President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has strongly criticized his predecessor, John Dramani Mahama, over his recent promise to transform Ghana's economy into a 24-hour one if re-elected. Speaking at a political rally in the Greater Accra Region, Akufo-Addo accused Mahama of spreading misinformation and urged him to stop making unrealistic promises to the Ghanaian people.
The controversy came about when Mahama, during campaign speeches, insinuated that during his presidency, Ghana could run a 24-hour economy. The former president, therefore, added that such a move would increase the economic productivity of the country, create jobs, and accelerate development, particularly in areas such as manufacturing, retail, and services.
However, the then-President Akufo-Addo rejected the plan as a "mere political gimmick" and said the plan was not feasible. "It is time to stop the lies," Akufo-Addo said. He also said Mahama's pledges did not take into consideration the actual state of the Ghana economy at this time and would be an additional stress that the nation's already strained financial resources are taking.
Akufo-Addo reiterated that what the country needs is sustainable economic policies for creating long-lasting jobs that enhance the living standards of Ghanaians, not some overly ambitious promises that are short-term. He further stated that a 24-hour economy would need huge investments in infrastructure and an improvement in power supply, which the country was not yet prepared for at the national level.
The president also emphasized how his government had been hard at work, ensuring that the economy was stabilized to create more jobs, especially with programs like the "One District, One Factory" initiative and the continuous development of industrial parks across the country. He insisted that his government was making tangible progress in modernizing Ghana's economy-a thing that could only be achieved with careful planning, not through unsubstantiated promises.
Mahama's campaign team clarified that his pledge was not just to have shops open 24/7 but to make the sectors of agriculture, transportation, and tourism more industrious for a diversified economy.
As the political season reaches its peak, debate over the feasibility of Mahama's promises would be expected to rise significantly higher on both sides, touting their version for Ghana's future economic growth.
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