The Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG) has endorsed the National Democratic Congress flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama’s 24-hour economy policy proposal.
The President of the association, Emmanuel Owusu, speaking at the launch of a research report the association conducted on the policy, asserted that the 24-hour economy policy if implemented by the National Democratic Congress flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama when elected into power will increase productivity, create jobs, enhance service delivery and help align the country’s socio-economic objectives.
He further stated that the research project was part of a broader initiative dubbed the “GRASAG Policy Research Index (GPRI)” which sought to examine the promises and policies made by the various political parties in the country ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The research, according to Mr Owusu had a total sample of 398 out of approximately 100,000 graduate students across the country using a worldwide accepted method known as Yamane’s (1967) formula.
Furthermore, the President of the Graduates Students Association of Ghana, Emmanuel Owusu emphasized that its survey aimed to shed light on the transformative potential of implementing a 24-hour economy in the country in the event that the National Democratic Congress wins political power in the upcoming general elections.
Details of Report
Commenting on the details of the research report, Mr Owusu disclosed that views expressed by all respondents per its report considered the 24-hour economy policy as a beneficial policy with the potential to propel economic development and create diverse opportunities for citizens with the round-the-clock operation of businesses and services.
“There’s a collective belief in its capacity to stimulate innovation, attract investment, and foster sustainable growth, positioning Ghana as a dynamic and competitive player in the global market.
Emmanuel Owusu, National GRASAG President
To tackle infrastructure limitations with the implementation of the policy, Mr Owusu recounted that the association’s research recommended more investments in road networks, power supply, and telecommunications infrastructure, through public-private partnerships (PPPs) to expedite development in the country.
Moreover, the Graduate Student Association of Ghana’s National President called for the deployment of advanced surveillance systems, increased police presence, and community policing initiatives while putting in place regulatory reforms necessary to streamline business operations and create a conducive environment.
He also underscored the importance for the National Democratic Congress to implement policies and incentives to attract investment in key sectors such as health care, manufacturing, and technology and create funded entrepreneurship programs to support and encourage innovation for enterprise development in the event it is elected into power.
Mr Owusu also called for investments in education and skills development to equip the workforce with the necessary competencies required for the 21st-century world of work.
He also emphasized the need for the National Democratic Congress when elected into power to provide vocational training programs and partnerships with industry stakeholders to facilitate workforce readiness and employability.
In addition, Mr Owusu urged the proponents of the 24-hour economy policy to foster public awareness and participation in the transition while paying special attention to marginalized groups to ensure equitable access to economic opportunities if elected to power.
He concluded by stressing the need for the National Democratic Congress to adopt a comprehensive strategy for long-term sustainability, with regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact of the policy if elected to power.
Mr Owusu expressed the association’s commitment to conduct similar research on policy proposals among the political parties in the country ahead of the December 7 polls.
The program was attended by some prominent figures including an Associate Professor of the Finance Department of the University of Ghana Business School, Professor Lord Mensah, an Economist and Lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, and the Deputy Director of the Trades Union Congress, Dr Prince Asafu-Adjaye.
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