The 2020 running mate of the National Democratic Congress, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, has stated that the NDC gives priority to its policies than it gives to slogans. Taking a dig at the NPP, the NDC politician indicated that the party is not in the ‘one district one factory’ business.

She challenged the New Patriotic Party to formulate its policies while indicating that the NPP does not understand the intricacies of the 24-hour economy policy of the NDC. She argued that the NDC’s policies are properly thought through and aimed at improving the lives of Ghanaians.

“We proposed the four-month maternity leave and people were saying all manner of things and I say yes, because you’ve never been pregnant. You have no idea. Do you know why sometimes women stay at work until the day of delivery?”
Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang

Prof. Jane Opoku Agyemang argued that most women do not have the rest they require during pregnancy and after childbirth because the Ghanaian labor force makes no provision for that. She indicated that the three-month leave period granted to women is not enough for fresh mothers to recuperate and return to work in good health.

She argued that the party’s 24-hour economy would improve the health sector massively. She argued casualties resulting from the unavailability of doctors due to the current shift system that Ghanaian hospitals operate on would be curbed. “Have you taken someone to the emergency department at night and been told that the doctor will come in the morning?” she quipped.

Prof. Opoku Agyemang indicated that the aim of the NDC in consulting the public concerning its policies is not because the party does not have ideas for its policies but noted that the NDC aims to build its policies to reflect the needs and desires of Ghanaians.

“These people are the ones going to vote for you and you believe you are better off than them? Nobody is. You can be better tomorrow than you are today. That is what it is but we can work together to achieve success for everyone. So these are some of the progressive proposals that we are bringing to target all of us, especially women”.
Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang

Moreover, she emphasized that giving women the flexibility to conduct their daily activities is the NDC’s biggest aim. She appealed for women to come on board the NDC’s policy dialogues and contribute towards the welfare of every Ghanaian woman.

NDC’s 24-Hour Economy Policy

The 24-hour economy aims at improving various sectors of Ghana’s economy by introducing a 24-hour long workday sectioned into three eight-hour shifts. The policy is hugely centered on the production sector of the economy to achieve import substitution and improve the exportation of finished goods.

The flagbearer of the NDC stated that the goals of the policy would be achieved through modernized and mechanized agriculture; providing incentives for the private sector to thrive; promoting agro-processing and manufacturing. He indicated that the policy is aimed at attaining a self-sufficient nation and ensuring job creation and economic security.

The interpretation of the policy by the potential running mate of the flagbearer, Prof. Agyemang, which focuses on the health sector is yet another facet of the policy that has not been made known to the public before now.

The Ghanaian public so far has been receptive towards the 24-hour economy policy of the NDC though a few raised genuine questions about how this policy could be effectively implemented to suit Ghana’s economy.

Dr. Kwame Pianim, an economist, indicated that the policy is a good one, however, its implementation will require a lot more boost to the country’s power sector than the country currently has. He maintained that the policy is not feasible in every sector of the economy.

Conclusively, the NDC’s recent popularity in the political sphere coupled with the fatigue Ghanaians are currently experiencing under the incumbent government has been utilized gainfully by the NDC to send its policy proposals to Ghanaians. The party may not be so far from achieving its goal of seizing power during the December 2024 elections.