John Dramani Mahama, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has emphasised that the implementation of his proposed 24-hour economy will not be an overnight change, but rather a gradual process to rebuild Ghana’s economy.

In an interview with BBC Africa on Wednesday, December 4, Mahama responded to questions about the cost of his plan, stating, “You can’t put a cost on it immediately. The 24-hour economy is not an event, it is a process.” He explained that while his government would focus on stabilising the macroeconomic environment, reducing inflation, and lowering interest rates, the shift towards a 24-hour economy would unfold over time.

Mahama further noted that encouraging businesses to operate around the clock would require more than just extending hours—it would necessitate additional employment. “If you incentivise businesses to run for 8 hours, they can’t run with the same number of people, they will have to employ more people,” he said. He also pointed to opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Ecowas Trade Liberalisation Scheme, which he believes will drive demand.

When asked if he could fully implement the policy within four years, Mahama responded, “We will start at least,” indicating that the initiative would be a phased approach.

Source:TheDotNews