EGP Boss Calls for MMDA Reorientation to Ensure 24-Hour Economy Success
Coordinator of the Economic Governance Platform (EGP), Abdul Karim Mohammed, has called for a fundamental reorientation of Ghana’s Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to ensure the successful implementation of the 24-hour economy policy initiative.
Speaking during the NorvanReports and EGP X Space Discussion on the theme “Beyond the Slogans: Will the 24-Hour Economy Fix Ghana’s Broken Systems?”, Mr Mohammed emphasised the need to decentralise the policy’s execution, urging that MMDAs be empowered and repositioned to play a more business-focused and developmental role.
“If you look at the current state of our MMDs and you look at the programme and how it has been formulated, I dare say that the status quo or the usual way of doing business will not cut it. Assemblies will have to assume a more business orientation if they are to succeed in this,” he stated.
He noted that specific initiatives such as the Voter Corridor Project would be anchored within particular assemblies, which would bear critical regulatory and operational responsibilities. As such, he said, “The assemblies will have to be empowered. They need to be resourced to be able to execute these responsibilities as is required of them.”
Mr Mohammed argued that beyond resourcing, a mindset shift was also necessary—one that prioritises citizen engagement and inclusivity in the policy’s rollout.
“This whole program is about development, and development is about people. Any progressive policy must have the people at the core. It must be people-centred,” he stressed.
He highlighted the three central objectives of the 24-hour economy—productivity, competitiveness and inclusive growth—asserting that the third objective could only be achieved with broad public involvement.
“Until the outdooring of this document, many of us were left in the dark. Now that the document has been launched, what is the process towards getting people to understand what the policy framework is all about? This is important because it will enhance transparency and issues around accountability,” he said.
Mr Mohammed urged the government and relevant agencies to prioritise education and communication, citing provisions within the programme that call for civic education, public engagement, and creative awareness campaigns using media and drama.
“All these are very important. How they are going to be rolled out will be very, very important in getting people to appreciate what the programme stands for and what their contributions to help it succeed will be,” he added.
According to him, the success or failure of the 24-hour economy will ultimately depend on how well it is understood and supported by the people, noting that “we, the people, eventually will be the end-users of these services.”
The 24-hour economy policy, being championed by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), seeks to stimulate economic activity across key sectors beyond traditional working hours. While the framework was recently launched, questions remain over its implementation strategy, institutional readiness, and public awareness.
