Since the two major political parties in Ghana elected their flagbearers for the 2024 Presidential elections, political activities have been intensified with both flagbearers outlining policies in a bid to convince the Ghanaian voter.
One major policy that has dominated public discussion is the 24-hour economy that has been proposed by the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Since the announcement of the initiative, there have been several arguments for and against it from various personalities including political analysts, politicians, and technocrats.
That is, until the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress, Dr. Yaw Baah, an economist, described the strategy as “a game changer”. And then panic set in across the pond, and even inside it.
However, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in criticising the policy raised concerns about the issue of electricity since the industry thrives on electricity. They claim Ghana experienced a serious power crisis under John Mahama and therefore do not believe the idea was feasible.
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Joining the conversation, Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, a renowned economist has rubbished this assertion arguing that the NDC led by President John Mahama’s achievement with regard to electricity provision is unmatched.
In an article entitled “BAWUMIA, CHOP BARS, AND THE 24-HOUR ECONOMY“, Dr. Nii Moi Thompson indicated that even though the “Dumsor” was inherited by John Mahama, he was the one who provided a sustainable solution to it.
“Significantly, and despite popular perceptions, Mr. Mahama has perhaps the best record of any president, except Kwame Nkrumah, in providing electricity to Ghanaians, after inheriting dumsor, which had plagued Ghana intermittently since 1983.
The following are the average annual growth rates for installed electricity (by Megawatt) under the four most recent presidents, based on data from the Energy Commission:
·John Agyekum Kufuor : 1.2% (2001-2004)
·John Agyekum Kufuor : 3.6% (2005-2008)
·John Atta Mills : 3.7% (2009-2012)
·John Dramani Mahama :15% (2013-2016)
·Nana Akufo-Addo : 8.1% (2017-2020)
· Nana Akufo-Addo :1.1% (2021-2022)
Even chop bars, taflatse, need electricity, and Dr. Bawumia has woefully failed to provide that. It is doubtful that he would do any better. Now or ever.”
Also Read >>> JOHN MAHAMA IS NOT TO BE BLAMED FOR CURRENT ENERGY SECTOR DEBT – JOHN JINAPOR
SUMMARY
- Kuffuor’s 8years (2001 – 2008) = 4.8%
- NDC 8years (2009 – 2016) = 18.7%
- Akufo-Addo 6years (2017 -2022) = 9.2%
Read Also >>> ARTICLE: THE DUMSOR DEBATE IS OVER
