Tidy up your act and provide clarity on 24-hour economy – Oppong Nkrumah to government – Nsemkeka
Former Minister for Works and Housing and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has urged the NDC government to provide details on the status of the 24-Hour Economy Policy.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Thursday, 29th May, Mr Oppong Nkrumah expressed concern over conflicting statements from President John Mahama regarding the policy.
“What I find a little worrying is that in one breath, the President says there is a plan and that implementation is about to begin, and in another breath, he says there is a draft document which will be released on the 1st of July,” he stated.
He explained that such mixed messages create uncertainty and reduce public confidence.
“The government needs to tidy things up and provide clarity. When a plan is clear and properly communicated, there is less resistance, fewer criticisms, and more opportunity for collective support. That clarity allows Parliament, the media, and the public to follow and support the implementation effectively,” he said.
Mr Nkrumah emphasised that a draft document should not be presented as a finished plan.
“A draft document cannot be part of a final plan,” he said. “If you are still calling it a draft, it means the work isn’t complete. You don’t launch a draft; what you present to the public should be final.”
He warned that releasing an incomplete or unclear document risks hampering the policy’s success.
“If what you are releasing on 1st July is the start of implementation, then it must be a finalised plan—clear, complete, and ready to be acted upon. But if it is still a draft, it could spark debates that distract from the main goal.”
Despite these concerns, Mr Oppong Nkrumah was clear that his intentions are constructive rather than political.
“As I have said before, I’m not here simply to criticise because I am in opposition. I am here to share lessons we have learnt. We want to be clear about what is being put forward so that proper implementation can follow.”
He concluded by urging the government to ensure transparency and precision in its communication to enable the 24-Hour Economy Policy to succeed.