Ghana is set to usher in a new era of economic activity with the official launch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s ambitious 24-Hour Economy program.
Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development, Augustus Goosie Tanoh, pulled back the curtain on the initiative, presenting a comprehensive vision he believes will redefine Ghana’s future.
Speaking at the Accra International Conference Centre, Tanoh, representing the team that crafted the program, laid bare its scope, structure, and intent.
He described it as “a simple, sensible program with substantial upsides,” designed to empower every sector with round-the-clock productivity and reshape the nation’s socio-economic trajectory.
From Blueprint to Implementation: A Program for All Ghanaians
Tanoh’s address, delivered with the conviction of a true nation-builder, acknowledged the diverse hands that shaped this pivotal policy.
He detailed a meticulously structured framework, packaged for accessibility: a comprehensive full version, an executive summary, and eight specialized sub-program books.
Each sub-program, he explained, is self-contained yet interlinked, allowing stakeholders to delve into specific areas like infrastructure, commerce, agriculture, or digital transformation.
Crucially, the program’s communication strategy is designed for widespread understanding. It includes simplified summaries, animated guides, and translations into Ghanaian languages, a collaborative effort with the Bureau of Ghana Languages.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are now in implementation mode,” Tanoh declared, revealing that the program has been broken down into approximately 50 separate commercial, institutional, and social projects. “We are writing concept notes for the first 20 of these projects.”
These concept notes, he added, will be the primary tools for engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders, from local entrepreneurs to foreign investors, donors, civil society organizations, and community leaders. In a move towards greater transparency, these notes will be publicly accessible via the program’s website.
Synergy, Decentralization, and Investor Confidence
What truly sets this program apart, according to Tanoh, is its deep interlinkage with existing government initiatives and its bold nationwide ambition. “We are aligning our projects with current and planned government initiatives to minimise overlaps and increase synergy,” he affirmed.
He pointed to active collaboration with the Ministry of Agribusiness, Trade, and Industry, under the leadership of Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare, in shaping a new textiles and garments policy and identifying decentralized industrial zones.
The overarching goal, Tanoh stressed, is to ensure that development is not confined to Accra or Tema, but equitably spread across all viable regions of Ghana.
Another flagship initiative highlighted is the Volta Lake Economic Corridor. Tanoh revealed that negotiations are already underway with the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, Volta River Authority, and relevant ministries to structure concession regimes.
These proposals aim to simplify investment incentives, eliminate arbitrary discretion in state approvals, and increase the automation of administrative processes – all designed to significantly boost investor confidence.
Furthermore, feasibility studies are ongoing for priority commercial projects, with some already possessing “bankable feasibility.”
Tanoh emphasized the vital role of funding mechanisms like the SME on-lending platform and the value chain lending scheme, developed with the Capital Trust Fund and Ghana Exim Bank, in fueling the 24-Hour Economy’s rollout.
Holistic Development and a Forthcoming Legal Framework
Tanoh underscored that the program’s foundational principles extend beyond mere economic indicators. Areas like mindset change, digital fluency, and grassroots governance—captured in Aspire 24 and Goal 24—are integral.
“Everything is integrated,” he emphasized, adding that the ambition is not just to extend working hours but to build “a truly participatory democracy that functions effectively at the national, district, and sub-district levels.”
In a significant announcement, Tanoh confirmed that the 24-Hour Economy Program will soon be formalized into a statutory authority, with the necessary legislation already being finalized for transmission to Parliament.
“We have made a significant leap towards our goal,” he stated, while cautiously acknowledging that “we are early in the long journey that the president has described.”
A Collective Endeavor: Praise for Team and Leadership
Reflecting on the developmental process, Tanoh showered praise on the “young and vibrant team” that worked tirelessly from January to May 2025 to draft and refine the policy, highlighting their diverse age range from 24 to 69 years.
“I am personally grateful to every member of the Secretariat for your faith in Ghana, your long nights, your imagination, your competence, and your rigour,” he expressed.
He was equally emphatic in acknowledging the visionary leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, whose vision of “a productive, prosperous, integrated, innovative, and equitable society” serves as the program’s ideological compass.
He attributed much of the initial groundwork to the NDC’s 2024 Manifesto Committee, chaired by Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo, now serving as Cabinet Secretary.
Special thanks were extended to the 24-Hour Economy Task Force, the Jobs and Employment Subcommittee of the NDC’s 2024 manifesto team, and key private sector stakeholders including the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Federation of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE), Ghana Union of Traders (GUTA), and the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, whose input ensured the program’s realism and responsiveness.
The program’s robust financial and strategic architecture also benefited significantly from institutions such as the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, the Development Bank of Ghana, Ghana Exim Bank, UNDP, and the African Development Bank.
Tanoh specifically commended Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama for their strategic direction.
He also saluted colleagues within the Presidency and government, including Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, Senior Presidential Adviser Dr. Valerie Sawyer, and ministers in charge of productive sectors, notably Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare and Hon. Eric Opoku (Minister of Agriculture).
The security services, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Police Service, and Ghana Revenue Authority also received recognition for their constructive engagement in supporting the operational stability of the evolving 24-Hour system.
A Living Document: Open to Feedback
Throughout his address, Goosie Tanoh reiterated that the 24-Hour Economy is not a static blueprint but “a living program rooted in science and firm social democratic principles, but flexible enough to respond tactically to a changing environment.”
He stressed that constructive criticism is not just welcome but necessary, describing adaptation and learning as key attributes of success.
“The bow that doesn’t bend always breaks. The task that Ghana has undertaken and that our Secretariat is supporting is a challenging one. However, the social and political costs of inaction are terrifying,” he concluded, expressing profound optimism in the Ghanaian people.
“We can say without a doubt that our president is a true champion of responsible entrepreneurship in national transformation. Ladies and gentlemen, we as a country, we as a people, have what it takes, and with your support, we will succeed.”
By Prince Ahenkorah