By Godwill Arthur-Mensah, GNA
Accra. Nov. 12, GNA – Mr Kwabena Okyere-Darko Mensah, the Member of Parliament for Takoradi, has described the government’s proposed “New Economy” agenda as a rebranding of old promises intended to mislead the youth.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency ahead of the presentation of the 2027 Budget on Thursday, Mr Okyere Darko-Mensah said the Mahama-led Administration had failed to successfully implement its flagship 24-Hour Economy policy and could not be trusted to deliver on a new economic programme.
He challenged the government to demonstrate tangible results from the 24-Hour Economy initiative before introducing what it calls the New Economy, arguing that ordinary Ghanaians were yet to feel any meaningful improvement in their living conditions.
Mr Okyere Darko-Mensah said prices of food items remained high despite the appreciation of the cedi against major foreign currencies, adding that transport fares, electricity tariffs, and other utility charges continued to rise.
“The exchange rate may be improving on paper, but its benefits have not reflected in the lives of ordinary people. Food prices remain high; transport costs have increased, and utility tariffs are soaring,” he said.
The Takoradi legislator urged the youth to remain vigilant and critically assess the government’s promises, stressing that economic programmes should be judged by their impact on jobs, incomes and the cost of living.
According to him, Ghanaians expect practical solutions to current economic challenges rather than the introduction of new slogans and policy labels.
The 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy will be presented to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026, to Parliament by Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister of Finance.
The budget is expected to unveil government’s “New Economy” agenda, which seeks to shift focus from economic stabilisation to investment-led growth and job creation.
The proposed programme is anchored on a four-year investment plan estimated at about US$10 billion and is expected to target sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, energy, critical minerals, textiles, tourism, and pharmaceutical production.
Government officials say the initiative will boost local production, create jobs, and improve incomes.
However, critics of the government, and some analysts have questioned whether the New Economy represents a genuinely new policy direction or a repackaging of existing initiatives such as the 24-Hour Economy policy and have called on government to provide clear implementation strategies, and measurable targets.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei