Ghana has officially passed a major policy milestone: President John Dramani Mahama has assented to the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, 2025, making it law.
If that sounds like government paperwork, here is the real meaning: Ghana is moving from “we want a 24-hour economy” to “we have an Authority with a legal mandate to coordinate it.” That shift matters, because institutions are how policies actually get implemented in the real world.
What just became law
On February 19, 2026, the President assented to the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, 2025 at Jubilee House. The Presidency’s own press release confirms the signing took place before the 13th Cabinet meeting.
In his remarks immediately after signing, the President described it as a flagship strategy for economic transformation, and emphasized implementation.
What the 24-Hour Economy Authority is
The simplest way to understand the new Authority is this: it is meant to be the “coordination engine” for the 24-hour economy plan.
Instead of every ministry and agency doing its own thing (and sometimes stepping on each other), the Authority is meant to align public and private sector efforts, and help put the supporting rules and systems in place.
MyJoyOnline reports that the bill establishes the Authority as “the central coordinating body to implement the policy,” including coordination across sectors and attention to “infrastructure and regulatory needs.”
What a “24-hour economy” means in plain English
A 24-hour economy is not just “stay open late.” It is a shift-based model where parts of the economy operate in multiple shifts so Ghana can produce, move, and deliver more value across a longer working day.
Think of it like this: if a factory runs for 8 hours, the machines sit idle for 16 hours. If the same factory runs 2 or 3 shifts, production increases without needing to build a brand-new factory first.
That is the basic productivity logic behind the idea.
What changes now (practically)
The big change is that Ghana now has a formal structure and legal mandate behind the policy. That matters because it turns “policy intention” into “institutional responsibility.”
Here is what is clearly supported by public reporting so far:
- The Authority now exists in law and is expected to coordinate implementation nationwide.
- Parliament passed the bill on February 6, 2026 after debate, which means the law has already gone through legislative scrutiny.
- Government and investors are now looking for the incentive package that will make businesses willing to adopt shift work and expanded operating hours.
One key point that needs to be said plainly: the law itself is not the same thing as instant nationwide 24/7 operations. The law creates the “driver,” but the work still involves staffing, budgets, regulations, infrastructure planning, and execution.
Sector-by-sector: where you may feel changes
Some sectors are naturally more compatible with extended-hour operations. Others will need more support to operate safely and profitably at night.
| Sector | What could change | What must be in place first |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing and agro-processing | More shift work, higher output, more demand for workers and supervisors. | Reliable power, security, predictable logistics. |
| Logistics and ports | More night movement of goods, faster turnaround, reduced bottlenecks. | Staffing for customs and port services, security, transport coordination. |
| Tech, BPO, and services | More 24/7 customer support and global time-zone work opportunities. | Stable internet/power, strong workforce pipeline, predictable business rules. |
| Retail and hospitality | Extended shopping and service hours where demand exists. | Safety, lighting, transport availability, real consumer demand at night. |
| Public services | Some government services may extend hours to support trade and business processes. | Clear operating plans, budgets, staffing, and service standards. |
Important accuracy note: The sector impacts above are practical implications of the policy and how 24-hour economies usually function. They are not a guarantee that every sector will immediately shift to 24/7 operations.
What will not change overnight
Even with the Authority now established in law, several things do not automatically change the next morning:
- Not every business will switch to shift work right away. Businesses need clear incentives, predictable costs, and demand.
- Infrastructure constraints still exist. If power and transport systems are inconsistent, night operations get expensive fast. If you want a grounded view of how this feels on the street, see our guide on power outages in Ghana.
- Security and worker safety are not optional. A night economy only works if people can move safely and reliably.
So yes, the law is a major step. But the success of the policy will be measured by what is implemented, funded, and sustained.
What to watch next
If you want to track whether this law is becoming “real” on the ground, here are the signals that matter:
- Who is appointed to run the Authority and what their mandate and timeline look like.
- The incentive package that businesses can actually use. In the Presidency’s release, the President said investors want to see “the package of incentives” the government can afford.
- Sector pilots (for example, specific industrial zones, logistics corridors, or export programs running in shifts).
- Measurable job creation and productivity improvements tied to shift expansion.
- Reduced friction for business operations (permits, customs clearance, logistics timing, supply chain reliability).
If you are a business owner or investor, you should also keep your compliance basics tight. If you need a Ghana business setup roadmap, start here: Starting a business in Ghana as a foreigner.
Sources
- The Presidency, Republic of Ghana: “President Mahama assents to the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, 2025” (Feb 19, 2026)
- MyJoyOnline: “President Mahama signs 24-Hour Economy Authority bill into law” (Feb 19, 2026)
- Graphic Online: “Parliament passes 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill” (Feb 6, 2026)
- Graphic Online: “President Mahama signs 24-Hour Economy Bill into law” (Feb 19, 2026)
- Parliament of Ghana: Bills listing page (includes “24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, 2025”)
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