Former President, John Dramani Mahama, has clarified the implementation of his proposed 24-hour economy policy if he is elected as a President in the 2024 election.
According to him, the policy has been thoroughly deliberated on despite scathing views from the public domain and some personalities in the country.
Addressing a gathering today, November 21 to kick start his two-day tour of the Ahafo Region, he revealed that if he is elected to office, his administration will provide incentives for businesses to operate 24 hours to employ more youths.
Mr Mahama explained that his earlier intention with the policy was that it will give incentives for everybody who wants to run a 24-shift system to be able to do that. With this, he noted that more young people will be employed.
Furthermore, he stated that the 24-hour economy proposal is about creating more decent jobs and expanding the economy by providing businesses with incentives to adopt a 3-shift system that operates around the clock.
“When I talked about the 24-hour economy many people were saying it is not a well-thought-through programme and that people were doing 24-hour economy already. If one pharmacy is doing 24 hours, if one factory is doing 24 hours, that is not what I am talking about. “
Everybody should be encouraged to be able to do a 24-hour shift, because we have the harvest season now, and factories that are processing agricultural products should be able to run two shifts, so that they are able to process as much of the agricultural produce as possible.”
John Dramani Mahama
Novelty of Mahama’s 24-hour economy questioned
Reacting to Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s criticism of the policy, he emphasized that the initiative will be a voluntary one that interested institutions can sign onto.
“It is not by force. When we come, we’ll open it. The initiative is available, any company that wants to work a shift system and work more than the eight hours that they normally work from eight o’clock to five o’clock, they will sign on. We will give them tax incentives because if you work the extra shift, you will be given tax breaks. Aside from that, you’ll be provided with security and everything that you need to be able to employ more people.”
John Dramani Mahama
Earlier, Mr Mahama outlined that he envisioned a 24-hour economy where hospital facilities, filling stations, manufacturers, construction companies, garbage collection companies, mining and extractive industries, agro-processing, harbors and ports, financial services, digital start-ups will operate a three-shift system 24/7 in an atmosphere of safety and security.
“Businesses will be encouraged to sign up with tax incentives provided for them and enhanced security and lower electricity tariffs after peak hours. Special meters will be deployed to provide what is known as time-of-use tariffs to deliver cheaper power to such businesses during the hours of especially 10 AM and 6AM.”
John Dramani Mahama
Meanwhile, member of parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, has criticized the Vice President over comments made against Mahama’s 24-hour policy.
He stated that the NDC has been inundated with questions of policy and policy initiatives. John Dramani Mahama, he noted, has been outlining flagship policy initiatives over the past weeks in public engagements.
“The other one, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has only one message – John Mahama! He is so pathetic and clueless in his engagements so far it explains to us all the reasons our economy under his leadership is in shambles. Bawumia is empty and spent.”
Sam Nartey George
Sam George stated that John Mahama has a clear vision and plan to “Build The Ghana We Want”. With this, he stated that he is open to a factual debate on the policies outlined so far.
“I’m uninterested in party bots seeking to earn their daily stipend.”
Sam Nartey George
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