Dr. Razak Kojo Opoku, Founder and President of the UP Tradition Institute (UPTI), has launched a critique against the 2025 budget presented by the Finance Minister, arguing that it deviates significantly from the promises outlined in the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) 2024 manifesto. This discrepancy, according to Dr. Opoku, raises concerns about the government’s commitment to fulfilling its campaign pledges and casts a shadow over the NDC’s ability to translate its electoral platform into tangible policy. He specifically highlighted the absence of the much-touted 24-hour economy policy within the budget, a key promise that resonated with many voters during the election campaign.
The crux of Dr. Opoku’s argument revolves around the disconnect between the NDC’s pre-election promises and the government’s post-election financial plan. He dismissed the Finance Minister’s explanation that the framework for the 24-hour economy would be presented to Parliament later, deeming it an inadequate justification for its omission from the budget. The absence of this key policy from the initial budget, Dr. Opoku contends, signals a lack of preparedness and raises doubts about the government’s true intentions regarding its implementation. This disconnect, he argues, undermines public trust and creates skepticism about the government’s commitment to its electoral mandate.
Furthermore, Dr. Opoku questioned the rationale behind the proposed review of the Labour Act and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act as prerequisites for implementing the 24-hour economy. He argued that such legal reviews were unnecessary for the policy’s rollout and expressed concerns about the potential delays these reviews could introduce. This procedural hurdle, he suggested, could further postpone the implementation of the 24-hour economy, thereby delaying the potential benefits it promises. He emphasized that the government’s insistence on these legal revisions appears contrived and serves as a pretext for inaction rather than a genuine effort to facilitate the policy’s implementation.
Dr. Opoku’s criticism extends beyond the specific issue of the 24-hour economy to encompass a broader critique of the budget’s overall alignment with the NDC manifesto. He urged party supporters and the general public to scrutinize the budget document, highlighting the inconsistencies between the government’s proposed financial plan and the promises made during the election campaign. This call for scrutiny reflects a broader concern about the government’s transparency and accountability. By encouraging public engagement with the budget, Dr. Opoku aims to foster a more informed and critical dialogue around the government’s fiscal policies.
To strengthen his argument, Dr. Opoku drew a comparison with the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2017 budget, which he asserted was fully aligned with the party’s 2016 manifesto. He cited the NPP’s successful incorporation of its major campaign promises into its first budget as a benchmark for effective policy implementation. This comparison serves to highlight what Dr. Opoku perceives as the NDC’s failure to demonstrate a similar commitment to translating its electoral platform into concrete action. By juxtaposing the two approaches, he underscores the importance of aligning budgetary priorities with pre-election commitments to maintain public trust and ensure effective governance.
In conclusion, Dr. Opoku’s critique of the 2025 budget centers on its perceived disconnect from the NDC’s 2024 manifesto. His concerns about the missing 24-hour economy policy, coupled with his questioning of the proposed legal reviews, reflect a broader skepticism about the government’s commitment to its electoral promises. His call for public scrutiny of the budget document underscores the importance of holding the government accountable for its fiscal policies and ensuring that the budget reflects the priorities outlined during the election campaign. This critique contributes to the ongoing public debate about the NDC government’s ability to translate its campaign rhetoric into tangible policy and fulfill the expectations of the electorate.
