Hon. Mavis Nkansah-Boadu, Member of Parliament for Afigya Sekyere East, has expressed scepticism about the government’s 24-Hour Economy programme, questioning its effectiveness in addressing unemployment and boosting economic growth.
Speaking in Parliament, Nkansah-Boadu wondered what the GH¢110 million allocation for the programme would achieve, citing the lack of clarity on how it would create jobs and stimulate economic activity.
She emphasised that the private sector, not government, is the key to employment creation and urged the government to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Nkansah-Boadu also criticised the government’s record on unemployment, citing rising utility bills, unpredictable food prices, and small businesses struggling to survive. She expressed disappointment that the budget lacked substance on job creation and economic growth and accused the government of being out of touch with reality.
The MP’s comments come as Parliament continues to debate the 2026 Budget, with the Minority Caucus expressing concerns over the government’s economic management and transparency.
Regarding the Women’s Bank, Hon. Nkansah-Boadu noted that the NDC had allocated GH¢51 million in the 2025 budget, but no disbursements had been made.
She suggested that the government should establish lending desks in existing banks to enable women across the country to access funds, rather than setting up a new bank.
The Member of Parliament emphasised that the majority supports initiatives that uplift women but will not support “another Yenkyemi Ndi agenda”. She cited examples of previous failed initiatives, including SADA, GYIDA, and the Brazil Fiasco, and urged the government to ensure that the Women’s Bank is not another empty promise.
Hon. Nkansah-Boadu also criticised the NDC’s 9% pay increment for public sector workers as “uninspiring” and “not enough”, especially when compared to the 67% pay increase for presidential staffers.
Speaking in Parliament, Hon. Nkansah-Boadu questioned the government’s priorities, asking if it was telling nurses, teachers, and public servants that they are not important.
She highlighted the government’s failure to absorb 150,000 nurses and teachers, despite allocating over $90 billion in budgets.
She also pointed out that the NDC’s pay increment was lower than the double-digit increases implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and accused the government of being out of touch with the struggles of ordinary Ghanaians.
The MP concluded that the budget was “uninspiring”, marked by joblessness, growthlessness, and hopelessness for the ordinary Ghanaian.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
