President John Mahama has said the government has officially begun implementing the 24-hour economy policy, describing it as a key pillar of his administration’s job-creation agenda.
In a televised update marking his first 120 days in office, Mahama said the policy rollout had commenced “in earnest.” He cited the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority’s (DVLA) overnight clearance of an 18-month service backlog and the introduction of 24-hour passport services as examples of early impact.
The President said the policy, which was one of his top campaign promises, was aimed at stimulating round-the-clock productivity in critical sectors. He added that institutions such as the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and the Ghana Publishing Company had already begun offering extended or premium-hour services.
Mr. Mahama said the Youth Employment Agency was preparing to launch the Graduate in Corporate Service (GRICS) programme, which would attach 20,000 graduates to companies operating 24-hour schedules.
He also disclosed that a dedicated nationwide 24-hour police unit was being established, with 23,000 security personnel currently undergoing recruitment. According to him, the Ministry of Energy was in talks to introduce “Time of Use” electricity tariffs to encourage businesses to operate during off-peak hours.
Mr. Mahama noted that the initiative was backed by legal reforms, including proposed amendments to the Labour Act and the GIPC Act. He said cabinet had approved provisions intended to enhance social protection and boost business confidence for entities operating under the new model.
He added that a new package of business incentives was being finalised, stating that the government was “pursuing new avenues of job creation, especially for young graduates.”
