President John Dramani Mahama has averred that his government’s flagship 24-Hour+ policy will go beyond the extension of working hours.
Speaking at the launch of the programme today, Wednesday, July 02, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre, he noted that the policy has been built for a holistic economic inclusivity.
“But let me be clear here. The 24H+ Agenda is not simply about extending working hours. It is about unleashing productivity, expanding opportunity, accelerating export through well-structured multi-sectoral and inclusive interventions,” he stated, adding that the framework will influence the institution of a “national consultations and co-design.”
The policy, which the government has dubbed the 24H+ Agenda, is expected to drive economic transformation, enhance productivity, and tackle unemployment through round-the-clock operations in key sectors of the economy.
It is designed to encourage continuous, shift-based work in industries such as manufacturing, agro-processing, healthcare, transportation, and retail.
The “game changer”, as the government describes it, is expected to create a lot of jobs to increase national output and unlock value across supply chains. The initiative, which the government says will not be mandatory, will have companies who enroll in it to benefit from tax incentives, security and stable electricity.
President Mahama further disclosed that the policy’s secretariat headed by Augustus ‘Goosie’ Oboadum Tanoh, has undergone an extensive national engagement process in the past six months, making it a viable agenda to serve every part of the economy.
“They’ve listened to entrepreneurs, both large and small, formal and informal, organised labour, cooperative farmers and traders, artistes, technologists, traditional rulers and religious bodies. They’ve consulted with diaspora groups, development agencies, investors and infrastructure experts. They’ve talked to youth and women’s organisations, scientists and educational institutions.
“Alongside the private sector, the Secretariat has worked with government ministries, departments and agencies, to align regulatory, fiscal and institutional frameworks to the programme,” the President explained.
It is expected that the policy will shape the economy and provide more jobs to tackle the teeming unemployment in the country.
