northern Region.
The government has now replaced the **1-3-3** model with a **4-1-9** framework. Unlike the earlier focus on direct job creation, the revised policy emphasises private sector leadership, supported by state incentives. Baafi questions whether this change will actually boost employment. He also demands the administration apologise for abandoning the original plan. In a recent statement, the MP urged officials to step up investment promotion efforts. Without stronger action, he warns, the government could face growing scepticism over its economic strategy.
The policy's restructuring has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures like Baafi. He insists the government must justify the changes or risk losing credibility. As of now, the revised approach has yet to deliver the large-scale job growth initially promised to voters.
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