Hassan Ayariga, the founder and leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), has made a startling accusation against the National Democratic Congress (NDC), claiming they stole the APC’s flagship policy, the “24-hour economy” concept. This policy, a cornerstone of the APC’s economic agenda, aims to transform Ghana’s economy by extending work hours to meet global demand, attract foreign investment, and improve citizens’ standard of living.
At the launch of the APC manifesto, dubbed “The Nation’s Manifesto,” on September 22, 2024, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Auditorium, Ayariga emphasized that his party has consistently championed this idea since 2016. The APC vice-presidential candidate, Samuel Worlanyo Mensah, reiterated that the policy originated from the APC, not the NDC.
Mensah stated, “The 24-hour economy was introduced by Hassan Ayariga in 2016 and 2024. It is not for the NDC. It is a stolen manifesto policy by the NDC”. This accusation highlights the APC’s outrage toward the NDC’s apparent appropriation of their intellectual property.
The APC views the NDC’s adoption of their policy as a blatant appropriation, undermining their unique selling proposition. With the presidential election slated for December 7, 2024, the competition between the APC, NDC, and New Patriotic Party (NPP) is expected to be intense.
Ayariga’s accusations and the APC’s outrage have brought attention to the importance of intellectual property and policy originality in Ghana’s political landscape. As the election approaches, the APC will likely continue to emphasize the significance of their 24-hour economy policy.
The APC’s commitment to transforming Ghana’s economy and restoring hope to its citizens remains a central theme in their campaign. With the manifesto launch and policy announcements, the APC aims to differentiate itself from competitors and appeal to voters seeking change.
As the electoral landscape heats up, Ghanaians will closely watch the APC, NDC, and NPP as they present their visions for the country’s future. The outcome of the election will depend on which party’s message resonates most with the people.
The APC’s accusations against the NDC have sparked a critical conversation about policy ownership and originality. As Ghana prepares for the presidential election, the APC’s 24-hour economy policy will likely remain a contentious issue.
