Sanaa:Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi and Ranking Member of Parliament's Economy and Development Committee, has called on the government to address unfulfilled economic promises before launching what it calls a 'New Economy'. He demands evidence, such as SSNIT records, to verify job creation claims under the 24-Hour Economy initiative.
According to Ghana Web, Oppong Nkrumah expressed support for increased domestic production and job creation but argued that Ghanaians deserve a full assessment of the programs introduced by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) since taking office. He noted that while the government has been promoting the 'New Economy', questions remain about whether this initiative represents a new direction or a rebranding of existing policies.
Oppong Nkrumah highlighted several government programs needing greater public accountability, including the 24-Hour Economy, Women's Development Bank, One Million Coders Programme, and Feed Ghana initiative. He questioned the claimed job creation under the 24-Hour Economy, pointing out the lack of verifiable evidence, and called for data on SSNIT contributions and employment records.
The MP also raised concerns about the Women's Development Bank, which has not yet provided loans despite receiving significant budget allocations. He noted that the bank was incorporated only in January 2026 and is still awaiting a banking license, leaving market women reliant on high-interest loans from informal lenders.
In agriculture, he criticized the Feed Ghana programme, particularly its poultry component, citing reports of beneficiaries consuming rather than rearing chickens and describing the first phase as a failure. He called for data on the program's impact on poultry imports and beneficiaries still in production.
Oppong Nkrumah questioned the scale of the proposed New Economy, arguing that many sectors are already covered by existing programs. He disputed government claims that their policies drove recent macroeconomic improvements, attributing them instead to measures implemented under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
He urged the government to pause the New Economy rollout until it accounts for prior programs. He called for a verifiable register of jobs, a firm date for the Women's Development Bank to start lending, and an independent audit of Nkoko Nkitinkiti beneficiaries. He also sought a costed plan for upcoming debt maturities and evidence of IMF reform progress.
Oppong Nkrumah emphasized that promises made in the 2024 election remain binding and insisted that the government must fulfill these commitments before introducing another economic program.