24-hour-economy will position Ghana as attractive investment destination – Forensic PsychiatristGov’t Commences The Grading Of Maralal Baragoi Road To Reduce Insecurity

Mr John Kuuku Dsane, a retired Forensic Psychiatry Specialist, who worked in the United Kingdom, said Ghana can rake in more revenue, annually, by instituting the 24-hour-economy for growth advancement. He said the country could take advantage of that economic policy to position herself as an attractive destination for investment, fostering economic growth, creating job opportunities, and contributing to the development of the retail sector. Mr Dsane, now based in Ghana, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview on Friday that due to evolving the global economic landscape, it was imperative to consider the adoption of the proposal as a policy to enhance job creation and employment opportunities for the youth. 'Embracing the 24-hour- economy is a strategic move for Ghana to catalyze economic growth, reduce unemployment, and enhance global competitiveness,' he said. 'By adopting a holistic approach and implementing supportive policies and infrastructure, Ghana could unlock its full economic potential and i mprove the well-being of the citizenry.' He outlined the key reasons and benefits of transitioning to a 24-hour system of work and suggested strategies for its successful implementation to encourage businesses to operate '24-seven'. These include tax incentives, regulatory reforms, and financial support for businesses making the transition, investment in reliable and efficient infrastructures like transportation, energy and communication systems to support uninterrupted operations. Others are to provide training to equip the workforce with the skills required to make a 24-hour working system thrive, ensuring a seamless transition and maximizing the benefits of extended working hours. Mr Dsane stressed on public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the benefits while addressing concerns or misconceptions about the policy. Seeking collaboration with international organisations and countries that had been successful in the implementation of a 24-hour-economy must also be prioritised, he said. 'A c ontinuous economy accommodates the diverse lifestyles and preferences of individuals. It also allows for flexible work schedules, enabling employees to choose hours that best suit their needs.' Source: Ghana News Agency The government has commissioned the grading of the 100 kilometer Maralal-Baragoi road to uplift the standards of road in an effort to reduce rampant cases of banditry and highway robberies. Speaking in Morijo area after commissioning the road rehabilitation project, Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen said that once the road was renovated, it would enable herders to access markets for their livestock and also aid quick security response when cattle rustlers and bandits strike. Murkomen noted that a number of people have lost their lives after being shot by bandits who take advantage of the dilapidated road infrastructure to launch attacks, the most recent being Ang'ata Nanyukie MCA Stephen Leshimpero who was shot and killed by bandits while driving to home in February. 'The efforts we are making to upgrade infrastructure is going to aid the efforts of the Ministry of Interior and National Administration in the fight against cattle rustlers and bandits in Samburu County. The works will later be extended to South Horr and ultimately to North Horr on the Kenya Ethiopia border,' he said. The CS further noted that for many years, the A4 road category has been receiving inadequate money for maintenance saying that his Ministry has pumped Sh50 million through the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) for rehabilitation. Murkomen also revealed that efforts to secure funding for the tarmacking of the 400 kilometer Maralal-Baragoi-Sarima to Ilerate along the Kenya Ethiopia border were at an advanced stage. Samburu County Governor Lati Lelelit welcomed the road renovation project saying it was a form of improving security along the treacherous route at the same time urging the CS to budget for security roads. The governor said that the tarmacking of the road would be a permanent solution to the perpetual insecurity incidents that hindered development in Samburu North Sub County. 'Criminals like operating in inaccessible areas and I believe good roads provide a lasting solution to insecurity more t han security operations,' the governor noted. Source: Kenya News Agency