President John Dramani Mahama says the government’s 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme will enable key sectors of the economy to operate productively beyond traditional working hours, creating opportunities for businesses to expand and young people to secure decent employment.
According to him, the programme will support factories, ports, farms, hospitals, markets and digital services to operate across extended hours as part of efforts to restore economic stability, increase domestic production and promote value addition and exports.
The President made the statement in an address delivered on his behalf by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, on Sunday at the 26th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Ramseyer Congregation, Abetifi, in the Kwahu area of the Eastern Region.
He said the programme formed part of government’s broader strategy to translate economic recovery into tangible improvements in livelihoods, particularly for young people, farmers, traders and small-business owners.
“Our task is to restore stability and livelihoods through disciplined public finances, domestic production, value addition and exports. The 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme will help factories, ports, farms, hospitals, markets and digital services operate productively across extended hours, allowing enterprise to expand and young people to find honest work”.
President Mahama stressed that economic renewal must go beyond headline growth figures and reach ordinary Ghanaians, including farmers, apprentices, fisherfolk, market women, teachers and persons living with disabilities.
“Economic renewal cannot be measured by growth alone. It must reach the farmer in Afram Plains, the apprentice in Suame, the fisherfolk along our coast, the market woman in Bolgatanga, the teacher in a deprived community and the person living with disability. Development that leaves millions behind cannot produce a stable society”.
He said government would complement the initiative with investments in skills and apprenticeships, digital training, healthcare and support for Ghanaian enterprises.
The President further noted that the country’s economic transformation would depend on increased domestic production, value addition and exports, alongside disciplined public financial management.
He said the ultimate objective was to create a productive economy capable of generating sustainable livelihoods and opportunities for the growing population, particularly the youth.
“Plans announced from Accra mean little unless they become food on the table, medicines in our hospitals, productive farms, growing businesses and hope at home,” he said.
He also called for collective responsibility among government, businesses, faith communities, traditional authorities and citizens to ensure that the benefits of economic development are broadly shared.
President Mahama said government is committed ro buidling an economy that offers young people skills, capital, opportunity and a sense of belonging, warning that unemployment and hopelessness could expose some young people to drugs, gambling, cybercrime and dangerous migration.
He therefore urged the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and other faith based institutions to deepen their support for technical education, entrepreneurship, counselling, mentorship and skills development to complement government’s efforts to create opportunities for the youth.
The 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme is one of the Key Campaign Promises of the ruling NDC during the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary election.
According to the government ,the Policy is most ambitious transformation agenda. It is a national production-led reset of Ghana’s post- colonial, import-dependent, low-value raw material exporting economy into a modern, self- reliant, and globally competitive economy that works around the clock to deliver productivity, sustainable growth, jobs, and food security for all.
A 24-Hour economy secretariat has since been established to coordinate the implementation of the programs,policies and interventions, build strategic partnerships and advance initiatives across priority sectors, creating the conditions for increased investment, industrial growth and long-term economic transformation.
However the policy has faced major criticism for delayed take off contrary to promise of creating 3-shift job opportunities for the youth.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
