Six Months After Victory, Ghanaians Brace for a Bold New
Economic Shift
By Umoru Abdul Rahman Leramah
ACCRA – GHANA,
Six months after a decisive victory in the 2024 general
election, President John Dramani Mahama is preparing to roll out one of
the most ambitious economic transformations in Ghana’s recent history the
much-anticipated 24-hour economy.
Touted as a game-changer during the campaign, the initiative is now set to kick off, with public institutions, private industries, and the general citizenry bracing for a major shift in the way Ghana works, trades, and grows.
With the clock ticking toward the official launch date,
Ghanaians across the country are echoing a common sentiment:
“We’re ready for Mahama. We’re ready for this new Ghana.”
From Promise to Action
President Mahama, who returned to power on the back of what
many called a "hope-driven revolution," made the 24-hour economy the
centerpiece of his 2024 manifesto. The initiative promised to unlock jobs,
boost national productivity, and modernize Ghana’s economic system by operating
essential sectors healthcare, manufacturing, retail, transportation, ICT, and
tourism around the clock.
True to his word, Mahama’s government has, over the past six
months, laid the groundwork for this transformation:
- Stakeholder
consultations with labor unions, business leaders, and local
governments.
- Incentive
frameworks for companies that adopt shift systems.
- Upgrades
to energy, security, and transport infrastructure to support night
operations.
- Public
awareness campaigns to prepare citizens for a new era of economic
activity.
Government sources say the pilot phase will launch in key
cities like Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale, and Ho, before expanding
nationwide by mid-2026.
Ghanaians Embrace the Change
In interviews across the country, citizens expressed high
anticipation for the new model, describing it as a lifeline of opportunity
in a time of job scarcity and economic stress.
“I’ve waited for this moment,” said Abena Mensah, a
26-year-old graduate in Sunyani. “I’ve been unemployed since university, but
now with three shifts coming, I can finally hope for work.”
Kwesi Boateng, a market trader in Tema, noted:
"The ports and roads are busy 24/7 already, but not formalized. With
Mahama’s plan, we can finally benefit as workers, not just hustlers."
Hospitals, security agencies, and some private firms have
already begun internal preparations, signaling strong institutional alignment
with the president’s vision.
Opposition Reacts
While many applaud the initiative, some opposition voices
have raised concerns over the practicality and cost of implementation.
Critics within the NPP argue that the energy grid may not yet be reliable
enough to support full 24-hour operations. Others question the availability of
skilled labor for night shifts.
But government spokespersons have assured the public that
the implementation will be phased, realistic, and well-supported,
stressing that the aim is sustainability, not speed.
The Bigger Picture
For Mahama, this initiative is more than a policy it’s a national
call to reimagine time, labor, and growth.
In a recent address, he stated:
“We are not just expanding working hours. We are
expanding hope. We are using every second of the Ghanaian clock to lift our
people out of poverty and into opportunity.”
As Ghana positions itself within the competitive African
Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the 24-hour economy could give the
country a strategic edge in logistics, digital services, and manufacturing
exports.
Conclusion: The Night Belongs to Ghana
With six months of groundwork now completed, Ghanaians are
not only waiting they are preparing. Mahama’s 24-hour economy is no longer a
campaign slogan. It is an unfolding national agenda, driven by urgency,
inclusion, and innovation.
As the first machines begin to hum through the night and
streetlights guide new shifts to work, one thing is clear:
Ghana’s economic clock is being rewritten and the people
are wide awake for it.
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