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Kofi Nsiah Poku, President of the Association of Ghana Industries, has pledged the private sector’s full backing for Ghana’s 24 Hour Economy policy, describing it as a turning point for production, exports and job creation if properly executed.
His endorsement follows Parliament’s passage of the 24 Hour Economy Authority Bill on February 6, 2026. The new law establishes a corporate body to coordinate implementation across Ministries, Departments and Agencies and to structure incentives for businesses willing to operate continuously.
In a statement dated February 9, Nsiah Poku said the policy must be anchored in industrial and agricultural expansion. Services, he noted, have a role to play but should revolve around production rather than replace it.
He commended the government for recent tax reforms yet cautioned that legislation alone will not automatically translate into expanded factory lines or new employment opportunities. A competitive business environment, he argued, is essential to make round the clock operations viable.
Reliable and affordable electricity remains a central concern. Companies running multiple shifts require steady power supply, accessible development financing and dependable transport systems. Security arrangements and worker mobility during night hours must also be factored into planning. In Nsiah Poku’s view, the 24 hour model demands coordination across institutions, not isolated reforms.
AGI has been in close consultation with the 24 Hour Economy Secretariat and has submitted recommendations to refine the framework. The association is also engaging development finance institutions to secure medium to long term funding for industrial expansion.
Strengthening domestic value chains forms another pillar of AGI’s position. Nsiah Poku warned that overreliance on imported inputs leaves manufacturers exposed to exchange rate volatility. Building local supply networks, he said, will improve price stability and strengthen competitiveness in regional and global markets.
Government’s facilitative role, he added, must extend to transparent administration of incentives and firm regulatory enforcement. Proposed measures include tax rebates for companies operating multiple shifts, subsidized night time electricity tariffs and expedited duty waivers for production equipment. These interventions could enable small and medium sized enterprises to scale up output.
Backers of the bill argue it is designed to address youth unemployment and empower the private sector. Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga said during debate that production systems development and supply chain transformation sit at the heart of the initiative. The 2026 Budget allocated more than 100 million cedis to finance the Authority’s activities.
Early examples of alignment are already visible. Gold Coast Refinery recently signed an agreement with the Ghana Gold Board to refine about 52,000 kilograms of gold annually under continuous operations. The Ministry of Trade’s Feed Industries program is projected to generate over 18,000 direct and indirect jobs structured around shift based production.
Nsiah Poku said AGI’s network of more than 1,200 member companies across 22 sectors positions the association to drive implementation. He pledged sustained collaboration with government to ensure the 24 Hour Economy delivers measurable gains in industrial output, export diversification and sustainable employment across Ghana.
