Ghana’s proposed 24-Hour Economy must prioritise manufacturing, logistics, agribusiness and digital services if it is to deliver real productivity gains, jobs and export growth, Mr Daniel Fahene Acquaye, Chief Executive Officer of Agri-Impact Group, has said.
He cautioned that extending operating hours alone, without focusing on productive and value-adding sectors, could raise business costs without significantly improving economic output.
Under the policy framework being developed by government, the 24-hour economy seeks to encourage continuous production and service delivery to maximise infrastructure use, reduce congestion and stimulate job creation.
Mr Acquaye said manufacturing and light industry should sit at the core of the initiative, noting that round-the-clock production enables firms to lower unit costs, improve competitiveness and create stable, shift-based employment.
“Factories benefit the most from 24-hour operations because machinery is capital-intensive, and productivity increases when downtime is reduced,” he explained, identifying agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles and building materials as natural entry points.
READ ALSO
He further described logistics and transport as a critical pillar of the policy, particularly port operations, warehousing, cold storage and freight services.
According to him, continuous logistics operations would reduce delays at Ghana’s ports, cut turnaround times and strengthen the country’s position as a regional trade hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In the agribusiness sector, Mr Acquaye said a 24-hour system could significantly reduce post-harvest losses by supporting cold chains, food processing zones, fisheries and poultry production.
He stressed that agriculture-linked processing, rather than primary farming alone, would generate the greatest value under extended operating hours.
The digital economy, he noted, was also well-suited to a 24-hour model, with business process outsourcing, call centres, fintech operations and software services able to leverage Ghana’s time-zone advantage to serve global markets with relatively low physical infrastructure needs.
Mr Acquaye added that health services, energy supply and utilities would be essential enablers of a 24-hour economy, as reliable power, water, security and emergency services were critical to sustained operations.
However, he cautioned against prioritising small-scale informal retail and low-productivity public offices in the early phases, arguing that such sectors may not generate sufficient economic returns to justify higher operating costs.
“A successful 24-hour economy must deepen production and exports, not just extend consumption hours,” he said.
Mr Acquaye stressed the need for government to address key constraints, including energy costs, labour protections, security and access to long-term financing, to ensure the initiative delivers inclusive and sustainable growth.
Government is expected to outline sector-specific incentives and implementation guidelines as consultations on the policy continue.
