President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government’s plans for the 24‑Hour Economy initiative are moving forward, with the 24‑Hour Authority Bill now scheduled to be presented to Parliament. The president made the statement during a visit to the Ghana Publishing Company Limited (GPCL) in Accra, highlighting the next steps in operationalising the programme.
“The committee has completed its consideration, and it’s now scheduled to proceed to the floor of Parliament to establish the 24‑hour authority, which will then pave the way for the implementation and registration of all businesses involved in the 24‑hour economy initiative. It will also outline the types of incentives that can be offered,” President Mahama said.
Mahama explained that once Parliament approves the legislation, it will allow businesses across sectors to register under the initiative, which seeks to transform Ghana’s economic operating model by encouraging enterprises to operate round the clock or in extended shifts. He emphasised the importance of turning policy decisions into actionable frameworks capable of stimulating productivity, creating jobs and deepening economic activity.
The 24‑hour economy policy, first launched in 2025 as part of the government’s “Resetting Ghana” agenda, is intended to expand economic activity beyond traditional business hours, create employment, and enhance Ghana’s competitiveness. Government projections indicate that the initiative could generate nearly 2 million jobs by promoting shift-based work and continuous operations across sectors such as manufacturing, services, logistics, and digital commerce.
At GPCL, the president also noted the impact of reforms inspired by the 24‑hour economy on the company’s operations, including improved operational efficiency and revenue through the introduction of night-shift operations and the launch of a modern digital press centre.
The 24‑Hour Authority will oversee the registration of businesses and provide a framework for incentives, which could include tax breaks, time-of-use utility tariffs, and other support measures to reduce operating costs for businesses participating in extended hours.
While the initiative has been largely welcomed as a bold economic reform, some stakeholders have raised concerns about rising utility costs and other structural challenges that could limit participation. Business associations have called on the government to address these issues to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises can benefit from the expanded operating hours.
Government officials remain optimistic, with the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment affirming that the full implementation of the 24‑hour economy is targeted for the end of 2026.
