John Dramani Mahama’s 24-hour economy proposal has been welcomed by persons in academia, trade, industry, and the political divide among others.
However, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) appears to be the only group expressing reservations about the proposed policy.
The NPP’s stance is what Professor of Political Science at the University of Ghana, Ransford Gyampo, says is inimical to the political fortunes of the Vice President.
According to him, the popularity the proposal has garnered is as a result of the badmouthing the Vice President gave it, something the Professor says the NPP flag bearer should have known, taking a cue from the Free SHS campaign in 2016.
He says Dr. Bawumia should sack his political strategists for making him speak publicly about the proposal which has given it the milage it has now. Prof Gymapo offered what he termed as a free political consultancy to the NPP flag bearer in an open letter.
“How you are able to restore lost hopes in your campaign is crucial, and for starters, the way to go isn’t to popularize your opponent’s idea of having a 24-hour economy. Your political strategists should be sacked for making you speak publicly about that proposal because, in their quest to get you to rubbish it, they have succeeded in getting you to make it very popular and trendy. Remember, it was your opponent’s response to the free SHS that made it even more popular. So, why your political strategist couldn’t shield you from this same campaign suicidal path, should be the reasoning for their sack,” he noted.
He further urged him to “focus on your own campaign. Spend much time to rebuild the palpable trust deficit and show no sense of entitlement to anything.
“It is politically tactless to respond to the one who stands vindicated by the government’s (that you are part of) inability to fulfill some key promises and the bigger hardships people are now facing, than they were experiencing before your government took over office.”
He reminded him of the purpose for which he was brought to be running mate and subsequently became Vice President to President Akufo-Addo, a cause he believes he hasn’t charted to satisfaction.
“Remember, you were brought on board to manage the economy and your own lecture series and public utterances gave a lot of hope to many Ghanaians. But the hope of many have been dashed. Your government has dissipated the goodwill willed to it by many Ghanaians. Even among your core support base, there are complaints and regrets,” he indicated without mincing words.
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