New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has criticised the government’s 24-hour economy policy, questioning whether extending trading hours into the night is practical for some businesses.

Speaking at the NPP National Delegates Conference in Kumasi, Dr Bawumia cited market women selling koobi (salted, dry fish) as an example, arguing that such traders may not have sufficient demand to operate at night.

“Even the NDC members don’t understand why a market woman will go to the market to sell koobi at night,” he said.

Dr Bawumia’s comments formed part of a broader criticism of the Mahama administration’s implementation of the 24-hour economy, which he said had failed to deliver the jobs promised to young people.

He said the NDC campaigned on a “1 job, 3 shifts and 3 people (1-3-3)” model but claimed the expected jobs had not materialised nearly two years into the administration.

“The NDC promised Ghanaians and the youth of this country in search of jobs a flagship 24-hour economy with one job, three shifts and 3 people (1-3-3). Nearly two years have passed and the jobs have not come or even showing any signs of coming,” Dr Bawumia said.

He said young graduates and artisans who supported the NDC based on the promise of increased employment were still waiting for the opportunities.

“The young graduate and artisan who voted for the NDC because of this sweet promise of a dramatic job boom through the 1 job 3 shifts, 3 people offer under the NDC is still waiting for his or her shift,” he added.

Dr Bawumia described the government’s approach to the policy as a “24-hour demolition exercise,” referring to demolitions carried out in connection with plans for 24-hour markets.

“Sadly, the promised 24-hour economy jobs have now turned into 24-hour demolition of buildings for a so-called 24-hour markets even the NDC cannot explain,” he said.

Bawumia lists other concerns

Dr Bawumia also accused the government of failing to fulfil several other campaign promises.

He cited the Women’s Development Bank, which he said was intended to support market women but had not opened its doors to a single woman.

He also criticised electricity tariffs, saying businesses that were promised lower electricity costs under the 24-hour economy were instead facing increased bills.

“Today, the barber shop owner, the hair salon operator, the bread baker and many young businesses who were promised better electricity tariffs are now striving to survive because much of their sales are going into electricity bills under the NDC government,” he said.

On illegal mining, Dr Bawumia said the NDC had promised to end galamsey within months but claimed the situation had worsened under its watch.

He also criticised the implementation of the Free SHS programme, saying it had deteriorated despite promises by the NDC to improve it.

He further described the government's promises on cocoa pricing, automatic postings for teachers and nurses, and the Nkoko Nkitikiti programme as unfulfilled.

On the economy, Dr Bawumia credited the relative stability of the cedi to the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, which he said was launched by the Bank of Ghana in June 2021 following his recommendation.

“Records show how the programme saved our economy from serious crisis and revamp of the Cedi. And the programme is today the major support behind the stability of the cedi, and with it the easing of inflation and interest rates that this government now celebrates,” he said.

He, however, alleged that the government was making unprecedented losses on the programme.

“A good tool in careless hands becomes an expensive one,” Dr Bawumia said.

The government has described the 24-hour economy as a policy aimed at extending economic activity beyond traditional working hours, with the stated objectives of creating jobs, increasing productivity and stimulating economic growth.