Mahama Government Has Not Delivered on 24-Hour Economy Promise – Afenyo-Markin

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has criticised the Mahama administration over what he describes as its failure to deliver on the 24-hour economy policy, saying the initiative has yet to create the jobs promised to young Ghanaians.

He argued that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaigned on a promise to create employment through a system of three shifts for one job but had not fulfilled that commitment since taking office.

Speaking in an interview with DW Africa on Friday, October 30, 2026, Afenyo-Markin also questioned the government's approach to supporting businesses, particularly in the private sector.

He said that rather than introducing measures to reduce the cost of doing business, the administration had increased tariffs, placing additional pressure on companies expected to expand and employ more people.

"What did they vote for? They voted for a new government that promised, the NDC that promised a 24-hour economy, one job, three shifts. But within two years, the one job, three shifts has failed," he said.

The Minority Leader argued that the private sector must be given the support needed to grow, stressing that government alone cannot solve Ghana's unemployment challenges.

He also questioned the government's decision to discontinue the One District, One Factory (1D1F) programme, saying the Trade Ministry had yet to present an alternative policy to support businesses.

"The trade ministry, as we speak, has not announced any alternative policy to help the private sector. We need the private sector to grow the economy," he stated.

Afenyo-Markin further criticised the government's response to illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.

He said the NDC had strongly criticised the previous Akufo-Addo administration over the problem but had not presented a comprehensive anti-galamsey policy to Parliament since assuming office.

"The government hasn't come out with any anti-Galamsi policy to the House floor. I can assure you that if they come with a formidable policy, all of us will support them. But they have not brought any policy," he said.