Critique of Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy Policy
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has raised concerns about the government’s “one job, three shift” system as part of the 24-Hour Economy initiative. His remarks came during the presentation of the 2026 Budget Statement by Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Finance Minister, in Parliament on Thursday.
Afenyo-Markin, who represents Effutu in Parliament, questioned the effectiveness of the 24-Hour Economy Policy in addressing Ghana’s unemployment crisis. He criticized the government’s flagship initiative, which aims to create jobs through a rotational system where one job is shared among three shifts.
According to him, the policy lacks clarity and fails to demonstrate how it would generate new employment opportunities rather than just redistributing existing ones. He argued that the government’s budget presentation provided little detail on how the initiative would be implemented, especially in sectors where continuous operations may not be feasible.
“The idea of one job being split into three shifts does not equate to three jobs,” he noted, stressing that such an approach risks being a cosmetic fix rather than a substantive employment strategy.
Ghana continues to face high youth unemployment, with thousands of graduates entering the job market each year. The government has promoted the 24-Hour Economy as a transformative policy to address this challenge, suggesting that round-the-clock operations in industries like manufacturing, transport, and retail could expand opportunities for the teeming Ghanaian youth.
However, Afenyo-Markin questioned whether the policy would truly absorb the growing labor force, pointing out that without new investments, infrastructure expansion, and private sector incentives, the initiative risked becoming a slogan rather than a practical solution.
Lack of Transparency and Policy Documents
The Minority Leader also criticized the government for failing to provide Parliament with comprehensive policy documents on the 24-Hour Economy and other flagship programs. He emphasized that parliamentary oversight was undermined when such initiatives were announced without detailed frameworks, making it difficult to assess their viability.
This lack of transparency, he warned, could erode public confidence in the government’s ability to deliver on its promises.
Broader Economic Concerns
The debate over the 24-Hour Economy reflects broader concerns about Ghana’s economic direction. While the government projects GH¢268.1 billion in total revenue and grants for 2026, representing an 18.3% increase over 2025, critics argue that ambitious revenue targets must be matched with credible job creation strategies.
For Afenyo-Markin, the “one job, three shift” model risks being a statistical illusion—appearing to expand employment while leaving the fundamental problem of job scarcity unresolved.
Growing Skepticism Around Employment Policies
The Minority Leader’s intervention highlights the growing skepticism around the government’s employment policies. As Ghana faces mounting pressure to provide sustainable jobs for its youth, the credibility of the 24-Hour Economy will remain a central issue in political and economic discourse.
Key Points of Concern
- The 24-Hour Economy policy has been criticized for its lack of clarity and concrete plans for job creation.
- Critics argue that the policy may only redistribute existing jobs rather than creating new ones.
- The government’s failure to provide detailed policy documents has raised concerns about transparency and accountability.
- Without additional investments and incentives, the initiative may not effectively address the country’s unemployment challenges.
- The debate underscores broader concerns about Ghana’s economic strategy and its ability to meet the needs of its growing youth population.