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The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, has reacted to criticisms of his proposal to run a 24-hour economy when he is voted into office again by some persons including Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.<\/strong><\/p>\n According to the former president, he never said that his proposal was novel as being asserted by Dr Bawumia and his other critics.<\/p>\n Speaking at a campaign in the Ahafo Region, on November 21, 2023, Mahama explained that his proposal involves putting measures in place to ensure that all businesses get the chance to operate both day and night if they want to.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I talked about the 24-hour economy, many people are saying it is not a well-thought-through programme and that people were doing 24-hour economy already.<\/p>\n \u201cIf one pharmacy is doing 24 hours, if one factory is doing 24 hours, that is not what I am talking about. Everybody should be encouraged to be able to do a 24-hour shift. Because we have the harvest season now, factories that are processing agricultural products should be able to run two shifts. So that they are able to process as much of the agricultural produce as possible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He added, \u201cWhat we are saying is that we will give incentives for everybody who wants to run a 24-shift system to be able to do that so that more young people will be employed.\u201d<\/p>\n Bawumia\u2019s criticism:<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cJohn Mahama says he has a new idea, what is this new idea, he says he wants a 24-hour economy. He doesn\u2019t even understand that promise,\u201d Bawumia told a teeming crowd up north on his first visit since his election as flagbearer.<\/p>\n 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, \u201cyou can transfer and receive money 24 hours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe (Mahama) doesn\u2019t 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,\u201d Bawumia added to cheers from the crowd.<\/p>\n Watch Mahama\u2019s reaction in the video below:<\/strong><\/p>\n John Mahama responds to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on the 24-hour economy. #ElectionHQ<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/i1MNQtfZTU<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) November 21, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n ghanaweb.com <\/p>\n <\/p><\/div>\n\n