Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called for broad-based, non-partisan support for the implementation of Ghana’s flagship 24-Hour Economy initiative, as government officially launches the policy document today, Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
Speaking during a courtesy call by the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat ahead of the launch, Speaker Bagbin cautioned against politicizing national development policies.
He emphasized that categorizing critical national initiatives along party lines undermines their potential impact.
“Once we do this on partisan lines, it means we have not got it,” the Speaker stated.
Mr Bagbin emphasised the need for consensus-building and collective ownership of the policy, urging leaders and citizens to unite behind national priorities irrespective of political affiliation.
He cited historical examples such as the Vision 2020 plan under former President Jerry John Rawlings and the Free SHS policy under President Nana Akufo-Addo as initiatives that gained traction through national support.
In that spirit, he recommended that the 24-Hour Economy policy be subjected to a full parliamentary debate following its launch to encourage inclusivity and long-term commitment.
“We should make it a national programme for the benefit of all Ghanaians. Let’s not divide it along political lines,” he urged.
Speaker Bagbin also proposed that the Secretariat collaborate with Parliament to draft and pass legislation institutionalizing the policy. This, he noted, would guarantee continuity across successive governments and safeguard the initiative from political transitions.
Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy, Mr. Goosie Tanoh, who presented a copy of the policy document to the Speaker, explained that the initiative is anchored on three main pillars: Production Transformation, Supply Chain and Market Efficiency, and Human Capital Development.
These pillars are supported by eight sub-programmes, including; Roll 24 – Agricultural productivity enhancement, Make 24 – Manufacturing and industrialization, and Connect 24 – Supply chain strengthening
The rest are; Aspire 24 – Instilling a productivity mindset and reforming bureaucratic attitudes and Show Ghana – Promoting Ghana’s cultural assets to boost tourism and national revenue
An additional feature of the policy includes integrating strong digital technology training into the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) curriculum to prepare the workforce for emerging job opportunities.
The 24-Hour Economy was a key campaign promise of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 elections.
It aims to drive job creation and economic revitalization as Ghana recovers from its economic challenges.
President John Dramani Mahama is expected to officially launch the 24-Hour Economy policy document at the Accra International Conference Centre.
