Veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr has urged the National Democratic Congress government to move quickly to implement a 24-Hour Economy, warning against turning the policy into what he described as “intellectual masturbation”.
Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on 6th May, the former Managing News Editor of the Insight Newspaper said the country already has the structures needed to begin the initiative without delay.
“You see, you have the ministries, departments, agencies to work on. Some of them can quickly start a 24-Hour program. You don’t need an authority to do that,” he said.
Mr Pratt argued that parts of the public sector are already capable of operating around the clock, and should be mobilised immediately to demonstrate results.
“And you need some of them who have already started a 24-Hour program. The other public employees, for example, can now run the 24-Hour business, and so on,” he added.
He suggested that after assuming office, leaders should quickly identify opportunities within existing institutions and coordinate efforts across sectors.
“So what you do immediately after the assumption of offices, is to call your ministers and say, show me where the opportunities are, where can we do it now? So coordinate it, put it together, and announce it.”
According to him, a phased rollout backed by clear figures on employment and sectoral participation would help build confidence in the policy.
But he cautioned against over analysis and delays, stressing that the policy must remain grounded in practical action.
“It should not, again, I’m going to use a word, please forgive me if it’s inappropriate… it should not be reduced to intellectual masturbation. It’s a practical thing.” Pratt added
