Godwin Edudzi Tameklo is the Acting CEO of the National Petroleum Authority
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, has defended the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative, stating that the policy was developed in consultation with experts and civil society organisations (CSOs), and not designed as a partisan agenda.
Speaking during a panel discussion on TV3’s KeyPoints programme on Saturday, July 5, Tameklo said President John Dramani Mahama engaged broadly before rolling out the policy.
“President Mahama reached out to experts and CSOs on how to roll out the policy,” Edudzi Tameklo stated, in response to concerns raised by Dr. Joshua Zaato, a political science lecturer, who criticised the policy’s lack of national backing.
Dr Zaato had earlier remarked that the 24-Hour Economy policy, much like the “Ghana Beyond Aid” agenda introduced by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, lacked bipartisan consensus and thus could be scrapped if a new government takes over.
“Ghana Beyond Aid was a partisan initiative by Akufo-Addo. 24-Hour Economy is a partisan initiative by John Dramani Mahama. The policy risks being jettisoned when there is a change of government,” Dr Zaato said.
He stressed the importance of building national consensus for major policies to ensure their sustainability and continuity, regardless of which political party is in power.
In his response, Edudzi Tameklo insisted that the 24-Hour Economy is grounded in stakeholder engagement and public interest, adding that the implementation plan was guided by inputs from various sectors.
According to him, the focus is on job creation, economic productivity, and efficient use of infrastructure and services, especially in urban and industrial areas.
