Raph Poku Adusei, Member of Parliament for Bekwai in the Ashanti Region, has cautioned that the proposed 24-Hour Economy Authority could create conflicts of interest and undermine its intended purpose.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Adusei questioned provisions in the bill that allow the use of information “without authorisation,” arguing that such language could enable misuse.
“In my view, I don’t think anybody should have the authorisation to use the information he or she has acquired to the detriment of the authority,” Adusei said. “The law is there to protect us. The rendition should take away the ‘without authorisation’ clause because it creates an avenue for abuse.”
The legislator warned that the authority might serve no useful purpose if its roles and powers are not clearly defined, potentially leading to internal conflicts and inefficiencies.
The 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, a flagship policy of the John Mahama administration, aims to transform Ghana’s economy into a 24-hour operational system, coordinating public and private sector initiatives, mobilizing investment, and overseeing regulatory and infrastructural support.
The bill has faced scrutiny from MPs over potential security, governance, and implementation challenges, with Adusei’s remarks highlighting continuing debates on oversight and accountability.
Parliament on Friday, 6 February 2026, passed the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, paving the way for the creation of a national body to coordinate the rollout of a policy to expand economic activity around the clock.
The legislation, a flagship initiative of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, was approved after days of debate between the ruling Majority caucus and the Minority on the floor of the House.
The bill, laid before Parliament in late 2025, provides for the establishment of a 24-Hour Economy Authority to oversee implementation of the policy across both the public and private sectors.
Details
Under the law, the authority will align government agencies and businesses, mobilise investment, and ensure regulatory and infrastructure systems are in place to support continuous economic operations.
The 24-hour economy formed a central plank of the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) 2024 election campaign and is being promoted by the government as a tool to boost job creation, productivity, and growth.
Opposition lawmakers cautioned during the debates that the policy could present security risks and inconvenience for citizens if not carefully managed.
The Majority caucus countered that safeguards would be introduced to address security and regulatory concerns, arguing that the economic benefits would outweigh the challenges.
The bill’s passage clears the way for the formal establishment of the authority and the start of implementation activities in the coming months.
President John Dramani Mahama officially launched his ambitious 24-hour economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme on 2 July 2025, describing it as a transformative national strategy aimed at unleashing productivity, creating jobs, and reorienting the country from a raw-material exporter to a globally competitive, value-adding economy.
Speaking at a high-profile ceremony in Accra, President Mahama said the 24-Hour Plus agenda was born out of critical reflection on Ghana’s economic structure during and after his previous administration.
“Between 2016 and 2020, it became increasingly clear that Ghana, like many African countries, is trapped in a model of unequal exchange. We export raw materials and import refined goods at much higher prices. This model fuels foreign economies while our own youth remain unemployed,” the President explained.
He stressed that while past investments in energy, roads, ICT, and human capital laid a foundation, the next phase must be more integrated, bold, and collaborative.
“The 24-Hour Plus programme is not just about extending working hours. It is about unleashing productivity, accelerating exports, and expanding opportunity through structured, multisectoral interventions,” he said.
According to the President, the strategy includes eight thematic sub-programmes:
- GROW24: Boosting agriculture, agro-processing, and food security.
- MAKE24: Revitalising manufacturing and industrialisation.
- BUILD24: Accelerating construction and infrastructure.
- SHOW24: Harnessing Ghana’s creative, cultural, and tourism potential.
- CONNECT24: Improving logistics, ports, energy, and digital systems.
- FUND24: Unlocking finance through credit schemes and venture capital.
- ASPIRE24: Equipping citizens with skills, ethics, and digital literacy.
- GROW24 (Civic): Mobilising all sectors—civic, academic, and religious—for national pride and productivity.
