By Ashiadey Dotse
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the private sector will lead the implementation of the government’s new 24-Hour Plus Economy programme. He made this statement during the official launch of the initiative in Accra on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, saying the government will only play a supporting role.
Speaking at the event, President Mahama explained that the 24-Hour Plus Economy is not just about working longer hours. Instead, it is a well-planned strategy designed to boost job creation, improve productivity, and strengthen exports. According to him, the private sector will be the engine driving this transformation, while the government will provide support through regulations, funding structures, and key infrastructure.
“The private sector will lead the 24-hour plus programme, government .” President Mahama said.
The 24-Hour Plus Economy includes several sub-programs, each targeting specific areas of the economy.
These include:
Grow 24 – focuses on agriculture, agro-processing, and food security.
Make 24 – supports manufacturing and industrial growth.
Build 24 – boosts infrastructure and public works.
Show 24 – promotes tourism, culture, and the creative industry.
Connect 24 – enhances logistics, transport, and digital systems.
Fund 24 – improves access to finance for businesses.
Aspire 24 – develops skills, values, and digital abilities.
Goal 24 – unites all sectors for national productivity and pride.
President Mahama also introduced the Volta Economic Corridor as the flagship of the initiative. This project will harness the economic and environmental potential of the Volta Lake region. It will include large-scale irrigation for over two million hectares of farmland, agro-industrial parks, tourism development, and the use of the lake as a major transport route.
“We are bringing back Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s original vision for the Volta project – not just for electricity, but for agriculture, transportation, and industrialization,” the President said.
To ensure proper funding, the program will work with commercial banks, development finance institutions, and blended finance models. A new independent 24-Hour Plus Authority will soon be set up to manage the program, reporting directly to the President.
President Mahama assured Ghanaians that the 24-Hour Plus Economy will be focused, strategic, and designed to deliver real economic benefits, especially in job-rich and export-oriented sectors.
