BY Daniel Bampoe
The Minority in Parliament has criticized the National Democratic Congress, NDC government for failing to provide a clear framework for the much-touted 24-hour economy policy in the 2026 Budget, raising concerns about the administration’s commitment to boosting employment and productivity.
Speaking during the submission on the budget read by Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin described the absence of concrete measures for the initiative as a continuation of what he termed “part two of lamentation” from the Finance Minister.
According to the Minority Leader, the government’s repeated failure to provide a structured plan reflects poorly on the management of public resources and raises questions about consultation with key stakeholders.
He noted that the March 2025 Budget had initially referenced the 24-hour economy policy but contained no detailed execution plan or budgetary allocation to support its implementation.
“You take the budget and look at it, there were only references to the 24-hour economy. There’s no programme on the implementation…once there’s no programme, there’s no allocation of funds,” Afenyo-Markin stressed.
The Minority Leader further argued that the government had ignored the oversight role of Parliament, pointing to public reports that the presidency had been distributing large sums monthly to constituencies without accountability.
“The Minister of Finance has not accounted for this…parliament is the only body that does oversight. Yet the minister provides a patrician to Parliament, disregarding its mandate,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin also expressed skepticism over the government’s ability to operationalize a 24-hour economy with a ‘one job, three shifts’ model without proper planning, suggesting that the policy risks being symbolic rather than practical.
He highlighted that the business community appeared disengaged from the process, evidenced by empty galleries during the budget presentation, which he interpreted as a sign of disillusionment.
The debate echoes earlier concerns raised by former Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, who in March 2025 warned that the policy lacked a structured roadmap and budgetary provision, rendering its rollout unlikely within the fiscal year.
He emphasized that without funding, the policy could not achieve its objectives of employment creation and enhanced productivity.
The 24-hour economy initiative, initially proposed to expand working hours, boost industrial output, and create jobs, has faced repeated delays. Stakeholders note that successful implementation would require careful planning, investment in infrastructure, and clear coordination with private sector operators—a framework that critics argue is absent from both the 2025 and 2026 budgets.
Speaking in response, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga defended the government, stating that the 24-hour economy remains a central pillar of the administration’s strategy to boost employment, productivity, and national output.
He argued that the policy requires careful preparation and coordination across ministries before full rollout.
“The Finance Minister has presented the budget allocations, and the government is committed to implementing the 24-hour economy. The delay in execution is not due to neglect but to the careful planning necessary for a program of this scale,” Ayariga said.
The Majority Leader further emphasized that Parliament had been involved in discussions around the initiative and that key resources would be deployed as the program is phased in.
“It is better to implement this policy systematically than to rush it and risk failure,” he added, stressing that the government’s approach seeks to ensure sustainability and alignment with broader economic goals.
