Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which already employ over 80% of Ghana’s workforce, are emerging as the cornerstone of government’s ambitious 24-hour economy agenda.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Margaret Ansei, the success of the policy hinges on the ability of SMEs to expand production, innovate, and create jobs around the clock.
Speaking at the This Is Ghana Exhibition in Accra, Madam Ansei described the GEA as the “DNA of Ghana,” stressing its mandate to support SMEs to scale up operations and seize new opportunities.
She explained that if properly supported with finance, skills training, and market access, SMEs could push their contribution to employment and economic growth far beyond the current 80%.
“The 24-hour economy is not just about keeping businesses open longer; it is about using Ghana-made products and services to produce more, employ more, and compete globally,” she said.
The policy, she noted, offers a chance to strengthen domestic value chains, reduce reliance on imports, and boost Ghana’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by scaling up exports of locally produced goods.
Observers say that for SMEs in agribusiness, manufacturing, textiles, and services, the 24-hour economy could be a gamechanger, allowing them to access bigger markets while contributing to government revenue and economic stability.
President John Dramani Mahama has made the 24-hour economy a flagship commitment, one that is expected to drive inclusive growth through innovation, expanded production, and improved productivity.
Events such as the This Is Ghana Exhibition underscore the role SMEs are already playing — and how much more they can achieve with the right policy support.
