24-Hour Economy Proposal Faces Major Criticism Over Poor Planning and Institutional Overlap

Introduction

Ghana’s proposed 24-hour economy initiative has come under sharp scrutiny from opposition lawmakers, who warn that the policy framework lacks clarity, proper groundwork, and could lead to unnecessary bureaucratic duplication. Dr. Stephen Amoah, Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Finance Committee, has voiced strong concerns about the government’s approach, questioning whether the proposed 24-Hour Economy Secretariat is well thought out or simply a rushed political gesture.

Key Points

Background

The Ghanaian government has proposed establishing a 24-Hour Economy Secretariat as part of its broader economic transformation agenda. The initiative aims to extend productive hours across various sectors to boost economic activity, create jobs, and reduce dependency on raw material exports. However, the Minority in Parliament has raised significant concerns about the proposal’s foundation and implementation strategy.

Dr. Stephen Amoah, speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story, emphasized that the opposition’s stance isn’t about rejecting the concept of a 24-hour economy itself. Instead, the criticism centers on what he describes as insufficient groundwork, unclear policy framework, and the potential for creating duplicate institutions that already exist within the government structure.

Analysis

Institutional Overlap and Poor Planning

Dr. Amoah’s critique highlights a fundamental issue in policy development: the creation of new institutions without first assessing existing capabilities. He likened the government’s approach to “buying a plane without an airport,” suggesting that establishing a new authority without proper infrastructure and planning is premature and potentially wasteful.

The concern about institutional overlap is particularly relevant in Ghana’s governance context, where multiple agencies sometimes perform similar functions, leading to inefficiencies and increased public expenditure. Before creating new bodies, governments typically conduct thorough assessments of existing structures to identify gaps and avoid redundancy.

Lack of Research and Data

One of the most significant criticisms leveled by Dr. Amoah is the absence of research, data collection, and value chain development to support the proposed Secretariat. He stated unequivocally that “they haven’t done any research on that. They haven’t collected any data. They haven’t developed any value chain… they haven’t done anything about it.”

This lack of empirical foundation raises serious questions about the policy’s viability and the government’s preparedness to implement such a transformative initiative. Successful economic policies typically rely on comprehensive data analysis, stakeholder consultations, and pilot programs before full-scale implementation.

Manufacturing and Value Chain Focus

Dr. Amoah emphasized that Ghana already operates 24-hour systems in critical sectors like healthcare and security. Therefore, the real focus of a 24-hour economy should be on manufacturing and value-chain development. He pointed to Asian and European economies where large factories operate multiple shifts, employing thousands of workers under well-established industrial frameworks.

The emphasis on manufacturing aligns with broader economic development strategies that prioritize industrialization as a pathway to job creation and economic diversification. By focusing on expanding the value chain and reducing dependence on raw material exports, Ghana could potentially boost domestic production capacity and create more sustainable employment opportunities.

Stakeholder Engagement Claims

The government has claimed extensive engagement with corporate leaders regarding the 24-hour economy initiative. However, Dr. Amoah challenged these assertions, urging authorities to provide concrete policy documents to support their claims. This challenge underscores the importance of transparency and documentation in policy development, particularly for initiatives that require significant public resources and institutional changes.

Practical Advice

For policymakers considering similar economic transformation initiatives, several key lessons emerge from this debate:

1. **Conduct Thorough Assessments**: Before creating new institutions, evaluate existing structures to identify gaps and avoid duplication.

2. **Base Policies on Data**: Develop comprehensive research and collect relevant data to justify new initiatives and guide implementation strategies.

3. **Engage Stakeholders Transparently**: Document stakeholder consultations and make policy documents publicly available to build trust and ensure accountability.

4. **Focus on Core Economic Drivers**: Identify the sectors that will truly benefit from extended operating hours, such as manufacturing, rather than applying the concept uniformly across all sectors.

5. **Pilot Programs**: Consider implementing pilot programs in specific regions or sectors before rolling out nationwide initiatives.

6. **Clear Policy Framework**: Develop and communicate a clear, detailed policy framework that outlines objectives, implementation strategies, and expected outcomes.

FAQ

Conclusion

The debate surrounding Ghana’s 24-hour economy proposal highlights critical issues in policy development and implementation. Dr. Stephen Amoah’s criticisms underscore the importance of thorough planning, research-based decision making, and institutional efficiency in economic transformation initiatives. While the concept of extending productive hours holds potential for economic growth, its success depends on clear frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and a focused approach on sectors that can truly benefit from such changes. As this debate continues, it serves as a valuable case study for policymakers considering similar transformative economic policies, emphasizing that good intentions must be matched with solid planning and empirical support to achieve meaningful results.

Sources

– Joy FM’s Top Story interview with Dr. Stephen Amoah
– Parliamentary records on the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat proposal
– Statements from the Minority in Parliament
– Economic policy analysis from Ghanaian financial experts

Note: The original article included disclaimers stating that views expressed by readers and contributors do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited. This rewritten version focuses on the factual content of Dr. Amoah’s statements and the policy debate without including platform-specific disclaimers.