Dr Stephen Issaka, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communication Team, has explained that the Mahama government flagship 24-Hour Economy is not a switch one can just flick on and off.
According to Dr Stephen Issaka, the 24-hour economy was not a policy that could be implemented overnight.
He explained that the government’s plan represents a significant attempt to extend economic activity beyond the conventional 12-hour cycle.
Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana on Monday, August 31, 2026, Dr Issaka stated, “Look, the 24-Hour Economy is not a switch you can just flick on and off. Historically, we as a country have been a 12-hour, our economic sort of system, basically, right down from Christmas ever to today”.
“So this is a bold attempt by a government for the very first time to try and push the economy, businesses, and manufacturing beyond 12 hours,” he stated.
He argued that successful implementation of the 24-hour economy policy would first require major improvements in infrastructure and others.
Dr Issaka stated, “And so, look, 24-Hour Economy will require roads, and that’s what Big Push is for. A 24-hour economy will require that banks and individuals can borrow at reasonable rates. That is in the pipeline,” “24-Hour Economy will require electricity around the clock. You and I will agree that at the moment, we are not dead, but we are pushing on that particular trajectory”.
“24-Hour Economy will require security…, would you want to go out and work in the night if you think you’re not going to get transport? If you think there is no electricity, there is no light, that’s a security problem. So that needs to be solved,” he said.
He further disclosed that the 1:3:3 shift under the 24-Hour Economy policy is at the climax of the policy.
“The 1:3:3 is supposed to be at the crescendo, at the very end of our project,” he stated.
In related news, Dr Rashid Pelpuo, the Minister of State in Charge of Special Initiatives, has revealed that over 400 companies have expressed interest in operating under Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy policy.
According to Dr Rashid Pelpuo, several companies had already begun implementing 24-hour operations.
He disclosed that the government is seeking to expand the initiative through the private sector by creating the necessary conditions for businesses to operate around the clock.
Dr Rashid Pelpuo further argued that the success of the 24-Hour Economy should not be assessed solely by whether ministries and other public institutions have adopted three-shift systems.
Speaking on Citi FM on Thursday, August 27, 2026, Dr Rashid Pelpuo stated, “We have listed more than 400 companies that are saying, We want to run the 24-hour economy policy”.
“The fact is that we are creating an avenue for the private sector to take advantage of and do it. And that’s exactly what we are doing,” he said, adding that the government was providing some of the requirements needed by participating businesses to maintain continuous operations.
“When you are talking about job creation and when you are talking about employment, it’s not just government employing people. We are talking about a holistic economic approach,” he said.
Watch the video below:
The 1:3:3 shift system will come at the very end of the 24-Hour Economy policy – Dr Stephen Issaka#GoodMorningGhana #MetroTV pic.twitter.com/qCFFDyshPP
— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) August 31, 2026
@ghnow_ The MP for Ablekuma North, Hon. Ewurabena Aubynn, exchanges pleasantries and interacts warmly with her constituents during the donation exercise. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “God bless you for what you are doing for us.” – A beneficiary expresses gratitude to Hon. Ewurabena Aubynn for her support and generosity. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
