The much-anticipated 24-Hour Economy initiative, a flagship programme under the John Mahama-led administration, is set to take off this week, with its official national launch slated for Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
This ambitious policy, one of the central campaign pledges of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 general elections, seeks to tackle unemployment and boost productivity by promoting continuous operations in key sectors of the economy, spanning manufacturing, health, agriculture, services, and logistics.
Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy, Goosie Tanoh, officially confirmed the rollout last week during the presentation of the comprehensive policy document to the Speaker of Parliament.
“On Wednesday, July 2, the president will launch the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Development Programme,” he announced.
In a notable show of institutional leadership, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin revealed that the Parliamentary Service itself will be among the first public institutions to embrace the shift-based system under the new policy. He explained that Parliament would now transition into a full 24-hour operational framework in order to keep pace with growing legislative demands.
“This means they are going to work more hours; they will report at 8:00 a.m. and may leave as late as 10:00 or 11:00 p.m.—especially those in the official divisions of Parliament,” Bagbin said.
He cited the increasing pressure on parliamentary staff, especially following a shift in the House’s sitting hours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., as a major driver behind the decision. The Speaker noted that the new shift system would not only improve efficiency but also offer job openings to support the extended operations.
“I can assure you, the workload here is unimaginable,” Bagbin remarked, pointing to the growing complexity and volume of work within the legislative arm.
The 24-Hour Economy policy is expected to roll out in phases, with government institutions, selected state-owned enterprises, and private sector partners participating in the initial implementation. The programme will be backed by a series of incentives to encourage businesses to adopt shift systems, enhance productivity, and create sustainable employment across the country.
