Mahama Takes 24-Hour Economy Global: “Ghana Is Your Reliable Gateway”

Mahama Takes 24-Hour Economy Global: “Ghana Is Your Reliable Gateway”

  • President John Mahama touted the 24-Hour Economy during his appearance at the Africa–Singapore Business Forum
  • Mahama also said Ghana was the gateway for Africa and its emerging markets, which are ready to do business with the world
  • The 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme is meant to turn around Ghana's import-dependent economy

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President John Mahama pushed his 24-Hour Economy agenda during the Africa–Singapore Business Forum in Singapore.

Speaking at the opening of the forum, he presented the plan to boost productivity and employment in Ghana.

President John Mahama pushed his 24-Hour Economy agenda during the Africa–Singapore Business Forum in Singapore.
President John Mahama touts the 24-Hour Economy agenda during the Africa–Singapore Business Forum in Singapore. Source: John Dramani Mahama
Source: Facebook

As his administration has touted, the plan is to align infrastructure, incentives, and skills so that factories, farms, ports, and service centres can operate round-the-clock shifts.

“At the core of this is the Volta Economic Corridor—our most ambitious integrated development to date.”
“I speak today as an African leader and as President of Ghana. Our message is simple: Africa is investable, and Ghana is your reliable gateway to the continent. The continent is the world’s most dynamic emerging market."

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About the 24-Hour Economy plan

The 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme is a national production-led revamp of Ghana’s import-dependent, low-value raw material exporting economy.

The government's vision is to turn the economy into a modern, self-reliant, and globally competitive one that works around the clock to deliver productivity, sustainable growth, jobs, and food security.

Government cancels 1D1F programme

The Mahama administration cancelled the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative, a flagship programme introduced under the Akufo-Addo administration.

The decision was announced by the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

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The government is working to replace the 1D1F initiative with a new industrial strategy focused on round-the-clock agro-processing hubs under the 24-hour economy policy.

While the 1D1F programme is being phased out, the trade minister stated that ongoing projects would not be abandoned but would instead be re-aligned under the broader 24-hour economy vision.

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She noted that aspects of the old programme are under review and would be integrated into the new plan, with discussions ongoing between the ministry and stakeholders to manage the transition.

The 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme is a national production-led revamp of Ghana’s import-dependent, low-value raw material exporting economy.
The Mahama administration's 24-Hour Economy agenda is meant to revamp Ghana's import-led economy. Source: Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang
Source: Facebook

Minister pushes for 24-hour markets

YEN.com.gh also reported that the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, called for the establishment of 24-hour markets in Ghana’s district city centres to boost local development.

The initiative would include shift systems in factories, extended market hours, and certain essential services like pharmacies, police stations, and health posts. President Mahama officially launched the policy on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Delali Adogla-Bessa avatar

Delali Adogla-Bessa (Head of Current Affairs and Politics Desk) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.

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