Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has encouraged the government to welcome criticism of the 24-hour economy initiative, stating that public feedback is crucial for improving the programme’s implementation.
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Speaking on The Key Points on TV3, Kpebu emphasized that “the criticisms are good, it serves as feedback.” He urged the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat to provide biannual updates so Ghanaians can monitor progress and offer constructive input.
“Maybe every six months, we should get an update from the secretariat to assess progress and share feedback,” he suggested.
Kpebu praised specific aspects of the programme, particularly the “no import duty” incentive for renewable energy imports, as a “masterstroke,” describing the policy incentives as “classic.” He added, “We have no option but to reduce our oil consumption and increase the use of renewable energy.”
Policy Launch and Vision
President John Dramani Mahama officially launched the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme on July 2, describing it as a transformative agenda to revitalize Ghana’s economy. “This is more than a policy, it’s a national reset,” the President said. “We’re unlocking Ghana’s full productive potential.”
Mahama explained that the programme goes beyond extending working hours. It is designed to boost productivity, create jobs, and enhance exports through strategic, inclusive interventions across sectors.
Implementation and Investment
With a projected cost of $4 billion, the government will invest between $300 million and $400 million in seed capital to fill viability gaps and encourage private sector participation. The initiative aims to create 1.7 million quality jobs within four years.
The policy targets key sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, infrastructure, and logistics. It seeks to reduce reliance on imports and reposition Ghana as a competitive exporter.
The initiative is presented in nine documents, one full report and eight subprogramme reports: Grow24, Make24, Build24, Show24, Connect24, Fund24, Aspire24, and Go24.
As the programme rolls out, stakeholders continue to stress the importance of transparency, performance tracking, and citizen engagement to ensure its long-term success.
