Ghana Embraces the 24-Hour Economy: President Mahama Signs Landmark Authority Bill into Law

In a decisive move to accelerate economic transformation, President John Dramani Mahama has formally assented to the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, 2025. This legislative action, completed on Thursday, February 19, 2026, prior to the thirteenth cabinet meeting, transitions a flagship campaign promise into a statutory framework. The new law establishes the 24-Hour Economy Authority as the central coordinating body tasked with operationalizing Ghana’s ambitious shift to a fully functional, round-the-clock economic ecosystem. This comprehensive guide dissects the legislation, its strategic intent, operational mechanics, and what it means for Ghanaian businesses, investors, and the national workforce.

Key Points: The Essence of the 24-Hour Economy Authority Act

The signing of the bill marks the culmination of a legislative process that began with its introduction in late 2025 and passed Parliament on February 6, 2026, after rigorous debate. The core provisions and immediate implications are summarized as follows:

Legal Foundation: The Act creates a statutory corporate body, the 24-Hour Economy Authority, with perpetual succession, enabling it to own property, sue, and be sued.
Primary Mandate: The Authority is the central coordinating agency for implementing the government’s 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme.
Core Functions: It will mobilize and channel financial resources, synchronize public and private sector initiatives, and oversee the development of necessary infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to support non-stop economic activity.
Policy Goal: The overarching aim is to address structural economic vulnerabilities—specifically, over-reliance on low-value raw material exports and high dependence on imported finished goods—by boosting productivity, value addition, and job creation.
Political Context: The policy was a principal commitment of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the 2024 general elections, now being enacted under President Mahama’s administration.
Implementation Phase: The government signals a swift transition from policy formulation to execution, emphasizing that the business community and investors are awaiting a concrete “bundle of incentives” to stimulate participation.

Background: The Rationale for a 24-Hour Economy in Ghana

Structural Economic Challenges

Ghana’s economy, while diverse, faces persistent structural issues. A significant portion of export revenue is derived from unprocessed commodities like gold, cocoa, and crude oil. This model exposes the country to volatile global commodity prices and limits foreign exchange earnings and job creation. Concurrently, the import bill for refined petroleum products, processed foods, machinery, and consumer goods remains high, draining domestic capital. The 24-Hour Economy policy is designed as a holistic response to these challenges, aiming to extend operational hours across key sectors—manufacturing, logistics, retail, services, and agribusiness—to maximize asset utilization and output.

Global Precedents and the Productivity Imperative

The concept of a 24-hour economy is not novel. Global hubs like Singapore, Dubai (UAE), and major metropolitan areas in the United States and China have leveraged shift-based operations to become manufacturing and service powerhouses. The core economic logic is straightforward: spreading fixed costs (like factory rent, machinery depreciation, and port fees) over more production hours reduces unit costs, enhances competitiveness, and increases GDP contribution from existing assets. For Ghana, this strategy is linked directly to the Accelerated Export Development Programme, which focuses on moving up the value chain—processing raw materials locally and exporting higher-value goods.

Analysis: How the 24-Hour Economy Authority Will Operate

The Act provides the legal skeleton; its effectiveness will depend on the flesh-and-blood regulations and strategies the Authority develops. Here is a breakdown of its anticipated operational framework:

Governance and Leadership

The Act will stipulate the composition of the Authority’s board, likely drawing ministers from key portfolios (Trade, Finance, Employment, Transport, Energy), private sector leaders, and technical experts. A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will manage day-to-day operations. The governance structure must balance government oversight with private-sector agility to avoid bureaucratic sluggishness.

Key Functional Pillars

The Authority’s workstreams are expected to cluster around several critical pillars:

Incentive Architecture: Designing and administering a “bundle of incentives” as hinted by the President. This may include tax holidays for 24-hour operations, subsidized off-peak electricity tariffs, streamlined customs procedures for 24/7 ports and borders, and preferential financing schemes through partnerships with development banks.
Infrastructure Coordination: Championing investments in round-the-clock enabling infrastructure. This includes ensuring reliable 24-hour power supply (a critical challenge), security lighting and patrols for industrial zones, efficient public transport for shift workers, and digital connectivity.
Regulatory Streamlining: Acting as a one-stop shop to cut red tape. Businesses operating multiple shifts often face hurdles with labor laws (night work regulations), health and safety certifications, and municipal operating permits. The Authority must negotiate inter-agency protocols to allow seamless 24/7 licensing and compliance.
Sectoral Development Programs: Launching targeted initiatives for priority sectors. For instance, a “24-Hour Port Initiative” to decongest Tema and Takoradi ports, a “Night-Time Manufacturing Zone” program with dedicated infrastructure, and a “24-Hour Agribusiness” scheme for processing and logistics.
Investment Promotion: Actively marketing Ghana as a destination for businesses seeking to establish Africa-based 24/7 production hubs, targeting foreign direct investment (FDI) in export-oriented manufacturing.

Addressing Potential Legal and Social Friction Points

The transition will not be without friction. The Authority must navigate:

Labor Relations: The Ghana Labour Act and subsequent regulations govern night work, including premium pay and health safeguards. The Authority must collaborate with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations and organized labor (like the Trades Union Congress) to ensure shift work is voluntary, fairly compensated, and does not exploit workers.
Environmental Regulations: 24-hour operations may impact noise levels, emissions, and waste disposal. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permits will need to account for continuous operations.
Local Government Bylaws: Municipal Assemblies have ordinances on operating hours, especially in commercial and residential mixed zones. The Authority must facilitate dialogues to harmonize local bylaws with national policy.

