Hassan Ayariga, the Flagbearer of the All People’s Congress (APC), has expressed discontent with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for presenting the 24-hour economy policy as a new initiative ahead of the 2024 general elections.
According to Ayariga, the concept is not new, as he had already included it in his manifesto during the 2016 and 2020 elections.
The NDC announced the 24-hour economy as one of its key policies that they would implement should the results from the 2024 general elections go in its favour.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi M on Friday, September 6, Ayariga questioned the novelty of the policies being presented by both the NDC and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), asserting that his party had pioneered some of these ideas years ago.
He also criticised the NPP for claiming credit for digitalisation efforts, emphasising that digitalisation is only a part of a broader e-governance policy he had been advocating for since 2016.
“The dynamics going into the election are about policies, leadership changing the lives of Ghanaians and building a very strong economy. What are they offering, that is the first question. What is new about the NDC? I had a 24-hour economy in my manifesto page 30 since 2016 and 2020 but you didn’t look at it.
“What is new about the NPP? I had digitalisation under my e-governance. Digitalisation is a minute of e-governance. It has been running since 2016 and today, they have ruled this country, both of them, whether former president Mahama or my good brother Dr Bawumia who wants to have the steer. They have been running the country for the past eight years. What has changed, what new thing are they bringing on board that Ghanaians have not witnessed,” Ayariga stated.