John Dramani Mahama is Ghana’s president
The Eastern Regional Manager, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is appealing to the government to partner the private sector in the successful implementation of the 24-Hour Economy policy as part of efforts to address the unemployment situation among the country’s youth.
Justice Kwabena Wilson is making a fervent call to the government to collaborate with the private sector in implementing its 24-Hour Economy initiative, with the goal of fostering economic growth and job creation, especially for the youth.
The 24-Hour Economy aims to stimulate economic activity beyond traditional daytime hours, potentially leading to increased employment, particularly for young people. However, the success of such an initiative hinge on the private sector’s ability to innovate, invest, and operate businesses on a continuous basis.
Justice Kwabena Wilson, who believes government support can provide the necessary framework, infrastructure, and incentives for private sector participation, explained that the Chamber wants the government to be aware of such projects to encourage it to come in and support them to complete and start operation under the 24-Hour Economy policy.
The manager, citing a privately-owned roofing sheet manufacturing and installation company at Asuoyaa in the Eastern Region to buttress his point, said the project which is 90% complete has an estimated production capacity of 10,000 metric tons per annum.
The manager speaking in an interview with the press at Asuoyaa near Koforidua in the Eastern Region, said a strong foundation had already been built on which to establish government’s flagship program, emphasising that such collaboration would go a long way to complement efforts at solving the unemployment canker in the country and particularly in the Eastern region due to the absence of industries in the region.
“With projects like these, there’s already significant grounds on which to establish the 24-Hour Economy policy, so the government should take advantage of this by supporting this kind of development to be operational,” said the manager.
According to him, President Mahama, who is limited to just his 4-year second term must take advantage of these already existing projects rather than beginning new projects from the scratch.
Stressing on the project’s promising job opportunities, Wilson said, “We’re all aware of the absence of industries in the region, which accounts for the high rate of unemployment. I’m confident that completing this project would help reduce the unemployment rate in the region.”
Aside from its productivity, the company is also intended to create employment opportunities in the area and train the youth, women, and physically challenged persons in roofing and roofing related skills and expertise.