The debate over Ghana’s ambitious 24-Hour Economy programme intensified this week as the Secretariat firmly rejected claims that the government’s flagship policy has failed to yield tangible results.
In the face of criticism from Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, the Secretariat released a detailed statement, asserting that the programme is not only underway but already producing significant outcomes.
According to the Secretariat, implementation has moved well beyond the planning stage, attracting billions of dollars in investment and fostering increased industrial activity. By May 2026, Joint Development Agreements worth $5.5 billion had been secured with key co-development partners. The Secretariat revealed that 268 fuel stations and 33 manufacturing companies are currently operating under the programme’s multi-shift, 24-hour model, demonstrating the initiative’s growing reach.
Responding to Mr. Oppong Nkrumah’s suggestion that substantial public resources had been committed with little to show, the Secretariat argued that success should be measured by investments mobilised, production capacity, export potential, and jobs created. The programme aims to generate 1.7 million decent jobs by the end of 2028, with four recent investment agreements expected to deliver more than 160,000 direct jobs.
The Secretariat also dismissed claims that the 24-Hour Economy has drawn from the GH¢650 billion approved by Parliament, clarifying that the sum represents the nation’s overall budget, not programme spending. Instead, most projects are financed by private investment, with the government focusing on coordination, project preparation, and targeted support.
Among the flagship ventures are the $1.45 billion Buipe solar and battery project, set to generate 1,500 megawatts of electricity and create 13,000 jobs, and the $250 million Kambonwule oil palm project, projected to support 120,000 jobs. The 24-Hour Economy has also spurred several state institutions, including the DVLA, Ghana Publishing Company, and GPHA, to extend their operations for round-the-clock service delivery.
The Secretariat explained that the phased rollout is deliberate, designed to secure investors, ready viable projects, and address infrastructure, land, and energy challenges. As more investments materialise, factories ramp up production, and new jobs are created, the Secretariat expressed optimism that the programme’s benefits will soon become unmistakably clear.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com