24-Hour Economy: Joyce Bawa Mogtari responds to Manasseh Awuni

In a recent critique of President JM’s game changing 24-hour economy proposal, Manasseh Awuni has questioned the legitimacy and credibility of the plan.

We at the NDC welcome questions about our plans for three reasons:

1. They generate helpful debate and discussion, which will improve public discourse.
2. It will take us away from the current situation, where questions to the ruling party end up in vitriolic attacks.
3. It will prevent the 2016 situation (and 2020), where the NPP got away with high and lofty promises because they refused to answer questions regarding the substance of their plans.

That is one of the reasons why Manasseh can correctly say that Akufo-Addo has taken the economy into the ICU. When he was anchoring his manifesto on the promise to transform the economy in 18 months, we did not see similar critiques and questions.

As a result, we have been saddled with the negative fallout from ill-conceived policies, such as the failed promise of an annual $1 million per constituency, planting for food and jobs that has led to high food inflation, a frustrated OSP, and insulting promises of clean lagoons, airports, and harbours that were not made with any feasible studies.

The proposals that President Mahama has been announcing are unique in the sense that every proposal is borne out of extensive research and discussion with relevant stakeholders in each sector.

The process of drafting policies involves consultation with various stakeholders, such as experts, unions, students, professors, parents, and non-teaching staff.

With the example of the tertiary education policy, a committee of experts meets to discuss and hold meetings with these stakeholders to gather their views and opinions.

These perspectives are then consolidated and analysed to form a proposal for the policy.

Similarly, in the case of the 24-hour economy proposal, various stakeholders such as workers, managers, researchers, customers, and businessmen and women were consulted.

The views of these stakeholders were then curated by experts from the NDC into a working document, which has been shared with the public.

It is important to note that these policies are well-researched, taking into consideration the current context and requiring short, medium, and long-term planning anchored by visionary leadership. John Mahama is an embodiment of that visionary leadership.

As such, any criticism of the policy should take into account the extensive consultation process and research that has been conducted.

It would have been more constructive for Manasseh to approach the NDC, especially the TUC, to understand the reason behind their endorsement of the 24-hour economy policy before criticising the policy and the TUC.

Various communicators of the NDC, including our National Communications Officer, have explained the policy to the public on multiple occasions.

A document that answers some frequently asked questions about the policy has also been in circulation. It is recommended that everyone reads it and contributes to the discussion.

Manasseh’s opinion is similar to that of an aide to Vice President Bawumia, who criticised the 24-hour economy proposal without realising that he was exposing the incompetence of his boss and the administration he is part of.

The problem is that the current state of the economy is not supportive of progress. However, we must think outside the box and work to correct the present grim situation. Mahama is capable of this.

Despite the NPP’s mismanagement of the economy, we can work towards making this policy successful. The recently released FAQs highlight specific areas of demand, and with the right strategy and mindset, we can set the country on the right path to recovery.

It is impossible to rely on the ‘trotro’ mate to take over from the troubles that his boss has driven us into. What we need is experience and not another experiment that will lead us to a ditch full of haircuts, reckless borrowing and spending,unnecessary taxes and not manufacturing , lies, intimidation, unbridled corruption, and all other negatives associated with Nana Addo and Bawumia.

Manasseh should join hands with well-meaning Ghanaians to kick this arrogant and reckless government out of office. We have gone too far and cannot afford an extra day with the NPP in charge.

Personally, I am looking forward to seeing the questions that Dr Bawumia will finally answer when he releases some of his proposals.

Mr. Mahama will continue his rescue mission so that together, we can build the Ghana we want.

Acta Non Verba!

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