A leading member of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Henry Osei Akoto, says the launch of the 24-Hour Economy by the John Dramani Mahama-led government will unlock significant economic growth and expansion for Ghana.
Describing the initiative as bipartisan, Osei Akoto believes it offers the surest path for Ghana to compete globally in terms of productivity and development.
Speaking in an interview after the official launch of the policy—also known as the 24H+ Agenda—on July 2, 2025, Osei Akoto said Ghana loses more value during its sleeping hours compared to its productive hours.
“The 24-Hour Economy has been the mantra and policy we have been marketing over the years, and every Ghanaian knows it. So people who say it’s an afterthought are mistaken. What we are telling Ghanaians is that the only way to expand the economy, to create opportunities, is to move beyond the current 8-hour system. We should be working for 24 hours.
“The country shouldn’t sleep. The hours we use to sleep are monies gone. If we want to be part of the 21st-century global economy, then we must open up the country by ensuring we are working around the clock,” he explained.
Calling for public support, Henry Osei Akoto said the launch marks the fulfilment of a key campaign promise by President Mahama.
He added that the 24-Hour Economy will create massive employment opportunities, especially for the youth, and significantly enhance productivity.
“This launch by the president is a laudable idea. We all remember that before the election, he promised to expand the economy, create jobs for the youth, and generate more money into the economy through this policy. Today’s launch affirms that promise. Ghanaians should support it,” he said.
He cited examples from around the world to stress the viability of the initiative.
“It is happening everywhere in the world. You don’t go to Europe and see the whole country asleep after 10 p.m. No. Even in Africa—go to Egypt, go to Morocco and see what is happening there. We must embrace this because it is a good thing that will open up our economy and bring prosperity,” he added.
The 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, or 24H+, is a flagship initiative of the Mahama administration. It aims to re-engineer Ghana’s productivity framework by extending economic activity beyond traditional working hours while integrating key sectors into a seamless and efficient value chain.
The transformative programme comes with a projected cost of $4 billion, with the government committing between $300 million and $400 million as seed capital to cover viability gaps and attract private sector investment.
Source: Myjoyonline