Captain Smart Praises 24-Hour Economy Bill While Slamming Attorney-General's Handling of Wontumi Case | Discuss Ghana

Broadcast journalist Captain Smart has praised President John Dramani Mahama for signing the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, 2025 into law, calling it a demonstration of "outstanding governance" and a "determination to fix Ghana". However, during his Onua Maakye morning show on Friday, February 20, 2026, he balanced this praise with sharp criticism of the government's legal and administrative consistency.

Smart raised significant concerns regarding the transparency of the ORAL initiative and what he perceives as a "hypocritical" stance by the Attorney-General's office in the ongoing trial of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi).

Captain Smart

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Praise for the 24-Hour Economy Law

Captain Smart lauded the formalization of the 24-hour economy, arguing that the legislative framework provides the necessary "legal teeth" for the policy to move from a campaign slogan to a reality.

Leadership Recognition: He commended Mahama for staying focused on the policy despite intense skepticism from the opposition during the 2024 campaign.

Economic Relief: Smart linked the President's policy discipline to recent financial reliefs, such as the government’s payment of GH₵10 billion in interest to bondholders, which he credited for stabilizing the lives of many Ghanaians.

Concerns Over the Attorney-General and the Wontumi Case

The mood shifted when Smart addressed the Attorney-General's handling of the criminal case against Chairman Wontumi, who is facing six counts related to illegal mining on the Akonta Mining concession.

"Submission of No Case": Smart reacted to news that Wontumi’s legal team filed a "submission of no case" on February 19, 2026, arguing that the prosecution's evidence was "woefully deficient". Smart questioned why the state's case appeared vulnerable enough for such a move, despite high-profile expert testimony.

Question of Consistency: He accused the Attorney-General's office of "selective diligence," questioning why charges were dropped against some Akonta Mining officials who agreed to testify, a move Wontumi’s own lawyers labeled as "disappointing".

Justice Srem Sai: While Smart acknowledged the Deputy Attorney-General’s vow to "oppose the submission of no case," he warned that the public would not tolerate a "legal circus" that allows politically connected individuals to escape accountability for environmental degradation.Transparency in the ORAL Initiative

Smart also targeted the ORAL initiative (Operation Recover All Loot), questioning the speed and transparency of asset recovery. He noted that while the government is quick to sign bills for future growth, the "broader implications for governance" require equal vigor in recovering stolen state funds from previous administrations.

Call for Transparency: He challenged the government to provide a "clear ledger" of recovered assets and to ensure that the 24-Hour Economy Authority does not become another bureaucratic layer that masks administrative failures.