The success of Ghana’s 24-hour economy vision hinges on the country’s ability to harness digital innovation and technology-driven systems, Mr. Goosie Tanoh, Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy, has said.
He described digital transformation as the “backbone” of the government’s 24-hour economic agenda, stressing that a modern round-the-clock economy requires efficient, accessible digital systems that allow businesses, entrepreneurs, and citizens to operate seamlessly regardless of time or location.
“Imagine a Ghana where it no longer matters whether it is 10 p.m. or 10 a.m. where opportunities are open, jobs are being created, and innovation never ceases. That is the Ghana we are building,” he said.
The remarks were contained in a speech delivered on his behalf by Dr. Ishmael Dodoo, Director and Head of Partnerships and Market at the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Secretariat, during the opening of the 2025 Ghana Digital and Innovation Week (GDIW) in Accra.
Mr. Tanoh said Ghana’s youthful population which is over 57 percent under the age of 25 is central to the digital revolution and urged young innovators to leverage technology to create jobs, build wealth, and power a truly 24-hour economy.
He referenced the 2025 GSMA African Digital Transformation Report, which projects that digital innovation could add over GH¢40 billion to Ghana’s economy by 2029 and generate more than 440,000 new jobs, particularly in youth-led and tech-driven enterprises.
“These are not just statistics; they are signals,” he said. “They show that the digital economy is the new engine of growth for Africa and for Ghana.”
Mr. Tanoh revealed that the government’s Aspire24 Programme will partner with tech hubs, startups, universities, and innovators to build digital infrastructure that sustains a 24-hour economy.
Planned interventions include improved e-payment systems, smart transportation and security networks, digital marketplaces, and online education platforms that allow Ghanaians to work and trade globally at any time.
He urged Ghana’s youth to take ownership of this transformation: “You are the creative force, the heartbeat of this ambition. Use your skills to build solutions that serve Ghana and beyond. Don’t wait for the future but build it.”
Also, in a speech read on his behalf, Mr. Sam Nartey George, Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, said Ghana’s digital transformation agenda was a national commitment to break free from analogue systems in a 21st-century digital world.
“No country can rise today on analogue foundations,” he said. “The true wealth of nations lies not just in natural resources, but in ideas, data, and digital infrastructure.”
He cited recent initiatives including the One Million Coders Programme and Girls in ICT Initiative, as well as government investments in regional tech hubs and innovation accelerators to promote inclusive digital participation.
Dr. Edward Ampratwum, Head of Inclusive Growth and Accountable Governance at UNDP Ghana, reaffirmed the UN’s support for bridging Ghana’s digital divide through partnerships between government, private sector, academia, and civic innovators.
He urged stakeholders to harness emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence for climate resilience and blockchain for transparency, while keeping data innovation people-centred and inclusive.
Mr. Yaw Adu Gyamfi, Chairman of the Ghana Hubs Network, called for stronger regional inclusion in Ghana’s digital transformation drive, saying: “The regions give us the heartbeat of what happens in Ghana. Collaboration across all regions will make national policies more responsive and inclusive.”
