Government’s push toward a 24-hour economy has received a significant boost, following a new partnership aimed at ensuring fuel availability at all hours across the country.
The 24-Hour Economy Authority and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the expansion of round-the-clock operations in the downstream petroleum sector.
The agreement, signed in Accra on March 31, 2026, outlines a coordinated effort to strengthen operational readiness, safety, and security across fuel stations, refineries, and bulk storage facilities nationwide.
Under the deal, the NPA will develop and enforce 24-hour operational standards covering key areas such as lighting, security, staffing, digital fuel monitoring, and fire safety. The 24-Hour Economy Authority, on the other hand, will focus on creating the enabling environment, including security deployment and cross-government support for sector operators.
Authorities say the partnership is critical to ensuring that fuel supply keeps pace with increased economic activity expected under the 24-hour economy policy.
Implementation will begin with a nationwide pilot covering about 20 percent of the downstream petroleum sector, with security deployment identified as an immediate priority. The NPA has already set up a Steering Committee and technical sub-committees to guide the transition.
The initiative brings together key players across the petroleum and security value chain, including the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD), the Ghana National Tanker Drivers Union (GNTDU), Tanker Owners Union (TOU), the Ghana Police Service, National Security Secretariat, the Ghana Revenue Authority, and private sector investors.
Presidential Adviser on the 24-hour economy and Accelerated Export Development, Augustus Goosie Tanoh, underscored the broader ambition behind the policy, stating:
“The programme is not only asking operators to stay open longer. We are building the enterprises and industrial capacity that will create growing demand for these services. To the factory owner in Tema, the trader in Tamale, the transport operator on the Accra-Kumasi corridor, the message is simple: If you are ready to grow, we are building the system to support you.”
Chief Executive of the NPA, Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, also emphasized the regulatory commitment behind the initiative:
“This agreement aligns the NPA’s regulatory mandate with the national economic transformation agenda. We will ensure that the standards for 24-hour operations are clear, enforceable, and designed to protect workers, consumers, and critical infrastructure.”
The government believes that reliable, 24-hour fuel supply will serve as a backbone for key sectors including manufacturing, transport, and logistics—helping to unlock productivity and accelerate economic growth.
