By: Ashiadey Dotse
Associate Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Accounting and Finance at UPSA, Prof. Isaac Boadi, says the government’s decision to allocate GHC 110 million to the 24-hour economy initiative in the 2026 Budget does not match the scale and ambition of the project, describing the amount as woefully inadequate.
Prof. Boadi, speaking in an interview on GTV’s breakfast show on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, explained that earlier estimates suggested the 24-hour economy project could cost about GHC 4 billion, considering its potential to drive industrialisation, address structural imbalances, and boost Ghana’s export capacity.
He said allocating only GHC 110 million to such a major national programme raises questions about the government’s commitment.
According to him, the 24-hour economy has the potential to improve productivity, reduce the tax burden on businesses, and make it easier for entrepreneurs and companies to operate around the clock. He noted that the success of the initiative also depends heavily on infrastructure development, efficient transportation, and the ability of firms to move goods easily across the country.
He stressed that while the idea behind the 24-hour economy is good and could contribute significantly to economic growth, the figures in the budget do not reflect strong government support.
Prof. Boadi added that the programme requires major investment in infrastructure, factory linkages, and export-enhancing initiatives, but the current allocation falls far short of what is needed.
He said the ambition is clear, but the funding is too small to achieve the intended goals, saying the budget allocation “shows a weak commitment from the administration”.
