One of the aftermaths of the 2026 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review is a debate over the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy initiative. There is a heated debate championed by the minority that erupted over what they describe as the silence of the mid-year review on the initiative.
The Minority is claiming the government had gone silent on its flagship 24-Hour Economy initiative, suggesting the failure or abandonment of the programme.
However, a deep dive into the 422-page document by The High Street Journal reveals something interesting. Per the document presented to parliament, the initiative was featured and was presented as a cornerstone of Ghana’s industrial and export strategy, with detailed updates on legislation, infrastructure, and billions in secured investment. This is contrary to the claims of the minority.
The Legal Foundation
Checks by The High Street Journal reveal that a section of the budget was dedicated to the initiative. According to the document, the institutional framework for the programme was solidified earlier this year.
Found on page 71, paragraph 613, the Minister notes that the 24-Hour Economy Authority Act, 2026 (Act 1164) officially came into force on 19th February 2026. This law established the legal Authority tasked with driving production, industrialization, and job creation through round-the-clock operations
Moving Beyond Theory
The document further captured that the initiative is gradually moving from conception to action. The review captured that so far 328 entities have transitioned into a shift system. For those looking for practical evidence, paragraph 614 (page 71) provides a census of the “round-the-clock” transition.
The review document further states that implementation is gathering significant momentum, with the following entities already adopting multi-shift operations:
- 268 fuel stations
- 11 bulk oil depots and 2 oil refineries
- 33 manufacturing companies
- 12 public institutions
The US$11.5 Billion Investment Pipeline
Perhaps the most impactful data is found in paragraph 615. The document detailed the financial weight behind the initiative. The 24-Hour Economy Authority has mobilized a prospective investment pipeline of over US$11.5 billion across what he describes as 18 catalytic projects.
Crucially, the Minister reveals that US$5.5 billion has already been secured through Joint Development Agreements.
Powering the 24-Hour Vision
The Review identifies specific “24-hour” projects aimed at reducing costs for industries. As detailed on page 71, paragraphs 616 and 617, these include:
- The Kambonwule Oil Palm Project
- Compressed biogas projects at Damanko and Buipe
The 1,500-megawatt Buipe Solar and Battery Energy Storage Project, with its first 100-megawatt phase expected to be commissioned by June 2027 to provide “competitively priced electricity” for industries in the Volta Economic Corridor - Land and Labor: 27,000 New Jobs in Garments The initiative’s reach extends into the Sectoral Performance section of the budget
On page 74, paragraph 649, the Minister highlights that new garment factories being established in the Bono East, Central, and Eastern regions will operate on a three-shift basis, a move expected to create approximately 27,000 direct jobs.
Furthermore, paragraph 618 notes that communities within the Volta Economic Corridor have already made available over 605,000 hectares of land under a Participatory Land Access Model to support these 24-hour industrial hubs.
The Verdict
While the political debate continues, the text of the 2026 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review challenges the “silence” as purported by the minority. Perhaps the silence could be a matter of perspective rather than a lack of content.
From page 71 to page 74, the document presents the 24-Hour Economy not just as a concept, but as a legislated, funded, and active transformation of the Ghanaian workforce. As the Minister concluded in paragraph 619, these measures are “laying the foundation” for the nation’s next economic chapter.
