Some concerned Ghanaians are growing impatient and worried over the snail-pace implementation of the John Dramani Mahama-led government’s flagship initiative, the 24-Hour Economy.
One of such persons is Kofi Bentil, the Senior Vice President at IMANI Africa. Kofi Bentil has taken to social media to express his worry over the implementation of the initiative, which echoes a broader sentiment among citizens, analysts, and youth alike.
At its unveiling early this year, the 24-Hour Economy Initiative was billed as a turning point for Ghana’s economic transformation. Under the stewardship of Goosie Tanoh, Presidential Advisor for the programme, the government pledged to activate three core pillars: production transformation, supply-chain & market efficiency, and human capital development.
But almost 10 months into office, Kofi Bentil says implementation has not seen the light of day of the initiative that promised round-the-clock economic activity in sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and services.
“I’m worried at the delay implementing the 24-hour economy because I support it, but as someone who has studied the problems with that idea, I have been waiting to see its implementation,” Kofi Bentil expressed his frustration.
In markets, on the streets, and among job-seekers, media conversations, the mood is shifting from hopeful to sceptical. It appears that the repeated mantra of “coming soon” is wearing thin.
Bentil’s public outcry to the government reflects a growing impatience as many are asking how many more months or years will pass before the great ideas begin to manifest on the ground.
For Kofi Bentil, the Presidential Adviser for the Programme, needs to double his steps because a year has almost been lost, and no concrete activity has been seen on the ground.
“Dear Goosie, you’ve lost almost a year! Pls hurry,” he pleaded.
Kofi Bentil and countless Ghanaians want this policy to succeed, not just in rhetoric, but in results, yet time is no longer on their side.
The expectation now is the government responding not with more announcements, but with the groundbreaking events for the ambitious projects outlined in the programme document
