Former Minister for Trade and Industry, Kobina Tahiru Hammond, has expressed concerns about the practicality of Ghana’s proposed 24-hour economy policy, particularly its relevance to the trade sector.
Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr Hammond said the concept, as currently explained, is unclear and risks being misunderstood.
He argued that simply extending work over a 24-hour period does not automatically translate into economic growth without clear regulations.
Mr Hammond questioned whether the policy is intended to apply to informal traders, such as market women at Makola, asking if they are expected to work around the clock.
He suggested that the 24-hour economy would make more sense if driven by factories and large-scale industries operating on shift systems, which could expand production and create more jobs.
“My concern is that the 24-hour economy doesn’t align with current trade practices. It simply means work will be conducted around the clock. When I inquired about this, I was informed that labor laws prevent people from working more than eight hours. However, there needs to be better regulation in place. Are we really suggesting that individuals, like those working in Makola, should be working 24 hours? Is that the intention?
“It’s essential to recognize that factories create employment opportunities. Expanding these structures and implementing a shift system would be more beneficial, as it would generate more jobs. Only then would the concept of a 24-hour economy make sense,” he added.
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