A communications team member of the opposition New Patriotic Party has criticized the government’s 24-hour economy initiative, arguing that the policy fails to address the country’s growing unemployment challenges.
Speaking on Dreamz FM’s breakfast program, Moses Amoah said many young people supported the governing National Democratic Congress because they expected massive job creation under the 24-hour economy policy.
Instead, he said, the government was focusing on constructing markets rather than creating employment opportunities.
“Young people voted for the policy expecting more recruitment into the public sector and private sector expansion, not just markets operating at night,” Amoah said.
He questioned whether residents would feel safe patronizing markets during nighttime hours, citing concerns about inadequate security and poor street lighting.
“Until the government recruits more police officers and improves security, people will prioritize their safety over a 24-hour market,” he said.
Amoah argued that the government should first tackle unemployment and improve public safety before investing heavily in nighttime economic activities.
According to him, many graduates, including teachers, nurses and allied health professionals, remain unemployed despite campaign promises of expanded job opportunities.
He also criticized recent recruitment exercises in the health sector, claiming many qualified applicants were unable to secure employment.
The NPP communicator further accused the government of abandoning the original vision of the 24-hour economy policy, which he said was initially presented as a strategy to increase employment through shift-based work systems.
He maintained that the government’s current focus on market infrastructure does not adequately address the country’s economic hardships.
Amoah said economic frustrations among citizens were fueling renewed interest in the opposition party ahead of the 2028 general elections.
