The Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has criticised the Mahama administration over what he describes as its failure to implement the proposed three-shift, eight-hour system under the government’s 24-hour economy policy, nearly one year into its tenure.

According to Mr Jinapor, the policy remains largely unimplemented across state institutions, with the Office of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, being the only arm of government operating a form of shift system — and even that, he argued, does not run for a full 24 hours.

Contributing to the debate on the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 5, the Damongo MP said the flagship policy of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration has failed to translate into tangible jobs for unemployed Ghanaian youth.

“Eleven months into the NDC administration, their flagship programme of a 24-hour economy, with the three-shift system for unemployed Ghanaian youth, the only place working some form of shifts today is the Office of the Speaker of Parliament — and even that is not a full 24-hour operation,” he stated.

Mr Jinapor also opposed the proposal to establish a new authority to oversee the 24-hour economy, arguing that existing state institutions already possess the mandate to drive export-led job creation.

“You do not need another authority to promote exports and thereby create a 24-hour economy. We already have the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, whose sole mandate is to promote exports,” he said.

The Damongo MP further contended that the bill is more about creating positions for political appointees than addressing the country’s unemployment challenges.

“Mr Speaker, this is another gimmick. This is another deception. It is meant to buy time and give false hope to the unemployed youth. This authority will only create jobs for a few — another CEO, deputy CEOs and managers. It will not affect the suffering unemployed youth from Bolgatanga to Keta, Bosome Freho and across the length and breadth of this country,” he added.

Mr Jinapor concluded that Ghanaians are increasingly frustrated by what he described as repeated promises without action.

“Ghanaians are tired of hope; they want action. Young men and women in this country cannot find jobs. One year down the line, instead of implementing the 24-hour economy, they are asking us to create another bureaucracy,” he said.