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Samuel Abu Jinapor, Member of Parliament for Damongo, has criticised the Mahama administration over what he describes as the failure to implement its flagship 24-hour economy policy nearly one year after assuming office.
Contributing to parliamentary debate on the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill on Thursday, February 5, Mr Jinapor argued that the proposed three-shift, eight-hour working system has not been operationalised across state institutions, contrary to campaign promises made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to him, the Office of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, remains the only institution operating a form of shift system, and even that, he said, does not constitute a full 24-hour operation.
“Eleven months into the NDC administration, their flagship programme of a 24-hour economy, with the three-shift system for unemployed Ghanaian youth, the only place working some form of shifts today is the Office of the Speaker of Parliament — and even that is not a full 24-hour operation,” he stated.
Mr Jinapor further argued that the policy has not translated into meaningful job creation for unemployed youth, despite repeated assurances from the government.
He also opposed the creation of a new authority to supervise the 24-hour economy, insisting that existing state institutions are already positioned to deliver similar outcomes. In particular, he cited the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) as an agency whose mandate could be leveraged to support export-driven growth under a 24-hour economic framework.
“You do not need another authority to promote exports and thereby create a 24-hour economy. We already have the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, whose sole mandate is to promote exports,” he said.
The Damongo MP accused the government of using the proposed authority to create jobs for political appointees rather than addressing the broader unemployment challenge facing the youth.
“Mr Speaker, this is another gimmick. This is another deception. It is meant to buy time and give false hope to the unemployed youth. This authority will only create jobs for a few — another CEO, deputy CEOs and managers,” he added.
He said the policy, as currently being pursued, would not improve the livelihoods of unemployed young people across the country, from Bolgatanga to Keta and Bosome Freho.
According to Mr Jinapor, public frustration is growing due to what he described as repeated promises without concrete action.
“Ghanaians are tired of hope; they want action. One year down the line, instead of implementing the 24-hour economy, they are asking us to create another bureaucracy,” he said.
