24 Hour Economy Secretariat Engages Bank of Ghana on Policy Alignment: A Strategic Roadmap for Ghana’s Growth

In a pivotal move signaling the operational launch of Ghana’s ambitious economic transformation agenda, the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat has conducted high-level discussions with the Bank of Ghana (BoG). The engagement, which took place in mid-February 2026, focused on aligning the flagship 24-hour economy policy with the nation’s broader macroeconomic framework and financial sector regulations. This meeting represents a critical step in transitioning from policy design to implementation, ensuring that the central bank’s monetary policies and the financial infrastructure actively support the goal of creating a resilient, round-the-clock economy. This article provides a comprehensive, SEO-optimized breakdown of the engagement, its key outcomes, and its implications for Ghana’s economic future.

Introduction: The Confluence of Policy and Implementation

Ghana’s 24-hour economy initiative is more than a slogan; it is a structured policy framework designed to extend economic activities beyond traditional business hours. The core objective is to boost productivity, create jobs, enhance export capacity, and stimulate local manufacturing by optimizing the use of existing infrastructure and human capital. For this vision to materialize, seamless coordination with the Bank of Ghana—the nation’s monetary authority and financial regulator—is indispensable. The recent engagement, led by the Secretariat and BoG’s technical and investment teams, was therefore not a mere formality but a necessary convergence to synchronize regulatory, credit, and operational frameworks. This article unpacks the significance of this dialogue, the specific collaborative proposals on the table, and what it means for businesses, financial institutions, and the average Ghanaian.

Key Points of the High-Level Engagement

The discussions between the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat and the Central Bank of Ghana yielded several focal points that will shape the policy’s execution. The main takeaways can be summarized as follows:

Strategic Alignment: Both institutions agreed on the necessity to fully integrate the 24-hour economy operational guidelines into the BoG’s existing macroeconomic stability frameworks.
Food Security and Price Stabilisation Fund: A proposed dedicated fund was a major agenda item, aimed at mitigating commodity price volatility and food inflation—a persistent challenge for Ghanaian households.
Financial Sector Collaboration: The talks explored concrete mechanisms for commercial banks and the central bank to support 24-hour enterprises through tailored credit products, regulatory adjustments, and risk-mitigation tools.
Institutional Partnership: The engagement solidifies the BoG as a key strategic partner as the programme moves from the blueprint phase into active implementation across sectors.

Why This Engagement Was Crucial Now

The timing of this meeting is significant. Ghana has recently seen positive macroeconomic indicators, including a sustained decline in inflation and robust Treasury bill performance. The 24-hour economy is positioned as the micro-level catalyst to deepen and sustain these gains. As Mr. Goosie Tanoh, Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy Programme, stated, the initiative seeks to build upon the macroeconomic stability provided by the BoG by creating targeted platforms for increased economic activity, higher domestic production, and export growth. Without the central bank’s buy-in and regulatory tailoring, critical financial bottlenecks—such as lending hours, collateral frameworks for odd-hours businesses, and settlement systems—could hinder progress.

Background: Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy Policy Explained

To understand the importance of this engagement, one must first grasp the scope of Ghana’s 24-hour economy policy. Launched as a cornerstone of the government’s economic recovery and growth strategy, the policy aims to operationalize key sectors—including manufacturing, agribusiness, retail, hospitality, healthcare, and logistics—on a 24/7 basis.

Core Objectives and Expected Benefits

The primary goals are multi-faceted:

Job Creation: By extending operational hours, businesses require more staff in shifts, directly absorbing youth and graduate unemployment.
Boost Productivity: Maximizing the utility of fixed assets (factories, power, transport networks) spreads fixed costs over more output hours, improving efficiency.
Increase Export Competitiveness: 24/7 production and port operations can reduce lead times and meet urgent international orders, enhancing Ghana’s trade profile.
Stimulate Ancillary Services: A thriving night economy fuels demand for security, transportation, food services, and entertainment, creating a multiplier effect.
Reduce Congestion: Staggering economic activity can alleviate daytime traffic in major cities like Accra and Kumasi, improving quality of life.

The Policy’s Three-Pillar Structure

The policy is built on: 1) Infrastructure Development (reliable power, security lighting, transport); 2) Regulatory and Incentive Framework (tax incentives, flexible licensing); and 3) Financial Enablement (access to capital for 24-hour operations). The engagement with the BoG falls squarely under the third pillar, addressing the financial services needed to power the other two.

Analysis: Deep Dive into the Discussion Outcomes

The secretariat’s discussions with the BoG were not exploratory but提案-driven (proposal-driven), focusing on actionable financial and regulatory interventions. The analysis reveals a sophisticated understanding of the financial ecosystem’s role as an enabler.

The Proposed Food Security and Price Stabilisation Fund

This is arguably the most socially impactful proposal on the table. Ghana’s food inflation has historically been volatile, driven by seasonal supply chain disruptions and imported food price shocks. The proposed Food Security and Price Stabilisation Fund would act as a financial buffer. Its mechanisms could include:

Financing strategic grain reserves and cold storage facilities.
Providing low-cost credit to agro-processors to smooth production cycles.
Stabilizing producer prices to encourage off-season farming, directly feeding into a 24-hour agribusiness sector.
Complementing the BoG’s inflation-targeting monetary policy by addressing a key cost-push driver.

For this fund to be effective, its design must be transparent, its governance robust, and its operations coordinated with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the BoG’s own development financing arms.

