Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has defended the governing record of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) while arguing that the National Democratic Congress’ flagship 24-hour economy policy has yet to deliver tangible results.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the University of Ghana chapter of the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) under the theme “The Blue Summit: Recapturing the Hill, Reclaiming Legon Back,” Mr. Jinapor said there had been little evidence of implementation of the policy.
“Absolutely nothing has been done to promote or implement the 24-hour economy,” he told students.
The Damongo MP used the platform to draw ideological distinctions between the NPP and the NDC, describing the NPP as a party founded on the principles of a free society, the rule of law and private sector-led development.
According to him, the NPP believes in creating opportunities for individuals to prosper through education, employment and entrepreneurship, arguing that national development is achieved when citizens are empowered to improve their own lives.
Mr. Jinapor said the party’s philosophy of a property-owning democracy differs fundamentally from what he described as state control of economic opportunities. He maintained that NPP governments have consistently pursued policies aimed at strengthening the private sector while providing social safety nets for vulnerable groups.
He cited the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme under the administration of John Agyekum Kufuor as an example of a welfare intervention designed to support citizens who may not have equal opportunities.
The former Lands Minister, however, acknowledged that NPP administrations had shortcomings and did not achieve every objective they set for themselves while in office.
He said no government is without challenges and stressed the need for political leaders to be honest about mistakes while learning from them.
Despite those shortcomings, Mr. Jinapor argued that the administrations of former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo oversaw significant transformation and development in Ghana, a record he said the party must confidently defend.
