Director and Head of Innovative Finance, Partnerships and Markets Dr. Ishmael Nii Dodoo, at the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat says President John Mahama’s plan to establish a round-the-clock economy will intensely involve accelerated digital transformation.

At the launch of Ghana Digital and Innovation Week 2025 at the Accra International Conference Centre, Dr Dodoo highlighted the role of young people as the “heartbeat of the 24-hour economy ambition,” urging them to take charge as the digital generation that will drive the country’s economic transformation.

“Imagine a Ghana where it no longer matters whether it is 10 a.m. or 10 p.m., where opportunities are open, jobs are created, and innovation never pauses. That is what we are all working to build within this environment,” he said.

He highlighted that digital transformation is key to growing markets and generating employment at both local and regional levels.

Drawing on demographic examples, he pointed out that more than 57 percent of China’s population is under 25, suggesting that Ghana’s young population could similarly drive national development if given access to digital tools and opportunities.

Dr. Dodoo highlighted key focus areas for Ghana’s 24-hour economy, such as digital education and financial services, smart city and transport infrastructure, and energy solutions to ensure a safe and efficient night-time economy.

“Without the 24-hour economy, it is just a dream. With it, the 24-hour economy becomes an unstoppable ambition,” he said.

His comments come as Ghana steps up initiatives to digitalize public services, improve infrastructure, and promote innovation, all aimed at establishing the country as a center for technology-led economic growth.

The 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, under the Office of the President, is leading initiatives aimed at integrating digital solutions across sectors to enhance productivity and create employment.

Digital and Innovation Week, which runs this week, brings together government officials, startups, tech entrepreneurs, and international partners to discuss strategies for advancing Ghana’s innovation ecosystem and expanding access to technology across the country.

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

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 week, 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 is 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, has 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.