Ghana Government Insists 24-Hour Economy Not Abandoned, Points to Infrastructure as Key

A presidential staffer has rejected suggestions that Ghana's flagship 24-hour economy policy has been quietly shelved, insisting it remains central to the government's broader "New Economy" agenda and that the current focus is on building the roads and power capacity needed to make it work.

Beatrice Annan, a presidential staffer and member of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) communications team, made the remarks on TV3's New Day programme on Wednesday, on the eve of the 2027 budget presentation to Parliament.

"We have not abandoned the 24-hour economy," Annan said, describing it as an important component of government efforts to expand production and industrial activity. She framed the policy within the New Economy agenda, which she said is designed to drive economic transformation and job creation, stressing that "stability was never the destination".

Infrastructure First

Annan argued that the success of the 24-hour economy depends on reliable road networks and sustainable electricity supply. "Good roads are the foundation," she said, adding that an efficient transportation system and stable power were essential.

She disclosed that the government's Big Push programme has allocated more than GH¢10 billion for the construction of connecting roads across all 16 regions. On energy, she said Ghana expects to add nearly 2,000 megawatts of generation capacity by 2030 to support industrial expansion.

Budget Context

The 2027 Budget, titled "The New Economy" and themed "New Economy, New Ghana: Jobs and Prosperity," is scheduled to be presented by Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson on Thursday, November 12. The government has signalled that the budget will mark a shift from macroeconomic stabilisation toward production, industrialisation and employment creation.

Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem Nyarko has said the budget will introduce no new taxes, with the government relying on savings from expenditure rationalisation and spending cuts to finance its flagship programmes.

Opposition Doubts

The minority in Parliament has already raised questions about the financing of the broader New Economy programme, which is expected to cost about $10 billion over four years, or $2 billion annually from 2027 to 2030. Ranking Member on the Finance Committee Mohammed Amin Adam questioned how a government that cut capital spending and struggled to mobilise funds for the original 24-hour economy could credibly finance the new programme.

He cited unpaid teacher promotion arrears and more than GH¢10 billion owed to cocoa farmers as evidence of funding constraints.

Background

The 24-hour economy policy was a flagship campaign promise of President John Dramani Mahama in the 2024 election. In February 2026, Parliament passed the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, which Mahama subsequently signed into law, declaring that the initiative had moved "from planning to action". The government allocated GH¢110 million in the 2026 budget to kickstart the programme.

The 24-Hour Economy Authority has since laid a 10-year transformation plan before Cabinet, covering cheaper power for industry, improved logistics, industrial and agri-processing parks, and a package of exemptions and incentives to support business growth.

Annan, a lawyer by training, is a member of the NDC communications team and served as a spokesperson for Mahama's 2024 campaign. She holds a Master's degree in Economic Policy Management from the University of Ghana and has been a fellow at the Institute of Energy Security.

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The Finance Minister presents the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday, November 12.