NPP MP demands apology over 24-Hour Economy policy U-turn

The Member of Parliament for New Juaben South and Ranking Member on Parliament's Trade and Industry Committee, Michael Okyere Baafi, has demanded that the Mahama administration apologise to Ghanaians for what he describes as a significant and unexplained shift in the structure of the flagship 24-Hour Economy Policy.

Speaking during a media engagement in Koforidua on Saturday, March 14, 2026, the New Patriotic Party MP said the original framework, which was promoted to voters during the 2024 general elections as a "1-3-3" formula, has now been replaced with a "4-1-9" (fraudulent) model, a change he argues fundamentally alters what was promised to Ghanaians.

"The policy was advertised by President Mahama and his team before the elections. Today, I put it to the head of the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat… they have to go back to the country and apologise to Ghanaians," he said.

According to a report by myjoyonline.com, the former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry took particular issue with what he sees as a shift in the policy's core philosophy.

Where the original concept appeared focused on direct job creation for individuals, the revised version now positions the initiative as a private sector-led programme supported by government incentives, a distinction Okyere Baafi argues is far from what was campaigned.

"What sense do you get about the policy? It's a private sector-led initiative with incentives that may include interest subsidies," he said, questioning the practical impact such an approach would have on employment.

He further challenged the government on its investment promotion strategy, arguing that good intentions alone would not create jobs.

"Government needs to do more in the area of investment promotion. They want to create jobs, but how?" he asked.

Okyere Baafi also added that the administration risks losing public trust if it fails to come clean on the changes.

"We are now waiting for the incentive policy. The point I'm trying to make is that we now understand a different 24-Hour Economy," he noted.

ID/AE

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