Parliament Endorses Bill to Establish 24-Hour Economy Authority

Parliament has approved the bill to create the 24-Hour Economy Authority following extensive discussions and heated exchanges between the Majority and Minority caucuses on Friday, February 6, 2026.

The legislation aims to set up the Authority to oversee the rollout of the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme. The initiative is intended to tackle deep-rooted structural challenges within Ghana’s productive sectors.

It also seeks to reduce the nation’s dependence on exporting low-value raw materials and reliance on expensive imported finished and semi-processed goods. The Authority is expected to drive a holistic and sustainable transformation of systems for production, supply chains, marketing, and workforce development.

First introduced in late 2025, the bill is designed to transition Ghana’s economy into a round-the-clock operational framework. The Authority will serve as the central coordinating body, tasked with mobilising investment, aligning public and private sector efforts, and ensuring that infrastructure and regulatory mechanisms are in place to sustain continuous economic activity.

The 24-hour economy policy was a flagship campaign pledge of the NDC during the 2024 general elections. Since then, government has positioned it as a key catalyst for employment creation, enhanced productivity, and overall economic expansion.

During parliamentary debate, Minority members voiced reservations, warning that poor execution could pose security risks and inconvenience citizens. Nhyiaeso MP, Stephen Amoah, described the policy as “a cliché,” arguing that it fails to demonstrate what new value the Authority would add beyond formalising existing practices.

Despite these objections, the Majority caucus insisted that the benefits outweigh the concerns, assuring that adequate security and regulatory safeguards would be instituted to guarantee smooth implementation.

With its passage, the bill paves the way for the formal establishment of the 24-Hour Economy Authority and the commencement of implementation processes.