Collaborative Financial Frameworks for 24-Hour Enterprises

The dialogue mapped out several specific areas where the financial sector, led by the BoG, can innovate:

“24H+” Credit Policy: Developing a classification or preferential pricing for loans to businesses operating beyond standard hours, recognizing their potentially higher operational costs and revenue streams.
Coordinated Appraisal & Syndicated Lending: Encouraging banks to develop standardized risk assessment models for 24-hour ventures and to pool resources for larger projects through syndication, reducing individual bank exposure.
Balance Sheet Support: Exploring ways for the BoG’s liquidity facilities or credit guarantee schemes to be accessible to qualifying 24-hour SMEs after rigorous due diligence.
Collateral and Insurance Innovations: Discussing the recognition of alternative collateral (e.g., warehouse receipts, future inventory) and promoting credit insurance schemes to strengthen the collateral framework for lenders.
Regulatory Adjustments for 24-Hour Portfolios: The BoG may consider tailored capital adequacy or provisioning rules for loan books dedicated to 24-hour economy clients, acknowledging their unique risk-return profiles.
Foreign Exchange Hedging for SMEs: Facilitating access to affordable FX forward and option contracts is critical for 24-hour importers/exporters to manage currency risk, a major concern for Ghanaian businesses.
Digital Banking & Payment Infrastructure: Championing the development of secure, low-cost, 24/7 digital payment platforms and business banking interfaces to support after-hours transactions, cash management, and financial record-keeping.

Practical Advice for Stakeholders

The alignment between the Secretariat and BoG sets the stage, but success depends on action from other stakeholders.

For Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Conduct a 24-Hour Readiness Audit: Assess your operational capacity, staffing, security, and supply chain for extended hours.
Engage Your Bank Early: Proactively discuss your 24-hour expansion plans with your commercial bank. Inquire about their awareness of the upcoming “24H+” credit framework and what documentation they will require.
Formalize Financial Records: Ensure your accounting and financial statements are impeccable. This will be crucial for accessing any preferential financing or BoG-supported schemes.
Explore Digital Solutions: Invest in or adopt digital payment systems (mobile money, bank apps, agency banking) that can serve customers at any hour.
Join Industry Associations: Engage with associations like the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) or Ghana Chamber of Commerce to collectively advocate for the finalization of supportive regulations from the BoG.

For Financial Institutions (Banks & Non-Bank Lenders)

Develop Internal Expertise: Train credit officers on the risk and opportunity assessment of 24-hour business models.
Pilot Specialized Products: Begin designing and stress-testing loan products with terms (repayment schedules, grace periods) that align with 24-hour cash flow patterns.
Advocate for Clarity: Provide constructive feedback to the BoG during its consultation phases on the proposed regulatory adjustments for 24-hour loan portfolios.
Build Partnerships: Consider partnerships with fintechs to offer integrated operational banking and lending solutions for 24-hour clients.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What exactly is Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy Policy?

It is a government-led policy framework aimed at extending the operating hours of key economic sectors (manufacturing, services, retail, etc.) to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The goal is to increase GDP output, create employment, optimize infrastructure use, and boost exports.

Why is the Bank of Ghana’s involvement so critical?

The BoG controls monetary policy, regulates banks, and oversees payment systems. For businesses to operate 24/7, they need access to banking services (loans, transactions, forex) at all hours and under terms that suit their unique models. The BoG must ensure the financial system is resilient and has the regulatory tools to support this shift without compromising stability.

What is the Food Security and Price Stabilisation Fund?

This is a proposed financial mechanism, likely to be managed in partnership with the BoG and relevant ministries, to reduce volatility in food prices. It would finance strategic reserves, support agro-processing, and stabilize producer prices, making food more affordable and ensuring consistent supply for a 24-hour agribusiness sector.

How will small businesses benefit from these discussions?

If the proposed “24H+” credit policies, collateral innovations, and FX hedging tools are implemented, SMEs will gain better access to affordable, tailored financing. Reduced regulatory friction and improved digital payment infrastructure will also lower the cost of operating after standard banking hours.

Is this policy legally binding on banks?

The policy itself is a government directive. However, for banks to participate, the BoG must issue formal regulatory circulars or revise existing prudential guidelines (e.g., on capital requirements for specific loan types). The engagement is the first step toward developing these binding regulations.

What are the potential risks the BoG is likely considering?

The BoG will be cautious about: 1) Increased operational risk for banks (security, IT systems for 24/7 operations); 2) Potential credit risk if 24-hour businesses fail; 3) Ensuring any special regulatory treatment does not create loopholes for arbitrage; 4) Maintaining inflation control while supporting sector-specific credit expansion.

Conclusion: From Alignment to Action

The meeting between the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat and the Bank of Ghana transcends a routine briefing. It is a foundational pact to weave the 24-hour economy into the very fabric of Ghana’s financial and monetary architecture. The proposals on the table—from the Food Security and Price Stabilisation Fund to the suite of financial sector collaborations—are concrete levers to unlock capital and reduce friction for businesses willing to operate round the clock. The true measure of success will be the speed and clarity with which the BoG translates these discussions into revised regulations, lending guidelines, and market infrastructure. For Ghana, the path to a resilient, high-productivity economy now hinges on building a financial system that never closes.

Sources and Further Reading

Bank of Ghana. (2025). Monetary Policy Report. [Annual report detailing inflation trends and financial sector stability].
Ministry of Finance, Ghana. (2025). Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy Policy Framework. [Official government policy document].
Ghana Statistical Service. (2026). Quarterly GDP Report. [Data on economic output by sector and time].
World Bank. (2025). Ghana Economic Update: Navigating the Path to Sustainable Growth. [Independent analysis of Ghana’s economic policies].
Press Release, 24-Hour Economy Secretariat. (2026, February 17). Secretariat Engages Bank of Ghana on Policy Alignment. [Original source announcement].
Bank of Ghana. (2023). Ghana Financial Sector Stability Report. [Context on the health and regulatory priorities of the banking sector].