Ghana has released $110 million to operationalise the country’s landmark 24-Hour Economy initiative, now backed by newly enacted legislation. President John Dramani Mahama confirmed the disbursement during his 2026 State of the Nation Address, setting a target of 200,000 jobs in 2026 as the first measurable milestone on the path to 1.7 million jobs over four years.
From Slogan to Shopfloor
The 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Secretariat has launched a 50-company pilot programme across five priority sectors: agro-processing, manufacturing, transport, health and digital services. Pilot firms receive duty-free machinery imports, 24-hour port clearance and ring-fenced energy supply under the Volta Economic Corridor framework.
Eight Pillars, Five Corridors
The policy’s eight-pillar framework covers pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs, renewable energy parks, cassava and oilseed agro-ecological corridors, poultry production clusters and the flagship Volta Economic Corridor. Labour protections for night-shift workers — including a statutory shift premium and mandatory medical coverage — are built into the enabling law.
Investor Response
Early response from industry has been cautiously positive. Sentuo Group’s recent commitment at the Kwahu Business Forum and Chinese, Turkish and Ghanaian SMEs registering interest in the pilot suggest the policy is moving beyond political branding. The real test, economists say, is whether extended operating hours translate into measurable export growth and whether the $4bn funding gap identified by the Secretariat can be closed before the end of 2026.
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