Politics of 2026-09-02
'1-3-3 jobs' was a statement, not a promise – Professor Seidu Alidu clarifies
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has clarified that its widely publicised “1-3-3 jobs” slogan was a statement used to explain the party’s proposed 24-hour economy policy and was not a campaign promise to create jobs in that specific format.
Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and a member of Parliament’s Works and Housing and Finance Committees, Prof Seidu Mahama Alidu, clarified during an appearance on the GTV Breakfast Show on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
According to Prof Alidu, the NDC did not promise Ghanaians that it would create “1-3-3 jobs.” Rather, the phrase was used during the 2024 election campaign as an illustrative explanation of how the proposed 24-hour economy policy would operate.
His comments came during a discussion on the implementation of the government’s 24-hour economy policy, following questions from former Suame Municipal Chief Executive, Maxwell Ofosu Boakye.
Ofosu Boakye challenged the government to account for what had become of what he described as the NDC’s “1-3-3 jobs” promise.
Ofosu Boakye, in his commentary, noted that the promise was incorporated into the NDC’s 2024 manifesto and policy messaging around the 24-hour economy, with the party presenting the system as one in which a job could be organised across three shifts and performed by three different people.
“Let us not trivialise the argument. You promised giving Ghanaians a 1-3-3 job,” Ofosu Boakye stated.
Prof Alidu, however, strongly rejected the characterisation, insisting that the phrase did not constitute a formal policy promise.
“In which policy report? No, no, I won’t let you go with this. It was a statement that was made in an explanation,” he retorted.
A subsequent intervention by the host did not alter Prof Alidu’s position, as the Tamale Central MP maintained that the “1-3-3” expression was intended to help explain the concept of the 24-hour economy rather than serve as a standalone employment pledge.
@expert.official2 ♬ original sound - Maxwell Ofosu Boakye
