Veep Calls on Workers, Employers and Private Sector to Back Ghana's 24-Hour Economy Drive

Vice President Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang has made a strong appeal to organised labour, employers and the private sector to throw their weight behind the government's flagship 24-Hour Economy policy, describing it as a transformative agenda that requires broad participation from all stakeholders across the Ghanaian economy.

Speaking at a gathering of key economic actors, the Vice President stressed that the success of the policy hinges on genuine collaboration between government, workers and businesses. She noted that shifting Ghana's productive activities beyond the traditional eight-hour workday has the potential to create more jobs, boost output and accelerate national development.

Opoku Agyemang also shone a spotlight on the informal sector, which she described as a critical contributor to Ghana's overall economic performance. She emphasised that workers and businesses operating outside the formal economy must not be left behind, insisting that their rights and welfare deserve equal priority alongside those in the formal sector.

The 24-Hour Economy policy, one of the John Mahama administration's central pledges, envisions staggered shifts in manufacturing, agriculture, services and other sectors to maximise productivity around the clock. Proponents argue the approach could significantly reduce unemployment and improve Ghana's competitiveness on the continent.

Labour unions and employer associations have so far given a cautious welcome to the initiative, though some have called for clearer implementation frameworks, including provisions on night-shift allowances, worker safety and regulatory oversight before full rollout begins.