“Ghanaians are Waiting”: Bawumia Challenges NDC to Explain its 1:3:3 Shift System and 24-Hour Economy

Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has challenged the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) over its proposed “24-hour economy” policy, urging Ghanaians to demand concrete implementation details.

Speaking on the issue, Dr. Bawumia described the policy as a “political gimmick” and questioned its practicality, arguing that elements of a 24-hour economy already exist in Ghana through essential services such as hospitals, fuel stations, and digital banking platforms that operate around the clock.

He also raised concerns about the feasibility of the NDC’s proposed “1:3:3” shift system, which suggests one job could be shared across three shifts by three different workers. According to him, such a model would be difficult to sustain, particularly given ongoing challenges in the country’s power supply.

Referencing the issue of intermittent electricity, commonly known as “dumsor,” Dr. Bawumia argued that a fully functional 24-hour economy cannot thrive without stable and reliable energy. He maintained that persistent power disruptions would undermine any attempt to run businesses continuously.

The NPP flagbearer further criticized the policy for lacking depth, stating that it has not been backed by a clear legislative or financial framework. He pointed out that the proposal has not featured prominently in recent national budget discussions, raising questions about how it would be funded and implemented.

The 24-hour economy concept was first introduced by John Dramani Mahama in 2023 as a strategy to boost job creation and increase productivity. The NDC has promoted the policy as a transformative initiative, proposing incentives such as tax breaks and reduced electricity tariffs during off-peak hours to encourage businesses to operate continuously.

While the opposition presents the policy as a major economic innovation, the NPP argues that it largely reflects existing trends driven by digitalization and does not represent a fundamentally new approach to economic development.

Source: Omanghana