President John Dramani Mahama has formally launched the implementation phase of his flagship 24-Hour Economy policy after assenting to the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, declaring that the initiative has moved from promise to action.
Delivering his State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Friday, February 27, 2026, the President announced the establishment of the 24-Hour Economy Authority to coordinate round-the-clock operations across key sectors of the economy.
He told lawmakers that the “era of strategy” had ended and the “time for measurable action” had begun, signalling government’s readiness to operationalise the policy nationwide.
At the centre of the initiative is a statutory authority mandated to drive continuous production across manufacturing, services and agribusiness. The President explained that the policy is not merely about extending business hours, but about restructuring Ghana’s economic framework to maximise productivity and efficiency.
By encouraging companies to operate three shifts, government estimates the policy could generate nearly 1.7 million jobs while reducing reliance on imports and strengthening domestic production.
To support implementation, President Mahama announced a package of incentives under what he termed the “BUILD 24” framework. These include tax rebates on electricity consumed during off-peak hours, enhanced security for night-shift workers and other measures aimed at lowering the cost of doing business.
He described the initiative as a major intervention to tackle youth unemployment and unlock the full potential of existing infrastructure.
The President emphasised that the success of the 24-Hour Economy will depend heavily on private-sector participation. He therefore called on Ghanaian entrepreneurs and international investors to take advantage of the legal backing and incentives now in place.
With the passage of the law and the establishment of the Authority, he said, Ghana’s transition to a 24-hour industrial economy has officially begun
