CPS’s criticism of 24-Hour economy policy vindicates NPP’s position – Jacob Asomadawine
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Wednesday, October 22, Asomadawine stated that while the idea of a 24-hour economy is feasible, the NDC’s approach lacks the necessary groundwork and prioritization needed to make it effective.
Jacob Asomadawine, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Team in the Navrongo Central Constituency, says the concerns raised by the Centre for Policy Scrutiny (CPS) over the government’s 24-Hour Economy Policy have vindicated the NPP’s long-held position that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) failed to properly conceptualize and implement the initiative.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Wednesday, October 22, Asomadawine stated that while the idea of a 24-hour economy is feasible, the NDC’s approach lacks the necessary groundwork and prioritization needed to make it effective.
“The 24-hour economy is feasible; it can be done. Our argument is that it is a process because aspects of the 24-hour economy already existed. What is needed now is to expand it and ensure it reaches major sectors of the economy,” he said.
He explained that for the policy to succeed, the government must first focus on creating the right conditions for industries, both public and private, to operate efficiently beyond regular hours.
“The fundamental issue of the 24-hour economy is to ensure that industries, both public and private, can run. What must be done so that a private sector player operates at night? Incentives must be provided,” Asomadawine emphasized.
Using the agricultural sector as an example, he argued that the NDC should have built upon the One Village, One Dam initiative started by the NPP to ensure farmers have reliable irrigation and inputs such as fertilizers.
“You don’t expect a farmer to go to the farm at night when he doesn’t even have basic inputs like fertilizer. The first step is to empower industry and stimulate demand; then the 24-hour economy will naturally emerge,” he added.
Asomadawine said the CPS’s findings, which cited weak financial modelling and an inadequate implementation framework, highlight the consequences of rushing the policy without laying the right foundation.
He therefore urged the NDC government to move beyond “mere sloganeering” and instead implement practical measures that stimulate growth across all sectors of the economy to ensure the 24-hour economy achieves meaningful impact.
Mike 105.3 FM | Navrongo | David Adapuna
