24-hour policy will be voluntary and gradual – Mahama

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has revealed that if elected in December, their proposed “24-hour economy” policy would be implemented gradually.

Answering questions in his public interaction session dubbed “Conversations With Mahama” at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, Mr. Mahama stated that some public institutions could start working 24 hours, while the private sector would adopt the policy voluntarily, with incentives provided.

“It is not going to be a one-night event; it is a process and voluntary. On the part of government, we have what we control.”

“We can ask the port to work 24 hours so that people can clear their goods at any time in the day or the night,” he explained.

He stressed that because it has no control over private organisations, those organisations will have to voluntarily but into the policy.

“With regard to manufacturing and businesses, it is voluntary; you cannot go and compel people and say, by this day, you must start working three shifts; so, you have to give them incentives.

Mr. Mahama furthered that the policy will be initiated and progressed over four years, allowing any new government to continue it.

“It is not going to be an overnight thing, but we will start the process, and it is our hope that we will go far with it in four years, and any government that comes can continue with the policy.”

According to the former President, the incentives for organisations that subscribe to the policy might be in the form of tax breaks and low-interest loans to encourage increased output and the employment of more personnel.

Meanwhile, critics have labelled the 24-hour policy as already in place and demand-driven, hence pointless.