The General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Honorable Fifi Fiavi Kwetey has stated that the proposed 24-hour economy policy by the party’s flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama is not only a strategy to address the country’s rising unemployment crisis but also to reshape the country’s economy.
The Chief Scribe of the opposition National Democratic Congress commenting on the recently released Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey for Ghana by the Ghana Statistical Services, expressed deep concerns over the rising unemployment rates that surged to 14.7 percent in the first three quarters of 2023.
Mr Kwetey particularly lamented over the increase in joblessness among the youth, with the number of unemployed individuals aged between 15 and 35 rising from approximately 1.2 million to over 1.3 million according to the Ghana Statistical Service data.
He further underscored the gender disparity, with the unemployment rate for females surpassing that of males, and called for urgent measures to address the situation.
Furthermore, the former Member of Parliament for Ketu South in the Volta Region argued that it is against such backdrop that the party’s flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama has proposed the 24-hour economy policy to establish a dynamic shift in the approach to job creation and economic empowerment in the country.
He noted that the 24-hour economy policy by the National Democratic Congress flagbearer aims to create a robust partnership between the public and private sectors, unlocking the full potential of Ghana’s human resources by fostering a work environment that operates beyond traditional business hours.
“H.E. John Mahama and the NDC envision a Ghana where the constraint of time no longer hinders the daily lives of Ghanaians. Let’s embrace this vision for a future where progress is uninterrupted, and opportunities are boundless”.
Fifi Fiavi kwetey, NDC’s General Secretary
According to Mr Kwetey, the core principles of the 24-hour economy policy include achieving greater economies of scale and scope, enhancing capacity utilization, and aligning industrial operations with the constant pace of the global economy.
He emphasized that the policy envisions a comprehensive transformation, addressing not only unemployment but also aiming to reshape the way Ghanaians engage with economic activities, breaking free from the constraints of conventional working hours.
NDC Commits To Realize The Success Of The 24-Hour Economy Policy
Moreover, the National Democratic Congress General Secretary, Honorable Fifi Fiavi Kwetey reiterated the party’s commitment to effective policy development, resource allocation, and leadership that understands the nuances of a “nocturnal” economy to ensure the success of the 24-hour economy policy when it assumes power in 2025.
He further emphasized that the 24-hour economy policy is not merely a campaign promise but a pledge by the National Democratic Congress to foster a thriving, “round-the-clock economic culture” to ensure that the needs of every sector of the country’s economy are met and that the potential of every Ghanaian is fully realized.
In addition, Mr Kwetey asserted that the National Democratic Congress flagbearer’s proposed 24-hour economy policy is poised to be a cornerstone of national progress, with the party envisioning a Ghana where the constraint of time no longer hinders daily lives.
According to him, by fostering an environment where businesses can operate beyond the traditional 9-to-5 framework, the 24-hour economy policy will create a multiplier effect that would ultimately generate or produce new job opportunities and stimulate economic growth for the country.
The Honorable Fifi Fiavi Kwetey concluded his statement by calling on all Ghanaians to rally behind former President John Dramani Mahama and vote for him in the December 2024 general elections to enable him to implement the 24-hour economy policy and other significant policies by the National Democratic Congress for the development and transformation of Ghana.
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