The Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has said Ghana’s proposed 24-hour economy is achievable but must be driven by effective consumer demand to succeed.
The policy, introduced as a flagship initiative of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, seeks to encourage businesses to operate beyond traditional working hours. Parliament recently passed the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, paving the way for the establishment of an authority to oversee its implementation.
Speaking in an interview on February 22, 2026, the former Housing Minister questioned the sustainability of round-the-clock operations without sufficient market activity to justify the additional costs. He cited the example of GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited, which initially announced 24-hour operations but later scaled back after determining it was not economically viable.
Oppong Nkrumah argued that businesses are motivated by economic incentives rather than directives, stressing that extended operating hours would naturally occur if there were customers with purchasing power.
“It is doable, but it must be premised on effective demand,” he said, adding that the focus should be on strengthening economic fundamentals and stimulating demand rather than relying solely on administrative measures to enforce longer working hours.