The Damongo Member of Parliament, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has criticized the Mahama administration for what he calls the slow and ineffective implementation of its signature 24-hour economy policy, nearly a year into its current term.
Speaking during parliamentary debates on the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill on Thursday, February 5, Mr. Jinapor said the planned three-shift, eight-hour job system has yet to be applied practically across government institutions and has failed to create the promised employment opportunities for Ghanaian youth.
He highlighted that the Office of the Speaker of Parliament, led by Alban Bagbin, is the only state body operating a partial shift system, and even there, the system does not run a full 24 hours.
“Eleven months into the NDC administration, their flagship 24-hour economy programme—with its three-shift system for unemployed youth—has only been partially implemented at the Office of the Speaker, and even that is not fully operational,” he said.
Mr. Jinapor also rejected plans to set up a new authority to oversee the policy, arguing that existing institutions are already capable of supporting job creation. He specifically pointed to the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), whose mandate aligns with boosting exports under a 24-hour economic model.
“There is no need to create another authority to promote exports and develop a 24-hour economy. The Ghana Export Promotion Authority already exists to drive export growth,” he added.
The MP further described the bill as politically motivated, suggesting it would primarily benefit appointed officials rather than address widespread youth unemployment.
“This is another Strategy aimed at buying time and giving false hope to young Ghanaians. This authority will generate jobs for a few CEOs, deputies, and managers, while youth from Bolgatanga to Keta, Bosome Freho, and across the country remain unemployed,” he argued.
He concluded by noting that public frustration is rising over unfulfilled promises.
“Ghanaians are tired of empty assurances; they want action. Nearly a year on, instead of implementing the 24-hour economy, the government is proposing yet another layer of bureaucracy,” he said.