The government is set to establish a 24-hour Authority for one of its flagship policies, the 24-Hour Economy policy.

This was confirmed by President Mahama during his visit to the Ghana Publishing Company (GPC) on Thursday, January 8.

The 24-hour economy programme is to enhance economic productivity by encouraging businesses to operate continuously, creating more job opportunities, boosting revenue generation, and improving service delivery.

His announcement comes after he lauded GPC for its integration of the 24-hour economy. According to the Board and Management of GPC, it has shifted from traditional working hours to a round-the-clock shift system.

Obviously impressed, the President consequently announced the establishment of the Authority to serve as the central coordinating body for the 24-Hour Economy, with responsibility for registering participating businesses, setting operational guidelines, and administering incentives to encourage round-the-clock economic activity.

President Mahama said the initiative is expected to boost productivity, unlock employment opportunities, and position Ghana as a competitive hub for continuous business operations.

“I like the innovative thinking that you have brought into this establishment. Of course, the 24-Hour Initiative is one of the flagship economic policies of this government. I am happy to note that the committee has finished considering it, and it is supposed to go to the floor of parliament to set up the 24-Hour Authority, which would then open the way for implementation and registration of businesses that would be involved in the 24-Hour Economy. It will also spell out what kind of incentive can be given,” he stated.

During his visit to GPC, he expressed excitement at what he described as the bold decision by the state-owned enterprise to begin 24-hour operations barely three weeks after a new Managing Director, Nana Kwasi Boatey, assumed office.

“You are among the first to start the 24-hour economy here in Ghana Publishing, and it’s refreshing to see, the President said.

On his part, the swift transformation and current standing of the state-owned firm prove that a company can see growth with the right leadership in the shortest possible time, describing GPCL as a forward-looking institution aligned with the government’s broader productivity and economic transformation agenda.

He also mentioned that, “When you talk about State-Owned Enterprises, people’s attention often goes to a few well-known names. For a long time, Ghana Publishing did not have a perfect brand”..

He added, however, that the situation has significantly improved, describing the current state of the Company as encouraging and deserving of recognition.

“But that has changed, and it is refreshing to see,” he continued.

Many have questioned the viability of the programmes, raising financial concerns, while others have called it a hoax; however, Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare-Addo, has stated that the programme would be fully operational by the end of 2026.

He made this known during an interview on Nhyira FM on Thursday, January 8. He emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the policy.

According to him, the implementation of the programme will be gradual and not a one-time event, as the long-standing eight-hour workday system will take some time to transition into the new round-the-clock shift arrangement.

“Changing the entire structure of an economy that has been in place for years, from an 8-hour to a 24-hour system, cannot happen in less than 12 months. It requires legislative measures and directives, and those processes are underway,” he stated.

He continued, “Everyone honest will see that progress is being made. Changing the structure of the economy is not a one-time event; it is a process that takes time to unfold. We are clearly on track, and by the end of this year, we expect to see the full impact of the 24-hour economy.”

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.