The Dean of the Faculty of Accounting and Finance at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Prof Isaac Boadi, has called for a shift from political sloganeering to practical economic implementation, insisting that “good economics or a good economy begins where slogans end”.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Friday, 20 February, he questioned what he described as a growing reliance on catchy policy labels without clearly defined implementation frameworks.

“I think we should be tired of slogans as a country. A policy you want to legislate — you want to legislate night work without pricing the night — is it not a problem?” he asked.

Referring to the recently assented 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, 2025, Prof Boadi argued that policy proposals must be supported by thorough financial planning.

“You want to legislate night work, but then you find it difficult to price that night. Check the entire document well; there is Build 24, Grow 24, Show 24, Connect 24, and many others,” he said.

While acknowledging that the ambition behind such initiatives may be commendable, he maintained that the focus must move beyond branding.

“As a good economy begins where slogans end, we should be tired of this nomenclature and start the implementation properly,” he stated.

Prof Boadi also raised concerns about the financial viability of the programme, particularly reports that it would require $4 billion over the next five years.

“You want to do a programme; now we have been told they need $4 billion for the next five years. Do we have the money now?” he questioned.

“I am only asking questions because of one policy. Look at the nomenclatures given over the period; now we have decided to add a ‘plus’ to it. It started before the election period; we were all laughing in the country: ‘nkoko nkitikiti’, 24-hour economy, and all those names.”

He cautioned that attaching popular labels to policy initiatives without clear funding sources and timelines could create implementation challenges.

“When you add that to a policy, you have a problem from the implementation phase. I will be happy on any day that this materialises, because you are not targeting only employment but productivity, which is key,” he noted.

Prof Boadi stressed that policies aimed at addressing youth unemployment and boosting productivity would naturally attract public support — but only if they are grounded in realism.

“Look at the youth in our country; when you want to come out with a policy that will address the needs of the ordinary Ghanaian, why won’t we be happy? But the point is that the dreamer should be able to have timelines and the cost plan available,” he said.

“You tell me you need $4 billion; where is the source of the funds? Where is it going to come from? We have shifted several goalposts; now we have left the policy. It’s going to be driven by the ordinary person; the government will provide the platform for you, and now you will come in and fill the gap. From the beginning, that was not the concept that we knew; it has changed.”

His comments come after President John Dramani Mahama formally assented to the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, 2025, on Thursday, during a brief ceremony ahead of the 13th Cabinet meeting.