Parliament has officially passed the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, 2025, a flagship policy of the John Mahama administration aimed at transforming Ghana into a round-the-clock economy.
The bill was approved after extensive debate between the Majority and Minority caucuses during the current session of the House.
The legislation, which was first laid before Parliament in late 2025, establishes a 24-Hour Economy Authority as the central coordinating body responsible for nationwide implementation.
Key functions of the Authority include:
Aligning public and private sector efforts
Mobilising investment
Putting in place necessary regulatory, infrastructural and support systems
Driving the shift to 24-hour operations across strategic sectors
The policy was a major campaign promise of the NDC during the 2024 general elections and has been presented by the government as a critical tool for creating jobs, boosting productivity and accelerating economic growth.
However, the bill faced criticism from the Minority during debates. Some MPs warned that a 24-hour economy could bring security risks, increase operational costs for businesses, and cause inconvenience to workers and communities if not properly managed.
The Majority caucus countered that the potential benefits far outweigh the concerns, assuring that strong security, labour protections and regulatory frameworks would be put in place to support a smooth and sustainable rollout.
With the bill now passed, attention shifts to the formal establishment of the 24-Hour Economy Authority and the start of implementation activities.
The government has described the passage as a significant milestone toward building a more dynamic, inclusive and competitive economy for Ghana.
