Dr. Samuel Afriyie, a lecturer at Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), has expressed deep skepticism over the feasibility of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s ambitious 24-hour economy proposal, warning that without transparency and a solid foundation, the policy could end up being what he calls a “bogus” initiative.
Speaking on the issue on Wontumi Radio TV, Dr. Afriyie said the idea of round-the-clock economic activity might sound appealing on the surface but fails under scrutiny, especially in developing economies like Ghana.
“Even in the Western world, only a few cities can run a 24-hour economy. Kenya tried something similar in Africa and it didn’t work,” he pointed out, questioning the practicality of applying it nationwide in Ghana.
His biggest concern centered around the proposed $4 billion investment into the programme.
“If they are going to use $4 billion as said, they should tell us how much revenue or returns we will get from this as a country,” he demanded.
For Dr. Afriyie, spending such a massive amount without publicly explaining the expected outcomes raises red flags.
The lecturer also highlighted critical prerequisites like energy security and public safety.
“You cannot implement a 24-hour economy without addressing electricity and security. These are basic,” he argued.
Until these fundamental issues are resolved, he believes pushing ahead with such an initiative would be premature and unrealistic.
On the employment front, Dr. Afriyie pressed for details about job creation. “How many direct and indirect jobs are we talking about?
These are questions that need answers,” he said, adding that policy discussions should be backed by concrete data, not political slogans.
In his view, the success of the 24-hour economy hinges not just on political will but on credible planning, measurable outcomes, and full public disclosure—none of which he believes have been adequately provided so far.
