Over 300 Filling Stations Now Running 24-Hour Shifts Under Mahama's Economy Drive

More than 300 filling stations across Ghana have been incentivised to operate on a three-shift, round-the-clock basis as part of the Mahama administration's flagship 24-hour economy policy, Majority Leader Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor Agalga has revealed. Speaking on the initiative, Mr Agalga described the development as concrete evidence that the government's ambitious economic agenda is already moving from paper to practice.

What the 24-hour economy policy means

The 24-hour economy concept, which was a central campaign promise of President John Mahama ahead of the 2024 general election, is designed to extend productive activity beyond the traditional working day. The idea is to stagger shifts across key sectors — including fuel retail, manufacturing, and services — so that businesses operate continuously, creating more jobs, boosting tax revenues, and making everyday services more accessible to Ghanaians at any hour.

Filling stations represent one of the most visible and immediate sectors where the policy can be rolled out, given that they already possess the infrastructure needed for extended operations. By incentivising station operators to run morning, afternoon, and overnight shifts, the government aims to generate additional employment for fuel attendants, security personnel, and support staff while also ensuring that motorists, haulage operators, and emergency vehicles can access fuel at any time of day or night.

Why it matters for Ghana

Ghana's economy has faced significant headwinds in recent years, including the effects of the 2022 debt crisis, rising unemployment among the youth, and the lingering pressures of inflation on households. The 24-hour economy policy is being positioned as a structural response to some of these challenges — not merely a short-term fix, but a rethinking of how the country organises its economic activity.

For ordinary Ghanaians, the immediate benefit of having fuel stations open through the night is practical and tangible. Long queues and emergency fuel shortages during odd hours have historically been a frustration for drivers and logistics companies alike. A reliable, round-the-clock fuel retail network supports not just individual motorists but also the broader supply chain — from food distribution trucks to intercity transport operators who often travel overnight.

Beyond the fuel sector, the government has signalled that the initiative will be extended to other industries including food processing, retail, and light manufacturing. If successfully scaled, economists argue that round-the-clock economic activity could meaningfully lift Ghana's GDP by ensuring that capital — both physical and human — is not left idle during nighttime hours.

Implementation and what comes next

Mr Agalga's comments suggest the government is keen to demonstrate early wins on the policy front, particularly as scrutiny grows over how quickly the 24-hour economy vision can be translated into measurable outcomes. The incentivisation of filling stations appears to involve arrangements that make it financially worthwhile for operators to absorb the additional costs of overnight staffing and utilities.

However, questions remain about the sustainability of the incentive structure and whether smaller, independent filling station operators — who make up a significant portion of the sector outside the major cities — will be able to participate on the same terms as larger chains. The government is yet to publish a comprehensive framework detailing the specific incentives on offer, the criteria for eligibility, and the timeline for expanding the scheme to other sectors.

Civil society groups and business associations are likely to watch closely as the policy unfolds, particularly with regard to whether the jobs created are formal, well-paying positions or low-wage arrangements that simply redistribute existing employment. For now, though, the Majority Leader's announcement marks a notable early milestone in one of the most talked-about economic experiments in Ghana's recent political history.