The Institute of Public Policy and Accountability has described the government’s flagship 24-our Economy programme as lacking credible implementation plan.

According to the institute, it is concerned that the 2026 Budget’s treatment of the flagship 24-Hour Economy Policy, touted as a transformative initiative for job creation in the 2024 General Parliamentary and Presidential Elections, lacks the level of detail and seriousness required for effective execution.

The National Coordinator of the Policy, Goosie Tanoh, said the initiative requires approximately US$4 billion, equivalent to GH$48 billion for full implementation.

Yet, the IPPA in its analysis of the budget led by Kwasi Nyame-Baafi said the 2026 Budget allocates only GH¢90 million, representing just 0.18% of the estimated requirement.

This allocation, it said, suggests that the policy remains symbolic rather than substantive, lacking an operational framework, measurable targets, timelines, institutional arrangements, or sectoral rollout strategy.

The institute also raised concerns over budget credibility and capital expenditure execution, saying, budget credibility remains a major challenge.

The government committed only about 34% of allocated capital expenditure, and disbursed just GH¢9 billion out of the GH¢13 billion approved for the Big Push Infrastructure Project.

“If the government struggled to meet its capital expenditure commitments in 2025, IPPA questions how it will effectively finance the ambitious programmes outlined for 2026 such as the Big Push Infrastructure Agenda, the Women’s Development Bank, and other capital-intensive initiatives”, it added.

It continued that a budget that under-delivers on capital allocations undermines public confidence and weakens the transformative potential of flagship policies.

The institute called on the government to reassess the 2026 Budget to ensure that it is grounded in realistic fiscal projections and operational capacity.

It also wants the government to provide a comprehensive and fully costed implementation plan for the 24-Hour Economy Policy, including financing strategies, institutional coordination, timelines, and measurable outcomes.