It appears what many political pundits have described as an inordinate desperation of former President John Dramani Mahama to win the 2024 General election is rather getting him confused about the operation of his own much-vaunted policy of 24-hour economy for Ghana.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer for the December 7 polls and his party apparatchiks are all struggling to explain their major manifesto pledge, bewildering even the gullible admirers of this their ‘all-problems-solving’ policy.
Former President Mahama promised to ensure that discotheques and nightclubs that are meant for leisure, will operate during the day, a period in which those patronising them should be at work to increase production and productivity.
Speaking during the party’s manifesto launch in Winneba last Saturday, Mr. Mahama announced that the NDC’s 24-hour economy will focus on selected public institutions with significant customer traffic, such as the hospitality industry.
“Our night clubs, discotheques and our hotels would all operate 24-hours a day,” NDC flagbearer emphasised.
Mr. Mahama made the comments amid increasing pressure on the opposition NDC to clarify the party’s 24-hour economy promise ahead of the December 7 general election.
However, his pledge has prompted many to question how clubbing during the day will boost the economy.
Some have also questioned whether the former president is prioritizing societal values and public morality, given his proposal for 24/7 clubbing, drinking, and dancing.
Already, some people in the tourism industry, including hoteliers and nightclub operators, are confused about the promise and are asking the NDC to further explain how nightclubs operating during the day will address the challenges in the tourism sector.
For instance, some people in the nightclub industry have wondered how a 24-hour economy, which is intended to ensure that businesses operate continuously both day and night, would benefit an industry that has traditionally carved out a niche as a night-time business.
“There is a reason night clubs operate in the night and they cannot work in day time to be part of the 24-hour economy as former President Mahama is suggesting,” a Nightclub operator stated.
A number of hoteliers have also pointed out that almost all hotels in the country already operate 24-hour services, demanding further clarification on how an industry that already operates 24 hours would benefit from the NDC’s programme.