Practical Advice: What Stakeholders Must Do Now

The law is signed, but the rulebook is being written. Proactive engagement is crucial.

For Ghanaian Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

Conduct a Feasibility Audit: Analyze your business model. Can your production, service delivery, or logistics be viably extended to 24 hours? Consider market demand (e.g., B2B vs. B2C), supply chain continuity, and additional labor costs.
Engage Early: Monitor the Authority’s website and publications. Participate in public consultations when they announce draft regulations. Provide concrete feedback on the practical barriers you face.
Explore Sectoral Groups: Join or form industry associations focused on the 24-hour economy. Collective bargaining with the Authority on incentive design and infrastructure needs will be more effective than individual efforts.
Plan for Capital Expenditure: If you pursue 24-hour operations, you may need investments in additional machinery, lighting, security systems, and transport for night-shift staff. Begin financial planning now.

For Foreign and Local Investors

Factor the Authority into Your Due Diligence: The success of your 24/7 venture in Ghana hinges on the Authority’s effectiveness. Scrutinize the leadership appointments, budget allocations, and first-year action plan.
Inquire About the “Incentive Bundle”: Direct questions to the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and the yet-to-be-established Authority regarding the specific fiscal and non-fiscal benefits for certified 24-hour enterprises.
Consider Integrated Clusters: The most viable investments may be in integrated industrial parks or export processing zones designed from the ground up for 24/7 operation with shared services (security, power, waste management).

For the Workforce

Understand Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with the Labour Act provisions on night work (typically defined as work between 10 PM and 6 AM). Know your entitlement to night shift allowances and health assessments.
Skill Development: 24-hour operations require robust supervisory and technical skills for night shifts. Seek training in areas like maintenance, logistics coordination, and digital monitoring systems that are critical for overnight productivity.
Engage through Representation: Ensure your union or worker representatives are actively involved in discussions with the Authority to safeguard worker welfare in the new operational paradigm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is the 24-Hour Economy Act mandating all businesses to operate 24/7?

No. The policy is voluntary and incentive-based. The Authority’s role is to create an enabling environment and offer benefits to businesses that choose to adopt 24-hour operations. There is no blanket legal requirement for all shops, offices, or services to remain open round the clock.

2. Which sectors are the primary targets for this policy?

The policy targets sectors with high potential for extended output and export value addition. These include:

Manufacturing: Food and beverage processing, textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals, building materials.
Agribusiness: Post-harvest handling, processing (e.g., tomato paste, fruit canning), packaging, and cold chain logistics.
Logistics and Trade: Ports, airports, warehouses, freight forwarding, and retail distribution centers.
Services: Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), IT support, call centers, and certain professional services (e.g., legal, medical emergencies).

3. How will the Authority be funded?

The Act will specify its funding sources. Typically, such authorities receive:

Initial government budgetary allocation for setup and first-year operations.
Potential share of revenues from fees or levies it administers.
Grants and concessional loans from development partners (like the World Bank, AfDB) interested in private sector development.
Possibly, a percentage of taxes generated from certified 24-hour enterprises, creating a sustainable funding loop.

4. What about security concerns for night-shift workers and operations?

Security is a paramount component of the infrastructure pillar. The Authority is expected to coordinate with the Ghana Police Service, private security firms, and community leaders to develop a national 24-Hour Security Framework. This may include dedicated patrols for industrial corridors, emergency response protocols, and partnerships for CCTV and lighting installations in designated economic zones.

5. How does this align with Ghana’s climate goals and energy constraints?

This is a critical challenge. The Authority must work intimately with the Energy Commission and power generators to secure reliable, affordable, and increasingly green energy for 24/7 operations. The policy may be linked to incentives for businesses that use renewable energy or adopt energy-efficient technologies for night shifts. The goal is to avoid exacerbating the national grid load with an unplanned surge in nighttime demand.

Conclusion: A Strategic Bet on Extended Productivity

President Mahama’s assent to the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill represents a significant policy wager. It posits that Ghana’s economic growth is not solely a function of discovering new resources or attracting generic FDI, but of radically optimizing the utilization of its existing human capital, industrial assets, and geographic advantages as a West African hub. The creation of a dedicated Authority signals an understanding that this transition requires dedicated, expert coordination beyond the capacity of line ministries.

The path forward is fraught with challenges: securing 24-hour power, reforming restrictive bylaws, ensuring fair labor practices, and changing deep-seated cultural norms around work hours. However, if executed with transparency, private-sector partnership, and a focus on export-oriented value addition, the policy could yield substantial benefits—higher productivity, reduced import dependency, increased foreign exchange earnings, and, most importantly, sustainable employment for Ghana’s youth. The coming 12 to 18 months, during which the Authority develops its strategic plan and incentive packages, will be the true test of whether this legislative milestone translates into an economic revolution.

Sources and Further Reading

Republic of Ghana. (2026). The 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, 2025 (Act ___ of 2026). Parliament of Ghana. [Note: The final Act number will be assigned upon publication in the Gazette].
Office of the President. (2026, February 19). Press Release: President Mahama Assents to 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill. The Presidency, Ghana.
Ministry of Trade and Industry. (2025). Policy Framework for the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme. Government of Ghana.
Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC). (2026). Investment Opportunities in Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy [Prospective publication].
International Labour Organization (ILO). (2019). Guidelines on the Promotion of Decent Work for Workers in the Night-Time Economy. Geneva: ILO.</