Accra: A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communication Team, Dr Stephen Issaka, has explained how the proposed 1:3:3 shift system fits into the government's 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme.
According to Ghana Web, speaking on Metro TV's Good Evening Ghana, Dr Issaka stressed that the 24-hour economy was not a policy that could be implemented overnight, describing it as a major transformation of Ghana's economy. He said the programme was intended to move Ghana away from its traditional dependence on imports and the export of low-value raw materials towards a more productive, self-reliant, and globally competitive economy capable of operating around the clock.
Dr Issaka emphasized that the 24-Hour Economy is not merely a switch to be flicked on and off. Historically, the country has operated on a 12-hour economic system, and the government's plan represents a significant attempt to extend economic activity beyond this conventional cycle. He explained that successful implementation of the policy would require major improvements in infrastructure and other supporting systems.
He highlighted the necessity of infrastructure enhancements, such as road development under the Big Push initiative, and the importance of accessible credit through reasonable borrowing rates. Dr Issaka also identified reliable electricity as a critical requirement, arguing that businesses cannot be expected to operate continuously without a dependable power supply.
Dr Issaka pointed to government projects in the energy sector, including work on a gas plant, as part of measures intended to support the policy. Beyond infrastructure and power, he noted that security and transportation would also need to be addressed to make round-the-clock economic activity practical.
He maintained that once these fundamental requirements were addressed, the government could progressively move towards the full implementation of the programme. The 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme is designed as a production-led economic transformation agenda aimed at moving Ghana from a post-colonial, import-dependent economy that largely exports raw materials towards a modern, self-reliant, and globally competitive economy.