An aspiring New Patriotic Party (NPP) Constituency Women’s Organiser hopeful for Nkwanta South in the Oti Region, Hilda Afua Asamani, has questioned the pace and visibility of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s flagship 24-hour economy agenda and related programmes aimed at women’s development in the area.
Speaking in an interview with Adom News, Ms Asamani said residents—particularly market women, young entrepreneurs and unemployed youth—had expected early, practical rollouts after the NDC campaigned strongly on job creation and improved livelihoods ahead of the 2024 elections.
However, she argued that more than a year into the government’s tenure, many people in Nkwanta South are yet to see tangible initiatives directly linked to the widely publicised policy promises.
“Ghanaians were promised a 24-hour economy and stronger support systems for women to create jobs and improve household incomes,” she said.
“But after more than a year in office, people are still asking when these promises will move from slogans to action.”
Ms Asamani called for the establishment of a functional 24-hour market in Nkwanta South, stressing that extended trading hours could create new income opportunities for traders and small businesses while easing pressure on daytime-only commerce.
She noted that women make up a significant portion of the constituency’s informal sector and would be among the primary beneficiaries of a well-structured system that supports safe nighttime operations, including improved lighting, enhanced security, sanitation and reliable transport.
She also urged the government to take concrete steps toward establishing a dedicated Women’s Bank—or an equivalent financing arrangement—to support women-led enterprises.
According to her, limited access to affordable credit remains a major challenge for traders, farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs, many of whom rely on high-interest informal loans that reduce profits and hinder business growth.
In her assessment, the perceived slow pace of implementation has created uncertainty among constituents who expected early signs of progress.
She contrasted the situation with what she described as the initial momentum of the Free Senior High School policy under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, arguing that major flagship programmes should be backed by clear timelines, detailed implementation plans and measurable targets.
Ms Asamani therefore challenged the NDC administration to publish constituency-level details on the 24-hour economy strategy and the proposed Women’s Bank, including how Nkwanta South will benefit, which institutions will be responsible, and when residents can expect to see results.
She maintained that beyond national announcements, what matters most to ordinary citizens is whether policies translate into visible improvements—job creation, access to affordable credit, safer trading environments and stronger household incomes.
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