Accra: Mr. Simon Madjie, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), has announced an operational realignment of investment priorities to bolster the government's flagship '24-hour economy' policy. During his speech at a meeting with staff, Mr. Madjie emphasized that streamlining GIPC's activities to support non-stop business operations would be critical to attracting global investors and accelerating economic growth.
According to Ghana News Agency, central to this strategy is the modernization of the GIPC Act, a legislative review initiated under former leadership, which Mr. Madjie pledged to finalize swiftly. The updated framework will introduce measures to expedite investor registrations, enhance digital service delivery, and align incentives with sectors pivotal to 24-hour operations, such as manufacturing, logistics, and technology.
Mr. Madjie highlighted the need for agile systems and collaborative governance to compete globally, ensuring investors can operate seamlessly at any hour. Key reforms include slashing bureaucratic delays through inter-agency partnerships, particularly with regulators like the Registrar-General's Department and the Ghana Revenue Authority. By harmonizing processes, GIPC aims to enable after-hours business registrations, tax clearances, and permit approvals, which are cornerstones of the 24-hour economy vision.
The CEO revealed plans to establish regional investment desks across all 16 regions, staffed by directors tasked with identifying and promoting district-level opportunities suited for round-the-clock ventures. From agribusiness processing in the Northern Region to tech parks in Greater Accra, GIPC is tailoring solutions to match investor needs with local potential.
Complementing these efforts, GIPC will launch an 'AfterTa Desk' to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), ensuring Ghanaian businesses and investors capitalize on continental market access. Mr. Madjie stressed that AfCFTA's tariff reductions and trade corridors are key to the 24-hour policy, enabling faster cross-border logistics and night-time production cycles.
He promised capacity-building initiatives for GIPC staff and highlighted the need for a skilled team equipped to handle investor inquiries and approvals at all hours. Training programmes on digital tools and investor relations will be prioritized to meet the demands of a non-stop economy.
Mr. Madjie reaffirmed Ghana's openness for business and called for private-sector collaboration to build infrastructure, such as reliable energy and digital networks, essential for sustaining 24-hour operations. Mr. Yofi Grant, Former CEO of GIPC, who attended the handover ceremony, endorsed the strategy and urged staff to support Madjie's vision. Grant emphasized that the 24-hour economy is a transformative agenda, signaling Ghana's readiness to investors worldwide.
