Sarkodie Warns Gov’t: ‘Explain the 24-Hour Economy or Risk Voter Backlash’

Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana and Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Scrutiny, Dr. Adu Owusu Sarkodie, has cautioned the government to come clean on how it intends to roll out its flagship 24-hour economy policy, insisting that Ghanaians expect clarity, honesty and accountability on campaign promises.

Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, July 25, 2026, Dr. Sarkodie said the administration has reached a critical midpoint in its four-year mandate and can no longer afford vague messaging on its major manifesto commitments.

He stressed that beyond economics, the government has a political and moral duty to update citizens on the status of its pledges.

“Even for political reasons, if not even for economic reasons, politically you have a social contract with the people. You promised them one, two, three, and so if you have not gotten to the point of 1-3-3, then you should explain to them. I’m not sure the electorate will forgive you,” he warned.

Dr. Sarkodie reminded the government that two years of its term are already gone, leaving only 2027 and 2028 to deliver tangible results before voters return to the polls.

“Ghanaians voted for you, gave you a four-year mandate, and you’ve spent two years already, remaining two more years… How do you communicate the 24-hour economy thing from the promise to the implementation? That one is key,” he said.

He urged the government to be candid if it is unable to execute the policy as promised.

“If you cannot do it, say you cannot do it. If you can do it, [explain] what you are waiting for,” he added.

Despite his concerns, Dr. Sarkodie described the 24-hour economy blueprint as containing “fantastic ideas,” and encouraged the government to at least deliver one major initiative before its term ends.

“As a researcher, I would say… fantastic ideas in the document. Even if they fail at all, they should do one in the document,” he said.

His comments echo earlier remarks by Cape Coast South MP Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, who has maintained that the 24-hour economy is a long-term national plan rather than an overnight policy.

— CitiNewsRoom