New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has challenged the Mahama administration over what he describes as the slow implementation of the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy policy.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday during the debate on the Economy and Development Committee’s report, the Ranking Member on the committee argued that nearly two years into the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, there is little evidence that the ambitious programme has moved beyond policy announcements.
According to Oppong Nkrumah, the 24-Hour Economy was sold to Ghanaians ahead of the 2024 general election as a bold industrialisation and employment strategy anchored on a “one job, three people, three shifts” model aimed at increasing productivity across both the public and private sectors.
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He, however, maintained that no public institution has been identified as implementing that model despite Parliament approving nearly GH¢650 billion in public expenditure since the government assumed office.
“Almost two years after assuming office, there is not one government agency implementing the one-three-three model,” the former Information Minister told Parliament.
The lawmaker contended that discussions at the committee level indicate the government has shifted its focus toward constructing 24-hour markets and designing incentive packages for private businesses instead of implementing the original policy framework.
He questioned whether new market infrastructure alone could sustain round-the-clock economic activity, pointing out that several existing markets across the country remain active only on designated market days despite having adequate facilities.
Oppong Nkrumah also criticised the government for admitting that the fiscal and regulatory incentives expected to encourage businesses to operate on a 24-hour basis are still under development.
He argued that the delay has created uncertainty for investors, insisting that businesses require clear policy direction and attractive incentives before expanding operations, hiring more workers and introducing additional production shifts.
The Ofoase-Ayirebi legislator further claimed that the 24-Hour Economy has effectively displaced the previous New Patriotic Party government’s One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative.
Citing the National Development Planning Commission’s 2024 Annual Progress Report, published in June 2025, he said at least 150 1D1F projects were operational by the end of 2024, demonstrating tangible progress in Ghana’s industrialisation drive.
He urged the Mahama administration to build on the gains made under the 1D1F programme instead of abandoning it for what he described as a policy whose key implementation mechanisms are yet to be fully developed.
Oppong Nkrumah also warned that prolonged delays in executing a comprehensive industrial policy could worsen youth unemployment, referencing Ghana Statistical Service figures which he said place youth unemployment at approximately 32.4%.
He stressed that meaningful economic transformation should be measured by expanded industrial production, increased private sector investment and sustainable job creation rather than policy pronouncements alone.