The Founder and President of the UP Tradition Institute (UPTI), Dr. Razak Kojo Opoku, has criticized the 2025 budget presented by the Finance Minister, arguing that it does not align with the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) 2024 manifesto.

Speaking in an interview on Class 91.3 FM with host Kwame Dwomoh-Agyemang on Friday, March 21, 2024, Dr. Opoku stated that several promises outlined in the NDC’s manifesto were missing from the budget presented by the Finance Minister to Parliament.

He particularly pointed out that the much-publicized 24-hour economy policy did not feature in the budget statement as expected.

He refuted claims by the Finance Minister that the framework for implementing the 24-hour economy would later be presented to Parliament in line with the party’s manifesto, insisting that the government’s actions did not reflect its earlier promises.

Dr. Opoku also questioned the government’s rationale for reviewing the Labour Act and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act as a prerequisite for implementing the 24-hour economy policy.

According to him, such legal reviews were not necessary for the policy’s rollout, and he expressed concerns over how long it would take for these laws to be amended before the full implementation could begin.

He categorically stated that the NDC’s first budget was disconnected from its own manifesto and urged party supporters to scrutinize the document to identify the inconsistencies with the party's first budget.

Drawing comparisons, Dr. Opoku recalled that the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2016 manifesto was fully reflected in its first budget in 2017.

He argued that all major promises made by the NPP ahead of the 2016 general elections were captured in the 2017 budget, demonstrating a clear alignment between policy and financial planning.

Dr. Opoku’s remarks have added to the ongoing debate about the NDC government’s commitment to fulfilling its campaign promises, particularly regarding the 24-hour economy policy.