Policy think tank IMANI Africa is urging Parliament to adopt a practical 10-year development framework to guide the full implementation of the government’s ambitious 24-Hour Economic Policy
The framework, IMANI dubs as “24H+ Vision 2035,” will provide a well-structured monitoring and evaluation mechanism to guide the implementation of the policy.
In its latest Criticality Analysis of Economic and Governance Issues, IMANI praised the policy’s ambition but warned that without a well-structured plan, Ghana could end up with big promises and little progress.
To overcome this threat, the public policy think tank is calling on the legislative arm of government to spearhead a clear national roadmap with achievable targets that will carry the country halfway to a more industrialized, job-rich, and self-reliant economy by 2047.
The 24H+ Vision 2035
IMANI’s proposal outlines a medium-term national plan, running from 2025 to 2035, that focuses on the three pillars of the 24-Hour Economy, which are Grow24, Make24, and Build24.
This framework, IMANI clarifies, will not be just a 10-year-old road, but with key milestones to track progress. IMANI insists should set target milestones for how far Ghana should have gone by 2035 in its journey toward becoming a 24-hour production economy.
“Parliament of Ghana should adopt a “24H+ Vision 2035” medium-term development framework, spanning 2025 to 2035, that crystallizes halfway milestones for Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy pillars (Grow24, Make24, Build24) in service of India’s 2047 Vision,” the policy review indicated.
A Special Coordination Committee
IMANI further recommends that Parliament form a dedicated “24H+–2047 Coordination Subcommittee” to push the plan forward.
This team coordination team, the think tank says, will help draft and fast-track important laws such as Shift Work Framework to guide labour rules for night shifts and Time-of-Use (TOU) Tariff laws to reduce electricity costs during off-peak hours
Moreover, the committee will make yearly changes to the national budget to protect key funds, like loans from the Exim Bank, for businesses working under the 24-Hour Economy and set SMART goals for the initiative.
“Under this framework, a standing 24H+–2047 Coordination Subcommittee should be empowered to co-draft and fast-track model bills (Shift-Work Framework, TOU Tariffs), legislate annual appropriation amendments to ring-fence Exim Bank LOCs, and set SMART targets such as 7 percent GDP growth, 1 million new jobs, 40 percent off-peak power cost quarterly reduction, reviewed through joint oversight hearings,” IMANI said.
Taking the People Along
IMANI’s plan also puts citizens at the centre. It proposes constituency-level town halls so Ghanaians can share their views on how the policy is working
It further recommends a private sector matchmaking forum led by a special “Liaison Cell” to help connect businesses with opportunities
Also, the think tank recommends an annual exchange program to send Ghanaian lawmakers and policy experts to India, a country also working towards a major development milestone by 2047, to learn best practices and bring them back home
At the heart of IMANI’s proposal to parliament is a simple but powerful idea that Ghana must move beyond talk and take real steps to build an economy that works for everyone, day and night.
