The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo, has taken a swipe at the counsel to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Kow Essuman, over a post the latter shared on former President John Dramani Mahama’s 24-hour economy proposal.

The post which was shared by Kow Essuman on X on Saturday, November 25, 2023, had a poster criticising Mahama’s policy proposal with the inscription “The 24-hour eccononmy is a scam”.

Dumelo, in response, told the counsel to the president to take down the post before pointing out some errors in it.

He said that the world economy was misspelled as “eccononmy”.

“Pls delete and let them do the artwork again. We will wait. It’s not “ecconomy”. And the it’s supposed to be “m”. It looks like triple nnn. Thanks,” the actor cum politician wrote on X on Saturday.

The poster depicted a rural community where one woman is seen warning another woman not to buy into Mahama’s 2024-hour economy proposal.

Background:

Former President John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), said that the next NDC government would put measures in place to encourage businesses in Ghana to operate for 24 hours.

He explained that the policy measure would include giving businesses incentives to operate both night and day; possibly in three shifts which means more jobs for the teaming youth of Ghana.

He added that paramount to the implementation of the 24-hour economy strategy is a police service that can ensure the protection of business during the night economy.

“A new NDC administration will work urgently to equip our youth with the entrepreneurial knowledge and skills needed for a sustainable future. We will introduce a 24-hour economy with incentives and tax breaks for manufacturers who will run extra shifts to create more room for employment,” he said.

Some Ghanaians, mostly from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), including the presidential candidate of the party, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, however, are not so enthused about the former president’s proposal.

Vice President Dr Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), at a campaign event in Nalerigu, in the North East Region, on Monday, November 20, 2023, attacked the 24-hour economy policy proposition put forth by Mahama.

Bawumia explained that the idea of a 24-hour economy was not new to Ghana and that it appeared Mahama does not understand the concept.

“John Mahama says he has a new idea, what is this new idea, he says he wants a 24-hour economy. He doesn’t even understand that promise,” Bawumia told a teeming crowd up north on his first visit since his election as flagbearer.

He listed among others; hospitals, power and fuel service providers and some chop bars, that are already operating 24 hours adding that thanks to digitalization, “you can transfer and receive money 24 hours.”

“He (Mahama) doesn’t understand his own policy, it does not make sense. I want you to note in 2024 we are having a new vision. I will bring new policy and we will transform this country. John Mahama is the past, Dr. Bawumia is the future,” Bawumia added to cheers from the crowd.

Vice President Dr Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), at a campaign event in Nalerigu, in the North East Region, on Monday, November 20, 2023, attacked the 24-hour economy policy proposition put forth by Mahama.

Bawumia explained that the idea of a 24-hour economy was not new to Ghana and that it appeared Mahama does not understand the concept.

“John Mahama says he has a new idea, what is this new idea, he says he wants a 24-hour economy. He doesn’t even understand that promise,” Bawumia told a teeming crowd up north on his first visit since his election as flagbearer.

He listed among others; hospitals, power and fuel service providers and some chop bars, that are already operating 24 hours adding that thanks to digitalization, “you can transfer and receive money 24 hours.”

“He (Mahama) doesn’t understand his own policy, it does not make sense. I want you to note in 2024 we are having a new vision. I will bring new policy and we will transform this country. John Mahama is the past, Dr. Bawumia is the future,” Bawumia added to cheers from the crowd.

He again criticised the proposal at another campaign event calling it "a bad idea".

“So, what is this 2024-hour economy, that you want to bring? It is purely an issue for any business. If you feel you would make money opening 24 hours; there is no law preventing you from opening.

“But this is one idea that John Mahama thinks he has brought. It is a bad idea. It is an idea that has not been thought through. It is a bad idea,” he said.

View the post below:

Pls delete and let them do the artwork again. We will wait. It’s not “ecconomy”. And the it’s supposed to be “m”. It looks like triple nnn. Thanks https://t.co/TPq90tI5GE

— Farmer John (@johndumelo) November 25, 2023