Minority leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called on the Mahama administration to transition from “slogans and political rhetoric” to concrete actions that foster job creation and national development.
Speaking at the Young Commons Forum at the University of Cape Coast the Effutu MP argued that one year into its tenure, the government has failed to deliver on its flagship campaign promises. Mr. Afenyo-Markin highlighted that major initiatives such as the Women’s Development Bank and the 24-Hour Economy policy have yet to be effectively implemented.
He described the “one job, three shifts” concept of the 24-hour economy as more of a campaign slogan than a functional policy, accusing the government of creating unnecessary bureaucracy instead of actual jobs. He noted that despite government rhetoric, the youth unemployment rate remains unacceptably high, cited at 34.4%.
The Minority Leader pointed to rising costs, including a nearly 30% increase in electricity tariffs and new levies on petrol, which he argued have exacerbated the crisis for ordinary Ghanaians. He criticized the government for failing to meet its promise of increasing the producer price of cocoa to GH¢6,000, leaving farmers at the “receiving end” of economic hardship. Afenyo-Markin urged the administration to focus on empowering the private sector rather than expanding government structures.
He suggested that strengthening existing initiatives, such as the One-District-One-Factory (1D1F) programme introduced under former President Akufo-Addo, would be more effective for sustainable development than current government strategies.
