More than 400 companies have expressed interest in participating in Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy policy, Minister of State in charge of Special Initiatives, Dr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, has disclosed.
The 24-Hour Economy is a key government initiative aimed at promoting continuous economic activity, increasing productivity and creating jobs by encouraging businesses to operate beyond traditional working hours.
However, more than a year into its implementation, the policy has faced questions from critics over its effectiveness and the extent to which it has translated into measurable economic gains.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Thursday, August 27, 2026, Dr Pelpuo said the government had so far identified more than 400 businesses interested in operating under the initiative.
“We have listed more than 400 companies that are saying, ‘We want to run the 24-hour economy policy,’” he said.
According to the Minister, the policy is not focused solely on government institutions but is primarily intended to create an enabling environment for private businesses to sustain operations throughout the day and night.
He said several private companies were already operating around the clock, citing visits he had made to some of the businesses.
“I’ve visited about 10 companies in this country, from company to company, and they tell me they are working 24 hours,” he said.
Dr Pelpuo explained that participating businesses had identified specific needs that must be addressed to enable them to maintain continuous operations.
“The fact is that we are creating an avenue for the private sector to take advantage of and do it. And that’s exactly what we are doing,” he said.
He added that government was working to provide some of the essential requirements businesses need to operate around the clock, including a reliable power supply.
“That advantage we’ve given has given the private sector the room to engage more, to ask for aid. And we are supporting them, you know, by providing the needed power that they will require,” Dr Pelpuo said.
The Minister stressed that the success of the 24-Hour Economy should not be measured solely by the adoption of shift systems within ministries and other public institutions.
“When you are talking about job creation and when you are talking about employment, it’s not just government employing people. We are talking about a holistic economic approach,” he said.
Also read:
