The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has organized a two-day dialog to draft the Presidential manifesto for the 2024 General Election. The dialog gathered two hundred researchers to determine what direction the NDC manifesto is taking based on the theme of the 24-hour economy policy proposal of the party.

The flagbearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama was present at the dialog to discuss with the researchers the possible trajectory to take with the 24-hour economy policy to ensure that it resonates properly with Ghanaians.

Member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Legal Team, Esq. Edudzi Tamakloe, disclosed that the dialog is aimed at improving the policy proposal of the NDC to be presented to Ghanaians. He indicated that the 2024 manifesto of the party will be an improvement on the 2020 People’s Manifesto as there are similar policies in both manifestoes.

Moreover, he revealed that the responsibility of the researchers is to structure the policy in a way that is practical to Ghana’s economy. He argued that the dialog is important as it gives an expert view of the policy proposal of the NDC. He stressed that the manifesto will be structured based on the input of the researchers.

He stated that the NDC inaugurated a Manifesto Committee which was among the twenty-seven (27) election committees the party inaugurated on Monday, 19^th February 2024. He quipped that the NDC did not clamor about this inauguration as the NPP had because the NDC recognizes that the problems of Ghanaians are not issues to make a spot of.

Esq. Edudzi Tamakloe disclosed that the key components of the dialog are Finance and the Economy. Referencing the Vice President and flagbearer of the NPP, he stated that “when all is said and done the economy is the pocket of the Ghanaian”.

“I think that is profound, we want to focus on getting the pocket of Ghanaians loaded. Once people have money, they can do many other things with the support of the government. Thankfully…one credible researcher of political institution, Global InfoAnalytic…they have come out with the latest report on the 24-hour policy and how well received it is”.
Esq. Edudzi Tamakloe

What The 24-Hour Policy Entails

The NDC is building its manifesto around the policy of the 24-hour economy. According to the flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, the 24-hour economy is to provide some sectors with the needed logistics to operate every hour of the day. He stated that the policy will be run on the shift system where there are three batches of workers in a day and each batch works for eight (8) hours.

Accordingly, the former President stated that the 24- hour economy would be achieved through modernized and mechanized agriculture; providing incentives for the private sector to thrive; promoting agro-processing and manufacturing, and transforming Ghana into an import substitution and export-led economy, among others. He indicated that the policy is aimed at attaining a self-reliant nation and ensuring job creation and economic security.

Mr. John Dramani Mahama also stressed that the 24-hour economy will ultimately stabilize Ghana’s national currency, improve the country’s domestic and foreign reserves, bring down inflation and interest rates, create food security, reduce Ghana’s poverty rate, and improve livelihoods while boosting import substitution and exportation of finished products.

The 24-hour economy so far has been well received by Ghanaians during the regional tour of the NDC Presidential Candidates in the sixteen (16) regions nationwide.

The NDC has been effective with its campaign drive which is centered on the 24-hour economy. The party’s recent popularity in the political sphere has been used advantageously to share its policy proposals to Ghanaians. Admittedly, the party may not be so far from achieving its goal of seizing power during the December 2024 elections.