All set for take-off — Mahama unveils 24-hour economy programme
President John Dramani Mahama has officially unveiled the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy Programme, declaring that Ghana is ready to transition into a new era of round-the-clock productivity, industrial expansion and large-scale job creation.
Addressing Parliament during the State of theNationAddress ( SONA) 2026, President Mahama announced that the legal and regulatory framework for the initiative is now fully in place following the passage of the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill on February 6, 2026, and his subsequent assent to the legislation.
“All is now set for take-off. This is the boldest economic transformation initiative in Ghana’s recent history,” President Mahama declared.
The President explained that the 24-Hour Economy Programme is designed to unlock continuous economic activity across key sectors, deepen value chains and position Ghana as a competitive export-driven economy.
“This transformative initiative is designed to unlock round-the-clock economic activity, deepen our value chains across key sectors, boost productivity and support export growth,” he stated.
“It will create quality jobs in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and services.”
In the 2026 Budget, government has allocated GH¢110 million to operationalise the 24-Hour Economy Authority and kick-start implementation nationwide.
According to President Mahama, the funding will support businesses willing to extend operations beyond traditional working hours, while leveraging partnerships with the Development Bank Ghana and the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund to attract strategic investments.
“These resources will enable businesses to operate beyond traditional business hours, attract investment through strategic partnerships, and strengthen the foundations for sustained growth and job creation, especially for our young people,” he said.
The President stressed that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to stabilise the economy and shield Ghana from global economic shocks.
“As global uncertainty grows, it is necessary for us to reduce our country’s exposure to external shocks, break the cycle of economic downturns and safeguard our macroeconomic stability,” he noted.
He added that the programme aligns with Ghana’s Accelerated Export Development strategy and will prioritise sectors with high employment and export potential, including agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles and garments, manufacturing and logistics.
President Mahama described the 24-Hour Economy as a vehicle for restoring confidence and expanding economic opportunities for businesses and households.
“This is about building prosperity and restoring our people’s hope through concrete action,” he emphasised.
With the Authority now established and funding secured, government says implementation will begin in earnest, marking what President Mahama calls a decisive shift “from planning to action” in Ghana’s economic transformation agenda.
