President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy policy, marking a pivotal shift from campaign rhetoric to an ambitious national strategy aimed at driving productivity, stimulating inclusive growth, creating jobs, boosting exports, and enhancing Ghana’s global competitiveness.
Speaking at the launch in Accra, President Mahama declared, “We have moved from slogan to strategy today. In 2024, the idea of a 24-hour economy captured national attention. It became a slogan of hope, a symbol that change was necessary and that it was possible.”
The launch, according to the President, “is not the end, but it is the beginning of a massive national mobilisation” to retool Ghana’s economy into a more efficient, opportunity-driven, and future-ready system.
Mahama made it clear that the policy is not simply about extending working hours. “Let me be clear here, the 24+ Agenda is not just about extending working hours. It is about unleashing productivity, expanding opportunities, and accelerating exports through well-structured and inclusive interventions,” he said.
A dynamic, evolving national strategy
Special Advisor to the President, Mr. Goosie Tanoh, emphasised that the 24-Hour Economy is a “living programme,” enriched with scientific planning and rooted in firm social democratic values, yet flexible enough to respond tactically to changing environments. “We will learn many lessons along the way and make numerous adjustments. This is the only way a programme can transform our society in the short, medium, and long term,” Tanoh stated.
He noted that the programme would remain open to public feedback and ongoing review. “Criticism is always welcome. We see the 24-hour programme as a living programme… flexible enough to respond tactically,” he added, reinforcing that suggestions from the public will shape the programme’s evolution.
The Volta Economic Corridor: Flagship of the 24-Hour Policy
A centrepiece of the policy is the “Volta Economic Corridor,” described by Mahama as the “flagship intervention” of the 24-Hour Economy. It is designed to unlock the economic and environmental potential of the Volta Lake and its surrounding regions, inspired by the vision of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
“Today, we will recreate Kwame Nkrumah’s dream. Today, his dream comes alive again,” Mahama said, positioning the corridor as a symbol of national renewal and transformation.
The Volta Economic Corridor will comprise four major sub-programmes:
- Grow 24: Aims to irrigate over two million hectares of land to support year-round intensive agriculture.
- Make 24: Will establish agro-industrial parks focusing on priority sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, and food processing.
- Show 24: Focuses on developing tourism clusters along the Volta Lake to boost hospitality and heritage-based economic activity.
- Connect 24: Will transform Volta Lake into a central transport corridor linking northern, southern, eastern, and western Ghana, easing trade and movement.
More than an economic plan
Beyond the flagship corridor, the broader 24-Hour Economy policy aims to stimulate investment, improve the efficient use of national infrastructure, and promote job creation in multiple sectors. It also seeks to expand domestic and international trade opportunities by ensuring Ghana operates in sync with global business timelines.
“This is about building the future,” Tanoh said. “It’s about economic justice, shared prosperity, and national pride. We, as a country, we, as a people, have what it takes to succeed.”
He hailed President Mahama’s leadership as “responsible and visionary,” noting that the President remains committed to national transformation through strategic, inclusive policymaking.
