The 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, 2025, proposed by the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, has received parliamentary approval. The House gave the nod after extensive deliberations and debate between the Majority and Minority caucuses on Friday, February 6.

During the debate, members of the Minority caucus cautioned that if not carefully implemented, the policy could pose security challenges and cause inconvenience to Ghanaians.

In response, the Majority caucus argued that the government has put in place adequate regulatory measures to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of the policy.

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) adds to the majority who are pessimistic about the success of the government's 24-hour economy policy.

AGI has pointed to the increases in utility tariffs. Speaking to Citi News, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of AGI, Tsonam Akpeloo, said businesses that will participate in the programme will run at a loss as they will consume much electricity.

According to him, “If you’re talking about a 24-hour economy, you’re asking industry to work beyond the usual eight hours and continue through the night. That means higher electricity consumption. The cost of power will increase—possibly doubling what we’ve previously paid."

“A 2.5% increase under normal production is one thing, but with extended hours, the actual cost impact will be far greater," he added.

About the 24-hour economy

The government's 24-hour economy policy, a key promise during President John Mahama's campaign in 2024, was launched today, Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

The policy’s objective is to enhance economic productivity by encouraging businesses to operate continuously, creating more job opportunities, boosting revenue generation, and improving service delivery.

Sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, retail, healthcare, hospitality, and financial services stand to benefit significantly from this model.

Presenting the policy to the Speaker of Parliament, Kingsford Sumana Alban Bagbin, last year, July, Mr Goosie Tanoh, the Presidential Advisor on the 24-hour economy policy, mentioned the move is to officially inform 'the people's representatives' about the government's readiness to roll out the programme.

On some details on the policy, Mr Goosie Tanoh said the programme is expanded into three anchors: "production transformation, supply chain and market efficiency, and human capital development." The three anchors, according to him, are supported by eight sub-programmes.

"Roll 24 - which is the agricultural component, Make 24 - which is the manufacturing component, Connect 24 - the supply chain component, Aspire 24 - which is the mindset change, the resetting of the Ghanaian and Ghanaian bureaucracy with a strong and powerful attitude to work and productivity,” he explained.

According to him, the government was set to include strong digital technology training in the TVET curriculum to train and equip an employable workforce with the requisite skills for employment opportunities.

Another component, dubbed 'Show Ghana,' is also set to focus on an intentional effort and approach by the government to give visibility to Ghana's rich cultural heritage to the rest of the world, to attract more tourists and increase revenue generation through tourism.

Speaker Alban Bagbin, in response, mentioned that the team’s arrival had been anticipated and his outfit would call on them for any clarity when the need be, urging the legislation to back the programme.

Earlier, President John Dramani Mahama stated that the 24-Hour Economy Policy is a long-term goal that will keep the country productive on a 24/7 basis, alongside stabilising the economy through the creation of more jobs.

According to him, the final draft of the policy has undergone review by him, and he is confident it will realise its objectives.

Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, noted that the Parliamentary Service will begin operating under the 24-hour economy policy.

This initiative, according to the Speaker, will enhance national productivity and address unemployment. He made this known during the presentation of the 24-hour economy policy document.

He bemoaned the lack of time to tackle the numerous tasks in Parliament and expressed optimism in addressing this issue with the 24-hour economy policy.

“This means they are going to work more hours; they will be reporting at 8:00 a.m. and may be going home at 10:00 p.m. or sometimes 11:00 p.m., particularly those in the official division of the House.

This will allow more people to work here and will help reduce unemployment. I can assure you that the load of work here is unimaginable,” Bagbin stated.