The Secretariat of the 24-Hour Economy programme has pushed back against criticism from the Minority in Parliament that the flagship policy has failed to deliver tangible results.
The secretariat is insisting that the initiative has moved beyond planning and is already attracting investments, expanding round-the-clock services and supporting industrial activity.
The programme, it says, has recorded significant milestones, including securing $5.5 billion in Joint Development Agreements with co-development partners as of May 2026, while several businesses have started adopting the multi-shift operational model designed to boost production capacity and create jobs.
The response follows comments by the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, who questioned the achievements of the policy since its launch and raised concerns about public resources committed without clear evidence of impact.
However, the Secretariat argued that the success of the programme should not be measured by direct government expenditure but by the scale of private investment mobilised, productive capacity created, exports expanded, and employment opportunities generated.
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Private Investment Driving Programme
According to the Secretariat, the 24-Hour Economy is deliberately structured as a private-sector-led initiative, with government providing support through project preparation, coordination and viability gap financing rather than financing most projects directly.
It said Ghanaian and foreign investors are expected to fund the majority of projects under the programme, with the government’s role focused on creating the conditions needed for businesses to operate continuously.
The Secretariat maintained that the initiative is targeting 1.7 million decent jobs by 2028, with four recently signed agreements alone expected to generate more than 160,000 direct jobs.
Industrial Projects and Services Take Shape
The Secretariat highlighted several major investments as evidence of progress, including the $1.45 billion Buipe solar and battery project, expected to generate 1,500 megawatts of electricity and create about 13,000 jobs.
It also pointed to the $250 million Kambonwule oil palm complex, which is projected to create up to 120,000 jobs when fully operational.
Aside from manufacturing and agriculture, the Secretariat said public institutions such as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, Ghana Publishing Company and Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority have introduced extended-hour services as part of efforts to improve productivity and convenience.
Not About Government Spending Alone
The Secretariat rejected claims that the programme had consumed a portion of the GH¢650 billion approved by Parliament for government programmes over the past two years.
It clarified that the figure represents the total national budget allocation across all government activities and should not be interpreted as expenditure on the 24-Hour Economy initiative.
According to the Secretariat, the programme’s model is based on leveraging private capital to expand production, with government stepping in only where necessary to address challenges such as infrastructure gaps, land access and energy reliability.
The Bottomline
The Secretariat acknowledged that the programme is being rolled out gradually, explaining that the approach allows the government to secure credible investment partners, develop bankable projects and address operational constraints before scaling up.
It said the true impact of the policy will become increasingly visible through expanded factory operations, increased domestic production, higher exports and more employment opportunities.
