The government has assured that its flagship 24-hour economy initiative will prioritize private sector growth and sustainability as it accelerates efforts to boost productivity, create jobs, and expand business opportunities.
Goosie Tanoh, Presidential Advisor on the initiative, said the policy would extend beyond essential public services like health, transport, and security to create an enabling environment for private businesses to operate beyond traditional working hours.
Speaking at the Central Expo 2025 business forum in Cape Coast, Mr. Tanoh stressed that the success of the 24-hour economy hinges on the active participation of the private sector, which remains the backbone of Ghana’s economy.
“Our focus is to support private businesses, whether small, medium, or large-scale to take advantage of this new shift. We will ensure that incentives, infrastructure, and security systems are in place to allow businesses to run around the clock,” he said.
The forum, held under the theme “Empowering Women and Youth-led Enterprises to Promote Economic Growth,” brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to discuss how enterprises in the Central Region can position themselves to benefit from the government’s economic transformation agenda.
Mr. Tanoh noted that industries such as manufacturing, hospitality, retail, logistics, and digital commerce stand to benefit significantly from the policy, provided they align their operations with the shift.
He called on stakeholders to collaborate and transform the Central Region into a hub of economic activity.
He added that ongoing consultations with industry players would address concerns such as electricity costs, staffing, and safety. “We are determined to ensure the 24-hour economy creates inclusive opportunities for all businesses, not just large corporations,” he assured.
Some business owners at the forum welcomed the initiative. Abigail Hanson, manager of a local hair growth products company in Abura Dunkwa, said: “If power supply and security are guaranteed, we can increase our shifts and employ more people.”
However, traders and small business operators also expressed reservations about rising electricity bills and the challenges of staffing at night. They urged the government to provide targeted support for SMEs to prevent them from being sidelined.
The Central Expo 2025, themed “Unlocking Business Opportunities in the Central Region,” ran from August 23 to August 31 at Adisadel College Park in Cape Coast. The annual week-long event showcased the region’s vast trade, tourism, and investment opportunities while attracting thousands of exhibitors, investors, and business leaders.
Organised under the Central Regional Coordinating Council’s (CRCC) Regional Development Strategy, the expo aimed to enhance international exposure, foster partnerships, and stimulate business growth, particularly for small and medium enterprises. It also promoted domestic tourism, youth entrepreneurship, and job creation by highlighting untapped regional resources.
Central Regional Minister Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah urged businesses to work closely with the CRCC to accelerate the region’s development. “We must turn this expo from an event into a movement that drives change and transforms our local economy,” he said.
