Flagship initiative set to drive job creation, industrialisation, and inclusive growth across Ghana
President John Dramani Mahama has confirmed that Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy Policy will be officially launched in July 2025, featuring key initiatives such as the development of a Volta Lake logistics corridor and decentralised district-level implementation for inclusive economic growth.
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana’s long-anticipated 24-Hour Economy Policy will be officially launched in July 2025, likely on Republic Day. Speaking during a multi-sectoral stakeholder engagement at the Jubilee House, the President revealed that he had reviewed the final policy draft and is confident in its ability to deliver tangible results for Ghanaians. “I have reviewed it, and I’m confident we now have a coherent and actionable framework with which to deliver the results,” he stated.
The policy, which was a central campaign promise during the 2024 general elections, is designed to stimulate inclusive economic growth by encouraging 24-hour operations across key sectors. These sectors include agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, light manufacturing, textiles, digital services, tourism, and the creative economy. Each of these areas has been analysed for specific challenges, and the policy proposes tailored interventions to remove bottlenecks related to skills gaps, infrastructure, financing, and logistics.
One of the flagship components of the 24-Hour Economy Policy is the transformation of the Volta Lake corridor into a national logistics and production hub. According to President Mahama, the Volta Lake and its surrounding basin will be developed into a corridor that supports large-scale agricultural production, fisheries, and the establishment of industrial parks. The project envisions the cultivation of over two million hectares of lakeside arable land and revitalisation of the fishery sector. The government will invest in modern lake ports, floating assets, and related infrastructure to turn the lake into a more efficient and reliable transport route, thereby easing congestion on the country’s overburdened roads.
To provide administrative and strategic coordination, the government will establish a 24-Hour Economy Secretariat. This will be an independent authority, backed by legislation and reporting directly to the President. It will be responsible for overseeing implementation nationwide. In addition, decentralisation is a key principle of the policy. Each district and municipality will form its own implementation task force, aligned with local economic development strategies. This bottom-up approach is intended to give regions the flexibility to identify and lead industrial transformation based on their natural comparative advantages.
On the financing side, the Development Bank of Ghana and the Venture Capital Trust Fund will play pivotal roles in scaling up value chain financing for small and medium enterprises, cooperatives, and agribusinesses. Infrastructure development will be led by the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, which will spearhead the construction of logistics hubs, industrial zones, and upgraded transport networks to support 24-hour economic activities.
The President also announced the introduction of the Aspire24 programme, a youth-focused training initiative designed to prepare young Ghanaians for shift-based work, digital roles, and entrepreneurship. To address investor concerns around land access, government will establish local land banks that are zoned, titled, and ready for immediate investment.
The policy document is scheduled to be released for public consultation on Tuesday, ahead of the formal launch in July. “We’ll officially launch the 24-hour plus programme in July this year, most probably on Ghana’s Republic Day, which is a symbolic day for a bold new national agenda,” Mahama said. He concluded with optimism, declaring that the policy is no longer just a vision but a detailed and inclusive roadmap for transforming Ghana’s economic trajectory.
Summary
President Mahama’s 24-Hour Economy Policy is set to launch in July 2025, with a major focus on job creation, industrialisation, and decentralised implementation. Key initiatives include the Volta Lake logistics corridor, creation of a national secretariat, SME financing, land access reforms, and training programmes for youth. With implementation beginning soon, the policy is positioned as a bold step toward economic transformation and inclusive national growth.