Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has commended President John Dramani Mahama’s comprehensive economic reform roadmap and vowed that Parliament will work hand‑in‑hand with the executive to drive private‑sector growth. Speaking at the 2025 Kwahu Business Forum, Ayariga stood on three pillars of the administration’s strategy, enterprise development, decentralisation and the 24‑hour economy, as critical to job creation and broader economic participation.
24‑Hour Economy to Energise SMEs
Ayariga described the 24‑hour economy initiative, one of the key tenets of the NDC manifesto “a timely and effective strategy for energising local businesses and stimulating employment.” He noted that the policy resonated deeply during the campaign because it “symbolises hope for jobs, innovation and inclusive economic participation,” especially among Ghana’s youth.
Parliamentary Oversight and Collaboration
Reaffirming that the private sector is “the engine of national growth,” Ayariga outlined Parliament’s role in the reform process. He said legislators will partner with sector ministers and relevant parliamentary committees to; Identify and resolve barriers facing businesses,
Monitor the implementation of fiscal measures in the 2025 budget, and Ensure accountability for all policy promises. “Our oversight will guarantee that these initiatives translate into concrete results for entrepreneurs across Ghana,” he said.
Decentralisation: More Funds, More Opportunities
As an early win for local enterprise, Ayariga revealed that President Mahama has directed 80 percent of the District Assemblies Common Fund to be disbursed directly to local assemblies. He estimated that within four years, “not less than five or six billion Ghana cedis will hit the accounts of the local assemblies, money that will be used to service contracts by local enterprises.”
Local Procurement for School Feeding
To further stimulate grassroots economies, a new policy mandates that all procurement for the school feeding programme be sourced locally. Funds will flow directly to schools, empowering headmasters to purchase food and supplies from community vendors. “Imagine the volume of transactions across our districts,” Ayariga said. “This will lubricate local economies and give small businesses a real opportunity to thrive.”
A Platform for Public‑Private Collaboration
The Majority leader also lauded the creation of the Kwahu Business Forum by President Mahama and the Chief of Staff, calling the forum “a practical demonstration of the government’s commitment to working with the private sector” and urged participants to use the event’s networking sessions, panel discussions and exhibition spaces to forge partnerships that will drive inclusive, sustainable growth.
With these measures, the Mahama administration aims to restore investor confidence, expand access to financing and position Ghana’s economy for long‑term resilience. Parliament’s active backing, Ayariga asserted, will be crucial to turning policy ambitions into real‑world opportunities for Ghanaian entrepreneurs.
