Ghana reframes 24-Hour Economy as industrial production strategy

The Ghanaian government is reframing its 24-Hour Economy programme as a production and industrial strategy rather than a simple mandate for extended working hours. According to the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, the policy aims to expand productive capacity by increasing output in manufacturing, modernizing agriculture, and strengthening value chains to create sustainable employment.

The strategy focuses on connecting agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, and services to address structural weaknesses between primary production and domestic industrialization. The goal is to unlock underutilized capacity by ensuring businesses have the reliable power, finance, and raw materials necessary to operate more extensively.

Complementary perspectives suggest that for the programme to succeed, the focus should shift toward making it easier for businesses to expand their productive hours. Proposals such as a National Productive Hours Framework (NPHF) suggest creating approved labour directories. This would allow employers to access qualified, vetted workers on an as-needed basis, providing businesses with flexible labour while offering young workers quicker access to income and experience.