Ghana’s political atmosphere is sizzling as the countdown to election day narrows to mere hours. Campaign slogans, jingles, and promises are flying faster than trotro drivers on empty roads, but one stands out for its audacity: the opposition National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) promise of a 24-hour economy. Bold? Certainly. Thought out? Well, let’s just say the devil, as always, is in the details – or the lack thereof.
To be fair, the idea of a 24-hour economy isn’t inherently ridiculous. After all, cities like New York and Tokyo thrive on round-the-clock activity. The promise of bustling factories, buzzing marketplaces, and street food vendors selling kelewele under neon lights has a certain allure. Who wouldn’t want to double the economic activity, reduce unemployment, and make Ghana a beacon of efficiency on the continent?
But here’s where things get interesting. While the idea could be sold as a visionary framework – a long-term goal with well-laid plans and phased implementation – the NDC has pitched it as though it’s a policy ready to be executed after 7th January, 2025. Their pitch? Businesses willing to operate at night will receive subsidies and incentives. Sounds straightforward until you start asking questions.
And the BBC did just that. Former President John Mahama, the NDC’s flagbearer, found himself in a tight spot when asked about the cost of this grand plan. His response? A classic case of political improvisation. “You can’t put a cost on it immediately,” he said, prompting the BBC interviewer to quip, “Then it’s a gamble?” Ouch. For a man vying to regain the presidency, this wasn’t the sort of soundbite you want playing on loop 48 hours before ballots are cast.
Let’s unpack this “gamble.” Running a 24-hour economy involves more than giving night-shift businesses a few tax breaks. It requires massive investments in infrastructure: reliable electricity (hello, ECG, can we talk?), robust public transportation to move workers at odd hours, enhanced security to combat the inevitable rise in night-time crime, and even a cultural shift in how Ghanaians perceive work and leisure. And those subsidies? Somebody’s paying for them – spoiler alert: it’s us, the taxpayers.
But perhaps the most glaring omission in the NDC’s pitch is the human factor. Who is staffing this 24-hour economy? Are there enough workers ready to transition to night shifts? Will the incentives for businesses trickle down to fair wages for employees who sacrifice sleep and family time for the graveyard shift? These questions hang like Kasoa’s infamous traffic smog – visible but unanswered.
And then there’s the small matter of timing. Ghana’s economy is already stretched thin. Inflation is soaring, the cedi is on life support, and public trust in governance is shaky at best. In this context, promising a 24-hour economy without a clear roadmap is like trying to convince an athlete in critical condition to start training for the Olympics. Ambitious? Sure. Realistic? Not so much.
Ultimately, the problem isn’t the concept itself. A 24-hour economy could work – if introduced gradually, with clear goals and adequate resources. The real tragedy here is that the NDC has missed a golden opportunity. Instead of focusing on the policies that could build the foundation for such an economy – improving energy supply, boosting digital infrastructure, enhancing security, or reforming labor laws – they’ve chosen to dangle the 24-hour economy as an enticing carrot before a weary electorate. They’ve made the promise the headline, rather than the vision.
As election day nears, one can’t help but wonder if this promise will resonate with voters or serve as a stepping stone for deeper conversations about Ghana’s economic future. While the 24-hour economy feels ambitious and perhaps overly simplified in its current form, it holds potential as a bold vision that could ignite a shift in how we think about economic growth. If voters can look beyond the catchy headline and push for more robust policies to back this idea, it might just become the catalyst for meaningful transformation. Ghana has always thrived on the audacity of hope, and perhaps this promise, even in its imperfections, could spark the kind of dialogue and momentum needed to move the nation forward. After all, big dreams often pave the way for big changes.
Dr. Asiamah's Gazette 