The 24-Hour programme is government’s flagship programme
President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled a bold economic initiative—the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme (24H+)—positioning it as a flagship agenda to drive inclusive growth, job creation, and long-term economic resilience in Ghana.
According to the government, the 24H+ programme aims to build a self-reliant, industrial, and export-driven economy anchored in integrated value chains, efficient markets, a skilled workforce, and enhanced competitiveness both regionally and globally.
Designed as both a vision and a framework for implementation, the programme imagines a Ghana where economic activity runs around the clock—fostering a robust, high-productivity environment across key sectors.
The 24H+ roadmap outlines strategic interventions in agro-processing, digital innovation, infrastructure, logistics, skills development, and export competitiveness. Speaking at a recent policy dialogue, President Mahama emphasized its national importance:
“This is not just a plan—it is a national call to action. It’s about harnessing the full power of our people, our industries, and our global partnerships to transform the Ghanaian economy from the ground up.”
The initiative aligns with global economic trends where 24-hour economies have emerged in response to technological advancement and evolving consumer demand. The programme draws inspiration from countries like Singapore and South Korea, which have successfully leveraged round-the-clock economic models to boost export-led growth and employment.
President Mahama’s team stressed that the 24H+ is “fundamentally a citizen- and partner-driven programme,” grounded in the belief that Ghana’s transformation cannot be achieved by government alone. It calls for full national mobilisation—with clearly defined roles for the public and private sectors, development partners, and the diaspora.
To support this collaborative approach, the government is widely circulating the 24H+ policy document to solicit public feedback and encourage broad stakeholder participation. Citizens, investors, civil society, and international partners are being invited to engage with the initiative as co-architects of Ghana’s economic future.
The rollout of the 24H+ programme comes at a critical time, as Ghana contends with persistent trade deficits, high youth unemployment, and ongoing vulnerability to external shocks. The Mahama administration sees this initiative as a strategic blueprint for addressing these systemic challenges—by reducing import dependency, boosting foreign exchange earnings through exports, and generating sustainable employment opportunities for millions of Ghanaians.
Credit: ghanaweb.com
