Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has been accused of failing to deliver on the jobs promised unemployed youth under the 24-Hour Economy policy.
According to the Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Mahama-led government cited the 24-Hour Economy policy, specifically the 1-3-3 shift system, as its flagship programme to address youth unemployment in the lead up to the 2024 elections.
He, however, noted during an interview that, following the recent passage of the 24-Hour Authority Bill and subsequent assent by President Mahama, the 1-3-3 shift system was not included in the bill.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said the concept the NDC sold to the young people of the country was that they were going to turn the eight-hour cycle into a 24-hour cycle, listing agencies in the public sector that were going to work around the clock.
“I regret to say that they have deceived the young people of this country… The 1-3-3 that they gave us was nowhere in the bill,” he disclosed and added, “When I raised the issue on the floor of Parliament, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Isaac Adongo said it doesn’t need to be 1-3-3 it could be 1-2-2 and we said, no problem if it is 1-2-2 put it in the bill.”
The lawmaker noted that the Minority sought an amendment to include the 1-3-3 shift system and the list of government agencies that would run the shift system in the bill, but the Majority objected.
“So what they’ve created is a very, very crafty institution to dangle in the face of young Ghanaians that the authority or the 24-Hour Bill has been passed to show something is happening, but absolutely nothing… We have now seen it, and I regret to say that what they have passed will not deliver a 24-hour work cycle in this country. We’ll be here,” Mr. Oppong Nkrumah noted.
24-Hour Economy Authority
Parliament passed the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill aimed at expanding job opportunities and transforming the economy into a round-the-clock production system last week.
Addressing the media after the passage of the bill, Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Mahama Ayariga, described the approval as a moment of “great joy” for the NDC, noting that the policy formed a central pillar of the party’s 2024 election promise to tackle unemployment and revitalise the economy.
He explained that the concept of a 24-Hour Economy is built around continuous economic activity, which would require businesses and industries to operate in multiple shifts across day and night.
According to him, such a system would naturally increase labour demand and create opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers.
Mr. Ayariga also stressed that for the 24-Hour Economy to be successfully implemented, there was the need for a dedicated authority with a clear legal mandate to coordinate policies, strategies and programmes across sectors.
He explained that the country’s constitutional framework requires such powers to be exercised strictly within the bounds of the law, making the passage of the bill essential.
A Daily Guide Report