President of Imani Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has praised the government’s 2025 budget presentation, describing it as a breath of fresh air.

However, he raised concerns over the absence of a clear implementation plan for key programmes, including the 24-hour economy initiative.

“The budget was straightforward, well-presented, and without unnecessary jargon. You don’t need too many words. So it is a breath of fresh air,” Cudjoe said.

“This is one of the few budgets that the average Ghanaian can listen to and make sense of. It is well-structured and clearly presented. But beyond the clarity, the substance of some policies remains a concern,” he added.

Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen following Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s budget presentation on Tuesday, March 11, Cudjoe noted that while the budget outlines key policies, it lacks detailed execution strategies.

Dr. Forson announced that the government will soon present its proposed 24-hour economy policy to Parliament, assuring that measures are being put in place to ensure a smooth rollout, including incentives for businesses willing to extend operations beyond traditional working hours.

As part of the government’s economic transformation strategy, he noted that the policy would serve as a catalyst for industrial growth and investment.

However, Cudjoe has called for a transparent financial framework to prevent the collapse of social programmes due to funding shortfalls.

“The President and his government have spoken about the 24-hour economy, but there is little in the budget that explains how it will work.

“We were expecting clear policy guidelines, funding commitments, and incentives for businesses, but what we got instead is a promise that a document will be released later,” he lamented.

He cautioned that the policy’s implementation will be difficult if there is no clarity on well-defined strategies and incentives.

“These are not necessarily bad policies, but they are modest. They are unlikely to make a major impact on the unemployment crisis we face. If we are serious about job creation, we need bigger, well-funded interventions,” he argued.