Mr John Kuku Dsane, a retired Specialist Forensic Psychiatrist, has called for a strengthened and close collaboration with counties that have successfully implemented the 24-hour economic policy to help achieve the commitment.
He said countries such as United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, China, Japan, Korea, Bangladesh, India, Taiwan, Indonesia, among others, have become successful due to a scientific methodology used for the implementation of the policy.
In that regard, he noted there was the need for government to appoint a policy minister or head of agency responsible for this project to pursue vigorous and detailed research areas, such as the factors that necessitated and propelled the UK’s Industrial Revolution, in the 17 and 18 centuries.
The rest are the Chinese Industrial Revolution, Dr Kwame Nkrumah Seven-Year Development Plan for Ghana, and the National Development Planning Commission documentation, among others.
Mr Dsane gave the advice when the Ghana News Agency sought his views in an interview on the benefits of the 24-Hour Economy in Accra
He said there was also the need for detailed and extensive data on key elements of the 24-hour economic policy, adding that data could be obtained from Association of Ghana Industries, Ministry of Finance budget estimates, Ghana Statistical Service, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Transport, Communication, and the internet Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“Although, the challenges to implementation of the 24-hour economy include low productivity, unemployment, poverty and hunger, these challenges will be mitigated by increased productivity, job creation, as a result of the three shifts rotational system and lead to increased consumer spending and economic growth,” he stated.
Other benefits were potential impact on work life balance and family time for employees, particular focus, emphasis attention would be laid on agriculture, manufacturing industry, transport services and tourism sectors of the economy, he said.
He said there was the need for close collaboration, cooperation and coordination with stakeholders and development partners and funding institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, Chinese Government, and EU.
Others were the Trade Unions, technical support from the World Bank to evaluate the policy, continuous public education at the district, regional and national levels, improve road and rail infrastructure, establish industrial hubs or free zone enclaves and provision of constant supply of water and electricity.
“Of utmost importance is the establishment of a Secretariat with adequate staffing level of this 24-hour economic policy.
Mr Dsane expressed gratitude to the President-elect, Mr John Dramani Mahama for his vision and foresight for the flagship policy and called on the media to hype it as a better alternative to advancing the progress of humanity.
GNA