In an appearance on Oyerepa TV’s Elections Field, Kofi Amankwa-Manu, the Deputy Minister for Defence, defended Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), against criticisms from the opposition, particularly former President John Dramani Mahama.
Amankwa-Manu, who was passionate and forceful in his arguments, aimed Mahama’s 24-hour economy proposal, describing it as one of the most “nonsensical policies” he had ever encountered.
“For Mahama to propose a 24-hour economy as a new policy is simply ridiculous. We’re in 2024, and the world is running on digital systems that allow businesses to operate 24/7,” he said, clearly frustrated. “It shows how disconnected he is from the current realities of our economy.”
The Deputy Minister turned the spotlight on Dr. Bawumia’s achievements, stating that despite not holding the office of president, the NPP candidate’s contributions have been more impactful than those of Mahama.
“Dr. Bawumia’s digitization initiative has transformed how Ghanaians engage in business. Today, transactions can be done via mobile phones anytime, anywhere. This is the real policy innovation that matters,” Amankwa-Manu added.
He further explained that Bawumia’s introduction of mobile money interoperability, which has made mobile financial transactions seamless, has revolutionized commerce across the nation.
According to Amankwa-Manu, this development directly supports businesses and empowers Ghanaians economically in ways that Mahama’s 24-hour economy cannot.
“What Bawumia has achieved is far more significant than any outdated policy proposals. It allows Ghanaians to transact from the comfort of their homes or businesses at any time of the day or night. This is the future of Ghana’s economy,” he emphasized.
The Deputy Minister also criticized Mahama’s proposed 24-hour economy for its lack of clear implementation strategies.
“The idea sounds good on paper, but it lacks substance and direction. How will you implement such a policy in a country where many people are still struggling with basic infrastructural issues? It’s a shallow proposal that lacks the depth needed to address the real concerns of Ghanaians,” he said.
While Amankwa-Manu was adamant that Bawumia’s contributions were far more substantial, he also reassured the public that the NPP was focused on continuous progress and future-oriented policies.
“We’re not just looking to the past with empty promises. We’re creating systems that will benefit Ghanaians in the long run, not just during an election year,” he stated confidently.