Ghana’s renewed push toward a 24-hour economy has sparked growing debate among business leaders and policy analysts over whether the concept will generate real economic value or simply stretch existing business activities across longer hours.
While proponents argue that operating around the clock could boost productivity, job creation, and economic growth, industry players say the success of such a policy will depend heavily on productivity gains, reliable infrastructure, and the sectors that adopt it.
The Chief Executive Officer of Agri-Impact Limited, Mr. Daniel Fahene Acquaye, believes the discussion around the 24-hour economy must move beyond the simple idea of businesses staying open at night.
In an interview, Mr. Acquaye said extending operating hours alone does not automatically translate into economic growth unless the policy is supported by improvements in productivity, energy supply, logistics, and labour efficiency.
“Running a 24-hour economy is not about keeping lights on all night. The real question is whether businesses are producing more value per hour and whether the economy is structured to support that productivity,” he said.
Mr. Acquaye explained that in many advanced economies, round-the-clock production is driven by manufacturing, logistics, and technology sectors that rely on continuous operations to maximise efficiency and reduce downtime.
However, he noted that Ghana’s economic structure is still largely dominated by services and small-scale enterprises that may not immediately benefit from extended working hours.
“If we look at Ghana’s economy, a large portion is informal and service-oriented. Many small businesses operate based on daily demand rather than continuous production cycles. So simply extending hours may not automatically increase output,” he said.
According to him, sectors such as manufacturing, agro-processing, logistics, healthcare, and digital services are among the few areas where a true 24-hour production cycle could deliver measurable economic value.
He noted that agriculture and agro-processing in particular could benefit significantly if supported by reliable storage, processing facilities, and efficient transport systems that allow farm produce to move quickly from farms to markets.
“In agriculture, time is critical. If you have processing plants operating in shifts, warehouses working overnight, and transport systems moving produce efficiently, then a 24-hour economy becomes meaningful because it reduces post-harvest losses and improves supply chains,” he said.
Energy costs, however, remain one of the biggest constraints to the success of such a policy.
Mr. Acquaye explained that businesses cannot operate overnight if electricity remains expensive or unreliable.
“For many companies, energy is already one of the biggest cost components. If businesses are expected to operate around the clock, energy tariffs must be competitive and power supply must be stable,” he said.
He added that without addressing energy efficiency and power reliability, the policy could increase operational costs rather than improve productivity.
Labour considerations are also a key factor.
Mr. Acquaye said implementing a 24-hour economy would require businesses to rethink labour structures, including shift systems, workplace safety, and fair compensation for night work.
“Labour laws, worker safety, transportation for night shifts, and health considerations must all be part of the conversation. Otherwise businesses may struggle to sustain continuous operations,” he explained.
He also highlighted the importance of supporting infrastructure such as transportation networks, digital payment systems, security, and logistics services that enable businesses to operate effectively at night.
Without such systems, he said, many companies may find little incentive to adopt overnight operations.
Mr. Acquaye further noted that the real opportunity of a 24-hour economy lies in value creation rather than longer business hours.
“In some cases, businesses may simply spread the same level of activity across more hours, which does not necessarily grow the economy. The real goal should be increasing production, efficiency, and exports,” he said.
He suggested that policy makers focus on sector-specific strategies instead of applying a one-size-fits-all model.
According to him, targeted support for manufacturing, agro-processing zones, logistics hubs, and export-oriented industries could deliver better economic outcomes.
“If we strategically support industries that can truly operate continuously and add value, the 24-hour economy can become a driver of industrialisation rather than just an extension of working hours,” he said.
Mr. Acquaye emphasised that Ghana’s ambition to build a competitive and productive economy would require aligning policy initiatives with the country’s industrial capacity.
“The conversation should not just be about time. It should be about productivity, competitiveness, and value creation. That is what will determine whether the 24-hour economy succeeds,” he added.
