President Mahama Signs 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill into Law, Ushering in Flagship Policy Implementation
President John Dramani Mahama has formally signed the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill into law, marking a major milestone in the government’s ambitious flagship economic initiative aimed at transforming Ghana into a round-the-clock productive economy.
The legislation, which received parliamentary approval on February 6, 2026, after days of intense debate, was presented to the House toward the end of 2025. With the President’s assent, the bill now becomes an Act of Parliament, officially establishing the 24-Hour Economy Authority as the central coordinating body responsible for driving the nationwide rollout of the policy.
The Authority will work closely with relevant government ministries, agencies, private sector stakeholders, labour unions, traditional authorities, and other partners to facilitate and oversee the adoption of continuous operations in key sectors. This includes manufacturing, agriculture processing, logistics, hospitality, healthcare, retail, entertainment, and digital services, with the goal of extending productive hours beyond the conventional 8-hour workday.
President Mahama described the signing as a pivotal transition “from strategy to implementation,” highlighting the policy’s core objective of generating substantial employment opportunities for Ghanaians, particularly the youth.
“This is not just about keeping lights on longer; it is about keeping opportunities open longer—creating jobs, boosting incomes, increasing tax revenue, and making Ghana more competitive regionally and globally,” the President stated in remarks following the ceremonial signing at the Jubilee House.
The 24-Hour Economy policy, a key promise of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, seeks to restructure Ghana’s economic framework by addressing structural bottlenecks such as high underemployment, idle industrial capacity, and limited night-time economic activity. Proponents argue it will stimulate growth in non-traditional sectors, reduce reliance on imports through enhanced local production, and improve service delivery in urban and rural areas.
Implementation is expected to begin in phases, starting with pilot projects in selected industrial zones, ports, airports, markets, and essential services. The Authority will develop guidelines, provide incentives (including tax breaks and subsidized utilities for compliant businesses), enforce labour protections, and monitor environmental and safety standards to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.
The move has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters, including organised labour in some sectors and business groups, welcome the potential for increased earnings through shift allowances and expanded markets. Critics, however, have raised concerns about worker fatigue, family life disruptions, adequate compensation, power reliability (amid ongoing energy challenges), and the need for robust infrastructure upgrades.
With the legal framework now in place, attention shifts to the operationalisation of the Authority, appointment of its leadership, and the release of detailed guidelines and timelines. Government officials have indicated that initial focus areas will include Accra, Tema, Kumasi, Takoradi, and Tamale, with gradual expansion nationwide.
The signing represents one of the earliest major legislative achievements of President Mahama’s current term, underscoring the administration’s commitment to delivering on its economic transformation agenda amid efforts to stabilise the cedi, control inflation, and attract investment
