TEMA, Ghana, 26th September: The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, says the government’s 24-Hour Economy policy is achievable but will require time and deliberate efforts to fully implement.
According to him, Ghana must first rebuild and strengthen its manufacturing sector to create the industrial base needed to sustain a vibrant 24-hour economy.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Yepe Ahunu programme on Saturday, September 26, Mr Koomson said his experience growing up in Tema during the 1970s showed that Ghana had previously demonstrated its capacity to operate an economy around the clock.
“Growing up in Tema during the 1970s, I saw TTL, GTMC, GTP, VALCO, ALU WORKS, NESTLE, LEVER BROTHERS, STATE FISHING, etc running three shifts and It is possible that the 24-hour economy can come back,” he said.
He explained that the revival of the policy would depend largely on creating an enabling environment for industries and businesses to operate efficiently and employ workers across multiple shifts.
Mr Koomson therefore urged the government to exercise caution in introducing taxes and other policies that could undermine industrial growth.
He argued that excessive taxation and what he described as unnecessary taxes contributed to the decline of Ghana’s industrial base and the three-shift system that existed in some factories in the 1970s.
He called on the government to prioritise policies that would support workers, factories and the manufacturing sector, stressing that a strong industrial base would provide the foundation for a sustainable 24-hour economy.
Criticism from NPP
Mr Koomson also criticised the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) for its criticism of government policies, particularly the 24-Hour Economy initiative.
He urged the party to allow the government to focus on addressing what he described as economic challenges inherited from them.
According to him, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government is working to correct what he considers to be mistakes made under the previous NPP administration and should not be distracted by political criticism.
He further questioned the NPP’s moral authority to criticise the current administration, citing the absence of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta from the country and the party’s efforts, or lack thereof, to bring him back to answer questions concerning his tenure in office.
‘It will take time’
Mr Koomson maintained that although the 24-Hour Economy is achievable, its full implementation cannot happen overnight.
“The 24-Hour Economy is possible but looking at the current system, it will take time to implement it fully and it could take over a year or two or maybe more for its full implementation,” he stated.
He stressed that rebuilding Ghana’s industrial capacity, supporting local manufacturing and creating the right conditions for businesses and workers would be critical to making the policy sustainable.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️) | Ghana 🇬🇭