Hundreds of National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters on Wednesday joined their flagbearer, former President, John Mahama, on a health walk in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region to sensitise the public on his proposed 24-hour economy policy.
The 24-hour economy policy, announced by the former President last year, is a flagship programme to be introduced to revive the country’s economy if the party wins power in the upcoming elections.
Under the proposed solution to the country’s economic woes, incentives and tax breaks would be provided to manufacturers and other category of workers to run extra shifts in order to create more room for employment.
The walk was attended by personalities including Johnson Asiedu Nketia, National Chairman of the NDC, former finance minister, Kwabena Duffuor and retired Commissioner of Police (COP), Nathan Kofi Boakye, who joined the procession through the principal streets of the Kumasi metropolis.
Explaining the 24- hour economy, Former Mahama said it was a game changer for the country’s unemployment challenges, having been tried and tested in other countries.
“It is not something new at all. Pharmacies, pump stations, and sawmills were all operating when we were all kids. How come some companies now close at 5 pm, 8pm.
“Can’t the Kejetia Market operate a 24-hour economy for people to buy stuff ? We will provide security and transport for people to work at night. Other measures will be put in place to ensure that the 24- hour economy works,” he said.
During a stopover at the Kejetia Market, where former President Mahama addressed participants and traders, he blamed the government for its inability to complete the phase two of the Kumasi Central Market and other key infrastructure projects in the Ashanti Region.
He also accused the government of failing to honour the promise it made to victims of the Kejetia Market fire and assured the traders of renovating the market should he wins the presidential election.
“The current government doesn’t deserve another term, it failed to deliver its promises to the traders after the fire outbreak in the market. The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, reneged on his promise of renovating the market. The market is in a sorry state,” he said.
Former President Mahama touted the achievements of the NDC government in the Ashanti Region and urged the people to vote to bring the party back in the upcoming election to enable his government to compete all the projects he started, but have been abandoned by the ruling government.
FROM KINGSLEY E. HOPE, KUMASI
