Since when did the opening times for business become a political conversation?
Go to Osu today, the demand for service at night has caused those businesses to open 24 hours. Go to Bantama in Kumasi, the demand for drugs due to proximity to Komfo Anokye hospital means most pharmacies open for 24 hours.
Let’s remind ourselves that Ghana is not a communist country but a capitalist country where people are free to make decisions based on business principles, Demand and Supply. It’s as simple as that.
There are three main businesses in the world: essential services, Manufacturing/Industry and commercial services (shops and offices).
In the Western world, where everyone will say they have a 24-hour economy, the shops, banks , offices (commercial services) do not open at night. This is not about to happen in Ghana when someone becomes president.
Essential services such as Police, hospitals, fire services, etc are 24-hour services and the same happens in Ghana today.
Industries and manufacturing companies like Nestlé, Kasapreko, Unilever, Sawmills in Kumasi, etc are operating for 24 hours because of the demand they have (Customer orders). This is the same in all countries around the world.
Business decisions are not made by politicians. It is made solely for profit by entrepreneurs. 24-hour economy is not the solution to unemployment in Ghana.
Even if the government decides to employ 1000s of people to work at night, where will the government find the money to pay their salaries? Today, half of government revenue pays for salaries. You will have to pay more taxes, or the government has to borrow to pay these night workers. This kills industries and private businesses through increased taxes and high interest rates.
Most experts have said that Ghana needs to be self-sufficient in agricultural produce. Can farming be done at night ? If we produce more agro products, then there will be a need to work around the clock to process what comes from the farms.
Improving agriculture is the game changer.
The government can not even get road contractors to work at night. That being something under its control. Instead, citizens have to be inconvenienced during the day when we are going about our daily activities.
Let’s look sharp in the coming months before 2024 election, the youth deserve pragmatic solutions, not fancy policies.
Kwadwo Nsafoah Poku
(KNP)
