Former President, John Dramani Mahama yesterday led members, supporters and sympathisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to sensitize Ghanaians on his proposed 24-hour Economy policy.
The NDC flagbearer explained that the proposed 24-hour Economy policy will help to address Ghana’s unemployment challenges.
“The 24-hour economy, which is being implemented in other countries, is not something new at all,” he said and announced that the next NDC government would put measures in place to encourage businesses under the proposed policy and thus create more jobs for the youth, who will be equipped with entrepreneurial knowledge and skills for a sustained future.
He was addressing thousands of supporters at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi, after the 24-hour Economy sensitisation mega walk.
According to him, pharmacies, pump stations and sawmills were all operating 24hrs years ago, and queried why some companies close at 5 pm and 8 pm these days.
Mr Mahama wondered why the Kejetia Market cannot operate a 24-hour Economy for people to engage in their commercial activities.
He promised to provide adequate security and protection by the Ghana Police Service and transport for people to work at night under the policy, if he assumes office, and assured that measures will be put in place to ensure that the 24-hour Economy works.
The flagbearer criticised the ruling government for its inability to complete the Phase II of the Kejetia Redevelopment Project and other key infrastructure projects in the Ashanti Region.
He also blamed the government for failing to honour the promise it made to victims of the Kejetia Market fire.
The NDC leader noted that Kumasi is a commercial hub and that a messy economy will affect its residents, hence the need for the NDC to rescue Ghanaians from the NPP and to avoid further plunging of the economy into an abyss.
Ex-President Mahama noted that the NPP government does not deserve another term since it failed to deliver its promises to the traders, after the fire outbreak in the market.
Mr Mahama also took a swipe at the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for reneging on his promise to renovate portions of the Kejetia Market burnt in March, last year.
According to him, the Nana Akufo-Addo and Bawumia government is performing abysmally in terms of economic management.
He assured the people not to worry because the next NDC government will restore the economy back on track and address the sorry state in which the Kumasi market is currently in.
The ex-President claimed the NDC has the Men and Women to bring the economy back and to ensure that every part of the country gets its fair share of the national cake.
Mr Mahama stressed that the fate of the country cannot be left in the hands of a few group of people who are interested in depleting state resources.
He stated that the NDC is winning the upcoming general elections and urged the rank and file of the party to sink their differences emanating from the party’s internal elections and unite their front.
Some of the party bigwigs that joined the former President in the Kumasi walk included; Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the National Chairman of the Party, Mr. Kojo Bonsu, former KMA boss, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, former Minister of Finance and COP (Retired) Nathaniel Kofi Boakye, the former Ashanti Regional Police Commander and former Director-General of Legal Affairs of the Ghana Police Service.
