In its renewed effort of combating unemployment and enhancing the national productivity levels, the government under President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled yet another ambitious programme of creating 1.7 million jobs in its 24-Hour Economy Initiative.
The news came before the formal introduction of the policy, which would happen on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
The project, a major part of the 2024 election platform of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) political party, is supposed to radically transform the workforce model of Ghana by promoting day-night economic engagement in all industries.
What is the 24-Hour Economy Initiative?
Abdul-Nasser Suglo Alidu, the Head of Strategy and Programmes at the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, said that the initiative is not all about night shifts. Rather, it involves a complete change of the way work and productivity is organized in Ghana.
READ ALSO: Shatta Bandle Goes Bald, Internet Explodes with Reactions to His Bold New Look
Not just about working at night, as Alidu explained. This is a question of optimising productivity in sectors as well as in time zones with flexible, sector-specific models that are backed by the appropriate infrastructure and incentives.
He explained that this is aimed at transforming the human capital and entrepreneurial capacity of Ghana by opening up its entire sector potential by implementing a three-shift work system: morning, afternoon and night, as it relates to sector needs.
How will the jobs be created?
The government has detailed that 1.7 million job opportunities will be distributed between manufacturing, agriculture, services, logistics, and digital businesses.
The chosen sectors were identified with reference to scale, sustainability, and long-term economic implications.
The program is intended to:
- Produce new employment opportunities to the youth and unemployed graduates.
- Reopen idle factories and processing plants.
- Scale up services such as healthcare services, transport services, ICT services, and hospitality services to be open 24 hours a day.
- Enhance agro-processing zones by provision of 24-hour support systems and logistics.
This model is seen by the administration of President Mahama as a way of repositioning the Ghanaian economy to be a competitive hub within the African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA ).
Implementation Strategy
The 24-Hour Economy will be implemented in phases, centring on the major urban and industrial areas and rolling out to the whole country.
The three-point plan consists of the following:
Infrastructure investment: Enhancement of road networks, electricity and internet access to allow 24 hour operations.
Workforce training: Supply education, digital skills, and technical training so that workers can easily adapt to shift-based employment.
READ ALSO: Presidency Fires Back at Justice Torkornoo’s Claims: “The Constitution Was Followed”
Business incentives: Providing tax breaks, grants and subsidies to businesses that develop their operations in line with the 24-hours model.
Alidu pointed out that the programme would not impose blanket 24-hour on all businesses and industries. Rather, it is a customised model as only those sectors where productivity is more effective around the clock that will adopt full shift rotations.
Security and Labour Provided
One issue that aroused a lot of concern among citizens is the security and worker rights of employees who may be requested to work at night. Alidu guaranteed the citizenry that labor standards, security systems, and reasonable wages have been integrated into the operational design.
Our collaboration with labor unions, employers, and security agencies is making sure that safety, fair pay, and legal protection for workers are observed at all shifts, he said.
Reactions and initial reviews
Although the scheme has brought hope to the young jobseekers and business communities, there have been skeptical concerns by some citizens on social media over whether the scheme will actually work.
User @KwabenaGlobal tweeted:
“Nice idea. How can small businesses operate 24-hour a day as long as electricity is not stable, and roads are not fixed?
@Abena_Koramah and other people were more optimistic:
This will be a game changer when executed effectively. There should be more work and less rhetoric. Action speaking, let us have it.”
The plan is ambitious but can be met with proper planning, political will and stable funding, labour experts say.
A Shift to International Competitiveness
The Mahama administration feels that the 24-hour Economy is what Ghana needs to be competitive in the world market as most of the countries in Africa scramble to modernize and increase production.
We simply can no longer afford to operate a 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. economy. World is on the move. Ghana needs to do the same, President Mahama said at a preview engagement last month.
According to him, the project is part of the wider agenda of Ghana to emerge as a regional leader in agro-processing, export manufacturing, and digital services.
Rollout Partners and Support Groups
To ensure that the initiative is sustainable, the government has established support clusters such as Grow 24, Make 24 and Aspire 24. These will collaborate with the private sector to boost entrepreneurship, SMEs, and nurture innovative forms of business that fit into the 24-hour model.
READ ALSO: Mother Wins Right to Sue TikTok, Meta After Teen Son Dies Subway Surfing
According to Goosie Tanoh, the Presidential Advisor on the programme, such groups will play a key role in blasting off youth-owned businesses to glory and growth under the new system.
What Next?
On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, the 24-Hour Economy Initiative will be fully launched, and President Mahama is expected to address a keynote speech detailing the rollout plans, timelines, and stakeholder partnerships.
The period ahead will be critical as people monitor keenly to determine whether the radical pledges that were made under the programme will be translated into actual employment and tangible economic benefits.
In case of success, the initiative may prove to be one of the most massive post-pandemic economic reforms in the history of Ghana.
