Accra: The Government of Ghana has announced an ambitious plan to create at least 1.7 million jobs over four years through its flagship programme, the 24-Hour Economy. This initiative aims to revolutionize the production of goods and services, streamline supply chains, and invest heavily in human capital development across the nation.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Abdul-Nasser Suglo Alidu, Head of Strategy and Programmes at the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, shared these insights with the media in Accra on Monday. This announcement comes ahead of the programme's official launch by the President on Wednesday, July 2. The 24-Hour Economy was a significant campaign promise by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the 2024 elections, focusing on job creation for the youth and implementing a three-shift system per day to accommodate a larger workforce.
Mr Abdul-Nasser emphasized that the programme includes comprehensive labour and security measures to ensure safety and decent work standards for all workers involved. He clarified misconceptions about the 24-Hour Economy being solely about night-shift jobs, explaining that it aims to optimize productivity across sectors and time zones through structured, sector-specific, and incentive-based methods. The approach involves flexible shift systems, readiness support, and sector-specific models rather than blanket 24-hour operations.
Additionally, Mr Abdul-Nasser highlighted that the 24-Hour Economy is not a single initiative but a national re-architecture of Ghana's economic framework. The programme seeks to integrate various sectors, including agriculture, industry, finance, infrastructure, labour, and education, to create a more cohesive and efficient economic system. It aims to reimagine Ghana's production, service delivery, and value creation systems to function beyond traditional working hours.
The core objectives of the 24-Hour Economy include promoting continuous productivity, job creation, industrial competitiveness, and regional integration. Mr Abdul-Nasser described the initiative as a national movement designed to unlock Ghana's human capital, natural resources, and entrepreneurial capacity. It addresses challenges like underemployment, import reliance, low value addition, and infrastructure gaps. The programme aligns with global competitiveness trends and prepares Ghanaian enterprises to capitalize on opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
