Ghana’s bold push to establish a 24-hour economy is facing a critical test as recurring power maintenance shutdowns raise concerns about whether the country’s infrastructure can support continuous production.
The latest planned shutdown of the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant by Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and the Ghana National Gas Company has once again drawn attention to the central role of electricity in driving Ghana’s economic transformation agenda.
At the heart of this conversation is the government’s 24-Hour Economy Authority initiative, which aims to boost productivity by encouraging businesses to operate beyond traditional working hours. The policy is expected to increase output, create jobs, and improve the efficiency of existing infrastructure.
However, energy analysts and business leaders say the success of the policy hinges on one fundamental requirement, consistent and reliable power supply.
While planned maintenance shutdowns are a standard feature of energy systems globally, their increasing visibility in Ghana is raising questions about readiness.
Businesses argue that even short disruptions can derail operations, especially in sectors such as manufacturing, agro-processing, and logistics, where timing and continuity are critical.
For companies attempting to adopt round-the-clock operations, the unpredictability of power supply introduces additional costs and risks.
Many firms are forced to rely on backup generators, increasing fuel expenses and operational overheads. Smaller enterprises, in particular, often lack the capacity to absorb these costs, limiting their ability to fully participate in the 24-hour economy.
“This policy is a good idea, but it must be supported by stable infrastructure,” a manufacturing executive in Accra said. “You cannot run a 24-hour operation on uncertain power.”
The recurring shutdowns also raise broader questions about policy sequencing. Analysts suggest that while the 24-hour economy is a forward-looking initiative, its success depends on aligning it with investments in critical infrastructure, particularly energy.
Ghana’s power sector has made significant strides over the years, but challenges remain. Dependence on key facilities such as the Atuabo plant means that maintenance or faults at a single point can have ripple effects across the system.
Experts argue that bridging this gap will require sustained investment in modernising energy infrastructure, expanding generation capacity, and improving grid resilience.
Diversifying the energy mix, especially through renewables could also reduce pressure on existing systems and provide alternative sources of supply.
There is also a growing call for better coordination between policymakers and industry players.
Despite these challenges, stakeholders remain optimistic about the potential of the 24-hour economy to transform Ghana’s economic landscape. They stress, however, that ambition must be matched with execution.
The vision is right, but infrastructure must catch up with policy. Otherwise, the gap between expectation and reality will continue to widen.
As Ghana works to position itself as a competitive industrial hub, the reliability of its power supply will remain a decisive factor.
For now, the question is not just whether the country can run a 24-hour economy but whether it can power it sustainably.
